A Fantastic Kitchen

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I like everything I see in this kitchen. It's a big one but it seems to be well designed. More than one person could work here and not get in the way of the other(s), I can't really see the sink in the marble island, just the faucet. I like the window over the farm sink, the oriental runner, the wooden floor, the Wolf commercial range, the beams and everything else. I like the white cabinets and the steel windows too. Wish I could see the rest of the room but I'm sure I would like it.

The weather today was very strange with torrential rain for five minutes, and then it would quit for five minutes. Repeat. This was all morning long. The sun came out in the afternoon but more rain is coming in the wee hours of the morning. Big wind is starting up now. Off to close all the windows. See you tomorrow. Sleep tight. xo

Cake with Flag Icing

I love this cake! The next holiday with a flag theme is Memorial Day in September. That will give you a little over a month to figure out how to do this. The cake stand makes it look like a straw hat decorated like a flag. via

My Vintage Singer Sewing Machine

I posted these two pictures on Instagram today because so many people wanted to know what sewing machine I was using. The decal on the front says it was manufactured in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Don't you love things that were made in the USA back when things were made to last instead of being thrown away? I believe the term is "planned obsolescence" and I don't like it one bit. I still prefer having things repaired whenever possible.

The instruction booklet says the Slant-O-Matic was the greatest sewing machine ever built! And I would have to agree. I can remember my mother saving up S&H Green Stamps for her first electric Singer. That's the only brand we ever had. We had an old treadle machine too and I loved sewing on it as a child. The next page of this booklet says ©1961. I think I bought mine a little later than that but it was still the most current model at the time. It is all metal construction and is not computerized. The decorative stitches are all gear driven. It is nicknamed The Rocketeer because of its futuristic mid-century modern design. I guess it would be called Retro now.

I have this Olive Oyl cartoon saved on my phone. I love texting it back when I receive a text that is worthy of this response.

Curtain with Red Geranium

Sunday morning sunshine in window with geranium.

It rained all night and was very windy too. Before it started yesterday, I put a red geranium in the first window I see when I go up the attic stairs. This is the way it greeted me when I went up to open the windows this morning. Thank you for all of your wonderful comments. 

Now I will tell you more. I had originally intended to do only one panel for each window, like a roman shade completely collapsed. Well, that didn't work at all. Too skimpy and not full enough to tie back in one direction, and they made the room too dark. Back to the drawing board to make three more. I have never made roman shades and didn't want to learn. I had no idea what I was going to use to tie back the double panels. I tried various twines, ropes, ribbons, etc. but was too lazy to make them from the same fabric at this point (burnout was just around the corner). Then I discovered a new roll of 3/4" white twill tape and that was the answer. I used white chair glide pins to anchor them. The white looks perfect from the outside too, matching the lining material. It was an evolutionary process, not planned the way it turned out. I could never be a decorator for anyone else. How would you explain process this to a client? Now that it's finished, I wouldn't change a thing. I sometimes cook this way too. What's for dinner? No idea. Start chopping an onion and see what happens. Not planned but delicious. Have a great Sunday. xo

New Curtains I Sewed for My Attic

What an adventure I had this week making curtains for my third floor home office/work room. This is where I have my sewing room and ironing board as well as two PC computers. One is an iMac and the other is an old Windows XP computer.

I moved my sewing machine next to the last window and I really like it here. I worked today rearranging the part of the room you see in the ten photos I am posting today. The rest of the room is is wreck but I will slowly get it just the way I want it.

This is a view showing one of the windows closed. I created a monster when I started this project. Right away I had to take out the screens and wash them in hot soapy water outside. Then I had to clean the windows inside and out. Thankfully, they are tilt windows so it wasn't hard at all.

This is a view to the way back.

This pic shows the white twill tape tie backs. In the winter when it's freezing outside I can remove and let the curtains hang shut so there won't be so much heat loss downstairs as the warm air rises and hits the cold window panes. If I'm sewing and need more natural light, I'll just tie back the ones beside my machine.

Here is a close up of the wonderful designer fabric. It is woven in a damask pattern and it's the same on the reverse side. I am so thrilled I found four panels of long draperies that I remade for my little windows. They were double lined too. One layer of white flannel for insulation and the white cotton lining material.

