Life's Little Instruction Book, page 21 + wonderful winter photos . . .

...To be continued... Scroll down to see some wonderful "winter around the world" photographs I have saved on my computer.

via pixdaus

Bill Cunningham | The Water Dance ~ Maahvelous! . . .

On the Street The Water Dance

Bill Cunningham photographed people on Fifth Avenue in New York City last week jumping over the puddles of slush. Click on the images and/or the link above to see the audio slide show from The New York Times narrated by Bill.

It's simply maahvelous!

Life's Little Instruction Book, pages 19 + 20 . . .

...To be continued...

Historic tree at Versailles planted in 1786 uprooted in storm . . .

An enormous weeping purple beech planted in 1786 for Marie Antoinette in the royal park surrounding Versailles was toppled in a windstorm in southwestern France last week.

I have read several press releases with conflicting reports of the tree's height. The numbers vary between 82 and 90 feet in height with a 72 foot span of the tree's canopy.

The park's chief gardener said the tree's roots had started to "go mouldy" and were so short that they could no longer counterbalance the giant.

Once cut up, the wood of the the tree will be sold to paper makers. What a shame! I am quite surprised that bits aren't being converted into something more meaningful than paper. I should think a furniture maker would love to have this historic lumber. Maybe the pulp will be isolated into a batch for a very special publication. Let's hope so!

Silly and fun NAMING MACHINE . . .

Naming Machine

If you are trying to think of a unique name for your blog, blog post, new design company, or if you just want to have some fun please try the Naming Machine. Be prepared to waste a huge amount of time too.

It could also be educational for teaching children to read. Try it, you'll like it! I love the sounds. Enjoy.

Life's Little Instruction Book, page 18 . . .

...To be continued...

Bluebird House in the Snow . . .

It's almost dark and I just returned from walking Webster. It was still snowing a little when we started out but had almost stopped at the end of our trek. The light fluffy snow on top of this birdhouse shows today's accumulation pretty accurately. Every branch is piled high with snow that will blow off or melt by morning. This time tomorrow evening the temperature will be in the single digits if you factor in the wind chill. It's not very cold right now...I did not have on gloves and I was pretty comfortable. It's going to be in the 50s over the weekend and it will all melt. That's February for you!

Architectural Plans for A Mr.-Blandings-Type-Dream-House costing $12,500 in 1917 . . .

This is an expanded version of one of my most popular posts ever. Click on each photo to ENLARGE.

Last summer I wrote about this 1917 architectural design for a white pine house costing $12,500.

I get many requests for the floor plans therefore I am including all of my scans including the plot plan and architectural details.

I absolutely love everything about this house. I hope someone is inspired to build it. Even though we have central air conditioning these days, I would not eliminate the sleeping porches on the second floor. Would you?

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House is one of my favorite movies. I like to think he used these plans. Let me know if you decide to build it too.

See you on the Internet, Rosemary

Such a snowy winter so far . . .

This snow must have been around Halloween because of the black cat in the window of my front door.

My property is long and narrow. Perfect for exercising Webster.

I have two of these big cast iron roosters on my front walls in different locations. I love them. This is the one I see from my bedroom window.

We have had more than our share of snow this year. I understand that the people in Australia are sweltering in record heat. My friend Millie at The Laurel Hedge reported that it was 114 degrees there last week. I wish I could send some of my snow "downunder". Anywhere but here. I have a gravel driveway and it has been plowed a lot more than I would like. The stones will be in the grass for me to rake back in the spring...a chore I really dislike!

February is here . . .

Happy Groundhog Day.

I just learned that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning so it looks as if we can look forward to 6 more weeks of winter. That's fine with me. It's a beautiful sunny day here in New Jersey but they say more snow is coming. Oh well, you can't do anything about the weather.