• Shot through the kitchen window on a rainy day – here is the bird I wrote about last week. Definitely a thrasher. A pair of them are usually together on the property. The other half had just hopped into the bushes when I took this picture. He has such a lovely tawny brown color and the spots/stripes are striking.
Will the sun ever make an appearance? It’s been so rainy and gray! Thankfully, it isn’t raining today and the sun may emerge (fingers crossed) later this morning.
• I watched three episodes of Escape to the Country, a BBC series that is airing on Netflix. I only know about it because one of you recommended it. Sigh of happiness! The English countryside is so exquisitely beautiful. For those of you who don’t know of it, it’s rather like House Hunters here, but done in much more sophisticated and, let’s face it, classy manner. The people that are longing to escape to the country have a list of requirements, the show scouts three houses, and at the end, unlike the American counterpart, we learn which house is their favorite, but we don’t know what they end up choosing. In other words, the house chosen isn’t pre-picked and approved and then presented as a “choice” along with two other homes, but is a genuine possibility. That’s all.
How refreshing! Also missing are the usual American consumer demands of a granite countertop, stainless steel, big walk-in closets, a master suite, a man cave, a she shed, etc. May I say that I intensely dislike the phrases “man cave” and “she shed?” Obviously a marketing ploy. When I hear people using those words all the time, I know that the ploy worked. I’m sure they are also encouraged to use those words by the producers. I’m never big on male vs. female categorizing.
Let me further add that I have never lived in a home with an “en suite.” Never. I get up and walk out into the hall and enter the bathroom. And I’m just fine with that. Cripes, our rental cottage that we lived in when we first moved here had one bathroom. It was downstairs at the back of the cottage. The bedroom was upstairs. Going to the bathroom involved a trek down the stairs, through the living room, dining room and kitchen until I reached the bathroom. Then the same thing all over again as I went back to bed.
Growing up, six of us shared one bathroom. I wouldn’t know what to do with an en suite.
Anyway, I like this series! Thank you to the reader who suggested it.
• The crabapple on the other side of the property has begun to bloom. It’s so beautiful. After I made my way over there to get a good shot, I came back in the house and noticed a wood tick on my jeans. I escorted him out of the house and told him to go back to the woods.
The ants are still winning, but I’m fighting the good fight. I will prevail. Thank you for all your suggestions!
• Don’s in the middle of tech rehearsals, so we have even less time available to talk! He’s doing well. Techs require lots of patience as cues are started and stopped and started again, as lighting and sound and set design and costumes and music cues are tweaked and adjusted.
Since this is a musical based in “Margaritaville” you might well imagine that Don’s costume is very laid back and comfortable. You’d be right. He said it’s the most comfortable costume he’s ever worn.
Happy Thursday.
My mum and dad had a little two bedroom thatched cottage, and as with many built pre-bathroom days, the bathroom was added later and was downstairs. So great during the day, but not at night. Yes does one need all that. Absolutely agree with you.
Thanks, Christine!
I do like that show. A thatched cottage with a small front garden, the low doorways, possibly beamed ceilings..what a dream!
Glad to hear Don is well and having fun, I presume? Do wish I could see the play. Bit of a drive from Indiana though.
Have a lovely day.
He’s having fun, but he’s also very tired!
Thrashers are such pretty birds! Nice that you have some visiting. I’ll have to look for Escape to the Country – sounds good!
Just saw the pair in the corral, looking for worms!
Love, love, love that show! Totally agree with you about the shows produced on this side of the pond. Oh, you forgot about double sinks in the master bath! Really love your blog, at has brought me through a rough winter. Thanks so much.
You are most welcome, Dot!
The show sounds good, it’s sad to see these young people being so picky and wanting EVERYTHING in their first homes. Gosh I started out with a tiny house, two kids, one husband and one bathroom. We lived there for many years. I need a bathroom on the same level as my bedroom because I have to go during the night (old lady bladder…TMI?) I love that my daughter and husband bought a small house that fit their budget and just make it work. Wow, didn’t mean to climb on that soap box.
Played with some plants yesterday and had a good time in the yard but then was so tired. Today we will get rain so I’m inside and will rest and read. I hope Don can get some rest!
Hugs,
Linda
There’s something to be said for starting simple – maybe even staying simple – but if you start big, what do you have to work for or look forward to?
