The finished puzzle. I particularly loved this one. And so did Don as he has always loved this form of artistry. He purchased a couple of framed woodblock prints not long after we met. We still have them. This was a Cavallini puzzle. They are always quite beautiful and come in a cylinder, rather than a box. All of the pieces are contained in a cloth bag. I’ve done a few in the past. I just glanced at the other Cavallini puzzles available on Amazon and I think I’m going to have to do another one. By the way, these woodblocks are the artistry of Kawase Hasui.
Sunny today – rare, lately! We’ve had – what else is new? – a LOT of rain. And we’re due for more Saturday and Sunday. It did turn sunny in the afternoon yesterday and it’s lovely right now. But it’s hard for me to imagine the ground drying out. Ever.
More egg cups:
A series of Japanese egg cups: on the left, a dog, then a little boy dressed as a cowboy, another little boy with a scarf around his neck and a blue cap, and on the right, a little boy and his dog. I have them displayed in adjoining cubbies. They should be able to chat with each other, don’t you think? All of them are vintage.
I realize that when I say vintage I am often using 2000 as my guide to count backwards. Isn’t that strange? We’re more than twenty years beyond 2000! Just like I think the nineties were about 15 years ago. Ummm….no.
Wooden people egg cups in this photo.
On the left, an egg cup from Italy, made by Sevi. They made a series of these egg cups and they all came with a knit cap to keep the egg warm. They’re still accessible on eBay, but sometimes the knit cap is missing. I believe this one was a gift from a reader, but darned if I can remember who. (Too many names of students, actors, directors, childhood friends, fellow grad school students and readers to remember!) I love this little girl.
On the right, another wooden egg cup made in Japan. A sailor. I have a feeling he had some sort of hat, as well, but it was long gone when Don came upon it in a local antique shop. Ahem… Scout came upon it, because it was a gift from her.
Remember our talk about visits from beyond? Last Friday, I had two from my mom: one while I was sitting in my chair – the distinct smell of Oil of Olay, and another later in the day when I was driving home from my errands.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
jeanie says
I love these egg cups and how you grouped them. Interesting about vintage. The other night Rick and I were talking about the music we often hear in restaurants is from our generation — oldies for sure, music from the 70s and 80s — 40 years ago. Yet, when we went to similar (college town) restaurants in the 70s and 80s, did we ever hear music from the 30s or 40s? I don’t remember hearing that at all.
That’s a stunning puzzle. I might have to get that one. It’s really a stunner. I’m a fan of woodblock prints, too and these are lovely.
Claudia says
I don’t know. Luckily, I have parents who played that era of music all the time, so I was an appreciator of the 30s and 40s. I do think that era of music was played, but more often on AM radio – like WJR in Detroit, which my mom listened to all day long.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Vicki says
Love the egg cups; love that they’re vintage; thank you for sharing them with your readers!
We had rain and thunder here in SoCalif yesterday afternoon although we’d awakened to sunshine after two inches of rain (previous) and weren’t supposed to get anymore. It’s amazing when there are still water droplets on leaves of grass HOURS after a soaking, when the sun’s been out for a while, but the ground is SO saturated and we are VERY wet here.
Claudia says
So are we. I can’t even walk in the secret garden. Months of rain have done some damage.
Stay safe.
Wendy T says
Claudia, the puzzle looked familiar but your description nailed it…my Mom has the same puzzle but we haven’t worked on it yet.
Love the Japanese theme running through the blog today with the egg cups (plus the one Italian one).
Preparing for a renovation so decluttering is first up so I can make space to store the bedroom furniture and all the cartons that will be packed. I’m at the point where I have to be ruthless. No more “oh, we can recycle ALL those take-out containers”…. I’m going to need to go through my fabrics and needlework supplies. Not looking forward to that but at least there’s a craft consignment shop in town so I may get some money for the items. I know I can rent a POD or storage space, but this forces me to look, really look, at what I have. Daughters are doing the same but their sense of urgency is different from mine.
Claudia says
Oh, you need to be ruthless, Wendy! And FEEL ruthless, which is even more important!
Good luck.
Stay safe.
Donnamae says
I’m so glad you are bringing us your egg cups once again. They are absolutely lovely. I find it humorous that everything I like nowadays, is vintage…including myself. (I had the privilege of completing another trip around the sun this week.)
It’s raining here today. Our 70+ degree weather has temporarily left us, and we are back to the 40’s. All trace of snow is gone, birds are back…though I haven’t seen a Robin yet. Our grass is greening up, iris’s are popping up, and expectations are high for an early spring.
