Hello, all! Before I get into my post I want to say how glad I am that the comments section has become a gathering place for all of us during this surreal time. I read your comments to me and to other commenters and I think how lucky we are that we can do this.
So, thank you.
Yesterday was cold but beautifully sunny all day. Right now? It’s snowing. More of the surreal.
When we were chatting during our second cup of coffee yesterday, Don got an idea about the Folk Art dollhouse. If you remember, we had it on our kitchen table. He wondered if we could find another place for it in the kitchen. The sunlight was hitting it and it looked beautiful and he thought it might be even more so if we could put it closer to the windows. Easier said than done. This house is small and every bit of space is taken up with something or other. But I must admit, I have been missing the available surface of the kitchen table – for eating, for writing, for puzzles – especially during this time. (Don has good ideas, even though I sometimes think they won’t work. They usually do.)
So we did our usual “What about here? No, that won’t work…how about there?” You get the picture. This went on for quite a while. The only available surface that wasn’t already being used was the French Bistro table which was currently propped against a wall in the upstairs hallway. So, Don brought it downstairs. The only place we could think for it to go was to the right of Stella, where the old advertising stand was that held our paper towels. We’ve had that on display since shortly after we moved here, so we decided it might be time to retire it for a while. Long story short: we moved it out of the way, opened up the bistro table, placed it perpendicular to the wall, and here you go:
It looks great there, we get to see the bistro table once more, along with the French words on the side. We have the table back and we promptly ate lunch there. I tried to take other pictures, but the perspective was way off; the house looked smaller than it is. I’ll keep experimenting.
Speaking of dollhouses, I did a lot of ‘stonework’ on the facade yesterday:
I made it all the way up to the peak. I’m really pleased with it. Today, I’ll try to finish the facade. Then I’ll have to do the left and right exterior walls. Eventually, I’ll grout between the stones – something tells me that will be a pain in the tush. This stone work is done using egg cartons and it’s tedious. (Don has been saving egg cartons for me for well over a year.) I have to cut the strips, paint them with two coats of the main color, then another coat of the contrast color, and wait for them to dry. Then I have to take my scissors and cut the stones, gluing them individually. I try to vary the widths. The hardest part is cutting them to fit around the windows and against the sharp angle of the roof.
I might as well have something to show for all this self-isolating, right?
When all of this is done, I’ll start on the inside.
We’re hanging in there. We had a good day yesterday. Our feel-good choice of the evening was episodes of Cheers, starting from the beginning. Heavens, that show was excellent, right from the get-go. The pilot was so well done.
Happy Monday.
If it is hard trimming around the windows and doors, just imagine the amazing artistry it took to do it with stone! I don’t usually comment but I read your blog everyday and enjoy it! We are hanging in there together even if I haven’t let you know. Stay safe!
Unbelievable artistry! Glad you’re doing well, Theresa. Take care of yourself!
Greetings and be of Good Cheer,
I have snow too and a snow advisory…oh well, maybe it will keep people home and safe.
I too am so impressed with your governor, he is on target and I trust him.
Wishing you peace, sunshine, good books and good sleep.
Kaye
Park City, UT
Wishing the same to you, Kaye. Stay safe!
That’s a great place to showcase the folk art house! So pretty in the sunshine.
Things are okay around here—just the regular cabin fever and low-level anxiety. The NYC boys are heard from and improving slowly, but improving. Son was tested for and came back positive for influenza. They didn’t run a corona test and did not think a person could have both at once. But, improvement is improvement. We’ll take it.
Whether or not we’ll be heading north at all this season is definitely up in the air, for now. Keeping on keeping on.
I’m so glad to hear the boys are improving. Sigh of relief! Hang in there, Shanna (and Fred). xo
Great that you have something you love to do during this isolation. I just ordered some puzzles and will be clearing off my dining table to work them. xo Laura
I’m not sure if I have one on hand; I’ll order if I don’t! Take care of yourself, Laura.
Claudia, your Folk Art Dollshouse looks great in that new position, it’s as if it’s sitting in the woods you can see through the window!
Can I also say a huge thank you to yourself and and your readers for the kind messages of support that I received yesterday. They really cheered me up and I feel in a better place today.
