• As I work on this quilt, ensconced in my chair, I often channel surf. Since Don isn’t here, I sometimes stop and see what’s happening on HGTV.
Sigh.
I find very little of interest there. I really used to like HGTV, especially in its early days. There were shows about quirky and interesting homes. There was content based on actual real life decorating. Now, ever since they hit on their formula for House Hunters, it seems as if every show is just another variation. Formula: Find 2 or 3 properties, pretend the ‘buyer’ is actually making their decision in real time, though we now know they’ve already made the decision before filming begins, then show a lot of construction shots, problems that crop up that are magnified to hold the viewer’s interest through the ensuing commercial, and staged scenes of the private life of the buyers and/or flippers, i.e., a scene of Chip and Joanna doing something with their kids or the Property Brothers or the sweet blogging couple in Home Town bowling with friends to coordinate with a visit to a bowling alley to get old floors for a countertop. It’s all so predictable. I find I can’t get past it. I tuned into Home Town because it’s a new show and I know of the blogger and her husband who are behind it. I’m cheering them on, of course, but I was so disappointed – not in their work – but in HGTV’s choice to do more of the same. Same formula as every other show. I think they deserve better.
Yesterday there was show based on the House Hunters formula – called House Hunters Renovation. When I saw a scene (obviously staged) where a couple walked into a beautiful Craftsman home, looked at the stunningly beautiful original tiles(!) surrounding the fireplace and basically said they were ‘too vintage’ and needed to be ripped out, I screamed at the television and turned it off.
Okay. End of my rant about HGTV, which used to be really neat (to yours truly) but is now bland and boring (and sometimes enraging.)
• I received another Nancy Drew in yesterday’s mail. If this one looks different to you, you’re right. It is. Russell H. Tandy designed four covers (#23 – #26) that were done in the forties and were obviously part of one of the many changes in design over the years. The font at the top is different, no longer in script form.
The spine has also changed. Numbers 1 through 22 have a white spine. Starting with #23, the illustration wraps around the spine.
I must confess I like the white spine versions the best, but since I’m collecting all of Tandy’s cover illustrations, I am making an effort to find #23 – 26. The Mystery of the Tolling Bell is #23. It’s in great condition.
• I’m watching Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O’Donnell, reading updates on Twitter. To me, there is nothing more important right now than what is happening with Trump/Russia and the changes he is making to all those programs that were Obama’s legacy – laws that protect our water, air, land, children, education, health, quality of life.
I trust that, in the end, the whole lot of them will be brought down. I’m already planning my celebration party.
• Don messaged me a photo last night. He was standing in front of the end of Route 66 sign in Santa Monica. Congratulations, husband – You did it!
Happy Tuesday.
Love that Don made that trip on Route 66! I’m so troubled by the news but I must force myself to keep current. It’s the country I live in and I am angry at Trump for tearing it down…or trying too. We must stay vigilant and fight him! HGTV is so much of the same I also have stopped watching most of it. I watched Home Town and it was cute but predictable! I’m finding I’m loving more and more of the British tv series I find on Netflix. Hugs!
I used to love HGTV as well but can no longer watch it for the same reasons as you. I watched a few of the House Hunters International shows to see where I used to live in Europe but had to stop because I got fed up with Americans wanting American style homes in Europe. Surely there are enough viewers who want original programs instead of all the cookie cutter real estate junk. I’m glad Don made it safely to CA and got to travel Route 66. That’s a road trip I’d love to take someday!
