Movie Recommendation: The Luzhin Defence with Emily Watson

I watched this movie last night.  

https://tubitv.com/movies/670513/the-luzhin-defence

It is leaving TUBI this month so don't delay in watching it. It's FREE and I know you will love it. Filmed in 2000. I adore Emily Watson and she's wonderful in this film. 

"It's the early 1920s and Aleksandr Ivanovich 'Sascha' Luzhin (John Turturro), a gifted but tormented chess player, arrives in a Northern Italian city to compete in an international chess competition. Prior to the tournament he meets Natalia Katkov (Emily Watson) and he falls in love with her almost immediately. She in turn finds his manner to be appealing and they begin to see each other in spite of her mother's disapproval." The screenplay was based on the novel THE DEFENSE (or The Luzhin Defence) by Vladimir Nabokov.

Let me know if you watch it and if you liked it. It is streaming on Prime Video and Apple TV too. "You're welcome." Enjoy! xo

Wonderful Framed Hunt Print Thrifted Today

I couldn't be more pleased with this Cecil Aldin framed hunt print. The original is circa 1910 and this is a very nice reproduction printed on heavy thick paperboard and it doesn't require being under glass. This is especially nice for me because glass would be too reflective in my kitchen. I came home and hung it immediately after a gentle cleaning. It's 26" x 14".

I really like the way it looks over my doorway into my living room. The size is perfect too.

I can't wait to see it tomorrow in the morning light. These photos were taken in very late afternoon light on a cloudy day. I saw my first tiny snowflakes today and we might have snow for Sunday.

Cecil Aldin -- The Whip. There is an annual hunt each year near my cottage with foxhounds and riders in red jackets conducted by The Spring Valley Hounds. I wasn't sure where this print would fit but I knew I would find a place for it and I did. Don't you love my $12.00 find? I got a nice sweater too. xo

Here is a Sunday morning photo that shows the hunt print very accurately. It's snowing lightly and the sky is overcast.

I don't think I have ever taken a photo from this angle. Now you see the whole wall that needs artwork with a sporting theme. Finding another Cecil Alden would be nice but that's almost too much to hope for. 

Stay safe if you have to drive in the snow. I am staying put until Mother Nature goes into melting mode. I don't need to go anywhere and I have a pot of soup simmering on the stove. xo

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE🎉

As usual, I will be enjoying on a quiet New Year's Eve in my cottage. The photo above is a closeup of my kitchen farm table centerpiece. The pine cones are real, the greenery looks real but it isn't and neither are the pomegranates. I have a really large wooden charger and it looks very festive full of these things.

I had to stand in the vestibule to take this night photo and get the chandelier. The countertops are still filled with Christmas cards and the sinks have dishcloths hanging on them. I should have neatened up more but the table is what I was trying to feature. 

I haven't chosen a movie to watch tonight yet. I hope you all have a happy and safe New Year's Eve and a wonderful New Year's Day on Monday. xo

My Christmas Wish for You

I am on the homestretch right now. I did my housework yesterday and now I have to finish wrapping a few gifts. 

I received this delightful pop up card from a dear friend. Don't you love it?

Here is the view looking down on it. Click either photo to enlarge.

I have managed to stay ahead of things better this year except for decorating my house. I still have time to do a little but it will be very minimalistic. Just a few cranberry beads and my stocking. I do have a lovely wreath on my front door and around my mailbox though. I always do those two things right away. I had lunch with two friends this week and one complained about not wanting anything and always getting things she couldn't return. She won't be disappointed because she won't be able to return what I'm giving her either😂 I never shop retail; only at thrift and charity shops that support worthy causes. It's a win, win for me and the recipients can always regift or donate. 

I'm sorry I haven't been around much this month. In fact, this might be my only post for December 2023. My eyes are doing great and that was my present to myself for the rest of my life. I wish I had done it sooner. Cateracts sneak up on you and all of a sudden you cannot stand them one minute longer. Since they are an elective surgery the doctors don't rush you. 

Have a wonderful Christmas if you celebrate. I will see you again before the New Year. xo

Nine Photos on Last Day of November 2023

I took this photo maybe three years ago and it's a favorite of one of my mourning doves sitting in the snow on my balcony.

