Sunday, March 6, 2022

My Snowdrops


I worked outside on this lovely Sunday afternoon cutting back the Limelight hydrangeas and some more general spring cleanup. It's really too early to do very much but it was nice being outdoors. The snowdrops are in full bloom and they are my harbingers of spring and the daffodils will be next.

I recently finished watching all five seasons of Kavanaugh QC on Tubi and loved it. It's on Amazon Prime too. Kavanagh Q.C. is a British Series about a barrister with the designation of Queen's Counsel (hence the title) starring John Thaw. I love all legal dramas, especially the English ones with barristers and judges wearing robes and wigs. I learned John Thaw was the original Inspector Morse and now I am watching and really enjoying all of those old episodes on YouTube. Somehow I missed them when they aired on PBS. I don't think the new Morse on Endeavour can hold a candle to the old Morse! 
xo

Friday, March 4, 2022

House Tour: A Martha's Vineyard Guest House


If you love this bedroom and everything in it as much as I do, you will love the rest of this guest house featured in New England Home magazine.


Enjoy! xo

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Home Design with GUSTO


I saw this photo in an article here. I saw several of the decorated chests in the article in person at an elegant estate I toured a while ago and immediately fell in love with the designs and wonderful craftsmanship. The shop is in West Palm Beach Florida. More photos from their website below. Quote from the owners, a mother and her two sons -- “We joke that Casa Gusto is our excuse to justify and continue our hoarding.”





A woven wheelbarrow? Swoon.



Wednesday, March 2, 2022

First You Chop an Onion


This system never fails me. I made the most delicious pot of soup yesterday. I always roughly chop a big onion and see where it takes me. Then I chopped two stalks of celery, half a red bell pepper, peeled and diced a sweet potato, and sautéed these items in avocado oil in my heavy soup pot.  While that was going on, I dumped a large can of whole peeled tomatoes in juice into a mixing bowl. I roughly chopped the tomatoes into chunks using kitchen shears. Yes, I actually picked up each whole tomato and cut it into chunks with scissors! I had been stirring the veggies too. When I finished the tomatoes, I added them to the pot plus a can or two of water. When that came to a boil. I added 1/2 a bag of frozen cut okra. I love okra in vegetable soup but I don't always have it on hand. The last batch I made didn't have it and it was good too. I added two bouillon cubes and a generous amount of Worcester Sauce and sprinkled a lot of Goya All Purpose Seasoning on top. I filled with water almost to the top and brought it up to a boil. Then I put a lid on top and simmered it for a while until the sweet potatoes were done. I sat down with a big bowl and went back for seconds for my dinner last night. I will have it for lunch today and dinner too. You can use any vegetables you want. And keep adding more when the volume goes down after a few meals. I might add a big white potato cut into chunks tomorrow. I have frozen peas and frozen corn I could add also but for now I love the current mix of veggies I used yesterday. Are you a soup lover too. I usually have to add a little salt to each bowl to get it seasoned perfectly for my taste. 


I heated it up this morning.
I got this small Le Creuset Dutch Oven at a garage sale long ago for almost no money. It was missing its lid and needed a good scrubbing. I thought I had a glass lid at home that might fit and I did! This is my GO TO soup pot.



Now I can't wait until lunch!
I shouldn't have heated it up so early.
The house smells delicious.
xo

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

March Lamb + Bathroom Repair DIY


March is coming in like a lamb at my house with a whole week of unremarkable weather. That means it will go out like a Lion!

I have been busy with a DIY repair in my bathroom that took the better part of Monday but ended successfully. I kept the original fixtures in my first floor bath, the corner tub and the American Standard toilet. I have never had a problem with my Kohler tub from the late 1930s but I have a problem with the other fixture on a regular basis. It's always the same thing. The tank ball. The rod gets bent, stuck, or something similar. This time another piece broke that guides the bulb's rod to the proper flushing place. I got a replacement ball at the hardware store and it was a perfect fit. Now to make it go up and down and stop in the proper slot without the broken guide. I finally got it to work perfectly without calling a plumber. It only set me back $4.25 and a chain I already had. The secret was to keep cutting the last bead at the end of the chain until there was no slack since the rod wasn't quite long enough. Success!!! I'm so happy I never give up.


