Is your home your castle?

"Your home is your castle" is a common American phrase.  Making your house (or castle, or apartment) a comfortable home is more important when you spend more time there, as in the current Coronavirus pandemic. 

The socially isolated Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, View 1

I'm know I'm not the only person re-configuring parts of the house to accommodate newly present students, spouses, or family. It's interesting how the traffic patterns and "cozy spots" for each occupant are being created near the all important Ethernet and strong WiFi locations, TV's and PC'S (of course). I know where the students are - just follow the Ethernet cables tripping the dog.

Cable car near Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

Everyone's socially isolated coronavirus experience is different, so I'll give you a "view" of my life. Notably, so far nobody leaves the house for work or school. (Hopefully that will change soon?)

View at top of the Tegelbergbahn Cable Car in Germany

My days flow by without any of the structure that used to be built into a typical week.  Easter seems forever ago and yet it was only two Sundays ago.  Yet I can barely remember what I did during that time.  One exception: with 3 twenty-somethings in the house, a LOT of food has been made and eaten, at all different times, from 8am to midnight.  Frequently, I am the clean-up crew.  
(One day I ran the full dishwasher 3 times - 1st world problem, I know, but still...)

Takeaway - I want to eat out again!

Mountain Top restaurant in Germany

Our family celebrated two of my 20-something's birthdays and Easter within one week.  A 21st birthday in the family house with a Zoom meeting of friends was not a college junior's fantasy birthday, but we tried to make it fun.  [I had a different tablescape for each special meal - I think I will try to show tablescapes someday, since I collect china].

Tegelbergbahn Cable Car - Germany

I run most trips for food, pharmacy, plumbing supplies, exercise and sanity, in my own little self contained bubble - my car.  My suburb in Wisconsin, USA, has no public transportation - everyone uses cars.  We don't have buses, trains, trams, subways (or cable cars) around here.

Map of Area near Neuschwanstein Castle and Tegelbergbahn Cable Car

I read a lot, assemble puzzles, cook more creatively (because all these people want to eat all the time), and everyday I follow the news (something I never used to do). My attention span seems shorter. At night I have crazy dreams - definitely Coronavirus related. I'd like a map of the future, or failing that, I'd at least like to get out and explore. (Hopefully soon.)

Tegelbergbahn Cable Car in Germany

Our Coronavirus isolation feels both safe and precarious at the same time, and it appears we still have a long way to go.  We don't know what the  future will be like.  And yet I know neighbors are working in hospitals, grocery stores, and more, and each are facing individual struggles unique to their circumstances inside their isolated mini "castles". 

Another view from Top of Tegelbergbahn Cable Car

It's unlikely I'll be traveling this summer, but I have been reviewing photos from previous vacations I was able to take with two of my children in 2018 and 2019.  I'm grateful we took the opportunities when we had the chance. 

Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany View 2

With the current Coronavirus isolation, my hope is that your house feels like a castle (and NOT a dungeon!)

Once again, stay sane and healthy, 
and do what you can for others!  
Pray and support those 
affected by Coronavirus and in essential jobs.
Also, pray for the economy - 
we need to pay for our castles...

Hang in there!

Hang in there!

About the photos in this post: 

All the photos are ones I took during a 2018 trip to German's Neuschwanstein castle area.  

The Neuschwanstein Castle photos were taken from the Tegelbergbahn cable car.  There is a brief time when the castle is in view, and to photograph the castle I had my kids lift me up about 2 feet so my camera could shoot through a tiny window in the plastic. But the view was worth it. You will notice the two landscape shots are different - look at the lake area in relation to the castle. The cable car was moving and the view changed quickly. From the top you can't see the castle at all - it disappears behind the huge stone outcropping in the left of the castle pictures.  Harsh midday sun is rarely the best lighting for a photograph, but the mountain air delivered a nice results anyway, and I really liked the cables shining in the sun.  

On another note, talk about social isolation - Neuschwanstein Castle really has it!  We can be grateful that we know more about what causes and spreads the epidemics that have plagued Europe and the world throughout history, and we have much better medical care for those who get diseases.  Our ancestors didn't have such luxuries...


