I haven’t done a speck of work on the dollhouse in the last couple of months.
I have big plans for the rooftop garden, as you know. I began to gather some things for the garden several months ago. But I’ve done nothing.
During the odd moment or two, I would idly wonder why I didn’t seem to have any desire to work on the garden. After all, it was winter, I was stuck inside a great deal of the time, why not lose myself in a little garden design?
I finally hit on the answer the other day. All of the other rooms are finished – at least, they’re finished in terms of the major decorating elements. I’m sure I’ll add a thing or two along the way. The rooftop garden will be the last ‘room’ design.
And then, I’ll be finished.
I’m thinking I don’t want to be finished. That’s why I’ve been avoiding the roof. When that’s done, what will I do? Get another dollhouse, you say? Where would I put it? There’s only so much room in this little cottage and believe me, it’s all being used.
What’s a girl to do? Bite the bullet, I guess, and start on the rooftop.
But I’m not ready yet.
It’s rainy and cold here, so nothing is going on outside. We decided to head to Trader Joe’s yesterday. Since it’s an hour away from us, we only go once or twice a month. After nicely filling our shopping cart, we headed back home, stopping to get Scout’s food at the Vet’s.
So I guess you can say that yesterday was all about food.
Shocking, I know, but I didn’t buy flowers. I’m not sure why. Maybe because I’m invested in the outside of our house right now? Anyway, mark yesterday down on your calendars. April 7, 2015: Claudia went to Trader Joe’s and didn’t buy flowers.
Don’s playing a gig in town on Saturday, with two of his friends backing him up. I can’t wait. Normally, I can’t go along on his gigs because I’d be away from Scout for too long. But this one is right down the road, so I’ll be there. I’m so excited!
Happy Wednesday.
Claudia, Once you start on the roof top garden , I know it will be beautiful. You will put your all into it. Maybe some fairy gardens for now. Oh be sure to get pictures of Don performing.. That is nice that it’s close enough for you to go along. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
p.s. we just had some hail, wind and heavy rain…I hear the pump in the basement running, that always makes my tummy hurt. I have a fear of flooding.
Stay safe, Susie. We have a sump pump in the basement and when it kicks on, I know we’re getting a LOT of rain. I feel that same fear when it gets very windy here. I’m afraid of trees falling, as we have a lot of older trees.
That’s the one thing about us buying and moving into my parents’ mid-last-century house…trees, but not so close to the structure. In the cottage we previously lived in, we were encased in massive oak trees which dated to the mid-1800s as far as the arborist could tell and they can occasionally, out in the hills and canyons, just finally topple over although they don’t have the shallow root base some of the evergreens/pine trees do, which is a mistake some people make by taking a ‘live’ Christmas tree and planting it too close to the house, forgetting that the thing will eventually get huge. Anyway, I feel for you; it’s a concern; I was often worried about my oak trees in high winds. Thankfully, winter is leaving you for now, though. Trees are so beautiful and provide such necessary shade in hot summer. It’s a hard call. We need them, but we also don’t want them to hurt us! The other problem we had with too many trees burying a small house was tree rats. The dear 90-yr-old place would shift and settle, especially with California’s ever-moving earth and earthquake tremors, and all it takes is a quarter-inch crack for a rat to get inside the house. Every September we would go over basement, attic…anywhere…with a ‘fine-tooth comb’ making sure every possible opening was plugged up and they’d STILL get in sometimes for winter nests (although we haven’t had wet or cold weather and ‘seasons’ for a long time now, per se) …but it wasn’t just us; everybody who had a house up on that hill fought the same problem. It’s a trade-off. Want rural beauty? Get rats. I miss my other house but I don’t miss THAT.
Oh, we had tree rats in our last rental. And we have mice here – though under control. It’s part of living in the country. Our trees are old and part of what drew me to the house were the old sugar maple, the catalpa, the shag hickory and the weeping willow that surrounded the house. We had to take down the willow a few years ago because the roots had invaded our leech field, the shag hickory is now dead and has to be taken down and the maple has lost several limbs. It all breaks my heart.
I love the way those tree names ‘sound.’ Wonderful that you can identify which tree is what. Excuse my ignorance but what is a leech field? I’m really NOT very ‘country,’ if this is a country-living thing.
Where the stuff from the septic system flows through pipes in the ground. Not sure whether it’s ‘leach’ or ‘leech.’
My only excuse for not getting things done is that I’m a big ol blob at the moment. I come home from school and just zone out completely. Only 2 more months and then I am free, free, free. The rooftop garden will be so pretty — the perfect finishing touch. Have a good day. Tammy
Totally understand. Soon you’ll have much more free time!
