Wonderful Staircase

Don't you love the railings? So unusual. I've never seen this treatment and I like it. via

Blue Skies over My Cottage

Happy Earth Day!

We've been having glorious weather lately with wonderful blue skies. It's overcast today and rain is coming this afternoon but that's fine too. The wild violets in my lawn are just beginning to bloom and they are so sweet with their little pansy faces. I'll take a photo when a big clump is in full bloom. I'm off to an office meeting this morning with open house tours after. I hope there are some good ones! See you later. xo

18th Century GPS Device

1793 Pocket Globe via

This is wonderful, isn't it?

Easter Bluebird at my Cottage

I took this from my bedroom window with my long lens and cropped it so you could see my lovely bluebird of happiness. They are flying around everywhere trying to pick their nesting sites. I hope this one decides to use the bluebird box. I cleaned it out so it's ready for this year's birds. Hope you had a nice Easter. I certainly did. xo

Happy Easter Sunday

One of my all-time favorite vintage Easter cards. via

Happy Easter, Everyone!

GIF by Amber Maitrejean

via

Someday

My new mantra. I made some calls yesterday to schedule appointments for some things I've been putting off. Calls have been returned and I'm feeling as if I'm moving forward instead of standing still. Hooray! via

Extraordinary Spice Box

What a masterpiece. This 18th century cherry spice box is a wonderful example of miniature furniture, isn't it? via 

A Fabulous Gallery

This looks like a grand place to while away the hours, doesn't it? via

Tabitha Sunning Herself

I took this photo this morning when Tabitha was sunning herself in the warmth of the sun on the rug. It was actually quite chilly outside and I had to turn on the heat. Mother Nature is still playing with her thermostat, isn't she? I'm off to watch Grey's Anatomy in the bedroom and a few other things I have recorded. Have a great evening and I'll see you tomorrow. xo

Random Photos around My Cottage

I took this photo this morning of the daffodils on my kitchen counter. They are like having sunshine in the house all the time.

This carriage house/garage is new but it's built on an old foundation. I think the owners did a great job with the design. There was an old red barn on the same spot in really bad condition. It's close to me and I love to slow down when I drive by. I took this photo from my car last week.

This is a recent sunrise as seen from my kitchen window. I've been outside blowing stuff around with the leaf blower and I didn't feel guilty at all because the landscaper is working next door. I don't feel as if I am causing the noise pollution if there are already two machines going full blast nearby. I blew off my deck in record time and my front walk. I'm going to see if it will blow the gravel that is in my lawn back into the driveway next. See you later. xo

Love the Freestanding Sink Unit

I love this sink with the high backsplash that comes up to the window trim, don't you? It's nice to see the old cabinets preserved too with new countertops. It's a very sweet kitchen. via

Great Boat Model

I'm not a sailor but I love a good boat model and this is a great one. Love the chair and pillow and throw too. Actually I like everything in this photo, including the view. via

Webster is Sleepy

He told me it was his turn to be featured. Tabitha has had more photos lately than he has. So here's a picture of him entering dreamland. He's sound asleep now after our ice cold walk in the blowing rain. Yes, it's chilly again but for only tonight and part of tomorrow and then it will be somewhat nicer. That's typical spring weather, isn't it? Enjoy your evening. I'm watching Father Brown and then Scott and Bailey. PBS all the way tonight. Have a good evening too. xo

Abandoned But Not Forgotten

I drove through the Great Swamp Wildlife Preserve yesterday on my way home from paying my property taxes in person. I pulled over to the side of the road in front of this abandoned house. I knew the lady who lived there long ago.

Can you imagine using a washing machine like this? 

The old shed has collapsed on itself. That bottle on the ground is brown glass encased in a tin sleeve that says it once held anti-freeze.

You can see my reflection in the door. I didn't want to go on the porch to peek inside because it would be too depressing. I can still remember what the inside looked like when the elderly lady lived there.

I picked lots of her daffodils and they look so nice in the cottage. I will go back when the lilacs are in bloom and pick some of those too. My mother and I always enjoyed these rituals each spring.

Sweetest Easter Lamb

I love the pink ears. Such a sweet face too! via

I love this yellow bird too. via

Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 77

More sage advice from a father to a son. 

I don't get the last one, do you?

UPDATE: Okay, I understand now. Thank your wife's mother for bring your wife into the world. Thanks everyone!!!

The Bletchley Circle Season 2 Tonight

I'm off to the bedroom to watch Call the Midwife that is recording on my DVR. I just found out that after Mr. Selfridge, a new season of The Bletchley Circle is on tonight. I loved Season One. Here's a preview of Season Two on PBS.

Mad Men, Season 7 is on tonight too. Why do all the good shows have to be on Sunday night? There are 7 programs on tonight that I want to watch. I'll have to watch half of them online. Oh well, it's a good problem to have. I love TV. Enjoy your programs. xo

Tabitha Outside

Tabitha has claimed her seat at the front door so she can watch what's going on without being on the cold ground. She was watching the sun go down in this photo. She likes to switch things around a little too much and keeps me busy letting her come inside whenever she wants. She will come in and eat a few pieces of kibble and then want to go back out again. In and out, in and out. That's what cats do! Have a great Sunday. xo

Spring Has Sprung at My Cottage

Not a single flower was open this morning. Here's a picture I took before Webster and I went on our after dinner walk. Boy, when they open, they open wide, don't they?

My picket fence still looks brand new after the paint job last fall and all that snow over the winter.

The skunk cabbage is putting out its big green leaves that I love so much. Pretty soon the entire forest floor will be covered with giant green leaves. Enjoy your Saturday evening and the rest of the weekend. xo