Mockingbird Hill Cottage

On Monday, as the skies stayed sunny all day and the temperature soared, we took some time to sit on the glider and walk around the property. It was so lovely! As we reached Tuesday, the euphoria had worn off and we realized it was just too darned warm. (We’d even had trouble sleeping the night before.) One more day of overly warm temperatures today and then back down to the forties, which is where they should be.

But it was nice for about 24 hours. And every speck of snow has vanished.

The landoudou girls were redressed yesterday. I took them outside for a photo but, even thought the sun was shining, the light was not cooperating. I now realize that there are no leaves on the trees or any of the plants that surround the porch and that makes it harder to take a picture. I’ll just have to wait a month or so.

I really haven’t had much of a desire to redress any of the girls. They look good in what they’re currently wearing and that’s fine with me.

I finished Practical Magic  yesterday. What a perfect book! I really loved everything about it, so much so that I’m sorry it’s finished. I absolutely recommend it.

Question: Do you want an egg cup tour this year? I just realized that Easter isn’t all that far away. Let me know.

Today, we go grocery shopping. There’s very little in the larder and we’ve put it off long enough.

That is our exciting day.

But truly, quiet and as-peaceful-as-we-can-make-it days are what we most prefer. We’ve had very busy, active lives for many years, traveling for work, being gone 12 hours a day, quite often being apart while one of us was away working, and it was mostly wonderful. But now? We’re happy to be home here in our little cottage.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

It’s been warm the last couple of days and it will be even warmer today and tomorrow.

Proof:

For the first time since early December, we have almost no snow on the ground. It’s hard to believe! Even the huge piles of snow left from shoveling and plowing are almost gone. There was so much snow that it seemed as if it would never melt. Could  never melt. Today and tomorrow ought to finish it off.

We don’t kid ourselves, there are a couple of days coming next week where the high reaches only 30 degrees. But we can put up with that, knowing that spring is on the way.

The back forty takes a bit longer, as it’s a higher elevation. But I’m sure the snow will be gone by today.

I’ve been reading Practical Magic  and loving it. The next book in the lineup is There are Rivers in the Sky  by Elif Shafak, which I’m hoping will be as beautiful as the description indicates. I’m crocheting and the afghan is slowly getting bigger. I’m not even letting myself dream of gardening yet. That won’t happen for a while. But I am wondering if our local nursery has reopened yet. I know it will open sometime this month.

I’m thinking of starting my morning glory seeds inside so they start growing earlier than usual. I would then transplant them around the end of April. If that doesn’t work and they still don’t bloom until October, I’ll officially give up.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

A cloudy morning view of a kitchen corner. The snake plant has to be supported, hence the twine and metal plant supports. It’s now – what – over 50 years old? It sat in our window seat in my childhood home and it was there for several years. My parents moved to northern Michigan when I was living in Philadelphia, so that was around 1986. If I assume that the plant was in my childhood home for at least 10 years – and both Mere and I think that was the case – it’s at least 50 years old. Maybe more. There’s an entire section of new growth, which is encouraging, as I’ve had to cut away some of the older growth. I’m watering it a bit more than I have been. They’re succulents, so they don’t need too much water, but our house is very dry, especially in the winter.

This morning, I was greeted by the song of a Carolina wren who stayed around the porch area singing away for at least an hour. Is it nest building time? It seems a bit early. The wrens are here throughout the winter and I do hear them occasionally. But this was a full-out and continuous song. More spring-like, if you will.

A good sign, I think.

I’m reading and crocheting and trying to get through the weekend with a modicum of peace. I hope you’re able to find some peace, as well.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.