Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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The Day After

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I hope you had a lovely Christmas day. Ours was just the way we wanted it – fairly low-key. We had a lazy morning, drinking coffee, slowly opening presents, and then I made French Toast. Later, in the early afternoon, we went over to Rick and Doug’s for some homemade soup (made by our friend, Russ) and some popovers (made by Rick.) As always, lots of great conversation.

As we left to return home, the sun was setting and we had to stop so I could take this picture:

Absolutely gorgeous.

We’re tuckered out today. This was our 26th Christmas together and they’ve always been magical. At times, money was so tight that we had a budget of $25 to spend on each other. At other times, we were temporarily earning more, so we could indulge a little. I can honestly say that whatever the budget, the joy in choosing a present for a loved one remains the same. You just get a little more creative!

We stopped by Rick and Doug’s on Christmas Eve to let Sam out. As we walked him around the property, he found a big stick:

What a sweetie he is.

Okay. I have to pay some bills, do some paperwork, that kind of thing.

Happy Thursday.

Merry Christmas

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Could you find a more 50s setting? The television, the floral curtains, the toys? My brother and I at my grandparents’ house on Christmas afternoon.

I miss him. I miss my parents. I miss my dogs. I miss my relatives and my friends who have passed away.

Christmas is beautiful and bittersweet. The older you get, the more losses you mourn.

If you’re having a hard time this Christmas, know that you are loved and supported here on this blog. If you need to talk about it, you have a safe space here. Be gentle with yourself and your grief. If you’re dealing with illness, be still, and know you are surrounded with love and healing.

I hope you find moments of joy and laughter this Christmas. I hope you find moments of peace, as well.

Don and I hold you in our hearts.

I am so thankful for your presence here and for your friendship.

There’s no snow on the ground this year, but the sentiment remains constant (as well as the the Christmas lights on the porch):

I’m taking the day off tomorrow, my friends.

Happy Tuesday and Merry Christmas Eve.

Up On the Rooftop

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Is everyone calm? Or are you feeling frazzled? Or somewhere in between?

I’m fairly calm, though a teeny bit of frazzled has appeared as I have to go out today to get one more thing for Don. I’m feeling better, but still not tip-top (neither is Don.) This thing hangs on a while, but I think the worst is over. So I have to get one more present and that should be it.

We had our usual wrangle this morning over how many presents we’re giving each other. I keep saying that the vintage dollhouse is my present – it is!-and he doesn’t have to give me anything else. He wants to make sure he’s giving me the same amount of presents that I’m giving him. Then I reiterate that this year is different. I have my present and it came early. Finally, I said if he wants to give me three little things from the dollar store, that would be fine. Sigh.

Yesterday was sunny and much warmer and today it’s going to hit 50. Crazy. But I’m not complaining!

We watched It’s a Wonderful Life  last night. My favorite Christmas movie – no question. Cried my eyes out, of course – that never changes. I’m not a fan of Hallmark Christmas movies, nor of modern movies like Elf, though I saw it once and can appreciate it. They just don’t make our list of Must-See Christmas Classics. I think the only more recent movie that we love is A Christmas Story. We also watched Miracle on 34th Street  the other night. The black and white version, of course. Same goes for It’s a Wonderful Life. I don’t think any movies should be colorized if they were originally shot in black and white. Everything; the sets, the lighting, the camera work, costumes, was executed with the highlights and shadows of black and white in mind.

I love TCM and I’m grateful to Ted Turner for that wonderful channel, but not for his mission to colorize movies that were part of that great era of filmmaking.

I have to get going. I always forget that it gets dark so early, so I want to get out there and take care of my errands soon.

Added: If any of you follow Susan of the blog Ash Tree Cottage, please say a prayer for her. She has been in the hospital fighting an infection and in the course of her treatment, doctors found a renal mass that might have spread to her liver. Susan is a longtime blogging friend. She and her husband David need our prayers. Thank you.

Happy Monday.

 

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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