Folk Legend About The Christmas Spider

I had many notes and comments about the spider web I found in my kitchen and photographed for the blog yesterday. A blog reader asked me if I'd ever heard The Legend of the Christmas Spider. It is a wonderful folk legend from Germany and the Ukraine. Read more. Thank you Janie. I love it and I'm sure others will too. Rosemary 

Beautiful Sky And Reflection

Here's hoping your day is as splendid as this photo.




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Spiders Gone Wild In My Kitchen

I always forget to look up when I clean. The sun was shining brightly on this beautifully woven spider web in my kitchen chandelier this morning. Such a work of art! I think I'll leave it there to enjoy a little while longer. Maybe the spider is trying to catch the lady bugs I see flying around in the house from time to time. What would you do?




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January Is Great For Reading

This vintage poster certainly illustrates the weather at my house perfectly. I really love this time of year because the holidays are behind me and there is nothing coming up in the near future. It's the ideal nesting and reading month. I'm going to build a big fire and curl up with a pile of magazines and books today. There will probably be some hot chocolate later. I think I saw a few big marshmallows in the cupboard this morning. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? Jealous? It's okay to follow my lead.

The vintage image is a WPA (Work Projects Administration) poster circa 1940. The commemorative print features a graphic design to promote reading and library use for children.




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Happy Is The House | Emerson Quote

"Happy is the house that shelters a friend."

Ralph Waldo Emerson




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Elijah Boardman Portrait by Ralph Earl

Ralph Earl (American 1751-1801) portrayed the richly dressed dry-goods merchant Elijah Boardman (1760–1823) in his store in New Milford, Connecticut. His right hand rests on a counting desk protected by green cloth secured with brass nails. The books on the shelves include the three-volume set of Dr. John Moore's Travels, two volumes of Shakespeare's plays, John Milton's Paradise Lost, a volume of Samuel Johnson's dictionary, and the London Magazine for 1786. Through the open paneled door to the right, bolts of plain and patterned textiles, including one with a prominently displayed British tax stamp, invite inspection and tell the viewer how Boardman earned a living, just as the books in his desk and the letter in his hand speak of his learning and cultivation. Don't you think he's hot? Such a handsome 18th century gentleman!
source




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Anatomy Of A Watering Can

I got a wonderful book for Christmas entitled The Tool Book for the well-tended garden by William Bryant Logan, published by Smith & Hawken. It is quite wonderful and I'm enjoying it very much. I am amazed that I already have so many of the tools pictured in this big fat 302-page volume. Most were procured at various garage sales over the past 30+ years for pennies compared to retail prices. The scan above shows all the fine points of a good watering can. I learned the hard way not to leave them out all winter because they will fill with water, freeze, and blow up. Plastic ones aren't allowed here at the cottage. Good used metal ones are all but impossible to find these days so take care of the ones you have. Rosemary




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Two Funny Dogs

The most Photographed dog in Bruges

A tour guide said..every day he sits at that window watching the world pass by. Guess he was sleepy when this photo was taken.

Don't you love both of these photos? Found this morning while reading blogs in my Google Reader. Click on image for source. xxoo, Rosemary




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