Cleopatra's Playhouse

2004-09-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody! Well, it’s cooler out today but it is still sunny and beautiful. I am so glad Paul and Crunchy helped me with the trellises. Now, the roses will have a place to climb. When I went out to water this morning, they sure looked happy. In fact, the whole garden looked happy. My pink jasmine have even started blooming again. They must be happy!

2004-08-10T22:17:00.000-07:00

CLEOPATRA: Hello everybody! Well, it looks like my roses survived their aphid attack. No more bugs! It’s beautiful out today. I wonder what I will do.

HONK HONK!

CLEOPATRA: Hmm, sounds like Paul and Crunchy just pulled up in the convertible. (Opening front door) Hi Guys! Good to see you!

PAUL: Hi, Cleopatra! Crunchy and I just came over to help you in the garden.

CLEOPATRA: Gee, thanks, guys!

CRUNCHY: Yeah, Cleopatra. We brought over a couple of trellises for your roses to climb on. We thought we could help you tie them up.

CLEOPATRA: Sounds great! I think they are just big enough now to start climbing.

PAUL: Here, Cleopatra. I brought some special tape made just for tying up plants.

CRUNCHY: I’ll hold the trellis in place.

CLEOPATRA: I can hold each branch against the trellis.

PAUL: I can do the tying.

CLEOPATRA: Hey, that’s what I like—teamwork! Thanks, you guys!

PAUL and CRUNCHY: You’re welcome, Cleopatra

2004-08-05T23:45:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! Well, as you can see I’ve been taking lots of pictures of my roses with my digital camera. It is so much fun capturing the little tiny buds and then seeing them blossom just a few days later. Today when I went out to water, the roses were covered with lots of little tiny bugs called aphids. I had to go and get the hose so I could rinse them off before they ate my roses. I don’t want ANYBODY eating my roses!.

2004-07-14T23:14:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! Oh, it’s sunny and beautiful out again. There’s not one cloud in the sky today. When I went out to water this morning, another bud had burst into bloom. Now I have TWO pretty pink roses smiling at me as I look out my window. Life sure is good!

2004-07-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! It’s lovely out today. I’m still so excited about my rose blooming yesterday. I am just feeling so happy. The raspberry cheesecake was yummy, too, and Rosie and Marissa came over to celebrate with me. Then Paul and Crunchy showed up and they brought raspberry sherbet. Then Tony and Tina dropped by and they brought some raspberry jam that Tina made herself. We had one big raspberry party. It was great! What a way to celebrate!

2004-07-01T14:43:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! How are you this morning? I could hardly sleep last night I was so excited about the buds. When the sun came in my window this morning, I felt like I heard him whisper, “Come on, Cleopatra! I’ve got a surprise for you.” Sure enough, when I went out to water, there she was—bright pink and beautiful and yes, smelling like raspberries—my first rose blossom! I think I will make a raspberry cheesecake to celebrate!

2004-06-28T18:42:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! Today is D-day in our countdown. Well, I went outside and it’s definitely beautiful outside...and...I counted three buds! Three tiny buds have appeared overnight. Raspberry-scented roses, here we come!

2004-06-21T18:47:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! Only seven more days till you know what. . . .

DING DONG

CLEOPATRA: Hey, there’s the doorbell! I wonder who’s here. . .

TWEET TWEET TWEET

CLEOPATRA: (Going to the door) It must be Henrietta and the Chicks.

HENRIETTA and the CHICKS: Cleopatra! You’re home!

CLEOPATRA: Henrietta, Chip, Chuck, Charlene—it’s so good to see you all!

HENRIETTA: We were just surfing at the beach and we thought we’d stop by.

CHARLENE: Yeah, Cleopatra, we wanted to sing and you play the piano so well.

CHIP: Would you play for us, please?

CLEOPATRA: I would love to. I have just been practicing. What would you like?

CHUCK: I like the truck song. How about, “I’ve Got My Trucks”?

CLEOPATRA: Coming right up!

(Cleopatra plays as Henrietta and the Chicks gather ‘round the piano)

HENRIETTA and the CHICKS: I’ve got my trucks. The sun is shinin’ and I’m playin’ outside now…..

(They sing through the whole song)

CLEOPATRA: That was great, everybody! What else would you like to hear?

CHARLENE: How ‘bout the ballerina song?

HENRIETTA: I like that one, too.

CHARLENE: I want to sing it all by myself.

CLEOPATRA: If you sing it all by yourself, Charlene, that’s called a “solo.”

CHARLENE: I want to sing a solo, then.

CHUCK: Go ahead, I had my turn with the truck song.

