Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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A Pox on the Time Change

November 6, 2022 at 8:36 am by Claudia

I love my coneflowers, especially in the fall. They remain upright, they don’t collapse. They happily supply food for birds. What’s not to love?

Okay. I hate the time change and I keep thinking it’s later than it is and it’s driving me crazy. I woke up in the middle of the night, had to go to the bathroom, looked at the clock, and it was only 4 am. I panicked, worried that I would once again wake up too early. I willed myself to go to sleep again, which – surprisingly – worked. I got up at 6 am, which was really 7 am, and realized that when I had panicked it was really 5 am in terms of hours of sleep and I would have been okay.

Does this make any sense? I had no awareness that the time had changed when I woke up in the middle of the night.

This kind of thing drives me crazy. Why oh why can’t we just stick to one time???

I still haven’t changed the clocks. The cable box has the correct time, as does this computer, and my phone. But the microwave, the stereo, and the retro looking two-sided clock that extends out from our wall need to be changed.

Still a bit under the weather but definitely feeling better on the whole.

Katie hanging out in the Beacon Hill.

Yes, I’m thinking about that project. But it will progress slowly, partly because I never work full time on any of my dollhouses, and partly because of $$$$. Dollhouse renovations involve lots of supplies and, of course, furniture and wallpaper and floors and paint – furniture being the biggest expense. So it will transform slowly. But I want a cohesive vision for it and I’m not sure what that will be.

I just have to get motivated and right now I have too many other things on my mind. But the day I paint over that red paint with some primer will be Day One.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: Beacon Hill Dollhouse, Blythe dolls, flowers 34 Comments

Saturday Thoughts

November 5, 2022 at 9:40 am by Claudia

Boy, I felt crappy yesterday! A combination of sinus and a real lack of sleep. I took two naps in the afternoon, which helped a bit. But the best thing was a really good night’s sleep. I slept in until 7 am, which is about two and a half hours later than yesterday and the day before and the day before that.

I’m waking up rather slowly today, but I had a good session with my current book and now I’m on my second cup of coffee.

It’s supposed to reach 75 degrees today, which is very unseasonable. I won’t complain, however, because colder temps are just around the corner. On Tuesday, election day, the high will only reach 57 and then I think we’ll be back to normal for this time of year.

I realized the other day that Stella needed a long overdue exterior cleaning. I apologized to her, got to work, and now she’s beautiful again.

Just like a new car, you vow to keep it looking brand spanking new, and then time passes, and you (meaning me) never get it washed. Your husband has to do it. But in this case, I did it. You look lovely, Stella.

Mei is modeling a new pair of boots which arrived yesterday all the way from England. They’re slouchy and weathered and I love them. They are made by Etsy seller Piccolabammbola, aka Karen. When I have some more spare change, I’m going to buy another pair as they come in all sorts of colors. They’re easy to put on – no fiddly little laces – so that makes them a winner. I have one more dress coming via the mail and that’s it for a while. I’m on a Blythe accessories diet.

I will crochet another beret, but I already have that yarn on hand.

I’m very close to finishing The Furies  by John Connolly. He’s such a wonderful writer and I think I’ve read all of his books but one and I have that one upstairs on the TBR pile. His detective novels are infused with the supernatural and I don’t read supernatural books as a rule. But I quite love the way he uses it in his stories.

Still feeling under the weather, so I’ll take it easy today. Meredith is feeling much better, by the way.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, books, reading, Stella 18 Comments

Finished Puzzle, Books, and Warm Temps

November 4, 2022 at 8:38 am by Claudia

The latest finished puzzle – this one of a Christmas Market in Dresden. It was very challenging.

Just the way I like it.

I’ve already started the next one, which is Times Square. Thankfully, Times Square without the Disneyfication that permeates it nowadays. This one, if it’s at all possible, has even more little people to search for, all the while hoping for something that differentiates one from another. I like a challenge – at least this kind of challenge – and it keeps me sane.

I’m immersed in John Connolly’s The Furies  and loving every bit of it. The book is two novels in one and I’m on the second one. Later today, I’m going to pick up Jussi Adler-Olsen’s newest, The Shadow Murders, from the library.

We’re in for 4 days of temps in the 70s, which will be nice change before we head into true late fall/winter temperatures. I’ve been feeling under the weather for the past two days. If I didn’t know better, I’d say I have a cold. But since I don’t go out that much and when I do, I’m masked, it’s unlikely I magically caught a cold. I guess it’s sinus. Anyway, today I’m feeling a bit better though I woke up way too early for the third day in a row. Sigh. I have a lot on my mind, so when I do wake up early, my mind gets busy and I can’t get back to sleep.

Thankfully, I can grab a nap this afternoon.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: books, jigsaw puzzles, reading 12 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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