This photo shows the work in progress.
There is another tool box involved that isn't in this photo.

Monday, February 28, 2022

Wonderful Figural Antique Food Choppers


Aren't these wonderful? 
Wouldn't they make food chopping more fun? 
Folk Art at its finest!

February flew by, didn't it?
Happy last day!
xo

Sunday, February 27, 2022

The Art of Simplicity


"The ordinary arts
we practice every day
at home are of more
importance to the soul
than their simplicity
might suggest."
Thomas Moore
 1779-1852

Isn't this illustration just perfect for the quote by Thomas Moore? I found it on Pinterest. You might want to learn more about this Irish poet, prose and lyrics writer in this biography here.

Saturday, February 26, 2022

Dog Toy in Washing Machine


I was cleaning my desktop of all the screenshot I have saved recently and ran across this one I hadn't shared. Here's your Saturday smile. His face says volumes as he sits, waiting for the buzzer. Will his owner hang his  bunny outside or put it in the dryer? Poor dog♡😂 Have a great weekend. xo

Friday, February 25, 2022

Ice Storm


I don't need to go out until all the ice melts this afternoon and the snow turns to rain. Be safe if you have ice too. xo

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Delightful Cottage with House Plans



This twilight view shows the porch wraps around both sides.

Isn't this absolutely charming?
Click HERE for house plans and variations.
Plans sold on Etsy for $99.00
Click down the left column for more photos and interior views.
It is called Cotton Blue Cottage.
xo

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Bedroom Perfection


This is almost exactly the way I stack my pillows for watching TV in bed. The short long one goes behind my back. Mine has a white pillowcase I made for it. I have to put all but one pillows on a chair before I turn off the light to go to sleep. I love this bedroom, don't you? Found here.

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Chiaki Ogada Children's Book Illustrator


Japanese children's book illustrator, Chiaki Ogada.
I found the image above here and looked around for more on google images for those below. All of the books are in Japanese so you will have to use your imagination when viewing the pictures.



Chiaki Ogada, Encounter



Chiaki Ogada, Soon to Come



Chiaki Ogada, Stuffed Doll

They are all wonderful, aren't they?
xo


Monday, February 21, 2022

Favorite Purse: Other Side


I turned my purse around and there is a pheasant on the other side rather than another dog as I reported in the previous post. This is the "main" side showing the name of the designer.



PIERRE FREY
PARIS
I found a similar purse on "poshmark" with horses that sold originally for $450.00 and it was sold after being marked down to $50. I paid $40 for mine in a resale shop ages ago. That is a huge amount for me to pay for a handbag but it has held up beautifully and I still love it♡

 Happy Presidents' Day.
Presidents Day, the third Monday of February, is popularly recognized as honoring the birth month of two of the country's most prominent presidents — George Washington (February 22) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12). I liked it better when it was two separate holidays instead of a day for shopping.

Sunday, February 20, 2022

Favorite Purse with Dog Portrait


There is another dog on the back but this one is my favorite. I never put this purse away but hang it on various places. It was on the bedpost but now it's on the doorknob. I was amazed to hear this morning that daylight savings time is coming back soon (March 13th). We often have some of our worst winter weather in March so there will be more sun to melt the snow. Enjoy the long Presidents Day weekend. xo

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Seed Saving Envelope 2022



Gail, northern California

This is the best I could do.
I lost all of my old patterns and the software
to create them when my desktop computer
crashed years ago. I did pasted 22 on top of
one I already had printed. It's not exactly
the same size but it's close

xo, Rosemary

Cat Igloo with Cat Sculpture in Austria


Happy Caturday (from Austria)

Details in the screenshot below.

Photo found here.

