Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for flowers

Stormy

May 16, 2022 at 8:47 am by Claudia

I did take it easy yesterday, save for the usual laundry. I’ll do that again today because we have major storms headed our way this afternoon. Late in the afternoon yesterday, we had a doozie of a thunderstorm, which seemed to go on forever. Thunder, lightning, crazy winds with torrential rain. The wind direction seemed to change every few minutes, sheets of rain were pummeling us from every direction. The power went out briefly; interestingly, right before the storm.

Today’s forecast has red exclamation points everywhere. I suppose that’s because there is also the danger of a tornado. I’ll freely admit all of this makes me nervous.

Right now, it’s still a bit foggy and fairly quiet out there.

In the afternoon, I spent a few hours watching a giveaway online. The Blythe community is pretty special. One of the members of that community passed away from colon cancer not long after I started collecting my girls. She was far too young. She was apparently a wonderful, supportive, and funny person who everyone adored. One of her friends did an incredible job of organizing a fund raiser for cancer research. Many, many artists donated their creations for a massive giveaway, which was organized into bundles with different themes. The actual drawing was yesterday. I had purchased a couple of tickets, but didn’t win anything. And boy, were the prizes spectacular! But what was most impressive as we all tuned in for the live drawing was the wonderful sense of community. The fundraiser raised over 10,000 pounds – the equivalent of more than $14,000. Bravo!

Deeply into the new Elizabeth George and I suspect I’ll be reading this afternoon, trying to tune out the storms, which, frankly, sound dangerous. Praying that we’re spared, that everyone  is spared.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

 

 

Filed Under: flowers, garden, rain 14 Comments

Lilacs & Daffodils

May 14, 2022 at 9:04 am by Claudia

The fragrance wafting from these lilacs is glorious. We don’t have as many blooms as in other years, but that’s okay. They’re simply beautiful.

It’s very warm here – too warm, in truth. It was also quite humid yesterday. But, it’s sunny, the birds are singing, and the grass is growing too quickly! It’s been only 5 days since we mowed and it’s already time to mow again.

Yesterday we ran errands; I returned some books to the library, picked up a package at the post office, stopped at our storage facility to get the window air conditioner for the bedroom, and stopped at the grocery store. Then, to make a very long story short, we found that we had to replace that a/c unit, so off we drove to Lowe’s to get a new one – not in our budget, of course, so that’s worrisome – but we got it, drove back home, and after some frustration, installed it in the window.

Next up, the downstairs window unit, but we’re going to wait a few days on that one. It’s currently on the floor of the craft closet in our office. And it’s heavy.

Don just took off with his Crown Graphic camera to take some pictures. He’s in training again, relearning how to work it, how to focus, and how to hold it. He’ll work a couple of hours just as he did when he first started; ask a few people if they’d mind volunteering, and play with light and focus. The farmer’s market starts in three weeks, so he has to have some practice sessions before then.

There are more daffodils than ever in the big garden bed; likewise in the patch beyond the shed. They’re truly gorgeous this year.

Okay. I’m going to make this short and do a little work outside. There’s not much to do, except mow, so I may mow the lilac side of the lawn where two robins are currently guarding their nest somewhere nearby. I haven’t been able to figure out where it is, but the robins are fierce!

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: flowers 16 Comments

Reading, Sowing Seeds & Livvy

May 12, 2022 at 8:45 am by Claudia

I’ve started in on this one. At the moment, George is introducing all the characters and setting everything up for the crime that lies ahead. This morning, before I read any further, I went online to see if I could renew it before I invested in any more reading time. I was able to, so it’s a go.

I did take it easy yesterday. I did the usual household chores, watered the outdoor potted plants, and swept the porch. It’s looking pretty good out there. I’ll take some photos soon, but I like to wait until the impatiens are a bit taller. Every plant in the gardens is growing by leaps and bounds. It’s quite warm this week, which is definitely speeding things up.

Today I sow seeds: morning glory, moonflower, and zinnia. I’m sowing them about a week later than usual, but this entire spring is running a week later than usual.

Almost all of the trees have leafed out, save for the catalpa, which is always the last to develop leaves. It is so wonderful to look up and see green everywhere!

Livvy did some exploring yesterday. This outdoor world is new to the girls, since I adopted them in the late fall and winter.

She seems intrigued, yet wary.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

 

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, books, flowers 12 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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