Webster's Nap

We went on a really long walk today and he's been asleep ever since we got back. I like to exhaust him every once in a while so he will be mellow for the rest of the day.

Christmas Cookies with Original Art Decorations

Only in Sweden! Don't you just love these cookies? There are many more photos to delight you over at Fine Little Day. Enjoy looking and maybe you'll be inspired to make some too. See you later. xo

Doing Winter Chores - Beatrix Potter

Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter "Preparing for cold weather." via

Beautiful Cold Winter Snow Scene

We don't have snow on the ground any more and I'm glad. Today is cold and windy with a cloudless blue sky. It's a perfect December day. Have a great weekend. via

English Cottage

Yes. Take me there now. via

So Many Christmas Wreaths

This ouse looks lovely, doesn't it? The owners even put a wreath on the garage! I'm such a failure at outside decorations and lately inside ones too. via

Cozy Foxes

I'll be tucking in early tonight too. Isn't this a fabulous photo of two sleeping foxes? They look so peaceful. I watched the most wonderful movie last night -- The Book Thief. If you haven't seen it, you are in for a treat. It will blow you away. Stay warm. xo

Not Too Big -- Just Right

Not too big antiquarian home.

I had to stop and study all of the architectural details here and thought you might want to look too. I'm sure this home must be lovely when it's decorated for Christmas. My favorite thing about winter is the bare trees that expose what's hidden in summer. I think that's the best time to look at real estate because you can really see what you're buying. via

George Washington's Headquarters Morristown NJ

General George Washington’s headquarters was established here at the Ford Mansion in Morristown, New Jersey on December 1, 1779.

I went here with my mom for a program at Christmas time three years ago. Must go again this year to see it all decorated for Christmas. It's a gorgeous building with a great museum. via

A Great Kitchen Range + Coffee Machine

I like this kind of dedication to having a fabulous range that is also beautiful and a dedicated coffee machine. That's prioritizing at its best in my opinion. I like the big hood and the beautiful back splash too. There is probably a good workspace to the right that's not too far from the cooking area. It would  be awkward at first but I'm sure after a while one could get used to this arrangement. via

New Girl in Town

Harlow and Indiana welcome their new little sister named Reese. via Instagram She looks like a dachshund puppy with pointer markings. Love her, and she looks like a boss!

December

"December’s wintery breath is already clouding the pond, frosting the pane, obscuring summer’s memory." ~ John Geddes

Such a lovely quote and so true. via

A Border Collie and His Lambs

A dog and his flock, growing up together.

When can they go outside so I can herd them? via

Our Poor, Sick Planet

Someone came up with a great idea to illustrate the condition of our poor earth using a globe and some of the things we humans use to treat ourselves when we are sick. More and more experts are warning that pretty soon, we will be at the point of no return. 

I'm not trying to be negative but thought I should post this poignant image as a reminder that Mother Earth is hurting and cannot heal herself without our help. via

Shrinking Christmas List

I'm sure many of you can relate to this quote found and put on one of my blue sky photos.

Christmas Laundry as Decor

I love this idea. Hanging your red long johns and nighties out as Christmas decorations! HaHa. via

Delightful Paris Scenes by Dominique Corbasson

Thanks to JudyMac for making me do more research.

via Pinterest

The Christmas Tree in yesterday's post was indeed in Paris. This illustrator is new to me and I love her work.

via

Oh Christmas Tree

Such a lovely city Christmas image. via

Anton Seder (German, 1850-1916) The Plant, circa 1890

So gorgeous, and somehow symbolic of Christmas. 

Artist: Anton Seder (German, 1850-1916)

The Plant, circa 1890 

via

A Proper Gentleman's Bathroom

I've never seen a shaving mirror like this and I love it. It's perfectly placed under the fanlight window. The sconces are perfect too. Don't you wish we could see the rest of this beautifully appointed room? via

Let a Pile of Sleeping Dachshunds Lie

Too cute for words. Don't they look happy? I might take a short nap too. via

Great Kitchen Before and After

Before -- A great old Chambers stove in a horrible kitchen.

