Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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More Chatty on Wednesday

October 26, 2016 at 9:56 am by Claudia

• I saw a bluebird drinking out of the birdbath the other day. I never see bluebirds around here except in the fall or early winter. I didn’t have time to take a picture. Then I saw our resident bluejay chasing 3 or 4 bluebirds away. (Maybe they’re on their way to warmer climes?)

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This is the best I could do. He was a long way off, so I used my zoom lens. Trust me, he’s a bluebird. Or she. I love bluebirds and I see them so rarely!

That darned bluejay was chasing lots of birds away, the bugger. I was upstairs at one point, sitting at my desk, and I heard a loud squawking. He was right outside my window, talking to me!

• This is what it looked like around here last night:

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I had to bring in all the plants from the porch as the temperature was going down to 31°. Tonight? 28°. I would have left them inside for the day, but the guy was coming from the alarm company, so we had to move them all back outside. Back inside tonight. Since the overnight temps will warm up to the forties after tonight, I’m hanging on to these plants as long as I can.

I covered up the barrels of geraniums with sheets. And this morning, I hacked through the ice in the birdbath so the birdies can get a drink. I am still seeing robins and finches and cardinals (they hang around all winter) and the bluejay, of course. The other day, my sweet mourning dove was drinking from the birdbath.

10-26-ididhaveitplates

• I hadn’t lost my mind! Look what I found among the books on my bookshelves – Plates.

Gosh, I love these books. I also forgot to mention another favorite magazine, also no longer available: Flea Market Style. It came out quarterly. I’ve been looking through some back issues that I saved. I really miss it. Another sob.

10-26-studio

• This was my Instagram post yesterday. And it still looks like this today! I’m dining on oatmeal and raisins with some apple cider, syrup and tahini added. Mmmm! And of course, you can see my favorite coffee mug.

• Alarm problem solved. The repairman replaced the sensor.

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• Finally, last night’s sunset. Beautiful.

Someone who lives in this house with me is preparing a guest post for the blog. I won’t say who. It will be up tomorrow or Friday.

Happy Wednesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

Filed Under: birds, flowers, media, studio 41 Comments

In the Limelight

October 16, 2016 at 10:06 am by Claudia

Yesterday: Obsessively deleting tons of emails – I really need to be better about doing that every day, cleaning here and there, some good heart-to-heart talks with my husband, crying about Scout, walking the trail, feeding the horses (Ashley let me stroke her coat!), dinner and the Cubs game. We didn’t last through the whole game because we got sleepy, but I see this morning that they won.

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The dried hydrangeas that were in this bucket had been there for years. It was time for a refresh. I clipped these limelight hydrangeas the other day when I knew we were going to get frost overnight. I’m planning on adding more; there are some large blooms on that bush, but they haven’t reached the perfect pink/green stage yet. Turns out the frost didn’t harm them.

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Have I told you how much I love this table? Oh, that’s right, I have. Repeatedly.

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I have three different hydrangeas on the property: Annabelle, Limelight and a version called Endless Summer. They are gorgeous, each and every one, but the Limelight is the only one that changes from white to this pale pink and green. Limelight blooms are also cone-shaped, unlike the fat, round blooms of the Annabelle and Endless Summer.

Today, we’re going to go to a vintage car show. Don has recently become a fan and has gone to a few of them. We thought it would be a fun thing to do today. I’ll take pictures.

I want to update you about the fundraising campaign we had for our friend Dawn. Our goal was $3000 and generous donors helped us meet that goal. I’ve spoken to Dawn on the phone a couple of times during the campaign. Each time, she started crying because she was so moved by the donations made by friends and strangers – good people, all. She has started to work an hour or two a day – that’s really all she can handle at the moment – but her voice sounds stronger and we’re cheering her on.

Some of you, dear readers, also contributed and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Dawn thanks you as well!

In the midst of virulent speeches and anger and a feeling of being besieged on all sides by this presidential election, we stop and remember that there are really good and kind and loving people out there. We see it every day and we certainly saw it in this campaign. We are thankful.

Happy Sunday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

 

 

Filed Under: antiques, flowers 26 Comments

Frost, Flowers, Leaves & Horses

October 15, 2016 at 9:26 am by Claudia

We had frost last night. And, if you remember, we had frost a few days ago. My moonflower and morning glory vines are toast.

Sob.

I had a good run with the morning glories, but the moonflower and I were just getting into a rhythm of beautiful blooms.

Last night, I covered the geraniums, brought some of the porch plants in and covered the others with sheets. Fingers crossed. This is so frustrating given the fact that the weather is getting warm again in the coming week with – get this – a high in the 80’s on Thursday.

October frosts: I really, really dislike you.

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The limelights are turning pink. In anticipation of the frost, I clipped several of them and brought them in the house to dry. They may or may not be in the vintage ice cream maker that sits on the café table. Perhaps I’ll take a picture or two for you today.

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The sedum Autumn Joy is looking particularly beautiful.

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I took this picture yesterday and posted it on Instagram. The colors of the autumn leaves are particularly vivid this year. Those reds! Is it because it was so dry this year? I have no idea.

We went on a trail walk yesterday and brought along some carrots for the horses, who now eat out of our hands. We love that.

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Ashley (the mom).

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Pliers (the son).

This little ritual of stopping by to say hello and give them a treat makes us happy.

I just finished Missing Presumed  this morning. How lovely to read and read and read, sipping coffee made for me by my husband, with a shawl around my shoulders. For those of you who missed it, I have a book giveaway going on (see yesterday’s post) and I also asked the readers of Just Let Me Finish This Page to share what they are reading. Stop by and share your current reads with us. We all love these posts because we can compare notes and learn about authors who may be new to us.

Happy Saturday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: animals, books, flowers, reading 32 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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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

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