Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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A Very Cold Saturday

January 8, 2022 at 10:08 am by Claudia

My parents’ 45+ year old sansevieria is blooming again. There’s another stalk in the back that already bloomed. The scent is heavenly but it is most powerful at night. One year there were three separate stalks, but usually there are two. I like to think of them as Mom and Dad paying a visit.

It is extremely cold here today. It took a long time for the house to warm up. It’s going to stay that way through Tuesday, so we’re in for some Wintery temps.

But it’s sunny today. Tomorrow, rain, sleet, some snow, and ice. Oh, goody.

Other than that, which goes with the territory in the Hudson Valley, Don is going to brave the cold and recycle this morning and I’m going to work on a few little projects. We’re trying to keep busy while we try to come to terms with the precarious health of Don’s best friend, who is also my very good friend. We love him dearly and, try as we might to distract ourselves, our thoughts are with him. As they should be.

So here’s something cute and distracting:

Livvy and Pip, my two girls customized by VegaDolls. I love looking at these two cuties. Natalia, of VegaDolls, lives in Spain and she is such a lovely person! Her dolls are unlike any others out there and I am very, very taken by them. You can feel Natalia’s sweetness in them.

Rest in Peace, Sidney Poitier. A giant of a man in every way.

Don met him years ago. I’ll let him tell you (from Facebook):

Decades ago I was in a drugstore in Beverly Hills and found myself standing next to him. Against my own judgement, I gingerly approached and introduced myself. I told him I was so very sorry to bother him, but he was a true inspiration. He smiled. Yes, that smile. He shook my hand and said, “I’m Sidney, Don, thank you.”

Okay my friends. I’m running a little late this morning.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, houseplants, livvy, Pippa 31 Comments

Snow, Puzzle, and a Movie Recommendation

January 7, 2022 at 9:01 am by Claudia

First real snow of the year. I think we might have an inch and a half so far. It’s still snowing, but it will be tapering off soon. Don is out there shoveling as I write this. We have an oil delivery coming today and we want the drive to be clear for the truck. (There’s a story about this delivery and our soon-to-be-former oil company that I’ll share another time. Or not. Let’s just say it was a stressful afternoon yesterday.)

We did get out to the grocery store and then took a long walk, so I got some exercise in before the snow came.

And this morning, I put the last few pieces in place.

The World of Jane Austen. Very satisfying!

If you can, please watch Mass, a new movie that is streaming at the moment. It’s brilliant, unbelievably gut-wrenching, and superbly done. It stars Ann Dowd, Reed Birney, Jason Isaacs, and Martha Plimpton. It’s about a meeting between two sets of parents who have lost children to gun violence. I won’t say more because what I love about this movie is the slow, thoughtful pace. No rush to reveal plot points. All of that is rolled out slowly and realistically. (I want you to have that experience, too.) The performances are superb, the best I’ve seen in years. Don and I sat together on the sofa, neither of us moving an inch throughout the movie, completely riveted. It’s brave work on the part of every person involved. Bravo.

It’s the best thing I’ve seen in years.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

 

Filed Under: jigsaw puzzles, movies, snow 31 Comments

Moving Things Around

January 6, 2022 at 10:27 am by Claudia

It’s sunny today! I don’t think it will last, but I’m happy to see it. We’re supposed to get some snow overnight – maybe an inch or two. Since it will be our first real snowfall, we’re looking forward to it. That will change come February, of course.

I moved some things around yesterday because trying to display the girls and my turquoise/aqua McCoy 0n the same small surface had become problematic. As you well know, display space of any kind is limited here and it’s all in use.

But then, I came up with this idea:

Since it was late in the day and darkish when I put them there, I wasn’t sure it was such a good idea. But this morning, I think it’s perfect. It adds some color to this area of wood floor and wooden pew. And nestled under the pew, they’re safe.

The girls are now displayed here:

I grabbed an old sewing machine drawer and placed it on its side to make a platform. This also provides a bit more space for another girl. Ahem.

I asked Don to come look at both this and the McCoy under the pew and he enthusiastically gave it all a thumbs up. Then he stared at the girls and said “They’re works of art.” He especially likes Pip.

How thankful I am that he gets it.

Thank you for all your supportive comments about the girls. It’s good to know that you enjoy seeing them.

In that vein, here’s Imogen in another outfit from LenaLittleDress that arrived while I was away in NYC.

With the yellow shoes!

She looks rather pleased with the ensemble.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

 

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, Imogen, McCoy pottery 26 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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