As is, of course.
Monty watching over the living room.
Music, Maxfield Parrish, Scout…
Coffee table.
Art climbing upward.
Looking toward the den.
Books and pottery.
Living room.
Hallway.
Paint, glue, tools.
Miniature pottery.
My little corner.
Painting by my dad, now hanging in our shared office space.
New headshot. Dreamy.
Stairway view.
I have plenty more where these came from. The cottage is providing enormous comfort and solace for me right now. The sunlight streaming through the windows makes me smile. I love seeing all of our treasures; tucked into corners, on shelves, on the walls.
A minimalist I am not. Though I can look at minimalist interiors with an appreciative eye, they are not for me. I’ve lived a life. I’ve hunted and gathered. I’ve found treasure and I’ve made things. Everything here tells a story – our story. So as I sit here in my chair or walk around the cottage, I am thankful for all of this evidence of a life lived, of a house finally found, of our life with our dogs, of music and art and literature, of whimsy and joy and color and texture. A nest that wraps its arms around us, where splashes of color and well-loved furniture and objects catch the attention of a wandering eye and bring a much-needed smile to one’s face. Shelter from the emotional storm.
Happy Saturday.
Now that’s a HOME!
I love it. That’s the way to live.
Are you sure we weren’t separated at birth?
Have a beautiful day,
Monica
Maybe…. Who knows? Thanks, Monica!
Claudia–I’ve been a reader for several years now and your blog is the one blog that I look at daily. Today’s post is my favorite yet as your words really speak to me. I think that I’ll stop feeling apologetic of my own treasures and embrace your attitude–my treasures and trinkets really do tell my story! Sue
Good for you! They do tell your story and you have nothing to apologize for. Celebrate them!
It seems like almost every article I read these days is talking about minimalism. You have to get rid of all your stuff. It’s just cluttering up your house. On and on. And then I see your blog Claudia. And it reminds me that my stuff is me. It’s a trail of my life. I can look at things that I’ve had for years and remember exactly who gave it to me or where we bought it. I enjoyed the tour around the cottage today. Don’s headshot is amazing! What a handsome guy. I do have to admit though, in the middle of the night on a trip to the bathroom, your dress for him might scare the living the daylight out of me.! :-) I hope you have a wonderful day Claudia.
Blessings, Betsy
We’re used to it, so it doesn’t faze us, but we do have to warn guests about it!
Yes, so much minimalism, so many ‘tips for getting rid of things.’ No thank you. I know what I like and I don’t need the advice of people who favor ‘stark.’
Claudia, I talk about downsizing and I am doing it, but like you I will never be a minimalist. I love my ‘stuff’, my treasures that tell my story and share my love of pottery. I could not stand a home that isn’t visually stimulating. I find comfort in it and knowing it is me. Love Don’s new head shot, I agree dreamy! You are a lucky woman my friend. I will be spending time with mom, sara and my scout today.
hugs,
Linda
Have fun with your family, Linda. I agree – the home has to be visually stimulating. I’ve always felt that way. I avoid books like the one by Marie Kondo, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, like the plague! That’s another post, I think. There’s far too much advice being handed out by those who haven’t lived long enough to know what they’re saying. Too many people following it like lemmings!
Love that! “There’s far too much advice being handed out by those who haven’t lived long enough to know what they’re saying.” We need an older generations common sense and wisdom now more than ever.
Oh boy, we sure do!
I sense the quiet and Scout’s absence, just as our Abby’s absence was palpable for us. Your home is warm and lovely, as I’ve said before. My mother had a plaque hanging in her kitchen that read, “This isn’t clutter, these are my memories.” I feel the same way about my treasures.
I love that saying! Perfect!
Yes, Scoutie should be in these photos. We’re still not used to it, I don’t think we ever will be.
Lovely lady, lovely life.
Thank you, Shanna. That’s very sweet!
Claudia,
You speak of your cottage bringing you comfort. When I was looking at your pictures, two words came to mind. Character and comfort. Your home is like a comforting hug and the warmth radiates from your pictures. I know Scout is painfully missing from these pictures, but I can still feel her there when I look at them.
Susan
I can, too. I wish she was here physically, but I see her everywhere, if you know what I mean.
Yes. Agreed.
Sue
Have a great weekend, Sue.
