Yesterday was a full-on amazing nature day.
Spectacular sunrise with a pink sky as far as we could see. A spectacular sunset. Two murmurations of starlings on our property that were truly magnificent and glorious. At one point, I looked out the back window in the kitchen and there was a huge hawk standing on the ground eating something. I’ve never seen a hawk land on our property and stay there for at least ten minutes. Don said he was eating big, fat worms. It was amazing to watch – all of this was happening as we were talking to someone on the phone!
Wow.
Turning to miniatures, I’ve been trying to find a vintage-looking stove other than an Aga for quite a while. Almost impossible to find. Then a friend reminded me of the Hallmark Keepsake ornament from 2004, which you can still find on eBay. It’s very Christmasy and loaded with things I don’t want (and have already started to remove) but it reminds me of our stove. It’s 1:12 scale, or pretty close to that. It arrived in yesterday’s mail. It’s plastic, of course.
This ornament was designed to be plugged into a Christmas light strand and there was a fragrance pack tucked into the rear of the stove – sort of an apple spice scent. You plugged it in and you could smell cookies baking. I think there was a light in the oven, as well. It will need some work, as I’ve already removed the salt and pepper shakers, cookie sheets, and mugs, so I’ll have to repaint the top of the stove. I know of at least one other miniaturist who has worked with this ornament, so I’m going to check out her stove, which I believe she has since sold. I also have to cut off the electrical cord.
But I think this will look great in the Beacon Hill, don’t you?
Spoiler Alert opens nationwide today! Go see it – it’s a wonderful movie with beautiful performances by everyone. Jim and Ben will make you laugh and break your heart at the same time. Sally and Bill are brilliant, as one would expect. And you can see me!
I’m so proud of this and my little contribution. My work with Ben paid off as he aced the dialect, and I managed not to embarrass myself in my scene. Who would have thought I’d be acting again, on screen, after 30 years?
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
Karen says
My husband and I saw Spoiler Alert last night! Claudia, it was even better than I’d hoped, and Dan loved it, too. I read the book a year or so ago, and the actors were brilliant in bringing the story to life. It was about 10 minutes into the movie that I remember Ben is British! his accent was so well done. Of course, I cried through the last half of the movie and your appearance on the screen was a welcome respite — I was so excited, it stopped the tears and I elbowed my husband, ‘There she is!!’ You were wonderful! Thank you for sharing your experience with the film, it was a fun experience to glimpse ‘behind the scenes.’
Claudia says
Oh yay! I’m so glad you saw it last night and that you loved it.
I can’t tell you what it means to hear a reaction – and a great one, at that – from someone other than the people that worked on the movie.
Hurrah!! Thank you so much for sharing this with me, Karen!
Stay safe.
Karen says
Also, I’m one of those people who sits through ALL the credits at the end of the movie. Dan always indulges me in this. It was so exciting to see your name — TWICE! lol
Claudia says
xoxo!
kathy in iowa says
yay! the movie is available to see! i am excited to see it so can only imagine how you feel about it finally being released and seen, claudia and don! :)
the stove ornament set in a dollhouse sounds very clever and looks great … and quite stella-y!
the older i get, the more i need nature, being out in it. i did, however, read something about how merely looking at photos of nature can be helpful to people. i know it is to me. happy for you and don to have seen the starlings and hawk, the sunrise and sunset. :)
happy to say the “winter-y mix” in yesterday’s forecast stayed as rain … and a decent amount of it. much needed, appreciated and enjoyed!
happy friday to everyone. stay safe!
kathy
Claudia says
I definitely need nature in a way that I didn’t when I was younger. Now, it gives me peace and solace.
Glad you got some rain and none of the icy stuff.
Stay safe, Kathy.
Linda MacKean says
The stove is so cute! I’m glad you are making it work for the Beacon Hill. Maybe I’ll find the movie playing near me this weekend!! Hugs!
Claudia says
I hope you do! We have to check out the theaters near us, Linda.
Stay safe!
Donnamae says
I do like how you’ve been taking sweater ornaments and altering them so the Blythe dolls can wear them. And now a stove ornament for the Beacon Hill? Kind of brilliant I’d say. Wonder how many other household Christmas ornaments are out there that you could do that with?
My son has flown back to Edinburgh….but, we had a great visit, and did get to talk quite a bit, which was fantastic. And so it goes.
