New Loaf of Life Changing Bread

I baked another loaf of my magic bread yesterday and had a warm slice for dessert slathered with sundried fig spread, a gift from my friend Stacey. I haven't given you an update lately and I just wanted you to know I'm still eating and enjoying it. I don't eat much of it as sliced bread though. I usually crumble a slice or two into whatever I'm having for lunch and eat it that way, with a fork. I had it yesterday crumbled and stirred into homemade tuna salad. I must buy some romaine so I can have this mixture in a "wrap". I love it crumbled and stirred into a serving of my homemade hummus too. I wrapped this new loaf in freezer paper and then slipped it in a plastic bag for storing in the fridge. I didn't have any old bread wrappers since I haven't had any commercial bread since I started making this "bread" full of oats, seeds, and nuts. I didn't have quite enough hazelnuts after I chopped the ones I had so I finished out the 1/2 cup with sesame seeds. I want to try this bread with raw peanuts next time or walnuts. It's very satisfying and keeps me on track with my new way of eating healthy and keeps me from snacking. See my last post with the recipe and notes. 

A Lone Daffodil

Another new daffodil opened today. I picked all the spent blossoms today so all the energy can go to the bulbs for next year. It was very chilly and windy today and it's still howling outside. I'm off to my bedroom to watch some recorded programs. Enjoy your evening too. xo

William Shakespeare's Birthday

I created this illustrated quote back in 2010 Via

Today is widely celebrated as William Shakespeare's 450th birthday but it's just a guesstimate according to Time Magazine. It's also a day for mourning for he died on this day too in 1616 at the age of 55.

William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon". Wikipedia

Born: 1564, Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
Died: April 23, 1616, Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom

A Few Decoupage Plates Plus

I've never done much decoupage but when I see things like this, I think it would be fun. The possibilities are endless when done on the reverse side of clear glass items. I think this process is probably a little trickier than conventional decoupage because the glue has to be put on the front of the print. Here we have three rectangular plates, a switch plate cover and a paperweight. via

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!!!