Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Page 1081 — Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Post Birthday

November 22, 2015 at 8:52 am by Claudia

Between the blog, Facebook, and Instagram, I received hundreds of birthday wishes. My cup runneth over! Truly lovely and deeply appreciated. Thank you. All of that love brought a smile to my face more than once during the course of the day.

The morning was difficult, with tears and sadness. Then I received a birthday call from my dear cousin Eileen. It’s the first time we’d be able to talk, other than via email, since Dad’s death. It was a long, wonderful conversation and by the end, my mood had completely changed. Talking about family and loss and memories with someone you grew up with, someone who shared the same larger-than-life (Eileen’s words and perfect ones at that) family is healing. I felt lighter. It was the best birthday gift.

Then I spoke with Meredith and Little Z and there was more healing. Another wonderful gift.

I took this selfie during the day yesterday.

11-22selfie3

63.

It is what it is. I took it because I’m wearing a beautiful gray sweater that Don gave me 21 years ago. My first birthday present from him. I still wear it. I still love it.

Don made me a wonderful birthday dinner.

11-22birthday dinner

Those are my favorite Crabbiless Crab Cakes. Oh my heavens. Mouth watering good.

And I had birthday cupcakes. And a card from Don and a card from Scout. And a little present. My other birthday present has not arrived yet. I’ll share it with you when it does.

But the thing that Don gave me that moved me beyond words was a birthday card.

From my parents. To their daughter. From Heaven.

I cannot express how beautiful that gesture was. He is a wonderful man and I am blessed.

The end of the day:

11-22sunset

I’m not kidding. It was spectacular.

Thank you for all the lovely birthday wishes. Thank you for being there.

Happy Sunday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Birthday

November 21, 2015 at 8:43 am by Claudia

11-21 newbornclaudia

Newborn Claudia.

I found this photo at my parents’ house. That’s my brother, Dave, on the left. God, he was a beautiful child. Simply beautiful.

Things I love about this photo: the cowboy gun belt my brother is wearing, my dad’s bow tie, the lamp, and that barkcloth used for the curtains and the pillows. I have a remnant here that looks an awful lot like this print. Mom looks beautiful, but tired, doesn’t she?

I was very sick when I was born. I turned blue and had something called infant diarrhea. So, though I was born on the 21st, I didn’t come home until Thanksgiving Day. For years, my dad would utter thanks for my homecoming during our Thanksgiving blessing.

All three of these loved ones are gone.

Obviously, this day is bittersweet. I’m trying my best to be happy, but I have to tell you, I’m mostly sad. And I think that’s to be expected. I just lost my dad three weeks ago. I’m still mourning the loss of my mom eighteen months ago.

Anyway. Happy Birthday to me!

I think it will be a low-key day, spent with my husband and doggie.

On the business side of things, I’ve listed a new Obsession Scarf on Etsy. It’s the chunkier version of the yarn I’ve been using, so it’s a bit wider and just a bit shorter in length – though the length of all of the scarves varies according to the particular skein I’m working from. It’s in a gorgeous gradient called Into The Woods. Beautiful.

11-21 intothewoodsscarfblog

11-21 intothewoodsscarfblog2

Happy Saturday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Thoughts on Friday

November 20, 2015 at 8:46 am by Claudia

11-20 lambchop&baby

Lamb Chop and Baby Lamb Chop. They’re hanging out by my side of the bed these days. They make me smile.

As soon as I took this picture, protests for equal time were heard reverberating through the upstairs walls.

11-20 lamb on bookshelf

A gift from Sheila.

11-20 two sheep

On the left, a gift from Judy. On the right, a gift from Lori (owner of Vignettes in San Diego.)

11-20 lamb with party hat

And the Lamb With The Party Hat – star and symbol of this blog.

I love my little lambs and sheep. My sister, also a lover of all things sheep, has even more than I do!

il_570xN.401302491_hwyf

I put a new Obsession Scarf in the Etsy shop yesterday evening and within minutes, it sold! I couldn’t believe how quickly it went. It’s in a particularly lovely colorway in blues and purples. If you see something and it’s snapped up before you can buy it, let me know. I do take orders and I am happy to make one up for you and reserve it on Etsy under your name. I’m only crocheting these scarves for a limited time, and I’m just about to order some more yarn. So let me know.

By the way, I keep meaning to tell you this: the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree for 2015 came from our little town. Yep. The whole thing happened while I was away in Florida. At first, I was sad because I hate the idea of cutting down a magnificent tree that has lived so many years, but a friend of mine assured me that the owners were worried it was going to fall on their house and were going to cut it down anyway. Big trucks came down Main Street (where the tree was located) and a crowd gathered and pictures and selfies were taken and the next time we see the tree, it will be at Rockefeller Center.

I try to avoid the political on this blog, but really, the anti-immigrant fear-baiting rhetoric I’m hearing is simply appalling to me. We’re talking about a humanitarian crisis that is being used for political purposes. If you are my friend on Facebook, you know how I feel about this. And anyone spewing such xenophobia who calls himself/herself a Christian might want to reread Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Immediately.

I’m stopping there, but believe me, I could write a lot more.

Happy Friday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Post Birthday

Birthday

Thoughts on Friday

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Archives