Here is a view of the wall behind my Singer. The TV on a vintage artist's stand was for sculpting and now my TV and DVD player use it. I don't have my cable working in the attic and I mostly listen to NPR up there. The baseboard heat is on this wall too for warmth if I sew when it's cold.

Another view. Are you bored yet? This shows my comfy chair pulled up to the machine.

This might be a repeat.

My trusty Singer I've had since about 1965 and it is still simply wonderful and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I had to have the bobbin winder repaired several years ago but otherwise, it has never had a problem. I had a cabinet for it at one time but I sold it to a friend long ago. It works fine on this makeshift stand that is easy to move around. I love my pin cushion with the clear plastic wrist strap. I have a red one too but the bracelet part broke and I've been using it with elastic that needs to be replaced. I found this blue one in a drawer this week and was so excited. It's better than my red one because it is filled with metal shavings that sharpen the pins every time you poke one in. It says made in Japan so it's very old. I always look at sewing supplies at house sales.

That's it for my this project that I started on Tuesday morning. My windows look so nice from outside too, just like the cozy cottage that it is. Enjoy the weekend. It was overcast all day and has just started to rain. xo

Cat with a Sewing Project

I have been busy up in the attic sewing curtains for three windows and I have been enjoying myself immensely. This kitten sewing with a red hot needle made me laugh. Will post photos when I'm finished. I found four long panels of lined sewn curtains in a big blue and white checked fabric and I had remake them for my windows. They were double lined and will make my attic much warmer this winter. More later. xo

King George VI and Princess Elizabeth

I love finding vintage images I've never seen before. via

Delightful Mud Room

The view outside the Dutch door is amazing and I don't see mud anywhere. Crisp Architects NY.

Butterfly: Photo + Video

I could never determine whether this was a butterfly or a moth. It stayed in place for a very long time flapping its wings and staying still. My still photo is shown above (click to enlarge). I posted my video on Instagram yesterday. See it here. Click on the white arrow to start the movement of the wings. I love the antennae that look like threaded beads.

Winnie The Pooh Map Illustration

Winnie the Pooh Map Illustration Sets a Major New Auction Record

This original illustration sold for $570,000 and is the most expensive book illustration ever sold. Drawn in 1926 by illustrator E.H. Shepard, the map depicts the homes of beloved characters from the story, such as Christopher Robin, Pooh Bear, Piglet, Owl, Eeyore, and Kanga and Roo, in addition to other local spots.

An illustration of Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh walking through the Hundred Acre Wood, which sold at Sotheby's London. The illustration was offered alongside four other original Winnie the Pooh drawings, also created by Shepard, all of which have been out of the public eye for nearly 50 years. Combined, the five illustrations were sold for a total of $1.2 million, though they were estimated to only fetch between $412,000 and $584,000. 

Read the entire article here. Photos from Sotheby's

Cloudscape from My Balcony

I have the most amazing sky views, in all kinds of weather, from my balcony. via Thankfully, my heatwave is over and I'm back to having all the windows open with birdsong streaming inside. xo

Video: Stars and Stripes Forever

Be prepared for foot tapping. I adore this family affair. These siblings are having such fun! If you cannot see the video below, here's the link.

Dill Explosion at My Cottage

Dill is probably my favorite summer herb. I love it in tuna salad, potato salad, on cucumbers, in my yogurt, on salmon, etc. It's beautiful too. via

Tiny Greenhouse

Sweet. Tiny, but this little greenhouse must fit the needs of the owner. I'm pretty sure it was built from found materials. via

Terracing at its BEST

Lovely treatment of a hillside.

A View of My Living Room using Tripod

When I leave my kitchen sink, this is what I see as I walk into my living room. My two French doors, frequently photographed but not shown here, are on either side of the big comfy sofa and both lead to my balcony. The door going down to the basement (not shown) is on the immediate left. The area with my fireplace, not shown, is in front of the sofa and table lamp on the left. I closed the doors leading down the hall to my bedroom, guest/dressing room, and full bath. It took me a long time to discover these doors. In everyday life, the left portion is a door to my linen closet and the right-hand door is for all of my mops, brooms and other items stored a utility closet. When you open them simultaneously, they come together to make a double door for closing off the private areas. The man who built my cottage had a lot of ingenuity and I love this clever feature. 

