Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Autumn is Gorgeous

October 5, 2026 at 9:24 am by Claudia

It is impossibly beautiful out there. The light, the leaves changing, evidence of migrating bird activity in the birdbath – all of it is wonderful and magical.

A rather impressionistic look at the porch.

I’ve been working on a new puzzle, doing laundry, mowing part of the front lawn, feeling my nesting instincts kick into overdrive, with sneaky little thoughts of Christmas sometimes breaking through. I’m glad my jigsaw puzzle mojo has returned, as I really love working on them, and it is the best meditative process for me. Everything slows down, and my focus is on the puzzle. Everything else is eliminated for the time being. And I love the process, so I’m not at all interested in trying to speed it up.

The bookshelves in the Beacon Hill: I have now painted them 6 times. – three coats of pink, two of red, but I didn’t like that red which had a metallic quality, so yesterday I painted two more coats of another red with a bit of black mixed in.

And this is the final look.

I grabbed some books from Hummingbird Cottage, but the paint had just dried so I didn’t dare put them on the shelves. I’m going to have to make a LOT of books. That will be a good winter activity.

What else would I like besides books? Art on the walls, some pottery on the shelves, a jigsaw puzzle on a coffee table, a turntable, a stack of sheet music on the piano – maybe an ottoman for the chair – reading lamps, a rug,  A plant or two.

In my experience, it’s all the little accessories and details that take the most time and the most money! So I can’t rush this, simply because I have a nonexistent budget. But then again, it’s fun scouting for bargains. So far, a lot of the things in this house I had already, assembled from a kit that I had in my stash, or reworked in some way. That was my vow when I took on the Beacon Hill: to make, reuse, and rehab.

Okay, my friends.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: Beacon Hill Dollhouse 6 Comments

Corners

October 3, 2026 at 9:20 am by Claudia

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: life 8 Comments

Beauty in a Bleak World

October 2, 2026 at 8:41 am by Claudia

The burning bush is starting to turn red. Fall is definitely here.

I’ve been feeling under the weather for the past two days, so not much has happened. We need to mow the lawn but that has been put on hold until I perk up. Maybe tomorrow? Or today, if I eventually feel a lot better.

I did paint the bookcases red, but it’s too dark in the studio to get a good picture. I’ll share one tomorrow. Honestly, I liked the pink, but red seemed to be best for the room. I don’t know how many coats of paint there are on these shelves now, but I know there are a lot.

I’m reading Daniel Silva’s newest thriller. I’ve read every book in his Gabriel Allon series. I know I will lose myself in the story and that’s a comfort. The last two books I checked out were disappointing and I didn’t finish them. I have several on hold with the library system.

I am doing my best to distract myself from the pain of living in a country I no longer recognize. The heartbreak, horror, and anger I feel, I must  feel. But I can’t stay there. And that’s all I’ll say about that.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: life 20 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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