Two days, two day trips. That’s a big deal for homebodies like us. We took off again yesterday in search of chairs. Gosh darn it, we didn’t find even one! But we had fun. We drove across the river again, this time to Hyde Park (home of FDR) to visit one of our favorite antique shops.
I always see lots and lots of treasures there. I find I am much less inclined than I used to be to bring something home unless I know I have room to display it or simply cannot imagine existing without it. That narrows the list of possibilities down quite effectively.
This volume (with the green cover) came home with me because I do have room to display it. I collect books by the American poet Edgar Guest. You can see a few others to the left of my new find. Edgar Guest was not only a very popular poet, he was my dad’s godfather and a friend to our family. He and his son Bud Guest were well-loved Detroiters. I don’t often find his books, so when I find one in good condition, I grab it.
Heap O’Livin was part of the opening line of his more well known poems – Home. You might remember that I found a framed version of it about a year ago.
I wrote a post called Collecting Edgar Guest that you might be interested in. It gives more background information on Mr. Guest. I wish I’d been lucky enough to know him.
As the chair search continued, we moved on to another shop in Hyde Park and then drove up to Rhinebeck, one of my favorite towns in the Hudson Valley. It was very cold outside and we were hungry, so we grabbed a couple of slices of pizza, then proceeded on to another favorite antique center. No chairs. But there was a Maxfield Parrish original print that I want very badly. One of my first posts ever on this blog was about Maxfield Parrish and how much I love his work. I’ve wanted an original print for years but have never been able to purchase one. It was never the right time. This antique shop had three of them. I thought about putting the one that won my heart on layaway. But I decided to walk away and, if it still calls to me after a couple of days, I’ll go back.
Oh, it was gorgeous! And just the right size for a cottage that already has a lot of treasures hanging on its walls and very little available wall space.
For the second day in a row, we were treated to a simply spectacular sunset as we drove home. This one was amazing. Don stopped the car on the side of the road so I could take a photo.
From the moving car.
After we stopped. The sky looked like it was on fire. Incredible.
Here we are at the end of another year – years which seem to be slipping by all too quickly. We have no plans tonight other than to toast the New Year with some Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider. I seriously doubt whether I’ll be able to make it to midnight.
Be safe as you celebrate, my friends. See you in 2015.
Happy Wednesday.
I think 2015 is supposed to be the year of the ram/sheep/goat. For me, it is going to be the year of change. Live-changing sort of change.
Thank you for all the inspiration and adventures of 2014.
I wish you and your family and all your readers health and happiness for the coming year and always.
The same to you and yours, Barbara! Here’s to a new year filled with blessings!
Claudia, I love your pictures of the sunset…you know I am crazy for those kinds of pictures. I think that is wonderful, at least to have found a book by someone you admire. It is good to read about you and Don getting to enjoy life together…so often you are apart for your careers. I am coming back later to read your post on Mr Guest. Blessings for your New Year.. I will ring in with Emma about 10:00 at the latest. xoxo,Susie
Happy New Year, Susie! Here’s to the best possible year in 2015!
Those chairs will turn up. In the meantime keep enjoying the hunt. I love that you found a book and those sunsets are beautiful! We usually stay home on New Year’s Eve and like you will probably be in bed before midnight. Happy New Year to you and Don!
Happy New Year to you and yours, Claudia!
Claudia,
I bet these past two outings have been the best two days in a long, long time. The freedom to go hither and yonder, find a treasure or two and then return to your cozy cottage to relax with Scout, heavenly. My husband and I do this frequently and I always feel this is better than a vacation. Just the two of us, no pressures, no schedules, just adventure.
My husband and I remember Bub Guest from WJR radio. Our parents listened to him all the time. Now the only radio station that’s worth listening to is NPR. The “smut” kids listen to today would make our parents “hair curl”.
My you and your family enjoy a happy, safe and prosperous New Year.
Best Wishes,
Vanessa
Don said it felt like being on vacation, Vanessa.
I can still hear Bud Guest’s voice in my head. It made a deep impression on me. What a wonderful guy he was, raised by a wonderful father!
Happy New Year to you and yours!
