Portrait of Queen Elizabeth by Pietro Annigoni

'Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Regent' by Pietro Annigoni, 1954-5.

Copyright The Fishmongers’ Co.

I love this portrait; she looks very Napoleonic, doesn't she?

"The Queen: Art and Image," organized by the National Portrait Gallery, comes to London following a highly successful tour to Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff.

“The Queen is the most represented individual in history, but she remains an enigma. All we really have are images. This exhibition explores the creation of the queen’s public persona and the way such images reveals a world of changing ideas and values,” said Paul Moorhouse, curator of "The Queen: Art and Image," and 20th-century curator at the National Portrait Gallery. Read more...

19th-century Wardian Case

Isn't this the best architectural-form Wardian Case you've ever seen?  It reproduces the Crystal Palace Exhibition in London in 1851. via
Terrariums are generally credited with being invented by a gentleman named Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward. He invented them during the Victorian era and created a style of glass case with a metal frame that was very popular during the era. These terrariums were called "Wardian Cases" after Ward.

Double Decker Porch

When one porch is not enough, stack them. via

Cooling the Pies

If you close your eyes and inhale deeply, you can smell these pies cooling on the windowsill. via

Ivy Covered Dream House

Here is another classic country house with more cooperative ivy than the last one I posted. It's lovely, isn't it? I woke up to another cool rainy day. It seems the British weather has come to America. I enjoyed watching bits and pieces of the Queen's Jubilee yesterday with similar weather. Have a great week. via

Jessie Wilcox Smith illustration

This looks like a good idea. Hope you had a good weekend. Goodnight. via

Moth on Window Screen at My Cottage

I still use my Nikon SLR for photos like this. I couldn't have captured this moth on the screen in my bedroom with my iPhone. It's good to have more than one camera. 

Piglet Rescues Tiger

Piglet cures broken heart of Tiger Mom. Click here for full story. Awwww.