La Maison Rustique, Part One

This weekend brought the Barn Sale at La Maison Rustique - I grabbed a bit of time and drove on up to Temecula. As usual, this event is always fabulous and fun. And it was packed with eager shoppers. I took lots of photos which I will present in no particular order.

First up - this mannequin designed by the talented Joy of The Vintage Rabbit. Beautiful.

Crosses and paper flowers from Joy.

This fabulous vintage O'Keefe and Merritt stove was in Rita's booth. Oh, how I wanted it! I have always wanted a vintage stove. I am driving back but a stove might be a bit much to add to my load.

More of Rita's offerings ~ I bought the Cottage Home sign you see on the wall.

Wonderful jewelry from Sherry.

Now this I could get into - talk about a daybed!

This chair was so beautifully restored - with paint and beautiful fabric.

I love this chippy metal look.

This bench was even longer than the photo indicates - I couldn't get it all in the shot.

Isn't this table adorable? Perfect for a little girl's room.

I will post more tomorrow. As always, I took tons of photos ~ too many for one post.

Oh, and I am having a giveaway in the next couple of days! I missed my 200th post and am about to hit my 225th - and I have a little treasure I bought at the Barn Sale to giveaway. So keep checking back.

Have a great Sunday.

Pink Saturday

Hello there, everyone. Happy Pink Saturday! As always, thanks go to our hostess Beverly. Visit her blog to see a list of everyone participating this week. This Saturday marks a year since Beverly started this and we are so happy she did!

I thought I'd share some pink lovelies from Vignettes. I made one of my weekly pilgrimages to this luscious store and saved the pinks for today. This beautiful pink confection of a hat is gorgeous, isn't it?

What about this pair of pink swans? Wouldn't they look fantastic in a garden, or on either side of an entrance? Love them.

This dress is so impossibly beautiful ~ I fear it is someone for with a tinier waist than mine!

This lamp is one of a pair and they are huge!! I think they would make quite a statement, don't you? Maybe a bit too big for Mockingbird Hill Cottage...

These peonies from Trader Joe's have opened and are big and lush. They almost look like huge paper flowers, they are that big...and that beautiful!

Have a wonderful Pink Saturday and a restful weekend!

Gifts from the Sea

You know all those photos of the beach I've been posting throughout my stay here? When I'm not taking pictures, this is what I'm gathering ~

I keep them in this lovely old glass sugar bowl~

and this (formerly the home of keys and sunglasses)~

The shells around here are of the petite variety. I never tire of looking at the subtle color variations and markings. They are going home with me to join the shells I gathered last year.

I urge you to read this wonderful novel ~ first recommended to me by Mrs. Staggs. I finally bought it last week and am entranced. It is all about the isle of Guernsey during and after the Second World War and the story is told via letters. It is charming, moving, sad, happy and really, really wonderful. Thank you, Mrs. Staggs!

I just added Google Translate to my blog. Just for kicks, I translated it into French ~I wonder why it looks so much better that way? Have a great day!

A Visit to Vignettes

I stopped by my favorite shop today ~ Vignettes. A while back I took you along with me to their Valentine's Day party, and I've shared some of the things I purchased at this delightful store, notably my Cherub painting. I thought you might like to see some of the beautiful eye candy that the customers love ~ me included.

This is my friend Joy's booth. She is very talented, with a wonderful eye for color and detail.

I got a little arty with this photo ~

I was so busy talking to Lori and another customer that I didn't get all the close-up shots I wanted. Next time, I'll use the lens to get up close and personal.

Hope you had fun!

Home Away From Home Peonies

My peonies back home will be blooming in about a week or so. How I love them ~ being away from my garden during this part of Spring is hard, so hard. Thank goodness for Trader Joe's ~ as I was shopping the other day, I noticed some peonies for sale, still in bud form. Crossing my fingers that they would bloom, I brought them home. They are glorious!








If I could have peonies year round, I would! Unfortunately these beauties grace us for a few weeks or so and then leave until next year. Oh, they are wondrous!