I am so relieved to know I am not alone in my displeasure with HGTV!!! I have always had to operate on a very limited shoe string budget when decorating, remodeling, and whatever. To do it any other way would limit the fun…or least that is what I have convinced myself into believing-ha! Lately, it infuriates me to see all the “pros” go into old homes and destroy cabinets, doors, windows, old bath and kitchen fixtures–all in the name of restoring the home! Being raised by a very thrifty and frugal grandma, to see such vulgar waste is just that, vulgar! I realize some items are beyond redemption, but to just go at these things with a sledge hammer for the sake of filming for tv and gaining a viewing audience is getting very OLD. I loved to watch Rehab Addict and feel a sense of sadness as it appears that gal has lost her “golden egg goose”. Her unique way of recycling everything appealed to my brand of remodeling! When the Gaines dynamic duo hit the big time and turned HGTV around, I was one of their biggest cheerleaders! Being fellow Texans didn’t hurt either :-) But, I find myself turning the channel when I see them now. They have saturated the market! I hope they are smart and tucking money away left and right, because I fear a quick “burn out”. They are EVERYWHERE you look. Wow, didn’t mean to be so wordy–guess I have deep seated issues regarding HGTV!!! LOL But, my disappointment is not only with HGTV, but also FoodNetwork (really just how many cupcake shows and Chopped can one person take???), and TLC…appears I have a problem with cable programming. My intent was to mention a series on Netflix a family member just alerted me to…it is called “Escape to the Country Collection”. It is basically a British version of House Hunters…I for one never tire of watching the British countryside, listening to their adorable accents, even their OLD, tiny, quirky cottages are a visual treat—and the GREEN landscape, gardens,—swoon :-) So glad to hear your hubby was able to fulfill an item on his bucket list—Route 66!! I recently watched a great segment about Rt. 66, Andrew Zimmern featured on his foodie show. I really do engage in more than watching tv–ha! I hope you have a great day! Thank you for sharing the wonderful photos of NY!!! It was great getting to go on a mini vacation in my comfy jammies :-)
What happened in terms of losing her ‘golden egg goose?’ I don’t understand. I like that show as well. I’ll take your advice and watch that British show on Netflix – sounds like it’s right up my alley.
I think you’ll love Escape to the Country. No granite countertops, no contrived tension/dissension, no repetition as if designed for those with short term memory loss.
So interesting. I just read all the comments after leaving my own, and a continuing rant is about those granite countertops! I’ve always thought they’re just ugly. But it’s all the younger buyers, like first-time ones, who go on and on about them! The ‘remodeled’ house next door to me has gone on the market and those granite counters they put in look SO out of place in a 1950s-era tract home. And, further yuck, black & white granite does NOT look good with brown-stained cabinets. It makes me cringe; I have to look away.
Yay! Oh you’re so right about the ‘contrived tension/dissension.’ Makes me want to throw the tv out the window.
Kudos to Don! I record a few HGTV shows…watch the very beginning, then skip to the end to see the final products. Saves frustration on my part. There’s a show on DIY called “Restored”….the host restores homes to their former beauty. Clients have modest budgets for the most part, and I’ve found it quite interesting. He’s very conscious of what is appropriate for the era of the home…think you might like that one.
I’m staying on top of the news these days…but I’m not seeking out extra info. I decided to use my time to begin my spring cleaning. My brain is appreciating the respite. Your quilt is beautiful…love those colors! ;)
I’d like to see that show, but we eliminated some channels on our cable to save money – so we don’t get DIY anymore. Maybe it will eventually be on Netflix.
Loved your post today. I’m also done with HGTV, and I used to love it. I refuse to watch House Hunters…just nothing there for me in that show or the many others in that boring format! I’d rather watch reruns (if there were any) of Kitty Bartholomew or Mary Emmerling, or Candace What’shername, or the many other interesting designers and projects that use to fill the HGTV lineup. Boring people, bothered by paint colors, deciding which boring house they’ll decide upon just infuriates me! I want to see someone actually doing something creative, appreciating lovely vintage touches and imagining lovely changes that aren’t the ones we see on every other show and web page.
So glad—and a little jealous— that Don has made his trip and that he is now in my hubby’s hometown. Keep us posted about the adventures he’s sure to have in these next few weeks.
I loved all those shows! So much more interesting. HGTV has become formulaic and boring.
Claudia, hurray Don has fulfilled a fun goal…66 @ 66! I had to laugh at your HGTV rant. I no longer watch Food Network because everything now is a competition show or a cooking show hosted by an actor or obviously overweight hosts choosing down on foods people should eat in moderation . I stick with PBS for cooking shows. Well, health care “reform” shot itself in the foot. We can only hope other destructive deconstruction also fall by the wayside.
I hate the competition shows. Reality tv has ruined everything!
I used to love HGTV, too! They used to have great gardening shows with lots of good information, but then it seemed like they completely stopped that. I never watch HGTV now, but I guess a lot of it has to do with demographics. Glad Don has reached his destination safely. Love the latest Nancy Drew book.
