Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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To the Rescue

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Those branches on the right were so weighted down by snow, they were touching the porch roof as well as the roof over our bedroom. By the time I took this picture they had revived. In fact, you can see the snow falling off the branches in this photo. That was a constant yesterday – no matter where I stood, I got smacked by heavy, falling snow.

Rescue arrived yesterday in the form of Doug and Rick. Rick checked in on me yesterday morning, saying that Doug had just purchased a battery operated chain saw that he was dying to use. In turn, I texted a picture of the huge limb, as I was skeptical that his chain saw could handle it. Undaunted, they came over and Doug immediately started in on the limb and darned if he didn’t do it! Rick and I carried wood to the wood pile, which is now the size of the Great Wall of China, full as it is of various limbs that have fallen off our trees during the 12+ years we’ve lived here.

My heart breaks every time it happens.

Rick even brought me a homemade muffin, that sweetie. Anyway, in no time it was all gone. Now I have to shovel that area this morning to make room for Don’s car. I was too tuckered out to do it yesterday.

Sinuses and/or allergies are crazy right now. I sneezed at least 30 times last night – and no, I’m not exaggerating. It was the strangest thing!

One of you – I’m sorry, I can’t remember who since this whole week has been overwhelming – asked where I keep the shelves that house my miniature pottery.

This little area is to my left as I sit here at the desk.

The embroidered picture of Scout is from Shanna. The Claudia program is from the original 1940s Broadway production  and was a gift from a friend who runs an antique shop. I found the shelves at Heidi’s shop when I worked there and I brought them home and painted them, covering the glass behind the shelves with toile scrapbook paper. The Michigan license plate (in honor of my home state) is from Don.

Thanks for all your kind words yesterday. It’s been a helluva week. Shoveling, recycling and a trip to the grocery store are on the docket for today.

Happy Friday.

A Slow Saturday

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We’re due for a yucky day today: rain which will turn into ice and a bit of snow. There are winter weather advisories up.

Can I just go back to bed?

The snow on the ground that you can see through the window is gone now, due to higher temperatures and a heck of a lot of rain yesterday. Fear not, we’re due for more mid-week. Note to self: take price tag off pot.

This is what happens when you bring your big old porch plant inside for the winter. I’ve forgotten what this is – a dracaena? an unknown grass? – but I’ve had it in this pot for several years and I bring it inside every winter. It’s become so big that I can no longer just stash it on the floor in the office. So it’s in the hallway. There are self-seeded impatiens surrounding it at the base. Hopefully, they’ll bloom at some point this winter.

The contents of the cupboard in the office. There’s some Roseville, some McCoy, an old candy box which holds letters sent to my grandmother by her adored little sister, who died in the flu epidemic of 1918. (She lost another sister as well.) Let’s see, what else? Some glove boxes, some little pieces of pottery, a mug given to me by Christy, aka Anastasia, a putz sheep and two spun cotton bunnies made by Vintage by Crystal. Oh, and some crystal bunnies and a puff made by a former blogger who does beautiful work.

I took this yesterday as I sat at the desk for a spell, due to a desire to change it up a bit. The den seems to be my home lately, but too much familiarity can breed contempt, you know? Anyway, I hung the newest Nutting up in the office – I’ll take a picture of it today – and I putzed around that space, listening to the Kenny Rankin channel on Pandora.

Happy Saturday.

Is it Thursday Already?

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Is it Thursday already? The weeks seem to fly by.

Some random photos of the house, taken yesterday afternoon:

My rather cluttered office with the box containing a new modem still unopened after 3 months.

Vintage plant stand (found at my neighbor’s barn sale) in the office. Those two plants – the pothos and the spider plant – were once tiny little grocery store plants that I bought to put in my apartment in Hartford. They have grown so much since then and they’re hassle-free. This little corner houses extra pots and potting soil, waterers and saucers.

Don’s mini studio. That fireplace remains one of my favorite creations – I’m still chuffed when I look at it.

And a look at the piano, a piece that is so filled with family memories that it will always be priceless.

Though it desperately needs a tuning. I can’t even stand to play it, it’s so out of tune.

Coming soon.

Don had a jam session with some local musicians last night and he got to play his dream electric guitar. It’s on his “I’m saving up for it” list. I want him to get it because it’s in my favorite colors, turquoise and white. There’s a picture of it on his Instagram account, which you can find here. His IG account name is: @donsroadtrip.

Tonight? Either Mudbound  or Lady Bird.

Happy Thursday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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