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Friday, November 13, 2020

Back At The Table...

Hello dear mini friends! Here I am in my second attempt at getting back in the mini groove again. For weeks, I was having such a hard time getting restarted on any project. The thought of where to begin or what to do next was literally too overwhelming. Which was so weird for me because, for the past 8 years or so, I'd go to bed dreaming of the next mini task, then I'd wake up looking forward to finding mini time to do it. I was beginning to think I had totally lost my mini mojo and that maybe, I'd never get it back again. I was so sad!!!


But then, a thought occurred to me. What if I just started with something small and simple? Like gluing the cottage foundation pieces together and covering them with egg carton cobblestone. That seemed like the least daunting project given my mood, and one that I could do in tiny spurts if need be. So that's exactly what I did. And it was, surprisingly, so much fun! And, it was soooo good to feel like my old mini loving self again! I actually had tears well up, and I knew my lack of motivation was only temporary. :O)

Inspiration Stone

No grout, just painted background.

After deck boards and stairs installed.

Once the foundations were covered with egg carton rocks, I felt that old excited feeling! I had to see what the cottages looked like assembled. That led to gluing foundation to floor, then walls to the floors.



And installing siding and trim...



And painting the siding...






That was so encouraging that I just had to see what the deck boards would look like on the porches...




And that lead to an overwhelming urge to get the porch roofs finished and installed. Vera's cottage went great, and with a little luck, I'll have Virgil's finished up in a few days. I've got to scribe the board lines in with a metal file, then paint, sand and fit.





So this is what I've got to share for now. Just an encouraging bit of progress, but a monumental personal breakthrough! I hope to keep taking small steps forward until the old passion is ignited once again.

And while I waited for my mini inspiration to kick in, I began working my way through this list of...

20 Top Rated Soups


Russ and I have very much enjoyed the ones I've made, so far, and it's been fun to make a few a second time too, improving on the recipes. I've been busy finding other ways to expand our waistlines, too!


If you are blessed with more than you need as Russ and I are, I'd like to encourage all of you to think a little about the folks in your communities. Many in our county are struggling to find the resources to stay safe and secure in this unstable Covid economy. I'd like to help them to enjoy cooking and eating until their bellies are full.

My amazing and generous daughter has started a campaign to raise money for Nourish Pierce County, our local food bank. Please consider donating, if you can, to Tasha's food drive or to your own local food banks. A little can go a long way, and with our cupboards full, it's a little easier to face all the other challenges that life brings to our doors.


I hope that each of you is finding your way through life, too, and enjoying the little things that make life worth fighting for.


xo xo,

Jodi

49 comments:

  1. Welcome back! Love your egg carton cobblestone! Amazing!

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  2. Has conseguido una preciosa cobertura exterior. Hay veces que parece que no volveremos a hacer nunca mĂĄs miniatura, pero tengo claro que son rachas que hay que dejar pasar y no angustiarse por ello.

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    1. ¡Gracias mi amigo! Estoy haciendo lo mejor que puedo en este momento, pero extraño mi mini comunidad ¡tanto, tanto! 💗

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  3. I was missing you! Glad you're back! And I am looking for many more adventures you throw our way! --Erik in NW Ohio

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    1. Oh Erik I missed connecting with you so much, too! I am so glad to be back this week with something to share! 💗

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  4. “To everything there is a season.” It seems this has been a harvest and cooking season for you – no need to apologize. It is wonderful to see you are excited about progress on the cottages again; I know I am. I like that you installed the porch floorboards perpendicular to the walls which is just like my 1911 house.

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    1. Thank you, Sherrill! I am trying to stay busy and creative, even if that means in the kitchen instead of my work table. I liked the boards running opposite to the siding and I am glad to know that there are real life porches that employ the same method! 💗

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  5. So glad you got your mojo back! And that you are feeling excited about minis again. I'm not a soup person, but all your yummies look great.
    emjay

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    1. Thanks Emjay! Me too! 💗 I am a very particular soup person so it's been fun to make them homemade - so much better than what you find in a can!

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  6. So happy to see your post. Just keep swimming my friend and you will get out of the under tow that wants to drag us back to the grey areas. The election is almost over, Christmas is coming and things can only get better. Your cottages are such bright sunny example of hope. ((((hugs))))....Soup is the best comfort food!

