I don’t mind telling you, it’s awfully nice to see impatiens blooming in the bedroom. This pot is right in front of the window and seeing that pop of color makes me smile.
As does this:
For the first time in what seems like ages there is no snow covering the skylight, thanks to last week’s warmer temperatures.
Small things, but I’ll take my little pleasures where I can get them nowadays.
Lovely little pleasures arrived in the mail the other day:
Nora, a dear friend of this blog, sent some reading material my way. Three issues of Mini-ologie and an issue of the newish (to us) magazine, Flow. Mini-ologie is a fairly new quarterly magazine that has been put together by three talented miniaturists. It’s lovely and chock full of wonderful photos and ideas for all of us who love dollhouses and miniatures. And Flow – wow! It’s subtitled, “A Magazine for Paper Lovers” and it’s from Holland. Oh. My. Goodness. I can’t even begin to tell you all that is in its pages. It’s a gorgeous treasure trove of articles, interviews, paper treats and creative stimulation.
I cannot tell you the last time I’ve seen a magazine that is this full of amazing content. It’s much more like a book than a magazine, so it’s pricier, but entirely worth it.
Thank you, Nora! I’m so enjoying this visual stimulation; a very nice contrast to the snow covered world outside my windows.
Let’s see. What else is going on? I have a book review coming up tomorrow for a book that I truly loved – a different genre for me that took me on an amazing journey. I can’t wait to share it with you. I started Dan Brown’s latest, Inferno. I paid a lot of bills. I recycled at our town’s recycling center (which used to be called The Dump.) I bought more of Scoutie’s prescription dog food. I talked to Don, but briefly. His rehearsal days are long and by the end of the day he’s pretty tired. Just a few more days in the rehearsal room and then Technical/Dress Rehearsals begin. He’s lonely. I’m lonely. We miss each other.
My dear Jim Parsons is hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend. He’ll be a great host. I will have to watch it On Demand as I know I can’t stay awake that late! You know, it’s only been 13 years since Jim was my student. His class was the last class I brought into the acting program and they all graduated right before Don and I moved out East. We even traveled to London together, Jim and I, on a class trip to study Shakespeare at the Globe. It is simply extraordinary what has happened in his life and career in that relatively short time. And it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. I’m proud to call him my friend.
I’ll be staying in as much as possible today. It is very, very, very cold out there. More snow may come next week.
There are no words.
Happy Thursday.
Well, I will definitely watch SN L this week to see that amazing man. Isn’t it fun to see what good things happen to people you have mentored and touched along the life journey? How wonderful to get those magazines. They really are dream makers, aren’t they (good magazines, I mean)….Have a wonderful Thursday, Claudia! xo Diana
Yes, it is fun, Diana! It’s so COLD out there today that I am going to bundle up with my afghan and enjoy the magazines. Have a great day, Diana.
Claudia, So happy to see blooms on your plant and sunshine thru the skylight. :):) Oh spring ! I love that Jim, was he funny as your student? Hope you are getting better weather…but I fear you may be getting this cold stuff,we are here. Stay warm, xoxo,Susie
Yes, he’s just a naturally funny guy, Susie.
I adore impatiens, how wonderful to them inside to enjoy after all that white white white in your life! & What a lovely friend to send a gift of beauty, inspiration and distraction, a much welcome respite from the snow and hard work.
I’ve never watched Jim Parsons show but I’ve seen him on talk shows and he’s always a delight, so fun and charming. Must bring you such smiles!
Happy Thursday!
It does. He’s a wonderful guy, modest and unassuming.
Your impatiens blooms are so pretty! I have never tried wintering impatiens indoors. Do you need a lot of direct light? We have snow forecast here too…an inch or so tomorrow night and up to 8″ or more on Sunday. Wish I could stay in but I’m scheduled to cantor at Mass that morning…hope it is not too bad!
Light helps, and I find that winter light has a different quality so sticking the plants near a window helps. Normally, impatiens need the shade when they are planted outdoors, but indoors in the winter? Light!
I love impatiens and have had them in our yard for a long time. I used to over winter some in the house during the winter,now i let them go to seed at the end of the summer. And in April lots of these little beauties start coming up close to where the main plant was. They bring much needed color under the live oak tree close to our small deck in the back yard. I do keep 8 plants (of different varieties) in front of the dining room windows for the winter. Since i am 57 that’s all i want to handle. My early spring (bright yellow) daffodils are blooming now. If we could visit we could share some pumpkin spice coffee and talk about plants and sewing. Spring is on it’s way to you soon!!!
