Such a bizarre day yesterday; snow, sleet, rain, more snow, more rain. There’s snow on the ground today – about an inch – but it should melt during the course of the day.
On top of that, we had quite the experience yesterday! I was upstairs working on the dollhouse and I kept hearing sirens off and on. Eventually, I heard an amplified voice in front of our house so I got up to look out the window. There was a car parked in front of the house with about 4 or 5 State Police and County Sheriff’s vehicles behind it. Lights were flashing. Two or three members of the police were out on the road, weapons drawn, asking the occupant of the car to put his hands against the window, then to get out of the car. He took a long time. He was maybe in his twenties or thirties? He had long scraggily hair. As they told him to put his hands up, he was saying – loudly – “F you!” Couldn’t believe it.
They patted him down, took some stuff, more cops arrived, and eventually he was handcuffed and put in one of the vehicles. The vehicles hung around for a long time. Two of the cops knocked on my neighbor’s door to see if they could park this guy’s car in her driveway until someone came for it. Lots of conferring, talking on phones, etc. (Don took this picture from the kitchen.)
I don’t know what he did, but it was sure more than speeding. The sheer amount of police officers, guns, and all of the sirens, which were wailing for quite a while, shows it was something big. I’m going to see if I can see a list of the County arrests that happened yesterday.
Quite the exciting event and it all took place in front of our house! Afterward, we thought, “What if there had been gunfire?” Yikes.
I worked on the dollhouse like a maniac yesterday afternoon because I was determined to finish the front facade. I did, but I was really tired afterwards. A reminder of what it looked like when I found it at the dump:
One of the things I don’t like about many dollhouse kits is the trim provided, like the stuff on the roof. It’s fine if it’s for a child, but not so fine for an adult. Also, though a bit better, the trim attached to the roofline in the front. I debated on that, and I still might add some modified trim to that part of the house. We’ll see.
Anyway, here it is:
I’m pretty pleased with it. Now, of course, I have to do the two sides of the house. It’s incredibly tedious work. Incredibly. And it’s messy; paint everywhere, glue on fingers, etc. But I am determined to finish the exterior before I start on the interior and this seems the time to do it.
However, I might take today off.
Another view of the Folk Art dollhouse in its new spot in the kitchen.
Hoping that you’re all doing well and that you are self-isolating.
Happy Tuesday.
Interesting day, right?
The trim pieces on the front are very common in England. They’re called bargeboards and can be extraordinarily elaborate. I actually like them and took lots of photos of the different ones when we were there last year. They’re very cool. (Unfortunately, photos were accidentally deleted!)
Of course, the plainer version of the house is very cool, too.
Oh I know they’re popular. I’ve seen them when in England. The question is whether I want to use the trim that came with the dollhouse or find something different. I like the plainer version. It also came with shutters, but I’m not sure about them!
Take care, Cara!
I’m with you ,Cara. I love all the gingerbread trim. One of our houses has lots of trim and , to me, it is just cozy and inviting.
My other house has some trim. I like trim – but I want it to look realistic and not child-like. That’s what I go for in all my houses. It’s a Cotswold Cottage and I’ve looked at them in depth. I’ve never seen one with trim.
Yes, true, we mostly saw bargeboards in the south of England, not in the Cotswolds. Your remodeling “stone” really does look like Cotswold stone, Claudia! I don’t recall seeing curved slates there, but so what? The cottage you’re making is so thoroughly charming!
No, you probably didn’t, but I’m not about to redo the entire roof AND add the stonework. The stones are the most important element.
Well what an exciting way to experience social distancing. That’s still a little too close for comfort!!! Thank god there were no flying bullets. XO. Your progress on the house is impressive. I can’t imagine the meticulous preparation of the bricks (?) let alone the application. But it’s beautiful! It does seem like some kind of trim on the A part would be nice. I love how the doll house looks in the kitchen on the bistro table, a quirky pair, but a perfect spot. As for reading, I am going back and forth between simple murder mysteries, memoirs, and non-fiction about viruses. They scare me but educate me, too, and give me a great appreciation for the scientists of all branches who work tirelessly to protect us. I think I will venture into our basement today and pull out some 16″ fashion dolls from some years back. I can dress them for casual or dressy or business outings to remind me what it was like to go out. Vicarious living! BTW, my sister was a very successful doll painter until the market fell off. She would remove the factory make up and repaint a one of a kind personality. So the dolls have a special connective meaning, too. Can’t do a doll house, but can do dolls. You are a joy and an inspiration.