I just love how you have all your treasures displayed that you have found and loved. Your home is so welcoming and comfy. I do feel the loss of Scout in the pictures but I know she is there with you and Don in spirit. How do you like the record player you bought? Have a good day, suppose to be pretty nice tomorrow, finally!
hugs
Yes, we like it a lot! We love playing records.
Beautiful photos…..and I love the last paragraph!
Thank you, Sherry!
I agree with Monica, it’s the way to live I have many things everywhere that I have collected my children say to much but I have surrounded myself with the things that I love..I love your double glass doors and I love your dads painting and the stair way and your cozy living room. And the sunshine that appears. I have morning sun in my kitchen and I’m learning to head there in the morning because it to makes me smile. Have a wonderful weekend with love Janice
Yes, go where the sun is, Janice!
May each day get a little bit better — baby steps for your healing heart.
Thank you so much, Julie.
Your words give beautiful understanding and gratitude to your dear home and any home. Sweetly sheltering you<3
Thank you so much, Grace.
Claudia, You have truly woven an environment that is true to everyone and everything you love, without it looking cluttered or untidy. Comfy, warm, and a surprise at every turn. As you write and edit your words well, you seek, collect and keep judiciously. Have a weekend of discovery and wonder!
Thank you for those lovely words, Wendy. They mean a great deal to me. xo
How lovely, Claudia. Your home is so cozy and welcoming…I just want to curl up in one of your chairs and visit. I love seeing your collections and treasures. You may not be a minimalist, but you display it all in a very artful way. Wishing you a happy Saturday, too!
Thank you, Linda. That’s high praise from you – you are so wonderful with display.
Through your photos, you’ve managed to capture your cottage perfectly. It’s very warm and welcoming…almost as if your cottage is wrapping it’s arms around you and all who live or visit there. Your home is not cluttered, nor is it minimalistic. It’s proof of lives well lived. A great place for you and Don to be at this time. Hope you are enjoying your Saturday…it’s going to be 54 here today!;)
In the forties here, Donnamae and in the fifties tomorrow. Hurrah!
Always love a stroll through your house!! We are having our house re-sided next month, and some friends/ family have said that when I have to take things down from shelves and walls as they pound away, it would be a perfect time to minimize and get rid of things. I just nod and say, yes, purging is always good… However, the things I have out and about are things I rest my eyes upon during the course of the day and remember a story or a person or a moment regarding why I have it. I enjoy and endorse purging and cleaning out closets and drawers and boxes full of stuff…. but, when I have something out to look at and share, it is more than “stuff” to me. These items have already made the cut, so to speak, for at least the time being!! It is hard to minimize all of the memories we find in ~ and bestow upon ~ special things we keep and treasure. Yet another stitch in our lives that is particular to us and to our journey ~ which is ultimately our story.
Beautifully put, Chris. My sentiments exactly. My closets need sorting, much needs to be donated or thrown away, but my treasures? they must remain!
A beautiful home for a caring and loving couple. Take care, Doris
Ah, thank you so much, Doris. You, too.
Loved the MahJong tiles in the bowl. I am an avid player of the game. I learned when I retired. Yesterday I played in a tournament and a woman who was 95 and has been married for 74 years skunked us all. She was so young at heart it was a delight to be around her. Loved all the pictures of your lovely cottage. Sending you some sunshine from here in the desert.
Love, love that story!
Your last paragraph was so eloquent. I want for my house what you have done. Inspiring.
Yes, you have collections but they’re organized/contained; eclectic. And your house is lived in, comfy, yet neat and tidy.
Just such a welcoming house. I wish life was otherwise, and that I could come visit!
I’m so glad you have your special shelter. A calm environment is just essential, for good times and bad times.
Hope your weekend is going along in a soothing-enough rhythm. I’m off to do an errand.
Fairly soothing. We’re just taking it easy, reading, talking, eating. Thank you for your kind words, Vicki. I wish you could come visit, too.
I’m puttering now after 8:00 pm. I lose momentum come evening.
