Due to the freakish and unexpected snow and ice that hit my gardens and plants as they were already coming out of the ground, some things haven’t bloomed and I don’t think they will this year. For example, my yellow daffodils that live on the edge of the woods. I check them out every day.
Nothing.
But my other daffodils – the ones that are in the big garden bed – don’t come out of the ground as early as the yellow daffs, and I was hoping against hope they would bloom for me.
They have. I must admit giving a little squeak of happiness when I saw them. They’re so delicate and pretty.
Getting these shots required some precarious balancing on my part. Worth it.
Slightly different angle, different setting. These were planted long ago by a previous resident. Thank you!
We mowed the front part of our property yesterday – what we call ‘tag-team’ mowing. Since our front yard is very expansive, one of us will do about 4 long passes, then the other will take over, etc. Since we alternate, it doesn’t get nearly as tiring. We can only do this, of course, when both of us are in residence. We still have to attend to the Back Forty, but it rained all night last night and the grass will be really wet, so we’ll probably wait until tomorrow.
Don: Stop Right Here!
A couple of items arrived in the mail the other day. The little kitchenette has some updates:
The light wasn’t entirely cooperating with me, as it was just about to start raining, so it’s a little less crisp than I would like, but you get the idea.
Expresso for the resident, as well as a stool to sit on while drinking coffee and munching on cookies. I love that pop of lime green on the stool.
I’m working on something else, which should (fingers crossed) be finished today. If it is, I’ll take some pictures for you. I’m very excited about this little project. I got so excited yesterday, I could barely contain myself and I have to wait until June 24th to reveal it to Don.
Deep breath, Claudia. You still have some more projects to finish before this can be considered finished.
I love miniatures.
Happy Saturday.
Love the title of this post. And that little stool? Oh, so cute.
Thank you, Karen. Have a great day!
Lovely spring flowers! My daughter is out at the west coast this week and said everything is in glorious bloom. I’m a bit envious – there isn’t much here at the moment except for dust and more dust.
The espresso maker and stool really make the space! Is there going to be anything above the counter? A cafe-style blackboard or a montage of quirky signs both come to mind. So many possibilities! If mini Don is into colouring, Michaels has some tiny coloured pencils in the miniatures section (part of the kids’ section) that are about the right size.
Gosh, I was just at Michael’s the other day and I didn’t see them. I’ll have to look again. I don’t think Don would go for the blackboard but I’ll think of something else. Probably art of some kind because Don loves old paintings.
The TSP is wonderful. You are very clever and have thought of many many details!
My daffs are just ending and the tulips are beginning; if only the rabbits and squirrels would leave them alone. Just when the colorful bud is ready to open someone comes along and snaps it off!
So far, so good on my daffs. But my hyacinths – some old bulbs I discovered elsewhere on the property a few years back – have only been giving my leaves and no flowers for the past 2 years, same with the tulip. These were all planted years and years ago, so maybe the bulbs are just plain pooped?
The new stool might be my favorite piece in the TSP. Great choice!
I hope you both enjoy your weekend.
Thanks, Sue. I like that stool, too. Have a great weekend.
Tag team mowing, I love it!! The little stool is so cute and the color is perfect. I need to blog about my house guest today!
hugs,
Linda
Hope you’re having fun, Linda!
Claudia, Very few bulb flowers for me this year. Don’t know why. However, to make up for that, the transplants…azaleas and roses…popped out in profusion. They like their new locations. I like the color of the stool. It does make that corner pop. You may have mentioned it before, but how big is your property?
It’s just under 2 acres, Wendy.
I planted what I’d hoped would be a “spring welcome of daffodils” by my front porch 2 years ago…..but alas, only 3 popped up this year. So disappointing. I love the tag team mowing…..just makes sense! And that stool….so cute! Everything you are adding to the TSP, is perfect….and thoughtful! Enjoy your day! ;)
I miss seeing the bright yellow daffodils, but I trust they’ll be back next year!
Such pretty daffodils. They always make me happy. And the espresso machine and stool? Oh my goodness! Everytime I think I won’t see another miniature as amazingly detailed as the one you showed us before, you surprise me with another one. I can’t believe the amount of skill it takes to make these pieces. Don will love it I’m sure!
Blessings,
Betsy
I’m always amazed at what can be made in miniature, Betsy!
What is it about minis that just makes my heart sing? I have been playing with mine for a bit this morning and it sure does make me happy. Can’t wait to see your next creation!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Thanks, Susan. They make me happy, too!
