Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for flowers

Pansies, Bunnies & Cold Weather

May 8, 2017 at 9:24 am by Claudia

A pox on this cold and rainy weather! February was like May. May is like March. My frustration grew yesterday, so I put all the cushions back on the porch furniture…if it rains, it rains, they’re indoor/outdoor anyway!

Then I got in my car while light rain was spritzing my windshield and I drove to our local nursery. I was craving flowers. Surprisingly, there were quite a few people there, despite the weather. I find that everyone is as antsy as I am. We want to plant. We want warmer weather (coming next week, apparently.)

If it was going to stay unseasonably cold, I had just the solution:

Pansies! Confession: I’ve never planted pansies before, though I love them. Due to my frugal gardening nature, I usually plant all my pots once a season and that’s it. So I would normally plant these urns with something that would last through the summer.

But I threw caution to the winds yesterday and went with the pansies. And they cheered me up!

I have other plants-in-waiting. They’re currently waiting on the kitchen table.

And that doesn’t include impatiens, hanging plants, plants for the galvanized bucket, etc.

And mulch, which I will buy today or tomorrow.

In the meantime, it’s cold.

As happens at least once every spring, I looked outside to see a bunny inside the corral, running around in a panic because he/she couldn’t get out. After going outside and to open the gate, I went back inside and watched for a while, hoping he’d figure it out.

Nope. There was another bunny on the other side of the fence waiting for him. So I finally went outside, walking around the outside of the corral, hoping to nudge him toward the open gate. Didn’t work. Knowing he would be even more scared, but also knowing it was the only way to ‘rescue’ him from the corral, I stepped over the fence into the corral – staying far away – whereupon he panicked, running up against the fence a couple of times before he saw the gate and ran out.

Poor baby. But better that than an entire day stuck in the corral, getting more and more upset. I’m not sure why these guys can’t see the opening in the big corral that leads down to the house and the open gate. Let’s hope that’s the last time that happens. I saw him run around the house to the area just outside the kitchen window, where he stopped, collected himself, and proceeded to clean his paws. He’s okay.

Mowing? Mulching? I’m not sure.

Try not to get too excited.

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: bunnies, flowers, garden 34 Comments

Antiquing, Mowing, & Unseemly Crowing

May 5, 2017 at 8:56 am by Claudia

Anne, a reader of this blog, wrote me to tell me that a shop not far from me had some Nancy Drew books that I might want to check out. She wasn’t sure if the books were the ones I collect, but wanted to pass that information on to me. It’s just about 15 minutes south of me in a neighboring town and I had no idea it existed.

What a lovely shop! I was amazed. It’s not big, but the quality is wonderful. Very interesting displays and lots of wonderful vintage items, many of which I wanted! The Nancy Drews were not the editions I collect, but no matter! I discovered a new-to-me shop, so thank you Anne.

I fell in love with this children’s version of a French bistro chair:

It was so lovely – and reasonably priced – that I couldn’t resist. Apparently, neither could Monty! He promptly climbed up and settled in. That look on his face says it all: “Are you going to make me get down, Mom? You wouldn’t do that.”

No, I wouldn’t, darling boy.

After the little jaunt in my car, I came home to the massive chore that is mowing. I didn’t tackle the back forty, or the lilac side of the lawn, but I did do the main part of the front yard, as well as the corral. And frankly, I was pooped afterward.

But it’s done and it won’t be so out of control after the rain that is in the forecast for today and tomorrow. I woke up to it and it’s fairly constant. I have yet to go out and rescue the New York Times, probably because I don’t want to read the headline. Crowing and celebrating over taking away health insurance for millions doesn’t sit right with yours truly. And that’s all I’ll say about that today. I’m doing my best to remain calm.

There are the daffodils in the garden, peeking out from the grasses. The barrel that is furthest away is falling apart, hence the rope holding it together. We put that rope there last year and this year it is increasingly clear to me that it’s time to ditch that particular barrel. Another chore to tackle! I think I can recycle those wood slats – or is it staves? – somehow.

I love this time of year for the wild violets that appear everywhere on the property. My favorites are the larger ones that are tucked under the shade of the bushes. They’re so beautiful! I was going to get a photo of a particularly lovely violet when my neighbor waylaid me. I’ll try to get it this weekend.

If it ever stops raining.

Happy Friday.

 

Filed Under: flowers, garden, vintage 50 Comments

Lilacs – Before the Rain

May 4, 2017 at 9:23 am by Claudia

Since tomorrow is supposed to bring at least two inches of rain, I’m going to shower you with lilac photos. The blossoms may not be there after tomorrow.

I never cut lilacs to bring inside – I tend to be that way about all my garden flowers, wanting to enjoy them in their home in the gardens – but I may reconsider. I bring peonies inside when I know they’re going to be trampled by the rain, so I may do the same thing with some of the lilacs.

I finished planting/sowing my moonflower seeds yesterday. I brought the porch plants inside because of the frost advisory. Hopefully – fingers crossed – this will be the last time I have to do that. I’m more than ready to plant my porch pots and the barrels by the funky patio.

Another pass at the front lawn is on the docket for today – a day or two earlier than I would prefer, but it will get totally out of control if I leave it until after Friday and Saturday’s rain.

I’m happy with the new look of the porch – now the weather has to cooperate so I can enjoy it out there!

Happy Thursday.

 

Filed Under: flowers, garden 40 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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