Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for flowers

Henry, Buds, Books, and Pottery

September 4, 2016 at 9:58 am by Claudia

Let’s start with one of my favorite beings – Henry.

I’ve spotted him several times over the past few days. He comes out of his underground home, eats, stops, listens, gets scared, and retreats. Meals must be so stressful for him.

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These photos are taken from my hiding place inside the kitchen, of course. If I tried to move outside, he’d immediately retreat.

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He’s getting gray. He’s moving a bit more slowly. (Just like us.)

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He’s always alone. I worry about him being lonely, just like I worry about the single mourning dove. I wish they knew I think of them as my friends and that I’m right here, watching them. Love you, Henry.

Spotted yesterday:

9-4 moonflowerbuds

Moonflower buds. They’re tiny, but they’re there.

Don and I took off for the town of Saugerties yesterday. We ate a yummy vegetarian lunch at a Mexican restaurant, and spent time in two different bookshops. I bought Felicity, Mary Oliver’s latest book of poetry, and a used copy of The Lyre of Orpheus  by Robertson Davies, one of my very favorite authors. I own most of his books, but – you guessed it – they’re in the dreaded shed. So I’m slowly rebuilding my collection.

We arrived back home to see a box waiting for me. I knew what was in it.

9-4 RosevilleIxia

Hello, gorgeous Roseville in the Ixia pattern!

You might remember that I purchased a vase in this pattern several months ago. It just might be my favorite pattern – at least for now. I especially love it in this soft green (it comes in other color combinations) and the art deco styling of those handles. You’re looking at the front.

9-4 RosevilleIxiaback

Here is the back.

I haven’t been bidding on any Roseville for a long time, partly because I was putting any funds I could spare into Don’s mini studio, but also because prices, especially starting bid prices, on eBay had risen and I wasn’t about to pay that much. But I occasionally stop in and check out what’s new. This vase was listed at a very fair price, but the shipping costs were way too high. So, after learning my lesson the last time I bid without checking the cost of shipping, I emailed the seller. He kindly checked into it and (this is the second seller who has told me this) said that eBay had estimated that cost – why, he didn’t know – and he promptly revised it. So I bid on it. And no one else did. What??

It’s in perfect condition.

9-4 TwoIxias

Here are my two Ixias.

We’ve been having absolutely gorgeous weather; mid-seventies, no humidity, blue skies with big fluffy clouds. Grateful.

Happy Sunday.

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Filed Under: animals, books, bookstores, flowers, Roseville pottery 25 Comments

Falling Leaves, Blooming Flowers and Tasks Completed

September 1, 2016 at 9:35 am by Claudia

The first day of September brought rain during the night and a foggy, cool and wet morning. It’s as if Mother Nature said, “See? It’s now September. Prepare for Autumn. Now.”

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This is what I’m looking at this morning. Leaves on the roof, in the gutter, on the ground.

I’m not ready yet, Mother Nature. You  may be. But I’m not quite there. Give me a bit more time, won’t you?

Thank goodness for the Memorial Garden. Yet again while in my pajamas (new ones, thank you very much!) I went outside to record what’s happening there.

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Those are morning glory buds, my friends! Better late than never. I love morning glories and one of the pleasures of late summer/early autumn here is the chance to see their beauty. And photograph them, of course.

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On the other hand, this is the moonflower vine, which has really taken off and is climbing up the trellis and on the fence. Gorgeous, green and all over the place – but no flower buds in sight. Not a one. I planted these seeds late in the Spring, so I’m still hoping. I examine it every day. I do so hope it blooms, but even if it doesn’t, I love looking at these large, beautiful heart-shaped leaves.

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The roses given to me in honor of my father are still blooming! This one opened up today.

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As is the Sentimental Balloon Flower. Beautiful.

Oh yesterday, what a day! On very little sleep, I was bound and determined to finish sorting receipts, going through bank records, calculating and recording so that we could submit our deductions for 2015 today. Six hours at the desk, with a quick break here and there, while Don was downstairs calculating his deductions.

Darned if we didn’t finish! Today I’m mailing them off to our accountant. I’m sure we’ll owe money, the only question is how much. Gulp. (Doesn’t seem fair that our hard-earned and long-awaited Social Security is taxed. Boo.) But I feel a great sense of accomplishment – silly, really – because I tackled this task I detest and met my deadline. On about three hours sleep.

Last night, I slept beautifully and started the morning with some Peet’s French Roast and some Louise Penny.

I thought I had mentioned that we wanted to travel next year – I did, didn’t I? Maybe I just hadn’t mentioned where  we wanted to go. I have a modest inheritance from my father. Don has always expressed a longing to visit England (we’re both Anglophiles). I’ve been there several times, but he hasn’t. On the other hand, I have never been to Paris (though he has). So I decided that I was going to use part of the inheritance so that we can take this long-dreamed-of trip.

I’m not sure when it will take place because I have coaching commitments from late December of this year through May of next year. Maybe right after that. I think my dad would be very happy indeed that he is giving us the gift of this trip.

Happy Thursday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: Dad, flowers, garden 39 Comments

Our Very Own Morning Glory

August 29, 2016 at 8:55 am by Claudia

Monday, Monday.

Now that song is playing in my head. Not a bad song to be hearing, though; I like the Mamas and the Papas.

Today? Write a post, gather tax info because I delayed doing that over the weekend due to lack of sleep, mow the lawn or at least part of it, drink coffee, read, take a walk.

I walked the trail yesterday sans Don. It was humid and hot out there, but I made myself do it because I’m determined to make this part of my daily routine and exercise surely must help one get a good night’s sleep? I hope so! Anyway, I did  sleep well last night, so maybe I’m right.

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So much of the garden is slowing down, preparing for the seasonal change. It’s nice to see the Memorial Garden taking off, albeit late in the game. I’m not sure when we finally got around to planting seeds, but it wasn’t until the end of May at the very least. So the morning glories, moonflowers, and forget-me-nots are just getting to the bloom stage.

Sweet forget-me-nots.

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The sentimental balloon flower surprised me this morning – another bloom!

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I put Scout’s marker (a gift from Linda) between the forget-me-nots and the morning glories. She was such a joyous girl. Every morning, as I came down the stairs, she used to jump off the sofa and run over to me and, as I sat down on the bottom step, she’d nuzzle her head between my legs. She loved the dawn of each new day, that girl. She was our very own morning glory.

I’m going to order two more markers; for Winston and Riley. Next year, we’ll add even more plants to our little garden. But this is a nice start.

T-minus one day until the new Louise Penny! I cannot wait. In the meantime, I’m reading M. J. Arlidge’s newest, Little Boy Blue. It’s already been published in England and will be published here in October. I promise to review it on Just Let Me Finish This Page, but that will be closer to the publishing date. I can tell you this: as with all Alridge’s thrillers/police procedurals, this one is chilling.

Happy Monday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: books, flowers, garden, memorial garden, Scout 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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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.

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