Beautiful Puffy Clouds Today

After a chilly beginning the day got prettier and prettier. The sun came out and big white puffy clouds rolled in after lunch. I snapped these with my iPad from the balcony. 

By the way, it's been a week since I got my weighted hula hoop and I can do over 100 twirls now before it goes out of control. I try to pick it up and keep going and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I'm not sore anymore and my bruises are diminishing thanks to applications of Aspercreme. Did you know that stuff takes bruises away quickly? It really does. I'm having fun with the hoop and at night I put it on the 'good' sofa and it keeps Webster from sneaking on it for some quality sleeping during the night. So it's a dual purpose device [smile].
UPDATE: This morning I did 161 consecutive twirls on the balcony in my pajamas. It's just easier to go outside instead of moving furniture in my cottage.

Potting Shed Envy

 

 

 

I wanted to post them all but I resisted. There are more charming potting sheds for you to lust over at My Sweet Savannah

Faux Bois Bench

via Faux bois (from the French for false wood) refers to the artistic imitation of wood or wood grains in various media. I love the concrete bench a lot, don't you. It would be absolutely maintenence free and a joy forever.

The Skunk Cabbage is Coming Up

I ventured out beside a little stream (slippery iPad in hand) to show you the skunk cabbage that is growing by leaps and bounds in the wetlands surrounding my property in the way back. Pretty soon the peepers will sing me to sleep at night. Spring has sprung! If you've never heard of skunk cabbage and want to learn more about it click HERE.

Beautiful Spring Day at My Cottage

Webster was off looking for snakes when I snapped this photo with my new iPad. It's very awkward I must say and slippery too. I can't imagine taking this anywhere except around my own property as a camera. If you are lucky enough to have a beautiful cutting garden or lots of interesting things to photograph around your own home you are in fat city. Otherwise, it's much easier to use your iPhone. It slips into your pocket and doesn't have to be babysat. The new iPad is capable of capturing great pictures though.

Are You An Early Bird?

If this doesn't signify spring, I don't know what does. I wonder if this determined robin fell over backwards when the worm finally let go? via Pinterest

The Whole Town of Princeton, NJ Celebrates Pi Day

I hope I remember to attend this affair in 2013!

Click on the link below to play the video. I embedded it but had to turn it off because it played automatically when my blog was opened whether you wanted it to or not! http://princeton.patch.com/articles/video-pi-day-princeton#video-9316131 I wish I had known about this the last weekend. I would have gone to Princeton to see what it Pi Day was all about. It's all about the math equation 3.14 -- remember that from high school? Princeton is the only town that can boast about the math genius Albert Einstein and his 20 year history there. More YouTube videos on this event here.

Sunday Afternoon iPhone Fotos

 

 

Our gray morning blossomed into a full blown beautiful day. Webster and I hope yours did too.

Don't Eat The Glass Candy

Just another experimental photo taken with my new iPad. I put a green dish full of glass candy on top of a brown and white transferware plate. It looks good enough to eat, doesn't it? 

My Cottage Crocuses

 

When I got the new iPad Friday at the Apple Store I had no idea I would ever use it as a medium-format camera but I'm loving that feature. It's like using a Hasselblad and I love being able to get really close and view my subject on the large screen. I'm absolutely thrilled.
I did not plant these crocuses and they are in an odd spot where I never would. My neighbor across the street has a front lawn full of them. Maybe a squirrel or a chipmunk or a bird felt I needed a little landscaping over here and helped me out. Early spring bulbs are such a delight. 

My Lucky Clovers + A Few Irish Proverbs

I always look for four and five leaf clovers but hardly ever find them. The 5-leaf clover is a mutation like the 4-leaf clover that does appear occasionally, but is less common than the 4-leaf clover. It has been estimated that there are approximately 10,000 three-leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover but that shouldn't stop you from looking. I keep mine in an antique miniature chest of drawers.

 

This Made Me Laugh

Found over at Crush Party :)

Starting the Seeds

Have you started any seeds yet? I have not but this photo inspires me to start digging out my small clay pots stored in the garage. I recently ran across the bag of seeds I've been saving so maybe I'll start some indoors too. I have several wooden crates I picked up at the curb so I am really all set to get a head start before the soil outside warms up enough to transplant them. via

Have a great weekend. Everyone's Irish today.

Webster says Goodnight

Have a good sleep tonight so you'll be fit as a fiddle for St. Patrick's Day and don't forget to wear something green tomorrow. I took this photo with my new iPad.