CHARLENE: Thanks, Chuck!

HENRIETTA: You guys are really sharing! Good job!

(Cleopatra starts to play and Charlene sings her solo.)

CHARLENE: Ballerina twirling ‘round….

(Charlene sings the whole song through)

HENRIETTA: Charlene, that was beautiful.

CHARLENE: Thanks, Gramma! Thanks, Cleopatra for playing for us.

CLEOPATRA: Anytime!

2004-06-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! I woke up this morning with one of my lullabies playing in my head. Did you ever wake up with a song playing in your head? As I watered my flowers I kept humming the tune. Only 10 more days till my raspberry roses appear. Now, that will be something to sing about! What’s your favorite song?

2004-06-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! Only 14 more days till my roses should be here. The star jasmine woke me up again this morning with its sweet, sweet smell. When I went out to water, birds were chirping and butterflies were fluttering by. What a great day to have breakfast on the patio.

I sat in the sunshine to have my biscuits and jam and soft-boiled eggs. Then I practiced my piano. I have been working on some lullabies. The more I practice, the better I get. I just have to practice a little bit every day. I practice my scales for 10 minutes and then I practice my songs for 10 minutes.

2004-06-12T12:58:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! It’s sunny and beautiful again. I woke up wishing I could see buds on my roses today. But, when I went out to water all I could see was bugs—two roly poly bugs scuttling across the concrete. I wonder why it’s so hard to be patient. I just want my roses to bloom. Sometimes, I feel like it’s the day before my birthday. You know how hard it is to wait to open your presents? Mmm, that makes me think of cake. Yummy! 19 more days till my roses bloom. . . .

2004-06-09T21:48:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! Well, I stayed up a little too late last night reading. I just wanted to finish my book. You know how that can be. I had my flashlight under the covers and when I woke up it was still on! So, I turned it off and put it back on my nightstand. Then, I went out to check on my roses. It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day today. Only 22 more days until the roses bloom!

2004-06-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! Well, I went out to water this morning. The garden seems so happy! I guess it was thankful for all that rain we had. When I went for my walk everything seemed so fresh and green. I thought of all the things I have to be thankful for. There are a lot! Birds and trees, flowers and bees, roses scenting the summer breeze—these are just a few of my favorite things. What are you thankful for?

2004-06-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! Good news! The rain is gone and the sun is shining high in the sky. When I went out to water this morning, I came across a giant caterpillar crawling along. I wondered how long till it would become a big, beautiful butterfly. I wonder how long till I have rosebuds becoming rose blossoms — raspberry-scented rose blossoms. I’m counting the days. . .

2004-06-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! Well, if you can believe it, it’s raining again today. Maybe the sun will come out later and we can play t-ball. I’ve been practicing my pitching. Have any of you played t-ball?

2004-05-27T11:37:00.000-07:00

Rosie the Rabbit and Marissa the Mouse Drop In Unexpectedly at Cleopatra's House

DING DONG

CLEOPATRA: Hmm, I wonder who that could be.

MARISSA: (Peeking in the window) Yoo hoo, Cleopatra. Are you home? I brought you some cheese. Are you awake yet? Yoo hoo.

CLEOPATRA: (Opening the door) Rosie and Marissa! How good of you to come in all this rain! How are you? Oh Marissa, thank you for the cheese!

MARISSA: You’re welcome, Cleopatra!

ROSIE: And I brought you some carrots, too, Cleopatra—fresh out of my garden!

CLEOPATRA: Thank you, Rosie. Please come in. I was just making some oatmeal. Let me set out three bowls and three spoons for us.

MARISSA: I like mine with milk and honey, please.

ROSIE: I like mine with cinnamon, Cleopatra.

CLEOPATRA: Well, you know I always have something for everyone. I even have nuts to sprinkle on top, if you like those.

(Cleopatra puts ‘fixin’s’ on the table)

CLEOPATRA: (Serving the oatmeal) Help yourself!

ROSIE AND MARISSA: This is delicious. Thanks, Cleopatra!

2004-05-26T06:40:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! It’s kind of gloomy out today. The sky is dark and full of clouds. The rain is beating against my window pane. This is a perfect day for a nice, warm bowl of oatmeal. Let’s see. Should I have strawberry oatmeal or banana oatmeal? Hmm. What’s your favorite?

I think I’ll have peach-flavored oatmeal and I’ll sprinkle in a few pecans. Mmm. Then I’m going to curl up on the couch with a good book. I can work on my word puzzles, too, today. Only 36 more days till my roses bloom. . . .

