Thanks for the great comments yesterday. It’s abundantly clear that we’re all dealing with this right now and that sharing those feelings helps. I so appreciate you all.
Forgot to tell you yesterday that on top of everything else, I could hear gunfire throughout the morning. That means hunting season has started. You know how I feel about hunting.
The bad news? The frost killed off my morning glories and zinnias and the coleus in the secret garden. There’s probably more but I didn’t investigate everything. Also, the deer (probably our young buck) has been eating every hosta and geranium. The cheek!
The good news? Some of my roses are blooming again and the catalpa tree(s) only lost some of their leaves. I mean, they lost a lot of leaves, but there are still plenty of them on the tree. We do have a heck of a lot of raking to do, but that will have to wait. I have to take Don to the eye doctor today for another shot in his eye.
Oh, another bit of good news: Don’s nesting instincts are kicking in as it gets colder and he’s creating some fabulous meals. I am a lucky girl.
Since I’m currently stalled on the English cottage dollhouse – I’m ordering window inserts and I have to paint and attach the door and buy some baseboard material – I put together one of my House of Miniatures kits yesterday for something to do. This one was very simple and took about 10 minutes.
I had considered using it in the English cottage, but given the space constraints, it won’t work. After realizing that, I figured I’d just keep it in its unfinished state to use sometime in the future. But then I thought of Hummingbird Cottage. To be honest, I’ve never liked the rectangular table I used in that kitchen. It took up far too much space. Didn’t like the color and definitely regretted the Pepto Bismol color of the chairs. So I tried the new table in the space and it is so much better!
The old table:
The new table:
All those straight lines needed a curve or two. Plus, it’s more cozy and intimate.
I’m inspired to finish the table (I’m not sure if it will be a stain or paint) and repaint the chairs. Or buy other chairs.
Even Hummingbird Cottage needs an update every once in a while.
Caroline, when consulted, saw the wisdom in this choice and approved.
I mentioned in the comments yesterday a piece written by James Carville, a longtime Democratic strategist. It’s in The Bulwark, an online site run by Republicans who are against Trump. I read it twice. The first time just for me, the second out loud to Don. It made me cry. It’s very inspiring and very heartening. I think you will feel the same. It’s entitled, A Crusade for Something Noble. Here’s the link.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
I love the table in Hummingbird Cottage! Nice work. Good luck to Don. XO
Thank you, Nora.
Stay safe!
Thanks for posting the James Carville link. I need a little hope after the disgusting rally here in Muskegon, MI. I just don’t understand the hatred for Gov Whitmer. I don’t understand the devotion people have for Trump either…it’s like a cult.
Take care
It IS a cult. Truly.
Stay safe, Marilyn!
I loved, loved, loved the James Carville article! When we stay home and wear our masks when we are out, we are part of The Crusade! When we are making donations to food banks and helping our neighbors make it through this terrible time, we are part of The Crusade! In two weeks we will have a president and vice president in place that will be there to lead us through these unusual times. I would be very surprised if any Republicans running for office will still be there in two weeks. Happy days will be here again!
That article really helps, doesn’t it?
Thank you Tana.
Stay safe.
Thanks for the link….that article gave me hope! We are fighting for the very soul of this country, and we need to show ourselves and the world, that we can defeat the threat from within.
What a great place for that round table. Round tables always seem more friendly to me. Stay safe! ;)
We are engaged in a noble fight and we have to stay strong.
Stay safe, Donna.
Gunfire in the state park area all around us started here a few weeks ago. I agree it is very disturbing. Even my cats hate it.
Yes, you are lucky that Don cooks. Brian doesn’t know how to cook and isn’t interested either. So it’s up to me to come up with every single meal. I like to cook, but only when I’m in the mood. I think after 36 years of marriage and cooking for that long (including for two children), I’m getting burned out. I have a lot of cookbooks, cut-out recipes from magazines and recipes pinned on Pinterest for inspiration but a lot of times I’m just not in the mood to do the work. However, we have to eat! And we don’t eat prepared foods and only get take-out once in awhile, so cook I must! Also, Brian has to take meals to work every day, so there always has to be some leftovers in the fridge for him to pack. Tonight is my lucky night – we’re ordering a pizza since it’s half off on Mondays. ;-)
Thanks for the link – I’m going to go read it now.
I’m glad you got a pizza break, Melanie. You deserve it!
Stay safe.
Thanks for sharing the link. His words so meaningful and beautifully expressed. We voted today and the lines were long. It might be my imagination but I felt hope in the air and a sense of purpose. Counting the days, just counting the days. Take care and stay safe. 😊
Love that you felt hope and a sense of purpose. We are going to be able to vote early starting this Saturday. I can’t wait!
Stay safe, Janet.
Commenting to thank you for the link to the Carville piece. And also to ask if you’ve ever considered doing a podcast where you read books or essays? I know, there’s Audible, but it’s a paid subscription. Before going to sleep I sometimes listen to a podcast called Phoebe Reads a Mystery. Her voice is soothing, but I’ve heard your voice (once on one of your garden walks) and it’s better and, well, given your vocation, I just thought I’d ask if you’ve ever looked into it as an income stream?
What a lovely idea! I’ll think about it. Your suggestion made Don and I go…”Hmmmm…”
Thanks so much and stay safe!
You’re welcome! My suggestion included Don, too, by the way. Please let me know what you find out if you decide to pursue it. I can’t think of a lovelier way to spend time than being read to by you two. And I hate that your abundant talents are idle during the pandemic.
You stay safe, too.
xo
My daughter shared that article, too. Brilliant words. We need every ounce of hope we can cling to and believe. Did you watch the Pete Souza documentary on MSNBC Friday night? It was absolutely beautiful. I cried through most of it. Those were the days, my friend.
I love the table, and think you and Caroline made a good decision. As Donnamae said, round tables do seem friendlier, and we seriously need all the friendly we can find. Have a good Monday.
Chris…..I wholeheartedly agree with you . The Pete Souza documentary was so moving and thought provoking. What a contrast we have with the grace, intelligence, dignity of the Obama presidency and the disgusting trump cult of deplorables. I too cried and was moved by the simple humanity of President Obama. Everyone should watch this. Unfortunately there are idiots that are floating the crazy idea that Sandy Hook never happened, that 9/11 was an inside job and so on and so on. While the trumpers can scream louder and threaten us with guns and violence I do believe that good will triumph over evil (eventually)
Maria, I hope with every single fiber of my being that good will triumph. I remember back to the beginning of this fiasco in 2016 when we thought we might soon be dancing in the street after the Muller report ~ then we thought about dancing again when he would be impeached ~ and quite frankly, I am afraid my dancing days are just not in the cards any longer. But I want to shout and yell and encourage everyone else to dance their hearts out if this ends the way we hope. My spirit will dance along with all of you!! We have to believe.
I watched half of it, but it was not going to end until midnight here, so we had to go to bed. We’ll catch the second part soon. It’s wonderful.
Thanks Chris.
Stay safe.
Yep, that’s a cottage table for sure! I found myself rearranging today too! Actually I had 4 boxes of blue and white, made in England dishes that were my sister’s collection. Some ironstone, some porcelain and other pieces china. 34 plates in 4 patterns, 12 cups and saucers in 2 of the patterns patterns, soup bowls, small plates and several serving pieces of varying numbers and in the various patterns, a true mix and match collection. I had given her a few pieces over the years and I have a few pieces mixed in with the white ironstone dishes we use on a daily basis.
My niece gave the collection to me shortly after my sister died 3 years ago. Today I brought them into my kitchen and got them out, cleaned and sorted them to see what I would add to my kinda already full cabinets. Well it was so emotion consuming that I packed them in plastic totes and placed them downstairs, in the laundry room, on the floor, under the shelf as they are very heavy and I know how things can go “crash” in the middle of the night.
Maybe some day I will decide to use them, or some of them. Maybe not. None of the younger generation want the things we have spent so many years collecting and loving. And, it’s just stuff.
Take care!
I’m sorry it was so emotional for you, but I understand. You have them, you know you have them and that they’re safe and that’s enough for now.
Stay safe, Kelly.
I’m a very proud member of The Crusade! I live in the very red state of Texas but we are seeing a major shift and hope we are turning the state blue!! I’m off to the polls right now to cast my vote for Biden and Harris——-proudly decked out in blue and holding my head high! I’m sure I’ll be on the receiving end of many a raised eyebrow and evil stares from OM supporters. For the first time in four years, I’m feeling hopeful for our future!!
Let us know how voting went, Jana! I’m seeing long lines in TX and that’s a good thing!
Stay safe.
Thank you for that link!
