Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Flowers and Gifts

July 15, 2010 at 7:22 am by Claudia


Queen Anne’s Lace grew everywhere in my neighborhood when I was little girl. I don’t think I really appreciated the delicate beauty of this flower until recently. It was a weed, everyone said. Weed: implying bothersome, something to be yanked out of the ground. Thank goodness I’m older and somewhat wiser. This is a flower. It graces us with its presence in fields, at the side of a road or, in my case, under the shade of the catalpa tree.

Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions about the table. What varied responses! I heard from some new (to me) readers, too. It seems most of you are pro painting. Some suggested just painting the legs and leaving the top dark, some suggested different colors….I’ve read them all and now I am in the process of ‘pondering.’ As I sit in my blogging chair, I can see it in the kitchen. I stare at it. A lot.

It’s too hot to paint at the moment – which gives me a little more time to consider all my options.

I received packages from two of my friends this week. I met both of them through blogging. First was a box from my wonderful friend, Brenda of Cozy Little House. She was cleaning out her linen closet and found a few things she thought I’d like. And she threw in a book, too.


Beautiful pillow cases, some crochet and a pretty book. Thank you, Brenda!

Ann Marie of Frog Hollow Farm Girl wrote me a note when I was posting my embroidery for the Stitchalong and asked me if I would be interested in some of her late mother’s embroidery supplies. I was so touched and honored that she would want to share something so precious to her Mom with me. I received two packages yesterday.


Beautiful embroidery floss and several hoops.


Also included were some neat metallic yarns and a note from Ann Marie. What a special note this was: she told me the story of her mother, Lilly, who was born in Ireland and trained as a nurse and midwife. She eventually sailed to the United States and met Ann Marie’s father Anthony and became an American citizen in the 70’s. Lilly passed along her love of cooking, gardening, reading and entertaining to Ann Marie.

I know how much Ann Marie misses her mother and I am moved beyond measure at this lovely gift. Thank you, Ann Marie.

How blessed am I by the wonderful friends I have met through this little blog!

Filed Under: Fellow bloggers, flowers, gifts 31 Comments

Your Opinion, Please?

July 13, 2010 at 3:38 pm by Claudia

I’ve had a project in mind for a while. Something that won’t cost much…but might provide a big bang for the buck, as they say on HGTV. Remember my kitchen table? I bought it from Heidi. I love that it is round, that it has leaves and that it has beautifully shaped legs.


Whoops! Just ignore the hammer on the chair. The chairs will eventually go because they are too rickety. I’ve tried gluing them to no avail. Here is a closer shot of the legs:


The finish on the table is not in great condition though you don’t necessarily see it in these photos. I’m thinking of painting the table. There, I said it. Something like the color of my kitchen island.


Painting the island really made the shape of the legs and all the detail on the other side of the island pop. I think it would do the same for the table. The present stain seems so dark in my light-filled kitchen.

What do you think?

Filed Under: kitchen, kitchen island 65 Comments

Glimpses of the Garden

July 12, 2010 at 8:48 am by Claudia

We had a nice gentle rain the other day. Yesterday, the sky got all dark and thundery and we sat on the porch eagerly awaiting a big old rainstorm. We got a few drops. The weather report assures us that there are thunderstorms on the way over the next several days. Please?

Today: 90 degrees. Don’t like.

How about some garden photos? I’ve been walking around the garden the last few days, snapping away.


While I was away, my husband kept telling me about this plant that was taking over the garden. I suspected it was my Jacobs Ladder and I was right. Yikes! When I got home and investigated, I found it everywhere. My first go at the garden was mainly yanking out some of the over-eager Jacobs Ladder. It is a fabulous plant for under my maple tree because it works so well in the shade. It just needs some firm discipline from Mama Gardener – me.


This hosta was already established when we bought the cottage. I’ve added several more since we moved in. The area right by the porch entrance is shaded by the maple and hostas work very well there.

Coneflowers
Bee Balm and Catmint
Evening Primrose
Lady Elsie May rose

Day Lilies
The first bloom on my David Phlox


My ever-faithful companions on porch patrol. They’re on top of things, so don’t try any high jinks on their watch!

Did you have a good weekend? Mine is always good if there is some time with my garden and my loved ones.

Filed Under: garden, Riley, Scout 30 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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The Dogs

The Dogs

Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

Winston - Our first dog. We miss you, sweetheart.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse, read and enjoy. All content is my own; including photos and text. Please do not use anything on this site without permission.

Disclosure/Privacy Policy can be found in the Navigation Bar under ‘About MHC.’

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