There’s a strange man in my house.
Who is this guy? And what is he doing sitting in my living room?
Don got home around 7:00 last night. He’s happy to be here. Though when he looked out at the property this morning in the light of day, he said “It’s so bleak.” When he left to go on tour there were green trees and flowers in the garden. Now, everything is brown and gray.
He loved the tarts, though we both think the crust is a little chewy. That’s my next challenge. But in the meantime, we’re loving them.
I’m still under the weather, but whatever this is, it’s moving through my system pretty quickly.
Don’s excited that he gets to drive his car again. I started it for him yesterday and it ran like a charm.
We’re both so grateful for the opportunities this year has brought us and for the very real peace that comes from knowing he’s employed come January and that we can simply relax and enjoy our time together during the holiday season. There have been many, many years when that was not the case.
Saturday night’s sunset.
Happy Monday.
Debbie Price says
Eek! There is a Broadway star sitting in your living room!!! Get his autograph!!
Glad he made it home safely.
Enjoy your day!
Claudia says
Thank you, Debbie!
kathy says
echoing Debbie p’s comment, above. heehee!
i am very happy for you and don! know you will enjoy every minute together. :)
kathy in iowa
Claudia says
Thanks, Kathy!
Trina says
Glad he is home. First couple of days will seem strange then a routine comes back. At least from what I remember when my husband came home after a few weeks.
Thank you for the recipe. I am looking forward to trying it.
Claudia says
Thanks, Trina!
Carolyn Marie says
I am happy for you both! Enjoy this cozy time together.
Claudia says
Thanks, Carolyn Marie!
Kay says
Ha, your heading made me laugh out loud. My husband got back last night (or rather, in the early morning) from two weeks in China. I became aware someone was in bed with me when my clock radio went of and was immediately silenced. I got up in the dark, only had light son in the bathroom, went downstairs and came to work – all without actually SEEING who was in the bed. This has happened more times than I care to think about. So glad you are now able to enjoy the holidays together, just the way it should be!
Claudia says
Very funny! Thanks, Kay!
Dottie says
Happy you two are together again in your cottage! Any idea on how long the play will run?
Claudia says
Broadway is all about ticket sales and profit, so who knows?
Linda @ A La Carte says
I remember my Dad being gone for a year with no visits when he was in the Marine Corps. Took awhile to get into a new routine but we all did. Enjoy the holidays with Don and you cozy little home. I know how Don feels…I went to Texas for Thanksgiving with lovely flowers still blooming in my front yard and came home to everything is brown! Winter in Georgia. Hugs!
Claudia says
Thanks, Linda!
Vicki says
Cute intro/title to the post.
Again, so happy for you both.
His hair is LONG!!! (Will keep him warm for winter!)
Vicki says
Seems your weather forecast is indicating upcoming arctic blast; brrr (your landscape from that photo does indeed look bleak although with its own beauty).
The supermoon out here on the West Coast was the most incredible thing. It was HUGE and, initially, a bit orange-y. Thrilling to see it appear and rise. Brightest headlamp imaginable and VERY defined; yep, you could see the ‘ol man’s face. Right now, we are blowing a GALE but it’s cold wind, not a Santa Ana. We were sunny with blue sky at 9am but it was only 60 degrees which is sort of rare for us (although wind in December isn’t rare in SoCalif; people put out the Xmas inflatables for holiday yard decor and they all blow down, every single year). I actually turned on the furnace this morning to take off the chill which is something I almost never do here.
We have a fireplace but, like in our last house, it has issues so we can’t use it, and I’m allergic to woodsmoke anyway, so I’ve been thinking of how nice it might be to get a good-quality electric ‘fireplace’ – they make so many of them now, diff types, all price ranges, whereas one I had from the 70s was so ‘artificial’ and it sure didn’t sound like a crackling log fire. I don’t have a lot of room, but there are lots of sizes. After all, people even get them for small apartments. Would be cozy, no? I guess even Pottery Barn has them. I wouldn’t want a wall mount; I’d want a freestanding one.
Claudia says
That may be coming but it’s 50 degrees today. And tomorrow.
Claudia says
Has to be long for the show. He likes it a lot.
Wendy T says
Glad you’re together in your cottage for awhile. Enjoy enjoy!
Claudia says
Thanks, Wendy!
April Baldwin says
Hi Claudia, Glad to see your hubby back home with you! Enjoy the holiday season together!
Claudia says
Thanks, April!
Marilyn says
Happy to see Don home and relaxing.
Marilyn
Claudia says
Thanks, Marilyn!
Donnamae says
That’s such a wonderful picture…and I’m not referring to the sunset! He’s home! The weather is pretty bleak here too…cold weather coming in, thunderstorms this evening. Enjoy your time together! ;)
Claudia says
It stayed foggy all day here. I thought I was living in San Francisco!
Janet in Rochester says
Ah, your world spins the correct direction again! As Martha Stewart would say – “It’s a GOOD thing…” Welcome back to the Empire State, Don. Get rested up – sounds like you’re gonna be a somewhat busy fellow come January. Have some fun firing up Stella while home – I imagine she’s been missing you too. Yeah, my nephew & I were just talking about how the world looks right now, with most of our leaves gone. The Winter look – just gray & brown now til Spring. Oh well – Winter is the price we pay here in New York for our Springs, Summers & Falls. Have a great week you two! Peace. 🥘
#Resist
Claudia says
I must confess I don’t like the bleakness of winter, but you’re right – we certainly appreciate Spring after going through Winter.
Chris K in Wisconsin says
So glad that Don is home and you have him there for the Holidays! Happy Days are here again….
Claudia says
Thanks, Chris!
Lily says
So happy for you to see that man back in your lovely cottage again! Enjoy the holiday season together.
I like Don’s hair long. My husband, now in his mid 60s, has always worn his hair long. Me too. Our daughters affectionately call us “old hippies”.
Claudia says
I like it a bit shorter than the length it is, only because his curls are more in evidence then. But he needs it long for the show and he’s loving it.
tammy j says
as a long time widow I think there must be no sweeter words than ” he’s home! ”
you are both so lovely. talented and charming people enjoying life in a gorgeous cozy little cottage.
what could be better!
and a hit show. I don’t know ANYONE who doesn’t love that music.
everyone has such personal memories of it. so it should be wonderful run! xo
Claudia says
Thank you, Tammy. I’m sorry you lost your husband. Much love to you.
Apparently pre-Broadway sales have been through the roof!
Monica says
You have to be crazy happy right now.
Enjoy your man. He looks perfect just where he’s sitting.
Are you guys getting snow this week?
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhsh ;-)
Claudia says
No snow in the forecast yet. Rain, yes.
Monica says
https://www.artandthekitchen.com/old-fashioned-butter-tarts/
This recipe sounds similar to yours.
Claudia says
Thanks – there are a lot of them out there.
Nancy Blue Moon says
It is so good to see you at home with Claudia again Don!…You can get a well deserved break for a while!…I guess we had better enjoy this warmer weather Claudia as the cold is going to return very soon…Enjoy your time together!
Claudia says
We will, Nancy. Thanks!