Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Filling the Time

February 25, 2026 at 8:50 am by Claudia

Another couple of inches of snow fell overnight. Fortunately, it’s going to hit 40 degrees today, so it won’t last. Now, if we could get the rest of the snow on the ground to melt, I’d be thrilled. It is going to be warmer for the next several days, with a few cold days here and there.

Don was snoring and woke me up way too early this morning so I am not a happy camper. I know he can’t help it and it doesn’t happen all that often; nevertheless, I’m sleep deprived.

There’s not much to report. I’ve been crocheting and reading. I’m almost finished with Is a River Alive?  and the next book to be read will be the first book in Elly Griffith’s new series, The Frozen People. This series of mysteries involves time travel. Can’t wait to start it!

And this is really what I’ve really been concentrating on. It relaxes me and helps to fill the time on these long, and sometimes bleak, winter days. I have to give it to Don, he picked out some lovely colors. (I did help a little.)

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Filed Under: life 19 Comments

Snow. Again.

February 23, 2026 at 7:52 am by Claudia

I had another post scheduled in case we lost power but we didn’t, so I deleted it. Yesterday was a day full of dire warnings: a Winter Storm Warning, then later in the day it changed to Blizzard Warning. Anywhere from 10 to 20 inches was predicted. A state of emergency was issued.

Late in the day, our local guys – Hudson Valley Weather (who are the best) – started to say that there might be a sharp cut off point and some areas to the west might not get as much snow as predicted. They indicated where it might be with a sharp red line and I told Don that it looked like we were sitting right on that line.

This morning, after a night with no blizzard-like winds, we have about 5 or 6 inches of new snow – maybe less. It’s still snowing and will be for most of the morning. It’s definitely breezy out there, but I think we dodged a bullet.

We moved the snowblower to the porch yesterday, so it’s ready to go.

I really didn’t want ANY snow. What we already had on the ground from that huge storm a few weeks ago had melted significantly and I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Ah well. Today will be about shoveling and cleanup.

But goodness, it could have been so much worse.

I showed my crochet progress to Don this morning. He had requested a pop of red. I now have strict instructions to crochet one row of red, rather than two. I was already going to do that per our initial conversation at Michael’s. I love that Don has a vision for this. He’s pretty darned adorable.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

 

 

Filed Under: crochet 30 Comments

Crap. More Snow on the Way

February 21, 2026 at 9:13 am by Claudia

Do I start with the good news or the bad news?

Bad news: we have a nor’easter headed this way tomorrow, bringing heavy wet snow (because it’s been relatively warm) and anything from 6 – 12 inches is possible. We still have snow on the ground from the last big storm. I’d say about  4-5 inches.

I’ve had it with this winter. Truly had it.

There was some hope that we might not get much snow, but as we get closer and closer to Sunday, it looks as if our luck has run out.

Okay.

The good news? I’ve started to crochet Don’s afghan/throw. I decided to go with a basic double crochet stitch because it’s easier on my hands. Doing a ripple stitch involves too much twisting and turning of my right hand. And Don doesn’t care whether there’s a swirly pattern or not. I started working on it yesterday.

I’m really enjoying it. I’m careful to take breaks in order to protect my hand. I looked back in my Etsy sales information and I think the last time I crocheted consistently was in 2013. I did pick it up a few years ago to make a few berets for the Blythes. But that was just a blip. I had to check some things in my handy little book on crochet. But now, I’m back on track.

Once I get going, it’s so relaxing. I feel grounded. And heaven knows, I need that right now.

I’ll update the crochet status when I add some more colors.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Filed Under: life 24 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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