Royal Mail Goes To The Dogs (And Cats)

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s stamp of approval
A temporary truce was called yesterday when Royal Mail carriers helped celebrate the 150th anniversary of the world-famous Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. "Since 1860, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has worked tirelessly to care for and re-home over three million dogs and cats, and the stamps are an excellent way to celebrate 150 years of dedicated care." The charity began life as the 'Temporary Home for Lost and Starving Dogs' in Holloway, north London in 1860. Eleven years later it moved to Battersea and in 1883 it started taking in cats.

All of the lucky models are ex-residents that have been successfully placed in loving homes. Once abandoned, they are now First Class pets. The photographs were taken over several days in London and Windsor by renowned animal photographer Steve Hoskins. Such a happy story. My dog Webster was adopted from an animal shelter. I wonder if the USPS would be interested in having him pose for a stamp?




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Bathrooms On Parade

Each of the bathrooms caught my eye for one reason or another. I never thought of toilet paper as a decorative element until I saw the last one. I love the stainless steel toilet too. Wouldn't it be nice to have a fireplace as in the first photo? The middle ones are all charming cottage baths.

The rain has started as promised and we are supposed to have two storm systems before it ends on Sunday. Good reading and movie watching weather. I really have to chain myself to the filing cabinet for some serious tax paperwork too. Ugh. Have a wonderful weekend.


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Bucks County Beauty

I was very excited when I found this article. I know these designers and I once owned this painting. Really! I always called him Mr. Wilson. It's so nice to see that he found a good home.

EASING A HISTORIC FARM INTO THE PRESENT IS A LABOR OF LOVE
Interior Design by Bell-Guilmet Associates

Owners and design partners Patrick Bell and David Guilmet restored the 22-acre property’s main stone house. Their specialty is interior design for collectors of art and antiques.

Photography by Durston Saylor via Architectural Digest View Slideshow

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Garden Gate

I love the color of this garden gate. It looks perfect with the roses climbing over it. Nice.


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Cottage Love

I absolutely adore this Greek revival cottage, don't you? Small is beautiful.
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Lavender Fields Forever

Here's your daily dose of aroma therapy. Focus on the picture and inhale. Doesn't all that lavender in Sonoma California smell wonderful? I feel so relaxed now. Just beautiful.
lavender fields




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Exhausted Last Night

This is how I felt last night when I fell into bed (without the kittens) after working outside all afternoon. I finished what I set out to do and didn't come in until 6:15 pm. The gravel is all back in the driveway too. Even if it snows again I will not have it plowed. What a job. I found some maverick snowdrops in the woods where I dump my weeding. I dug them up and started another bed right beside the front door. They are perky and happy this morning.

I was tired but managed to stay awake to watch a recorded movie ~ Captains Courageous with Spencer Tracy as a very young man. It was wonderful. It's cloudy and two rainstorms are coming my way so I have to clean out my trenches this morning. Have a great day, Rosemary.


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Easter Bunny Boot Camp

Easter is on April 4th this year. Only a little over 3 weeks for the Easter Bunny and his helpers to get in shape. Woohoooooo!

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Green Pound Cake for St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is March 17th so you have one whole week to buy the ingredients to make this green pound cake. The recipe makes two loaves. You probably have all of the ingredients on hand right now. The only things I don't have are buttermilk and avocado. Actually, I do have one avocado but need another one to make 1-1/2 cups. Market day is today so I'll buy several more. This looks good and the green color is natural without the addition of food coloring. Pistachio ice cream is green, isn't it? That would be good on the side. Yum. Everybody's Irish on St. Patrick's Day.
Avocado Pound Cake
I think I'll eliminate one cup of sugar. I don't like things that are too sweet. I'm sure that won't make a difference in the baking chemistry, will it?

Irving Penn Exhibit | National Portrait Gallery

National Portrait Gallery - Irving Penn
I love the portrait of Alfred Hitchcock, don't you? The Marlene Dietrich portrait is circa 1948. Catch this exhibit if you're in London between now and June 6th. It looks wonderful. Rosemary




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A Peek Inside My Cottage

I did a major clean in my living room yesterday. While sitting on the sofa last night enjoying the fruits of my labor, I snapped this lowlight shot. I only have two public rooms in the cottage and each has windows and doors looking out on both the front and the back. I do love a house that is one room wide. They are the kitchen and the multi-purpose room I call the living room. It has a fireplace and enclosed staircases going to the lower level and upstairs to my studio. The view to the front is ground level and the back is on the second floor since my house is on a slope. I have a balcony outside the two French doors on either side of this early ladderback chair. Night photos are best because the windows still haven't been washed. Big rains are coming so I left that task until later. I'm going to work outside and try to get a grip on all that gravel outside the confines of the driveway before it gets too wet. Mud season, here we come. Actually I need a few rainy days so I can do my taxes.




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