2004-05-24T05:31:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! I had the best weekend at Tony and Tina’s! Tony put together his Model T Ford and painted it a bright, shiny red. Tina and I made monarch butterfly magnets out of plastic canvas. We used black, bright orange and white yarn. Then we all went to the beach. The three of us strolling along, collecting sea shells, was so much fun. At night we roasted marshmallows and took turns reading stories to each other out loud. What a great weekend!

2004-05-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

Tony and Tina visit Cleopatra for breakfast.

Hello everybody! Only 41 more days till my yard should be raspberry-scented. Tony and Tina are coming over today to see my jasmine. When I called yesterday, Tina said they would be over for breakfast.

DING DONG

CLEOPATRA: (Hugging both) Tony! Tina! How are you? It’s so good to see you!

TONY: Well, when we heard the jasmine was blooming, we just had to come see.

TINA: You know it’s my favorite smell in the whole world. Mmm. (Handing her the muffins) Here, I baked blueberry muffins for breakfast.

CLEOPATRA: (Taking them from Tina) Oh, Tina, they’re still warm! Thank you so much for bringing them.

TINA: You’re welcome, Cleopatra.

CLEOPATRA: We can have breakfast outside, under the umbrella.

TINA: Near the jasmine?

CLEOPATRA: Of course!

TONY: Cleopatra, why don’t you come home with us for the weekend?

CLEOPATRA: Sure, Tony, I’d love to.

(Cleopatra grabs her things and goes to Tony and Tina’s for the weekend)

2004-05-19T10:40:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! Only 43 more days till my roses bloom. Today I woke up to the sweet, sweet smell of perfume. No, it wasn’t my Gramma waking me up! It was my star jasmine. Tons of tiny white flowers finally opened up overnight. It was like I had flowers floating in my window. Mmm, what a way to wake up! I think I’ll call Tony and Tina, my turtle friends, and ask them to come over for a visit. Jasmine is Tina’s favorite flower!

2004-05-12T18:15:00.000-07:00

CLEOPATRA: Over the weekend, Shelley and I baked butterscotch muffins. Gramma loved the butterscotch muffins. She said she had just been having a hankering for butterscotch. She was quite sure that a little bird had told us to bake them for her. We spent the afternoon with her playing pinochle, snacking on snicker doodles, and sipping cinnamon tea. Shelley told her all about planting her purple petunias, and I told her all about my raspberry-scented roses. Only 50 more days…

2004-05-11T22:07:00.000-07:00

CLEOPATRA: Hello, everybody! I’m back from my weekend with Shelley the Sheep. Boy, were we busy! Did you have a fun weekend? We sure did. We planted purple petunias in pots on her patio. Then, we wallpapered her pantry with pretty purple polka-dots. We even baked butterscotch muffins for her Gramma. Of course, Shelley put a purple satin bow on the basket. Can you guess what Shelley’s favorite color is? You're right: PURPLE!

2004-05-07T20:40:00.000-07:00

CLEOPATRA: The warm sun woke me this morning, shining through my window. Just as I opened my eyes, I saw two tiny hummingbirds having breakfast at the feeder. I ran outside to check my roses. Sure enough, my other rose has gotten its first leaf. Yippee! Now, they both have leaves. 53 more days till my first blooms!

This weekend I’m going to visit Shelly the Sheep. I’ll be staying at her house for the whole weekend. We’ll have a great time! One of the things we’ll do, I’m sure, is try out a few new recipes. Shelley is so much fun to cook with. I’ll let you know how the recipes turn out. I’ll talk to you on Monday

2004-05-06T21:45:00.000-07:00

CLEOPATRA: Hello, everybody! You are not going to believe it! I saw my first leaf on one of my rose plants today. It was tiny but it was there. I saw it with my own eyes. In 54 more days I should see some blooms. I am getting excited!

2004-05-05T21:44:00.000-07:00

CLEOPATRA: Hello, everybody! I am counting down. Only 55 more days till my garden blooms with raspberry-scented roses. It is so good to be alive. I woke up to birds singing this morning and the sun wasn’t even up yet! Just hearing them makes me feel so happy. I don’t know what song they were singing but it sure was pretty. I wonder how they know so many songs. I wonder how many songs they actually know. Do they come out of their shells knowing how to sing ? Maybe their mom teaches them before they leave the nest. I know she teaches them to fly. They probably know some lullabies and I bet she teaches them how to sing “Happy Birthday.” That would be an important one. I bet they know “Twinkle, Twinkle,” too.

