Long Porch in Winter

This long covered open porch is the perfect place for firewood and string lights, isn't it? via

Wonderful Staircase in Antique House

I love this staircase with twisty stairs and an interesting pattern on the flat spindles. The handrail appears to be bentwood. This appears to be a new renovation and I like it. via

Cottage Renovation using Photoshop

This is the cottage virtually renovated using Photoshop.

Here is the real thing. It is still cute but just needs a little imagination to make it look loved again. I can see the benefit of showing the Photoshopped version to a builder to get a price. If the siding is real clapboard, I would keep it rather than replacing it with cedar shakes. Read the article at This Old House website.

Foggy Sunday Photo Edited w/ Snapseed

I took this photo from inside looking outside and I liked the reflection of the lamp. It's been a very long time since I've played around with Snapseed on my phone and it was fun making the morning fog in the woods resemble a vintage photo. When I first downloaded the app ages ago, it was expensive ($20) and I could use it on my computer. Google bought it and now Snapseed is free and can only be used on a mobile phone or iPad. Try it, you'll like it! The app can be downloaded on android phones too. xo

Secret Door in A Home Library

I wonder where this book door leads? There was one in a local 1920s house that I viewed last year that led to a back staircase. via

Really Good Advice

I like this quote. Too often we think we have to move to a new place or buy something new before we can start over or start a new project. Trying it this way is a really good idea. via

Start where you are.

Use what you have.

Do what you can. 

New House Looks Old Birmingham, AL

That old world charm coupled with fantastic traditional interiors and a nice balance of masculine and feminine qualities, this Birmingham, Alabama abode is an absolute stunner. Built for the architect himself, this was constructed by James F. Carter with interior design by Jane Hawkins Hoke. Image courtesy of James F. Carter. More views here at his website. Click on the word VIEW in the logo to see all of his work. I think most of the interior photos in the slideshow are of this amazing house. Swoon!

Garden Desserts

These edible garden desserts are so charming, aren't they? The sand on the bottom layer must be crushed shortbread or other white cookies, chocolate pudding for the middle, topped by crushed chocolate cookies. I spy Oreo cookies in the background. How fun! The mint sprouts with the garden markers complete the gardening theme with potting shed items scattered around.

Grieving Angel

This weeping angel grave sculpture personifies grief to all who see it. via

Otterly Adorable

No words. This has to be the sweetest and most content baby otter ever. via

William with George and Charlotte

The Duke of Cambridge with his children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Soon there will be another baby. This photo is so charming. via

Snow Bunny

Gorgeous Snow Bunny.

via

I wonder where my summer rabbits go in the winter? This must be a special breed that likes cold weather. I love him, don't you?

My Living Room at Dusk

I took this photo at dusk last night of a portion of my living room that opens to my balcony and overlooks the rear of my property. The sun rises back there and sets in the front. It feels very warm outside today at 45° and you only need a light jacket. It will be a nice change all week and I'm glad. My furnace needs a rest! xo

Gorgeous Sweater Girl

Photo by American photographer William Wegman, best known for his portraits of Weimaraners. This puppy face is very sweet, isn't it. Have a great weekend! It almost feels like spring at my house and my driveway is almost melted. Hooray. xo

Alastair Matchett: Rectory and Garden Renovation Cotswolds UK

After half a century of decline, a Cotswolds house was crying out for salvation.

Be still my heart.

When Alastair Matchett bought the Gloucestershire rectory, one wing was not in use; the roof needed replacing; the flagstones needed re-laying or replacing; re-plumbing, re-wiring, and replastering were needed throughout. But he did it all with designer charm. Photo: SIMON BROWN

Read the article in The Telegraph and see one more photo here.

Bathroom with Antiques

I love what the owner's did in this spacious bathroom. They used an old-fashioned clawfoot tub along with a modern walk-in shower. Instead of built-in cabinetry for the linens and toiletries, they used an antique cupboard. The well-worn antique oriental rug looks nice too. I wish I could see the wash basin which I think is to the right of the cupboard. The shiplap siding looks perfect and I love the owl etching and the cafe curtains. Such a beautiful room!!!!!! via

Perfectly Imperfect Cups

I love these hamdmade cups that are so perfectly imperfect. via

Snow is Coming

More snow is coming later tonight into tomorrow. Here's hoping for a light accumulation for me and you too, if it's heading your way. via

UPDATE: I got my wish. Just enough snow to be beautiful with no driveway plowing required!!

