Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

  • About MHC
    • Disclosure
  • Dollhouses/Minis
    • Hummingbird Cottage
    • The Studio (Formerly TSP)
    • Dove Cottage
    • The Lake House
    • The Folk Art Dollhouse
    • The Modern Dollhouse
    • Dollhouse Source List, Information and Tutorials
  • On the Road
  • Collecting
    • Roseville Pottery
    • McCoy Pottery
    • Egg Cups
    • Bakelite
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy

A Nest Duplex

July 8, 2022 at 8:22 am by Claudia

The robin’s nest that I removed (and put back) turns out to be two nests, one built on the other. They’re completely attached and the whole thing is a marvel. This nest is “nestled” in the climbing hydrangea on the shed.

It was not at all easy to get it back in there, but I think I did it. I’ll check on it today. But, back to the nests, here’s another view:

Extraordinary. How do they do it? Beautifully constructed, neat, tight as a drum. A nest duplex.

The nest would sometimes slip down in the branches, which is why – I think – the other nest is in a different position.

Gorgeous day today – I think it’s time to do a little mowing.

We stayed up way too late last night watching the season final of Stranger Things. Unbelievable! We had made a vow to stop halfway through and finish it off tonight, but it was so gripping that we quickly realized that wasn’t going to happen.

Now we have to find something new to watch.

I’m just about finished with my puzzle. I’ll take a picture of it when I’m done. Another one is arriving today. I guess I’ve become an all-seasons puzzle solver! It’s my Zen.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: bird nest, birds 28 Comments

Thursday Thoughts

July 7, 2022 at 8:22 am by Claudia

Last night.

We finished watching Borgen: The Power and the Glory last night. This series is truly excellent. Who knew Danish politics could be so riveting? Now we’re watching the latest installment of Stranger Things. They couldn’t be more different, so when we switched to Stranger Things  right after finishing Borgen, it was a little jarring!

We’re in the midst of several days in a row with no rain, so I may do some mowing. I will definitely be spraying all the plants in the garden beds with the deer repellent recipe. I still don’t trust those adorable, yet pesky, critters. We haven’t seen the fawns for the past couple of weeks. I know that deer change their daily routes frequently, so I’m not surprised but I’d love to see just how much they’ve grown. Haven’t seen the groundhog in ages. I hope he/she is okay. The bunnies are here every day – usually just one, but every once in a while we see two of them.

The other day, I saw that the abandoned nest just outside the shed was falling down, so I decided to remove it, whereupon a panicked mouse ran out! It was just like a children’s story with a sleepy mouse nestled in a nest. I feel badly, so I’m going to put it back today.

Mei was hanging out on my puzzle the other day.

We might be seeing a new member of the family in the coming weeks. Alright, we will  be seeing a new member of the family. She was very inexpensive. I fell in love with her and here’s the icing on the cake – she’s from Ukraine. I’ve been highlighting Ukraine Blythe accounts/customizers on my IG Blythe feed and have them saved under Ukraine in my highlights. I think it’s important to support our friends there as they cope with displacement, or in the case of this customizer, staying there and living every day with the devastation of the war. I don’t know how long it will take for her to arrive. Apparently, the package is taken to the border, then transferred to another country, most likely Poland, and flown to the United States from there.

Okay. Time to figure out the day ahead.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, Mei 18 Comments

It’s the Guns

July 6, 2022 at 8:26 am by Claudia

I haven’t mentioned the shooting in Highland Park – at a Fourth of July parade – because I honestly don’t know what to say anymore. I’ve been fighting for gun control since my student was murdered by a 17 year old girl using an illegal handgun. If you want to know how many years ago that was, it was two months almost to the day before I met Don. Twenty-eight years.

There are times when I lose hope for this country. There are times – increasingly more often – that I am ashamed to be an American. If I were younger, I’d move out of the country.

The image I kept seeing online the day of the shooting was of a two year old boy being held by someone with appeals to find his family. Now we know that both of his parents were murdered by the gunman. I can’t get that boy’s sweet face out of my mind.

What kind of country allows these weapons of war to be easily accessible?

For every damn argument we get from the right about mental health or doors or ‘all we need are good guys with guns,’ or arming teachers; there is only one truth. It’s the guns. It’s the NRA. It’s the politicians who are bought and paid for by the NRA. All the ‘right to life’ people don’t care about life after birth. Once you’re born, it’s every child and adult for himself.

There were armed police – presumably good guys with guns – at the parade. They couldn’t stop him.

There were armed police in Uvalde. And you know how ineffectual they were.

Anyway, nothing you’re hearing from me is new. I’ve said it in one way or another before.

I’m sick at heart. I despise what this country has become.

On another note, the next January 6th Committee hearing is next Tuesday at 10 am EST.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: gun control 41 Comments

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 249
  • 250
  • 251
  • 252
  • 253
  • …
  • 1773
  • Next Page »
  • Email
  • Instagram

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.

Thanks for stopping by.

Searching?

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

A Note

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.’

Also, I love receiving comments! I do, however, reserve the right to delete any comment that is in poor taste, offensive or is verging on spam. It’s my blog. If you’re a bot or a troll you’ll be blocked. Thanks!

Archives

All Content © 2008 - 2025 Mockingbird Hill Cottage · Log in