(Photos taken with my nifty-fifty lens on the AV setting, which deliberately blurs some of the subject matter.)
The quilt has been folded. I’m starting to think about packing. Do I take the flowers, which are in full, beautiful bloom, with me? What about that bottle of wine Darko gave me? I don’t drink. Who should I give it to? Have to take the books back to the library, but I want to finish the one I’m reading first. What to do?
Tonight is opening night and tomorrow Don comes to pick me up and I head home.
I really like this apartment, with its impossibly high ceilings and its pretty kitchen. I’ll miss it. Does that sound strange? It really isn’t. I’ve loved being here, all the while missing my home and family. I’m used to making a nest wherever I am and for many, many years I lived on my own in a series of apartments. I lived in a couple of studio apartments, then I graduated to two small rooms and then (the big time) three. In each of these abodes, I found a way to make it mine.
I did the same thing with this apartment. Remember this? (It’s on the sidebar.)
I am a solitary person who is chatty.
Truer words were never spoken. So when I’m on the road in what Don calls my “Mary Tyler Moore Life,” I enjoy it. I embrace it. This particular trip has been even more lovely with the addition of Mabel and a couple of creative projects to keep me busy and happy. Of course, my theater work is creative as well, but you know what I mean. It’s almost as if I’ve had my own little creative space/studio, separate from my home.
So, it’s with a bit of sadness that I prepare to leave. I love my cottage, my husband and my little girl. I can’t wait to see what the heck is going on in my now, I’m sure, weed-filled garden. I know that soon after I get back home it will be as if I never left. But, in the meantime, I am going to quietly revel in my adopted space here in Hartford.
It’s been quite stormy out here in the east, with unseasonably warm temperatures and lots of rain. More today.
By the way, do you keep up on Apartment Therapy‘s Small, Cool contest? I love it. Readers submit their impossibly small living spaces; winners will eventually be chosen by the readers. I love seeing how people cope with living in a small space. As a veteran of small space living, from tiny studio apartments to a tiny cottage, this sort of thing really floats my boat. Check it out if you are interested.
I’ll post A Favorite Thing right before I go to the theater tonight, but I have to be honest. I will be so busy today, tomorrow and Sunday, that I might not get around to comment on the links. Maybe I will. However, this might be a week where your hostess is otherwise occupied.
Happy Friday.
I went back to university a couple of years ago and was privileged to travel out to Toronto for some intensive courses. I was housed on campus in a building that used to be a hotel. I had my own suite, with a little kitchen/common room down the hall. It was a short time (10 days each intensive) but I loved my little abode. After living in a house with 6 to 8 of us at any given time, have my own space seemed heavenly! I’d bring along a few things from home to make it mine and each trip would buy something at the little corner store down the road to brighten it up. It was fun to have a place to call my own. But at the end of the class, it was nice to pack up and go back to my true home, crowded with people, books, animals and treasures but truly comforting and love-filled.
Enjoy your trip home. Hoping your garden isn’t too overrun with weeds!
It’s nice to have some pure solitude, Chy. As for the garden, I didn’t mulch before I left, so I’m not holding out much hope for a weedless garden!
Claudia, I was happy to read, that you like the apartment. While I was In NYC…we stayed at an old fasioned hotel ..small rooms and a very old bathroom …where you could hear voices of other people in other rooms…I absolutely loved it, I felt as if I had stepped back in time and was in the 30’s or 40″s…. just so quaint. Glad you get to be with Don soon. xoxo,Susie
Thanks, Susie.
See, you have the best of both worlds – your lovely home, your husband, your doggie…but then you get to have little getaways once in awhile! I’d leave the flowers behind…perhaps whoever is going to clean the apartment after you leave would like them. I’ll take the wine. :-)
But I want the flowers for me! I’m probably going to wrap them and take them home – flowers are expensive!
Claudia – Glad you have enjoyed your stay!! But, know you’ll be glad to get home also.
Have a great weekend and a safe trip home!
Judy
Thanks, Judy.
I like that apartment too. Very cool place! I too keep up with Apartment Therapy and the Small Cool Contest. It is the first thing I look for on their site! Have a safe trip home.
Brenda
You could live here quite easily, Brenda. Thick walls, you really don’t hear much of your neighbors…and they allow dogs! Plus, there’s a park right across the street for dog walking.
I am happy for you that are going home to Don, Scout, and your lovely weed filled garden. But, also glad that you are a Bloom Where You Are Planted Type of girl and that you made a nest for yourself in Hartford. You have worked hard with the actors, so enjoy Opening Night. I think leave the wine, which you won’t drink, take the flowers!
Exactly, Dottie!
I am interested in knowing the pattern you used for your latest quilt. I would like to make one like it. I hope you have a pleasant and fruitful time at your home, which by the way, I would live to live in. I envy you the lawn and flowers and trees blooming. thank you in advance.
It’s by Camille Roskelley and is part of a class called Pre-Cut Piecing Made Simple on Craftsy.com. Well worth it, Carol – there are at least 2 other quilts designed by Camille in that class. Good luck!
I do understand your enjoyment of having your very own space yet also wanting to be home with all the happenings. Safe travels on this holiday weekend. Blessings…
Thank you, Sherry!
I’m so glad you liked your apartment….after the rocky start, I wasn’t so sure. Bring the flowers home! Enjoy your reunion weekend…weeds and all! ;)
I think I will take those flowers home, Donna.
You have a true knack for making a “home” wherever you’re living. In the days of working and living in Saskatchewan (on 3 reserves and a northern, fly-in community), the first thing I’d do to bring a sense of home was to find the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) radio station. Some things don’t change much; I’m listening to Jian Ghomeshi’s show on CBC as I write this.
As for the flowers, I’d take them home if I were you, Claudia. They’re beautiful.
Safe travels to you,
Karen
I used to love listening to Disc Drive on the CBC, Karen. Did you ever listen to that show? It was my ideal radio show – an eclectic mix of music with an amazing host, Jurgen Gothe. I still mourn that show. Love the CBC.
I have a tendency to nest wherever I land too. Safe travels back home to you. Have a good weekend!
xo Kris
Thank you, Kris. You too!
I think I have managed to nestle into whatever place I’ve lived as well, whether it’s a bedroom in a shared house or my own apartment. It makes it hard to leave!
Yes, it does!
Have a safe Claudia..Does Scout come with Don to pick you up?
a safe trip home
I’d love that but we need the space she would take up for all my stuff!
Hi Claudia!! You did a nice job of settling into your home away from home… but there is no place like home!! The weather has been rainy and gloomy here, but its good for the plants! I hope you have a safe trip back, Claudia!! Francine
Rainy and gloomy here, too, Francine!
I hope to have that talent of making home where ever I am….currently not doing such a great job in our temporary home for the next 5 months. Have a super weekend, and safe travels back to your cottage :)
You’ll pull it off, I’m sure, Cindy. Just give yourself time.
So happy that you are heading back to your cozy cottage Claudia. Scout and Don are, I’m sure, counting down the seconds until you are back with them. Safe travels!
Thank you, Donna!
I like it when you are occupied with your work, because then we get to hear all about it and it is so interesting!
Have safe travels and a wonderful time at home! :)
I understand your feelings. Your a survivor. We hold those dear to us in our hearts and make the best of the moment while we’re apart. I’ve grown attached to hotel rooms and simple cottages I’ve rented. I’m happy to know I’m not the only one that feels that way. What makes it even harder to explain is I’m really a home body! Hmmm maybe that explains it, we have to make home no matter where we are or for how long or short it is. I’m glad your going home :)