Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for birthday

A Lovely Day

November 22, 2023 at 7:51 am by Claudia

Yesterday was quiet and lovely – we even got our first snowfall, which was a wet snow that eventually turned to rain. But it was kind of neat to see it falling. It’s all gone today.

Don made a stir-fry for dinner (at my request) and he included steamed carrots and fried potatoes. That little sneak concocted a meal of three of my favorite things to eat. I love his fried potatoes and I love, love, love carrots and these were organic carrots so they were extra delicious. The “cake” was a candle stuck in one of my favorite sugar-free chocolates (chocolate marshmallow.) I got my puzzle, as well as a book light.

And then we watched Barbie! I didn’t know what to expect but I really liked it. I’d like to watch it again today just to make sure I caught every reference. It’s visually stunning and the message is a powerful one. Greta Gerwig had a vision for this film and boy, did she achieve it! It’s simply amazing.

Today, it’s still a bit wet outside and rather dreary.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!

Question: Will your Thanksgiving weekend be full? Should I not post on Friday? I’m thinking that might be a good idea and then, of course, I would post on Saturday. Let me know.

After being shoeless for two weeks, Pru couldn’t quite believe these boots were hers. You can see the doubt written all over her face. Eventually, she put them on and is enjoying being well shod.

Have to do a bit of grocery shopping this morning. Thanksgiving means it’s time to make Grandma’s biscuits. I can taste them already!

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: birthday, Blythe dolls 28 Comments

Puzzles, Banjos, and Birthdays

November 20, 2023 at 8:46 am by Claudia

Puzzle in progress. I can’t remember the name of the puzzle – oh wait, it looks like Autumn in the Neighborhood. It reminds me of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Philadelphia. Philly was long ago, but in just this kind of weather two years ago, I was walking the streets of Park Slope in Brooklyn. Beautiful. (It was on sale and that’s why I bought it – made by Gallison,)

Don took his banjo to the music store and they cleaned it out with a strong solvent, followed by lemon oil. It helped temporarily, but the peg kept coming loose, and after the solvent smell went away, he could still smell the mustiness.

Yesterday, he visited a wonderful place that sells musical instruments and he bought a banjo. We bought the banjo, technically, because it will be his Christmas present. (I’m getting a doll.) He was literally dancing around the living room at the prospect of owning a brand new banjo. And gosh, is it a beauty!

It’s really beautiful. The sides, which I’ll show you on another day, are made out of beautifully grained wood.

He’s a happy camper. We’ll tie a bow on it and stick it under the tree on Christmas Eve.

Speaking of – ahem – special occasions, my birthday is tomorrow but, since I’m not posting on Tuesday, I’ll mention it today. It’s not a biggie, that was last year, but I know Don will do his best to make the day special. I’m not one for parties or big celebrations, and as I get older, I need my birthdays to be quiet and gently celebratory. I didn’t ask for anything but a puzzle, as I’ve had plenty of Blythe-related treats recently.

Anyway. Happy Birthday to me tomorrow!

I also want to let you know that our beloved Linda lost her mother over the weekend. Linda was a devoted daughter and had recently made the decision to move her  mother into Assisted Living. I believe she was 93. We are thinking of you, dear Linda. Sending love in this time of profound loss.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday,

 

Filed Under: birthday, Don, jigsaw puzzles 58 Comments

Post Birthday

June 25, 2023 at 9:07 am by Claudia

It was a quiet birthday yesterday. That’s what Don wanted. I’m always relieved when that’s the request. I’m not the greatest at big events – too much stress. Of course, as you get older, birthdays become less and less of a big deal. I had the same request for my birthday last November. I just wanted to spend the day with Don.

His present? A pair of jeans with a zipper, not a button fly like he’s been wearing for years. Arthritis makes opening and closing those buttons cumbersome. He found an older pair of zippered Levis that are very worn, discovered that they were still making them, sent me the link with the sizes, and voilà! He’s a happy camper!

I decided to paint his birthday card on Friday. With oil paints. Since I haven’t done that in over a year, I forgot that oil takes a few days to dry. So I had to place it on another piece of paper and make sure he didn’t touch the card.

It’s still drying.

It’s pretty simplistic – a free-hand tribute to our coneflowers.

I imagine a kid could pull this off easily.

But I had fun. And Don loves it because he loves handmade gifts. He’s already planning to frame it, bless him.

Painting it sparked a germ of a desire to paint again, so I’m pondering that impulse. If I do, I’ll have to dismantle the half-done puzzle because the kitchen table is the only space in which I can set up my easel.

By the way, it’s rainy and humid here and our a/c unit in the kitchen is broken. It’s only three years old. Until we can afford a new one, we’re using a box fan in the window – just like I had as a kid. Sigh. What goes round, comes round.

More rain coming today – I think we’ll get thunderstorms.

Don thanks you for all of your lovely messages yesterday – he really loves reading them!

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

 

 

Filed Under: birthday, Don, oil painting 12 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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