Twilight in the Snow

My favorite time of day is here. I always like to be home when it gets dark. Sometimes that's hard to do in the winter when the days are short but I usually manage. I'm definitely a winter person. This snow scene with the moon is lovely, isn't it? Have a great evening. xo via

Dining Room in An Old House

I love all the architectural elements in an old house, don't you? Board and batten doors, wide floor boards, winding staircase, and the furniture too. I love rush seat chairs and trestle tables. via

Extreme Case of Kitchen Love

It's pretty wonderful, isn't it? I wish the range hood were perfectly centered between the beams though. via

Happy Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a holiday traditionally celebrated the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradespeople would receive gifts, known as a "Christmas box", from their bosses or employers, in the United Kingdom, Barbados, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and other former British colonies. Today, Boxing Day is the bank holiday that generally takes place on 26 December. Google images.

Merry Christmas

Hope you got something you love from Santa. Here's my present to all of you who love cats. Click here and be entertained by all of the best cat images anywhere. You won't be able to stop looking! xo

Rabbits and Christmas Buns by Beatrix Potter

Merry Christmas and Plenty of Buns

An entirely unknown drawing showing an inventive use of lettering on the jars, bag and label on the set of keys. The message reads: “A Merry Christmas and Plenty of Buns H.B.P.”

Beatrix Potter's full name was Helen Beatrix Potter. Since her mother's name was also Helen, she went by Beatrix.

Fine ink and watercolor drawing heightened with gouache signed lower right [within key label]. Sold at Sotheby's London July 2008 for 42,050 GBP 

Happy Christmas Eve. I'm having dinner with friends. See you on Christmas morning. xo

Christmas Eve -- Vintage Images

Keep working and wrapping and cooking and decorating. You'll make it! I'll keep doing the same. xo

Gorgeous Photo

Wow. It's got Christmas Colors of Red and Green. via

Boxwood Garden with Vegetables

I love this low hedge which defines the planting area. via The whole side yard appears to be a kitchen garden. I hope that side door opens to the kitchen for easy harvesting.

A Hot Radiator is a Beautiful Thing

Tabitha is becoming quite the expert at finding all the warm places in our cottage. When I woke up this morning she was in my bed. When she came in from the rain after breakfast, she warmed herself in front of the refrigerator. I guess the fan must exhaust warm air at floor level. After she defrosted, she jumped up on this chair in the kitchen and there she will sleep until she gets hungry again. I added the decorations and text with PicMonkey, my favorite free photo editing app on my computer. See you later. xo

Sheep in the Snow

I love their white smiling faces and pink noses. I had a pretty productive day today and hope you did too. Tucking in pretty soon to watch some recorded programs. xo

Ode to A Pear

This photo is gorgeous! via

Great Powder Room

I like the framing of the mirror that also acts as a backsplash for the vanity and wide mounts for the sconces. Actually, I like it all. Designed by Catalano Architects. Image found here.

My Kitchen, A Larger View

Now you can see the scale of my little Christmas scene on my kitchen counter. It really doesn't interfere with food preparation at all. Enjoy your Sunday. xo

Christmas Decor on My Kitchen Counter

Built around a favorite card. An old ironstone platter is the background to hide the electrical outlet.

A Small Compact Garden

via

There's no wasted space in this small garden! It must be lovely from the upper level. I love the Chippendale railing. It's cold and gray today here at the cottage. Enjoy the last weekend before Christmas and enjoy the hustle and bustle. xo

So Many Copper Pots

There's nothing more beautiful in a kitchen than a huge collection of copper pots. via

Above: Julia Child hung her copper pots on a pale blue pegboard. Image via the Smithsonian.

Lapland Snowscape

So beautiful -- and what a great composition. Pinterest

Sweet Christmas Decor

So nice. via

Beautiful Seasonal Photo

It's perfect, isn't it? via

Beatrix Potter Bunnies in Winter

I found another snow scene with Peter Rabbit that I haven't seen before. We can never get enough images by Beatrix Potter, can we? via

MR. TURNER preview - Video posted by the Tate.

