A low-key day yesterday – just me, myself and I.
Since I was so pooped from the air conditioner/mowing saga on Saturday, I took the opportunity to relax. It was very, very warm outside and, as seems to be the case when it gets too warm too early, the winds picked up in the late afternoon, getting stronger and stronger until a storm finally came through.
Now it’s twenty degrees cooler.
I watched my man Fred Astaire in Easter Parade on TCM. I own the movie, but love it when I come upon it unexpectedly. Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Ann Miller, Peter Lawford – wonderful cast, beautiful Irving Berlin songs, “Steppin Out With My Baby” – what could be better?
The blue jay that kept squawking at the mourning doves. From his perch in this tree behind the kitchen, he had a perfect view of the birdbath.
The maples are budding.
I saw this bag at my local yarn shop. It’s made by the same company that made my new pencil bag – they’re out of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. I thought it would be perfect for Mabel the Featherweight. Even though I made a cover for Mabel, because of the way it’s made, dust creeps in at the sides of the cover. I don’t want to put Mabel back in her original case because, like most Featherweight cases, it is musty after years of being stowed in someone’s attic.
Isn’t it cute? I’d secretly love an aqua sewing machine, but I already have two sewing machines, so I think I have to let that idea go.
The bunny egg cozy so far:
Body and arms. I’m using tiny needles – number 2 – and have to keep looking up how to execute a stitch or an increase or a decrease because I haven’t knitted in a long time. My bunny will be white, simply because that’s what was available at Michael’s. I wasn’t about to use expensive yarn for this experiment!
Anastasia opens a week from today. Yesterday, while HGTV was on as background noise when I was knitting, I heard the opening notes to Journey to the Past and my head shot up. Yay! It was the commercial for Anastasia, which has just started airing. Christy’s glorious voice singing and very simple and powerful – I’m very proud to have been a small part of this show. And it is a small part, given how much goes into producing a big musical. I’ll be going to the opening and I think I’ll try to book a hotel room in the city for Monday night.
Speaking of HGTV, despite my unhappiness with most of the programming, I do have a fondness for Erin and Ben, the couple behind Home Town. I’ve read Erin’s blog for years, so I’ve been pulling for them as this opportunity came their way. They’re just so genuine – not an ounce of slickness or artifice – and I really like the fact that Erin’s decorating style honors the house they are rehabbing and isn’t something she imposes on the house, if you know what I mean.
Okay. At some point this week, I have to find shoes to wear for opening night and when you’re someone who lives in sneakers and hates heels, that is a challenge.
Happy Monday.
I love, love, love your new sewing machine cover. I will keep my eyes open for one. But I should keep my eyes open for 11 because that is how many machines I have. Only two are expensive. They others I have were either given to me, inexpensive machines I found on sale, or found a good deal at a garage sale. I like a machine that can travel with me and do simple stitching. I have a very light machine to take to quilting classes, and a couple of machines that have to be able to do difficult stitches when I go to embroidery classes or when I am attaching lace. See? I have a boat load of excuses why I have so many machines. I really don’t need them all, but I guess I should consider them a “collection”.
Can’t wait for you to finish your knitted bunny cozy.
It’s a bag that zips up and is the perfect size for a Featherweight. A bigger machine might be too much for it. But I love the graphic and it was about $15, so that seemed doable!
I have been watching the bits of Anastasia that YouTube has. What voices! Opening night will be breathtaking! Good luck finding some shoes. As much as I love shoes, they don’t get along with my feet. Hope Don is having a great time in CA.
Incredible voices. Christy and Derek (the young romantic leads) have vocal chops that are astonishing.
No, shoes don’t get along with my feet, either. Hence, the sigh about looking for shoes.
A quiet day sounds lovely. I think the sewing machine bag is so so cute! I think the price is good also. I have a sewing machine my Mom gave me but it hasn’t been used in years. Just not my forte. I really like Erin and Ben also and love Laurel. I have a blogging friend that lives there and I’ve visited her. She has a booth in an antique mall. Hoping to finish a Gentleman in Moscow today. Good luck with the shoes, I have small feet and have a terrible time finding shoes.
Hugs!
I found the website for the sewing machine bag and they have so many cute pencil cases and other things. I just might have to order a few things. Thought I’d share with others.
https://www.blueq.com/shop/item/229-productId.125847771.html
Thanks, Linda!