Have fun with your dolls, Nora. Very interesting about your sister’s work as a doll painter.
I might have to take a picture of my dolls again and share it on the blog! Thanks Nora and take care!
I found the dolls! The vinyl from 15-20 years ago is brittle but they are in good shape otherwise. I had fun brushing their hair and sorting out the fashions. Because it took a lot of time and energy to brave our basement (I stopped after the dead mouse), I was pretty tired (bad knee and stairs and moving heavy plastic bins…how many tea sets does one woman need? so I only dressed one of them last night. She cheers me up in her pink suede slacks and a bright pink and orange tropical sweater for spring. She’s a dark-skinned doll so the colors are wonderful on her!! If you get a picture of your dolls, I’d love to see them and maybe hear about their stories, too. A woman who is a professor of lit and a painter mentioned that it was Carnivale in Venice when people usually have huge parties, but this year they are all reading stories to each other instead. I found that beautiful and inspiring!!
So glad you found them!
Love that story about Venice. Wonderful!
Take care, Nora.
What an exciting day. Don’t even want to think about bullets flying…glad you are safe and sound.
Our excitement for the day was watching a neighbor’s tree being cut down. I know it doesn’t compare to your day…sigh…but it was interesting. Lol!
We (Jim) did manage to change out our smoke/carbon dioxide detectors. So that got checked off the list. Now…I’m making homemade hand sanitizer…trying to get the scent right. So, when we do venture out, we are prepared.
I do love what you did with the dollhouse. It now has Old World sophistication, I think that’s the best way to describe my feelings about it. Whatever you decide about the trim,,,,enjoy the process! ;)
Good for you with the hand sanitizer! Bravo!
My instincts are to use very little trim, if any. But, never say never! Thanks, Donnamae. Stay safe!
Sign of these times we are in…this is why we are asked to self isolate-health reasons-but also for safety reasons…there have been incidents often of this type of behavior-seems to get worse in bad times…goodness…take care…stay safe…glad you were not out and about when this happened. love the doll houses-you are gifted.
I was thinking of the police having to get so close to this guy – in this time. Rather scary and evidence that so many still have to work and protect the rest of us. Take care, Brenda!
Yes, we had a pipe break in our neighborhood this morning, buried ‘way deep under the city-street asphalt; the infrastructure that’s falling apart all over America I understand; from when all the big pipes were put in all about the same time in the U.S., and now they’re all wearing out, much like our bridges and roads. Piece by piece, they’re redoing our whole block, but they only do it once one part of it breaks (because we’re a poor town; City doesn’t have much money; it’s sort of a patch-as-you-go). These guys are having to work in a big ditch, it takes two men to hold down something from what I could see; they have an emergency and can’t social distance; so, yes, they are having to take chances. I was thinking maybe they should have on masks? Anyway, water all over the place (in Calif, you cannot waste water if at all possible; we are a drought-ridden state most of the time) and they had to shut us down for a couple of hours while they turned off the mains, but it wasn’t very much inconvenience for us at all. Just glad it could get fixed.
I worry about those workers who can’t social distance. But the work has to be done and that presents a problem.
You are going great guns (no pun intended) on the dollhouse facade and it looks fabulous. A regular Cotswold cottage, I think! Well done!
That is a little creepy about the police cars (although a break in the Shelter in Place routine!) Yes, do watch the police reports and report to us!
Haven’t found any information yet, but maybe there’ll be some later today. Thanks, Jeanie!
holy moly! what a great little brick maker/layer you are! really… I should say STONE mason!
and just think. the back story is… it was created and completed in the worldwide pandemic of 2020!
hope no more exciting things happen on your street in front of your house!
a little too close for comfort! xo
You’re not kidding! Mostly, I was fascinated by what was going on. I was watching from the upstairs office. Don was downstairs. We kept calling out to each other. Take care, Tammy!
That was quite a scare with all the police outside your home. Happy you and Don
are safe.
Your dollhouse is beautiful Claudia, so nice to see that all your tedious work is paying off. I completely agree with the reader who commented that it resembles a Cotswolds cottage. We were fortunate enough to rent one for three weeks with friends in that area.
