Gosh darn it. I love the fact that this den is sunken. Just two steps down, but those two steps create a separate little world. A cozy, smallish world. Since the kitchen and living room are essentially one big room, the den would be part of that expanse save for those two little steps. All the difference in the world.
I’ve been under the weather for the past day or so. The barometer that is my head went off like an alarm the night of the storm. Boom. I felt terribly congested and achy and almost like a cold was coming on. I was pretty sure it wasn’t a cold, merely a reaction to the barometric changes going on outside. I felt fairly crappy yesterday but am feeling a bit better today.
Oh winter, you are trying my patience.
Several of you have remarked about some of the smallish lamps I have here at the cottage and if we’re talking small and charming, I have to highlight this one. We found this little lamp several years ago when we were still renting a place across the river. It was in a little shop in Millbrook, that town we recently visited that has the great diner. I don’t know about you, but there is something about a little lamp that allows for more detail, more charm. Look at those sweet faces. They never fail to make me smile.
How could we resist? Eventually, I found the red shade, which just seemed made for this lamp. Although, have you ever noticed that there are some shades that are just impossible to keep straight? This is one of them. That adorable egg cup was a birthday gift from Linda.
After almost ten years of sitting on the windowsill in the bathroom, where it was constantly in the way of the blinds and fell to the floor more times than I can count, this little guy got moved to the bookshelves. It’s a watercolor of a Steller’s Jay and it’s on the small and petite side.
When Don and I were first courting, we took our first trip together – a trip that was fraught with misunderstandings, emotional craziness on my part, miscommunication – all the things that can happen when you are first getting to know each other and are still unsure as to where the relationship is going. We had planned to go to Yosemite, but the weather was terrible up there so we switched our destination to Lake Arrowhead, where we stayed in a sweet little cabin. There was a picnic table outside the cabin where a fascinating little bird would hang out. I was absolutely smitten by this bird. So was Don. Turns out it was a Steller’s Jay.
Years later, when we were trekking across the country to our new home out East, we spent the night in Flagstaff, Arizona. Actually, we spent two nights there because we were so exhausted after packing up the truck, saying our goodbyes, and not arriving in Flagstaff until the wee hours of the morning. We ran across a little art gallery and there we saw this watercolor. It reminded us of our beginnings. So, we bought it.
There’s always a story behind everything here at the cottage.
As I write this, I hear some snoring.
Sometimes, the tunnel is just not very comfortable for Dame Scout and she walks to the sofa and looks at me. That’s my cue. I lift her up, place her on the sofa, and she settles in for a comfy sleep. And I can gaze at her all I want.
Happy Wednesday.
Your stories always make my heart happy :) I, too, have a lamp shade that never stays put. I’ve just learned to live with it crooked!
Hugs to you all,
Deb
I have about three of them that are always crooked, Debbie. Ah, well!
there are no home decorations, more charming, than little ambiance-lighting lamps.
certainly hope your “feeling-rotten-ness” is simply do to the barometer. and not the beginning of the horrid cold. I am having a terrible time shaking mine. bahhh-humbug…
Tessa~
I had a terrible cold last autumn and am not ready to go through THAT again! I think it’s my sinuses because I feel a bit better today.
What a precious post, Claudia! I loved reading it! Hope you’re well on the mend. I really love the Jay painting. I’m so glad you were able to get the picture as a memory of the real little friend. And Dame Scout looks so comfy and happy as she sleeps. Pure winter bliss in your nest!
Hugs to you all,
It’s mighty cold out there today, Patricia, but it’s sunny! That helps a great deal.
My late husband and I were in a gift shop and both of us espied this tiny framed picture on the opposite wall. We both bee-lined to it from different directions. I wanted it right away but because it was pricey, he said we must think about it first. He surprised me … While we were waiting for our dinner table a block away, he snuck away to buy it. The watercolor depicts almost the exact spot he proposed to me in Lahaina, Maui.
Oh, that’s a lovely story, Wendy!
