Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for antiques

Please Put The Book Back

July 27, 2018 at 9:45 am by Claudia

I’m loving this wide angle lens.

We got out of the house yesterday and paid a visit to our friends at Milne Antiques. I felt like I’d been sprung from prison. As we drove there…the sun came out! It was still very humid, but I can’t tell you what a difference that sunshine made in our outlook.

Don was looking for a vintage suitcase, as he wants to use one to display his photos when he starts the street photography thing ‘officially.’ He messaged Rebekah late last week to ask her if she had any and she responded that she just so happened to be visiting the house of John Burroughs, the famous naturalist, the following Monday and she knew some vintage suitcases were part of the lot. (I had no idea that John Burroughs lived and worked in this area, but he did.) His granddaughter was clearing some of the belongings in his house, which is part of a family compound. More on the suitcases tomorrow.

As happens every time I visit Milne, we ended up bringing home more than the one item we were looking for. I bought a child’s chair in turquoise that I’ll share with you tomorrow – I haven’t taken a photo yet. My real find, which I zoomed in on and fell in love with immediately, was this:

Are you kidding me? I had to have it. I love graphics, I love books, I love libraries.

Rebekah told me it came from a former library in New Hampshire. It was first a house, than it was purchased by the town and turned into a library, now it’s been purchased by someone who is converting it back to a home. (I hope the town still has a library.)

As you know, I love quirky things that I am not going to see anywhere else – nothing mass produced or made to look old. I am confident that I won’t see this treasure anywhere else, but more importantly, it speaks to my love of books and reading. And, like the sign on our stair landing that says “Use Other Stairs” where there are no other stairs here to use, there’s a little joke involved. Whoever took the book hasn’t followed directions and the book hasn’t been put back.

I wouldn’t put one there anyway because I love the graphics too much.

I’m crazy about it. I can’t stop staring at it.

As I sit here in my chair, I keep looking at it and smiling.

The sun is out this morning, so we took the opportunity to sit and sip our second cup of coffee in the Secret Garden. The cicadas were loud and I could hear the bullfrog, as well.

Sort of perfect.

More tomorrow on our other finds and also pictures of the shop.

Happy Friday.

 

 

Filed Under: antiques, books, libraries, reading, vintage 30 Comments

I Was Just Going to Get the Dove…

May 26, 2018 at 9:17 am by Claudia

Blooming:

Good to know the bugs are already eating the hosta and coneflower leaves.

What can you do? Nothing. This garden is pesticide-free.

I went to the shop to get the dove. And only the dove.

As you can see, this dove is very different. Rustic, bits of stones showing, a faint trace of the paint, much more weathered. He’s a bit smaller, as well.

I think he’s lovely.

Reunited. Or forcefully mated by yours truly.

Anyway. My intentions were honorable. Get the dove. Say hello to everyone. Then head home.

Instead, I came home with this:

An old street sign from Woodstock, NY.

How could I leave it there?

I’m not sure where it’s going to live. Right now it’s in a garden bed. But I’m sure I’ll move it around today.

And that’s not all. I saw this and I swear I heard angels singing:

Oh my heavens. This is the kind of thing I dream of but never find. But I did find it! I think it was there all along but I was so obsessed with the pots that I didn’t see it.

Where will I put it? I don’t know. I don’t care. I’m just thrilled it’s ours.

I can’t go back to that shop for a while. Three trips in two weeks and major damage done every time.

It’s a beautiful morning and I’ve been sitting outside on the glider. It will turn into a hot and humid day, however, just like yesterday when the temperature reached 89 degrees with high humidity. Wildly uncomfortable.

Then rain tomorrow.

But for now, I’m going to enjoy the porch while I can.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: antiques, flowers, garden, porch, vintage 46 Comments

Antiquing & Lazing

May 23, 2018 at 9:01 am by Claudia

Since yesterday was rainy, but only slightly rainy, I suggested we visit my now favorite antique shop because I was pretty sure Don would love it. He did. He found something he liked, and I found something we all know I like.

Two more antique English pots.

I’ve always been drawn to vintage stone pots but somehow I never came across any. I’m so thrilled to have four now. These will be planted and added to the cinder block border behind the kitchen. Aren’t they gorgeous? They’re cast stone, which means they’re impervious to cold weather and won’t crack. Often, newer pots are cast cement, which is not impervious to the weather.

Not sure how old these are – I forgot to ask! But I’m going to find out.

We talked with Rebekah, the owner, and one of her customers for a long time. I kept staring at Rebekah’s glasses, because they looked an awful lot like mine. Turns out they’re the same Warby Parker frames I own! And she has two pairs, just as I do. One for reading. One for distance.

Great minds…

Then we stopped for lunch and returned to the cottage, where we lazed around the rest of the day.

And now – sigh – Don returns to NYC. The good news is that he really feels like he had a relaxing break. I’m so happy about that. He needed one.

After I drop him off at the bus station, I’m headed to Rick and Doug’s to walk Sam. Wonder what size stick he’ll pick up this time?

Bridal Veil Spirea as viewed from the porch.

I added this geranium to the memorial garden the other day.

The weekend after this coming weekend will be spent in NYC as my sister is coming to town! She’s flying in on June 1st and leaving on the 3rd and we’re going to see Escape to Margaritaville Saturday night. She’ll be staying with us at the apartment. I can’t wait!

Happy Wednesday.

 

 

Filed Under: antiques, Don, Escape to Margaritaville, garden, Meredith 32 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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