Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Some Needlework

April 1, 2022 at 8:48 am by Claudia

Big thunderstorms last night, heavy rain for hours, and I opened the front door this morning to see no leaks. None inside the door, none on the siding next to the door. It’s a simple thing, but oh my goodness, what a blessing to finally have it fixed! I only wish we’d done it sooner.

I know we’re supposed to have rain later this morning and the sky is still darkish, but the sun poked through and it’s beautiful. Plus, the peepers were back last night!

Since I have yet to be inspired re painting in oils (that will come) I pulled out a quilt that I pieced several years ago when I was working in Hartford. I’ve hand quilted it off and on – more off than on. I should have been finished with it by now. It has been sitting in the same basket where we stash throws and the heating pad (ever present lately.)

Imagine my surprise when Mei plopped down on it.

She knew that these colors and stripes worked very well with her outfit.

Luckily, all my supplies were here in the den, so I sat in my chair and watched Gardener’s World while doing some hand quilting. I have to be very careful that I don’t lean too far over the quilting hoop – my lower back is still fragile. It was a challenge and I feel good that I’m back at it again. A little bit every day. The quilt is about the size of a large throw and I’ve been thinking it would look good on the sofa in the living room. That’s just a thought – I may use it elsewhere.

We have several days of rain in the forecast. I’m so anxious to get out there and do some work, but this happens every year – it is Spring, after all – so I’ll be patient. As I finish this post, the sun has disappeared and it’s cloudy again.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

 

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, Mei, quilting 16 Comments

Rainy Thursday

March 31, 2022 at 9:01 am by Claudia

We’re due for rain and thunder later today; the remnants of the terrible storm that has been crossing the country. Since we’ve had such cold temperatures lately, we haven’t heard the peepers, but I expect to start hearing them today or tomorrow.

I started painting yesterday, but it was frustrating. I’ve been away from it for several months and, let’s face it, it’s not something I’ve been doing all my life. I need to get my ‘mojo’ back. I was also being careful to protect my back and not lean forward too much. I adjusted the easel accordingly.

It’s as if I forgot a lot of the process. I know this is temporary and I just need to get back at it. I grabbed a piece of Roseville I hadn’t painted yet, but I’m not sure if that’s what I want to paint. Patience, Claudia, patience.

A photo to provide some cheer:

Seriously, could she be any cuter? That ensemble is from a woman in Spain. She makes the most beautiful clothes. And yes, the socks match the t-shirt.

Maybe I’ll just play with dolls today!

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

 

 

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, rain 29 Comments

Getting Ready to Paint

March 30, 2022 at 8:44 am by Claudia

It’s the third work day of the week and it already feels like a month. Peace and calm today, please.

I brought the easel downstairs yesterday, along with my oil paints and supplies. Everything is ready to go.

Someone wanted to see what was going on.

Perhaps we have a budding artist?

After cleaning the surface of the table, hauling things up and down the stairs, and staging this photo of Maeve, my back was a bit sore. So that’s all I got done for the day. Now I have to figure out what I want to paint. The jury is still out.

We’re slowly coming out of our cold snap and it’s sunny today. Don is off to recycle, I’m writing this post, and all is well. I am SO ready for Spring. I always find this ‘in between’ time difficult, but maybe less so than winter itself because I know that just a little patience is needed on my part. It’s around the corner.

Yesterday, Don went to the store to get some groceries and I was stressed because of that comment  yesterday and when he came in the door, he pulled this out of the bag:

Bless his heart! When we were out and about last week eating fries for lunch, I stopped at the bookstore to get this magazine and there were no copies left on the shelves. I bought the less- interesting-and-less-content-with-several-pages-of-pharmaceutical-ads-smack-dab-in-the-middle-of-the-content Country Living instead. I rarely buy magazines nowadays, but this one – published quarterly – is always a favorite. I couldn’t believe that Don even remembered that this is the magazine I was looking for. I went into the bookstore by myself and he waited out in the car. Half the time, he doesn’t remember what I just said to him two minutes ago!

Anyway, I was surprised and delighted and I love him. He’s a keeper.

I’m loving Bewilderment  by Richard Powers. Absolutely loving it.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, maeve, oil painting 30 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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Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

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