On The Road — Page 61

Chautauqua Miniatures

June 21, 2015 at 9:13 am by Claudia

I had some free time yesterday morning – and it wasn’t raining – so I grabbed the opportunity to visit Chautauqua Miniatures. Last year, I drove there but it’s really just down the road (about a twenty minute walk,) so this time I walked it.

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It’s in an old barn and, along with all things mini, there are also sections of the shop that sell gifts and women’s clothing. Isn’t this a neat building?

I renewed my acquaintance with one of the owners, who, it turns out, used to work at the Chautauqua Institution, as did her partner in this business. Several years ago, they left their jobs to start this shop. I sure am grateful!

I’ve taken a lot of photos, but there’s really no way I can fully and adequately show you what’s there. Just like last year, I made a promise not to photograph artisan pieces, so I can’t show you the details of all the room boxes and the incredible creations that were everywhere in the shop.

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There are finished dollhouses everywhere and display cases full of minis. The display case to the left in this photo holds lots of artisan creations. I may have purchased a few things from that very case.

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I love this finished dollhouse.

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And this one.

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There’s a whole pet section. I need to look more closely at that section next week – during their (gulp) sale.

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There’s a section devoted to fairy garden supplies.

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Gorgeous.

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Talk about a porch!

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Upstairs you’ll find lots of building supplies and dollhouse kits.

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Love this vintage dollhouse.

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Need a bed?

Needless to say, there is even more and I promise to take my camera along when I go there next weekend.

I had a little bit of money set aside (I hid it in my desk) to buy some minis – specifically for the rooftop garden. And I did buy some.

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I bought two picket fence planters.

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I bought a basket.

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I bought a hanging basket of flowers. Isn’t it pretty?

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And I bought another corner shelf kit – like the one you see in the kitchen. I purchased this one last year and I thought it would be nice to have a matching shelf in the opposite corner.

But, my friends, I must confess: just as in real life, I was diverted by pottery. Gobsmacked, really.

First, I saw this (the picture doesn’t do it justice):

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This little white vase, which is just like a real-life McCoy vase. You see that I had to have it, don’t you?

And then…and then…I saw three pieces that blew me away. I was going to pick one. Just one. But I realized I was kidding myself, and I bought all three.

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Miniature Roseville Pottery.

You have my permission to gasp.

I am so in love with these pieces that I can’t find the words to express my adoration.

Let’s look a bit more closely and give them the chance to take a bow.

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Oh, my goodness. I can’t stand it.

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I’m dying here.

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Perfection.

They are made by Jeannetta Kendall Miniatures. I, of course, want even more. I have no idea where or how I am going to display them, but I’m thinking there needs to be a shelf devoted to them.

Caroline has made no secret of the fact that she likes and covets my pottery collection. Do you think she’ll appreciate this sacrifice I have made for her?

One can only hope.

The winner of a copy of Disclaimer is Vera. Congratulations, Vera! I’ll drop you an email right away.

Happy Sunday.

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Rain and Porches

June 20, 2015 at 7:51 am by Claudia

Unlike last year’s Sunny Chautauqua Adventure, this year is the Rainy Chautauqua Adventure. It’s rained most every day and I was disheartened to see that almost, but not quite, every day in the next 10 days will be rain-filled. Rather depressing, I have to say, as there’s nothing I like more when I’m here than to stroll around the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution.

But hold on there, some cool nature-related things are happening here despite, or maybe because of, the weather. Last night we were blessed with a spectacular sunset that filled the western sky, which just happens to be what I see when I’m sitting on the sofa.

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Quite amazing, and it went on for a long time. I had to hang up on Don in order to capture this beauty. Don’t worry. I called him back.

Today, we’re not called until 3 pm. That means we’ll be rehearsing from 3 – 9. And rain is in the forecast for this afternoon. So I’m going to grab some time this morning to visit Chautauqua Miniatures. I’ll take some photos.

More cottages:

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Love the board and batten exterior, the gingerbread details, and the pink front door.

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As you’ve no doubt noticed, porches – sometimes, multiple porches – are king here. Lots and lots of daily living is conducted on the porch. This house is still being readied for the summer, as evidenced by the overturned bucket on the front walk. Cottage porches have wicker furniture, adirondack chairs, wooden rockers, potted plants, hanging plants, lamps to read by at night. When walking down any street at night, I often see people reading by lamplight on their porches. It’s very cozy.

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American Flags are everywhere. The landscaping is beautiful and cottagey.

Sigh.

There are several houses for sale throughout the grounds. Last year I looked at the real estate listings and, let me tell you, they are not cheap! Plus, the taxes are very high. After all, you’re paying for a gated community, lake access, and access to all the incredible activities that go on here during the season – opera, music, theater, art exhibitions, lectures, concerts. Garrison Keillor is bringing A Prairie Home Companion here this summer. Tom Brokaw (I heard him speak last year) will be back. Anthony Doerr, the author of The Light We Cannot See, is lecturing. Charlie Rose will be here the first week. Carol Burnett will be here, as will The Beach Boys. And Henry Louis Gates, Bill Bradley, Phil Donahue, Dawn Upshaw, and more. It’s pretty spectacular.

Of course, I’m only here for one week of the official season. And much of that will be taken up with tech and dress rehearsals of Our Town. But I’ll try to catch a few things.

Happy Saturday.

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Grateful

June 19, 2015 at 7:53 am by Claudia

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First off, Scout is home. They didn’t get to her procedure until late in the day yesterday. I lost count of how many times I checked my phone during the course of the day. My concern was not the procedure itself, which was relatively minor. It was the use of any kind of anesthesia. Scout is 16½, remember, so she doesn’t sail through these things like she did when she was younger. I had Don tell the vet that she was very sensitive to certain medications, like acepromazine. It takes an alarmingly long time for her to recover. So they ended up giving her an IV of something or other that was mild. Even so, she was moaning and barking last night. (She doesn’t bark anymore, so you can imagine my surprise when Don sent me a video of her doing that very thing!)

No cone, thank goodness. I’m so glad she’s home with her dad. We’re grateful to her doctors, who are simply the best.

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We never heard from our neighbor, the electrician. So Don called a friend of his named Gus, who is also an electrician, and he came by the house late in the day yesterday. He and Don played with the circuit breakers and Gus replaced one of them. While they were in the middle of running up and down the basement stairs, Gus noticed the dehumidifier in the basement was shooting sparks.

Oh boy. We think that dehumidifier was the culprit. It was sparking, which caused the circuit breakers to flip. Needless to say, it was unplugged immediately and so far, so good. The power company is going to check the lines today and I think it’s a good idea to have them do that, just to be safe.

Grateful, as always. Grateful Don saw what was happening to Scout before he went to bed for the night. Grateful for our local vet. Grateful for friends who stop by after a long, long day at work to check our electrical problems. Grateful Scout is okay. Grateful my husband is dealing with all of this while I’m away. Grateful for the good thoughts sent our way from all of you.

I don’t like to dwell on the negative here on this blog. That can get old very quickly. Everyone is dealing with challenges, big and small. So we’ll end with the positive. Scout is well. Don is well. I am well. Our house is still standing. We have friends everywhere. We are blessed.

Rehearsals are long but lively and I’m having a great time.

I am convinced that Our Town is simply the best play ever. It’s that profound, that powerful, that glorious.

Lucky me!

I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to acknowledge the senseless tragedy in Charleston. Words escape me. Our collective heart is broken. Sending prayers to all those who are suffering and are waking to a world that will never be the same.

Happy Friday.

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Chautauqua Miniatures

Rain and Porches

Grateful

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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