Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Just Hanging Out

December 14, 2017 at 9:03 am by Claudia

We got up this morning and were putzing around for an hour and a half before we realized it had snowed overnight. I suppose this is what happens when you get up around 6 am and it’s still dark so you don’t open the blinds or the shades and you sit around and drink coffee and look at Instagram so that when you finally get up to open the blinds, you gasp and say “There’s snow on the ground!”

Not all that much fell, but it’s enough for a shovel, and more than in the photo at the top of the post, which was taken a few days ago. By the way, I’m not one who fusses with hiding the cord for the christmas lights. It would be hard to do with this particular tree, but really, I care not one whit if it shows. We all know it’s there, right?

This was a pre-lit tree for a number of years until the lights stopped working. Then I spent the better part of a day prying them off the branches and cursing while I was doing it because it was so hard to remove them. All because I didn’t want to shell out for another tree.

We watched Wonder Woman  last night while eating molasses cookies. I know we’re rather late to this movie, but it was fabulous! Amazingly well done.

The current garden-in-the-kitchen. Actually, there’s more than this. And I moved the dieffenbachia to the sideboard in the living room because the edges of the leaves are getting brown and that is either because I’m not keeping the soil most enough (a possibility) or because of the cold air that blasts into the kitchen when we open the door (a distinct possibility.) So I moved it yesterday.

The flowers-to-be on the sansevieria are growing taller.

On the window sill, the fascinating string of pearls. I love this little succulent.

Since we’re both not working at the moment and Don is finally back home after several months of being on the road in 2017, we are basking in the opportunity to just be. It’s awfully nice and very welcome after a hectic and busy year.

What are you up to? Getting ready for the holidays?

Happy Thursday.

 

Filed Under: Christmas, houseplants, snow 38 Comments

Potpourri on Wednesday

December 13, 2017 at 9:14 am by Claudia

• First of all, bravo Alabama, especially voters of color, who turned out to vote in yesterday’s election! Roy Moore is abhorrent in every way and Doug Jones is an exemplary human being. You done good, Alabama.

• Though houseplants are supposed to be going dormant right now, there seems to be a lot happening here at the cottage.

The grocery-store-rescue maranta has a new leaf emerging.

The monstera deliciosa has a new leaf emerging, which makes me very happy as this plant was extremely rootbound when I rescued it from Terrain.

And new leaves are emerging on the Zz plant. Also seen: new leaves on the pothos that lives on top of the kitchen china cabinet and new leaves on the dieffenbachia.

Oh, it makes this plant mom happy!

• Stella got a little Christmas cheer yesterday:

I was wondering what Don would think, he of the “no plants or flowers on Stella’s shelf” brand of thinking. Much to my surprise, he loves it. Go figure.

• As I did with the tree in the living room, I used a tree skirt made of a piece of barkcloth for this little tree in the den. I’m a lover of barkcloth and I really like the quirkiness of using it instead of something more traditional.

• One of my favorite ornaments.

• It is really cold here today. It was windy all night long and it’s still windy now. The temperature ‘felt’ like 5° this morning when we got out of bed.

But it’s sunny.

• Do you remember Ashley and Pliers, the two horses that we used to visit on our trail walks? They were in extreme peril and the Catskill Animal Sanctuary rescued them last year, which prompted us to join that incredible organization. I just renewed our membership yesterday and came upon this update in the Fall newsletter, Sanctuary Scene:

You may know the story of ancient horse Ashley and her grown son, Pliers. They were neglected and rescued from being shot. Ashley was blind, and Pliers was her fierce protector, frantically circling her and threatening to kick anyone who came close. It was a dangerous situation.  But poor Ashley didn’t have much time left on this earth and was spending her remaining days terrified, walking in frantic circles, and repeatedly falling into holes. Their main source of food was hikers on a nearby trail who would take pity and feed them.

And here’s the miracle. A terrified and neurotic blind horse and her dangerously  unpredictable boy are happy, well-adjusted horses who now approach us, seeking affection. We groom them, we kiss them, they bury their heads into our chests. The extent of their recovery is an enormous and unexpected victory. A true testament to both the healing power of love and the miracles your generosity allows. All hearts yearn to sing: theirs are…for the first time ever.

As I read this to Don yesterday, tears welled up in our eyes. Such a miracle! It came about because a neighbor called the authorities and contacted the Sanctuary, because people cared about Ashley and Pliers and wanted them to be saved. I remember that we weren’t at all sure the Sanctuary would take them on, but they did. Bless them for the work they do, for the lives they save.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Filed Under: animal rescue, