Encourage the Beautiful

"Encourage the Beautiful, for the Useful encourages Itself." Goethe
From A Collection of Bookplate Designs. Boston 1907: W. Porter Truesdell.

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Christmas Tree in Waiting

I pulled up three white pine seedlings from the shrubbery bed at my real estate listing this past summer. I planted them in various locations here at the cottage. Two are doing great. This one has really taken off. So happy. Free is good.

A Cabin and A Cottage

This one would be a good vacation getaway. via

I prefer the architectural style of this one. via

Piggy and Clover

Piggy's mom sent me this cute picture of The Pig napping with Clover, the newest addition to their family. She was acquired over the summer. Piggie is coming soon...alone. I'm not good with 6 pound dogs that are needy :) Other friends are lining up to take care of her so all is well. I'm going to bed soon to watch The Good Wife on my DVR and a recorded Masterpiece on PBS. Goodnight, see you tomorrow.

Gray Day iPhone Photos

So far nobody has asked me to stop sharing what my iPhone and I see in and around the cottage. Webster and I just got back from a nature walk to the way back and we found tree bark to be the main topic of interest for the first Monday in December. Then we played with the soccer ball and did some crazy runs.

Do You Believe in Magic?

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I got my foggy morning.

The air temperature must be warmer than the ground temperature this morning so we have the fog I've been wanting. I think it has gotten thicker since I first got up as the day gets warmer. Have a great week. 

Looking in My Cottage After Dark

Tell me when to stop posting my iPhone photos. It's always in my pocket and this is the last thing I saw after Webster's final walk of the day. That's his disgusting bed behind the sofa that I never see from inside the room. I think the Wonder Dog deserves a new blanket, don't you?

White [Kitchen] Christmas

Who doesn't love a Christmas all decked out for Christmas? via

Chalk Board Kitchen

This chalkboard behind the stove gives new meaning to being an artistic cook. My house smells so good. I made a double batch of yellow corn cranberry muffins so I could use my giant muffin tins. I had fresh cranberries left over from Thanksgiving that I did not want to go to waste. So they will be going to my waist (haha). via

Here they are right out of the world's worst oven. I will never buy a gas stove with a gas oven again. I hope these are done in the middle after cranking up the heat and adding 10 minutes to their baking time. I'm sure they will be fine and I like burned crispy bottoms.

Taste test complete. My mother ate 3 muffins which is remarkable in and of itself because she eats like a bird. They aren't too sweet. I think most people would prefer more sugar. They would be great with an orange juice glaze. Success! The muffin photos were taken with my iPhone.

The Owl and the Pink Post-it

Confused little owl appears to be thinking,

"Someone has left a pink post-it for me and I don't know what I should do with it." via

Count Down to Bed Time

I had a full day in the outside world and cannot wait to jump into my bed. I was at the free rabies clinic at public works garage this morning with Webster and Tabitha for dog and cat rabies shots. They were both very brave and didn't even flinch when the vet shot them in the neck with a long needle. I'm glad that's over for another 3 years. Then we stopped at the post office and I had to run in my real estate office to pick up something for afternoon showings with customers.

I told you I was going out yesterday but had second thoughts and decided to nurse my cold for one more day. I'm so glad I made that decision because today was perfect. My head has dried up and my sore throat is completely gone. I am beyond thrilled. I was on the go all day and I felt fine. Have a great rest of the weekend and I'll see you tomorrow.

Snow is Magical in The City and The Country

December in London via

December in the Magical Woods via

Tiny Viking

Isn't this tiny Viking Range the most wonderful thing in this small kitchen? I like the hood too. Someone must really like to cook. I like the tiny tellie too. This gourmet has very good taste and insisted on the best appliances. Have a great weekend. via

WOW -- What a Nursery

Isn't this the best nursery you've ever seen? So sophisticated for the baby boy explorer. Love, love, love it. Goodnight sweet prince. via

How Do You Gift Wrap A Live Chicken?

It's not too early to start looking for boxes, bags, containers or cages for those hard-to-wrap items on your list.

No Fog in A Long Time Here at The Cottage

I love a good foggy day if I'm home to enjoy it but I know it's dangerous for those on the road. I wake up each day feeling a little better than the day before so I think I'm winning. Any days you can trim from the back side of the normal duration of a cold is good. There is an old saying that if you nurse a cold it will last 2 weeks and if you do nothing and let it run its course it will last 14 days (haha). I think that if you catch it early enough you can get over it much quicker. I have to go out today to run a few errands and preview several houses for showing tomorrow. Today will be a dry run for how I really feel. Wish me luck. image

Be Patient

Patience is definitely a virtue. I was cranky today so that must mean I'm getting better. I actually got dressed too and took Webster for a walk out back. He was ecstatic. I'm going out into the real world tomorrow. Thanks for all of your kind get-well notes. via

