cottage — Page 13

Scenes From Around the Cottage

February 27, 2016 at 9:14 am by Claudia

As is, of course.

2-27 scenes sofa

Monty watching over the living room.

2-27 scenes turntable

Music, Maxfield Parrish, Scout…

2-27 scenes coffeetable

Coffee table.

2-27 stair art

Art climbing upward.

2-27 scenes livingroom

Looking toward the den.

2-27 bookshelves

Books and pottery.

2-27 scenes full livingrom

Living room.

2-27 scenes upstairs hall

Hallway.

2-27 scenes paints

Paint, glue, tools.

2-27 scenes minipottery

Miniature pottery.

2-27 scenes desk

My little corner.

2-27 scenes painting

Painting by my dad, now hanging in our shared office space.

2-27 scenes newheadshot

New headshot. Dreamy.

2-27 scenes stairway view

Stairway view.

I have plenty more where these came from. The cottage is providing enormous comfort and solace for me right now. The sunlight streaming through the windows makes me smile. I love seeing all of our treasures; tucked into corners, on shelves, on the walls.

A minimalist I am not. Though I can look at minimalist interiors with an appreciative eye, they are not for me. I’ve lived a life. I’ve hunted and gathered. I’ve found treasure and I’ve made things. Everything here tells a story – our story. So as I sit here in my chair or walk around the cottage, I am thankful for all of this evidence of a life lived, of a house finally found, of our life with our dogs, of music and art and literature, of whimsy and joy and color and texture. A nest that wraps its arms around us, where splashes of color and well-loved furniture and objects catch the attention of a wandering eye and bring a much-needed smile to one’s face. Shelter from the emotional storm.

Happy Saturday.

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Headline: Two Itinerant Artistes Settle Down in the Country

July 14, 2015 at 8:32 am by Claudia

7-14 coneflowers

It’s the height of the gardening season here in the Northeast. The coneflowers and brown-eyed Susans are opening their pretty petals, the phlox is beginning to bloom – and oh, that scent! – more day lilies are making their presence known. Bees are everywhere, especially in the catmint – a plant they seem to love. All of the hostas, and we have a lot of them, are blooming as well. All in all, a good time to come back home after three weeks away coaching.

7-14 hostablooms

Gol’ darn it! I love my gardens.

We’ve been here almost 10 years. Who’d have thought it? Two itinerant artistes got together and somehow landed here in this too-small-but-charming cottage situated on almost two acres with woods and grass and space for a garden bed or two or three.

This was a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I always wanted what I termed “a cottage somewhere in the country.” It took me awhile, but I got it. And I wouldn’t trade those years living in apartments in cities, Detroit, Philadelphia, Boston, Cambridge, San Diego, for anything. They’ve shaped me; they’ve given me a strong taste of city life (which I still love) and countless adventures.

7-14 gazingball

But at this point in our lives, both Don and I find ourselves preferring this life – this quieter version of life. Being in the Arts, with jobs and opportunities that have taken us all over the country and abroad, has broadened our horizons. Maybe that’s why we appreciate this little cottage and our life here all the more. It’s rooted in our love for each other and our doggie and our love for the simple beauty of nature. (And for eclectic and whimsical decorating.) It’s the culmination of our lives before we met each other and the twenty-one years we’ve been together.

7-14 pinkish daylily

Yesterday, my friends, was a stressful one for me. I had an appointment to have some dental work done (an extraction) and I, being petrified of the dentist, was rather a nervous wreck. Our health care changes every year and the dentist I trust implicitly (and who is quite near our home) was no longer available under our policy. I dithered about it for a while and finally decided to have the work done and pay for it myself. That isn’t the ideal scenario given our tight budget, but going to someone I already know and trust makes what is a scary ordeal for me much less stressful.

So at 10 am, I was in the dentist chair. Don, thank goodness, went with me for moral support and then got my prescriptions filled (which, thankfully, are covered under our health care) and then went back out in the afternoon to buy some soft foods for me to eat. I was on pain meds yesterday, but today I don’t seem to need any, which is a good thing. I’m also on antibiotics for a few days.

I have another appointment in a month or so to deal with another issue. But for now, I can relax.

And maybe work on the dollhouse roof garden.

Don’t forget to read the book review I posted yesterday. I really loved the book and I’m giving away a copy. (I loved it so much that I passed it on to Don, because I think it’s right up his alley. It’s funny.)

Happy Tuesday.

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Houses on the Lake, New Favorites & A Birthday Wish

July 3, 2015 at 9:05 am by Claudia

Before I get going here, a Very Happy Birthday to my beloved sister, Meredith! She and her family are on their way to a wedding, so I don’t know if I’ll get to talk to her directly, but let me assure you, she is the best sister, as well as a wonderful mom and wife, aunt, daughter and all-around incredible human being. I love you, Mer.

Warning: picture-heavy post ahead.

It was beautiful yesterday. No rain. I know – shocking! On a break from rehearsal, I grabbed my camera and walked around the grounds.

I discovered some cottages on a little hill surrounded by trees – just down the street from the theater.

7-3 house in the woods

7-3 brick stairs

Then I walked along the lake. There are lots of charming cottages here, but there are also larger homes that are on the lakefront. Here goes.

7-3 copper roof

That’s a copper roof – so striking in the sunlight.

7-3 houses by the lake 1

7-3 houses by the lake 2

7-3 houses by the lake 3

Love that window upstairs.

7-3 houses by the lake 4

7-3 walk by the lake

7-3 chautauqua women's club

The Chautauqua Women’s Club.

7-3 favorite house by the lake

Talk about making a statement! I love this house. Incredible detail everywhere. According to the Artistic Director, it was fully restored a few years back.

7-3 flower & bee

Because I miss taking pictures of my flowers back home.

7-3 salmon house

Do you remember this house from a few posts back? I thought it was pink, but it’s really a salmon color. I decided we needed a close-up.

Another new favorite. Feast your eyes on the detail, from the tip of the roof on down. The upper porch is screened-in. I can’t decide what I love most, but that cut-out detail that swoops and curves between the porch posts makes my heart sing.

7-3 salmon house 2

I simply cannot stand it, it’s so beautiful. Many people name their cottages here in Chautauqua, so this cottage might already have a name, but I’ve dubbed it Salmon Cottage, nonetheless.

7-3 streetview