dollhouse — Page 102

All Systems Are Almost Go

January 15, 2014 at 8:51 am by Claudia

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Yesterday, I drove about 30 minutes south of here to look for a blanket for the bed. It was another in a series of rainy, foggy days around here. I hate to say it, but I’d much prefer snow over the mud and dampness that has been the norm lately. Anyway, I found a blanket at HomeGoods, as well as a throw pillow. Then I checked out everything at TJ Maxx and ended up with a big fat zero. Ah…but what did I see on the horizon? Bed, Bath & Beyond, the place where I found the pillows we love to sleep on. I needed a couple of King-sized versions of the same pillows. And some pillowcases. The pillows were not cheap, so I could only buy one for Don and one for me and that means the other pillows we use will still be standard size. Screwy, I know, but they’ll be hidden behind the King pillows. Hey, we’re on a budget.

Everything has been delivered. Last night, the last two items – sheets and a dust ruffle – were plopped on our doorstep around 8:30 pm. Almost everything was bought at a discount, sometimes a deep discount. Even so, when you change bed sizes, you have to buy at least one of everything. This has been an expensive proposition for us. Now we await the call that tells us when the bed will be delivered, which will tell us how much we need to do tonight and what we can do at the last minute tomorrow. Cross your fingers for a late morning delivery, okay? That will give us some wiggle room. I’m putting 11:00 am – 2:00 pm out into the universe.

Anyway, there was a Dollar Store right next to TJ Maxx, so I went in to look for inexpensive document frames (check) and found something for the dollhouse. I’ve been looking for a circular mirror to hang above the bathroom sink and I found a thingy that’s meant to be carried in a makeup bag or purse – you flip it open and there are two small round mirrors. $1.00. I came home and managed to pry out the mirror without breaking it and there you go.

I like it.

The other night we were watching Channel 13, our local PBS station that comes out of NYC, and an ad appeared for their programming with a montage of still shots from Downton Abbey and Sherlock, etc. And right in the middle of it all was a shot of Don from The Poisoner’s Handbook! We gasped and cheered. Yay Don!

Since you gave me your blessing, I might be trying some different ad configurations on the blog as my earnings this month have been abysmal. It will be a test. Thanks for your support. Question: Do you have a preference?A narrow, horizontal rectangular ad right above the top of the content (where I post) or one above the header?

Have to go. I have a lot to do today. Everything will be topsy-turvy.

I just looked outside. It’s foggy again. Enough already.

Happy Wednesday.

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A Sniffly, Snuffly, Rainy Sort of Day

January 11, 2014 at 9:12 am by Claudia

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Feeling stuffed up and coughy (I made up that word) today. I’m sure it’s just allergies/sinuses. Or maybe it’s because I insist on petting our neighbor’s cats when we go over to feed them. I’m allergic to cats, but usually if I wash my hands right after I’ve touched a cat, I’m okay. The cats are so adorable and full of personality and they miss their human family members. So Don and I, suckers for animals that we are, go over and spend a little time with them. (We’ll actually miss seeing them every day when our neighbors arrive home late this evening.) I know a lot of you commented that we are good neighbors because we shoveled their driveway and are watching the pets, but they are equally good neighbors. I cannot tell you how many times I have called our neighbor to ask if she could go over and let our dog(s) out when we are working long hours away from home. She is always there for us.

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I think I will be low-key today and play with the dollhouse. It’s rainy and just plain yucky out there. And I’m tired and sniffly. I’m going to try making a few things and I just may paint the work table I’m going to use in the craft room. There’s much to be done in the dollhouse, but things are slowing down right now until I have the funds to buy a few pieces. In the meantime, I might try making one of Léa’s projects (from the book I received for Christmas.) I’m not real confident about my miniature-making skills, but I’m going to go for it.

By the way, I’m going to be contributing a monthly Guest Pick Ideabook for Houzz. I just completed my first Ideabook; Set Up a Comfy Reading Corner. It’s on the sidebar, if you’re at all interested. I had a lot of fun putting it together.

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Bed update: Yesterday the headboard arrived. It was snowing, we hadn’t shoveled yet, and here comes a guy from FedEx slogging up the driveway with a huge box on his back. I felt terrible! Still in my pajamas (of course) I opened the kitchen door, apologized to him and told him to “just set it down in the snow.” I wouldn’t even let him take it to the porch, I felt so badly.

Anyway, it’s here. And later in the day, our UPS guy arrived with the mattress pad.

Two down. We still need the sheets, the dust ruffle and the bed frame. Gotta have the bed frame, so cross your fingers that it arrives in time. Since it snowed all day yesterday, I haven’t gone out to look for a blanket. Maybe tomorrow.

Happy Saturday.

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A Bit of Everything: Snow, Dollhouse, Scout, Don & PBS

January 6, 2014 at 7:54 am by Claudia

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Even though snow can be a pain in the tush, it sure looks pretty on a sunny day.

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There are always fresh tracks on our front lawn and in the back forty. Usually the tracks are from the deer that share this property with us, but I often see tracks from other animals.

Unfortunately, yesterday and today have brought rain, then freezing rain, then rain again, so the landscape isn’t looking nearly so pretty. Our neighbors who have been away in Aruba (we shoveled their driveway the other day so they could pull in when they returned) just messaged us last night to say they were stuck there. I’m sure it’s due to cancelled flights and icy runways and all that sort of thing.

I’m thinking it wouldn’t be at all bad to be stranded in Aruba.

Dame Scout (she insists we call her that) had a wonderful birthday. There was a candle to blow out, a beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday (with harmony) from her parents, and a plate with special treats that was actually placed on the carpet in front of her and no one interfered or said “No, Scout!” She kept looking at us as if to say “Is this for real?” Then she went for it. Licking peanut butter off a plate? A little bit of doggy heaven.

Thank you for all the wonderful birthday greetings. Scout has a big old smile on her face and she thanks you, too.

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A faucet and handles arrived for the dollhouse bathroom. I installed them in about two seconds. If only real-life plumbing was this easy.

Speaking of the dollhouse, do you remember this photo?

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It’s the finished craft room/office for the dollhouse. Whenever someone pins something from my blog or repins something I’ve pinned, I get an email that informs me of that. Over the last few days, several people have pinned this photo, not on a miniatures board or a dollhouse board, but on real-life decorating boards. I’m getting such a kick out of that! Do you think they know it’s from a dollhouse? Of course. They have to know. I assume the planked walls are the draw, but who knows? Whatever the appeal, I’m getting a chuckle out of the whole thing.

Okay. Heads up. Tomorrow night at 8:00 pm, Don’s episode of American Experience, The Poisoner’s Handbook, airs on PBS. Check your local listings, of course, but this starting time seems to be pretty consistent around the country. It’s two hours long.

Now remember, American Experience is part documentary, part interviews, and part re-enactment. So Don will not be in every moment of the show. But he’ll definitely be there, playing Dr. Charles Norris.

We’re are really looking forward to seeing how the producers have put the whole thing together. It’s been nearly a year since he filmed in Prague. (Why don’t I get gigs in Prague?)

The Christmas tree is still standing. I’m just now beginning to get a tiny urge to put everything away. It’s not strong enough to act on yet. Maybe tomorrow? Or maybe after The Poisoner’s Handbook airs?

I have to order a headboard and a bed frame and a mattress pad and sheets for the new bed. I’ve got all sorts of possibilities bookmarked. Today is the day to make a decision. Wish me luck!

Happy Monday.

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All Systems Are Almost Go

A Sniffly, Snuffly, Rainy Sort of Day

A Bit of Everything: Snow, Dollhouse, Scout, Don & PBS

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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