Your kitchen looks so warm and inviting especially with the dollhouse in its new location.
Thanks for keeping me sane during this crisis. 🇨🇦
Well thank you, Lea. That has been my intention all along. A Cotswold cottage/English Cottage called Dove Cottage. Lucky you to able to stay in one!
Stay safe, Lea.
What a lovely transformation! I like it trim less
My what an exciting scene unfolded outside your window. It’s like watching something on tv, but it is happening for real in real time.
Stay safe everyone.
Your dollhouse is looking wonderful. The work does look tedious, but so worth it. It’s sunny and warming up a bit here in North Jersey, no snow, just a lot of rain and sleet yesterday. So, today is cooking, reading and knitting, Just like yesterday!
I love the new location of the Folk Art doll house. It looks like a house sitting in a forest now. The view from the window is perfect. Nice job on the brick laying. I agree plain trim is the way to go. The design of the roof and the bricks are enough for the eye to take in.
Your patience and talent on the dolls house really shows Claudia- so pleased you were the one to rescue the house
I think you should “ go with your gut” when it comes to trim- whatever you decide will be the right decision
Scary police story too – in London police officers are reporting being spat upon whilst doing their job, and unbelievable as it sounds, people are out in the sunshine having group BBQs.
So I am very happy staying in, reading your blog and my Louise Penny novels
Stay well
Siobhan
I’ve been watching Escape to the Country on DABL. (Like HGTV House Hunters, but in the countryside of the UK) Your wonderful dollhouse reminds me of the old stone cottages. I have developed a real fondness for them.
I’ve seen many episodes of that show. Thats what I’m going for. Thank you, Lynda! Take care.
Good grief, I’m sure glad the criminal didn’t try to come in your house! That’s scary stuff, he probably already has a record a mile long. The doll house is looking lovely, you’re doing a great job.
Well, he was stopped while in his car, so I don’t think the cops would have let him near our house!
Thanks Mary. Take care of yourself!
What a wonderful job and amazing attention to detail. Thank you so much for dollhouse posts. I love your kitchen table-great legs. I have been looking for something similar here in Michigan for three years. Oh! Well! Something to look forward to in the future.
Thank you so much, Nancy! Take care of yourself.
I’m sure it’s nice to have the dining table as it is now, to sit for meals with the cleared-off table top, and I love the new place for the doll house. You’re shopping the house, re-purposing and rearranging; smart moves. My dining table is piled with stuff I need to do something with; just seems like everything has been on such ‘hold’ the past days. It has become a catch-all for other stuff rather than a place for my husband and I to sit across from each other and eat a proper meal instead of on trays elsewhere in the house.
Your work on the other doll house is just wonderful, Claudia; great job! Really nice handwork on that stone facade.
Much drama at your place with the bad guy and the cops; wow. Indeed glad you had nothing progress with gunfire, in which case what would have been the best thing to do but I guess drop and cover somehow? Get as far away as possible to the other side of the house. A shame we have to think of such scenarios, but this IS 2020. Sigh.
It’s 330pm-ish here and I’ve done my ‘jobs’ since morning (bills & chores) so I’m going to go put my feed up for an hour; I’m achy today; I knew it would catch up with me (not moving around enough with my life inside the house despite my best intentions to be doing more exercising-in-place). I’m fighting this 8-week long ‘chest’ irritation/inflammation which makes me very unsettled with everything about Covid-19 (amplifies my fears) because I am ALREADY not breathing like I want to be and I have the ever-present dry/unproductive asthma cough which I’m SO over, as in annoyed with it.
And my husband is unusually morose today, so we talked about it and he said so quietly and sadly, “When things are so, so bad, why WHY do we have to have THIS president?” (We had just listened to Biden being interviewed on CNN from his home office [breath of fresh air]; then saw the clip with Andrew Cuomo saying what the heck good does a few hundred ventilators do him when he needs thousands, like how would anybody want to be faced with saying “you get a ventilator, you over there don’t” [I’m paraphrasing, but I about rose to my feet with a cheer; my rock stars, Dr. Fauci {we better see him again soon; I don’t like his absence} and Andrew Cuomo].)
