Beautiful Pond at Friends' House

I am sure they will miss this view after they move. Photographed this week when I stopped by to get a contract signed. It's a shame the resident blue heron wasn't fishing then. 

Maggie Smith, Super Bowl Fan

Now I love her even more.

Sent to be by a friend.

Thanks, Corinne.

Snow on The Rooftop

Snow is very becoming on this early center-chimney colonial home, isn't it? via

I was able to get out of my driveway without the aid of a snowplow, so happy.

Melting Fast

For a brief moment I could see nothing but blue skies from my front door and nothing but gray skies in the back. I opened the balcony door and waited for the first patch of blue. Let the melting begin! The Ground Hog must be exercising his power, after all.

Ground Hog Error: Morning Snow

I could hardly believe my eyes when I woke up this morning to a really beautiful overnight snowfall. It's the heavy wet type variety too, unlike the powdery one we had earlier this week. Yesterday late, I completed the task of shoveling the snow with embedded gravel back into my driveway so I wouldn't have to rake it out of the grass in the spring. I hope it will melt quickly when the sun comes out after lunch. This is Old Man Winter's way of snubbing the Ground Hog who predicted an early spring. He's saying, "Not on my watch!"

Sotheby's: Collection of Deborah, The Duchess of Devonshire

She loved horses

and chickens

and Elvis ! ! !

See more of her collection here. 

She really was "One of a Kind" Read a wonderful article here.

So many lovely things! Read more here. Let's go!

Tom of Downton Abbey

I'm so glad he left Boston and returned to Downton Abbey. Tom is such a great addition to the family and so is this lovely pup. via

Sliding Barn Door in Bathroom

Talk about a tight space! This sliding barn door is the perfect solution for privacy while soaking in the tub.  It must be covering a window, right? Otherwise you still couldn't get into the room. via

Little Dog in Training to Herd Sheep

Go wherever you want sheep. I'm not trained yet and I don't care. via

Wonderful Mountain View

The views from this mountain home are so beautiful. What a great place to sit and have Sunday morning coffee. Enjoy. xo via

DIY Leftover Yarn Winders

Isn't this a clever idea for your leftover embroidery floss and knitting yarn? I have way too many clip clothespins and this would be a good use for them.

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Wonderful Small Townhouse

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This elegant townhouse looks pretty amazing, doesn't it? Not too big, not too small, but just right. 

Upstairs Hallway Nook

I love everything about this little bookcase nook at the top of the stairs. via

Built-In Wood Stove

Goodness gracious alive, I've never seen such an interesting and beautiful wood stove with built-in instant hot water, have you? That should send out some serious heat and must require quite a chimney and it already has a fabulous hearth. I guess you can cook on it too. Wow. via

Snowy Country Road at Dusk

Is this beautiful or spooky? A little of both, I think. It really is a gorgeous photo and setting. Are those cross country ski tracks? You could get lost drinking up the beauty of this forest and not even care. 

My snow is melting fast and furiously, thank goodness. I think the balcony will melt completely without any shoveling at all and for that I'm very grateful. xo via

Wonderful French Courtyard

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Too beautiful for words. 

I love the design in the pebbled courtyard floor and the stone house is amazing. Aren't the potted shrubs and plants attractively arranged? It's all absolute perfection! 

Cat in A Paper Bag

B o o.

via

Snow Swag Still Holding On

I am so annoyed about the screen. I tried to take it out this morning but it's frozen in place. Anyway you can tell that the swag is still there. The snow is too deep for me to walk back there and get a better shot because it goes over my boots. I am pretty sure it will melt today and fall off. I got plowed out yesterday and I will venture to the post office and will surely be late for my office meeting as I am still in my pajamas but I don't even care. Many of my associates haven't been plowed and are snowed in at the end of long driveways. I will go in later as I need to get a document from the file for a closing next week. See you later. xo 

Snow Swag on my Picket Fence

I woke up this morning to another snow swag. I have had them in the past and they never cease to amaze me. Unfortunately, I still have my screens in the windows so you can see the grids. This swag is holding on for dear life and I'm glad I captured it before it gets any warmer outside and it turns loose. Isn't nature fascinating? I love the impressions left from the picket tops. I hope it lasts until I can go outside and get a good photo without the screen. See you later. xo

This is an older one from a past snow storm. I see there was a screen in the window then too.

It's very easy to get the straight walls with this shovel. They sort of happen automatically because of the width of the plow-shaped blade. I took this photo so I could measure the depth of the snow but I haven't calculated it yet. The bed is going to feel might good tonight. For some reason, Webster is exhausted. He galloped in the deep stuff this morning and hasn't recovered. He is so happy about our new path. See you tomorrow. Almost time for Downton. xo

Snow Shovel One Door Wide

I got a very wide snow shovel over the summer and put it to the test today. It is almost as wide as my front door and it was great. The snow didn't stick to it either. I hope the people who sold it aren't sorry they parted with it. I have shoveled for 3 hours so far and my car is clean all except for the top. I just came in for lunch and must go out again to take advantage of the bright sun. See you later. Maybe I will take down my Christmas wreath too. (Smile) 

The one I mentioned is the green one. My rubber broom with telescoping handle is up front and only a little bit of the head shows in this photo. I use it to clean off my car. Today, I had to start with the big green shovel on the car too. My old standby and favorite shovel for wet snow is the red one. I almost never use the black one with the ergonomic handle. It's too awkward but I might use it on the balcony. See you later.

