Enjoy your Sunday coffee or tea.

My wish for you today and always. xo via

The Urban Farmhouse Look

I like this sophisticated country look. See more photos here. It's crisp and clean and uncluttered.

Great Quote about Possessions

I love this quote. I released lots of snow on my walk and on my car this morning and it made me happy. The bright sun is doing a nice job of melting the driveway, just as I hoped it would. Happy first full day of spring. Have a great weekend. xo

First Day of Spring 2015 New Jersey Style

Mother Nature is having her last hurrah before ushering in spring. I took this photo about 5 minutes ago and it's still coming down hard. I am going out in it with Webster in a few and we are going to walk all the way to the rear of the property as we have been doing for the past few days. The road is black from all the salt. I am going to phone my plow man and tell him not to come tomorrow and hope this white stuff melts on its own quickly as I think it will.

Life Inside a Birdhouse

Happy first day of Spring. We are supposed to have snow later this morning that won't quit until midnight. It should melt tomorrow when the thermometer climbs to 50°. This little bird video made me smile. It looks like my life -- tidy all day, watch tv, and look in the refrigerator. 

HaHa. via

Perfect Easter Place Setting

This is absolutely wonderful. If you don't feel like making these adorable napkin rings, you could fold your napkins into bunny ears. via

via Martha Stewart

A Truly Beautiful Scottish Landscape

This takes my breath away. Gribun Rocks on the West Coast of the Isle of Mull, Scotland via It has everything I love to go with the perfect cottage and outbuildings -- a stream, the sea, the mountains, a meadow, a big sky view, and sheep.

Cross Body Bag Bunny

I love a good cross-body bag and this bunny does too. via

Breakfast Food Quote

Agreed. via

Who is Ron Swanson? I have no idea. I googled him and he is a character on Parks and Recreation, a show I have never watched. 

Screened Porch Love

A preview of what's to come. I like this arrangement so the people to prefer to be outside in the sun with the bugs can still be close to the shade-loving, bug-hating people. Nice. via

Irish Blessings for St. Patrick's Day

I made all of these Irish Blessings over the years and still love each one. Wear something green and have a Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Downton Abbey Quote

This made me smile. via

Red Geraniums on A Windowsill

Pretty soon we can take our geraniums outside again. Won't that be nice? via

Wonderful Porch with Fireplace

This is precisely the time of year you'd enjoy sitting out here with a roaring fire. You could watch spring emerge and be cozy and warm while doing it. Of course you'd be reading a good book too. via

Delightful Cottage Wing

Something much larger was added to the right of this perfect cottage. Don't you love the way the eyebrow windows open upstairs? I think it's perfect as a stand alone dwelling, don't you? via

The Standoff. Cat vs. Dog

Tabitha never misses an opportunity to torture poor Webster. She is sitting in his favorite spot and he's afraid to walk past her. He turned around and made a complete circle from the kitchen to see if his spot was still occupied.

Fortunately, it was available once again. Tabitha was just exercising her power over the world's sweetest dog. 

Red Covered Bridge in Sangamon County Illinois

Bridges of Sangamon County By: Javed Rassi

It's easy to understand why this covered bridge over Sugar Creek in Sangamon County Illinois is painted red. It's nice to have a spot of color in a black and white world in the winter.

Cute French Bulldog Puppy

This breed is especially cute in puppyhood, especially when posing on a skateboard. via

Yesterday at My Cottage

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday was picture perfect and today is gray and rainy with a touch of fog. I'm happy there is almost no snow on the roof surfaces and no ice in the gutters of my cottage. I haven't walked to the way back with Webster in ages and I'm anxious to get back to our old routine. Have a great weekend. xo

Wonderful Bedroom in Summer

I'd love to wake up here in the summer with the window open. My headboard is on a north wall with no window. I'd love to have a window there like this one in the summer but not in the winter. via

Dutchess of Cambridge tours the Downton Abbey set

I saw her on the news last night touring the Downton Abbey set and she looks wonderful. The new baby is due in 6 weeks.

Britain's Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge chats with "Downton Abbey" cast members Sophie McShera, left, and Lesley Nicol during an official visit to the popular TV series' set at Ealing Studios in London. (Chris Jackson / Pool / AP). Here she is receiving a very special chocolate cake from Daisy and Mrs. Patmore. Everyone was very impressed that the royal visitor was so knowledgeable about the show -- Kate is a huge fan. Read full story here. The article has many photos to delight you! xo

Summer in The Hamptons

Sagaponack residence, NY. EB Designs, NYC. I'd love to see the inside of the guest house. via

Books and Children

Illustration by Honor C. Appleton via

When I look at this I can hear my mother calling me to supper. I would always reply...I'll be there as soon as I finish this page but it usually turned out to be the chapter. Reading was a huge part of my childhood. Enjoy your evening. xo

Big Moon at Road's End

I would much rather have a harvest moon than a rainbow at the end of a dirt road. via

Books are Your Loyal Friends

I created this repeat blog post a long time ago and I still love it. I found the perfect image for this wonderful quote about books. It's true, isn't it? The big melt continues and spring is trying her best to break through the snow piles. I can see parts of my driveway I haven't seen in ages and for the first time I can remember, there's no snow on top of my car. Hope you can say the same. xo

Snowdrops in England

Mine are still buried under mounds of snow but they will be there when it melts just waiting to pop their little snowdrop heads out. via We got a little rain this afternoon as predicted. My icy gutters are melting slowly and the downspouts are running nicely making such a glorious trickling sound.

Another New Beatrix Potter Watercolor

Appley Dapply - Beatrix Potter 1890 via

There is nothing in real life more frightening to me than a mouse in the kitchen. But when they are wearing clothes, they are fine. Now, more about this mouse. Beatrix Potter gathered material for a book of rhymes over many years. In 1917, when her publisher was in financial difficulties and needed her help, she suggested that Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes could be brought out quickly, using her existing collection of rhymes and drawings.

via

My Monogram

Copied from one of my antiquarian books.

It was nice to work outside today. I shoveled my balcony because it might rain tomorrow afternoon and the deck has been covered with snow almost all winter. It was a big job but I finished. So happy.