I would have a lot more indoor plants if I had more surfaces available, Dorothy! Ummm. Pumpkin Spice Coffee! That sounds awfully tasty. xo
OMGoodness I adore Jim Parson’s! I think is so talented.
I love the character he plays on Big Bang Theory and there is not anyone else in this world who could ever play that character. He is just perfect for that character. If they ever took him off that show I would never watch it again!
Sorry you and your Hubby have to be apart…but I hope you will at least get a chance to see each other soon.
I am going to have to look up the Flow magazine. I am always interested in anything creative.
Wishing you a most wonderful day. :)
You’re right – the character is pitch perfect and the kind of role that Jim and only Jim can play.
Have a great day!
Dear Claudia, Hooray for the skylight! baby steps. I absolutely Adore Jim Parsons.If he is in a program ,I make sure to watch it. I think he is very talented, and obviously had some excellent teachers along the way!
-Judy A-
If I do say so myself!
Those little blooms are so pretty and perfect on such a cold day! Happy reading and stay warm!
hugs,
Linda
You too, Linda! It was below 0 this morning.
I LOVE Jim Parsons ~ Sheldon!! lol…..I had no idea you were so cool ;-)
I’m very cool, with or without Jim Parsons!
LOL ~ Yes you are!
We can’t WAIT for SNL this weekend! He is such an amazing actor and he seems like such a nice and kind young man when I have seen him on talk shows. Did you see his episode on “Who Do You Think You Are?”. It was so interesting to watch him find out about his family roots.
No snow on the sky-light! Hallelujah!! How I long for those 45*+ temps we had 2 weeks ago for 2 glorious days. We are back to below zero and 4-8 more inches of that 4-letter word this weekend.
The blooms on your Impatients make me smile. Several of our wintered-over geraniums are blooming right now, too. It is like they are thumbing their nose at the snow and cold. Sounds like you got out of the house and got some errands done yesterday. I don’t even feel like leaving the house.
I think “Defeated” is the word I would use to explain this winter. So if we all cry “Uncle” do you think it will just stop and go away like a bully would??
I did see that episode and I found it to be very touching. It’s below zero here, too, Chris and more snow apparently on Monday. Primal scream coming very soon!
I don’t want to leave the house, either. I just want to burrow into my little shelter here and pretend it’s spring. Today I had to go outside to go down into the basement (entrance is outside the house) to check how much heating oil we have left and I went out there in my flannel pajamas, boots, Don’s big down coat, gloves and hat. It’s 11:52 and I still haven’t taken a shower!
Yes, let’s all cry Uncle!
Hi Claudia! I’ve been out of the loop, so I had not heart about your hubby’s latest happenings. I need to go back and read some of your earlier posts.
I agree that we all must take joy in the little things when we can. Winter can be a dreary time for some. It’s cold here, but no snow. The sun is shining and the birds are singing. I’m not want for much.
I love your sewing room. It’s like a beautiful piece of artwork with surprises in every nook. You must enjoy it so.
Enjoy your day!
Don’s in Boston doing a play, Carolyn. He’s been there for 3 weeks. It seems like forever!
I didn’t know that Jim P is going to host SNL – thanks for mentioning it. He’ll be a great! Must be wonderful to see “one of your own” go on to so much success. He certainly is the Big Band franchise! If he ever wanted to leave, they could never find anyone else that people would accept as Sheldon. Glad to see him getting opportunities to do other things too – I wouldn’t want to see anyone typecast as someone like Sheldon – he’s too weird! :>)
That’s why he does theater when he can – he doesn’t want to be typecast. Although when I saw him in Harvey on Broadway a couple of years ago, there were fans lined up around the building and down the street (that happened every performance) wanting to meet ‘Sheldon’ and no doubt some of those people expect to see ‘Sheldon’ onstage. That’s when I want to scream, “He’s an ACTOR! He’s NOT Sheldon!”
Oh, I can totally imagine you doing that, Claudia. I’ve never understood typecasting. For an industry that’s based on creativity and imagination, it shows a remarkable lack of both. It’s like saying “Oh, you were a plumber? Well, then I’m afraid you’re probably not capable of being an electrician, a carpenter, an architect…” I know it’s not the creative people of making those statements – it’s casting directors and basically the people on the money side of the equation. But it’s still very unimaginative. Must make you creative people NUTS!
