Tabitha, Queen of Cats

Here she is, the Queen of the Cottage.

Miss Tabitha taking a cat nap and dreaming about fist. We have had a lovely Saturday here at the cottage with several walks. It's still cold enough that a hat and mittens feel good even though a lighter jacket feels fine. Have a great evening. xo

The morning sun keeps going behind the clouds but I think it's going to be a great day.

I put these old gardening tools to work yesterday in the rain when I was transplanting more snowdrops along my wall. I found several more big clumps in a spot where I dump my weeds. Have a great weekend. xo

1922 Cottage Bungalow, Before and After

How much do you love this farmhouse and detached garage?

I love the lookout tower on the side of the garage. The front is shown below.

This is the BEFORE photo.  Read the story of this amazing renovation by Moore Architectects and Designers here. There are more photos too.

Celebrating the Georgian Court in England

17 April - 30 November 2014

The Georgian Court and its intriguing cast of royal characters are brought to life at Hampton Court, Kensington and Kew Palaces this year with a series of events, in celebration of the 300th anniversary of the Hanoverian accession to the British throne.

Watch this short film -- The Glorious Georges

Nice Property Near Me

This green barn building is part of an estate with outbuildings. The happy white building is a garage. Its twin is in the next photo.

Do you see the happy faces? The large stone main house is behind. This is a corner lot and I didn't photograph it because I had to turn in the opposite direction. I photograph it for you another day.

The people kept the landmark old red barn for their horses.

Here's a closer view showing the stone foundation and the stone walls.

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 76

More sage advice from a father to a son. 

Tabitha Says Good Night

I've been in a cleaning frenzy all afternoon and now I'm rushing to finish all my kitchen chores in time for Doc Martin tonight. I have my DVR set so it's not that urgent. I'm really enjoying Season 6, aren't you? Webster is all tucked in after dinner and a walk. He got cornbread on top of both breakfast and supper so he's a happy dog. Tabitha doesn't care because she's the Queen. Sleep tight, my friends. xo

Nuzzling Bunnies

I wonder what they are looking for in that gravel? via

Pink Sky this Morning

I'll be happy when the grass starts looking better in my photos. I woke up early enough this morning to enjoy this beautiful pink sky. Webster had another wedge of cornbread on his breakfast and he thanks you all for his birthday greetings yesterday. See you later. xo

Cornbread Birthday Cake for Webster

He got 2 pieces for his birthday dinner. One was broken up on top of his kibble and he ate it with great gusto. The second piece was broken up in his bowl for dessert. He was one happy dog. The other pieces are wrapped in a used bread bag for tomorrow. The birthday boy is sound asleep and it's not even dark. I have to wake him up for one final walk. xo

UPDATE: History of my cast iron pan above...how odd, it's from a blog post exactly 3 years ago to the day. This vintage pan is very rare.

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 75

More sage advice from a father to a son. 

Looking Down on a Tulip

I don't even have daffodils yet, much less tulips. I took this photo in April last year on a real estate showing. It looks like a lovely first day of April but it's still on the cool side. Today is Webster's birthday and I think I will bake him a pan of cornbread instead of a cake. He will be the happiest dog in the world when it comes out of the oven because it's the Wonder Dog's favorite treat.

Garden at Williamsburg

Perennial garden at Colonial Williamsburg. So lovely! via

March is Going Out Like A Lamb

After a cold morning with hail, it turned out to be a spectacular day, after all. There is only a small amount of snow left in the front driveway where it was piled over my head by the snowplow man. The ground is still wet from three days of rain, but March appears to be going out like a lamb, after all. I know that is probably not the case everywhere, but I'm glad it's ringing true here at the cottage. Webster and Tabitha are thrilled too. xo

Seaside Cottage in Norway

One of the people I follow on Instagram posted this photo and I love it. Have you ever seen a more enchanting cottage? I love the architectural style and how it somehow seems private even though it's in a picturesque village. I want to see more of both. 

We had hail yesterday and this morning. Webster and I got caught in it last evening and he couldn't wait to get back inside. I had an umbrella but he had no protection at all and really got pelted. I don't think it hurt but it surely was loud.

Call The Midwife - Season 3 Tonight

Call The Midwife - Website

Tonight is the Season 3 Premier on PBS at 8PM. I'm so glad it comes on early so don't forget to set your DVR. I love this show. Afterwards is Season 2 Premier of Mr. Selfridge.

Old Photos: My Brother and Me

Did this roving pony and photographer visit your neighborhood when you were a kid?

My brother Tim. He didn't need any props from the photographer. He came fully dressed in his Hopalong Cassidy outfit he got for Christmas. He wore it until it was either worn out or outgrown, I can't remember which.

Tim's inner and outer cowboy, back in the saddle again.

I wore my own clothes but the hat was probably a prop. I don't remember ever wanting to be a cowgirl. My brother always got up a little bit earlier than I did on Saturday mornings and I was forced to watch Cowboys and Indians because he beat me to the TV.

My inner cowgirl. I've never been at home in the saddle.

Snowdrops On Ice

I was shocked when I saw these snowdrops near my front door today when Webster and I went out in the rain. I honestly didn't see them yesterday when I was transplanting on the other side of the walk. They are actually coming up through thin slushy ice. I guess they just couldn't wait any longer. I usually get them in February and it's almost April. WOW!

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 74

I love the last one. I would go an extra step and make it a first edition.

My Violets will be coming soon.

When I was transplanting my snowdrops yesterday, I unearthed some grape hyacinths that will be coming up too. Later in the spring my wild violets will be lined up against my brick wall.

They are my favorite wildflowers. They come up in the lawn too, before the first mowing. It rained during the night and is a gloomy Saturday with off again, on again rain. I don't mind in the least. Maybe the last of my snow will melt. See you later. xo