Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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Wednesday Thoughts

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3-23 moon

Last night’s moon rising over the back forty. It was so beautiful!

3-23 hollyhocks

• Dare I hope that the self-seeded hollyhock is coming back? It sure looks that way.

3-23 lilacs1

• Checking in on the lilac bush: leaves and buds.

3-23 lilacs2

3-23 lilacs3

• I know the calendar indicates that Spring has arrived, but I always check my gardens to confirm that fact. The Day Lilies, Sedum, and Catmint are all showing new growth. But it’s not yet time to uncover the garden beds, which are covered in leaves and mulch. In a couple of weeks, yes. But not yet.

• We went to the bookstore yesterday because I wanted to find an adult coloring book. Don already has one, courtesy of my sister. More colored pencils were purchased at Michael’s. As I walked around the bookstore, I saw two books that have just been published – both by rather well-known 30-ish bloggers. They are beautifully designed and I’m sure the authors are thrilled, but once again, I looked through them and saw nothing I didn’t already know. They’re supposedly full of tips and helpful ideas about decorating (in one case) and living a simple life in a small apartment (in the other.) I can only conclude they are meant for a younger generation of readers who haven’t yet discovered these rather rudimentary facts. I must confess, I don’t get it. I suppose it’s part of the cycle of life.

I guess there’s nothing new under the sun?

3-23 confederateflag

• From our road trip: Really? 

This was in Virginia and I thought I saw a sign that said something about the Confederate States of America…so maybe it’s considered a historic site.

Nonetheless…

3-22 me and Z

• For Meredith, who didn’t like yesterday’s picture which showed her in pajamas (not that anyone would have known that.) Here’s one you took of me  in my pajamas with Little Z. It’s blurry, but now we’re even.

• I usually showcase my eggcup collection on the blog at this time of year. This year, I’ve been sharing a few favorites on Instagram. You’re welcome to follow along if you’re not already a follower. Click here.

• But all this seems trivial when I think of the tragic events in Brussels. My heart breaks for all those who have suffered loss and who saw things they should never have to see. Prayers and hope for peace. That’s all I can say.

Oh, I can say one other thing. Seizing on that tragedy and using it for fearmongering in order to drum up votes? Despicable.

Happy Wednesday.

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Prayer Flags

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When I arrived home from Hartford, there was a package waiting for us; sent by our longtime friend Joyce, who we worked with at the Old Globe when we lived in San Diego. Inside the package was a lovely sympathy card. And this:

3-3 prayersonthewind

Prayers on the Wind – Pet Prayer Flags, in the tradition of Buddhist/Tibetan Prayer Flags.

We were so touched by her thoughtful present. We immediately thought about where to hang them. Prayer Flags are meant to hang outside and to stay there through all kinds of weather, fading with the sun.

It seemed like the perfect place would be at the entrance to Scout’s mini-corral.

3-3 pet flags

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It was windy on the day I took these pictures. But that’s sort of perfect, isn’t it?

We said a prayer for our girl.

3-3 pet flags message

And we cried.

Then Don had an idea. We had planned to take this part of the larger corral down. But he said, “It has to be Scout’s Memorial Garden.”

And I think he’s right. We already have the rose bush that was given to me in memory of my mother there. We have the hydrangea. Why not go even further? We’ll start adding some plants this spring.

Maybe a bench.

In her last months, as winter set in, we blocked off the upper corral and limited her to the mini corral, which was on flat ground and was safer for her. When getting around became increasingly difficult, she still loved to stop and sniff the ground and look at her territory through the chicken wire fence.

So it’s the perfect place for a little Scout Garden. And the flags will fly at the entrance.

Thank you, Joyce.

3-3 scout pawprint

She would like that.

Thinking of you every moment of every day, dear beautiful girl.

Happy Thursday.

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Mother Nature is Playing With Me

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10-22 leaves

In the middle of my hours spent with the leaves, a rake, and a tarp, I thought I saw something.

10-22 tiny yellow flower

A yellow flower. On closer examination, a yellow day lily. What??

10-22 tiny yellow flower 2

The particular plant hasn’t bloomed in about 2 – 3 months.

Mother Nature is playing with me. An early frost, dead plants, and then this.

10-22 tiny yellow flower 3

It looks like there might be at least another blossom waiting to open.

What a treat! Especially in the middle of raking an endless amount of maple, black walnut, and giant catalpa leaves. I must have filled the tarp up 9 or 10 times. Then Don came home later in the day and filled a few more tarps. The leaves were deposited on the edge of the woods, where they will decompose and nourish the soil.

Tired, of course. But we got a lot done.

10-22 clematis

This is what the clematis looks like late in the season. Beautiful, don’t you think? Like little feathers swirling in a circle.

Later in the day, the UPS truck pulled up with a box for me. I have a separate twitter feed for Just Let Me Finish This Page and I follow a lot of writers and publishers. One day a few weeks ago, I really can’t remember when, Random House tweeted that they were having a contest in conjunction with the publishing of Ruth Reichl’s newest book, My Kitchen Year: 136 Recipes That Saved My Life.

Reichl was the Restaurant Critic for the New York Times for a number of years before moving on to the Editorship of Gourmet magazine. When Gourmet suddenly folded, she found herself trying to deal with an enormous sense of loss. She coped by going into her kitchen and doing what she loves – cooking. The book chronicles that year and offers up all sorts of recipes, as well.

Well, I quickly entered the contest, then promptly forgot about it until I received an email the other day telling me I was one of the winners.

10-22 ruthreichl win

Goodness! I received a copy of the book – can’t wait to read it – and six tins of a special edition Ruth Reichl Apple Crisp tea by The Republic of Tea, and three mini cocottes (damn that autocorrect – it spelled it as coquette – it’s cocotte as in casserole) from Le Creuset.

Wow! I rarely win contests, so this was a wonderful surprise. I’ll be having some Apple Crisp tea this afternoon. A big thank you to Random House!

Happy Thursday.

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Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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