Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for roses

Roses in Training

June 16, 2013 at 9:43 am by Claudia

rosyporch

All roses report for duty!

New Dawn rose: Thank you for finally blooming. You are a climber and I was tired of your long limbs falling into the garden instead of growing upward. I think we’ve finally come to an agreement. With the addition of some fabric strips, I have tied your lovely branches to the downspout and to the porch railings.

I must mention here, New Dawn, that I did not appreciate your thorns and their intrusion into my skin.

newdawn

But, once again, your beauty has saved you. I would be tougher on a wild rose. But your pale pink perfection gives me pause. Just try to be less painful in the future.

trainingroses

You’re looking good. I like the way your tendrils are oh-so-gracefully trailing downward. You might want to clean that railing, however.

pinkrosethrurailing

I’m impressed with the way you are peeking through the railing just behind the rusty glider. I can catch your scent on the breeze. Well done.

And now for Lady Elsie May.

rosesthrurailings

Lady Elsie May: After several years of growth and expansion, you have managed to do what I wanted you to do. But you’ve done it naturally. Big points for artfully poking your way through the porch railing. I like the contrast between your green leaves and rosebuds with the porch railing and rusty glider. Excellent work.

rosesthroughrailings2

Yes, well done, indeed. You’ve earned a commendation.

And now for you, little bumblebee that I spent long periods of time trying to capture with my camera. You could have stayed still a bit longer than you did. The constant flitting between flowers is enough to drive a girl crazy. But then again, who stands in one place for half an hour, camera in hand, trying to capture your elusive beauty? (I suspect there are a lot of us.)

bumblebee

bumblebeespirea

bumblebee3

You are invaluable, bumble bee. You pollinate. Your presence in the spirea, catmint and anything else that is blooming is appreciated. And you don’t get angry with me and attack me, though you could – unlike your friend the New Dawn rose.

Happy Father’s Day to my dad, who is just 3 months short of his 90th birthday. And Happy Father’s Day to the father of Winston, Scout and Riley, my sweet husband.

Happy Sunday.

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Filed Under: Dad, Don, flowers, garden, life, porch, roses 24 Comments

How Do I Love Thee, New Dawn Rose?

June 2, 2012 at 9:18 am by Claudia

Oh New Dawn climbing rose, I love thee.

Was there ever a flower with such a delicate touch of pink?

It rained very hard here last night and I’m afraid to go out and see the current condition of those beautiful flowers. I can see from the window that the peonies are drooping down to the ground. Hey, rain: I like you and I know we need you, but for the love of all that’s pretty, don’t rain so hard that you ruin my flowers. A gentle rain will do nicely, thank you.

I mowed the back forty and the front lawn yesterday with our push mower. I’m wiped out and my allergies are screaming. (I’m allergic to grass.) But the lawn looks good. Because we live in the country, we don’t have a pristine lawn. It’s a mix of grass, some weeds and some moss. It doesn’t bother me because I’m not one to do all the sorts of stuff you have to do to have a picture-perfect lawn. I also don’t use chemicals on my garden or my lawn. I’d rather it be natural. However, because it is such a mix of green things, it can look ragged pretty fast. Don always looks at me like I’m crazy when I announce it’s time to mow again. But don’t you love that freshly mown look? I do.

It’s my work out. And, since I hate exercising, this seems to be my ‘natural’ form of keeping fit.

Let’s have another look at New Dawn:

Exquisite.

New Dawn, you’re giving my peonies a run for their money. Someday I hope to have you climbing all over the porch rail and up a trellis. I can sit on the glider and drink in your scent. We will take pictures of each other sitting on the glider, reading a good book, surrounded by New Dawn roses. Sigh.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: flowers, garden, rain, roses 21 Comments

Gifts, Shop Update & a Rose

May 31, 2012 at 8:03 am by Claudia

The heat and humidity have broken and it’s a glorious, sunny morning here at MHC. The grass has had the temerity to grow and I see a few days of mowing in the near future. (Sssh – don’t tell anyone, but I sort of like mowing.)

I have to share something with you that I received from my friend, Judy Clark. Judy has a wonderful Etsy shop that is wildly popular, 20 North Ora. Her pillows, banners and other creations are simply beautiful. Judy and were talking a while back and she mentioned that she’d like an Obsession Scarf. I knew that she had made a Nisse doll for Brenda, so I boldly asked if we could do a swap. (I wrote all about my obsession for these sweet dolls here.)

She agreed. I sent her the scarf and here’s what arrived on my doorstep the other day:

I think I got the better end of the deal. Oh. my. goodness. Isn’t she sweet? I am thrilled. I love the fabrics Judy chose, don’t you? Judy also sent along those cute pinwheels and a banner/bunting/garland (I’m never sure what to call these) that I found the perfect place for:

The dollhouse looks rather festive now, don’t you think? Just in time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Thank you, Judy. Your work is exquisite and I will treasure your creations. Make sure you stop by Judy’s shop and see what she’s been creating.

I suppose it will be my Diamond Jubilee later this year, too. Yikes. Perhaps someone will design a bunting/garland in honor of that occasion? (I’m going to try to ignore it.)

Speaking of Etsy, I have a little update for you. I’ve listed my Crochet Flower Garland.

Initially, I’m listing the garland in the same colors I used in my own garland. I’m making them as they are ordered, so allow a few days before shipping. Each garland will have 12 flowers – 6 in aqua and 6 in the pale aqua. I’ll also include a length of ribbon.

I use Peaches & Creme yarn for these because it has a slightly stiffer quality that works well for the flowers. I ordered it in other colors, as well, so if you’re interested in the garland in another color combination, email me or convo me on Etsy and we’ll talk.

And it wouldn’t be my blog in the spring without a flower photo:

This is the New Dawn Rose that I planted last year. I’m training it to climb up the porch railing. I think this is my favorite rose (don’t tell the others) because that soft, blush pink is so beautiful.

I have to store up all the gloriousness (is that a word?) of the garden in my heart and mind. Its time is so fleeting. I’m so glad I’m home this spring to enjoy every moment of it.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: etsy, flowers, garden, gifts, roses 20 Comments

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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.

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Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

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