Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Giveaway: Tickets to the Country Living Fair

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It’s that time of year again. The Country Living Fair is taking place next weekend in Rhinebeck, NY. Rhinebeck is just across the Hudson River from Mockingbird Hill Cottage; lucky me! I attended the show last year and had a great time.

Stella Management contacted me and asked me if I would like to host a giveaway. I immediately said yes. So, I’m now in possession of 6 tickets. Two for me, and two pairs for two lucky readers.

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The tickets are Complimentary Early Bird Weekend Passes – each ticket a $40 value. That means you are allowed to enter before the Fair is officially open (on Friday and Saturday) and you can visit for one day, two days, or all three days. I took advantage of the Early Bird Entry last year and it was so nice to visit all the booths before it got too crowded.

It takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 5 -7. If you live in the area (and by area I mean New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Connecticut; or maybe even Massachusetts or Rhode Island) and you’d like to be entered in this giveaway, please leave a comment on this post. As always, no hoops to jump through, just a comment. This will be a quick turnaround, as I have to get the tickets in the mail on Monday. So…the deadline is Sunday at 9:00 pm. After that, the giveaway will be closed. I’ll pick two names via the Random Number Generator Sunday evening.

I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share some tickets to this wonderful event with you. A big thank you to Stella Management. Good luck, my friends!

Update: The winners are Betsy and Damara. I’ll be sending you an email to get your mailing address. Thanks!

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The Abandoned Toys

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old toys

Do you see that plastic container full of dog toys?

Scout hasn’t played with them for a few years. Riley stopped playing with them even before that.

But there they sit. I can’t bring myself to get rid of them. They certainly don’t make for an attractive display. They are directly in front of me as I sit in my blogging chair and there’s no denying their presence. Every once in a while, I contemplate getting rid of them. Or hiding them away somewhere in the house.

Can’t do it.

I suppose it must be what parents feel when they contemplate favorite toys that their children have outgrown. We all know my dogs are my children, so I guess I’m just a typical parent.

I think they’ll stay there for a bit longer.

golden zinnia

I pulled a lot of weeds yesterday. A lot. The gardens are looking a bit cleaner, thank goodness. I pruned a few bushes. It felt good to be working in the garden after my stint indoors.

This weekend? I’m taking it easy. I’m awaiting the newer version of the Hamlet script which should be arriving in the mail today or Tuesday, so work on that is temporarily on hold.

But I have a lot of reading to do for future book reviews and for me. I have some NY Times crossword puzzles that I haven’t touched yet. I have to check up on my dad. I have some old movies to watch with my husband. Maybe a bit of lawn mowing.

mg buds new and old

And some flowers to photograph.

What are your plans for this three-day weekend?

(Last day to enter the giveaway for a copy of The Long Way Home by Louise Penny. If you’re interested, stop by Just Let Me Finish This Page. I pick a winner this evening.)

Happy Saturday.

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Out and About in the City

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How about some photos of NYC today? After editing them in Lightroom, I realized a lot of them are of green spaces and parks, due, I’m sure, to my need to take refuge from Tuesday’s heat.

NYC - stand of trees

This gorgeous stand of trees is located on 81st Street, just off Central Park West.

NYC - leaves on ground

Ummm….that’s a lot of leaves on the ground for August. Gulp.

NYC - 81 & CPW

Central Park West and 81st. Several years ago, I was up here every day when I was coaching Shakespeare in the Park. The best part? Walking along the streets at night, catching a glimpse of the interiors of the apartments; a bit of curtain here, some bookshelves there, a beautiful lamp, art on the wall.

NYC - brownstone1

A brownstone. Check out the gorgeous detail.

NYC - brownstone2

More brownstones. They don’t make them like this anymore. Unfortunately.

NYC - brownstone3

Be still my heart. May I please have a little pied à terre in this building? I’d be perfectly happy with a little studio apartment where we can spend the night when we have to work in the city.

That seems reasonable, doesn’t it?

NYC - empire cake2

Love this. A bakery full of cakes and cupcakes. (I managed to keep myself from entering the door, but it wasn’t easy.) Love the fonts used in their logo.

NYC - empire cake1

Perfect.

Now I want a cupcake.

NYC - Union Square

Union Square. Nearby? The Strand bookstore.

And from home:

NYC - morning glory

More morning glories. Sigh.

If you stop by Just Let Me Finish This Page, you’ll see that I’m having an extra-special giveaway.

Yep.

Happy Thursday.

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Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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