We did another spontaneous thing (we’ve been doing this lately; it’s nice) and went later in the day to the beach. It was so worth the drive, even in weekend traffic. The 4:30pm sun on the water was stunning; so many people were having such a nice time. Lots of families. The beach is free. For everyone. And it’s wonderful. Somebody was flying a kite. Somebody else was playing with a baby while Mom dozed. It was just all so pleasant; people seemed happy. Made me feel good. T-shirt weather but the water’s cold of course…it’s the Pacific after all. Seeing the ocean always sets me right when I’m not feeling right. The surf was powerful in the late of day; smashing hard over the jetties; high tide. Then we went out to dinner together, which we never do (it’s too expensive!). Just a chain restaurant, nothing fancy (a pancake house) but doing the senior-aged dinner saved us a little money. Another first: My husband ate steamed squash, which is another thing which is NEVER done in our house, with him. Ever since his abdominal surgery a month ago, he’s become mindful of the fragility of the body…and, after a lifetime of junk food, maybe he’s finally going to be more careful with himself. I was delighted with his choices tonight.
So, two things as a segue…first, before I forget, on the subject of husbands, that’s an exceptionally nice photo of Don. He has a nice head of hair and the most beautiful eyes.
Secondly, I’ve asked you this before…maybe you’re not comfortable talking about it and, that’s, of course okay…but I’m trying really hard to go vegetarian and possibly vegan which is a little tough with my health problems but I’m reading more and more, learning more and more, that a whole food, plant-based diet is truly the only way to go, for the planet, for ourselves, for the animals. It’s a disease fighter. You’re a years-long vegetarian and I’d really, really like to know how you eat. You’re probably naturally slender with your height. And another key thing is that I think you’re quite active…physically on the go, although I know you have your aches/pains and the recent bothersome back (do you do other exercise, like calisthenics, besides walking/gardening?). But I know you’ve spoken of shopping at Trader Joe’s and eating brown rice. As a vegetarian, what keeps you going with the meal planning? What works for you? Is Don a vegetarian, too? (My husband never will be a vegetarian. Ever. I’m in this on my own!) I know we all have different likes and dislikes, and that what you personally eat is totally specific to you and you only. You could do a disclaimer but it’s not medical advice; it’s just food talk! (But do you take a vitamin B12 supplement?!) What’s a typical day’s menu for you…breakfast, lunch, dinner; snacks? Would you mind sharing some time? I’d be very interested. Thanks. Maybe you could do a future post on it. What do you drink besides coffee? I’m pretty much going to regulate myself to water (fruit-infused water intrigues me) and decaf/herb tea. And what I’m learning is that you don’t have to have a big repertoire of meals. People I’ve read about and know, who stay slim and healthy, often pretty much eat the same things week to week. Makes it simpler, too. Easier to follow and stick with…
One more thing, I talked at length with my husband about your cottage and showed him the photos from today’s post. It was helpful. He complains too much about my collections of things (I have a lot of interests which can easily become ‘clutter’ and he’s my complete opposite, does not accumulate or gather). We HAVE to get out of our endless remodeling life. It’s preventing us from having a life. Or, rather, a peaceful life at home with comforting and clean surroundings. DIY work is killing us because he just never has enough time to do the projects (he already has three work-for-pay jobs). While we were at the beach this afternoon, we made some different plans, deciding what we can do over the next six months. I mean, we actually earmarked things, with dates/deadlines. The conversation continued over dinner, so I’m feeling positive and motivated. You have a lovely home. So glad you showed it to us again today. But mostly it was your thoughts on ‘home’ which you framed beautifully, as I’d earlier said. Those words spoke to my heart.
But, back to the vegetarian way of life…do share that too, if you’re inclined. I’m stumbling a bit on how to pull this off. I finally ditched chicken. (I can be a backslider.) Eggs and cheese are next. One problem for me is that I’m allergic to soy-anything. And I need low-glycemic food. (So, not a huge amount of pasta OR rice, even if it’s brown.)
(Wow, sorry this got so long. Again.)
The beach sounds wonderful. We really miss the beach – it there’s anything we miss from SoCal, it’s the beach.
I’ll try to write a post about my vegetarian life someday soon, Vicki. Hopefully it will answer some of your questions!
I always enjoy my visits with you. The cottage is always so warm and welcoming. Don is truly a handsome man. Lovely lady, lovely cottage , lovely life. Thanks for another welcoming visit.
Thank you so much, Dottie. And yes, Don is a handsome guy – though he wouldn’t believe you if you said it to him!
