We have an excessive heat advisory today and tomorrow. The heat index could go as high as 112° today. Yikes. I guess we’re not mowing the lawn today. Luckily there was a light rain falling this morning which has since ended and the gardens have been watered naturally. I’ll head out to the porch after I finish this to make sure all of those pots are watered as well.
If any of you here in the States have been watching The Bridge and want to see the final season (which has been unavailable for some reason until now) it’s now available on Amazon Prime via Topic, a channel that carries a lot of international movies and series. We were about to start another European series when I happened to see The Bridge, Season 4 on the screen! Huzzah! I’ve searched for it a few times a week for what seems like ages in hopes that it would magically become available. I know I’ve said this before, but both Don and I think The Bridge (Danish/Swedish) is one of the finest series we’ve even seen.
This is the way Red Chair wraps a purchase. I really love the elegant simplicity. Anyway, here are my purchases wrapped, and my unwrapped purchases are below.
On the left, a vintage French yogurt container (you know I love graphics) and on the right, a vintage café au lait bowl. I now have three, so I’ve got a collection. Why the heck I didn’t buy several of them when I was at the flea market in Paris, I’ll never know. Don envisions several colorful bowls on that little shelf I have in the kitchen – the shelf currently occupied by McCoy and some old stoneware containers with neat graphics. Don has a good eye, so I’m going to do that very thing as soon as I get a couple more of these bowls.
I haven’t painted in several days – too many other things going on. I’m going to start a new painting today. By the way, I’m in contact with the owner of the Beacon Hill and we’ll probably drive there on Tuesday to pick it up. They’re away at the moment and she has to work on Monday.
Am I insane to take this on? Soon there will be a wall of dollhouses surrounding my desk in the office. My very own dollhouse-cubicle. Every once in a while, I wonder if I’m just plain crazy.
Okay, my friends. I’m off to do a few things around the house before it gets too hot.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
HelgaHardenberg says
As you know, I started with a Beacon Hill shell made by an ambitioned retired person. Nevertheless, I still had a lot to do with dismantling and making improvements, if it was what I wanted. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, everything will work out.
I am very excited.
Stay safe!
Helga
Claudia says
I expect to have to fix things as well – the porch is on crookedly, for one thing!
Thanks so much, Helga. I’ll be studying your excellent work on your Beacon Hill!
Stay safe.
Eileen+Bunn says
I’ve kind of decided that I need to do the things that make me happy as I get older. I’ve spent a lot of time being practical and doing without and now I feel I’m just going to honor myself and enjoy what makes me happy. I still feel guilty at times but I just need to move on and enjoy my life. I think you and Don do a good job following your passions. Enjoy your dollhouse.
Love you,
Eileen
Claudia says
Wise advice, Eileen!
Happy Belated 50th! I’ve always thought that you and Woody are two of the best people I’ve ever had the privilege to know and as a couple, you’re my role models. I love you and it was an honor to be a bridesmaid in that wedding so long ago. Much love to you both.
Your adoring cousin
kathy in iowa says
hej, eileen.
i so hope you will pursue the things that make you happy! that is definitely nothing to feel guilty about … especially given what you said about doing without and what the last year and a half has cost. i say go for it and enjoy!!! :)
stay safe, too.
kathy in iowa
Jayne K Duey says
Hi Claudia,
Maybe you’ve already talked about this, but what’s the difference between a café au lait bowl and a “regular” vintage bowl?
We are hot and icky from smoke here in Colorado. So bad that Denver has been at or near the top of the list of most polluted cities in the world lately. We may get some rain next week. Hope so.
What are your thoughts on Cuomo’s resignation? I’m so disappointed
Take care,
Jayne
Claudia says
A cafe au lait bowl is made specifically for drinking coffee – one hand on either side of the bowl, no handle, drinking straight from the bowl. But you can surely use those bowls for other things, as well.
I’m saddened by his resignation – he’s done so much for us, especially during this pandemic. But it had to happen – there’s no way he could have been an effective Governor any longer. It’s better for the Dems and for the state for him to move on. Sadly, we live in a world where Republicans elect sexual predators to office and/or applaud them, whereas Democrats actually take action and force them to resign – which is the right thing to do, of course.
Stay safe, Jayne.
