Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for life

Houseplants

August 28, 2026 at 8:32 am by Claudia

From my houseplant world:

My schefflera – which I’ve had for years – lives on the sideboard in the living room. I’m used to it dropping some leaves once a year, but this year it dropped nearly every leaf on the plant. I thought it was dying. I cut a few branches back and I removed the dead leaves on a daily basis.

Well, there’s hope.

From one of the branches I cut back.

And from the other. There are also wee little babies appearing everywhere. I’m fascinated by the whole thing. It looks like the schefflera will have another life.

And my monstera has also been losing leaves. Frankly, it looks kind of like a monster! BUT…a new leaf has appeared. And last year, we had no new leaves.

A good sign!

And then there’s my mom and dad’s snake plant – over 40 years old and it keeps on going! Dependable as the day is long.

Lots of rain and storms yesterday, but today looks like it will be lovely. I have officially reached the “I no longer do any upkeep on the garden beds” stage of the summer. It happens every year in mid to late August. They’re kind of wild looking and there are blooms everywhere, so I’m happy. The coneflowers are still there, but they’re fading. And some zinnias are beginning to bloom, which makes me smile.

The Beacon Hill: I’ve reached the stage where I’m not sure what to do next. The basics are installed in the rooms, except the bathroom. Baseboards need to be added. But a lot of what needs to be done needs to be done on a budget. The rooms need furniture and rugs and accessories and all of that takes money. So I’ve had to slow things down as I search for pieces and decide what to invest in.

I also have to pick a paint color for the exterior. I have a definite idea, but I’m too lazy to go to the hardware store at the moment.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: life 8 Comments

Corners of the House (and Gardens)

August 22, 2026 at 9:09 am by Claudia

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: life 10 Comments

Butterflies and Skies

August 19, 2026 at 8:34 am by Claudia

I’ve seen more Eastern Swallowtails in the past few days than I have in 3 years! I can see this giant thistle from my chair in the den, so I’ve been watching a lovely little show.

We finally got our deductions off to our tax preparer. But not until late yesterday afternoon. I’m so relieved that it’s DONE.

Mowing is on the docket for today. I just have to figure out what section of the property I want to tackle. It’s supposed to rain tomorrow, which means I have to get out there today.

We watched Out of Africa  on TCM last night. I saw it when it first arrived in theaters and have seen many clips from it since, but not the entire movie. Don, surprisingly, had never seen it. Oh my heavens, it is so beautiful, so impeccably made. Sydney Pollack was one of my favorite directors. It is sweeping, majestic, old-fashioned in the best possible way, a story beautifully acted and realized. I can’t stop thinking about it today. And John Barry’s score is one of the most beautiful ever written for films.

I confess, whenever I hear it, it makes me cry. Don can’t stop talking about it today. What a glorious movie it is!

The sky was full of clouds like this the other day.  I was completely fascinated.

My pretty entrance hall.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: life 20 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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