This is the view I woke up to – one of my favorites:
Fall and fog.
Sigh. I have to drive back to Hartford today. I’ve been nestling in here at the cottage and it’s been a joy. I don’t want to exaggerate, however. I’m only going back for 2 days – maybe 3 – and then I’m home for good. I packed up quite a few things last Sunday and hauled them home. Hopefully, this will make the rest of the packing easier. Fingers crossed.
Don made this path with some pavers he found at Lowes – it’s behind the kitchen. You can see our rain barrel, which handles overflow from our wonky gutters. There is a flat grassy area behind the kitchen that gets very wet as it’s at the bottom of a small hill. We’d like to do more with it next year. Anyway, this little path is the start. (Don was very busy while I was away!)
I made biscuits last night. Yes, I’m the only one here, but…Stella. And biscuits.
Note baking chart inside oven door: Biscuits – 450. Check. 12 -15 minutes. Check, although I tend to go for 11 or 12 minutes at max.
Made a jelly roll lately? 400 degrees, 12 -15 minutes.
They get so poufy that they sometimes fall over. That’s because they’re Cloud Biscuits. I’m taking some back with me. Comfort food.
I’ve been noticing a line of pottery on Instagram, greatly favored by much younger bloggers, some of them fanatic collectors. It’s made by potter Rae Dunn and it’s sold at Home Goods, T J Maxx and Marshalls. She has other lines, as well, that are sold elsewhere. The appeal of this particular line centers on the use of words in a engaging font, along with the slightly irregular shape of the mugs. I’m not about to be a big collector, but I did buy a few pieces, drawn, in part, by this one:
Why Chill? Well, besides the obvious good advice, Chill is me. C. Hill. As I said on Instagram, this was embroidered on every item of clothing I wore in gym class or took to camp. It was written inside all my book covers.
I’m C. Hill. And I remain a Hill legally. Even though I go by Hill-Sparks professionally, I never changed my name when I married Don. I had no desire to shed what had been my legal surname for over 40 years. Don was completely fine with that.
So. Long story, but that’s why I love this mug!
Some more pieces. I love the bowls. We always need bowls around here. I’ve always been drawn to words on things – I’ve had some of the Emma Bridgewater Toast and Marmalade pieces for years. The lettering on the Rae Dunn pieces is very like the font I chose for my blog; another reason I’m enamored.
The mug behind Chill says Play.
And then there’s this one, which was in yesterday’s post. I found it at Home Goods. Also Rae Dunn.
Luckily, I don’t have a lot of extra room around here. Maybe a few pieces, but that’s it.
Some of you wrote to me when Irma was on the way to the Tampa area and I’d love to hear how you’re doing. When you have a moment, please leave a comment. Mere and her family are okay. Exhausted, but okay. Little Z declared on his own last night that it was time to go to bed. He was tuckered out.
Happy Tuesday.
I love that first misty view!
Thank you, Leslie! (Although I can’t take credit for it – it’s all Mother Nature!)
Like you, I’ve seen the Rae Dunn pieces on IG. I think it’s cute and I wouldn’t mind a couple of pieces if I found ones with words that spoke to me (like your CHILL mug – that’s perfect for you), but otherwise, I have no desire to collect it. I’ve only seen one piece at my HomeGoods in the past few times I’ve been there, but was disappointed when I turned the piece over and found that it was made in China. I’ll stick with collecting vintage McCoy, Red Wing, etc.
I love that little stone paver path Don made to the rain barrel. Looks great!
Always disappointed that something is made in China and I have enough vintage pottery to fill a shop. In an ideal world anything sold here wouldn’t be made there, but if we’re totally honest – there’s a lot in our homes that came from China. Sad, but true. Sigh.
Right. That’s why I try, when possible, to buy things made in the USA. It’s especially important with dishes, because of the toxicity of dishes made in China. I don’t want to be eating off of or drinking out of those. But like I said, if I found a Rae Dunn piece that “spoke to me”, I would buy it simply for aesthetics. It sure is cute!
Lead in dishes (which is what I think you’re talking about) is only a problem in brightly colored glazes or decorations on top of a glaze, terra cotta, and highly decorated Asian dishware. And it’s much more regulated now – still not 100%, but better than it was. It’s always good to be careful, but there’s nothing toxic with these pieces. xoxo
I’ve read too many studies about the safety of dishes made in China. I’d rather err on the side of caution. ;-)
xoxo
Ah, the biscuits are so fluffy! I love fluffy biscuits and that cute one on the front that is leaning over… 😊
I am in love with Stella’s door of directions! How clever that person was to think about putting that on her when she was made. Is that typical?