After: -- WOW. The homeowner kept the kitchen's old Chambers stove and cabinets—now improved with new fronts and a coat of Benjamin Moore's Patriotic White—but jettisoned the Formica counters and dark backsplash in favor of marble and white subway tiles.

More fabulous before and after photos of many different projects here.

Have a great weekend! xo

Beautiful Tree Lined Road with Snow

This is so lovely. My favorite kind of with a cathedral of trees. via

Beatrix Potter Rabbits' Christmas Party - The Departure

I'm so excited that I found another watercolor I haven't seen before illustrating the Rabbits' Christmas Party by Beatrix Potter.

This one shows a big rabbit lighting the way with a lit candle as the guests put on their coats and depart.

See all the other illustrations for the Rabbits' Christmas Party in my 2009 original blog post about it here. I am so happy to see the end of the party. Somehow, Beatrix Potter and Christmas are perfect together. Enjoy! xo

Beatrix Potter and Her Belgian Rabbit named Benjamin

I don't think I've ever seen this wonderful winter image by Beatrix Potter dated 1894. via

Or this one either from Sotheby's. There is a sweet story about the real bunny who was the inspiration for Benjamin Bunny. 

Benjamin Bouncer was a Belgian rabbit and was the first of Beatrix Potter's pet rabbits. He was acquired around 1885. She bought him from a London pet shop and brought him home in a paper bag.

This never-before-seen Victorian photograph shows the real Belgian rabbit who inspired Beatrix Potter's famous character Benjamin Bunny.

Benjamin Bouncer is pictured here in the late 1880s or early 1890s. He would later become Benjamin Bunny in Beatrix Potter's novels. She said he was very tame and clever. Read more about him in a great story in The Daily Mail. I never tire of reading about her and I love finding new artwork and photos to share with all of you. 

Beatrix Potter shown here with a pet dog. I don't recall ever seeing any of her artwork with dogs though I've seen many photos of her with them. Enjoy the article. xo

And the Cat too.

This is my life and I'm not complaining. via

Wonderful Kitchen in White

Wow. It's wonderful. Love the table and stools too. And the windows, cabinets, shelves, floor, sink and anything I might have missed. Simply charming! via

European Retreat in Denmark

See more of this bathroom in a European Retreat in Denmark here. Use the arrows. I don't think I would have the nerve to turn on the shower with no enclosure. 

His Name is Sammy

Isn't this puppy adorable? I'm sure he's going to have a great first Christmas. I couldn't resist posting this bundle of brown cuteness to get your day off to a good start. Sammy by Christian Vieler

Lake House in the Snow

What a beautiful photo. It captures the quiet and stillness of the idyllic scene perfectly. It must be the first snow of the season because the water isn't frozen. My snow has melted and I'm glad. Have a great evening and I'll see you tomorrow. via

Several Things that Caught My Eye Today

I love these tilted wire baskets. via

Unusual plumbing job. via

Another unusual plumbing job. via

Starry Lights

I like these, don't you? I love driving after dark looking inside at Christmas decorations. It's that time of year! I haven't done anything except get my wreath out of the garage loft. It started to rain the minute I got to the house so it's on the kitchen table. Have a great evening. xo

House Tour in The Hamptons

I love the farm table in lieu of an island.

I love this arrangement of twin beds and the wallpaper too.

The hedges in the Hamptons are like no other. Tour the rest of this delightful summer home via Lonny Magazine here.

Bunny Mellon's NYC Townhouse

The 11,100-square-foot, 14-room townhouse at 125 East 70th Street, built in 1965 by banking heir Paul Mellon and his wife, horticulturist Bunny Mellon, is under contract with an asking price of $46 million. Sotheby's is the listing agent. The contents were in the recent auction of Bunny Mellon's personal belongings. I recognize some of the interior pieces from the auction catalog here. There are many more photos of this lovely townhouse here showing more of her exquisite town and country taste. I'm not a jewelry person but for those of you who are, see her auction of jewels and objects of vertu here.