Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

A Stormy and Smoky Saturday

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Coneflowers are blooming on all sides of the house, even the edge of the secret garden, where a volunteer popped up! I love these flowers, most of which have self-seeded from the originals I planted many, many years ago. To me, they are the quintessential cottage garden flower. I’m very, very happy when they finally appear.

More smoke warnings for today, along with lots of thunderstorms. The air quality will be pretty bad. The title for this summer should be: The Summer We Had to Stay Indoors. Heat waves, unhealthy air quality, huge storms –  it’s crazy.

I finished up the main entrance flooring yesterday. As I was heading for the finish line, I wanted to scream. Some pieces have to be cut down to fit and cutting them can be very frustrating. But, it’s done and I’m fairly happy with it.

The photo includes a cabinet I got online when Minatures (dot) com was closing down. It has a drawer that’s somewhere in this messy studio. It had a fleur de lis design which I am attempting to paint over. But I have no idea what color to paint it. Do I age it, or keep it new looking? And does it really fit in this part of the hallway? Should it be taller? I think I’ll go ahead and do something with it. If anything, it can function as a filler until I get just the right piece.

I like this view. Though I am now thinking I need more than this light stain on the Grandfather clock. What to do, what to do, what to do. Is it too tall? It’s sort of looking that way. Or do I need one of those Swedish clocks? I believe they’re called “Mora” clocks. All will eventually be revealed.

I’ll do something with the clock and the cabinet today, I think. A good indoors activity.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Smoke, Haze, and Floors

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High heat and humidity, plus a heavy layer of smoke from the wildfires in Canada is making the air quality around here quite harmful. So we’ve been staying inside. I run outside to water wearing goggles and a mask. My chronic respiratory issues are definitely impacted by this. One more day of smoke – I think – and it should get better. It’s very hard to deal with but nothing compared to what Canada is experiencing. I pray for everyone there, every living thing. I can’t bear to think about the animals who are trapped. And the First Nations members who have lost entire communities. Please, please, universe – let there be some relief today.

Rowan when she first arrived. I finally found room for her on one of the shelves, but it required some reassigned seating.

Late yesterday afternoon, I started laying the floor in the entrance hallway. Today, I’ll finish it. Messy, fussy work, which ends with glue and stain all over my fingers.

I have to read a lot over the next couple of days as Land  will be due at the library. It is an exquisite piece of writing. Maggie O’Farrell is one of my favorites.

That’s it for today.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Heat, Smoke, and Rowan

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We’re in another heat warning event. Today in the high 90s, humid, and to add to the oppressiveness, we have a smoke warning from the wildfires in Canada. Yippee. Smoke warnings tomorrow, as well.

A package arrived in the mail yesterday. You better believe I’d been tracking it. It came all the way from Israel to my door in exactly a week. (I’ve spent lots of time attempting pictures, but the light is a bit of a pain right now.)

From Dragonfly Blythe:

I’d like to introduce you to Rowan.

She has dark auburn hair and, as you can tell, the way the color registers varies.

She has freckles (I’m using Ola’s photo.)

Photo credit: DragonflyBlythe

I don’t know how Ola got this level of detail, but God bless her!

If you remember, I had a commission set up with Ola. She was going to create a girl for me. (And that may still happen.) But over a week ago, on a Saturday, she posted a photo saying “In progress.” A girl with curly auburn hair and freckles. My heart started to beat faster. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. I messaged Ola and asked if she was available. Thankfully, Ola was online and responded: Do you want her? You can have her. Yes! Yes! I asked if the hair color was as indicated in the photo and she said “exactly the same.” I paid for her, Ola’s husband took the package to the post office a week ago Tuesday, and she arrived here very quickly.

You know I wanted a redhead Dragonfly Blythe. I was frustrated more than once when someone on my feed was selling a redhead – they wouldn’t ship to the US, someone else got there right before me. In one case, I had been promised a girl whenever the owner decided to sell, but that fell through because she had purchased her from someone who had inflated the price and she wanted to recoup that cost and I wouldn’t overpay. I know what Ola charges, in fact, she makes it crystal clear on her IG account. She has set prices. Anyway, I started to think I’d never get one.

Then Ola announced she was coming back and here we are.

Her eyebrows are incredible. She has faint veins on her forehead. Ola is an incredible artist. And the freckles are perfection. Some customizers make them too big, almost like a caricature. But these are perfect.

Can you tell I’m thrilled?

I am blessed with a dream come true.

Now I have to reconfigure the shelves as I am out of room!

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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