Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Saturday Reads

December 28, 2019 at 11:03 am by Claudia

A very foggy morning, but as the sun started to break through the clouds, I took this picture.

Isn’t this a nicely lazy week? Though we were fairly busy yesterday, grocery shopping in the morning, recycling, and then in the early afternoon, I drove to Oblong Books to get a copy of Jane Eyre. Today, on the other hand, will be slow and easy and I’m all for that.

The tree is still up and I must say I love seeing those lights in the early morning. Very cozy and comforting for yours truly.

I’m reading 3 books at the moment; the book about The Seine, Jane Eyre, and a wonderful book that I asked for and Don gave me for Christmas, Hotel Chelsea; Living in the Last Bohemian Haven. I’ve long been fascinated by the Hotel Chelsea in NYC, which has been a haven for eccentrics, artists, and musicians for decades. It has undergone many changes in the last twenty years. It was sold to a nefarious landlord, then sold again, then sold again. The nefarious landlord pressured everyone to move out using appalling tactics. The tenants formed an association and fought to retain their rent control status. They won. All along the way, the hotel has been in the process of renovation and many of the period details are gone. Those that stayed there during the renovations have fallen into a couple of different groups; some took offers for larger apartments that would be renovated by the owners, some refused any changes to their apartments because they wanted to retain all the period and quirky architectural elements, some took offers and moved out. The book, which is a gorgeous coffee table book, interviews some of the residents who have lived there for years and have no intention of moving out. Fascinating. Some of the decor is eccentric, to say the least. Some of it is drop-dead gorgeous. If you’re curious about the hotel, google it. The list of people who lived there over the years is amazing.

Alright, my friends, I have to hit publish so this goes out today.

Happy Saturday.

 

 

Filed Under: books 22 Comments

Friday

December 27, 2019 at 9:44 am by Claudia

From Santa.

That hat, by the way, is the classic Deerstalker worn by Sherlock Holmes.

I think Santa gets my reading preferences.

Santa also brought me some Carmex, some actual photos made from digital pics of our trip to Paris, some pencils, and some sugar-free chocolates from a local chocolate shop. And some books, a notebook, scented soap and bubble bath.

We were so tired yesterday. And today! I seem to be in a waking up early mode lately, so I never feel like I get enough sleep. Ah well.

It’s a gray and drizzly day out there. I’m glad we’re keeping the tree up for a few more days. I never take it down right after Christmas. I’ve only done that once in my life and it was because both Don and I were leaving for out of town jobs. I wasn’t raised that way, which I suspect informs a lot of our holiday choices. We always kept the tree up through New Year’s Day. And many people keep it up through Epiphany – thereby honoring the 12 days of Christmas. Everyone is different of course, but personally, I would have found it impossible to be here the day after Christmas and have no reminders of the season or the reason we celebrate. We’ve had the tree since December 1st, so I suspect we’ll have to take it down on Monday. But I’ve found that if the tree is healthy and you water it every day, it will last at least a month.

I did remove the decorations from the dollhouses, but that’s it so far. I still love coming downstairs in the morning and turning the tree lights on. It’s enormously comforting. The porch lights stay on for at least another month. We live in the country and it’s lovely to see Christmas lights glowing through January, especially with it getting dark so early.

Reader Kathy sent a box of goodies and it included this Italian version of To Kill a Mockingbird.  Isn’t it a beautiful cover design? Thank you, Kathy!

Today we grocery shop. And I’m off to find a copy of Jane Eyre, which, surprisingly, I don’t have on my shelves. I’m coaching a version of it later in the month and I want to reread it before I do my research on Yorkshire dialects, etc.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: Christmas 26 Comments

The Day After

December 26, 2019 at 9:46 am by Claudia

I hope you had a lovely Christmas day. Ours was just the way we wanted it – fairly low-key. We had a lazy morning, drinking coffee, slowly opening presents, and then I made French Toast. Later, in the early afternoon, we went over to Rick and Doug’s for some homemade soup (made by our friend, Russ) and some popovers (made by Rick.) As always, lots of great conversation.

As we left to return home, the sun was setting and we had to stop so I could take this picture:

Absolutely gorgeous.

We’re tuckered out today. This was our 26th Christmas together and they’ve always been magical. At times, money was so tight that we had a budget of $25 to spend on each other. At other times, we were temporarily earning more, so we could indulge a little. I can honestly say that whatever the budget, the joy in choosing a present for a loved one remains the same. You just get a little more creative!

We stopped by Rick and Doug’s on Christmas Eve to let Sam out. As we walked him around the property, he found a big stick:

What a sweetie he is.

Okay. I have to pay some bills, do some paperwork, that kind of thing.

Happy Thursday.

Filed Under: Christmas 20 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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