I love this Barn Owl sitting on this old painted wood. It's just perfect! via
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Monday, November 12, 2018
Sunday, November 11, 2018
A View Like A Living Painting
The view is stunningly beautiful, isn't it? And this window frames it perfectly. I can't seem to look away. via
Friday, November 9, 2018
Woodpile: Neatness Counts
This is lovely. There must be a really large fireplace somewhere to use these unsplit logs. via
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Blue Footed Booby
It's almost too much isn't it? To have blue feet and be called a booby. I think they are adorable.
This made me laugh. Both photos found on Google Images. National Geographic has more information and photos on their website.
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
'The Angels' by Walter Crane
I am somewhat obsessed with the artwork of Walter Crane. He was friends with William Morris and I love the Pre-Raphaelites of the Arts and Crafts Movement. I found this image on Pinterest.
I voted today in the midterm election but it's way too early to get a feel for who won. The polls don't close in NJ until 8PM. I went this morning in the pouring rain.
Monday, November 5, 2018
November: Poem and Image 1889
Please click on the link and view this lovely poem by Beatrice Crane and the illustration by Walter Crane 1889. Have you ever read a more perfect description of the month of November? I have not! This is another image I want to print and keep forever.
Perfect Cabin Bedroom
Bring on the red woolen blankets! via I redid my bedding yesterday for winter and I slept like a log last night. I found a red and white toile duvet cover in my linen closet that I had forgotten all about and had never used. I put on clean white percale sheets (top sheet was ironed) and then I put on the down comforter layer. I put the reversible duvet cover on as a bedspread and it looks so nice. It was larger than my comforter and makes the perfect spread. My bed was so easy to make up this morning and I can't wait to jump in it again tonight. Is it wrong to wake up already planning going back to bed again? I think now. It's all about getting accustomed to daylight time minus the "savings". They say it takes a week for your body to get in the new rhythm. xo
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Saturday, November 3, 2018
Caterpillar Feasting on A Poppy Pod
Caterpillar Absolem feasting on Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). This stunning photo is straight out of Alice in Wonderland, isn't it? I want to save it forever, I love it so. Mother Nature really outdid herself when designing this caterpillar's body and colorful markings. via
Papaver somniferum "Midnight"
Friday, November 2, 2018
Inga Moore Illustration for Wind in the Willows
Toad and his friends can now relax and enjoy a meal together.
A group of weasels had invaded toad's house and were having a party.
For many more Inga Moore illustrations of the 1908 classic story, Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame -- click here (each illustration can be enlarged by clicking on it). You have enough time to order this large story book as holiday gifts for your favorite children. You could keep a copy at your house so you can enjoy it too. xo
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Cozy Living Room
I like this furniture arrangement. The antique portrait looks nice in this modern setting. via
Happy November! The rush is on to complete all the outdoor chores before it gets too cold. I just looked at the weather for the next six days and four of them show rain. Oh, dear. See you later. xo
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Halloween Love Story, Illustrated
I love this charming story and the illustrations are wonderful.
Original artwork by Bree Paulsen. View them full-size here.
Halloween Pot Luck Lunch at My Office
We had our office meeting today and most of the agents dressed up for Halloween. I went dressed for a Safari Hunt with a pith helmet, binoculars around my neck, khaki pants, hunting jacket and white turtle neck. I bought the white pith helmet at the fireman's rummage sale the end of September and I have worn it several times outside when I do yard work. Our manager made turkey chili and we all brought something for a pot luck lunch after the meeting. Pictured above is the best Halloween party food that one of our agents found on Pinterest and copied. Isn't it great? People dived right in and the guacamole was gone in a flash. Happy Halloween. Don't eat too much candy. xo
Vintage Halloween Costume Photos
I love looking at vintage photos from days gone by when Halloween costumes were homemade. See more here and find your favorite. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Glowing Jack-O-Lanterns
So many carved pumpkins. I love the idea of putting some of them up in the tree. People really get into Halloween decorating in a big way, don't they? via
Monday, October 29, 2018
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Lawn-Mowing Sheep
It looks as if these sheep are behind in their lawn mowing, doesn't it? I am waiting a little longer before giving mine the last mowing of the season. The Nor'easter yesterday wasn't bad at all in my area, thankfully, but it did bring down a lot of leaves though not enough to rake. Enjoy your Sunday and the last whole week of daylight savings time. via
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Friday, October 26, 2018
Vintage Postcards for Halloween
We are supposed to have a Nor'easter tomorrow but it's as calm as can be outside right now. It's supposed to start raining at midnight and continue all night and all day Saturday. Yuck. There was supposed to be a Halloween Parade in the neighboring town that's always a lot of fun but it has been canceled so I will continue mending my sweaters. I have worn two that I mended this week and felt as if they were brand new. I am very pleased with this project. Right now, I am looking forward to watching Penelope Keith's Hidden Villages in just a few minutes. See you tomorrow. xo
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Over The Bed Artwork for My Cottage
It only took 14 years to find the perfect artwork to hang over the antique bed in my guest room used as my dressing room. I found it yesterday at a thrift shop and within 30 minutes of getting it in the front door, it was happily hanging on the wall. I was standing in the doorway to get this photo and you can also see an antique tile, a hogscraper candlestick with a brass "wedding band" and a miniature chest on the table next to my bookcase.
