Reading. Yesterday I turned off the laptop and spent 4 hours reading a great book. I used to do that all the time before the advent of computers and blogs. Rest assured I will be doing it more often. Nothing better.
Making more garland flowers – these are in a pretty coral – soon to be listed.
Drinking coffee. I’ve recently started adding half and half to my coffee, after years of drinking it black. Oh my. I’m a convert.
Looking at the morning light in the living room and remembering a recent conversation with Don.
D: Is that pillow new?
C: What pillow?
D: The green one.
C: It came before you left for California. Remember? (He doesn’t.) It was made by Judy and Gail bought it for me.
D: I like it. It’s cool.
Preparing to visit everyone participating in this week’s A Favorite Thing.
Taking pictures of a clearly unappreciative Scout.
Watching the 50° temps melt most of the snow that fell on Friday. Thinking of green things growing – inside and outside.
Feeling excited about this project. I ordered this from Alicia Paulson of Posie Gets Cozy. Alicia is one of my favorite bloggers. I’ve been reading her since I first discovered blogs. Not only is she an enormously talented crafter and designer, she is an extraordinary person. And she writes like a dream. She designed Maggie Rabbit and will be designing all sorts of accessories to go with her.
I couldn’t resist.
Taking pictures of even more flower garlands for the shop. Thank you to everyone who purchased a Springtime Crochet Flower Garland!! I will be packing and wrapping today and they will be on the way to you early this week.
The winner of a copy of No Mark Upon Her is Nancy Blue Moon. Nancy, I’ve sent you an email. Send me your mailing address and I’ll pass it on to TLC Book Tours. I have another review set for tomorrow – this one is non-fiction – and I think you’ll like it.
Linking to Elaine’s Sunny Simple Sunday and Karen’s Sunlit Sunday.
Happy Sunday.
After cleaning like a crazy person, I spent some time outside reading The Last Child, you would love it. I was hooked and could not put it down. I finished it at 1:00 this AM, that has not happened to me in a long, long time.
Hope you feel better,
M
It’s great when that happens, isn’t it? xo
I’m with you on the coffee whitener. It’s a NY thing, I think. For all the decades we lived in CA it was black only for me. Then we moved to NY and I saw my first half-gallon of half and half. Who knew it even came in such large cartons? Well, there’s no going back, now.
Don just bought a large carton of it yesterday, Shanna!
How neat that you ordered the pattern/kit from Alicia. I would love to order one too, but have too many little projects sitting around that seem to never get completed. “When I retire” . . . .
Well, I do too. So many projects going on. But I’m thinking I’ll take it with me when I have to work in Hartford for 5 weeks. It might be the perfect thing to do there.
Looks like a lovely relaxing day out your way! You are using such wonderful yarn colors! And I have to say, I love my coffee, too…and I love my half and half!
Me, too!
I love all your sweet little crocheted flowers and that pillow is darling. Can’t wait to see your bunny. I made many, many bunnies years ago when I was doing craft shows and love them all. ummmm…I don’t think Scout is Hollywood bound-has NOT learned to pose for the camera!;>) I need to get back to reading, too. xo Diana
Scout is highly photogenic but she does not like the camera. Not at all!
I like coffee with a package of hot cocoa added to it.
That sounds awfully tasty!
Yes, love the pillow. The rabbit reminds me of my Roberta Rabbit my Mom made for me back in the 90’s she has a couple of different dresses.
I think it will be fun to dress her in different outfits!
Sounds like you are having a relaxing weekend. Good for you. I hope you will post pics of Miss Maggie Rabbit when you finish her. I visited your friends’ blog, and I left feeling very serene. Enjoy your day! ;)
I will. Fingers crossed that I do it right!
I used to follow book group suggestions from different libraries around the country. I especially like Larchmont’s (not so far from you)reading selections. I would go to my own library and check them out and every week was reading a new book. I even keep a little notebook of the ones I have read. Well, since starting my blog I read fewer and fewer books. Sad! I drink my coffee black too but recently added some Organic Acres French Vanilla half and half to my cup while preparing a cup for David. Oh my, yumminess! What have I been missing? Give that sweet Scout some kisses from me. That look just said it all!!!
Big Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
I’ve been reading as much as ever, I think. But I am definitely too connected to my laptop, Susan and I’m trying to change that. Of course, as soon as I can garden, that will change everything!
Looks like a perfect day to me. I use skim milk in my coffee. Just don’t enjoy it black. 2 cups a day. One at home and one for the road. You are the third blogger who has posted about ordering the bunny pattern from Alicia. Dagmar at Studio D said she did a test run using her own felt and fabric so that she could get it right before she used the real stuff. :) Have a wonderful rest of the day. Tammy
I was such a diehard black coffee drinker for so long. Then I had gall bladder problems and now I’ve noticed it can cause heartburn – so I soften it with half and half. Dagmar is smarter than me! No test run as I have no felt. I’ll just have to go on a wing and a prayer!
The reading part sounds so lovely. As wonderful as all this electronic communication is, there’s NOTHING like being able to relax with a really good book (sigh).
You’re so right, Jeanmarie!
Sounds nice to be busy with such wonderful tasks! Your garlands are adorable and I’m not surprised they sold out so fast! Hugs, Linda
Thanks, Linda!
