Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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Somewhere Over The….

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I wasn’t going to post today – however, at the end of a long, windy, blustery day when I got drenched at least twice, this appeared:

(I posted this on my photo blog, hence the different watermark.)
I was in the middle of a phone conversation with my Mom and the dogs were bugging me for dinner. Trying to escape them so I could talk without annoying little barks in the background, I walked up the stairs and saw this out the studio window.  I yelled for Don to come look, turned the phone over to him and ran to get my camera. This rainbow was perfect. We could see the whole arc from beginning to end. If you look very closely, you’ll see a double rainbow. The second rainbow is very faint.
I was outside in the rain, in my slippers with no coat on. Thank goodness Don brought out my muck boots! It was truly spectacular. The schoolbus had just arrived and our neighbors across the street were also gazing at this beautiful end to a stormy day.
I tried to use the Stitch Assist on my camera. Of course, since I had never even thought about using it before, I didn’t know what I was doing. Here’s my attempt to stitch the shots together via Picnik. Please ignore the fact that the rainbow doesn’t meet correctly. And the fact that the maple tree has more branches than it really does.
The house looks like it is breaking in two. It isn’t. At least, I hope not. The challenge with Stitch Assist, I have discovered, is in not moving the camera up or down, even slightly. If you do, you get this Picasso-esque view of MHC. Nevertheless, this gives you an idea of how far this rainbow stretched across the sky.What an amazing phenomenon a rainbow is. I can’t remember the last time I saw one. And I don’t remember ever seeing one this fully formed and ‘whole.’ I guess living in the country helps – no other buildings on the horizon to block the view. It was a little miracle that completely changed the tone of the day. A blessing.

One other note: the winner of a copy of Dear Mrs. Kennedy is Suzanne from Privet and Holly. Suzanne, I will be contacting you for your address. Congratulations!

 

What’s New on Wednesday

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The first day of December has emerged as a gray, rainy, somewhat depressing day weather-wise. We’ve seen no snow yet, although we have seen a few flakes that were here one minute, gone the next. Today’s temps will be in the 50’s, which is a bit balmy for December. Though I love seeing all the Christmas decorations throughout Blogland, this house will continue to be a No Christmas Decorating Zone for another week or so. I just can’t decorate this early. I’ve never been able to. If decorations are up too soon, I get used to them. I no longer see them. They lose their magic. And I want them to be magical. I suppose this is also a reaction to the over-commercialization of Christmas, where every store seems to trot out the Christmas decorations as soon as Halloween has passed. In good time, they will appear. In good time.

What’s new here at MHC? After being locked into a 2 year cell phone contract with AT&T, we finally made our escape and went to Verizon.

I have nothing against AT&T, my Dad worked for them for 40 years, but their coverage out here in our little town is simply terrible. Our town continues to dither about a cell tower. Things being what they are, Verizon has the best coverage here. Now, when the power goes out, we can actually call the power company.  When I get a business call, I will no longer have to get in the car and drive to an area where I can hear the message. Yesterday, I actually spoke to a colleague about a potential coaching job while working in my studio. It’s a big deal here.

See, I’m not lying. I have been working in the studio. The quarters are tight, but I have to say I am proud of how it all flows. Yesterday, I had the ironing board set up, the cupboard doors open, the sewing machine humming; all to the sound of Don’s guitar as he practiced downstairs.

I’ve also been doing more of this:

Another scarf in Mochi Plus. Gorgeous colors, aren’t they? The addiction continues. I hope to take some photos at our new yarn store very soon. Today is too gloomy and dark. Hopefully, tomorrow.

If you live anywhere near Shelburne Falls, MA, Don is playing at a wonderful cafe called Mocha Maya’s this coming Saturday at 8:00 pm. You can find them here.  Don’s a wonderful entertainer and I can guarantee you’d have a great time.

What are you up to today?

A New Addiction

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I caught this addiction from my sister, Meredith. I blame her. She’s an enabler. Mer did a post about this wonderful crochet pattern that she’d discovered through another blogger. It’s called Queen Anne’s Lace. She urged me to check it out. I did, and I’m hooked. This is an easy pattern – it works up quickly. And if you use a self-striping yarn, like this Mochi Plus by Crystal Palace – oh, how pretty it is.

This one’s for me. Not because I’m selfish or anything (well, maybe a tad) but because I needed a prototype, if you will. I’m also going to try it in a chunkier yarn. I think a chunky yarn would make a warmer, heavy-duty scarf for the winter. This one is the kind I could wear all the time – inside or out. By the way, I found the pattern here.

It sure makes a difference having Letitia around to model my creations. She does it well, don’t you think?

I know of a couple of young ladies who would look adorable in one of these – perhaps for Christmas? Between these and the afghan, I’ve become crocheting-obsessed. And I love this yarn, which I found at my (drum roll) new neighborhood yarn store! It’s in an old barn. I’ve already been there twice. I’m going to take some photos there and post about it later this week.

Scout has a comment on all this endless ‘creating.’

I hear you, Princess Scout, I hear you.

Don’t forget to read my book review of Mrs. Kennedy. Just scroll down one post. I’m giving away a copy of this wonderful book to one lucky commenter. You must comment on that post and you have until Wednesday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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