My daughter shared this inspirational music video reminding me why we need to stay isolated, so I am sharing it with you. 



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If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

NY Christmas Part 4

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Germany Castle

I am linking up to these parties:

April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry 13 of 176.)             I was featured!

Loopyloulaura: Global-blogging (Entry 8 of 12.)
Mersad photography: Through my Lens (Entry 27 of 28.)
Our World Tues: Our World (Entry 57r of 67.)
Image-in-ing: Weekly link up (Entry 57 of 82.)
Sharon Wagner: Sharon's Souveniers (Entry 6 of 7.)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday 233 (Entry 8 of 13.)
My world Thru Lens: My Corner Wed (Entry 22r of 67r.) 
Peabea: Pictorial Tuesday (Entry 6 of 10.)
Jesh studio: All Seasons Tues (Entry 31 of 31.)
Thistlekeylane: Tuesday Turn About 46 5p (s Entry 16 of 161.)
Also My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 16 of 161.)
My Random: Anything Goes 235 (s Entry 49 of 60.)
Poinsettiadr: Classy Flamingos 95 Tue (l Entry 8x of 36x.)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home Tue 162 (m Entry 27 of 48.)
LeCultivateur: Wonderful Wed (m Entry 26r of 199r.)
Stonecottageadventures: Tuesday with a twist 366 (l Entry 37 of 47.)
Lets Add Sprinkles: Keep in Touch Tue 4p (m Entry 18 of 58.)
Gingersnap crafts:Wow me Tue 452 7p (Entry 11x of 109x.)
Girlish Whims: Whims Tues 457 8:20p (Entry 4 of 98.)
Applestreetcottage: Party-in-your-pjs (Entry 5 of 126.)
Skyley: Skywatch Friday (Entry 4 of 71.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 381 Tue (l Entry 51x of 137x.)
Chas creations: g-mas house 190 Wed 6a 4p (m Entry 69 of 99.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style 254 Wed 6p (Entry 1 of 48.)
Imparting grace: Grace at home (Entry 20 of 111.)
Artsy mama: Artsy party 290 Th 7a (Entry 5 of 68.)
My Slices of Life: Hearts+Home Th 6a (Entry 58x of 111x.)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks 373 Th 8a (L Entry 68 of 106.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Thurs Favorite Things Th 7a (54 of 194.)
Also KatherinesCorner: Th 7a (54 of 194.)
Also Follow the yellow brick: Th 7a (Entry 54 of 194.)
Lindsays Sweetworld*: Welcome Wed (m Entry 29 of 29.)
Life beyond Kitchen: Creatively Crafty 221 Th 4p (Entry 40 of 104.)
Kathleen: Bloggers Pit Stop 219 Th 8p (L Entry 3 of 105.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Fri 278 Th 8p (i Entry 1 of 117.)
Mix and Match Mama: Whats-up Wed (Entry stories)
The Painted Hinge: Farmhouse Fri 152 (L Entry 1 of 25)
Petals pies+: Handmade Weekly 47 Fri (s Entry 45 of 85)
Firemanswife: Fri at the fire station 47 (m Entry 39 of 58)
Ohmyheartsiegirl: Friday Feature Party (s Entry 132)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of joe (L Entry 64 of 83)
Shabby art boutique: Create-bake 417 (L Entry x)
Busy Being Jennifer: Fri Favorites 78 (m Entry 10 of 80.)
Our mini family: Our mini party 276 (s Entry x)
For the Love: A Little bit of everything Wed (h Entry x)
** Eye Love Knots: Snicker Doodle 333 Sat 5pm (m 102 of 136)
Pams Party: Dare to share (m Entry 35)
Lindsays Sweet World: Wonderful Wed (Entry 29)
Creative Mom: Craft Schooling Sunday (s Entry x?)
Finding Silver: Silver Pennies Sun 357 6a (m Entry 72)
Life+Linda: Dishing-Digging it 43 Sun 3p (l Entry 60 of 111)
3 little buttons: Dream Team Linky Sun 6am (Entry )
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry 13 of 176.)             I was featured!
Faeries and Fauna: Waste not Wed 198 (l Entry x) 
Create with Joy: Inspire me Mon 433 (m Entry 134)
My Random: Anything Goes (Entry 36)
Good Random Fun: Good Random Mon 4a (m Entry 36 of 50.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 43x)
Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Mon 2-4p (m Entry 76 of 90.)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Mon 3p (l Entry 91 of 120.)
Maria Elena: Tue at Our Home Mon 12p? (l Entry )
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party Mon 7p (l Entry )
Anitaojeda: Inspire Me Mon 4p (s Entry ) 
Magical mystical teacher: Blue Monday (Entry 11 of 11.)
Booksandmore: Picture Perfect Party Linky (Entry 18 of 21.)