I hope you’re liking A Gentleman in Moscow, Linda. It remains one of my favorites and I know I’ll read it again someday.
Nice cover…never heard of sewing machine bags before…but then I wasn’t looking, either. I agree about the show Home Town….it’s quite refreshing! I totally empathize with you about finding shoes. It’s so difficult to find comfort, while still attempting to be stylish. If they made dressy clogs…I would so go there! ;)
Well, usually sewing machines have cases – although my Elna has a bag, as well!
I wish they made dressy Birkenstocks!
Yes to the dressy Birkenstocks! I did find a couple pairs of dressy clogs…but at $385 a pair…this gal is gonna pass! ;)
Yep. That’s way too much for me, too!
I just love checking in to see what you’re up to and, oh my gosh, I can relate to so much of what you’re blogging about today. I live in “comfortable” work shoes and sneakers and dread prepping for a fancy “do,” so totally sympathize. Soon will have 2 sewing machines as well now that mom’s settled in assisted living. Love, love the bag! This weekend was windy here as well, but blessedly warm as we spread mulch forever and I took pics of spring sprouting. Would love to tag along next time my husband has to fly to NY City on biz so maybe we can see your lovely “Anastasia.”
Fancy dos in general make me nervous. For example, the opening night party. I have to attend solo because Don is away. Will I say something silly? How will I ease myself out of the room and how soon is too soon?
Oh, I know, I know. It’s not that I don’t like people, but I formerly went to quite a few parties in my earlier life and often I would escape to a bathroom in another part of a house, or a deck/terrace at a restaurant. Just get me a quiet corner (whereas I had a best friend who would blossom in a crowd and strive to be the centerpiece, courting all attention on her, not in a bad way, but just needing to seek and get that attention as much as I needed NO attention!). And this was even when I looked and felt pretty darn good about who I was and where I was in the world. But it’s like being stuck in traffic and longing for the open road…
I used to go to cast parties and love every second of it, but I really like peace and quiet these days. Too much noise and hoopla is exhausting for me.
I found a tea towel with a vintage Singer screened on it, and will sew a cover for Doris, my vintage Singer 221. Shoes and I have a tenuous relationship too. My nephew is getting married this summer…on the invite was this: “Attire: whatever you want!” Yes! I’m building my outfit around a pair of Olukai flip-flops….Olukai flip-flops have a nice arch support, not flat like cheap flip-flops, so I can go all day in them, and do, in the summertime.
It’s a bit too nippy here for flip flops, but if I could get away with fancy sneakers I would!
I have that turquoise Singer. I got it in 1964 for my 12th birthday. It was the only one ever made in the UK and it still runs like a top. Solid and HEAVY! I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I made all my Barbie, Midge and Ken clothes on it. And Pepper? Wasn’t that her little sister?
Jealous! I bet it’s heavy – it was made of metal, unlike today’s machines.
Pepper sounds familiar…I had a Barbie and a Midge, too (I think!)
Love the bag. I saw a snake crossing the street on the way home today. First time I saw one here since we have been back. Ewww!!!! My skin gets a crawlly when I see one. Warm here. Was a bit breezy yesterday. Looks like the temperature this week is going to be like a roller coaster. Easter Parade is one of my favorites too. Enjoy your shoe hunting.
Today is much colder and very windy. Some normal would be nice!
I’m loving the bunny cozy so far! My favorite shade (tint?) of purple. I’m with you on that aqua sewing machine…and also, unfortunately, have the same shoe problem. That’s one reason beach living works for me. I go nowhere, anymore, where I can’t wear flip-flops!
I know. I live in jeans, t-shirts and birkenstocks. When I have to get dressed up, I have very few options! And buying a pair of shoes for one event makes me a little crazy!
Glad you had a restful Sunday. I’m okay most of the time with my ‘aloneness’ as well. I was a sickly kid who was kept indoors a lot of the time (asthma) so I had to learn to be okay with solo time, early-on in my life (which is what they did with asthma in the 50s…keep ’em in, keep ’em quiet, outside is bad for asthma triggers…glad a lot of that changed over the years but of course part of WHY was because of the newer medications to treat the chronic/incurable lung disease). I’m so sick of asthma. It’s plagued me my entire life, they think from age 2 although it wasn’t diagnosed in those years til about age 4 or 5. I worked with some dusty paperwork yesterday, didn’t think much about it, then spent the wee hours with my inhaler, sitting upright (nocturnal asthma has always been my nemesis); so, a night of poor sleep…again. And I have a big to-do list today, a lot of coming & going I don’t feel like doing.