Love the impatients and how you’re keeping them going through this winter. It’s almost March – we’re almost to spring – day by day we are getting there. Now if you hear a scream coming from afar on Sunday, that might just be me, since they are talking about measurable snow on Sunday. But I keep repeating, “it’s the end of February, its the end of February, longer and warmer days are just ahead.” Kind of like your blooming impatient – she knows its ALMOST time! We all must hang in there!
And I will be screaming on Monday, when it’s supposed to snow here!
Thanks for the pic of the impatiens….so pretty…and very spring-like! We are also getting more snow…Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. And it’s so cold here…but what else is new? I’ll have to watch SNL….love Jim Parsons….he is so talented! Besides…laughter keeps you warmer! Right? Enjoy your day! ;)
Yes it does, Donna! And we can all use a laugh this winter!
Best of luck to Jim on Saturday..I’m sure he will be hilarious as always..It is 23 degrees here which actually feels like 11 degrees..Tonight it is to be 2 degrees but feel like -17..Bundling up with your afghan and those very interesting magazines sounds like a great plan for today..Enjoy!
It’s really, really windy out there, so I imagine the wind chill is close to zero.
Hot chocolate is on the menu today!
I know you will enjoy those magazines Claudia. We love Jim Parsons in this house too. The night he finally kissed Amy on Big Bang and liked it made both me and my husband laugh out loud. Finally! He makes that role seem as if it was written for him. I can imagine him in Harvey. I know you told us once before but how long will Don be gone this time? I know you both love what you do but the being apart probably doesn’t get any better. Stay warm!
I missed that episode, so I”ll have to go back and watch it, Janie. Don won’t be back until April. Sob.
I loved that book, and hooray for Jim Parson’s he is very talented and looks like he is a really great guy. Love Scoutie and her tiara.
Hugs,
Mere
She’s quite the star, Mer!
How lovely that you are having sunlight thru the skylight. We are also having sun and bright blue skies. While I am not a fan of the contemporary SNL, if Jim is in it, I will watch. He is precious. I am unabashedly BBT fan and even watch the reruns. Knew he had a great teacher! :)
I’m not a fan of SNL these days, either. But I’ll watch my boy Jim!
My late husband and I watched The Big Bang Theory from the very first episode. Near the end of his battle with cancer, that show was just about the only thing that could make him laugh. It must be so rewarding to be able to touch people’s lives that way.
Jim would be so happy to know that he brought some joy to your husband, Debra.
My husband too loved Jim’s show and would even laugh through it in his last days with cancer. Such a small world, we share so many small moments with strangers. Claudia, my impatiens from a mixed basket at Steve’s service at blooming in front of the dining room windows right now. Zero last night but 30 today must be good for them, if not us. Hedy
I will pass this on to Jim when I next speak to him, Hedy and Debra. I know he will be very touched and honored. Bless you both.
I can safely say Jim is just as pleased and proud to count you among the special people in his life.
Your blooming plant is so pretty. I did not’ know you could carry them over. Good job!
SueZK
Thank you, Sue!
And this is the first time I’ve been successful overwintering my impatiens!
I’m glad there a few rays of sunshine to brighten your winter days. Don’t you think you deserve a tiara too?
I do! I wore it when Tina first brought it over! Maybe while shoveling snow?
If it were possible, I’d gladly house and dog sit your beautiful Scout so you could take a few days to visit Don. After you would leave I would spoil that girl so bad! I’d probably even sleep on your couch so she’d know for sure I was still there to keep her company until her mom got home. :)
Claudia – Is there any relief in sight for your part of the country? That is so awful that you’ve had this continuously for so long! We are suppose to have ice and snow on the weekend but the last week has been sunny – not warm – but at least the sun makes me feel better.
Praying for a change in this awful weather.
Stay warm dear friend.
Judy
You’ve got a wonderful creative space with the sunlight streaming through your skylight!
Thank you for letting us know he will be on SNL. I love him…such a talented man and I am glad that can call him your friend. :o)
Have a great day!
Oh my, Claudia, that plant and the burst of sunshine through your skylight are certainly uplifting! And what lovely magazines to curl up with. Those are the things that make these long winter days bearable, although they are getting lighter each day…. thank goodness!