Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Friday Thoughts

May 6, 2011 at 1:00 am by Claudia

Remember this? I was crocheting this throw when I discovered the obsession scarf. Nine scarves later, it was time to resume work on the throw. So it was packed in a box and sent to Wisconsin. Tonight, while I was sitting in the chair crocheting, I happened to look over my shoulder at the bird’s nest. There was a bird sitting there! He/she only stayed there for a second and flew away. But the bird came back at least one more time – and sat on the nest again. Maybe the nest is being checked out, like on House Hunters? Perhaps there are 3 different nests being shown by the bird’s agent. I’ve got my fingers crossed that birdie picks this one. I could turn my chair toward the nest and watch – it would be better than anything on television.

I’m missing my little family back East. My allergies are flaring up and I’m just plain old tired. Today I feel too old for all this gallivanting around. I want to go home and cuddle on the sofa with my husband.

May 6th is always bittersweet as it is my brother’s birthday. Had he lived, he would have been 64 today. He was taken from us much too early at the age of 44. Happy Birthday, David. I miss you.

Filed Under: birds, crochet, family 18 Comments

So Far Today…

May 2, 2011 at 6:46 pm by Claudia

So far today, I have:

:: discovered this bird’s nest right outside the door to the balcony

It’s really a work of art. A closer look:

I suspect it is from last year, as I’ve seen no activity there. Just to make sure, I got up on the dining room chair and peered in. A perfect little nest with no eggs. Of course, I do have a smidgen of hope that the birds have it all ready to go and will soon be laying eggs. If it’s still there and hasn’t been used by the time I leave, do you think I can take it home as a souvenir? I just may do it. You know how much I love bird’s nests.

:: drove into town to buy some more groceries. I now have the route to town and to the theater all figured out.

:: looked everywhere for a metal steamer insert. I eat a lot of vegetables. I’m a vegetarian. I ended up paying $10.00 for one at the local hardware. A small town mark-up, wouldn’t you say? Yikes. I actually felt ashamed that I paid that much. But to get anything cheaper, I would have to drive to Madison and with the cost of gas, I would lose the amount of money saved on the amount of gasoline used.

:: tried to rescue a dog. Wherever I go, this happens to me. I was talking to Meredith on the phone and saw a Brittany Spaniel puppy running around on the golf course. Collar but no leash. Off I went to see if the puppy needed rescuing.  But then I saw the owner walking across the green, exasperated expression on his face. Good thing, because this little guy wasn’t going to come to me. “Beauregard” was the cutest darn puppy, full of the dickens, but so cute. Once I knew the owner was on the case, I left.

:: bought this copy of Midwest Living because…(take a guess):

No, it’s not because of the Twisted Chicken (see note about vegetarianism above.) You get a star if you  guessed the pottery in that perfect shade of aqua.

Of course, I am from the Midwest – a Michigan girl – so a magazine about the Midwest makes perfect sense.

:: said many thank yous to my husband for suggesting I bring the small Bose speakers we use for his computer with me. Before I left, I took an afternoon and downloaded lots of my favorite pieces from our CD collection to iTunes. Having my music to keep me company makes me happy.

:: started to play around on Pinterest. Sort of fun!

Tomorrow we begin rehearsals.

Filed Under: birds, On The Road 24 Comments

Thank You, Photos, a Camera & a Winner

April 17, 2011 at 10:54 am by Claudia

I’ve read every heartfelt comment on my last blog post. Several times. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I say ‘us’ because I know many of you read all the comments, just as I do. This particular conversation has been wonderfully enlightening and I love it when that happens.

I posted a photo very much like this one on my photo blog, Through a Lens Daily, yesterday. On a very misty, foggy morning earlier this week, I saw little drops of water on all the wild roses. It was a great opportunity to see what I could capture with my camera.

My intention with that blog was to post a new photo each day. And I did that for several months. Then Old Man Winter came and with it lots of photos of snow. Eventually, I just couldn’t post one more gray, wintry photo. So I lost my daily rhythm. I happy to say it’s coming back.

I really love photography. My camera, a Canon PowerShot SX10 IS, is doing a very good job so far and I love her but she has her limitations. Buying a new DSLR with the option to change lenses is not in the cards at this point. I wonder if looking into a used Canon Rebel might be something I should think about? Maybe there is someone out there who has moved up to another camera level and would be willing to sell the older model. Any thoughts or recommendations as to where to look?

Now I feel guilty. About my current camera. Do you ever endow inanimate objects with human qualities? I do. So I need to tell my camera that I love her and I will always hang on to her, even if I have another camera some day. She could have a sister! Now wouldn’t that be fun?

A few more photos:

The hyacinth in full bloom. I wonder how it survived the torrential rains we had last night?

Another shot of my very quick and elusive friend, Mr. Cardinal. It was captured by taking an endless amount of photos from a great distance. This guy likes to move.

Finally, I used the Random Generator to pick the winner of a copy of The Kitchen Daughter.

Congratulations, number 29 – Sherry of Creatology! Sherry, send me an email with your address and I’ll forward it on to TLC Book Tours. They’ll send it to the publisher who will mail the book directly to you.

Have a great Sunday everyone. I’m going to work outside on this windy day. I have a lot to do and I leave for Wisconsin exactly two weeks from today.

Filed Under: birds, camera, garden, giveaway 23 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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