Inside My Cottage -- 4 Weekend Photos

Another view of this wall with the blue and white platter hung very recently and I am enjoying it so much there. 

It's been a wild November for me so far. I had cataract surgery! My left eye was done on 11/2 and my right eye on 11/9 and both were very successful and I am thrilled with the outcome. Of course it's only been two days since my right eye was done and the new lens is still settling in but it's doing nicely. So many people I know have decided this was the year to finally have their eyes done and I'm glad I did too. 

I have had this clear glass rabbit candy container on this windowsill for ages. His head lifts off and I use it for my small binder clips. I change the way he's looking every time I get out a clip while doing paperwork at my desk in the pantry office. He always makes me smile. The full-bodied black cat featured recently also lives in this window.

The trees are nearly bare in this kitchen window to the right of my stove overlooking my leaf-covered driveway.

Another side window in my kitchen showing a fall late afternoon sky. I took a walk outside to get some exercise and looped around my property twice. No heavy lifting, no stooping, etc. and I'm trying to be careful so my eyes will continue healing nicely. Have a great rest of the weekend. xo

 

So Many Leaves

This is a photo of the end of my late afternoon walk on Saturday (yesterday). I had a wonderful time crunching through the leaves. When we get some wind they will blow away. I woke up early this morning and the extra hour of sleep was nice. The sun was already up and that was nice. So far, so good with Daylight Savings Time. Have a great Sunday and you might want to rethink raking the leaves.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/to-rake-or-not-to-rake-expert-tips-for-eco-friendly-autumnal-lawn-care

I absolutely love seeing the sun shining through my geranium leaves in the morning. All of my indoor plants are thriving because I brought them in early. They actually didn't love being out on my balcony all summer. It was just too hot out there so next year I am going to relocate them to the front where they will just get the late afternoon sun. xo

Watch ANTIQUES ROADSHOW UK free on Pluto TV

If you like all things English and Antiques too, you will love the British version of The Antiques Roadshow. It has been televised since 1979 and there is an endless loop of all episodes on PLUTO TV It's on channel 556 if you want to try it out on PlutoTV. I never tire of it and I pretty much have my living room set tuned to that channel all day long. Each episode is recorded at an amazing historic site and the people who bring in their family heirlooms or boot sale finds are delightful. Let me know if you love it too. I woke up this morning to my first killing frost and the begonias are gone.😢 Happy Friday -- have a great weekend.

https://pluto.tv/en/on-demand/series/antiques-roadshow/details/season/28

Full Size Tin Cat Silhouette in My Window

I promised Tasha T I would post my other tin cat silouette with marble eyes. She looks out of my office pantry front-facing window. She's ready to pounce but no bird is in danger. She's especially nice this time of year with the beautiful fall leaves in the background. My red begonias are still going strong. We had our first killing frost on Tuesday and my neighbior's mums are already dead. Begonias don't care though. I wonder how much longer they will last? Yesterday it was in the high 70°s and I had my house painters come over do do an intense final mowing. I had done the front and back to the barn/garage's back edge. They did the rest all the way to the way back and everything looks lovely.

There is a lot more of the "way back" behind me in this photo but you get the idea of all the mowing and weed whacking that went on yesterday. I am thrilled. I am getting stuff done without waiting until the last minute this year and it feels so good.

Posting Friday 10/27/23 10:34 am

xo

Saturday Cleaning Frenzy

An early Saturday morning view from inside my vestibule looking out at a rainy walkway. The day got progressively better and the sun came out after lunch which was an unexpected surprise.

I had other plans for my morning so I didn't mind the rain. I woke up knowing I was going to give my bathroom a deep cleaning and I did.

It's such a good feeling to finish a job well done, isn't it? I have turned on my heat several times and I wanted to get out my radiator brush and give mine a good cleaning. This room has the first one I've done. I cleaned the floor and every surface and I am so happy. Now that I see the photos I think I'll get out my new ladder and do the light fixture too. I didn't think of it today. Have a great Sunday. xo ~ Posting Saturday night 8:30 pm

Dog Earing Cookies, So Cute🐾🐾♡🐾🐾

I have saved this screenshot on my computer for the longest time. Try as I may and try as I might I cannot find the original source. I have tried Google Lens to no avail. Anyway, I love it and think it's adorable.

Are you enjoying October? Are the giant Halloween skeletons that have cropped up everywhere in my area in yours too? I have a feeling they will remain into the Christmas season wearing Santa hats but I hope not.

See you again soon. xo, Rosemary

UPDATE: Tasha T to the rescue. 

She found the UK artist, Alison Friend HERE

This limited edition artwork is sold out.

See more of her delightful paintings @ AlisonFriend.com

Thanks Tasha T xo

Best Animal Story, Ever!

Found on Instagram HERE.

I wasn't wrong, was I? Isn't this the best story ever?

Posting Saturday night at 7:32

Have a great Sunday.

xo

Busy as a Bee this October

I replaced a small busy oriental rug with this rag rug my neighbor gave me. It was much wider but had a long rip so I cut it to size following the rip to the end. So the left side in this photo is a finished edge as are the two ends but the right side is a raw edge. 

