Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Don / The Shed And The Stove

The Shed And The Stove

August 18, 2017 at 9:12 am by Claudia

I’m so glad that Don is home and that he can coordinate everything to do with the stove. In addition, he’s been watering the gardens and the porch plants and cleaning out the area next to the shed, which looked like a dump. He made several trips to the recycling/transfer station. In the midst of all of this he found a tarp full of old shingles – it weighed a ton, old chicken wire, various buckets and one of our used air conditioners. Some of it we put there, much of it was tossed there by previous owners. Nothing exciting like the antique plate, but interesting, nonetheless.

Now, keep in mind that our shed needs a new paint job, but we’re not in any hurry to do it. It is what it is at this point. Here is what it looked like when Don finished the cleanup.

We really are on ‘the edge of wild’ here. There are woods behind the shed and woods to the left of this view of the shed. We’re thinking of putting pavers there. You might have noticed some items hanging on the side of the shed.

Don found this scrap of wood and made a sign. After all, Henry does live under the shed and we love him. In fact, Henry came out onto the ramp, not knowing Don was nearby. Once he saw Don, he scampered back underground.

The fish is made of paper and covered in plastic. Don found it buried under the dirt. We have no idea who dumped it there. But it sure looks adorable on the shed. I have a Michigan license plate that Don gave me – that’s going to hang there, as well.

Don has a strong streak of ‘whimsical’ and I love that about him.

I may be able to get home on Sunday and Monday – certainly Monday, but I’m thinking Sunday, as well. I want to clean our current stove and have a go at the sticky floor, because our vintage O’Keefe and Merritt is crated and ready to ship. We paid the balance (gulp) and the shipping and it should be picked up on Monday.

Antique Stove Heaven sent us lots of instructions, along with a couple of pictures of the stove right before it was crated. Do you want to see?

Our girl is almost on her way to her new home!

We’re thinking of a name for her. That will come, I’m sure, once she’s ensconced in our kitchen. Meanwhile…we wait. Don has lots of instructions from ASH as to what size dolly to rent, how to load her on the dolly, how to get her safely in the house. We have to do all of this ourselves because it’s not like we bought her from Sears or some retailer. If we were in Los Angeles, ASH would take care of all of that for us. It gives me butterflies, just thinking of it.

Deep breath, Claudia.

I have a lighter day today with just one coaching session. Robyn, our great stage manager, managed to get everyone in for an initial session yesterday and the day before. Tomorrow, a work through of the first half where I can see just what Darko has been up to. Any maybe – fingers crossed – home for a couple of days on Sunday.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: Don, O'keefe and Merritt 36 Comments

Comments

  1. Carolyn Marie says

    August 18, 2017 at 9:36 am

    I am excited to see the stove in your kitchen!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 18, 2017 at 12:05 pm

      I am, too!

      Reply
  2. kathy says

    August 18, 2017 at 10:35 am

    i appreciate the feeling of butterflies (due to the expense, prep work to be done, etc.), but it’s all working out and i am very happy for you!

    love the shed … the color, the fish art and especially the sign don made for henry. it is whimsical, yes, but also touches my animal-loving heart.

    enjoy that lighter work load and time at home.

    kathy in iowa

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 18, 2017 at 12:06 pm

      We love our critters, Kathy.

      Reply
  3. Linda @ A La Carte says

    August 18, 2017 at 10:40 am

    I love the photos of the shed. I do love some whimsy myself! Makes life much more interesting. I hope you get home for a couple of days! I’m drooling over that stove, it is gorgeous. Hugs to you and Don!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 18, 2017 at 12:09 pm

      It is really beautiful. Now we have to coordinate our guy installing the propane and hooking it up, which may leave Don without a stove for a couple of days if it is delivered before Gino can get there.

      Reply
  4. Andrea Jane says

    August 18, 2017 at 11:17 am

    That stove is so pretty. You are going to just love having her.

