Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Self-Care: Maintaining Balance

June 23, 2015 at 3:15 pm by Claudia


6-8 whiteroses
As I traverse this part of my life, I’ve learned that I need to do whatever I can to take care of myself.  To be in balance, both in my body and my life. Self-care. For me that means several things. First and foremost, I eat a vegetarian diet and have done so for over thirty years. Whole foods and a plant-based diet – grains, legumes, soy, fruits, and vegetables – make up my daily food intake. I feel healthier when I eat this way. I feel stronger.

But sometimes I overindulge in sugar. I’ve done that a lot this year. When that happens an imbalance occurs. I gain weight. I feel less than vigorous. I start to see the tell-tale signs that I’ve overdone it. So, I have to get things back in balance. I’ve recently started to eliminate sugar once again.

The same goes for sleep. One of the ways in which I take care of myself is to keep to a regular sleep schedule. I know that I need to be in bed reading a good book by about 10:30 at the latest. I wake up around 6 am, every day. If that schedule is disrupted, which – let’s face it – is going to happen occasionally, my balance is off. I have to correct, to find my balance again.

Self-care is something we all do, whether it has to do with diet, with exercise, with sleep, or with any imbalance in our bodies and our spirits. Fresh air, exercise, a positive attitude, a sense of abundance and thankfulness – all of these things go into creating a balance for ourselves. If basic needs aren’t met or if stress and crazily busy schedules take over our lives, we’re going to need to correct at some point. Just as the pilot of a plane or a boat that has gone off course needs to correct and get back on course.

Sleep. Exercise. Meditation/Mindfulness. Diet. Taking time for oneself. All of those things will contribute to feeling rested, fresh and balanced.

I used to, and still do at times, suffer from yeast infections. I can’t think of a woman I know that hasn’t suffered from that at one time or another. Yeast infections = a body out of balance. I’ve used Monistat® for yeast infections more times than I can count.

And, like every woman out there, I want to feel fresh. I look for products that maintain a feeling of freshness, that eliminate odor. Monistat® to the rescue. They now have a Complete Care™ line, which includes Stay Fresh Gel from Monistat® Complete Care™, a product that helps eliminate feminine odor and restore feminine freshness for three days. It helps maintain vaginal pH, and it’s fragrance and paraben-free.

See? There it is again. Balance.

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Filed Under: life 177 Comments

Cottage Details

June 23, 2015 at 9:25 am by Claudia

We rehearsed until 10 pm last night, so I’m a bit off today. The students often have classes scheduled in the mornings, so rehearsals can’t start until the afternoon. Since I tend to wake up early, I’m fading by about 8 pm! Luckily, I slept in a bit today.

More photos from my walking tour on Sunday:

6-23 whitehousewithhighporch

The details on these cottages never fail to enchant me. This one has a porch that is high off the ground and another porch on the second level (a common occurrence in Chautauqua). The siding is board and batten. The detail around the two roof peaks is absolutely charming – and the diamond-shaped windows! Don’t you just want to sit on this porch and while away the hours?

6-23 shingle detail

And then there’s detail like this – subtle, but charming.

6-23 anotherwhitehouse

There are grand houses around here and I will share some photos of them with you over the next two weeks, but my favorites are the modestly sized cottages – many of them Carpenter Gothic in style. I’ve noticed that many homeowners have named their cottages. This one is The Buckeye, which makes me think these homeowners hail from Ohio.

Many of them have a vase of flowers adorning a table on the porch – beautifully arranged, cottage in style. Hanging ferns, planter boxes, painted furniture in a lovely shade of blue, flag waving…perfect.

6-23 favoritewhitehouse

I have two favorite houses here. This one is my second favorite. That’s a yellow chair on the porch, which seems to be a perfect choice for an all-white house.

The railing…oh my heavens! I love everything about this house. The details are incredible. I’ll try to get a full-on shot later this week.

I have one absolute favorite that I’ll share with you later in the week.

A heads up: Someone who is dear to my heart in every way is having a birthday tomorrow, and for the second year in a row, I’m working out of town and can’t be there with him. So, will you help me out and stop by tomorrow to wish the guy I live with a Happy Birthday? See you then.

Happy Tuesday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: Chautauqua, cottage, Don, On The Road 29 Comments

A Walk on the Grounds

June 22, 2015 at 8:35 am by Claudia

Sunday was our day off. We went grocery shopping, I did some laundry (there’s a convenient and free  washer and dryer just down the hall) and, when I realized the predicted rain was not  coming, I took a long walk around the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution.

I took lots of pictures, which I’ll share with you this week.

By the way, if you want to learn more about the Chautauqua Institution, visit their website by clicking here.

6-22 ampitheater

The incredible amphitheater, built in 1879. Yes, you see organ pipes behind the stage. So many famous people have been on that stage – the mind boggles. Last year, I heard the symphony play in this space, attended the Opening Ceremony, and listened to Tom Brokaw.

6-22 presby association

There are Houses (like this Presbyterian House) scattered throughout the grounds. People, presumably of that faith, can rent rooms and take part in all the summer activities.

Although, whoever is in charge of the sign needs to brush up on letter and number spacing.

6-22 antenaeum hotel

The gorgeous (and huge) Athenaeum Hotel. There are rocking chairs all along that porch and sitting in them is a favorite activity around here.

6-22 victorian tower

A glimpse of a Victorian-era tower.

6-22 red bridge

6-22 railing

I love the railing on this building.

6-22 lakeshore

6-22 seagulls

Seagulls perching.

6-22 dock

I stood on this dock for a long time. Oh, to live on the water.

6-22 lake

And then I sat on a bench here. My dream has always been to live on a lake. When I am lucky enough to visit a place like Chautauqua, which is situated on the shores of Chautauqua Lake, I feel my shoulders dropping, I take deep breaths, I relax.

Maybe some day?

6-22 belltower

The bell tower, which is on the lakeshore and is the symbol of the Chautauqua Institution. It chimes on the hour and half hour. Come to think of it, I think it chimes on the quarter hour, as well.

6-22 sparkling water

Ahhhh. My grandfather built the first cottage on a lake called Silver Lake. It was very modest. We used an outhouse when I was a kid. It was a big deal when the indoor bathroom was installed. My father and his siblings inherited it when my grandfather passed away, but my Aunt Lettie spent the most time there, so the other siblings eventually sold their shares to her. Nevertheless, it remained the Family Cottage and we all gathered there on summer holidays, as well as for a week or two at time during the summer.

Summers at The Lake, as we called it, were part of my growing up years and I suppose they have left their mark on me. I long to live on a lake, to hear the gentle sound of waves lapping the shore, to sit on the dock, to sleep to the sound of the water.

In the meantime, I will visit this lake as often as possible.

Don had to leave the house at 2 am this morning in order to be in Manhattan by 4:30 am. He was being picked up at that time by a driver who then took him to the film location in Brooklyn. He’s filming his third episode of Mr. Robot. Poor Don! I imagine he’ll collapse when he gets home. Friends of ours are stopping by to check in on Scoutie.

Happy Monday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

 

Filed Under: Chautauqua, On The Road 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.

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