The title of your post today has the lilt of a song….. a bit of jazz, some finger snapping. Nice tune to sit at that counter, on that sweet stool, and have a cuppa and some cookies!! I can hear playing in the background ~ Daffodils & Espresso !!
Love tag-team mowing. As we live on this earth longer and longer, we need to find ways to accomplish what needs to be done ~ and not exhaust ourselves so we need to recuperate for 3 days. Great idea and you still get some exercise!! We just need to recognize and accept that we may need to revamp some things to adapt to our new reality. :-)
Another dreary and cool day here. We need some sun!!
We have so much lawn, that tag teaming it just makes sense. And we have fun doing it.
And miniatures love you, because you know what to do with them!
Such pretty daffodils! Mine are always solid yellow.
Our hills here in SoCalif are losing their green ‘way too fast already but we had enough rain to bring up blooms and blossoms not seen in years. Lavender-blue jacarandas are beautifying the landscape right now and, in my small landscape/gardening alone, we have every color of the rainbow…red bottle brush, orange ice plant, yellow lantana and daisy, blue ceanothus. It’s all such a major treat for us out here to live, for a little while at least (still in the presence of drought) with some green and some color. Roses bloomed ‘way before Mother’s Day; lovely pinks, yellows. And I’ve noticed an abundance of red geraniums in people’s yards. Also, how lush are the silk trees! Just thick with green and how beautiful they’ll be once they turn pink, too.
Oh, and the glads, oh-my-gosh. Tall and waving in the breeze…pinks with yellow, and some so purple they almost look black.
I can’t wait to plant the pots for the porch and get some hanging plants, Vicki.
I love that you know and appreciate and nurture every single thing growing in your garden, Claudia. Gardening is a lot of work. But each thing you tackle now is going to do you a world of good. A colorful world is a wonderful world.
Funny how I’d just mentioned red geraniums. And I’ve probably told you this story. But one of the most pleasant ‘flower’ experiences I had was traveling to Astoria (of John Jacob Astor fame) in Oregon (incredibly scenic area, coastal and also the Columbia River; this is another place I could see myself living in [has really had a revival; good arts scene, lots of places to eat]; fantastic little town [I formerly had a co-worker who was born and raised there]) where the weather was pleasantly drizzly/foggy. My parents found a older hotel on a hilly bluff; lots of views (Astoria has steep streets leading up from the waterfront). Charming hotel in my late-teen memory; wish I could recall the name. Anyway, EVERY room had a hanging basket of red geraniums outside their door along a long covered porch with wood planks. I was just a ‘ kid’, but I remember it being so cottage-y and very pretty, those bright pops of color in the gray morning mist. We eventually landed in Victoria on Vancouver Island (oh, Canada; Western Canada is SO beautiful) and they also had hanging baskets of flowers on light posts in an area we visited somewhere in the city…I think near the Empress Hotel at the water…but, gosh, it’s been a long time ago. Between Victoria and Astoria on that lovely trip, though, I think that’s when early on in my youngest adulthood I fell in love forever with hanging baskets of flowers!
Let us see yours when you’ve got ’em up!
I’m going to hang the geraniums that I overwintered in the next few days. I want to make sure it’s warm and staying warm before I do that. Today is cold and rainy!
You do have a large yard to take care of! TSP is looking wonderful.
It is large – but we love it, Doris!
Claudia, I love the way you and Don mow…many hands make light work. I am loving the surprise you are making for Don. It all looks so real. I saw where you are ready to get some lilac blooms. I am so glad you have those. I think everyone should have lilacs. Blessings to you, hope you are enjoying the weekend. xoxo, Susie
I lived here for at least five years before I planted that lilac, but I really wanted one. I grew up with a big old lilac in my yard and I agree with you, Susie, I think everyone should have one! Everyone who lives in a cold enough climate, that is!
Claudia,
I tried to post to you three times from my phone, and it was hopeless. I have no idea why, but this started the other day. I had been able to do it, but apparently it’s a no go now.
I want you to know I just love this whole little kitchen and would like to move right in, and that espresso machine is DARLING. And the stool. All of it. I loved the guitar from the other day and not sure if you got my message, but I think Eric Clapton would be jealous. Oh, how I love that tiny magnifying glass and NEED it. LOL
I wish I could live in some of the places in books, too, and what you said reminded me of the verse from the Bible, “Dwell on those things that are lovely.” Am trying hard to do that. Hence, my stance on the news. It happens whether I watch it or not. Not watching assures that I can sleep well at night. There is a lot going on here behind the scenes, and I am hanging on tight, trying to keep the stress down. I won’t go into it here.