Dame Scout snoozing makes me smile! Love the little lamps you have throughout your home. I also LOVE the stories you have about special items. Its one of the reasons your home is so special. Love the bird picture. Glad you enjoy the little egg cup, its found it’s perfect home with you.
hugs,
Linda
Thank you again for it, Linda! I really love it. xo
HI Claudia! That has got to be the sweetest picture of Dame Scout! Such a cutie. And your Stellar Jay painting — looks almost Asian. Very lovely. So glad you did not get dumped on with the snow (we didn’t either – just a couple of inches), and hope you are feeling better quickly.
It does have that look, Vera. It’s simplicity makes it quite lovely.
I so enjoy the stories of all then reassures around your home. The stellar jay picture is one of the sweetest yet. Love Scout sleeping. My Chloe is snuggled up next to me on the bed right now. She is my constant companion. Hope you feel better very soon.
Blessings,
Betsy
She’s in the living room now, sleeping near her dad. She likes to make sure she spends time with both of us.
Oh my gosh, that photo of Scout sleeping is absolutely precious – I can’t help smiling every time I look at it!
Me too. She is pretty darned cute, Liz!
Good Morning Claudia – You posts are such day brighteners. The house is still quiet and I am enjoying a cup of tea with you. How nice to be together for a few minutes with a comfortable friend and her dear dog. Feel better soon, I’ll check in with you tomorrow.
Oh, thank you for those sweet words, Sandra. It’s nice to be sharing some time with you. I’m sipping my coffee and having some oatmeal.
I love how so many of your things have a story behind them Claudia. The little lamp is so cute and looks like it was just made for a red shade. I love the story of the bird also. It’s so precious to have sweet memories we can dust off and recall at a moment’s notice isn’t it? Does Dame Scout act differently when the weather changes? She looks so comfy on the couch. It’s cool here again today but really pretty and clear outside. I’m already looking forward to the weekend. Have a sweet day!
It is. I love looking at something I see every day here and remembering the story behind it. Scout does act a bit differently. But I think she likes the cold. She has so much hair that the cold is refreshing. And she loves the snow. Have a great day, Janie.
That was a lovely post – I so enjoy the back stories.
Best ever photo of Scout!
She is VERY photogenic!
Love the stories because that is what makes our houses truly become our homes. And, as they say, home IS where the heart is! Right now I have one Grey on the couch and one on the love seat. The older one w/ the tumor has a harder time jumping up now, but she is still amazing our vet that she can continue to do it!!
And perhaps that little lamp was designed to have a crooked shade so it is noticed. Sometimes the wee ones have to work a bit harder for recognition!! :-) Glad you are feeling better. Big weather systems really affect my sinuses, too.
Scout can still jump up on the living room sofa, but this one she is wary of – I think it’s because she doesn’t get up there that much anymore and the coffee table in front of it makes it hard to jump up except if she tackles it from the side. And she doesn’t want to do that.
I was just thinking when I read the title to this post about Don encouraging you to write… And the small stories you have are so vast; but still each one, significant. I like your everyday photos… Common to most as we live our Unstaged lives. But you write the most beautiful stories to go along with them. You do have such a knack for story telling!
I hope you get to feeling better-
I can’t let Buster see Scout on the couch– he might get jealous. She does look comfy.
She is comfy! I gather Buster is not allowed on the furniture?
No. He is not.
That sounded very firm, indeed, Pat!
Scout is too cute. I often wish I could sleep as well as my dog does.
Have a great day!
Oh lordy, so do I!
Hope I am remembering this quote correctly by Edgar Guest: “It takes a heap o’livin to make a house a home”. Your home is a wonderful collection of your “livin”. Our dog Bailey’s Christmas present this year was permission to get up on the living room couch which he is taking full advantage of. Our son’s girlfriend was sitting in his spot and he had to give her the big STARE. Guess who rules our house!
ellen in Seattle
Well, I love Edgar Guest, so thank you for that quote, Ellen.
By the way, same here – Scout rules the house, for sure!
Claudia, I love the stories behind your treasures. I don’t think any other color of shade would make the little people pop as well. Sweet Scout sleeping. Blessings to all, hope you start to feel yourself soon. xoxo,Susie
That’s the same thing I thought about that shade, Susie. It just seems to be made for that lamp.
