Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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Friends and Storm Prep

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I hope everyone had a lovely day yesterday, whether you were with family, or friends, or having a quiet day at home. I’ve spent Thanksgiving by myself at some points in my life and that was just fine.

Yesterday’s celebration was at Rick and Doug’s and we had a wonderful time. Two of Rick’s longtime friends (since college) were there, as well as Doug’s daughter and her husband, who are flying back to London today. And Sam, of course.

We all pitched in with various contributions to the meal – mine was mashed potatoes. As always, Don and I dined on the sides – no turkey. But that was enough to fill us up. I cheated a bit and had a thin sliver of berry pie. But more important than the food was the conversation and the camaraderie that is the result of preparing food together and sitting around the table for hours with interesting, smart, and funny people. Nothing better.

We had the best time.

Today we’re hauling the Adirondack chairs and cushions to the storage facility. The latest forecast for Sunday and Monday (which could change) is daunting: 3-5 inches during the day Sunday, 3-5 inches that night, and 3-5 inches on Monday. I’m hoping, obviously, that the forecast changes a bit as we’re still a few days out. Don has an audition on Monday, which he may or may not be able to make. We’ll see. Anyway, I want to get those items off the porch and move the table and chairs that are in the Secret Garden onto the porch, in preparation for the storm.

Just finished The Essex Serpent  and really loved it. Now I have to decide what I’m going to read next.

Happy Friday.

Winds and Gifts

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The sky as the storm moved out.

The wind was truly insane yesterday. All day long. At one point, I had to go out on the porch and rescue many of my potted plants; some had fallen to the porch floor, the hanging plants were in danger of falling – it was crazy. While I was out there, I thought I was going to get knocked over. The limelight hydrangea would bend over to the south, then immediately the wind would move it to the north.

We were lucky, we never lost power, though the lights flickered a bit. Many, many people did.

My plans to rake and mow are now out the window as I’ve lost two days and we’re leaving in two days. Also, we have a frost advisory tonight. I’ve looked over the weather that lies ahead and it’s going to start getting colder. It should be okay while we’re gone, but right after we get back it’s going down to freezing on Halloween. We won’t be here between Sunday and the 29th. So. I’m not going to bring the plants in tonight. If they survive, great. Rick will come by every few days to water them. If they don’t, that’s okay, too, as I know it will get very cold right after we get back. There are many buds on the morning glories. I’m already mourning them.

Sigh.

Lots to do yet. We’re trying to stay in the moment, so we don’t get too anxious. Especially me.

I want to share a couple of things with you.

First, this soap that I found at Oblong Books. I couldn’t resist.

Perfect.

Next, this beautiful gift from Verna. She made these for Don and me.

Bookmarks. Aren’t these beautiful?

And this little book.

There are several pages. Here is but one example of its beauty. It ties shut with a lovely ribbon.

Verna, you are so talented! I will treasure the beautiful handmade book and bookmarks. This is so thoughtful of you. Thank you!

I’m blessed.

Happy Friday.

A Perfect Autumn Monday

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It’s a beautiful day today – sunny and cool. I just might do a bit of raking.

Don had a good day at the Farmer’s Market yesterday and then we met up with Rick and Doug for dinner. Our neighborhood restaurant, which is a favorite, was extremely busy yesterday – I guess because the fall colors are bringing people up to our area and it’s a three day weekend – so we put our names in and went back to Rick and Doug’s to wait an hour or so. That meant we got to spend some time with Sam, so…bonus.

We finally got our meal, which was delicious. This is a German restaurant and there’s a lot of meat on the menu, but they always have at least three vegan/vegetarian options and I’ve never had better vegetarian food. This was a big birthday for Rick, so I think our time spent laughing and having great discussions, as we always do, helped him to weather the tiny ‘storm’ that big birthdays can sometimes bring.

I finished A Bitter Feast. Reading one of Deborah Crombie’s books is like getting to spend time with old friends. The same feeling you have with a new Louise Penny. It was simply splendid and I recommend it highly. I just finished it this morning, so I haven’t decided what I’m going to start in on next. We’ll see.

Today is grocery shopping day – I know, too exciting for words! But we’re out of almost everything so it’s the first thing we’re going to do after I finish this post.

Thought you might like to see the photo of us that Rick took yesterday:

Happy Monday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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