We got our taxes filed yesterday and that’s a big relief; I do NOT like waiting to the last minute but it’s another of the ‘husband’ things and he’s just been working too much to sit down and do it.
Claudia, you have an exciting Opening Night ahead of you; feel proud that you had a part in getting a musical off the ground on Broadway! Bask in it! Maybe you can get a nice pair of lower-heeled shoes. I loved the height I’d get in sky-high heels back in the day, but I’d never wear high heels now. High heels did make me walk differently; I think I felt somewhat ‘beautiful’ in them and certainly more statuesque, as I’m very short and have now even shrunk more with age (I’ve lost 3″ in height; shocked me). But how women today wear the 5″ heels, I don’t know how they pull it off without aching/damaged feet. Victoria Beckham, pop singer-turned-fashion designer, had to stop wearing them although I notice she goes back to them from time to time. When the taller, willowy celebs (actresses, models) add the heel height to their natural height…and tower over their male partner (and everybody else!)…they sure can wear the clothes well, though. Seems like the clothes drape perfectly.
Since I’m tall – 5’9″ – though I’m sure an inch shorter now – I’ve never been comfortable in high heels. When I was young it wasn’t yet cool to tower over your date or even be a wee bit taller. They were never all that comfortable besides. The irony is that I married someone much taller than I and by the time I met him, I hardly ever wore heels! Now, it’s good arch support and low heels for me.
Feel better. I’m so sorry that you’re plagued with asthma. It must be very frustrating.
It’s just very fatiguing…and it’s always scary when you can’t breathe well, at any age; but, thanks. Didn’t mean to sound too woe-is-me.
Not at all, that is scary!
Shopping for shoes sounds like a nightmare. We have no big to-dos this summer, but if we did, I would be tempted to use that thing from those old Ronco (sp??) commercials to blingify a pair of clogs. Spending time in shoes that guarantee time in pain sounds crazy, but sometimes we have to do it. ugh.
I was up and about running some errands this morning and it did get warmer as the morning went on. But we are only to be around 66*. That sounds about perfect to me at this time of year. We had a pretty day for Easter ~ lots of sun…. but so much wind!! It seems like the wind never stops lately. Exhausting when you are out in it.
Have a good Monday. Hope you get some extra time to chat w/ Don today!
It’s a bit warmer than I thought it would be but oh how windy it is! I’m tired of it, too. It’s endless.
My goodness, how I love a good lazy day after a flurry of excited/busy days. I am having mine today, after the hoopla that is easter Sunday, and I am loving every last moment.
I, too, love Home Town. I have read Erin’s blog for years, and have been excited with this new turn of events. My sister was visiting, and I made her watch HT with me. She said, “Why, he is such a lovable pooh bear!” and we binged all of my recorded episodes. Erin’s style is my preferred decorating style, and I love how they honor the homes they take on. They are gentle with one another, and their humor is never deriding, which is so refreshing. They, but especially Ben, have a dry wit that I appreciate, without resorting or devolving into that slapstick that others have fallen into—-what a refreshing change!
I am happy to think of you having a great, gentle, resting day after your ac/ mowing days. Enjoy and replenish!
Peace,
Leslie P.
Yes, you hit the nail on the head about Erin and Ben. The slapstick stuff that others have resorted to just turns me off. It’s such an obvious ploy and it never lands right. These two are a breath of fresh air.
That bag is lovely. I am determined to earn to sew. We have a machine but no one here has used it . We bought it for my sister but she does not have time to get started with he machine. She would rather make curtains and dresser scarves by hand. Glad you got to rest up yesterday. it was too hot for my liking. We did not have any rain in Queens,but it did rain in Yankee Stadium last night. My friend recommended Zappos for shoes, have you ever tried them?
Marilyn
Zappos is nice, but I would need to try them on in a store and you can’t do that with Zappos. If I know what I want and I know the shoe will fit, then Zappos works well.
