Sunday morning coffee

Here's what I'm drinking at the moment, hot coffee in my favorite cup with soy milk. I'm still loving the Waterlogue App for transforming my photos into watercolors. I'll see you a little later with the cover of the Clans and Tartans book and the pages for MacDonald per special request from Heather. What a perfect Scottish name! xo

Good Night, Webster

He is ready to go to bed, but he's fighting it. He is really missing our long walks but they are virtually impossible unless we walk on the road. I don't want to do that because of all the salt. Hopefully we will be able to trudge to the "way back" really soon! Have a good Saturday night. xo

1825 Mississippi Farmhouse Restoration Before and After

This is the before picture of a circa 1825 Mississippi home.

Here's the stunning after photo of the Mississippi home, following a three-year gut renovation.

Old stairs.

Stairs AFTER.

View all 15 before and after photos and read the inspiring story here in Country Living Magazine.

Kerr - Clan and Tartan

There is no rhyme or reason to the pages I will feature from this little book of mine. I just like this particular tartan this sunny Saturday morning.

The Crest Badge is nice too -- The sun in his splendour. Motto: Late but in earnest. Oh dear, but at least the Kerrs have an excuse for always being late. Question -- Do report cards still have a section for tardiness these days, as mine did? Have a great weekend.

Webster Has Tucked In

Our boy Webster has already thrown in the towel and called it a night. He dealt with the ice covered snow a lot better today. He mastered going into the woods.

Have a great weekend and we'll see you tomorrow. 

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 65

A few more suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life.

Yes! All good ones on this page.

Erddig, Welsh Country House on Instagram

What are you waiting for? This is what you are missing by not being on Instagram. Read the description below...sounds like Downton Abbey, doesn't it? I'd love to see the portraits of the servants.

I am following the National Trust on Instagram. Don't you love this photo they posted? I made a screen shot of the entire post below on my phone to share with you. I have never heard of this historic house in Wales but it's now on my bucket list. See, Instagram is not a waste of time. It's educational too!!!!!!!! Even if you never post one picture, you can follow amazing members and see the pictures they post. 

Follow National Trust on Instagram here.

Buried in The White Stuff

The ice on top of the snow is so strong you can walk on it and it won't cave in. Webster is completely freaked out by it because he slips and slides and can't find a place to "go". Tabitha has her claws so she's fine. Extreme caution is in order for everyone. My driveway is like the luge without going to Sochi.

Good Morning fresh From My Camera

This is practically live. Only moments from my iPhone to you. We survived the wrath of mother nature and are bracing for more. I actually heard one of the weather reporters talking about 3 feet of snow and 2 converging storms coming up. Guess I should start sharpening my snow shovels. They almost never get it right, so I'm not worried. See you later.

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 64

A few more suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life.

Yes!

Doc Martin Season 6 Episode 1 Tonight on PBS

In my area tonight is the premier of Doc Martin Season 6, Episode 1 at 9pm on one of the PBS stations. I would have missed it completely because it's not marked NEW. Luckily, my friend Victoria got it in Virginia last Saturday night and she told me the title of the new season's premier episode was SICKNESS AND HEALTH

Wedding bells are ringing for the Doc and Louisa. But will the marriage finally go ahead? The Doc is irritated by PC Penhale, who wrongly presumes he is best man, plus Louisa is late... The Reverend has his doubts as to whether she will turn up, putting Martin on edge. But she does, looking beautiful and at long last they tie the knot.

Sounds good, doesn't it? Can't wait!!! Here is the episode guide so you will know what to look for.

My Snow Cottage

I took this photo of my cottage yesterday at dusk, about 5:30. Right now, there is snow plowed up and over my brick wall just beyond the cast iron rooster. I'm so lucky that the county does such a great job on my road and my driveway man lives about 7 houses away. I have done the front walk myself. As long as there is power, I am fine. I can see icicles on the lines but they aren't sagging. There is always the worry of a tree limb snapping but I think everything was trimmed pretty well after Sandy. I think I'll be fine. I'm going to catch up on all of my TV shows now. See you later. xo

Deep Sleet at My Cottage

Yikes! This is what Webster and Tabitha had to plow through this morning. My walk was perfectly clean when I went to bed last night and boy was I shocked when I opened the front door. I thought it was just raining but it's a rain and sleet mix about 6" deep. I have to go out and knock it off the two giant boxwood at the end of the walk. This stuff is way too heavy for them. I hope none of their thick woody stems have split, fingers crossed.

Be safe and don't go out if you don't have to.

Webster Bids You Goodnight

The wonder dog and I had a very busy day and it's time to hit the hay. He's already sawing logs and I'm about ready to watch some TV in the bedroom. See you tomorrow. xo

View from My BR Window This Morning

Here comes the sun. It's very cold (12°) and very pretty. The animals have been out alone for morning relief and Tabitha has had breakfast but Webster has not. He's napping on the sofa while the oatmeal is cooking. The road outside is black and I have done my personal cleanup. I still need to work on my car a little more. I cleaned it off in a big hurry yesterday when my man came to plow the driveway. I measured my front walk before I shoveled and there was 8 inches of snow. Today everyone can recover and get ready for the next snow tomorrow. We are having a REAL winter this year. I'm fine with it as long as I have power. Be safe and warm and I'll see you later. 

I call this one "Snow Angles" as in architecture. It won't be long before the snow on the railing melts.

Snowday for Webster

We got at least 8" of snow today. We are both glad it finally stopped so we could get plowed out and shovel our walk. I'm always happy when the snow doesn't continue into the night. Today was a perfect snow day for Webster and me. Tabitha went out but didn't stay long. She isn't a fan.

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 63

A few more suggestions, observations, and reminders on how to live a happy and rewarding life.

Yes to this whole page!

ANOTHER Snow Day

I was really shocked to wake up to fierce snow that has already accumulated significantly. When the cat came in for the last time last night I could hear the gutters running and all of the snow on my roof was almost gone. Today's snow wasn't supposed to start until 8am but it's way ahead of schedule and I would say we already have about 3 inches. I am so lucky to live on a county road that is always plowed, salted and sanded. Stay safe and stay put if you can. See you later. I put this photo on Instagram this morning. See you later. I still have to watch the second half of Sherlock and I might do that this morning.

Neighboring House

Every house looks better in the snow, doesn't it? I wish that tree that hides the front door had been one of the trees Sandy took down. It's a grand looking house but I also wish it had been elevated to be higher than the front of the property when it was built in 1940 instead of being on a lower plane. Anyway, I love seeing it when I pull out of my driveway.

I went food shopping and now I'm ready for the snow tomorrow. As I've said in the past, I'm not a sports fan so I will be glued to PBS for Downton Abbey and Sherlock while the rest of the world watches Super Bowl 48. I am very glad we had such a nice day today weatherwise that continues into the night for the football game hosted in New Jersey. Enjoy your evening and I hope you house contains more than one TV so everyone will be happy tonight.

More Snow is On the Way

Isn't this snow scene beautiful? via

We are supposed to get 4 to 7 inches of snow tomorrow. Guess I should go food shopping today because I honestly have no staples in the house. I think I'll give the refrigerator a quick cleaning first. I am going to shop carefully and try not to buy too much because I hate to throw out food. I often buy two of something in the fresh produce aisle because it's marked two for $5.00 or whatever when one is all I need.