flowers — Page 229

Midweek Check-in

September 9, 2015 at 8:57 am by Claudia

Two new tires on old car. Check.

Inspection on newer car to be done today. Almost check.

Dollhouse photos submitted to British magazine. Check.

Two nights in a row of too little sleep. Check.

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But it’s sunny and beautiful outside and the flowers are still blooming. I miss seeing birds in the birdbath. Every year about mid-August, I notice the lack of activity out there and it makes me sad. I get such pleasure from watching them frolic in the water. I feel like a mom whose kids have left the nest. Come back, little birds! (It should be the title of a play.)

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The Lady Elsie May roses are doing well. I cut them back severely this spring. There were so many dead canes that the whole bush needed a haircut. Now, I have to decide what to do about its neighbor – the Julia Child rose. It had leaves this year, but no rosebuds. Do I get rid of it? Or do I give it one last chance with a haircut?

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I’ve been the lucky recipient of a couple of gifts lately. Tammy, one of my longtime blogging friends who lives in Kuwait, sent me this beautiful journal that she made, along with a crocheted heart. Isn’t it lovely?

Thank you, Tammy!

And Barbara sent some goodies for the Top Secret Project. DON: Stop here!

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Some teeny-tiny baseball cards from L. Delaney.

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And a mini record album, complete with record – Abbey Road, of course. Barbara must have read my mind. I’m going to have a turntable in the studio, along with a record album collection. This Beatles album is the perfect start. As you know, Don is a huge Beatles fan.

The album is also by L. Delaney. I’ve ordered from her before and she has a wonderful Etsy shop.

Thank you, Barbara!

By the way, the article about the dollhouse will most likely be in the January issue. I’ll let you know more about it in a few months.

Happy Wednesday.

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Still: Blooming, Dealing with Cars, and Taking Dollhouse Photos

September 8, 2015 at 8:36 am by Claudia

The saga of the dollhouse photos continues. Today is the deadline, so whatever I’ve come up with will have to do, I guess. When I look at all the photos, including many close-ups, I’m struck by how many things I would do differently, that don’t look professionally finished.

The crop tool is a wonderful invention, isn’t it? I’ve sure been appreciating it lately.

I’ll be sorting through them this morning and then sending them on to the editor of the magazine.

Fingers crossed.

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The phlox is still going strong. Not only does it smell heavenly, it’s a real workhorse in the garden. And it self-seeds!

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I have to go into NYC on Thursday and on another day (can’t remember the date) next week. I’m helping an old friend with a new project he’s producing, which is a one-man show about C. S. Lewis. Thank goodness for old friends who extend an offer for some work! Normally, I would be in Hartford right now working on Shakespeare, as early fall is its usual slot in the season. But this year, it’s not scheduled to start rehearsals until right after Christmas because the theater is being renovated. Totally understandable.

First of all, that means I have to be in Hartford in the winter. Yuck. But more importantly, I’m missing out on badly needed income that I’ve come to count on at this time of year and that’s been stressful.

Ah well. That’ll teach me!

So, my friend’s offer of two days of work is very welcome indeed. And I haven’t been in the city for a while…I’d say I’ll get a cupcake when I’m there, but I’m on a diet. Hopefully, there will not be a Magnolia Bakery nearby to tempt me with its scrumptiousness.

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