It was also disturbing to hear that Amy Klobuchar’s husband is stricken with the virus. She wasn’t my first choice for the Democratic primary, but I like her. Maybe he’ll be okay; hope so. It didn’t sound so good (coughing up blood.. ?? .. I’ve had pneumonia and have permanent scarring in my lungs because of it, but I never coughed up blood).
Is your snow on the ground a sort of crunchy white stuff at this stage; it’s not soft? I know nothing much about snow.
By the way, you ‘sound’ good today!
Something I’ve really noticed in the past days? A large reduction in the number of robo calls/telemarketer calls on our landline (which we still get [too many of] despite being on the Do Not Call lists); the house is so much quieter, and it’s really nice to not have all those calls like we usually do; it’s almost like ‘the old days’ when the phone would ring and it would actually be someone you know and want to hear from! Must be that all those ‘boiler rooms’ of many people on the phone have been emptied due to physical distancing.
Another telling thing, because I’ve been working with the finances/paperwork today, wow, we’re saving some serious monthly money. So fewer debit charges on our checking account; I pointed this out to my husband, who uses his debit card for EVERYthing. I think we’re going to get a real eye opener on what it is to curtail spending, eat in, not all this running back & forth to a store where you go for one thing and come out with 5. For him, again, very revealing of how much he was hitting the fast-food places, and how fast it adds up. There’s gonna be some good lessons from self-isolation!
Yes, we are spending less, too, though we sure put out a lot for groceries in our initial stocking up. Take care, Vicki!
What a lot of excitement you and Don had yesterday. We had similar times like that when we lived in Brooklyn. You did such a lovely job with the doll house. It sure is a tedious job. You probably need a days rest before you get back to it. Glad the snow was not too much. Today’s temperature should melt all of the snow. Stay safe and well.
Marilyn
We will. You too, Marilyn!
I love the work you have done on your little house. What a difference it has made! It will be interesting to see the finished product when you have finally completed the decorating.
What an interesting day you had. It was quite out of the ordinary.
Yesterday I bought many vege plants at the gardening centre, and then spent time planting them. As I was filling the wheelbarrow with compost, I went to move it and it turned over because it was on a slope. Over I went backwards and ended up in the middle of my May bush. When I fell I broke a few of its branches. I had nothing broken, just my pride hurt. I had trouble righting myself until I finally could get on my feet. Must have looked funny……..
Just a bit stiff today. So I am working on some baby cards to give away and to sell. They have little knitted jumpers in pink or blue and are finished off with toothpick knitting needles with a little bead at one end to stop the knitting coming off – all very tiny.
Have a good day.
Glad you didn’t hurt yourself! We planted a few veggies in any space we could in the yard just a few days ago. Starter plants of tomatoes, squash. I’d love an early crop this year. Still will do seeds, too (to take it into summer and beyond; gonna string a long line of green beans along a fence line). Didn’t do it last year; forgot how much fun it is to get the veggie garden (and flower garden) started!
Oh no! I’m glad to hear you’re okay. I’ve done that exact thing in the past – the wheelbarrow went over and I went with it. Be careful, Robyn!
Dollhouse looks gorgeous. I am in awe of your patience and tenacity.
I am so happy you didn’t get hurt during the incident in front of your house. You never know about crazy people and stray bullets.
I know. I’m still trying to find out about the arrest – who it was and what for. Take care, Kay!
wow, claudia … your “stone” facade looks wonderful!!! very impressive!
i can imagine how tedious it must be to make those “stones”. hope you took some time to enjoy the results of your talent and patience.
and how scary that must have been to see all those police cars in front of your home! glad they caught him and there was no need for shooting those guns.
hope tomorrow is a good day for you and don. stay well!
and claudia … i hope you don’t mind me taking this opportunity… but members of my family are hurting and you are a very kind person who has created a wonderful community of other kind people … so i’d like to please ask a favor of anyone who reads this and knows the power of prayer … my brother, sister and a niece have lost their jobs due to shutdowns/ cancellations because of coronavirus. hopefully those shutdowns and cancellations will be temporary, but at this point who knows? anyway, i would appreciate prayers on their behalf, please and thanks very much.
thanks, claudia.
be safe and well, everyone!