Has This Ever Happened to You? (second in a series)

I love my lipstick. I've worn the same shade for many, many years and I pray that Revlon never discontinues it. When I am about to leave for the day, I put it in the pocket of my jeans. I don't know when I started this little ritual, but it came about because I didn't want to be digging for it in my bag. This way it is always handy.


While my husband was visiting this past week, I was in the bathroom and leaned over to flush the toilet. Much to my chagrin, my lipstick fell out of my pocket and before I could do anything, went right down the toilet. Since I was heavily booked at rehearsals, my husband volunteered to buy me a new one at the drugstore. He did, bless him, and I had a nice, new lipstick.


Fast forward to yesterday. I had to get up very early in the morning to take husband to the airport. We had been at an Opening Night party the evening before and didn't get home until late. Neither of us got enough sleep. After saying goodbye to Don, I had to attend a run-through rehearsal and do some coaching. I came home around 4:00 and decided to throw the sheets and towels in the wash. Since I am staying at an apartment complex, I have to gather my quarters and use the pay washer and dryer that are down a couple of flight of stairs. At the last minute, I decided to throw in my jeans, too. (You know where this is going.) I loaded everything in the washers and realized I had neglected to bring the money. Back up the stairs, back down the stairs, back up the stairs. After about a half hour, I went back to the laundry area, took everything out of the washer and put it all in the dryer. About 40 minutes later, back to the laundry room to check on the dryer (in case I had to add a quarter and extend the drying time.) I was horrified to see red blotches all over everything. Had something been in the dryer I didn't notice? Something that bled all over the sheets, towels, pajamas, and jeans? I was confused. As I felt around, my hand touched part of a lipstick tube and I knew. I had left the darn tube in my jeans and it had melted all over my laundry. I was so angry I could spit. Angry at myself, of course. I was just too tired and didn't think.

I had to run back to the apartment, get some cleaner and wipe down the whole inside of the dryer. This now made about 10 trips up and down the stairs. Luckily the dryer cleaned up nicely. When I toted all the laundry back up the stairs to my apartment and examined it more closely, I discovered a few things (jeans, top) were salvageable (after an extensive treatment of Spray 'n Wash Max), but the sheets, towels, and pajamas were goners. Which is why I found myself driving to Target at 5:30 to buy some replacements. Oh, and I bought another lipstick. Revlon 525 Creme ~ Wine with Everything.

Lesson learned.

Pink Saturday

Hard to believe another week has gone by so quickly, but it is Pink Saturday again...please stop by our hostess Beverly's blog and see the list of all the participants. I must admit I was afraid I had nothing pink to offer this week. Then, my husband and I were having breakfast with friends and one of them gave me a little Pink Saturday treat. She reads my blog. My present was this sweet little teapot.

Isn't it adorable? Thank you, Lynne!

This week I bought more tulips and was sure they were a pale lavender. When I got them home, I found they were the palest of pinks ~ a delicate, lovely pink.

Have a lovely weekend, everyone!

A Beach Interlude

My schedule has been erratic while Don has been visiting, but we did manage a few hours at the beach today. He also went on his own earlier in the week, but we always have a visit together. After all, we met on this beach while attending a Fourth of July party. It is very special to us. As always, once I am walking on the beach, breathing in that ocean breeze, I feel my shoulders dropping and I relax.






Tonight is opening night for one of the plays I have been coaching. That's 1 down, 3 to go. Don leaves early, and I mean early, tomorrow morning. I expect I will be sad and a bit down. The weekend will be full of run-throughs for the 3 plays, so I shall be busy and that will most certainly help. As of next Monday, I have but 6 weeks to go before I head home.

Summer Roses and White Cabbage Butterfy

I recently won a giveaway from my artist friend, Helene Glehen. Helene lives in France and is tremendously talented. I marvel at her beautiful watercolor and oil paintings. You must visit her blog and see her beautiful creations.

Yesterday, I checked my mail at the Theater and there was an envelope from France. This was inside.


This original watercolor is entitled: Summer Roses and White Cabbage Butterfly. Isn't it lovely? The colors are a bit off; I've tried to get them as close to the original as possible.




I am so thrilled, Helene! Thank you so much! I cannot wait to frame it and hang it in Mockingbird Hill Cottage.

