More clematis this morning. They sure do add a jolt of color to the green of the boxwood.
Hot, hot, hot here today. Tomorrow should be much cooler.
Yesterday morning found me pulling most of the forget-me-nots out of the ground. They were going to seed. I also wanted to clean the edges of the garden beds, so I fetched the lawn mower and mowed in front of the beds so that I could see the rocks that define the beds. Then I pulled anything that interfered with that border. And then, in true Claudia fashion, I also mowed the lilac side of the front lawn.
And then…I was tired. But it felt good to be out there after feeling under the weather for a few days.
Meanwhile, Imogen was on the porch enjoying the flowers.
(I love the cleft in her chin.)
Slowly finishing the front of the dollhouse. There are one or two elements to add, but here is where we are as of today:
I want to age that big pot on the left. The chair arrived in the mail the other day, all the way from Milan. I love the look of these bistro chairs; they remind me very much of the chairs in the Luxembourg gardens. I searched high and low until I found one.
I may make some stepping stones leading to the door. This area was to be a porch on the original house. Most of the porch elements were missing when I found it at the dump and I wasn’t inclined to replace them as I had a different idea of what I wanted it to be. So I’m left with this raised area. I’m going with terraced levels. I’ll probably add some of the ballast that I’ve used on the area just outside the front door on the lower terrace as well. Though, it’s messy and a bit of a pain in the tush.
And then we’ll move on to the Beacon Hill.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
hope you keep feeling better, especially with all that lawn/garden work, the heat and allergies. take it easy!
dove cottage looks great. how nice it would be if the builder and original owner of that dollhouse could see it now and how well and how much you are caring for it.
i am grateful to have more time to do things here. chores (which no longer need to be done at 9:00 at night or later), of course, but also interests and especially spending more time with my family. very, very grateful! :)
happy tuesday!
kathy
I’m so happy to read of what’s going on with you, Kathy. Your travels with family. So wonderful life is improving for you. xoxo
thanks very much, martha. :)
after seven months, i am still dealing with stuff from my last ‘career’ job, specifically how i was mistreated by the worst boss i’ve ever had. it continues to be super-stressful, but i feel good for blowing the whistle (so to speak). that situation won’t last forever and that part is good.
i worry about and pray for my family …. one needs to move, there have been health changes … (stuff i know everyone deals with at one point or another) and that is hard.
to balance that, i get to see members of my family every day. :)
and i try to do other stuff every day … pray, walk, do something productive, do something creative, read …
other than one overnight trip, travels have been daily rides of 50 miles or so, mostly in the countryside with members of my family … all greatly enjoyed and appreciated.
overall, yes, life is easier for not having to spend nine-plus hours each weekday at a job and i am very, very grateful.
thanks for listening and again for your support.
how are you and your family? i hope you all are well, stay safe, have comfortable and cooperative weather and things you enjoy every day.
xo
kathy
Enjoy your freedom, Kathy! What a relief it must be.
Stay safe.
Your girls always make me smile! Suffice it to say I needed the smile today. Thanks Claudia.
I’m very glad, then, that my girl put a smile on your face, Judy.
Stay safe.
dear Claudia/Don — sorry for the heat, I have always disliked heat/humidity combo — seems like we have very short springs, with summer dragging on for many months. your flowers are very pretty–here we have a hundred shades of green w/blossoms scattered about–all of our spring flowers (iris, liliacs, bridal wreath, daffodils) are gone, waiting on day lilies, canna to begin. our spring was pretty cold w/freezes at the wrong time so no pears or peaches this year, BOO. pls stay safe/healthy
Same here. I have one – just one – bud on my peonies. The crazy freezes of spring definitely took a toll on the garden.
Stay safe, Linda.
I love to let my works-in-progress sit and marinate until a vision comes to me. I think your multi-tier solution is going to work out brilliantly. We all (dolls included) deserve a bistro chair, a jardiniere of flowers and warm place to soak in the sun. I enjoy watching your little dollhouses come to life, inside and out, and I would cheerfully move into any of them.