A Beautiful Outbuilding

 

 

This delightful outbuilding belongs to a good friend. It will be covered in English ivy before you know it. I honestly thought that ivy covered buildings stayed green all year long but I was wrong. That is one thing I like about winter. When the leaves are off the trees and the ivy you can really appreciate the architecture. This charmer has been many things from a potting shed to an office and I can't remember what in between. iPhone photos all.

An Owl's Wingspan

I wish I could have seen this perfect two-point landing by this beautiful owl. via Animals and Birds 

Carriage House Garage

I don't even want to see the rest of this house. I'll just live in the garage. Designed by David Phillips, a Massachusetts architect.

Crate Bedroom

I would have loved this idea for my dorm room in college. Do you collect old crates? Now you know what you can do with them. Designed by Allesandro Capellaro See slideshow here featuring more of this loft in Florence with crates in every room.
I'm looking forward to going to bed early and watching come quality TV in bed really soon. My TV has been on the blink for a couple of weeks and I've been watching full episodes on the computer. That's been fun too. My power source cord (with a brick in the middle) was the problem so the repair bill was only $50.00 for a new one including the diagnostic and I was absolutely thrilled. I took iPhone photos of all of the cords and connections in the back and labeled a few with colored tape. It wasn't too bad putting everything back together again.

Beautiful London Photo

Verde & Co Ltd by Les Forrester -- Old Smithfield London 2010 but could be from Dickens days.

Definition of Home

I thought both of these were very sweet. 

via whimsicalities

Khan Academy.org: The future of education? - 60 Minutes - CBS News

Salman Khan has taken a simple idea, YouTube videos that explain math, and transformed it into the future of education. It all started out when he started tutoring his niece remotely to help her with math. He never intended for anyone else to notice the videos on YouTube or even care. Then he found out that Bill Gates was using the tutorials to help his own kids with math. The rest is history.
The non-profit organization promises a Free World-Class Education for All. I learned about this last Sunday night on 60 Minutes. The interview can be seen again by clicking on the following link: Warning! You will have to watch two annoying ads. Mine were for depression medication, how depressing.

Khan Academy: The future of education? - 60 Minutes - CBS News

This is a must see, must read subject for all teachers, educators, parents, grandparents, homeschoolers, or just about anybody who wants to learn. The subjects covered are vast. It is said that if you watch just one video per day, it will take over 8 years to see them all. Read more here.

http://www.khanacademy.org/

Kahn Academy iPad app -- Free, of course!

Kiss the Calf's Face

I've never kissed a cow before, but I would certainly like to kiss the calf on the right. As a young girl, my mother used to ride the cow home when she had to bring her in from the pasture. via

Webster Jumps Through Hoops for Treats

 

My new device of torture arrived yesterday and I think I'm going to love it. Webster is a little scared of it though. He watched me and all of my failed attempts to get it going yesterday and he knows to watch out when it falls to the ground. I did manage 49 consecutive twirls with this 4 pound weighted hula hoop. A friend of mine has a daughter who swears by hers. I ordered it less than a week ago for $38 and I think it's going to be perfect when I master getting it going for 15 minutes straight. I'm told this will take about 2 weeks.

Webster stood on the other side of the kitchen opening and barked and barked and stuck his head through and pulled it back a number of times before finally being unable to resist a Trader Joe's biscuit. Isn't he brave?

I can just hear what he's thinking now that he has retired to the vestibule: "I hope the thing won't fit in this small space so I can nap in peace."

Nice Chair

Nice chair. I love the collection of antique Indian Clubs and the painting too. via

Spring Window Box

We are having a nice warm day today. I love this concete built-in window box full of spring flowers. It's very inspiring. I like the reflection in the window too. via

Nautical Steps

I love the star cutouts on the closet doors and the boat themed nautical rope bannisters going up the stairs. Found here.

Inside a Seaside Cottage

A country sitting room of a seaside cottage with timber roof, beams and iron girders, built in shelving, sofa, upholstered armchairs, wicker baskets, sisal rugs and more.

Are you in love yet? I certainly am!!! Click HERE for a complete house tour with many, many fabulous photos. I am ready to be teleported there now, aren't you? I have always loved a beautiful thatched roof.

Great Work Schedule with 11 Commandments

These principles can be applied to almost any profession. Henry Miller had it all figured out, didn't he? I so admire discipline and a good work ethic. No multi tasking allowed.

Blowing in The Wind

I love the feeling of the wind blowing through my hair. Obviously this sheep does too. Shearing season is just around the corner. via

Doc Martin Season 5 -- Martin Clunes Interview

He is so different person. I can't wait for Season 5 to arrive in the US on PBS. It is one of my very favorite shows. Are you a fan too? Click here if the video doesn't show on my blog.

Did you know there is a website called Doc Martin Series 5?

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 :>)