First, proof that the butterfly bush is still alive:
After I took this, I cut back more of the old wood. Growth is really slow this year, but we haven’t had much rain. Thankfully, we got rain off and on during the day yesterday and lots of rain last night. We may get some thunderstorms today, as well.
What do you see in this picture that is new? If you follow me on Instagram, you already know the answer.
I recycled yesterday and when I went to the transfer station/town dump, I noticed this:
I took a quick picture for IG and went on my way to our local nursery. The IG post said something about the discovery of the dollhouse and that I needed another dollhouse like a hole in the head.
I promptly forgot about it as I went to work laying down more mulch and adding another plant to the shade garden. I was busy doing outdoor things until about 2:00, at which point, I came in the house, took a shower, and had lunch. Not until about 2:45 did I check Instagram. I saw comment after comment about the dollhouse, that I should get it, that I could redo it and give it away, or auction it off, etc.
Suddenly it hit me upside the head. I had to rescue it.
I jumped in the car, hoping that the transfer station was still open. I knew that someone else might have snagged it by then, which would have been mildly disappointing, but – let’s face it – I have more dollhouses than I know what to do with and I haven’t done anything with at least three of them. It’s been a dollhouse dry spell for quite a long time.
When I pulled up, there it was. Still sitting on the ground, all by itself. I asked Dan, who runs the place, if I could take it. He said I could. Dan sees things that people throw in the large dumpsters and occasionally pulls something that he thinks someone might want. He almost always pulls toys that are in good shape, knowing that someone will love it.
So I grabbed it and he said if he came across any more dollhouses, he’d save them for me. (Gulp.)
Here it is. It’s an inexpensive house and, though not put together as badly as Hummingbird Cottage was when I first got it, it needs work.
Not the best picture as it’s very gray outside and there’s not a lot of light.
I’m thinking ‘Carpenter Gothic,’ a style I’ve always been drawn to.
As you can see, I’ve already started ripping up the ugly green carpet and the kitchen tiles. Whoever put it together did a good job of it. I need to repair a few things and add wood putty to those slits that show on the outside and inside The shingles are the same shingles that are on Hummingbird Cottage. I’ll get rid of the trim at the top because it’s out of scale and makes the dollhouse look too childlike. As you know, my dollhouses aren’t for kids, they’re for adults!
The bedroom.
Bathroom.
Kitchen.
Living room.
There is trim missing here and there:
It needs a fair amount of work. But somehow, even though I have my modern dollhouse (which I have done next to nothing to) and my loft, also next to nothing, and my 1/2″ scale house that I’m supposedly building, this little freebie has jump started an urge to work on something. Just like Hummingbird Cottage, I get energized by the chance to rehab, flip, whatever you want to call it.
I’m glad everyone urged me to go back and get it. After I picked it up, I wondered what I had been thinking when I left it behind. I know what I was thinking: we have no room for it. But, what the heck. With the horrific things happening to our country, I need something, in addition to reading and gardening, to keep me sane.
Maybe the angels thought the same thing and led me to it.
More later.
Don told me that Christy (the lead in Anastasia and one of my favorite people in the world) had a rare night off last night and she came to the show with her boyfriend. He got to talk to her afterwards. She loved it. I’m so glad she got to see it before it closes. I like it when my worlds – Anastasia and Escape to Margaritaville – collide.
Happy Thursday.
I love that dollhouse! It was waiting for you. Meant to be!!
I just love it. I can only imagine it’s future in your hands. ;)
Thank you so much, Monica!
What a find! Not sure what Carpenter Gothic looks like….but I anxiously await the progress reports. I had forgotten about your other dollhouses…that’s quite a collection.
I had my monthly ladies luncheon yesterday, and I was hosting, so I was scurrying around most of the day. I had a day away from the inter-webs…it was nice! Imagine my surprise when I turned on the news to hear about Justice Kennedy retiring! Why couldn’t he have waited a few more months??
