Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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On the Cusp

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Yesterday it snowed all day long, but there was only an inch or less accumulation – just lovely snowflakes gently falling. And the light! It was amazing.

Including the sunset:

I amused myself by baking, which seems to be my activity of choice on snowy days.

Don has started to call me his Linzer Tart. He’s darned cute, that guy.

We’re on the cusp of a new year. I wrote about my reflections on 2017 earlier this week; you can read them here. It will be a low-key day here at the cottage. We never do very much on New Year’s Eve – in fact, I can guarantee we’ll be in bed by 10:30 or 11:00.

The giant sansevieria is blooming – if I lean in, I can smell the lovely scent of these blossoms.

Speaking of heavenly scent, I’m immersed in it as I write this.

Rest in Peace to Sue Grafton, author of the Kinsey Millhone series. I’ve read every one of them, starting with A is for Alibi  back in the early eighties. I read Y is for Yesterday  when I was last working in Hartford. She never got to Z. But, oh how much delight she gave us over the years with a truly strong female protagonist.

Dear readers, have a lovely New Year’s Eve, whatever your plans. Be safe.

Basking

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I’m glad I love my little cottage because it’s so cold out there, I don’t want to leave it! I know that many of you are also living in these Arctic-like temps, so cold for a December. My weather app tells me this will be going on through next Wednesday (!) and then it will start to warm up. It’s all relative, of course, because the forecast for the ‘warm up’ is still very cold!

We braved the weather last night to meet Rick and Doug at a local Thai restaurant. I’m so glad they’re here. We have great conversations that include lots of laughter. What a blessing their presence has been in our lives.

The paperwhites are blooming and the scent is heavenly. Since the bulb is right next to my blogging chair, I get tantalizing whiffs of the scent from time to time. I bought this particular bulb at Whole Foods right before Christmas. It was an impulse buy. I’m so glad I went for it.

The new monstera leaves are slowly unfurling. They take their time, as does the new growth on the ZZ plant. I like that, as I get the pleasure of watching the unveiling progress from day to day.

I’m feeling rather ‘my cup runneth over-y’ today. It’s something about being safely ensconced in our cottage, seeing the various shades of green in the house plants, having a husband who makes my first cup of coffee and brings it to me in the den (I make our second cup), having close friends nearby (after so many years of living here) – a whole host of blessings.

We’ve been through years that were so tough we couldn’t wait for the new year This year, I’m basking in our good fortune and sending up a prayer that 2018 is a blessing for everyone, everywhere.

Happy Friday.

 

Must Have Something to Nuture

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Since I can’t wander outside and take pictures of the gardens, I wander inside and take pictures of the houseplants. Ever the nurturer, I have to have something that is alive to take care of. After the passing of our beloved dogs, there are no dogs to care for. The gardens are out of action until spring. Don is pretty self-sufficient.

So, houseplants it is. (I’ve already decided that Don will need some houseplants in his NYC apartment. He agrees.)

The monstera has not one but two leaves emerging.

There are three sansevieria flower stalks. I discovered the third yesterday. Meredith, who grows her plants from our parents outside since she lives in Florida, has even more.

This is what they look like, and I always see little drops of liquid – some sort of sap like substance. Eventually, little white flowers with a heady scent will emerge.

The new ZZ plant babies are getting ready to open – on both of my plants.

I still have Riley’s Dish Garden, which has pride of place in the center of the kitchen table. If you don’t know the story, when our dear Riley left us, I planted a garden in his dog dish. It has changed here and there, but this particular succulent has stayed and it grows every which-way – straining for the sun, I imagine. I leave it as is and I’ve noticed lots of new growth lately. I miss you, Riley.

Today is an errand day. It, I am sure, is the first of many this week.

My favorite Christmas ornament:

This very old bluebird ornament. I love it so!

Happy Monday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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