Tell me about window inserts for the doll house. How do you find them to precisely fit your precise house? Is it some kind of material you trim?
I have no idea how I’m going to do it. The window inserts that came with the house are tacky and I don’t want to use them. We’ll see what I come up with.
Stay safe, Vicki.
Yes, the new table is MUCH better! I’d paint it white and the chairs to match with maybe a small floral bit on the top of the chair backs. Or the pale blue of the cabinet, maybe with the chairs a tad darker. It IS a cottage, after all!
I don’t know what I’m going to do with it. I might just stain it to get a different texture in the room. I shy away from anything too flowery in a dollhouse because I think there’s too much of that out there, so I wouldn’t add flowers to the chairs. But truly, I’m not sure which way I’m going with it yet. Thanks, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
The round table looks right at home! We’ve always had a round table in our RL home as I think it makes for better dinner conversation, although clearly we have not been entertaining for some time. My daughter decided to learn to cook during the summer and has now taken over all the food shopping and meal preparation while I do the cleanup. It works very well for us as I like cleaning, but not cooking.
Hunting season makes me nervous. I’m always afraid to go riding in the woods (even though it’s private property) in case someone mistakes the horses for deer. The horses also don’t appreciate the sound of rifles.
Kudos to you and Don for volunteering. I haven’t been watching too much lately about the election in America, although there was a bit on one of the PBS stations the other day about a “Trump” house which was decorated in stars and stripes. I don’t think our municipal bylaws would allow that here.
I wish I our municipal bylaws didn’t allow Trump signs!
Stay safe, Barbara.
thank you so much for the link! I have sent it to others who might not have seen it too.
it’s also hunting season here. beyond my understanding. I mean even if it were for the food?
but it’s just the desire to KILL something. anything. so long as they kill it. it’s dangerous to walk in any woods around here.
I’m depressed. and I didn’t realize it until now. this great sadness at mankind and its need to always DESTROY. if not each other then all living things. it’s madness.
your pictures of the little house are amazing.
thank you for your posts. I don’t comment every time. but they are so appreciated! xoxo
It makes me ill. And the result is carnage, for no reason than to kill an innocent animal.
I can’t let myself go there for too long because I can’t stop crying.
Stay safe, Tammy.
claudia, i’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating (especially with all that’s going on in the world right now) … i am so glad and grateful that a link somewhere led me several years ago to mockingbird hill cottage, you and everyone else here. you’ve created such a warm and welcoming place here by giving of your time and talents, talking about so many interesting and thoughtful things and sharing so much of your life, home and heart! you’ve drawn wonderful people here, too. all much appreciated. thank you for that. thanks to don and everyone else here, too.
hope today’s been easier and that don’s shot went well, is helpful.
and that the hunters leave your area. or, better yet, stop hunting!
that round table was made for hummingbird cottage … it looks great!
i arrived home more than three hours early today, courtesy of a snow squall. found about three inches of heavy, wet snow on my car, but i was happy to head home because visibility was not good. took some time to do stuff around here, but now am showered and taking it easy. i still say it’s too early for snow (in my opinion), but it sure is pretty! and i’m home early! :)
have a nice night.
and stay safe!
kathy in iowa
just read james carville’s essay … hopeful (and i agree). thanks for the link!
kathy in iowa
xo
Thank you so much for your kind words, Kathy.
And YES! It’s way too early for snow!
Stay safe.
I really love how the round table looks in Hummingbird Cottage. Sprucing up a space is always a good idea. I am exhausted after a wonderful day celebrating my Mom. I am so blessed to have her here and in good sound mind at age 90. Now a day of rest. I read the article by James Carville and it moved me. Yes it is a crusade! One we must win!
So happy the day went well for everyone and that your mom was celebrated on her birthday.
Relax now and stay safe, Linda.
After reading Carville’s essay, I feel more optimistic than I have in long long time. Thank you for sharing.
You’re very welcome, Carolyn.
Stay safe.
I am happy things are still growing a bit for you to enjoy. Interesting article you suggested. It makes me more hopeful. I want to believe the polls but I don’t dare yet. Perhaps a slight easing of worry.
We are staying very careful. I think the worst may be ahead of us as winter approaches.
Enjoy your miniature work. I need a hobby.
I’ve never not had a hobby or three or four. They keep me sane.
I’m still worried. I don’t know anyone couldn’t be, but that article helped a lot.
Stay safe, Kay.