So your comment…about reading and gardening aren’t enough of a distraction, has struck home. I need a couple more hobbies! Glad you are getting some rain…finally. We are in for extreme heat and humidity. Enjoy your day! ;)
I’m suspicious about the timing of his retirement. Trump is trying to pack the court so that when he’s charged or impeached and it goes to SCOTUS, they’ll be on his side. Very hot here, very humid and Sunday – the closing performance day – is supposed to be 100 degrees.
I was one on IG hoping you would return for the dollhouse! I’m so thrilled you did. Maybe a restoration is just the thing you need. I’m making some changes in my thinking so I can find a creative outlet again. I’ve been stagnate too long. I love following along on doll house adventures and this will be fun to watch you renovate! It’s raining today and I have so much I need to do but I’ll just have to figure it out. Hugs.
So happy Christy got to see the show before closing.
I was that way most of the winter and early spring. I have to fight the urge to do nothing. I understand.
hooray for some good things … a free and very sweet dollhouse, your friend christy being able to see “etm” and visit with don, that you had some rain …!
i have many interests and several hobbies … love to paint, write, knit, read, run (or at least walk) … but hadn’t done four of those things for several months, mostly because i was trying to extend my runs and would then conk out at home. but in just the past month i returned to knitting and reading. while i enjoy those things on their own, think i’ve been needing more distractions from troubles in the world (and for now having stupid hip bursitis) … so i get and recommend the return to/start of hobbies as a coping strategy!
here’s to better days for everyone!
kathy in iowa
Feel better, Kathy. And distractions are what we all need so that we can stay strong and fight.
thanks, claudia. it’s been almost two months of not being able to run or go for intentional walks at all, no stair-climbing (except those to and from my apartment), nothing hilly, no bike-riding. no zumba or “leg work” … if i ever get myself to a gym (i very much prefer to walk and run outside). nothing intentional that involves moving my leg except what i need to do at work, with home chores, etc., plus some stretches at home that seem so small like they are doing nothing. i’ve snuck in a couple ten minute walks to test the pain and it’s been decreasing some over the past few weeks, but is still there. i am crabby and trying not to get scared and depressed about it so i try to be patient, focus on the fact that the pain is less than it was and trust God has a reason for this.
and i’ve finished two books, knit two and a half hats so far this month … ha, but not really ha. i’d rather be outside!
anyway, thanks for your good wishes. xo
kathy in iowa
So frustrating, I’m sure. I’d much rather be outside as well – I’m not big on exercise, need to be better about that, but being stuck in the house is no fun!
I am so glad you got a new dollhouse! I can’t wait to see what you do with it! I started following your blog because of the other dollhouse ( the Alison – Hummingbird Cottage). I am in the process of renovating one (sort of) and was looking on line for ideas. I say “sort of” because we actually bought our Alison kit about 15 years ago when my daughter was 7. She and her father gave up when it was half-way built. It sat in our “art space “ until this past winter when one of my relatives snarkingly asked, “ Has the construction crew been fired yet on the unfinished house that’s been upstairs for at least 10 years?” So….I finished the construction and started decorating. Like yours, mine is meant for adults. And yes, dollhouses are a great escape from the world!
You’ll have a great time decorating! That’s the best part. Enjoy, Jane.
What a find! Free is always good. I know what you mean about needing something to DO to keep sane. I think crafty people are the most sane people that exist in this world :-)
Maybe being crafty keeps us sane?
when I saw it I immediately thought of all the little cottages I love in Carmel by the Sea.
they and their gardens are my ‘dream’ places to live.
the little doll house just made me think of them.
maybe you saved each other.
it’s good.
I love Carmel. It’s enchanting. It reminds me of houses in Chautauqua or one of the other turn-of-the-century communities. I worked in Chautauqua for two summers and it is simply dollhouse-like.
Thanks, Tammy.
