Meredith — Page 21

Can I Blame my Rambling on my Allergies?

June 5, 2012 at 8:33 am by Claudia

This about sums up my sentiments today. We’re supposed to have rain off and on for the next four days. And the last several days have been rainy. I have to remind myself there was a time not so long ago that I was worried about a drought and our well.

Right now, it’s sunny. Fingers crossed, I’m hoping it lasts a while.

In the midst of yesterday’s gloom, I ran outside to take this photo:

I love this time of the year, when both rose bushes planted at the front of the house are blooming. And if you start at the left, you can see the spirea has just started to bloom and the hydrangea heads are getting bigger. Right behind that hydrangea is the New Dawn rose, tucked away in another bed. Oh, and the clematis keeps on blooming over there on the right. The rose bush in front of the porch is called Lady Elsie May and it keeps blooming throughout the summer. It’s really grown and is taking over a bit. I know there are many who would keep these bushes trimmed a bit more than I do, but I really like that sort of riotous, slightly overgrown cottage garden look.

The spirea with its delicate pink blossoms.

And Miss New Dawn, be still my heart.

I’m feeling a bit better and thank you for your concern. My allergies seem to be especially bad this year and they are not helped by the rain (molds and mildew) or the grass (grass pollen) or the trees (tree pollen) or all the other pollen that is wafting around in the air around here. I’ve really been suffering. I know many of you suffer from allergies as well. I always find it ironic that the very things in the great outdoors that fill my heart with joy also set off my allergies. Sort of a cosmic joke, don’t you think?

The rain has overwhelmed the peonies. We wait and wait for peonies to finally bloom, knowing their time is short, and somehow, every year, it rains like the dickens and, boom, their blooms are dragging on the ground. (That sentence was a bit too long and overly full of commas.) I salvaged a few peonies yesterday and they are now sitting in a vase on the coffee table.

The Catalpa tree is just starting to bloom, but so far only at the very top of the tree. Normally, I wouldn’t even be aware of it yet, but the rain has driven some blossoms down to the ground. (Wait until you see it in bloom – gorgeous!) Here’s a blossom. Isn’t it beautiful? Those delicate lines of purple, the shot of yellow – and the scent is heavenly. Whenever I see a blossom on the ground, I pick it up and inhale its aroma.

Today I have to send out the garlands some of you bought on Etsy. I apologize for the delay but I just didn’t have the energy to crochet over the weekend.

And I have to find a job.

My nephew, Meredith’s son David, graduates from high school this week. It seems like just yesterday he was a toddler, visiting us in San Diego. Now, he’s a strapping, handsome young man who swims competitively and will be attending Ohio State in the fall. He’s also very, very funny. And you know I like funny. Congratulations, David! Love you.

And congratulations to Meredith for getting him through high school. It wasn’t easy.

Thanks to Jen from Muddy Boot Dreams. Yesterday, she linked to a recipe from Smitten Kitchen for Rhubarb Snacking Cake. I love rhubarb so I made it. So yummy! And a big thumbs up from Don.

Okay, I’ve rambled on enough. Blame it on my allergies.

Happy Tuesday.

Excavating

February 17, 2012 at 9:54 am by Claudia

Pretty, isn’t it? That guy – a very nice guy, by the way – is looking at our septic system. It’s been acting up lately – we’ve noticed some leakage, even though the tank has been recently emptied. Fast forward to more digging with the excavator, more pipes uncovered. All filled with tree roots. The leach field is shot. So we have to get a new one installed today and tomorrow.

For, oh, about $7000.00.

You can imagine what kind of day we had yesterday. I can think of all kinds of things I could do for $7000.00 – all of which would be a little more fun, a little more pretty, than a leach field.

These roots have apparently been doing this for years. We’re the lucky owners who have discovered it. And the roots are from the weeping willow, which means the willow is going to have to come down. It’s old and fragile and every time we have a big wind storm we worry it’s going to fall. Now that we know how troublesome the roots are – to the tune of 7K – we have no choice but to take it down.

And it breaks my heart. It’s my favorite tree on the property. It’s one of the reasons I fell in love with this house. I’ve already told Don that I will not be around on the day that happens. I simply couldn’t bear watching my sweet willow come down. I cry every time I think of it.

So that’s what’s happening at Mockingbird Hill Cottage.

I have to show you at least one pretty thing today. Meredith made this beautiful shawl/scarf in the softest gray. It has tiny sequins in it. Oh my goodness. It’s beautiful. And it’s going in the shop this weekend, along with another beautiful shawl. I’m crocheting like crazy and hope to be adding more Obsession Scarves this weekend as well.

Enjoy your Friday.

Flowers & Etsy on a Monday Morning

February 6, 2012 at 10:02 am by Claudia

Some tulips to bring a smile to your face this Monday morning. I am determined to keep fresh flowers in the house this winter. Fresh flowers change my mood for the better and thanks to Trader Joe’s, the cost is minimal.

The hyacinths are just starting to bloom. As I leaned in, even my stuffy old nose couldn’t deny their beautiful scent.

Today is the first day where I feel like I’m coming out of the worst of the cold. Thank goodness. I need to go out and buy a postal scale today because try as I might, I can’t even estimate what shipping costs will be for the items in the Etsy shop. I’m this close to opening. The Handmade section of the shop will open this week, my friends – most likely, Wednesday or Thursday. I’ve been taking photos, cropping photos, editing listings – it’s a lot of work! Here’s the banner for the shop:

ScoutHarper is the name of our shop. Both Meredith and I will contribute our handmade creations and I will search for pretty little vintage finds.

Meredith sent me more beautifully woven shawls. Her shawls are light as air and perfect for any season of the year.

So, today I figure out shipping costs, take a few more photos, tackle more listings and very soon…we will be open. The Vintage section will open a week or so later.

I’m still loving my doily/industrial swag lamp. Silly, I know, but I think it might be one my most favorite creations ever. I love, love, love it.

Reminder: Our monthly Defending the Small House series will post tomorrow.

Have a marvelous Monday.

Can I Blame my Rambling on my Allergies?

Excavating

Flowers & Etsy on a Monday Morning

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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