Isn't this wonderful? Have a great weekend. xo

Friday, February 18, 2022

Maine Workshop Transformation


A barn-like workshop in Falmouth, Maine was transformed into a one bedroom dwelling. Isn't it simply charming? I wish I could see the before photo! I found it on Instagram @mainehomedesign

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Brick Manor House


This is total perfection to my eyes. The design of the house is really wonderful and the brickwork is masterfully executed. The surrounding landscaping and driveway approach were nicely laid out too. Imagine living in a house with six chimneys!

I did a little research and I believe this is a new house designed after Bacon's Castle, the oldest surviving brick dwelling in America in Surry County Virginia. See photos and I think you will agree.
Click here for numerous photos of this museum.



Bacon's Castle has been closed for for interior tours while they were cleaning but will open again in March. This is definitely a "must see" house tour if you visit Virginia. xo

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

More Animal Judges


I found out the history of animals wearing wigs.
Click here to see the cat judge in the group.





I featured the cat judge by herself a few days ago before I learned this was an advertising agency in Switzerland's 2014 campaign against cruelty to animals. These animals say a lot without speaking, don't they? 
The wigs give them a voice.
 

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Morning Sun Filtering in My Living Room


This sun is already much brighter since I took this Monday morning photo 30 minutes ago. The design on the toile fabric on my Roman shades is much more defined to the naked eye but my phone's camera shows them blown out. However, you get the idea. I am sitting on my sofa in the lower right corner and the sun is still too low to raise the left curtain. The dog painting I showed you yesterday is behind the tufted leather armchair on the far right. Have a good week. It's still very cold here but a 60° day is in my weather forecast for Friday. xo

Monday, February 14, 2022

A Few of My Favorite Things


I purchased this dog painting several years ago. I have no idea what the dark splotches are and the estate sale lady didn't know either. I think they might be scorch marks from candles too close. It could be repaired but I like it as found for now. The terrier is fabulous. I got the two brass deer at the same sale. This cozy little corner is next to my living room fireplace. 


I had Missy from Friday morning through Sunday morning. She's always a welcome visitor. I have never had a dog with longish hair. We had 60° on Saturday but woke up to about 3" of snow on Sunday morning. Her paws were filled with little snowballs after the early morning walk that had to "melt" off once we got inside. She obediently stayed on a towel atop the dog bed until she defrosted. I can't even imagine her dangling snopballs after coming in from a much deeper snow! 


❤️Happy Valentine's Day❤️
 

Sunday, February 13, 2022

Watercolors in Shells


This is such a great idea! 
These paints and watercolors are in shells.
Photo found here.

Saturday, February 12, 2022

An English Cat: Judging




Happy Caturday. This made me laugh😹
I adore British legal dramas with 
barristers and judges wearing wigs.
Have a great weekend.
xo

Friday, February 11, 2022

Climbing Vine on My Windowsill


I haven't rooted a sweet potato in water since I was in grammar school. This one in my kitchen is reaching for the sky and all I have to do is make sure the pitcher doesn't dry out. I will plant it on my balcony and let it climb on the railings when weather permits. Happy Friday. xo



https://101gardening.blogspot.com/2016/05/how-to-grow-sweet-potato-vine-indoors.html

My sweet potato was already putting out green shoots when I brought it home from a friend's kitchen counter. The link above has detailed instructions for using a whole one suspended in water root side down. The ones I did as a child were always cut near the top so we could eat the rest😂



Here is a link for using a cut sweet potato as I did. It also has instructions for rooting in potting soil. You might want to do a lot of these and plant them outside in your garden at the appropriate time. Who knew?

Eileen in Fla asked for instructions. Here they are, Eileen.

Happy windowsill gardening🌿

Thursday, February 10, 2022

Cutest Baby Owl I've Ever Seen


This adorable owlet should be the model for a stuffed animal, shouldn't it? It's so cute it doesn't even look real! I found it on Instagram, link below.

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

A Table By The Window


Isn't this a perfect place to pay bills, write letters, sip tea or coffee, and eat breakfast or lunch? I love it! xo

UPDATE: I found a link for a house tour with oodles of photos of this Georgian apartment in Edinburgh Scotland.


Enjoy! xo