Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Rivers, Spring, Scout and Scarves

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I live on one side of the Hudson River. Trader Joe’s is on the other side, far enough away that it’s in a different state. Today, I’m crossing the spectacular Hudson River, over this very bridge, on a quick run to TJ’s. The cupboards are bare, my friends.

I need to take a one day break from rock lifting. I started to clean out the garden beds yesterday and saw lots of little green things springing out of the ground. Ah, spring. What is it about it that lifts my mood? Despite all the stress and the worries, I find my overall mood is much lighter, much happier. And the weather has been so beautiful. Believe me, those of us in the Northeast do not take this unseasonably warm weather for granted. No, we bask in it, we play, we garden, we run around with smiles on our faces!

Miss Scoutie on our walk. This girl is love and spirit and joy and fun. She’s 13. She plays like she’s 3.  Every morning she greets me with a smile on her face, happy and excited and playful and ready for a brand new day. How can I not smile and be equally joyful, even though I am far from a morning person? She’s my teacher. So is Riley. I learn from them every day.

There’s that heart on her side. I love my little girl.

Two new scarves are in the shop, if you’re interested. One is in that gorgeous shade of green; I call it apple green or spring green. The other is in a shade of taupe that I’ve fallen in love with. The perfect neutral for your wardrobe. Both are light-as-a-feather blends of bamboo.

I’m experimenting with a larger size photo in my posts. Are they too large or do you like them this way?

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

On the Rocks

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I find beauty in rocks…up to a point.

After several days of raking, digging, dumping and then finding even more rocks, they have lost their appeal. Right now, the swath of dirt that is my front yard has lots of piles like this one.  I’ve resorted to dumping them in the woods.

Rocks are heavy, I might add.

A view of the front yard. This expanse of dirt also curves around the house and up to the septic tank:

Occasionally, I see some hardy tufts of grass. (Maybe a miracle will occur overnight and this grass will multiply!)

But mostly, I see dirt. And rocks. And more where that came from.

This is what’s left of my dear Weeping Willow. This photo is deceiving because the trunk is really massive.

Oh, yes, let’s add wood chips to the mess in the front yard and on the driveway.

And tire treads.

I have no idea how I am going to level all this and get it seeded, but I will. And I’ve finally managed to persuade Don to pitch in. I feel more of a sense of urgency than he does since I will be leaving for Hartford three weeks from today.

The garden? I haven’t even begun to start cleaning it up.

The weather has been glorious. Yesterday it was in the 70’s here and beautiful. And I take heart when I see signs of spring.

New growth on a rose bush.

A tulip showing its new leaves.

But I still can’t get used to this empty space in front of the house.

There should be a big old weeping willow shading the porch, hiding us from the traffic on the road, branches moving gracefully in the breeze.

Ah well. More rock work is on the docket for today.

The winner of a copy of The Dispatcher is comment number 18 – Zooperson. I don’t have your email address so please send me an email with your shipping address and I will forward it on to TLC Book Reviews.

A new scarf is in the Etsy shop in that shade of springy green. And there will be another one listed tomorrow in a lovely shade of taupe.

Have a wonderful Monday.

Interview with Serena Thompson of The Farm Chicks and My Favorite Find

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I met Serena Thompson of The Farm Chicks last year at the Where Women Cook launch in NYC. Let me tell you, she is as sweet as can be, a lovely person. Serena is a successful entrepreneur who has inspired so many of us. (Do I need to say how much I would love to go to The Farm Chicks show? And how jealous I am of all those vintage lovers who live in her neck of the woods?) On Monday, Serena is launching her new venture called My Favorite Find. I had a chance to interview Serena about My Favorite Find, The Farm Chicks and starting a business.

Hi Serena, I met you last year at The Where Women Cook launch in NYC.

Serena: That was great fun!

Congratulations on your new venture!

Serena: Thank you so much!

What is My Favorite Find?

Serena: My Favorite Find is a virtual show-and-tell. You can search for great shoppes and events like yard sales, antique shows, craft retreats and more, anywhere in the world, then show-and-tell your finds.

How did the idea for this new venture come about?

Serena: I was getting a lot of mail from readers all over the world, wanting to know how they could find great shoppes and events in their area and from others wanting to know how how they could promote their shoppes and events. I couldn’t believe there wasn’t a place for these two worlds to connect, so I decided to create it myself.

You are an entrepreneur. When you started The Farm Chicks, did you already have a Big Plan in mind? Or did it grow in a way you never could imagine?

Serena: I dreamed of a big show, but I had no idea that it could grow into so much more. The evolution has been amazing and I feel very fortunate to get to do what I do.

What are your dreams for My Favorite Find?

Serena: My goal is to connect everyone together in one place where you can find what you love and celebrate it together.

So many women admire you. You’ve managed to grow a successful business. I know that you are incredibly supportive of other women in business. Do you have any tips for starting and growing a business that you might share with us?

Serena:Here are a few thoughts:

Come up with a good solid plan of what it is you want to do. It’s important to not be too all over the place with what you’re doing. If your business is hard for others to understand, it probably won’t be too successful.

Be inspired by others, but don’t duplicate their work. If your business is similar to others, it won’t get noticed.

Surround yourself with good, like-minded people and who build each other up. If you don’t feel good about someone, trust your intuition.

And finally, do you have your very own Favorite Find?

Serena: My greatest score of all time was a shirt I bought at a yard sale for 10 cents and sold for $860!

Thank you, Serena, for this opportunity.

Serena: Thank you!

I’ve had the chance to explore My Favorite Find and I know you are going to love it. Be sure to stop by on Monday. Here’s the link again: My Favorite Find.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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