I walked outside today and noticed this heart – made by the relentless rain hitting the gravel next to the porch. A perfect heart – isn’t that amazing? It made me smile on this day after the hurricane.
We moved into this house 6 years ago today. Part of what sold us on the house were the 4 large trees in the front of the property: a shag hickory, a weeping willow, a sugar maple and a catalpa. We deeply love these trees. To hear cracking and groaning as limbs were ripped from them on Sunday was heartbreaking. Each of the trees lost one or more branches; in some cases, large limbs. The sugar maple suffered the most. It is the tree that sits the closest to the house. You see it in every photo of the garden or the porch. We are very sad. Don was so upset last night that he had to write a song about it.
Clean up has started. We are grateful for a friend who came over with his chain saw today. That was an enormous help. There is still much to do. There has been terrible flooding in our area, with damage to crops and homes.
We are very lucky that the house was not hit by a tree. Everything seems even more precious to me. Early in the day, before all the devastation happened, we decided to rearrange the furniture in the living room. Long story short: we moved everything around in several formations but ended up putting it back in almost the same position. It really doesn’t work any other way. These little changes have made things just a bit cheerier today. We ended up moving some tables into new positions:
The dollhouse sat on this coffee table – it’s now on a smaller table and the coffee table is in front of the sofa in the den. It almost moved into the living room, but we couldn’t imagine the living room without the round oak coffee table.
We decided to take away the white table that was next to the piano, moved the piano over 6 inches, and now the yellow chair fits perfectly in the space.
On another note – the bowl on the left was in a photo a couple of posts ago. Some of you mentioned how much you liked it. It’s not McCoy. It’s a pattern called Orange Tree by Homer Laughlin. I found these at an auction a few years ago and I love them. This pattern was made in the 1930’s – 1940’s. Here’s the mark on the bottom of the bowl if you’re interested in searching for some of your very own Orange Tree bowls:
Happy Anniversary MHC.
Go hug your trees today.
Claudia,
Just a lovely post. Those bowls are beautiful. Coveting just a little…..I love your home. It just feels like love.
We are still cleaning up. Hope Katia fizzles. Irene was quite frightening. Have a wonderful week. Hope you will show pics of the dollhouse soon!
Carol
Hey Girlfriend,
It’s always good to move things around once in a while, it does tend to brighten things up. I’m so sorry about your trees losing limbs, but so thankful you didn’t lose the trees or they didn’t fall on your home. Those bowls are gorgeous, thanks for sharing them again.
Hugs,
Meri
Perhaps the trees will come back better. I like your home…so pretty. The white brick wall is lovely, too. And, the color of the bowls! so pretty.
Love your home!
How`s the puppy?
S
xo
I did notice those bowls in your post and meant to comment on them. They are really lovely…love the color! After all that is said and done it looks like Vermont really got it with the flooding. Sorry about your trees but Happy Anniversary to your blog!~Hugs, Patti
Happy Cottage Anniversary! May you be blessed with many, many more happy years there — long enough to watch those trees become large and beautiful again!
Way to go. Another year down. Of course, you can guess I go hug my trees every day. Each one is so precious to me. You pictures and stories really saddened my heart yesterday. Didn’t see all the new about your area and Vermont till last night. So so sad. Take it slow. Love the chair by the piano, glad it fits. Perfect there.
The inside of your house is so cheery. That alone must help to put a smile on your face during these tough times you have had this summer. It certainly won’t be summer you will forget.
Hello Claudia,
I am glad that you and your family are all right. It’s sad about the trees…
Gabriela
Hi Claudia-Happy Anniversary!
Glad to hear you made it through that terrible weather! It’s sad to hear about your trees. That was my biggest fear-luckily we didn’t get the predicted winds!
-Lynn
Claudia, your home is a very beautiful place to relax in,-
and oh the love was send from above, how special-I love the heart.
Hugs, Dorthe
I had written a comment and it just disappeared before I could print it. I’ve been without the internet since Saturday. The repairman just left and I couldn’t wait to come and see how you are. So very sad about your trees. I love trees also and so I know how devastated you must feel. I’m so happy though that the willow one did not break off completely. It’s such a beauty. So very happy that you are all safe. Hang in there. Better times ahead. I’m sure of that.
Thanks for the info on the bowls! Off to search for some.
Happy anniversary. The heart is just another reminder of how much you are loved! Your house is beautiful It is so cheery looking. I love the bowls. Pretty pattern and color. I am so happy that you are all safe.
I’m glad you are both safe and sound, and I am sorry about your trees. We had a lot of brush to clean up, but nothing as much as you have.
I’ve been lusting for those Orange Tree bowls for years. I still hope to one day find some at a price I am willing to pay.
So glad you two are safe. And that heart in your driveway looks like a message from above.
Love the bowls. I see Scout is not to perturbed over there. I’m sorry about your trees. I’d like to hear Don’s song.
Brenda
I am so glad to hear that you are all all right!!
All your photos are just beautiful, Claudia! They make me smile!!!
xxoo
Marsha
Hi Claudia! I LOVE those bowls :) I wrote down the information and will ask my neighbor if she has any in storage! xoxo