Yesterday was moving day.
Scout, as you know, has arthritis and her hind legs aren’t nearly as strong as they used to be. Much like Riley, she isn’t always steady on her feet, especially when making turns. We spend a lot of time helping her maneuver and picking her up after she’s stumbled. Lately, we’ve been watching her round the corner where the dollhouse is situated in the living room. She often stops and loses her balance, causing her to bump up against the table.
We’d been talking about switching the dollhouse out with the desk in the den. When Don saw the dollhouse swaying yesterday after one of Scout’s encounters with the table, he remarked that it was time. I agreed, as the vision that came to my mind of the dollhouse crashing to the floor wasn’t a pretty one – for either the dollhouse or Scout.
So now I get to look at it from my blogging chair. Not bad. Not bad at all. (I’ll show you a photo tomorrow – it’s rather dark in here in the morning. The den gets the afternoon sun.)
In the meantime, I did a little mini work yesterday.
I made a little shelf out of some trim I had in my stash and now the mini Roseville pottery has a home.
I repurposed a table top that had detached itself from its legs (a gift from my friend, Jill) and now it’s a lazy susan.
And a little package arrived from Chautauqua Miniatures.
I had planned on buying another one of these white wrought iron planters on my last visit to the shop but forgot all about it, so I ordered it online. Here it is on the upper balcony.
Also from Chautauqua Minis: a gazing ball. It’s really tiny, so I stuck it in this planter. And I purchased another hanging plant, but you’ll see that when I get around to hanging it, along with the two I already had on hand.
Look what they included in the box:
A mini Chautauqua Miniatures bag. Adorable! Hmmm. Now, I’m thinking Caroline needs a dollhouse, if only to validate the presence of that bag in her bedroom.
If you haven’t figured out yet that Caroline is my alter ego, I would be very surprised indeed.
A quick note of thanks. I wrote in the American Miniatures article about blogging and how my explorations online led to my interest in getting my own dollhouse. But something else occurs to me. As I’ve renovated and decorated the dollhouse over these past six years, I’ve shared with you, my readers and friends, photos of the process. The blog has become a timeline of sorts, chronicling every new addition, every new skill learned.
What would I have done without all of you watching and cheering me on? I don’t have a dollhouse/miniature shop nearby. I don’t belong to a miniatures club. Let’s face it, not everyone is into this sort of thing. But I’ve had something precious and dear – all of you. You’ve kept me honest. You’ve kept me on track. When I didn’t post something about the dollhouse for a month or two, you asked about it and I got moving once again.
Thank you so much! It would have been fun to work on the dollhouse no matter what, but it is so much more enjoyable and rewarding sharing it with you. You make the difference.
By the way, several readers have mentioned Pocket Mags as a site where you can view a copy of this month’s American Miniatures. It can be hard to find copies of it in bookstores as I don’t think they carry it. Here’s the link to their site. You can buy a single issue for $5.99.
The winner of a copy of Bum Rap is Annie G. I’ve sent you an email, Annie. Congratulations!
Happy Sunday.
Everyone needs encouragement from the sidelines, don’t they! Have a lovely Sunday, Claudia!
Yes, everyone needs encouragement! Have a great day, Kathy!
That Roseville continues to amaze me. The gazing ball is fabulous!
The Roseville is certainly one of my favorite things in the dollhouse. I love each piece!
I love all the new additions. The mini Roseville pottery is amazing and looks great on it’s own shelf. I am in love with the gazing ball…so cute! I don’t think I would have the patience to work on a doll house, but I love your’s and the journey has been fun. A new one is the works? we can only hope. Sweet Scout! Glad you moved things around for her.
hugs,
Linda
I have a project in mind and I’ve ordered the kit – it’s going to be for Don. I’ll write more about it when it arrives.
The pottery looks perfectly at home, doesn’t it? Just love it.
We drove to the nearest big chain bookstore yesterday evening to see if they had a copy of your magazine as that store typically has a wide selection. Sadly they did not. While I was there, I picked up a copy of Go Set A Watchman (they had stacks upon stacks) and read it in about an hour and half last night. Honestly, I would have been far happier spending the equivalent of $20 US on miniatures.
I think you can see it online at pocketmags. Not sure of the address, but several readers have mentioned it. If I find the link, I’ll put it in the post. Just added the link, Barbara.
I’m not going to read the book. I’ve written a lot about that on the book blog. I don’t think it was published with Miss Lee’s full knowledge and comprehension of what was being asked of her.
Thanks! I’ll try reading the article online.
My daughter doesn’t care to read the book either. She said TKMB is such a great book that she doesn’t want anything interfering with her memories of reading it. Have to agree!
Well, that shelf is just perfect for the pottery! And the gazing ball…. I can’t even begin! Is it about the size of a marble?? The little shopping bag is so sweet. I sit her “tsk”-ing and shaking my head at all of it in simple amazement!!
Yes, about the size of a small marble. I love that shopping bag!
Are you happy with BlogHer? Do you have to pay to use it? I want to begin a blog in support of people with mental illness, but I want to do it in a professional way. It will be called “Breaking Through The Paper Hoop”. I really admire your blog, and enjoy reading it every day. I am not able to garden anymore (I have cerebellar ataxia) so now your garden is my garden! I love those flowers like my own.
Yes, I like BlogHer. No, you don’t have to pay to use it, but you do have to apply. And I don’t think you can apply until your blog has been up and running for a while – it used to be six months, but that might have changed. You can go to their site and read the requirements for applying. If you’re looking for ad income on your new blog, you can always start with Google AdSense. But any sort of ads are not going to give you any income until you’ve been up and running and have a readership. Hope this helps.