It was very hard to photograph too. The bedspread is not pink, it's white. You can see the blue and white curtains in my bedroom through the window in this photo. This lithograph was made from an original 1987 painting by a deceased local artist. I always thought her work was very much like a Wyeth.
I found a photo of the print entitled: "Wild Rose Berries" circa 1987 by Pauline Eble Campanelli online by searching Google Images. Don't you think it's perfect for my room? It was worth the wait and I don't mind that it's a reproduction because everything else in the room is antique. The basket and cupboard that were the subjects of the painting were antiques and I bought the framed print for a song. The frame is stained a dark green and the matting is beautiful. Score!!
See you later. xo
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Laura Ingalls Wilder Quote + A Fall Cake
Wonderful Painting: Halloween Perfection
Cat in the Moonlight, (Chat au Clair de Lune) c. 1900, Theophile-Alexandre Steinlen via
I love this painting. It's perfect for this time of year with a big yellow moon in the sky casting shadows every night. The artist had a great fascination with cats. See more of his works here and keep scrolling, the page of cats is positively endless!
I love this painting. It's perfect for this time of year with a big yellow moon in the sky casting shadows every night. The artist had a great fascination with cats. See more of his works here and keep scrolling, the page of cats is positively endless!
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Plants Wintering Over Downstairs
I brought in the geranium and the flowering nasturtiums over a week ago and they are both very happy downstairs looking out of the sliding glass door that gets the morning sun. I dug up the geranium that was planted in a large metal urn. The nasturtiums were grown from seeds in the center pot while the pot on the far right contains nasturtium plants I dug out of pots in my front garden on Sunday. They are still in recovery mode. I have never tried overwintering annuals but I read online that nasturtiums are a good plant to try. We shall see.
These pots are too large to display anywhere else in my cottage. Every available spot is already taken on my main floor and in the attic with smaller pots of rosemary, thyme, geraniums, lavender, and more nasturtiums. I like indoor gardening and tending plants rather than leaving them outside to freeze and die. They are very beneficial for the indoor air quality too.
I have been very busy washing all my sweaters and mending tiny holes here and there. I started out washing two by hand in the kitchen sink. Then I noticed for the first time there was a setting for knits on my 15 year old front loading washer. I decided to try it with 4 dark sweaters turned inside out. I was thrilled with the results. My washer spins everything almost dry and the sweaters dried quickly on drying racks in my furnace room. The mending is another story. I'm so glad I have so much thread but none of it is wool. I matched the colors perfectly and took little made-up darning stitches and mended the holes almost invisibly. Nobody else will even notice and I will have a fresh wardrobe of my favorite sweaters looking brand new in a few more days.
I posted these two photos on Instagram this morning. I usually don't blog using the same pics but they will be new to those of you who don't do social media.
xo
Monday, October 22, 2018
Beautiful Bedroom
I love every single thing about this bedroom including the jointed teddy bear. The atique bed is wonderful and I especially like the plaid woolen blanket. The framed antiquarian maps look great against the grasscloth wallpaper which is on the ceiling too. How nice is that?!! I can tell this is a small room but it's packed with interest, isn't it? via
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