Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Page 1044 — Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Top Secret Project Update

August 10, 2015 at 9:12 am by Claudia

Despite my level of exhaustion yesterday, or maybe because of it, I needed a little creative distraction. So, when Don was away for a few hours, I went upstairs to my little lair and worked on the Top Secret Project.

It goes without saying (but I will): Don, stop reading this post!

I had this vision of a board and batten look on the studio, so I purchased some basswood strips at Michael’s. I thought I had purchased enough for the look I wanted, but when I went back through my photos from Chautauqua, I realized that the battens were about a foot apart on most of the cottages, much closer together than I had originally planned. Since I’m working in 1:12 scale, that means the battens are an inch apart.

So I didn’t buy enough. But no matter, I can get started, right?

8-10 TSP wood pieces

I started with the front of the studio, since the battens here only need to reach the height of the windows and I had enough wood on hand to execute the look. Then I painted. Two coats.

8-10 TSP board&batten 1

I’m really happy with it. I started on this when Don was still here – with strict orders not to come upstairs – and I had to stop myself from asking him to come upstairs and “see what I’ve done!” I usually share the ongoing steps of these projects with him and now I can’t. But I can share them with you.

8-10 TSP board&batten 2

I had to close the sliding door. We do live in the country after all – a little critter might decide to visit.

What do you think?

We watched Strangers on a Train last night, one of my favorite Hitchcock movies. Perfect.

The obligatory flower photo:

8-10 zinnias

Cheery zinnias.

New post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page – it’s a review of The Cairo Affair by Olen Steinhauer.

Happy Monday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Low-Key

August 9, 2015 at 8:45 am by Claudia

8-9 limelight hydrangea 1

It’s been a low-key weekend here at the cottage. Scoutie is doing much better. Thank you for your compassionate comments yesterday.

Don went with me on a necessary trip to Michael’s yesterday. I had to get some supplies for the Top Secret Project. I had been planning on going by myself as soon as he returned home with the car, but he offered to go along. I was surprised, because he has no desire to walk through the aisles of Michael’s. Actually, neither do I, but sometimes I have to.

I should have known. Five Guys is across the street from Michael’s.

Ah, now it all makes sense.

Early morning reading. Late afternoon reading. Reading in bed last night.

I’m just about to finish The Cairo Affair by Olen Steinhauer. I reviewed his most recent spy novel, All the Old Knives, earlier this year and quickly became a fan. I reserved The Cairo Affair via our local library system (thank heaven for libraries!) His books remind me very much of the novels of John LeCarré. Excellent.

8-9 limelight hydrangea 2

And that, my friends, is the extent of my ‘exciting’ weekend. I haven’t been sleeping all that well for the past two nights and I feel rather exhausted. So, today, by necessity, will also be low-key.

It sure is a lovely day out there.

Happy Sunday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Knock, Knock

August 8, 2015 at 9:36 am by Claudia

8-8 daylily

These day lilies in the side garden just keep blooming and blooming. They have a much longer bloom time than other day lilies on the property. And the plants have become very tall! It all makes for a strikingly sculptural look.

Lest you think I have been ignoring Hummingbird Cottage, let me assure you that I tweak it now and again. Yesterday, I was sorting through a bag of minis that someone had given me and I found a door knocker. (The sorting was happening because I have stuff stashed all over the house and it’s driving me crazy. Oh, for a separate room that is just for me! I can’t tell you how happy that would make me.)

Anyway. Upon discovering the door knocker, I thought that Caroline would appreciate it.

8-8 brassdoorknocker

But it was brass. I see that a lot in dollhouse miniatures, just as a lot of the wood furniture has a darkish finish, neither of which appeals to me all that much. So I got out some metallic silver paint.

8-8 silverdoorknocker

Much better.

8-8 knockerwbrassknob

Wait a minute. The doorknob is a brass jewelry fitting. And the knocker needs to be straightened a bit.

8-8 allfixed

A dab of paint and there you go.

This was just a little task to keep me occupied while I watched Scout like a hawk during the day. Over the past couple of years, Scout has suffered from seizures. They happen rarely, but they happen. And when they happen, our poor girl suffers and we are terrified. Our vet assures us that they are nothing to be unduly alarmed about, they’re part of being a very elderly dog. As they happen rarely, there is no sense medicating her. It’s been several months since one occurred. Yesterday, while Don was away in the city, she had another seizure – this time while she was outside.

When the seizure was over and I was able to get her back in the house, I settled her on the rug, called Don, and then proceeded to stay very close to her the rest of the day. By mid-afternoon, she was up and walking around and drinking a lot of water. By early evening, her appetite had returned and she was fine.

There are all sorts of changes due to her advanced age, but I don’t talk about them very much. I’m protective about that information, just as I was about my mother’s slow decline.

We simply adjust to each change and do everything we can to make her life as easy as possible.

Happy Saturday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Top Secret Project Update

Low-Key

Knock, Knock

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Archives