The past week has been a roller coaster of crazy. We realized that yesterday as we navigated NYC (for me, the second time this week) and couldn’t wait to get back home again. I don’t think we really grasped how exhausted we were until we started to watch Rachel Maddow – given the events of the day, we had said repeatedly, “We have to watch Rachel tonight.” – and we fell asleep within the first few minutes of the show.
The storm, the delay in getting our oil delivered, hacking away for hours to try to shovel the ice and snow, winds, winds, and more winds, running out of propane because of a missed delivery, waiting that out, running into Manhattan to work on Anastasia, torrential rains which caused more ice when the temperatures plummeted, running back into the city yesterday, the crap going on daily in Washington, DC…we’re beyond tuckered out.
I can imagine nothing more wonderful than staying put all weekend. And that is exactly what I’ll be doing, save for a trip to the library to return an overdue book.
It was very windy and cold in the city yesterday, the kind of wind you had to walk against. Luckily, we met up after our individual chores were finished and managed to catch an earlier bus home. Our little cottage never looked more welcoming.
In the city, I wandered around for a bit after I picked up my ring, heading toward the bookstore and then, just a few blocks away, Rockefeller Center, where I watched the ice skaters and stopped in at FAO Schwartz. I though I might find some miniatures. I did see all sorts of delightful toys – it’s really magical there – but when my eyes lit on a little display from Maileg, I was a happy camper. Maileg is a Danish company that makes the most magical toys for children (and adults). I’ve long been a fan. The display had a little house for mice that was enchanting. There were little mice in tins and boxes, ballerinas, all sorts of wonderful creations. Everything is so whimsical and beautifully made.
I am, as you know, a kid at heart, so I had to get this. I’ll unveil it for you.
Could this be any more adorable? Every design is utterly charming.
No, Claudia, you absolutely cannot collect all of them!
The lighting in the display niche wasn’t the best for photos, but here is the mouse house.
One side.
The other side.
If you think I wasn’t tempted, you don’t know me!
I’m still thinking about it. And that’s never a good sign.
Today, reading. I’m almost finished with my book from John Sandoe. I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.
Happy Saturday.
Happy to hear you are home and resting this weekend. Very busy week for you. I did test positive for MRSA but the antibiotics seem to be doing their job. I am however exhausted all the time and with the pulled back it hasn’t been my best week. I LOVE Maileg toys. I have a small collection of the pixies! They appeal to my Norwegian heritage. I do have a brother and sister mouse also. Their designs are adorable. I usually try to buy things on sale from their website since there isn’t a store near me. Back to resting today. You take care also.
I have at least one of the pixies. I think everything they make is so charming!
Adorable is right! When I see things like this my mind goes to making one rather than buying one. But I hate to borrow ideas, so I just hate myself for not thinking of it first! Twisted, I know. So now I’m occupying my brain by inventing reasons not to go down to my studio and continue working on bar stool cushion covers. Happy Leisurely Weekend to you!
Thank you, Shanna!
oh the Mailegs are precious! The best thing about being over 60 is that I can indulge my whimsy and not care a bit what anyone else thinks.
Exactly!
You can easily make the house for your new Maileg friend, Claudia! And probably more cute than the one commercially available. I love the Maileg toys too. Little quilts, little pillows, little beds in matchboxes and soft fabric cradles, little clothes! Have a relaxing and rejuvenating weekend. I’m halfway through my first (!) Louise Penny…she got me hooked as a fan before i finished the first chapter. Thanks for writing so much about how much you love her books! I’m starting with Still Life and will read them in order, whereas my daughter just plunged right in with Glass Housees. I think she’s thinking about starting them in order too. Even though the plots are stand alone, i enjoy the character development through the series.
I don’t think I want to make the house. I was really taken by their design. But even so, I won’t get it. I don’t have room.
So glad you’re enjoying Louise Penny!
I am not a fan of mice, but it just kept getting more charming with each picture you unveiled. Absolutely adorable and I cannot imagine not acquiring more.
I imagine I will buy a few more over time, Susan!
the mice might be too sweet for words … I am utterly smitten by the one in the tub wearing a shower cap – just yesterday I was looking at knitting patterns for a set of Dickensonian-styled mouse carol singers, and I barely resisted purchasing them … I think that firm (HA!) decision might have just gone right out the window- I think I need mice!!
stay warm and enjoy your books-
barb
Isn’t that little mouse adorable? Thanks, Barb!
Claudia! You are such a wonderfully bad influence on me. I will be searching Maileg online all the time now. If I have to have a mouse in the house I would just as soon it be of that type.
As our friend Linda says, I’m an enabler! Enjoy, Trudy!
The Mice!!
You have to do it. It’s so you & so adorable.
I’m in love. :)
Enjoy your weekend,
Monica
Aren’t they just the best?!?
The mice…your mouse is adorable! I can see why you were smitten. It’s a tad chilly here today…major snow coming Sunday night into Monday…then the real shivers start. A -55 wind chill starting Tuesday. Oh joy joy!
I was going to finally put our electric blanket on the bed…but it isn’t working. So, off to the store we go. Enjoy your relaxing day! ;)
I can’t believe the wind chill you guys are dealing with! Stay INDOORS!
Enjoy your mouse house . Have a great and relaxing weekend.
Marilyn
I will, thank you, Marilyn!
oh Claudia……..I did it two days before Christmas when I came upon the mouse house.The mice are thrilled and so am I! Well worth the delight over and over again. Take a deep breath and do it! (Then go looking for the Princess and the Pea……..holy cow) I am 68. No excuses.
But where would I put it?? I already have 5 dollhouses! And we live in a tiny cottage!
I’ve seen the Princess and the Pea and I’m in love!
