Angry Bird

I've never played the game Angry Birds, have you? This owl could be he poster child for it. He's probably not angry at all. His eyes look absolutely electric, don't they? Have a great weekend. via

Literary Map of Great Britain

Map of Literary Britain and Northern Ireland. This original hand-lettered poster features 181 writers was designed by Geoff Sawyers. Available for purchase here. First noticed here.

The real story behind 'Keep Calm and Carry On' poster

Watch this very enjoyable short film that tells the true story behind the 'Keep Calm and Carry On' poster discovered by the proprietors of an old book shop in England. I downloaded their [free] Keep Calm App to my iPhone and love it. I can't wait to play around with it. I am such a child. Click here if you are unable to watch this video on my blog. I promise you are going to like it ! ! !

Screen shot of the Keep Calm app for iPhone and iPad. Download here.

Leaning tower straightened

I love this. I can't stand anything that's crooked. I always have the grid visible in my camera and the straightening tool is one of my favorite things. I used to do custom framing and I'm glad I did not have to cut this double mat for the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Have a great weekend. via

Full Moon Last Night

I took this photo of the full moon last night with my iPhone. Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night. Have a great weekend. Goodnight.

Tool Collection Extraordinaire

What do you collect? Isn't this an amazing tool collection? I love the beautiful arrangement. I own a lot of these things but never considered hanging them on a wall. Very cool! via

Working Shoes

I was quite happy yesterday working in the field at a septic inspection. I find that if I wear my contractor clothes I get a much better job from the hired workers. I'm happiest in this kind of clothing too. You have to wear many hats shoes in this life and thankfully I am experienced in almost all aspects of home building and maintenance. My weakness is housework. This photo is my actual foot at the end of the day yesterday. It's too much trouble to take them off each time I walk in the door so I leave little clods of mud all over the house. I am my own worst enemy :>)

Alliums are such showoffs.

The ornamental alliums are one of the easiest and most carefree ways to extend the spring bulb display into June. via Old House, Old Garden

A kitchen to shout about!

Wouldn't it be fun to slide on this floor in your sock feet? It's big enough to get a good running start. And then you could shout for joy up to the clerestory windows. (Windows set in a roof structure or high in a wall, used for daylighting.) via

Please Save Me A Bite!

Piggy isn't here but we still talk about him. My mother was eating some chocolate and he didn't get a bite because dogs aren't supposed to eat any -- but he did get to lick the soup bowl. I hope he misses us. Webster doesn't seem to care one way or another. He likes being only dog or guest host equally well. It's supposed to be 66 degrees today with spring in the air.

BOOKCASE

I love a glass-front bookcase full of fine leather bindings. Is there anything any nicer? via

Dark Room

I think I could spend a lot of quality time in that chair with my feet propped up on that great ottoman. I like the dark charcoal paint on the walls and shelves too. It's a great winter room. via

Bird of Many Colors

Coat of many Colors by Davidgois. I love this bird's choice of feather colors...simply gorgeous! via

Another View of the Estate Cottage with Greenhouse and Gardens

It will be a while before I can take another picture showing spring blooms and foliage. In the meantime, here is the other view I have showing more of the cottage. Be patient and I'll make every effort to go back and take more pictures.

Traveling with Your Books

For the person who has everything, a traveling library case by Louis Vuitton. See more legendary trunks here.

Estate Cottage with Greenhouse and Garden

As usual, I like the estate cottage better than the mansion. I didn't get any closer because my group was in a hurry. Next time, I'll go alone and see what it's like inside. It will be spectacular later on when things are in bloom. I took this iPhone photo just as it was starting to rain a few weeks ago.

A Real House for Owls

This house is approved for renovation by the owls. They are watching for someone to step up to the plate. via

I love all the attention to detail in this shingle style home by Birdseye Disign first spotted here.

Colored Stripes in Nature

I wish I had a random width blue and white striped rug like this for my bedroom. via

Cozy Dining Room

I really love this casual dining room with the raised hearth fireplace, a farm table, windsor chairs, and built-in bookcase. via

The Head and The Tongue

Where is the rest of this French bulldog? The last time I looked his body was still attached!

Piggy says Goodnight

The Pig is back for a one-night sleepover. He and Webster had a long walk when he first arrived at 4:00. They had dinner at 5:30 and I took them for another long walk. They are both sound asleep but I might wake them up again for another one before settling down for the night. I think I'll bed Piggy down with me so he will stay put since he didn't bring his crate. He is the cutest house guest ever and no trouble at all. Goodnight.

Entertaining the Queen's Corgis

Properly dressed to throw the soccer ball for the Royal dogs while the Queen looks on. via

Sleeping with A Loon

I had a real estate closing this week and found this used dog toy in the house, left behind by the previous dog. Score for Webster. He carries this loon around with him and sleeps with the squeaky toy too. It's only a little worse for wear with a damaged beak but Webster doesn't seem to mind at all. Have a great weekend.

