Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes! You warmed my heart, but then you always do. Don had to go into the city for an audition, so I hung around the cottage with Scout and did something that makes me very happy: I worked on the dollhouse.
I cut, I painted, I trotted back and forth from the dollhouse to the kitchen island. Scout didn’t quite know where to ‘settle.’ That order from Miniatures that I received the other day had several pieces of trim that I planned on using to trim out the windows in the bathroom and the office/craft room. But then I had an Aha! moment. I knew I had to do some trimming of the bits of wallpaper that extended beyond the walls, especially around the doorways. I was never happy with the way they looked. I was ready to pull out the exact knife (which I will do, eventually.)
Ummmm, Claudia? You might want to consider trimming out the doorways, just as you did the windows. Why didn’t I think of that sooner? I grabbed the trim I had on hand to do this:
Much better! There’s more on the kitchen side of the doorway and in the bedroom. I also added a lot of molding around the baseboards and ceilings. Still more to do on that front.
I cannot tell you how much I love creating this little dollhouse world. It makes me so happy!
Today I have to place an order to replenish my stock!
Don came home around 2:30 and we went out to dinner around 6-ish. We decided to go local and by local I mean just down the road. Incredibly, I’d never been in this restaurant in the 8 years we’ve lived here, even though it is local hangout. Lovely waitress…hold on a moment, is ‘serving person’ the correct way to say it nowadays? Anyway, it was Keri’s first day on the job, so we made sure to give the manager a thumbs up on her work. We had angel hair pasta with olive oil and tomatoes and onions and garlic, along with a salad and garlic bread. Keri surprised us with a mini pumpkin pie in honor of my birthday that was out-of-this-world-delicious!
Back at the ranch, I opened my presents. I like to open a wrapped present so I put the brakes on the idea of snow boots, which I would have had to select and try on, leaving the element of surprise completely out of the picture. Not that I was entirely surprised by my gifts, as I had specifically requested two of them.
The newest Lee Child, as I have been on the waiting list for it at my local library for a few months and I’m still number 163 in the queue. And Mary Oliver’s newest book of poems, all about dogs she has known and loved. Mary Oliver is my favorite poet. She makes my heart sing. She is wise. She is a nature and animal lover. She speaks to me.
Scout’s present for me was that little Keep Calm and Eat Cupcakes sign.
Speaking of cupcakes, Don had four of them waiting for me. They were decorated with my name – in icing! I haven’t had any of them yet as I was too stuffed from dinner. But, they’re waiting for me. Yummy!
Lots of Birthday wishes on Facebook and on this blog, so my cup does indeed ‘runneth over.’
Finally, like many of you, I have been watching a lot of vintage footage from the day President Kennedy was assassinated. I remember exactly where I was. I had just turned 11 the day before. I was in art class at my school when we were ushered back to our classroom with the words “The President has just been shot.” We were sent home and by the time I reached my house, which was just two blocks from school, the world knew he had died. We sat in front of our television for the next three days. We saw Jack Ruby shoot Lee Harvey Oswald, as it happened. We cried and cried.
Such a terrible time, such a horrendous loss. I truly believe that everything changed from that moment. Nothing has ever been the same. Innocence was lost, hopes and dreams were crushed.
Fifty years.
Today, I’m honoring the memory of President Kennedy and of Officer Tippet, who was also gunned down by the despicable Oswald on that fateful day.
Have a good Friday.
Happy birthday, Claudia! It sounds like a perfect day! The dollhouse is so charming and I love how the trim looks…I can see why it makes you so happy!
It sure does, Linda!
Your doll house is looking good. I admire your color choices. Mine needs lots of work yet, but this time of year it seems every thing gets second place to Christmas gifts. Lots of sewing going on here.
Smiles to you.
Linda
Thanks so much, Linda!
Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday.
My experience 50 years ago today was much like yours. It was so traumatic for the country and for children especially; much like 911 has been. I remember trembling after hearing the news of JFK’s murder. What might have been? We will always wonder.
Just what Don and I were speculating about, Carolyn – what might have been?
