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A Bit of Everything Today

April 9, 2022 at 9:32 am by Claudia

This morning I opened up the blinds and saw the trailer bird house tilted downward, looking precarious. It was raining, but I went out and got the ladder from the shed and proceeded to try and prop it against the tree, which involved unlocking certain sections of the ladder.

Then, I thought I should wait for Don to help me. Of course, he lectured me about carrying the ladder. He was right, so I can’t challenge him on that one. I can only say in my defense that I have no idea whether mama is sitting on eggs yet, and I was worried. I was also worried that they might not come back if they saw the house in a dangerous position. So we went out there, and Don put it firmly back in place.

You know, the other day I saw a squirrel run up the tree and pause by the house, then jump on top of it and continue up the tree. Maybe that kind of thing caused the house to tilt downward? Who knows?

I just hope my Carolina wrens were in blissful ignorance of this morning’s change to their property and will never know the difference.

For Vicki, per her request:

Fabric Easter eggs, made by yours truly many moons ago.

That will most likely be the extent of my Easter decorations…maybe a Vintage by Crystal figurine.

I ordered a dress from my friend LenaLittleDresses long before the war started. Lena lives in Russia. I gave up hope of ever receiving it.

It landed in my mailbox on Thursday, much to my surprise.

Here it is on Madeleine. Isn’t it lovely?

I sat in my blogging chair yesterday and watched the opening game of the baseball season. Sadly, the Red Sox lost. But it was so nice to sit there in the afternoon listening to the game, quilting hoop and thread in hand. I love baseball.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Day Three Hundred Eighty-Five

April 2, 2021 at 10:14 am by Claudia

I was a little late getting them out but here they are. They really work beautifully with the Fiesta compote. I can see myself sitting at the round table in my housing in San Diego (I was working away from home for 6 months) cutting and then sewing them on my friend Ingrid’s vintage Singer Featherweight. It had belonged to her grandmother. She generously let me borrow it so I could make a quilt while I was away from home. My experience with that wonderful little machine led me to search for, and eventually find, my very own Featherweight. I found it in a local antique shop.

These little eggs are full of memories.

Later in the day yesterday, Don starting feeling achey and tired. Every muscle was sore. So he did have a reaction to the vaccine. He’s fine today. I was quite lucky and only had a sore arm and some fatigue. I felt very fatigued with the first dose, as well.

I ordered this little item for the fun of it. It was in the Etsy shop of Tiny Doll House NYC.

A miniature bust of Queen Victoria. The owners of the shop found it at The Kensington Dollhouse Show in London – the big miniature show in England. (How I’d love to attend it someday!) I thought it would be fun to find a place for it in the English Cottage. I’m not sure where, but I’ll figure it out.

I started reading The Shell Seekers last night. You know that you can relax and just let the words pour over you when you’re reading Rosamunde Pilcher. It’s pure pleasure.

I’m plugging away – slowly – on the puzzle. It’s a botanical chart and the hardest parts are the many leaves and stems that are somewhat similar from plant to plant. I can only do a bit at a time before I want to tear my hair out. I’ll finish it, rest assured.

I’m anxious to get outside and work, but the temps went down to the mid-twenties last night and the same will happen tonight. It’s too cold out there. Hopefully, I can start doing some outside chores next week.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Day Twenty-Two

April 4, 2020 at 10:00 am by Claudia

Whoo hoo! I had signed into the blog and was waiting for the security check (I do this every time I sign in) so I thought I’d give a try at the old grocery delivery. I thought it might be fruitless as nothing shows as available during the day, but my goodness, there were a few openings! We will get another delivery this Tuesday – all the things we forgot the first time!

The sun is shining and I am once again amazed by my luck. A good start to this Saturday.

I thought that this Fiesta compote would be the perfect home for my fabric easter eggs. The kitchen suddenly looks very Spring-y, doesn’t it?

I made these about 11 years ago when I was away from home, working in San Diego. I used fat quarters from my favorite local quilt shop – Rosie’s – and with a Featherweight borrowed from my friend Ingrid, sewed them up. I used a pattern I found online. I have a lot of memories of that spring when I was far away from my husband and my dogs. I had big chunks of free time and that sewing machine was a godsend. I really wanted my own Featherweight and that was the perfect opportunity to test one out. I made a quilt top, as well. Eventually, I did get my own Featherweight. Still love it, though I have to fix the tension!

I finished Wildfire at Midnight this morning. One of my friends on IG told me that Stewart’s novels have recently been reissued – a British publisher I believe – so I’m going to get them all. I had such a good time rereading this gem. Next up: my copy of This Rough Magic. Stewart frequently used literary references and This Rough Magic is full of Shakespearean references, specifically, The Tempest. I have since worked with that text and know it well, so this time will be much different than when I was a young teenager.

I haven’t seen any activity from our pair of nuthatches, so I assume the nest has been finished and is either occupied or about to be occupied. How lovely it is to hear birdsong every morning. And what a difference it makes in my waking up process. Even in the fog of waiting for my coffee to brew, I hear those birds and am happy.

Hope you’re all well.

Happy Saturday.

A Bit of Everything Today

Day Three Hundred Eighty-Five

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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