Beautiful puzzle. Enjoy your day! ;)
kathy in iowa says
happy belated birthday, donnamae!!! hope it was one of your most favorite days yet and spent exactly as you wanted.
what day is your birthday?
yes, getting older is a privilege. not always easy, but a privilege.
also, jimmy buffett has a beautiful duet with martina mcbride from about fifteen years ago. it’s called “trip around the sun” from a fun album (“license to chill”) and it’s one of my favorites from jimmy. worth more than a listen.
we have lots of birthdays in my family this month … seven of them, plus a tough time and bittersweet (11th) anniversary to recognize. today is my mother’s and brother’s birthday; my sister’s and mine is march 18.
anyway, hope you are having another good day today and will have a great weekend. stay safe!
kathy
Donnamae says
Thank you! March is a big month in my family too. My mom’s was last Monday…hoping she celebrated in heaven. Mine was Wednesday, my best friends’s is today, and my first born’s is Monday. And one of my DIL’s is the 29th. Busy busy. I’m sure I’ve heard the Jimmy
Buffet duet, but I’ll have to listen again….thanks for the suggestion.
You have a great weekend too! ;)
Claudia says
Happy Belated Birthday, Donnamae! I hope you had a wonderful day with loved ones.
Birds are singing away here! I love birdsong.
Stay safe.
Donnamae says
Thank you! After I commented, I saw my first Robin. Now I’m convinced it’ll be an early spring! ;)
Claudia says
xoxo
Elaine in Toronto says
It must have been comforting to have those visits from your mom. Loved your selection of egg cups today, especially the “boy and his dog”. Such a worried expression on his little face. Your jigsaw puzzle is quite stunning.
Enjoy your weekend. Hugs, Elaine
Claudia says
I love worried expressions. One of my Blythes has one and she reminds me of me.
Stay safe, Elaine.
Barrie says
More fun egg cups! And that is a beautiful puzzle of Japan. My parents lived there in the 50s and had pictures in front of the big Buddha. I was there in 2014 with my niece, who lived there for about a year, and we had our picture taken in front of the same Buddha. Great to see the woodcuts of familiar sights. Happy Friday!
Claudia says
Lucky you! Don and I would love to visit Japan.
Thanks, Barrie.
Stay safe.
kathy in iowa says
claudia, i am so glad you had those visits from your mother!!! thank you for sharing them here with us.
the puzzle looks beautiful. and such sweet egg cups! my favorite from today’s groups is the dog.
thankful that you’re getting some sun. and for the mist-y rain we’ve been getting here for the past couple of hours. not really adding up to much, but feels good. stood out on my parents’ deck in it for several minutes to enjoy it and had a nice surprise … earl stayed in the tray feeder eating cracked corn and a mix of seeds and didn’t run from me, like he knows he can trust me … sweet.
had a busy morning so that the afternoon will be quieter. glad for that. about 270 pages left in “war and peace” so should finish it before the end of this month. will finish knitting another hat today. among other things, made a lot of chili and a birthday cake and washed fabric that i found in a small shop yesterday. unlike the fabric i ordered online (that was not “mushroom brown”, but much more purple-y, i think this new fabric will be perfect for the back of my grandparents’/parents’ old wicker settee … very pleased about that. and if anyone wants that other fabric, please let me know. i will tell you exactly what it is and will send it to you for free. because it really is pretty fabric. i just am not looking for something with a purple cast to it. same with some nice brown fabric with little dots on it.
we are soon heading outside for a walk (if it’s dry) or indoors (if it’s still mist-y), then going on a car ride. then having birthday cake in honor of my mother (in Heaven) and my brother (who’s working).
hope you all are having a good day. stay safe.
kathy
Claudia says
Glad Earl feels safe with you! Bless his heart.
Stay safe, Kathy.
kathy in iowa says
i don’t want earl to lose his natural guard around people, to disregard his instincts and be unsafe … but it sure made me smile that he just kept on eating while i stood still nearby, that he saw me as a food-putter-outer and friend, not a foe.
thanks, claudia. happy, safe saturday to you and don.
kathy
Claudia says
xo
Linda MacKean says
That is a lovely puzzle. I enjoy the Japanese culture so much. As I’m finding new homes for some of my parents things I discovered that my Grandgirl Scout loves all things Japanese and so some of the things my Dad collected from his year of duty in Japan she has gladly taken. I love sharing the family treasures. I think when I move I’ll bring out the egg cups again. They have been packed away but I need to enjoy them while I can.
Claudia says
I tried to find my Japanese doll, given to me when I was a child by my cousin (who served there in the Army). I have no idea where it is! And that’s distressing!
When are you planning to move, Linda?
Stay safe.