    If you sort out how to get rid of the sticky on your floors I do hope you will blog about it. We have a few stubborn spots around our stove and I’m afraid to scrub too hard for fear of ruining the finish on the floor.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 18, 2017 at 12:10 pm

      I will. I fear I’ve already marred our finish a bit with earlier efforts. But our floors are so scratched up from our dogs that it doesn’t matter so much.

      Reply
  5. Donnamae says

    August 18, 2017 at 11:22 am

    Your stove is a real beauty! I understand it’s a big gulp…but, sometimes you just have to swallow! Adorable signs on the shed…let’s hear it for whimsy! And actually, I don’t think it needs to be painted…it’s natural patina is just coming out. I hope you get to come home for 2 days….that would be sweet! ;)

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 18, 2017 at 12:10 pm

      I think I might be able to – which would be great.

      Reply
  6. Shanna says

    August 18, 2017 at 11:52 am

    I love the sign and the fish! The red shed is the perfect place to hang funky stuff. I know when I was waiting for our stove in FL, it seemed like awaiting Christmas morning, so I think I know what you are feeling about now. I thought I’d have a heart attack watching helplessly as several strong men tried to bring it up the stairs! Yes! Get your self home for a bit!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 18, 2017 at 12:11 pm

      I’m nervous about our front steps, as well. It has to go in the front door because it’s wider than the kitchen door.

      Reply
  7. Mary says

    August 18, 2017 at 12:01 pm

    I told you, can’t wait for her to be in the kitchen, of course she needs a name. I live in the city with two trees ( we planted ) in the small back yard they have names! Agnes and Willow, even though the husband does not use them neighbors know their names! Love anyone who has a sense of whimsy and enjoys life. Don seems like a wonderful guy, you two seem a perfect match. Stove ( her name for now) do you have a manufactured date? In case you need naming help, I have been wanting to use Stella for a cat for ages , but my two will probably be the last. Just saying! Have a nice weekend.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 18, 2017 at 12:11 pm

      She was manufactured in 1954. She’s two years younger than me!

      Reply
  8. Wendy T says

    August 18, 2017 at 12:14 pm

    Your stove is so clean! Keep it that way! The area around the shed looks very nice now. Don did a great job cleaning out before winter sets in. Hope you get both Sunday and Monday at home.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 18, 2017 at 12:20 pm

      I’ve already told Don that we need to be scrupulous about cleaning the stove! (We also ordered an extra griddle. The chromed griddle will be for display – the other one will be for actual cooking.)

      Reply
  9. Tina McKenna says

    August 18, 2017 at 12:37 pm

    I think Noble and Don must be members of the “Fraternal Brothers of the Order of Whimsy!” Noble’s favorite thing in your cottage? The little figures ( whatchamathigs?) hanging by the kitchen door that are Don’s. I think an “Oven Shower” is in order. Hmmmmm. Vintage mitts, anyone?
    And for a name, “Someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah . . .”

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 18, 2017 at 12:38 pm

      “Jumping Jacks” – we love them too.

      Hmmmm….Dinah….

      Reply
      • Tina McKenna says

        August 18, 2017 at 1:12 pm

        And in honor of Don’s latest gig heading to Broadway:

        Someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah
        Someone’s in the kitchen I know
        Someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah
        Strummin’ on the old banjo!
        Singin’ fee, fie, fiddly-i-o
        Fee, fie, fiddly-i-o-o-o-o Fee, fie, fiddly-i-o
        Strummin’ on the old banjo.

        Reply
        • Claudia says

          August 18, 2017 at 1:25 pm

          Too bad we can’t fit “ukulele” in those lyrics.
          How about “Singin’ fee, fie fiddly-i-ee
          Strumming’ on the ukulele.”

          Reply
  10. Nancy Blue Moon says

    August 18, 2017 at 2:01 pm

    Do we want to see it?…What a silly question my dear…lol…yes we do and asap we want to see it in your kitchen!…Matt and I are going to clean up around the old pump house here…paint it in bright colors and hang a few whimsical bits on it…just for fun….and to get him outside for a while..love the sign and the fish Don!…I do hope you make it home for the grand arrival Claudia!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 19, 2017 at 9:43 am

      I do, too. I’m not sure when it will arrive and timing it with the availability of our propane guy is tricky. Don may have to order out for a couple of days, which will not be a hardship for him as that guy loves to eat out.

