Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for gardening

Pie, Mulch, Don & A Chipmunk

May 12, 2017 at 9:37 am by Claudia

A sunny, lovely day today, which I will take full advantage of, since Saturday and Sunday will be rainy. I did a lot of weeding and mulching yesterday. There’s still a bit to go but the bulk of it is finished. I think I’ll hold off on potting the impatiens until the weekend and Monday’s winds are over.

Or maybe not. We’ll see.

A big old Julian apple pie arrived via FedEx yesterday. Ordering one to be sent directly to your home on the other side of the country is expensive, as Katheryn mentioned in yesterday’s comments. That’s why we rarely do it. Since Don is working at the moment, we are indulging – just a wee bit.

Also in the box? A T-shirt for me! Red, long-sleeved, with the logo on the front and the back…I love it! Don’s message on the note enclosed with the pie was “Sugar for my baby!”

Ain’t he the cutest?

His show is in previews now and he’s having fun. First preview was full of Jimmy Buffett fans and that made all the difference. They get the jokes, they sing along, it’s a great evening for all.

The leaves on the sugar maple.

And the forget-me-nots are getting ready to bloom.

Finally, for yours truly, there’s not much that’s cuter than a chipmunk. This little chippie has been seen in the back forty, on the porch, in the area behind the kitchen – always busy – and yesterday I saw him in the memorial garden, so I took some pictures of him.

Some adorable cuteness for your Friday.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: animals, Don, gardening 24 Comments

Review & Giveaway: The English Roses by David Austin

April 1, 2017 at 10:22 am by Claudia

Today, I get to share a gorgeous book with you, The English Roses by David Austin. If you love roses, you have certainly heard of David Austin, the creator of English Roses and owner of one of the world’s leading rose nurseries, David Austin Roses. Whether you know of him or not, you’re in for a treat.

This is a sumptuous book, full of gorgeous photographs as well as essential information. It’s divided into three sections: Part One – The Origins and Nature of an English Rose; Part Two – A Gallery of English Roses; Part Three – English Roses in the Future and Rose Cultivation.

You’ll read about the rose and its ancestors, the qualities of an English Rose, the first English Roses, along with a host of helpful information.

Yes, I’d like a garden exactly like this one, please.

Part of the Gallery of English Roses.

This is in hardcover, 319 pages of beautiful photos and essential information. It is large – perfect for your coffee table.

I love roses, though I do battle with them every year! This book is a gem and I’m so enjoying what it has to offer, not the least of which is its sheer beauty.

One of you lucky readers will win a copy of this book. Just leave your name on this post and I’ll pick a winner on Tuesday night. Good luck!

Thank you again to Firefly Books for so generously sending me these gardening books and, in equally generous fashion, sending a copy to one of my readers. Beautifully done.

One of my readers mentioned that she received a questionable email from me. I’m assuming it’s from an earlier hack. If you get one, let me know what email it originated from. And don’t open it, of course.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: books, garden, gardening, giveaway, roses 40 Comments

Review & Giveaway: Garden Design, a Book of Ideas

March 21, 2017 at 8:30 am by Claudia

Hello. I’m back with another gardening book from the folks at Firefly Books. This one is another winner: Garden Design, a Book of Ideas  by Heidi Howcroft and Marianne Majerus.

This is a soft cover book with over 600 photographs that is coffee-table sized. It covers just about anything you might want to know about garden design.

It’s divided into sections:

  • Basics: Where is your garden?
  • A Question of Style: Designs for all tastes/Looking to the past/Under the sun/The natural way
  • The Components: Structure/Steps and ramps/Enclosures and Barriers/Shaping the garden
  • Greenery and Flowers: In search of perfect planting/Degrees of shade/Ground Cover/Flower gardens/Vegetables by Design
  • Furnishing the Garden: The enrichment of water/Garden furniture and accessories
  • Difficult Plots and Tricks of the Trade: On the roof/Using pots and planters/Extreme gardening/Awkward spaces/Creating illusions.

A peek inside:

I have to say that this book is an incredible source for anyone planning a garden, whether small or large. It covers just about every possibility; gardening on a slope, gardening in an awkward space, what plants to choose – anything and everything. It’s very visual, loaded with photos that inspire.

Also included are what are called ‘case studies’ and there are 24 of them. These highlight those who have planted a kitchen garden, or a meadow or any one of a number of examples.

I’m thrilled this book is a part of my garden library. It’s the kind of book that I will refer to again and again. At over 300 pages long, it’s chock full of ideas and advice.

Happily, one of you will win a copy of Garden Design. Just leave a comment on this post and I’ll pick a winner on Friday evening.

Thank you to the generous people at Firefly Books for allowing me to have this giveaway.

Happy Tuesday.

Tagged With: Firefly Books, Garden DesignFiled Under: gardening, giveaway 39 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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Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

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