After the Fun Comes the Clean Up

Well, after several weeks of doll house construction, the craft room/ office was just a disaster.  And I have spent all winter casually "throwing" things into the craft closet without making an effort to organize.  Lately it has been impossible to even walk into this "walk-in" closet.  I didn't take a photo of the closet or the room because they were such disasters, they might give you a nightmare.

But, I spent the weekend cleaning up the office and the closet.  It about finished me off, but I did it!
Believe me, it took all week end, and I was mighty tired by Sunday evening.  But it is a very satisfying feeling to have it finished  Here is how the closet looks now.....Ahhhhh.

Don helped by staying out of the room and watching the golf tournament.  Oh yes, there is a televised golf tournament every weekend.....from Thursday to Sunday.  Shown below is the proper and only way to view a golf tournament.

Actually, he did help.  He fixed all our meals...yum....and carried out all the trash that I threw away.

The Swedish Chalet Dollhouse

I have just completed this pretty little dollhouse.  I think it may become one of my favorites.

I bid on this dollhouse on the Goodwill auction site, and was successful in getting it for about $7.00.  Boy, was that a lucky buy.  People have caught on to the bargains on this site, and have been bidding the items up to some pretty high prices.  I guess everyone was busy over the 4th of July holidays and forgot to check the auctions.

This is how it looked when we picked it up in Indianapolis.  It was dingy and dusty.  The front had these hidden wires for electricity that ruined the front when they were taken off.  However, it was really solid wood, sturdy, and well made.  It had been built by the Brio Toy Co.  in Sweden in the 1960's.

I have had a wonderful time with Don's help.  I sprayed old furniture all white and made new cushions.
I have made rugs, lamps, flower arrangements, books, etc. etc.  I papered all the walls and added hanging pictures that I made.  All together it was such fun, and is a delight to look at.

Our Neighbors, The Doves

This spring and summer we have been serenaded with the lovely songs from Mr. and Mrs. Mourning Dove.
I know it is supposed to be a sad song, hence the name "mourning dove", but I think it is a lovely peaceful sound.  I am always happy when we have doves living in our yard, they are such sweet birds.

I guess they are monogamous, and remain loyal to one mate all their lives.  They have become a symbol for happy marriages.

When Taylor was here last week and trimmed some large shrubs for us.  He made a discovery while trimming our large forsythia bush.  He was trimming away, and suddenly saw this nest with Mrs. Dove and two babies sitting in it.  Awww, he had trimmed away most of their protection and shade.  However they remained in their nest until this week.

Now the babies have taken their first tentative flights and seem to be living mostly under a shrub right beneath the bedroom window.  I watched today as Mother Dove flew down, gathered them to her, and fed them whatever was in her beak.  They are so sweet.  I hope they stay safe and grow to full adulthood.  I'm afraid they will choose another yard for any future nests, since we so ruined this spot for them.