Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Painting #9 and the Dollhouse

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My laptop was delivered by FedEx around 12:30 yesterday, right as I was in the middle of finishing this painting. First of all, thrilled to have it back! It works beautifully and a bonus of having the keyboard replaced is the fact that it looks brand spanking new! A few of the keys were a bit worn-looking from so many years of use.

I finished the painting not long after the laptop arrived. This is the Freesia pattern and it’s number 9 in my series. It was quite challenging for me but I have to remember that it’s all a learning process. Ultimately, I’m pleased with it.

I straightened and sorted through my stacks of reading matter in the den. It looks better in there, thank goodness. I also pulled a lot of weeds outside, watered all the porch plants, and vacuumed – all this while Don was getting his hair cut. The fact is, I get a lot more done when he’s not here!

I also did a little playing around with the dollhouse. The gorgeous pink chair (made by artisan June Clinkscales) that I purchased a while back had been sitting in the art studio, but it’s on the large side and I suddenly felt it took up too much space in that little room. So I moved it into the living room.

It picks up the pink in the sofa. I’m not sure this is permanent yet, but if you remember, I had the deep red chair in here, which is also beautiful. That chair is now in the studio but I think I have to find a chair that is lighter in color for that room. I’ll play around with furniture placement and see if I can make it work.

I’m starting to work on finishing this dollhouse. I’ve taken a bit of a break but it’s time to head for the finish line. The bed needs to be dressed, the wardrobe needs to be painted, the front ‘porch’ needs to be painted, I need to buy some more lights, and then lots of little accessories need to be added. I’m hoping to get some of those at the miniature show in September; plants, artwork, pottery, maybe some more books and some stuff for the kitchen.

Then…will I finally start on the Beacon Hill? Seems daunting.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Fledged

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Well, they fledged.

At some point between seeing mama feeding them at 6 am and later in the morning, they left.

And we didn’t see it. Sigh.

Late in the morning, I ran some errands, but Don was back at the house and he said he walked around in the secret garden and stood under the nest. Nothing. No mama immediately chirping. Then, after several minutes, mama appeared and gave some warning cheeps but looked off in a different direction, presumably where the babies were. Then I came home and did the same thing. Very quiet out there until Mama appeared again, giving me a mild warning. I didn’t see the babies, but this area that she chose is perfect for them, lots of undergrowth and trees with low branches. They have cover during the next few days when they generally hang out near the nest. Later in the day, when I went out there a few more times, no appearance by mama.

Boy, do we miss them! We were both feeling blue all afternoon. I’m so used to walking into the kitchen and going directly to the window to watch them. So is Don. We are most definitely suffering from empty nest syndrome.

Bravo to Mama robin, who did it all on her own. All of it. And as Don says, she doesn’t expect any praise or acknowledgement. She just does it. She has been a terrific single parent and now she will teach the babies out in the world.

Sigh. And another sigh. And another, even bigger sigh.

We have been blessed by three different nesting experiences this summer; the Carolina wrens, the robins by the shed, and the robins outside the kitchen window. It’s been a rare and wonderful gift.

Today, I will hang around the cottage, waiting for the FedEx delivery of my laptop. I have to be here to sign for it. So I plan to take care of some chores inside and outside and do a little painting, as I didn’t get around to it yesterday.

Don’s off to get his hair cut and then he’s going to meet up with a friend; outdoors and masked.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Rose of Sharon

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The little cutting of Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus), given to me about 4 years ago by my friend Noble, is blooming. And there are a heck of a lot of buds on the plant. Actually, it had two blooms last year which finally emerged and were promptly eaten by deer. Hence, this protective cage. I’m so thrilled to see these gorgeous flowers!

I have another cutting in that patch of garden, but it’s slow growing. I expect to see blooms in the next year or two.

Everything seems to be in bloom as I mentioned the other day. It’s truly glorious out there. We’re due for some rain and storms later this afternoon. But at this moment, you’d never know it.

The robins are still in the nest, but they’re awfully squirmy! Wings are frequently flexed, little faces peek over the edge of the nest looking at the world they’ll explore when they leave the nest. We keep a close eye on the nest – well actually, I keep a close eye on the nest. Don checks in, but I am the obsessive one. I report back to Don.

The latest painting is almost finished. I expect to finish it today or tomorrow. It’s been a challenge, to say the least! There are certain elements I can recreate in the painting, but some are still just beyond my skill level – or maybe knowledge level is a better term. I love learning as I go and I do think each painting is a bit better than the last.

After a frustrating week waiting to hear from Apple about my laptop, I got a text message yesterday saying the repair was finished and that it would be shipped FedEx. It looks like I’ll get it sometime tomorrow. Hurrah! It’s been difficult writing this blog without it. I’ve had to download pictures via the iPad, though I can’t use my usual photo editing program. After I download them, I start a draft post with the photo, then save it, and sign out. Then I sign in on Don’s laptop, where I write the actual post. Don has been incredibly generous with his laptop, but I try not to use it for long because he uses it in his recording work. That’s why I often don’t reply to comments until the next day, when I’m just finished writing my post.

Anyway. I miss it. I need it. And it’s on the way.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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