I know! When is the last time we saw a gardening show on HGTV?
Claudia, in response to your question regarding Nicole Curtis of Rehab Addict and her problems…I feel a bit gossipy mentioning these things, but I read them in public places. Seems she had some legal troubles with her own mother after the death of her grandmother, ongoing problems with the father of her baby, and just last week my hubby alerted me to a story he heard on the radio concerning legal matters with the city of Minneapolis. I keep watching and hoping she will be filming new segments, but it appears she isn’t. I have to agree with Shanna. I miss Kitty Bartholomew! As a side note, I subscribe to “Yankee” magazine and have received notifications they will be airing a new show on PBS beginning next month. I can’t recall the name, but do remember it will feature my BELOVED New England and items of interest contained there–maybe old houses, food, pets, gardens??? I hope!!!
I liked her show a lot. I hope things get better for her.
I loved Kitty Bartholomew! Miss her a lot.
I agree about HGTV and also the food shows. I always say thank God I read and when I feel out of sorts I go to the library and spend the afternoon or to the senior centre for Papertole or Watercolour. There is a new art form that I just found on the internet about tangles; a stress reliever. Walking 8000 steps a day helps too. Many years ago I quit watching the news or reading it at night and found I slept better. When my husband was away a lot just being with people I didn’t know helped. Nidia
We stopped the news for a long time after the election, but now, besides being reprehensible, it’s more interesting than any spy novel I’ve ever read.
100 and 10% with you about HGTV.
isn’t it sad how good programs morph into dull, boring shows!
just an fyi: my husband shut off all cable news after the election. and it was pretty good around here. but now, we, too, like you, are finding Rachael and Lawerence amazing! let’s hope good will prevail!
thanks, again, Claudia, for sharing.
Hard not to at this point. Hearing what wiser people than I am have to say is important. And Rachel! She is brilliant.
I remember years ago watching This Old House. I think it was a first on TV at the time. We looked forward to it every Sunday afternoon. Then HGTV came along, and it was such fun watching show after show!! Trading Spaces on Saturday nights was a favorite. The shows with Kitty Bartholomew and that lady who lived in Minneapolis and did the Trash to Treasures was so interesting. I could relate to those shows. This new HGTV makes me a bit crazy. When they start with “take down this wall,,, oh, we have to have granite”… and then they start using hammers to tear down cupboards and woodwork, I scream, too. Why don’t they donate those items to Habitat for Humanity resale shops? We bought a whole set of old cupboards we put in our garage for storage. Such nonsense and what a complete waste!!
It is so interesting to read how so many of us turned off all news following Nov. 8 and now are back watching Rachel and Lawrence every night. I love the opening of every TRMS as I learn SO MUCH every night!! It is just such a horrific mess. I don’t think anyone could write this script to make a movie as I don’t think it has an easy to follow (or solveable) plot, and there are way too many “characters” in all of this craziness. Hope you have a great Tuesday (we actually are seeing a bit of sun ~ but won’t see it again until Saturday).
It’s all about the ‘selfie’ generation. That says it all.
I learn so much from Rachel. She is amazing. Just last night I told my sister I had to GET OFF the phone because Rachel was starting!
I feel like I have disenfranchised from most of the programs on TV.
I agree. I keep retreating to movies I’ve recorded, like from TCM. It makes one wonder about the future of network and cable TV.
Agree with you, Tana. I feel the same way.
I so agree on HGTV and ohmyGOSH! the magnolia market pair are PAST the saturation point! I live in West Texas and there are several “arty” towns close by, Marfa, Alpine, Bandera, Fredericksburg etc , and the influx of decorator types is HUGE. The ONLY upside to me is that perhaps my red state will turn a little bluer.
I have lived on or near Route 66 most of my life, thru New Mexico and Texas, your husband saw some beautiful country.
Coping mechanism….embroidering ocotillo plants on cup towels while watching MSNBC. Waiting for his downfall…..
As with all these things, they will saturate the market and people will get tired of them. See it all the time. The amount of people who are trekking to visit “The Silos” dumbfounds me. I looked at the first edition of their magazine and found very little content that was memorable and it sure wasn’t worth the money.