I think the very fact that EVERYONE wants granite counters and stainless appliances is the very reason that I will NEVER want them! Why would I want my home to look like every single other home? I don’t get it. I’d much rather have my quirky little cozy house than anything cookie cutter. I must check out that show, sounds amazing! The only part I’ll miss is watching them settle into their country home, that’s my favorite part of House Hunters!
Never cookie cutter! I agree! I must admit I’d love to see them in their new homes, but I do appreciate that it isn’t ‘pushed’ if you know what I mean.
Hey there Claudia,
All is very lovely and as usual, so nicely presented.
I liked your sharing the experience of Broadway ( and you did not say it) but you have to be
proud of your work there!
Loving those nature photos too.
What a delight to open my computer to pretty nature!
Have a sweet day~~~
Katheryn
You’ll be getting a lot of pretty nature (I hope) as it gets warmer and flowers start to bloom. It’s a late spring here, so everything is a bit behind schedule.
The show sounds interesting. Our first home was small but loved it. There was one room for the bedroom, living room and dining room. A bathroom and a kitchen. And a balcony overlooking the backyard. And we didn’t need a car either. We had everything we needed. We painted the walls a happy yellow.
The sun is out though I am not looking forward to the high temperatures. Saturday is suppose to be up in the low 90s. Looks like an early summer.
Too soon for the 90s! I agree, some of the smallest places I’ve lived in have been my favorites!
I kind of feel sorry for those young couples who think that they need to start off with their dream home. What can they possibly have to look forward to? And because they start off being so particular about everything, it seems to me to be setting them up for disappointment in the very near future. Some of the best times we’ve had in our fifty-year marriage are the leaner times we’ve been through. And some of our favorite homes have been the smallest.
But can I tell you how beautiful your crab apple blossom shot is!?
I agree. Our leaner times have called for creativity! And the little cottage that I referred to was one of my favorites, as was my apartment in Cambridge.
Oh, I love that crabapple! So beautiful!
Glad to hear that Don is doing well and that you are surviving your time apart as well. I have that show on “My List” for Netflix but have not gotten to it as of yet. I am watching the BBC show Last Tango in Halifax. Have you seen it?
I really do like it. I am always drawn to the shows from BBC. I’ve always had an infatuation with England and everything/everyone there. My husband was stationed in England while on duty with the Air Force and he completely fell in love with it as well. One of the many loves we share. I’ve never had the blessing to visit but we plan to remedy that very soon. We would both love to retire to England and live full-time one day if it were possible.
I love the simplicity of their homes especially the kitchens. So many times you see the use of furniture in the kitchen for storage unlike the kitchens here in the states usually with too many cabinets in my opinion especially on the home shows.
We are in the middle of a renovation on our little kitchen. I won’t be installing upper cabinets and only one wall of lower cabinets will be installed with the sink and dishwasher. The main wall in my kitchen which is rather long will have three iron book shelves for storage. I can’t wait to finish up the renovation and see the finished product.
Thanks for this post. I hope you have a most lovely day Claudia.
Yes, we’re big fans of Last Tango in Halifax. It’s excellent. So glad you’re discovering it!
I could live in England in a nanosecond. Truly. We’re both Anglophiles, my ancestors come from Birmingham, England and I just feel at home there. Your renovation sounds wonderful, Belinda!
Oh, I like that crabapple! It’s finally sunny here, and for the next week plus, so I can finally do more planting. Actually, it wasn’t so much the weather, but the lack of soil and planter boxes. I have the soil but am waiting for the planters. I will do some planting today into my pots. I bought a hibiscus that is budding, so am looking forward to those bright red flowers.
No sun came out today. Disappointing! But I worked outside for a while, anyway. Hibiscus flowers are so beautiful, Wendy!
I really like the show as well and it is VERY refreshing to see that people don’t mind a small bedroom with an armoire. Most of the older cottages don’t have closets. It’s my dream to own a small cottage there and garden for the rest of my days.
Wouldn’t that be heaven?
Too bad for me, but I cancelled Netflix to get Hulu. Sounds like a great show.
Now Claudia, I know how you feel about the murder of animals. I understand it. But, a wood tick? You live in an area, as do I, that has a high rate of Lyme’s disease. Which is not something to ignore. It can have long lasting effects and sometimes is fatal. It is given to us by the wood tick. Not only can it give it to us, but the darn thing can give it to any animal that has the misfortune to come into contact with it. The deer. The horses. Someone’s dog. Henry. These things I think you can kill,and be guilt free. Just sayin’.
