Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for flowers

Bunnies and Coneflowers

July 5, 2023 at 8:15 am by Claudia

Thank you for your lovely messages yesterday. They sure warmed our hearts!

We had a lovely and relatively quiet day. We talked a lot; about the day we met, about our lives now, and later in the day – about social media and our desire to spend less time there. We’re going to change things up a bit, turning off our phones, etc. during most of the day. Once I do my morning check in, and write the blog, I’ll turn it off and use that time to read, to paint, to garden, or – like today – to mow before it gets too hot.

A baby bunny. As far as I can tell, there are two of them. Last night, as it grew dark outside, we could see the two of them playing and chasing each other.

Groundhog update: It looks like three of the babies are now in residence under the tree. They’ve moved back in. I wish they’d stay up in the back forty with mom but perhaps this is the time they make the move and establish their own home. Mostly, they behave. But occasionally, I have to make my presence known.

Don’s off to recycle. I’m going to write this post and have some breakfast – then I’ll weed whack/mow.

They’re here:

The coneflowers are starting to emerge in their pinky goodness. The white coneflowers in the big garden bed have already opened. I’ve decided that this is my favorite time here – when the scads of coneflowers all over the property bloom. The garden feels the most ‘cottagey’ then.

Soon, butterflies will appear because they love coneflowers. Yay! I’ve only seen a couple of eastern swallowtails and that was early in the season when there were no flowers so they didn’t linger.

It’s very hot and humid this week, which means work outside has to happen in the morning before it becomes unbearable out there. Thank goodness for the new a/c in the kitchen. Just in time.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Filed Under: bunnies, flowers, garden, groundhogs 33 Comments

Monday, and It’s Humid

June 26, 2023 at 8:30 am by Claudia

The bee balm is beginning to bloom.

I went outside to take a few pictures yesterday. The humidity was terrible and I felt lethargic so a fresh perspective was in order. After not doing a whole lot for many years, the rose bush in front of the house has taken off like wildfire this year. I’m rather stunned every time I look at it. Gardens and flowers are a mystery when it comes down to it. Some plants always do well. Others disappear from season to season. This rose bush, which I have considered removing in the past, is suddenly huge!

Go figure.

My brain is like mush in this very humid weather. I’ve always had a problem with high humidity, not to mention my allergies going haywire, as well. If you’re allergic to mold and mildew as I am, excess humidity is not your friend.

I saw two of the baby groundhogs yesterday, one of them Buddy. And the rabbit. And a baby bunny this morning.

We’re due for thunderstorms today. It’s in the forecast every day this week. We’ll get rain, which is good, but this particular weather pattern is hanging over us and won’t budge.

So don’t expect profound writing here on the blog. My brain is incapable of it.

Little Z is not so little anymore. He’s 12 and his voice is changing. How did that happen? He’s looking so grown up lately. I think I’ll have to call him “Z” from now on. I’ve never had kids, but I imagine that particular change – of voice – has to be a bit sad for Moms (and Dads). It’s evidence your child is no longer a little kid. And when it’s your last child, as with Mere, it has to be particularly bittersweet.

Okay. I’m already sweating.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

 

Filed Under: flowers, garden, Little Z 22 Comments

Blooms

June 22, 2023 at 8:38 am by Claudia

Rain is headed our way at some point today, though maybe not as much as predicted. Nevertheless, we should be getting rain over the course of the next four days. To all of you who are desperate for rain, I send a prayer up that rain will soon be on its way to you. I’ve been there, and it’s very stressful.

It was very sunny when I took this. It’s so hard for me to capture the beauty of this area once everything starts blooming. I don’t know why. The spirea is blooming, the hydrangeas are starting to turn white, the roses are really taking off this year, and the clematis is in the last of its bloom. We mowed the front lawn yesterday and I was so taken by the flowers! I don’t always get around to the front of the house, especially since the critters are demanding my attention on the side of the house. That’s not really brown in the lawn, it’s the grass trimmings that turn brown. It’s pretty green out there right now.

The other rose opened yesterday morning. So lush and beautiful! I only wish they lasted longer, but within a few hours, the look of the flower changes dramatically and it starts to decline. So I have to run out there and get a picture in the early morning hours.

We’re off to buy groceries this morning. Exciting, right? Actually, it is – there’s very little food left in the house. We hope to beat the rain.

Meanwhile, the birds are singing. The other day, I walked up on the trails that run through our little patch of woods and the bird song up there was incredible. So much more intense than what I hear down by the house. It was magical.

And those robins that I wrote about the other day? I was right. They either fledged that morning or the day before. We’ve had three bird nests this year; two at the shed and one in the burning bush. And of course, baby groundhogs as well. And baby rabbits, but I have no idea where that warren is. I’m sure there are a lot more nests on the property, these are just the ones I could see.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

 

 

Filed Under: flowers, garden, roses 22 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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