Tomorrow, we head into daytime temps in the 40s. I cannot wait. 37 degrees today and sunny.
Later today, I’m going to pick up a spare ball of yarn and relearn crochet. I expect it will come back to me pretty quickly. My muscles already remember using the hook. I need to practice making a chain and then do a few rows of the ripple stitch. I was going to do this yesterday, but I was too tired by the time I got to it.
Finished my library book, which was automatically renewed online right after I turned the last page. Since it was a new Michael Connelly, I didn’t think that was going to happen. Anyway, I’ll return it soon. Now I’m reading Robert Macfarlane’s Is a River Alive? He writes about nature and he does it with simply gorgeous language. He’s a poet. Obviously, this one is about rivers and their importance. His book Underland, is one of my all-time favorites.
In progress. As always, yellow looks different all the time, depending on the light. I witness this every day because our kitchen walls are yellow. Sometimes I love them, and sometimes I dislike them intensely.
I’m slowly aging the cabinet. I did much of this late in the day yesterday and I’ll have better light today. Hey, it was free and I always like a little challenge, so what have I got to lose?
It will be placed in this third floor hallway. The key will be the wallpaper I use and how I accessorize it. Oh, and the floor. I can’t linger on that because the thought of all the popsicle sticks I’m going to have to stain and then fit in all of the rooms of this house is way too daunting.
One room at a time, Claudia.
I got up first today – I work up early and my brain was way too busy – so I made the first round of coffee. Just now, Don brought me my second cup.
Why does his always taste better than mine?
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
Sun and temperatures above 30…..yeah. Need to get myself together and return books to library, Go feed the swan family of five that live on the inlet, go to the class I audit at university by me and then…..come home, make dinner and …..probably collapse. I try to do stretching….in chair and on bed and walking every day…..that is the goal. Back issues that I am trying to ease. I envy your many skills….I do remember crochet…..but could never follow patterns…..just made long thin narrow scarves…..endlessly. As to why the second cup of coffee tastes better? The first cup wakes you:the second reminds you that you are cherished , and arrives with Don.
Stay well.
Maria
But when Don makes the first cup of coffee it tastes better, too!
I think it’s because Don made it. And he loves me.
Stay safe, Maria.
Food/drinks always taste better when someone else makes them. I think it has to do with feeling pampered that someone would share with you. Your wee cabinet is looking shabby chic. And you’re going with “hardwood” floors. Neat! Have a great weekend. Enjoy the warmer temps. Happy Valentine’s Day 💝. Hugs, Elaine
Although I’m not decorating in a shabby chic style. I did that with my first house. But it is aged because I think that looks more interesting and it gives a piece character.
Thanks so much, Elaine.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia! I am looking forward to a little bit of thawing too! I finally unplugged my outdoor X-mas lights…. a sure sign Spring is in the air! :)
The little “throw-away” cabinet is beginning to take on some “old” character and I really like what it does for that hallway. I know what you mean about yellow… I have lived with yellow walls in many of my houses over the years, and gradually realized that I liked the stronger versions best… they are instant sunshine…. provided the hue you chose isn’t too “mustardy” but sticks closer to the “pure” range. But I love intense color, so I know my tastes are not typical. But I do think that cabinet brings a bit of sunshine into that hallway!
And as for Don’s coffee…. he obviously pours it with the “love juice” which is why it tastes so good!
He must! Because it sure tastes good!
Thanks so much, Betsy.
Stay safe.
all sounds (looks) good … warmer weather, creative pursuits, coffee with someone who loves you and with whom you share your love and life …! :)
your “one room at a time” advice to yourself works for me: “one creative project, one book, one thing at a time, kathy!” thanks for the reminder to slow down and focus.
cool here (24 degrees), a big drop from monday’s record-setting 65, but that’s okay with me. would like more snow, but it’s not in the forecast. :l
time to do other things. better now than in the afternoon (that i aim to keep free just for want-to stuff).
hope you, don and everyone else have a nice day and great weekend. stay safe.
kathy
ps to your question on wednesday … having some difficulty with reading due to lots of distractions. knitting is easier because i don’t have to hold onto information or follow a storyline; i just need to keep putting the needle in the same place over and over again (knitting hats on circular needles).
Yes, get the ‘have to do’ stuff done and then reserve time for your reward, doing the fun stuff.
Thanks, Kathy.
Stay safe.
Oh, and I forgot to say, have you considered using coffee stirrer sticks instead of popsickle shicks? I know they are narrower (which is more true to Victorian style, but they are way easier to cut and are inexpensive. I made a wonderful herringbone floor from “unused but discarded” coffee stirrers and they took a stain beautifully. Just a thought. :)
Actually, I meant to say coffee stirrer sticks. I’ve used popsicle sticks for some wider plank floors in other dollhouses. But I AM using coffee stirrer sticks, Betsy.
When your post came up, I thought the cabinet was a fancy carved butter!
I’m under the weather. My entire household has a cold and we’re at varying stages. I’m about three days behind one daughter, who is about four days behind the other. I hope it won’t take a week before I recover and I really am working hard not to become reinfected.
I’m working on the stamp collection. I unearthed another 600+ stamps. The albums I bought sight unseen from a friend’s friend are falling apart so I’m taking the stamps off the hinges by soaking them, and organizing them the way we do it, without hinging.
I am, of course, using the stamps as a procrastination from doing taxes. I had used the excuse that we needed a new printer but we bought one last week.
Taxes will get done. Maybe after the cold is over.
Ha! I can see how it would look that way!
I’m so sorry you’re all suffering from a cold. Do not even attempt to do taxes when you’re feeling miserable, Wendy.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia! Just another thought, have you used the “Minwax” Stain pens? They are so handy for little jobs… almost no smell and very minimal mess factor… like using a magic marker! I only tried them recently and they are amazing! And they come in a range of traditional wood finish colors since they are meant for mending scratches and stuff like that. :)
No, I haven’t even seen them. Where did you find them, Betsy?
xo
Hi Claudia! I got them at our local Aubuchon Hardware store. About nine dollars for a pen, but worth it for the small amount of stain needed. They didn’t have a large range of colors. I doubt they are a high demand product. They might be available by order too, it seems like so much is sourced that way now. The ease of use was a game-changer! :)
Thanks so much, Betsy!
xo
Hi there. Our house is just so interesting, neat. I should dust today, but things are well, ehh. Michael went to the doctor with me. It’s been months again. I have to have this brain thing done soon. We went over all my symptoms. I’ve given up my driver’s license (no choice) and now will have an i.d. card, picked up my first ever bus ticket today too. Not the greatest of all days. As soon as the seizures are under control for a while, I’ll be able to drive again. But it’ll be a nuisance because I like to see Dad every second or third day.
I went out yesterday and treated myself to a little bottle of perfume and a sweater. We’re expecting colder weather next week.
I’d like our bathroom painted. It would look so nice.
I sure hope that all your symptoms can be diagnosed and treated, Irene.
Sending prayers.
Stay safe.
The miniature is shaping up well, Claudia! Can’t wait to see that hallway all done! Have fun with the crochet. I’ve enjoyed becoming reacquainted with knitting!
Anything to help us relax in a meditative way, Jeanie.
We all need that.
Stay safe.