Trudy, I appreciate your concern, but lyme disease comes from deer ticks, not wood ticks. Wood ticks are much larger and while a bite from a tick is never fun, they don’t spread lyme disease. I know, believe me. I’ve had lyme, Don has had lyme twice and both of our dogs had lyme. And I worked in an animal hospital where we dealt with lyme all the time.
I will be checking out that show on Netflix….thanks for the tip. There was a ‘love it or list it’ type show from the U.K. on HGTV recently….that was refreshing as well! It’s a cold and rainy day here…no yard work again….although I’m sure my weeds will have been busy in my absence! Happy day to you! ;)
No rain, and it’s warmer here, but no sun, either. Sigh. Enjoy your day, Donnamae – maybe reading is on the docket?
For sure! ;)
xo
I may have been the one who suggested Escape to the Country, as I remember mentioning it here. Although I grew up in a six person family in a house with six bathrooms, my husband and I continue to live quite happily without an en suite bathroom. When our two children were still at home, we all somehow managed to survive with just one full and one half bath.
Well, thank you for that suggestion. I remembered it yesterday and I decided that it was time to investigate it and I love it.
It is cold here ~~ 35* on the thermometer, and…… wait for it….. it is snowing. Not sticking anywhere, but still… it is snowing ~ on the lilacs which just began opening yesterday. ugh and blergh.
We STILL live in a one bathroom house. We have talked over the years about adding another one, but it never happened. It was more difficult when the kids were still here, but I guess we never thought too much about it at the time and somehow we made it through the “horror” of it all!! We don’t have granite, either. It isn’t easy to get white appliances any longer, but we do them as special orders when needed. I am just not a fan of stainless. Old dog ~ new tricks, I guess!!
Sounds like Don is incredibly busy. When does his show open? I bet you are counting the days until you can make an escape to Margaritaville to see him. Enjoy your Thursday!
I lived in an older home as a child and teen. We rented out the top floor so there was just one tiny bathroom for the six of us. My DF never used bad language in front of us, but would occasionally go into the bathroom to have a good cussing session to let off some steam. My sister and I would listen at the door and of course start to giggle! He would come storming out and tell us to go to our room! More giggling ensued. He would also go down into the cellar and cuss about how fast the heating oil was going down in the tank. A real character with a heart of gold.
You have not let us share any new goings on with little Z. He must be getting so big, but he will never outgrow that smile
Best wishes from Best Bun.
Love that story about the cussing! It’s priceless!
I try to leave the stories to Meredith because she’s usually the one who tells me about the funny things he does and she has a blog, so I figure she has priority! But I talk to him frequently. He doesn’t understand that Don is not here but is in California, and his latest thing is to say “I thought I was going to talk to Uncle Don!” when he hears my voice. Oh, that Uncle Don!
Oh no! SNOW???? Enough already. The weather is crazy.
I like white appliances as well and would love to get rid of the black stove that we have. This house has one and a half baths, but this is the first time we’ve ever had that in our years together and I certainly didn’t have more than one bath when I was single!
I ask Don when the show opens and he can never remember!
I am enjoying that show too. So much better than House Hunters.
SO much better!
Hi Claudia, I was just thinking about your ant problem … I may say, how wonderful it’s snowing here. “My” ants will be back as soon as it gets warmer. So the reappearance of winter might be a good thing. Really? Hopefully, you are winning. Eventually. Good Luck! Regula
I might be winning…a little. There seem to be less of them, but they’re are still hanging around!
The English Country side is lovely. I have a lot of English ancestors on my maternal side. That bird is cute.
Marilyn
With a name like Hill – you can see that I’m loaded with English ancestors!
Loved your potpourri post, as per usual. I used to love House Hunters…up until the moment when the ‘holy trinity’ began to take over: granite countertops! Stainless steel appliances! open concept!, oh my! I find granite cold and unforgiving and a peril to my carefully-curated collection of vintage tableware. Stainless is…ho-hum…and as for the open concept—-I like having rooms. It feels cozier somehow when there are…you know, walls….and it means that when I sit down to dinner, I can leave behind the mess of the kitchen and just enjoy my guests. I echo the sentiments of your other readers—-we started simply and small when we chose our first home, and we were so very happy to have it. We wouldn’t have known how to make a list of ‘demands’ of that first home, and I can still remember feeling like I had won the lottery because there was a dishwasher in the kitchen—-what a bonus! I can’t tell how much of the sense of entitlement is real and how much is ‘producer-driven’ on HH, but it is off-putting nonetheless. And the ridiculousness that is ‘man cave’, etc….blech! Real people don’t talk that way, do they?
