A view of the snow outside. It’s actually quite pretty and today is sunny, so the light pouring into the house is bright as only light reflected by snow can be. No complaints here except it’s mind-numbingly cold out there. I mean, really cold!
I assume you have been busy this weekend, whether with the winter storm or the long weekend, because yesterday’s post got only one comment. I think that’s the first time in almost 12 years of blogging that has happened! Well, let me clarify; when I started blogging, my first few posts didn’t get any comments because no one knew I was out there. It took a while to build up a readership. Anyway, you know I don’t pressure anyone to comment and I never will, but it did give me pause.
We’re laying low this weekend. We had a lovely day yesterday. Don made a fantastic brunch, he shoveled the snow (I didn’t have to!) and then we hung out together the rest of the day. We finished watching the new season of Grace and Frankie – I have thoughts about it but I won’t share them until everyone has seen it. We didn’t watch the SAG awards; we’re just not that into awards this year.
Don’s car is acting up, so we’re taking it in today. He has muffler problems, so I’ll follow him into town to make sure he’s okay and, of course, to bring him back home. The CR-V is 20 years old and hanging in there on a wing and a prayer.
I’m halfway through the newest Michael Connelly. Connelly writes so well that I instantly relax, knowing I’m in good hands.
For those of you who work and have today off, enjoy!
Happy Monday.
HI Claudia,
I had a Subaru for 25 years..and replaced it in 2017 with a new Subaru. It always makes me happy when I hear of others having..older cars. I do no why..but it does.
I read your blog everyday and have learned so many things.
Stay Warm,
Kaye
Park City, UT.
Thank you, Kaye. We bought the CR-V right before we moved East, previously I had a Honda Civic hatchback and it was perfectly fine for 8 years. We only traded it in because we needed more space for the move (both dogs were with me in the CR-V). We’ll hang on to it as long as we can as we really can’t afford another car payment!
My two-door Honda Accord is 20 years old! It still “runs like a dream” as my mechanic says, but it’s starting to have some little problems – oil leaking and an emission problem that triggers the engine light to stay on. The mechanic said it would cost thousands to fix and of course, the car isn’t worth it. It doesn’t affect how the car runs though. But with the car being a coupe and the front seats so low to the ground, this car is not good for my back. So I’m currently looking for a used SUV. Car shopping is NOT fun!
Brian’s car is 12 years old and already has over 250K miles on it because he drives so far back and forth to work. Brian’s hoping his car holds out until the loan on my “new” vehicle is paid off. The thought of having two car payments at once terrifies us!
Oh, we dread having to get a new car. My Accord is also a coupe – it isn’t easy to get in and out of that car! xo
Good morning from a state that understands “mind numbing cold!” It is -14 degrees with a wind chill of -28 degrees here in ND! Plus we have just received another 5 inches of snow during the last few days. I do read your blog every day, but have never left a comment. . . . I appreciate bloggers who post every day and look forward to reading the entries. I am retired and staying put for some time because I tripped over a rug at the post office last week, hit my forehead, and every part of my face is bruised. This too shall pass, but for now I’m happy to see my bruises fading, and I didn’t break anything!
to jane …
i am sorry you got hurt. hope the pain is already gone and that the bruises fade quickly!
kathy in iowa
WOW! It’s really cold in your neck of the woods! I’m so sorry to hear of your injuries, Jane! My goodness, take care of yourself and rest up. xo
Good morning Claudia – you are my first read every morning. We have graduated back to rain from snow. Lower Coastal BC does not do well with snow. Last week it was not safe to drive unless necessary so we stayed home and I worked on tax prep all week, caught up on December’s paperwork, did laundry, cleaned here and there and was grateful for the time for catching up.
Joy
Sometimes snow and ice can keep us indoors and it ends up being a blessing, Joy. Thank you!
I’m actually surprised that I didn’t comment on yesterday’s post. I know I read it and thought about that little blue bubble pitcher on the bookshelves. I don’t know why, but I just love those pitchers! I have a yellow one, a gray one, and a blue one—regular size—and still mourn the lime green one that I saw in a shop and didn’t buy. Mine are just decorative, too. Sitting on top of the kitchen cabinets and wanting to be dusted, for sure. Somehow that smooth shape and the clear colors and the way the light hits them makes me happy.
