Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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A Beautiful Day

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It is the most beautiful morning!

A breeze, the faint sound of the wind chimes, blue blue sky, and so cool that we had to put on sweatshirts when we went out on the porch for our second cup of coffee. The sounds of mourning doves calling out to each other, cicadas, and crickets fill the air. Just glorious.

It feels almost autumnal – certainly not like early August. But I’ll take it. I’ve opened the windows throughout the house. After so many days with the A/C on, I want to air it out.

I plan to hang around the house today. Yesterday I pulled some weeds, watered, cleaned out the birdbath, and ran an errand. Today? Who knows? I do know that I’m not mowing today. Don is going to do that later in the day.

My back is much better. Thank goodness!

I’m in the midst of reading The Overstory, which is unlike any book I have ever read. I’ll share more with you when I finish it. Richard Powers is an extraordinary writer.

And we’re watching Trapped  on Amazon Prime. It’s an Icelandic murder mystery, filmed in Iceland with Icelandic actors. It’s opened up another world. The cast is excellent.

That’s all. I’m feeling relaxed and I plan to enjoy this day. Have a lovely weekend.

Happy Saturday.

Deconstructed

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You might have seen this on Instagram yesterday.

My dear husband had been watering the plants for me while I rested my back. He tends to be overzealous with the water. The day before yesterday, I felt ready to water the porch plants once more (Don was in the city.)

I immediately noticed a large amount of water on top of the former kitchen island. And some of that water had run down the front of the piece. I ran for some paper towels and quickly realized that the water had probably been there for a couple of days, resulting in the veneer warping – both on top of the cabinet and on the drawer fronts.

I was actually pretty calm about it since I knew the veneers were problematical given the fact that this piece is now outside on the porch. The sides of the cabinet had already shown some evidence of warping. I grabbed a screwdriver to separate the two drawers (which had expanded due to the water) and then I started peeling the veneer.

Current status.

There’s more to do. Frankly, I had already envisioned getting rid of the veneer, which has been troublesome from the beginning – way back when I first painted this formerly dark sideboard. When it was still in the kitchen, I pondered taking the top down to the raw wood. But then Stella came and all of that was shelved.

The whole thing needs a new paint job and some weather proofing. Whether I keep it two-toned or paint it all white again is the question. So far, the cupboard doors are fine. I may peel the veneer on the sides of the cabinet.

Don, having been told of his overwatering mistake, said: “I like it better this way.” (I’m sure he does.)

I’m not averse to it either. It gives it some texture. And I like chippy things, which, given the current condition of the sideboard, is putting it mildly.

This will be a good Autumn Project.

Maybe Don is just trying to keep me busy.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Coneflowers, the Porch & Scout

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From my seat on the porch this morning. I slept longer than usual and Don had to leave early to catch the bus to NYC for an audition, so all we had time for was hello and goodbye. Normally, we sit in the Adirondack chairs for our second cup of coffee, but I chose the glider this morning.

I took it easy yesterday, turned the A/C on by mid-morning and, though it was hard for me to stay indoors, I did. I listened to one of my favorite radio programs, read, putzed around the house, checked Instagram, read some more, and had lunch. I’m thinking I’ll do the same today, after I finish watering the seedlings, which I had to do twice yesterday because it’s so damn hot!

Grace’s beautiful capture of Scout arrived in the mail last week. We will be framing this eventually, but it’s currently propped up on the piano’s music rack. (It has a protective covering at the moment, which is why it’s a bit blurry.) This Scout is ‘old Scout’ and we love that because it captures her at a time when she was starting to have real trouble getting around, but could still run from the back of the corral, down the little hill and, with a big jump, land on the elevated threshold of the house.

Gosh, we miss her. Thank you so much, Grace!

The coneflowers – mostly purple, but we also have white and yellow coneflowers – are popping out everywhere in the gardens. I think they may be my favorite flowers. I love peonies, of course, but they’re short lived. Coneflowers last a long time in the garden.

Thank you for all of the incredibly supportive comments on yesterday’s post. I am so grateful for all of you.

Have to go over to Rick and Doug’s mid-afternoon, to let Sam out. They’re gone for the day and won’t be back until this evening. I love that boy, so I’m looking forward to it.

Happy Monday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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