I was able to get a hall runner out of the cut off portion. I had to resize it to 30" wide and the ends were turned over and sewn on my sewing machine. I had to turn over one long edge and sew that too but I have one finished edge. 

A closer view of the hall runner added to the post.

This is my view from my sofa in front of the TV. The rugs don't match but I like the new look and the rag rug is much larger than the small rug i had in front of the sofa between the French doors and I think the room will be warmer this winter.

Here is another view showing my coffee table and more of the other rug in the room.

I took down the summer tab curtains in the sitting room on my lower level in front of the sliding glass doors. I had forgotten all about them and found them when looking in bins in the garage. They turned out to be 3 rows of the checked fabric too long and the linings had stretched too and were longer than the drapes. What a project. It wasn't hard but it took quite a while in my attic sewing room and I am so happy they came out perfectly.

Another view with them open. We had really cold weather last week when I was working on this sewing project but I resisted turning on the heat and it got mild again yesterday and I was able to open my upstairs windows again. 

This room will be warmer during the winter with the curtains closed. They look nice from the outside too now that the lining fabric has been shortened. So now you know a few things I have been doing around the house and I am pleased with all three projects. The upstairs hall runner is the third.

I have put the cover on the air conditioning unit and there is still more mowing to do to get the grass short enough the leaves will blow away. They are just beginning to fall from some trees but most trees are still green. Fall is a busy time of year, isn't it. The more you can do to prepare for winter, the better. Halloween decorations are popping up all over too. See you again soon with more tales from the cottage.

xo

 

Happy Saturday

I took down a small framed item and replaced it with a blue and white platter.

I like it because it carried out the blue and white theme of my lamp. I found a platter hanger while I was organizing in my attic. Wish I had found it sooner.

I found this on Instagram and it's perfect for my #illustratedquotes hashtag, isn't it? Posted by @susan.steadman here.

I am dressed in my outwork clothes and there is still so much to do before the cold weather sets in. Have a GREAT weekend, everyone. xo

Restoration Man: Great Series on Restoring Historic Buildings TUBI

This is a screenshot, click to enlarge.

I love watching DIY anything. I always watch This Old House on PBS whenever I run across it while channel surfing. I have a channel on my antenna tv called DABL and I love watching George Clarke on a show where he runs across people who are repurposing or restoring small spaces. I recently came across him on TUBI and found this series called THE RESTORATION MAN

George Clarke is an architect who helps anxious homeowners restore and convert neglected historical properties all around the UK into totally unique dream homes. Many are listed buildings that have restrictions from planning boards that take way too much time to get permissions before work can begin. I just found this series and accidentally jumped right in on Season 2. When I finish it, I'll go back and watch Season 1 and I hope there's a Season 3. I really had no idea how unforgiving the UK weather can be in the winter, especially in Scotland. Let me know if you start watching and like this series as much as I do.

Happy Labor Day! xo, Rosemary

PS: I pulled all the poison ivy by hand in all the beds around my foundation. I was totally covered except for my face. I have a few poison ivy blisters under my chin but hopefully I started treating it in time with TECNU. Wish me luck.

Movie: THE GRAND SEDUCTION watch free on TUBI

 

Watch the movie trailer HERE

Movie review HERE

Watch the movie free on TUBI - HERE

There are ads but I don't mind them.

This movie aired in 2013 and it's darling.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

xo

Enjoy the movie and the long Labor Day weekend.

!2 Rules To Live By ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

12 RULES TO LIVE BY
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

• Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.

• Make the best of circumstances. No one has everything and everyone has something of sorrow.

• Don't take yourself too seriously.

• Don't let criticism worry you. You can't please everybody.

• Don't let your neighbors set your standards; be yourself.

• Do things you enjoy doing but stay out of debt.

• Don't borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than actual ones.

• Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish enmities and grudges. Avoid people who make you unhappy.

• Have many interests. If you can't travel, read about places.

• Don't hold post-mortems or spend time brooding over sorrows and mistakes.

• Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.

• Keep busy at something. A very busy person never has time to be unhappy.
• I posted this long ago (February 16, 2010) and it suddenly became popular again with lots of views so I thought I should repost it for everyone to see.

August Already?

Walter Crane illustration. Verse by his daughter Beatrice Crane. Arts & Crafts movement, late 19th century. Can you believe it's August already? I can't! I always try to embrace this month because when September rolls around the rest of the year flies by.

 

Today is the closing of that real estate transaction that has taken up so much of my time so maybe I can get back to blogging again, fingers crossed. My mower is out of the shop following a tuneup and I used it yesterday. It really felt good to walk behind it once again. The weather has been unusually cool since Sunday and I want to take advantage before it heats up again. 

I never feel guilty if this is the only thing I do.

Quote found here: https://www.inspiringquotes.com/

14-quotes-to-start-your-morning-on-the-right-note/ZEaOIvkZ4QAI6I7X

 

Weekend Photos Missy's House + 4 of My Antique Boxes

When leaving Missy's house earlier in the week, I spotted these mushrooms and bent down to photograph them and got a good picture of her house too. 

