I’m moving slowly this morning. A whirlwind of mowing occurred yesterday, more than I had anticipated. We have 5 days of rain and thunderstorms starting today (enough already!) so I knew I had to initiate countermeasures. In other words, mow a lot of grass. When I saw how long the grass in the back forty had grown, I added that to the list. The only section of lawn that wasn’t mowed yesterday was what we call “the lilac side of the lawn.” It doesn’t grow as quickly and I figured I’d let it go for a few days.
But I am definitely dragging my tail this morning. Definitely. Tired. Brain fuzzy. Achy muscles.
I’ve never had a better patch of zinnias than this year’s. I’d put it down to the rain, and that helps, of course, but they were growing strong and tall when we were in that dry spell. I’m so happy about that because I love my zinnias.
A late summer blessing.
We watched Amelie for three nights running. We’re crazy that way.
More around the house close-ups.
That green vase in the Ixia pattern might be my favorite piece of Roseville. It’s got everything; a soft green color, beautiful flowers, and art deco style handles. What’s not to love?
I have to go make our second cup of coffee. Don makes the first. I make the second.
Looks like it will be a lazy weekend and I’m fine with that.
Happy Saturday.
The Scottie bookend is adorable! How did I never notice it before?
Glad you are having a lazy weekend.
Thank you, Debbie!
I just read about a movie you and Don might enjoy. It is The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit. It stars Gregory Peck. The book is written by Sloan Wilson. Not sure if it is one that is on TMC. I am going to try and find the book and movie at my library. Hope you can find it!
I’ve seen it, Debbie. It’s a good movie and it stars my favorite, Gregory Peck!
Too funny – I was just reading another blog where someone was mentioning this book and movie!
I was, too!! It is a small world!
My eye went straight to the Scotty, as well! But that blue vase is sooo pretty!
I watched Victoria and Abdul last night, one I had been meaning to watch since it came out. Judy Dench is perfect, as always. And though it won’t go down as an alltime favorite, it was enjoyable and an interesting story. One wonders how much of it is true. Loved how she calls everyone “racialists”.
Your zinnias are really a great spot of color. Enjoy your lazy weekend in your beautifully manicured yard. (You could come by here and be entertained by the song of cement mixers and pounding and yelling…oh, well. The season is short and Mr. Wizard has a bee in his bonnet.
We watched that movie about a week ago and really enjoyed it.
Oh, that Mr. Wizard!
Claudia, My eyes went straight to the National Geographic book, Walking London. I’m going to look it up. We did a couple of walks while we were in London last month…through Kensington Garden and in Notting Hill. I want to do more neighborhood walks next time I visit. London is my favorite international “big city”, not counting my hometown of San Francisco.
I love London!
I love your Roseville vase, so very pretty. I’m glad you got that mowing done but if you are like me it then takes a few days to recuperate! I’ve got the Grands today and we will then go over to their house for dinner. We are watching the Indian In The Cupboard and the kids are enjoying it very much as am I!!
Especially when I do almost the entire property in one day! I definitely need to recover today.
Love that you’re spending the day with the Grands!
You’ve got a bumper crop of zinnias growing there…gorgeous. Enjoy your lazy weekend! ;)
I will. You too, Donnamae!
It’s hard to do all that yard work when you’re already not feeling up to snuff.
I will state again, I HAVE RAIN ENVY.
You’ve collected gorgeous pieces of Roseville. Ours aren’t nearly so pretty and feminine.
I know. How I wish you would get some rain out there!
I just stumbled onto something. Sometimes I feel like I’m the last to know. Do you remember Corningware bakers and stovetop ware from our youth? Mother was partial to the blue cornflower pattern. Instant memories of childhood and her in the kitchen. The manufacturer has brought back 28 pieces of blue cornflower to celebrate their 60th anniversary. It’ll be available to or thru 2019, can’t remember what I read. (Maybe if I spent some times in the retail stores, I’d have seen this already but is also available to purchase on their site.) I think I’m gonna go crazy, although I have several pieces of the vintage stuff. It just lasts forever. I’ve picked up some excellent pieces secondhand; spotless. But some home cooks could really ruin them with knifemarks or I guess super-hard stirring (or overheating, although Corningware can take a lot of abuse). Always a problem were the clear-glass lids which could get chipped but, wow, am I feeling nostalgic. I’ve become a very sentimental boomer. Frequently have my head in my childhood past, probably craving simpler times, or what I perceive as such. Totally missing my mother’s cooking; what she cooked for us in the 50s & 60s. Trying to research of a lot of those recipes; amazing amount of this stuff on the web. (The Blue Cornflower pattern was from 1958, obviously.)
