We went to Trader Joe’s yesterday (see flowers on table) and bought a lot of food. Much of it is frozen, which, now that I hear about this huge hurricane bearing down on the East Coast, might not have been the best idea. I have to admit that this one is making me nervous, especially after the damage to our trees during Hurricane Irene last year. We’ve lived here seven years. We rented for four years before that. That makes 11 years. Before I moved to San Diego, I lived in the Northeast for a total of 10 years when I was in grad school in Philadelphia and teaching at Boston University. I can think of one fizzled out hurricane that came during all that time. That’s it. Now two years in a row? What is going on??
I was too lazy to get up and get my camera, so I took this photo of the evening lamplight with my iPhone. Look who managed to appear! Her Royal Highness, Ms. Scout. Don was making dinner and she was not about to miss any bit of food that might come her way. And get that stare. She’s willing me to get up off my duff and give her a treat.
On our drive to TJs, we grabbed these photos of this tiny house. I’m fascinated by the Tiny House movement. I subscribe to Tumbleweed Tiny Houses and I also am on the subscription list for Tiny House Listings. No, I’m not going to live in a tiny house – Don is 6’4½” and I am 5’8″ – but I really admire the desire to leave less of a footprint and live a simpler life.
So there it was, just to the right of us on the highway. There were windows on all four sides. There are solar panels on the roof.
Don cleverly got this shot. I wanted you to see the front door.
Charming, isn’t it? Is it going to be used for a house? Or a studio? Or a guest house? I like to imagine who might be living or working there.
I’ll be back tonight at 8:00 EST for A Favorite Thing.
Happy Friday.
Your home in the evening lamplight looks so inviting and pretty, Claudia. (And I’ve seen that stare before in a few pets I’ve known. HA!!) I, too, adore tiny houses, and at 5′ 1″ can see myself rattling around in one, using it for a writing studio or for knitting and spinning crafts. I love watching the Design Star episodes where they have to decorate one of those tiny houses. The space-saving ideas they come up with (like Murphy beds or loft sleeping) are always so charming. I hope you (and I) will survive the hurricane that’s coming early next week! I’m told it’s the convergence of TWO storms (like “The Perfect Storm” was in 1991) so that’s making me plenty nervous. I have two large maples over the rear of the cottage and will be sitting and watching them like a hawk. I hope you’ll be safe, too!
It’s making me plenty nervous, too, Haworth! I have a maple right off of the kitchen, a huge sugar maple right next to the porch and an old hickory that I think might be fragile. Yikes. It’s really unnerving. Stay safe, my friend..
Wouldn’t that be perfect as a studio! So much charm; reminds me of the cottages of Martha’s Vineyard!
I can see myself happily blogging and creating in that little space, Nola!
I find the tiny house movement interesting too, though I could never actually live in a house that small. Too confining! As an introvert that lives with another introvert (my husband), we each need our own space. A house this small wouldn’t do it for either of us! Now, I could see that tiny house as a writing and craft studio for myself… :-)
I love Trader Joes; one of my favorite stores. I hope and pray that you will be safe from the storms!
Agree. I need my own space, and so does Don. Plus, we’re tall. I don’t think Don could stand up very well and if he could it would only be in the center of the room.
Love your warm iPhone photo and your model’s gaze. I like cozy, but I don’t think I could do cramped. Great highway shots too. Always makes the trip more interesting, doesn’t it? Wish we had Trader Joe’s here… Stay safe and storm-free. xo
Cramped is what I already feel here, sometimes. I can’t imagine how cramped I’d feel in a tiny house!
Stay safe in the storm!
Thank you, Paula! Say a prayer for us and for everyone in its path.
You know I love these tiny abodes!
Brenda
I thought you’d like this little house!
What a charming little studio!!! I would love to have it!!!
Trader Joe’s is a big favorite of ours. Have you tried their seasonal cinnamon cheese? Oh my!!!
xo Kris
No – I’ll have to try that next time I go there!
Your photo looks so warm and inviting. I think the tiny house movement is great, but I think I would feel a little claustrophobic in that small of a space. A sweet little cottage would be perfect.
Hugs,
Laura
I’d love it for a separate studio space. Or writing space. I’ve decided I want one!