Claudia, you find the cutest of the cute! Glad you both made it home safely and hope Don’s audition went well. I don’t get to watch Rachael on tv, so I listen to her podcast. She did a great podcast recently on spiro agnew that was awesome.
I’ve heard about that one – Bag Man – but I have yet to listen to it. It’s on my list!
So cute! Just how big is she? Can’t tell from the photos.
The matchbox is about 6 inches long, Nancy. So, the house is probably 5 inches?
nice you got the ring and could catch an earlier bus home after busy days and fighting that wind.
betta bra, men hemma bast (or something close to that) … “away is good, but home is best”. yep!
the maileg mice are sure sweet. how big are they? if you don’t want to buy a maileg house, would one of your doll houses work for your mouse/future mice?
hope don’s audition results in a great new job for him. and that you both enjoy the rest of your weekend.
kathy in iowa
I wouldn’t use any of my dollhouses for the mice. They’re for miniatures that are in scale and accurate reproductions. It would have to be something whimsical and inexpensive that wasn’t a to-scale dollhouse. Thanks, Kathy.
Hope you enjoyed a nice restful Saturday! We had a daylong choir workshop…..and are learning to sing in all sorts of different languages including Zulu! It’s one movement of a beautiful piece called Jubilate Deo. Have a happy Sunday!
Sounds wonderful, Judy! How cool!
I should think two trips in one week into the big city would wear anyone out. Plus all the shenanigans in the White House are exhausting as well.
I thought I was the only one with no small children who still walks slowly through toy departments. I didn’t indulge until now. I’m in my sixties and don’t care anymore. Life’s too short. My favorite thing was when I bought the Beatles Yellow Submarine lego set, put it together, and now it sits on my bookshelf. I used to love to play Legos with my sons and was quite proud of myself for remembering how to follow the plan and snap those pieces together. Anyway, I love your little mouse and I’ll bet she’ll make you smile every time you open that adorable box.
Exactly, I don’t care anymore, either!
Gosh – that Yellow Submarine lego set might be perfect for Don! I wonder if they’re still making it?
I saw it on Amazon. However, I did not pay what they’re selling it for. I found it in, of all places, Barnes & Noble back when my oldest son was working there so got his employee discount.
Well i thought i’d take a quick look as i am late to bed……and ! have to quickly say ,
these little mice are adorable! I love them and will be back to look again! So sweet!!!!
They are so, so darling!
Adorable. :-)
Yes, indeed!
What sweet little mice!…I don’t doubt that the two of you are exhausted after this past week…here’s hoping for a better week to come although it looks like it’s going to be a freezing one!
It’s cold, that’s for sure. But not much, if any, snow on the horizon – maybe an inch or less.
These last few years the weather has really taken it out of me, and I don’t have to shovel like you and Don do, not to mention travel and navigate NYC. Glad you are taking it easy this weekend. I love your little Mouse girl!! My aunt used to make us tiny babies in match box “beds”–I wish I’d kept one, but we played them pieces. Aunt Lucia was a skilled seamstress and made us clothing as well as Raggedy Annie and Betsy McCall dolls. Did I miss your Mouse girl’s name? The line is charming and clearly a kid would wreck it in minutes so it must be “for all ages”. XO. By the way, my IG site is lousy, but if instead you do a search for piano restoration (and bookstores from around the world), you’ll be entertained for hours. Perfect for a pjs all day day.
I haven’t named her yet, Nora! I’ll have to think about that. Thanks!
Claudia! You need to contact Maileg and show them how you unveiled that mouse. I had “big sister” on her way to me for my granddaughters birthday before I was even done reading and “little sister” will be along for granddaughter no.2. The house will be put away for next Christmas. Thank you thank you!! I love that the house is not plastic and while these toys aren’t inexpensive, to me it’s a far better value than the buckets of cheap disposables advertisers shove at us all. I can’t wait for the mail!!!
I did tag them on the post, so hopefully, they’ll see it.
Yay for you! So glad you ordered some! The mouse are beautifully made and stitched and I love that the toys tug at the imagination and generate old-fashioned play.
Oh, it’s just like Stuart Little’s bed! I would have been in seventh heaven! I know what you mean about toy stores. You probably didn’t see it but last week wrote about Pollock’s Toy Museum in London and their marvelous collections. I could have stayed there for hours on end. (And I went nuts in the gift shop!)
I’m glad your horrible week is over and hope it’s the last one you have like that for a very long while!
I’ll go look at that post, Jeanie. I won’t be able to comment because it’s been impossible for me to comment on Blogger blogs for a while now. Thanks!
Hi Claudia,
Hope all is well. Since you are so wonderful about posting nearly every day, it’s unsettling when you don’t post for a couple of days. I’m praying you and Don are okay.
Oh! I’m so glad I found your blog. I too love miniatures, especially cute little mice. My latest purchase is Myfanwy – a dear little mouse in Weldh costume.
I’m a GREAT fan of Jill Barklem’s Brambly Hedge mice.
After reading this post, I know I’m not the only adult (almost 60) who loves cute, little toy creatures and their homes!
Kay
Love that mouse!
oh Claudia! I don’t even know if I’m too late for you to see this.
I haven’t been able to connect to the network in well over a week.
there’s a blog I follow that is simply enchanting! she’s an artist and author of children’s books.
her name is Maggie Rudy. she does everything in miniature you just MUST SEE it to believe!!!
just put Mouses Houses in google. it may be blog or blogspot. you won’t be disappointed!
I hope you’re well now from your flu bug. be careful in the cold! xoxo
Well, fellow child, I think that childhood is the best place to be. Sure we have adult responsibilities, but once they are addressed, it’s back to the world of innocence and joy for me! This was a darling post, and you certainly put a smile on my face!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley