Antique piece of Vampire History :: Vampire Killing Kit circa 1800 sells for $14,850.

A complete and authentic vampire killing kit — made around 1800 and complete with stakes, mirrors, a gun with silver bullets, crosses, a Bible, holy water, candles and even garlic, all housed in a American walnut case with a carved cross on top — attained $14,850 in the Jimmy Pippen estate sale by Stevens Auctioneers on October 3–4, 2008 in the Natchez Convention Center.

Dwight Stevens of Stevens Auction Company says, "I don't believe in vampires -- I've never met one. But somebody believed in them, something drove people to believe. From New Orleans to Vicksburg, these old boxes remain." Stevens has sold four vampire killing kits in his 27 years as an auctioneer with this one being the most expensive to date. Hmmm. I wonder if this kit would work on werewolves too? I can't remember a time when vampires were more popular, can you?

Thanks for stopping by the cottage for a little antiquarian fright today. ♥Rosemary




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Life's Little Instruction Book, page 138 + some of my favorite things . . .

Brooke Astor's study designed by Albert Hadley. You know how much I love leather bound books and bookshelves!

A little Photoshop fun with a moth from an antiquarian print superimposed on one of my cement pots.

Don't forget to drain all your outside faucets so they don't freeze over the winter. I haven't shut off the water from the inside yet...yesterday was absolutely gorgeous.

I wear my Wellies daily; in the morning when the dew or frost is still on the grass and on evening walks with Webster. Actually, they are my favorite outdoor footwear for tromping around the cottage grounds.

A load of wash my mother hung out to dry. She always wears jumpers and flannel nighties. She hangs her clothes in a random sort of way. I could never do that. I have to hang all the towels together, all the socks together, all the pillowcases together, etc. After the house is painted in the spring, I want to hang that awful ladder from a rafter in the garage and plant something nice against the foundation.

Several people have been asking for pictures of Webster. These are not new, but they are good ones of the wonder dog.

I don't look forward to the dead brown winter grass. I wonder why Webster wasn't wearing one of his coats? Must have been warm that day.

This is definitely a spring or summer photo as you can see from the bird's nest in the background.

The carpenter is gone and Webster misses him. Thanks for stopping by the cottage for a few photos and a page from our favorite book. ♥Rosemary

Bunny Williams on PBS 10/22/09 . . .

One of my friends sent me an email to remind me to watch this program on PBS Thursday night at 7:30 and I'm so glad she did. I've never seen any of the "Moment of Luxury" segments but I am definitely watching this one. I have so many books by Bunny Williams. Check your local listings for the schedule in your area.

Bill Subs visits Litchfield County, Connecticut for renovation and design tips from celebrated interior designer and best-selling author Bunny Williams at the magical 18th-century house and garden she restored as a labor of love.

I haven't had much time to devote to my blog recently due to all the home repairs going on around the cottage. You'll be glad to know I can see a speck of light at the end of the tunnel. ♥Rosemary

A Vintage Halloween Postcard Video . . .

I couldn't embed this wonderful video because the feature was disabled. Click here or on the image above to go to the slideshow of Vintage Halloween postcards with music. Trick or Treat!

Thanks for stopping by the cottage to get in the mood for everyone's favorite holiday which is less than 2 weeks away. ♥Rosemary

AGA Rangemaster Cookers Go Dotty After 300 Years.

AGA goes dotty over new (limited edition) Emma Bridgewater model covered in brightly colored polka dots. It's a little too daring for my taste. I prefer neutral everything with my antiques providing color and contrast. What do you think of these wildly emblished stoves? I think this one costs around $10,000 in case you were thinking of placing an order.

Four leading personalities in the British Isles have given their take in a series of decorated cookers to celebrate AGA Rangemaster’s 300-year heritage.

Renowed pottery designer, Emma Bridgewater, has designed an iconic polka-dot AGA. Atomic Kitten singer, Natasha Hamilton, has embellished a Rangemaster cooker with cupcakes. Eco designer and TV presenter, Oliver Heath, has created a patchwork wood-burning Rayburn and Michelin-star winning chef, Nick Nairn, has designed a fabulous tartan Falcon cooker that signifies his Scottish roots.

I don't often do two posts in one day but I found these stoves so interesting, I just couldn't wait another day. Thanks for stopping by the cottage again. ♥Rosemary




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2012 Olympics pictograms launched this week . .

One of the most eagerly-awaited design elements of the London 2012 Summer Olympics was launched on Friday - the pictograms. Read more and see a second version.

Click here for the official Olympic Games site (past and present). Thanks for stopping by the cotttage. Enjoy your Sunday. ♥Rosemary

Bless this mess . . .

I took these pictures yesterday to show the condition of my kitchen after working for 2 weeks with my carpenter/handyman around the cottage.

Every tool, rag, can of paint, etc. that I provided for various jobs ended up on my kitchen table. To eat lunch every day, we just shoved the stuff aside.

I have the weekend off and won't do much besides try to put everything away. He's coming back on Monday to help me put weather stripping on some exterior doors to make the house warmer. I've got a list going of other things I want to get done too.

We're on a roll and I can't let him go until the major things are done to get ready for winter. We are going to paint the exterior next spring. It feels so good to have accomplished so much in the past 2 weeks.

I would love to get all of my tools organized and in one place. I usually can find most things pretty easily which is a miracle since I have them in the basement, in the attic, in the pantry, in a kitchen drawer, in the garage, and sometimes in the car.

Hopefully, by the time you read this post I'll have this mess cleaned up. Thanks for stopping by the cottage. ♥Rosemary

Life's Little Instruction Book, page 137 + Recipe for Chai Tea w/ Soy Milk . . .

It is absolutely freezing at my house. I'll have my chai tea steaming hot, please. In the summer I drink it over ice. Thanks for stopping by the cottage for a page from my favorite book by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. and a great drink recipe. ♥Rosemary