Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Nesting Mode

November 15, 2018 at 10:59 am by Claudia

We’re awaiting the winter storm that is going to arrive around 5 pm. 3 – 6 inches of snow and, because it will be mixed with sleet, it will be heavy, wet snow. So, we’re not going to get that first pretty, fluffy snow. We’re going to get a friggin’ mess.

We did what we had to yesterday, pulled the A/C units out of our windows, put them in bins and stacked them in the shed. Then Don went off to run errands and I worked outside (and it was cold!) for about three hours, emptying pots from the front porch, taking the cushions off the porch furniture, moving things into the shed. Don offered to help, but really, I’m the only one who knows exactly what to do out there as it’s my territory. There are a couple of plants that are still blooming, so I left them there. I am incapable of dumping a plant that is still alive. It’s simply not possible. Next week, we’ll take the adirondack chairs and a couple of other porch pieces to our storage facility and I’ll move the Secret Garden and Funky Patio chairs and tables to the porch for the winter.  There’s still more to do out there, but the bulk of it is done.

Yours truly was tuckered out last night.

We fell asleep while watching a documentary about Henry VII last night. If you ever want to catch a nap during the day, watch a documentary. I like documentaries, don’t get me wrong, but the voice of the narrator eventually becomes white noise and you’re off to slumberland.

I finished the James Lee Burke novel last night and, since I’m in the mood for more, found another on my shelves from a few years back that I had barely started and never finished. I’ve read most of his Dave Robicheaux books, but I went through a period where I stopped reading them.

Time to catch up.

Oh, and I received the most wonderful, whimisical book about miniatures from an English author. I’ll share it with you after I’ve explored it.

I’ve officially moved into nesting mode, as I do every year about this time. Our cottage seems especially cozy and I find myself looking around, searching for things to change and/or tweak. I’m switching out the pillows on the loveseat, putting the cushions from the glider on the sofa (after cleaning them.) Some will go in storage, others will join the mass of cushions on the sofa in the den. And I’m reading, reading, reading. After the reading drought earlier this year, I’m so grateful to be immersed in a book!

Happy Thursday.

 

Filed Under: books, porch, reading 28 Comments

This and That

November 14, 2018 at 8:58 am by Claudia

Not only are we getting a lot of snow tomorrow, we’re also getting ice Thursday night.

Apparently, our first snowfall won’t be pretty event. I’m already sick of winter and it hasn’t officially begun!

Today will find us moving the A/C units out of the windows, cleaning up the porch, buying salt and getting the snow shovels out of the shed. I have a lot to do today!

This little mustard pot/crock arrived yesterday. It was an impulse buy, but I’m glad I went for it. It’s probably from the late 1800s – early 1900s and it’s got great graphics and an appropriate amount of rust. They don’t make packaging like this anymore, do they?

Since I have a marmalade crock from the British Isles, I figured I needed some sort of crock from France, too.

What else is new? Don is singing in a concert in Manhattan on Sunday evening. It’s to be a concert version of new musical that is in development called Johnny and the Devil’s Box. The music is bluegrass. One of the music directors from Margaritaville  is working on it and recommended Don, as well as Don’s co-star, Rema Webb. It’s being done live with an audience with the intention of getting a good recording of the entire score.

I’m still working on Anastasia, but won’t be back there until November 20th. A young Australian pop star is coming in to replace the male lead and we’re working together to get him ready to take over the role at the end of November. Then I have another project starting up in December, a bit of work on a production of A Man for All Seasons. It’s all good.

Okay. Have to get moving. Time for work outside and it’s cold out there!

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: cleaning, coaching, collecting, snow 18 Comments

Transition to Flannel & Snow

November 13, 2018 at 10:01 am by Claudia

Two days ago, I marked an important transition here at the cottage: I changed over to flannel pajamas. I held off as long as possible, but this week has shown a marked change in the temperatures and I can no avoid them.

Actually, I love  wearing flannel pajamas and would stay in them all day if I could. In fact, right before dinner last night, Don said, “You should go upstairs and change into your pjs.” I never got around to it, but that guy gets me.

Perfect scenario: I’m wearing flannel pajamas, reading a good book, and drinking hot chocolate.

That might happen later today. If it doesn’t happen today, it will definitely happen on Thursday when we are due for 3-5 inches of snow. 

Yes, indeed. I know many of you have already been blessed with the white stuff, but we haven’t. I have mixed feelings on the subject. The first couple of snowfalls are awfully pretty. But I’m not a fan in the long run. Tomorrow, I have to clean up some of the porch, move the rakes, shovels, etc., back in the shed and move the snow shovels to the porch. Oh, and we have to take the air conditioners out of the windows. As usual, we procrastinate about these chores and then we find ourselves running around at the last minute, trying to accomplish everything.

But today it is raining. It rained all night long. I’m almost halfway through my current read and I’ve kept to my goal of reading first thing in the morning. I usually read for a couple of hours and then it’s my turn to make our second cup of coffee (Don makes the first), which we drink on the loveseat in the den, coming together to chat about the day ahead. (See first photo.)

We had a lovely time at R & D’s yesterday. Our friend from back in the day at the Old Globe was visiting and I haven’t seen him in about 23 years! He’s such a nice guy and, as usual, the conversation was terrific and we laughed a lot. Sam is also doing well and made sure to demand affection from all of us. Love that dog.

I know these posts must seem incredibly boring after all the posts about the trip, but that’s daily life back home for you!

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: life 42 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.

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

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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