Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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McCoy Monday

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It is McCoy Monday #4 here at Mockingbird Hill Cottage. Don’t you just love this color? You know I do – you’ve seen it throughout the cottage. This is one of the larger McCoy vases and I am crazy about it. It sits on one of the side tables that I painted a creamy color last summer. The curvy, classical lines of this vase are so simple and beautiful. It is filled with dried blooms from a snowball bush that is outside my friend Heidi’s shop.

The second night of our new experiment with the dogs went fairly well. This time, though, Scout was on to us and tried to sneak upstairs. When I encouraged her to get up on the loveseat downstairs, she gave me a look that said, ” Are you kidding me?” And then she looked sad. And then I got sad. But we made it through another night. I feel guilty about her, but I don’t see any other choice. I wish I could just explain the whole thing to her – I’ve tried and maybe on some level she understands?

Tomorrow I will show you some photos of my ‘studio.’ See you then!

Tiles and Picks

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I call this “Still Life with Tiles and Picks.” Don has been practicing using a pick with his guitar and I have been finding these all over the place. We don’t need Mr. Riley snacking on a pick. I gathered them all up and dumped them on top of the mah jongg tiles in my McCoy dish. Wait…that might make a nice photo. And there you have it. Don’t you find yourself looking at everything as a potential blog photo? I do.

I’m so proud of my dogs. After much preparation, blocking off the stairs, putting all things away that an anxious dog might find potentially edible, bringing down Scout’s bed and closing the door to the den – I took Scout’s little face in my hands and explained why, for the first time ever, she had to sleep apart from us and asked her to be a good big sister to Riley. I talked to Riley, too. We left them downstairs, with a little classical music playing (just as we do when we leave the house) and cheerily said goodnight. We made a beeline for our bedroom, closed the door, turned on the white noise machine and hoped that all would go well. I, being the sap that I am, started crying. The dogs are always with us in our bedroom and this would be a major change to their routine.

This morning, we tiptoed out into the hallway, peeked down the stairs and saw them both sleeping. Scout was on the loveseat, Riley was on his favorite area rug. No messes, no puddles, no nothing! They really handled it well. They are such good dogs.

It is so cold here today – I’ve haven’t gone outside at all. Around mid-afternoon, I heard my husband let out an ‘Oh no’ as he realized the hot water pipe in the kitchen had frozen. Luckily, he discovered it just in time and we used a hair dryer to warm up the pipe. Crisis averted.

Spring, please come quickly.

Generous Gifts

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Let me first of all thank all of you for your supportive, loving comments about Riley. The night went fairly well, except for a period where he wondered where his Dad and Scout were and started pacing. I had to get up with him twice and let him out in our sub-zero temperatures. Don and I are now thinking seriously of leaving both dogs downstairs for the night. They would be in the living room, which is the room they hang out in when we leave the house. Scout could have her bed there and hopefully, after a period of adjustment, they would be okay with it. Riley feels better when Scout is nearby. Carrying him on our narrow stairway is probably not an option, as Riley has real anxiety issues and we think this would just add to his stress. He’s also heavy – I have a tricky back, Don has a hernia…maybe not such a good idea. I’ll update you as we muddle through this.


I have been getting packages in the mail this week – lovely gifts from 2 generous blogging friends. I should just say friends. Because they are. My friend, Donna, wrote me a note the other day asking if I would like this:


Yes! Donna knows I love roses and pink and that I collect hat pin holders. This is a shaker with holes in the top and will be perfect for displaying hat pins. She also included a lovely bookmark. Thank you, Donna!

My friend Jayne of Tallulah Belle Originals is a talented miniaturist. She creates the most wonderful flowers and plants and also has begun sculpting. She recently moved into a new house and was re-organizing her studio. She asked me if I would like this:


Yes, again! Jayne made this and I love it – don’t you think it will be perfect for the shabby dollhouse? Jayne not only sent me this, but look what else she included:

Oh my gosh! Let me give you some close-ups.


Plates, glass dishes, teacup and saucer, baskets, garden pots, a wood holder for the fireplace, a kitty….


All sort of wonderful flowers for arranging…


Vases, a pitcher, a plant and a birdhouse…


A kit for making sunflowers…


And this wonderful bird who now has a new home. Thank you, Jayne.

These little surprises come at a time when I feel very worried about Riley, stressed about life in general and am longing for Spring. I cannot tell you how much they cheered me and how much I value your friendship, Donna and Jayne. I thank you all for your never-ending support and good wishes. I’m coming up on my 2nd anniversary of blogging in February. What a joy it has been!

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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