Wonderful Country Kitchen

I have been saving this photo on my desktop for ages and I have no idea where I found it. Later today I'll search for the photo source. Isn't this a wonderful country kitchen? Don't you want to pull up a chair and have a cup of coffee? The drop-leaf table is all set up for that and acts as a kitchen island as well. I am calling the blue and white checked table covering oil cloth. Can you still buy that? It lasted forever and was so much easier to wipe down than to launder and iron a tablecloth. I grew up in the era when nothing was used rough dried but had to be starched and ironed. That was the only household task my mother despised. xo

Best Repurposed Under Sink Cabinet

This sink cabinet juts out into the room like a piece of furniture that has been converted for use in the kitchen. Designed by Gregory Vaughan of Kelley Designs, Inc. I honestly thought this was an old piece of furniture that was repurposed. It's fabulous, isn't it? More kitchen trends here.

History of the Easter Bunny

Gearing up for the big day in less than two weeks. via

Benjamin Franklin Documentary on PBS Tonight

I am definitely excited about the first two-hour segment tonight @8pm and the final two hours tomorrow night. Benjamin Franklin has been fascinating to me. Be sure to set your DVR, stream on PBS Video, or watch live tonight on PBS. 

More viewing information here.

It Happened Again ☕️

I have no idea where I found this but it made me laugh.

Have a great Sunday. xo

Best House Tour Ever: Robert Kime's London Flat

Sit down, get comfy, and get ready for a treat.

Robert Kime's intricately-layered flat is the distillation of 50 years of expertise. The London flat owned by antique dealer and decorator Robert Kime is a journey of discovery through decades of collecting art, textiles, and curiosities. There is a fabulous 8-minute video with Robert Kime and 9 more photos. WOW. Wonderful article too from House & Garden UK. 

Begin tour here. 

Enjoy! xo

1953 Movie Recommendation

"Peanut vendor and washed-up baseball player "Coop" Cooper teaches his 9-year-old son all the game's finer points. When Christy becomes the new bat boy, the youngster passes on his father's advice to the teammates and soon the team is winning. The team owner then names Christy the team's head coach as a publicity stunt."

This movie is playing this morning on MOVIES! channel on my air antenna TV but I have too much to do to sit and watch it. I found it on YouTube here in case you can't see the movie above. This is NOT an April Fool's joke, I love old movies with children. This one is about baseball and it looks very good. Enjoy! xo

UPDATE: I watched the film above and there were no commercials. I loved it. Another baseball movie started playing automatically after the first movie ended. It was the true story of Dizzy Dean, the pitcher. It grabbed my attention immediately and I ended up staying up until almost midnight. I loved it too.  Here's the link. 

The title of the movie is: The Pride of St. Louis.

George Washington: Rare Miniature Portrait on Ivory

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A rare and important “H. Patterson Harris” portrait miniature of General George Washington, completed by Charles Willson Peale (American, 1741-1827) after his 1779 sitting and public commission to honor the “hero of the Philadelphia campaigns” was the top lot at Brunk Auctions March 25-26 sales, bringing $442,800 and selling to a private collector in the United States, bidding by phone, who was underbid by an American institution, also bidding by phone. It is the only known miniature of its kind that has ever been offered at public auction. Painted in watercolor on ivory, in what was presumed to be its original 18K gold case.

The miniature was accompanied by a period leather case lined with silk, a circular 18K gold locket containing a lock of hair purported to be that of Washington, a brass inlaid mahogany studio desk and its assorted contents, and a medallion that reads “CH Peale / to / Coleman Sellers.” 

The portrait miniature was published in Charles Coleman Sellers’ Portraits and Miniatures by Charles Willson Peale. Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society. Descended in the family of H. Patterson Harris of Westport, Conn.

That must have been a very exciting auction for the audience. They were so lucky to have been able to see this rare portrait of the father of our country in person.

Charles Willson Peale: (American, 1741-1827) Rare and Important Portrait Miniature of General George Washington, c. 1785, the "H. Patterson Harris" miniature, painted after Washington’s sitting with Peale in 1779, watercolor on ivory, 2 x 1-1/2 in.; presumably original 18kt gold case, pinned to silk lining of a period leather case, 3-1/4 x 2-1/2 in.; together with a circular 18kt gold locket containing a lock of hair, (purchased separately) purported to be that of General George Washington, 1 in. diameter, pinned to the opposite side of the period leather case; together with Peale’s studio desk and its assorted contents, mahogany with brass inlay, medallion reads “CH Peale/to/Coleman Sellers” Note: This miniature is one of the works completed after the famed Sitting of 1779. This additional information and photo found here.

One Bird Not Looking

Dare to be different.

Aren't these brown birds with blue bills lovely?