Enjoy the hunt! You’ll find the perfect chairs. Happy New Year.
Yes, patience is the key. Happy New Year to you, Wendy!
Claudia, in my very crowded home I too am only bringing in things I love and have a place for or will make a place for (meaning something I don’t love as much will go). It’s been a very strange 2014 for me, but 2015 looks to be a wonderful year. Love the sunsets! The one’s in Aruba were gorgeous as we watched the sun sink into the sea! Today I’m taking Mom to the store, stopping for a short visit with Tiger and home to enjoy the evening with Charlie and a book!
hugs,
Linda
Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve, Linda. Happy New Year!
We, too, will be home this evening. The prices, the crowds, the people drinking and then driving home makes me crazy,,,,,,,, and we are usually snoring before 10:30 anyway! It is unbelievably cold here today ~ -25 wind chills. But, to be in the 30’s again by the weeks end. One or two days at at time I can do. Esp since there is not a flake of snow to be found ~ and THAT makes me a very happy person! Hope you have a great day!!!
No snow here either, Chris, and none on the horizon for the next week. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop! Happy New Year to you and yours!
Le deseo lo mejor para este año que va a comenzar . Feliz 2015 !
Besos.
Adelina
PD. Esa puesta de sol es expléndida !
Feliz 2015, Adelina!
Sorry , espléndida !
xoxo
I’ve enjoyed your recent “staycation” posts, Claudia, especially the one about taking Scout to a new location for a walk. Or a prance, as the case may be. She looks so happy in your recent photographs of her. I love the one of her relaxing next to the Christmas tree. Pets, especially at Christmas, remind us of our true blessings.
The best thing about staycations is being able to sleep in your OWN bed at the end of the day.
She’s a little tired today and she had an upset stomach during the night. I sometimes think it’s harder for her to deal with us both being away for several hours. She’s needier. That’s okay. We just have to be aware of spacing out the days where we have to be away.
Happy New Year! I have also become more selective about what I buy for our home. We have a small house and have everything we need. One of my goals for 2015 is to donate something to Goodwill every month – clothes, household goods and decorating items – especially Christmas stuff. Cheers to a bright and contented 2015!
I’m purging and donating after the first of January, Ellen. I seem to do that every year and it feels good. Happy New Year!
Have a wonderful homey New Year’s Eve with Don, Scoutie and that cider! I’ve become a big fan of sparkling drinks in the last few years. Love to mix plain sparkling water with just about any fruit juice. It’s like having a cocktail – just with far fewer calories and no “buzz” [which has never been something I was looking for anyway]. Doubtful about getting to midnight myself – I try every year but usually don’t make it. My Dad always said New Year’s Eve was “amateur night” anyway – all the smart people are home enjoying themselves with no worries… Enjoy your day [and evening too]!
Neither of us drink alcohol, so sparkling cider is the way to go for us! I really like the taste of it. Have a wonderful evening, Janet!
Sounds like a fun day…even if you didn’t find chairs! We are staying in as well…kids going out to a party….we are the “homesters” I guess. Will most likely grab a glass of something as close to midnight as we possibly can stay up for…I’m thinking more like 11:00 pm! Have a wonderful Eve…hope 2015 is everything you want it to be! Happy New Year! ;)
Happy New Year to you and yours, Donna! New Year’s Eve has never been a big deal for me, so staying home sounds just fine!
what a wonderful time! I bet Hyde Park is charming to visit- and the history must be interesting too. I watched The Roosevelt’s in the fall- ( I think Ken Burns/PBS ) it was good programming!
We’re staying in and heading to my daughters tomorrow for our family gathering. Such fun!
Happy new year to you, Don, and Scout! 2015 HERE WE COME!
Do you believe that we’ve never toured the historic home of FDR? I told Don that we have to remedy that ASAP! Happy New Year, Pat!
Happy New Year to you and Don! May it bring you joy and peace.
Happiest of New Years ever to you, Teresa!
