:: The dogs are not happy with me. The weather has been so rainy that they haven’t had their walk in a few days. Today is much nicer. However, when we take the dogs for a walk, we have to load them in the car first. That involves helping Riley into the car by lifting his rear end up and into the car. No can do with my much-better-but-still-fragile back. Don is out right now but we’re hoping we can talk him into walking the dogs when he gets home. Update: they’ve been whisked away by their Dad and will be happily walking down a country road in a few minutes.
:: I did get out today. I was going a bit stir crazy here at MHC. I bought some more inexpensive (cheap) yarn for my crochet project.
It’s supposed to be a scrap ripple stitch afghan. However, since I donated all my extra yarn to the Salvation Army last winter as the result of a frenzied closet purge, I was sadly lacking in any yarn. And I’m on a strict budget – to put it mildly. So I trotted off to Michael’s and Hobby Lobby and bought a bunch of different colors that go with the red in our den. Crochet is a yarn eater – much more than knitting – and since we will end up tossing the afghan around the den on a regular basis, I’m fine with inexpensive yarn.
:: I brought our vintage ice cream maker in from the porch. A friend of ours gave it to us when we were living in San Diego. Now it has a new home on top of my kitchen hutch.
I love the rustiness and the chippy aqua paint. Don gave it a thumbs up saying that we needed some ‘rough edges’ in the kitchen. (He’s got style, that guy.)
:: A lovely blogging friend, Sharon of My Life at Pansy Cottage and Garden, sent me the sweetest gift.
Isn’t this pillow adorable? I was so touched by Sharon’s present. Sharon, we have it sitting on our red-checked chair in the living room. I’ll take a photo of it and post it soon. Sharon has a wonderful shop full of pillows and aprons that she has designed. Thank you, my friend.
:: Mom’s home. She’s exhausted but happy. The kittens are punishing her, of course, by ignoring her. We’re hoping that this will work out and that Assisted Living can be avoided if at all possible. I will keep you posted.
:: My annual photo of the house bathed in the autumn light:
Have a wonderful evening. I will be watching game #2 of the World Series. Don’s sister was lucky enough to be in the stands last night. I bet she had a great time!
I’m in heaven. I love to see that you have picked up a hook again. Who cares if it’s a yarn eater. We have a long winter ahead my friend. Don’t go purging the stash ever again. You never know.
I aDORe that ice cream maker. How do you find such treasures is beyond me.
HOOK on, it’s looking great
Kate
Hi Claudia girl!!!
So sorry to hear about your back…you poor thing! The good news is, your cottage looks fantastic in the Autumn light ;)
Glad you are feeling better girlie!
Sharon sure did spoil you with that beautiful pillow…it’s so pretty!!! Too bad it can’t stay out all year long…or can it?
;)
The ice cream maker has great color and patina Claudia!
I love your crochet project. I saw one of my blogger friends making an autumnal pennant to hang and it’s really sweet. I need to get my needles out.
Keep that back safe and don’t be climbing, bending or jumping around or I’m gonna go up there and use my big spoon on ya!!
Deanna :D
P.S. Your cottage is a dream!
Your house looks very pretty in the autumn light. The sky is so blue! I hope things work out for your mom, and that your back feels just fine soon.
Hi Claudia! Love the colors you’re starting with, for your afghan! I’ve always been curious about those soft handled hooks though. I’ve never used one! I take it you like it? I don’t know if Walmart sells them, so maybe I’ll have to order one to see for myself… Love the sweet Halloween pillow Sharon sent you!.. As for the game on t.v. tonight, let’s both wish the Rangers better luck for a big win this time!! ~tina
I’m glad your back is better, and that you are taking care of it. The colors for your afghan are scrumptious! I reminds me of hot fudge cake with cherries on top. I’m not sure why, since there’s no brown, maybe I’m just hungry! I would never used expensive yarn since I’m a very novice knitter and crocheter, maybe someday, but not now.
Poor doggies. It’s hard when they get to the point where they have to be lifted into the car. My FIL’s dog, Honey, seems to be sick. She’s about 12 or so years old. She’s a boxer. I dread, dread, dread the day that she dies. Papaw will be devastated.
Assisted Living isn’t such a bad thing, so when the time comes, if it does, that your mom has to go, don’t feel badly! My mother loved being with lots of other people. She was in assisted living for 3 years before she wasn’t able to be there any longer. Now, the nursing home wasn’t as great, but still not bad, when you consider the alternative of trying to take care of her yourself. It’s hard on you, I’m sure, being so far from them way down in FL.
Hi Claudia~
I love the ice cream mixer, Don does have great taste. Yep he’s a keeper! Glad you like the pillow, its one of my favorites too!
Your house looks fabulous in the fall lighting! Since you’ve spent so much time in so.cal. you know we don’t really have seasons so I bet you are enjoying all the colors at home.
Lovely photo of your home, Claudia…and I love your old ice creamer maker, looks so great with the dried hydrangea! Hope you are feeling better soon!
Claudia, your crochet work is superb! I hope to learn one day, but am not motivated while living in a warm environment!
