Since all of my posts have been about our trip to France and the British Isles of late, I thought I’d do a little catching up today. Some of these photos have been on Instagram, so if you follow me there, you’ve most likely already seen them.
I did some antiquing and treasure hunting over the past couple of weeks.
I was hoping to find one of these well-known marmalade crocks in England, but I never had the time to do any antique shopping. Darn! I had a feeling that the same woman I purchased the cubby cabinet from would have some in at least one of her locations. I gambled on my pick of the locations and it paid off, as she had several. This is the one I chose. It’s old, has lovely crazing and makes me happy. I also got a round ironstone butter pat as well as a set of six Noritake butter pats.
Yes. Another collection. I like them. And they’re small, which is now a necessity in this tiny house, already jam-packed with collections.
The other day, I stopped at a local antique shop and found these:
Another Fiesta/Harlequin egg cup in a dusty rose.
And a tiny little pitcher/creamer from England.
It’s been warm enough this week that I was able to open the front door and let the sun shine into the living room. But that’s changed as of last night. A hard freeze, with all the catalpa leaves on the ground. My porch plants look like they’re hanging in there so far, but it’s only a matter of time.
Sigh. Both Don and I remarked this morning that it seems like a big change happened last night and we’re heading into winter. This is always a hard transition for me and it gets harder every year.
The bush that I wish was elsewhere always wins me over at this time of year. This is a shot of our burning bush taken from upstairs in our bedroom.
I cleaned up my desk the other day, which had become completely covered with paperwork and things I gathered on our trip. Then I sat in my chair, did some work on my laptop and listened to some bossa nova music. Occasionally, I would turn the chair toward the dollhouse and eventually, I found myself looking for my rubber mallet. The result:
I demoed the staircase and the wall that separated the living room from the kitchen. I cut some dowels to hold the ceiling up until I come up with some pillars, perhaps flanking a kitchen island.
It looks a lot roomier, which is what I wanted.
Here it is with some furniture so you can get an idea of where I’m headed.
The island would probably be right behind that chair. I’m thinking of beams on the ceiling. We’ll see.
Finally, I was sitting here in the den on election night with my back to the window, which faces west. It had rained hard all day long. Don wasn’t here, he was headed home on the bus from NYC. Suddenly, the room turned orange and I turned and looked out the window, grabbed my phone and ran outside. The entire sky was this color:
I’ve never seen anything like it. As I turned back to the house, I gasped.
A rainbow spanning the sky behind our house.
A double rainbow:
On one horizon was a glorious sunset. On the other was a huge rainbow.
Then the sunset turned to this:
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite so spectacular in our 13 years here. Yes, great sunsets. Yes, the occasional rainbow. But both at the same time? Never. It was incredible. I called Don, who was on the bus, and told him to look out the window and he managed to see the rainbow and the orange sky.
I took it as a good omen. Turns out it was.
Happy Friday.
I gasped when I saw the dusty pink egg cup. What a great addition to your collection! I too have about run out of room for collections, so things must be small to fit in this home. Love the butter pats. Oh the new doll house is going to be fun.
What spectacular skies! Pink, orange, blue and rainbows…two of them! Stunning!
Truly stunning, my friend!
I think you have the most wonderful collections, Claudia! Every find I see like a prize at the end of a treasure hunt, whether you are intentionally shopping or not. Beautiful skies that you captured with your camera. Smokey skies due to wild fires about 170 miles northeast of my home. The air quality is so poor I’m having difficulty with asthma.
I’m sorry about your asthma. And I’m sick about the fires. Heartbreaking, especially for those in Thousand Oaks, who are already coping with a horrific tragedy.
You’re on track to finding an eggcup in each of the Harlequin colors; I love the new one.
We always ate Keiller’s marmalade when I was growing up, and used the jars for pencils, pens and pennies. I still have mine, broken lip and all.
You inspired me, Margaret, thanks to your additions to the one I already had from Linda. Thank you again!
I sent them off to the perfect home.
xoxo
Yes, that’s a spectacular sunset! We’re snowing in MIchigan, perhaps coming your way. I’m not ready.
I do love your finds. I have a marmalade jar like that and it’s a favorite — and took a long time to find the right one. Four star English pitcher and egg cups. And yes, there’s always another collection!