There’s really nothing much I watch on HGTV anymore either. My husband and I, years ago, would really get into the design house giveaway they’d do once a year.
But if I hear one more of those whining ‘buyer’ couples talk about open floor plans (tearing out walls) or wanting to replace perfectly-decent kitchen countertops with granite, granite, granite…yes, I’ll scream, too. And everything in the kitchen has to be stainless steel. Yuck. I can’t wait to replace my stainless steel sink; I want a white porcelain sink like what came with my house back in the day! I feel like when I’m standing at my ‘metal’ sink, I’m camping in a trailer or something.
These buyers…they don’t look at the bones of a house; they’re more interested in how their stuff will fit…or something as silly as wall color, which is an easy fix. (There are so much bigger things to think of, like electrical/plumbing, foundation, roof, property drainage/slope, etc.!) And why is an ‘ensuite’ bedroom SO important? My husband never wanted a house where the bathroom was so close to the clothes closet anyway (dampness; we had a brand-new house once with this set-up [1992, in the Southeast; much-more affordable homes there, than in SoCalif which is where we were from, so it was such a treat to have that home], with big double doors within the master into the gigantic bathroom with an even third ‘room’-within-the-room for the toilet; if you didn’t shut the double doors, the bedroom would fill up with steam from the shower…but then, if you DID shut them, and then open them afterward, the bedroom filled up with steam anyway!).
Another thing that bugs me: Just what exactly is the big deal about recessed lighting? Whatever happened to nice table lamps and hanging lamps? I find those recessed lights in a ceiling to be quite distracting. Under-cabinet lighting in a kitchen is nice, yes; functional. So you can see what you’re chopping or kneading…
The only thing, recently (along these lines in terms of TV shows), where I’ve recorded a few of the episodes, is something called Boat Buyers on the Travel channel because it is said to highlight areas people are interested in boating IN, like Lake Erie or some other interesting place I’ve never been, such as Mackinac Island (I think another episode I recorded was something about the Wilmington, NC area; river and ocean environment). We’ll see if I stick with it. I’m not into boats, but I’m definitely into geography/travel.
Fun thing I’ve previously stumbled upon on the web, which I go back into from time to time: SAVE THE PINK BATHTUBS website. I have a 1950s pink bathtub! My mom bathed me in it when I was a toddler. Here’s the first couple of paragraphs on the ‘retro’ site: “5 million pink bathrooms — I believe that pink was the single-most popular color for bathrooms in the 1950s, and estimate that some 5 million pink bathrooms — maybe even 10 million !! — went into the 20 million+ homes built in the United States from 1946-1966. I can’t imagine this is easy to prove one way or another. My estimate is based on intense scrutiny of time capsule homes for more than 10 years. I’m declaring: 1 in 4 — at minimum — mid-century homes had a pink bathroom.
“Mamie Pink” – First Lady Mamie Eisenhower was pivotal in popularizing the color, which is often referred to as “Mamie Pink” or “First Lady Pink.” Her husband President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent her pink flowers every morning. She re-decorated the private quarters in the White House in pink — so much so that reporters called it the “Pink Palace.” And, the bathroom in her Gettysburg retirement home was pink down to the cotton balls. Postwar exuberance — The popularity of pink, along with classic 50s colors like turquoise, chartreuse and candy apple red, reflects the exuberance of the postwar era.”
A baby boomer kind of thing!
I don’t care about re-sell and ‘modernizing’ my pink tub bathroom! I will NEVER change out my pink bathtub. When I was a kid in this house, there was a matching free-standing sink and toilet also in the same pink. I remember it so well. I wish my parents had never remodeled that stuff in the 1960s-1970s. As it is, because it’s disintegrating, we’re going to have to replace the shower stall in the other bathroom (3/4 bathroom), which is gonna kill me. It’s pink and burgundy tile; 1955. I’m going to try to see if we can save even one square of the burgundy but I tried doing that in my 1923 cottage (forest green tile from the 1930s) and they just couldn’t pull it out without chopping it up too much.
