Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for Don

Moving Things Around

May 29, 2022 at 9:08 am by Claudia

The boxwoods as seen from the porch. I was using my big girl camera yesterday morning.

Then this guy appeared and I took his picture:

He’s awfully cute. I might let him stay around.

Then, after a discussion about our work spaces in our shared office, I started to think that switching the work tables might give me a bigger space. As it was, I could barely move around inside my work “cubicle.” But I wanted Don’s input – we usually figure these things out together. He has a good eye.

He came upstairs and we put our heads together. Then we used our muscles and switched the positions of the long stainless steel table and the sewing table (where Dove Cottage sits.) It took a while as the stainless steel work table is awkward to move. Oh, how I wish we had ripped the carpet out of this room and gone with wood floors! But now, with so much stuff in that space, it would be impossible to remove.

Anyway, as you all know, once this kind of thing is started, things have to be cleaned and dusted and rearranged, so I ended being up in the office for more than a few hours while thunderstorms raged outside.

The framed print is something I’ve had for a long time, and recently rediscovered. It’s just propped there temporarily while I try to decide where to hang it. It’s very like one my grandmother had hanging in one of her bedrooms and I stared at it a lot  when I was a kid.

Sewing/work table here.

Stainless steel table here. (It’s longer than the sewing table, so by putting it here, the cubicle is lengthened and I have more space in which to work.)

And the other side, complete with full trash can.

We both really like this set up. Don remarked that now, when he enters the room, the Beacon Hill isn’t blocking his view, which it was before. I still have some cleaning and organizing to do. We had to rethink where to put Don’s music equipment and all the other STUFF in there, but so far, so good.

Then we ate lunch and I fell asleep for an hour and a half! Very unlike me. Turns out I’m not feeling tip-top – it’s allergy/sinus related – so I’m going to take it easy today.

Thank you for all the loving comments about my sister. She’s in a much better place. I’m very, very proud of her.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: Don, office, studio 18 Comments

Wildflowers and Egg Cups

May 27, 2022 at 9:56 am by Claudia

Running a little late today! I was awake for several hours in the middle of the night, but, thankfully, I went back to sleep. I slept until 8:30! Unheard of. So I’m inhaling my coffee in order to wake up enough to write a post.

It’s going to rain today – maybe some storms, as well

Boy, this time of the year is so lush and green and wildflowers are everywhere. I have more fleabane and wild phlox than ever before. I walked around the property yesterday and found wild phlox in little pockets where it has never been before. I love that. Mother Nature is establishing little gardens for me that are full of unexpected delights.

I love my home and gardens.

Quiet: The Power Of Introverts In A World That Can’t Stop Talking   arrived in yesterday’s mail. I can’t wait to start it. Another jigsaw puzzle also arrived because I just can’t paint at the moment and after the news of the tragedy in Uvalde and, now, the inaction of the police, I am so full of rage and despair that I think a little puzzle action is needed. It calms me. This time, I am going to be very careful with my back.

Yesterday Don and I went on our monthly date for Five Guys french fries. It’s such a simple thing, but it’s such fun. We have great conversations while sitting in the car eating the fries, and we people-watch as well. But first, we visited Barnes & Noble where I found the new issue of Country Living.

A lovely group of egg cups; simply but beautifully staged. In the top row, second from the left, is my Jadeite egg cup. And in the bottom row, third from the left, is my Delft egg cup from Holland. I didn’t think much about it beforehand, but I’m so glad they included it. My mom gave it to me. When she heard I was starting a collection of egg cups, she started looking for them when she was out and about. This was one of her finds. So it is very dear to me.

It’s a full page in the magazine, so I’m pleased. Don wants me to frame it and I think I will.

Today? I’m taking it easy. I have lots of books to read: I’ve currently got three going, which is rare for me.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: Don, egg cups, flowers, garden, wildflowers 28 Comments

Bunnies, Books, and a Surprise

April 16, 2022 at 9:30 am by Claudia

In honor of Easter, my Bunny egg cup cozies. Every once in a while I think of moving them upstairs to the office, but I can’t do it. I really like seeing them from my chair in the den. They’re darned cute and they make me smile. That’s mom on the right and her son on the left.

Yesterday, I drove my car for the first time since my back started giving me problems. I needed a little outing all by myself, which consisted of a trip to B & N (still  no Country Living!) to check out what was new in the book world. I also ran into Michael’s to get a yellow highlighter. A simple little jaunt, but it meant a lot to me. It was a beautiful day yesterday, sunny, in the 60s – absolutely gorgeous.

I found a book that I wanted to buy two years ago, but in the midst of lockdown and ongoing COVID crap, I forgot about it. It’s since come out in paperback, so I grabbed it. And I got a couple of magazines because I need some artistic inspiration.

It’s going to rain today, so I’ll park myself in my chair and catch up on Gardener’s World and read. I finished Last Friends  yesterday. The Old Filth trilogy by Jane Gardam (consisting of Old Filth, The Man in the Wooden Hat and Last Friends ) is simply delicious. I so love her writing; the rich characters, the different points of view. I already miss everyone who came alive to me on those pages.

I started Emily St. John Mandel’s newest last night – The Sea of Tranquility.

Last night, I was waiting for Don to come into the den before we switched over to Netflix for the evening. The TV was on – an old Law and Order that I’d seen before – so I was looking at Twitter and barely registering what was happening onscreen. I happened to look up right as this guy came on the screen:

No wonder the episode was familiar! I called out to Don and he couldn’t believe how dark his hair was. That guy has great hair, no matter if it’s brown or gray. (I happen to like gray better – he looks very handsome with some salt and pepper.)

He played a psychologist in this one.

Okay, my friends.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Filed Under: books, bunnies, Don, reading 35 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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