Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for flowers

Lilacs

April 26, 2023 at 8:45 am by Claudia

They’re slowly starting to open. I managed to inhale a bit of the scent, but once they’re all open – it will be heaven.

Saw a little bunny this morning, which made me happy. But then I saw him/her going toward my garden beds on the side of the house, so I had to make an appearance. Note to self, put up some temporary fencing on that side of the house.

But we’re really happy to see bunnies again – there was a time when Don was a bit overenthusiastic clearing some of the woods because he was into making paths (the joys of lockdown,) and he eliminated some of their habitat. Thankfully, once he saw the light, he let it all grow back and the bunnies reappeared.

Today, I’m going to mow a bit. Don helped me with the front lawn, but I know that doing it makes his hand hurt, so I’m going to tackle the lilac side of the lawn and the corral. I spent some time yesterday watching a robin who was dining near Don’s car. I wanted to see if the robin would fly up to that nest. After a long, long time, the robin did fly to the nest so I know they’re going to use it. That means I’ll have to deal with their angry calls when I mow or go in and out of the shed – all of which I have to do quite a bit during for the next couple of weeks. I work at being very efficient with my time in the shed, doing my best not to stress them too much.

It’s been quite cold the last few nights. Spring is having a hard time deciding what to be. A week or so ago, it was 90 degrees. Last night, it hit 32 degrees. Crazy!

I need to move the egg cup cubby, so I can get the porch cushions out of storage. They’re in a cupboard behind the cubby. And I need to buy more porch plants but I am holding off until the nighttime temps settle down.

And, of course, we’re preparing for Don’s surgery on Friday.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Filed Under: flowers, garden 26 Comments

Pansies

April 24, 2023 at 8:39 am by Claudia

Signs of new life: hostas emerging from the ground, coneflowers emerging, and pansies in urns. These urns were very cheap, I got them from the Christmas Tree Shops. They’re made out of a composite material, unlike my vintage urns that live in the Secret Garden. I’ve had them for many years and the elements have done a number on them. You can’t tell, but the top of the urns are no longer attached to the base. I have to balance them on top of the base and it’s a bit precarious. If it gets worse, I’ll just set the planter part of the urn on the ground.

I have two of them in gray as well, but since they live on the porch, they’re doing fine.

It’s going to be cooler for the next couple of days with temps going down into the 30s at night. But it’s sunny and beautiful, and I have to clear the leaves out of a couple more garden beds today. Don wants to try planting a few vegetables this year. With his surgery on Friday, I feel some pressure to clean out the beds and get them prepped so he can put the seeds in the ground.

I took it easy yesterday, which was easy to do as it rained off and on all morning long. Today, my back is much better.

I’m currently doing a lot of pruning – wild roses, pricker bushes, etc. They get out of control very quickly, so I have to stay on it.

I love, love, love this time of year. My mood lifts, I love being outside in the gardens, I love mowing – I feel lighter and more buoyant.

Very grateful that Spring has sprung.

Thinking of my beloved mom on this 9th anniversary of her passing. Love you always, Mom.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

 

Filed Under: flowers, garden 19 Comments

Sunday

April 23, 2023 at 9:20 am by Claudia

Yet another crabapple discovered yesterday during mowing. A lovely little unexpected gift.

I moved things around in the shed yesterday, somehow managing to push the snowblower into a little corner so I could move the lawn mower over to the center of the back wall. I also swept the floor and moved the Adirondack chairs onto the porch.

Then we mowed the massive part of the front lawn (the lilac side is still okay.) Oh my heavens. Because we live on a little hill, the lawn slopes downward and the grass at the bottom of the lawn grows very long. Same thing with the Secret Garden. I think it must have been 8 or 9 inches long in some sections. Since the first mow is always the hardest, we worked very hard and I’m feeling it in my back. But today is a day of rest and I’ll feel better in a day or two.

The lawn looks so green. Gorgeous. Just in time, I might add, because I had no idea it was going to rain and storm last night and today. We had quite the thunderstorm last night, seemed to go on forever.

Rest in Peace to Barry Humphries, aka Dame Edna Everage. His brilliant creation – Dame Edna – was absolutely the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. No one made me laugh harder than Dame Edna/Humphries. Yesterday afternoon, after mowing, I spent time watching tons of old interviews on YouTube, laughing so hard I was crying. Then Don did the same. (Best prescription for back pain, by the way.)

Thank you for years of laughter and joy, Mr. Humphries. We will miss you and Dame Edna very, very much. There will never be another like her.

Hey, anyone with a (gmail) address: My responses to your comments are being sent back to me because they’ve added some bizarre security measure I can’t understand. And I’m not about succumb to yet another google requirement. So, check back because you know I answer comments.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: flowers 15 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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