For all those reasons, the BBC show is a breath of fresh air. Takes me back to ‘old’ HH, when Suzanne Whang introduced the action.
All the best to Don as his project takes off!
Leslie P.
I suppose some of it is producer-driven because it seems scripted a great deal of the time.
Oh, Suzanne Whang! I forgot about her and I really liked her. She is missed.
I’ll have to check out Escape to the Country. Grew tired of House Hunters a long time ago. Truthfully, I’m done with most of the shows on HH. Wish they’d come up with something new and refreshing.
I don’t mind the terms “man cave” and “she shed”. I’ve never considered them a marketing ploy. We have a young friend who did indeed turn a small room in their house into his “man cave”. And I’ve seen bloggers turn sheds into their own personal spaces, thus calling it their “she shed”. Whatever one chooses to call them is rather endearing to me. I know, each to their own.
We have an en suite, but it’s very small. Just enough room for one person…a small sink, toilet, and shower (no tub). It’s the first place we’ve lived where we’ve had one. Growing up, both of us only had one bathroom for the entire family, too. And, Brian had to share the bathroom with four sisters and his parents. You make do, whatever the situation.
Glad to hear Don is doing well. I can’t imagine how much you must miss him. Brian was in CA for five days last week, visiting his sister and I missed him immensely.
It’s definitely hard to be apart this long. Don is especially feeling it nowadays with long days of rehearsals and feeling lonely.
Hi,Claudia! So happy when I find your post. It is like having a neighborly chat over the back fence.I will look for Escape to the Country,as I gave up on HGTV years ago. I sometimes wonder if I am watching British dramas and mysteries because of the terrific writing and acting or because I love the cottages! As I am rather new to your blog, I’m wondering if you read the Masie Dobbs series? (Jacqueline Winspear) Oh, what a beautiful photo of your Mother! Enjoy your lovely Springtime.xo
I’ve read some of the Maisie Dobbs series, Annette. Thank you for your kind words about my beautiful mother!
My husband and I have been enjoying Escape to the Country. I just sigh aloud when I see that gorgeous countryside!
We are still living in our first home, bought 40 yrs. ago. We shared one bathroom, with our two children. It was on the main floor, away from the bedrooms on the top floor. You should have seen us getting ready for school in the morning! (my husband and I were teachers) We have since done some remodeling, but nothing fancy. I am happy to say that we now have 2 full bathrooms :-)
Growing up, we just made do – I didn’t know that you could have more than one bathroom! It was hard, but we dealt with it. Eventually, when we were all older, my dad added a half bath (just a toilet and a sink) in the basement. But we hardly ever used it as it was too cold down there!
Love the crabapple photo! We have had the most rain since October ever, and that’s since 1895. Things are very soggy!
Oh, I hope it dries out for you soon!
Love the colors in the crabapple.
I agree with everything you’re saying about what we REALLY need in a house. You know, I got a new neighbor yesterday; bad one moved out and I was so hoping, that for the first time in over 60 years for this house I’m in, that somebody really nice would move in next door (it’s a big event…imagine two houses side by side, with original owners from the ’50s, two houses each only being owned by ONE family in all those years) but, so far, I’m feeling a bit crushed; what I’ve seen and heard, so far, isn’t anything that’s making me feel very good. The man of the family seems to have one major focus and that’s to take down my fence. I overheard all this while I was putting water in the birdbath out back. We just had this extremely long…property length from city sidewalk to top of a hillside…wood fence professionally installed not-even three years ago (cost A LOT of money to do), went over it with the City first, followed all ordinances for height restrictions, materials, etc. I’m allowed to fence in my own yard on my own property. Why would this new owner think this is his fence? Was he somehow misled by the realtor/former owner? Do first-time home buyers (assuming what this is) know nothing of a property line? Our property line is easily visible by a marker in the city sidewalk, placed there by the developer in the 1950s. Sigh. I was so upset yesterday that I couldn’t go to sleep til 2:30 this morning; couldn’t turn off my brain; husband was working out of town. So troubled. This man I overheard, actually said, “One of the first things I’m doing is taking out that ugly-a*s fence.” He appears to be a real blowhard and terribly loud, with every other word laced with a blue one…and they had a child hanging around in the background; I can’t imagine using language like that in front of a child! The guy wasn’t angry; it’s just apparently what he uses for everyday discourse.
