Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Wildflowers and Miniatures

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The wild phlox, or Dame’s Rocket, that is growing everywhere on the property will soon be winding down. I walked around yesterday and I could see that some of them no longer have any blooms. They are so beautiful, but their time here is brief. I’ll miss them.

This might be my favorite time here on the property, the time when there are wildflowers everywhere. Down by the mailbox, all around the shed, on the edge of the woods, in the secret garden, and in the spaces between pavers on the funky patio. I just love it. I generally leave them alone and modify any weed whacking I might do so they are protected. The bees love them.

The wallpaper is arriving today, a day earlier than predicted. That means I have to do some prep work on the dollhouse and make some templates that I can use when I cut it. Yesterday, I was inspired to move a few things around in our shared studio space – mainly so I could get better access to that antique cupboard that holds some of my miniatures. Then I reorganized the cupboard (I forgot there is a drawer inside!) Then a general clean up and straightening of the space because too much clutter annoys me. Healthy clutter, yes. Too much clutter, no.

I got two more miniatures on Saturday, from the same seller that made the tramp art/victorian framed painting. I had been eyeing another tramp art piece and when she restocked a couple of them, I went for it. I also purchased an easel.

Look at that frame! Isn’t it perfect??

Oh boy! I love her creations, which are very reasonably priced. Tight budget here!

I’ve decided that the tiny room on the top floor, the one that is so tiny that it’s almost like a closet, will be a wee little art studio. It has two windows so it would have good light. Just an easel, some shelves for supplies, and a stool of some kind. Maybe some mini oil paintings here and there, waiting to dry.

Today would have been my parents’ 80th wedding anniversary.

Okay. Time to get going.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Forget-Me-Nots

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Years ago, a reader of the blog sent me some forget-me-not seeds to sow after I lost both of my parents. I planted them in one of the beds. And now, years later, they are no longer in that bed, but they pop up all over the funky patio area and on the borders of some of the other beds. I love that. They’re sweet little flowers. Hi, Mom and Dad!

I am beat!  While Don was out running numerous errands for us, including grocery shopping, I mowed the larger part of the front lawn and the secret garden. The usual bodily responses on my part: tired, sore, and allergy ridden. I’ve been ordered by my husband to take it easy today and he will get no argument from me. I’m glad it’s done, I love mowing. But gosh darn it, I’m on my way to 74 and it’s a lot of work. All I’ll do today in terms of the outdoors is water the porch plants.

I’m finally getting into The Black Wolf. The delay in all of this is not due to Louise Penny. Rather, it’s my inability to concentrate on reading. I have ideas in my head about the dollhouse, I have a lot of work to do outside, and then there’s the debacle that is everything Agent Orange. Thankfully, I’ve reached a point where it’s hooked me, so I plan on doing some reading today, as well.

The wallpaper is on the way! I sent another message to the owner yesterday – no response – but then, at around 5 pm I got a tracking message saying it had left the post office and was on its way. Delivery is supposed to be on Tuesday. Now, I’m worried I’ll screw something up when I’m wallpapering and I’m also wondering why I didn’t order one extra sheet of each design. Ah, well. I am going to have to give myself a talking to: You can do it. You can do it.

It’s very cool today – in the 60s – it almost feels like a seasonal change. But it’s temporary. It will go back to the 70s and 80s next week.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Where oh Where is my Wallpaper?

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I took this picture to contrast the size of Rosie, my smallest doll in height, with the scale of the 1:12 dollhouse. I find scale fascinating. Alongside my Blythes, Rosie is really petite. (They’re all 1:6 scale.) But stick her in the dollhouse and she’s huge!

Speaking of the dollhouse, the darned wallpaper has still not moved from the Washington, DC post office. Why am I not surprised that this particular post office is incredibly inefficient? The first package hasn’t moved either. It’s been there for almost 2 weeks. For heaven’s sake, I could have driven to Washington DC, picked it up from the seller, and driven back in the same day! This is ridiculous and maddening. As much as I love the two patterns I ordered, I’m going to look again at what other sellers are offering and maybe order something else. Yesterday, because I needed something to do, I put two kits that I had on hand together. One is a demilune table and putting it together was easy as pie. Then I assembled a four poster bed and it turned out just fine, as well. I considered using it the Beacon Hill bedroom, but it’s really, really big and it will overwhelm everything in that room. Back to the wrought iron bed I already have on hand. (The kits I mention are from House of Miniatures. I have a number of them because generous readers of the blog sent them to me over the years. I’m trying to use them as much as possible in the Beacon Hill.)

A bit blurry because of the early morning light, but that’s the table. You won’t really see it because it will be behind the sofa. I’ll have a plant or a vase of flowers on it

I mowed the lilac side of the lawn on Wednesday and I’m going to mow the rest of the front lawn today. Or at least, I’m going to try! It’s fairly cool out there so it’s a good day to tackle it.

Maybe we should have a bet going as to when that wallpaper might arrive…

Given some reviews I’ve read, I’m starting to suspect the Etsy shop owner might create the label with tracking number at home, but takes several days to drop it off at the post office. Two packages in a row with the same problem seems highly suspect.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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