I love the sewing machine cover. I have made the covers for my machines, I have three, but what I really would covet is the table that is holding your machine. I would love to find a table like that!! You are lucky, I guess, all the antique stores and fabric stores around here have all closed.
That table was not found in an antique shop. It was in the prop department at Boston University and I pulled it to use in my office. From there it moved with me to Boston and then to San Diego and then here, where it got a coat of white paint. It has served me well and I love it.
That sewing machine cover is perfect! And those blue skies. How I wish they’d return to my side of the world. But according to the weather report, we’re in for clouds and dust the rest of this week, too. Ugh! We are attending a wedding Friday and I’ve got to wear heels … very high heels. I’ve not worn heels since my 20’s. I’ve been practicing. I have a naturally fast gait which drives my husband crazy at times. But in the heels, I’m gonna have to take it nice and slow.
Is there a reason you have to wear high heels for the wedding? Are you in the wedding party? Just curious! I couldn’t wear very high heals anymore!
It’s a night wedding and I’m wearing a fancy long red dress. Heels required. We are traveling to Amman, Jordan for the wedding and since I never dress up, I figure I might as well do it right. My husband will be pleased. I told him I’ll be hanging onto his arm for dear life when we are walking. HA!
Make sure you never leave your husband’s arm!
I can totally relate to your shoe frustration! Have you considered a pair of inexpensive ballet flats? The sky is basically the limit in color choices, but I tend to always lean toward basic black…although once I found a cute pair at Target of all places. They were leopard print and I never failed to get compliments, no matter what I paired them with–even jeans and t shirts. Yesterday at church, I noticed an elderly lady wearing a pair of shoes that looked to be straight from the 40’s! They certainly weren’t recently made, but still very well taken care of and made me covet them. I so wanted to stop her and comment on the shoes, but apparently she woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I saw her scowl as several greeters attempted to shake her hand–perhaps the old dear has arthritic hands, who knows. I was fortunate to score a great pair of old authentic 1940’s shoes at an estate sale and they fit! Several moves across the U.S. have caused them to come up missing–insert sad pouty face here! THOSE were some wonderful shoes…all I had to do was put them on, pin a brooch to my lapel and I felt gorgeous :-) Echoing all sentiments regarding the great sewing machine bag…my mother-in-law had an aqua machine…sister-in-law tossed it out without asking if I might be interested in it! Sigh—-your a/c tale sounds like a few pickles I have found myself in…we women are like tea bags–never know how strong we are until we are in hot water, eh?
Ballet flats are neat, but I need arch support and they don’t have that. I would be in pain rather quickly! I would love a pair of shoes from the forties because the dress I am wearing is reminiscent of the forties. I have a pair that I used to wear in my twenties – very forties – but my shoe size has changed since then. Gosh darn it!
Claudia, maybe in an appropriate setting/moment, random/candid with the cast or party-goers, you could get somebody to take a few photos; would love to see you all gussied up for the big event! That 40s-inspired dress!
I’ve gained weight and I don’t feel all that attractive lately! We’ll see….
I so agree with you about HGTV. Use to love all the gardening shows. Curb Appeal was my all time favorite. I have followed Erin and Ben’s blog for the past year. I could not agree with you more about their beautiful renovations. Each home’s renovation is unique to that home’s character. It is so refreshing and real. I watched it online last night with great delight. Also- of course you couldn’t resist that sewing machine bag! Good job!
Fondly,
Lani
They are simply lovely people. You can tell. And I really love the way the respect the bones of the house and do everything they can to make the house shine.
Glad you had a restful Easter! You deserved it after all that heavy lifting. Hope you have a good week, too.
Thank you, Judy!
Hi Claudia,
Love the egg cup cozy! And Easter Parade!
Have you tried Clark’s shoes? They are the only brand that I can wear now. So comfortable with various heel heights and they last.
Yes I wear Clark’s at times – but dressy shoes are not in their wheelhouse!
Actually, if you look at their website, they have a number of women’s dress shoes that are really attractive and not clunky like the shoes they are known for. Our CEO (who is in her 30’s and chic) wears Clark pumps and they look terrific. Also their flat shoes have arch support and are very attractive.
I’ll check it out but no turnaround time for ordering and I have to try shoes on.