Cuckoo

Yes, I am at times, but I am referring to my McCoy Pottery wall pocket. McCoy made lots of wall pockets ~ some I like, some I don't. My friend Heidi was shopping one day and called me about this little cuckoo clock. It was a great price and she ~ despite my skepticism ~ thought I would love this. So I told to go ahead and buy it. After hanging it on the side of my cupboard, I had to agree that it was a keeper. It is very sweet and I have written before about my love for McCoy's birds.


This little guy is so cute! How could I resist?

We're having a good time, husband and I, despite my ridiculously busy schedule. Today is my day off so we have had the chance to actually spend a whole day together. I got a little frustrated over the weekend at my lack of free time. Sunday night I had to attend a preview performance at the same time my husband was to sing some of his songs at a local club. I solved the dilemma by watching only the first act (which was the one I really had to hear) and then I hightailed it over to the venue in time to hear Don! He was great, as were the other performers ~ everyone played acoustic guitar and the songs they sang were their own compositions. There was such a wonderful mix of artists with very different styles and I had a great time. The best part, which made my exhaustion disappear, was hearing Don perform. He is very, very good. And, yes I am his wife, but everyone else thinks so, too! He made me blush when he said in his intro that all his songs were about his wife. Everyone cheered. I was incredibly touched. What a lucky girl I am.

Tonight we watch the season ender of 24 ~ tomorrow I am back in rehearsal, but Don drops me off and picks me up. What a nice treat!

Pink Saturday

Do you remember my earlier PS post about Scout's ears and how pink they become when the sun was behind her? Well, I knew I had a photo somewhere of her with her really, really pink ears and I found it yesterday. Without further ado, Scout and her neon pink ears!

Let's see, what else for this Pink Saturday? I found a frame for my Christie Repasy painting at an antique mall - I think the gold nicely sets off the beautiful pink roses.

This week the pink flower is Alstromeria ~ one of my favorites to put in a vase because they last so long.

This week I am in rehearsals on Saturday and Sunday ~ and my husband is here ~ but never fear, I will stop by your blogs. Please visit Beverly and see all the Pink Saturday posts.

Little Lilac that could

The little Lilac that could...proof that my Lilac bush survived the winter and is blooming. Pardon the long grass in the photo. That's the kind of thing I normally take care of with the clippers. But I'm not home, as you know. I'm just happy to see the blossoms. If only photos came with a scent feature!

I Talk Too Much and My Treat from Karla

I thought I'd get another post up ~ I looked back at the last post and thought, sheesh, I talk too much! That is what my first grade teacher Miss Brown accused me of. She was a steely, tough, old-fashioned teacher who told my Mom that I was the only student she had ever had in all her years of teaching who, as she looked me in the eye and told me to be quiet, looked away from her and kept on talking. Yes, its true. Miss Brown was hard on us, but I learned to read and developed a life-long love of reading because of her. Thanks, Miss Brown, and sorry for talking so much. There's just so much to say!

I won a giveaway at Karla's Cottage and my package arrived yesterday. She made this wonderful cupcake charm! Isn't it adorable? Thank you, Karla! If you haven't visited her blog, you should. She is amazingly creative, has an adorable granddaughter, her house is to die for and wait until you see her studio! Stop by ~ you'll be delighted.


I am up to my eyeballs in run-throughs, dress rehearsals and Don arrives tomorrow night. I hope we can grab a lot of time together. Keep your fingers crossed.

You asked... I answer

I thought I'd take a moment to respond to two recent comments/questions.


One is from Charlene who said she is jealous that I have a Trader Joe's nearby...well Charlene, it is only temporary. Believe me, soon enough I will be over an hour away from the nearest Trader Joe's. Maybe its an hour and a half ~ that sounds more realistic. And husband and I have been known to drive there on a whim because we miss TJ so much. Contrast that to a 3 minute car ride or 10 minute walk from this apartment. I have been spoiled, I assure you. We used to live here and took Trader Joe's for granted. I no longer do so. Take heart, I will soon be joining all of you who wish you had one nearby. In July, happy as I will be to be home, I will be suffering from TJ withdrawal.

The other is from Dana, who asks just what play I am working on and what it is I do? (A question I have heard before from fellow bloggers.)

