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 reading

Snow and Books

March 13, 2022 at 9:21 am by Claudia

From yesterday during the storm.

I’d say we got about 3 inches – less than predicted. It’s very cold today and we had strong winds all night long. Tomorrow will be much warmer and the melting will begin. We’re fine, so we’re not going to have anyone do any snow blowing. Don purposely parked his car down the driveway near the street, so, if necessary, we can get out of here easily. So we’ll appreciate this pristine and pretty snow while we can, because this will be it for this year.

I appreciate your support and recommendations concerning my back. But I know exactly what is causing this and I know what to do. Also, remember that my sister is a therapist and she has given Don exercises that are helping him and will certainly counsel me as well. Thanks.

I’ve started a new book, Orfeo  (pulled from my TBR pile.) It’s by Richard Powers, who wrote one of my favorite books ever, The Overstory, which won the Pulitzer Prize.  He wrote Orfeo  in 2014. He is a brilliant, lyrical writer. I have his newest in that pile, too – Bewilderment – purchased during my stay in Brooklyn. Powers introduces me to new ideas, takes me to  places I never thought of, and changes me forever. One of my goals is to read all of his novels.

I think I bought it on that first trip to Oblong Books, right after we were fully vaccinated.

I consider it a privilege to read his words.

So, we’re both laying low today, happy to have heat and a roof over our heads, to look outside at the untouched snow gleaming in the sun, to have music and books and each other.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

 

Filed Under: books, reading, snow 47 Comments

Currently Reading

February 2, 2022 at 10:01 am by Claudia

Well, over the course of two hours, I managed to fit a grand total of 6 blue pieces into the puzzle. At this pace, I should be done by July.

We’re in a bit of a warmer patch today and tomorrow – it’s nice not to have to run a drip from the faucet – but on Friday that will change. And it will be subzero again on Saturday. Such is the weather merry-go-round of January and February. One piece of good news, the forecast is for just an inch of snow and ice on Friday, rather than the larger amount of the previous forecasts. Fingers crossed that this forecast holds true.

I finished the Julia Dahl and have started this book, Slow Horses  by Mick Herron. I found it last year at Oblong books and it’s been in my TBR pile ever since. At least one of you told me at the time that it is a great series. I’m only about 20 pages in.

At the same time, I’m reading:

The Wood  by John Lewis-Stempel, a book I’ve had for a couple of years. Lewis-Stempel is British and he writes about nature. So many people I follow raved about this book. It’s written in a monthly form, starting in December, so I’m going to read December and January this week so I can eventually read February when it’s February, etc.

Some new outfits arrived in yesterday’s mail – made by Qiuilizo, who made that adorable blue hooded jacket and pants that Imogen modeled for you recently. I’ve been wanting some casual wear for the girls and these fit the bill.

She made the bags, as well.

I can’t stand it, these two sisters are so cute!

Once again, I am in awe of the talent out there, people who are creating and designing clothes for these dolls. When I think back to my grandmother making doll clothes for every doll of mine from Tiny Tears to my Barbies, I cannot comprehend how she did it. But, bless her heart, she sat down at her little sewing machine in their den and created beautiful clothes.

And I have none of them now. My mother either gave them away after I moved out of the house or, more likely, my sisters inherited the dolls and clothes and my mom gave them away after they had grown out of playing with dolls. Whatever reason, how I would treasure having some of the clothes now. I do have quilts Grandma made, thank goodness.

Is there a toy or doll you had as a child that you still have? Or that you wish you still had? I’m curious.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, books, dolls, Mei, Pippa, reading 46 Comments

Flowers, Books, Laptop

July 20, 2021 at 8:21 am by Claudia

I’ve never seen so many flowers on this particular day lily open at the same time. I happened to walk around the side of the house to this garden bed and what a sight to behold! If only day lilies weren’t day lilies, if you know what I mean. Shouldn’t these beauties be allowed to bloom for a week? Or longer?

Today promises to be sunny and hot, but where will I be? Driving over an hour to the Apple Store to finally take my laptop in. Reminder: the ‘t’ key isn’t working. All this time, I’ve been delaying appointments, either because of the weather or because of my shoulder/neck problems which made me uncomfortable driving. Or because I just wasn’t in the mood. I downloaded photos for the blog via my laptop and then wrote the posts on Don’s laptop. This morning, I downloaded several photos to the blog so I’ll have some available for future posts should I have to leave the laptop for repair – which seems likely. I forget how much I rely on my little computer.

Anyway, this will take up much of the day.

What else is new? I’ve been reading a book on Monet, which I’m enjoying. I’m reading an Elly Griffiths Ruth Galloway mystery. We are watching the Swedish version of Wallander and, let me tell you, it is stunningly good. Far better, in my opinion, than the Branagh version. I really like Kenneth Branagh, but Krister Henriksson, who plays Wallander in the Swedish version is brilliant, beyond brilliant – as is the rest of the cast. Henriksson is Wallander. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

We’ve been watching so much Nordic Noir that I now want to visit Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. If only…

I’m not hearing quite as much birdsong in the morning, which always makes me sad. I know it happens every year, but oh, how I miss it. There’s still birdsong, but not nearly enough. I did hear a wren this morning, but it’s now clear that our ‘tenants’ aren’t going to have another brood in our little birdhouse. Mama robin, on the other hand, is still on the nest. I watched her yesterday and I think she was feeding at least one baby, but I can’t swear to it.

Okay. Have to go and start getting ready for the trek.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

 

Filed Under: birds, books, flowers, life, reading 18 Comments

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • …
  • 79
  • 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 - 2025 Mockingbird Hill Cottage · Log in