Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Socks, Puzzles, and Miniatures

September 16, 2022 at 8:48 am by Claudia

Warning: If you’re offended by cuss words, I’m giving you a heads up. (I’m not, and I have a salty tongue that is in use regularly, just not on the blog.)

As you know, I was very down yesterday and I felt that way all day long. I feel much better today. I got a good night’s sleep, it’s a beautiful and cool fall morning and my back is a wee bit better. Don was out running errands. When he returned he came into the den with a gift bag.

In it was a card with a lovely note from him, a Cavallini jigsaw puzzle (theme: houseplants,) and a pair of socks that made me laugh out loud.

I’m in love.

It’s as if they were made for me – and every other avid reader in the world.

It was just what I needed, that belly laugh.

I was supposed to coach today, but the stage manager asked if I could do it next Wednesday instead. So I get a bit of a breather and that means I can rest my back. I find that when I’m sitting in my chair while zoom coaching, I often sit forward in the chair and my back tenses up. I’m not even aware of it until I start to feel pain.

Today? Reading. Maybe with my new socks on. Dressing a couple of dolls. Crocheting a hat.

I managed to wash the sheets yesterday but I needed Don’s help putting them on the bed. After a few skirmishes, we successfully completed our task and we had fresh bedding last night.

It’s the little things.

We’re entering the season where a new Michael Connelly and a new Louise Penny are published. I can’t wait. I need to buckle down, let go of all of the things that take my attention away, and read. Don’t get me wrong, I am reading, but I’m not reading in big chunks and that isn’t satisfying. Today, I hope to do that.

And I’m eyeing the next doll house project. Speaking of miniatures, the IGMA show is in a week. It’s just outside of Hartford. I’m wondering if I will go or not. I’d like to. I was reading the program this morning and I was so saddened to read that Barbara Vajnar passed away in July. I’ve mentioned her several times on this blog because I have a few pieces of her furniture. She retired a couple of years ago.

She made this:

And this:

Her work was exquisite. When she announced her retirement, she put her pieces up for sale on eBay, a few at a time. Most of them went for far more than I could afford, but I did manage to snag this corner cupboard. It will go in the Beacon Hill.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Barbara and her husband as I dithered about buying the mustard colored cupboard. They were endlessly patient and kind.

Rest in Peace, Barbara.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: Don, IGMA Show, miniatures, reading 32 Comments

Life Today

September 15, 2022 at 9:16 am by Claudia

Puzzle on pause as I wait for my back to improve.

I’m not going to lie. I’m down today. I had difficulty sleeping because of back pain. I’m very saddened by the state of the world and this country. Governors using immigrants as pawns, shipping them off to blue states without explaining to them what is happening. Seeing notices about dogs about to be euthanized in shelters. People lying and cheating and saying deplorable things. The entire group of bots and racists tweeting terrible lies about Meghan Markle. They’re despicable.

Men telling women what they can and can’t do with their bodies.

A snarky comment on my sister’s blog that infuriates me.

I see this stuff every day but it seems to be hitting me especially hard today.

Where did this vileness (is that a word?) come from?

You don’t have to answer. We’ve talked about this before here on the blog.

I’m just letting you know what today is like for me. I’m a pretty positive person, so I’ll pull out of this soon.

I think I’ll lose myself in a good spy thriller. And have another cup of coffee.

Don’t worry, all is well.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

 

Filed Under: life 49 Comments

Wednesday

September 14, 2022 at 8:56 am by Claudia

The light is changing. Autumn, though not officially here, is here.

And boy, do we need to mow. Maybe in a few days. Fingers crossed.

We’ve been fairly immersed in the coverage from the UK. Utterly fascinating. My favorite thing is to hear stories about the Queen. This morning, Sir David Attenborough shared one and it made me chuckle. What a tremendous loss to the country and to the world. What an admirable life!

I’ll be watching again today until I have to coach at 2 pm.

My back is still troublesome, but I was especially good yesterday at following my own advice to REST YOUR BACK! And I did. I get bored and I want to be outside working or walking or even cleaning inside, but I can’t. It’s frustrating, but I want my back to heal and the only way it’s going to do that is if I stop all unnecessary bending over, etc.

So I crochet hats for the girls. Yesterday I completed another one. Olivia is today’s model.

I named this “Flower Child.”

She looks like those girls in the sixties who wore crocheted cloche-like hats. I remember it well. She’s awfully adorable.

I sometimes feel guilty because I’ve suddenly indulged in this new collection at this point in my life. It’s interesting; I have no desire to add anything to my other collections, knowing that I’m of a certain age, and I really don’t need any more china or pottery or vintage furniture. That desire has basically faded. But it’s different with these Blythes. There’s something about them that I hope you get a glimpse of when I post my photos. I never  would have expected to have anything to do with dolls at this point in my life, or any other point in my life, save childhood. Who knew?

But they make me happy. Don sees that they make me happy. (Actually, they make him smile, too.) I have limited space, thank goodness, and I believe – never say never, of course – that I’ve hit my Blythe limit. There are a couple of customizers whose dolls I’d love to have. But I’m very happy with the ones I have.

I’ve ordered neck joints for Sophie and Maeve and when they arrive, I’m going to install them (I’m nervous about that) so that they have more mobility. It will make an enormous difference – much easier to photograph, for one, but also letting them show some personality.

And I’m comforted by resale value. If I need to, I can sell some of them – though, honestly – it will pain me to do so.

I’m sentimental, you see.

Okay. I have to go.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: autumn, Blythe dolls 21 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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