Foggy Winter Mornings!

Coat: L.O.G.G (similar)
Scarf: (similar)
Jeans: DKNY
Socks: Betsy Johnson 

Christmas Table Spread

This year for the Christmas dinner tablescape, I went for a Scottish country look with tartan and antlers! I was very pleased with the outcome. The antler napkin rings are from Pottery Barn, and I'm in love!

Party Plaid

There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy,
When they pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie.
It'll nearly be like a picture print by Currier and Ives!
These wonderful things are the things
We remember all through our lives!

Dress: Brooks Brothers
Bracelet: J. Crew 

O Christmas Tree!

Each sight, each sound of Christmas

And fragrances sublime

Make hearts and faces happy

This glorious Christmastime.

~ Carice Williams

Sweater: J. Crew Factory

Shirt: Chaps (similar)

Jeans: DKNY

Scarf: J. Crew Factory (similar)

Fox Bracelet: Pink Pineapple

Topping the Tree!

"When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness."

- Bob Hope

Looking back at the family Christmas tree hunt last year. We usually buy our tree at a very small, backwoods, Christmas tree farm in our town, full of neighbors with their dogs, all cutting down their perfect tree! It's always one of my favorite things to do around the Holidays!

Sweater: J. Crew Factory (old) (similar)

Shirt: Chaps (similar)

Jeans: DKNY

Boots: Chooka

Scarf: Thrift Find (similar)

Deck the Halls!

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

'Tis the season to be jolly,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

Troul the ancient Christmas carol,

Fa la la la la la la la la.

- Thomas Oliphant

Winter Wonderland!

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

In the lane, snow is glistening,

A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight,

Walking in a winter wonderland!

Sweater: J. Crew (last year) (similar)

Jeans: DKNY

Turtleneck: J Crew

Boots: Chooka

Scarf: Target

Cold Days in the Lakes Region

In New Hampshire there lived a Governor,

John Wentworth, who some did abhor 

He would never dare, to touch his gardens or hair,

because that's what Robert Calder was for.

Now Calder, a jolly bold Scotsman,

lived on a hill, with his wife and his children,

He rode every day, back and forth, a long way,

to brush Wentworth's hair in great boredom.

But then there came a Revolution,

With fighting, and wars, and commotion,

till back with no fare, went Wentworth and his hair,

to England, where there was less confusion. 

Then Robert settled back with his family,

to tend oxen and sheep, and right proudly.

And farm hours away, his whole life, day by day,

till death did him part rather sadly.

But his story will live on forever,

as his memory will be my endeavor,

for he left his mark, right deep in my heart,

so this bold Scotsman will never die, never.

- A poem I wrote about my 6th great grandfather Robert Calder (1733-1792). 

The first picture above shows the front of his house. The second picture shows how the home's original siding has been covered by new siding over the years.

Dress: Ann Taylor (similar)
Sweater: J. Crew 
Jacket: Old
Boots: Chooka (similar)

November Tablescape

November comes,
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.

With night coming early
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.

The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring.

- Clyde Watson

Of the Corn

Halloween wraps fear in innocence,

As though it were a slightly sour sweet.

Let terror, then, be turned into a treat...

Happy Halloween!

I Dream of an African Safari

"You know you are truly alive when you’re living among lions.” 

- Karen Blixen

Winter Waits for No Man

"The time for chopping wood is upon us!"

Reflecting on the Season

“All-cheering Plenty, with her flowing horn,
Led yellow Autumn, wreath'd with nodding corn."

- Robert Burns

October's Changing Weather

"October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.”

- George Cooper 

Dress: L. L. Bean Signature (similar)
Jacket: Ralph Lauren: (old) (similar)
Shoes: BCBGeneration 

Autumn's Golden Sunlight

That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold
Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
- Shakespeare

Sweater: J. Crew Factory

Shirt: J. Crew (similar)

Jeans: DKNY

Jacket: (similar)

Shoes: Chooka (similar)