Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Flowers, Wallpapering, and Rearranging

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Isn’t that a beauty?

It’s a strange spring around here. Some plants are more prolific and lush than ever, but others are not. The Annabelle hydrangea is not doing well. I’m going to have to cut it back at the end of the season. The climbing hydrangea is also not doing well. And the bridal veil spirea is flowering, but very sparsely. I wonder if all of that has to do with the very harsh winter we just went through? I suspect it might. Oh, and the rose bush is also a problem. Lots of dead branches.

There’s lots to be done.

The wild roses always do well!

Okay. It took me two days to wallpaper the bedroom in the Beacon Hill. It was stressful and frustrating and that was because I had to work around all the trim that was already in place. That’s something I haven’t had to deal with before. So, it had to be pieced together. Ideally, each wall would be one continuous piece of wallpaper, but that was impossible.

On Monday.

On Tuesday around noon. It’s definitely a test of my patience and a reminder that rescuing a dollhouse involves all sorts of challenges. I love this wallpaper, by the way. Papyrus Floral by Cobblehill Minitatures.

I turned the dollhouse to get better light and look what showed up in the window? Dove Cottage. It almost looks like a little neighborhood.

It turns out the daybed works perfectly in this room. That wasn’t planned, but I’m sure happy about it.

Now for the floors…

I moved my sofa that had been in the miniatures cupboard down to Hummingbird Cottage.

I really love it in here and it picks up the colors in the rug.

But now, the blue and white easy chair looks out of place. Hmmm. I’d like to keep this sofa in the mix because I think the living room needs a shot of a different color. Everything was “lots of shades of blue.” And this is such a gorgeous piece (by Emma of Croft House Miniatures in England.)

I’ll be keeping my eye out for another chair.

Okay, my friends.

Some weed whacking is on the docket for today.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

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.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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