My former physician’s house went up for sale this summer; custom-built, LARGE, sprawling California ranch home encased in beautiful oak trees…and the tile in one bathroom is vibrant turquoise; almost a turquoise aquamarine. Nobody else lived in the house but that family through all the many years; built in 1957. The house was subsequently rehabbed thoughtfully by a flipper, although it didn’t need much done…for instance, they pulled up carpet to polish up concrete flooring (I guess it wasn’t a raised foundation but instead slab); the house is all concrete, glass and light wood; very, very spacious (and quite stunning, although a mid-century house is never my favorite, yet it somehow also calls to me, which is confusing but I guess it’s because it also feels familiar, since these were the homes of my youth). Anyway, the flipper kept that marvelous tile bathroom and I’m crazy over it. All the rooms are so big in that house, but the doctor had five kids; they needed a lot of space!
Something that has now also worn itself out with me are all the shows about The Tiny House movement. I’m over it.
“popularity of pink, along with classic 50s colors like turquoise, chartreuse and candy apple red, reflects the exuberance of the postwar era” – we’ve talked here of Bauer pottery before; how I treasure my mom’s wonderfully-intact (not cracked or chipped!) CHARTREUSE garden pot, the lone unmarred (and not stolen) one of the four from the 1950s (which included, natch, pink and burgundy!) and which decorated the front of the home on a ledge until the 2000s, usually potted with pink geraniums…can you imagine, OUTSIDE, in the weather, all those years, and it’s perfect??!!! J’adore this Bauer pot…
I find myself ‘harkening back’ these days; loving the 50s & earlier 60s like never before. Wanting to somehow duplicate a lot of it, where I can. Missing the food/meals/recipes; the home decor; the cars; the houses/architecture; the clothes; even a lot of the music and, of course, favorite books. What is this? Some kind of creature comfort? Is it an age thing, or because I’m trying to envelop myself in the comfort cushion of those previous times (even if some of it was an illusion)…when 2017 is, so far, such a scary and troubling year in our country and the world ( that I’d like to somehow skip over it, for now, if I could; put my head in the sand and leap to 2021, or return to 1961)? I want to be aware, I need to be aware, but I’ve been finding in the past couple of weeks that I resist news programs, I turn past the headlines of the newspaper; it’s denial, isn’t it. And we can’t do this; we have to remain vigilant.
I totally get wanting to go back to that time. Much of what I collect is from that era! I think it’s everything you mention. A simpler time (though far from perfect) and comfort, as well. This world is out of control (especially the USA) and we need comfort.
I love old bathrooms with pink or green tubs. One of my favorite things in my apartment in San Diego were the wood beams on the ceiling (hand painted in the Spanish style) the jadeite green tile on the counters and backslash in the kitchen and the original tile in the bathroom. I loved that.
I will gladly clean grout for the gift of beautiful tile!
Me too!
I know House hunters International is the worst, These people want to “really experience living abroad” and yet the first statement is the bathrooms are too small, the kitchen I cannot cook in a kitchen that doesn’t have a double oven and at least 8 burners. If I hear about a bathroom with two sinks is a must have I shall scream. I do not share my bathroom with anyone, the last time there was a another person in the bathroom with me I was giving a bath to a five year old and that was a long time ago!!! All the redecorating make these wonderful houses look like NY hotel lobby , all the same. Give me scratched floors and tile bathrooms, some charming and cozy rooms please. Which is why I could sit in your home with a cup a of tea and be so comfortable. I have been catching all the show too, are we living through our own Watergate? Clouds over this administration it looks like a very bad storm, grab an umbrella guys!
They’re so spoiled – no inclination to live life in a different way.
I think we’re living in something much worse than Watergate, Mary. It will make Watergate look like child’s play!
Claudia,
I am of like mind with you on so many things, I’m not surprised to hear your growing disdain of HGTV. I am so bored with tiny houses, formula decorating and whining women I just refuse to watch it. As for the news…Rachel Appears to me to be the only one with any clue as to what That man is doing to our country. I was becoming physically ill watching the election horror story and had to stop watching it all.
I love your postings on your work in NYC. That is so exciting for this backwoods Hoosier. It all seems so sophisticated and foreign, like something Nancy Drew would be doing as an adult. 🤗
Great to hear Don has completed his trip, this was on our bucket list, too. I’m sorry you two will be separated for the time being, however you know how wonderful the homecoming will be. I am envious of that! I was recently in Florida with my family and kept thinking how good it would be to get back home to Steve, not letting myself face him being gone. It’s been 3.5 years, I don’t think the emptiness goes away.
