Samuel F. B. Morse, Painter

It would probably surprise Samuel F. B. Morse, and not pleasantly, that future generations know him for his invention of Morse code and his services to telegraphy, rather than for his paintings, produced over six decades, that were the serious business of his life. The size of the painting below blows me away .... it measures 6 feet x 9 feet. I can't even begin to count the paintings within this masterpiece that took him two years to complete.

Samuel F. B. Morse (1791–1872), Gallery of the Louvre (1831–33), oil on canvas, 73-1/2" x 108". Terra Foundation for American Art, Chicago. Read more ... article in The Magazine Antiques ... Morse at The Huntington Library.

Downton Abbey Season 5. Watch Online until March 15th.

As we all know, Downton Abbey is over (sob) but the entire Season 5 is still available to watch online for one more week. Hurry, it will go away March 15th. Watch the full season HERE.
Don't try clicking on the pictures below. Enjoy!
Here is another link with the episodes in proper order with a little recap.

Season 5, Episode 9

Season 5, Episode 8

Season 5, Episode 7

Season 5, Episode 6

Season 5, Episode 5

Season 5, Episode 4

Season 5, Episode 3

Season 5, Episode 2

Season 5, Episode 1

Those Lovely Owl Eyes

I have a fascination with owls and I love the yellowish orange eyes on this one. Have a great weekend. via

Beautiful Moonrise

My favorite time of day in any season. This winter moonrise is especially lovely in England, no doubt. I must remember to look outside tonight, as I always do, because there is a Waning Gibbous which is one day removed from a full moon. I get the moonrise from the window over my kitchen sink so I rarely miss a good one. Sundown tonight is a little more than an hour away. via

A Dog's Best Friend this Winter

Isn't this the cutest thing ever for a dog that's not too heavy to lift? Love it! via
I'm happy to report that I made it through yesterday's snow just fine and today bright sun is shining on my cottage and my windshield. There is nothing but sun in the forecast for 6 straight days and that makes me very happy. The worst of winter is finally over. xo

I feel like the Minion on the right.

I can't take it any more. Yesterday my gutters were melting and I shoveled slush for hours and everything was looking good. Now it's snowing again and we might get 8" or more before it stops, if it ever does. My phone app shows it will still be coming down at 9pm and I can't check beyond that. via Be safe and stay warm, This is a big winter storm and I know I'm not alone. xo

Indoor Hopscotch

I spent countless hours playing hopscotch when I was young and would have loved this handpainted version in a narrow hallway. This might be shuffle board but it would work for hopscotch too with bean bags instead of rocks. via

This is the pattern I remember:

A Peek into an Edward Gorey Pop Up Book

I could watch this all day. Don't you love it? Edward Gorey's "The Tunnel Calamity" at Cal Poly's Kennedy Library. via