I love the new “mini” acquisitions, especially the gazing ball. A house like Caroline’s cries out for a gazing ball. And that bitty shopping bag – perfect! Hope you three have a nice, relaxing Sunday…
I just mowed part of the lawn like an idiot! It’s in the low nineties out there!
So I’m drinking some water and that’s it for the day.
I like the new wrought iron planter. In the picture is one of the shutters hung upside down? Maybe Caroline likes the slates with one pointed up and one panel down. Please don’t take this as criticism because I love your doll house.
I like little realistic quirks – one set of slats pointing one way, one the other – as if they are being used in ‘real’ life.
Hmmm, wonder if there is some way to make Caroline a mini copy of the magazine to put in the house. I think she would really like that! Give Scout a big hug and I will be thinking of her.
hugs
Someone else mentioned that yesterday and I do believe I’m going to have to figure out how to make one for her!
Hope the moves will help protect Scout and the dollhouse. I have wanted to make a dollhouse and its interiors/exteriors for a long time. But I have so many other hobbies to which I want to devote my time, so I’m happy to have your blog to read about about Caroline’s house and look at the photos.
The gazing ball is just precious!
I fear I’m hooked on this. I thought that once the dollhouse was on its way to being finished, I’d have it out of my system, but I just want to start another project immediately!
I am really smitten with the little things you have added to the dollhouse…especially the gazing ball. For reference…how tall is that? Hope you have a wonderful day! ;)
It’s really short – maybe an inch tall? That’s why I put it amongst the flowers.
I have enjoyed every step of your dollhouse journey. I saw a little bungalow cottage at Michaels, I believe. Thought that might be a doable size for me to start. Just hope mine turns out one-half as adorable as yours. Take care of Scout and Don and try to keep cool. Thanks for all you share.
I saw those the other day, Dottie. That would be a great way to start!
Claudia..every little touch you add to Hummingbird Cottage just makes it more wonderful..Yes I have already figured out who Miss Caroline really is..lol..I want one of those gazing balls for my fairy garden..I have a large one in my back garden..I know that some people think they are tacky but I have loved them since I was a little girl..they always seemed sort of magical to me so a little one would be a perfect gift for the fairies now wouldn’t it..lol..have a sweet day..it is sooo hot here..
I have a smallish gazing ball in my big garden bed. I love them!
And yes, isn’t this heat and humidity the worst???
Dear Claudia
I quite understand your worries about avoiding little accidents to sweet Scout.All of us who have had senior pets have done the most incredible things to make their lives easier and more comfortable no matter which changes we had to make in our homes .They deserve this and much more. Imust confess it makes me sad knowing she has certain problems with her movements as well as dear Riley had but it comforts me the fact you both are so tender and compassionate people who don’t allow her to suffer if it is possible to you .Give her a big kiss for me. On the other hand your dollhouse look so real and pretty! Your roof garden turned out beautiful! I”m inlove with the wicker chair so nice and real Everything there is charming the flowers ,pots`.the planters!I wish you can start a new project soon it”s the best way to escape from the everyday problems we all have at least in my case .Adults also need to play a little don”t you think? A big kiss to you all!
xoxo Alicia Buenos Aires!
It makes me sad, too, Alicia. And Don, as well. We hate to see our little girl aging because, to us, she’s still our baby. But she is definitely having problems getting around. She’s at her best when she’s outside on the grass. She’s still lively in the evenings, can jump up and clear the two stairs that lead from the den to the living room – most of the time. But she sleeps a lot. We love her and will make sure she is happy. She has a good appetite, as well.
Yes, I love the escape from the real world that working on miniatures gives me!
Oh, the gazing ball just blew me away! You put it in the perfect spot.
A lot to look forward to – Hummingbird Cottage AND a dollhouse for Caroline. Get busy, Claudia – you’ve got a lot of work to do!!! (Smiles.)
I’ve drawn a mental blank and descriptions/names are merging in my brain (lack of sleep; it was much too warm here last night for a good sleep and, at 2:45pm PST just now we were 98 degrees[f] with 68% humidity); what, again, are you calling Caroline’s house (the first dollhouse; the one you just moved to help Scout)? Where am I momentarily confused? Isn’t the mini going to be called Hummingbird Cottage?
It was 95 here today with high humidity, so we’re in the same boat!
The dollhouse I’ve been working on – Caroline’s house – is Hummingbird Cottage.
I’ll buy a little mini dollhouse for Caroline – I’m not going to make one. I’d go nuts!
The new project is going to be for Don. I’ll let you know more when the kit arrives.
So glad Miss Scout has such a caring and attending family. New rugs, the doll house has a new location… So much going on. Just read you mowed today too! We may have finally hit a 3 digest temp. It was soooo hot today?
I just wanted to send a thank you for your great ability to review books. I love that I will get to read another one courtesy of your drawing. What a great surprise. I love your blogging and earnest ability to be real in your sharing of your life at the cottage. I believe your gift of photography tells its own story. Thanks so much,
Our dog, Polly, had an FCE in October and her recovery was incomplete. She has trouble with her back legs being reliable. We use a sling for her for most of her walking. While much of the time she is actually carrying her own weight, the sling is always there just in case, and it is also helpful to get her into a standing position, which sometimes gives her trouble. Not sure if you have thought of trying a sling for Scout but it might help your peace of mind. We got ours from the vet but I am sure any pet store would have them. You could also try using a towel if you want to give it a shot before spending any money. We did that for awhile but a towel was hard for me to use with one hand and bulky, however, it works the same way.
Good luck with your sweet girl!