      Reply
  11. Janie F. says

    August 18, 2017 at 3:15 pm

    I hate to admit it Claudia but here goes: for the first time in my life I have stove envy. I hope you don’t mind. It’s just so gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 19, 2017 at 9:42 am

      I don’t mind at all!

      Reply
  12. Debbie - MountainMama says

    August 18, 2017 at 3:38 pm

    I’m seriously drooling over that stove, it’s simply gorgeous!!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 19, 2017 at 9:42 am

      It sure is. The amount of energy and time spent organizing everything for its arrival and hook up to the propane is mind-boggling! You’d think we were moving our entire house!

      Reply
  13. Marilyn says

    August 18, 2017 at 5:47 pm

    Cannot wait to see photos of the stove when it arrives. Have a great week end.
    Marilyn

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 19, 2017 at 9:41 am

      Thank you, Marilyn. I sure can’t wait to share them with you!

      Reply
  14. Janet in Rochester says

    August 18, 2017 at 7:17 pm

    Seriously, those folks at Antique Stove Heaven know what they are doing. That is a singularly-beautiful piece of work. It just GLEAMS! Do they have other kinds of vintage appliances? Fridges? Maybe even dishwashers? My grandmother had an early automatic dishwasher in her kitchen when I was little – if you’ve ever seen “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” the dishwasher in Melinda Dillon’s kitchen is an exact copy. Anyway, it’s a thing of beauty. I wouldn’t be able to use it right away, I’m sure. I’d just gaze at it adoringly for a few days. I wish it could talk. Imagine the stories it could tell – and the recipes! Have a great weekend! 😎

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 19, 2017 at 9:40 am

      They do what they call ‘detailing’ on it right before crating it. Like a vintage automobile. I love that.

      No, they just do stoves!

      Reply
  15. Nana Diana says

    August 18, 2017 at 9:36 pm

    Well, I tore my blog list apart and spent three hours sorting and putting blogs back in and dumping old ones that no longer exist. I have not had you on my sidebar for a long time so I was so excited that my work paid off and your blog showed up…whew…lotta words there.
    Anyway, looking forward to more visits in the future.
    I had a similar stove it was an old Majestic and I loved it. It would heat the whole kitchen up in the winter if you were baking something in the oven. It wasn’t quite that nice on a hot summer’s day though. lol
    Hoping you have a great weekend. xo Diana

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 19, 2017 at 9:40 am

      So glad I’m back on your sidebar Diana! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  16. Elle Clancy says

    August 19, 2017 at 8:24 am

    I love that stove….reminds me of my great-grandmother’s. My brothers & I used to pack ourselves into that little kitchen of hers and eat the most delicious sugar cookies that she had baked when she knew we were on our way. Her name was Mabel, and just seeing that stove brings back so many memories of her.

    And I also love the shed, which looks raspberry pink to me. Nothing ever beats whimsy, especially in these dreadful times.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 19, 2017 at 9:39 am

      This stove seems to spark wonderful memories for a lot of readers. Isn’t that great?

      Reply
  17. Megan Drennan says

    August 19, 2017 at 5:04 pm

    Love the stove and I think the obvious name could possibly be Dolly since dollies(whatever they are,I live in Wales) seem to have played a big part in her birth/delivery ! Don’t you wish we knew more about vintage items we buy? shame they don’t have a log-book like cars,would be nice to know how many tasty meals were cooked on it and who cooked them. Happy eating ! Megan.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      August 20, 2017 at 10:50 am

      Dollies are the things you use to wheel a big appliance or something of that sort into a house or apartment or office. I wonder if you have a different name for them? I do wish I knew more, Megan! All I know is that it was manufactured in 1954.

      Reply
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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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