Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

  • About MHC
    • Disclosure
  • Dollhouses/Minis
    • Hummingbird Cottage
    • The Studio (Formerly TSP)
    • Dove Cottage
    • The Lake House
    • The Folk Art Dollhouse
    • The Modern Dollhouse
    • Dollhouse Source List, Information and Tutorials
  • On the Road
  • Collecting
    • Roseville Pottery
    • McCoy Pottery
    • Egg Cups
    • Bakelite
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Archives for Don

Snow on the Way and Some Photos of our Studio

January 5, 2024 at 9:42 am by Claudia

We’re bracing for the big storm headed our way. The forecast is for 6 – 10 inches of snow. Yikes! Don is making a run to the grocery store this morning to get a few things for the pantry and some bottled water in case we lose power. I am not ready to take the tree down tomorrow. No. I need those lights, especially during the storm. I may take the ornaments off the tree tomorrow and store them in the their bins. That will leave the tree and the lights, which will be beautiful and simple.

Don has a gig tonight and we’re grateful it wasn’t scheduled for tomorrow night!

A shot of my cubicle/studio/office. Every inch of space is in use. The remaining pieces of McCoy that haven’t sold yet are on the sewing table. I may choose a few more for the Etsy shop.

The Gene Marshall girls. The dark haired girl on the right is a Simply Gene, as is the redhead that is third from the left. Those girls come in a basic bathing suit and are meant to be used for wearing all sorts of ensembles. I purchased the black haired Simply Gene recently as well as that black dress. The dress design is called “Love After Hours” and it’s gorgeous. The collection is fairly complete, simply because I don’t really have room for many more – maybe one or two. But I will buy some of the gorgeous ensembles that were designed for Gene. They’re very reasonably priced.

There’s that darned shelf that was a pain in the tush to install.

A glimpse of Don’s desk:

That ship was my Dad’s. Don loves it, so it’s on his desk. (Dad would be very happy about that.) Some vintage cameras, Roy and Dale (I found that at Heidi’s shop many years ago,) stationary from our favorite hotel in Paris, and his hat from Escape to Margaritaville. Oh, and bolo ties that were his father’s hanging from the frame.

Okay. We’ll walk today but right now Don is making an apple pie. We have to have pie during the snow event!

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

Filed Under: Don, Gene Marshall dolls, studio 26 Comments

Merry Christmas

December 23, 2023 at 9:06 am by Claudia

Two days until Christmas. I’m finished coaching for the time being. Now, Don and I will rest and enjoy listening to Christmas music and keeping our traditions as we welcome Christmas. It will be quiet here, which is kind of the way we like it. Peace – that’s what we want for ourselves and everyone. And for the world.

Chloe and Ella are enjoying their first Christmas here at the cottage. Shockingly, there were five new girls this year! Yikes. No more for the time being. I don’t have the money or the room. A few of them came to me as opportunities I couldn’t pass up – dream dolls made by my favorite customizers. These two are examples of that; someone put one up for adoption and I knew I would lose out if I didn’t jump at the chance. Same with Miranda, the red-haired beauty. But now I have to toughen up, stay strong, and be grateful for what I have. And I am.

A long afternoon of undressing dolls, adding sweaters, removing them, and redressing them in their original clothes resulted in this. It’s not the best, but I hope you like it.

Don, the girls, and I wish you a Merry Christmas, my friends.

I hope your Christmas is all you wish it to be.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your visits to this little place on the internet. You are wonderful friends and I treasure you.

I’ll take Monday off, so the next post will be on Wednesday.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

And stay safe.

 

 

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, Christmas, Don 66 Comments

Puzzles, Banjos, and Birthdays

November 20, 2023 at 8:46 am by Claudia

Puzzle in progress. I can’t remember the name of the puzzle – oh wait, it looks like Autumn in the Neighborhood. It reminds me of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Philadelphia. Philly was long ago, but in just this kind of weather two years ago, I was walking the streets of Park Slope in Brooklyn. Beautiful. (It was on sale and that’s why I bought it – made by Gallison,)

Don took his banjo to the music store and they cleaned it out with a strong solvent, followed by lemon oil. It helped temporarily, but the peg kept coming loose, and after the solvent smell went away, he could still smell the mustiness.

Yesterday, he visited a wonderful place that sells musical instruments and he bought a banjo. We bought the banjo, technically, because it will be his Christmas present. (I’m getting a doll.) He was literally dancing around the living room at the prospect of owning a brand new banjo. And gosh, is it a beauty!

It’s really beautiful. The sides, which I’ll show you on another day, are made out of beautifully grained wood.

He’s a happy camper. We’ll tie a bow on it and stick it under the tree on Christmas Eve.

Speaking of – ahem – special occasions, my birthday is tomorrow but, since I’m not posting on Tuesday, I’ll mention it today. It’s not a biggie, that was last year, but I know Don will do his best to make the day special. I’m not one for parties or big celebrations, and as I get older, I need my birthdays to be quiet and gently celebratory. I didn’t ask for anything but a puzzle, as I’ve had plenty of Blythe-related treats recently.

Anyway. Happy Birthday to me tomorrow!

I also want to let you know that our beloved Linda lost her mother over the weekend. Linda was a devoted daughter and had recently made the decision to move her  mother into Assisted Living. I believe she was 93. We are thinking of you, dear Linda. Sending love in this time of profound loss.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday,

 

Filed Under: birthday, Don, jigsaw puzzles 58 Comments

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • …
  • 218
  • Next Page »
  • Email
  • Instagram

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.

Thanks for stopping by.

Searching?

The Dogs

The Dogs

Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

Winston - Our first dog. We miss you, sweetheart.

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

All Content © 2008 - 2025 Mockingbird Hill Cottage · Log in