Nature is always a good distraction and grounding point I’ve found. Lucky you that you had so many nature experiences in one day. ;)
Claudia says
I’m so happy to hear you had quality time with your son. I envy him living in Edinburgh – one of my favorite cities.
Thanks so much, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
Deb in Phoenix says
Oh that stove is adorable! Still would love to have a real one in my house. I know too that I have to be in nature to truly relax. We go up to Oak Creek Canyon to a place called BriarPatch Inn a couple times a year. There are no TV’s , no computers and it gets us totally away from social media. I call it my Heaven on Earth. Google it if you want to check it out. We are going to try to see Spoiler Alert this weekend. Can you give a hint which part you are in? Enjoy your weekend!
Claudia says
Yes, I’m towards the end of the movie when Ben’s character is dying (Since Jim’s narration says this right at the top of the movie, I’m not giving away any secrets.) In a hospital room with Sally, Bill, Jim, and Ben lying in the bed. Jim asks me “How long?”
Stay safe, Deb.
Deb says
Thanks Claudia!
Claudia says
xo
Marilyn Schmuker says
The stove is perfect! Very clever to use an ornament, same with the sweaters.
I will absolutely see Spoiler Alert soon. I love Jim and Sally, and seeing you will be a bonus! We have a small movie theater in our small city that takes a bit longer to get movies. We like to go there, not crowded, cheaper. We like to support local as well.
I agree about the importance of nature. Lake Michigan is my happy place. I drive by at least once a week all year round. Sometimes park and watch the waves. I find peace there.
Take care
Claudia says
Yes, we want to see it in a theater but we want to go during the day when it will be quieter and less crowded.
Thanks so much, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
Dee+Dee says
I really want to see this movie and I can’t see any UK listings yet. It looks like my kind of film and I can’t wait to see you on screen.
I have seen Ben in some British crime dramas so it will be great to hear him with a different accent, coached wonderfully by you.
In other news, I have shingles but fortunately don’t feel too unwell with it. How can a virus lie dormant for 60 years and then reappear?😀
Happy Friday
Claudia says
I don’t think it comes out in the UK until January. If I find out differently, I’ll let you know.
My sister has had shingles a few times and I have a close friend who has them now. I’m so sorry, Dee Dee! I’m glad it’s not too painful and/or annoying.
Stay safe.
kathy in iowa says
oh, no!
dee dee, i hope you get rid of the shingles soon and feel better even sooner … and that everything else is okay and you have all you need/want! i will be praying for you.
kathy
Dee+Dee says
Thanks very much, Kathy. It means a lot that someone so far away, would pray for me.
God bless you xx
Barrie says
I really look forward to seeing the movie! Must be such a thrill for you! So exciting!
That stove is so cute…..and amazing that it’s an ornament!
Big smiles on this Friday!
Claudia says
Thanks so much, Barrie.
Stay safe.
Brendab says
Love the stove. We owned a small Hallmark store for ten years…I became a teacher…lol…did not love retail…I starting buying the ornaments back in the day…needless to say after owning the store…we had thousands…they are now with my kids…I have a few. I love that stove…and I send tons of cars which are now available at the dollar stores…I do get each family me,bet an ornament for. The Hallmark store…wherever I live. It was hard work.for three years, I worked on the store 7 days a week with no time off…then we hired a lady to come in three hours a week so I could take a class…my kids worked when they were not in school…his and also when he got off work…joint effort…
Claudia says
Thanks, Brenda.
Stay safe.
Elaine in Toronto says
Spoiler Alert has opened today in Toronto, too. We plan on seeing it soon. Love your little stove. It looks very realistic. Here’s to upcyling Christmas ornaments. You and Don enjoy your evening, Claudia. Hugs, Elaine
Claudia says
Thanks so much, Elaine.
Stay safe.
Bridget says
Are you familiar with the Den of Slack? The woman who runs the site used one of these ornaments in a room box, and figured out how to wire it so that it lights up: https://www.emilymorganti.com/blog/?p=7765
Claudia says
I am. It comes already wired because it was intended to light up, like an ornament, so I suspect she was figuring out how to wire it differently for her project. I don’t need or want it to light up.
Thanks, Bridget.
Stay safe.
jeanie says
Reading but slowly, behind and funky! But I ADORE the stove and can’t wait to see the redo!
Claudia says
Thanks so much, Jeanie.
Stay safe.