Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Random on Monday

July 30, 2018 at 8:22 am by Claudia

Random photos today, as I was too tired from mowing yesterday to do much of anything else. The grass was about 7 inches long in some places and it was still damp from all the rain. More today. As of tomorrow, we’re getting rain every day again.

The robin perched on this pole for the longest time. I don’t usually see that with robins.

Needs no explanation.

I’ve showed you Hickory Moth Tussock caterpillars before, but this one, along with about 50 more, was on some of the older milkweed the other day. They were fascinating to watch. I looked it up and found out that it’s a Milkweed Tussock Moth. In one night, they annihilated three leaves on a milkweed plant that had fallen due to a broken stem. Apparently, these moths and Monarch butterflies share the same coloring due to something in the milkweed plant. I can’t remember what it is at the moment.

We’ve seen the Hickory Tussock Moths coming down from the trees, rather like spiders, or rock climbers. They repel down. They appear suspended in midair, but they’re actually descending to the ground.

Calibrachoa blooming on the porch.

In the garden.

I am not one for animated movies as a rule. I was the kid who didn’t really like cartoons. But I’d heard great things about Disney’s Coco, so we watched it last night. Have you seen it? It’s simply wonderful! We were completely entranced and want to watch it again. It takes place in Mexico and centers around the Day of the Dead. Great plot, incredible animation – a truly beautiful movie with a powerful message. It’s on Netflix.

More mowing, some weeding, and some pruning are on the docket for today.

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: birds, flowers, garden, movies 39 Comments

Saturday

July 28, 2018 at 9:07 am by Claudia

We have reached our sixth day in a row of high humidity, storms and torrential rains. Every time I think I might be able to weed or mow or weed whack, I am faced with a wall of humidity or a sudden storm. Everything is waterlogged. More rain today, then a break for two days, then more rain.

We’re not used to it being this humid all summer long. We usually get a day or two here and there and August always tends to be humid, but from the get-go this summer we’ve been dealing with a lot of high temps and humidity. I can see the effects of it on my potted impatiens on the porch – the leaves on some of the plants are discolored and look mildewy.

The only plant that really likes it is the big fern that sits on the former kitchen island on the porch. He’s digging it, for sure.

We have had a few sunny breaks, like the one we had the other day when we were out and about. And I’m very grateful for them.

Speaking of that trip:

This is the little chair that I bought. It’s quite heavy. As Don said to me when he saw it, “The color!” He knows this is a favorite color of mine. Actually, it’s one of his favorite colors, as well.

It almost looks Mexican with its chunky, boxy design, but no, it has a fleur-de-lis.

Perhaps a plant of some sort should adorn the chair?

It will definitely come indoors for the winter.

It’s been a frustrating week for Don in terms of photography, simply because conditions have not photo or camera friendly. We finally got outside yesterday for a little session, which was eventually halted because of inclement weather. But he did really well, figuring out F-stops, apertures, and all of that stuff that I should have a command of but don’t. I’m real proud of his progress.

This was shot on the porch:

(I’d been pulling weeds and you can see the dirt under my fingernails!)

This is tricky work. It’s a very heavy camera with a polaroid back. Everything is manual. Nothing can be easily deleted as with a digital camera or phone. The viewfinder isn’t aligned with the lens, giving a parallax view, so framing a shot is also very tricky. Much adjusting has to be done. Eventually, all of it will have to be done rather quickly, but now is the time for figuring out what works and what doesn’t. He did a real good job on this one.

The zinnias (grown from seed) are really taking off this year and are the healthiest bunch I’ve had in a long time. Cheery zinnias are one of Don’s favorite flowers. Mine, too.

I’ll share photos from Milne Antiques tomorrow and some photos of the vintage suitcases. It’s a little too dark in the house right now to get a good photo of them.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: camera, Crown Graphic Press Camera, flowers, houseplants, vintage 36 Comments

Wednesday’s Forecast: More Rain

July 25, 2018 at 9:51 am by Claudia

Rain, rain, and more rain!

That’s the news here. There are breaks in the rain throughout the day, but rain is the theme here in the Hudson Valley.

I ventured outside in the afternoon to water the plants on the porch and check on the gardens. I ended up doing some work in the garden because, at the time, the sun was behind a cloud and I thought it would be okay.

Yikes, it was unbelievably hot and humid! I started cutting back the catmint plants because I’d had that on my mind for a while and I had just finished watching an episode of Gardener’s World where Monty Don was cutting back his catmint. If Monty is doing it, I need to be doing it. I’m glad I did something  outside, but I was so drenched with sweat afterwards that I had to take my second shower of the day.

The Far Side Garden (above) is quite lush at the moment.

As is the bed next to the porch – which is full of hostas and coneflowers and sedum.

I thought you’d like to see a picture of Sam, happily resting after chasing his ball.

Love that boy.

This is the pond that is on their property. It’s quite lovely. Eventually, Rick and Doug are going to build a gazebo there. Won’t that be lovely?

Don had a wonderful session with Louis Mendes on Monday. Louis is a true teacher and mentor and Don was very energized and excited when he came back home. They worked together for about 3 hours. Don has learned that when you’re standing next to Louis on any New York street, person after person is going to stop to look at Louis and the camera and ask, “Are you Louis Mendes?” It’s amazing. He’s amazing. He gave Don assignments, as well. Homework!

I’m in the ‘thinking and not even planning yet’ stage of the dollhouse. I have several ideas for the look of the outside and I’ve not settled on one yet. I’m gathering photos and ideas from the internet.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: Don, flowers, friends, garden, photography 34 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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