Enjoy your solitude and rejoice when it’s over. Spring may finally be here for us all. 🌳🌷🌸🌺🍄💐🌼🌻🌿🌞 Hedy.
Oh, Hedy. I cannot pretend to know how hard it is for you without Steve. Sending you a hug, my friend.
Congratulations on receiving another “Nancy Drew”. I always watched HGTV when the lady from Canada was on many years ago. She would be honest and tell someone if they were not going to get a mortgage. Now everything is the same with just a different title. Always wonder how many of these families stay living in the Islands or in a foreign country. I would love to see updates if they are still where they moved.
Marilyn
You said it well: everything is the same with just a different title. Thanks, Marilyn.
HGTV is definitely geared for the millennials. My daughter-in-law wants her home to be just like an HGTV home :-) I really, really miss the old shows and, from what I read, a lot of people do. We’re just not the right demographic – we’re too old and too wise!
I see that Trump was busy undoing everything that is good for our country, today (as usual). I keep wondering if more can’t be done to stop this agenda. I don’t know how we are going to come back from this!
Too wise for sure!
I worry about it, too. I can only hope that we take it all back in 2020 and reinstate everything he has decimated.
I must comment on just how much I have enjoyed all the posts today! Claudia, you have a real knack for the “pulse” of this community you have developed :-) A PINK bathtub—oh be still my heart!!!! I laughed out loud (and frightened the sleeping dogs) when I opened my email and learned Joanna Gaines has another show premiering tonight!!! Oh my goodness–you know I will have to watch to see what it is all about. I neglected to mention one thing in comparing her to Nicole Curtis with Rehab Addict…Nicole does not mind working and getting dirty, where as it appears perhaps Joanna is pretty darned good at delegating! I’ve yet to see her getting sweaty and dirty!!!! There is one design item I cannot handle seeing put into these magazine worthy kitchens. It is the friggin pasta pot spigot!!! I have worked in the food industry all my life and care to guess how many times I have actually used one? My intent is not to insult anyone who loves and USES one. I personally just do not get it! Add granite, marble, etc to my list! My hubby can generate crumbs with a glass of tap water…my OCD would be in overdrive trying to keep granite clean…talk about venting!
As for the court jester in the White House…I truly believe the man is insane. I hope a savvy tailor somewhere is preparing a strait jacket of the finest fabric money can buy…it would be sad if he is taken away in plain canvas!
Yes, I agree. I get the feeling that Nicole does a lot of the tough work as opposed to Joanna, who clearly delegates.
A strait jacket, hand cuffs and then an orange prison jumpsuit!
What’s wrong with canvas?!!!
I miss all the craft shows they used to have. I even contacted them when they all disappeared. They weren’t the least bit concerned about losing a viewer. Now the only thing I watch on their channel is the White House Christmas and I’m sure the Trumps will ruin that too.
Frankly I would get rid of our tv (and satellite bill) if I could. My husband would rather die than live without TV. He turns on as soon as he gets up. It makes me crazy. If he comes home and the TV isn’t on he panics because he thinks it’s broken. I used to listen to the music channels but we have Alexa now and the sound quality is much better than the TV.
I did buy a smart TV to replace the bedroom TV and I enjoy that because I watch YouTube on it (crafts and The Resistance) and the cat loves to watch the bird videos. : )
I know! I forgot about all the craft shows! I miss them, too. Remember the knitting shows and fun craft shows (starting way back when with Carol Duvall?) Now it’s all the same. And boring.
I’m lucky out here on the West Coast. PBS has a few craft-style shows on the weekend. I watch them and get lulled into a gentler world. When I think of all the things my mother and grandmothers knew how to do, to make their homes cozy and have useful but beautiful things, it makes me feel so less-accomplished. They were artists! And they became very good cooks and fed their families nutritious food, they knew how to follow a budget, they sewed and mended, knitted and crocheted, hooked rugs, were quilters and embroiderers; they entertained themselves at home with playing the piano; they tended vegetable gardens and fruit trees, learning how to can and preserve. And they raised children to adulthood which is such an important, consuming task when your time is spread among so many other tasks.