Don and you have a simply wonderful home, beautifully decorated not in an eclectic way but your way! I love looking at pictures of your home, such love, comfort and a shelter from any storm!♥♥♥
Thank you so much, Janine.
Loved this post!!! You have every right to feel proud of what you have done with your sweet cottage. It is cheerful, cozy,colorful and interesting.Home is the perfect place to be for emotional comfort. Especially when you have a loving spouse to share it with. Not everyone has that and you are doubly blessed with home and love. You have worked hard to feather your nest and we have enjoyed following your journey. That pic of Don is awesome. Continue to take care of yourself and just do what you can in the time you can. Warm thoughts to you and Don.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Beth.
I like your home very much, Claudia. It’s personal and comfortable, full of treasures. I’m glad it’s a safe harbour for you and Don as you sort out how to live your days differently. The boy is looking rather handsome in that headshot, you lucky woman!
Take care.
Karen
He is. He doesn’t believe it, but I know it. He’s a handsome devil!
This cottage of yours is always such a joy to see! There is something so warm and welcoming in each and every photo. Love the Sinatra album in the basket. It is one of my favorites!
Claudia, may I ask, what is the flat piece of pottery on the tray with your flowers. You have probably shared it at one time or another, but it must have been one I missed.
Hope you have a warm and comfortable Sunday.
Isn’t that a great album? We play it a lot!
That piece isn’t flat, it’s a console bowl – Roseville in the Clematis pattern – you just can’t see the decoration.
Thanks! My curiousity had the best of me.
xo
Are those stair treads tacked down? I don’t have stairs; don’t know how that works. I’d be afraid one would slip out from underneath me with conventional rug grippers (fall-down-go-boom). I can be clumsy; maybe you’re not!
Is the TV in the den? I’ve forgotten; didn’t see it. I love your den. Like tucked away into a cozy little cave (although I see it’s light and bright); stepping into a private, intimate, quieter, out-of-the-way spot from the main room. I wish I had a den! (Is it some ancient instinct to want to burrow and nest?)
I worked once for very wealthy people who were in the later years of their life (approaching 80); well-appointed, luxe (but not over the top) home with one of the most beautiful rooms…I call it a drawing room…I’ve ever seen in my life (grand piano, large portrait hanging over the fireplace, Persian rugs, French furniture with gorgeous upholstery [the woman was Basque], floor-to-ceiling [high ceiling] windows with dramatic draperies; what a treat to ever see a room like that…like something out of a movie…not snooty but just oh-so tasteful/elegant!). My point is that they had this lovely, rambling estate home they’d lived in for decades but they spent all their time in this tiny little den at the rear of the house, cramped, no windows, tons of books in built-in cases (but like favorite books, not fancy books)…with two worn chairs, a table/lamp between them; small TV on a cheapy, funky metal stand [they were millionaires!]; clearly where they felt the most relaxed; where they hung out; where they could be themselves. The first time I saw the house as a guest, that little den really spoke volumes as to what people actually need to feel comfortable in their own home (and it’s not 10,000 sq feet and 7 bedrooms).
Yes, the stair treads are tacked down with carpet tacks. The television is in the den – smushed between the dollhouse and the china cabinet. It site on a cabinet that I got at auction for $5.
We spend a lot of time in the den!
I always love seeing your cozy cottage, Claudia. And hearing the stories behind your collections. I think you have a wonderful home. Even though I have seen your egg cups before, I didn’t realize you had such a collection. The March/April issue of Victoria magazine has an article on egg cups in case you haven’t seen it yet.
I’ll be sure to check the article out, Charlene. Thanks for the heads up!
These minimalists have an impact, don’t they. But after reading your post of today, I feel kind of relieved and consoled. Things are just so nice and tell a story. Take care! Regula
Good! If they mean something to you and tell a story, they’re to be treasured, Regula.
I truly love the photos of your home. The light that fills your rooms is wonderful, and the decor paints a picture of you and Don. Each time you post photos of your home it gives me a sense of comfort and peace.
What a lovely thing to say, Denise. Thank you so much!
I have admired your home for years now…it only gets better with time…I think the secret is in the loving couple who live there…your home is a reflection of you and Don…Please never change it for the sake of some trend…
I won’t. I promise, Nancy.