Yesterday was such a beautiful day. The sun, the light, the colors on the maple trees. It was simply gorgeousl. We mowed the front lawn – I think I did about 2/3 of it and then Don took over because my back was hurting. He also raked a lot of the catalpa leaves. It felt so good to be out there working on a beautiful autumn day. Then we came in, had some lunch, and I promptly took a nap.
We’ve been watching baseball every night because we LOVE baseball and we know that it will soon disappear until spring. Shohei Otani’s performance in last night’s game was the most extraordinary showing I have ever seen. We are still talking about it this morning. (Donnamae – I’m sorry about your Brewers. I know this loss must be hard for everyone in Wisconsin.)
On Sunday, we’ll tune in again and see what happens with the Mariners vs. the Blue Jays.
A lone zinnia appeared despite the frost/freezes. I see another bud, as well. I appreciate these little miracles as we deal with a not-quite-winter October here in the Hudson Valley.
I’ve been circling around the Beacon Hill lately. It really would be the perfect winter project. I think I’ve been overwhelmed by the enormity of the whole thing (and the potential cost.) But lately I’ve been thinking that it does not have to be perfect, or the culmination of my dollhouse projects, or even the last dollhouse. I just need to take it one room at a time and go for it. I may not use much wallpaper this time. It’s never easy finding a pattern I like – so many are kind of hokey – and I think it can be limiting. I do have ideas for the living room and that might be where I start. The hardest and most challenging will be the stairs. Since they are already in place, I have to either leave the dark wood or try to paint them – which might just be impossible. In the meantime, I think I’ll replace a few of the windows and do some minor repair work.
Okay.
I have to make more coffee.
If you’re marching today, bless you!
Stay safe.
Beautiful picture, Claudia. Yes, bless all the peaceful marchers today. Have a lovely weekend. Hugs, Elaine
Thank you, Elaine.
Stay safe.
Beautiful fall day here and also my Mom’s birthday. She would have been 95. We are coming up on 2 years since she passed away. I miss her always but on this day it’s especially hard. I will stay busy, enjoy some memories and maybe have a meal she would have enjoyed in her honor. Enjoy your weekend.
Thinking of you on your Mom’s birthday, Linda. Even all these years since I lost my mom and dad, birthdays are hard. I know you miss her.
Much love,
Claudia
all sounds and looks lovely, except for an aching back. hope you feel better soon and that you and don can take it easy, enjoy today the results of yesterday’s hard work.
a quote came to mind as i read your words about taking on a winter project … “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. the big beacon hill might feel that way, like a thousand mile journey, but you have lots of creativity and an idea of where to start. good for you!
a couple weeks ago i saw an online tour where the house is completely dedicated to the renter (a single older woman) and her priorities of several creative pursuits and being with family and friends. much to look at (repeatedly), and i love it all, but am now stuck on the idea of weaving. haha … because i sure do not need another hobby … but i found a couple places to take a very-infrequent weaving class and signed up for a one-time beginner’s class for $25 to learn how to set up a smallish loom, warp and weft. that happens next month and i am so excited! and i can rent the loom in case i don’t love it as much as i think i will. :)
in the meantime, some sorting and maybe a movie are ahead here.
hope you, don and everyone else have a wonderful weekend. stay safe in every way.
kathy
ps … if anyone has any weaving experience they’d like to share, i’d be glad to hear about it. please and thanks.
My sister weaves, though I think it’s been a while since she’s done any weaving. But she’s made some beautiful things. Yes, you should explore it!
Stay safe, Kathy.
i found some of your sister’s posts about weaving. she made beautiful pieces! thanks for letting me know about that, and for some encouragement. i am excited to try weaving, but also wondering if it could turn into a very expensive and time-consuming interest (i still have many “have to” things on my list). more excited than worried, though!
hope you and don have a great day ahead.
xo
kathy
xoxo
Oh my, that was quite the performance from Otani wasn’t it! But as a typical Wisconsinite, after the grumbling, we shake it off, and make plans for next year. We are fortunate to live in a state that also has the much beloved Packers, Go Pack Go, and the Bucks…Fear the Deer.
Our trees here, are just starting to turn. Very little leaf drop…I’m sure that’s a coming very soon. Hopefully this week we can take a drive and see more color. My heart is craving it.
I do hope you will work on the Beacon Hill. As you said…just take it one room at a time. It would be a great winter project.
My legs won’t allow me to march, but I’ll be right there in spirit, with those that are. Enjoy your day! ;)
Don went to our local march. We live in a town of 3000 people and there were at least 1400 people lining our streets!
Thanks, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
Good morning Claudia! Yes to beautiful outdoor garden weather! I recently did some overdue pruning in my large rose bush as well as delayed weeding… but I over-taxed my arm/hand and had to ice it and rest it all week! Not what I had anticipated! But it is feeling better and I am being cautious with use for now.
I do hope you “play” with the Beacon Hill this winter! I can relate to your thoughts that it doesn’t need to be “perfect”… that idea (perfection) held me back for so many years with my own dollhouse journey! I finally realized, after seeing an exhibit (in 2009) of wildly creative and original dollhouses, that there is no perfection and the process is supposed to be fun.
As for the stairs in the Beacon Hill, I would not recommend trying to paint them unless you can somehow remove them first. You would never be able to get the paintbrush or even a sponge into all the cracks and corners with it in place! You would always see another little spot you missed. And I know the wood that is used on those kits… it is a bit rough on the edges and just would not “cover” well. Maybe it could just remain the “Victorian” dark hallway feature? But anyway, I know you are experienced and wise in your design choices so I truly look forward to seeing what you make of this house! Have fun! :)
No, I won’t paint them, and I think I’ll use wallpaper there – a pale color – to contrast with the dark wood. I don’t want to try and remove the stairs.
Thanks so much, Betsy!
Stay safe.
We had a great turnout for the protest and many, many cars driving by and beeping for us. Lots of clever signs and even some costumes! It’s so nice to be surrounded by people that agree with me! ;)
Isn’t it? Don went to out local march and there were so many people there! Cars driving by honking approval!
Hurrah!
Stay safe, Ellen.
Might you try a few murals drawn or painted on paper to some walls?
Too hard to get your hand in there and paint in any detail. Besides, I just want painted walls for a change. Very little wallpaper.
Thanks, Shanna.
Stay safe.
I can see how working in small spaces would be a chore, if even possible. I was thinking more in terms of drawing your own wallpaper, cut, and glue to walls. Oh well… I’m sure you’ll do wonders with whatever you decide.
Oh, I see.
I actually am tired of wallpaper and designes on walls. I really want them painted.
xo
Can you buy blank wallpaper (white, for example, or cream) and paint your own wallpaper, maybe using a sponging technique or mini-rag technique, probably with acrylic? You could get just the colors you want and a pattern without a pattern, perhaps mimicking the silk wallpapers? Just a thought — I have no idea how the dollhouse prep goes apart from what you’ve shared here. But I’m glad you’ll be working on it and one room at a time is sort of perfect.
I don’t really want any designs on the walls – I want painted walls like most of us have. And doing anything in any detail in an already assembled house is next to impossible.
Thanks, Jeanie.
Stay safe.