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A Bright and Snowy Monday

January 20, 2020 at 10:28 am by Claudia

A view of the snow outside. It’s actually quite pretty and today is sunny, so the light pouring into the house is bright as only light reflected by snow can be. No complaints here except it’s mind-numbingly cold out there. I mean, really  cold!

I assume you have been busy this weekend, whether with the winter storm or the long weekend, because yesterday’s post got only one comment. I think that’s the first time in almost 12 years of blogging that has happened! Well, let me clarify; when I started blogging, my first few posts didn’t get any comments because no one knew I was out there. It took a while to build up a readership. Anyway, you know I don’t pressure anyone to comment and I never will, but it did give me pause.

We’re laying low this weekend. We had a lovely day yesterday. Don made a fantastic brunch, he shoveled the snow (I didn’t have to!) and then we hung out together the rest of the day. We finished watching the new season of Grace and Frankie – I have thoughts about it but I won’t share them until everyone has seen it. We didn’t watch the SAG awards; we’re just not that into awards this year.

Don’s car is acting up, so we’re taking it in today. He has muffler problems, so I’ll follow him into town to make sure he’s okay and, of course, to bring him back home. The CR-V is 20 years old and hanging in there on a wing and a prayer.

I’m halfway through the newest Michael Connelly. Connelly writes so well that I instantly relax, knowing I’m in good hands.

For those of you who work and have today off, enjoy!

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: blog, books, snow 43 Comments

Miniature Gifts

January 18, 2020 at 10:54 am by Claudia

Just got back from getting some last minute groceries before the snow comes, so I’m running a wee bit late this morning.

I received a package from Barbara the other day, filled with miniature goodies. I finally got a chance to take some photos of them yesterday.

I took this in the vintage dollhouse. I put a piece of cardstock with a wallpaper-like pattern against the wall – just for fun.

Here we have a lovely wooden trunk with 1776 on the front, some china, some coffee, and a tart.

A beautiful bookcase. Isn’t it lovely?

A mini-quilt.

Some beautiful books. I’m pretty sure Barbara made these.

And some pewter: a plate and candlesticks.

Isn’t it lovely? I’m not sure where I’m going to use everything yet, but that’s the fun of adding to your stash.

I have, however, added the books to the built-in shelves in the Lake House.

Nothing has been styled, as of yet. I’m just playing. I love this little house.

Thank you, Barbara! You are too generous and I love everything. (Barbara also included a lovely journal.)

Today I have to tape some lines in a Yorkshire dialect for one of the actresses in Jane Eyre. And I’m going to start back in on the stonework for the English Cottage/Dumpster Dollhouse. I finished the Maigret mystery and I’ve started The Night Fire  by Michael Connelly.

And we’ll watch the snow fall.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: books, dollhouse, gifts, miniatures 20 Comments

“Hartford Isn’t Kind To My Hair”

January 16, 2020 at 10:54 am by Claudia

We’re having another period of all-day-long-high-winds.

We’ve had so many of them lately.

It is rather beautiful, though. Sunny, windy, sometimes dark, then sunny again. We have a front bringing in much colder weather with a significant snowfall on Saturday. Next week, the temps will pretty much stay in the twenties. I guess our relatively mild stretch of weather is ending.

I got home around 6 pm yesterday after a concentrated stretch of coaching. After checking in with the director, I walked back to the apartment building, loaded up my car and headed home. It was rush hour, so traffic was slow at times and the whole time I drove directly west, the slowly setting sun was blinding me (and every other driver on the road). That, coupled with some insane drivers, made for a tense drive home. I was very glad to arrive home safely. Don had dinner ready and I was so tired I could hardly construct a complete sentence, but today is better.

I have no plans for today except to take it easy (and vacuum, something Don doesn’t think of doing) and enjoy being back in this little haven. I’m reading one of the Maigret novels by Georges Simenon. It’s a series I’ve always known of, but have never read. I picked this one up several months ago at Oblong Books. It’s only about 160 pages, so it will be a relatively quick read. Then I’ll tackle the newest Michael Connelly, which I had on hold with my local library system. There were so many people in the queue ahead of me, I thought getting it in my hands would take much longer, but it came in while I was gone and Don went to the library for me and picked it up. I’ve read every Michael Connelly ever written. I’m a huge fan.

As to the title of this post, I said these words to my husband last night. The water in Hartford is not kind to my hair. I forget this fact until I have to go back there. It renders it limp and useless. I can’t wait to take a shower here this morning and get it back in shape!

No offense, Hartford.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: books, coaching, Hartford, reading 28 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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