Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

You are here: Home / Archives for life

I Have a Problem with Paper

at by

Please take a moment to appreciated the fairly neat look of our kitchen table. Yes, it’s neat looking, as in funky and cool, but I am referring to the fact that I can actually see the table. And my pretty DIY table runner. This is no small achievement.

You see, my friends, I have a hard time dealing with paperwork, mail, junk mail, cards, letters, receipts – all the stuff that we are inundated with every day. I blame some of this on living in a small house. Where the heck do I put everything? But in truth, I just don’t want to deal with it. So I don’t. Until one day, I start screaming about the mess and it’s fall and the air is crisp and I feel energized and suddenly I’m sorting through things and barking out questions like “Do you still need this?” to Don and the next thing you know, things are looking pretty good on the old table.

I have a shredder.

It is currently so jammed full of stuff to be shredded that I am overwhelmed at the idea of sitting down and tackling it.

I’ve run out of places to file older paid bills and receipts. And I don’t really have much in the way of storage space.

I have an aversion to paperwork of any kind. I admit it. My eyes glaze over, I stare at it and then I try to figure out where to put it. I sort through a pile and make a new pile. After a while, I give up and make some hot chocolate.

I can’t be the only one out there who has trouble dealing with this stuff. Please tell me I’m not.

And then, please share any tips you might have. I really want to tackle this once and for all. Keep in mind: I have no attic. I have no usable basement. I have a shed where mice have been known to flourish. I’m organized in many ways, but in this particular area, I’m not. I’m really not.

Don is even worse.

Help.

Happy Tuesday.

Wednesday: a Potpourri

at by

Tons of rain yesterday.

You don’t want to see the massive amount of wet leaves in my yard.

I don’t want to see them.

Nova replaced my cord. Look: the foot pedal actually reaches the floor! Thanks, Nova! Mabel thanks you, too. I’d love to start sewing something but I’m too busy doing this:

My wrist is a wee bit sore. I just ordered some more yarn. More scarves coming.

This is the vintage fabric I found the day we bought Mabel. I love these vintagey flowery fabrics. There’s about 3 yards of it and the fabric has a substantial weight.  Hmmm. What should I make?

Part of the mantel in the studio. I love these framed mottos. The graphics are fabulous. I found the one on the left and the one on the right was given to me by friend, Lori, owner of Vignettes in San Diego. The chair was meant for my dollhouse but the scale is off – it’s too big. Darn. The dog is part of a salt and pepper shaker set. Alas, I only have one. Do I need to say anything about the McCoy?

I moved my little piano up to the studio and I rather like it here. I’ve even caught Lambchop playing a tune or two. She’s quite good.

Thank you so much for sharing your own particular autumn with us. I loved reading everyone’s comments yesterday. And I really love threaded comments! Being able to respond to your comment on the comment page and sometimes get a dialogue going makes me happy. I’ve installed a plugin that lets you, the commenter, know if I’ve responded so I hope you’re enjoying that. If you ask a question, I’ll do my best to answer it right there.

A note or two on commenting: Many of you subscribe to MHC and sometimes you comment by responding on the actual post that has been emailed to you. That’s fine, though I don’t always receive those comments. If you can, I’d really love it if you could come here to leave your comment so that everyone can read it. And you can’t be entered in a giveaway by responding that way. You have to click on the post, come to the blog, and leave your comment here.

But here’s my main point:

When I see a new post from a favorite blogger in a reader, I always click over to the actual blog post. Yes, I know it’s an extra click. Here’s part of the reason I do that. If that blogger has ads on her blog – ads she is hoping to earn some income from –  she needs me to visit her blog. She’ll get nothing from me reading every post in my reader. Since I’ve started running ads, I have realized how vitally important this is, not only for me, but for other bloggers. And I want to support my fellow bloggers.

I have ads on this blog that provide a small income for me that I really need in these precarious times. So, if you feel inclined, occasionally stop by my blog and other blogs and visit the actual post. I’m not talking about clicking on the ads. I would never tell you to do that. Just stop by for a visit. That’s all you have to do. It takes but a moment but it can make a big difference in that blogger’s quality of life.

I thank you and I am grateful for each and every one of you.

Happy Wednesday,

A Sunrise, A Wedding & A Scarf

at by

Oh boy. The morning sunrise was so spectacular that I had to run outside in my socks and flannel pjs to grab some pictures.

This kind of amazing light spotlighting the autumn colors is so fleeting. One minute later, it was gone.

A moody sky, fall colors and a sunrise makes for some pretty pictures, no?

We went to a wedding this weekend. Heidi’s daughter Whitney got married to her longtime beau, Cory. I have to say this might be the loveliest wedding I’ve ever attended (not counting our own, which was pretty perfect.) They chose to be married at one of our local farms. The barn was decorated with hanging lights, hay bales and simple decorations. The rustic theme was beautifully realized with perfect touches everywhere I looked.

The ceremony itself was free of all extraneous hoopla and whittled right down to the essence of the vows. At the end, the minister said (I’m paraphrasing) Now the bride may kiss the groom. Right on, Whitney!

There were 2 white tents right outside the back of the barn – one for hors d’oeuvres and one for dinner. We drank out of mason jars. Heidi and Whitney collected all sorts of vintage china for 9 months so that every place setting was different. There was beautifully mismatched silverware. The napkins were tied with twine that held a place card. My neighbor, Elissa, did the flowers and they were pitch perfect.

There was such a relaxed vibe throughout the whole event. Whitney and Cory were completely at ease, as were their parents and wedding party. I’ve known Whitney for 7 years and have watched her grow into a lovely young woman. I am frankly amazed that she, at the young age of 22, handled all of this with such ease and grace. It was truly lovely.

Yes. I shed a tear or two.

There was dancing in the barn later, but we left before it started. Does that make us old fogies?

Probably.

Here’s a shadowy photo of Don and me at the reception.

Thank you, Whitney and Cory, for including us in your special day.

I just added this scarf to the shop:

The changes in color and shade are subtle and beautiful. (I can’t take credit for that – just the crochet!)

Update: Gosh, that went quickly! Penny bought it!

Happy Monday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse, read and enjoy. All content is my own; including photos and text. Please do not use anything on this site without permission.

Disclosure/Privacy Policy can be found in the Navigation Bar under ‘About MHC.’

Also, I love receiving comments! I do, however, reserve the right to delete any comment that is in poor taste, offensive or is verging on spam. It’s my blog. If you’re a bot or a troll you’ll be blocked. Thanks!

Archives