My son is no worse than he was yesterday but we will keep monitoring. There are nurses in his building who are likely to have been in contact with patients but this can’t be helped if you work in a hospital.
Keep safe everyone
I’m so glad you’re in a better place today, Dee Dee. This is a wonderful group of readers. Take care!
Wow, that is quite a bit of work on the dollhouse! It looks amazing, so far.
Tim went on a Cheers binge watch last year. He wasn’t even born when it first came out. ;-)
It’s so well written and the actors are impeccable. There’s nothing comparable in terms of writing to me, except maybe Will and Grace. Don, of course, was on an episode of Cheers, so it really brings back memories of his time in LA. Take care, Melanie.
Your blog is always the first thing I check- in with in the morning. You touch so many people with it and it gives us all a good start to our day.
Love the folk art house where you put it and the stone work on the other one is fabulous. You are so lucky to have these projects to keep you busy/entertained during this stress filled time we are all going through. Jigsaw puzzles are the thing that is keeping us sane during this time. My husband jokes that we’ll probably both need new reading glasses after this is all over. We’re hanging in there like everyone else and hope this, too, will pass soon.
I think some puzzles will soon be in order here, as well, Cathy. Take care of yourself!
So, we are in double digits. Hope we don’t get to triple. ALTHOUGH, the orange do-do bird just said he is pretty sure his 15 days will be all it takes….. so our economy can begin growing again. So next Monday is the end of his 15 days. And this will be behind us???? Beyond belief. Pence should just come out at those press briefings with that stupid paper glued to his forehead since he waves it in the air every other minute. Is there a way that WE, the people can impeach on our own without the government’s “help”??
OK, in happier thoughts, the Bistro table looks lovely there, and it is such fun to just move a couple of things around to give a whole new perspective, isn’t it? And your stonework is amazing. Maybe you were a stone mason in a previous life??
LOL! thank you Chris K in Wisconsin. my first big laugh of the day. xo
tammy j, I followed your blog for a couple of years, and then saw you HERE one day. Your comments always make me smile! Stay well! Bet that Wendy’s burger tasted sooooo good yesterday!!
thanks Chris. I remember you! and that’s saying something… with my memory these days. LOL.
and yes. eating a sandwich with the windows down in the car…
and nothing but the beautiful bird songs… (instead of deafening music from the café or wherever) it was what I call PERFECT! XO
He is an embarrassment to our country. And he has to make every press briefing about him. When will people realize that he doesn’t care about them? He’s a narcissist. It’s in the definition of that condition. I wish he’d just let the experts speak. No one is expecting T to be an expert. Let’s let the trained doctors and scientists handle this.
Take care of yourself, Chris!
Exactly. We don’t need political briefings, we need medical briefings.
Yep. xo
Yes, my husband says what he’s doing is campaigning.
Wow Claudia, you do have patience! I definitely don’t have enough to do the precise work you are doing on the doll house.
It is snowing like crazy here too. Wouldn’t be so bad but my husband got called into work and has to drive a bit of a distance to get there.
Lots of reading going on here between long walks.
Take care!❤️
It’s been snowing, sleeting, snowing, raining – what a day! Take care of yourself, Robin.
Our spirits are somewhat better today…guess we’ve settled in to this new normal. We can’t change things, so Might as well just accept things, and not fight it mentally. In other words….we are hanging in there.
I like the folk art house on the bistro table. You’ve given it it’s own space, while still making your table available for other activities. And that stone work you’ve done looks great. What a perfect time to do it, too. What with your snow, it’s too early to work outside, and you do have the time.
I’ve got lots of small projects on my to do list…guess I’d better get a start. Take care! ;)
I’ve got nothing but time, Donnamae! It’s been a crazy snowy day here with a police chase of a guy that ended right in front of our house! Very exciting! I’ll tell more tomorrow. Take care.
Beautiful sunny day in London too
Oh my Claudia the house looks grand in it’s new place and I have serious, serious table envy – what a beauty!
Thank you for letting me ( virtually) visit your beautiful home.