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    1. Thanks Carrie! I am happy to know that you like the cottage progress! 💗
      It is hard sometimes not to get washed away in the despair of our current circumstances, and sometimes you just need a minute to pull back for perspective. I just really hope that I get to hug and spend time with my parents again, soon. I miss them so much!!!

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  7. Como te he extrañado esta temporada! Pero estoy tan contenta de ver que has recuperado las ganas de hacer miniaturas!! Ya ves que una cosa lleva a la otra, sólo pensaste en revestir los cimientos y la "musa" se despertó! Un precioso avance, al que estoy segura vendrån mås, bravo Jodi!!!
    Yo soy como Mafalda, no me gustan las sopas, pero desde luego las tuyas se ven apetitosas, mi esposa estarĂ­a encantada de hacerles los honores ya que le encantan!! Tus otros guisos me parecen deliciosos!
    SĂ­, hoy mĂĄs que nunca, hay que pensar en toda esa gente que no llega a fin de mes, que pasa hambre, los bancos de alimentos cobran un mayor protagonismo en Ă©sta Ă©poca de pandemia y ayudar es un deber fundamental de los que somos mĂĄs afortunados!!
    Besos.

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    1. Oh Pilar, yo tambiĂ©n te he echado de menos y viendo quĂ© cosas creativas e ingeniosas te han inspirado. ¡Espero ponerme al dĂ­a en las prĂłximas semanas! 💗
      No soy una gran fanĂĄtica de la sopa enlatada, pero a mi esposo le encanta la sopa, asĂ­ que tuve que intentar hacerlas mĂĄs saludables y atractivas. Algunos de ellos son raros, pero otros se han introducido en mi ciclo regular.
      Espero que al ver la necesidad de alimentos en nuestra comunidad se unan los mås afortunados y que todos sigamos dando incluso después de que se controle la pandemia.

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  8. Oh Jodi, I am so glad you are finding your way back to your minis. It is so odd, how something you adore doing can make you feel so completely overwhelmed at times. I too get like that and know it is a good feeling when you finally get 'out the other side.
    The cottages are looking adorable. I too love the porch floorboards - I am quite sure Vera and Virgil are looking forward to sitting there sipping something other than tea ;-)
    Hugs, Anna X

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    1. Hi Anna! Thank you so much for the words of encouragement. Losing the drive for something you love so much was unsettling for me, and I am so glad that I found my way again! I do hope when these little cottages are finished that both tiny mice will have a nice place to relax and watch the world go by. 💗

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  9. Your houses are looking fantastic and I'm glad you've got your mojo back. One day, I was having trouble with my mojo like you. I said something to my husband and he told me something I've kept in mind all these years. He asked me how to eat an elephant. I gave him a funny look and he said "one piece at a time". It then dawned on me what he meant. Anytime I feel overwhelmed, I think of that and I pick one small task out of the tons I have and low and behold, before I know it I've worked through a bunch of them and am excited about my hobby all over again.

    Marilyn

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    1. Hi Marilyn! Thank you - me too! And what great advice and perspective from your wise husband! I had stopped being able to "see" my ideas anymore and that was so upsetting! I am going to do my best to keep making small progress and sharing so I don't lose touch again. 💗

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  10. Dear Jodi,
    It made my heart so happy to see your post in my inbox this morning!!
    I have also struggled with getting back to my mini project. I have been slowly pecking away at it. Then, I decided I would give this mini greenhouse to my oldest granddaughter for her birthday. Nothing like a deadline to light a fire under my butt, Lol!
    Your cottages are super cute and cheery! And again, I am so grateful that you are back! Hugs!!

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comments! I know what you mean about a deadline, and working on something for the delight of someone else is always such good motivation! I did purchase a few special things with future projects in mind - one for my daughter who is encouraging me because her house is much bigger now. Once the cottages are enclosed, I may just start a new adventure, too! 💗

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  11. So happy to see a new post in your blog.
    Your two cottages are fantastic. I really like these bright colours.

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    1. Thank you Faby! It is nice to see you and nice to "see" what I had intended for these cottages when the excitement for them poured from my veins! 💗

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  12. So great to 'see' you again! I'm glad you're back into mini-ing and feeling good and excited about it.

    The cottages are beautiful! I'm just amazed at how well everything fits together and how sweet they look. Can't wait to see more!

