Today is grocery shopping day, so we’re going to go early – as always. Then we’ll hunker down at home and have our second cup of coffee. The coffee is our reward for masking up and hand sanitizing and everything involved in taking a trip to the grocery store.
A reminder of what the English Cottage, aka Dove Cottage, looked like the day I found it at the dump:
All by its lonesome, abandoned by its owners, missing shutters, windows, doors and trim.
Someone had to rescue it.
Just the other day:
I’m quite happy with the way this renovation has turned out. I have a beautiful door handle – a thumb latch – on its way to me. This particular Etsy seller, who I’ve ordered from before, only had one left in stock. So the door will have an exterior handle and when more are available, I’ll order one for the interior. I’m thinking of porch lights on either side of the door. And then I have to figure what I want to do with the ‘porch’ area. I’ve got ideas.
One of my Christmas presents from Don was this battery operated lighting fixture. I never wire my houses for electricity because I look at all that is involved and immediately say, “Nope!” I wish I was braver. I’m not. Luckily, there are battery operated lights available. All of my houses need them so I’ll add them over time because they’re not cheap. Anyway, this one is a bit taller than I had thought so I’ll hang it over the kitchen island. They are made with a too shiny brass, so I always age them a bit. I aged it the day before yesterday. I’ll hold off hanging it until I’m sure of the exact placement of the island. If you’re looking for battery operated lights, most miniature shops carry them. But the shop with the greatest variety is the Little Dollhouse Company in Toronto. That’s where Don got this fixture.
Someday, when all of this is finished, I’d love to visit that shop and revisit Tiny Doll House in NYC. I’ve been there before but it’s been a long time. A simple trip on the bus into the city seems unimaginable at the moment. And to think we used to do it all the time!
So. Grocery shopping. Disinfecting. Coffee. That’s on the docket for today.
Thanks for all your comments yesterday! Love seeing what you’re reading.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
I like that stone jar! We call it a “Cologne pot”. IRL, of course.
Made by an American artisan, Jane Graber. She is very talented.
Thanks, Petra.
Stay safe.
What a gorgeous chandelier! Oh, I’d love that hanging in my own home! Good job, Don! You’ve done mammoth work to rescue Dove Cottage and I hope you give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back. It’s magical.
Happy shopping (is it ever happy? Never for me.) And then coffee and enjoyment!
Don’t tell anyone but I sent Don the link for this light! But, bless him, he bought it!
Shopping was stressful, as always. There’s just no way it can’t be. By the time we got home I was already tired – I get thrown when my routine gets disrupted, which always happens with these trips to the store. And Don had to go back to get something we forgot. But we’re in, everything is put away and we just had lunch.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Such an amazing change in the dollhouse from the dump to gorgeous. Love the light fixture Don got you also. Stay safe. Hugs!
Thanks so much, Linda!
Stay safe!
I love how the outside of Dove Cottage now looks. Soooo pretty. As always, I am amazed at the patience you have, and the beautiful work you do. Mine would still be sitting in the basement or a corner of the garage in all of its sky blue gingerbready splendor.
Our Snowmaggedon turned out to be about 3 inches. I know Madison (about 25 miles away) received about twice that, so I do realize how hard it is to precisely forecast. I think I received at least 15 texts warning of the storm yesterday from various sources. Crazy!
Hope you have a peaceful and relaxing day after shopping this AM. Take care.
I’m so glad you got less than predicted, Chris. That must be a relief!
Stay safe!
I have purchased many lights from Minimum World in the UK. They did offer free shipping on $75. orders which is easy to reach for lighting. There are some cute round ones that are on sale right now which are a good price. Beware that this seller does not include the magnets needed to hold up the lights. They do offer the magnets for a reasonable price.
Thanks so much, Barbara!
I’ll check it out.
Stay safe!
Dove cottage has had a remarkable transformation. I’m always anxious to see more.
Chris was spot on in her prediction…yes, we got 6 inches. So glad we didn’t get more!
Shopping has become a big deal, hasn’t it? I’m always worn out. Following arrows in the aisles, keeping way from others, and always having to find an alternative product or two, because the one you want isn’t available. Sigh. Rest up, and stay safe! ;)
Exhausting.
We plan on not leaving the house for several days.
Stay safe, Donna!
glad if you are stocked, can avoid grocery shopping for a while. :)
your stores still have “one way” arrows on the floors?!? wow! and yay, wisconsin! the stores that i’ve been to here took theirs down a long time ago … don’t think i’ve seen them since june. people just weren’t following the guidelines. same with the ‘amber alert’ highway signs having covid-19 messages on them … they were gone by summer and only returned just before thanksgiving. shameful. anyway, donnamae, have a good night and stay safe!
kathy in iowa
Our store still has one way arrows, as well.
yay for you all!
wish we’d get them back here, but there are too many people who don’t follow simple public health recommendations and too many stores who (understandably so) don’t want to risk losing employees who’d have to act like the aisle-direction police or could lose customers for enforcing common sense and kindness or the weakness of our governor. ugh.
kathy in iowa
We have a tough and good governor, thank goodness.
I don’t know if the whole state is like that…but our county was very progressive on stopping Covid, and took whatever measures they thought were necessary. Our numbers are starting to come down, so it’s working…at least for now. Stay safe! ;)
that’s great, donnamae!
stay safe!
kathy in iowa
Nice work. Very satisfying too I bet.
Thanks, Kay!
Stay safe.
glad you’re done with shopping for a while. it is exhausting, isn’t it?
also glad you can be home, have other treats to also enjoy.
wonderful work on the dollhouse, claudia … those photos look like two completely different dollhouses, courtesy of your vision, time and efforts! i think don’s gift is a great choice.
was fun reading everyone’s book choices. added some titles to my “tbr” list.
stay safe.
kathy in iowa
Thank you, Kathy!
Hope you didn’t get too much snow!
Stay safe.
thanks.
close to nine inches plus ice. more on friday. ugh.
hope you have a good night and stay safe.
kathy in iowa
Oh no. I’m so sorry!
xo
I order my food
Pick it up
So easy and every item perfect
Prayers
Stay safe, Brenda.
You have my empathy for shopping. My husband does most of it, but we’re finding more and more things just aren’t on the shelves anymore. I don’t mind making do, but I get very upset when I can’t get the cat food my old man cat desires. Also, even tho it’s been 9 months, I still lose about 100 IQ points when I put on a mask. I’m happy to wear one, but between my steaming bifocals, the mask poking my eyes, my vertigo, and my asthma, it is very challenging.
I had to laugh about the lines on the floor. I don’t even know if our shops have them anymore because I could never figure them out. I mean, what’s easier than following the arrow? I was always going down the wrong way. People were understanding thank goodness.
No matter what else happened in 2020, you can feel proud and I hope satisfied with the renovation to the cottage–it’s a swan now for sure! Showing love in any way is so important and a good thing to carry into 2021. Happy New Year to you and Don! Thank you both for the beauty you shared this year.
Half the time, I’m walking in the wrong direction. The arrows are there, but I forget to follow them!
Thanks, Nora! Happy New Year!
Stay safe.