Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Macros and Miniatures

December 27, 2013 at 8:22 am by Claudia

dhatthetable

Early morning at the dollhouse. Perhaps some leftover coffee cake along with your coffee? The owner, whose name is Caroline, by the way, is just plain tuckered out after all the Christmas celebrations. She has a couple of days off and she’s planning on kicking back; reading, crafting, listening to music, watching old movies.

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I’ve mentioned this lovely tray before. I got it from Léa Frisoni, an amazing miniaturist. She has a shop in Paris (someday!) and wrote a book Le Grand Livre de la Maison Miniature (The Big Book of the Miniature House.) When I ordered the tray, I briefly considered ordering her book, but the cost of shipping was so high that I couldn’t do it. But recently, while emailing back and forth with my friend, Norma, a miniaturist who lives in Australia, Norma mentioned that she got the book through Amazon. Oh boy!

I did some sleuthing, found it at a shop in this country, and sent the link to a certain someone I live with.

Hint, hint.

leasbook

And here it is! It’s a gorgeous book, with lots of photos of Léa’s work, along with instructions for all sorts of things; building a house, building furniture, flooring, paneling….

It’s in French. I studied French for many years but my skills are rusty, at best. Thank goodness for Google Translate.  I am anxious to start in on some of the projects. It’s so exciting to have a sumptuous coffee table sized book on miniatures.

In fact, it’s on the coffee table in the den as I write this.

I also got these Macro Filters for my camera (another link that was emailed to a certain someone.) Jen suggested these when I bemoaned the lack of funds for a macro lens for my camera. These are an inexpensive alternative to a macro lens and I’ve just started playing with them. They’re useful in all sorts of places, but most especially in the dollhouse. Thanks so much for the tip, Jen!

Lazy describes our day yesterday. And, most likely, our day today. We both read a lot during the day, Don put salt down on the driveway, we took a walk (it was cold!), we watched my copy of Swing Time, my favorite Astaire and Rogers film.

Last night’s sunset, unedited and right from the camera:

boxingdaysunset

Happy Friday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: camera, gifts, miniatures, nature 31 Comments

Scout on Christmas Morning

December 26, 2013 at 8:42 am by Claudia

Amidst the whirlwind that is Scout when presents are involved, Don took these photos with my iPhone.

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Eyes on the treats inside of that new water bowl. Bowl = boring. Treats = OMG!

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She can’t contain her excitement. (She has a new collar. Pink with hearts. And a matching leash.)

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The whole thing was exhausting. I mean, all those presents and treats and mom and dad singing and dancing?

It’s almost too much for a girl!

I hope you had a wonderful day. We sure did. We took the day at our own pace, drank some coffee, ate a leisurely breakfast, opened presents, played around with said presents, took a walk in the very cold afternoon,  drank some hot chocolate, made a wonderful dinner, slow danced, and then topped it all off with Top Hat on TCM. Fred Astaire has long been my favorite dancer/actor/singer (I think I just might know everything there is to know about him) so that particular movie was the icing on a wonderful Christmas cake of a day.

Today will be slow-paced, full of books and reading and coffee and hot chocolate and leftovers and that pleasant relaxed feeling that comes after a lovely holiday. We are blessed.

How was your Christmas?

Happy Thursday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Filed Under: Christmas, Don, Scout 27 Comments

A Christmas Surprise

December 25, 2013 at 8:09 am by Claudia

We took a walk late yesterday afternoon. After a week that started with 63 degree temperatures, all the snow had melted, save for a few mounds here and there. When we returned to the house it was about 5 pm. Don went out to the car around 6 to grab a present that he needed to wrap. A bit of time passed as we ate dinner and got ready to watch It’s a Wonderful Life. Around 8 o’clock, Scout needed to go outside, so I opened the kitchen door to let her out and stood there for a minute, not believing my eyes. Somehow, in that little pocket of time, with no warning, snow had fallen and covered the ground. Light, fluffy, about half an inch or so.

I shouted to Don, “Don! Come Here!”

I wouldn’t tell him why.

He arrived at the door, did a double take, and shouted “Snow!”

Then we cheered and hugged and said “It’s a White Christmas!”

A wonderful Christmas Eve surprise.

We ran outside to take these pictures:

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The perfect amount of snow. We have a White Christmas.

Your last Holiday Bokeh shot:

candlebokeh

Merry Christmas to you and yours

from Claudia, Don and Scout

Filed Under: Christmas 84 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.

Thanks for stopping by.

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The Dogs

The Dogs

Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

Winston - Our first dog. We miss you, sweetheart.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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