We’re not going anywhere either; had enough of that when we were younger (the craziness of New Year’s Eve) although it doesn’t mean we won’t pucker up at midnight (yeah, if we make it with eyes still open by then, ’cause our day has already been going strong since 5am today…like, who could sleep, with the frigid wind ferocious and absolutely HOWLING, relentlessly, all night long…if this keeps up, the Rose Parade floats are gonna blow to bits, or topple over). Thing is, too, we have a dog…big shepherd girl…terrified of fireworks…and I live in town where there are plenty of illegal celebrations (fireworks not allowed here). We have to be here to reassure her; she’s so skittish. I left another dog…a spaniel…one time years ago, only for about 15 minutes to run a quick errand and, during ensuing big cracks of thunder, she actually put her head through a soft-core interior door, she was so frantic…I’d had no idea because we’d never heretofore lived where there were storms like that, but this was the Gulf Coast. Thunder and lightning, fireworks…hard on some animals, for sure. Mother would actually have to wrap her terrier mix in a large blanket to cover the dog’s head completely or the dog would froth at the mouth at the sound of pyrotechnics.
So dreamy to hear of going to places like Hyde Park and, yes, I’ve heard of Rhinebeck; love all the photos as I said before. It’s so great the weather is cooperating so that you can enjoy some end-of-season/holiday day (or half-day) trips out in the car; you were so snowed in last year.
I don’t know of Mr. Guest. It’s great to learn new things like this every day, so thanks! And I have only a vague knowledge of Mr. Parrish so I’m going to now google him and learn more.
I will say this about art, because I’m an amateur collector like so many of us are who just love to fill our homes with it and/or appreciate the amazing amount of talent out there, if it speaks to you fairly loudly, you better go back and get it or it will haunt you! I will never forget, oh gosh some 35 years ago when I was a very-young adult, returning from a budget trip to Europe which I paid for myself with my hard-earned but meager salary, seeing a painting displayed in a Sunday Art Walk (informal sidewalk gallery back home in SoCal) of a Swiss Alpine scene…with, literally, blue nuns, almost like Sound of Music…and, I’m not a mountain girl but instead a beach girl, yet this painting in those years just followed me like a magnet, begging me to snap it up. The ‘sticker price’ was more than I could afford (it was a large painting, an original oil) but I couldn’t get it out of my head…I had JUST been to Switzerland and it was like a photo memory, meant just for me! So, we went back to pick it up the next week, and that particular artist had moved on, taking his art-for-sale with him, never to be seen again, although we searched various art events in the area for months afterward, hoping to locate him. I have often…OFTEN…thought about the painting over the years, a lesson learned for me.
I know very well those sorts of situations, where you think “I’ll go back” and when you do, it’s gone. If it’s still bugging me on Friday, I’ll go back and put down a deposit.
Scout, before her hearing got bad, was absolutely terrified of thunder and fireworks. Collies apparently have very sensitive ears. There was no calming her down, so we’ve made it a habit to stay home when there might be fireworks. We still do that, even though she can’t hear them anymore. It makes me sad…
Dear Scout; on the one hand, how great the sound is dulled for her; their ears are so very sensitive. And you’re so right about the NOTHING calming them down; we’ve tried drugs to no avail…ones the veterinarian swore by! Our carbon monoxide protector began to piercingly wail/beep the other day (a malfunction) and our poor dog could NOT be consoled. She goes equally nuts if my husband is working up on the roof and she hears his heavy footsteps above her from inside the house. We have home security but can never leave it on when she’s home; if she tripped it, she’d go berserk, despite the company’s assurances she could still jump on and off the beds or sofas without setting the thing off. (She’s enough of an alarm herself, though…her size, and barking.) And, yes, we had a border collie who would go crazy even when the phone answering machine would pick up. One time, she messed with it and recorded herself; it was…awful. I couldn’t believe she didn’t pass out from her stress. Then, I had a gentle/docile rottie mix and no sounds phased him except the UPS truck.
I studied Maxfield Parrish a bit just now; of course, I then remembered seeing his most famous illustrations here and there. It was fascinating to read that his art does not translate well to ‘coffee table books’ due to the meticulous 3-d effect of his amazingly-detailed and color-saturated paintings. And how many artists have tried to copy him but he cannot be copied due to the uniqueness of his methods. He was nice-looking, wasn’t he. I read that Normal Rockwell idolized him. There’s a lot of information about him on the web; it disturbs me sometimes how clueless I am of this kind of thing but, you know, we usually become a student of what individually interests us or takes over our life at certain phases. What has won you over on the three choices at the antique store…a landscape? A nude? Something from a storybook?
