Webster's Favorite Spot

Webster has a window on his world in this spot. He can watch me cook in the kitchen straight ahead, see my mother if she comes upstairs to his right, look out the french door to the balcony on his left, and nap whenever the moment is right. His dog dish is within sight from here too. I had a request for a Webster update so here he is. I might add that he has taken to sneaking on this sofa in the middle of the night too which does not please me at all.

He must have gotten tired of this sofa on the other side of the room. Little guy is Piggie who came for a sleepover.

And this one opposite the fireplace. I give up.

Greetings from the Leap Day Lamb

Leap Day -- February 29, 2012 

New Friends

I took these photos yesterday at an open house and it seems like 10 years ago so much has happened since. You don't want to know the details which are mostly paperwork related. Anyway I took these on the fly and they aren't very good. The sheep is huge and adorable and she's in a paddock next to the last horse. The two horses are opposite each other so they can chat if that's what they do when no one is looking. It's raining here at the cottage today and I might start a fire when I'm sure I won't have to go out again. I have to go to the office in a little while. See you later.

WOW The Life of Flowers | Timelapse Video

The Life of flowers (Жизнь цветов) from VOROBYOFF PRODUCTION on Vimeo.

Open House Day

I am excited about real estate this year. I'm rushing to get ready for my weekly office meeting with broker open houses after it's over. The spring market is upon us and there is a lot to see today. I should recharge my iPhone too. This is a pond behind a home I visited recently. See.You.Later!

Night Sky -- Good Night Moon

I took this iPhone photo of the night sky recently. The moon isn't quite this big now...It is just a sliver of a moon. I have a wonderful big open sky to enjoy when I walk Webster before bed. I love looking at the stars. See you tomorrow.

Courtyard Garden

Designed by Fairfax & Sammons Architecture. The far building must be a combination conservatory/garden room/pool house assuming there is a pool on the other side. via

Is it A Soup or Is it A Stew?

BLACK BEAN + BUTTERNUT SOUP // Serves 4-6

Original Blog Post/ Recipe HERE with more photos.

Some of the measurements are pretty vague, but in a stew-like soup, perfection is not necessary. Taste as you go, add more spice if necessary but beware that both chipotle and cayenne are SPICY, so start small. You can cook your beans from scratch or use canned for the sake of time.

1 Tbsp. coconut or extra virgin olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 a small head of cabbage, chopped (heaping 2 cups)

3 cups cubed butternut squash (sweet potato would be good too)

3 cups low sodium vegetable broth

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. cocoa powder

pinch of chipotle powder or cayenne pepper

2 cups cooked, black beans (about one can, rinsed and drained)

salt to taste

avocado, for garnish

cilantro, for garnish

// tortilla crispies //

3 corn tortillas

scant 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp. sea salt