More about Dan Stevens a.k.a. Matthew Crawley

"Downton Abbey" star and British heartthrob Dan Stevens is also the editor-at-large of Junket, a literary quarterly he co-founded.

WSJ image by Fred Harper

Okay, I think I forgive him now and wish him well after reading this rather in-depth article in the WSJ. I did not know he was a scholar and strives to feed his heart and head equally. I did not know he and his wife have two young sons. I did not know he was the elder of two boys adopted by a pair of teachers or that he attended the prestigious Tonbridge School on scholarship. One of his sideline gigs provided Mr. Stevens with the credentials to be chosen as one of five judges for the 2012 Man Booker Prize, the much-vaunted award given annually to the best novel written in English by a citizen of the British Commonwealth and Ireland. Read more A Dan For All Seasons . . . 

Dream Bifold Windows over Kitchen Sink

Have.You.Ever? These are definitely my dream windows in a world without bugs. Actually I don't have much of a bug problem so maybe this would be fine without a screen. I never see flies. Just an occasional wasp or bee and sometimes mosquitoes get in the house and buzz around my head at night. Tabitha would want more of a windowsill so she could sit and look out and sun herself. Photo found here.

Shadows on My Antiquarian Books

The mid-afternoon sun was shining so nicely through the living room window on my bookcase. I love all of my fine leather bindings. The bookcase is pictured on my sidebar. [my photo]

I can't get enough.

Jess the Springer Spaniel feeds an orphaned lamb. Now we know this amazing dog's name. via

Feeding the Lamb in Action

Awwww.               via

Pictorial Recipe for Corn Muffins w/ Cheddar Cheese

Recipe requested by JudyMac.

 

 

 

 

A real southerner would NEVER put sugar in cornbread! I used soymilk. Each muffin had 1/4 slice cheese pieces broken up and inserted randomly. I buy these wonderful thick slices at Costco. Nothing is easier to make from scratch than cornbread but I always use this Indian Head mix (family owned and operated since 1913). It is very inexpensive, something like $1.29 for a whole bag. I used olive oil--added to the batter. I sprayed the muffin cups with grapeseed spray oil because it is tasteless and can stand high heat. You can make a pan of cornbread and use 2 slices of cheese.

Round Brick Cottage

I have been attracted lately to brick cottages and this is the BEST one yet!!!!!!  Don't you love the windows that go all the way to the ground, the pointed roof and four dormers? I would buy this without even seeing the inside or knowing the location. DO WANT! Please call me if it's for sale. via

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.