Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Vintage Wire Laundry Basket

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A year or so ago, I was obsessing about those vintage wire laundry baskets that are collapsible. You know, the ones you see everywhere in Blogland? I loved their industrial look. I watched several go for more than I was willing to pay on eBay. I saw some that were too pricey on Etsy. I tracked down a reproduction basket. They seemed to go for a minimum of $75 (rarely) – more often they were well above $100. Each time I bid on one, I would get my hopes up only to see them dashed as the price climbed on out of my range.

I gave up.

The other day I was looking at Craigs List, as I often do, and I saw a listing for ‘Collapsible Laundry Basket’ for $50. The seller lives in a town about a half hour south of ours. I immediately emailed her but didn’t hear from her right away. I figured I had lost out as it had been listed for several days. Yesterday morning, I got an answer back that it was still available.

I told Don he had to come with me. He did.

Here it is. It still has the Allied tag on it, making it certifiably vintage. It’s quite large. Probably too large for our little cottage which is already crammed full of stuff. And I probably had no business buying it. But…come on…do you blame me?

I love it.

The seller’s name was Claudia. Yesterday was her birthday. She took us on a tour of her gardens. We talked gardening, politics, nesting – she lived in California for years, so did we. She’s talking about inviting us for dinner.

It was meant to be.

In the meantime, I’ve seen that Pottery Barn has a reproduction for $149. There’s a vintage basket listed on Etsy for $190. Moda Home has a reproduction for $90.

I think I got a great deal. It’s the real thing and sturdy as can be. It has the patina I was hoping for.

Now I have to decide what to do with it. For the moment, it will sit on my right when I’m sitting in my blogging chair in the den. I would have photographed it there but it was too dark today. What should I put in it?

Quilts and throws?

Magazines and books?

Or yarn for all my soon-to-be Obsession Scarves?

No sense using it for actual laundry. Our stacked washer and dryer are in a closet in the bathroom. We don’t have a pretty laundry room. But go ahead, ask me how much I want a combination laundry/mud room. Don’t bother, the answer is ‘a lot!’

I’m going to let you guess what option I’m going for at the moment. Maybe you can leave your guess in the comments?

Speaking of Etsy, I listed another scarf today:

That turquoise color, by the way, is a bit more of a teal/turquoise color. Sometimes it’s very hard to capture the subtle changes in these gradient yarns.

Update: Sold Out.

Linking to my pal Brenda’s Tweak it Tuesday.

I have a book review posted today, as well. Just scroll down one post for a chance to win a copy of Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know. It’s very funny, trust me.

Book Review: Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know

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Hello to everyone on this Monday morning. Today I am reviewing Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know by Hy Conrad and Jeff Johnson for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

About the book:

Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know answers the questions that dog owners have asked for centuries. The book is a collection of 115 humorous essays that reveal the truth behind some of the most baffling canine behavior, their hopes and dreams, their grudges and pleasures, and what they really think of us humans. Peppered with lively, clever stories and visually appealing photographs, Things Your Dog Doesn’t Want You to Know is a verbal and visual delight that is laugh-out-loud funny. If you have dogs, love dogs, or have ever been baffled by a dog, this book is a must-have.

My Review:

When I saw this book on the list of upcoming books to review, I immediately asked TLC Book Tours if I could review it. Anyone who reads this blog knows that I am a big dog lover. Oh my goodness, look at the cover photograph – those Bostons are tugging at my heartstrings!

Is this book funny?

Short answer: YES.

The essays are written by 11 dogs, with names like Axelrod (Yellow Lab), Tinkerbell (Chihauaha) and Rufus T (Bloodhound). In each of the essays, the author-dog will write on a specific topic, giving us a peek into what really makes him/her tick. Or not tick. These essays are flat-out funny. If you are an owner who tries to figure out the inner workings of your dog’s mind and I must admit that I fall into that category, you will find that the answer provided by each dog is usually far less complicated than whatever you’ve dreamed up.

