Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for flowers

Flowers, a Dove, and a Puzzle

June 26, 2024 at 9:16 am by Claudia

Right after I took this picture, I yanked the invasive vine that was about wrap itself around my day lilies.

Thanks so much for all the wonderful birthday messages for Don. He had a great time on the set. In this scene he’s dressed in a Mummer’s costume and how I wish I could share the photos with you because it’s FABULOUS, but we are bound to secrecy. All I can say is Wow!!! He got home in time for dinner and he opened presents after dinner. All in all, a lovely day for my dearest husband. He deserves it.

The hydrangeas have survived the intense winds that came as the hot, hot weather exited our region. Rain, thunderstorms, wind and, so far, they’re okay. There are more blooms this year than I’ve ever seen. I expect that’s because of all the rain we had this winter and spring.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day and Don and I sat on the glider, drinking our coffee. We noticed a mourning dove flying to our big maple. A minute later, he would fly back across the street to our neighbor’s property. And on and on. From Don’s seat on the glider he could see the dove land, then walk up a branch, stop, and then turn around to walk a few steps down the branch – then back across the street. So, obviously, we thought there must be a nest there. After watching this sweet bird for about 45 minutes, I finally saw a worm hanging from his mouth as he headed back to the tree. Aha!

It was such a pleasure watching the dove and listening to all the bird calls. We didn’t want to leave, but we had to get ready to go vote in our primary.

By the way, I stood under that tree and, try as I might, I could not see a nest. Since it’s such an old tree and has lost several limbs over the years, I was sure I would spy the nest. Nope!

Today we assemble the new lawn mower. It’s pretty easy, but both of us are needed to get it out of the box.

This is the Klimt puzzle I finished the other day. This was a hard one! I spilled water on some of the edge pieces and had to cram them back together. And one brown piece is missing. To tell the truth, I was glad to see it finished. It was a bit of a pain in the tush.

I am not going to watch the debate. I cannot stand to see or listen to that man. His voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard. Don doesn’t want to watch either. We will retreat to the land of Northern Exposure  instead.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: birds, flowers, jigsaw puzzles 26 Comments

Coneflowers and Birthday Boy

June 24, 2024 at 8:18 am by Claudia

Slowly, they’re developing petals and soon there will be lots of coneflowers around here (save for the ones the pesky deer chomped on.)

The weather broke overnight after several thunderstorms. It’s in the 70s today but will be 88 tomorrow. It’s very breezy right now as the heat dome departs our region.

But today, today is my husband’s birthday! Happy Day!

It’s also Little Z’s birthday, who – after this post – can no longer be called “Little.” He’s 13 today. What???? How can that be? We had a communal FaceTime session yesterday to celebrate our boys.

Don is not here today because he’s doing what he loves to do; filming the last episode of the limited series he’s been working on. When he was told he would be filming sometime this week, he secretly hoped it would take place on his birthday. He got his wish. So he got up at 4 am this morning to drive to the filming location in Westchester County. He’ll be tuckered out but happily so. Depending on how long his day goes, we’ll celebrate this evening or tomorrow. We will definitely have to wait to blow out the candles on any sort of cake/cupcake until tomorrow because he has my car today and I can’t go buy anything.

He was supposed to call me when he got there so I could relax and know he made it on time. Did I receive a call? No. So, though I’m almost 100% sure he’s there and in hair and makeup as I write this, I worry a little. He does this often and when it happens I could throttle him. Ah, well. Take a deep breath and remember it’s his birthday today, Claudia.

You know how I feel about him. I’ve said it all before over the past 16 years. He’s simply the best partner/boyfriend/husband/companion/playmate I could have hoped for back in those days when I wasn’t even sure I wanted to marry anyone. He came into my life at the perfect time. He’s the best person I’ve even known. I thank God for him every day.

Happy Birthday, darling Don!

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: Don, flowers, garden 23 Comments

The Garden, Deer & Gypsy Moth Caterpillars

June 12, 2024 at 8:38 am by Claudia

Boy, the plants in the gardens are really taking off. Except for yet another phlox that I caught a young deer chomping on at 5:30 this morning. Darn it! It will come back but it was one of the few that hadn’t been chomped on the first time around. It will be a case of delayed gratification.

But back to “taking off” –

There’s the Annabelle hydrangea right next to the spirea. Lots and lots of blooms this year. And the roses to the right are also blooming.

We are having an outbreak of gypsy moth caterpillars in our area. They are everywhere. And they’re eating all the leaves on one of my oaks, and most likely on another one up in the woods. It’s terrible! There are all sorts of posts on our local FB pages about them and I guess you can really see the devastation up on the mountains. They’re also attacking rose bushes (I removed one from a bush the other day, but you can’t touch them directly or they’ll give you a rash.) And willows. And pines. So far, all of my maples seem safe, but damn, it’s horrendous! We’ve lived here nearly 19 years and I’ve never seen anything like it. There are all sorts of “remedies” but they don’t work consistently and many of oaks around here are very old and very tall and it’s impossible to get to the caterpillars because they start at the top of the tree and work their way down. I see them on the side of the house and one dropped on my head a few weeks back. I’m hoping we’ll soon see the end of the devastation. And I’m praying our young oaks survive this. Supposedly, they start to change into moths in mid to late June. Metamorphosis is coming. But in the meantime…

Be gone!

Harper in a new ensemble made by Hilly Rags, who lives in England. I have not been buying clothes for the girls, but every once in a while, when I have a little extra and something pops up, I treat myself. I have another dress by a different maker coming in the next week or two.

She looks darned cute, doesn’t she?

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, flowers, garden, trees 20 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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