Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

  • About MHC
    • Disclosure
  • Dollhouses/Minis
    • Hummingbird Cottage
    • The Studio (Formerly TSP)
    • Dove Cottage
    • The Lake House
    • The Folk Art Dollhouse
    • The Modern Dollhouse
    • Dollhouse Source List, Information and Tutorials
  • On the Road
  • Collecting
    • Roseville Pottery
    • McCoy Pottery
    • Egg Cups
    • Bakelite
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Archives for flowers

The Abandoned Toys

August 30, 2014 at 8:59 am by Claudia

old toys

Do you see that plastic container full of dog toys?

Scout hasn’t played with them for a few years. Riley stopped playing with them even before that.

But there they sit. I can’t bring myself to get rid of them. They certainly don’t make for an attractive display. They are directly in front of me as I sit in my blogging chair and there’s no denying their presence. Every once in a while, I contemplate getting rid of them. Or hiding them away somewhere in the house.

Can’t do it.

I suppose it must be what parents feel when they contemplate favorite toys that their children have outgrown. We all know my dogs are my children, so I guess I’m just a typical parent.

I think they’ll stay there for a bit longer.

golden zinnia

I pulled a lot of weeds yesterday. A lot. The gardens are looking a bit cleaner, thank goodness. I pruned a few bushes. It felt good to be working in the garden after my stint indoors.

This weekend? I’m taking it easy. I’m awaiting the newer version of the Hamlet script which should be arriving in the mail today or Tuesday, so work on that is temporarily on hold.

But I have a lot of reading to do for future book reviews and for me. I have some NY Times crossword puzzles that I haven’t touched yet. I have to check up on my dad. I have some old movies to watch with my husband. Maybe a bit of lawn mowing.

mg buds new and old

And some flowers to photograph.

What are your plans for this three-day weekend?

(Last day to enter the giveaway for a copy of The Long Way Home by Louise Penny. If you’re interested, stop by Just Let Me Finish This Page. I pick a winner this evening.)

Happy Saturday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: flowers, giveaway, Just Let Me Finish This Page, Scout 33 Comments

Emerging

August 29, 2014 at 9:11 am by Claudia

I have emerged from the No Direct Sunlight Zone. No more antibiotics, thank goodness. A trip into NYC earlier in the week. And yesterday…a hike up in the mountains.

It’s been a long time! And my achy muscles have confirmed that this morning. But it was worth it.

aug friday me

Can you tell that I’m happy?

aug friday rocky path

The rock formations are incredible.

aug friday view

And you can’t beat the views.

aug friday view 2

It was so nice to get back up there. But it’s been so long that I’ll need to build up those hiking muscles again.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch:

aug friday new dawn rose

A few New Dawn rose buds are starting to open. This is a treat for me because most of them opened while I was away in Chautauqua, which made me sad. Hello beautiful rose.

And the morning glories keep coming.

aug friday morning glory

Reminders: There’s a giveaway going on over at Just Let Me Finish This Page. There’s also a book review today of Invisible City by Julia Dahl. Stop on by.

Happy Friday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: flowers, hiking, nature 28 Comments

Zinnias

August 26, 2014 at 7:52 am by Claudia

saturday-zinnia with aphid

Don has decided that zinnias are his favorite flower. He loves to wander over to the Chicken Wire Fence Garden to see the new blooms. He’s fascinated by all the different colors and designs. He asks me a lot of questions about them.

tuesday zinnia 1

The other day, I found him researching them online.

He knows a lot about them now. More than me.

tuesday zinnia 2

Truth be told, zinnias fascinate me. The endless variety, the never knowing what color or shape is going to come out of the ground. The tall sturdiness of them. This one, with its candy cane petals, took me completely by surprise.

tuesday zinnia 3

They are immensely cheery flowers. And here in the Northeast they bloom later in the summer, which makes for a welcome sight in an otherwise tired garden.

I can hear the Canada Geese honking as they fly over the house. Another sign of Fall. Leaves are on the ground. The light is more golden.

Hold off a bit will you? I’m not ready for Fall. Morning glories are blooming, roses are blooming, zinnias are opening daily. The temps today are going to be just shy of 90 degrees. We’re still in the midst of summer, thank you very much.

I’m off to Manhattan today. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.

Happy Tuesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: Don, flowers, garden 15 Comments

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 250
  • 251
  • 252
  • 253
  • 254
  • …
  • 309
  • Next Page »
  • Email
  • Instagram

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.

Thanks for stopping by.

Searching?

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

A Note

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse, read and enjoy. All content is my own; including photos and text. Please do not use anything on this site without permission.

Disclosure/Privacy Policy can be found in the Navigation Bar under ‘About MHC.’

Also, I love receiving comments! I do, however, reserve the right to delete any comment that is in poor taste, offensive or is verging on spam. It’s my blog. If you’re a bot or a troll you’ll be blocked. Thanks!

Archives

All Content © 2008 - 2025 Mockingbird Hill Cottage · Log in