I am still going to be reading your blog, but posting is going to be close to impossible for me sans my IPAD. I just didn’t want you to think I have left and not returned. Not sure when I am getting another. We are down a car since the insurance company gave us next to nothing to fix our classic, and the repairs cost more than the car and far more than the insurance payment. I will try to use my husband’s computer on weekends, but that might not be possible as he needs it. So, we shall see.
Sending you much love and thinking of you as you grieve and heal. Sending thoughts of beautiful spring flowers and dollhouses that are replete with all good things as yours are. You are doing a GREAT job. Don is going to LOVE this. Me thinks the boy who lives there is the secret admirer who is sending Caroline her pottery. ;-)
xo
Sheila
Thinking of you, Sheila, and hoping that the stress going on in your life eases. I understand. “Dwell on those things that are lovely” – lovely and profound words of wisdom – but not always easy to do. xo
Dropping by one final time before I am computerless.
It’s funny. In the last several days, I got emails and phone calls from people I had lost touch with due to the ebb and flow of life. Boy, howdy, they came at the right time! And as much as I want to dwell on the amazing kindness of God for prompting them to contact me, I kept letting my mind drift off to a stressful situation on an ongoing project and to some family members battling illness. Today, my stomach is in a tight-fisted knot. You are right. It can be hard at times to dwell on lovely things and even harder to lie down in green pastures and let our souls be restored. I keep having to fight myself when it should be so simple. I know how to dwell there.
I am starting on a book about brain science, spirituality, and programming our thoughts, and it can’t be a minute too soon. I have got to relinquish the stress. It’s as if my body coils up, waiting for the next round. I’m putting my foot down and saying, “Enough!”
Blessings, my friend…
xo
Sheila
Let me know if that book is good, Sheila. I could use it! Blessings to you, as well.
The love flower photos they look lovely. Seems everyone has been having unexpected weathers. Silly I think the weather is confused. Mowing is a lot of work so it is nice you have someone to share it with.. Have a wonderful evening and a lovely Sunday with love Janice
Crazy weather – and very dangerous for some – everywhere. It’s going to rain for the next 3 days, so I’ll be reading and working on the TSP, Janice. Have a good weekend.
Hi there, I just love seeing your dollhouse and the TSP – they are so sweet. I can tell how much you love creating them. I haven’t even opened up my dollhouse kit yet – just need to take that first step! xxoo
Go right now and open it up! I insist!
Can’t remember the last movie I saw in a theater. I think it was Julie & Julia. When was that – 2009? 2010? It’s just as you said. Too $$$ and too inconvenient. First off, you have to go on the theater’s schedule, rather than your own. I’m over that one for sure. To me, the BEST part of today’s technology is that it is designed to fit the consumer’s schedule. You watch what YOU want, and WHEN you want it. Just MADE FOR the getting-older crowd. Plus, when you watch Netflix movies or series, or documentaries on PBS or YouTube or the National Geographic Channel [I saw a wonderful BBC biography of the Queen – Elizabeth at 90 – just this week], you don’t deal with traffic, weather, parking, pricey tickets, exorbitantly-expensive snacks or [invariably] a fair number of inconsiderate [and sometimes just plain rude] people. You can even have healthy snacks at home, instead of popcorn covered with some kind of petrochemical ooze in a theater. Except for water, I can’t think of a single healthy item available at a theater snack bar. Nope, I think my theater-going days – at least for movies – are over. There’s nothing like a LIVE performance in a theater though – I can’t imagine THAT ever changing.
PS – I hear you on muting commercials. I’m practically best friends with the MUTE button on my remote. I must silence about 97% of the commercials shown. Every once in a while though, there IS something amusing. Right now I love the Subaru ad with the little kid whose imagining himself driving his Dad’s car. Very well-done and creative. And “What -are-you-wearing, Jake-from-State-Farm?” is also pretty funny.
Love “what are you wearing, Jake from State Farm!’ One of my favorites and they’ve just started running it again. Hurrah!
I had no problems with my daffodils Claudia…They are as beautiful as ever and so are my tulips…the little kitchenette is looking so good..I wish I had one..
The ice was just too harsh for them. No flowers. Thank goodness for the daffs in the garden bed!