We also have an old car and understand all that that entails. Still, it has been just perfect for us for nearly twenty years and worth the time and money to keep it running. New cars just don’t do it for me. Lately we’ve discussed what to buy when the 2001 PT Cruiser finally gives out and there is nothing I’d want to spend money on. So …hope it continues to keep on keeping on.
I had a red pitched like that (made by Hall) and darned if I know where it is. Maybe I got rid of it? Or it’s in the dreaded shed.
We really can’t afford car payments, so I hope we can hang on to this one a while longer. Thanks, Shanna!
Funny….I read yesterday’s post…I remember because I was struck by the height of the ceilings in the dollhouse…Lake House I believe? As has happened more often, I got distracted by some such…and never got back to it.
Both of our cars are 13 years old. One is in need of some major repairs, so we are contemplating getting a new to us replacement. But, do we replace, or do we fix? This living on a fixed income is taxing.
It is sunny here, too, but cold. We had such a mild winter, we are not used to it just yet. Enjoy your sunshine! ;)
Lake House.
The fixed income thing is a pain in the tush, Donna. I understand.
Thank you!
good luck with the car and the cold weather.
good choice on the husband. :)
kathy in iowa
ps: windshield wiper easily taken care of (replaced the broken one and the other two) this morning. i am grateful that it was a quick fix and not more expensive than it was.
ps again: super-cold and still very windy here lately, but there’s 30-degrees promised for us this week!
My best choice was choosing Don. Truly!
So glad the wiper fix was an easy one. Very cold here today but a gradual warmup at the end of the week. Thank you, Kathy!
Hi Claudia, I don’t if this may have a bearing with regards to your site but I was unable to access it yesterday. Some Gateway error kept appearing but I suspect that’s more from my end rather than yours.
Anyway hope everyone is safe and sound during the icy weather. It was very foggy here over the weekend.
I’m full of admiration for how long cars last in the States, here in the UK, it’s lucky to get one lasting over ten years. The cool often damp climate means that they rust easily plus the annual Ministry of Transport inspection which each car must pass means it’s sometimes more economical to trade a car for scrap rather than pay for repairs!
Another lovely reader has already mentioned Monty Don’s Gardens of America, I second that it’s a joy to watch.
Happy Monday
Most likely from your end or some mysterious internet glitch. I don’t think it was ever down because I had it up all day and it was fine.
We get a lot of rust, also, from snow and salt on our wintry roads. The entire bottom of the car is rusty. We bought it in Southern California and therefore it was never coated with salt protection like it would have been if we bought it here.
Thanks so much, Dee Dee!
I just started reading Michael Connelly’s books and in the last two weeks I’ve read four. I just can’t put them down. I’m afraid that I’ll be turning into a library glutton. Well, at least it’s not fattening.
Good choice in reading matter. He has a few different series and you should read them all. That’s the neat thing: having a new author, and a prolific one at that, to explore. Enjoy, Christine!
I, too, remember your post yesterday, and I usually do comment. Hmmmm, brain freeze due to the cold weather?? I can’t remember. Oh, look, squirrel.
Hope you are able to do repairs on Don’s car. It is always something, isn’t it? Stay warm and have a good day!
Oh lordy, I get distracted so easily! I understand.
Fingers crossed on Don’s car. We dropped it off and we’ll wait and see. Thanks, Chris.
Beautiful picture of your dolls house in front of the snowy window.
There, you got a comment. ;- )
Thank you, Elaine! I thought that was a neat view so I snapped a quick photo.
Hi Claudia, the snow through your window is beautiful! We were supposed to get about 3 inches of it here in northern Maryland, but that did not happen. I was looking forward to the “snow globe” effect all day Saturday but, alas, all we got was some ice and frigid temperatures.
My husband just got rid of his 30 year old Ford F-150 and got a F-250 in November. He retired and feels he has a few good years of work left so needed a new truck. It’s bigger and I don’t think I will ever drive it because of that.
Enjoy your snow! The Snowdrops will be pushing up through soon!
Wow, a truck that lasted 30 years! Amazing.
I’m looking forward to any sign of spring, though I know it’s way too early yet!
Thanks, Kelly!
Hi Claudia from chilly Minnesota. Not mind numbingly cold today, but a good 16 above!
You know I read every day. I often just can’t reply. I think I will do it later, but hardly ever do. I know you understand .