Best wishes for your mom’s return home. Those kitties will soon return to their senses and be sitting in their rightful spot, her well-deserving lap. Ann
I love it when you ramble, sweetpea. Maybe because I’m a rambler also. Anyway, glad all is well with you.
xoxo,
Connie
Sooo glad your back is getting better. Been there done that and it can be so darn miserable. We always had to load our dearly departed Missy in the truck too with her bad hips and legs. We do what we have to sometimes for the love of our pets, but it killed my back every vet visit to get her loaded into the truck. Handsome refuses to use the ramp so I have to lift him also.
Your house looks lovely in Autumn light!
Di
This photo of your nest bathed in Autumn’s light…..lovely. I think to myself that it exudes a feeling of home, comfort, love. I would be hugging myself every day to pull up to the drive and be welcomed home. I am sure you and Don do. Be well and take good care.
xox Rella
Love the crochet project. Beautiful colors. Can’t wait to see it finished.
wow, i love that ice cream maker. such beautiful patina. glad to hear about your mom too. and take it easy! no trick or treating for you. love the color of your house too.
~janet
Did I help to make you pick up the crochet needles by posting my crochet heart? I am so glad you are doing something with yarn, it is so calming. Love the house in Autumn, I wish I caould be there.
Love you,
M
Claudia, I’m so happy to hear that your mom is home. There is nothing like being at home to make one happy to the core. Hope the kitties don’t punish her for too long :)
I haven’t crocheted in so long I don’t know if I would remember how. Do you suppose it’s like riding a bike? I have such fond memories of my mom crocheting. Back in the 60’s she would sit on the couch and crochet poodle bottle covers for the school fund bazaars. How I wish I had one of them now.
Glad to hear the rain has cleared up for you. After three days of mid-70’s we are now back to the seasona 40’s. It was truly a late October gift, those three days! Have a wonderful weekend,
Donna
Reds, oh my! I love the old ice cream maker, and you filled it with perfection.
Brenda
I’m happy to hear your Mom is home- I hope things go well for her and your Dad. I’ll keep them in my prayers. I love the colors in your afghan- it’s going to be so beautiful! Have to laugh a tiny bit about the kittens punishing your Mom- that’s so typical of cats, isn’t it? They’ll eventually get over it and want her attention back :)
Claudia,
I am in love with your home ! Could we exchange ?
We did not celebrate Halloween here but I wish you a very happy one with your familly.
♥ Hélène Glehen – a French artist, fond of roses and romantic stuff ♥
I love the blue pieces of pottery that you have at the top of your blog, SO cute! That color has to be in the top 5 favorites for me :)
~ hope you have a good day!
beautiful blog :)
Love the vintage ice cream maker! It looks great in its new spot. My philosophy…the more rusty and chippy, the better! Have a nice weekend.
Glad you’re a little better Claudia:)
Love the pillow Sharon sent, I was just visiting that sweetie today!
Keep smiling & crocheting!
hugs,
paula:)
Your crocheting is so pretty Claudia. I love the colors that you’ve chosen. I’ve been learning to crochet and using inexpensive yarn too. One thing that is nice about it, is that it is machine washable, unlike so many of the fancy yarns. One day I’d like to make something very special with some nice yarn, but feel I need to practice a lot more first.
Your home is looking so nice. I love a few rough edges inside too.
Go Giants!
xo
Lena
As an X third grade teacher, I have earned the right to completely ignore Halloween. So I do!
Wish I could crochet.
Great find! I have to get back to crochet and or knitting myself. I’m alittle rusty, but would like to make some scarfs. Have a great weekend. Will be in NP on Halloween at the bakery for annual pumpkin contest they have. You and Don should go. Fun! Hugs, Liz
hi claudia!
i am having a blog catch up session but am getting sleepy. your blog was the “just one more …”
isn’t sharon a super sweetie? she just sent me goodies, too, which i hope to photograph soon. i adore her.
i adore the pic of MHC. what a great house! it’s a homestead!
wishing you a safe & yummy halloween!
xo
elyse
Hello Sweet Claudia! I love to read your post! Just like I am there with you…remember lunch? I am impressed with your crocheting. I can only make dish clothes! LOL! Love your pictures, as usual dear.
Love,
Maryjane
I love rambling posts like this. They give a feel for the real life that goes on behind the picture-perfect blog posts.
Hope the weather will clear up for you and your hairy friends so you can all go soak up some sunshine.
I actually ended up with some random thoughts on my blog after reading yours! What a lucky girl getting those gorgeous gifts! What you go through with Riley is hard but you are loving parents and I admire that. We do the same with Obie. Some days its hard. I hope your back is better soon but glad that Dad came to the rescue for the kids! I love the crochet project. I crochet most every night while watching tv. I’m working on a lapghan. It keeps me warm as I am crocheting it! Win/Win! The ice cream maker is very cool. You definitely have a flair for decorating Claudia. Glad your mom is home and happy and your autumn home pic is divine! Can I ask you what font you use…I love it. Bobbie just downloaded a ton of fonts…hundreds…because he designs websites. I really like the one you use. BTW…my email is debbe@maine.rr.com