They are Little Woodswallows (Artamus minor)

Found on @worldbirds32 on Twitter.

xo

Wonderful Kitchen Corner

This image has the feel of an old master painting.

Don't you love the composition and the light?

Photo found here. xo

Tulips and Grasses in A Border

So lovely. 

Clive Nichols photograph at 

Ulting Wick Garden 

in the heart of rural Essex UK.

The tulips above are from his Instagram.

Old Workbench as Kitchen Island

I have always loved old carpenter workbenches in a house. 

This one in a Steven Gambrel kitchen is wonderful.

I wouldn't change a thing. 

I am currently watching and thoroughly enjoying WYCLIFFE on Tubi.  "In a coastal English town, an exacting detective picks through clues while investigating a wide variety of crimes in his otherwise quiet community in Cornwall. This is a very different Cornwall from the village in Doc Martin. Starring Jack Shepherd, Helen Masters, Tim Wylton, Jimmy Yuill, and Adam Barker. Link on Tubi HERE. There are 5 seasons.

Peeking Goose

I was scrolling thru the animals here and this goose caught my eye. Hope you are having a fabulous weekend. xo

Thank you Penelope Bianchi for the correction. 

I had this listed as a duck!

montanagoose commented: "It's an Embden goose."

Thank you too!

 

Angel in Central Park

Wonderful photograph.

Great Patina.

Bethesda Terrace in Central Park, New York City.

via

Wonderful Entry in Westfield, NJ

Just perfect, in every way!

Every house needs a decompression zone like this one before entering the more formal part of the house. Photo found here.

Cotswold House with Gothic Door

Can you even imagine living here? This is a house in the Coln Valley region in the Cotswolds. I love the gothic door and the paint color. Found on Instagram here.

Delightful Soap with A Message

I wasn't expecting this nice message when I opened one of my Christmas gifts from my friend Stacey of Stacey Snacks. It's a nice big bar that will last a very long time. Love the aroma. Thanks, Stacey!

xo

A Painted Bunting

If you live in the Southern US you might be lucky enough to see a painted bunting in person one day. Read more here. The photo doesn't real, does it? The article has more photos. They spend most of their time foraging for seeds in low, dense brush. Happy first full day of spring. xo

Before & After Fireplace Wall/TV Wall

This was my fireplace with a small TV in my living room. I have had only two fires in two years, both on Christmas Eve.

You've have seen this photo in a previous post but I wanted to show it again as an AFTER photo with the fireplace covered.

You've seen this photo too. My old TV was extending into the room beyond the hearth on the right.

New 43" TV with Donna Reed Show. It's on in my area mornings from 9am-10am on the Decades Channel.

Old 24" TV tuned in to the same program. It looks like a larger screen because I was up close with my camera. First photo shows size better. I am still pleased with my new arrangement and having a larger screen. Happy Spring Equinox or the first day of Spring. 

Saturday Snowdrops

My snowdrops are pretty excited about the first day of spring tomorrow and they are putting on a big show for her. I got up nice and close with my camera to show the green detail on the inner petals that looks as if one of the garden fairies applied it with a watercolor brush. Hope you are having a great weekend. xo

Grape Hyacinths Growing in A Cotswold Courtyard

This photo stopped me in my tracks yesterday when I spent a few minutes scrolling my Instagram feed. It shows Grape Hyacinths growing prolifically between the cracks in this courtyard garden in the Cotswolds. I forgot to bookmark the source but I will when I find it again. I have one patch of these delightful spring flowering bulbs but they need to be moved so I can enjoy them in a more prominent location. Isn't this garden beautiful? My snowdrops are still in full bloom and the daffodils are starting to emerge. Happy Friday. xo

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2022

via

California Quail and Chick

Isn't this the sweetest photo?

Found on Instagram. Photo by Adam Skalzub 

The photographer noted that this was a male taking care of his 15 babies while his mate had the afternoon off. He also said that in all the wildlife photos he has taken in his career, this one is by far the most popular. I can see why too. ♡🐦♡

My First Large Screen TV

I took this photo this morning while The Donna Reed Show was playing on the Decades channel. The program was in an old square format and didn't even take up the full screen. The two wide black bands on either side of Mary's face are actually part of the 43" screen.

I worked for days getting the new arrangement just right. I have had only two fires in two years so I decided to hide the fireplace entirely and let my new 43" TV have center stage. I tried several ways of having both but it wasn't possible. I had an old  storm shutter in original blue paint in the garage that covered the opening with more space on either side. I had an antique rectangular heavy wire basket that I used for firewood and I flipped it over to make a TV stand. The two wooden slat feet were perfect for keeping the TV upright and nice and tight and the set looks like it is floating. Two feet came with the set but I didn't have anything wide enough to use as a base and I think my basket looks better anyway. The fireplace fender looks nice in front too. I moved my old pot rack that was next to my desk and I like it nearby for my books and magazines. I always swore I would never have a TV that was the focal point of a room but I don't think this is too overwhelming and I'm enjoying it a lot. The remote has Voice Control. The setup was very easy; the hardest part was getting the back off the remote to insert the included batteries.😂 It has Chromecast built in and Apple Play too. It works with my air antenna by clicking on INPUT. 