Yes, my mom used that corning ware. Though I’m pretty nostalgic about all those things, for some reason, I’m not nostalgic about corning ware! Hope you get some!
Well, I think I may be like you in that I don’t cook much…my husband is the cook in our family…but the Corningware is really handy for a lot of things; don’t laugh, but sometimes I’ll use one as a salad bowl or for popcorn. We had the blue cornflower teapot, too, which was always on the back of the stovetop with heated water so Mom could have her tea (or to make jello!). I’ve decided to possibly get their offering of some Corningware Blue Cornflower mixing bowls and I love the Pyrex lidded bowl they’re featuring. It’ll go with the other six or seven I have which are diff colors.
Did you grow up in a house that used Rennet tablets? I was recalling that recently (barely can remember it). I think Mom would make a mild custard from them which was really good when you needed to reintroduce food to the tummy after being sick. I knew in my mind that today, for me, Rennet isn’t good because of its source as an animal product (I can’t be a party to it now). But, gosh, people’s memories online about Rennet from the 1940s, 50s, 60s are something! And the company still sells the tablets and “Junket Danish Dessert” which I don’t remember ever having as a kid but it seems I missed out! The company is in Little Falls NY. I’ve since learned I can get a vegetable rennet tablet should I be sentimentally inclined! I guess many boomers recall Junket/rennet tablets for making homemade ice cream and even cheese. I also deplore grocery shopping (like cooking) so, for all I know, rennet is readily available in my local grocery store. Anyway, it’s fun hearing recollections of fave foods and meals from other people my age/my era; the website for Junket in NY prints a lot of those personal remembrances. Lots of childhood memories.
We didn’t use Rennet tablets, thank goodness! I’ve never heard of them until now.
Claudia you have such pretty items in your home. Enjoy the week end.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn. You too!
Yesterday we were out and about all day for my birthday, but today has been a quiet day. Though Brian worked very hard in the yard today, trimming a tree hanging too close to our roof and digging up a ton of pachysandra (that stuff has strong roots!) that had overgrown onto our stone paver walkway going to the patio. I did some laundry and light cleaning, but that’s about it.
Our little town is having its annual weekend fest and tonight is the fireworks over the lake, which I actually dread. Our town turns into an overcrowded, crazy, drunken, noisy place and the cats are incredibly petrified by the fireworks. We have to put them in the basement with the AC set to on (background noise) plus a box fan set on high. Even still, the whole house shakes and booms since the fireworks are only a few blocks away. Monkey hides under furniture in the basement all night.
I watched Amelie a few nights ago and wasn’t sure what to think about it. There were some parts where I laughed, but otherwise, the movie was a little strange (but interesting!). I think I need to watch it again to try and understand it.
You should watch it again. Pay attention to the set design, the use of the color green, the magical elements. xo
OK!
More rain coming here too Claudia!…I also love your Zinnias…like many color jewels in the garden!…I had so hoped to have my own this year…You and Don have a good arrangement there for your morning coffee!
We do! Thank you, Nancy!
Just curious, does your husband not help with the yard work? Your yard is beautiful and I know that you enjoy it but it must be exhausting to do on your own. Take care of yourself in this hot, muggy weather.
He usually does, but his knees and legs were in great pain during his time with the show, dancing, running up and down several flights of steps during the course of a show – eight days a week – and living in a 4th Floor walk up. I care about him and his health, so I would rather do it all right now. My knees are fine. He needs time to heal.
ugg,I have had hip and knee replacement so I know how painful stairs can be. You are a good and kind wife and I hope he feels better soon and that you take it a little easier. I know that is hard to do for some people but the weeds and grass will still be there tomorrow.
Lately, I have to mow when it stops raining and I only have a small window of opportunity before it starts to rain again.