Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Generous Gifts

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Let me first of all thank all of you for your supportive, loving comments about Riley. The night went fairly well, except for a period where he wondered where his Dad and Scout were and started pacing. I had to get up with him twice and let him out in our sub-zero temperatures. Don and I are now thinking seriously of leaving both dogs downstairs for the night. They would be in the living room, which is the room they hang out in when we leave the house. Scout could have her bed there and hopefully, after a period of adjustment, they would be okay with it. Riley feels better when Scout is nearby. Carrying him on our narrow stairway is probably not an option, as Riley has real anxiety issues and we think this would just add to his stress. He’s also heavy – I have a tricky back, Don has a hernia…maybe not such a good idea. I’ll update you as we muddle through this.


I have been getting packages in the mail this week – lovely gifts from 2 generous blogging friends. I should just say friends. Because they are. My friend, Donna, wrote me a note the other day asking if I would like this:


Yes! Donna knows I love roses and pink and that I collect hat pin holders. This is a shaker with holes in the top and will be perfect for displaying hat pins. She also included a lovely bookmark. Thank you, Donna!

My friend Jayne of Tallulah Belle Originals is a talented miniaturist. She creates the most wonderful flowers and plants and also has begun sculpting. She recently moved into a new house and was re-organizing her studio. She asked me if I would like this:


Yes, again! Jayne made this and I love it – don’t you think it will be perfect for the shabby dollhouse? Jayne not only sent me this, but look what else she included:

Oh my gosh! Let me give you some close-ups.


Plates, glass dishes, teacup and saucer, baskets, garden pots, a wood holder for the fireplace, a kitty….


All sort of wonderful flowers for arranging…


Vases, a pitcher, a plant and a birdhouse…


A kit for making sunflowers…


And this wonderful bird who now has a new home. Thank you, Jayne.

These little surprises come at a time when I feel very worried about Riley, stressed about life in general and am longing for Spring. I cannot tell you how much they cheered me and how much I value your friendship, Donna and Jayne. I thank you all for your never-ending support and good wishes. I’m coming up on my 2nd anniversary of blogging in February. What a joy it has been!

A Not-So-Good Night

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We’re suffering from sleep deprivation today at MHC. Our dog, Riley, is a rescue who had a tough life as a young dog. He also had heartworm when we adopted him and had to go through all the grueling treatment for that disease. He has a very bad hip – most likely hip dysplasia. Because of that, he has trouble navigating at times. Even though he is about 7 or 8, he walks like a much older dog. Lately he has been falling while trying to get up the steps – from the den to the living room, or up to the second floor. It all started with one specific fall where he landed on his tail end after trying to get up the two steep steps to the living room. Clearly, he has suffered some trauma to his left hip and trying to deal with stairs just exacerbates it.

So, husband and I have been trying to figure out a way to keep Riley from the steps and help him climb them when necessary. We’ve finally decided he can’t go up or down the stairway to the second floor until he shows signs of healing. Since we (Scout, Riley, husband and I) all sleep in the same room every night this presents a problem. I volunteered to stay downstairs with Riley and sleep on the sofa in the den. Husband would have none of it. He wanted to get our Aero Bed out of the closet and inflate it, then install it in the living room and we’d all sleep there for the night.

The reality? The Aero Bed is too small for two very tall adults, every time one of us turned over, the covers were pulled off of the other, it was cold because the bed was on the floor, our charming clock which chimes on the half hour and on the hour kept us awake half the night, the dogs were thoroughly confused by the whole thing, and at 4 in the morning we were still awake. At 6 am, Don suggested I go upstairs for a couple of hours to sleep then I could come downstairs and he would go to bed for a couple of hours. And that’s what we did.

When I came downstairs, I was shocked to see a lot of snow on the ground. Seriously, I had no idea there was any snow in the forecast. I think I’ve been so worried about Riley that I haven’t taken in the outside world.


Tonight, I will sleep on the sofa and share the den with Riley. Tomorrow, Don will take a turn.

Anything for our boy.

Some Treasures & a Swap

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A week or so ago my friend, Debra, at Common Ground did a post about her space at Spring Creek. While looking at all the photos of her lovely things, I spied something that I had to have. I commented and asked Debra about this treasure. Long story short, we struck a deal and today it arrived.


Debra wrapped it so prettily, didn’t she? Okay, okay, I’ll open it!


Oh gosh darn it, forgive the reflection of my Kansas sweatshirt (given to me by a former student who went to KU undergrad and perfect for me because my brother-in-law was on the football team there.) Don’t you just love this beautiful old print? The collie has found the lost lamb. Dogs, sheep, lambs – I love them. The frame is old and beautiful. The only reason Debra could part with this is because she has one of her very own. By the way, Debra has a gorgeous home. I got to know her through Vintage Black Fridays and was amazed by all of her wonderful vignettes. Thank you, Debra – and thank you for the box it was shipped in. I promptly recycled it to ship out my part of this swap:


Now, I am very new to the swap business. This swap is all hearts – pink, white or red – everything has to have a heart on it or be in the shape of a heart. The only other swap I’ve done was with sweet Elyse. We called it a mini swap. I am not a crafter like so many of you talented bloggers. I stand in awe of your skill. Most of the things I included were vintage. I did, however, step out of my comfort zone and tried a bit of crafting. I’ll share photos with you after my package has been received.

While searching for vintage hearts, I found this for our kitchen:


It’s old and rusty – but look at that bakelite handle! Totally unexpected and totally wonderful!

Thank you for all your advice as to my bulletin board – so many fabulous suggestions! I still haven’t decided what to do – most likely I will make another one. Then I’ll have 2 – and the freedom to have a piece of art and an inspiration board. Thank you, friends.

Have a wonderful day.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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