Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for garden

Discoveries in the Garden

June 19, 2021 at 9:21 am by Claudia

My favorite discovery yesterday: this odd little plant. It’s here and there throughout the property, but this group is right at the top of the big garden bed. I suppose it’s been here in the past – just never noticed it before.

I looked at a site that listed New York state wildflowers and couldn’t find it. So I put the photo on IG stories and asked if anyone knew what it was. Yep. Someone knew. She said it was wild garlic. When I googled it, I found out it’s also called hairy allium, which makes sense given the green tendrils that most intrigued me. Garden suppliers sell the bulbs.

I don’t know how they sprung up here, but I really am fond of them, so I’m glad they’re here.

I love discovering new-to-me plants on the property.

It’s going to be a very hot few days – today through Monday. Don and I had coffee in the Secret Garden this morning and I could already feel the humidity in the air at 8 am.

I started a new painting yesterday and boy, was it frustrating! It was one of those days when nothing goes quite right and I had to paint over the whole thing because I made it too wide. I made myself stick with it and I eventually got the shape nearly right. I need to tweak it a bit today and then I can add all of the details.

I’m going on too little sleep, so I’m going to keep this short. I have to grab some time at the easel before it gets too hot!

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: flowers, garden, oil painting 13 Comments

Lavender

June 18, 2021 at 9:00 am by Claudia

Yesterday was rather a lazy day. I’m not sure exactly why, but several of the items I had on my ‘to do’ list for the day have yet to be done. I felt relaxed and did some reading, listened to music, watched an artist working via YouTube, found a piece of MDF that will support smaller pieces of art to set on the easel. You never known what you’ll find up in the studio – that MDF came from the miniature studio I built for Don. It was meant to be the roof, but I decided not to include it in the project. Happily, it’s the perfect size for the easel!

I’ll take a picture of the easel today. It’s still pristine and untouched, but I do plan on painting today so the breaking in process will begin.

Another gorgeous day out there! Despite my lazy day yesterday, I did prune some bushes and wild roses. They grow so quickly. As you can see, the lavender is starting to bloom. So is the milkweed and the scent is heavenly! Oh my goodness.

I’m making Don get on the ladder to remove some greenery that is currently blocking the entrance to the birdhouse/trailer. I noticed it yesterday. Just in case my pals decide to come back for another round of babies, I don’t want them put off by the changes to the exterior of the residence.

Can you tell I miss them? I really do. The robins not so much…

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: birds, flowers, garden, life 18 Comments

Flowers and Painting Flowers

June 11, 2021 at 8:57 am by Claudia

One more rose for you. This one bloomed this morning. Thank goodness I happened to go outside early this morning and happened to see it, allowing me to snap a picture of its perfection. In a few hours it will look very different. These babies are beautiful, but fleeting.

The hydrangeas are getting bigger and fatter and the spirea that I had to cut back is blooming. I also had to prune some of the hydrangeas. Some heavy snow or ice clearly had its way with them. But they’re coming back rather nicely.

I did some weed whacking yesterday, but only a little; my charged battery had been unused for so long because of the crappy weather conditions that it had lost its charge. How frustrating! But now, it’s fully charged and I’ll finish that chore this morning. Don went on a tear and mowed the entire property. He took breaks, of course, but when I cautioned him about it, his response was that he felt good and was in the mood to mow. Since I’ve given that same response to him many times in the past, I understand.

It’s beautiful today and much cooler.

I started an oil of another piece of Roseville. The subject matter is challenging and I’m enjoying the process. For me, Roseville is the perfect choice for a painting because it’s so lush. Big, blowsy flowers, texture everywhere, and wonderful colors. The vases themselves are works of art.

We’re looking forward to a few days of creative hanging out here at the cottage. Don is writing and recording some music, I’ll be tending the gardens and painting. I still have some more work to do on the latest painting, then I’ll share it with you. I want to do a few more mini paintings, as well.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

Filed Under: flowers, garden, life, oil painting 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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