Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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It’s Those Decade Markers

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I have never seen so much fleabane on the property as I have this year. This photo was taken in the secret garden. The flowers cover the both sides of the stepping stones and the entire area bordering the back of the house that faces the garden. It’s amazing. I have to do some hop-scotch type moves to navigate the stepping stones. (That’s the rain barrel in the distance.) The petals are a combination of lavender and white. If I observed them more, I might notice if they start out as lavender and then change to white. I’ll try to figure that out.

It’s time to mow again. I’m not sure when we’ll do it, but it looks like we haven’t mowed in weeks when, in fact, we mowed less than a week ago. That’s the way of the world in the spring.

I’m starting to work on the finishing touches on Dove Cottage. I’ve been playing with the same mini pea gravel that I used in the rooftop garden on Hummingbird Cottage. I like it, but as much as I try to glue it down, it’s sort of impossible. And now I’m thinking that I need some stepping stones leading up to the door, with pea gravel around them. This pot of mums arrived yesterday. I have a few other things ordered as well. I need to finish this up and move it elsewhere so I can start in on the Beacon Hill while I’m still “young” enough to do all the work.

A glimpse into my mind right now: I’m headed toward my 70th birthday in November, and like all decade markers for me, it’s a time full of introspection. My posts about being an introvert come from that. I wake up some mornings panicked about how little time I might have left. Or panicked about how much stuff I have and realizing I need to make lists, provide information about all the things I collect (prices, provenance, etc.) in some big notebook. At the same time, I want to keep growing and learning and playing and creating – I don’t want to fall into the trap of thinking that possibilities are disappearing or fading. And all of that is up to me.

Thanks. I needed to share that so I could get some perspective.

Livvy: all set for summer.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

There’s Much to be Done

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Sunny today, thankfully, but more rain tomorrow and three days of rain next week. Sigh.

If you want to sum up my days lately, you can file them under “Waiting for Spring.”

Lilac buds that are growing larger every day give me hope.

Birds singing give me hope.

The return of the peepers gives me hope.

But, boy, I am restless this year. I have to be careful about my back, and it’s so much better. Yet – I have to be cautious. The shed needs cleaning inside. The porch railings need cleaning. The siding needs cleaning. And the gardens have to be cleaned out – I always leave plants in place over the winter to supply food and shelter for the birds and I leave leaves there as well because they function as a good mulch. All of that has to be taken care of this month as well as a number of other things – like cleaning up the yard and raking debris.

I might venture out today to clean the porch railings. That would be a relatively easy start.

Sisters.

This may be the only sunny day for a while, so I’m determined to spend some time outside today.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Sleepy Monday

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I’m going on about 4 hours of sleep today. Not a happy camper. But I don’t have to be anywhere, have no commitments, and can – hopefully – catch a nap this afternoon. I’ve had far too many work days in the past where I had to try to get through the day on very little sleep. Today is sunny and lovely and looks to be the only sunny day we’ll get this week, so I’m going to do my best to take it all in.

Every year, I aim my camera out the upstairs window and record the peepers. Then I post it on Instagram. For those of you who have never heard their sound, head over to my main IG account and give it a listen.

Don just headed off to the grocery store as we’re out of food. Whoops! Bless him.

We’re due for three days of rain this week and I welcome it. Why? Well, the obvious reason is that it will help to bring back our green grass. The other reason: I don’t have to worry about rain leaking inside the screen door anymore or inside the shed. For the first time in a long time, I can relax. It’s such a good feeling.

I found Livvy in this outfit yesterday. She heard it was the first day of spring and thought this romper would be the perfect thing to wear. I gently explained to her that though it was indeed the first day of spring, temperatures here in the Hudson Valley would only reach the low fifties and that she would need more layers of clothing.

But she looked adorable, I’ll give you that.

By the way, Olivia is my only girl with a licca body, which has skinny legs and arms. At first I was going to change it out, but I find it suits her, so it’s staying. Some collectors only collect Blythes with licca bodies. (Blythe World can be quite fascinating.)

That romper is one of the first pieces of Blythe clothing I purchased last fall. It’s from House of Blythe on Instagram.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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