Country Fog

We have fog and rain this morning. Webster went outside all by himself, ran back home, wolfed down his treat (a big bite of leftover cornbread), and then went back to bed. I told you he was a smart dog. I might follow his lead after breakfast. It is a perfect day for being lazy. via

Have a Great Weekend without Leaving Home :)

I'm still laughing over this hilarious drawing by Franco Matticchio. These guys would have a hard time making such a great swimming pool out of my bathtub because it has rounded sides. via Have a great fun weekend.

Black and White Kitchen to Impress You

The only thing I can see that is missing is windows. Must be an apartment in the city. It's a very nice one too. via

St. Patrick's Day Countdown

Tutorial for this St. Patrick's Day cake here. Use your own favorite recipe for a white cake.

Green Tea Iced Latte for St. Patrick's Day *Matcha green tea and milk, lightly sweetened served over ice*

Close your eyes, snap your heels, and pretend you are in Ireland. via

Pedestal Sinks in Vintage Inspired Bathrooms

I like them all, don't you? See these photos and a few more here. We've come a long way from those old metal medicine cabinets with the slot inside for the used razor blades over the sink, haven't we?

Webster's Favorite Spot

Webster has a window on his world in this spot. He can watch me cook in the kitchen straight ahead, see my mother if she comes upstairs to his right, look out the french door to the balcony on his left, and nap whenever the moment is right. His dog dish is within sight from here too. I had a request for a Webster update so here he is. I might add that he has taken to sneaking on this sofa in the middle of the night too which does not please me at all.

He must have gotten tired of this sofa on the other side of the room. Little guy is Piggie who came for a sleepover.

And this one opposite the fireplace. I give up.

Greetings from the Leap Day Lamb

Leap Day -- February 29, 2012 

New Friends

I took these photos yesterday at an open house and it seems like 10 years ago so much has happened since. You don't want to know the details which are mostly paperwork related. Anyway I took these on the fly and they aren't very good. The sheep is huge and adorable and she's in a paddock next to the last horse. The two horses are opposite each other so they can chat if that's what they do when no one is looking. It's raining here at the cottage today and I might start a fire when I'm sure I won't have to go out again. I have to go to the office in a little while. See you later.

WOW The Life of Flowers | Timelapse Video

The Life of flowers (Жизнь цветов) from VOROBYOFF PRODUCTION on Vimeo.

Open House Day

I am excited about real estate this year. I'm rushing to get ready for my weekly office meeting with broker open houses after it's over. The spring market is upon us and there is a lot to see today. I should recharge my iPhone too. This is a pond behind a home I visited recently. See.You.Later!

Night Sky -- Good Night Moon

I took this iPhone photo of the night sky recently. The moon isn't quite this big now...It is just a sliver of a moon. I have a wonderful big open sky to enjoy when I walk Webster before bed. I love looking at the stars. See you tomorrow.

Courtyard Garden

Designed by Fairfax & Sammons Architecture. The far building must be a combination conservatory/garden room/pool house assuming there is a pool on the other side. via

Is it A Soup or Is it A Stew?

BLACK BEAN + BUTTERNUT SOUP // Serves 4-6

Original Blog Post/ Recipe HERE with more photos.

Some of the measurements are pretty vague, but in a stew-like soup, perfection is not necessary. Taste as you go, add more spice if necessary but beware that both chipotle and cayenne are SPICY, so start small. You can cook your beans from scratch or use canned for the sake of time.

1 Tbsp. coconut or extra virgin olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 a small head of cabbage, chopped (heaping 2 cups)

3 cups cubed butternut squash (sweet potato would be good too)

3 cups low sodium vegetable broth

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. cocoa powder

pinch of chipotle powder or cayenne pepper

2 cups cooked, black beans (about one can, rinsed and drained)

salt to taste

avocado, for garnish

cilantro, for garnish

// tortilla crispies //

3 corn tortillas

scant 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp. sea salt

Laundry Day Upstairs

I have looked and looked at this photo and I cannot figure out how they got the clothes on the line. I don't see a pulley system; just stretched lines. It looks all but impossible to me. I have a couple of loads of wash I hope to be able to hang outside tomorrow. We have a cloudless sky today so I think I'll be okay.

A Kitchen to Drool Over

Shall we start with the ceiling and work our way down in this kitchen? Are you impressed yet? I love these hanging lights with the black shades...always a favorite. I think a serious cook would be very happy here preparing deliciousness for tonight's Oscar presentations. via

I'm pretty sure the only movie I've seen that is up for an Oscar is 'The Help' so I won't be compelled to stay awake until the end.  I'll start watching early because the best part to me is studying  the stars as they walk down the red carpet. Enjoy the last Sunday in February.