A Perfectly Elegant Setting

This really is a perfect setting with beautiful understated decorations, right? Sit me down in that chaise, cover me with a nice throw, and wake me up when it's Christmas. via

Heavenly Coffee

My first cup was heavenly this morning. I moved from the bed into the living room to drink my first cup. I loved the way the sun was shining translucently through the rim so I grabbed my trusty iPhone. Today begins day three of the sickness files and I'm feeling better thanks to the Neti pot and gargling with Bragg's unfiltered vinegar from the health food store. I dilute it with water because it's strong medicine! Thanks for all of your notes with get well wishes. Katie mentioned Bragg's so I thought I'd better tell you it is also on my holistic list of sore throat busters. 

Did I Mention That I Am Sick?

I woke up on Tuesday morning with a vicious sore throat and I took to my bed.

While rummaging around in one of the bathroom cabinets looking for something to relieve my symptoms I discovered this very Neti Pot and packages of a saline mixture. I had forgotten all about having it. I immediately started irrigating my sinuses every couple of hours and I think it has had a marvelous result. I've been able to breathe and I think this little device is going to keep the cold from traveling into my chest. Fingers crossed. It has been years since I've had been sick and I blame it on this warm weather. 
Other things that are helping: watching movies in bed and drinking plenty of liquids. I was glad I could bring my laptop into the bedroom so I could still manage my blog. I hope I can stay awake to watch Revenge tonight. See you tomorrow.

Wonderful Bookplate

This is great, isn't it?
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Too Gorgeous for Words

Could anything be lovelier?
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Three Dogs Hamming it Up - Hilarious

The expression on the wiener dog cracks me up.
Each one is trying to out do the other.

Miniature Period Room Doll House on a Bookshelf

I love this open ended box that became a period room on a shelf with books of the same period. Made by sweetington .. see more photos of this shelf room on flickr. Found on Book, Paper, Scissors

Duchess of Devonshire with Her Chickens

The duchess with her beloved chickens at Chatsworth in the 1990s. Photograph: Christopher Simon Sykes/Getty Images

Wait For Me: Memoirs of the Youngest Mitford Sister
by Deborah Devonshire

I've been saving this article and book review from the Guardian until I could sit and enjoy it and this morning was the perfect time. If you are looking for the ideal Christmas gift for a friend who is a dyed in the wool Anglophile, this is certainly a book to consider.

Day is Done at My Cottage

What we saw on the wonder dog's after-dinner walk. Mine is still on the stove cooking and it smells delicious. It is so handy having my iPhone in my pocket.

Delightful Cabin Bedroom

I love this cabin porch conversion to a children's bedroom. Especially if the grandparents have the cabin next door. I think a family compound would be delightful--togetherness with privacy. via

Laundry Day in Winter

I am glad to see someone else thinks it's never to cold to hang out the clothes. By Alec Soth, Sleeping by the Mississippi. Peter’s Houseboat, Winona Minnesota 2002

We are still having unusually mild weather and I have already put in my first load. Monday is the traditional laundry day after all.

Five iPhone Fotos from This Afternoon's Walk

Webster was lost in thought about something and stood still for me.

Down in the wetlands on the bridle path. It is usually much wetter.

These mushrooms are growing horizontally on an old cut on a large tree. Something has been nibbling at them.

I was holding this piece of horsetail grass in my hand and focusing on it.

This is the house diagonally across the street from me photographed from my land using the zoom.

This Photo is Completely Magical

Agreed? 

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'The Look' we all loved has been Royally Passed On

How cute. It's in their DNA
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An Amazing Kitchen | Architectural Digest

Antique beams crisscross a Nantucket kitchen. Painted diamonds span the wood floor (love, love love this detail), and the counters are butcher block. via Architectural Digest This kitchen is #6 of 13 in a slideshow on Rustic Kitchens. Click here to start at the beginning. One of the kitchens belongs to Diane Keaton.

Stove Top Saturday Night Supper

Everything cooked on top of the stove in stages in the same vintage cast iron wok: one split Cornish hen, stuffing and brussels sprouts. Easy and delicious. Pumpkin pie with whipped cream for dessert. I love one-dish meals because of the quick cleanup. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Baby in the Mailbag | Special Delivery

This city letter carrier posed for a humorous photograph with a young boy in his mailbag. After parcel post service was introduced in 1913, at least two children were sent by the service. With stamps attached to their clothing, the children rode with railway and city carriers to their destination. The Postmaster General quickly issued a regulation forbidding the sending of children in the mail after hearing of those examples. via Smithsonian Institution

Who Knew Seals Could bBe So Friendly?

Charlie Bird meets elephant seals while travelling through Antarctica following the route of explorer Tom Crean's final expedition alongside Ernest Shackleton aboard the Endurance in 1914-15.