Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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When ‘Grass Growing Under Your Feet’ is a Good Thing

May 7, 2012 at 8:46 am by Claudia

A look around the garden:

The catmint is bigger than ever. I have it planted throughout the large bed. I can see the beginnings of its purple blooms.

Yellow Archangel. Do you see the Jacob’s Ladder in the top left hand corner? Heidi gave me some cuttings a few years back and it has really taken off. I wish everything thrived like it does. However, it tends to take over.

I wanted it for the portion of the bed that is right under the Sugar Maple. Jacob’s Ladder does really well in shade.  But it’s a pushy little devil. I’ve already had to yank some of it out. See how it’s trying to take over where my grasses and daffodils are (in the upper right hand corner?) And how it’s creeping down around the Yellow Archangel and toward the Sedum?

The silvery Lamium will have purple blooms soon. Jacob’s Ladder will also bloom. All in good time.

The peony buds are getting bigger. Every year that we’ve lived here, the peonies have bloomed the first week of June, but I think it will be much earlier this year. Please, peonies, hold off until I get home on May 19th!

But here’s the biggest news; it may not be as pretty, but it’s pretty exciting to me:

Grass is growing! After a drought-like winter and early spring, we had some rain last week, and this is what I saw when I got home on Saturday.

That grass seed sat on the dry ground for a long time. But I remained hopeful. I’m sure we’ll have to seed in the fall, too, but it will be much less daunting. And yes, I know there are rocks there. After picking up approximately 1 jillion rocks, I finally realized it was a losing battle. Anyway: Hello, grass! Welcome!

I scrubbed down the porch yesterday, planted my pots and window boxes and added a couple of hanging plants. I must admit, the inside of the house is being woefully neglected as I devote my energies to the outside. I only have so much time on these days off. One more day at home, and then I’m off to Hartford again for 10 more days.

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: garden, grass, Mockingbird Hill Cottage 14 Comments

Lilacs & Bunnies

May 6, 2012 at 9:09 am by Claudia

My neighbor and her little girl (who is growing like a weed) came over with this bouquet yesterday. They have several old lilac bushes that are beautiful. Oh, that scent!

The usual has been going on since I arrived in the middle of the afternoon yesterday. Some mowing, some planting, some cleaning, some doggie cuddling, with more to follow. Today I plan to plant a few more flowers and give the porch a good scrubbing.

My first bunny sighting. Well, actually my second; I saw a rather large rabbit this morning when I first got up, but I didn’t have my camera nearby. But I did have time to grab the camera when I saw this little guy outside the kitchen window.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: animals, flowers 19 Comments

Music Guaranteed to Make Me Cry

May 5, 2012 at 8:00 am by Claudia



I was thinking about this yesterday as I was listening to Joni Mitchell sing River on Pandora Radio. And getting weepy. What other music makes me cry? So I assembled a list.


River by Joni Mitchell
The end of The Firebird Suite by Stravinsky
Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin
Make our Garden Grow – (from the musical Candide) by Leonard Bernstein
Both Sides Now – the most recent version sung by an older and wiser Joni Mitchell
Venus – sung by Frankie Avalon (my late brother and I used to sing it together)
Adagio for Strings – by Samuel Barber
The theme music from To Kill a Mockingbird by Elmer Bernstein
The theme music from Schindler’s List by John Williams
This Nearly Was Mine (from South Pacific) sung by Barbara Cook
I’d Sing You – composed and sung by my husband
Goin’ Out of My Head – sung by Little Anthony and the Imperials
The Party’s Over (from the musical, Bells are Ringing) – sung by Judy Holliday (who died much too young.)
Out of this World/So In Love or anything sung by Nancy LaMott (she had the most glorious voice and she also died much too young.)
Last Train Home by Pat Metheny
Losing My Mind by Steven Sondheim (a real torch song)
Since I Fell for You  – sung by Lenny Welch
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – sung by anyone, but especially Judy Garland
O Mio Babbino Caro by Puccini, sung by Kiri Te Kanawa in A Room with a View

I’m sure I will think of more as soon as I hit Publish. What’s on your list? What music pushes your emotional buttons? Please share in the comments!

Filed Under: life, music 20 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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