Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for jigsaw puzzles

Day Three Hundred Twenty-Two

January 29, 2021 at 10:28 am by Claudia

I worked on the dollhouse bathroom yesterday, but I wasn’t completely happy with my work. I decided to wallpaper the sloped ceiling/eaves/what-do-you-call-them? and some of the wallpapering was just a bit off. Most dollhouses are made to be wallpapered in sections, laying flat, before you put the rooms together. Not all, but most. But when you’re renovating an existing space (and a tiny one at that) it’s a challenge. Trying to measure hidden parts of the walls – even using a pattern like I do – is very difficult. I think I’ve hit on a solution; which is in reality, a disguise, and I’ll try it later today. Anyway, lots of time spent upstairs in the studio with frustrating results.

Later in the day, I worked on the puzzle:

I finished the Battery and Wall Street and Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Bridge, plus the place where the East River and the Hudson River meet. The next section will be the most difficult, because it’s basically rust colored pieces in varying shades denoting the grids in Manhattan. And more water, as well.

It is unbelievably cold here today. The wind chills are well into the below zero range. It took at least three hours for the house to warm up this morning and I’m still wearing my flannel pajamas and a hooded sweatshirt. More of the same tomorrow, then it will remain cold, just not as cold. And then snow on Monday and Tuesday. Since the snow is on the horizon, we put in another order for groceries this morning and we’ll pick it up tomorrow.

But…the sun is shining.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: jigsaw puzzles 36 Comments

Day Three Hundred Twenty

January 27, 2021 at 10:14 am by Claudia

Once again, all my good intentions went by the wayside as I ended up spending time on the puzzle.

I can’t help myself.

Today, I promise to vacuum and swiffer, work on the dollhouse, and pay bills.

Just finished yet another long call with the IRS. When I paid our tax bill online on October 15th, I entered my social security number. But it never got credited (we’ve received late payment notices) because Don’s social security number is the primary number on the account. Because there is some end-of-the-year computer updating going on, every time I called, whoever I spoke to was unable to transfer the payment in order to credit it. Every person I spoke to was quite lovely and when it would fail, they would put a hold on the account so I wouldn’t be sent more letters and then they’d ask me to call back in two weeks. Today, it finally went through.

I’ve learned my lesson on that one. But, hey, it was the first time I had ever paid online.

It snowed yesterday. I’d say we have about 3 inches on the ground. It was quite lovely. We may get a bit more snow today.

I’m starting Winter Solstice  later today. Loved Jane Casey’s police procedural, Cruel Acts. She’s a wonderful writer. I always love it when I can’t quite figure out what will happen in the end.

I’m off to write out some checks and pop the bills in the mail.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Filed Under: jigsaw puzzles 20 Comments

Day Three Hundred Nineteen

January 26, 2021 at 10:17 am by Claudia

This is what I ended up doing yesterday afternoon. I ignored the dollhouse and started on this. Both the dollhouse and puzzles are calming for me, but jigsaw puzzles (and crossword puzzles) are the most calming – a form of meditation, if you will. I love John Derian’s puzzles. As far as I know he only has three designs, the one I just finished, this one, and one of a cat. I’m not a cat person, so that particular design doesn’t call to me.

This is based on an old map of NYC. Here is what it will eventually look like:

We’re getting snow today. We’ll have somewhere between 1 and 4 inches by tomorrow. There is a chance for a winter storm with more accumulation next Sunday and Monday. We’re looking forward to watching the snow fall today. First of all, it’s pretty. But mostly, it’s something different. Since we’re basically indoors these days looking out at a barren landscape and every day seems the same, something like snow ends up being exciting.

These guys (all 8 of them) have now discovered our yard. This was taken from the kitchen window. We’re fascinated by them. Our neighbor has informed us that the rooster is aggressive, so we’ll make sure to stay away from him. On one hand, it’s slightly annoying to me that they are now free-ranging on our property, but on the other hand, they’re interesting and we get a kick out of them. And don’t they eat ticks? Am I remembering that correctly?

They sure do lay pretty eggs.

I’m almost finished with my book and then it’s on to Winter Solstice.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: animals, jigsaw puzzles 48 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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