I got a hint about the doll house here on the blog later in the evening yesterday so, of course, I clicked right on over to your I/G. My goodness, who puts stuff out like that to recycling? Here, we’d put it on the curb as freecycle; the stuff always gets snatched up. We don’t go to a recycling center; the city provides a recycling truck and comes to us. Of course, we’re urban and you’re out in the country. I think it’s a precious little house and I know you will make it absolutely perfect; you were meant to rescue it. I can’t WAIT til you get back into ‘doll house-ing’!!! You’re really good at it.
Thanks, Vicki. At least it gives me something to think about other than the crap happening in DC!
I think you should do something VERY special with this and name it Democracy House.
Love that! Thank you Diane!
diane …
no doubt that whatever claudia does with this dollhouse will be very special. and I love that name, democracy house!
kathy in iowa
Very cute dollhouse. Can’t wait to see what you do with it!! Summer cottage for Caroline on Cape Cod? Cape May? Lake Winnipesaukee? Or our own Adirondacks – Lake George maybe? Glad you have the distraction of it at least. We all need that now. Gotta stay focused & primed for whatever’s next. Whatever you do will be adorable, I’m sure of that. Oh and am I the only one who’s suspicious of the timing of this retirement? Difficult not to be wary these days. More than one person on Twitter is asking if someone wasn’t “encouraged” to retire? I don’t WANT to think this way, but the Great Orange Sphincter does make it SO damn easy. I hope he gets chronic debilitating [and incurable] hemorrhoids. Or anything REALLY embarrassing & painful. OK that’s that. Have fun dreaming up dollhouse ideas. Getting creative really DOES help. Peace.
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
LOVE the idea of the worst hemmoroids in the history of the world. You know he ALWAYS has to have the biggest and best!!
LOL!!! That’s right – we know he does. And he’ll probably tell us ALL about them too!!
I’m thinking a Chautauqua-like cottage – or Oak Bluffs on Cape Cod.
I am VERY suspicious of the timing. And it turns out he has links to Trump via his sons. Hmmmm.
Thanks, Janet.
Any port in this storm to save a degree of sanity. What a lovely find, and we all need things for which we can throw ourselves into and forget reality. Even though you haven’t “doll-housed” for a while, it seems the Universe was watching out for you yesterday and not to be ignored!
Glad you are getting some nice rain. We are into the heat for the next few days. On the news this AM they said this round looks like the worst we have had in a couple of years. 105* to 110* heat indexes each day. Lots of watering in our foreseeable future!! Happy creating!
It’s very hot here. Very humid and it will reach 100 degrees on Sunday! I can’t imagine what the heat index will be. And I can’t be here to water things, so I’m worried. Thanks, Chris.
Can’t tell you how much I look forward to your rehab. It’s been so long.
Thanks Sue!
My daughter (who’s almost 15) told me the other day that she’s ready to give up her dollhouse. Now you’ve got me thinking…
Oh you should grab it and redecorate!
Claudia, I do not know if you needed that house, but it sure needs you. I think you could love it into a wonderful little house. Happy Don had a good night . Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie
I think it’s just what I need right now, Susie. Thank you.
I am so glad you decided to go back and retrieve that adorable dollhouse. I love it. Cannot wait to see it all redone. We are having a lot of rain here in Queens. The grass looks a little better.
Marilyn
We had a lot of rain the day before yesterday, but thought there was lots of thunder last night…no rain.
Doll house envy!!! I would so make a bookshelf out of it, perfect for the table behind my couch. It’s so much fun reimagining items, enjoy.
Can’t do a bookshelf, though it’s a great idea. I have to fill it with miniatures!
The reason this one sparked your interest in doll house working again is because it is not all new and ready to finish…it needs your help and love just like Mockingbird Cottage did…I think that is where your heart truly is when it comes to doll houses and miniatures!
I meant to say Hummingbird Cottage!
xoxo
Exactly. You know me, Nancy. I like to rescue things and dogs and people.