My number one rule for an extended stay out of town: Buy some fresh flowers for your hotel room or apartment.
If I’m out of town for more than a few days, this rule goes into effect. Let’s face it, housing can be fairly nondescript and impersonal. Hotels do their best to make you feel welcome, but they’ve been designed for mass appeal; likewise, this guest artist housing here in Hartford. All the necessary items are provided: dishes, pans, desk, television, sofa, coffee maker, bed, dresser. The bathroom is nice and large. I can hook up to the internet. I’m grateful for all that has been provided.
But it ain’t home. I can, however, do my best to make it cozier. You’ve seen my quilts and books and sewing machine and of course, Wayfrum, Little Lamb and Maggie Rabbit. These little touches from home put my stamp on an impersonal apartment.
Flowers? Number one necessity. On Friday morning, I grabbed the car that three of us are sharing and drove to Trader Joe’s. I needed some food and I needed some flowers. TJ’s prices can’t be beat, so I treated myself to two bouquets. These yellow tulips provide a wonderful, cheery splash of color. I have yellow tulips in the ground at home that will bloom while I am away (again) so I thought these were an appropriate choice. I’m getting my tulips one way or another!
I brought my pink hobnail vase with me but the wonderful thing about actor housing is that there are always vases around. Actors get flowers for opening night. They keep them in the dressing room or their apartment. When they leave town, they usually don’t want to transport a glass vase. Hence, the 3 or 4 vases I found here in the apartment.
Lucky me!
I had to grab some alstromeria while I was at Trader Joe’s. I love alstromeria because it lasts a long time, so I get lots of bang for my buck.
Ah. I can’t tell you how happy I was to get fresh flowers for this space. Happier than I was buying the groceries I needed. Flowers make all the difference in the world.
We’ve had some long days of rehearsal lately. The show has been blocked and I’ve finished my one-on-one sessions with the actors for the time being. Now, Darko is working through each act of the play, fine-tuning the movements of the actors, making sure they are clear about what is happening in each moment and that the speaking of the text supports that. I am by his side, ready to jump up if needed and clarify what needs to happen from my point-of-view. At the end of the day yesterday, we ran Act Two. At the end of the day today, we will run Act One. I take lots of notes and then come home and write up each actor’s notes on a separate piece of paper, which I then, in turn, pass out to them at the next day’s rehearsal.
Next week there will be lots of run-throughs and at the end of that week, we move onstage. I can’t believe how quickly the rehearsal process is going!
Happy Sunday.
Your fresh flowers are lovely, Claudia, and I know they are great to cheer up a space. I love to have them near me, too. Mr. Magpie bought me a tiny nosegay the other day (which was sort of a bad hair day), and it cheered me up enormously. And while I love that pop of yellow from the tulips, alstromeria have become a good friend of mine for the staying power. Another favorite is orchids. I have been doing well with the ones from Whole Foods, and the trick it not to water them too much. I have kept two of them alive for over a year, and they are GORGEOUS. Lovely white blooms that bring me joy each time I see them.
Glad to hear that your play is coming along so well and hope that it continues to go smoothly for you.
Have a great week ahead. I’m up to my eyeballs in alligators, but I have on my protective gear. ;-)
XO,
Sheila
I’m glad to hear that it’s going well. What interesting work that must be!
And so true about fresh flowers. Nothing cheerier. :-)
Claudia , I feel badly for you having to be away when your flowers are blooming. I know you love your home life. I swear yesterday probably was the prettiest my whole yard was ever going to be. Ted mowed on Thursday. We filled the bird feeders…..so yesterday all my flowering trees were in bloom ,. The lilacs I brought from my mothers bloomed for the 1st time. And I had potted lots of plants. So I sat on the porch and enjoyed the birds and flowers. It was heavenly. I wish you lots of fun to make up for being away from home. xoxo,Susie
That is good advice. My hubby has to leave Monday for a week out of town. I think his rule is a 6 pack of beer.
I love your number one rule and the personal touches you gather around you in this home away from home. I know they help you function better. Your story of the ongoing progress and work behind a play is fascinating to someone who knows nothing about it. Have a nice Sunday and a productive week ahead!
Sounds like you are really busy. Glad you took the time to get flowers…it’s always necessary to feed the soul! ;)
Amazing how fresh flowers can brighten up any space and make us happy also! Glad rehearsals are going well. I think I need some flowers as the rain has been nonstop here.
hugs,
Linda
It looks like you’ve succeeded in turning your apartment into a home!
I was away from home for two weeks, staying in a hotel in a large city. I never thought to personalize my space which would have made my time there much more enjoyable. Instead, I worked all day then came home and watched t.v. until I got tired enough to fall asleep. It was rather depressing :(
Thank you for another helpful post!
Have a wonderful Sunday!!
Lori
Good Morning dear friend,
Your flowers make that apartment really look homey. Now, if you just had Don and Scout – it would be complete. But, it won’t be long.
Enjoy your work and have a great day.
Judy
Beautiful flowers Claudia..I brought some tulips in from my garden..red, yellow and ones that are red and yellow mix..They certainly cheered this place up..I’m glad things are going well with the play..Just remember..every day is a day closer to home and everything that you love..Hugs!
Sorry I haven’t stopped by, lots going on with you! I will catch up this week. I love the idea of having the flowers while you are away, Claudia. I do it at home just because it is such a pick-me-up. Ann
Beautiful and very nice in the nesting process. :-)
Blessings,
Betsy
Flowers do make a difference in a room. I always like to add a bit of nature to rooms where I stay – a collection of seashells or smooth pebbles in a dish, a branch of cedar, or a piece of driftwood. Putting your personal stamp on a room really makes it feel a wee bit more like home. Your pink hobnail vase is gorgeous and perfectly complements the alstromelia.
Love the vase you brought from home. We buy flowers when we stay on the coast in a cottage each year – our home away from home and every home needs flowers!
Hi Claudia,
All your petals are pretty, but that SINGLE alstroemeria, daintily clutching the rim of that simple, white cup is SO SWEET!!
Poppy xo
Great minds..I’ve been picking flowers along my walk with Mollie..Nice addition..Glad to now have a plce to put them where Max can’t get at them..Time seems to be going very fast for you..You’ll be home before you know it..
I’m sorry you are suffering from allergies. I had a terrible time last spring, but this year was a breeze. The only change was that my doctor had put me on probiotics for a month. With an on-track digestive system, the immune system is supposed to work better. Is there a connection? Who knows, but we are getting some for my husband to try. I don’t think you need a prescription, but they are the kind that are kept in the refrigerator in the pharmacy department. Good luck!