Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Page 1148 — Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Green

May 2, 2015 at 9:52 am by Claudia

Let’s get the under-the-weather stuff out of the way. Still feeling crappy. Still congested. Have now entered the coughing my lungs out stage.

I was trying to decide whether to go to a run-through of Kiss Me Kate on Sunday or Wednesday. Well, no one needs to hear me coughing constantly as he/she is trying to remember lines and sing and dance, so Wednesday it is. Thank goodness I have some flexibility there.

And I just found out I’m going back to Chautauqua for 3 weeks to coach Our Town. The director is an old friend of mine – one of the most delightful people I know – and I loved Chautauqua, so this is a win-win. Don will hold down the fort here. Don was just in Our Town. Now, I’m coaching it. Full circle in the Hill-Sparks household.

And you’ll get to see photos of Chautauqua – a delightfully charming place, which is like another world. Sort of like Brigadoon.

I ventured out in the afternoon yesterday to see what was happening on the property. My word for this post is: Green. New growth is everywhere.

5-2 spirea

Spirea

5-2 flowering quince buds

Flowering quince buds

5-2 climbing hydrangea

Climbing hydrangea

5-2 lilacs

Lilacs – just about ready to open

5-2 wild honeysuckle

Wild honeysuckle

5-2 hydrangea

Limelight hydrangea

Glorious. Everything is late this spring, but today’s temps in the high seventies and bright sunlight will move things along.

I still haven’t mulched, simply because I don’t have the energy to go the garden shop to buy it. Maybe Monday? For now, I’m taking it easy because I have no choice. I’m just about finished with my current book and then I have to start another one to review. I have several book reviews coming up in the next month or two and that means more giveaways. Huzzah!

That took all my energy. I’m going to sign off now.

Happy Saturday.

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Just Two More

May 1, 2015 at 8:36 am by Claudia

In the interest of being honest here, I feel like most of my subject matter for the last month has been my stuff: first, my egg cup collection, and then the McCoy collection. Then there are all the gifts I’ve been receiving lately, which have been delightful surprises, of course. I talk about them because I think it’s important to highlight both the giver and the gift in this space; to say thank you, both privately and online.

But I feel uncomfortable. Am I showing off too much? Do you read these posts and think, “Geez, this girl gets a lot of presents. Enough, already!”? (I think I’m breaking a rule or two by using an exclamation point, quotation mark, and a question mark in a row.)

If you had known me for a long time, you’d know I’m pretty self-effacing, an interesting quality in one who was an actress for a big chunk of her life. But actually, I know a lot of actors who are self-effacing – including my husband. I don’t like to show off or be in the spotlight.

So you can see why I worry just a tad about this sort of thing.

But if you came to my cottage, I’d share these things with you. And since I want this blog to be like a visit to the cottage, well…

That being said, will you excuse me if I share two things with you today? Pretty please?

I succumbed to another piece of McCoy. This one is a real gem. I’ve been wanting it for a long time.

5-1 newest mccoy

Isn’t it lovely? It’s about 6 inches high. Gosh darn it – I love the leaf and berry motif that is on a lot of McCoy Pottery.

5-1 newest mccoy rear

From the rear.

I’ve always thought of this vase as the companion piece to one I already had:

5-1 two together

They make sense together. Both have the leaves and berries, both are about the same height. They’re petite vases. As I was taking photos yesterday, I ended up setting them on this desk. I think I’ll keep them there.

Then, my sister (that scamp) sent me another package this week. She is a talented knitter, crocheter and weaver, among other things. See what she made for me!

5-1 runner

A beautiful table runner. I have it folded in half in this photo because I’m still sick and I wasn’t up to tackling the stacks of mail, etc. that are currently on our kitchen table.

5-1 runner 2

Her work is so lovely, don’t you think? Thank you, dear sister, who always has several projects going, most of which you give away because you are that kind of person.

My greatest delight nowadays? Hearing my little nephew’s voice on the phone. That Little Z! I’m simply crazy about him, as is Don.

Okay.

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I’ve been talking about this on Just Let Me Finish This Page, but for those of you who don’t know about it, tomorrow is Independent Bookstore Day. Many, many bookstores around the country are planning events. Our Independent Bookstores are essential and must be supported in this age of chain stores and online monoliths. So go out tomorrow, stop by your local independent bookstore, buy a book, and thank them for all they do. Thank them for persevering. Thank them for the caring and personal relationship they have with their customers. Thank them for sharing their love of books and reading.

Do it.

Happy Friday.

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Around the House

April 30, 2015 at 8:25 am by Claudia

Because I’m still under the weather.

Because I managed to take some photos yesterday despite being sick.

4-30 view

Because this was my view for much of the day yesterday. The sun hitting those blinds makes them look neon.

4-30 use other stair

Because we say so.

4-30 bathroom plant

Because this plant loves the bathroom.

4-30 script

Because I love the American Musical Comedy.

4-30 impatiens

Because I got up out of my sick chair and moved all the over-wintered impatiens back out to the porch. Except this one. Because it’s blooming upstairs in the studio.

4-30 books