Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Snow is Coming

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We have snow coming tomorrow. We knew it was in the forecast, but delayed running pre-snow errands until today. We have to check the shed to see if we have an leftover salt from last year (I think we do), we have to get out the snow shovels. Don has to start up the snowblower to make sure it runs. We have to run to the bank, to the hardware store, to the grocery store. Yikes!

We’re always excited at the thought of our first snowfall. We’ve had a few snow showers in the past couple of days, but not the 5 to 8 inches expected tomorrow. And it’s going to fall during the day, so we can watch it falling.

Don had a gig on Saturday that ended up being much longer than expected and it involved a lot of driving so he was very tired at the end of the day, which is why we stayed home yesterday. He needed to rest.

Rest in Peace to the brilliant playwright and human being, Tom Stoppard. To me, he was our greatest living playwright. I met him when I was working at the Old Globe and he was generous, kind, and so intelligent. He and Jack O’Brien, who was the Artistic Director at the Globe, forged a friendship and partnership with Jack eventually directing several of his plays on Broadway. I was honored and humbled to meet him.

Gilly in front of the little Christmas tree.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

A Gift

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I know many of you are getting a LOT of snow. Here’s hoping you’re all sitting out the storm, maybe listening to some Christmas carols, and decorating for the holidays. Stay safe, my friends.

A little story for you.

I have long been charmed and fascinated by vintage feather trees. I see them everywhere on Instagram  – beautifully decorated, simple, magical. For those of you who are unfamiliar with them, they first emerged in Germany in the late 19th century because of deforestation. They were artificial, made of goose feathers that were dyed green and then attached to wire branches.  They were usually tabletop size but I’ve seen taller versions. They’re still made. Very, very old feather trees go for a high price. I’ve also seen them with white feathers and pink feathers.

Okay. One day, I was scrolling through IG looking at feather trees, and I posted this in my stories:

The photo was from 7sevenlakesdesign and I added the text, which was a reference to my impatience when I want something. (You’re all familiar with that particular trait of mine.)

The next morning I saw that I had received a message from an IG follower who also reads this blog. She said she has several feather trees and has been doing a bit of purging and had one that she was willing to send me. I couldn’t believe it! I immediately said yes and wanted to pay for it, but she didn’t want any money. She was just happy to know it would go to someone who loved it. She sent it via UPS and it arrived yesterday. “She” by the way, is reader Donna Erickson who wanted to share a little joy with me. She is a wonderful person and her kind gesture has touched my heart. By the way, she bought it in the 80s from a man who made feather trees on his farm in Ohio.

I bought some small vintage ornaments this week because I haven’t yet brought out the Christmas bins from the shed. I know I have some more small ornaments there, so the bare spots on the tree will be filled in shortly.

Okay. Here it is:

I love it! We decided to place it on the coffee table and Don insisted on completely clearing off the table. He’s been in a “no more clutter” mood lately. These are the ornaments I purchased at a local antique store, but I definitely need to add more.

Isn’t it lovely? So simple, so striking.

Thank you, thank you, Donna!

Once again, I am humbled by the generosity of others. And I’m very, very grateful.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Post Feast

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The little white tree in the Den. This isn’t capturing the lights all that well, but they’re tiny and lovely. I do like this new tradition; setting up this little tree before Thanksgiving so we can get a little taste of Christmas before we officially decorate.

Our neighbors across the street sometimes have outdoor Christmas lights up and sometimes don’t. It varies from year to year. But this year, they got them up early – maybe two weeks ago? I suspect they, like most of us, really need some Christmas this year.

We had a lovely day yesterday. And boy, was dinner fabulous! The biscuits were the “best ever” according to Don, and we had the usual vegetarian “turkey” roast, mashed potatoes and veggie gravy, along with steamed carrots, and jellied cranberry slices. And pumpkin pie to top it all off, by which point I was incredibly overstuffed. Then we watched “Stranger Things.” Perfect.

Today, after having this task on my Things to Do list for four days in a row, I am finally going to put up our outdoor Christmas lights.

Tomorrow, or today, I’m not sure, I’ll start to decorate the dollhouses.

I hope you had a lovely day yesterday and I trust you’re going to take it easy today.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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