Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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We had Fun at Rhinebeck

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This morning found my sister and I rising at 6:15 in order to get out the door and on our way to Rhinebeck (The New York Sheep and Wool Festival) by 7:30. We wanted to beat the crowds and hopefully avoid the predicted rain this afternoon. It has been so, so cold the whole time my sister has been here! You remember, she hails from Florida? Well, we have been in the midst of an unseasonable cold snap – it was snowing the day I picked her up from the airport! Today was cold and windy.

We got there bright and early and had a great time, as always. I was forced to buy some gloves because my hands were so cold! Here are some photos of the day.

Yarn everywhere, hand spun, hand dyed – gorgeous!
Llamas, Alpacas, Lambs…we can’t get enough of these guys.


The online knitting community, Ravelry, had a noon meet-up and the crowd just got bigger and bigger.
This is a hugely popular event.

In the midst of spectacular Autumn colors.


Here is my beautiful sister, Meredith, modeling the coat she knitted from Noro yarn. Isn’t it gorgeous? Believe me, she received many compliments on it as we walked through the Festival. She is such a talented knitter.

We are having a wonderful time – it goes by too fast, though. She leaves tomorrow morning. That makes me sad. Scout and Riley are sad, too – they adore her. In the next post, I will share some lovely things she made for me.

On My Way

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Travel day – back to New York. Chattanooga: I will be back. I’ve been told by fellow bloggers that the mountains are worth exploring (I can see them in the distance), especially Lookout Mountain and the Incline. And there are all sorts of interesting places down by the riverfront – a place I had no way to explore. There are wonderful places here that I have missed. Sometimes that is what happens when I travel on business. I just get a taste of what a place has to offer and then I am forced to leave.

The people I have met are utterly charming, warm and lovely – not to mention I am a sucker for a Southern Dialect. So off I go, but hopefully, I will be back!

Moseying Around a Little Corner of Chattanooga

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I have a bit more free time than I would like here in Chattanooga. I don’t have to be at rehearsal until 3:00 today. Usually when I am on the road and this happens, I hop in my rental car to explore some interesting place I have heard about or a neat vintage shop or a bookstore. I don’t have a rental car this time. We are on the edge of downtown Chattanooga. There really aren’t any shops at all around here and it being a Saturday, downtown essentially becomes a ghost town. Last night, I read about two places I thought might be interesting: a converted factory called The Shoppes at Warehouse Row and an antique shop – both of which were in walking distance. When I called the number for the antique shop, it was no longer in service. That idea was quickly tossed.

So this morning I walked all around the area – something I like to do when I am visiting a new place – I found the Shoppes at Warehouse Row. Call it the Shop at Warehouse Row. Only one shop – an exclusive bedding store – is open. I went inside and walked around. Nothing is open or even close to open yet. The security guard I chatted with told me that everyone was hoping the place would take off. Several stores are slated to open in the next several months. I have to say that the renovations are lovely and I’m crossing my fingers for downtown Chattanooga.

Here is the outside entrance to this former train station turned hotel:

Detail of the domed ceiling in the lobby.

The ceiling dome (hard to get a shot of the whole thing – I have my older small camera with me.)

The Chattanooga Choo Choo – remember the song lyric? “Track 29….you can give me a shine.”

The original platform with some of the train cars that are now used as hotel rooms or dining cars.

I am off to rehearsal. Tomorrow I return home to husband and dogs. I miss my pillows and my bed and, of course, my husband and dogs. I like these little short trips but I am so happy to return home. By the way, my husband said it was very cold there last night. Wait a minute, its only the beginning of October!

One more thought: I don’t want anyone to think I don’t like Chattanooga! I’m sure it is charming and that there is much to see. But remember the title of this post was “…a little corner of Chattanooga.” Unfortunately, that is all I am able to see on this trip. I must say that everyone I have met and talked to is so nice, polite and friendly. I am definitely impressed by the people of Chattanooga. Maybe I can get back some day and see more!

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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