Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for flowers

Flowers, Bugs, and the Modern Dollhouse

May 21, 2025 at 9:01 am by Claudia

Wild phlox is blooming everywhere on the property. I took this while I was mowing yesterday. We mowed the lilac side of the front lawn and the corral. After that, I suggested we mow the back 40 as well because we are due for 3 days of rain starting today. So we did. And now we are very, very tired.

But, we are appreciating the sight of a completely mown property.

Also seen on the climbing hydrangea the other day:

This guy. It’s an eastern tent caterpillar, which will turn into a moth. In the meantime, I’m sure he’s chomping on the hydrangea.

I was missing the original directions, so reassembling the modern dollhouse took a bit more time than I expected. But I did it and I remember just how much I like this dollhouse. It’s name is the Mi Pad by MIAIM miniatures.

It was designed by Elaine Shaw, who lives in London. Initially, she designed it for her daughter. It’s definitely a niche dollhouse and I don’t see it very often. Each floor is a dollhouse in itself  (like a roombox) and it’s made to stack. I purchased two floors, but there were 5 different floor designs available and I’ve seen a few miniaturists who have all five floors. I purchased the top floor first, then I added the lower floor. I love the clean lines; they’re quite a contrast from the rest of my dollhouses. I don’t know if Elaine is selling it anymore, I know she was having some trouble with suppliers at one point.

The ‘glass’ walls/windows are acrylic.

I may keep it this way, only adding a piece or two. I like the spareness of the rooms. Don looked at the photo and said “You should keep it this way.”

It’s sitting on the sewing table, which means that my little cubicle in the office/studio is now completely enclosed. Yikes. Oh, how I wish I had more space! I used to display it in the bedroom, but I sense that Don, though completely supportive, would like one dollhouse-free space.

Okay. Time for more coffee!

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: dollhouse, flowers, mipad 8 Comments

Vines, Mowing, Social Media & Sanity

May 19, 2025 at 8:55 am by Claudia

Our climbing hydrangea almost never blooms because I planted it in a somewhat shady spot. This year, I noticed two new tendrils reaching outward toward the light and I thought, “Maybe it will bloom this year.” We have a bloom! That sure put a smile on my face.

I mowed part of the front lawn on Saturday. And we mowed the rest of it yesterday. I’m very tired from all of that, so today is a day of rest. As I said to Don yesterday, this is the time of year when we spend at least 4 out of 7 days mowing. Tomorrow I have to mow the lilac side of the front lawn. The Corral and Back 40 will need mowing in a couple of days. And so it continues.

It’s much cooler – in the sixties – and it’s a beautiful sunny day today.

The news about Joe Biden is devastating. It’s all I can think of. I am praying for him and for his lovely family. I don’t know if there is anyone I admire as much as Joe Biden. He is a truly good man. He should be able to retire and enjoy time with his family. He deserves everything good.

And somewhat related – I had a realization this morning. I am way too addicted to social media – the kind that focuses on politics and the world. And even though the platform I use is mostly positive, I do still see and read things that are upsetting and often enraging. I react emotionally, not rationally, and I just have to pull away to gain some peace. I know a lot of you aren’t on social media at all. There are positives to social media; my Blythe IG, my personal IG (though even that is ticking me off lately) and my book and miniature accounts. But I need to pull away from them a bit, as well. I’ll take it one day at a time. Don has been known to put his phone away in a box and to hide his laptop as well. This is an ongoing battle.

Do you remember the modern dollhouse?  I’ve been thinking of it a lot lately, so I visited the shed and unearthed the bin where it had been stored. It’s meant to be easily taken apart, as I had done to store it. So now I’m going to try to reassemble it and give it a more serious take than I did the first time. Where will I put it, you ask? I have no idea. But as I said to Don, I need to be doing  something. So why not both dollhouses? Yikes.

Okay. I have to make a second cup of coffee.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: flowers 28 Comments

Pansies, a Frog, and Miniatures

May 14, 2025 at 9:08 am by Claudia

The pansies are thriving, probably because of the amount of rain we’ve had. I have three containers full of them. By the way, these urns, or former urns, are made of a cheap composite material. I got them at the now defunct Christmas Tree Shoppes several years ago. I have two in this off-white color and two in a dark gray. Because they are exposed to the elements for several months, they’ve gradually decayed and the bases detached from the pots. For the past two summers, I’ve managed to balance the pot on the base, but this year one fell off. I decided to go with just the pot – Don likes them better this way. How much longer they’ll last is anyone’s guess. I miss the Christmas Tree Shoppes. I found our two Adirondack chairs there, as well, for $50 each! Much less than a proper Adirondack chair.

Rain is back today, tomorrow, and Friday. So we mowed the corral and the back forty yesterday. Oh, and the secret garden, which seems to be permanently boggy because of all the rain. I knew I couldn’t wait until this next round of rain exits to tackle that chore, so I went ahead  and mowed it, my boots constantly sinking into the mud.

Our froggy friend, Phileas Frog, has taken up residence down in the culvert. Don appears to be a “frog whisperer.” He walks down there and waits until he sees a splash and talks to him. Yesterday, when we were mowing, etc., I heard Don singing. I thought he was on the porch, but he was down at the culvert singing to Phileas. Apparently, he sings to him every time he visits. I tried going down there and I sang to him, but nothing. No appearance by Phileas.

Don has won him over. (I find this so endearing. Don has an inate sweetness that warms my heart.)

I spent yesterday afternoon looking at miniatures online, and thinking about the Beacon Hill. That’s a good sign, don’t you think? There is a man in England who creates the most beautiful vintage looking appliances. I’ve had my eye on one of his vintage stoves for a long time, but it would be a major expense and I’d have to save up for it. It is white and very much  like our Stella. But yesterday, I saw this new design:

Photo credit: OC Miniatures/Oliver Clarke

Oh my heavens! In mint green, no less. It’s actually a copy of Wedgewood stove, but for all intents and purposes, it’s like our Stella. It’s expensive and rightfully so, but after I pay for the host renewal for this blog, I will start putting aside some money for this gem. (I’ve saved a little each month for the host renewal and I’m just about to pay for it in full. Hurrah! That means I’ll be blogging for at least another year.)

Anyway, I’m salivating over this beauty.

The shop is on Etsy and the wonderful Oliver Clarke is the designer. This is his photo from the site and I want to make sure I credit him. I don’t know how he does this, but he is very talented, indeed. I’ve corresponded with him before and he is such a nice guy.

Okay. Have to go make a second cup of coffee.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: flowers, miniatures 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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