Some of my favorite essays and their titles:

“I Will Never be Full” by Orson (Bulldog) – I have a dog that is never full and I loved Orson’s honesty. Thanks, Orson.

“Stop Tricking Me” by Bandana (Border Collie) – where Bandana tells us that all of the tricks we use to try and disguise the fact that, for example, a bath is coming or pills are being put into dog food, simply don’t work. Dogs see through that sort of thing.

“Things We Do When You’re Gone” by Charlie (Miniature Schnauzer) – Just imagine.

“I’m Just Asking” by Bandana – in which Bandana asks, among other questions, “When you put that little box up to your ear and talk, are you talking to me? Because sometimes we’re the only two around. So are you talking to me or the box? Is the box alive?”

This book is wonderfully written, with each dog having his/her own particular writing style. The authors are clearly dog lovers who have spent the same amount of time we all do trying to figure out the inner workings of their dogs’ brains. What makes them tick? Be prepared for some funny, wise and touching answers.

It’s the perfect sort of book in that each essay is complete in itself – so you can pick it up, read an essay or two, and come back later for another quick dose of humor.

Loved it.

About the authors:

Hy Conrad:

Best known for his work in mysteries, Hy was one of the original writers for the groundbreaking series, Monk, working on the show for all eight seasons, the final two as Co-Executive Producer. In a related project, Hy was Executive Producer and head writer of Little Monk, a series of short films featuring Adrian Monk as a ten-year-old. His latest TV work was as a writer and Consulting Producer for White Collar.

Hy is also the author of hundreds of short stories and  ten books of short whodunits, which have been sold around the world in 14 languages. Hy’s first mystery novel series, Abel Adventures, will debut in 2012 with the publication of Rally ‘Round the Corpse. And his first full-length comedy/mystery/play, Home Exchange, premiered at the Waterfront Playhouse in May 2012. He lives in Key West and Vermont with his partner and two miniature schnauzers.

Jeff Johnson:

Jeff spent most of his life working in advertising agencies, currently as General Manager of Cramer-Kasselt in New York City. He is the author of The Hourglass Solution: A Boomer’s Guide to the Rest of Your Life and co-authors (with Paula Forman) a national online advice column called Short Answers, which also appears in newspapers all along the east coast (from Massachusetts to Florida). Jeff lives in Vermont and Key West and is on the Board of Directors of the Waterfront Playhouse and the Florida Keys SPCA.

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Would you like a copy of this wonderful book? You just might win one. Leave a comment on this post and you’ll automatically be entered. I’ll pick a winner on Wednesday evening.

MHC now has a Facebook Page. If you’d like to, drop by and say hello! Maybe you could click on ‘like?’

Happy Monday.

 

 

Leaf Love

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This little leaf somehow recognized another ‘leaf’ and thought it would stay awhile. Do you see Scout?

At this time of year, the theme around here seems to be: Leaves. Whether they are on the ground (and they are – everywhere) or in the gutters or in the birdbath, we are surrounded by leaves.

Here’s Don on the roof, clearing out the gutters. We have to do this a lot in the fall, especially when rain is in the forecast.

Our maple has suddenly lost almost all of its uppermost leaves.

How did that happen?

You notice that Don is on the roof, not me. That’s as it should be. I hold the ladder. I hand up tools, like brooms and rakes.  I’m a wee bit afraid of heights. If I had to, I’d do it, but Don is willing, so I happily let him go up there.

So much raking ahead. Every time we start in on it, it begins to rain and we have to stop. Or my arms get tired. That happens frequently.

This is my favorite. No amount of tweaking or styling could arrange these leaves more spectacularly than my friend, Mother Nature, has done. For free.

Happy Sunday.

Linking to my friend, Elaine’s Sunny Simple Sunday.

MHC now has a Facebook Page. If you’d like to, drop by and say hello! Maybe you could click on ‘like?’

Lambs Like to Party

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A Note

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