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    1. Thank you Sheila! It is so great to see you too, and I have loved seeing your posts on Instagram! Your creative genius is so inspiring! 💗
      I will keep chipping away at the cottages until at least I have them completely enclosed!

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  13. It's great to see you here again - and back in the saddle again!!! *LOL* So good your motivation found its way home to you where it belongs... and it's amazing to see what you've achieved once you laid the first stone. The foundation rocks looks awesome! No surprise you couldn't stop after this important first step - and as they say: Each journey begins with the first step. I've really enjoyed to see you building these two beautiful cottages and the wooden floor of the porches is stunning!

    And what a lovely idea to cook yourself (and Russ) through a list of soups and other treats. It is the season for soups... and around here for cabbage. Schleswig-Holstein's North Sea coast is the biggest area for growing cabbage in the world and my state is famous for green cabbage... for sure something to expand every waistline. ;O)

    I'm looking forward to see new progress and I'm wishing much fun to you and your motivation!

    Hugs
    Birgit

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    1. Thanks Birgit! It is so good to be back and reconnecting with all of you! I can't wait to make my way over to your blog and see what I've missed from you and the gang while I've been away! 💗

      My grandma still had her German accent throughout her life. I miss hearing her so much and I often tear up whenever I hear a female with the accent. She called me "chodi" and made a slew of cabbage dishes for us growing up. As a result, I love cabbage, too! I have not made her stuffed cabbage rolls recipe for years and you have now inspired me to do so. We won't talk about it's after effects, but if everyone in the house eats it, at least the battlefield is equal. 😆

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  14. Hi Jodi. Good to see your enthusiasm return. It can be tough sometimes when there is so much going on. You have made some real progress and the houses are looking amazing. I love how they are looking. Take care of yourself. X

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    1. Thank you Shannon! I hope you are finding creative things to keep you happy and hopeful, too! 💗

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  15. Hi, welcome back into the mini blog world, dear Jodi, we've missed you!! Like you, I did feel the same after this long hot summer, so I understand where you were going through..
    Your start with adding egg carton cobble stones at the foundation of the cottage is fantastic work, it looks just like the real thing.
    And as usual one thing led to another: your cottages are beautifully assembled now, they are true mini gems!!
    You really had a lot of progress to share with us, not just a bit ;O)!!
    You are a most generou person, thinking of them who are in need now, the foodbanks are also in need for food, at least here they are. Every little thing can be of help for alot of other people, that's right.
    I'm glad to see you back again in the blog world, dear Jodi, and stay safe, take care!
    Hug, Ilona

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    1. Thank you, Ilona! I missed you, too, and hope things are going well in your part of the world! 💗 Now that our elections are over, I think we in the US can now begin to heal and, hopefully, come together with a common purpose to help each other through these challenging times.

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  16. Bienvenida de nuevo al mundo miniaturil, se te echaba de menos y a Vera y Virgilio.
    Esas casitas tienen un aspecto magnifico.
    Un saludo

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    1. Thank you, Marian! I am so happy to be back and getting to catch up on all of you, my creative friends, and your projects! 💗

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  17. estĂĄs consiguiendo unas texturas en esas fachadas envidiables, te felicito...

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    1. Thank you, Carmen! It is so good to reconnect with my ideas for the cottages and with you! 💗

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  18. Great that you are back, yes sometimes it just doesn't work out. I love the walls and bay windows of the houses. And the food looks delicious.

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    1. Thank you, Gonda! I am so glad to "see" what I had in mind for these cottages again!

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  19. Dear Jodi, it is Great to see what you accomplished while trying to get back up again!!! :) Sometimes that is the only way I make any progress.... I can always find just one little thing I know I can accomplish... and it always leads to more! The stone foundations look beautiful and the siding and the decking too! I am loving these little cottages... partly because there are two of them, so alike and so different.... but mostly because they are "homes" for two lovely little "beings" who I am sure bring a lot of love with them!!! It is great to see you have been cooking too... I have had to "re-learn" to cook for myself since the covid closed the cafeteria at my work place! (We had endless all-you-can-eat nutritious free food available... so I mostly just ate at work!) Now I have to plan meals and lunches and.... I'm trying to make it nutritious and efficient! LOL! And yes, giving where we can is so important now. Thank you for the reminder! I hope you stay well and keep making minis!!! :):)

