Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

You are here: Home / Archives for books

Daffs

at by

A cooler Saturday, which is welcome. Some rain coming on Sunday. Don mowed the large section of the front lawn yesterday. I did some weed pulling and clean up work.

At the end of the day, we were both very tired. I didn’t do all that much, so I am putting it down to pollen and allergies. Because EVERYTHING is bursting forth at the moment. Even the catalpa leaves have emerged – a very tiny version of them, but they’re there.

In the big garden bed. I couldn’t see any buds for the longest time. Finally, one bud emerged. And then, seemingly overnight, flowers everywhere. There’s another patch of these in the woods behind the shed. They’re so lovely.

I’m reading The English Spy  by Daniel Silva. And when I’m finished, I think I will be caught up with this series. I’m not absolutely sure, though. I thought I might have already read The English Spy, but I now realize that wasn’t the case. I also picked up Amor Towles’ newest book, Table for Two, a collection of short stories. I’m not a big short story fan, but I love his writing so much that I’m eager to dive in.

Don was supposed to play a gig today, but the venue accidentally double-booked it, so – no gig. Instead, he will mow the corral and the lilac side of the front lawn. Lucky Don!

Okay. Have to go.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

A Sunny Monday

at by

Is that the sun? Yes, it is!

Yesterday was rather cold and windy – a strange day. I did go out and mow the corral in the afternoon because Don was away for his gig and I was trying to fill up the day with activities. It only took about twenty minutes or so and now it looks much nicer out there.

As I look out the window from my perch in the den, I see little hints on green on some of the trees in the distance.  Gosh, there’s so much that needs to be done out there! In addition to more cleaning out of garden beds, I have some more pruning to do on the boxwoods, have to move the Adirondack chairs onto the porch, get out the cushions from their hiding place under the stairs, buy plants for the porch pots, etc.

I was raking out one of the beds the other day and a robin started that constant warning call – one that means I’m getting too close to a nest. She or he was in the vicinity of the secret garden, so I suspect nest making is happening somewhere. Though I did wonder where it could be as most of the trees have not leafed out. But it was definitely a warning, one I am very familiar with.

I saw two beautiful cardinals this morning as I stood, bleary-eyed, by the kitchen window. Those vivid splashes of red make me smile.

And I had my first groundhog sighting. I was upstairs in the bedroom making the bed and I glimpsed a large groundhog running under the cars toward the shed. It may be the guy that lives under the shed, I’m not sure. I’m hoping that we do not have to deal with babies this year. Despite their cuteness factor, they were a pain in the tush. I spent a lot of time trying to keep them out of the garden.

I had the idea to pose Ella alongside the canvas of The Lamb With The Party Hat. Normally, it hangs upstairs in the office. I love how it turned out! She seems a little unsure of this rather large lamb. She doesn’t know that, in reality, it’s just a wee little putz sheep.

I love her hair, which is very fine and curly. She was customized by Ferro Doll.

Finished a Daniel Silva yesterday and have started a new one. I think this might be the last one that I haven’t read, but I’m not sure. I have one more on hand that I suspect I might have read already. We’ll see.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

 

Gardening, Reading, and Nina

at by

Saturday morning – a gray and gloomy looking morning, for sure. I think it rained a bit overnight. Frankly, I’m tired of all the rain we’ve been having and I’d give anything for a few days of sunshine.

Both Don and I worked outside yesterday – he cleaned up and enlarged the trails up in the woods. I dug more invasive weeds out – I swear I will be doing this all summer long – and cleaned out one of the smaller garden beds. We were tuckered out after all that work! But slowly, weather permitting, I’m making some progress on early spring cleanup.

I’m three quarters of the way through with The Black Widow  by Daniel Silva. I have two more Silvas on my TBR pile and I will then be caught up with all of his books. He has another one coming out this fall. I also have three holds in my library system: John Connolly’s newest, which I think comes out in May, the next James Lee Burke, which comes out in a couple of months, and Amor Towles’ newest book of short stories, which just came out. I’m learning I have to get in the queues as soon as I can – even if the book isn’t coming out for a few months.

It’s every man for himself in the library hold system.

A little picture of Nina, which reminds me that sometimes her glorious locks cover up her face – like now – and she looks much better this way. Note to myself: fix her hair today.

Nina was customized by a dear artist who lives in Israel. Apparently, my timing was fortuitous – Nina ended up being her last customized Blythe. She isn’t customizing anymore. I love her dolls (I have two) and would certainly consider buying more. She has such a distinctive style; her dolls are like no others. I hope this is a temporary decision on her part, but she isn’t visiting IG, and I’ve had no response to some of my messages checking in on her. There are many Blythe lovers who hope for her return.

I mean, look at that face! The subtle veins, beautiful eyebrows, the slightly open mouth with teeth – she’s stunning.

I’ve had people ask if I can post videos of the girls on the shelves. I have made videos for Instagram but transferring/posting them here is next-to-impossible. If you’re interested in them (I usually set them to music) they’re on my IG Blythe account, which is ‘sophieandherpals.’

Okay. I’m a bit late posting. Have a lovely weekend.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

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