Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Peepers, Birds, Books, and Stickers

March 18, 2022 at 9:10 am by Claudia

Out the window: brown grass and no leaves on the trees – but the birds are singing and we heard the peepers for the first time last night! That means – no matter what the date is on the calendar – that SPRING is here! I was sitting in the den last night and thought I heard a peep, so Don and I went up the stairs to the window, opened it wide, and we heard one peep followed by a chorus of peeps. I cannot tell you how happy this makes us. We responded with a hearty “Welcome!” I have yet to hear the bullfrog. I hope he’s still there.

I read a lot yesterday: Orfeo  by Richard Powers. His writing is beautiful, his intellect unmatched. It’s been a bit of a slow go, only because there’s so much to take in, and Powers’ build to the climax is always slow and steady. I refuse to be a speed reader because, to me, the beauty is in digging in and savoring every word. I should finish it today.

I don’t know if you’re into stickers. As a rule, I’m not. But, I saw this book of stickers on Amazon and was attracted to the subject matter; vintage and bibliophilia. I think it was about $20. I love the illustrations and the book is truly jam-packed with vintage beauty. I use a planner religiously, as you know, so I sometimes add a sticker to that day’s page.

Don’t get too excited by the Country Living feature coming up. They only used two of my egg cups and frankly, they’re fairly mundane. No enchanting figurals at all – just a jadite egg cup and a small Delft egg cup from Holland. I’m happy, though, that they’re using the Delft, as it was a present from my mother and it’s precious to me. But that’s the world of art direction and stylists. Clearly, they had a certain look in mind.

Still, it’s flattering to have even two of my cups featured!

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: birds, books, spring 16 Comments

Group Photo

March 17, 2022 at 8:37 am by Claudia

Yesterday, I roused myself enough to stage this photo:

The girls arranged in order  – Sophie, my first girl, on the left and Madeleine, my most recent girl, on the right.

And Bertie, of course.

I’m sort of crazy about this photo. It came out better than I had hoped.

I think Pippa’s legs were bent at the knees because she’s the same height as Mei. I love the fact that no one has the same color hair. I’m patting myself on the back for that one!

In the bizarre category, do you remember when Don was trying to get rid of that reference to him that said “Don Sparks was….?” It came up on the right of the screen every time he did a google search. Well he finally convince someone to delete him from the site, thank goodness. But every once in a while, he googles himself to make sure it’s gone. This morning, this came up:

What the ?????

There weren’t many votes, were there?

We couldn’t stop laughing.

My vote? With the beard.  (Not that they asked me.)

The shot on the left is his headshot. The one on the right is from Rescue Me.

We’re hanging in there, though we’re both sore today. We’re due for some rain, so we’ll hang out here and drive each other crazy.

As always on this date, I mention that, though I’m part Irish – and we’re talking Northern Ireland – St. Patrick’s Day has never been something I celebrate. It just doesn’t resonate with me. But if you do, I wish you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

 

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, collecting 18 Comments

Friends

March 16, 2022 at 8:53 am by Claudia

Nothing much to report from the cottage. We’re both still sore and nursing our injuries. Between the two of us, we get things done. I actually vacuumed yesterday. I couldn’t stand all the stuff on the kitchen floor. But I did it slowly and carefully.

It’s cloudy here today, but the high will be 63 degrees. Yesterday, I put some recycling out on the porch and took some time to be  there and get a whiff of spring in the air. I’m looking forward to cleaning up the porch and the property, washing the siding on the house, and cleaning the shed!

We’re going to watch Zelenskyy’s address to Congress this morning. It’s on at 9 am.

Sophie is wearing a new sweater from AuntieShrew, a seller on Etsy who lives in Canada. I really love it. Nicole’s knitting is beautiful. I love big, slouchy sweaters in my real life, and I love them for the girls as well. I briefly had Sophie’s hair in braids and then a pony tail. She’s awfully pretty isn’t she? My friend Susan – who crocheted that red cap for my girls – has a doll from the same customizer who could be Sophie’s twin.

I had a long and wonderful phone conversation yesterday with my best friend, Laural, We caught up on everything. I’ve known Laural since I was 12. We’ve been through so much together. Both Laural and my friend Jackie (who I’ve known since I was 4) know me in a way that no one else does. Think of it – Laural and I met not long after Meredith was born! She was just a baby. And Jackie and I met before we started kindergarten. There is a shared history that cannot be duplicated in a ‘newer’ friendship. I was in their weddings (I sang in them as well). Their parents were like second sets of parents to me. We were there for each other in happiness, tough times, through the death of family members, growing pains, everything. Jackie still lives in my home town and recently retired from a long career as an elementary school teacher. Laural lives in the Chicago area and had a long career in the theater – especially children’s theater. I also need to mention my dear, dear friend Kay, who I’ve known since she was born – I think we’re 3 years apart? Is that right, Kay? Her parents were my godparents and we spent countless hours together as kids. She lives in Florida now after having lived in Maine for many, many years. We also share that bond of growing up together, in and out of each other’s houses, knowing siblings and parents. You’ve seen her comments on the blog. I’ll write about my cousin, Eileen, in another post – she’s family and a friend, as well.

Thinking about friends today.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: friends 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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