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    1. Hi Betsy! I'm so happy to see you! 💗
      I knew the biggest hurtle was going to be just finding a way back to that craft table. Once I did, it was fun to make progress again!
      Om my stars! Having a cafeteria to eat at each day would have been a dream come true! I am so sorry that you have been forced to give that up and I hope you will get it back again soon! I am always challenged to keep my cooking portions down to two people, but many times my daughter has come by and taken a "To Go" pack home for her and Brent. We got to spend a few cooking Sundays together, too, before they started tightening up the gathering rules. We made assembly line breakfast burritos, which can be frozen and microwaved in the mornings, for all the boys in the family. She enjoys cooking so it's delightful to be around her energy!
      No more of that until likely after Christmas. Our Covid numbers are too high, and she has to quarantine after a business trip to Idaho.
      Hope you are able to connect electronically with the boys and your mom! It is so hard but all we can get at this time. đŸ€—đŸ€—đŸ€—

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  20. I'm glad your back to work, I'm having trouble here in River City so I'm doing small stuff too. Keep fighting you'll get there 😁

    Hugs
    Marisa

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  21. Dear Jodi, I am so happy you are back!! I worried a little bit, on these times when as you have said so well many are struggling, is scary to not hear from friends. But, you are here, and well, and back, and you did an incredible amount of work on your cottages. The stone work is great, I have done some recently and I am never happy!! But I am not as focus and organised as you are, great results! Everything else is great, the deck, the roofs, well done. And keep finding ways to expand your waistlines, it´s fun! That´s life too. Take care and keep giving, we all need to do it, thank you xxx.

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    1. Hi Alex! 💗

      So sorry to have worried you. It's hard to ask for help sometimes or even to know you need it. I know the lead up to the elections here in the US had me losing sleep, that lead to feeling run down, that lead to an infection and feeling weak and ill for several weeks and before I knew it October was over. The election drama continues but 78 million of us have come together to state that we do not approve of our current leadership and look forward to a time of healing for all.

      I'm so happy that you like the cottages' progress! It's been so healing to find joy in working on them again. I am also excited to see what you have been working toward, too! I always love the heart and soul you put into your projects so I am sure it is coming along in an amazing way!

      Hugs!!!

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  22. Dear Jodi, I'm so happy to see you blogging again. I hope your two lovely cottages will help you take your mind off your worries. It's very hard when you feel things are wrong and you alone are helpless to change them. But be proud that you live in a democratic country.
    I love the stone foundation and I love the textured paint on the outdoor walls. The deck is stunning. Your work is amazing.
    Volunteer and charity work are always rewarding. Nice of you to share.
    Stay safe!
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Hi Drora! Thank you so much! It is more wonderful than I can express to be back. Working at my table is such therapy, and I have missed having that stress relief!
      Though our democracy is being tested to it's very limits right now, I have faith. We are learning about the worst instincts in certain people, and when we give them power, it's very dangerous. The world again is changing, and things we could not imagine happening here are happening. I pray that as a country, we amend out constitution to build in safeguards that will protect the future for the United States and all who may be affected in the world.

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  23. I'm a little late getting around, except I did comment earlier, but lost it when I published. Now I'm just getting back. I am so glad to see that you are working again because I've missed watching you create cool things. Sometimes life just gets so distracting, doesn't it and good food always seems to make things better. Stay well and be happy.

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    1. Hi Ann! Thank you for taking the time to post comments a second time! It is so discouraging when our thoughtful words disappear into the ethos just when we have completed them! It is great to be back with all of you, and I look forward to catching up to see what you've been working on, too!

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  24. Me alegra que hayas vuelto a las minis. De vez en cuando es necesario descansar un poco y asĂ­ retomarlas con mĂĄs energĂ­a.
    La fachada y todo lo que has añadido ha quedado precioso.

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  25. Thank you, Eloisa! You have said it perfectly, and I am happy to know that you like the progress! 💗

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  26. Hi Jodi - this post was so like what I do, used to eat, sleep, dream minis, then lost mojo for a time...and the first thing I thought of as you were describing the next thing was:

    "If you give a mouse a cookie..."

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    1. Ha ha! I Love it! I'm glad to know that setback are temporary for both of us and that we are currently both back to working at our passion!

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