Let's see if I can explain. For many years I was a college professor in two professional actor training programs, first in Boston University's BFA program, then in University of San Diego/Old Globe Theater's MFA program. Both of these programs are fairly exclusive and students have to audition to be accepted. When I started at BU, I taught Speech and Dialects. By Speech, I mean a speech for actors with rich, open vowel sounds and strong consonants so that they can perform in anything from classical theater to modern theater. I also taught Dialects. Both of these courses were taught vocally and phonetically. I also coached many, many productions, involving voice work and lots of different dialects. While at BU, I started to coach professionally at various theaters in the area and loved it.

After 5 years at BU, I came to the realization that I wanted to combine teaching graduate level actors and professional coaching. Enter USD/Old Globe, where I coached all the Globe's productions, taught Voice/Speech and Dialects to the students and also coached the MFA productions. I was there for 8 years and coached over 80 productions. Eventually, we moved back East, and since then I have been freelancing professionally. I've worked on Broadway, off-Broadway, and with various touring companies.

When I coach a dialect, I research it, listen to lots of different people speaking in the dialect and to the many variations of the dialect, figure out all the vowel and consonant changes phonetically, listen to its musical quality and inflection and then teach it to the actors involved. It involves lots of drilling and painstaking work. It also requires a combination of firmness, empathy and compassion. Sometimes I am just a listening ear, helping the actor deal with all the pressures of a role. Every actor is different and I have to adjust my style to each one. I'm currently working on Alabama Southern for a production called Cornelia.


When I coach Shakespeare, as I am also doing now, I work with the actors on their voices, on the text, on the poetry and meter, and on the correct pronounciation and meaning of all the words. These plays are done in an outdoor theater, so voices need to be strong and full. The plays this year are Coriolanus and Twelfth Night.

I'm also working on Cyrano de Bergerac - so besides all the above, I had to research all the French words and make a CD with all the correct pronounciations.

Rehearsal Studios

Once the plays start to have run-throughs and then move onstage, I watch and take notes on what I hear or don't hear and then pass them along to each actor, ever hopeful that each note will be corrected.

These plays are all rehearsing at the same time and will be performed in Repertory this summer. The actors in the company are each in at least 2 and sometimes 3 of the productions and they switch back and forth from show to show. The last opening night is in July and I will head back home the next day. The company will continue performing until the end of September.

I love what I do and, for the most part, have a great time doing it. The majority of actors and directors I have worked with are wonderful, creative people.

Hope this explains what I do, at least a bit!

My Mother's Day

My latest update on the porch at Mockingbird Hill Cottage: my husband went to my favorite nursery last week and, using his camera phone, took photos of the hanging plants. My directive had been vague ~ " I always have purple hanging plants, please look for them." He did, and found these ~ phlox ~ which is exactly what I meant. Excellent job, dear husband!


Yesterday morning, as I was slowly waking up, drinking my coffee and reading blogs, the phone rang. It was my husband requesting my presence on Skype. I dutifully signed on and found the dogs wishing me a Happy Mother's Day. Scout had on a Red Sox t-shirt and Riley had on a bowtie (apparently he objected to a t-shirt, but consented to wear the tie). I was treated to a close-up camera visit with my sweet dogs and lots of howling and barking. (One of the things we do with the dogs is to make a howling/baying noise and watch as they both stop whatever they are doing and sing along with us. Scout is queen of the wolf-like howl.) I must say I got a little teary ~ the good kind ~ at the sight of my babies. It was a great Moms day present from my family.

Speaking of my dear husband - he will be winging his way to San Diego this Thursday! While I am much busier this time around, we will make the most of our time together.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! I send my love to my Mom on Mother's Day ~ she is in Florida and I am in California but she is always in my heart. Love you, Mom!

Happy Mother's Day to my sister, my niece in Amsterdam, my sister-in-law, my niece who is due to have her first baby in August and all my friends. I hope this day finds you happy and properly spoiled by your loved ones!

And Happy Mother's Day to me...I am an Aunt, a Godmother and Mom to my two darling dogs!

Pink Saturday

Hello everyone - it is time for another Pink Saturday, hosted by Beverly. Please stop by her blog to see a list of all participating.

