It’s a beautiful morning. It’s so lovely to actually see the sun shining for more than ten minutes at a time! Golden light, leaves falling, the beauty of autumn.
The top of the big maple.
The house this morning:
These wildflowers are growing everywhere on the property.
Those specks are falling leaves.
This is one of those longed-for spectacular fall days. We deserve it, if I do say so myself.
I have errands to run today. 4 days until we leave! There’s so much to do in that time but I have to say this: I am so happy to be leaving this country for a couple of weeks. I’ve had it with the corruption running rampant in Washington and I desperately need a break from it all. And yes, if it was at all economically feasible and/or practical, I would jump at the chance to stay there for six months. I don’t know my country anymore and it’s always a good thing to experience another culture. Hopefully, it will help put things in perspective.
If I could curse on the blog as I do in real life, I would.
I was worried about the big Boston Fern on the porch. I expect the other potted plants to die, as they’re annuals, but the fern isn’t. I wanted to bring it in for the winter, but the only place I could see it working (it takes up a lot of space) was on the kitchen table. So, yesterday, while I was waiting for deliveries, etc., I brought it in and plopped it on the table. I had to raise the hanging lamp, as well. Fully expecting Don to hate it, I waited for him to come home.
He loved it. Actually, he was initially more enthusiastic than me! But now, we both love it.
Yes, it’s huge. No, I don’t know how it will do in the kitchen. But we’re going for it. We never eat at the kitchen table, it just becomes a repository for mail and sunglasses. We eat on trays in the den. And you know that we like eclectic and funky. We like putting our own stamp on our house.
As I said on Instagram: At the very least, it’s a statement.
Excuse early morning kitchen view.
Okay. Have to get a move on.
Happy Thursday.
there’s nothing to “excuse” about that morning kitchen view; it’s lovely. love the big fern on the kitchen table! i, too, don’t eat at a table. it’s just me and i am okay with that … ha.
love even more that you and don will soon be on a plane heading toward beauty, fun and a big change of pace! we have such things here, of course, but a change of scenery can do a person good. enjoy every minute of it! good luck, in the meantime, getting everything done on your to-do list. and if it’s not “ready”, i hope you will still just rest, relax and have a great time.
kathy in iowa
We are so excited!
Your fern looks positively gorgeous in its new home! We had a Kimberley fern one year that we tried to over-winter…it only lasted til around the holidays…not enough light. But…on the kitchen table? That could be your new centerpiece…and I’m thinking the light will be just fine.
I think travel of any kind is not only an adventure…but an escape. Take full advantage of your escape, and immerse yourselves in all that is Paris, London and Edinburgh. That will hopefully do the trick!
Now…get on with your list! ;)
It may work on the table. We’ll have to see!
Your fern looks so lovely there and I hope you have luck with it indoors. Here I buy a huge $10 one at Walmart each spring and let it die in the fall as the air in our house is much too dry to have the ferns do well. They become a mess of shed fronds which I endlessly have to sweep up and they look so dreary and unloved.
Our house gets very dry, too. I’m hoping the steam from the stove (we steam a lot of vegetables) and a humidifier might help. Fingers crossed!
You could hide a small child in that fern! LOL!!
Or a secret money stash.
I love the fern on the table. What a lovely spot of green! I never eat at my table unless the family comes over. The countdown to your trip is getting short! I wish I could just leave politics and the disaster our country has become for awhile. Enjoy your time away!
I will, Linda!
I have a peninsula in my kitchen and we eat there. Our breakfast table is a repository for all sorts of stuff, and every few weeks I get fed up and clean it off. Our dining table has become sewing central for my daughter. We don’t eat on it anyway. The surfaces of my house seem to attract stuff. As much as I like things put away, I also like them close at hand. I love that massive fern on your kitchen table. I chant put plants out in the open….curious naughty cats. My house plants live on the shower ledge, protected by the glass door. I’ve transitioned most of the succulents so they are very happy on my front stoop. Both plants and kitties need to stay safe.
We tried eating at our table, but we’re so used to eating on trays that it didn’t take!
Love the fern! Now if I could only keep my maidenhair alive.
Fingers crossed on this one. It did really well outside because it was humid and rainy most of the summer. Our house gets very dry, so I’m a bit wary.
Things aren’t great over here in the UK right now with Brexit….but I don’t think we have to deal with the issues you have in the US! Obviously we read about it all in our press, but it is so interesting to read your thoughts and to understand that there are many Americans who do not support the current regime. The World is a very frightening place these days so all we can do is take pleasure in the small things and make our voices heard when it matters. Enjoy your trip..I look forward to reading all about it.