Loved your post Claudia. So much fun in it! A comment on the coffee…I used to drink my coffee black – met my husband who bought “special milk” aka half and half. I became a convert – then we tried the Coffeemate French Vanilla – I became a convert on the sugar-free version – then a friend showed me her ceramic microwavable Itailian Frabosk Cappuccino Creamer (frother). Thought I’d buy one to start frothing skim milk & save some $$ on the creamer. Bought the frother – but one day I thought I’d try frothing the Coffeemate SF French Vanilla. Oh my. It has become my morning-must. Can’t wait to see the finished bunny.
Can’t wait to see your bunny when completed. How absolutely adorable. And that blog you referred to – adorable! I’ll be reading that too.
I’ll have to try that sometime, Deb! Alicia’s blog is truly wonderful. It always has been. You should go back and read about her accident (many years ago) and their struggle to adopt, which finally happened this past year. I cried tears of joy for her.
Thanks for the additional info on Alicia’s blog – I’ll definitely enjoy going back and reading through her entries. Our son is adopted and the trials and the tears of frustration and finally joy are well understood! I love hearing other’s experiences – especially when they end happily!
I could not drink coffee if I drank it black. That reflux problem. But I adore it with half and half and a little sweetener.
Brenda
Same reason – I seem to get indigestion from it lately. So I decided to add half and half and now I like it better!
Such wonderful pictures. I love the cushions.
Your dog looks so sweet.
Great crochet work.
Have a great day.
Thank you so much, Monique!
Hello, Claudia
I’ve been thinking about how I don’t curl up for long periods of time with a good book like I used to do. That needs to change!
I love the photo with the morning light. Should you wish to link up on my blog’s “Sunlit Sunday” today, please do so. If you’d rather not, fair enough. Really, there are only so many hours in the day.
You have so many lovely pursuits that you fit into your day. I like the “I’ve been . . .” sort of post and the insight it gives into a life being lived. It’s interesting how you introduced a touch of horror (to me); black coffee! A good splash of milk, please, and a pinch of cinnamon or drop of vanilla. Bliss.
One more thing: I watched “PS, I Love You” last night and replayed Don’s part. He does have a wonderfully expressive face!
Good heavens, I am rambling. Have a lovely day.
-Karen
I’m going to link up right now. Thanks for the reminder! I can’t have coffee black anymore – gives me indigestion. I’ll pass your message along to Don – he’ll be pleased!
I’m delighted that you joined in with my little meme! Thank you, Claudia.
Thank you so much for the copy of “No Mark Upon Her”..I have always enjoyed a good mystery..My address has been sent to you..Don is so right about the green pillow..what a lovely way to give a new purpose to an old stitchery piece..It’s to bad that Scout doesn’t like the camera as she is such a pretty girl..as for the coffee..I must have mine with milk or half & half or a powdered creamer..doesn’t matter which one as long as it is lightened….and some sweetener..Have a wonderful day!
I got your address, Nancy, and I’ve forwarded it on to TLC. I know you’ll enjoy the book. Congratulations, again!
Good afternoon, Claudia. Boy, did your post ever ring true for me today…the part about turning off the computer and actually spending a few hours with a book. I have been spending way too much time on my computer and getting absolutely nothing done except basic household necessities. I have so books piled in my to-read basket that I swear I’m going to get to, and a magazine pile that’s about a foot high. I don’t know if you saw my reply to you in my last post on my blog, but Mary Oliver is my favorite poet, too! And I ordered the book, “My Bookstore” after reading about it on your blog. Of course, I haven’t read it yet. *sigh* I am turning off my laptop right now. It’s simply too much of a temptation. Oh, and one more thing, I love Alicia’s blog, too. Even though I don’t sew, her photography and writing is simply magical and draws me in. Isn’t her baby a doll?! xoxo
Her daughter is adorable – such rosy cheeks! Perfection.
Hi Claudia-I so agree, love the half and half in my coffee. Alicia Paulson is such an amazing person, and we live in the same city. I’m always wishing I’ll run into her somewhere so I can tell her in person how much her blog inspires me. I can’t wait to see your finished bunny!
She inspires me, too. The way she lives her life, the way she has triumphed over adversity. She’s the real deal. I hope you run into her sometime!
We picked out the same Alicia rabbit fabric pattern! I look forward to making it one of these days soon. Enjoy the week ahead, I know your weekend is nearly over on your side of the country. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Great minds think alike, Teresa!
I’ve also switched from black coffee to white, no idea what Half and Half is though, here in the UK we use good ‘ol cows milk, in my case semi skimmed. Guessing that’s not the same thing?
Isn’t Alicia’s rabbit just perfect … if only I had a small child in my life to make one for!
Half and half is half creme, half milk, Annie.
Love that rabbit – and it’s for me!
I loved following your day. Scout certainly is giving you the evil eye! I used to read so much more before photography, blogs and the internet. Now mostly I listen to books on m y iPod when driving or walking. Occasionally, when it is fiction that I love the writing, I’ll buy the book as well. Silly, but just want to peruse good writing now and then for inspiration!
Oh, I adore H&H in my coffee, too, Claudia. In fact, I could never go back to whole milk. I find not having internet at home can be an inconvenience at times, but it also means I get to spend more time reading, knitting, and working on projects. I love days at home like the one you describe… a little needlework, a little coffee, and a lot of looking around and enjoying my surroundings. I’m so glad you’re feeling better!