Coneflowers in the big garden bed.
I am watering like crazy as the heat here is brutal. The heat index reached 99° yesterday and will most likely do the same thing today. The lawn is beginning to get brown patches.
I did sleep longer last night. I need another good night of sleep to catch up, but I do feel better today. Except for the fact that I keep thinking it’s Friday.
My Blythe from Ukraine finally reached the USA a couple of days ago. I have a tracking number. It came into JFK/NYC and was at the Queens postal facility. I waited two days for an update – nothing. Then an update came through and it was in Denver, CO. What the???? I swear, the postal service is getting worse. I’ve had several shipments from Russia or Ukraine that, though slow, got to this country without a problem. Then, the USPS took over and the packages ended up in the wrong place.
I’m almost done with the puzzle and I’m definitely at the most difficult part of the process. The theme is trees, so now it’s down to the shape/color of a segment of a leaf, the wood grain on what might be a tree. I know I’ll finish it eventually but right now, every piece that finds a home is a triumph.
From the other day, cuddle time with Madeleine and Wren.
I have another girl – yes, I know, I’ve gone crazy – arriving today. She was such a good deal (very, very inexpensive, as is the Blythe from Ukraine) that I couldn’t pass her up. A fellow Blythe lover on IG was putting her up for “adoption.” She is the second owner, so the doll was discounted. I really love her – especially her eyebrows. You’ll see her tomorrow. (Oh lord, I just saw that the girl from Ukraine is ALSO arriving today.)
And then, Wren’s sister – made by the same artist that made Wren – is arriving soon as well. I ordered her several months ago.
“THAT’S IT! You have enough!” I screamed.
The life of an unrepentant collector.
Don’t forget about the January 6th Committee hearing tonight at 8 pm!
Forgot to add: We tested negative yesterday. Still have to keep an eye out over the next 4 days, but I think we’re fine.
Stay safe.
Happy Thursday.
kathy in iowa says
i get it … lots of painting supplies, wooden swedish dala horses and perpetual calendars here (that’s the short list … ha).
anyway, enjoy!
the garden is beautiful. do you ever cut some flowers to put in one of the roseville vases you have indoors?
thanks for the reminder about the hearing on tv tonight.
high heat here again so walks are taken early in the day and at a slower pace. grateful to be able to walk with members of my family. for obvious reasons, for the last couple of years i had to walk on the opposite side of the street as them … this is better!
stay cool and safe, everyone.
kathy
Claudia says
No, I never cut flowers – only if there’s going to be a freeze. I like to see them outside in the garden and let them live long lives. Since we have so many windows, I can seem them from inside the house.
Stay safe, Kathy.
Brenda says
Thankfully you both tested negative
We are waiting for shoe to drop on Nana here. My family seems to get it up to two weeks later u fortunately.
Prayers for you both
Claudia says
Hopefully, since this strain is so contagious, we would have had it by now and we don’t.
Stay safe, Brenda.
Barrie says
Claudia, glad you and Don tested negative.
Madeleine and Wren look like they’re waiting to watch the hearing….most probably, though, waiting to meet their new sisters!
Hope you have a cooler day! Our Bay Area weather has been comfortable, but yards have mostly turned brown without rain for such a stretch.
Claudia says
It’s terrible here – the heat index at this moment is 102 degrees.
My allergies are complaining.
Stay safe, Barrie.
Darlene says
Hey, if they bring you joy go for it! Life is short and it looks like they don’t take up much space. lol I keep buying fabric for quilts!
Still haven’t watched the hearings, I’m hoping to do that when my life slows down. My husband and I own an irrigation business in Nebraska so it’s way too busy to enjoy hobbies or watch much TV right now. I’ll be glad when fall arrives.
Have a good day!
Claudia says
I used to quilt and I know how much fabric costs! But it’s addictive, isn’t it?
Stay safe, Darlene.
Marilyn Schmuker says
I’m glad you tested negative. My son-in-law just had covid. It has been a week since his symptoms started and my daughter and granddaughter who live in the same house tested negative yesterday. They aren’t quite out of the woods yet and may still get sick but the incubation period is usually around 5 days from exposure. And yet they say this varient is more contagious. He hasn’t kept himself quarantined in one room either. Fortunately we hadn’t been around any of them for a few days before he got sick. He had a fever for 3 days, achy, a bit stuffy and tired. It’s a strange virus.