No snow here yet, though Don saw flakes swirling around in the air yesterday!
I think I heard The Hallelujah Chorus in the background as I looked at those spectacular pictures. The one of the cottage is absolutely gasp-worthy! Beautiful!!!!
Loving your new vision for the dollhouse. Pretty! The egg cup addition is lovely. Love your other new purchases as well. I have my mom’s collection of little pitchers and I do love bringing a couple out every now and then to have in my view.
We had about 1/2 inch of the “S” word last night. ugh. The dogs were giddy with delight when they went out this morning. Nothing on the roads which is a very good thing, and the sun is shining right now. Hope you have a fine Friday!!
I have officially run out of room on my little shelf that holds the miniature pottery. Now I’m faced with the question: Where do I move them to? Hmmm.
Sorry about the dreaded snow. So far, we’re free and clear, but I’m thinking that won’t be for long!
Your house looks to me, like it was receiving a blessing when you looked back at it…great capture. I’m happy to see you added more egg cups to your collection, too. As I get older, I’ve tried to stick to collecting smaller items, such as paper weights., or rocks. Easier to pack that way.
We did indeed get our first snowfall….and as usual, it was pretty. But….I’m not ready for this. The sun is shining however, and I’m happy to say it is melting. Enjoy your day! ;)
Just bought a paperweight in Paris, which reminds me that I need to post a picture of it for you. I collected paperweights when I was younger. I love them.
You did? Fantastic….yes, please post it! ;)
Great post!
Those last 4 pictures are breathtaking!!
Wow:)
Thank you, Monica!
Beautiful collections
Beautiful sunset
Beautiful rainbows
Beautiful home
Siobhan x
Thank you, Siobhan!
I forgot to tell you yesterday that the Edinburgh post was so very interesting. The Harry Potter connection was a surprise. And Claudia, my rather small house is stuffed with vintage and antique collections. I love dishes/China, Franciscan, German pitchers, depression glass, 1950’ s Christmas items, and on and on! On top of this I am a knitter and crocheter with a yarn stash. Your doll houses nearly push me over the edge…I must not collect anything else, but how I love them! Enjoy your treasures.
A fellow collector! As reader Linda can tell you, I’m an enabler, so watch out!
i love how each part of your trip, each city had something extra-special just for you and don … like spending time with wallace in edinburgh! i’ll say it again … i am so happy you and don could take such a big, wonderful trip!
and i might have to watch “braveheart” to look for wallace.
and “amelie”.
like your ideas for the dollhouse and love those last four photos. glad you and don could both see the rainbows and sunsets.
and hooray on more great finds. you will never get judgment from me about starting another collection … i love a cozy home that shows the interests of the people who live there!
happy weekend!
kathy in iowa
I do, too. I love nothing more than visiting someone and learning more about them by seeing what they display and collect.
What beautiful pictures of the outdoors today Claudia…if I had the talent for taking pictures that you and Don have…I would constantly be running out to buy more frames…you two take so many frame worthy photos!…I do believe the sky that night was an omen of good things to come!
I sure hope so, Nancy!
Those pictures of the sunset and the double rainbow are breathtaking. God’s handiwork in full display! Love the little dollhouse. I can’t wait to see what you do with it. You are such a talented lady, my friend.
You’re too kind, Dottie. Thank you!
What a fun post . . . a little bit of everything culminating in that spectacular deep, blue sky shot.
I, too, am eager to see what you do with your doll house. :-)
As the weather begins to keep me indoors, I will be doing more with the dollhouse, Janice. Thank you!
Those photos are gorgeous.
Marilyn
Thank you so much, Marilyn!
I did see your lovely sunset and rainbow pix on Instagram and thought how lucky you were to have captured them. And such great antique finds! Makes me antsy to get downtown to our local resale shop and see what’s on hand right now. My future daughter-in-law likes to go there when they visit – she shops there for gifts, something that I find quite endearing for a 26-year-old. Two weeks ago we cut back our garden and now it snowed here today, in fact is still snowing tonight. So glad we’re finished outside…and I am NOT ready for winter!
That is endearing! Love that.
I still have lots of work to do outside, but I have to wait until the potted plants die. Then it’s time for storing pots, moving porch furniture into storage – that kind of thing.