Ford Mansion - Washington's Headquarters

The Ford Mansion in Morristown, New Jersey was built by Jacob Ford, Jr. in 1774. My mom and I took a tour on a frigid Sunday in December. It served as George Washington’s Headquarters from December 1779 to June 1780.

The grand front entrance is beautiful. 

Doesn't this Park Ranger have an interesting job?

Nothing compares to 18th century wavy glass, does it? It appears that some of these panes are replacements. 

I'll post more of my iPhone photos from time to time. Read more about this historic site here.

Craving Plain Food

I don't know about you, but nothing tastes good to me except fresh fruit and green vegetables. This must be my body's way of recovering from all the fancy rich food I've been eating lately. I had my first office meeting of the year yesterday and I took some candy for the agents to enjoy so it wouldn't tempt me at a weak moment. 

Blue Spruce

Another of my iPhone photos of a blue spruce bough with raindrops, the only decorations my evergreen trees ever get. I so admire people who make the effort during the holidays to decorate outdoors. I give them demerits though if they don't take them down pretty soon after Christmas. I am slowly undecorating my cottage and putting the boxes away for another year. 

Wonderland Fungus

This fungus is getting curiouser and curiouser. I wonder if it's one that Alice ate? I'm certainly not going to taste it to find out. It's been growing on a tree at the edge of my woods for quite a long time and is a perfect subject for iPhone photos.

The Most Comfortable Chair in the Room

 

I really do love the ticking slipcover on this wing chair. And the framed page from a children's book too. via

I Cannot Believe My Eyes

 

This is just too much, agreed? There is nothing left to wish for. I'll let you know if I find out anything more about the child who has everything.
via 

Sad Decay of An Architectural Beauty

Lost by Alecu Grigore
Urban Decay Slideshow

Bracken House | Typical of Colonial Williamsburg

The main room in my cottage is one room deep. As I sit in my living room I can see views of both the front and back. It is so nice to be able to catch the breezes when the windows are open in nice weather. My kitchen is almost the same except for the small entrance vestibule. My front door is glazed at the top and there is a french door from the vestibule into the kitchen so I can still enjoy both exposures. Then I have a hallway off the living room that leads all the way back to my bedroom at the end of the house which is also one room wide. The bathroom is on one side of the hall and the guest room is on the other. I love the layout.

I have a center chimney with a fireplace in the living room. On the other chimney wall there are enclosed staircases going downstairs on one side and to the attic on the other.
The first two iPhone photos are from a book in my architectural library:

Colonial Williamsburg Its Buildings and Gardens
by A. Lawrece Kocher and Howard Dearstyne 1976

Read more here.

In The Woods Last Fall

I am trying to post some earlier iPhone photo so I can delete them from my camera roll. I took this in October before we had that heavy snow that ended up breaking so many branches in the woods. We are having lovely weather in the low 40s today and I'm looking forward to a walk or two with the Wonder Dog a little later when the wind dies down. Enjoy your last vacation day before reality sets in again.

Saint-Leon-sur-Vézère - Medieval French Architecture

The peaceful village of Saint-Leon-sur-Vézère is located in the part of the Dordogne known as the Périgord Blanc. Dordogne is itself a department of the region of southwest France known as Aquitaine. Handsome medieval houses like this one dot the landscape. ©erjkprunczyk

Another Bulb Photo Edited with Snapseed

Tell me when to stop and I will. I'm having such a good time playing around with my new free photo editing app. I learned a new word today too. It's iPhoneography so I guess that makes me an iPhoneographer. 

Best Brick House

with the best landscaping ~ swoon. It's perfect in every respect.

John Crump House - Williamsburg | Before and After Restoration

An 18th century house shown before the turn of the 20th century. I photographed this image from one of my books on Colonial Williamsburg.

The same house after restoration. You have to see the before picture to be able to fully appreciate the after photo, don't you? Such a labor of love.

Another Narcissus In Progress

I have bulb forcing vases all over the place in my cottage. I always look for them in thrift shops and at tag sales. This bulb is really reaching for the ceiling and the flowers should start popping out any day now.

I added a lot more information to my previous post about these bulbs so be sure to scroll down to find out about a free download for those of you with iPhones and iPads.

Forcing Narcissus Bulbs

I started forcing my narcissus bulbs way before Christmas and they are just starting to come to life. It must have something to do with my thermostat setting which is pretty low. That's fine with me because they last much longer in a cool environment.

This arrangement is right beside "my seat" on the sofa. I hope you like my first iPhone photo of the new year.

I did a little photo editing with SNAPSEED for iPhone and iPad. It was the iPad app of the year for 2011. It's not that easy to use on the iPhone bacause of the small screen but it will be awesome when I get the iPad 3 when it comes out. This app normally costs $4.99 but it's FREE for a limited time. Download it HERE. Video lessons for Snapseed HERE -- keep scrolling. Click photos to enlarge.

Happy 2012

January 1, 2012 I scanned a decorative alphabet from one of my old books and made this greeting last year. I still like it too. The first morning of the year is mild and beautiful here at the cottage and the coffee is wonderful. My New Year is off to a perfect start. Hope yours is too.

New Year's Resolution Generator

You can't believe how many times I forget to do this. Go to the New Years Resolution Generator and see what hits home for you.

My New Year's Wish for Everyone in 2012

Health, Peace, and Sweet Content Be Yours. Shakespeare
I scanned this image from one of my antiquarian books and sent it as my Christmas Card several years ago. It is still my favorite. I think it works beautiful as a New Year's Card too.
Click to enlarge.

New Year's Eve

Will you be able to stay up until midnight tonight? I found this delightful Maj Lindman illustration on Flickr and loved it so much I put it in my sidebar. I love the red orange and white striped pajamas, don't you?

My New Year's Wish For You

Who could ask for more?

via