Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

  • About MHC
    • Disclosure
  • Dollhouses/Minis
    • Hummingbird Cottage
    • The Studio (Formerly TSP)
    • Dove Cottage
    • The Lake House
    • The Folk Art Dollhouse
    • The Modern Dollhouse
    • The Beacon Hill Dollhouse
    • Dollhouse Source List, Information and Tutorials
  • On the Road
  • Collecting
    • Roseville Pottery
    • McCoy Pottery
    • Egg Cups
    • Bakelite
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy

Mid-Week Ramblings

September 8, 2021 at 8:58 am by Claudia

This was the state of the sky on our walk the other day. I took the day off from walking yesterday, but I’m going to get back out there this morning before my coaching session. I like this kind of sky – deep, dark, foreboding. Interestingly, no rain occurred that day.

Today, on the other hand, we’re supposed to get big thunderstorms with gusty winds in the afternoon and early evening. And maybe a bit more rain tomorrow, then six or seven days in a row with no rain.

Don’s off to recycle. I’m going to try to get some chores done before I coach in the afternoon.

I’m still waiting for my doll to arrive. I’ve been tracking her journey from Liverpool to the States. There was a murky period there where England said it was ready to leave the country and the US said it had been notified that a package was being prepared and nothing happened for at least four days. Sort of like purgatory for international mail. But over the weekend, it was processed through JFK, then went to the Jamaica, Queens postal facility, then to Stamford, CT, then to Jersey City, NJ. Now it’s in Albany. I’m betting it gets here Friday. But – that being said – I’ve seen things leave Albany and end up in Springfield, MA for no rhyme or reason. The circuitous, sometimes baffling, journey of mail is weirdly fascinating. And often maddening.

Nothing else to report of any note. The new dollhouse is still filled with dishes of dried coffee grounds, hopefully absorbing all the musty smells. Since I’m busy with coaching, I’m not feeling impatient. I’m going to let those grounds sit there for a while.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

 

 

Filed Under: life 16 Comments

Walking and Painting

September 7, 2021 at 9:58 am by Claudia

Lately, I’ve been walking a lot more. It’s good for me, of course, but I also want to get in shape for NYC, where I’ll be walking a lot, jumping on the subway, and walking some more. The pace in the city takes some getting used to – and you have to be in shape. Since it’s been more than a year and a half since I’ve done anything in the city, it’s time to take it up a notch.

Sometimes I walk by myself, but my favorite walks are with Don. Some photos from yesterday’s jaunt:

The creek and the river are back to normal.

There is an old grist mill across the street from us. It was in continual operation from around 1780 until not long before we moved here. It has since been converted to a restaurant under several owners. It looks like it didn’t recover from the pandemic as it’s closed. These hydrangeas are outside the entrance.

Standing on the grist mill deck. Our house is on the other side of those trees, just across the road. Hello, handsome!

I have a coaching session this afternoon with Ben.

I painted for a while yesterday afternoon and it was very calming. My anxiety has been flaring up again, so I’m seeking out activities that keep me grounded. Painting is one of them. Walking is another. As is mowing the lawn.

As is not watching or reading the news, which both of us – within reason – have vowed to do.

Hanging in there.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: Don, oil painting 16 Comments

And Summer’s Lease Hath All Too Short A Date

September 6, 2021 at 9:53 am by Claudia

The title of this post was written by Shakespeare and it’s one of my favorites. It’s from Sonnet 18 – Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day? 

I’m really feeling that this morning as I notice the coneflowers turning brown, the gardens looking ragged, the light changing. It’s still officially summer and will be until later on in September, but we all know that we think of Labor Day as the day we move on to autumn. It always leaves me feeling a bit melancholy.

It’s a quiet day here. There’s less traffic on our heavily traveled road. The sun has come out after a rainy day yesterday. I had a good coaching session yesterday and have another one scheduled for tomorrow. But today? I’m going to take it easy. Get back to my painting. Listen to the new vinyl version of Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water  album. Don ordered it the other day because we started talking about The Boxer and how much we love that song and then realized it wasn’t on any of our CDs.

I hope you have a lovely day today. Enjoy.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Filed Under: autumn, flowers, summer 18 Comments

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 406
  • 407
  • 408
  • 409
  • 410
  • …
  • 1842
  • Next Page »
  • Email
  • Instagram

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.

Thanks for stopping by.

Searching?

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

A Note

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse, read and enjoy. All content is my own; including photos and text. Please do not use anything on this site without permission.

Disclosure/Privacy Policy can be found in the Navigation Bar under ‘About MHC.’

Also, I love receiving comments! I do, however, reserve the right to delete any comment that is in poor taste, offensive or is verging on spam. It’s my blog. If you’re a bot or a troll you’ll be blocked. Thanks!

Archives

All Content © 2008 - 2026 Mockingbird Hill Cottage · Log in