The boxwoods as seen from the porch. I was using my big girl camera yesterday morning.
Then this guy appeared and I took his picture:
He’s awfully cute. I might let him stay around.
Then, after a discussion about our work spaces in our shared office, I started to think that switching the work tables might give me a bigger space. As it was, I could barely move around inside my work “cubicle.” But I wanted Don’s input – we usually figure these things out together. He has a good eye.
He came upstairs and we put our heads together. Then we used our muscles and switched the positions of the long stainless steel table and the sewing table (where Dove Cottage sits.) It took a while as the stainless steel work table is awkward to move. Oh, how I wish we had ripped the carpet out of this room and gone with wood floors! But now, with so much stuff in that space, it would be impossible to remove.
Anyway, as you all know, once this kind of thing is started, things have to be cleaned and dusted and rearranged, so I ended being up in the office for more than a few hours while thunderstorms raged outside.
The framed print is something I’ve had for a long time, and recently rediscovered. It’s just propped there temporarily while I try to decide where to hang it. It’s very like one my grandmother had hanging in one of her bedrooms and I stared at it a lot when I was a kid.
Sewing/work table here.
Stainless steel table here. (It’s longer than the sewing table, so by putting it here, the cubicle is lengthened and I have more space in which to work.)
And the other side, complete with full trash can.
We both really like this set up. Don remarked that now, when he enters the room, the Beacon Hill isn’t blocking his view, which it was before. I still have some cleaning and organizing to do. We had to rethink where to put Don’s music equipment and all the other STUFF in there, but so far, so good.
Then we ate lunch and I fell asleep for an hour and a half! Very unlike me. Turns out I’m not feeling tip-top – it’s allergy/sinus related – so I’m going to take it easy today.
Thank you for all the loving comments about my sister. She’s in a much better place. I’m very, very proud of her.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
It’s amazing, isn’t it, how just shifting a few things in a room can totally change the look and make it feel brand new. I know what you mean about how when you move things you discover cleaning spots that were never done or needed to because they were covered by the now-newly positioned piece! It always takes a LOT longer (and especially if you have to move things off the surface to be able to actually move things about! Well, I saw “well done!” It looks great. When we like the space, we work in it more.
Tell Don that the hat is great(so is the photo, for that matter!). But the hat — it’s a very good look!
I bought that hat for him several years ago. He tried it on, then sort of backed off. I insisted on buying it and now he loves it.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
We’ve been in the middle of moving my studio upstairs since we returned from the lake, last Sept.! And we aren’t through yet, but were getting there. Everybody needs a convenient workspace, so we struggle on.
On the good news front, we think we have found our next foxie—fingers crossed! (As I have already fallen in love with her.) Just can’t manage to be foxie-less.
Oh, that’s such good news, Shanna!
Stay safe.
I used to move my things/furniture around constantly. I think it stems from childhood, when my Dad would move whole rooms of furniture around twice a year. My brothers and I loved moving day. It was so fun for us, but I know now it was a lot of hard work for Dad. Our house faced east/west, and Dad would always move the bedroom furniture into the front living room or the back dining room depending upon the time of year. In winter, my brothers and I would share the front room because it was warmer. In summer, our furniture would be put into the back room, which was cooler. When we got older, the furniture moving stopped and my brothers continued to share the back room. I was relegated to the living room, where I started on a sofa bed, then a cot, and finally, camping on the floor. It was the latter situation I liked best…camping every night.
Claudia, one of the things I love about your blog is that I recall memories just from reading your words.
Such a lovely memory, Wendy!
Thank you for your kind words.
Stay safe.
I love reimagining a room with fresh eyes so it works even better.
We are currently looking at everything from the perspective of our new puppy and her urge to explore every single thing. So, yeah, things look a little different–simpler, cleaner–with a small, active whirlwind.
Simple pleasures are my anchor amidst the chaos of our times. I cherish each one.
A new puppy will change everything, Roxie!
Stay safe.
Don is very cute!! Love the changes to the office space. I need to redo my craft room layout this summer but I will have to have some help moving furniture. Can no longer do it by myself or if I do I pay for it and its best to just get help. Hugs!
That’s why I needed Don to help me! I understand.
Stay safe.
dear Claudia/Don — that pix of Don is great!! so is your office/workspace setup. sorry you are not feeling 100%, hope the extra rest will help. I read Meredith’s blog — sounds very much like what our oldest girl has/still been going through — she endured much mental anguish/abuse very nearly from the beginning, thinking that it would get better IF she tried harder and of course, it never did — only got worse over time. her children were younger than your sisters at the time and she really tried to keep her family together, but it seldom succeeds if only one of the couple cares/tries. her ex is the perfect definition of a narcissistic personality — very demanding, controlling, only about me. divorce was 3 yrs ago and he still wants her to do whatever he says. it is hard even now b/c they still have underage child to share — really horrible at times for our daughter. she is doing better, which we are thankful for, but those early days were awful. glad your sister has friends, family b/c emotional support is so important. pls stay safe/healthy
It will be tricky going forward, as Little Z is just 10 years old. But praying that they can work all of it out.
Stay safe, Linda.
Claudia/Don — sorry about my earlier rant, pls forgive me. After reading your sisters story, I had a feeling of anger that I usually keep under better control, but her words really touched me and sort of gave me a ‘relapse’. I am hoping Meredith will be able to recover totally and never look back with any regret about her decision. wishing her the best. stay safe
Oh goodness! Nothing to apologize for. I have a lot of anger with my brother-in-law – believe me. I’ve fantasized about flying down to Florida and telling him off.
I understand.
xo
Hope you’re feeling better. So great to get a good brainstorm or whatever you call it, when an idea takes seed to make change for the better. I don’t know quite how, maybe it’s power of suggestion, but I feel like there is more ‘space’ in your photos.
As for your first post photo, wow, all that green. Of course most of ‘green’ is now disappearing in my Southern Calif due to drought; we were out today and to the marina (I love to hear the sea lions/seals (I think they’re just harbor seals) bark, swim around between the boat slips, trying to jump up/find a landing to sun themselves and take a rest from the water, wherever they can find a spot); anyway, very noticeable how the hills in the distance are browning. (So, I’ll continue to enjoy your Hudson Valley green summer!)
This is the lushest time of the season so we try to drink it in while we can.
Stay safe.
Rearranging work spaces can be such a hassle, but I also love that it allows me to take inventory of my ‘stuff.’ Your space looks great!
A refresh revives me, I think. I look at things differently.
Thanks so much, Karen.
Stay safe.