I’m grateful for my backyard and fresh air. Someplace I don’t have to mask or worry. Looks like new variants are emerging–news none of us want to hear–and so many have already gotten covid that those of us with good sense and boosters are making up a disproportionate amount of new cases. In other words, our good N95 masks are our best friends yet again.
Stay careful, stay safe and remember to enjoy your blessings.
We are so wary – we always wear masks when we’re out and about.
Stay safe, Roxie.
It sounds like you got some much needed garden work done…me too. Feels good to get more projects done doesn’t it? Finally got all my flowers planted, both perennials and annuals. Now to sit back and enjoy….except for the weeding and watering.
Dove cottage is coming right along…interested to see your future plans for the front porch area come to life.
Enjoy your day! ;)
I have SO MUCH to weed! And I hate weeding. Alas, it must be done.
Stay safe, Donnamae.
I like the idea of the step down. It completes it, even if the finishing might be a bit of a pain. Love that chair — it’s perfect and a wonderful addition. The pot is fine — until you said aging it and yes, that would be perfect!
I finally got a few things potted today and still have so much to do. Being out of commission for a couple of weeks has slowed all that down. Ah well. No harm done and no one much cares but me!
Just do things at your pace, Jeanie. And enjoy!
Stay safe.
This doll house is coming along splendidly. Beautiful flowers and happy you are feeling better!
Thanks so much, Linda.
Stay safe.
PS — You’ve probably seen photos of this Dolls House village before — but I wanted to be sure you did.
https://oliveandpru.blogspot.com/2022/05/leonardslee-dolls-house-exhibition.html?sc=1654016765030#c7090039487748976702
I don’t think I have, Jeanie. Thank you for the link!
So glad your health allowed a good day in the garden. Imogen is a nice complement to the flowers with her dark hair. And a treat to see Dove Cottage progress. Indeed the chair is an exceptional addition.
I’m working on the local election again as I have for some time. Probably my last because of the extraordinarily long workday at the end. It’s fun to get together with old hands – we’re respectful of all points of view and enjoy the brief socialization the election season gives us. Most of us are 60s+. On the big day we have student volunteers – always fun to find out what’s new from them. One worker the other day had us doing calisthenics and line dancing – obviously, we weren’t busy with voters.
Keep cool today and remain healthy
xoxo
Good for you, Martha. I imagine the younger volunteers keep things lively!
Stay safe.
Imogen looks like she’s saying ” look at all these beautiful flowers,I’m going to dance!”
Love the entryway on the house.
Imogen likes to dance, Pat!
Stay safe.
You’ve had a busy day. That heat and humidity though- ugh!!
Love the little chair you found! It’s perfect there. Can’t wait to see the stepping stones you made.
As always Imogen looks lovely
I haven’t made them yet – I have to wait for the egg carton that is currently in our refrigerator to become available. That’s what I used to make all the stones on the cottage.
Stay safe, Stacy.
That’s so cool! Would love to see pictures of the process when you get to it😃
I don’t take pictures when I’m working, as the rehearsal process is private.
Thanks, Stacy.
The process of making the stepping stones is private? Do you have a secret recipe?😉😉😉
Oh, I thought you were talking about the play.
You can just google that. Miniatures – making stones out of egg cartons.
xo
thanks very much, martha. :)
after seven months, i am still dealing with stuff from my last ‘career’ job, specifically how i was mistreated by the worst boss i’ve ever had. it continues to be super-stressful, but i feel good for blowing the whistle (so to speak). that situation won’t last forever and that part is good.
i worry about and pray for my family …. one needs to move, there have been health changes … (stuff i know everyone deals with at one point or another) and that is hard.
to balance that, i get to see members of my family every day. :)
and i try to do other stuff every day … pray, walk, do something productive, do something creative, read …
other than one overnight trip, travels have been daily rides of 50 miles or so, mostly in the countryside with members of my family … all greatly enjoyed and appreciated.
overall, yes, life is easier for not having to spend nine-plus hours each weekday at a job and i am very, very grateful.
thanks for listening and again for your support.
how are you and your family? i hope you all are well, stay safe, have comfortable and cooperative weather and things you enjoy every day.
xo
kathy