Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Day Three Hundred Fifty-Eight

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It’s cold here! Two more days of this stuff and then the warming begins. At least two days of near 60 degrees are predicted and I’m very happy about that.

I straightened up the studio; though if you walked in the door, you might think I hadn’t done anything of the sort. But I assure you, I have. While I was up there, I added the putz sheep from Helga to the herd already living on the mantel/shelf. It’s hard to get a good photo (I’m going to try again later today with my big girl camera) but this is better than nothing.

I have 20 putz sheep now. The two at the far right are adorable, but they’re not putz sheep. I took photos of exactly where Helga’s sheep are in this mix, so I don’t forget. I’m tempted to find some way to mark them – hidden, of course – because unlike so many things I collect, I can’t remember where and when I found most of these sheep. I remember the details of a few, especially The Lamb with the Party Hat, the symbol of this blog. I found her in Orange, California, when I was back in San Diego to coach the Summer Shakespeare Festival about 11 years ago. And the large sheep with the hat and the pack was a gift from Lori, the owner of Vignettes in Ocean Beach.

I’d love to have scads more. Fingers crossed. The one time during this pandemic that I actually went into a store other than the grocery store was in December when my friend Sydney dropped off two sheep (she has been the source of many members of my herd) and left it at the front desk of one of my favorite antique shops. I was in and out of there in a flash! I suppose I’d only do that sort of thing for sheep and dollhouses – at least, for the time being.

Finished puzzle dismantled. New one started:

It will eventually look like this:

I’ve started A Chelsea Concerto, a nonfiction book about living in Chelsea, London during the Blitz. It was recommended by one of my favorite book bloggers, Miranda Mills. I’m really enjoying it. The series we’re watching, A French Village, is all about life in a French village that is occupied by the Nazis. I seem to be immersed in WWII these days.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Day Three Hundred Fifty-Six

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I’m back!

We had our first dose of the vaccine yesterday morning. It went quite smoothly. Walgreens is very organized. We had already filled out the required vaccine form, brought our confirmation number, and then a technician asked the required questions and took our temperatures. After that, we sat down and waited a few minutes. After the woman sitting on my right went behind the curtain, Don was up next. All of two minutes, if that. Then me. The technician was cheery, quick, and then we were done. We waited around, as requested, for 15 minutes, and then we left.

What an enormous relief it is to have started the process! Our second dose is on the very last day of March. As far as side effects, we both felt extremely tired yesterday. Our arms are sore, but that is to be expected. We got the Pfizer vaccine, by the way.

As Don said, no more constant checking on the state site, the county site, and Walgreens. We don’t have to do that anymore!

We bought a bottle of sparkling cider to celebrate, but we were too tired to drink it, so we’ll celebrate tonight instead. Our prayer is that everyone has the chance to get their first dose as soon as possible.

It’s cold here today and will be for the next four days, then we’ll finally have warmer temperatures at the top of next week. I can’t wait!

The mail arrived yesterday afternoon and Don said I had some packages. One was a book I ordered. The other was from Germany – completely unexpected. Helga, my friend who I have mentioned here before, sent me a package. Helga and I love miniatures – she has a fabulous Beacon Hill that she’s refurbishing – we love and collect putz sheep, we love animals and gardening. We are definitely kindred spirits.

I had no idea what might be in the package.

Oh my goodness! I was stunned. Don was sort of watching me as I opened the package and when he heard me gasp, he came over to look inside the box. He couldn’t believe it either!

Helga included a Christmas card. It turns out she sent it on December 11th, but she just sent it. No tracking, insurance or anything like that. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about sending a package overseas with no idea when it might arrive. I kind of love it.

These are German putz sheep and they’re in beautiful condition. Seven of them! They’re all vintage. I am envious of Helga’s own collection, which is quite large, and have observed that it seems easier to find them in Germany than the United States. They’re pricey here in the States, as well. Anyway, to have seven beautiful sheep from Helga is something quite wonderful.

She also included a little wooden house and a wooden Christmas tree.

Ask Don: I couldn’t stop talking about them. As you might expect, I’m already thinking of a new way to display them because the narrow mantle shelf above my desk might not be able to handle the new additions. I can’t wait for the days ahead when I can freely wander the aisles of a vintage/antique store and discover the perfect shelves for them.

I’m blessed.

I did a little ‘unboxing’ video on Instagram, if you’re interested.

Today: rest. And some work on the dollhouse. I need to get going on the bathroom floor.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

 

 

Day Two Hundred Seventy

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Boy, I had a bout of sadness this morning. I’d been thinking about Scoutie and Winston and Riley. Don and I were remembering how much Scoutie loved to be in on the opening of gifts and that Winston used sit in front of our San Diego fireplace staring at his stocking because he could smell the rubber/vinyl of the toys that were hidden inside. He’d sit there for an hour – staring.

Then I thought about my parents and brother and how much I missed them.

Sometimes it comes over you in a wave.

Last week, I was chatting with my favorite dealer Sydney, of Fox Run Antiques. (Source of the egg cup cubby, the vintage dollhouse in the kitchen, many butter pats and countless other things including putz sheep.) I asked her if she had any putz sheep this year and she said she did but she wasn’t going to display them because they’re fragile and people steal them. They are indeed fragile. But stealing? So sad.

She sent me some photos of them and I picked out two, which she dropped off at a local antique barn where she has a booth. I paid for them over the phone and on Friday morning, Don waited in the car while I ran into the shop, picked up the bag, said hello to the owner, and immediately ran out again. I haven’t been in an antique shop since March and oh, how I wanted to wander and look and pick up things – especially at Christmas time!

But I didn’t stay. Because that would be foolish. Sigh. Someday.

You know I love to rescue things and both of these sheep have some damage. They needed a home.

A petite putz sheep, with a little stain on the fleece, and the ubiquitous broken ears – that happens a lot with putz sheep. They can break quite easily. My friend Helga, who lives in Germany, actually repairs and replaces parts on her putz sheep. She has a large collection of them, including putz goats and black sheep!)

The other is now the tallest sheep in my collection.

He has a wonky back leg, his fleece is stained, his ears are broken, and the beautiful eye you see has worn away on the other side of his face.

Some of my sheep are in fairly pristine condition. Others are damaged and worn.

All are welcome.

I’ll try to take a panoramic photo of all of them on the mantel above my desk.

We have to do a bit of work outside today. I’m hanging our outdoor lights, we’re storing more things in the shed, and I have to empty a few more pots that now hold dead plants.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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