I must find those dishes by Rae. I have always had a soft spot for Emma Bridgewater also. I do hope Rae’s dishes are available online. We don’t have a HomeGoods around us.
I am so glad your family is safe. Laura is riding it out in Charleston. I lost contact with her yesterday for about 14 hours. Felt more like 14 years! Heard from her about 3 this morning. She and her friend and family are fine. I probably have a 100 new grey hairs!
Safe travels on your trip to Hartford.
I think that kind of thing happened a lot in the fifties. There are also directions for the Grillivator inside that door! No one does that sort of thing nowadays and I think it adds such a personal touch!
So glad to hear that Laura is safe, Debbie! Now have a cup of tea or coffee or hot chocolate and relax.
Dear Claudia, thanks for your concern. I am in Brandon and am one of the lucky ones to get our power back last night. We had a lot of limbs down but no major damage. We are so grateful. Our daughter,who teaches elementary school, has not been as fortunate. She and her neighbors have been told 7 to 9 days possibly for their power and she lives only a few miles from us. I have lived in Florida all my life and have never seen anything quite like this. We are praying for all concerned and again thanks for caring.
I’m so glad that you’re okay. I’m sorry that your daughter has to deal with no power. It’s a miracle that anyone in the Tampa Bay area had any power after that storm! Take care, Janet, and thank you for updating us!
I love the C.Hill mug!! I have seen those in Marshalls etc but haven’t found one that speaks to me yet. I do love coffee mugs and have such a collection that they must be special to come home with me. We are doing OK this morning. We never lost power which is wonderful. Sara had a tree go down so no power and will be over later with the children. I’m so so glad Meredith and family are OK. We just had very strong winds and it was scary I know they must have been so frightened! Lots of damage everywhere. Take care on your trip back and think in just a few days you will be home for a good while! Hugs! Did Don get settled in?
I’m so glad everyone is safe and that the tree didn’t harm Sarah or the children! Don is settled. He’s at his second day of rehearsal.
I started to drool after seeing those biscuits…oh my. Love the directions on Stella’s door…how unique. I see Don was busy in his final week at the cottage…is he settled in his new home away from home? Just a few more days and you’ll be all settled back in….bet that’ll feel really good. Glad to hear Meredith and company doing well…Little Z is so funny. I think my BIL’s house is far enough away from the St. John’s river….they are still in Atlanta, so we’ll just have to wait and see. Those are cute mugs…I haven’t been to our Home Goods in over a year. I like the Chill one…just for the sentiment…I need more ‘chill’ in my life! Safe travels back! ;)
He’s as settled in as he will be. He doesn’t do a lot of ‘decorating’ but next year, when he’s in a studio for a several months, we’ll do some decorating for sure.
I need more Chill as well!
I love the paver path and the fog (oh, my San Francisco heart!). Damage is said to be minor at the shack, so we’ve dodged that bullet, it seems. Travel safely today.
Minor – thank goodness! So glad it stayed relatively safe. Good news!
Glad your family is safe and sound. I like your CHILL mug, Claudia… good for a hot cup of Peet’s. I went into my Peet’s yesterday. It seems that Peet’s, and S’bucks, are trying to get with the times…the coffee house style with individual tables, and easy chairs set out to make conversation easy went by the wayside for long tables and bar stools with electrical plugs for people to isolate themselves with their tech, and now we’ve come full circle again as I noticed the smaller tables for intimate conversation are back. Gosh, I hope talking to each other makes a come-back! I did notice that there were no tins of Peet’s teas! The store is selling Mighty Leaf instead.
It would be nice if talking to each other was indeed making a comeback!
So glad your sister and family are safe! Love Stella and her door of directions for baking. Here in Summerville, 20 miles or so inland from Charleston, we made it safely through the storm. Tropical storm gusts, torrential rain and a tornado warning were the worst of it. We kept power throughout though I have cousins who have been without power since yesterday morning. No damage to our house and all trees in the yard remained firmly rooted. I can’t fathom the area of damage from Irma. Best wishes and hugs to all those hit the hardest by Irma.
So glad you remained safe and sound during the hurricane, Laura!
I’m a biscuit lover, too. I grew up in Mich, but my parents were both Southerners and we had biscuits for breakfast nearly every morning. I have never made Cloud Biscuits – just the baking powder/buttermilk variety. FYI: If you twist your wine glass as you press the dough out, you’re more likely to get the falling-over look. So glad that your family is well! Love your Stella!
