Christmas Eve for Three Lucky Girls

Isn't this the sweetest bedroom for three little girls to share? The rustic beds with the flannel sheets and woolen blankets must be so cozy. I love the windows over the beds too with deep sills. Waking up on Christmas morning with filled stockings at the foot of your bed must be the happiest childhood memories ever for these girls. via

Bear Christmas Tree at Hamburg Zoo

She has her eye on something at the top.

What a great idea. 

View more charming photos of this particular bear here. See more photos of this mother brown bear and her three cubs feeding here.

Nut Pie Crusts - Who Knew?

I read an interesting article about last minute pies at Food and Wine magazine online.

I have never heard of these nut crusts that are shelf stable, have you? I always use frozen pie crusts but my freezer is jam packed right now and can't hold one more item. These prepared nut crusts might be the answer to my problem. I must look for them the next time I go food shopping. Both photos by Sarah Crowder.

Small Garden w/ Greenhouse + Washing Maching Update

This small but mighty garden is so special. There is something to oooh and ahhh over everywhere you rest your eyes. I cannot believe there is even a sizable greenhouse behind the dahlias. A tall wooden privacy fence, assorted picket fences, pea gravel paths, raised beds herbs, flowers, lawn brick patio, etc. Too many amenities to list! Swoon. Found here.

Washing Machine Update: I washed two woolen sweaters by hand in the kitchen sink this morning. It was quick work and I folded them somewhat and took them downstairs to my laundry room and put them soaking wet in my new Maytag washer. I set the dial to "drain and spin" and walked away. I was very pleased at how nearly dry they were. I always take my window screens out for the winter because they block so much light. I put a screen atop each of two wooden drying racks in my furnace room and put a terry towel atop each one. I took a while to arrange them and reblock them somewhat and to pat and shake out the wrinkles.  I went back downstairs after a couple of hours and they had already begun to dry. I shook each one and turned them over. I was afraid to use the handwash cycle but am quite pleased with hand washing them myself. If you try this make sure you have two or more items for balance in the spin cycle rather than just one.

Nature's Christmas

How darling! via

Anne Anderson, “The Busy Bunny Book” illustration, 1916 (by Anne Anderson and Alan Wright)

Happy Christmas by Beatrix Potter

A Happy Christmas to You

The greeting is very faint and Beatrix Potter signed this rare watercolor with her initials only HBP circa 1890. This rabbit family is getting ready to enjoy their Christmas Pudding! See the full-size image and read the provenance ©Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

Radiator Tray for Brass Candlestick Collection

Notice the unintended self portrait reflected in the watercolor above the tray. I picked up this old tin tray in the garage at a nearby estate sale about a month ago. I intended to use it under potted plants being overwintered indoors but it turned out to be a perfect fit atop a living room radiator. So now it is the perfect container for brass candlesticks that were scattered here and there. The heat won't harm them either. I am so pleased with my $2.00 purchase! Smile.

Evergreens and Pinecones

This flat lay arrangement is quite beautiful, agreed? via

Weeds in First Snow

Everything looks better with snow on top, even a field of weeds.

I have been clearing my field of weeds by hand and it has been easier than I thought. The first two days, I just used my hand clippers and it was slow going. The third day I employed my electric hedge clippers and it was brilliant as the Brits say. I went over what I had cleared with my mulching lawn mower too. I am determined to whack them all down if it takes all winter and it probably will. Unfortunately the first snow of the season has called this project to a screeching halt. 

Now the weeds are bent over instead of standing tall. I will have to wait until everything melts before I can go back with an electric device but I can still do hand work. It looks like a real winter wonderland and the flakes won't be stopping until after midnight. My heart goes out to all the travelers trying to get home after the Thanksgiving holiday. My problem will wait until next week with temps in the 50s and rain. Be safe. Wishing you all snugness in your own homes. xo

Hello, December

Last December I published a red copy of December page from The Procession of the Months by Walter Crane. It seems like yesterday. I worked outside chopping down tall weeds with my electric hedge trimmers and cleared quite a lot of lawn. It felt good to be outside. This was my third day in a row doing such. Today it's much colder and there is a freezing rain that could turn to snow later. I unearthed my snow shovels yesterday too. Enjoy what's left of the first day of December 2019. xo

BBC: Celebration Chocolate Cake recipe

This recipe is by Mary Berry from The Great British Baking Show. It looks easy and delicious. It is even recommended to bake with and for children. I am not sure how to convert the flour to cups but you'll figure it out. I am a huge fan of cream cheese icing! recipe here

Good Things come in Threes

I got this candy cane needlepoint pillow about a month ago in a charity shop and I love it. I put in a new feather stuffing insert salvaged from an old pillow I no longer liked. Isn't it lovely?

