Mockingbird Hill Cottage — Page 273 — Life in our little cottage in the country

Puzzling and Reading

February 19, 2022 at 9:33 am by Claudia

The World of Dracula puzzle in progress. I did some work on it yesterday, while sitting on a big fat cushion. These are such fun puzzles – they come with a large photo of the completed puzzle and on the back there is a key to all the characters; who they are and where they occur in the novel. The same thing with the Shakespeare, Dickens, and Austen puzzles. They’re really beautifully made. Next up will be World Mythology. I think I’ll have worked through all of them when I finish that one.

I’m also just about to finish Slow Horses by Mick Herron. What a fantastic novel – Herron writes about the world of spies; MI5, etc., but with a decidedly modern spin and more than a touch of humor and cynicism. I caved and ordered the next one in the series, because once I find a series that’s already been published in paperback, I’m all in. I noticed that there’s a new television series based on Slow Horses – I think it might be airing on Apple TV? But I won’t watch it. You know my rule: Once I have the characters fully created in my imagination, I won’t watch anything that might mess with that – including the future Louise Penny series. Nope. I’m very protective of the inner world that a good novel/series can create in my mind. Anyway, I recommend Slow Horses. It’s so well written. I like the way Herron’s mind works.

What else? More wind today. Sigh. Maybe some snow next Saturday. Right now, all of the snow has melted around here and, in my mind, that means that no more snow should fall.

Even though it’s only February.

But Mother Nature doesn’t care about my demands and doesn’t care if I’m getting itchy for Spring.

We’ll miss the Olympics but we’re also ready to get back on a regular schedule. We’ve been staying up late quite often to watch the results.

Okay my friends. I have to answer your comments from yesterday.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Dolls and Dollhouses (What Else Is New?)

February 18, 2022 at 9:34 am by Claudia

Thank you, thank you for your kind comments yesterday. You make all of this worthwhile and I so appreciate every one of you. On to year 15!

We are getting a tremendous amount of wind today – the remnants of the storm that crossed the country. No snow, some rain overnight, but lots and lots of wind. I gather our friends in the UK are also battling wind today. Stay safe, everyone.

As far as Women’s Figure Skating goes, words fail me. And the adults who are in charge of the ROC athletes failed them. I’ve never witnessed anything like it. Let me get this straight: Russia was forbidden to compete under their name because of a doping scandal. But the ‘clean’ athletes are allowed to compete under ROC. And when they are found to be ‘not clean,’ they’re allowed to compete because of the possibility of irreparable harm to the skater, and the end result is irreparable harm to everyone involved. Good job. These are talented young skaters, but they are being coached by a woman who uses them up and spits them out. And what happens to them then? I’ve read a lot about that training facility this morning and what I read is sickening.

Moving on.

We have pillows on the bed in the English Cottage.

I didn’t make them, I got them from a seller on Etsy. They’re perfect.

The last two Blythe outfits I’m going to buy for a long time arrived the other day. I’ve imposed a moratorium as I have more than enough. But what beauties they are! Made by Qiulizio, who lives in China. Her designs are so imaginative and beautifully made.

Zoe. I love, love, love this outfit! (Don can’t get over Zoe’s eyebrows. He loves them.)

And Madeleine. This charming ensemble looks like something a French girl would wear, don’t you think?

I threw my back out again the other day. It’s getting much better. I know it’s exacerbated by leaning over the table when I work on jigsaw puzzles. I have to be vigilant as to my movements when I work on the puzzles and how many hours I put in. I’m making changes. Yesterday, I stood by the table and inserted two puzzle pieces. And then I went back to the den.

It’s maddening because I am so close to finishing it! But I have to be a big girl.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Fourteen Years

February 17, 2022 at 9:30 am by Claudia

Well, wouldn’t you know it? It’s the 14th anniversary of my first blog post.

I certainly never entertained the idea that I would be blogging 14 years later, but this little blog has become a daily ritual and I’m so grateful for it.

Journaling never clicked with me, but this new-fangled “web log” that combined photos and text? That fit me perfectly. Ever the performer, I clearly had to have an audience. And what a wonderful audience I’ve had – the best friends a girl could have. Truly.

Thank you for being there, for stopping in each day. Some of you are newer readers, a few of you have been with me since the very beginning. I don’t take any of that for granted, believe me.

You’ve been there with me through the loss of my father-in-law, my mother and father, and my two babies, Riley and Scout. You’ve comforted me when I was feeling low, made me laugh just when I needed it, commiserated with me on the state of the world, most importantly, shared your lives with me and this wonderful group of readers. Thank you.

Thanks to Don who encouraged me from the very first time I said there was a thing called a blog and maybe I should start one. He truly is the best partner in life. Always encouraging me, always patient when some technical thing goes wrong and I’m stressed, even occasionally writing posts. I love him with all my heart.

What a joy it has been! I’ll keep going until the day comes when I just know it’s time to stop. But don’t worry, that time is far, far off.

Thanks for putting up with my ramblings about my collections, my garden, my cottage, my work, my travels, my dogs, the books I read – my life here in a little town in the Hudson Valley.

Much love to you.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Puzzling and Reading

Dolls and Dollhouses (What Else Is New?)

Fourteen Years

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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