Ferns Make This Room

An empty room doesn't seem quite so empty if there are great potted plants. I love these fern stands. via

An Apple A Day and A Book

I had a mild case of the flu this week and took care of myself so I am well now. Thank goodness it didn't linger. 

I have posted this bookplate before in a gardening book. This miniature volume is on quotations in foreign languages. The apple is for scale.

No wealthy monarch can possess

A greater store of happiness

Than can be found in happiness

Of birds and books and flowers.

C. A. Maude Eden

My Recent Instagram Posts

Some of my latest Instagram posts are shown below. Click here for a closer look.

Happy Presidents Day

"A president's hardest task is not to do what is right, but to know what is right."

Lyndon Johnson, 1963-1969

This kitchen really speaks to me.

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Have a great weekend. xo

Cozy Living Room

It looks very inviting, doesn't it?

I would like to be sitting by that fire right now.

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Valentine's Day Tree

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

This is the final version of a photo taken from my car after cropping.

Before cropping

I didn't like this view with the sign.

Next month they will hang shamrocks and in April there will be Easter Eggs. So fun and I am glad it's around the corner from my cottage.

Sheep wearing Neck Scarf

It is very wet, cold, and raw outside my cottage and everything is covered with ice. I am sure the local sheep would welcome scarves if they were outside but hopefully they are all in their barns. via

Enjoy the Grammys tonight and don't forget to watch VICTORIA too. xo

Garrow's Law - BBC TV Series in 3 DVDs

I am on the last DVD disc of the final series and do NOT want to see this BBC Scotland series end. It is beyond fabulous and I am so glad I found it at my favorite public library in Madison NJ. The lighting is beautifully filmed in what appears to be total candle light, but you know it's not. I so enjoyed the Georgian London architecture, the period antiques in period paneled rooms, the costumes, and more. The stories are quite gripping too. I wasn't sure I was going to like it but was hooked right away in the first few minutes of the chapter of the first disc. You can probably stream it on Acorn and other streaming services. I prefer DVDs.

Read more about this series on Wikipedia here.

Set around trials at the Old Bailey (Central Criminal Court) in Georgian London against a backdrop of corruption and social injustice, Garrow's Law is a legal drama inspired by the life of pioneering barrister William Garrow. He is credited with coining the English phrase “presumed innocent until proven guilty” used in common law.

All About FARMHOUSE SINKS

I found a great article about Farmhouse Sinks, also called Apron-Front Sinks. If this photo appeals to you, read more here.

Charming Attic Bedroom

You would have to mind your head when getting up in the morning but I dearly love what I see in this charming attic bedroom. The ticking duvet cover and pillow cases are perfect. via

Street Scene in Mystic, CT

I love the historic center chimney colonial.

Horse drawn carriage is the icing on the cake.

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Needlework Landscape Design

Gardening with a needle.

I really love this garden design.

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Beatrix Potter Rabbits Building a Snowman

I found another one for you ! ! !

This one was sold at Christie's in London in 2012 and brought over $35,000. 

Beatrix Potter Rabbits w/ Sled in Snow

Another Beatrix Potter watercolor that's new to me.

Potter, Beatrix
TWO RABBITS WITH A SLEDGE IN THE SNOW
via Sotheby's

DIY Kitchen Island

How One Couple Used IKEA Finnvard Trestle Legs to Make a Kitchen Island

I have this setup in my attic for my desktop computer desk. I used a very large storm shutter in blue paint from an old house as the top. Works perfectly and I love this idea for a kitchen island. It is an especially great idea if you are renting.

Beatrix Potter Mice 1893

Beatrix Potter’s illustration, 1893

'Three Mice seated at a table about to devour a Christmas pudding’

I don't recall ever seeing this before. via

Less is More

Looks like they just moved in and haven't unpacked yet. I love everything in this lovely early American setting. via

Stunning White Bathroom

WOW. So fabulous. 

