Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Empty Nest

June 5, 2021 at 10:22 am by Claudia

My favorite flower.

This having to use the iPad to write the post is getting to be a pain in the tush. It’s much harder to put in my very long password without some sort of error and then, as happened this morning, getting locked out of my blog for 45 minutes. I finally resorted to using Don’s laptop. Monday, I go to the Apple Store and hopefully, the issue will soon be resolved.

Yesterday morning, as Don and I were getting ready to run errands, including recycling, Don came back in the house to tell me that he wouldn’t be able to recycle because the robins were more aggressive than ever and wouldn’t let him get near the trash can. In fact, they chased him all the way up into the woods. When I went out there, one of them came within inches of my head. We were pretty sure that their hyper-vigilance meant the babies were about to fledge. So we left to do the rest of our errands, and when we got back a couple of hours later, it was quiet. Don was pretty sure they had fledged and, though the adults were still chirping at us, it was much less loud. Perhaps the fledglings were still in the area.

This morning it was quiet and no robins.

We loved having them here, but we’re glad they’re gone. Every time we had to go to the trash cans or the shed, they were flying over our heads, warning us with constant chirps, and we sometimes had to take the indirect route through the woods and back down the path that leads to the side of the shed in order to put trash bags in the can.

Proof:

An empty nest.

God speed little babies. You had devoted parents.

Don just came back with the coolest gnome that he found in our neighbor’s yard sale. I’m not a fan of gnomes as a rule, but this guy is an exception. Don calls him The Dude. Photo tomorrow.

Painting on the docket for today.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Filed Under: birds, life 12 Comments

Miniature Paint Box

June 4, 2021 at 8:30 am by Claudia

Had to snap a picture this morning. These blooms last about three days and this is day two.

Gorgeous, aren’t they?

Wild roses, day lilies, yarrow – everything is suddenly in bloom. But it’s going to be stormy today. Then we head into 5 days of 90 degree weather. What?? This has been a crazy spring.

I meant to paint yesterday but I got diverted by an incredibly fiddly little project: making a small miniature from a kit. This particular kit is an artist’s paint box. A couple of hours and several curse words later, we have this:

The tubes of paint were a pain in the tush. I made some more, which are over on the bookcase.

A palette was included. Eventually I’ll add some blobs of paint.

There are also a couple of brushes made out of toothpicks which work for the moment. I’m going to search for more realistic mini paint brushes, though.

The easel is on its way from Denmark. I have some mini canvases to paint and stack in the room. I’ll add some mini art books, too.

I really love this little studio.

Stay safe,

Happy Friday.

 

Filed Under: dollhouse, life, miniatures, roses 35 Comments

Baby Robins

June 3, 2021 at 9:24 am by Claudia

Baby robins as photographed by my husband. He had to get something out of the shed so he quickly held his camera over the nest while the adult robins were frantically chirping at us, and got out of there quickly so they could relax. We see two babies, but I think there’s another one there, too, maybe on the upper right? But I can’t tell whether that baby is alive or not. The photo makes them look bigger than they actually are.

I imagine they’ll fledge soon.

In other bird news, late in the afternoon, as I was opening the front door, I saw at least two or three Carolina wrens. They were on the maple tree, flying down to the ground and then back up to the bark. I also heard their song. In my research on them, I read that after the babies fledge, the family often hangs out in the same area for a while as the parents help the babies learn to find food. I’m so happy to have seen them for a brief time. That was a gift I sorely needed.

More rain and thunderstorms today and tomorrow. Don took on too much outside work yesterday, so I’ve persuaded him to take it easy for a couple of days. Truth be told, I didn’t have to work too hard to persuade him.

I’m going to paint today.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: bird nest, birds 18 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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The Dogs

The Dogs

Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

Winston - Our first dog. We miss you, sweetheart.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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