Cornbread Birthday Cake for Webster

He got 2 pieces for his birthday dinner. One was broken up on top of his kibble and he ate it with great gusto. The second piece was broken up in his bowl for dessert. He was one happy dog. The other pieces are wrapped in a used bread bag for tomorrow. The birthday boy is sound asleep and it's not even dark. I have to wake him up for one final walk. xo

UPDATE: History of my cast iron pan above...how odd, it's from a blog post exactly 3 years ago to the day. This vintage pan is very rare.

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 75

More sage advice from a father to a son. 

Looking Down on a Tulip

I don't even have daffodils yet, much less tulips. I took this photo in April last year on a real estate showing. It looks like a lovely first day of April but it's still on the cool side. Today is Webster's birthday and I think I will bake him a pan of cornbread instead of a cake. He will be the happiest dog in the world when it comes out of the oven because it's the Wonder Dog's favorite treat.

Garden at Williamsburg

Perennial garden at Colonial Williamsburg. So lovely! via

March is Going Out Like A Lamb

After a cold morning with hail, it turned out to be a spectacular day, after all. There is only a small amount of snow left in the front driveway where it was piled over my head by the snowplow man. The ground is still wet from three days of rain, but March appears to be going out like a lamb, after all. I know that is probably not the case everywhere, but I'm glad it's ringing true here at the cottage. Webster and Tabitha are thrilled too. xo

Seaside Cottage in Norway

One of the people I follow on Instagram posted this photo and I love it. Have you ever seen a more enchanting cottage? I love the architectural style and how it somehow seems private even though it's in a picturesque village. I want to see more of both. 

We had hail yesterday and this morning. Webster and I got caught in it last evening and he couldn't wait to get back inside. I had an umbrella but he had no protection at all and really got pelted. I don't think it hurt but it surely was loud.

Call The Midwife - Season 3 Tonight

Call The Midwife - Website

Tonight is the Season 3 Premier on PBS at 8PM. I'm so glad it comes on early so don't forget to set your DVR. I love this show. Afterwards is Season 2 Premier of Mr. Selfridge.

Old Photos: My Brother and Me

Did this roving pony and photographer visit your neighborhood when you were a kid?

My brother Tim. He didn't need any props from the photographer. He came fully dressed in his Hopalong Cassidy outfit he got for Christmas. He wore it until it was either worn out or outgrown, I can't remember which.

Tim's inner and outer cowboy, back in the saddle again.

I wore my own clothes but the hat was probably a prop. I don't remember ever wanting to be a cowgirl. My brother always got up a little bit earlier than I did on Saturday mornings and I was forced to watch Cowboys and Indians because he beat me to the TV.

My inner cowgirl. I've never been at home in the saddle.