I’m excited to see your new girls!
Take care
Claudia says
We wouldn’t be able to quarantine either. This house is too small!
Thanks, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
Lynda says
“unrepentant collector” lol
The coneflower bed is beautiful!
Claudia says
That’s me!
Stay safe, Lynda.
Donnamae says
Hey…if it makes you happy…go for it!! Curious to see your new girls! I’ve been thinking it’s a day ahead all week…most be the heat. We are not as toasty as you this week…but it’s still hot. And the older I get, the less I can tolerate the heat.
Your flowers are gorgeous. At least they seem to be enjoying the warmer temps. Enjoy your day! ;)
Claudia says
It’s a 102 degree heat index out there right now. Just horrible.
Thanks so much, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
Amy says
Coneflower bed is gorgeous! I was going to ask if you’ve had much genetic variation with the spread of the coneflowers at your home — white flowers as opposed to various shades of pink. The genetic variation that occurs through self-seeding is always interesting, isn’t it?
Glad to hear you slept better/longer last night. Hope that continues for you, and you’re soon back in tip top shape sleep-wise.
Heat continues to hammer here in the East — heat index is 100 at the moment. Fingers crossed we get a break in temperatures, as well as some rain. July & August are not my favorite months. I’m looking forward to Fall.
Stay safe, well, and enjoy the new additions to your household!
Claudia says
Our heat index is 102 as I write this.
I believe I planted the white coneflowers, Amy!
Stay safe.
Roxie says
I hope the negatives keep on coming for you and Don!
And I can’t wait to see the new girls…
Claudia says
You’ll see one tomorrow. The other is still out there somewhere, but not here yet.
Stay safe, Roxie.
Carol says
The flowers are beautiful. Your gardens look so nice. Our soil is so sandy down here in NC, it’s hard to grow certain types. I do have two pretty rose bushes out front though.
I’m glad you both tested negative. And you can never have too many girls. I’m sure you fall in love with each one when you receive them in the mail.
Deb in Phoenix says
Still love the shoes! Are they going to watch the hearing with you?! Finally got a quote for an air conditioner that we could live with. Will be installing it Monday. Hope ours holds out until then. We are at 114 degrees today. We need rain too. Hospice visited my MIL today. Said again she does not have much time. Can’t wait to see the new girls and get some sleep! Take care!
Vicki says
I had a beautiful moment today. About to get out of my car in front of the house, only to stop and see two American goldfinches (yellow breast, black head and wings; small, dear little things) feeding, for long moments, on our meadow patch which is now somewhat going to seed after delighting us for months. There was quite a breeze blowing and the tall meadow flowers’ ‘stems’ were very lightweight, so the birds were really hanging on, trying to feed off that seed while ‘bouncing around’ on those spindly, tall, fading-flower stalks.
Really glad you got sleep; really sorry the weather is so hot!
I do think I’m a bit partial to sweet-baby Wren; oh, that face — and now she’s gonna have a sister? Bliss!
Vicki says
Deb, I don’t know how my general comment got hijacked to yours, but sorry you’re in such awful heat!
Kay in SE WI says
Love seeing your “girls.” Now that I’m in my seventies, I closely restrict what I bring new into the house. Many, many trips to Goodwill later I still have too much stuff and only sons who will not want any of it.
This is my favorite time of year. Watching the coneflowers, daisies, brown-eyed susans and suflowers growing taller every day in the front and back of the house is just magical. One good thing about the awful heat is it has slowed down the grass growing big time so – less mowing. But lots of watering the many pots. So glad there’s no water shortage around here.
Stay cool and sleep better.
K.
Linda MacKean says
So many sweet girls. I just finished the Jan 6th Committee Hearing this afternoon (Friday as I type this comment). I am so proud that I have been able to watch this and horrified that these events happened in the first place. Sobering thoughts.
Claudia says
Very sobering, but the best television programming I’ve ever seen!
Stay safe, Linda.
Kay+Nickel says
I am glad you tested negative. Almost everyone I know has had mild symptoms but you still don’t need the hassle.
I love the flowers.
Very hot in Florida but it is hot everywhere.
Claudia says
Very very hot here, Kay.
Stay safe.