Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / Archives for spring

Working in the Garden & Peter Cottontail

April 19, 2011 at 9:36 am by Claudia

Our own Peter Cottontail:

Taken from my vantage point at the kitchen window. I seem to be doing a lot of that lately.

Signs of spring, though so much later this year than last: tiny little sugar maple leaves. Please get big and green before I have to leave.

When it hasn’t been raining, I’ve been grabbing whatever time I can to work in the garden. I’m under a deadline here and am frustrated by a combination of unseasonably cold weather and lots of rain. I put in a new garden bed on Sunday. Oh my aching back! And it might just be a silly thing to do since I am:

a. leaving for 7 weeks in a little over a week and a half
b. don’t have a lot of extra cash (in fact, none) to spend on plants
c. will have to rely on husband to water any new additions.

What was I thinking? I’ve had this idea in my head for over a year and, quite frankly, if I wait until a time where I’m actually here in the spring, it might never happen. So I did it. I used a method I’ve read about online and that you might find helpful. After figuring out the dimensions of the bed, I covered the entire area with stacks of newspapers  (black and white – no color). Then I covered the newspapers with top soil. A little way into the process, I ran out of top soil and I didn’t want to stop to buy some more. So I used some leftover mulch. Then I used the garden hose and wet (wetted?) it all down. Fast forward about 2 weeks and I was able to easily remove the grass. It came right up. Quick and easy! Yesterday I added top soil.

I’ll have to put most of the plants in when I get back in mid-June. I still have to fill the planters and window boxes with impatiens, etc. And I have to mulch. The rest will have to wait until I get back.

Today is rainy. Big surprise. I guess I’ll have to start packing boxes to ship to Wisconsin.

Did I tell you I’m sick of packing?

You have no idea.

Filed Under: animals, garden, spring 32 Comments

Hello Robins, Welcome

April 9, 2011 at 7:14 pm by Claudia

To the First Robin
Welcome, welcome, little stranger,
Fear no harm, and fear no danger;
We are glad to see you here,
For you sing “Sweet Spring is near.”
Now the white snow melts away;
Now the flowers blossom gay:
Come dear bird and build your nest,
For we love our robin best.
Louisa May Alcott

Ah, Spring is here. Not so long ago, I kept saying to Don that when I saw the first robin, I would know the end of winter was almost here. Now, I see robins everywhere. Welcome, robins!

Filed Under: birds, spring 21 Comments

Little Hints of Spring

March 25, 2011 at 6:27 pm by Claudia

Just a quick hello. Our second snowfall of the week (grrrr!) was Wednesday. Thankfully, at this time of year it all melts rather quickly. I grabbed a few minutes of free time to check out the garden.

I see green!

Oriental Poppy.
Sedum Autumn Joy.
I was crossing my fingers about this one. I bought a potted hyacinth last year and when the time was right, I planted the bulb in the garden bed in front of the porch.
I can’t wait to see the flowers.

Well, my friends, I’m off to Wisconsin tomorrow morning for 2 days of meetings. It promises to be a chilly weekend with temperatures in the 30’s. Then on Tuesday, I have the pleasure of rising at 4 am to catch an early morning flight home. I’ll try to post something on Tuesday afternoon, then I’m off to Boston on Wednesday. As always, I’ll share my journeys with you.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Filed Under: garden, On The Road, spring 23 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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