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Easter 2020

Flow Blue Mosaic Cross (on vintage wallpaper)

Easter 2020.  It crept up on me quickly this year, and it will be unlike any Easter before us, for a huge part of the world that celebrates Easter.

Egg1: Pink Polymer Clay Floral Easter Egg in vintage Egg Cup

For my family, it will be an Easter without the extended family gathering, without church services (in an actual church), and without the student's hurried return to college campuses.

Polymer Clay Easter Egg - Butterflies on back of Egg1

A fast (same or next day) post-Easter return to colleges and schools has been a part of the pattern of my life for well over two decades now, with my children spaced as they are. 

Egg2: Purple Polymer Clay Easter Egg - Floral Side View A

This year the college kids have already been home for weeks, and will be staying home much longer.  I initially delayed planning and decorating for Easter, distracted, but now I am determined to make this Easter special at home, partly because it won't be as rushed as in previous years - "come home late Friday, leave Sunday."  
(One of my children always had college classes on Good Friday.)

Egg2: Purple Polymer Clay Easter Egg - Floral Side View B

The patterns of other's lives has changed as well, I'm sure.  So many different lives, so many radically different changes.

Egg2: Purple Polymer Clay Easter Egg - View C: Back (Butterfly) side

I hope you find a way to make Easter special in spite of, or because of, your changed circumstances. 

Eggs signed in polymer clay with ACH

Reach out to elderly people, college students, or others who may be in total isolation, encourage those who deserve or need acknowledgement, encouragement, a smile, a wave, groceries, or something else.  Remember, alone (or not), we are in this together... 

Flow Blue Mosaic Cross

About the Easter photos in this post: 

I made the mosaic cross last year, using some chipped flow blue tea saucers and other blue china. 

I got 6 vintage chick egg-cups recently for about $2 each. They are quirky and not "beautiful", but ownership has made them grow on me and I love using them for soft-boiled eggs from the insta-pot.  

The two polymer clay eggs were estate sale finds. I marvel at the expertise of the artist who made, since I have tried some FIMO clay projects myself. The "canes" she created are inspiring. Though they are beginning to crack, I am happy to own them, I enjoy looking at them every Easter, and now this post documents them if they eventually fall apart. The artist, "ACH" signed the eggs in clay, so if anyone knows who "ACH" is, let me know... (unlikely, I know, but someone this skilled may have been a teacher...) 

*** SURPRISE NOTE ***!  I think I found out who ACH is - The creator of the Easter Eggs is possibly Angela Hickey of Polymer Clay Creations
who has this Etsy site.  

My Wish List Egg Set (2011) (Hint for my family?)!
2009 Egg A,  2009 Egg B,  2011 Egg C,  2011 Egg D,  2011 Egg E,  2009 Egg F,  2009 Egg G
2013 egg H,  2013 Egg J,  2013 Egg K,  2013 Egg L,  2014 Egg M,  2014 Egg N*
2014 Egg P purple*,  2014 Egg R pink*,  2014 Multi colored Egg
2009 Round Ornament,  2011 Star Ornament,  2012 Bell Ornament

Flow Blue Mosaic Cross (on vintage wallpaper)

Once again, try to stay healthy and sane!

Happy Easter!

Click on the images to see them enlarged. (Yes, you can see these images even larger!) The best way to see the images in their largest format is to (on a windows system) right click on the image and select "open in new tab" from the option box that opens. This bypasses software that limits the size of the image opened. On the newly opened image, click on the image again to see it zoomed maximum.




