Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

  • About MHC
    • Disclosure
  • Dollhouses/Minis
    • Hummingbird Cottage
    • The Studio (Formerly TSP)
    • Dove Cottage
    • The Lake House
    • The Folk Art Dollhouse
    • The Modern Dollhouse
    • Dollhouse Source List, Information and Tutorials
  • On the Road
  • Collecting
    • Roseville Pottery
    • McCoy Pottery
    • Egg Cups
    • Bakelite
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Archives for autumn

Reading, Gutters, & Falling Leaves

October 1, 2019 at 10:19 am by Claudia

Every autumn, after most of the wildflowers on the property have already bloomed, these pale lavender beauties come along. I’m not sure exactly what they are, but they look like an aster. I have to remind myself not to yank them before they bloom. The plant itself just looks like an unattractive weed. But from weeds, beauty often follows.

We had our first cup of coffee this morning and then headed out (I was still in my pajamas) to clean the gutters, as we’re due for rain. It’s a messy job, but it must be done. After we finished, I raked a bunch of leaves in piles. I’m going to put them on the tarp later today. Then we came in, treated ourselves to our second cup of coffee and looked at the weather forecast.

It had changed. No rain today.

Oh well, we got it done and won’t have to do it again for another week.

I can’t believe how fast the leaves are changing and how many have already fallen. It seems early this year, but maybe I’m wrong. Many of the trees surrounding the house have turned color and are dropping leaves constantly. The one holdout is the catalpa, but as soon as we get a frost, all the leaves will fall to the ground en masse.

I finished Birdman  by Mo Hayder. Excellent. A real thriller, but gory, which I don’t mind. But if you do, you might want to pass. I’ve ordered the next two in that series from my local library system. I’m now reading Down to the Woods  by M. J. Arlidge. I’ve read all of his books and this is the newest. The plots center around a police inspector in Southampton, England by the name of Helen Grace. I’m also reading Paris to the Moon  at the same time. Fiction and nonfiction, which makes for a nice balance.

It was a gray day yesterday. Another gray day today. I’d like to see some sun, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

Happy October.

Happy Tuesday.

 

Filed Under: autumn, books, reading 29 Comments

What Are You Reading?

September 27, 2019 at 10:00 am by Claudia

We had a lot of rain yesterday, leaving a lot more leaves on the ground. I guess it’s time to haul out the rakes. Not my favorite thing to do, but as the Brits say, needs must!

Things have been low-key around here. Nothing exciting to report to you, just the gentle rhythm of our days. Yesterday’s rain – a quiet rain – made me happy. It gave me an excuse to sit around in cottagey rooms lit by our small vintage lamps, books at the ready, the sound of Don’s guitar in the background. All in all, a lovely day.

Today, after heavy morning fog, the day is sunny. After paying the bills and dropping them off at the post office, I think I’ll do some raking along with some general cleaning inside the house.

Along with Paris to the Moon, I’m reading another book that’s been on my shelf for several years. I bought it way back when I first visited The Mysterious Bookshop in NYC – Birdman  by Mo Hayder. It’s the first in her Jack Caffery series, which are police procedurals set in London. She’s since written 6 more books centering around Caffery. I love finding a new series, don’t you?

I also have M. J. Arlidge’s newest, Down the Woods, on tap. And, for those of you who read her books, don’t forget that Deborah Crombie’s newest, A Bitter Feast, will be coming out on October 8th.

Having said all that, this seems like the perfect time to ask my favorite question: What are you reading?

Please share.

Happy Friday.

 

 

Filed Under: autumn, books, bookshops, reading 59 Comments

Autumn & Books

September 25, 2019 at 10:18 am by Claudia

The view of the shed from the back yard yesterday afternoon. We mowed the front lawn (tag-team) and while Don was taking his turn, I wandered around the property. It’s pretty beautiful out there!

This morning feels quite cold and I’m sitting here typing this wearing a sweatshirt over my pajamas. But it’s going up to 77 later today. It’s that time of year when layers are needed.

I read from 6 am to 9 am – could not put it down – and finished I am Pilgrim.  Wow. What a ride! I loved it. Now I am faced with my next decision – what to read next? I have some ideas but haven’t made a decision yet.

Referring back to yesterday’s post, I wanted to add that I don’t listen to audio books. I don’t want to have another person’s voice in my head, just as I don’t watch movie adaptations of favorite books (the exception being To Kill a Mockingbird) because I already have the characters fleshed out in my head; their voices, their physical looks, their mannerisms, and I don’t want another person’s casting decisions ruining the world that I’ve created. I’m very protective of my reading world.

That being said, I know plenty of people who love audio books. My sister, who drives great distances on a daily basis because of her work, listens to audio books while she drives. They enrich what would otherwise be a tedious and long journey. Some people love audio books because they have vision problems. Some people just love them, full stop.

It’s a good thing. We have a variety of ways to read a book.

They’re just not for me. Someday, I might change my tune, but not at the present.

Today is my best friend’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Laural! Hopefully, we will see each other next week, as she and her husband will be in town to visit their son, who recently moved to NYC. He’s a Rabbi at a Temple on the Upper East Side. Her daughter is a Veterinarian. I expected nothing less from her children. So proud of them!

Big news yesterday! I had to put a pause on my no cellphone/laptop ban. Get ready, my friends. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Happy Wednesday.

 

 

Filed Under: autumn, books 25 Comments

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • …
  • 24
  • Next Page »
  • Email
  • Instagram

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.

Thanks for stopping by.

Searching?

The Dogs

The Dogs

Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

Winston - Our first dog. We miss you, sweetheart.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse, read and enjoy. All content is my own; including photos and text. Please do not use anything on this site without permission.

Disclosure/Privacy Policy can be found in the Navigation Bar under ‘About MHC.’

Also, I love receiving comments! I do, however, reserve the right to delete any comment that is in poor taste, offensive or is verging on spam. It’s my blog. If you’re a bot or a troll you’ll be blocked. Thanks!

Archives

All Content © 2008 - 2025 Mockingbird Hill Cottage · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT