The tree is still up. Do Christmas trees have a more intense scent as they begin to dry out? Because for the past few days, the scent has been much stronger. Anyway, we came downstairs this morning, turned on the tree lights and decided we would wait until New Year’s Day to take the tree down. We can’t quite say goodbye yet. I’ll miss seeing the tree from my chair in the den.
But we’ve had it up since December 1st, so January 1st seems like a good long run.
I spent about three hours up in the office working on the rescued dollhouse, Dove Cottage. The ‘stonework’ is slow going. Here is its current status:
I’ll try for a clearer picture today but it’s awfully dark out there as we’re into our second day of rain. I’m heartened by the fact that I was able to cut the stones to fit the curve of the doorway. I’m still not sure whether I like the whole thing, but I think when I paint the shingles, which might be sooner rather than later, and put the shutters up, the look of all that stone will be softened.
Dollhouses on the brain. That seems to be all I’m thinking about lately. That, and the high cost of living, which we have vowed to do something about this coming year. Budget. Budget. Budget. We’ve had a good couple of years, but it’s time to cut way back. We lost a lot of money this year with the changes to the tax laws. As you know, actors and performers and freelancers were royally screwed. We paid far more than either of us has ever paid in all our years of earning a living. Until the law is changed, that will be our reality and it’s a grim one. Cross your fingers for us; we both need to work more in 2020. And we’re ready, willing, and able!
I just might paint that roof today.
Happy Monday.