We had rain overnight and this morning and the heatwave is over. Tomorrow is going to be fabulous with 79° as the high temp and a low of 55° for Saturday night. Doesn't that sound wonderful? Hope you can look forward to a great weekend too. xo

Breakfast Room / Sitting Room + View

Charlotte, VT, breakfast room with a view. TruexCullins Architecture + Interior Design. via

Yes, please. I can see myself in that chair with ottoman. Isn't that the best view ever? Swoon!

HAPPY JULY 4th 2018

Things are so much cooler since we had a torrential rain yesterday. You can see the mist coming back in the distance because the earth was hotter than the air.

Enjoy the fireworks tonight.

Remember this? It is an old composition I made on my kitchen counter with cherries and a flag made from safety pins and colored beads.

Here is another fireworks display. 

HAPPY JULY 4th

Antiques in My Kitchen

I got a a new toy yesterday and had to test it out after Amazon delivered it at 9:00 last night. It was a device to clip on my iPhone so I could use my tripod. It was a little awkward but I think I am going to like it. It's good for composing what you want in a photo and getting it right the first time. 

You've seen my tall case clock and my pantry many times (first photo).

My huntboard is in a recessed nook in my kitchen (second photo) and I've photographed it many times for my blog.

I don't think I've ever shown you a much wider kitchen view with a corner of my farm table and my refrigerator (third photo).

Stay cool in this heatwave if you are having one too. For some reason, the heat doesn't seem to bother me as much as it used to. I guess having grown up in the deep south with no air conditioning has made me realize you can survive it if you know the ropes and try not to think about it.

Enjoy getting ready for July 4th. xo

Amazing Artwork by Ellen Hooverkamp

I could spend the day looking at all of Ellen Hooverkamp's artwork. She arranges flowers and vegetables on a SCANNER and digitizes them for printing. Click here for more in this series called Edibles 1. "The subjects for these photos were sustainably grown and raised by local growers. Special thanks to the good folks at the Dudley Farm Market and to Trout Lily Farm, both in Guilford, CT."

Meet the artist and see other categories of her art and her book, pictured below, HERE. You're welcome. xo

This is the photo I found online somewhere that led me to Ellen.

Chicken Hatches Kittens Video

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO 

When the link opens, click on the white arrow on the hen's head. I don't know how to transfer the video to my blog any other way.

Isn't that the cutest thing? xo

For Sale: This Gorgeous Landscape

I photographed this gorgeous landscape on Thursday at a Realtor Open House near me. This 18-acre offering has wonderful mature plantings and distant views. I arrived to tour the house and grounds after a morning of rain and a sky appeared with enough blue to patch a sailor's pants, one of my mother's favorite sayings. 

Oak Leaves and Acorns

I have always loved bird nests, oak leaves, acorns, and books about natural history. This photo captures everything. via

Bluff View Cottage with Floor Plans

Bluff View Cottage: This lap sided, tin roofed Low Country Cottage is designed to maximize views from the Screened Porch running the length of the rear of the house. A deep Front Porch leads into the Foyer, which holds the Stairway on the right, the Dining Room on the left and the Living Room straight ahead. The Kitchen opens into the Family Room, which has a large fireplace and access to the rear Screened Porch. The Master Bedroom, with its own fireplace and full Master Bath accommodations, also opens onto the rear Screened Porch. Three Bedrooms, each with its own bath, and a Playroom are located on the second floor. The Lower Level provides space for a two-car garage, a Billiards/Game Room and Recreation Room with a wet-bar and bath. Its Covered Terrace is accessible from each of the rear facing rooms.

Click on any image to enlarge.

SpitzMiller & Norris House Plans

Some of My iPhone Photos This Week

A beautiful sunset from my balcony two days ago. The full moon was shining brightly in my bedroom last night.

Storm clouds gathering five days ago.

I adore this phrenology head. I printed it last week and put it on a portfolio to cover the company name of the firm that gave it to me. I put a piece of heavy clear plastic on top and now I love it because it always makes me laugh. Click on the photo to enlarge for easier reading.

Those feet! They were the first thing I saw six days ago when I visited a Realtor Open House. The house was very contemporary and had a lot of modern art.

Here is back view of the feet sculptures from another wing of the house. I put these pics on Instagram and one lady was worried they would be left behind after the house was sold and how were the new owners going to get rid of them?😂