I have spilled water at least 4 times this week. I’m distracted and stressed by worries and the state of our country and the world. It’s time to nest in my home with my husband and shut the rest of the world out. As Don and I say quite often “I give up.” In our parlance, that means: I let go, I realize I have no control over anything or anyone. I’m surrendering.”
We have to remind ourselves of this on a daily basis.
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Let’s visit Dove Cottage for the holidays. As always, there are some holiday touches, but the cottage is tiny, so the decorations are kept to a minimum.
The tree is up and decorated. Some presents are already under the tree .
A little bottlebrush tree on the table.
A cheery kitchen with cookies baking in the Aga.
A cup sits waiting for some strong, hot tea.
On my Blythe IG feed, my friend Dani started a Christmas Prompt Challenge. There is a list of words to choose from, and when it’s your turn, you are assigned a word and have to compose a photo. Then you tag the next person up with a new word. Mine is today and the word is “Reindeer.”
This is my photo:
My caption: “She loved the reindeer so much that she would sit in the snow for hours just to be with them.”
Oh, that adorable Pippa! And those adorable reindeers from Target.
Frankly, I should have a tree up all year long because taking pictures with those lights in the background is the best!
Today, I’m laying low and working on my puzzle. I have to pick up Bel Canto from the library, but that’s about it. It’s Protect Your Mental Health Day here at the cottage.
Happy Birthday (yesterday) to my cousin Eileen, who reads this blog. I love you dearly.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
Eileen+Bunn says
Thank you for the birthday wish, I had a great day. We went to the yarn store, an art gallery, and a bookstore and then went out to eat in Ludington. Couldn’t have asked for a better time.
Love you,
Eileen
kathy in iowa says
happy belated birthday, eileen! glad you had a great day. :) and may it be the start of a wonderful year ahead for you.
going to yarn and book stores and an art gallery are high on my list of favorite ways to spend time and money!
stay safe.
kathy
Claudia says
It sounds like heaven, Eileen!
LOVE YOU.
Stay safe.
Ellen D. says
I am glad you mentioned those deer at Target in one of your earlier posts. I bought a variety for my brunch friends and added the tag – Friends are “deer” to me! They loved them! Enjoy your quiet time with Don this week!
Claudia says
Oh, that’s sweet, Ellen.
Stay safe.
kaye says
I loved “Bel Canto”. I received a notice from my library that I can pick up “Tom Lake.” So happy, a good book for the holidays!
I too worry about this country and the world for that matter. Heart breaking and helpless feeling.
Take Care,
Kaye
Claudia says
Very helpless!
Stay safe, Kaye.
kathy in iowa says
though you’ve done a great job with all of the dollhouses, i think dove cottage is my favorite … the patterned sofa and wallpapers, the furniture/room arrangements, the studio and bedroom furnishings upstairs, the arched door … all so lovely and cosy!
your answer to the Christmas prompt challenge is adorable.
glad you will spend more time doing things you love, that bring enjoyment, relaxation, a break from troubles of the world. here’s to “pymhd” being every day … and to the world and everyone and everything in it getting better.
after five hours late yesterday full of errands (at six or seven places) and especially shopping for groceries and household supplies in very crowded, very messy stores, i took a long shower, slept well and am giving myself a slow start today. pymhd here, too.
hope you, don and everyone else have a nice, easy day. stay safe.
kathy
Claudia says
Thanks, Kathy.
Stay safe.
Barrie says
It’s so fun seeing all the details you add to your cottages, especially now with all the Christmas touches! The deer from Target are darling. I tried to order Tom Lake at our library, but the wait list was too long… I’ll have to try again after the holidays. Happy, calm Friday…
Claudia says
I was on the waiting list for 2 months! It was worth it.
Thanks, Barrie.
Stay safe.
Vicki says
Pippa is precious; just the sweetest photo, Claudia. I saw those deer and wish now that I’d bought some. And Dove Cottage is divine; always. Such a treat. The detail is amazing.
Claudia says
They’re actually very nice quality! I have a little gray one, too.
Stay safe, Vicki.
Wendy T says
You deserve your nesting time, Claudia. Protect your brain and your heart. Love the photo of Pippa with the reindeer. If only we could all stay out in the snow and just play and get along.
Claudia says
Wouldn’t that be lovely?
Thanks, Wendy.
Stay safe.
Linda MacKean says
I’m enjoying the miniature Christmas decor. Pippa and the Reindeer is such an adorable photo. I’m feeling much better and think I’m well on my way to kicking this Covid episode to the curb. Still needing lots of rest but reading and some fun tv has been a good way to spend the last few days.
Claudia says
So glad you’re recovering, Linda!
Stay safe.
Denise says
I so understand your need to hunker down in your space. I am so, so grateful that I live on 20 acres of bush, 50 kilometres from the closest town, on the island state at the bottom of Australia (Tasmania). I am safe, in a comfortable, snug house, far from the awful events happening everywhere. I know they are going on, and I despair, but I can look out the window and see wildlife, trees, wildflowers and feel blessed.
Claudia says
That helps a lot. I’m a bit too close to the action here in the States, but our house and the property make a lovely retreat.
Stay safe, Denise.
Elaine in Toronto says
Dove Cottage is indeed very festive and Pippa amongst her reindeer is so sweet. Hope you’re enjoying your mental health day. Hugs, Elaine
Claudia says
Thank you, Elaine!
Stay safe.
Kay in SE WI says
That is a dear picture (pun intended) of Pippa under your tree. I always do want the tree down not long after Christmas Day but I keep fairy lights aglow around the house up until the days are long enough I’m not sitting around depressed because it’s dark by 4:30.
I’m a worrier, something I inherited from Mom. You’re right you have to tell yourself there are simply things that are beyond your control and just shut it all out. Took me years to figure that out. I don’t think Mom ever did.
Take care of yourself.
Kay
Claudia says
I am a real worrier. I can’t keep going that way. So I retreat and let go.
Thanks, Kay.
Stay safe.
Donnamae says
After a long day of dealing with tedious little things, cleaning, and laundry, I finally managed to finish reading your post. Pippin is darling.
Dove cottage looks lovely. It’s so cozy…. I just want to curl up in that reading chair and gaze at that tree. It’s perfect.
I like your ‘Protect Your Mental Health Day’. I’ve been very short tempered the last couple of days…and I seem to be unable to do small things that just weeks ago were no problem. I don’t know what’s wrong. My husband thinks the world has ‘gotten to me’, and I think he’s right. So….as creator of PYMHP day, I ask your permission to string a bunch of days together, into a full week. Anybody with me?? ;)
Donnamae says
Oops! That should be Pippa! ;)
Claudia says
xo
Claudia says
I am most definitely with you, Donnamae!
I completely understand that frustration and my husband said much the same to me.
Happy PYMHP week!
Stay safe.
Roxie says
A little Dove Cottage is good for the soul. I could move right in and be happy. I agree, the world is a troublesome puzzle right now. Hunkering is my modus operandi currently since my life needs a little calm, but I hope to gear up and make some good trouble in 2024. God willing and the creek don’t rise!
jeanie says
Dove Cottage is so beautiful at the holidays! (And any day!) I so appreciate all the detail. Who needs LOADS of decorations when what you have is so perfect, so lovely.
And I am also adoring Pippa and the reindeer. I’m so glad you told me about those — I added a few to my woodland tree and the winterscape underneath it.
I’ve been having a hard week — 30th anniversary of Dad’s death, which always hits hard; Christmas crazies, running out of time and then the whole world situation. I think you’re wise to turn it all off. I have trouble doing that but find I am better if I do as well.
Hang in there this week!