Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

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Is That Sunlight? & Squares 17 &18

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I can’t tell you enough how welcome this sunny weather is! The house is flooded with light, the temperatures are considerably warmer and it all makes me smile. (Excuse the mess on my sewing table.) I was walking the dogs yesterday and heard the honking of Canadian geese. There in the sky, way above us, were hundreds of geese flying in a perfect V. What an amazing sight!

Don is still in San Diego with his Dad and siblings. Not much has changed at this point. Lee (my father-in-law) is still sedated and his lungs are still filling up with fluid which has to be suctioned out. Because of the tube and IV’s he is still heavily sedated. He has squeezed Don’s hand and grimaces when procedures are being done. A doctor took some time to explain everything yesterday and said that they want to lessen the sedation but it is a bit of a balancing act. Yesterday, they eased up on the sedation but the oxygen levels in Lee’s blood dropped, so they had to sedate him once again. Long hours are being spent at the hospital by everyone. I remember this so well from my Dad’s hospitalization a few years ago. Please keep those healing thoughts coming. I told Don that I want Lee to be well and back home so that I can visit him when I go out to San Diego next month.

My needle threader broke, so I had to run out to Joanne’s to get some more. I didn’t stitch squares 17 and 18 until last night:

#17 – a hanging plant – the hanging plants on my porch are always purple for some reason.

#18 – the ocean – if I have to leave my family for 10 weeks, at least I can spend some time gazing at the Pacific Ocean.

Have a wonderful day.

My Colors & Square #16

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As I was photographing my latest square on the kitchen island, (where the sun was flooding the room with light – finally) it struck me how much these colors have become my favorites. There I was, trying to position the sampler, my sewing basket next to me and I realized that the china has the same colors. The china that is on a cake plate under a glass dome right there on the island. How I love these colors! I’ve used them in my studio, as well. They’re perfect for this almost-Spring day, aren’t they?


The process of creating a square each day can be a bit daunting, but I find the actual stitching very calming. I look forward to it. Have you noticed that my friend Elyse has joined in? Yippee! She has stitched some lovely flowery squares. It’s not too late, if you want to stitch along with us. Just visit the 39 squares blog and sign up.

Yesterday, I drove Don to the airport. His flight was leaving from an airport that is about an hour and a half from us and the weather was terrible. Torrential rains, flooding, foggy windshield – I was totally exhausted when I got home. He arrived in San Diego late last night, went straight to the hospital and spent the night in his Dad’s room. I spoke with him briefly this morning when he called me from the hospital. I don’t know whether his Dad is alert enough at this point to know he is there, yet I’m sure he knows he’s there and feels Don’s love and energy. Friends are generously lending a car, he’s staying in the apartments owned by the theater – all is well. I’ll update you when I know more about his Dad’s condition.

Square #16:


Ode to my hydrangeas. I look forward to seeing them soon!

Squares 14 and 15

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Square #14 – my initial


Square #15 – a cup of my favorite brand of coffee – Peets

Here’s what we have so far:


Sorry about the photos – it is very dark and rainy here today and this is the best I can do.

No McCoy today – I just didn’t get around to it. Don’s father is holding his own. He is still sedated and lots of tests are being run. Don really feels he needs to be there so he will be flying to California this afternoon. His Dad wrote “Don” on his brother Peter’s hand. I think that clinched it.

Thank you for all your support and healing thoughts. My father-in-law is feisty and a fighter. He has made no bones about the fact that he wants to live. That’s good news.

Have a wonderful Monday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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