I have four of my antique boxes lined up on my mantel to act as stands for my antique silver trophy cups.

I love the fancy drawer fronts on this one using two types of wood.

This miniature blanket box has a lift top and a single drawer.

The fancy inlay on this one is on all surfaces except the back and the bottom. It has a lift top and opens to a dressing box with mirror and liftout tray with dividers for small items like earrings or cuff links. Could be a gentleman's dressing box too. The box has a lock and the original key. It's my favorite. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend with some relief from the heatwave. It was "only" 81° today and wasn't as humid as it has been.

See you again in a day or so. xo

Project That is Long Overdue

This stand in my bedroom has always been a pain to dust and I have always wanted to sew custom covers for the tops and today I did. This was fun and pretty easy and I have tons of this fabric for curtains should my current ones ever need replacing. Dusting the drawer fronts, legs and sides will be a breeze now and I like the way it looks. Why today? I don't know but the mood just struck me and I ran with it. I wish I had done this sooner but better late than never. Remember dresser scarves? Maybe it's time to bring them back♡ xo

Two TRUE Spy Movie Recommendations: FREE ON TUBI

THE CATCHER WAS A SPY

https://tubitv.com/movies/684147/the-catcher-was-a-spy

I enjoyed this so much. It's a true story about a Princeton educated catcher for a baseball team who became a spy. I recommended it to a friend who had also read the book but didn't know it was a movie.

RED JOAN starring Judi Dench

https://tubitv.com/movies/100000249/red-joan

It's mostly flashbacks to her student days and early employment. The actress who plays her then reminds me of a young Laren Becall. This is a must-see movie before seeing OPPENHEIMER that comes out this week about The Manhattan Project.

Hope you are all having a nice summer and have found ways of staying cool. I didn't turn on my central air until July 2nd. My house is very comfortable. I have mine set at 79° and that seems to be perfect unless I am doing something strenuous. I only have two zones, my main floor and the attic. I find that if I leave the basement door open it removes the humidity from down there too. I turn it off completely at night because the condenser is just outside my bedroom window and the noise would keep me awake. So far this system is working perfectly. I also turn it off completely when I go out. I changed the filter too. 

Let me know if you watch either or both movies and if you liked them. TUBI is wonderful and has a really vast catalog of great movies. They say it has surpassed YouTube in popularity. https://tubitv.com/home There are commercials but they aren't very distracting.

Enjoy. xo, Rosemary

July First Evening Photos

Two tiny geranium cuttings I just pushed in the dirt of this hanging basket and they are both blooming. Geraniums are so easy.

The begonias my friend gave me are lovely.

An overview of the bed to the left of my walk. The peonies are finished but the greenery in the foreground is still nice. The same for the lilies of the valley that are my main groundcover to the left all the way back.

Mainly pansies and a few begonias mixed in. I pinched the pansies daily. My mother always said the more you pinch them the more they will grow. And she was right.

I started some ferns in this corner and they should spread over time. The impatients that were a give are doing well too. 

The hanging basket with the tiny geranium cuttings.

An overview of this corner of my world.

Hope everyone has a great long July 4th weekend.

See you again soon, I promise.

xo

Click any photo to enlarge.

Find Your Old Nutcracker to Open Screw Top Lids on Milk Cartons

I mentioned buying a nutcracker at a thrift shop recently and posted this photo on Instagram a day or two ago. The response has been overwhelming. So many people didn't realize the plastic tops have been reduced in height and there is no longer enough surface to get a good grip and unscrew them. When I saw this nutcracker I knew immediately it would work and it does. I could have used pliers but I only have one set and it's downstairs in my toolbox. Most of you will have a nutcracker in your junk drawer and won't have to buy one. I love giving new life to old things and this nutcracker now has an honored place in my kitchen silverware drawer. See my Instagram post HERE Now I know I'm not the only one with this problem. Trader Joe's private label milks have gone back to the old carton design with no plastic at all. You just rip open one of the sides and pour. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtwSeyhOnIG/

Just a random photo from one of my walks. Allium seed heads look like exploding fireworks, don't they? xo

Wildflower Garden I Photographed with Mostly Bachelor Buttons

 I went out on Wednesday to do some food shopping and to my favorite thrift shop to donate back at the loading dock. To my great surprise they had planted the most wonderful wildflower garden against the metal siding. I was mesmerized by its beauty. I have always loved bachelor buttons or blue cornflowers and there were so many of them. I took a video shown below but I might have to delete it if it doesn't upload correctly. I won't know until I publish this post. I only bought one thing when I went inside for 50 cents. It was an old fashioned squeeze nutcracker. I always have trouble unscrewing the Half & Half tops since they reduced the height. Now they are so shallow I have a really hard time unscrewing them. The nutcracker worked perfectly for this task and I am thrilled. Tara made me feel guilty about not blogging in a while but I have been very busy with many things. More about that later. xo

Have a great weekend. We finally got rain and I have two baby groundhogs that I've been enjoying. I only have weeds and they are welcome to eat all they want. Will try to get a photo to show you.The video worked♡. To see it in your email notification you have to click "continue reading". xo