Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

  • About MHC
    • Disclosure
  • Dollhouses/Minis
    • Hummingbird Cottage
    • The Studio (Formerly TSP)
    • Dove Cottage
    • The Lake House
    • The Folk Art Dollhouse
    • The Modern Dollhouse
    • Dollhouse Source List, Information and Tutorials
  • On the Road
  • Collecting
    • Roseville Pottery
    • McCoy Pottery
    • Egg Cups
    • Bakelite
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Archives for Mockingbird Hill Cottage

The Porch in September

September 25, 2015 at 8:19 am by Claudia

I was cleaning the porch railings yesterday, which prompted me to sweep and do some general clean-up. So I took some pictures.

I used to buy mums in the fall, but the reality is that I have more than enough pots still in bloom. In fact, all of them are still in bloom.

So, I save myself some money and enjoy the riot of color and pretty blossoms that are already there.

9-25 porch_

See what I mean?

9-25 bench

But there are fallen leaves everywhere. How did that happen?

9-25 leaves

The sugar maple is already shedding its leaves.

9-25 porch scaevola

The hanging pots of scaevola are still thriving. They last from early spring until the first frost.

9-25 porch rocker

I brought the wicker rocker down from the bedroom, where, frankly, it took up too much room – I could never get my dresser drawers open without having to move it. It’s been replaced by Grandma’s chair. I’ll put the rocker in the shed for the winter because it gets awfully wet and snowy on this porch.

It’s pretty, isn’t it? However, the back needs to be reinforced and I haven’t done that yet (it’s only been over a year), so it’s unusable if you want to sit back, relax and actually rock.

9-25 impatiens

9-25 pinkbud

I’m going to try and sit on the porch and read every day while I can. With the advent of Fall comes the looming onset of Winter. So I want to take advantage of this lovely extra room of ours while I can.

Lovely reader Sharon sent us a package. And by us, I mean me, Don and Scout.

9-25 treats from Sharon

Some wonderful egg cups for me, as well as a little pitcher. Healthy treats for Scout and Hershey’s Almond Kisses for Don.

You’ll noticed they’ve been opened by someone. (I keep finding little foil bits around the house.)

Thank you, Sharon, for your thoughtful gift. Scout and Don thank you, as well!

Book Review of The Nature of the Beast  by Louise Penny on Just Let Me Finish This Page today.

Happy Friday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

Filed Under: flowers, gifts, Mockingbird Hill Cottage, porch 29 Comments

As Is: Late Summer Edition

September 14, 2015 at 8:20 am by Claudia

Every once in a while, I give myself permission to take a quick photo of the house ‘As Is.’ No straightening up, no ‘vignettes’ – just real life. If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you know that Don and I like cozy, relaxed, eclectic and vintage. We read a lot, so there are always books lying around. There’s usually a guitar somewhere – right now, there’s one in the living room and one in the den. It’s early around here and the lights are on.

9-14 living room

Practical is the watchword lately. You’ll notice lots of throw rugs that really don’t have any design theme whatsoever. They’re for Scout. They help her navigate. There’s a quilt on the floor in front of the loveseat – also for Scout. And you can just see the edge of a towel that’s on top of the oval rug. You guessed it – for Scout. Don’s Kindle, books, and glasses are on the coffee table.

Nothing exciting. Nothing new. I can’t see spending money on something we really don’t need – just to ‘change things up.’

I don’t decorate for fall, as you know. We are fortunate to live in the Northeast, where Fall will be on constant display in a very short time. Frankly, nothing I could do would be better than the designs of Mother Nature. And honestly, I have so little available surface area that it isn’t practical.

9-14 kitchen

It’s a dark and cloudy morning, so these aren’t great photos. But sometimes, to be perfectly honest, I don’t care!

More throw rugs for Scout. A piece of paper towel on the island (see? no editing.) Dishes in the drainer. Paint brushes used on the dollhouse in a piece of McCoy on the window sill. Cough medicine on the counter. My Peet’s French Roast (single cup drip method) awaiting the boiling water from the tea kettle.

I’ll spare you the den, where there are piles of used kleenexes, cough drops, and a makeshift bed (I came downstairs around 4 am because I was coughing too much and I didn’t want to keep disturbing Don’s sleep.) I don’t know if it is allergies or sinuses and, frankly, I never  know. I do remember now that I wasn’t feeling all that great on Thursday when I was in the city. Lots of sneezing – I mean lots – and congestion. So I think this has been coming on for a few days.

There you go. As Is for Monday, September 14th.

Happy Monday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: kitchen, living room, Mockingbird Hill Cottage, Scout 33 Comments

Shells, Music, and an Anniversary

August 30, 2015 at 9:52 am by Claudia

I don’t profess to know all of Caroline’s comings and goings. She is very independent, as you know. Yesterday, during her absence, I snuck a peak at the interior of her house.

8-30 DH shells 1

She’s clearly been to the beach. I know those seashells were not  there before.

8-30 DH shells 2

They’re pretty.

I wonder where Caroline was? California? Some Caribbean island? Hawaii? I mean, I know it’s none of my business, technically, but don’t you think letting me know when she’s going to be out of town would be the polite thing to do?

8-30 The guys-2

A wonderful performance last night by these guys.

Although there was a table of very loud patrons who were annoyingly clueless about their volume level and the fact that people were trying to listen to the words Don was singing. One woman eventually turned to them to ask them to keep it down. I walked over and stood by their table and gave them the evil eye. Twice.

There are people who travel in their own little bubbles and have no clue as to what is going on around them.

I wanted to knock their heads together.

Ah, well.

6-11mhc

Today, my friends, is the tenth anniversary of Mockingbird Hill Cottage. We moved in on August 30th, 2005.

Ten years!

The name Mockingbird Hill Cottage was not in existence on that day. It was just our very own house. That was enough, believe me.

Mockingbird Hill Cottage came a couple of years later. And then the blog appeared about a year after that.

Corners-kitchen 5

Yep. Ten years. See?

Does this mean we’re adults now?

Happy Sunday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

 

Filed Under: dollhouse, Don, Mockingbird Hill Cottage, music 46 Comments

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • …
  • 22
  • Next Page »
  • Email
  • Instagram

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.

Thanks for stopping by.

Searching?

The Dogs

The Dogs

Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

Winston - Our first dog. We miss you, sweetheart.

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

All Content © 2008 - 2026 Mockingbird Hill Cottage · Log in