Well, another week has passed by full of rehearsals and work - so full that I can hardly believe its Saturday already. The usual still applies: I will be in rehearsals Saturday and Sunday and promise to visit you all over the weekend!

This is a mini Eiffel Tower that I originally bought to hold notes and reminders. After continually searching for my earrings, I decided to use it as an earring holder.

My set of Paris-related stamps from Cavallini ~

Have to finish with more Tulips ~ I am really trying to take advantage of all the lovely bouquets at Trader Joes while I can.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

I'm trying a new background...not sure whether I like it or if I should go back to the old one. I felt like a change...any thoughts?

My Obsession

I have a confession to make. I fell in love with this painting about a year ago. It hung near the front counter in Vignettes. I saw it last summer when I was here coaching ~ if you remember I was here for one two-week stretch and then, a month later, another 10 day stretch. This is how it looked in the store. I came back this year and it was still there. It was rather expensive. I talked myself out of it. On my third or fourth visit to Vignettes, I took a picture of it, thinking I would upload it to my laptop and ponder. Fast forward a couple of months. Every time I went into the store, which was usually once a week, I talked to Lori about it. I went home to New York for a visit. I returned and when I finally hit Vignettes again, Lori told me that I had just missed their sidewalk sale and that a customer had decided to buy the painting, had it all wrapped up ready to go and then changed her mind. She said that while wrapping it up, my face flashed through her mind and she thought how sad I would be when I trotted back into the store and found it gone.


So I went back to the apartment and emailed my photo of the painting to my husband. Frankly, I didn't think he'd go for the whole cherub thing. I usually don't go for it, but this is an antique, one-of-a-kind beauty from France and there is just something about the faded beauty, the colors...everything. Husband, being the wonderful man that he is, surprised me and said if I loved it, then get it. I know it really isn't his cup of tea but he understands me, bless him. Still, I waited a bit. This past Monday, I went in, talked to Lori, took it down from the wall, walked through the store looking at it in all sorts of light. Lori is infinitely patient. Finally, I said yes. I bought it. Frankly, it is more than I would normally spend, even at 20% off. I could have used that money for other things, far more practical things. It just stole my heart...I couldn't get it out of my mind, I obsessed about it, I loved it. And I almost missed out on it. I mean, come on. Isn't that a sign?

I have a plan. I will be hanging it in our bedroom. We have an enclosed chimney that is in the center of one wall. It will be perfect there. And I am finally inspired to re-do the bedroom. It is my inspiration piece. I. Love. This. Painting.

Try as I might, I cannot capture the color of the frame, which is more aqua than the photo indicates. My obsession is now hanging in Mockingbird Hill Cottage West, bringing me joy every time I rest my weary eyes on its beauty.

A Baby Shoe

This was my Grandmother's baby shoe. My Mom gave it to me many years ago. Grandma passed away in 1985 ~ she was in her 90's. I have many treasures that belonged to Grandma, but this little shoe really touches me. How sweet it is with the cream colored buttons and soft black leather. It was worn on the little foot of a woman I only knew as an adult. It has stayed in remarkably good condition.

Right before I returned to California, I gently put it under my glass dome. It will be waiting for me when I return.

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday, everyone! Please stop by Beverly's place to see a list of all participating. As you know, I went to the Barn Sale at La Maison Rustique last weekend. Thought I'd share a few of the pink treasures I saw there.

I love this pink desk - or dressing table.

On the left is a vintage dress - on the right a coverlet made of pink barkcloth. The backing of the coverlet is a red color and the ties are red. I contemplated getting this and I didn't. Now I could kick myself.

Here is a closer view. Again - what was I thinking?

Love this pink chair.

To close ~ some tulips!

This will be another Saturday and Sunday in rehearsal. I also have to attend a formal dinner at the University on Saturday evening honoring, among others, one of my former students. All this is to say I may be a bit late getting around to everyone's posts, but I will!

The Scene Right Outside the Rehearsal Rooms

This is what I see as I am about to enter the Rehearsal Rooms. The rooms are downstairs in the basement of a building ~ so this view is much appreciated. I try to spend some time here everyday.




Hope you enjoy the view!