Amazing Millwork

WOW. Everywhere you look there is an architectural detail. Fine woodworking at its best! This window seat will be a great place to read and daydream once there is a cushion in place. via

Lovely Bedroom

So very lovely. This bedroom is very soothing to my symmetry-loving eyes. via

Be Positive, Stay Strong

I happened on this image and verse today and liked it. It's really good advice too. Don't forget to set your DVR tonight for the first episode of VICTORIA, Season Two on PBS. I cannot wait! xo

Dunmore Pineapple in Airth Scotland

The Dunmore Pineapple House in Airth Scotland

This folly in Scotland looks so beautiful in the early morning light on a frosty morning. via

Nice Conversation Area with Fireplace

I like this arrangement. Each wing chair has a reading lamp and an ottoman. Reading around an open fire is one of life's pleasures.The side tables are lower than the arms of the furniture too. This is one of the rules of good interior design and a very hard one to comply with when searching for low antique tables that you like. I am pleased that I finally found mine and it's much easier for the sitter to put down a drink or a cup of coffee on a lower table than reaching up to do so. Plus it looks nicer too. It's all about scale, you know. via

It is warm and rainy today and all the snow has melted. I entered my subscription to Netflix on Sunday and love it. I have watched both seasons of The Crown and later today I will search for another addicting series to watch. 

I just cooked some chick peas in my Instant Pot and have another batch of soy milk yogurt in the pot for a 10 hour session. My last batch (8 hours) wasn't tart enough. I have a new method. I inserted my pyrex 32 oz. (4 cup) measuring cup inside the pot, added 2 tablespoons of my own yogurt to a 32 oz. box of Westsoy as a starter, stirred it up and this method was perfect. No condensation on the sides of the pot to run down and dilute the yogurt and the yogurt was much thicker. Yay.

I stumbled on a very interesting article about the invention of the Instant Pot in the business section of the New York Times. Now I love mine even more! xo

Winter Birds: Made me Smile

So cute. 

It is so much warmer today with fog and rain predicted for tomorrow. The roads have been fine from the beginning but I never had my driveway plowed. I parked near the road and have been able to get out easily with the new tires I got earlier this year. So far, so good. Aren't Virginia Greene's birds adorable? This was her holiday card for December. via 

Glass Jar Love

This collection of glass jars in so many shapes and sizes makes me happy. I have been using French glass refrigerator storage containers since 1973. It just made good sense to me back then and I never fell into the tupperware trap. via

Real Life Kitchen

This is not a trophy kitchen. It looks like one from a real family with dishes in the sink, essentials on the window sill, an almost empty roll of paper towels, and other interesting things. I like it, don't you?

Frozen Road and Crescent Moon

Gorgeous Photo by Aaron J. Groen

"Frozen Road to Nowhere"

Waning Crescent Moon rises over a snow covered gravel road in eastern South Dakota.

click to enlarge

WINTER, 19th Century Illustration

Winter

19th century color printed illustration with holly berries, snow dusted leaves leaves, and mistletoe. I love the twig font dripping with icicles.

Snowball Catching Cat

This is truly wonderful.

This cat really is trying to catch that snowball!

via

Perfection: Garage / Guest House

I love this structure except for the garage doors as I would be using it as a home. I must save this photo as a favorite architectural design. Do you love it too? I hope you are as warm and cozy today as this dwelling looks. I am always partial to all the lights being on at twilight, especially if there is snow on the ground. xo via Instagram

January Dreaming

I found this on Instagram today and love it.

"Anyone who thinks that gardening begins in the spring and ends in the fall is missing the best part of the whole year. For gardening begins in January with the dream."

This is so true for before I saw this I was trying to figure out how to build a moveable garden that I can roll around to follow the sun. See you later. xo

Instant Pot Soymilk Yogurt: New Batch

My favorite thing to make in my recently purchased Instant Pot is Organic Plain Unsweetened Soymilk Yogurt. I cannot remember how many batches I've made and I can't tell you how much I love it. It is made using only two brands: Edensoy and Westsoy. Both are made with only two ingredients, filtered water and organic soybeans. No fillers, thickeners, preservatives, or sweeteners. Edensoy is the more expensive and it has 12 grams of protein per cup. Westsoy has 9 grams of protein. There is no difference in taste so I've been using the Westsoy and it comes in an economical carton with 64 ounces. It is not sold in the dairy cooler but is a shelved product. At Whole Foods it is across from the cereals. You don't have to boil it to make yogurt like you do cow's milk. All you do is pour it into the Instant Pot, add 2 tablespoons of your previously made yogurt per 32 ounces. Stir, hit the Yogurt button, adjust the incubation time and come back when it's finished to jar it up. I had to buy a carton of vegan yogurt to start my first batch. All I could find was plain coconut non-dairy yogurt and that worked just fine. I have experimented with incubation times of 14 hours, 12 hours, 10 hours and 8 hours. I liked all of these batches. The longer the "cooking" time, the more sour t(tart) the yogurt. Every morning I have 1/2 cup of Ezekiel Golden Flax Cereal that I buy at ShopRite or almost any supermarket including Whole Foods. Today I had a sliced banana on top and a container of my yogurt on top of everything. This cereal is amazing. You have to buy a box and read all about it or stand in the market and read the box. There are other varieties of this Ezekiel cereal but ShopRite only carries this one and it's right around the corner from my cottage. They make a delicious bread too, good for anyone looking for products containing NO SUGAR. Sometimes I just have it plain with yogurt on top if I am out of fruit. I have used chopped apples too. So good. 