Hello to all your other readers too
Siobhan x
We love, love that table, Siobhan! I hope you’re doing well in this crazy time. xo
I love the doll house move to the Bistro table! What a great idea. It’s cold and rainy and dreary here too. I feel a little edgy today. I made a new scone recipe this morning which turned out nicely, but I just had no patience for all the clean-up! Been reading and knitting every day. That’s as good as it gets.
I’ve been edgy off and on and I woke up too early this morning, so I’m a bit sleep deprived. Take care, Judy.
But, despite how you feel, you’re trudging forward and plugging away at it, and doing meticulous work on the doll house, Claudia! I don’t know how you come up with all the ideas, like this stonework. It looks really, really good in the photos. Wow, it must take all your patience reserves (but patience makes perfect!).
Yesterday was hard. I had to make myself stay with it and I wasn’t alway patient!
Tenth day for me. Am doing homeschool on Facebook with grands. My one family has about 8 more days since grand arrived from university in U K. The other family ended theirs yesterday…that was a worry…love the house…I have never watched CHEERS but I did watch some Frasure or Frazier or whatever. I had never seen that show either. He was funny…when I get so I need comfort…I watch BLue BLoods-I had never seen that either. As you can tell, I don’t watch television…thankful for Hulu and Netflix. Just read several books for review for NETGALLEY…the new J. Jance looks to be a good one…have good day. Folks getting together on blog good idea. thank you dear one…
You’re very welcome, Brenda. It sounds like you’re keeping busy – that’s a good thing! Take care.
I love the house Claudia! Yea, for Don in coming up with a solution.
I heard from my brother this morning. He has seen a doctor. He has bronchitis. He is on an antibiotic. He doesn’t have a home so will continue to haul freight. His home is his truck. I worry so about him and all the different people he comes into contact with. He know what precautions to take, but still….
The Minnesota Governor will most likely order a Shelter in Place for the state today. I’m going to venture out today and pick up a few things before that happens just so I can stay home longer this time. It’s been just a week since I’ve been out. I am thankful for everything that I do have that’s for sure.
I know you worry about him, and he shouldn’t be driving with bronchitis, but I’m relieved to hear it isn’t the virus. I think more and more states are going to be issuing a shelter in place rule. It’s the only way to stop this thing. Take care, Trudy.
I forgot! Thank you everyone who replied yesterday for your prayers. They were very much appreciated.
xo
oh my! that makes all the difference!
one of my favorite memories is playing with a dollhouse long ago.
I LOVE the beautiful light in your cottage. it makes everything better! xo
(and I dearly LOVED Little Buddy (or Z’s) work station! LOL. he’s such a delight.
Isn’t that work station a hoot? I love that boy. Take care of yourself, Tammy.
The stonework rocks and this looks fabulous on that French bistro table. Win-win, I think! How nice to have lunch at the “real” table again. AND be able to see this. Well done.
Kind of a shown day here for me. Snow this morning (it won’t last); the governor has officially gone “Shelter at Home” or whatever it is (for which I am grateful). But concerned about a cousin in Cleveland with post-surgical complications. It’s a bad time to be in the hospital and complications are never good. We keep hope.
Burying myself in The Magpie Murders. Oh, it gets better and better. I always liked Horowitz’s “Midsomer” scripts — they were always rather clever. This is no exception.
Onward.
He’s a very clever author. He takes a traditional mystery and skews it. Love his writing.
Snow is still goin on here -snow, rain, sleet, and snow again. Glad to hear the Governor has come through with the right thing to do. Take care, Jeanie!
The folk art dollhouse looks great there with the woods as background!
It’s pouring rain here today. I’m glad I got out for a good walk yesterday in the sun.
I bought a keyboard (full size) last year. I’m giving myself piano lessons. Baked bread. Knitting a sweater. Working from home.
Oh good for you! Piano lessons are just the thing! Take care, Lynda.
Greetings Claudia and friends, the dollhouse looks great in its new showcase location. Did you see the article in the Sunday March 15 Times about dollhouse creativity and popularity? Good read.
At your suggestion, we did go to hear Jenifer Ehle reading “Pride and Prejudice.” After one excellent chapter we had to get out our Blue Ray DVD of the BBC production and watch it again for about the 100th time, no exaggeration. And I am still thrilled by every performance of every actor, the visual splendor, etc.
