Corn Muffins with Cheddar Cheese

I baked muffins to take to my office meeting this morning. I put strips of good cheddar cheese in each cup after pouring in the batter so I wouldn't have to bring a stick of butter. They were so good. I didn't have enough batter for the two empty cups. This blue enamel cast iron pan always cooks anything to perfection. It looks black in this photo but it's a beautiful blue with white spatters. I had forgotten all about having it until I discovered it this week when I was organizing the pantry. It has been raining since noon and I was able to take a nice nap after lunch. 

Brick Cottage with Stream and Snow

Yes, please! I would love to wake up in such a place, wouldn't you? The architectural details are wonderful. I would sleep in the room under the peak with the decorative brickwork. via

Library with Brown Leather Sofa

This is a very wonderful room. via

Dan Stevens AKA Matthew Crawley -- Why he left.

Those of you still reeling from the season finale of Downton Abbey will want to read this article about why Season 3 ended so tragically. Spoiler Alert...Don't read if you haven't seen the last episode yet.

As you can see this article is dated December 2012. It was his idea to quit the show. It was a bold move on his part and what was Julian Fellowes to do other than write him out? I think he should have stayed until the show was over, don't you? Unfortunately I read this article when it was written and it was a spoiler for me. From now on, I will try not to read anything about Season 4 in advance. It would have been so much better to be as shocked about the ending as most of you were.

Photo: Paul Stuart - Camera Press

Of course this could all backfire and people will hold his quitting against him and decide not to follow his career. Just a thought. I think he's on Broadway in a play right now. Wonder how it's doing?

Recap of the episode from The Wall Street Journal.

The Great Escape

This vintage photo made me laugh. I just watched Maggie Smith being interviewed on 60 Minutes. Now I am getting ready for the Season Finale of Downton Abbey tonight. It's two hours, thank goodness. Can't wait. Enjoy!!!

Old Woman Who Lived in A Shoe's House

Shoe House, Mpumalanga, South Africa via

All in A Day's Work

So sweet. Dogs are such great helpers. Isn't this a great image to wake up to on a Sunday morning? Enjoy. via

Elegant Kitchen

Jackye Lanham Design, Atlanta GA

This is a very elegant kitchen, isn't it? I love all the antique accessories, especially the silver food domes, serving trays, pepper pots and tea caddies in the cubbies at the end of the island. As I mentioned earlier, I spent two whole days this week polishing silver. There is nothing more beautiful than newly polished antique silver. The pewter chargers on the wall are nice too. This is a beautiful cook's kitchen! Click photo to enlarge. Have a great weekend.