I think it’s regrettable that some of my generation were made to feel that all that wasn’t enough, back when we were growing into our own adulthoods & in our 20s…the women’s movement, 1960s-1970s. It was a wave which couldn’t be stopped and it’s why we are, who we are today and we could never, ever go back…think of the workplace alone and how women could have the choice of most any career outside the home…but I’m glad that after a lot of achievement both inside and outside the home, women have found a way to bridge the two in today’s world, because there’s so much satisfaction in homekeeping and those home arts that we just can’t let die. I always go back to tatting; I haven’t come across anybody who tats since I was in my 20s, although I know it’s reviving because I’ve seen it discussed on the web. There are some good tutorials.
I remembered Alex Andersen’s quilting show the other day. I used to watch it all the time. Long gone from HGTV, of course.
Wonderful to know Don’s trip has gone so well and gave him the opportunity to see the sights he was looking forward to.
I gave up on HGTV more than 7 years ago. Just couldn’t take the contrived set-ups and the ridiculous comments of the house hunters when that seemed to be the channel’s emphasis. I found them beyond boring and frankly, stupid. Somehow it irritated and angered me to see the channel waste production/air time on such pathetic shows. These days Netflix (Grace and Frankie) and Acorn are our TV viewing choices ( along with TCM). I think we will be trying Britbox. I always loved the British antique shows Ovation had on for a while, but they disappeared a while ago. I love, love the British Antiques Roadshow but don’t care for the America version. We have watched Restored with Brett Waterman on DIY and like it . He restores a lot of houses in Redllands, Ca.
The situation in this country has gone way beyond political difference of opinion as far as I am concerned. We are watching total destruction all on behalf of greed and ugly hatred. The Constitution is ignored and dismissed while blatant lies fill the air each day. There is not one intelligent move from this bunch of lying crooks that contains human decency and concern for the well being of this country and it’s citizens. It is necessary to be informed of daily happenings, but for anyone with a conscience or at least 4 working brain cells, it is maddening. At times I find it hard to focus and still can’t believe these truly evil politicians have hijacked our country. I make twice daily rounds of Twitter to remain in contact with others’ opinions and actually have the occasional laugh. I will be on hand as long as it takes for this reprehensible group to face justice not just from a criminal court but from the court of decent human society.
I miss many things about the everyday life of the 40s, 50s and early 60s that made a cozy much simpler and pleasant domestic life. I have always felt a sadness about the loss of many of life’s little enjoyments that provided comfort and a sense of security. I would never want to give up medical progress as well as social progress. but we have lost much. I completely understand the desire to have things from the past that were much better made and supposed to last rather than the disposable attitude of today’s manufacturers. I miss when quality was the desired end result, not how cheaply something could be made and how large the profit margin. I rant and rave on a regular basis because I resent that much has been lost. Do love your new old Nancy Drew. Dianne
I’ve begun watching the new season of Grace and Frankie. Love that show!
As for the political landscape, you express everything I feel, Dianne, far better than I could. Thank you for that.
Everything looks so pretty! I love you little home and it is large in style and comfort, Claudia.
I was struck Again, by your Nancy Drew book jackets; she is always peering over to find out what the mystery is…love that.
And the hairstyles and clothing…. Geez, how pretty and time consuming to get ready to go out. These photos are so real in style of the times though. I love them.
I have photos of my mom during the war and afterwards … Her HS yearbook of 1939..the boys making plans and no idea what would be facing them in a few short months . I think of those things when I read a pre-war yearbook from that era.
I think of things now and how in the world has become a scarier place with you know who “leading” (what a joke!..and sad one at that). I hunker down and try to seek out like minded people.
Thank you for sharing your comfy looking home with us~~
Katheryn
So poignant thinking of those boys, not knowing what was on the horizon.
I think you’re are right – we need to seek out like minded people in the midst of what is happening to our country. There’s a comfort in that.
hey~~~
Just catching up with you, busy lady! Try to relax and veg out now that your home. I, too, feel the pull no matter which freaking place we call home does to me when we leave. I love to leave home, then I love to get home, then I get stir crazy again. Ha!