Jan, I followed your advice and went to YouTube. I found several clips about tension adjustment, but not for my machine yet. I have a drop in bobbin, not a bobbin case. But I will persevere.
That’s my favorite Pride and Prejudice, Leslie. It’s the perfect thing to read and watch during this time. Take care!
Your daily numbered blog posts have inspired me to keep a notebook. Not really a journal, but I list things we’ve accomplished at home, exercise, notes on TV shows. Just keeping it simple. But keeping track so this time doesn’t become just watching Netflix and eating. Love the new dollhouse location. If I could just get my kitchen table back! It has become the office!
A good idea, Debby! It needs to be chronicled or journaled or in my case, written about on my blog and in my planner/journal. Take care of yourself!
The dollhouse is coming along so well. Love how it looks with the sun hitting it. Rainy day here but its spring and with all the pollen I’m happy for it to cleanse us a bit. I’m doing ok with the isolation. I check on my Mom next door every day of course. We haven’t been cooking much this week but my son in law was able to make a grocery run and get us some fresh meat and fruit. It is crazy out there and so we are happily in here. I’m lucky like so many that I love to read and have hobbies (crafting, painting) and also able to enjoy some good tv and movies. I just pray this country will wake up and take care of this. I also am so impressed by your Gov. Hugs!
I’m glad you’re doing okay, Linda – and your mom. It’s such a strange time, and today is a bit harder since it’s snowing and sleeting and just plain gray and ugly out there, but what can you do? We have to stay in. And we are. Take care of yourself, friend.
I’ve enjoyed your site for several months, but this is my first comment. I so enjoy all your photos and your descriptions of life in your cottage. I’m in St. Louis where we are on “lockdown.” I’m working 20 hours a week from home and my job as a pastoral assistant is becoming more and more stressful every day. We have so many frightened people! I just learned that my nephew, who is a Navy reservist, is deploying on Wednesday to the USS Comfort hospital ship that will be based in New York harbor. Prayers and peace to everyone!
Thanks to your nephew. We are grateful! And yes, so many are frightened. It’s easy to think things are completely out of control, isn’t it? Take care of yourself, Carolyn!
I think we crafty people will come out of this ‘self isolated’ time with some lovely items crafted by our use of spare time which we have now. I love the front of your little house. It will be very beautiful when finished. Like some of the comments on your blog, I have been having a hard time working out just what I want to do, as there are so many options as I think ahead. I have now settled down and started making some lovely cards for a special friend. Then there are loads of sewing and some knitting as well. I also hope to learn some new skills. I have pulled out my watercolour things and hope to watch a lot of lessons online as I have not had any lessons. As well, I bought some tatting needles and have borrowed a few lessons to learn needle tatting which is a bit different to the shuttle tatting which I havs been doing for quite some time. I am excited to see what I have achieved when we get over this hiccup.
It sounds like you have some good ideas, Robyn. It took me 8 days of the 10 days we’ve been isolated to finally start back in on the dollhouse. If I’ve learned anything during this it’s that every day is different. Take care!
Know what I’m already sick of in these days (add it to the list, ten days counting!!)? Grumble, grumble: DISHES. I am washing too many dishes, all day long! Husband is crazy-bored, likes to experiment (“Adventures in Cooking” [but thank goodness, or we really would starve {not}]) … but I don’t need three elaborate meals a day, besides which, it’s using up too much food too fast! It’s not that I’m not happy and appreciative for a good meal here & there (and being served [I shouldn’t complain, right?!!]), but I’ve had to ask for a one-day reprieve; maybe just toast for breakfast, maybe just open one of those cans of soup for dinner. A day off from dishes (ugh, all the pots & pans!). Otherwise, I’m gonna gain ten pounds and run out of dishwashing liquid! And my hands, between all the handwashing, sanitizer and suds, they’re a wreck!
I understand! I have to sometimes ask Don to hold off as well!
Hi Claudia. Enjoying your little wee houses. I vividly remember a tin? dollhouse from my childhood in the early 50’s. Have thought of getting one on EBay but can’t think of where to put one.