Not how I wanted to start out a new relationship. But I had to get calm about it and think, “You know, Vicki, he can’t touch you. He starts to take down that fence, just call 911.” I hope it doesn’t come to that; our aim is to begin a conversation about it (a friendly one). I have every right on my side. It took everything in me not to storm over there and declare the fence ‘mine-all-mine’ but better judgment set in…to wait for my husband to get home and approach this reasonably, give some benefit of doubt, hope I misunderstood, etc. Just go at it calmly. I could have had a heart attack yesterday…I have risk factors for one…and can’t allow myself to get so upset. This is when I’m about ready to chuck it all for one of those zero-lot line/pre-fab houses in a gated community for ‘seniors’ (here, you still own the land but have homeowner’s association dues/fees along with the property taxes). A lot of people in my age group here in our area go to them; downsizing…and where the ‘rules’ can benefit you, like from a nutty neighbor who wants to tear down your fence.
Then, I was gone for four hours this afternoon between three cities with multiple errands and appointments in DRIPPING HUMIDITY; nearly 90 degrees at 6pm. I am wilted. April got far too hot for us Southern Californians; the wildflowers in the hills are wilted, too. We lost, I don’t know why, any Spring coolness, and it’s looking to be high 80s at least for the next SEVERAL days (Saturday is supposed to be brutal).
But my husband planted a flower patch and it’s coming up beautifully, so I’m taking a lot of pleasure in seeing the little green things growing; and my dog was so sick yesterday (have no idea what she would have gotten into except that she is very, very sensitive and I was overly-emotional yesterday, so I don’t know if it’s ME who made her get queasy and a bit loosey-goosey) but she’s much better today (or I would have never left her this afternoon) and that is such a relief, almost nothing else matters and I absolutely KNOW you know that feeling, Claudia; lov’in our girl dogs.
San Diego/La Jolla couldn’t be a more perfect place to debut a musical about Margaritaville; so fun to think of Don in ‘costume’.
Claudia, I bought the Target loft house. I just couldn’t resist. What’s up with us about the mid-century modern now??!! Something is pulling me to want to decorate it ala Fallingwater or something. (In terms of those furnishings! Although I can never be the doll house expert you are; I’m a novice! You’re a master decorator!) I’ve just never been able to forget the decorating you did with it, and I’m so intrigued with what I think IS a NYC/Manhattan loft (although I’ve technically never seen one!), I caved. They had one in the store and you can still get it online. It’s quite sturdy. You had the eye for it ‘way-back-when; it has a lot of possibilities. I’m hoping so much that with our further push this summer with home improvement (“remodeling”), that I can finally get my ‘girl-cave’ (oh, those terms; but, you know, my craft ‘room’/spare bedroom/desk) all together, so that I can display my miniatures, dollhouses (have two now), dolls, collection of children’s books, etc. (so that I can actually ‘play’ with them and enjoy them rather than everything be boxed up and out of the way for the inevitable ladders, sawhorses, paint cans, etc.).
So glad you bought the Loft! You’ll have fun with it. I am the same way about mid-century modern. Wouldn’t want it at all in my real house, but minis give you a chance to play around with it and that’s fun!
Sorry about your neighbor. Sigh. He needs to be informed that the fence is on your property line, not his. ASAP. I would have been upset, too!
Thanks for your thoughts. I’ve been waiting for my husband to get back into town…this week was a long one for me being alone; too much stress…and I agree there can be no waiting on the fence subject. I think this is when I’ll let it be a man-to-man conversation. If my husband wasn’t coming home this morning…say, he was gone for a multi-week assignment…I’d deal with it myself but, have to say, I feel intimidated/put off by this neanderthal. I heard enough and it’s not somebody I want to know although, to keep things neutral, I’ll wave from afar if he turns out to be more bark than bite.
Hopefully, he’s all bluster and he’ll calm down eventually. Fingers crossed!
I thoroughly enjoy your photos ! The crabapple photo made me linger, and linger. It’s beautiful !
Thank you for the info about “Escape To The Country”. I can’t wait to see this on Netflix. So far, I’ve been satisfying my interest in down-to-earth , simple living, with youtube videos.
I love visiting you.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Anita. I watched a couple more episodes of Escape to the Country last night. Sigh of happiness!