I do love the dollhouses. I am thrilled to see any progress.
Today, I am making things to put on my bulletin board at school. COLORS! I am making a roadway, and giving each child a car. As the car moves along the road and reaches certain landmarks there will be special trips to the treasure chest. Of course each child will move their car everyday. There is never a bad day.
I am also going to start blogging on my old blog. It seems that I have a lot going on, and a need to tell about it all.
I listened to Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Kind of a tradition with me.
Of course I understand! And you’re so much busier now with your admirable work with children. Bravo, you!
I listened to his last speech, the night before he was assassinated, when he said “I’ve been to the mountaintop.” It gave me chills, as it always does.
Thank you, Trudy!
Hi Claudia. I enjoy your blog so much but have rarely commented. It’s even cold in eastern N.C. today, but nothing like some of the country experiences. Thanks from a fellow dog lover & owner of an older vehicle.
Pam
Long live dog lovers, Pamela! Thank you for commenting today! Stay warm.
Hi Claudia,
I have only posted once before to your blog but I read your blog every time you post (yours is the first blog I read) and really like how you post almost everyday. Like to hear what you are reading, like to hear about you and Don, your photos of your house and yard and the dollhouses. I do miniture room boxes and have gotten some ideas from your dollhouses posts. I am going to try and make a quilt like the dollhouses one you posted yesterday!
Linda from California
Oh good luck, Linda! Let me know how it turns out! Thanks.
Glad you did not get too much snow. We only received about an inch. After the rain came it was a film of slush. My sister went out and took care of it. The wind was starting to whip up again last night. Hope Don’s car is fine.
Marilyn
We haven’t heard anything yet. Gulp. Thanks, Marilyn!
How I love that dollhouse!
Fingers crossed that all goes well with the vehicle inspection.
(Sent you an email.)
We haven’t heard yet but it might be because the mechanic didn’t get to it today. Fingers crossed, indeed! Thanks, Barbara.
Claudia, how weird about the post with only 1 comment!! And those were such lovely photos of the cottage! I was charmed by the coat rack and actually I like the hap-hazard wall paper–it seemed like something a busy family might do when they are eager to start using the house. Maybe some of us were hypnotized by all the videos of lawyers and congresspeople saying one thing 30 years ago and saying the opposite now to serve a new master. I do find that fascinating. I have less and less respect for our “justice” system the longer I live. If anything, the ability to have the proceedings televised only convinces me how a law background teaches one to twist the “facts” any old way. And one of the facts that is pestering me especially is that the set-righteous doo-doo head Devin Nunes is implicated up to his nipples in this whole mess is now having to try to dig himself out of a hole. My head is spinning. It’s kinda like watching a political version of the Exorcist, lots of foul language, barf, and invoking of spirits. And I keep coming back to the reality that these are the people running our country. Sometimes it takes my breath away. Anyway, that’s what was on my mind this weekend as two of my friends went to DC for a march that hardly anyone paid attention to and we “celebrated” the life of MLK, whatever that means since we have achieved so little or lost whatever ground was gained after his life. Whoops! I’m off my meds again. I hope there’s good news on the trusty CRV. I love mine especially in the winters.
I completely agree, Nora. I’m just devastated by what is happening. You’ve said it beautifully. What has happened to this country?
Thank you, Nora!
I got so wound up I notice I made several typos and word errors! LOL. But thanks for understanding. Quiet desperation apparently is not my forte. I would feel better if I started acting on the Soulful Simplicity course online that I invested in last month. It just started a week ago and I’m already behind on my homework…
It’s hard not to lose it with the assault on everything we hold dear, Nora. I understand!
Thanks for saying Grace and Frankie is back. I need to review the last two episodes again before I watch the new but now I have something fun in case I get overloaded watching impeachment proceedings. I hope it’s a good season, since it’s the last.
Lovely photos — pretty snow. Cold as all get out here, too. Even with the heat up I’m cold!
This is season 6 and there’s going to be one more season after this one – that will be the final season, Jeanie. I just looked it up. Thank you!
I guess I don’t often have anything interesting to say. I read every post!
I love Grace and Frankie and I will miss them after I watch the last season. It is my insomnia go to entertainment. Luckily I haven’t had much insomnia so I haven’t watched the new season.
Keep warm. Looks like an easy winter so far.
Thank you, Kay!