Wednesday, June 2, 2010

1915 Architectural Design for The American Foursquare







The American Foursquare: Click to enlarge any photo.
The American Foursquare was built between 1890 and about 1935. After 1900, it was one of the most popular house styles in both rural settings and on small city lots. They were sensible two- to two-and-a-half-story homes that were economical to build, comfortable to live in, and aesthetically pleasing in their simplicity. The Foursquare takes its name from its simple, cubic shape and floor plan which is divided into quarters on each floor.

I predict that this post will be as popular as the 1917 Architectural Design for A Colonial Home to Cost $12,500. with house plans. Which is your favorite?



Content in a Cottage
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

University Library in Sweden

Somewhere in Sweden there is a lovely ivy-covered University Library.



Content in a Cottage
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

I Need A Cat Nap Right Now

I've been running around like crazy all day long and could use a little cat nap about now.



Content in a Cottage
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Booklover's Cottage

Booklover's cottage. Pull up a book and stay awhile.



Content in a Cottage
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Owl Eyes

Whooo has owl eyes? 

Roasted Vegetable and Black Bean Quesadillas Recipe


Roasted Vegetable Quesadillas | WholeFoodsMarket
Ingredients
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 cups sliced red, green or yellow bell peppers
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
6 flour tortillas
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
3 tablespoons butter
Chopped lettuce
1/2 to 1 cup salsa
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup guacamole

Try layering shredded roasted chicken, pulled pork, or sliced skirt steak with the onions and peppers in these quick and easy stovetop quesadillas. For vegetarians, sautéed mushrooms are a great addition, too.

Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss onions and peppers with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in oven, tossing occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes, or until golden brown. Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons cheese on each of 3 tortillas. Top with roasted onions and peppers, beans and remaining cheese. Arrange remaining tortillas on top. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium high heat and, working in batches, brown both sides of each quesadilla until cheese is melted. Cut into quarters and transfer quesadillas to plates. Serve with lettuce, salsa, sour cream and guacamole on the side.
Serves 3 to 4.

Nice alternative to hot dogs and hamburgers for your holiday cookout. You can probably do all the grilling outside. I would skip the butter and use olive oil instead if I were cooking these inside. Or brush lightly with olive oil if using outdoor grill. Yum.
Click on the link for nutritional information.



Content in a Cottage
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Be Patriotic Today Inside and Out

This would be nice to see when you first walk in a house, wouldn't it? Don't forget to honor our veterans and soldiers today and go to a parade if you can. Have a great Memorial Day.



Content in a Cottage
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Pink Columbine Flower (Aquilegia)

Simply stunning, agreed? Columbine (Aquilegia)



Content in a Cottage
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

The Poppies of Flander’s Field

In Flander's Field by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

"In Flander's Field" is a memorable poem that was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in a cemetery in the Flanders region of Belgium on May 3, 1915, the day after the death of his young friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer.

Perhaps the most famous poem written during World War I, these simple but powerful fifteen lines, and the poppies they immortalize, have come to symbolize fallen soldiers. Learn more. I thought this was a perfect remembrance for Memorial Day.

Image: Painting by Willy Werner



Content in a Cottage
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Webster in the Tall Grass


Webster likes that I am leaving lots more natural areas this year so he can hide and hunt in the tall grass for snakes. It is dark now and raining. That is fine with me as long as it stops by morning. Fingers crossed. Goodnight. See you tomorrow.



Content in a Cottage
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Wild Yellow Honeysuckle

Life is good. My wild honeysuckle is blooming and I saw a Baltimore Oriole today. I was able to photograph the honeysuckle but the bird was gone by the time I grabbed my camera. Hopefully I'll get another chance. I love the way the sun was shining through these fragrant yellow blossoms. Have a great Memorial Day weekend, Rosemary.



Content in a Cottage
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Albert Einstein | Illustrated Quote

"Intellectuals solve problems,
geniuses prevent them."
Albert Einstein

Photographer: Johan Hagemeyer
(American, born Netherlands, 1884-1962)
Title: Albert Einstein
Date: 1931
Medium: Gelatin silver print
Collection: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York



Content in a Cottage
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Abraham Lincoln | Photograph | 1860

"Whatever you are, be a good one. "



Content in a Cottage
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Smell The Flower

This is a picture of me when I was a baby holding up a flower for the photographer to smell. I think my grandmother probably made the romper and embroidered the dog on the front. I miss those wavy edges on old pictures, don't you? Someone should make a paper cutter that replicates that edge. I wish I had an old one. Notice I tagged my photo under antiques.



Content in a Cottage
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

EWG's 2010 Sunscreen Guide

EWG's 2010 Sunscreen Guide: "EWG’s fourth annual Sunscreen Guide gives low marks to the current crop of sunscreen products, with a few notable exceptions. EWG researchers recommend only 39 – 8 percent – of 500 beach and sport sunscreens for this season.
The reason? A surge in exaggerated SPF claims above 50 and new disclosures about potentially hazardous ingredients, in particular recently developed government data linking vitamin A to accelerated growth of skin tumors and lesions. Learn more."
I found this thanks to my friend Lynn and wouldn't you know the stuff I've been using (Neutrogena) is BAD. We just have to educate ourselves as best we can. Please read everything and be prepared for the sun this summer. Another friend of mine is at the hospital right this very minute with a first-grade blonde son who is having his second surgery this spring for sun-related damage on his head and face.
The Huffington Post first reported this on May 24th. Throw out all your bad sunscreen and get something good before you go out in the sun again.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend armed with one of the 39 good sunscreens on the list.



Content in a Cottage
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Prince William's $40 Million Wedding to Kate Middleton


Prince William’s $40 Million Wedding Of The Century
"Prince William and Kate Middleton are planning a monstrous $40 million wedding, complete with Kate wearing Princess Diana’s ring, veil and tiara"

I'll be watching. Will you?



Content in a Cottage

Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Goodnight From My Island Bedroom

I love this island bedroom, don't you? It was cool today and now it's almost dark and raining. I had to put on a sweater so I'm nice and cozy still enjoying my book.



Content in a Cottage
Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.