Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

  • About MHC
    • Disclosure
  • Dollhouses/Minis
    • Hummingbird Cottage
    • The Studio (Formerly TSP)
    • Dove Cottage
    • The Lake House
    • The Folk Art Dollhouse
    • The Modern Dollhouse
    • Dollhouse Source List, Information and Tutorials
  • On the Road
  • Collecting
    • Roseville Pottery
    • McCoy Pottery
    • Egg Cups
    • Bakelite
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Archives for gifts

A Surprise in the Mail

July 9, 2022 at 8:57 am by Claudia

You know I love to tell a good story, so here’s one for you on this Saturday morning.

Stacy, a longtime reader of this blog, follows my Blythe account on IG. That’s because she is also  a Blythe collector, though I didn’t figure out that she was the same Stacy that follows the blog for a bit. But I finally did and thought how neat it is that we both collect these girls.

She messaged me when she heard about our tree and said she’d like to send me a few Blythe outfits to cheer me up. I was touched by her kindness and kept an eye out for the delivery of the package to my PO Box.

It arrived yesterday. Usually, I’m a bit slow about getting to the post office, but miracle of miracles, I picked it up that afternoon. Thank goodness.

When I got home, I opened the box. There were adorable clothes; some overalls, a t-shirt, a dress, a little coat, some fun little Blythe headphones and some bits and bobs. I’ve had a moratorium on buying new clothes for the girls for a month or two, so having someone send me some as a gift was very exciting!

But I soon realized that there was something else in the box.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was a Blythe doll.

Here she is:

These is how she looked when I unwrapped her. Oh my god. Isn’t she adorable? She was customized by the same woman who customized my very first Blythe, Sophie.

A close up:

Don wasn’t home at the time and I couldn’t wait for him to get back so I could show him this unbelievable gift! I was so excited that I ran outside to tell him. He was so happy for me.

How lucky am I? I never cease to be amazed by the generosity of my readers. I have been thoroughly spoiled over the 14 years I’ve been writing this blog.

Stacy wrote the loveliest note to me. Thank you, Stacy. I love this new addition to the family. Her full name is Stacy Katie, but I think she’ll be called Katie for short. She looks like a Katie to me.

And here she is after having been dressed this morning:

I can’t stand it, she’s so darling! Maybe a bit of a tomboy? All shall be revealed.

She and her sister Sophie will spend some quality time together later today. Maybe while I’m slaving away mowing the lawn.

In other news, I saw a deer right next to the garden at 5:30 this morning and so I went outside. She moved to the catalpa tree and I stayed there – maybe 8 feet away? – softly talking to her. Said good morning and please don’t eat my flowers. Then we just stared at each other for about two minutes. I’ve never seen a deer stay in place for so long. Then she took off. I think it’s the fawns’ mom. Since I’d just sprayed the plants the other day she didn’t eat anything. I checked. Phew!

A really lovely moment.

Thank you again, dear Stacy. Katie and I have had some bonding time this morning.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, friends, gifts, Katie 28 Comments

Day Three Hundred Eighty-Two

March 30, 2021 at 10:03 am by Claudia

Proof that though the temperature is all over the place, spring is here. These are the daffodils, planted long ago by another owner, that live on the edge of the woods. There are also daffodils near the shed and up in the woods, as well as some in the big garden bed. But this particular bunch is always the first to come up.

Don’s appointment yesterday went well, though he had a long wait – there were a lot of patients there. Today is – drumroll – grocery pickup. And tomorrow is the day we get our second shots.

Other than that, there’s not a whole lot to say. I’m working on a puzzle that is a challenge. That’s a good thing. I’m still reading Snow. It’s wonderful, and it’s not all that long, but even though I read every day, I usually only find time for it in the early morning and right before I go to bed. I read for the pleasure of reading and I don’t want or need to read quickly. I had to do that when I was constantly reviewing books and eventually I realized that I had lost the exquisite pleasure of a slow read, just for me. The same thing happened when I was crocheting scarves to sell in the Etsy shop. I had to stop. Anyway, that is why I deleted my reading blog and very rarely review books here. I’m happy to unofficially pass along interesting reads and I do, but reviewing? Only on rare occasions.

I picked up some mail from the post office box the other day. Both Kathy and Kate sent me interesting articles they had saved for me and there was also a box from Kathy. Poor Kathy – she sent it to me in January, but as I said the other day, our little post office is the size of a large walk-in closet, therefore we rarely go there in times of COVID, unless we know there is something waiting for us.

Here’s what she sent me:

A necklace with monarch chrysalises, the green version and the just-about-to-emerge version. Aren’t they lovely? Thank you so much, Kathy! I love them. I sent you a thank you email a few days ago, but I don’t know if you ever received it. They’re such a lovely surprise and a beautiful symbol of an experience we’ll never forget.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: flowers, gifts 16 Comments

Miniature Gifts

January 18, 2020 at 10:54 am by Claudia

Just got back from getting some last minute groceries before the snow comes, so I’m running a wee bit late this morning.

I received a package from Barbara the other day, filled with miniature goodies. I finally got a chance to take some photos of them yesterday.

I took this in the vintage dollhouse. I put a piece of cardstock with a wallpaper-like pattern against the wall – just for fun.

Here we have a lovely wooden trunk with 1776 on the front, some china, some coffee, and a tart.

A beautiful bookcase. Isn’t it lovely?

A mini-quilt.

Some beautiful books. I’m pretty sure Barbara made these.

And some pewter: a plate and candlesticks.

Isn’t it lovely? I’m not sure where I’m going to use everything yet, but that’s the fun of adding to your stash.

I have, however, added the books to the built-in shelves in the Lake House.

Nothing has been styled, as of yet. I’m just playing. I love this little house.

Thank you, Barbara! You are too generous and I love everything. (Barbara also included a lovely journal.)

Today I have to tape some lines in a Yorkshire dialect for one of the actresses in Jane Eyre. And I’m going to start back in on the stonework for the English Cottage/Dumpster Dollhouse. I finished the Maigret mystery and I’ve started The Night Fire  by Michael Connelly.

And we’ll watch the snow fall.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: books, dollhouse, gifts, miniatures 20 Comments

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 34
  • Next Page »
  • Email
  • Instagram

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.

Thanks for stopping by.

Searching?

The Dogs

The Dogs

Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

Winston - Our first dog. We miss you, sweetheart.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse, read and enjoy. All content is my own; including photos and text. Please do not use anything on this site without permission.

Disclosure/Privacy Policy can be found in the Navigation Bar under ‘About MHC.’

Also, I love receiving comments! I do, however, reserve the right to delete any comment that is in poor taste, offensive or is verging on spam. It’s my blog. If you’re a bot or a troll you’ll be blocked. Thanks!

Archives

All Content © 2008 - 2025 Mockingbird Hill Cottage · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT