Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for birthday

Random on Monday

July 27, 2015 at 8:18 am by Claudia

•  We finally got around to celebrating Don’s birthday – a month after the fact. To be fair, I kept asking him when he wanted to celebrate and finally took matters into my own hands.

Where did we go?

Cracker Barrel. We rarely go there and we both love eating breakfast out and, let’s face it, Cracker Barrel has those darned delicious biscuits and grits and eggs and cheesy hash browns. Oh, lordy, we ate too much, but boy, was it good! Don opened his presents and a good time was had by all.

Scout had better things to do. She was home sleeping.

7-27 liatris and moth

•  We’re headed into a 10 day stretch in which 7 of those days will have temperatures above 90 degrees. Ask me how excited about that I am. Go ahead. Ask me.

Aw, don’t bother. You already know the answer.

7-27 tiny zinnia

•  The zinnias are blooming, but I clearly didn’t plant the large ones of summers past. I don’t know why that happened. It’s disappointing for Don, who loves the big zinnias. A fail on my part. They’re very pretty. Just petite.

•  This morning I started to scan the news sites and I simply had to stop. Too depressing. Some days, like this one, become No News days in order to preserve my mental health.

•  I never order from Decor Steals, though I love many of the great deals they offer. We’re on a budget and this house is full up, thank you. But I saw a daily deal while I was in Chautauqua that made me think twice. And three times. So I ordered it. The item was very inexpensive and would, I thought, add a little practical fun to our cottage.

7-27 clock2

It’s this two sided clock. First of all, the color is perfect for our home. I love the graphics, with London/1984/The New Era printed on the clock face. Did I ever tell you I was in a production of 1984 (in 1986) that was a big hit in Philadelphia and went on to a run at the Kennedy Center?

I digress.

Isn’t this cool? Don loves it. So do I.

I spent some time on Saturday drilling holes, cursing, drilling some more holes, and finally getting it in place.

7-27 clock1

One side.

7-27 clock3

The other side.

Don was recording an album all day Saturday. He and his pal, Dan, recorded 11 songs for a live album – more details will be forthcoming – and then he had a gig after that, so I didn’t see him all day. I also didn’t tell him I’d hung the clock, so he was surprised and a wee bit delighted when he saw it.

It makes us smile.

•  I’m pleased that you liked the miniature source list I posted yesterday. I’ve already added more links, and will continue adding them as time goes on. I’ll also post a link to the original post that will live permanently under the Dollhouse tab in the navigation bar. That way, it will be easily accessible for all of you mini/dollhouse fans.

New post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page.

Happy Monday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

 

Filed Under: birthday, decorating, Don, flowers, garden 37 Comments

Houses on the Lake, New Favorites & A Birthday Wish

July 3, 2015 at 9:05 am by Claudia

Before I get going here, a Very Happy Birthday to my beloved sister, Meredith! She and her family are on their way to a wedding, so I don’t know if I’ll get to talk to her directly, but let me assure you, she is the best sister, as well as a wonderful mom and wife, aunt, daughter and all-around incredible human being. I love you, Mer.

Warning: picture-heavy post ahead.

It was beautiful yesterday. No rain. I know – shocking! On a break from rehearsal, I grabbed my camera and walked around the grounds.

I discovered some cottages on a little hill surrounded by trees – just down the street from the theater.

7-3 house in the woods

7-3 brick stairs

Then I walked along the lake. There are lots of charming cottages here, but there are also larger homes that are on the lakefront. Here goes.

7-3 copper roof

That’s a copper roof – so striking in the sunlight.

7-3 houses by the lake 1

7-3 houses by the lake 2

7-3 houses by the lake 3

Love that window upstairs.

7-3 houses by the lake 4

7-3 walk by the lake

7-3 chautauqua women's club

The Chautauqua Women’s Club.

7-3 favorite house by the lake

Talk about making a statement! I love this house. Incredible detail everywhere. According to the Artistic Director, it was fully restored a few years back.

7-3 flower & bee

Because I miss taking pictures of my flowers back home.

7-3 salmon house

Do you remember this house from a few posts back? I thought it was pink, but it’s really a salmon color. I decided we needed a close-up.

Another new favorite. Feast your eyes on the detail, from the tip of the roof on down. The upper porch is screened-in. I can’t decide what I love most, but that cut-out detail that swoops and curves between the porch posts makes my heart sing.

7-3 salmon house 2

I simply cannot stand it, it’s so beautiful. Many people name their cottages here in Chautauqua, so this cottage might already have a name, but I’ve dubbed it Salmon Cottage, nonetheless.

7-3 streetview

7-3 street scene hill

And my latest discovery – I’d never seen this one before yesterday.

7-3 newfavorite

What do you think it’s called?

7-3 newfavorite 3

Yep. Gingerbread Cottage. Built in the same year as Mockingbird Hill Cottage.

7-3 newfavorite 2

Detail.

7-3 newfavorite 4

The side view – this cottage is on a corner. What a treasure!

7-3 newfavorite 5

Love the color scheme. Love, love this cottage.

Chautauqua is beautiful. And as often as I’ve taken walks on the grounds, I’m always discovering something new, like Gingerbread Cottage.

Be still my heart.

New post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page – re: Harper Lee.

Happy Friday and Happy Birthday to my sister.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: birthday, Chautauqua, cottage, On The Road 36 Comments

Birthday Boy

June 24, 2015 at 10:00 am by Claudia

donandscoutwithguitar

Missing. Missing that little girl, who somehow managed to get in the bathroom and close the door while Don was out of the house for a couple of hours yesterday. The poor thing was trapped in there! I just want to cuddle her and tell her everything is okay. She’s had a rough time of it lately. But her dad is doing that rather nicely and for that I am very grateful.

Speaking of her dad, it’s his birthday today. And once again, I am away from home, darn it! It’s a Beatles-song-title-birthday, if you get my drift.

Regular readers will already know quite a bit about Don. If you’re new, just trust me on this one: he’s the best man I know. Little did I know on the day we met (July 4th – I’ll be gone for that important date, too) that my world had changed forever.  We’ve been together almost 21 years and I am profoundly grateful for every moment of our relationship.

Actor, singer, songwriter, writer are the words I would use in a CV or on a website. Compassionate, kind, hysterically funny, smart, whimsical, loving, honest, true blue, dependable, accepting, tolerant, dear, sweet, expert back-rubber, creative cook, supportive, impulsive, fun – are some of the words I would use to paint a picture of the man I love.

donandiafterourtrek

He’s the best, you know. I hit the jackpot on the day we met. Forever grateful. Forever committed to him. Forever in love.

Happy Birthday, dearest. We’ll celebrate when I get home.

By the way, I posted mid-day yesterday and you might have missed it. The post is entitled, Self-Care: Maintaining Balance. Please take a moment to read it and leave a comment. You might end up being the winner of a $100 Visa Gift Card!

I have a book review scheduled for tomorrow and then I’ll get back to photos of Chautauqua.

Happy Wednesday. Happy Birthday, Don!

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

Filed Under: birthday, Don 50 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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