Perfection!

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Painted Hallway Floor

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You know I love a good painted floor and this one is really great.

Eat Dessert First

Look at that sign on the wall.

Life is Uncertain

Eat Dessert First

Sounds good to me.

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Vintage Photo of My Mother with Me

It seems like yesterday, but this photo was taken sometime between 1973 and 1975 when I lived in Mendham, NJ with a Far Hills mailing address. I still have this hat and it's my favorite. Miss you, Anna. 

A Delightful Bedroom

Yes. I can see myself waking up here. I love everything I see. via

Great Kitchen Sink

I love the double porcelain sink. Not sure about the stacked cement brick/blocks for the counter and backsplash. They are perfectly imperfect and that would probably bother me. I think I would like this setup better in a laundry room instead of a kitchen. Anyway, it's very interesting. via

Dormer Love

Most beautiful dormer ever!

Is this not perfect? I love every pixel in this digital photo. via

Thoughts on A Play Room Looking to the Future

Good idea. via I have a friend who can attest to this rule. The family put in a state of the art play room in the basement of their new home for their four young children and they never wanted to go down there to play. It was too far from the large country kitchen that was the real heart of the house. It wasn't until the children became teens and tweens that they ventured down there. When they were young, they wanted to be around the parents. As they got older, they wanted to get away from them. Smile. Such is life!

Cutest Little Owlet

Ouch. Don't those thorns hurt? Guess not. Sweet.

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Delightful Article on Bunny Williams

The main residence on the grounds was built in 1840 and is the subject of Williams’s best-selling "An Affair with a House".

Left to right: A loggia off the carriage house; baskets and birdhouses in the potting shed.

Detail of one of her gardens.

One of the world’s most respected interior designers has spent her career teaching folks that style doesn’t trump comfort—and that there should always be room for the dogs.

Bunny with one of her many dogs. 

Read the article here: 

Bunny Williams: The Art of Living

Lovely Architectural Elements

I love the balcony railing and the lattice as well as everything else about this lovely entrance. via

Little Houses Promote Love

I have always loved this quote and here it is! via

Frosty Leaves

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It's way too warm at my house for any frost on the leaves. We are having the strangest winter in New Jersey and I'm not complaining. Light snows followed by quick melting followed by rain followed by warm days followed by more light snow. It's a good weather pattern and I hope it continues. xo

Nice Upstairs Hallway

Looks nice, doesn't it? I especially like the window that opens out. via

Jane Austen Illustration with Sheep

This made me laugh this morning!

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White Kitchen to Love with Island

I love this kitchen. It's very well thought out in every respect. Makes me want paperwhites on my windowsill  too. via

Enjoy the holiday for MLKjr Day.

"The time is always right to do what is right."

PBS Tonight: SHERLOCK Finale + VICTORIA Premier

Victoria premier airs tonight on PBS at 9pm in my area. The finale of Sherlock, Season 4 starts two hours earlier at 7pm.

Don't forget to set your DVR for both programs. 

I cannot possible understand why PBS does this to us. Can't they just offer one blockbuster at a time? Why put the end of one before the start of another? 

Grumble, grumble.

Nice Library with Fireplace

Easy chairs, reading lamps and an open fire. Who could ask for more in this lovely library? via

Great Bathroom Wallpaper

I like the vintage sink too. via

Ann Landers on Cleaning Out the Attic

This goes for the basement and the garage too. Getting lost in reading matter is a great way to procrastinate dealing with the task at hand, isn't it? Love this quote and illustration! You know you are in trouble when you bring coffee and the cat. via

Winter Blues

Fooled you, didn't I? You probably weren't expecting Winter Bluebirds! via

Amazing Photo. Deer viewed thru a Leaf

How amazing is this photo? Click here to view it full size. Photo by Kobi Refaeli

Amazing Library

That decorative plasterwork!

Those fine bindings and antique furnishings.

Love it all!

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