You’ll know when it’s time to begin work on your roof garden. We’ll be there with you when you share your stories and photos. I love TJs and am fortunate it’s only 10 minutes away. But then, I’m in the “suburbs” of a small city. Aren’t their flower selection beautiful and reasonably priced? I need to go and buy groceries there….but not flowers. Even though my daughter’s stroll on the boards for Guys and Dolls ended three weeks ago, some of the flowers she received are still hanging in there. Enjoy Don’s show!!
I love their flowers and the prices simply cannot be beat. (I should have bought some!)
So I’m not the only one that hates to see the end of a project in many ways! I guess after you are all done with the dollhouse you could re-decorate, but it’s not the same I know. I’m so happy you get to hear Don play this weekend. We had a great time with Tiger yesterday (he loved turning 4) and today I’m spending time with my Mom. I know baby will arrive soon, I saw her rolling around inside Sara yesterday, she is an active one. Sun is out and it’s making me feel happy today.
hugs,
Linda
The baby is almost ready to come out and meet everyone! So exciting, Linda.
I suppose someday I’ll redecorate, but I decorate my dollhouse like my own home. I’m happy with the way it looks and so it will stay that way for a good long while!
I totally understand the feeling of dread when something you have worked on and planned and had fun doing is about to come to an end. One would think there would be happiness, but I always experience the dread factor instead.
Don’t you just love TJ’s……….. just the red carts make me happy!! And it seems we always find at least one new fun thing to try.
Fun to be able to get away for a bit and hear Don and his buds. I know that tethered to the house situation. We can’t go away for any length of time now, either. I am sure you will have a wonderful evening, especially knowing you are so close by. That helps!
I’m so looking forward to hearing Don play. I know you understand about having to stay home. It’s just not worth the stress for her or for me.
Would you believe I’ve never bought flowers at Trader Joe’s. The nearest one is so far away from me that it didn’t seem worth it. I just buy non-perishable food on the rare occasions that I go, but….we have a new Trader Joe’s that is supposed to open sometime this spring and it’s only about 3 miles from me. You can’t see me, but I’m doing a happy dance! I’m excited to have one so close. I can just taste the croissants in the freezer case that my daughter buys. Yum!
I hope you enjoy your time at Don’s gig. Fun!
Blessings,
Betsy
Oh, you’re going to love it, Betsy. When we lived in San Diego, we had one within 5 miles of our house. Sigh.
I can understand why you wouldn’t want to finish the rooftop garden….there is a certain amount of dread in finishing…what could I do next? I’m sure you’ll think of something. You are resourceful. Happy you get to hear Don on Saturday…and so close! ;)
Very happy about Saturday night, Donnamae!
Do you think your dollhouse will ever really be “done”?
I’ve come to the conclusion that my dollhouse will always be a work in progress like my real home. Our local garden centre brought in loads of “fairy garden” stuff this year, some of which is the correct 1:12 scale. Until the weather here improves, I’ll just have to content myself with some mini indoor gardening!
No, it won’t ever be truly done, but it will be mostly done…and you know I like having a project or three going.
Sounds like a good week, Claudia. xo Laura
It is. See you on Friday, Laura.
I hate for a really good book to end so I can relate to how you feel about not wanting to finish the dollhouse.
Yes, and the dollhouse would be the longest ‘book’ I’ve ever read! 5 years and counting….
Makes complete sense to me, your being hesitant about getting back to the rooftop garden. No one wants something fun to be over. However, like your “big” house, I suspect the dollhouse will never really be “finished.” I think homes evolve and change, like their owners. Especially when the owner is creative and likes changing things around from time to time. Caroline’s house is a little 3-dimensional canvas for you – I bet you’ll continue to have lots of fun with it. Enjoy your [wet] day!
So wet today! And tomorrow, unfortunately.
I used to enjoy seeing the Honey when he played– that was back before kids! It was fun. Yes! I agree get pictures.
Didn’t realize Trader Joes was so far– thought it would be closer. Before long maybe you’ll get plenty of flowers from your own garden and they’ll be nice for cutting and bringing inside.
I’ll take the camera, Pat!
There is a Trader Joe’s being built 2 miles from my house. Site demolition began a couple of weeks ago. It will be open in 4-6 months. I will be interested to see if I love it as much as everyone else does.
I think you would be a great “fairy gardener.” I have a small fairy area in the tree in the front yard, but I think it needs to be expanded.
Enjoy Don’s show!
I like fairy gardens, but I have a lot of garden beds to attend to. One fairy garden would be enough for me, I think.
Everyone beat me to it. I was going to say the same thing: Fairy Houses!
I’ve recently built a couple of fairy doors, two fairy houses, and a fairy tree. The houses are a lot of fun and are great for a weekend project.
Maybe one, Kristin – probably not more than one. I have a lot of big gardens to handle!
Hi Claudia,
I found this blog today: http://japanesedollshouse.blogspot.com/ You might be interested in it.
This lady is building a Japanese dollhouse. It’s really interesting.
Cheryl
Thank you, Cheryl! I’ll pop on over.