Our Governor of Mich. has ordered home sheltering which we’ve been doing mostly. Went out for some groceries and my husband donated blood, going for walks with puppykins, but think that may cease as well. We were going to pack food and take off for Lake Michigan or Huron to walk beaches and picnic outside then realized we might not find restrooms and this girl needs one fairly often! Nixed that outing. Not going near a gas station for that. Our poor daughter made the difficult but intelligent decision to postpone her April 11th wedding as most of the guests (26 out of 30) would be flying in, including one of our boys from San Fran. She is heartbroken but told her that her wedding day should be filled with Joy, not stress from this dark cloud hovering over us. She understands, but still sad for us. Take care.
I had one of those tin dollhouses, too. I’m so sorry for your daughter. That’s a hard (and heartbreaking) decision to have to make. But you’re right. Much better when there is no fear involved, only joy. Take care, Penny.
I add my thanks for this blog, Claudia and to all who respond. The little house is in a perfect setting. When the sun does shine, it will be such a pick me up. The responses and yours about this stay in place getting you down was helpful. I fall into the 70+ demographic and Gov. Cuomo’s order for 70’s to isolate gave me pause. I was quite happy to do my part by staying home, out of crowds and quick trips to the grocery. However, when I am told that I can’t do something , it is a whole different story. I spent most of the morning just wandering around the house – adrift. A couple chapters of I Q and a nap has me back on track. A wonderful 60+ friend has agreed to pick up any groceries, so there isn’t a crisis – just loss of independence takes getting used to.
I understand the feeling of not wanting someone to tell you what to do, but it is for the best. We’ve been doing it and we’re not quite in that demographic yet. But it’s the safest choice for you (and us and everyone.) Now, if we can just get those people who ignore all the warnings to get it together, we might stand a chance of getting this under control. Hang in there, Carol!
Kudos to you, Claudia, for fastening on to a doll house project!
Did you get the snow? It just poured here in SoCalif about 4am; loving this late rain, so lucky to get it here.
Yes. We’ve had snow all day, along with sleet and rain and snow again. It’s a mess out there. xo
I can’t believe how distracted I am. I had just read your post where you SAID it was snowing, and then I asked if you got snow. Sigh. And I’m repeating myself over our SoCalif rain. Sorry. Sleep was really hard again last night; makes my brain fuzzy. I didn’t really go out the door to breathe in some air today, and that’s not a great idea. I need a new battery, or else wind me up, anything to get me going!
Sleet & rain & snow sounds like an onslaught of COLD!
I had trouble sleeping the night before last, as well. It makes my brain very fuzzy indeed!
Missed reading yesterday we were so busy (a nice change). Like everyone else, love the new location for the folk dollhouse. Ever since I was a girl, I’ve enjoyed moving furniture – first my bedroom and then apartment and now every house we’ve lived in. I don’t know who coined the phrase, but sometimes my solution to shifting something is just what you did: shop the house!
We had quite the family blowup yesterday when I discovered #1 son was going to ride with a friend from his place downtown out to #2’s apartment where #2’s girlfriend was having a “Dungeons and Dragons” game party. I pretty much told them both they were nuts. In the end #1 cancelled (I think his friend told him she was having second thoughts before he bowed out). But #2 said he wasn’t going to tell significant other she couldn’t do it because she’d been planning it for months. So were the people cancelling weddings, I countered. Today WI Gov Evers announced he was instituting a stay-at-home policy and telling nonessential businesses to close. I hope my normally level-headed nincompoop sons pay attention.
Spent part of the weekend looking for yeast at 2 grocery stores and on-line. It’s completely sold out. Guess lots of people are using this time to bake up a storm.
Take care.
Kay
Oh boy. I would have wanted to knock their heads together! Is it because they’re young and think they’ll be fine? Sigh. I guess everyone wants to bake bread, right? It’s such a strange time, Kay. Hang in there and stay safe.
