Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for jigsaw puzzles

A Bleak Landscape, Puzzles, & Walking

December 29, 2023 at 8:52 am by Claudia

Gray, gray, gray.

This is the part of winter that can trigger mild depression or, at the very least, a case of the blues. Yes, it’s the lack of sunlight, but more importantly, it’s the bleakness of the landscape. That’s the way it’s been for four days now, coupled with rain. Don and I have started walking every day. Our local library is set way back from the road on a hill and the driveway is a great place to walk. No busy traffic, no muddy trails. I’ve walked it a couple of times in the past. We do 5 loops down and up. It’s a nice little walk. It’s much more pleasant with Don than it would be by myself. We only missed one day this week because it was pouring rain all day long. We want to lose weight and we want to stay fit and, let’s face it, winter is the time I tend to become a slug.

No snow in the forecast. It looks like we’re going into January with more of the same. There are two days I don’t want snow – the 16th and 17th. Those are the days I make the 5 hour drive to Rochester to watch a preview and then return home the next morning. Rochester is on the other side of the state, near Lake Ontario, so it’s in a snow belt. Fingers crossed!

By the way, we plan to keep the tree up as long as it’s safe to do so. We need the sparkle and the lights. So far, it’s over two weeks since we bought it and there has been no needle drop.

This is the Poirot puzzle I have been working on. Lots of lovely little details! I think I’ll finish it sometime over the weekend.

Don has a gig tomorrow and several more coming up over January and February. Hurrah! Tomorrow’s gig is in the late afternoon, so he won’t have a late night. It will be good for him. Not having any acting work for over four years has taken a toll on my sweetheart. I hope that changes this year.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: jigsaw puzzles, winter 17 Comments

Puzzles, Banjos, and Birthdays

November 20, 2023 at 8:46 am by Claudia

Puzzle in progress. I can’t remember the name of the puzzle – oh wait, it looks like Autumn in the Neighborhood. It reminds me of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Philadelphia. Philly was long ago, but in just this kind of weather two years ago, I was walking the streets of Park Slope in Brooklyn. Beautiful. (It was on sale and that’s why I bought it – made by Gallison,)

Don took his banjo to the music store and they cleaned it out with a strong solvent, followed by lemon oil. It helped temporarily, but the peg kept coming loose, and after the solvent smell went away, he could still smell the mustiness.

Yesterday, he visited a wonderful place that sells musical instruments and he bought a banjo. We bought the banjo, technically, because it will be his Christmas present. (I’m getting a doll.) He was literally dancing around the living room at the prospect of owning a brand new banjo. And gosh, is it a beauty!

It’s really beautiful. The sides, which I’ll show you on another day, are made out of beautifully grained wood.

He’s a happy camper. We’ll tie a bow on it and stick it under the tree on Christmas Eve.

Speaking of – ahem – special occasions, my birthday is tomorrow but, since I’m not posting on Tuesday, I’ll mention it today. It’s not a biggie, that was last year, but I know Don will do his best to make the day special. I’m not one for parties or big celebrations, and as I get older, I need my birthdays to be quiet and gently celebratory. I didn’t ask for anything but a puzzle, as I’ve had plenty of Blythe-related treats recently.

Anyway. Happy Birthday to me tomorrow!

I also want to let you know that our beloved Linda lost her mother over the weekend. Linda was a devoted daughter and had recently made the decision to move her  mother into Assisted Living. I believe she was 93. We are thinking of you, dear Linda. Sending love in this time of profound loss.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday,

 

Filed Under: birthday, Don, jigsaw puzzles 58 Comments

Concrete, Puzzles, and Banjos

November 15, 2023 at 9:37 am by Claudia

Very cold morning! The plants have been inside for four days and as far as I can tell, I have only two days where the temps don’t go down below freezing before I have to say goodbye.

Sob.

I woke up to the sound of a Carolina wren singing away. I heard the same bird yesterday. It’s awfully nice to hear that cheerful sound as the days get shorter and colder and we head toward a period of time that is always difficult for me.

Behold, the World of King Arthur!

This was a fun one. I was obsessed by King Arthur when I was young, probably fueled by my love of the musical, Camelot. This brought back a lot of memories as well as new information about the legend, as the maker always includes a key to all the figures. Loved the big red dragon.

I’m expecting a new one today – not from the same designer, but a fall scene in the city – presumably Manhattan or Brooklyn. My birthday is next week and I told Don not to get anything for me but when he pressed me, I sent him the link to a puzzle. Why not, right? They keep me sane and I’m sure he’s grateful for that!

Our concrete repair work is looking really, really good. We’re surprised by how good it looks. We just have to do the skim coat and it’s best to wait a few days for that. Most likely Thursday or Friday, which will be a bit warmer than usual.

Don had a gift card given to him by the people who ran that concert series last summer. Don booked all the performers and oversaw everything; he’s doing it again next year. Anyway, he was in his favorite music shop the other day and was searching through a pile of used instruments and he found a banjo. For $75! It’s in pretty good shape, but it needs some cleanup. It was so fun to hear him playing it yesterday. He has had a lot of instruments since I have known him, but never a banjo. I love to watch him when he gets something like the banjo, he is so excited. Don has always had a charmingly childlike (in the best possible way) enthusiasm and it has never left him. I am profoundly grateful for that. He teaches me to be joyful.

Pictures of a couple of girls:

Holly wearing the hat. We’ve got a definite color story here.

And Miranda.

Don’t cross her. She sees right through you.

By the way, British friends, Spoiler Alert  is now available in Great Britain. I believe you can find it on Apple+ and Amazon Prime Video. You can see my coaching work with Ben Aldridge and a little bit of acting in a hospital scene.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, Don, jigsaw puzzles 24 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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