I’m nodding my head with you on your views of HGTV. I have to say my favorite is Fixer Upper, I like the way Chip and Joanna relate, and Chip makes me laugh out loud…he is a character, no denying. I’m feeling though that its just too weird in reality that these homes don’t undergo inspection before they change owners. Finding a bad roof or rotting bathroom floor always adds to the drama and ups the money for the reno. I’m also feeling that the homes are totally over accessorized. Maybe because I’m trying to declutter but I think it’s sensory overload. And don’t get me started on House Hunters. I remember a woman and her husband looking at apartments in Spain and she was turning one down because it didn’t have a microwave!!!
My boys lived in Carlsbad for about a year and 1/2 when one was in pro golf school. Needless to say, I love the beaches and the glamour of La Jolla. I wished I had a million bucks to live there! Hope you get to visit Don a lot.
Love the quilt, love Rachael and when the gig is up, you and I will raise a glass.
Come and visit some time.
Jane
I hope to get out to CA a couple of times while he’s there. Fingers crossed. I have to stick around here until Anastasia opens at the end of April and then I have to put the garden in, so maybe sometime in May? Thanks for visiting, Jane! xo
I sometimes watch House Hunters International and the other day told my husband how spoiled some Americans are. They go to a European country or some small place and expect to have houses the size of Texas. Apartments and homes in other countries are not going to be humongous like folks have gotten used to and bigger is not better anyways. Like you, there are times when I think a home or room is perfectly lovely and yet they are complaining about how everything needs to be gutted. The couple doing Home Town are from my hometown of Laurel, MS. My mom brought them to my attention a couple of years ago. I still have family there but don’t go back too often. Doesn’t seem to have changed much after all these years, but Erin and Ben are showing its good side. Just like I do when I post pictures about Kuwait. :) Glad to hear Don had a safe trip. #dumptrump
They are spoiled and it shows in every one of those House Hunter shows.
I didn’t know you were from Laurel, Tammy! I guess their mission is to improve Laurel and they seem to be doing a bit of that via the show.
HGTV has become a complete disappointment – all they do is gear their show to their advertisers – thus all the rip out and replace with whatever you can find at Lowe’s or Home Depot.
I loved Curb Appeal – I have a friend who would host the show now and then, so that was always especially fun for me.
And ripping out period-appropriate tiles in a Craftsman home? That is hard for me to read or see.
As for the state of our country, I go back and forth between reading/learning everything I can to burying my head in the sand, having a cocktail, and thinking I should start spending the money I have saved — I may not need it for long! What a sad state of affairs.
I liked Curb Appeal, too. I miss that show.
One of the shows I listen to on the radio is always advertising investing in gold for financial security. With all that is happening, I wonder if I should buy some gold bullion, skip town and move to an island somewhere.
I feel the same way about HGTV’s programming & House Hunters. I got to the point that I was sick of hearing things like how awful a kitchen was because it had laminate counter tops and the “need”for a bathroom larger than my bedroom, that I stopped watching altogether. I enjoyed many of the early shows on HGTV, when they actually showed doable projects for the house and garden.
Me too. I loved the gardening shows. It’s hard to find gardening shows anywhere nowadays! And who needs a “Master Suite?” Drives me crazy!
Just last week I watched a segment from This Old House that made me realize why I’m not fond of most HGTV programs. HGTV does such slap-dash work without really getting into any type of craftsmanship or quality. This Old House provides some sort of insight on doing the job right.
HGTV is for viewers with short attention spans, Jay.
Catching up with your blog and fascinated by all the HGTV comments. I came late to the network, after obsessively following the two Obama campaigns in 08 and ’12. I needed a politics “break,” and began watching all the shows they had/have that must have followed the ones everyone was referencing. I too have grown tired of the formula but still watch because we’re about to start a major kitchen reno in our 22 year old house. Anyway, perhaps come back to take a peek at a new show in April 2 (they’ve only filmed the one, according to the article in the local paper – link below). It may just be more of the same, but since it’s about the place I life, I’m curious to see how they depict the Milwaukee area. The house they rehab in this pilot is in the same neighborhood where my oldest son lives, which is a former industrial area that has been totally transformed.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/life/green-sheet/2017/03/23/new-hgtv-show-features-milwaukee-house-flipping-friends/99530802/
Oh, that might be interesting! Hopefully, they’ll come up with a new formula. And good for Milwaukee!