Belated birthday wishes. I turned 70 in March. I may look it but I don’t feel it. Life is full and very good. I love Jack Reacher and your doll house. I like to monkey with crafts and collage, scrapbooking and making mini cardboard houses but I don’t think I could do the good work that you do!
I don’t feel my age either, Gayle. Thank goodness!
You get such joy from you dollhouse and it makes me smile! Sounds like a yummy dinner and oh yes, cupcakes!! The Jack Reacher book is wonderful! You will enjoy. Wishing you a great weekend! I too have had many thoughts on this day 50 years ago…so sad and yes all of our lives changed that day!
hugs,
Linda
They sure did change, Linda.
I will have a cupcake this afternoon with a cup of tea.
A belated Happy Birthday to you, Claudia. I am so happy that you are having a great day and have cupcakes waiting for you in the offing. I have not read that book, either, but it looks like a good one. How great that you got your own hardcover.
You are right- America changed the day JFK was shot- it was the end of an age of innocent belief in the goodness/rightness of man on so many levels. As soon as the announcement was made the school busses pulled into the school yard within minutes. I had an hour long bus ride. One of the kids had a transistor radio which was almost unheard of at that time. He played it in the bus and it cut in and out of radio contact as we wove our way through the mountains to our house. I remember my father had tears in his eyes watching the events unfold. I had never seen him cry before that. Great post-Claudia- xo Diana
Such a sad memory, Diana.
Belated Birthday Greetings, Claudia. Things have been busy and I’m catching up on blogs. Your doll house is adorable. What a fun project!
I, too, remember hearing the news about President Kennedy. I was in Grade Two and we were sent home early in the afternoon. And that was a Canadian school! Hard to believe 50 years have passed.
It’s almost impossible to believe so much time has passed, Lorrie. Thank you for the birthday greetings.
Love your dollhouse. The trim makes so much difference! And your present from Scout! Just perfect. I also remember where I was. I was only three, but I remember my Mom crying uncontrollably, (I had never seen her cry before). And I remember watching the funeral on T.V. Very sad.
Blessings,
Betsy
So very sad, Betsy. One of the most shocking events of our time, I think.
Belated Happy Birthday wishes to you Claudia. It sounds like you had a scrumptious day! Love the gift Scout got for you, clever dog.
I love the trim work on your dollhouse. Need to do that on ours once we get to that point. Still stripping wallpaper and pulling up floors!
My first birthday was just 8 days after the death of President Kennedy. My mom told me that the exciting 1st birthday plans became very subdued. Even up here in Canada, we were affected. I grew up being fascinated by this family and even gave our youngest daughter the middle names “Rose” and “Kennedi”. Our small tribute.
Enjoy your cupcakes today!
And such a lovely tribute, Chy.
I’m so glad you had a nice birthday. Loved your gift from Scout. That girl has good taste! I’ve sent you a wonderful picture of President Kennedy. I was a Senior in HS and I remember being sent home early. Mom and I watched the TV for days. I was thinking about it the other day and I think that was the beginning of play by play news reporting, maybe I’m wrong.
I think you’re absolutely right, Annette. That was at the beginning of what would eventually become 24 hour news coverage.
So glad you had an enjoyable birthday:) Love how the dollhouse is coming along.
It was a very nice, low-key day, Dawn.
Claudia, I’m Loving your doll house work. It looks fabulous!
As I read comments in my local paper to day,remembering that black day in history.
The comments following, were astounding to me! Written in all by people very young either not born,or very young when this happened. All of them so far, ALL of them reflected on the gossip and rumors and garbage that has been spread?(for lack of a better word) since that time. I have 4 daughters that suffer from Addisons disease,and they even have that part so wrong. What ever did or didn’t happen,over 50 years ago,None of us were there! What we do know and did see was an innocent man the Leader of the Greatest,(one of )the Greatest Countries in the World murdered in cold blood. Leaving the world to wonder just as you and I ,what might have been. The same question We ask when we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, and Bobby Kennedy.All three great civil rights leaders of our time. -Judy A-
Those people are choosing to traffic in rumor and innuendo. I find it very troubling. I’m sorry you had to read all of that.