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Easter Hutch 2

Spring Hutch 1

I am linking up to these parties:

Create with Joy: Inspire me Mon (m Entry 107 of 177.)
Keeping it real: Crafty Party 213 (Entry 10 of 29.)
My Random: Anything Goes 233 (Entry 32 of 53.)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 28 of 52.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 21x of 65x.)
Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Mon 2-4p (m Entry 1 of 52.)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me 543 Mon 3p (l Entry 5 of 117.)
Maria Elena: Tue at Home 355 Mon 12p? (m Entry 9 of 77.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 315 Mon 7p (l Entry 12 of 93.)
*Anitaojeda: Inspire Me Mon 4p (s Entry 24 of 34.)
Image-in-ing: Weekly link up (Entry 27 of 86.) 
Across the Blvd: Beautifully Made Tue 8a (Entry 8 of 62.)

n Mostly blogging: Inspire Me Mon 271 (s Entry 52 of 271.) 
Stonecottageadventures: Tuesday with a twist (l Entry 84)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 379 Wed (l Entry x of 110x.)Chas crazy creations: grandmas 187 Wed 4p (m Entry 75 of 97.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style Wed 6p (Entry 17 of 48.)               I was featured!
Poinsettiadr: Classy Flamingos 97 (L Entry 28x of 34x.)
Lecultivateur: Wonderful Wed (L Entry 151r of 209r.)
Imparting grace: Grace at home 374 Th (Entry 20 of 134.)
Artsy mama: Artsy party 287 Th noon (Entry 57 of 92.)
*Slices of Life: Hearts+Home Th 6a (m Entry 52x of 107x.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Thur Fav Things Th 7a (Entry 47 of 208.)
Also An Artful Mom: Th 7am (Entry 47 of 208.)                                  I was featured!
Also KatherinesCorner: Th 7a (Entry 47 of 208.)
FromGardners: Handmade Hangout Th 5p (Ended)
Life beyond Kitchen: Creative 218 Th 2p (Entry 77 of 121.)
Kathleen: Bloggers Pit Stop 216 Th 8p (L Entry 7 of 93.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic 275 Th 8p (i Entry 5 of 137.)
The Painted Hinge: Farmhouse 149 Fri 10a (L Entry 1 of 36.)
Petals pies+: Handmade 44 Fri 11a (s Entry 30 of 101.)
Firemanswife: Fri at the fire station (m Entry 2 of 40.)
Ohmyheartsiegirl: Friday Feature Party (s Entry skip)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of joe (L Entry 52 of 87.)
Shabby art boutique: Create-grow 414 F 8a (L Entry 24x of 90x.)
Busy Being Jennifer: Fri Favorites 75 1p (m Entry 67 of 82.)
Our mini family: Our mini party 273 (s Entry x of 82x.)
Funkyjunkinteriors: DIY Salvaged 522 Fri (Entry 5 of 24.) 
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Sat Sparks 370 Th 8a (L Entry 30 of 114.)
Eye Love Knots: Snicker Doodle 330 Sat 5pm (m Entry 46 of 140.)
Pams Party: Dare to share 412 Sun (m Entry 41 of 59.)
Weekend Reflection: reflections (Entry skip)
Tryit likeit: Creatively Crafty 218 (Entry 77 of 121.)
Finding Silver pennies: Silver 354 Sun 6a (m Entry 50 of 109.)
Life&Linda: Dishing it Digging it Sun 3p (l Entry 11 of 126.)
3 little buttons: Dream Team Linky Sun 6am (Entry vaca)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry 156 of 167.)
Kippi at home: You're the Star monthly (m Entry 84)
Calypsointhecountry: Best of month F 7a (Entry 122 of 234.)

Thistlekeylane: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry ) 
Also My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry )
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home Tue (m Entry )
LeCultivateur: Wonderful Wed (m Entry )
Lets Add Sprinkles: Keep in Touch Tue 4p (m Entry )
Gingersnap crafts:Wow me Tue 7p (Entry )
Girlish Whims: Whims Tues 8:50p (Entry )
Applestreetcottage: Party-in-your-pjs (Entry )
Delightsome Life: Home and Garden Wed 5p (Entry )

Thistlekeylane: How-to-polish-sterling-silver

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