Even though snow can be a pain in the tush, it sure looks pretty on a sunny day.
There are always fresh tracks on our front lawn and in the back forty. Usually the tracks are from the deer that share this property with us, but I often see tracks from other animals.
Unfortunately, yesterday and today have brought rain, then freezing rain, then rain again, so the landscape isn’t looking nearly so pretty. Our neighbors who have been away in Aruba (we shoveled their driveway the other day so they could pull in when they returned) just messaged us last night to say they were stuck there. I’m sure it’s due to cancelled flights and icy runways and all that sort of thing.
I’m thinking it wouldn’t be at all bad to be stranded in Aruba.
Dame Scout (she insists we call her that) had a wonderful birthday. There was a candle to blow out, a beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday (with harmony) from her parents, and a plate with special treats that was actually placed on the carpet in front of her and no one interfered or said “No, Scout!” She kept looking at us as if to say “Is this for real?” Then she went for it. Licking peanut butter off a plate? A little bit of doggy heaven.
Thank you for all the wonderful birthday greetings. Scout has a big old smile on her face and she thanks you, too.
A faucet and handles arrived for the dollhouse bathroom. I installed them in about two seconds. If only real-life plumbing was this easy.
Speaking of the dollhouse, do you remember this photo?
It’s the finished craft room/office for the dollhouse. Whenever someone pins something from my blog or repins something I’ve pinned, I get an email that informs me of that. Over the last few days, several people have pinned this photo, not on a miniatures board or a dollhouse board, but on real-life decorating boards. I’m getting such a kick out of that! Do you think they know it’s from a dollhouse? Of course. They have to know. I assume the planked walls are the draw, but who knows? Whatever the appeal, I’m getting a chuckle out of the whole thing.
Okay. Heads up. Tomorrow night at 8:00 pm, Don’s episode of American Experience, The Poisoner’s Handbook, airs on PBS. Check your local listings, of course, but this starting time seems to be pretty consistent around the country. It’s two hours long.
Now remember, American Experience is part documentary, part interviews, and part re-enactment. So Don will not be in every moment of the show. But he’ll definitely be there, playing Dr. Charles Norris.
We’re are really looking forward to seeing how the producers have put the whole thing together. It’s been nearly a year since he filmed in Prague. (Why don’t I get gigs in Prague?)
The Christmas tree is still standing. I’m just now beginning to get a tiny urge to put everything away. It’s not strong enough to act on yet. Maybe tomorrow? Or maybe after The Poisoner’s Handbook airs?
I have to order a headboard and a bed frame and a mattress pad and sheets for the new bed. I’ve got all sorts of possibilities bookmarked. Today is the day to make a decision. Wish me luck!
Happy Monday.
I’ll make a point of watching Don’s program. Good Luck with the bed purchase; I think I need to look into a hot water heater. What appears to be a slow leak in the basement probably means something . . .
Karen
We need a hot water heater, too, Karen. There’s a lot of mineral build up because we have hard well water. We’ve managed to put that off for a while now!
Good morning Claudia,
What’s the birthday girl doing today? I would imagine after all the festivities…she’s found one of her comfy spots to rest.
Have a nice day today…stay warm.
Balisha
She’s frolicking in the snow, but no doubt she’ll be resting a lot as well.
Good morning Claudia, Don and Dame Scout,
I have our DVR set to record the show just in case I loose the battle of the remote.
I think it’s a “hoot” that your room is being pinned so many times and people don’t even realize it’s a doll house room. Perhaps it means you did such a wonderful job on the craft room/office that like the rest of they want to make it their home too.
Stay warm. It’s 4 degrees in Kansas City.
Vanessa
It makes me laugh too, Vanessa!
Looking forward to Don’s show. As Downton Abbey finished last night they had a trailer for the show and Don was in it! I can’t wait!
Oh, yippee!
Thank you for the reminder. I’ve got the program set to record.
It’s a deep freeze here in WV too. What a night … howling winds, wicked rain, temperatures bottomed out and soon turned to freezing rain then sleet now snow. What a mess. Winds are still strong and snow still blowing at mid-morning. I can deal with it as long as the electricity stays on. I use a wheelchair and it’s very difficult to get out when the temperatures are so low. I’ll just hibernate a while. :-) My poor doggie has to go out to potty. I just hate that. He’s not as furry as Dame Scout. He doesn’t seem to mind it but I sit by the door to make sure he doesn’t spend too much time out in the frigid temps.
I got new bedding with some gifts cards I received for Christmas. I removed my headboard and put a quit rack/shelf above the bed and hung a quilt there instead of a headboard. I really like it. I hope the decision-making process is easier for you than for me. Sigh. It took me months.
Stay safe and warm Lesley Ann. We have to have a headboard because our walls are slanted and the slant goes too far down the wall. So the headboard enables us to sit up in bed, etc. Even so, I’ve had these sites bookmarked for over a month and am just now getting the guts up to place orders. I’m never comfortable with spending money!
Claudia,
I keep going back to look at yesterday’s birthday photograph of the three of you. You and Don look like little kids; your eyes are twinkling. Scout is thinking, “Now, what?” Or maybe: “But Mom, this party hat makes me look like Yoda!!” What a wonderful record of her special day. Did you take that remotely, or was it taken by a party guest? I hope that your friend who made the hats realizes how many people are appreciating her handiwork.
As for Scout, I think she has two settings: “Asleep” and “Diva.”
