Wednesday, April 19, 2023

A Wonderful Dog Painings🐾♡


Arthur Wardle, R.I., R.B.C. (1864-1949) 
Waiting for master, a wire coated fox terrier
Sold at Christie's in 2012. I have always loved this breed.
Isn't this a delightful rendering of man's best friend?
xo

Monday, April 17, 2023

Best Pantry Ever, Really!


Swoon. Found on Instagram artichoke_ltd -- all of their custom cabinetry is handmade and everything I have seen is absolutely wonderful! ♡xo

Saturday, April 15, 2023

Wonderful Framed Print for Sitting Room Downstairs

I got this wonderful framed print just a few days ago but haven't had time to post anything. I've been doing household chores like putting in screens on a 90° day so I could open the windows. It has cooled down to 66° and we have a much needed light rain this Saturday afternoon.

I will hang it on the wall soon.

I tried to find this print online but couldn't. I even uploaded a photo to Google Images with no luck. There is a verse that goes all around the edges.

BIRDS NEST IN HEDGEROW
RABBITS BRAMBLES AND BEES
WILD BERRIES GROW IN HEDGEROWS
HEDGEROWS ARE A QUIET SANCTUARY
(ENLARGE THE FIRST PHOTO TO SEE ALL SIDES)
Each corner has a nest with a bird in it.
Rabbits are jumping on either side of the basket.
Wild berries fill the basket.
Isn't it charming?

The background has a crackled finish so this is definitely a reproduction of a painting. Don't you love it? I think it's perfect for this sitting room off the bedroom in my downstairs quarters where my mother lived. My laundry room is on this level and I park my car on this level so I'm up and down the stairs constantly. I was doing my exercises down there but the DVD stopped working on the small flatscreen TV. It even ate one of the DVDs! I have moved to the attic. Luckily my desktop computer has a DVD player. I am doing the "Essentrics Workouts" Seasons 13 and 14. She has daily workouts on PBS but they are on way too early for me. The sessions I'm doing are only 22 minutes long and I'm feeling stronger every day. See you soon. xo

I was able to identify the artist -- Carol Endres 
aka Carol J. Endres
Carol Endres has been painting in the American Primitive style, to great acclaim, for the last nine years. A native of Albany, New York, Carol and her family now reside in nearby Guilderland. By the age of 6, Carol knew she wanted to be an artist. She was already copying things and drawing her own pictures. She continues to pursue her primitive art with the same enthusiasm of her youth.

Carol's compositions are inspired by her faith in God, people, and a keen observance of things in life that make us all feel warm, happy and whole. Her work reflects her love for her children, her cat and memories from the past. She is an avid antique collector, and all these things can be found hidden in her paintings which she executes on wood panels. Carol's folk art company The Heart of America has had enormous success, producing a wide selection of products for the home and gift market. Her background as owner of an antique and gift shop helped her develop The Heart of America.

Now a household name in the folk art world, Carol Endres' work is found in museums, frame shops, gift shops, galleries, catalogues, and furniture and department stores. Her originals are sold nationally and internationally. She finds her work tremendously satisfying and loves to hear from the people who appreciate her art.

The print I have was offered on eBay but is no longer available. I shall keep looking. She wrote 2 books ANGELS WATCHING OVER YOU & COMFORT FOR YOUR SOUL.

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

My Latest Thrift Shop Find

I found this large basket last week while thrifting.


The scale is perfect for my farmtable.


It took a while for me to find the perfect spot. I just bought this lovely handmade basket because I liked it. Actually it has resulted in being a catchall for all the junk that is usually spread all over my table and I don't see how I ever lived without this big, deep basket. The $10.00 price was right too🥰


I cleaned it out yesterday after one week and threw out 90% of what had collected. It was mostly grocery store circulars and junk mail. I am thrilled with this great "find" and more thrilled with having a neat table!!!! xo

I don't think this was a commercially made basket but possibly one of a kind. I just found this maker's mark or signature -- JPS

Saturday, April 8, 2023

Missy 🐾🐾 My Overnight Visitor


Missy got dropped off yesterday at 9:30am and was picked up this morning at 10:00am. We had the perfect visit. I like dog sitting so much better in nice weather with daylight savings time than in the dark of winter. She managed to get two breakfasts out of me and that made her very happy indeed. She was watching TV in this photo but looked at me when I called her name. She'll be back for a longer visit in May. I picked these daffodils growing wild in the woods next to me. I have tried digging them up but it's impossible so I pick them instead. Have a great Easter. xo

Friday, April 7, 2023

My Male Goldfinches Have Turned Yellow💛

This is an iPhone photo from my window.


The male Goldfinches are wearing their bright yellow feathers for the mating season.



Read more about my breeding male goldfinches, the state bird of New Jersey, Iowa, and Washington HERE.  The photo of this breeding male above is from this link. The females don't wear these lovely yellow spring feathers but they get to choose the handsomest mate wearing them.

Missy is coming this morning to spend the night and it's a lovely Good Friday. See you later. xo

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

My Portrait of A Robin


Date: April 11, 2011
Robin Redbreast
Nikon Photo

I have been trying to clean up my old MacBookAir dated late 2010. For some reason, I cannot transfer the photos to the newer laptop I got two years ago. This is my favorite bird photo of all time and I'm so glad I have it again. I had to email it from my old computer to my new one. I have flocks of robins that live on and around my cottage. The same Mother Robin aways builds a nest under my balcony floor and raises at least two families. I do hope she returns again this year. I had to clean out all the old nests when I had my balcony floor power washed underneath last year before my house was painted. I had two workers power wash the upper balcony floor, my house, the picket fence, front walk, and the barn/garage too. My workers were fabulous and my Trex deck flooring looks new again after 20 years. I still marvel at how nice my house looks after wood repairs, two new coats of white paint, and changing the shutters and front door color to black.

I can vividly remember taking this photo while holding my breath and getting as close as I possibly could before snapping the shutter. I like to think this handsome bird was posing for me. xo

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Scenes around the Cottage 6PM Walk

Base of my faux bois birdbath with mini daffs.


Late afternoon shadows.


Path down to the way back is turning green.


Bed of daffodils I can see from my kitchen window.

It got up to 71° today and really felt like Spring.

xo