American Miniaturist Magazine

Spying

August 31, 2015 at 9:13 am by Claudia

You may think me a voyeur, but I can’t help it. I’m always curious about Caroline’s activities. She is, after all, living under the same large roof as Don and me. Speaking of roofs, what did I see yesterday?

8-31 dh ottoman

Hmmm….let’s zoom in a bit.

8-31 mini mag

Aha! When the story on her house was published in American Miniaturist, Caroline seemed rather blasé about the whole thing, which made my reaction look over the top. I offered her a copy of the magazine. She declined. No more was said on the subject.

Apparently Caroline is a bit more excited than she let on. This rather well-thumbed copy of the magazine is sitting on the wicker ottoman, right where Caroline spends hours basking in the summer sun.

So: we have new sea shells on the coffee table:

8-31 dh den

And a new magazine. Could Caroline have purchased it while away on her vacation? One wonders.

Not that I’m spying or anything.

Your obligatory flower photo:

8-31 hydrangea

The hydrangea that I planted last year keeps blessing us with vividly colored flowers. I wondered if the original color would be the same after it had been planted in our soil, but it is.

The limelight hydrangea at the front of the house is starting to turn a soft pink. Happens every Autumn.

Don: Read No Further!

I finished the other side of the Top Secret Project yesterday.

8-31 tsp one side

The exterior has been covered with board and batten.

8-31 tsp another side

I added a coat of Matte Varnish by Delta Ceramcoat. I just may add one more coat today. Then it’s on to the inside. There’s some priming that needs to be done.

Happy Monday.

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Stop. Look. Breathe It In.

July 24, 2015 at 8:26 am by Claudia

How can it be already be Friday? The weeks go by so quickly! Goodness.

I know I’ve said it before, but this is the absolute best time in the garden. The peak of prettiness. I’m trying to remember to get out there and take lots of photos. It’s so easy to get caught up in all the things that need to be done and, before I know it, the day has gone by and I haven’t really stopped to take it all in.

I’m grateful for moments like the one I just had, when I glanced up and saw our living room and kitchen bathed in shadowy morning light and had a moment of profound gratitude. It was just a split second, but that is enough. Enough to get me rooted and thankful and ready for the rest of the day. And as Don says, when you have a moment like that, try to stay there and expand it as long as possible.

Ahhhh.

7-24 white phlox

The phlox is blooming. And the scent is heavenly.

Don says it reminds him of night-blooming jasmine, which we loved when we were living in San Diego.

When I planted all of this David Phlox, it was white. And it still is, although some of it is now this lovely shade of purple.

7-24 purplephlox

And it has self-seeded and is now springing up all over the big garden bed.

7-24 flowerysideofthegarden

Masses of flowers: catmint, bee balm, rudbeckia, sedum, day lilies and phlox.

7-24 massesofrudbeckia

Hello, Rudbeckia.

7-24 rose

And since the Japanese Beetles seem to be slowing down a bit, a rose.

By the way, I mentioned this the other day, but in case you missed it, it’s possible to buy a single online copy of this month’s American Miniaturist at Pocket Mags. Unless you’re near a miniature/dollhouse/hobby shop, you might not be able to find it.

Here’s the link and a big thank you to the readers who tipped me off about this option.

Happy Friday.

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In The Garden And In Print

July 18, 2015 at 8:50 am by Claudia

We went on a Target run yesterday morning (more throw rugs for Scout, food, etc.) with a stop along the way at Five Guys.

I know. Greasy french fries. Wonderfully greasy. I can’t help it. They’re the best fries in my little world. Lunch consisted of an order of fries, some root beer, and when I got home, a couple of slices of cheese for protein.

Anyway, we checked the mailbox on the way up the driveway and, lo and behold, there was a big white envelope from a certain magazine.

Just to prepare you, my hair was a mess and I had no makeup on. Sadly, this is often the case around here, whether I’ve been running errands or not.

7-18 me holding magazine

There it is!

7-18 me holding article

And there’s the article. In print! And it’s 7 pages long, not 6. I miscounted!

Don, always my biggest supporter, kept saying how proud he was of me. All day long. He’s a gem.

7-18 copies of mag

I purchased five copies. One to cut up and frame. One to take down to Florida to show my dad and sister when I visit. Three to save.

I’m dead chuffed, as they say on the other side of the pond. Translation: I’m very pleased, indeed.

Does this make me an American Miniaturist? If so, I’m thrilled!

7-18 self-seeders

Garden news: the Rudbeckia/Brown-Eyed Susan I planted down in the far right corner of the big garden bed self-seeded and I have two new (and big) plants that have been rather conveniently situated in what was previously a bare patch.

Lucky me!

7-18 browneyed susan1

I love these incredibly cheery flowers.

7-18 browneyed susan2

This one looks like it’s raising its petals to the sun. Or perhaps it’s performing an interpretive dance?

It’s a rainy day here. Reading, cleaning, and some mini work are on the docket. I hope your Saturday is a splendid one.

Happy Saturday.

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Spying

Stop. Look. Breathe It In.

In The Garden And In Print

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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