Clouds in the Moonlight

Have a great evening. I did too much yesterday and hardly anything today.

Cloudy Study, Moonlight - 1860 by Albert Bierstadt, American Painter via

DIY Copper Shelves for Kitchen

Clever shelving made with off the shelf parts from Home Depot. This system could work in other areas of a home too. They would be great for books.

I like having the washer and dryer in the kitchen. Read more about this project here. 

What a difference a day makes. Overcast and getting cooler. I am going to pace myself today and see how it goes. 

Transoms in a Bathroom

Two showers, side by side with overhead transoms for venting. Both have sliding barn doors. Love, love, love. via

Today was great. It was 72° and sunny after a rainy start this morning. The guys cleaned my gutters at 9:30 when the rain had just stopped. They used leaf blowers and it was somewhat messy because of the water, leaves, and the fine black sand from the roof shingles in the gutters. I have copper half rounds and it wouldn't have been so bad if the leaves were dry and crispy. I ended up hosing down my whole house after they left if you can imagine. It was actually fun. I have long hoses and good water pressure and it didn't take that long. Plus the outside of the house was still wet from the morning rain. I just couldn't stand dirty water stains on my pretty new white paint. It was a perfect day for being outside. I hosed down the balcony too and put away the furniture. I pulled the remaining thistles from a flower bed and raked leaves too. I might cut some grass tomorrow before it gets cold again on Wednesday. You have the seize the good weather days when they present themselves, don't you? I already have on my pjs and I'm ready to jump into bed. I actually had windows open all day long too. Webster is exhausted and so am I. See you tomorrow. xo

Sweet Potatoes in Muffin Tins

These look delicious and easy to make. I bought a huge box of sweet potatoes at my local supermarket and they have deep red skins. I think they are Garnets, according to this guide.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons organic butter, melted
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped, plus extra for garnish
Sea salt and pepper
5-6 large sweet potatoes or yams, thinly sliced
Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 12 muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl whisk together butter, coconut oil, parmesan, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper.
Add sweet potatoes and toss to coat evenly.
Layer potatoes slices into muffin pan and fill to the top. They will shrink down once they are cooking.

Bake for about 45-50 minutes and edges and tops are golden brown and center in tender.

Let cool for about 5 minutes and carefully remove with a spoon. Place on serving tray and top with extra parmesan cheese and fresh chopped fresh rosemary. Serve immediately.
Recipe found here.

Beautiful Sheep

Does this backlighting make us look fat? via

Shower with A View

Wow, isn't this fabulous? It's a year-round outside shower that just happens to be inside. via 

Getting my attic organized unearthed my sewing machine and today I did a little mending and button sewing. I had to replace a missing button on my trench coat but luckily there was an extra one in a hidden place. It was a very awkward job because there was a small button on the underside that you were supposed to affix at the same time you were sewing on the larger top button. At the end you were supposed to wrap the extra thread around and around before tying it off. I didn't do a very good job of the last part but it's fine and doesn't pucker or anything when I wear it. I forgot all about putting spacers like wooden toothpicks under the larger button to make room for the wrapping. How soon we forget when we don't sew every day as I used to in my youth. But it felt good giving new life to a coat I haven't worn in ages because of the missing button. It's pitch black outside and it's only a little after five o'clock. I'm off to walk Webster now. Enjoy your Sunday evening. xo

I had a good, productive day today moving stuff around. I sometimes feel like an ant. I made several trips to the loft over the garage with lamps that need shades and shades that need lamps. Yes, I'm still working upstairs but pretty soon I shall declare my attic work space finished. It looks a little better every day. The radio station that I usually listen to when I'm not listening to NPR started playing non-stop Christmas music today through Christmas Day. Don't you think it's too early? I certainly do but I found it cheerful and nice to work to so I left it on. Have a great evening and a nice Sunday tomorrow. I just let Tabitha in and there were raindrops on the front walk. It doesn't seem as cold either. I already have on my pajamas and I'm looking forward to a little reading, maybe a movie, ending with Inspector George Gently. Sounds perfect, doesn't it? xo 

image source

BIG Cat Basket

Tabitha found this big bed all by herself. I stashed it under the guest room bed where I have a desk and laptop at the foot of this antique rope bed. I lifted up the spread to take her picture. It's nice and dark down there but I think I should plug in my laptop somewhere else so it doesn't hang in mid-air like this. There is a radiator nearby and she seems warm and quite content. Maybe this will be her daytime bed and she'll continue to sleep at night in her small cat basket on top of my bed.