Food for LIfe

The vintage milk glass containers are leftovers from old Salton yogurt makers I have owned. I grew tired of making small batches and having to boil the milk and wait for it to cool, etc. I still have the devices in my garage and I am so glad I saved them so I could use the 6 oz. containers with lids for my current healthy endeavor. I also like not having to throw away/recycle individual yogurt containers so making my own is good for the planet too.

North South East West, Home's Best!

The wind has died down but the temperature is failing to go up very much since I arose this morning. At 9:30 it's only 9° but the sun is shining brightly. I took a photo earlier from each exposure of my cottage and as you can see, we didn't get much snow. I am happy to report the fireplace wrap worked perfectly and it's much warmer inside, finally!

North south east west,
Home's the place I love the best.

Made Me Laugh

So far, so good with my resolution to drink more water.

Doxie raincoats, how cute!

Images from Pinterest.

Cozy Snow Day at My Cottage

I am all set for a lovely snow day. My cottage is right on the line between 5"-8" of snow and 1"-4" of snow. I think we have about 2" so far but it's hard to tell because of the wind blowing sideways. I added another blanket to the top of my fireplace and I'm all set with a stack of DVDs from the library and a good book. I went grocery shopping yesterday too. I hope you are all safe and can stay indoors until it stops. That's my plan. I live on a county road and the snow plows come by really often. My roof got finished yesterday so I am all buttoned up and can report the blanket is working nicely to keep the heat in my room instead of up the chimney. Why didn't I think of this sooner? I actually hired a plumber to put in a gas line so I could get gas logs and have a fire anytime I wanted. But you know me, I have to research everything to the Nth Degree and I learned a lot. You have to install a clamp that keeps the damper open a little in case you forget to open the flue when you want a gas fire. Actually, it was highly advised to keep your flue open ALL the time if you have a constant pilot light burning. So I talked myself out of this notion and canceled the plumber. The money I saved was applied to my new roof which turned out to be a better investment. See you later. xo

Blanket Around My Firescreen

Warm at last and it doesn't look too bad. I wrapped a wool blanket around my firescreen to keep the heat from going up the chimney and it worked. Yes, my flue was closed but the big hole was still stealing my heat. The cottage is much warmer as I await yet another snow storm beginning at midnight. Fingers crossed it's not too deep. Stay warm. xo

Unsheared Sheep

I wish I had a shearling coat like this! I put a blanket over my fire screen to keep the heat in my cottage from going up the chimney and the house finally seems warmer, thankfully. The only time I am truly toasty is when I am in bed under my eiderdown comforter made in W.Germany. More snow is predicted this week too. Wow, what a winter we're having. Stay warm. xo

Broccoli Cornbread the Day After

This photo is right out of the iPhone camera with no editing and yes, the cornbread tastes as good as it looks. I had an 8:30 dental appointment and this was so good when I got home, split and toasted in the toaster oven and then spread with Kerry Gold salted butter. Recipe in yesterday's blog post.

New Year's Day 2018

I looked through my posts over the past year and came up with this layout for my best nine photos of 2017. The one in the center with my mother is my favorite. The only resolution I made this year is to drink more water and it's one I think I can keep.

I ate blackeyed peas, greens and cornbread for good luck in 2018. Actually, I cheated a little since I didn't have any leafy greens like kale or collards that are traditional so I made Broccoli Cornbread and it was delicious. I used olive oil instead of melted butter and used only 1/2 cup. Next time I will use even less and it needed a little more salt. I cooked it in an iron skillet and since my gas oven is a little off temperature-wise, I set it at 400° and cooked it for 40 minutes and that was perfect. It was more like a quiche than cornbread but it was still good with the peas. I had a big bag of broccoli so I just took out what I thought was a good amount and chopped it when it was almost defrosted and it measured 2 cups. 

I got up pretty early even though I stayed up until midnight to ring in the New and started undecorating my house while the coffee brewed. By 8:30 it was all done. The boxes are back in the attic but not in my Christmas closet yet. I will do that tomorrow when I get back from the dentist for my first cleaning of the year. See you after that. xo

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018

HAPPY NEW YEAR, DEAR FRIENDS

My your new year be filled with nights full of stars, good health, and much happiness in 2018.