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You are here: Home / Archives for Claudia

Rearranging, Allergies, Square #19

March 19, 2010 at 8:28 am by Claudia

I can tell Spring is here by the warmer temperatures, the tiny little buds on my plants, having the windows open…and my gosh darn allergies. I can’t stop sneezing, my head is stuffed up and I’m having trouble hearing out of one ear. Why is it that the beauty of Spring brings yucky allergies along with it? Doesn’t seem fair, does it?


Our living room is tiny and there are certain pieces of furniture that can’t be moved: the piano, the loveseat, the sideboard. The chairs, however, are another story. All three chairs are in new positions. This started when Riley was really having trouble with stairs and Don and I decided to keep him out of the den for a few days (there are 2 steps down into the den.) Since I blog in the den and Riley always wants to be near me, we moved the most comfortable chair in the living room (the yellow one) nearer to an outlet. That meant the red chair had to move to the other side of the loveseat and this wicker rocker moved to the space vacated by the yellow chair. We’re now back to blogging in the den. However, we like the new arrangement so we’re going to go with it for a while. Sometimes necessity forces one to make a perfect change.

Those of you who have been reading this blog for a while might remember this photo of Riley:


That was the idea behind Square #19:


The adorable back of Mr. Riley’s head with the one thing that is always on his mind – food. I tried to stitch the letters for food in what doggie thoughts/writing might look like.

Lee remains the same. The sedation was eased yesterday and Lee opened an eye and Don talked to him a bit – telling him where he was, what day it was, etc. Much of the time for the family is spent waiting. Waiting for any sign of improvement. My hope is that something very positive happens before Don has to leave on Monday night. He would be able to leave on a hopeful note. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers…if you don’t mind, could you keep them coming?

Filed Under: decorating, family, stitchalong 27 Comments

Is That Sunlight? & Squares 17 &18

March 18, 2010 at 9:53 am by Claudia


I can’t tell you enough how welcome this sunny weather is! The house is flooded with light, the temperatures are considerably warmer and it all makes me smile. (Excuse the mess on my sewing table.) I was walking the dogs yesterday and heard the honking of Canadian geese. There in the sky, way above us, were hundreds of geese flying in a perfect V. What an amazing sight!

Don is still in San Diego with his Dad and siblings. Not much has changed at this point. Lee (my father-in-law) is still sedated and his lungs are still filling up with fluid which has to be suctioned out. Because of the tube and IV’s he is still heavily sedated. He has squeezed Don’s hand and grimaces when procedures are being done. A doctor took some time to explain everything yesterday and said that they want to lessen the sedation but it is a bit of a balancing act. Yesterday, they eased up on the sedation but the oxygen levels in Lee’s blood dropped, so they had to sedate him once again. Long hours are being spent at the hospital by everyone. I remember this so well from my Dad’s hospitalization a few years ago. Please keep those healing thoughts coming. I told Don that I want Lee to be well and back home so that I can visit him when I go out to San Diego next month.

My needle threader broke, so I had to run out to Joanne’s to get some more. I didn’t stitch squares 17 and 18 until last night:

#17 – a hanging plant – the hanging plants on my porch are always purple for some reason.

#18 – the ocean – if I have to leave my family for 10 weeks, at least I can spend some time gazing at the Pacific Ocean.

Have a wonderful day.

Filed Under: spring, stitchalong 17 Comments

My Colors & Square #16

March 16, 2010 at 10:26 am by Claudia


As I was photographing my latest square on the kitchen island, (where the sun was flooding the room with light – finally) it struck me how much these colors have become my favorites. There I was, trying to position the sampler, my sewing basket next to me and I realized that the china has the same colors. The china that is on a cake plate under a glass dome right there on the island. How I love these colors! I’ve used them in my studio, as well. They’re perfect for this almost-Spring day, aren’t they?


The process of creating a square each day can be a bit daunting, but I find the actual stitching very calming. I look forward to it. Have you noticed that my friend Elyse has joined in? Yippee! She has stitched some lovely flowery squares. It’s not too late, if you want to stitch along with us. Just visit the 39 squares blog and sign up.

Yesterday, I drove Don to the airport. His flight was leaving from an airport that is about an hour and a half from us and the weather was terrible. Torrential rains, flooding, foggy windshield – I was totally exhausted when I got home. He arrived in San Diego late last night, went straight to the hospital and spent the night in his Dad’s room. I spoke with him briefly this morning when he called me from the hospital. I don’t know whether his Dad is alert enough at this point to know he is there, yet I’m sure he knows he’s there and feels Don’s love and energy. Friends are generously lending a car, he’s staying in the apartments owned by the theater – all is well. I’ll update you when I know more about his Dad’s condition.

Square #16:


Ode to my hydrangeas. I look forward to seeing them soon!

Filed Under: stitchalong 22 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

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