Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Back home and new project

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I got back from Florida on Sunday. Boy it is good to be home! I have to fly back down there next Wednesday, but in the meantime, I am enjoying life here at the cottage. I went to auction on Monday with my friend and found this old sideboard. I forgot to take a before picture in its original state. Its one of those old dining room sideboards with a dark finish and is sometimes called Jacobean in style. I’ve wanted an island in my kitchen for a while and one day when I googled kitchen islands, I found a neat idea from the DIY network. It suggested finding one of these sideboards and transforming it into an island. Well – there was the sideboard – big and heavy and only $60.00. I’ve already slapped on a coat of primer because when my husband and I got it in the house, we were afraid it was too massive for the kitchen. The primer lightened it up enough to see it more realistically. The plan is to paint it, find new hardware, put beadboard on the back and figure out some sort of top for it. We were at Lowes today, but the quote on a special order counter was rather high for us, so we will explore other options. This island will give me more storage – a necessity in our little cottage – and a nice long working surface. It is also a bit higher than the rest of our counters. We like that. I’m tall and my husband is over 6’4″ and its nice to have a higher working surface.

Front of former sideboard/island-in-progress

Back of island with deteriorating veneer backboard

During our visit to Lowes, we also bought the beadboard and some molding. The nice man at Lowes cut the beadboard to our measurements and we brought it home and nailed it on the back (after I pried off the yucky veneer backing). Everything has been primed and I will start painting it tomorrow. Its been a fun project and it will really add to our kitchen.

I will post more photos as we go along. Have a great day.

Happy Birthday Daddy

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Today is my Dad’s 85th birthday. I want to send my birthday wishes to him with all my love. Dad is a great guy, and a wonderful father. When I was growing up, it seemed like there wasn’t anything that Dad didn’t know. I could ask him almost anything and he would know the answer. He can fix things, build things, cook, draw, paint; he is very athletic, can sail a boat, water ski, build a campfire…you name it, he can do it. I guess I just took it for granted that Dad would know how to do it, whatever it was. He was the Scoutmaster for my brother’s boy scout troup. When I was a kid, we went camping every summer. First we erected tents, then we towed a camper, then eventually we graduated to a trailer. We usually went to the Pigeon River State Forest in Michigan. Dad would fish, and I always remember the sound of his waders as he walked out of the campground to do some night fishing.

He came to every one of my performances and often sent me a rose with a sweet note on opening night. I’ve saved them all. He especially loved the musicals. He loved to hear me sing.

Dad fought in WWII – in fact, as part the war effort, girls from his neighborhood were given the names of local GIs to write to. My Mom got Dad’s name – and 4 years later he came home and took her out for a soda. Six months later they were married. If that isn’t romantic, I don’t know what is.

You’ve seen some of his paintings – he is an artist. We treasure all his paintings that he has given us. Sometimes we call the cottage the Gordon Hill art gallery. He plays a mean game of dominos, or aggravation, or cards. He’s very funny and he makes me laugh. He loves animals, and adores his cat Nella. He loves spoiling her. He also loves spoiling my Mom and his daughters.

I’ve always been absolutely sure of my Dad’s love. I know he would do anything for me. That’s just the way he is. He’s had some health issues to deal with during the past few years, but he is much, much better. He can now play his beloved golf game – did I mention that he is a fantastic golfer? He is. He also loves music and has an iPod filled with music. He does love listening to music every day.

Dad is kind, generous, and a gentle man. I still call him when I need advice on how to do something or other. My husband thinks the world of him. I think the world of him. I am so glad you are my Dad. Happy Birthday!

Dining on the road

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I have never particularly liked eating on the road. Sometimes I order room service, but rarely, as it is so expensive. Today I was in rehearsal from 10 until 6 and we had a quick lunch break between 2 and 3. I drove to one of the local restaurants, couldn’t find a parking place, drove to another and ended up wolfing down a salad and some clam chowder much too quickly. For the rest of rehearsal I had an upset stomach. At 6:00 I didn’t feel like driving around looking for a place to eat. It is a football game weekend here in Gatorland and traffic is crazy! So I stopped at the Steak and Shake right by the hotel. Since I am a vegetarian, my choices are limited at a restaurant with the name of Steak and Shake. So I got french fries and a chocolate shake. The shake without the steak. That was my dinner. The fries were so-so. The shake was fabulous. And I feel nicely full, so it can’t be all bad, right?

One more day here before I leave on Sunday. Rehearsals have been going well – who doesn’t love The Wizard of Oz? I cried during the run-through when Dorothy told the scarecrow that she would miss him most of all. I’m looking forward to my return trip in October so that I can see all the special effects – monkeys flying, Glinda in her big crystal ball, the Wizard’s balloon – I’m sure it will be amazing.
I know I promised photos of the scenery but I haven’t had time to walk around the lake area. I will have time during the day when I come back in October and I know I can get some shots then. I’m signing off now so that I can watch the Debate.
More later.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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