Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

Puzzling, Mowing, Playing

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The Belle Epoque world of the Impressionists puzzle has been completed. You can see the Eiffel Tower being built, the Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, a reference to Jules Verne in the balloon, a ballet studio, some of the characters in Seurat’s famous “Sunday Afternoon on the Island of the Grand Jatte,” etc.

I love this kind of puzzle: lots of people, tiny little details, and in this case, a city I love.

I ordered a new one which should be arriving today. I realize now that there are two things I have to have on hand: a book and a backup book waiting in the wings, and a puzzle.

Three things: and a doll to dress:

This time, Holly got a fresh set of clothes. This particular dress is one of my favorites – made by my friend Lena who lives in Russia. Holly is so beautiful, I’m crazy about those eyebrows.

I had planned on going to the Sunday afternoon final dress rehearsal of the play, but they’ve changed the schedule. I suspect they needed another day to tech. But I’m disappointed because I’d much rather go in during the day rather than at night, which is what I’m going to have to do next week. I end up getting home very late, close to midnight. (I have a 2 hour+ commute both ways.) Since I normally go to bed at 10 pm, it throws me off. Sigh. But I have no choice, so Tuesday or Wednesday, I’ll have to go into the city for a preview performance.

Yesterday was beautiful. We hit a high of 74 degrees, it was sunny, and I mowed the back forty, the corral, and the Secret Garden. I also did a little weed trimming. By the time that was done, my back was hurting. So, I’m taking a day off today, and I’ll mow some more tomorrow.

But we’ve had a big drop in temperature overnight. The high today is only going to reach 57 degrees.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Fading Gardens

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Bits and pieces of the David phlox are still hanging in there, bless them. It’s clear, though, that they’re preparing to leave for the winter. We had a sunny day yesterday – so welcome after several dreary and rainy days – and I took some time to look at the gardens. They’re overgrown, of course. I haven’t been weeding because of my back. Come to think of it, I probably wouldn’t have weeded them anyway. I usually lose interest in weeding by August.

Once again, I have a morning glory climbing the chicken wire fence that is lovely but has no flowers. Do you remember the days when I routinely had tons of flowers on the vines? Now, they seem to bloom much later, if at all, and it’s always just before a frost hits. Climate change? Soil problems? I don’t know. I’m reluctant to give up on them because I’m ever hopeful, I guess. I loved the look of those beautiful morning glories. Sigh.

Truth be told, I sort of gave up on everything after the drought. I spent hours watering the garden beds, especially the chicken wire fence garden. And some of the beds revived and did well. But others suffered.

I finished The Ink Black Heart  yesterday. Excellent! I’ve never had 1000+ pages move along so smoothly and effortlessly. It was completely engrossing. Sometimes after a particularly wonderful read, I need a brief palate cleanser before I make a decision as to what to read next. I’ve found that Georges Simenon’s shortish Maigret mysteries are perfect. I chose Maigret and the Man on the Bench  which was on my TBR pile. I suspect that I’ll start Maggie O’Farrell’s newest, The Marriage Portrait, after I finish the Maigret.

Today, I’m going to mow. I’ll be careful and I’ve made a vow not to take on too much. I’ll start with the back forty where the grass is very long, then, the corral area. But right now, it’s too wet with morning dew so I’ll have to wait until it dries.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

Rain and Fog

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The rain has finally stopped. It was foggy when we went to bed last night and it’s still very foggy at 9 am this morning. It’s very mysterious looking out there – with left over moisture dripping off the trees and plants, spider webs, changing colors., and the fog.

I have a book on my TBR pile about fog – London Fog. Perhaps I should crack it open?

Speaking of books, I have less than 100 pages to go in The Ink Black Heart. I’m sure I’ll finish it today but I’m prolonging the pleasure as long as I can.

Pip is proudly sporting a new beret. I ordered it from a Ukrainian seller on Etsy. It’s beautifully made. This seller is currently living in Germany while the war is going on. I’m trying to do my best to support creators from Ukraine. I’m going to order more of these hats in the future as they’re very modestly priced and gorgeous, to boot!

Pip has a bit of the ‘imp’ about her, as my friend Susannah said yesterday on Instagram. I think that’s the perfect description of her. She’s always contemplating some sort of adventure.

I’m going to miss this background for my photos once winter rolls around. Maybe I’ll venture out there anyway, but the landscape will be bleak. I’ll give it the old college try! Oh, let’s not think of winter yet.

It’s too wet out there to mow today, but hopefully, we’ll get to it tomorrow. And Saturday. And then on Sunday, I’ll head back into the city to watch the final dress rehearsal of the musical.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

 

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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