Yes, Don and I were speaking about it this morning, that soon after Kennedy’s assassination, we would see the same thing happen to Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy. How could we ever be the same?
Pie, cupcakes, books and new decorations, time to work on your projects! That sounds like an excellent birthday indeed! I am SO impressed with your dollhouse building! The detail is just exquisite!
Oh thank you very much, Ellen!
Claudia – I was so happy to hear your birthday was a nice one!! How can you go wrong when books, pasta, and pumpkin pie are involved!!! Your gifts were lovely, also!! Today is such a sad day…. I was 10 at the time, but remember like it was yesterday…. Such a sad day in our nation’s history…. Francine
I agree, Francine. I feel like we are awash in memories of that terrible day.
Glad you found a good local restaurant at which to enjoy your birthday, Claudia… Love that “cupcakes” sign too.
Like you, I remember that day in November like it was yesterday. As the oldest in my family, I’m the only one of us who does [the rest of my sibs were pre-schoolers]. I was in the second grade at Mother of Sorrows School. We were about to have our weekly spelling test. But I don’t remember having it. Instead we knelt on the terrazzo floor and said the Rosary for the first Catholic President of the United States. More important to 7-year old me though, was my parents’ reaction to the news. I’ll never forget the sad, deeply-serious look on my dad’s face that whole weekend. He was glued to the television coverage – totally out of character for my very active dad who was usually at work on all kinds of home projects on the weekends. I know he admired the Kennedys very much – and his reaction had a lasting impression on me. Unbelievable to think all that was 50 years ago.
Truly unbelievable that so much time has elapsed since then, Janet.
Glad you had such a nice birthday…that simple pasta dish is one of my faves. And what better gifts than books? At least, it would be for me. I have just about every Mary Oliver book. I was only a year old when President Kennedy was shot, so of course, I don’t remember it. My mom had always told me about it though and what she was doing at the time, etc.
Do you have this newest Mary Oliver, Melanie?
The details on your dollhouse are incredible! Happy belated birthday, Claudia!
Thank you, Vickie!
You birthday dinner sounds yummy..Who could ever forget that day…so so sad..
It was very yummy, Nancy!
Sounds like a fantastic dinner you had…but you got lots of exercise running back and forth from the kitchen to the dollhouse! Great trim details, btw! Enjoy those cupcakes! ;)
We’re going to have some cupcakes after dinner, Donna!
Happy Birthday Claudia…Yes ..a very sad Day..I’ll never forget it..
Thank you, Missy!
Hi Claudia!
So sorry to be tardy in extending the happiest of birthday wishes to you! Sounds like you had such a lovely birthday, spent doing the things you love, with the people you love. Happy happy happy belated birthday! We believe in rolling birthdays over here, stretching the chocolate deliveries out as long as one can, or that’s my philosophy at any rate hahahahaha.
Loving your dollhouse posts, so much fun.
I love Mary Oliver too – you’ve reminded me that I got her new doggy book for myself and it is still where it landed when I bought it – I’m having a head cold that will not leave me. drat drat drat and there’s not been much movement over here.
I just did a post about today too. I was nine years old, in third grade. A school classmate came home from lunch and told us and we thought she was making it up. It couldn’t possibly be true.
Happy weekend!
Thanks for the birthday wishes, Sally!
Happy Birthday Claudia! You look fabulous, guess what, I thought your were about 40! ( Of course I have weary old 70 year old eyes! ) lol , Here is wishing you a year filled with happiness and good health seriously.
Belated but heartfelt wishes for another blessed year,dear Claudia! And thank-you for allowing your beautiful presence to shine amongst so many via your blog.P.S.Your decorating advice was just the best,so inclusive and iñviting:)
Happy Birthday, Claudia!
Hope you enjoyed those cupcakes – they did have your name on them’, after all!
All the best in health, love and happiness, in the year ahead, and always!
xo
Poppy