Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Page 1502 — Mockingbird Hill Cottage

This about sums up my sentiments today. We’re supposed to have rain off and on for the next four days. And the last several days have been rainy. I have to remind myself there was a time not so long ago that I was worried about a drought and our well.

Right now, it’s sunny. Fingers crossed, I’m hoping it lasts a while.

In the midst of yesterday’s gloom, I ran outside to take this photo:

I love this time of the year, when both rose bushes planted at the front of the house are blooming. And if you start at the left, you can see the spirea has just started to bloom and the hydrangea heads are getting bigger. Right behind that hydrangea is the New Dawn rose, tucked away in another bed. Oh, and the clematis keeps on blooming over there on the right. The rose bush in front of the porch is called Lady Elsie May and it keeps blooming throughout the summer. It’s really grown and is taking over a bit. I know there are many who would keep these bushes trimmed a bit more than I do, but I really like that sort of riotous, slightly overgrown cottage garden look.

The spirea with its delicate pink blossoms.

And Miss New Dawn, be still my heart.

I’m feeling a bit better and thank you for your concern. My allergies seem to be especially bad this year and they are not helped by the rain (molds and mildew) or the grass (grass pollen) or the trees (tree pollen) or all the other pollen that is wafting around in the air around here. I’ve really been suffering. I know many of you suffer from allergies as well. I always find it ironic that the very things in the great outdoors that fill my heart with joy also set off my allergies. Sort of a cosmic joke, don’t you think?

The rain has overwhelmed the peonies. We wait and wait for peonies to finally bloom, knowing their time is short, and somehow, every year, it rains like the dickens and, boom, their blooms are dragging on the ground. (That sentence was a bit too long and overly full of commas.) I salvaged a few peonies yesterday and they are now sitting in a vase on the coffee table.

The Catalpa tree is just starting to bloom, but so far only at the very top of the tree. Normally, I wouldn’t even be aware of it yet, but the rain has driven some blossoms down to the ground. (Wait until you see it in bloom – gorgeous!) Here’s a blossom. Isn’t it beautiful? Those delicate lines of purple, the shot of yellow – and the scent is heavenly. Whenever I see a blossom on the ground, I pick it up and inhale its aroma.

Today I have to send out the garlands some of you bought on Etsy. I apologize for the delay but I just didn’t have the energy to crochet over the weekend.

And I have to find a job.

My nephew, Meredith’s son David, graduates from high school this week. It seems like just yesterday he was a toddler, visiting us in San Diego. Now, he’s a strapping, handsome young man who swims competitively and will be attending Ohio State in the fall. He’s also very, very funny. And you know I like funny. Congratulations, David! Love you.

And congratulations to Meredith for getting him through high school. It wasn’t easy.

Thanks to Jen from Muddy Boot Dreams. Yesterday, she linked to a recipe from Smitten Kitchen for Rhubarb Snacking Cake. I love rhubarb so I made it. So yummy! And a big thumbs up from Don.

Okay, I’ve rambled on enough. Blame it on my allergies.

Happy Tuesday.

While looking for something I had misplaced (still haven’t found it) I came across a set of 4 vintage napkins that were given to me one Christmas by Heidi’s daughters, Whitney and Aubrey.

Obviously, I swooned when I saw them. I love everything about this sort of vintage linen: the colors, the design, the thickness of the fabric. I tend to think this design comes from the 50’s – what do you think?

Anyway, they’ve been sitting in a drawer for a long time since Don and I rarely use cloth napkins. I know; we should be the kind of people who always set a beautiful table, with napkins in holders, and flowers on the table. We aren’t. 99% of the time, we eat our dinner on trays in the den. We like it.

Why not make them into a table runner? (Because even if we don’t eat there, I like the table to look pretty.) I’m sure I am far from the first person to come up with this idea and it’s awfully simple and straightforward.

I love it. So quick, so easy. I just pinned them together, making sure they were nicely aligned, fired up the sewing machine and there you have it. Now I have another shot of aqua in the kitchen and I get to see that fabulous pattern every day.

It’s a great way to use vintage napkins and linens. I have a whole slew of them and I just might have to make some more of these.

Happy Monday.