 The remote is very simple and easy to use. 

Right now I am watching a really good legal series

on Tubi called THE JURY.

https://tubitv.com/series/300005047/the-jury

My local Walmart had this Vizio TV in stock and the rest is history. I bought it a week ago Friday and the past 10 or 11 days have been spent moving things around so it looks as if it belongs here and now I think it does.

xo

 

My Living Room Slightly Rearranged

This is the corner next to my left French door this Monday morning, the first full day of Daylight Savings Time. I feel a little groggy this morning, still getting used to the new time. There is a big melt going outside as the bright sun works its magic. I moved the floor lamp closer to the desk and put my teddy bear and antique child's chair next to the small bookcase. I had to put it on a slight slant so it wouldn't look so crowded and I like it! March is marching along very fast and I need to buckle down and start working on my taxes. Happy Monday. Have a good week. xo

Daylight Savings Time by Edward Gorey

I didn't remember to set my watch ahead last night and I can attest to this type of confusion. Images and text from @edwardgoreytrust on Instagram

Enjoy the first day of confusion, xo

Big Tree Down in Town

A huge evergreen cane down on Thursday in the high winds.

I took this photo yesterday in the village where my office is located.

The green part of the tree keeps on going. It was VERY tall. If it had fallen over the road it would have taken the power lines and it might have hit the firehouse if it had fallen diagonally. I feel sorry for the homeowners because this is going to be a big cleanup. They are putting an extension on the left side of their old house and this is a disruption they didn't need.

Yesterday was a gorgeous mild day and today it snowed off and on most of the day. Nothing major though. Hope you are having a nice weekend. xo

Sea Birds: Blue-Footed Boobies

Photo by: @dstogs_photography

Photo by:@libor_vaicenbacher

Photo by: @libor_vaivenbacher 

These photos of the world's most unusual seabirds are absolutely fabulous and they make me smile. Three Blue-footed boobies. One bird is a booby. 

All three photos were found on Instagram @exclusive_bird

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca7N-QmqOzt/

Learn more about Blue-Footed Boobies HERE.

Happy Friday! Have a nice weekend. xo

The JOHN THAW STORY on YouTube

John Thaw 1942-2002 

Missed but not forgotten.

I watched his life story and now I love him even more. 

It's 50 minutes long. Be sure and watch if you are a fan.

If you want to go directly to YouTube, here's the link:

The Unforgettable John Thaw Story 

Enjoy!

xo

UPDATE: I found a link for his body of work. He was a very prolific actor/producer and he signed a contract for another film project the day before he died.

John Thaw

Every film or tv series 

in which he appeared or produced. 

Click the link for the list.

Wonderful Snowy Owl Photo

A snowy owl in the snow looking quite snug!

What could be more wonderful?

I had snow all day but it didn't amount to much.

This is a fabulous photo.

found here

xo

Good Night Mr. Tom - Movie with John Thaw

This is a must watch film if you love John Thaw. When I finished all 5 seasons of Kavanaugh QC on Tubi I researched films starring him and I knew immediately this was a movie I would love and I did. It's heartbreakingly beautiful. Click on the link for the film on YouTube: GOODNIGHT MR. TOM 

Pizza Night and Inspector Morse

Does this count as eating my greens?

This frozen pizza was delicious.

A birth announcement is on my toast rack in the background. I found a marble lazy susan and have a new arrangement behind my cutting board. I love rearranging and have been doing quite a bit in the last few days. I'm off to watch an episode of Inspector Morse before I go to sleep. 

I found a link on YouTube for all the full episodes in chronological order. I only watch the ones that say they are one hour and forty minutes+ long. Some are in short increments and I skip those. Every episode of Morse is a complete case that is solved so it's fine to skip. I never even tried those short ones so I don't know why they are so short. See YouTube link below.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLur-u8joYJPGl8rPNN94yLQnZ-VbQGP83

UPDATE: I watched one of the episodes that has a short running time and it automatically went to the next segment until the full episode was finished. So don't be afraid of the short ones. xo

Here's a photo of the pizza box I fished out of my junk mail and paper recycling container I keep just outside my basement door. It is a ShopRite private label called bowl & basket. I will definitely buy it again. It was the best frozen pizza ever. They have other varieties too.