I know Brexit is worrisome. I just have to tell you that the amount of people who truly support Trump is small. The majority of Americans do not and we’re trying very hard to get him out of office. In the meantime, the stress level here is very high all the time. I don’t think I’ve truly relaxed since the election. Thank you so much, Helen.
That’s so good to hear..we feel for you, particularly with today’s news about the Kavanagh vote. Switch off and enjoy your trip!
xoxo
I loved London so much when I was there ages ago now… 1997 as I recall… that I actually felt homesick when we left! we had walked everywhere! it was wonderful. I’m not a “shopper.”
so the days were spent discovering first hand its historical places and its parks and little pubs and it’s book shops. I think I could have happily stayed! but then I’ve been an Anglophile for as long as I can remember. everyone I met was so kind. but I think you get the vibes back that you put out. and my vibes were … “I’m so happy! and I love your country!” LOL.
and p.s.
I LOVE your fern there! it keeps Stella company! xo
Book shops for sure. Cafes. Walking down old streets, etc. That’s what we love. Thanks, Tammy.
The fern looks great on the table. You have a great eye for where pieces go throughout your entire home! Enjoy your fabulous trip with your Don.
Thank you so much, Judy.
That is one gorgeous fern…I do hope you can keep it going!..I bought a beautiful Kimberly fern a few years ago and it was doing well at one of my windows until my cats ate it!…I mean they really really ate it…lol…I know what you mean by getting away from the U.S. for a while…I have been thinking of how nice that would be too…I am so happy for you and Don!…Claudia…you don’t ever have to apologize for your kitchen…we all love your kitchen!!!
We cannot wait to “get out of Dodge” and avoid any news. Since we want to keep our cellphone use to a minimum, I won’t be tied to Twitter. That’s a good thing.
Have a great trip. Enjoy your time in Europe.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn!
We need a miracle. Do they exist? Meanwhile, I agree, leaving the country will be refreshing. Although, you may wish to wear a tee shirt that says, “I believe America was great BEFORE Trump.”
I wanted to get one that says “I didn’t vote for him.”
I’ve been thinking of you all week. I am so ashamed and sickened by all that is going on and have reached the only conclusion the evidence supports: our government hates us women. It’s not safe for us here. I’m very glad you and Don are getting out of Dodge for a while at least. You will find it healing I’m sure. If not for my aged husband who will not be moved from this home, I would flee this country in a heartbeat, and have wanted to since the elections. Don’t listen to news, read papers, or engage in conversation over there with anyone who wishes to talk politics. Some places are just as ugly about their own facism. But the beauty of art, architecture, music, plants, flowers, and a different culture endures. I know you will soak it into your cells. And thank you for making sure that your little corner of the world is a beautiful and peaceful place.
It isn’t safe for us here. I’m horrified by what is happening.
I don’t know where I would escape to (maybe Canada, as my mom was Canadian) but how I would love to flee. We’re just going to take in all the beauty and ignore the news.
Your fall colors around the property are just lovely.
I like the fern on the kitchen table; it would be sad to lose such a beautiful fern to weather. The green is a nice, living pop of ‘nature’ for you when the world outside begins to turn white. What will you do while you’re gone? Just mist it heavily? Set it in water and hope for no rot?
What have you planned about the plants inside & out? I think I missed it from what you might have written down for us before, but I think you’re just hoping for the best otherwise outdoors, right? Other than what’s potted, you’re at the time of year where stuff is dying off, going dormant anyway, true? Seems you could definitely have first freezes while you’re gone?
I’m so interested in this (your prep) because of possibly being gone 6-8 weeks from home sometime next year, if my husband and I do that cross-country USA road trip when I’ve learned that, for instance, the post office won’t vacay-hold your mail beyond 30 days, etc. Is gonna take a lot of planning and I don’t have a scenario where I’d have somebody coming in periodically to do things like pick up stray mail at the front door, check on things, water the yard, etc. although of course you can pay for anything these days, to get done what would give me peace of mind about any of it.
Rick is going to come over and water the plants on the porch every few days, and half way through our trip, he’ll come inside and water the plants. I want the outside porch plants watered because it’s supposed to be warm while we’re away, so they won’t be ready to die off.
Good luck with the fern. I see a lot of misting in your future. Have fun with the preparations for your trip. xo Laura
Well, luckily, I have a mister!
Hi Claudia,
I am so looking forward to your European vacation! You must set your mind to “vacation mode” and love every minute from now on. Listen to some upbeat music and and get in your happy groove with Don and enjoy!