Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Page 1629 — Mockingbird Hill Cottage

A New Place & an Old Friend

March 28, 2011 at 10:20 am by Claudia

Greetings from Wisconsin. Yikes, am I tired. Yesterday was a long day full of meetings and new people and chat and smiles and laughter. All good, but when I got home last night, I was on sensory overload so I couldn’t get to sleep for a long time. A lot gets packed into a short amount of time. I’m trying to be charming, funny, intelligent and wise. All the time.

My dear friend, who was the head of the training program at Boston University and was my boss, is here. He recommended me for the job. Yesterday, on my way to the table that continually had a spread of food and munchies for all of us, I saw him. Big hugs, much laughter and stories were exchanged. Last night at dinner, we continued our conversation and when he dropped me off at my motel, we were still talking. I love this guy. He’s worked with my husband many times and knew Don before I did. He is generous beyond measure, a loyal friend and colleague. He will be working here this summer, but alas, not until the latter half of the season and I will be gone by then. What a joy it has been to spend time with him.

I’ve met some wonderful people and I look forward to getting to know them better. Even though we are in the midst of gray March days here, I can see how lovely it will be in May. The outdoor theater is built into a hill, surrounded by trees. The surrounding countryside is beautiful. Today I have free time, so I plan to walk around this charming small town.

I didn’t bring my camera. You’ll have to wait until I return in May. I will be heading home early tomorrow. One night at MHC and then I’m off to Boston for 5 days. The camera will be going along on that trip.

Missing Mockingbird Hill Cottage. Missing husband. Missing these little scamps:

Need sleep.

Little Hints of Spring

March 25, 2011 at 6:27 pm by Claudia

Just a quick hello. Our second snowfall of the week (grrrr!) was Wednesday. Thankfully, at this time of year it all melts rather quickly. I grabbed a few minutes of free time to check out the garden.

I see green!

Oriental Poppy.

Sedum Autumn Joy.

I was crossing my fingers about this one. I bought a potted hyacinth last year and when the time was right, I planted the bulb in the garden bed in front of the porch.

I can’t wait to see the flowers.

Well, my friends, I’m off to Wisconsin tomorrow morning for 2 days of meetings. It promises to be a chilly weekend with temperatures in the 30’s. Then on Tuesday, I have the pleasure of rising at 4 am to catch an early morning flight home. I’ll try to post something on Tuesday afternoon, then I’m off to Boston on Wednesday. As always, I’ll share my journeys with you.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Husband’s Finds (and One of Mine)

March 24, 2011 at 10:14 am by Claudia

I’m always posting photos of treasures that I’ve found here and there. But hey, Don finds some treasures, too. Here’s one:

He discovered it at a yard sale. The red lettering says “Moxie.” Moxie was one of the first mass-produced soft drinks. Its origins were in a patented medicine called Moxie Nerve Food. Eventually it became a soft drink that is still produced today. I’ve always loved the word moxie, as in “She’s got moxie, that girl.” It means “force of character, determination or nerve.” And guess what? It originated from the name of the soft drink!

Don thought it would the perfect place to store the dogs’ distilled water.

Because our dogs sure have moxie!

Back when we were living in our rented cottage, Don started a collection of these; they’re called Jumping Jacks or pull string toys:

The guy that is second from the right – the cook – started the whole thing. Unlike the rest of them, he’s new. We found him one holiday season in a local Christmas shop. And as often happens, we were intrigued and started looking for more. The rest are vintage, made of painted wood. A few come from Austria. We used to have them hanging in the kitchen window. I’d lost track of them since we moved to MHC and thought they were packed away in the shed, but the other day I discovered them in the back of the kitchen hutch.

Now I have to find a place to hang them. They’re so charming.

Why was I digging around in the hutch? I was looking for my miniature Fiesta pitcher. Didn’t find it, but I did find the Jumping Jacks. I did buy another miniature piece of pottery the other day – not Shawnee – but in my favorite color:

That makes 3 in the collection!

I’m preparing for my whirlwind trip to Wisconsin on Saturday. I must admit to being nervous. I don’t really know anyone there and I’m shy in that kind of situation. I fly back Tuesday, then I pick up a rental car on Wednesday and drive to Boston for 5 days. Can’t wait to see my old stomping grounds, but the thought of the whole thing is rather exhausting. Wish me luck!

A New Place & an Old Friend

Little Hints of Spring

Husband’s Finds (and One of Mine)

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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