Monday, February 20, 2017

My Recent Instagram Posts

Some of my latest Instagram posts are shown below. Click here for a closer look.
Happy Presidents Day
"A president's hardest task is not to do what is right, but to know what is right."
Lyndon Johnson, 1963-1969

Friday, February 17, 2017

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Valentine's Day Tree

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!
This is the final version of a photo taken from my car after cropping.

Before cropping

I didn't like this view with the sign.

Next month they will hang shamrocks and in April there will be Easter Eggs. So fun and I am glad it's around the corner from my cottage.

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Sheep wearing Neck Scarf

It is very wet, cold, and raw outside my cottage and everything is covered with ice. I am sure the local sheep would welcome scarves if they were outside but hopefully they are all in their barns. via
Enjoy the Grammys tonight and don't forget to watch VICTORIA too. xo

Friday, February 10, 2017

Garrow's Law - BBC TV Series in 3 DVDs

I am on the last DVD disc of the final series and do NOT want to see this BBC Scotland series end. It is beyond fabulous and I am so glad I found it at my favorite public library in Madison NJ. The lighting is beautifully filmed in what appears to be total candle light, but you know it's not. I so enjoyed the Georgian London architecture, the period antiques in period paneled rooms, the costumes, and more. The stories are quite gripping too. I wasn't sure I was going to like it but was hooked right away in the first few minutes of the chapter of the first disc. You can probably stream it on Acorn and other streaming services. I prefer DVDs.

Read more about this series on Wikipedia here.

Set around trials at the Old Bailey (Central Criminal Court) in Georgian London against a backdrop of corruption and social injustice, Garrow's Law is a legal drama inspired by the life of pioneering barrister William Garrow. He is credited with coining the English phrase “presumed innocent until proven guilty” used in common law.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

All About FARMHOUSE SINKS

I found a great article about Farmhouse Sinks, also called Apron-Front Sinks. If this photo appeals to you, read more here.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Charming Attic Bedroom

You would have to mind your head when getting up in the morning but I dearly love what I see in this charming attic bedroom. The ticking duvet cover and pillow cases are perfect. via

Monday, February 6, 2017

Street Scene in Mystic, CT

I love the historic center chimney colonial.
Horse drawn carriage is the icing on the cake.

Friday, February 3, 2017

Thursday, February 2, 2017

DIY Kitchen Island

I have this setup in my attic for my desktop computer desk. I used a very large storm shutter in blue paint from an old house as the top. Works perfectly and I love this idea for a kitchen island. It is an especially great idea if you are renting.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Beatrix Potter Mice 1893

Beatrix Potter’s illustration, 1893
'Three Mice seated at a table about to devour a Christmas pudding’
I don't recall ever seeing this before. via

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Less is More

Looks like they just moved in and haven't unpacked yet. I love everything in this lovely early American setting. via

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Friday, January 27, 2017

Eat Dessert First

Look at that sign on the wall.
Life is Uncertain
Eat Dessert First
Sounds good to me.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Vintage Photo of My Mother with Me

It seems like yesterday, but this photo was taken sometime between 1973 and 1975 when I lived in Mendham, NJ with a Far Hills mailing address. I still have this hat and it's my favorite. Miss you, Anna. 

A Delightful Bedroom

Yes. I can see myself waking up here. I love everything I see. via

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Great Kitchen Sink

I love the double porcelain sink. Not sure about the stacked cement brick/blocks for the counter and backsplash. They are perfectly imperfect and that would probably bother me. I think I would like this setup better in a laundry room instead of a kitchen. Anyway, it's very interesting. via

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Dormer Love

Most beautiful dormer ever!
Is this not perfect? I love every pixel in this digital photo. via

Thoughts on A Play Room Looking to the Future

Good idea. via I have a friend who can attest to this rule. The family put in a state of the art play room in the basement of their new home for their four young children and they never wanted to go down there to play. It was too far from the large country kitchen that was the real heart of the house. It wasn't until the children became teens and tweens that they ventured down there. When they were young, they wanted to be around the parents. As they got older, they wanted to get away from them. Smile. Such is life!

Monday, January 23, 2017

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Delightful Article on Bunny Williams

The main residence on the grounds was built in 1840 and is the subject of Williams’s best-selling "An Affair with a House".

Left to right: A loggia off the carriage house; baskets and birdhouses in the potting shed.

Detail of one of her gardens.
One of the world’s most respected interior designers has spent her career teaching folks that style doesn’t trump comfort—and that there should always be room for the dogs.

Bunny with one of her many dogs. 
Read the article here: 

Friday, January 20, 2017

Lovely Architectural Elements

I love the balcony railing and the lattice as well as everything else about this lovely entrance. via

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Little Houses Promote Love

I have always loved this quote and here it is! via

Frosty Leaves

It's way too warm at my house for any frost on the leaves. We are having the strangest winter in New Jersey and I'm not complaining. Light snows followed by quick melting followed by rain followed by warm days followed by more light snow. It's a good weather pattern and I hope it continues. xo

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Monday, January 16, 2017

White Kitchen to Love with Island

I love this kitchen. It's very well thought out in every respect. Makes me want paperwhites on my windowsill  too. via
Enjoy the holiday for MLKjr Day.
"The time is always right to do what is right."

Sunday, January 15, 2017

PBS Tonight: SHERLOCK Finale + VICTORIA Premier

Victoria premier airs tonight on PBS at 9pm in my area. The finale of Sherlock, Season 4 starts two hours earlier at 7pm.
Don't forget to set your DVR for both programs. 
I cannot possible understand why PBS does this to us. Can't they just offer one blockbuster at a time? Why put the end of one before the start of another? 
Grumble, grumble.