Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Scenes from Home

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The trouble with going home is that you don’t want to leave.

I awoke quite early this morning and that’s when I snapped these photos. The weather is beautiful, but still hovering slightly between winter and spring. Last night the temp went down to the thirties and today it will rise to the mid-seventies. Don and I worked outside most of the day yesterday. He mowed the back forty and I weeded the garden, hauled some things out of the shed and used the two bags of mulch I had that were leftover from last year to mulch a few of my garden beds. The day started out cloudy but turned very sunny and warm and, though my back and hip ache, oh, how glorious it was to be outside, working and tending to my garden.

I feel a bit as if I have come out of hibernation.

The stresses of our life seem to be holding steady; trying to pay the bills while freelancing and living paycheck to paycheck, wondering where and when the next job will come while trying to remain positive and open to miracles. Somehow, working outside helps me to forget all of that and just be for a few hours. Sometimes, even for a day. It’s the best kind of therapy and is certainly a lesson in gratitude.

Now I have to pack up my things and get ready to hit the road for Hartford. And not think about leaving my little girl again.

Happy Wednesday.

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Forty-Eight Hours: Mowing, Gardening & Cuddling

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lilacs

Sweet lilacs. Sigh.

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The orange-red blossoms of the weigela are adding a splash to the green landscape.

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Poppy and catmint. A study in texture and color.

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Daffodils, grasses, yarrow (in the background.)

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Hostas unfurling their leaves.

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And my mysterious miracle bulbs, long buried under too much soil, rescued and replanted – aren’t they gorgeous? Such beautiful hyacinths they are.

I haven’t mulched, nor do I have the time to do that. Which means I will be doing a lot of weeding when I get back. I haven’t planted any of my seeds because I usually wait until after May 1st. Since we had such a cold, long winter, I think I’ll wait a few weeks to be on the safe side. And frankly, mowing is taking up a lot of my time. Don and I both took turns with the mower yesterday – all of the front lawn (which is huge) is done, along with the dog corral. Today I’ll tackle the back forty. The grass isn’t as long back there but if I wait until I come back for another visit to mow, it will be.

All that mowing equals some sore muscles. The first few mowing sessions in the spring are always tough, but so worth it as we gaze at the newly green expanse of front lawn. There’s so much to do around here but I have to pick my battles with only 48 hours at home. Next time? Mulching, pot and window box planting, hanging plants, porch arranging. I can’t wait! This is my favorite time of year because I love to garden, I love being outside and losing all sense of time while tending to my garden beds. It makes me very, very happy.

Don made my favorite dinner last night – Crab Cakes without the crab. I can’t remember the exact name of the recipe but as a former crab cake lover who is a vegetarian, I have to say these taste so much like crab cakes that I would never know the difference. Actually, I think they taste even better! Ummm mmmm good! We watched A Few Good Men, which is such a great movie. Jack Nicholson is brilliant.

There’s much to do today before I head back to Hartford tomorrow morning. Priority one: cuddling Don and Scout. Time goes by so quickly!

Happy Tuesday.

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A Quick Visit and a Gift

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How can everything be overgrown here in the one week that I’ve been gone?

It’s as if the grass and the weeds shouted, “Hey, she’s gone, let’s go crazy!” Yesterday, Don mowed most of the lawn that is right in front of the house and it was so long that the lawnmower kept stalling. That leaves a whole heck of a lot of grass yet to mow and it’s looking like rain today. Don considers the front lawn the only area that needs to be mowed. That leaves out the grassy area behind the kitchen and the whole back forty. We have this argument every year. Like clockwork. I insist it needs to be kept under control because it’s prettier that way, plus, there are less ticks if the grass is mowed. If you remember, I’ve had too many experiences in the past where I had to clean up overgrown areas that Don ignored while I was away. Sigh. I have to get some mowing in before I leave for Hartford.

I let Scout out this morning, walked outside and immediately came in and started to charge the battery for the weed whacker. I’ll be decimating some weeds later today. The garden, though, is filling in nicely – that makes me happy. Still only blooms on the daffodils, but the tulips are about to open. I imagine that as soon as I leave, blooms will burst forth everywhere.

There was a box waiting for me. It arrived in the mail when I was gone. I knew it was from Judy, who just might be the sweetest, most thoughtful person in the world. It was from One Kings Lane. You can bet I opened it immediately. Well, not quite immediately, I showered sleepy Scout with hugs and kisses first.

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Oh my goodness. Could these be any more adorable? Four egg cups that come with the eternal question: What came first, the chicken or the egg? They are designed by Keith Brymer Jones, who is a British ceramic designer.

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I’m thrilled. What a marvelous addition these make to my collection!

Judy, you are the best! Thank you. I love getting surprises in the mail. These made my day. Week. Month.

Don has been taking Scout for rides in the car every day. And walks. She’s been on several adventures. What a good daddy he is! I can see where this is going: Don will be the fun, exciting parent, while I will be the medicine giver, food deliverer, bath giver, toenail clipper, sort of boring but necessary parent. Ah well.

Happy Monday.

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Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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