Join director Mike Leigh and actor Timothy Spall for a behind-the-scenes look at how they brought Turner to life for the big screen. In this short video, they focus on how they recreated the great British painter’s Queen Street Gallery.

I spent all of last evening watching numerous videos about this period film. I want to have all the background possible before I see the movie. Timothy Spall, the actor who portrays J. M. W. Turner, took painting lessons for two years in preparation for the role. 

If you can't see the video above, click here. Watch full screen for the best viewing experience.

View another article posted by The Royal Academy - when the link opens, scroll down for a fabulous 14 minute video and discover how the makers of 'Mr. Turner' recreated scenes at the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition in this fascinating behind-the-scenes featurette.

I hope you too will now be as excited as I am about this upcoming movie that is getting rave reviews. Your art lesson for the day is over now. xo

Wonderful Twirling Santa

Isn't this the best animated gif ever? via

Merry Gifmas!

Preening Pelican

I've never thought pelicans were beautiful until I saw this photo.

via

Chickens Wearing Hand Knits

Now I've seen everything. These girls look pretty happy, don't they? Do you knit for your flock? Images found here. Happy Monday.

Starry Night

I love a good winter sky full of stars. via My stars are out too but there are lots of clouds. I just got back from a walk with the wonder dog. Have a great Sunday evening. xo

Webster's Nap

We went on a really long walk today and he's been asleep ever since we got back. I like to exhaust him every once in a while so he will be mellow for the rest of the day.

Christmas Cookies with Original Art Decorations

Only in Sweden! Don't you just love these cookies? There are many more photos to delight you over at Fine Little Day. Enjoy looking and maybe you'll be inspired to make some too. See you later. xo

Doing Winter Chores - Beatrix Potter

Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter "Preparing for cold weather." via

Beautiful Cold Winter Snow Scene

We don't have snow on the ground any more and I'm glad. Today is cold and windy with a cloudless blue sky. It's a perfect December day. Have a great weekend. via

English Cottage

Yes. Take me there now. via

So Many Christmas Wreaths

This ouse looks lovely, doesn't it? The owners even put a wreath on the garage! I'm such a failure at outside decorations and lately inside ones too. via

Cozy Foxes

I'll be tucking in early tonight too. Isn't this a fabulous photo of two sleeping foxes? They look so peaceful. I watched the most wonderful movie last night -- The Book Thief. If you haven't seen it, you are in for a treat. It will blow you away. Stay warm. xo

Not Too Big -- Just Right

Not too big antiquarian home.

I had to stop and study all of the architectural details here and thought you might want to look too. I'm sure this home must be lovely when it's decorated for Christmas. My favorite thing about winter is the bare trees that expose what's hidden in summer. I think that's the best time to look at real estate because you can really see what you're buying. via

George Washington's Headquarters Morristown NJ

General George Washington’s headquarters was established here at the Ford Mansion in Morristown, New Jersey on December 1, 1779.

I went here with my mom for a program at Christmas time three years ago. Must go again this year to see it all decorated for Christmas. It's a gorgeous building with a great museum. via

A Great Kitchen Range + Coffee Machine

I like this kind of dedication to having a fabulous range that is also beautiful and a dedicated coffee machine. That's prioritizing at its best in my opinion. I like the big hood and the beautiful back splash too. There is probably a good workspace to the right that's not too far from the cooking area. It would  be awkward at first but I'm sure after a while one could get used to this arrangement. via

New Girl in Town

Harlow and Indiana welcome their new little sister named Reese. via Instagram She looks like a dachshund puppy with pointer markings. Love her, and she looks like a boss!

December

"December’s wintery breath is already clouding the pond, frosting the pane, obscuring summer’s memory." ~ John Geddes

Such a lovely quote and so true. via

A Border Collie and His Lambs

A dog and his flock, growing up together.

When can they go outside so I can herd them? via

Our Poor, Sick Planet

Someone came up with a great idea to illustrate the condition of our poor earth using a globe and some of the things we humans use to treat ourselves when we are sick. More and more experts are warning that pretty soon, we will be at the point of no return. 

I'm not trying to be negative but thought I should post this poignant image as a reminder that Mother Earth is hurting and cannot heal herself without our help. via