Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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A Saturday Dusting of Snow

January 11, 2025 at 9:05 am by Claudia

We had a little bit of snow overnight. This is the kind of snowfall that I love, just enough to brush the ground, but not enough to have to shovel. And that’s the kind of snow we’ve been getting lately. I hope that trend continues.

As I write this, I can hear the honking of Canada geese as they fly overhead. (One of my favorite sounds.)

We slept in today and oh, how delicious that is! It rarely happens nowadays, but it did this morning. The image of sleeping in while the snow was falling is irresistable. Now, I’m sipping on coffee while writing this post. The tree lights are on. Yes, we haven’t taken it down. It is getting a bit dry, but I’d say it has two or three days left and we’re going to hang on to it for dear life. I have gradually stowed away all the other Christmas bits that were on various surfaces. Yesterday, I took down the little white Christmas tree that was in the den. It was time. But the big tree that gets even more fragrant as it begins to dry? I can’t even bear to think of its absence from our living room.

The latest books from the library:

A Clue to the Exit  by Edward St. Aubyn
The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao  by Junot Diaz
The Cold Cold Ground  by Adrian McKinty

And as I look across the room, I see a stack of books by the dollhouse – all of them waiting to be read. And more, right here next to my chair. And even more upstairs in the bedroom. I’d better get on it.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: books, snow 20 Comments

“Putzing” Around

January 6, 2025 at 9:36 am by Claudia

It’s very cold here with gray skies. Those of you in the path of the storm, keep safe, don’t overdo. Stay warm.

I spoke to Jan on Saturday, but she was very, very tired, so I didn’t talk long. I’ll call her again today.

Yesterday, I put the Christmas decorations for the dollhouses and Blythes away, which involved finding the boxes in the office closet, which is truly like the closets in cartoons: if you open the door, something will fall out. Much swearing was heard, I’m sure, as I tried to sort things out and re-organize the closet space. Such a seemingly simple thing, right? Not in this small cottage. The putz houses were also put back in storage. But the tree remains, making us very happy.

New video on my YouTube channel, which is: claudiathechroniccollector

My Putz Sheep

This is the only video I have on YouTube, by the way. I’m not interested in investing time in a YouTube channel. Back story: I did a little video of the sheep with Christmas music on Instagram, but I was unable to transfer that video – most likely because it’s the property of IG. It’s just 34 seconds long.

All of this – being my first time – took a lot of energy.  But it’s sort of cute.

I finished this book:

What an amazing read! It’s about 6 astronauts working on the International Space Station. I wrote that it was slow going, but only because there was so much descriptive content that necessitated a slowing down. Not a word was wasted. It’s simply beautiful. Deeply profound. It’s just over 200 pages long, but boy, it packs a punch. I’ve been thinking of it off and on ever since I finished it. Needless to say: I recommend it highly.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: books, putz sheep 22 Comments

Voting, Fog, Books, and Dollhouses

October 30, 2024 at 9:09 am by Claudia

A foggy morning with a view of the burning bush and a splash of light from the porch light.

It’s supposed to be 75° today and 80° tomorrow. What???  I swear, the weather has been all over the place lately. We did have a light rain for about an hour yesterday but it’s not nearly enough considering how low the rivers are. It is dry, dry, dry here. Hopefully, we’ll see some rain on Monday and Tuesday.

We voted on Monday. There was a line but not a long one and things moved very smoothly. We had a nice conversation with a couple standing behind us – lovely people. It felt so good knowing we’d voted and that our votes have registered. Now, we wait. (Hey, I had no makeup on, but I did wear red lipstick in honor of Kamala.) Her speech last night from the Ellipse was powerful, a well-planned and perfect response to Trump’s January 6th horror show.

Now, we wait.

I had to block another Trumper after Monday’s post. I wouldn’t have them in my home and won’t have them here.  I long for the days that all of us remember, when you could agree to disagree and didn’t have to worry about the other party trying to dismantle our democracy. But there’s no agree to disagree this time (frankly, there wasn’t in 2020, either.)

The washing machine has been repaired. Hallelujah! I still watch it like a hawk; I can’t quite relax yet.

Something wonderful arrived in yesterday’s mail:

What a gorgeous cover!

As is my wont, I will delay reading it. A new book comes every two years now, so I don’t want to quickly breeze through it. I also don’t want to start it with the election niggling away on the edges of my thoughts. It deserves better. But I fully realize some of you might want to read it right away because  of the election – it can take you away to another world.

Anyway, that being said, I have two books from the library to finish and the new Richard Osman, We Solve Murders, is waiting for me to pick up. The Osman will have to be read within 10 days, while the other two books can be renewed. Do you find yourself juggling books that you’ve had on hold? I sure do! And now we add The Grey Wolf  to the mix.

These are quality problems.

I cleaned out the vintage Cape Cod style dollhouse the other day. It had – as dollhouses do – become very dusty. Don remarked that I need to get some lamps because it’s so dark in there. He’s right, so that’s on my list. I managed to move a single “wrought iron” bed into the small bedroom that’s only accessible via the interior doorway. I’ve wondered whether I could do that for about 3 years and I finally took some action. I’m painting a little sink/counter unit – just like the one in Dove Cottage – for the other small room. Still need to fill the shelves on either side of the fireplace but it’s getting there. I’ll take some pictures soon.

Forgot to mention! Ten bluebirds here yesterday,  at least three more today. I guess MHC has passed their test!

Okay.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

 

Filed Under: books, dollhouse 30 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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