Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for San Diego

Adding Some Pretty

April 21, 2010 at 10:48 am by Claudia

Day 4 – 5:30 am.

I’m getting enough sleep because I can’t keep my eyes open past 10 pm. I am going to have to force myself to stay up later if I want to break this cycle. I do love the quiet morning, though – watching the sun come up, hearing the sweet song of the birds.

When I sent some boxes out here, I tried to include some things that would add a bit of color and personality to the apartment but I wanted them to be relatively compact.


I found these net curtains at IKEA when I was here last year. They made a world of difference over the window – diffusing the light and covering up the vertical blinds. I really detest vertical blinds. I strung some wire across the top of the binds, then I gathered and clipped the fabric to the wire. I draped a panel across the top – much prettier!


I am always on the lookout for vintage tea towels and dresser scarves. This pink tea towel softens up the black metal coffee table.


As does this beautiful crocheted piece given to me by Elyse. It sure makes a difference on this wooden table.


Some new things have been added to the apartment. Unfortunately, this lamp is one of them. And, joy of joys, there is another by the sofa. Besides the fact that it isn’t my taste at all, the light is rather harsh.


IKEA to the rescue: this little lamp was only $19. It has a lovely pale green glass base. As for the floor lamps – I try to pretend they aren’t there. Do you recognize the mug? I bought it last year and I found it way back in one of the kitchen cabinets! No one moved it or took it. I’m so happy it is here!


This ribbon board also survived. I bought two of them last year and took one home with me. There is my 39 Squares sampler, held up with one of Elyse’s clothespins. The Mockingbird Hill Cottage badge was made for me by Jeanne. Isn’t it sweet?


A few little touches to make this place more me. I need some more little pretty things around here. Sigh. I’m on the lookout.

It is raining here today. Rain was the top story on the news here last night – I forgot how big a deal it is in San Diego. Don and I used to run outside when it thundered – we would get so excited! I’m off to coach some actors this morning. The read through of King Lear was very satisfying – we have a good cast. If all has gone according to plan, the artistic director should be flying in from London today. Cross your fingers.

Filed Under: decorating, San Diego 25 Comments

From MHC West

April 18, 2010 at 10:50 am by Claudia

The view from my balcony on this foggy morning.

Hello dear friends. I arrived safely in San Diego yesterday afternoon. I was going on 2 hours of sleep (for some reason I lie awake for hours when I know I have to get up very early!) and the journey was long. By the time I got to the apartment, I was definitely dragging.I’m in the same apartment I was in last year. When I returned home last summer, I left some things behind. Some of them are still here…and others are missing. Hmmm. I had to rearrange things like they were last year so that I could feel more at home. I shipped two boxes here and they were waiting for me in the apartment – things like my own bedding, a pretty shower curtain and some little things to make it more like home. Since I stayed here for 6 months last year, I knew exactly what was needed. Believe me, the bedspread and the shower curtain that are normally on display at the apartment are ugly. I have to have some prettiness around me if I’m going to stay here for 10 weeks!

I walked to Trader Joe’s (oh, I love that place) and carried two bags of groceries back to the apartment. I have a rental car here but past experience tells me that it is impossible to park there on a weekend. So I walked. The bags were very heavy (remember, I had only 2 hours sleep) and I thought I might not make it back! But I did. I settled in as best I could and then I just watched television until 9:00 (midnight back east) and went to bed. I woke up at 5:30 this morning and I feel much better.

I’m catching up on blogs and then I have to walk over to the theater to meet with a director. Then I plan to go to IKEA and pick up a few things. I am on a much stricter budget than I was last year….so I must be frugal.

I’ll be back with more news and photos soon.

Filed Under: On The Road, San Diego 23 Comments

Thoughts on Leaving

April 15, 2010 at 8:52 am by Claudia

Scenes from the garden…as I prepare to leave.

Sweet Violets
Oriental Poppy
Annabelle Hydrangea
Slender Peony shoots – my favorite flower
Lilac buds – just waiting to flower
A Hosta in the midst of Jacob’s Ladder
A closer look at the Weigela bloom

The garden has been mulched, with help from my husband. I’ve had the chance to mow at least once before I leave. I’ve pruned some of the wild roses that surround the property. I’ve cleared brambles, raked dead grass, and today I will pot some Impatiens for the porch. I have another box to pack…and lots of little things to take care of. I keep putting that off and I know it is because I just don’t want to face the fact that I’m leaving.

I’ve done a lot of thinking about all this. I am a nester. I love this house, my husband, my dogs, my life here. I waited so many years to have my own garden – not just a little one I carved out on a rental property. We moved in here in August of 2005, so I didn’t plant anything until the next year. Since then, I’ve watched my garden grow with great pleasure. The last couple of weeks have been a mix of joy and sadness for me. I am joyful when I am in the garden or working on the property. I can spend hours working here and there and everywhere. It is as if I lose all track of time. And I’m so happy. One day, after finishing work in the garden, I sat on the glider and looked around and cried. When I came in the house, my husband asked me what was wrong and I did my best to put into words how much I love this time of year and how sad I was to, once again, leave right when everything was starting to take off. I feel like I am leaving my child.

Most of you know that we both freelance. It has been a tough time for us – there has been no acting work for my husband for over a year. I’ve had work, thankfully, but it is off and on. Don is searching for some other kind of job. And I certainly can’t turn down 10 weeks of work. I am grateful for it. Unfortunately, that job takes me to the other side of the country and away from my loved ones and my home and garden. Oh, I’ll be a big girl about the whole thing – once I’m there I will buck up and do my best to enjoy my time in San Diego. There are friends to see, family to visit, work to be done and places to share with you.

But…I’m having a hard time in the here and now.

I will probably not post again until after I arrive in San Diego. See you soon, my friends.

Filed Under: dogs, family, garden, San Diego 33 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.

Thanks for stopping by.

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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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