I do twist my wine glass! Biscuits (in our family) were more for special occasions, but I could definitely eat them every day, Barbara!
The chart inside Stella flashed me back to the Chambers stove we had when I was growing up, although Stella’s is quite a bit more extensive. To wit: VEAL WELL-LARDED. Hahaha! Can you imagine a modern-day manufacturer added that one these days? Mom’s Chambers just had meats & chicken on it, as I recall. And C – HILL = CHILL. So neat. That should be your e-mail, Claudia. CHILL@GMAIL.COM or whatever. Of course, it’s probably already been snapped up by now. My own e-mail is taken from the story of how I was named & I decided it would be my personal e-mail years before I could afford my own computer & Internet at home. Was so relieved to find out it hadn’t been taken already. Oh and hey, that last shot of your Cloud biscuits is incredible. Worthy of a food blog. Are they a family secret — or would you be willing to share the recipe? The final product looks mouth-wateringly delicious. I can almost smell them & the butter in the air. Have a safe trip back to Hartford! Peace. 🌼
#Resist
One of my email addresses already has that, Janet.
The recipe is somewhere on this blog – just use the search option on the sidebar!
Glad and thankful Mere and crew are okay! Really like your new pottery pieces. I saw the PLA and was sure it said PLANT but PLAY is good for you too!
Play is sort of perfect for me! And I’m working on one right now!
Wow do those biscuits look yummy! I could eat them all. I’ve never found a biscuit recipe that has worked for me.
I love your outdoor photos.
And the story behind “Chill” was great, I love it!
Hi Claudia, I grew up with a range so similar to yours. My mom only used it in the summer when it was too hot to use the cook stove for cooking. And that is a relic I wish I had today, but when my parents retired from the farm, I had no means to either stove. Anything I have from the farm had to fit into my car and then into my small home. I do love seeing the pieces being used today, they were made to last! And my mom made biscuits almost every day. I ate them plain or with jelly or apple butter, I disliked butter. Not so today!
Enjoy your “range” and the biscuits!
I will, Kelly! I had the same situation when my grandmother moved out of her home. I was in college and I didn’t really have a ‘home’ yet. There are things I wish I had taken, but I just couldn’t do it at the time.
Thank you, Bridget! This recipe is somewhere on the blog – just use the search function on the sidebar.
So happy M and family are OK. Well, Little Z sure had it right!
He sure did! He’s pretty wise, that one!
Claudia, I love the fog photo. Wow, those biscuits are amazing. Hope the times goes quickly so you can return to your sweet home. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
Me too. It was hard to leave today, but I’ll be busy with work tonight and tomorrow and hopefully I’ll be moving back home soon after that.
We are doing well. Fortunately, our little bungalow did not sustain major damage (tree limbs on roof, wires down, but that is it). We are driving back home from SC, which is very slow going and full of closures.
Tampa has a serious issue with being very blasé about hurricanes. 72 hours ago, Tampa was in danger of being completely devastated by this storm. This morning, I woke up to a facebook feed of “See, I told you we didn’t have to leave!”. This is very frustrating, as someone who experienced Sandy firsthand and just spent about $1000 of our emergency fund to evacuate. So grateful that disaster was averted, but the overall mentality there is dangerous.
I agree. They dodge a bullet, but what about the next time? They’re only getting worse. My sister always says “We’ve been lucky so far” but this one really scared her. Glad you are doing well, Ali. Good luck getting back from South Carolina.
Oh, those biscuits!! Yummmmm!! Enjoy each and every one of them…
So glad to hear Meredith & family are doing well. Was Max nervous? I think dogs can sense something before we do. Is Little Z back to school and Meredith back to work?
Was at Home Goods this morning. Such fun to wander through that store. I did find a few things. But I did not see any Rae Dunn this trip. I actually was thinking about that as I walked through. I have one mug that says JOY. I do love the CHILL and most esp the story it tells for you.
I’m sure you will be happy to get home again. This is such a lovely time of year in the gardens. I have been amazed at the number of bees on my Sedum lately. My Pampas grass looks gorgeous as it blows in the breezes. I am still watering and have added a few mums to the lineup. We could use some rain, but none in the forecast until Sunday. We have had some beautiful 75-80* days and we are enjoying each one.
The one “nice thing” I can think of as your next separation from Don begins, is that a lot of the time he will be in NYC, and you know he is “just” a train ride away. That is at least better than a country apart. But it still means he isn’t in the next room…. and I know that is still so hard. Safe travels on your way home, Claudia!!
Max is pretty old and sleeps a lot. Mere didn’t mention that he was nervous.