Hello again
Good news this evening from London
Additional restrictions in place – and needed as people were not heeding the advice, and the eye of the storm will hit London in the next 2 to 3 weeks
Fortunately my lovely friend Claudia recommended the novels of Louise Penny, so that’s where I will be
Stay safe everyone
Siobhan
I’m glad you’re safe and that you’re enjoying Louise Penny, Siobhan! Take care.
great (patient!) work on the dollhouse.
that’s a great place for the folk art dollhouse … like it’s in the woods. :) i bet you’re glad to see the french table (it’s beautiful) and to be able to use the kitchen table again.
hope you are having a good evening.
stay safe and be well, everyone!
kathy in iowa
… same to you, too, kathy; safe and be well …
… I was thinking of you from when we all talked a few days back … something/anything more I could share that would be of help when a person is under a lot of strain, like you are with your social work (it’s such a hard job, so vital, so selfless; I had one particular social worker in my life when caregiving for my elderly/ill mother, and she always knew exactly what to do and say for Mom & us; she was just a lifesaver and helped me understand SO much of what was really bewildering me about my aging mom’s overall changing behaviors, etc.) …
… sometimes an instrumental recording (simple, restorative music; few instruments; a quiet feel) was peace-inducing for me, and I could do progressive muscle relaxation to it, where you tighten the muscle groups from toe to head, incrementally (tighten, then release/relax; there are probably all kinds of instructional videos on youtube for this in these days, when we all seek calm); also, guided imagery, pick whatever is soothing for your mind and just go there (to some, it would be the waves coming to shore on a beach [or use all your senses to make yourself ‘see’ and ‘feel’, say, a beautiful sunny day in a meadow of flowers with a clear mountain stream, the clean & cool water bubbling happily over the pebbles and rocks, birds singing in the trees, blue sky]) …
… meditation is what the experts say is always so good although I’ve had difficulty in employing it (but there’s always also the comfort of prayer, which is so empowering); and love; a little self-love is good, just curl up in a favorite chair on a weekend afternoon, soft light thru a window, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket or quilt; let the warmth envelop you; have a cup of tea or cocoa … and the breathing becomes slower, not shallow or anxious; maybe just take that right into a blissful nap, rest & renewal; soothe your soul …
… hope & healing; powerful stuff!
to vicki …
sorry about those hard times for your mother and you. hope all those strategies helped.
thank you for sharing those ideas. my attention span seems pretty short right now, even with hobbies i enjoy … except walking/jogging and sometimes painting or knitting. not sure i could meditate, either, or guided imagery, but i do the progressive muscle relaxation stuff a lot when i can’t sleep. and pray!
thanks, too, for your kind words about social workers.
take care … be safe and well. and enjoy your husband’s cooking.
kathy in iowa
Take care of yourself, Kathy! Thank you.
thanks, claudia. you, too!
my boss commented today about closing up the office for a while. she’s in charge of the place, but getting no guidance or directive from other management (or our governor … who, i think, is waiting too long to order people to shelter in place) so she had no decision or information (like for how long? and would we use vacation pay or file for unemployment? etc.). i almost want to yell “this is important! make a decision!” argh!
hope you and don are well, having a good day, watching snow melt …
kathy in iowa
What is the Governor’s problem? At least your boss is now thinking of it. Hopefully she’ll take action soon. Take care, Kathi.
Don had a good idea. The house looks lovely there. It will be a beacon in your kitchen when the sun shines on it.
Marilyn
He often has good ideas, Marilyn! Take care of yourself.
You must have been a stone mason in your last life! The cottage looks great. I would never have thought of egg cartons. I always have a supply on hand. We’ve been doing well. Living near to Seattle, we were the first to see this virus, so it’s been awhile. We have been isolating as much as possible. It was a horror to see so many people out in crowds this past weekend. I couldn’t believe it. I am heading to the store in about an hour. They have senior hours for us oldies. So lucky for us. A loaf of bread, a dozen eggs, some produce will be the bulk of what I buy. Then just a quick look in the isles to see what they have in. Life is quiet. Wish we could see our kids and grands. But we FB or text each day. You and Don stay healthy and happy and we will too. Will come back later to read all the comments. You have great followers.
Glad to hear you’re doing well, Tana! Stay safe.
Thanks for your blog! I love feeling connected with others, and even though I have always been a stay-home person…this feels different. I got “Sisters” in the mail yesterday and can’t put it down! Thanks for the suggestion!
Isn’t it wonderful? Enjoy, Melissa, and take care!