I could not believe my luck when I came upon this antique beauty shortly after the candy cane. This pictorial needlepoint with the reclining goat as the central theme was purchased at an estate sale full of quality antiques. The pillow is quite large, in perfect condition, and is stunning in person. I am thrilled with it.

I have had this one with Oak leaves and Acorns, Cherries and other leaves, for at least 12 years, maybe more. Now I can say I have a collection but I don't think I need any others. The seasonal one I shall put away with the Christmas decorations.

Happy Thanksgiving Day. Peace and prosperity to one and all. xo, Rosemary

Happy Thanksgiving

This is one of my favorite Thanksgiving images from my blog. 

Safe travels if you are on the road or in the air.

Dutch Door Love

This charming photo has so many things I like. A screen door, a Dutch door, a porch, stepping stones surrounded by grass, side lights, a brass "door" bell, river rocks under the bluestone porch floor, and a beautiful entrance hall. Found here.

Red Star on Barn

I stopped to snap this barn outside one of my favorite thrift shops recently (last Saturday) on a beautiful, cloudless day. Happy Monday. xo

Bookcase, Staircase, Home Library Love

This photo gives new meaning to under the stairs storage. I have always loved a twisty curved staircase and this one is spectacular. That bentwood handrail ❤💓!

THIS BEAUTIFUL FANTASTIC movie

This exciting news deserves a blog post all of its own! My favorite movie, pictured above, is now streaming free "on demand" on PLUTO TV under the ROMANCE category. I know many of you were disappointed when I blogged about its being on Kanopy through my library card. Sadly, not all libraries offer this free streaming service but PLUTO TV is free to everyone with a WiFi connection.

Here is the movie trailer for this charming film. I have seen it three times but I just might watch it again tonight in bed on my iPad. You are welcome!!! So far, everyone on this blog has enjoyed it and I hope you will like it too. 

xo, Rosemary

Caterpillar Dance

This must be the world's most delicious leaf! I wish I knew the variety so I could plant some for the Monarch butterflies.

Sorry I haven't been around much lately. Yes, I have been very busy with real estate. Yes, I still am madly in love with my new washing machine. Yes, I am still thrilled with my decision to cut the cord with cable TV and Yes I am still glad I have no landline. Yes, I am happy with my new router and Yes, the WiFi is working beautifully. NO, I do not miss TV at all because I still have it with an air antenna in the attic but I hardly ever watch it. Pluto TV is my go-to TV on my iPad. I have been renting lots of DVDs again from the library. I have been sleeping much better too. The DVR I used to have in my bedroom made a noise that most people couldn't even hear but I have very acute hearing and can hear a pin drop in the next county so it disturbed my sleep. I am on Season 2 of JANET KING, an Australian legal drama from Acorn TV. The DVD is from the library. I still haven't decided what streaming device I should buy since I am so pleased without having anything. Yes, I do want to watch Season 3 of THE CROWN but will probably just get a free month of Netflix for that. No, I cannot believe Thanksgiving is next week. Yes, I am invited to share it with friends. If I didn't answer all of your questions, leave a comment. xo, Rosemary

Who Let The Dogs In?

via Badminton House UK

I love the casual pink and white ticking slipcovers. The books piled on the table reflect the real life living of these fortunate owners.

Beautiful gardens indeed. Be sure to click on the link under the first photo to see and read more.

Home Office with Murphy Bed: AWESOME!

It's a home office with storage for office supplies, right?

Wrong. It's a bedroom or guest room in disguise.

I couldn't love this more. I found it in my iPhone photos and I've been saving the photos for a long time and have no idea where I found them. Isn't this the best home office ever? xo
UPDATE: California Closets designed this room and there are other Murphy Bed Designs HERE.

Cutting the Cord: I did it!

My two year contract was up with Verizon and I absolutely could not get my monthly bill down to a reasonable amount so I decided to get rid of my landline and cable and have WiFi only. A wonderful supervisor helped me. I decided to buy a new router from them because they will stand behind it should I have problems plus on new contracts they have started charging $12 per monthly rental fee. The new router came in 2 days and I hooked it up my self easily. With this new system, I can always add on services if I change my mind or feel deprived but I don't think I ever will.

I returned all of my old equipment for my three television sets and my multi room DVR to UPS with my order number and they boxed and returned everything. This was very painless. Last September I purchased a new in the box indoor HDTV antenna. The box is pictured above. I paid $1.00 for it and it works! At Walmart, it costs around $18.00. I moved my kitchen TV to the attic where I have a wonderful work space and so far, this is the only TV that works in my home. I stream everything else to my iPad(s). I get all of the networks including PBS and so much more. The only thing I have sacrificed is Turner Classic Movies but I can live without it. It took me a while to find the perfect way to position the ears and the circle and the direction (towards NYC) for bringing in PBS. I was able to get all the other stations easily but I guess PBS was the farthest away. Now I get several PBS stations and I won't miss anything on Sunday nights. I even found a local TV guide on "nocable.org".

I have found Pluto.TV to be much better than I ever imagined for streaming movies ON DEMAND. I honestly didn't ever explore anything on Pluto other than live TV. The on demand movies are awesome and the two or three commercials are extremely short. REALLY. I watched a 2006 movie with Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson called "Last Chance Harvey" and it was wonderful. Pluto is a free streaming service for your computer, ipad, phone, and other devices too for android users. I don't have a password or anything. It's so easy. One of these days I will get a ROCU or other device so I can stream to my TV but for now I am fine. I actually love watching movies on my iPad in bed. You can pull up all the movies on your computer here. Look at the banner across the top to switch to "live tv". You will need to download the app from the APPLE APP STORE for iPhone or iPad. Or Google for android devices. If your devices are too old, you might not be able to get all the services available. On my iPad 3 I cannot get on demand movies, just live tv. On my new iPad 6th Generation I get everything and can use my Apple Pencil which is amazing. Later. Ask me questions. I shall try to answer. xo

This is a view from one of my attic windows this morning showing my beautiful geraniums. Sorry this is a little rushed. I haven't been present in your lives lately with all my tree work and more. Have a great weekend. I will try to fill in the details about cord cutting and let you know how it's working out for me. xo, Rosemary

Storm Damage and Frost on Leaves

This is a photo of the tall tree that snapped next door and fell my way. It missed my cast iron rooster or chicken, my birdbath and the brick wall cushioned the fall in such a way that absolutely nothing was damaged. It could have been so much worse. I can't complain and the added exercise I am getting from picking up sticks is sorely needed. 

I was on my second mug of coffee when I decided to go outside and snap these photos. I wish I had gone out while the water was boiling for my French Press to get more frost on these leaves. It was almost melted but you can see the outline on the center leaf. It was in the 20s but the bright sun felt warm. Have a great weekend. xo

Hello Novmber

I posted this image one year ago a tan color HERE. So far, I have posted January through November in Red. The description for the tan one at Harvard can be read here. 

We had a horrible rain and wind storm overnight and I woke up to a tall tree from my next door neighbor's property over the part of my driveway leading down to my red barn and the canopy of the tree with no leaves in my front garden. No damage was done and a tree person said my part of the cleanup will be very inexpensive. It was horrible just after midnight when I woke up to see what was happening outside. And then I heard the crash but could not determine the source. I slept soundly somehow and found the tree when I opened my front door. Power never went off and many people all around me had much worse damage. All that on Halloween night too. Yikes. Hope you didn't have any damage. xo

Royal Crest of a Bat

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY HALLOWEEN

This is an image I photographed from my Antiquarian Book: The Royal Book of Crests. This must have belonged to Count Dracula. Click to enlarge and print.

DIY Halloween Tablescape by David Stark Design

Click photo to enlarge.

Isn't this the best Halloween Table? If you like dark and moody, be sure to plant lots of gourds in your garden next year so you will have a good supply for almost no money. DIY instructions here. 

Open House w/ Open Fire, Goats & Scary Pepper

I did an open house on a rainy Sunday today with an open fire. The rain stopped and the sun came out and it ended up being a very nice day.

The goats photographed from the wrap around porch.

I found this hilarious photo on Instagram. @virgin_honey

Isn't it hilarious?

Have a great Halloween week. xo