Gnome Knitting Valentine Hearts

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

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Double Hearts on Pen and Ink 18thC Family Record

I have this framed family record on a wall in my living room that never gets any sunlight. Sorry about my reflection in the glass. It is hand lettered with pen and ink and the calligraphy is beautiful. Every line is hand drawn.

I especially love the double hearts with the word together in the center. This is the perfect post for Valentine's Day.

First Ever Bluebird Twins

Four eggs (including an unusually large one, lower right) hatched into five chicks—a first report for Eastern Bluebirds. Photo by Gerald Clark. Read the article here. More sad news about the twins here.

If you are a bird lover and don't know about Cornell Labs, you are in for a treat. Homepage here.
Sorry about the poor quality of these photos. They are not mine but I wanted to share this story.

Simpkin 1902 - Beatrix Potter Artwork

Simpkin at the Tailor’s Bedside, c.1902 by Helen Beatrix Potter (English, 1866–1943)

This is yet another illustration that is new to me. It is very charming, isn't it. The tailor of Gloucester appears to be doing needlework in bed and kind Simpkin is bring him a cup of tea. I love the big bed with a window view. The bedding is quite lovely too. xo via

Hot Chocolate Recipes

I like having this recipe for the hot cocoa dry mix. Mine will leave out the crushed peppermint candy and will probably never be served over homemade marshmallows. This recipe is worthy of being framed with the lovely poem around the edges. 
Thank you Karen and Pam for mentioning in the comments that Susan Branch is the illustrator and author of the poem.

Wonderful 19th Century Bookplate

How wonderful. I couldn't agree more. I still think about certain books I loaned out and never got back. I remember one in particular and know who has it but it's a book I can live without. When I was very young, I turned down the corners of book pages and then I quit. It still pains me to think about all those times I hurt a book. via

Farm Sink and Topiaries

What is that extra faucet on the left? If it were Instant Hot it would not have dual handles. This kitchen detail has so many things to love; the extra-deep farm sink, marble counters, white cabinets, polished chrome faucets, big window, wonderful houseplants, black hardware. What is that counter cabinet behind the topiary in the clay pot? A garage for appliances? Does it pull up like a garage door? I hope so, otherwise you would have to clear the counter in order to open it. The rest of the kitchen must be nice too because this snapshot is very well thought out. Happy Sunday. xo

Bluebirds in February

I could not be more excited having seen lots of bluebirds circling in my backyard this morning while brewing my coffee. This is an old photo and I recently replaced this house with a larger one from the Audubon Society. Last year the house wrens claimed it and I have high hopes the bluebirds will win out this year. I worked in the yard before the ground froze and installed a new metal post that is much sturdier than the copper pipe on the house above. Bluebirds are very picky about where they live and they were always happy here before the wrens took over. Fingers crossed. Spring is definitely in the air today and the sky is blue with no clouds. So nice after several days of rain. Enjoy your weekend. xo