Roxie says
No, you’re not crazy to take on another dollhouse. I know because I have my eye on yet another(!) American Girl doll even though four of the little beauties are currently eyeing me as I type this.
In my defense, two of the dollies will be moving out to grand-nieces soon. I get such joy from sewing outfits and crafting furniture and accessories for the little girls, and the imaginative play that occurs afterwards is just the best. I’ve been creating storylines–with girl input about favorite colors, preferred activities, virtues and challenges–that have taken the whole enterprise into a new realm of fun.
I’ve been asking myself what the upper limit is. Or perhaps there isn’t a limit to dolls or dollhouses? Especially during a pandemic. There’s that silver lining again!
Your treasures are a delight! I’m a sucker for anything French.
Stay healthy.
Claudia says
I think a pandemic allows for a lot of creative indulgences, Roxie!
Stay safe.
Dorien says
Our french friends use those bowls at breakfast for coffee or for hot chocolat to soak their bread before putting it in their mouth. That is why the bowls are wide at the top. It is a slobbery and messy business. You can imagine that I don’t use my best tablecloths and serviettes, as after breakfast with 6 persons, they look as if the floor has been mopped with them.
But the bowls usually are very beautiful.
Claudia says
I can’t imagine drinking coffee that way, but I’ve often seen it done!
The bowls are indeed beautiful. I’m collecting them for that reason and not for actual coffee drinking!
Stay safe, Dorien.
Donnamae says
We are very humid here too, with another round of storms predicted. As long as the trees stay upright, and the roof stays on, we really do need the moisture. A cool front is coming through…that is exciting.
Are you crazy? Well…certainly not. You are just pursuing a dream, desire, want. We once crossed state lines in pursuit of pretzels…so who am I to judge??
The bowls are lovely additions to your collections. I’ve been missing antique shopping. Enjoy your day! ;)
Claudia says
Just had a crazy thunderstorm and now it’s sunny again!
Thanks, Donna!
Stay safe.
jeanie says
There is much to be said for plain crazy. Embrace it!
I feel for you with the heat wave. We’re getting the same here and beastly humid. We did have rain come through this afternoon and hopefully it cools things off a bit.
I love it when you buy something and it is wrapped like a present. It doubles the fun. That’s lovely!
Claudia says
We had a big thunderstorm not too long ago.
I know! That wrapping is scrumptious!
Stay safe. Jeanie.
Dee+Dee says
Love your purchases! I noticed a glass cloche in the background of the antique shop yesterday. My friend has one as a display item for her collection of Alice in Wonderland miniature figures.
It’s several years since I saw that series of The Bridge. There’s so great many Scandinavian series shown on mainstream TV in the UK. I can highly recommend Borgen, it’s not a thriller as such, more of a political drama but so well acted.
Stay cool!
Claudia says
I have a glass cloche on the sideboard.
Oh thanks for the recommendation. I’ve seen that title. I’ll be sure to write it down.
Stay safe, Dee Dee!
kathy in iowa says
such great purchases (one with graphics!) … and that pretty blue wrapping paper! am sure you will find just the right spot for them and the soon-to-be-yours dollhouse. enjoy it all!
and hopefully you can stay inside, let the grass grow until a cooler, drier day arrives someday.
will share your tip about “the bridge”. glad you can watch its last season.
has anyone watched “schitt’s creek”? i’ve seen some good things about it online (years after it stopped airing … typical for me … ha), but would appreciate hearing what you all have to say.
hot here so am thankful that my family all have air conditioning. my car and apartment do as well and i’m thankful for that, too.
have washed and dried on high heat a “chindi” table runner and soon it will be made into a pillow (too thick to sew on my beloved mother’s sewing machine). i am pleased about that because fabric in the store didn’t come close to what i wanted and this will work perfectly with a mix of warm and cool colors. plus i get to help a small and favorite (upholstery) business in my own little way.
for now, though, i am off to spend some socially-distanced time with some family members. i am so thankful for them!
and you all, too.
take care, keep cool and safe.
kathy in iowa
Claudia says
Yes, I’ve watched Schitt’s Creek. We loved it. It only ended last year, Kathy. I highly recommend it. It’s quirky and wonderful. Stay with it through the first few episodes so you get used to the rhythm and humor.
Thanks, Kathy.
Stay safe.