I don’t think they’re back to school yet – Mere has to drive to her clients’ homes, so it depends on whether it’s safe to drive there.
It’s really warm here today – must be close to 80. I didn’t want to leave! But I’m in Hartford now and I’ll roll up my sleeves and do my job!
My mother was C. Hill, too! Carolyn June.
Lost 5 trees here in Ft. Lauderdale, and power out for only 24 hours, which was amazing. Lots of damage to plants, but houses came through. Wind was ferocious here, so I cannot imagine how it was at landfall.
Yay for C. Hill!
I’m sorry about the loss of your trees, but I’m glad you’re safe, Cara.
I love that Misty photo. Those biscuits look delicious. It is hard to find anything that is not made in China. I remember the late Selma Diamond once mentioning on a talk show that she will not buy anything made in China. These days it is almost impossible to purchase anything not made in China.
Marilyn
Selma would have a real problem today! Thanks, Marilyn!
I’m falling in love with that stove more and more by the minute. I am starting to get jealous, really jealous.
Uh oh! I get it. I was jealous of every other blogger who had a vintage stove! That’s what spurred this whole thing on!
I love the way those fluffy biscuits just fall right over like that…they look beautiful…not to mention yummy!…I am glad to read of everyone reporting in here as being safe…I am happy for all of you!…Those cups and bowls are so cute Claudia….
The more I read, the more I realize how fortunate Mere is in never losing power. There are a lot of power outages all over that state.
Hi,
We’re Ok here in Orlando–18 hours of the storm, 6 of those terrifying–and about 38 hours without power. We lost a palm tree and the right side of the fence in the backyard, but we are so grateful. It could have been so much worse.
Junior has the whole week off from school, so just as one hurricane subsides, another hits!
Glad to hear so many are safe as well. I don’t know about anyone else, but this is my last hurricane season in Florida. If we weren’t convinced it’s time to head back north, we are now.
Stay well, stay safe!
So glad to hear you’re okay. My nephew was in Orlando as well and he lost power.
I don’t blame you, by the way. I don’t think I could weather a hurricane season, especially as they seem to be getting more intense!
So happy to hear your sister and her family came through Irma fine! We (and the 19 horses on our farm) are okay too. Miraculously, we came out relatively unscathed because we ended up being on the west, or *good,* side of the hurricane’s winds. We did have various degrees of flooding in 10 of our 22 stalls. (One of my daughter’s horses was standing in ankle-deep water in her stall Monday a.m.) But, the barn roofs stayed on and not one of the horses got as much as a scratch on them. SO thankful!
We lost our power very early on, while the storm was still hours away in the Naples/Ft. Myers area. It wasn’t restored for almost 80 hours (hence my late update on this post). I lost the majority of the contents of my kitchen refrigerator/freezer and a freezer in the garage but in the scheme of things, I’m not complaining. I was able to save some cold foods in ice chests but so many people and businesses had/have no power, so ice has been in short supply. If businesses were open after Irma passed, they were usually sold out of ice.
While on another mission for ice early Wednesday morning, my husband spoke to a power company employee who was down from the Jacksonville area to help Tampa Electric restore power. He said he had spent the night in his power company’s truck and had nothing to do because “Tampa Electric wasn’t ready for them.” WHAT? ! In light of the wide-spread power outages, I found it absolutely appalling that two days after Irma passed, Tampa Electric would not be more prepared to utilize the services of the out-of-town power companies that came to help!
The loss of our power also meant the loss of a functioning well. (We should have had one before but generator to power the well is on our “to get” list now, for sure!) Although we had stock-piled enough water for all the horses for 3-4 days, we started getting a little worried when we heard we might not get our power back for up to a week. Our local fire station generously agreed to bring out a tanker truck to refill the many almost-empty troughs, buckets and empty garbage cans we had filled with water in preparation for the days after the hurricane. (As soon as the grocery stores are open and restocked, I’ll be baking a huge batch of cookies and brownies for the fire station guys. Maybe I should try to make them some of your yummy-looking biscuits too!)
I’ve lived in Florida for more than 60 years so I’ve been through my share of hurricanes and tropical storms during that time but I hope I never, ever have to experience another one like this.
Shari, I’m so glad to hear from you! I was thinking about you and the horses and hoping that all was well. We also get our water from a well and if the power goes, the water is not flowing. I understand! Bless the guys at your local fire station for the generous donation of much-needed water. I cannot get over the fact that Tampa Electric wasn’t ready for help from other power companies. That needs to be fixed fast!
Thanks so much for letting us know you’re okay. And that those gorgeous horses are okay as well.