Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for jigsaw puzzles

A Dramatic First Day of Autumn

September 23, 2022 at 8:51 am by Claudia

Usually, the first day of Autumn is not much different than the day before. But yesterday was rather dramatic; big storms in the morning, lots of rain. Later in the day came high winds that brought a dramatic drop in temperature. And now, today, we’ll only reach 59 or 60 degrees.

Mother Nature is letting us know fall is here.

I’m going to try to do some mowing this morning. Don mowed the largest part of the front lawn last week – it already needs another pass. But the rest of the property really, really needs it. Hopefully, I can get some of it done. It’s my turn to do it and my back is better. I’ll make sure I’m slow and methodical and careful about the whole thing.

Yesterday was my father-in-law’s birthday. He would have been 103. Next week will bring my dad’s birthday. He would have been 99. September is always a little bittersweet for Don and me. We miss our fathers.

Next up: this Agatha Christie puzzle by the same company that created The World of Shakespeare, etc. These puzzles are beautifully and imaginatively designed and it’s always lots of fun identifying places and characters.

I’ll probably start in on this one today.

It’s a cool morning. I’m wearing a sweater over my pajamas. I welcome the change after such a strange and difficult summer.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

Filed Under: autumn, jigsaw puzzles 22 Comments

Finished Puzzle and a Bit More “Surgery”

September 22, 2022 at 9:11 am by Claudia

A sign that my back is much better:

I resumed work on the puzzle and finished it this morning. It’s a New Yorker cover from 1943, “Fishing Bridge.” Finally being able to work on it again was very satisfying.

We’re having a stormy, rainy day and I am loving it. It’s rare when we get up in the morning – and we are early risers – with a storm rolling in. It was so lovely to sit here drinking coffee , listening to thunder off in the distance, which quickly grew louder. I sure don’t take rain for granted these days.

But that takes mowing off the table for today.

The other day when I was adding the neck joints to Sophie and Maeve, I decided to replace one pair of Sophie’s eye chips. There was a little incident with hot glue and Sophie’s eyelashes. I had no choice but to remove them. Sophie had very thick eyelashes that, along with the former downward tilt of her head, made her look sulky all of the time. That was okay and I would never have opted to change her eyelashes if not for the ‘incident.’  Though I do like lighter, more realistic lashes as opposed to the heavy and thick lashes some customizers add.

I briefly considered no eyelashes at all, but yesterday morning, I decided she needed some. I set off for Walgreen’s and picked out some false eyelashes. One pair didn’t work because the base of the eyelashes was too thick to fit in the slot in the eyelid. But the other pair did fit. You Tube, again. I cut the eyelashes to fit the slot, added a thin bead of Elmer’s glue – water soluble – and gently pushed them in the slot with a long straight pin.

If I end up not liking them, I can always change them out in another one of my “Dr. Frankenstein” moves, as Don calls them.

New neck, new eye chips, new eyelashes. My very first girl, Sophie, has experienced a mini-makeover.

I love her freckled face.

All Blythes have four sets of eye colors. I might replace one more set in the future, but for now, I think Sophie needs time to get over the trauma of neck surgery and hot glue on her eyelashes. The girl needs some rest.

These eye chips were made by Puppelina Eye Chips, a creator who lives in Spain. I have no idea how she does it, but they’re beautiful.

Don has an injury to his right hand that the doctor said is not a joint/arthritis problem but a muscle injury. So he is now wearing a brace that supports his thumb because the muscle injury is on the pad right next to the thumb. It’s a bit a pain in the tush and he took it off too often yesterday so he’s in pain. I have lovingly ordered him to keep it on today.

I’m watching you, Don!

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, jigsaw puzzles, rain 28 Comments

Puzzle

August 26, 2022 at 7:54 am by Claudia

Finished. I think the title is State Fair. It was a challenge, but a fun one. One piece is missing and I’m sure that’s because I dropped it.

Today is all about getting ready for my journey to Rochester tomorrow. Filling up the car with gas, air in the tires, stopping at the store for a few things, printing out necessary information – that kind of thing.

It’s around 267 miles from my house to Rochester.

I don’t have one of the newer cars that’s has GPS and a screen built into the dashboard. My car is 10 years old. So I have to do it through my phone, which can be tricky. When I was commuting back and forth to the set last year, sometimes I’d lose the sound of the voice telling me when to turn. It drove me crazy, so that’s what worries me, because the directions are a bit complicated.

Should be a piece of cake next week when I repeat the trip, it’s just the first time out that’s a challenge.

I have to make sure I get there early enough to take a Covid test. Refreshingly, this theater requires masks. I love that.

I know this is short, but I’ve got a lot on my mind, so I have to focus on getting ready.

Stay safe.

See you on Monday.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: jigsaw puzzles 26 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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