It’s a print called Pierrot’s Serenade – all golden tones and very theatrical, which is why, I suppose, I like it. I also love many others, especially those that used his famous blues. I often see something lit by sunlight – usually at the end of the day – and say to Don, “That’s a Maxfield Parrish color.” He was amazing. And I am equally in love with Norman Rockwell, we have a framed print of his in the upstairs bathroom. So it makes sense that Rockwell loved him.
Okay, absolutely last comment because I’m hogging the blog…but I looked up the image and your choice is magical. That’s from 1908. The same year he painted “The Lantern Bearers” which quickly became my favorite this morning…also featuring Pierrot. And those light-filled yellows; delish. Somewhere in a bunch of stuff I’ve just read, it said he had developed his own, singular, “Parrish blue” color. I’m so glad to acquaint myself with all of this. Thanks, Claudia!
The Lantern Bearers is my all-time favorite. Some day!
Happy New Year! Thanks for another year of blogging, always enjoy your writing. Jen
Thank you, Jen! Happy New Year to you and yours!
I remember your post about Edgar Guest because I for one, love his poetry! I have a huge volume of his writing. My husband writes poetry (albeit Cowboy Poetry) and it is very similar to how Edgar Guest wrote. I love it’s simplicity and it’s application in our lives.
I want to wish you a wonderful 2015 Claudia and hope it is filled with joy for you!
many hugs from me…
Love hearing that your husband writes poetry, June! How wonderful.
Happy New Year to you and your wonderful family, June!
I’ve been treating myself this New Year’s Eve. Since I’ll be busy comforting a frightened golden retriever this evening, I enjoyed watching Dubai’s fireworks from a live stream this afternoon. Right now, I am enjoying a cup of coffee and a piece of vegan chocolate raspberry cake while catching up on your blog. An episode of Tudor Monastic Garden awaits when I finish reading while my husband is waiting on a Jules Verne movie to begin. Happy New Year and thank you for being part of my treat to myself!
That cake sounds awfully yummy, Linda! Thank you for including me in your New Year’s Eve. Happy New Year to you and yours!
How fun that you and Don had the chance to take another little day trip and that you found another Edgar Guest book. Sorry no chairs though. I’m having a hard time finding some, too! I was supposed to go to a friend’s house tonight for a small girlfriends gathering, but I’m sick. I came down with one of those full-blown nasty colds. So it’ll be just Brian and I here at home and we’ll probably order a pizza or Chinese food and watch a movie. I normally don’t go to bed until midnight anyway, but I won’t make it tonight with being sick. No biggie – just another day, right?
Oh, poo on having a cold! I’m so sorry, Melanie, but at least you can stay home with Brian and cuddle up with some yummy food.
No biggie. I won’t make it until midnight, most likely, and I’m not sick! Happy New Year!
Those sunsets are spectacular Claudia!!!!!! Wishing you, Don and Miss Scout a fabulous New Year.
Happy New Year to you, Ruta! I assume it is already New Year’s Day in Australia…enjoy!
Yes, it is. I think New Zealand is one of the first cities to bring in the New Year, then OZ is next. So many people were out and about last night enjoying the fireworks. Also lots of families. Nice to see!!!!!!!!!
I meant to say New Zealand is one of the first countries, not cities!!!!! I need another coffee!!!!!!!
You brought back a nice memory for me. A few years ago, my daughter and I went on a mother and daughter trip up the Hudson Valley. I have been to that very same antique store with my daughter, where I purchased a very beautiful silver tray for her. We made a trip to Rhinebeck and Hudson to browse the shops and have a lovely time. My daughter lives in NYC and I live very far away in Texas. Thanks for the lovely memory. Hope you have a wonderful New Year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!! to THE BEST family ever!!!!
I can’t thank you enough for your blog.
jane-in-tx
I would have loved that Preston Sturges book!