This juvenile cardinal on my balcony railing is a summer photo.

My favorite of Missy, now departed🐾♡🐾

One of my peonies.

I copied the photo from a book and added the text myself.

A nook in my kitchen. This recessed space is under my attic stairs.

A wall in my downstairs sitting room near the sliding glass doors with the red and white draperies I put up recently to keep the room warmer.

The draperies look wonderful in person. Much better than in this photo. I have pots of geraniums lined up behind them right now to overwinter.

A night photo of my cottage. I had my back door light on by accident and got a great shot of my red barn garage too.

Most of you will be reading this November 30th post on December 1st so WELCOME DECEMBER. xo

Looking Back: A Dozen Photos

My grandfather clock. My pantry with Dutch door closed. An early sundial on the counter before I had a microwave there. The outlet behind it was broken and I finally had it fixed when I needed an electrician for a more pressing repair.

An amazing winter golden hour. Photo was taken from the balcony off my living room.

Footprints in the snow. I walked halfway down my property a cold winter's day and these were the first prints I encountered.

One of my cardinals.

Bluebirds are my favorites. They love this corner of my balcony railing.

Geraniums on the lower level deck next to the sliding glass doors.

A favorite photo of my kitchen showing my tongue and groove ceiling.

The wreath on my front door last year photographed from inside.

A lovely notecard with a real shell on it.

My favorite photo of my cottage after it was painted summer 2022.

A nook in my kitchen.

One of the first photos I ever took in my kitchen.

I hope you enjoyed my trip down memory lane with old photos you have probably already seen. I had a great Thanksgiving and hope you did too. My new eyes are just wonderful after my cataract surgery. It will be three weeks on Thursday since I had my rught eye done and a month since the left one. I was a little concerned about the "floaters" in my right eye but they went away after two weeks. I couldn't be more pleased.

xo

Pet Sitting -- Meet Max 🐾🐾 + Thrifting Find

I am dogsitting Max for the first time. Missy died recently and Max is the new dog in town. I am enjoying him and he's enjoying being at my house. He's behaving wonderfully and his owner won't believe it. At his home he is a one-dog demolition crew and chews everything he can get his teeth around. All because he's bored. I have given him lots of attention and we have been on countless walks. I have things on all surfaces but he hasn't tried to chew one thing! He likes having the tv on nonstop too. 

Another pose.

He has been ravenous too because of all the walks. He is a Pincher mix and is a small/medium size under 40 pounds. He's very strong too and I am determined to teach him how to walk on a relaxed leash. I think he is part dachshund according to the adoption place but who knows. He never barks and I like that. I have only heard him once. I put him in his crate in order to be able to write this post. He doesn't mind because he has one in his owner's truck and home. I will put him in again for overnight. 

 

Thrifting find yesterday: An art pottery dish by Margaret Wozniak signed and dated 2007. Size 9" x 8-1/2" has hanging wire on back too. ($7.00)

Stamped with her seal.

The back.

One of her series called Greater Angels.

I love it and found out more about the artist on her website.

https://www.margaretwozniakceramics.com/

She has an Etsy shop too. Here.

Don't you love her work?

Wish me luck with Max for the next few days.

xo

Inside My Cottage -- 4 Weekend Photos

Another view of this wall with the blue and white platter hung very recently and I am enjoying it so much there. 

It's been a wild November for me so far. I had cataract surgery! My left eye was done on 11/2 and my right eye on 11/9 and both were very successful and I am thrilled with the outcome. Of course it's only been two days since my right eye was done and the new lens is still settling in but it's doing nicely. So many people I know have decided this was the year to finally have their eyes done and I'm glad I did too. 

I have had this clear glass rabbit candy container on this windowsill for ages. His head lifts off and I use it for my small binder clips. I change the way he's looking every time I get out a clip while doing paperwork at my desk in the pantry office. He always makes me smile. The full-bodied black cat featured recently also lives in this window.

The trees are nearly bare in this kitchen window to the right of my stove overlooking my leaf-covered driveway.

Another side window in my kitchen showing a fall late afternoon sky. I took a walk outside to get some exercise and looped around my property twice. No heavy lifting, no stooping, etc. and I'm trying to be careful so my eyes will continue healing nicely. Have a great rest of the weekend. xo