Antique Dog Head Stirrup Cup

A stirrup cup is a "parting cup" given to guests, especially when they are leaving on horseback and have their feet in the stirrups. It is also the traditional drink (usually port or sherry) served at the meet, prior to a traditional foxhunt. The term can describe the cup that such a drink is served in.

The wonderful English hound-head cup circa 1820 pictured in the first photo is available here. Do want!

Blue Skies from My Window Today

The thermometer is dropping like a rock and the winds are howling. I can't complain because we've had a few warm days to melt a lot of the snow and ice in the gutters and all of my icicles have disappeared. Have you ever seen a more beautiful blue sky? I actually removed the screen from my bathroom window to snap this photo just a few minutes ago. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that I've seen bluebirds flying around too but couldn't grab my camera fast enough. 

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II, Page 32

More wonderful advice from a father to a son. The next time my phone rings I shall smile before I answer it. 

Jane Austen's Thoughts About Home

I feel the same way about staying at home. It's the only place of real comfort. Some days I can hardly blast my self away. Tea towel from this Etsy shop. I'm off to my weekly office meeting---I'll be back later.

Interior Sliding Door Hides Pantry

Here is another recycled door hung barn style in a kitchen to hide the pantry and wine cooler. I might use something in this condition in the basement, loft over the garage or the attic but it would have to look spiffier and cleaner for me to use it in such a nice kitchen. How about you?

See my other posts on this on-going subject.

Where Are My Ears?

I love photos of English Red Squirrels--especially this one. The poor little guy on top couldn't squeeze his ears through the mouse hole. Adorable!

Extinct = Gone Forever

A Gallery of Species Lost and On the Brink with a 10-photo slideshow

You will see a few of the tens of thousands of species that scientists say have gone extinct or become critically endangered over the past 30 years. Please try to read the accompanying article by Richard Conniff in The New York Times entitled Specimens: Lost and Gone Forever. The discovery that species could become extinct shook the 19th century view of the world, and it should continue to trouble us today.

A "must read" for any lover of natural history.

Dare To Be Different | Coco Chanel Quote

This is a great illustrated quote worth repeating from Coco Chanel. via Etsy