Hi Claudia-I sure hope that storm switches course! I just stopped in at Adams before the weekend rush and stocked up on veggies and milk. Better get out the cooler and candles, just in case! The photo of your home looks so inviting-I want to curl up with a good book!
-Lynn
We just went out and bought 3 or 4 flashlights and extra batteries and some canned goods just in case we lose power. We have candles. Got in extra water, too, because if the power goes out, so does our well pump. I’m crossing my fingers that it switches course! Stay safe, Lynn.
I’d love to see the inside of that tiny house…I think I’d need a tad more space. Hope the storm doesn’t make life too difficult. Could be a great weekend to do some shredding…just saying! ;)
I can only shred if the power stays on, Donnamae!
Hello Claudia,
Here in NC we are having a cooler day and some clouds, but we wont get the rain from Sandy until tomorrow. It is supposed to be much chillier next week because of her too. I hope she goes easy on your area as well.
I was intrigued by your photos of the tiny house! So I went to the website and enjoyed dreaming about all the tiny house plans! So fun! I would love one of these myself. Just for me and my art (and artsy pajama parties with friends!)! Wouldn’t that be fab?
Hugs,
Terri
Are you near the coast, Terri? Stay safe! Right now, the storm predictions have her veering to the west right over us. Yikes.
Yes, I’d love one of these for my very own space – I can see going in there, closing the door, sitting at my laptop blogging, writing, and then firing up the sewing machine and creating something!
Now that is a really tiny house. I’m into sorta small but not that small. Hope the storm misses you! hugs, Linda
Me, too, Linda. I must admit I’m nervous.
Claudia I can so relate to how you feel about another hurricane coming your way. Several years ago central Fla. was hit by three hurricanes in six weeks. It had been more than 40 yrs. since we’d gotten such a direct hit and I was just floored that we got hit 3 times. It was so scary! Don’t want to see another hurricane but right now we’re getting some pretty strong winds from Hurricane Sandy. Our oak leaves are falling by the hundreds today. Looks like we’ll be raking much sooner than I expected. We’ve really been having some lovely weather for the past few weeks though. Hope the storm stays far out to sea! Good luck, I’ll be thinking about you.
I hope it goes in the opposite direction than the models show, Janie. Right now, it’s supposed to veer left (west) right over our neck of the woods.
Hope you stay safe from the storm coming. I love that you took a photo of the tiny house. It is so darn cute. I wonder where it will go and for what purpose will the owners use it for? I would like to imagine a tiny guest cottage or little sewing or crafting studio.
blessings,
Danielle
Me, too, Danielle. Wouldn’t you love this house as your studio space? I should have hijacked the house!
I’ve just been hearing more about the storm, Claudia. Stay safe.
Thank you, Laura. I’m pretty nervous.
Now that is just downright adorable! I saw something a day or two ago on TV about tiny houses — fascinating! It would be rough for us though!
I’d love to use one as a studio.
I love those Tiny Homes too!! It’s amazing what you can do!! I pull up the web site every once in awhile and try to decide which one I’d like in my back yard. but then I keep needing to make it bigger here and there for this and that is it’s not TINY anymore!!
Oh, I know what you mean, Suzan!
Claudia, I hope you curl up in your pajamas and stay safe in your home. I think the little one you spotted would blow away in a breeze. Perhaps that’s overstating things, but I’m 6 feet and like a bit of elbow room and a basement that anchors my little brick house.
We’re nervous but doing everything we can to be prepared.
Now that’s one cozy little house, Claudia! Just think of the housework that you wouldn’t need to do…Not to mention the extra time to read, sew, blog….I love it! The solar panels are wise…and so frugile for heating or cooling this small space. What fun!
I hope you have a good weekend and, as I watch what is being called” Frankenstorm” approaching the east coast I pray that you and yours will be safe and sound.
Blessings and friendship,
Carolynn
Thank you, Carolynn. I don’t mind saying that I’m very edgy and nervous about this storm.
Where in Phila did you go to grad school??
Temple University.
nice shot, don!
love the tiny houses!
what’s with this storm, anyway? we are stocked with water and pop-tarts and various other non-perishables. hope it all blows out to sea …
keep safe!
xo
elyse
I know, Elyse. Two hurricanes in two years? I’m praying that the forecasters are wrong and it suddenly moves to the east and out into the Atlantic. Stay safe.