Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Cooler Temperatures & the Beacon Hill

September 23, 2026 at 9:12 am by Claudia

It’s cooler this week, with temps in the 60s. So refreshing! It was very cold when we got up this morning and I reminded Don that we have to get used to it. Our thermostat will be set quite a bit lower this year as the price of heating oil – because of this foolish war – will be higher than ever. We are just going to have to wear layers. I don’t like it, but we are on a fixed income and the price of oil is really going to hurt us.

I will probably mow the corral today – it’s way too long. The lilac side of the front lawn will be next and then, in a few days, the two of us will tackle the front lawn.

Little changes in the Beacon Hill:

I got another battery operated lamp for the bedroom. It’s the kind that I can touch with a magnetic wand and it will light up. I’m pretty sure I’ll paint the base of the lamp and maybe do something with the shade.

I made a mirror for the living room from a House of Miniatures Kit that I had in my stash. It’s a Chippendale style mirror. It was more ornate than this, but I eliminated the side pieces They were very fragile and a bit of a pain. I had to do a little bracing on the back of the mirror, as well. I stained it, then added bits of green. You know I like to create ‘aged’ looking pieces and that’s what I did with the mirror. I love that it picks up the green in the pottery and the big cabinet, as well as the wallpaper. (That blue you see under the pottery on the left is part of the blu-tac that secures the pottery. I hadn’t noticed it until I took this picture! That’s why it’s a good thing to take some close up photos of a dollhouse. You notice things you might not notice otherwise.)

And finally, the bathroom wallpaper arrived. I spent a few hours cutting, measuring, and applying it on Tuesday.

I decided to go with pretty and slightly exotic. The fixtures will be basic and elegant, I think. I still have to decide on them. I’ve ordered ’tile’ for the floor. And there is one of my favorite little Petite Princess pieces – the chest of drawers – that is now in 3 of my houses. I had to find a place for it in the Beacon Hill. It picks up the gold tones in the wallpaper. The background on the wallpaper is gold with a very slightly pinkish tint.

Thankfully, that is the last of the already installed windows that I have to wallpaper around. That has been a huge pain in the tush. And none of the cut-arounds are perfect, believe me. Far from perfect.

Wouldn’t it be fabulous to sit in the tub with this beautiful wallpaper surrounding you?

I cannot say enough how much I really, really, REALLY love the way this house is evolving. I wanted it to be a big deal (for me and maybe for you?) and I think it is.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Monday Potpourri

September 21, 2026 at 8:51 am by Claudia

A large group of New England Asters has cropped up in the main garden bed. There are even more than this picture indicates. That was a total surprise – that splash of color is so welcome! If you look closely, you’ll see a bee on one of the flowers.

I haven’t done a puzzle in a long time. I think I needed a break. But reader Kathy sent me this one a while back and I finally got to it. I think I have my puzzle mojo back! Thanks so much, Kathy.

On Saturday, I had to pick up a book from the library and we decided to walk through a couple of buildings in what used to be our former hardware store (I really miss the hardware store.) It’s a collective so there are lots of booths. Some antiques, some vintage, some homemade candles and jewelry, some vintage clothing, and of course, some junk. One booth had a couple of things that took my fancy.

This tiny little Effanbee doll. I think she must have been a Christmas themed girl. I was just so taken by her outfit – the coat is corduroy, the little flowers are embroidered, and the hat! She is so whimsical and she was only a few dollars.

And this chair:

It was in the same booth. It seems a tad larger than 1:12 scale, but it works. And it turns out to be made of plastic! I’m not sure if it will go in this house or in my stash, but it was only $3, so what the heck! I hardly ever see miniatures in the local antique shops, and I contributed to our local economy.

The wallpaper I ordered for the dollhouse bathroom is finally arriving today. Hopefully, I’ll get to hang it tomorrow. (Monday mail always arrives late in the day.)

That’s it, my friends.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.