Have fun cyber-shopping today. Remember, you are investing in your quality of life. That’s important. The money WILL come from somewhere. (I am referring to your reply to LesleyAnn, above)
You never know what’s around the corner…..
My friend Tina, the designer of the hats, took the photo about a week ago. Just bought the headboard, the frame and the mattress pad. Gulp.
OK, now take the total price and divide it by 3,650. That’s your cost per day for sleeping comfortably for ten years. It’s a bit easier when you look at it that way. And it’s not like you’re splurging on a fancy cruise or a Ferrari. These are necessities!
xoxo
Hi Claudia!! I am so happy to hear Ms. Scoutie had a real nice birthday with treats and all!! She looks so happy!! I have my calendar marked to see Don on PBS… can’t wait!!! I think it will be real interesting!! Can’t believe the weather today… in the 50’s, but I hear it will get really cold again after this… Stay warm!! Have a good day – Francine
The weather is SO bizarre! Fog, temps in the fifties, freezing rain, rain, then temperatures going down to the twenties by late afternoon!
We are snowed in, it is a dreadful mess….I am so glad it didn’t come your way. I am going to look for Don’s show so I can tape it. Love that you’re dollhouse is being pinned to big house living boards. LOL
Oh no! Snowed in – yuck. This gets old rather quickly, doesn’t it?
I’ll have to record it…we will be gone…but be sure…I will watch it…I’ve waited a long time! Thanks for the reminder. Yeah, Aruba would be nice for awhile. Have fun with your selections today! I’d almost rather have rain…it’s -16 right now, without a windchill! Brrrrrr! ;)
Rainy, in the fifties, with temps plunging back down into the teens and below zero tonight – with wind chills well below zero. It’s been a real roller coaster ride lately!
I like that kind of plumbing too! Such a cute sink and I am having so much fun following the progress of your dollhouse. We will be watching Don tomorrow night. So excited and I will TiVo it too. Happy Monday!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Happy Monday to you, Susan!
Oh Claudia..I am getting so fed up with these horrible freezing temperatures..I do not even want to walk out the door lately..I am so glad that Don’s show is on tomorrow night..a least it gives me something good to look forward to..I am so afraid with my bad luck the power will go out..lol..Be safe and warm everyone!!
It’s very cold here now, with wind chill warnings for tonight! It’s getting old very quickly!
claudia give scout a treat from me … happy birthday…
i really loved the pic of you all in the hats… so cute.. and ugh… weather… today here in pa.. its 16. and going to drop into the minus degrees tonite… i am so ready for spring.. but thankful for so many more blessings..
stay warm and healthy.. sending big ladybug hugs
lynnl
It’s terribly cold isn’t it, Lynn? Stay warm yourself!
The snow photo is beautiful. Hope it doesn’t get any colder there. We are expecting it to be down to freezing tonight here in Fla. We have Christmas lights wrapped around our water pump to keep the points from freezing up and we will run the water in one of the bathrooms all night. Right now it’s warm enough to have a window open but that won’t last long. It must be so great to have something on your blog pinned. Stay warm!
We will run a steady stream of water tonight in the bathroom and the kitchen – wind chills are supposed to be brutal tonight!
How exciting! “American Experience” has been one of this history-junkie’s favorite programs since it began. Even though I may not be that interested in the topic at first, by the time it’s over I’m always glad I watched – and I always learn something. Being able to watch old favorites online is even better now that I have Internet at home. Looking forward to seeing someone I “know” on an episode. Can you say “break a leg” to someone who’s already turned in his performance? LOL.
Sure! I hope you enjoy it, Janet. We’re really excited!
Hi Claudia!
I am looking forward to watching “Don’s show” on PBS tomorrow, because, you know – we crazy people out here in Blogland feel like we know you from reading your blog!
Silly? Perhaps , but there you have it, nevertheless.
Not at all silly – we’re family here in blogland, HeidiAnn!
I’ve entered Don’s show tomorrow on our DVR, so my old brain can’t forget! Looking forward to it.
You guys are such troopers and the best neighbors – can’t imagine shoveling a driveway in the bitter cold shiver shiver shake! So kind of you to do that for your neighbors.
So glad Dame Scout passed her birthday enjoyably. Perhaps one day she will opine on her new exalted position and noblesse oblige … :)
Stay warm and safe!
Dame Scout I am so happy you had a good birthday! It is so cold here in the South and you know we are not use to it at all!! Still we are so much luckier then so many in our nation! I’ve got Don’s show marked for tomorrow night. Really looking forward to it. Stay warm and enjoy playing with the doll house, cracks me up about the pins!
hugs,
Linda
Happy belated birthday to Scout! Thanks for the reminder about Don’s show – will definitely be watching it. How exciting!
Well pooh! I missed it! I so wanted to see Don;s show! I even wrote down the date and everything. I had a crazy day yesterday, so it’s no wonder. I hope it will air again soon.
A belated happy Birthday to Dame Scout! Sounds like it was the perfect celebration. We will celebrate Pickle’s “Gotcha Day” on the 18th of this month. We have no idea when her birthday is, because she was a stray who found me. So we will celebrate the anniversary of the day she joined our family.
Happy New Year!
Glad Scout ( Oops..Dame Scout) enjoyed the excitement of her birthday..Excited to see what you chose for your d..Gonna miss Don on PBS..I’ll see if it’s still on when I get home..
PS..Love the faucets..Too many things to remember to comment on for this old brain..:)
My husband and I just watched the show! It was so interesting and well done. Don was fantastic! He was perfect for the role. Congratulations to Don! Thanks for letting us know that he would be in it.