Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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A View of the Tree and Another Arrival

December 19, 2021 at 10:17 am by Claudia

Sunday morning Christmas cheer.

Thank goodness our Christmas celebrations are relatively simple. I don’t think I have it in me to do much more than basic decorating and buying a few little things for Don – which I have yet to do. But he has to have something to open on Christmas morning, don’t you agree?

This will be a quiet and peaceful Christmas.

Okay. I have to ‘fess up. One more Blythe doll arrived late Friday night – all the way from Spain. I couldn’t resist her – there’s a story as to why. The woman who created Olivia, aka Livvy, and I were chatting on IG one day. Her name is Natalia and I first became familiar with her sprite-like dolls through my friend Susannah. Susannah is a long-time blogger and I’ve followed her for years. She lives in London. In fact, she was the person who introduced me to Blythe dolls (I’d been aware of them, but not the world of customized Blythe dolls, which is very different.) Susannah is an incredible photographer and her photos of her ever-increasing collection caught my attention. I became enchanted. She has several dolls from Natalia whose account is (at) VegaDolls on IG.

Anyway, I consulted Natalia when I was thinking of adopting Livvy, as she was being sold through a a woman who had adopted her from Natalia and I wanted to make sure everything was on the up-and-up. She assured me that the owner was a longtime friend and completely trustworthy. This initial conversation initiated a dialogue between us. One day, after BlytheMadrid, a convention where Natalia displayed her creations, I commented that she must be tired after all of that and she responded that she was not and was going to create another girl that week. What, she said, would I want in a doll? (She was trying to figure out what direction to take.) I told her short brownish hair and no bangs, as all my dolls had bangs. A week later, she wrote me and sent pictures of her newest creation and I fell for her. She wanted to give me the first option if I wanted her, but there was no pressure to buy her. But, she told me later that she had created her for me. I took a deep breath and purchased her. I never say never, but I’m pretty sure my family of girls is now complete.

Here she is:

Her name is Pippa. I briefly toyed with calling her Scout, but I realized I couldn’t call any other being, whether human or non-human by that name. Scout will always be our beloved Scout.

So she’s Pippa and I’m calling her Pip for short. Her nose is slightly rosy, so Don and I have decided she has allergies like her mom.

Those shoes have ladybugs on them! This is how she arrived in the box, a beautiful wooden box with the VegaDolls logo on it.

And here she is with her sister, who is showing her where all the clothes are:

Now I’m going to concentrate on clothing for the dolls. Maybe a new outfit once a month. I already have some things on the way but shipping is very slow because of the holidays.

Between these girls and my dollhouse and my books, I have a lovely little world in which to live and I’m very happy about it. And that world is underscored by my husband’s guitar.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, Christmas, Pippa 26 Comments

Saturday Morning

December 18, 2021 at 10:02 am by Claudia

The view from my chair this morning.

It’s rainy today. There was a chance of some snow as well, but I got up at 5:45 and there wasn’t a flake to be found. We sort of wanted to see a bit of snow this morning. Ah, well.

I worked outside for a few hours yesterday, emptying pots, stacking them near the shed, carting all of the outdoor chairs to the winter shelter of the porch. Then I did my best to stack everything in one of the dry areas of our roof-leaking shed. We have someone coming to look at it right after Christmas.

The Beacon Hill dollhouse is up next. I still have things to finish in the English cottage – the bedroom, specifically – so that is ongoing. Since I got busy with the film, I couldn’t really work on the Beacon Hill, and it smelled really musty. So, over the course of 3 months or so, I tried dishes  of baking soda, lysol, and coffee grounds. Nothing worked until I used activated charcoal, and lo and behold, the smell has greatly decreased – it’s almost gone. While I start to put primer on the exterior of the dollhouse, I’ll keep some charcoal in the interior rooms. Hopefully, by the time the outside is primed, the smell will be gone. I’ve already removed the exterior shutters (in order to paint and reposition them in the correct place next to the window) and I’ve fixed the wonky porch as best I can – it will always be a bit wonky, but so is our real-life porch. I have to add some pieces near the base of the kitchen window and I’ll be good to go. Haven’t come up with an exterior color yet.

By the way, Don named his guitar “Spoiler” after the movie. Perfect, right?

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Filed Under: Beacon Hill Dollhouse, Christmas, dollhouse 28 Comments

Thoughts on Sunsets, Mask-Wearing, and Zoe

December 17, 2021 at 9:52 am by Claudia

Last night’s sunset. Winter sunsets – at least here – are often the best. I’m not sure why, though I’m sure there is a scientific reason for that. Or there isn’t one, and it’s just my perception.

We took a walk in our little town yesterday afternoon. We’re determined to keep walking. I was forced to walk, and walk a lot, while I was in the city. I actually love walking around a city. Here? Not so much. Nevertheless, I lost weight while I was in the city. I can see my waist again. Plus, we’ve been really watching our diet for a several months. Winter is when I tend to be a slug, so that’s the time I have to be especially vigilant in terms of exercise. In a switch, Don was winded on our walk yesterday and I was not. Whoo hoo!

Today I’m going to try to clean up the outside pots and put the outdoor furniture on the porch. It’s a lot of work, but it’s relatively mild out there today, so I’m going for it.

The rapidly climbing Covid numbers are alarming. Some Broadway shows have had to close temporarily. Masks are required indoors in New York. (I always wore them anyway.) A woman I follow on IG said she’d been exposed to Covid and that several of her acquaintances who have been vaxxed and boostered, have tested positive. I’m glad I’m not there now. The movie set was rigorous about testing. We were tested 3 times a week – at least in my Zone A group – the group that was around the actors all the time. Mondays: both a PCR and an Antigen test. Wednesday: Antigen test. Friday: Antigen test. In total, I had 24 tests during the six weeks I worked on the movie. Plus, I had two PCR tests when I was working on Anastasia. And I also did an at-home test. Masks were required on set – whether outdoors or indoors. Masks were required when we were in the vans. We were very careful. I realize that people are tired of it all, but it must be done. I don’t have any patience for those who won’t wear masks. I wore one for 14-15 hours a day for 6 weeks. So do medical workers. Suck it up and do it.

End of tiny rant.

I had to find a bigger suitcase for the girls’ clothes. Don has a set of decorative suitcases that we found at a local antique dealer’s shop and he graciously allowed me to use one.

Zoe likes it. Heavens, she’s adorable.

Okay. Have to go.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, Broadway, Zoe 17 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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