I also like either sunken or raised rooms..they just feel like a separate little haven from the rest of a home..the little couple on the lamp are adorable..they look so happy to be together..just like you and Don..what a sweet story of the Steller’s Jay watercolor..I do love hearing the stories behind all of your treasures..Miss Scout looks so cute and comfy with her head on her pillow..Many hugs to her..
I’ll pass those hugs right along to her, Nancy!
Your story of the Stellar’s Jay watercolor reminded me of a nondescript brown and black ceramic bird I have. It has survived I don’t know how many kid encounters over the years. It stays no matter how much I downsize. Funny how such items become treasures :-)
They really do. Somehow they worm their way into our hearts, Terri.
Sorry you are not feeling well. That photo of Scout is precious. The sun is shining here in more ways than one! Am getting a lot done. Winter is suppose to return tomorrow.
Stay warm and get well.
Judy
Feeling better, Judy – not tip-top, but better.
Enjoy your wonderful warm weather while it lasts, my friend.
“Small Stories” – the perfect title for this post. And I love that everything in your house has a story behind it. Even better that you remember them all! That’s what makes your house a home, in the best sense of the word. Feel better, and enjoy your day!
I am feeling a bit better, hopefully, by tomorrow this little sinus thing will be out of here!
I always love the stories that go with your treasures. The picture of Scout makes me smile, with her head on the pillow. They become like little humans to us, don’t they?
Hopefully you’ll be back to feeling at 100% by tomorrow.
They sure do, Debbie. This one is eerily human at times!
I love Scout!
Me too, Peggy! She’s extremely lovable.
You don’t get stories like that when you buy decorative accessories at local big box stores do you? That is a really darling lamp…and that’s the perfect color shade too! I was antiquing with a friend today…saw a lot of neat things, we found ourselves constantly saying…I remember so and so had that…or…whatever happened to that? We came home empty handed, but a fun time nonetheless! Lots of stories! Hope you are feeling better! ;)
Adore the photo of Scout, Claudia! So darling, she looks like she’s having happy doggy biscuit dreams.
Hah! This post reminded me of our first vacation – we went to San Diego for a few days and it was confusing and crazy making, to say the least. I haven’t thought about those early “finding our way” days in a long time …
Sweet Scout. She reminds me of my own sweet senior girl Annabelle, who I am missing very much lately.
I so enjoy getting on the computer at the end of the day and looking up your blog to see what you have to say – you always make me smile about something! :)
We also have to lift our boys, Toby and Dexter up – being long dogs (Dachshunds) and in the mid-winter of their lives, we have trained them to not jump up on the beds – they are able to get up to the sofa, love seat and recliners, but there are times that poor Dex needs a helping hand to get up there also. During the day, they ‘hang out’ in my son’s bedroom on their big blankets while my granddaughters are here (ages 4 1/2 and 3) – as Norah and Bridget are just too rambunctious and we just keep them apart with the gate. When we are all home and the girls are gone home, the boys are our shadows – Dexter is definitely my husband’s boy – and Toby Blyn is mine – always by my side (or feet). We love that!
I am so sorry you have been ‘under the weather’ – winter has played havoc on us also – but, right now, we feel really wonderful – which is so very nice.
I just LOVE the picture of the Stellar Jay – we have so many Blue Jays around our home – plus Doves, Sparrows (a gang lives in the big bush next door to us and their antics are fun to watch). We feed them all daily.
These days, with the migrations of the Canadian Geese, we have (literally) thousands of them at the neighborhood ponds – watching them fly over and hearing their melodious ‘honks’ just thrills us to no end! We stand in awe of them , as they are so beautiful and graceful!
I hope you are feeling better this evening – and…I also love your sunken den! So cozy looking!
Have a wonderful evening!
Laura, Dexter and Toby Blyn
This is a most-precious photo of sweet Scout!
Oh, that gorgeous dog.
That is a very sweet little lamp and a very pretty water color. I love that everything has a story … and that you can remember those stories. I don’t have the best memory, unfortunately. Scout looks so comfy. Best wishes, Tammy