Snow Frosted Windows

Webster has had a relaxing day in spite of the snow. So far, so good. We are both hoping it stops completely in the night so we can shovel our way out tomorrow. Be safe and warm. xo

Snow Storm at My Cottage

We got this much overnight. Pic taken at 7:30 am. That was before the wind started howling from the north creating a total whiteout. We are fine!

A quick whiz and back he ran.

It's not obvious in the photo but he was running fast to get back in the house.

He has had breakfast and has gone out twice more. Now he's resting snugly on his dog bed. Sleep is the best way to deal with this stuff. Be safe, stay warm, and don't go out unless you have to! xo

Touched By Snow

I'm voting for this much snow. Just enough to decorate the landscape and then stop. This isn't going to happen though. Be safe and stay inside if you can. Be careful shoveling. Webster has a new bag of food and 3 boxes of biscuits so he's all set. I have nutritious food to keep me satisfied and on track with my food diary. The snow shovels are all lined up so I guess I'm prepared but a little nervous too. Isn't this a fabulous photo? found here

Henry James Quote in Calligraphy

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Yup. 

Shower Head over Sink

I'm intrigued by this shower head over the sink. Is it for watering flowers or washing your hair? I've never seen anything like it, have you. Plumbers can do anything the customer requests I suppose. via

Pair of Antique Staffordshire Lamps in My Cottage

I had to make a quick run to look at a house for a customer yesterday and there was a thrift shop nearby. Look what I scored. A fabulous PAIR of antique staffordshire figures converted to lamps without being drilled with wonderful shades.

I took a photo of my new arrangement last night by lamp light.

This is the Jockey on Horseback facing right. I have the identical one facing left but I won't take a photo of it.

I adore the handmade shades. The pattern goes perfectly with the green checked sofa they are behind. 

As you can see, I haven't lost my touch for spotting great antiques that double as interior design elements. xo

English Brass Engraved Dog Collar Dated 1733

This is so wonderful! via

“Silas Shepley

Bullock Smithy Bramhall

If I shou’d miss or lose my way

Kind friend direct me right I pray”

1733

Keeping a Food Diary: Day 3

I finally decided to do something about my nutrition. Reading labels and choosing proper foods has become increasingly difficult for me. Getting the proper about of protein by the end of the day was the biggest puzzle. I searched online for the best food diary and MyFoodDiary was far and away the best one.

I was surprised when I went to download it to see I already had it. I honestly don't remember paying and downloading it but I guess I did so all I had to do was put the app back on my iPhone. I had to do the normal things like get a user name and password, etc. Then I had to put in personal information like weight (ugh), desired weight, height, age, and I don't remember what else. So I did it. Then it told me how many calories I was to consume daily.

Well. I love it. I am supposed to get down to my desired weight in 4 months losing 1 pound a week. But that's not the best part. It turned out to be pretty easy to identify the foods I am eating. There is a barcode scanner for purchased foods. So easy. Then you just have to put in the amount ie: 1 cup, 1 slice, 1 tablespoon, etc. For whole foods like apples, oranges, bananas, avocados. etc. there is a food search. Also very easy. It remembers things you have already scanned too.

The best part is it tracks the nutritional values of the foods consumed. 

I had a smoothie this morning. Here's what I put in my blender: 1 cup unsweetened soy milk, 1 cup greek yogurt, 3/4 cup frozen organic blueberries, one slice canned pineapple in juice with no added sugar, and 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal. Here is the nutritional values for this delicious drink:

Now isn't this wonderful? I have already changed one bad habit. Yesterday I put half and half in my coffee and it was graded a D food. Soy milk is an A graded food so I put two tablespoons in each cup and avoided the bad fat. I hope to get my cholesterol down too thru diet. I'm not even putting an emphasis on losing weight either. I am also trying to increase my bone density without drugs. If the astronauts can increase theirs in 6 weeks after returning to earth, I should be able to increase mine in 9 months when I am due for another bone scan. Fingers crossed.

So far, I have been doing this on my iPhone exclusively but there is also an online website. Learn all about it here. I don't know if there is a charge for online use as with the iPhone app. Wish me luck!!!

Winter Geranium in My Kitchen Window

A geranium in my kitchen that is being rooted in water and blooming! Geraniums are so easy.

Bed in A Sleeping Nook

I really love this bed that is partially recessed into a sleeping nook. I especially like the built-in bookshelf within easy reach. Wish I could see the rest of the room. Have a great Sunday. xo via

Kitten Sheltering Baby Chick

That little chick looks nice and warm, doesn't he? The blue-eyed kitten is beautiful. via