Great Place for A Fireside Chat

As seen in a remodeled circa 1908 home nearby. I'm so glad they kept this cozy nook with a fireplace in the living room. What a great place for guests to sit and warm up upon arrival on a winter visit just the way they did when this home was built before central heating was perfected.

New [Vintage] Tartan Plaid Blanket at My Cottage

The rummage sale at the Methodist church on the second day scored a wonderful vintage wool blanket. I changed my linens yesterday while I was cleaning my room and this blanket turned out to be perfect on top of my Matelasse spread. It is a thin weave and is so long that it has to be doubled lengthwise. The two bound edges wound up under the pillows. I'm sure it was made this way for double insulation because the bottom crease has always been this way. Maybe someone even made it from woolen fabric--there aren't any labels. It's in perfect condition without a single moth hole. Webster loves it too as you can see. It keeps both of us warm, cozy, and happy.

Have a restful weekend keeping watch while lounging in bed if at all possible. Everything looks better with a dog on it; doesn't the first photo look empty?

Webster and the Dust Mops

Webster has stationed himself right in the line of fire between me and the dust mops hoping he will get priority. We are not Swiffer people here at the cottage preferring the old-fashioned way to dust floors. Sort of like the catch-and-release method in fly fishing. There was a church rummage sale this week and I resisted with all my might buying one of those cutsie signs saying "this house is protected by killer dust bunnies" because it hit too close to home. I decided to get rid of them instead---thus the resulting cleaning frenzy. Wish me luck.

Best Slipcovers Ever

Don't you love the ties on these slipcovered chairs? Here's hoping you have a weekend filled with easy chairs, beautiful fabrics, good food, long walks, a movie or two, and hanging out with pets/family/friends. While you are doing all that you can picture me half-way through a cleaning frenzy pushing around vacuum cleaners and dust mops! via

Lake House in Winter

I don't think it's in the cards for us to be tucked in with snow this year. I don't really mind because we deserve a mild winter after last year, agreed? Lake house in winter. Maine home by Whitten Architects.

Tight Quarters

This is a really ceative small bedroom -- or is it a closet? I love seeing how people make the best out of a small tiny house, don't you? via

Morning Sun Shining Through the Fog

I stuck my iPhone out the one attic window that doesn't have a screen to capture the sun trying to burn off the morning fog. It won't be long now before we have a nice sunny day after two days of rain. Have a great Friday.

Remembering the Beauty of Winter

Isn't this one of the most beautiful winter scenes you've ever seen with the perfectly distributed dusting of snow? It really accents the geometric garden design. via