Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for Claudia

Sunday

May 19, 2019 at 9:15 am by Claudia

I could be wrong, but this seems like the largest version yet of this hosta. It was here when we moved in, so I have no idea how long it’s been around. I suspect all the rain we’ve been having has contributed to its extra-large status.

I think about dividing it, but it’s the oldest hosta around here and I sort of don’t want to mess with it. It’s earned its size.

I did some bramble trimming yesterday, but it involved a bit too much bending over to gather up all the branches. (Doesn’t everything involved with gardening involve too much bending?) But it was such a beautiful day and I wanted and needed to be outside doing  something.

I also had to put a low wire fence that I had stashed in the shed around the big garden bed because someone (I’m talking to you groundhog-who-lives-next-door) has been munching on some plants. We’ll see if it makes any difference. I’ve seen this guy at work and he’s quite agile. Thinks nothing of standing on his hind legs to reach up and pull a tall plant toward him.

Much of the rest of my time was spent on the glider, basking in the sights and sounds of a (finally!) beautiful spring day – lots of birdsong, lots of green. Even though the lilacs are slowly fading, their scent is still strong.

Reading on the porch is one of my favorite things to do, but I’m easily distracted by everything around me. How can I not be?

We watched Moonstruck  last night. It’s a perfect little gem. As many times as I’ve seen it, it seems fresh and new each time I see it again.

We’re off to Rick and Doug’s for some brunch this morning. Rain later today. But right now, as I write this post, it’s sunny.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: flowers, garden 27 Comments

Green & White

May 18, 2019 at 10:33 am by Claudia

It blows my mind that the violets that have self-seeded in this flower bed are all white, when, not 3 feet away, there are scads of purple violets. As you can see, I have sweet woodruff growing in this bed and those flowers are white as well. The Solomon’s Seal has little white flowers. Everything else is green with no flowers yet. It’s as if the violets knew that there was an unofficial green and white color scheme here and purple violets were barred from the garden bed.

Ain’t nature grand?

More of the ferns that have also self-seeded here in the bed. One of my readers told me the name of this fern last year and darned if I can remember! That’s Solomon’s Seal next to them.

Love the quilted leaves of this Abiqua Drinking Gourd Hosta that I planted last year in the shade bed. I just now noticed that green bug. I didn’t see it when I took the picture.

Gosh, you just can’t beat hostas. We have so many of them here – a couple of them were here when we moved in, but the rest have been added over the past 13 years. So many varieties. I may have to buy a couple more – but they’ll have to go here in this shade bed. The big garden bed is now too exposed to the sun. I made the mistake of planting one there last year and I quickly realized it was a mistake and moved it over to this bed.

Today is gloriously sunny and we’re finally going to see temps in the 70s. Don refused to let me mow today so he was out there mowing rather early this morning. He’s going to shoot portraits for the rest of the day. I guess I’ll read and sit on the porch. I cleaned the bathroom yesterday and did lots of  laundry. Each day I can tackle more, but I still have to be careful with my back.

At least I’m no longer sleeping in my chair, which I had to do for a couple of nights!

Enjoy your day.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: flowers, garden 23 Comments

Doves, Violets & A Gift

May 17, 2019 at 9:51 am by Claudia

I finally remembered to bring the doves, who were living in the office, outside to their seasonal home on the porch. I love these beauties.

And I carefully walked around the gardens and took some photos yesterday, which I’ll share soon. Here, you see the white violets that have self-seeded their way into my garden bed.

It’s amazing how much is revealed via the camera lens. You barely see the purple marks with the naked eye.

The other day, I got a package in the mail from my friend Barbara, who lives in Alberta, Canada. That’s two packages from Alberta this week! Barbara is a miniature lover and she sent me a package with a Paris theme. Sigh of happiness.

Charming canisters.

Some window boxes.

Some Eiffel Tower charms which can be transformed into a decorative element in one or more of the dollhouses, a black and white print of the Eiffel Tower, and a Paris pillow.

And this gorgeous console table. Isn’t it lovely?

Oh, I forgot – there’s a little charm that can be made into a mirror, as well! Forgot to take a picture.

Thank you so much, Barbara. I love every little thing. The package arrived on a day when my back was quite painful and the reveal of its contents put a big old smile on my face!

I am blessed with friends that I have met via this blog. I never take it for granted.

I’ve not seen many rabbits this year – only one. And I’m not sure if the groundhog I saw long ago was Henry, which makes me worry that he’s no longer with us. I guess I’ll have to wait and watch. We see a guy who travels here from the shed next door. We’ve named him Joe, but he could be Nigel from last year. Who knows? But Henry? Henry, if you’re here, reveal yourself, please. Don and Claudia are worried about you.

Still being careful in my movements, which is getting tiresome. But better safe than sorry!

Happy Friday.

 

Filed Under: flowers, garden, gifts, miniatures 18 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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