kathy in iowa
kathy, loss of jobs right now is so scary, but let us hope the govt can somehow come together and pass this package to help everyone. Up to 4 mos of pay w/ the stimulus checks should help each family out to some degree. I hope they are applying for unemployment and indicating that the loss of their job was due to the virus. But, you are so right, the unknown is what is so frightening, and that is what seems to be what every day brings. I will keep you and your family in thoughts and prayers. Take care and stay safe.
to chris k in wisconsin …
yes, they are filing for unemployment due to job layoff because of coronavirus. and we are all wondering what it will take to stop the partisanship and get the stimulus bill passed. if a pandemic that’s sickening/killing so many people and wrecking our economy won’t do it, what will?!?
trying not to be afraid (easier said than done right now) … just careful and prayer-full!
thanks very much for praying for my family … needed and appreciated! i include you all in my prayers.
hope you stay safe and well.
kathy in iowa
kathy, you have my prayers, for sure!
to vicki …
thank you very much for praying for my family! you’re included in my prayers.
hope you stay safe and well.
kathy in iowa
kathy, I was so glad for you to read comments from Claudia’s Weds post that you will now have reduced work hours and subsequent reduced exposure during this virus outbreak; I can totally/completely understand your VERY real and lingering fears about it but thank goodness you’re an intelligent woman who knows how to do the cautions, with as much distancing as possible, hand sanitizer and handwashing when you’re in the workplace environment, etc. – – you know how to get this sorted out; I will keep you in my prayers every single night, promise!
ps: meant to add this to my comment (but i clicked to post too fast) … while i pray for my family and ask for prayers for them, i know everybody hurts about something and that there are now millions of people out of work. and i pray for the entire world (including everyone here). thanks.
kathy in iowa
kathy in iowa
Absolutely. Praying for them and for all people out of work – including all of my friends in the theater.
definitely!
thanks, claudia.
kathy in iowa
xo
Gee, like having an episode of “Cops” film in your front yard. That house is going to be stunning when you’ve finished it. I really admire your patience because I know it would sit half finished for years if it was here. In fact, I’ve started and stopped any number of craft projects this week so far and I can’t seem to settle on one thing. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be in a better frame of mind. Today Gov. Evers declared Wisconsinites need to stay at home for the next month, til April 24th and only go out for essentials like food and medicine. I’m hoping my kids are going to take this seriously.
Take care.
Kay
Kay, so happy Gov Evers did this. Well, maybe happy isn’t a good word to use in this case, but I know you understand. Today was the first day we could drive into Madison to meet our wee new granddaughter. As we were driving, I said to my husband, I feel like we are breaking some laws. Later I looked and it did say we could be on the roads if traveling to assist with a family member. Maybe the assist was for me to have peace of mind, but I do think my son and DIL were pretty happy to see us, too. Oh, and my husband put in a new faucet in their bathroom which stopped working this morning, so I guess that was a help, too. Take care, Kay, and stay safe!
And you as well. So glad you finally got to see the baby!
This staying-at-home is pushing me to work on the dollhouse.
I’m glad your Governor made that declaration, Kay. Take care!
Broadway to stonemasonry “who’d a thunk it” to borrow from “The Group”. Your dollhouse cottage is really marvelous. I’ll dare to be unpopular but please don’t cover your work with trim. The clean lines you’ve created are perfect on this piece. I so admire your creativity.
When you see such a scene near your home you are to “hit the floor”. You cannot know what
desperate measures the apprehended will employ or if an additional felon is in the trunk. Until
guns are put away there is always danger. Two people were killed during pursuit a block from us while resisting arrest and the bullets hit multiple homes in all directions, a nearby coffee shop, and other buildings. The shooting is never as accurate as portrayed on film.
I am thankful you remained safe.
We are, too. Good advice, R.
I’m not going to add any trim. I promise. Take care, R.
What a scary thing, Claudia! So glad you are both ok. As I looked at the house, with the amazing stonework you did, it felt somehow familiar in some way. I couldn’t place it until reading a comment where you mentioned it was Cotswald inspired. Then I figured it out ~ It looked just asI imagined some of the cottages in Rosamunde Pilcher books ~ Winter Solstice and The Shell Seekers!! You did a beautiful job! I kind of like it without trim, too.
Take care, and stay safe!!
Ah, yes! Those wonderful novels! Thank you, Chris. Take care!