2004-05-04T22:22:00.000-07:00

Cleopatra and Shelley Make the Rice and Veggie Casserole

CLEOPATRA: Hello everybody! Only 56 more days till my roses bloom. I woke up today to the sound of raindrops dancing across my window pane. I guess I won’t need to be watering my plants today. The sky seems to be taking care of that. I think I will just stay inside and make a casserole. I am going to call Shelley the Sheep and see if she wants to come over and cook with me. . . .

Rrrring, Rrrring, Rrrring…

SHELLEY: Hello, this is Shelley the Sheep.

CLEOPATRA: Hi, Shelley. It’s Cleopatra. I was wondering if you would like to come over today and cook with me. I want to cook something and I know cooking is your specialty. What do you think?

SHELLEY: Sure, Cleopatra. I would love to come cook with you. What are we going to make?

CLEOPATRA: Well, I have some broccoli and some cauliflower and I thought you could help me make a casserole.

SHELLEY: Mmm, I love casseroles. I will bring some cheese and some rice and we can make a rice and veggie casserole and top it with cheddar.

CLEOPATRA: Oh, goodie! Cheddar is my favorite kind of cheese. So, Shelley, how soon can you come over?

SHELLEY: Oh, I’ll be over after I finish my chores. I want to put my toys away before I come over. How about eleven o’clock? We can have lunch together.

CLEOPATRA: That sounds great. I’ll see you then.

SHELLEY: See you soon.

Ding Dong

CLEOPATRA: Hi, Shelley. It is so good to see you. Come on in.

SHELLEY: (hugging Cleopatra) Hi, Cleopatra. Thanks for inviting me over. I love cooking with my friends. I know lots of recipes. Some day I’m even going to have my own cooking show.

CLEOPATRA: Shell, you will be fabulous. You are such a great teacher.

SHELLEY: Thanks! Let’s get started. It looks like we have all the ingredients.

CLEOPATRA: I’ll start the rice cooker.

SHELLEY: I can chop the onions.

CLEOPATRA: This is fun. I can’t wait till it’s all done.

SHELLEY: Looks like everything is ready to go. We just need to wait for the rice to get done. Why don’t we play cards while we’re waiting?

CLEOPATRA: Sure, Shelley. What would you like to play?

SHELLEY: Well, how about “Go Fish?”

CLEOPATRA: “Go Fish” sounds good. How about a glass of lemonade, too, while we’re waiting? Would you like that?

SHELLEY: Yes, please, Cleopatra. I’m thirsty.

CLEOPATRA: Me, too.

(Cleopatra and Shelley enjoy a few rounds of “Go Fish”)

Bzzzzzz

CLEOPATRA: Hey, Shelley, I hear the buzzer. Our casserole must be done. Let’s go check it.

SHELLEY: (checking casserole) Cleopatra, look, it is done. It smells yummy. Time for lunch.

CLEOPATRA: Let’s eat!

2004-05-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

Cleopatra: Hello everybody! It’s sunny and beautiful again this morning! I got up early and took a nice walk before I watered my garden. The grass was glistening with dewdrops. Little ladybugs were lollygagging on the ledge outside my window. As I filled the feeder for the birds, all I could think of was “57 more days till you- know-what!”

2004-05-02T19:36:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! Well, according to my calendar, only 58 more days and we’re guaranteed to have some bright pink rose blossoms that will make my garden smell like a raspberry patch. Mmm, there’s nothing better than a sweet-smelling garden on a summer day. I love pretty smells and I love spending time in my garden. I like to water each plant and see how it’s doing. Sometimes, I just water. Sometimes I pull off the dead leaves and sometimes I add a little fertilizer. I take a look to see what each plant needs. In the summer, when it gets really hot I water a little bit more so the plants don’t get so thirsty. Then there are days when I just sit in a chair and relax, watching the butterflies flutter by. . . .

2004-05-01T18:49:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! The sun is shining again this morning—not a cloud in the sky. Well, as you know, I got my roses in yesterday. Only 59 more days until I have some blooms—well, at least maybe some rosebuds. What do you think? It said on the package “Guaranteed or my money back.” It also said that the roses are going to smell like raspberries. Mmm, I just LOVE raspberries! Raspberry sherbet, raspberry jelly, raspberries with whip cream, raspberries over ice cream , raspberry filling inside of a jelly donut. . . . I think I’ll have raspberry yogurt for breakfast this morning. Yumster Bumster!

2004-04-30T17:24:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! The sun is shining this morning and it’s beautiful outside. I think I will plant my roses today. I got bright pink roses in the mail and they have hardly any thorns so they should be easy for me to put in. It is Spring already and the package says, “Guaranteed to bloom in 60 days or your money back.” It sounds good to me. That means I should have roses by summer! I will let you know when I see my first leaf sprouting.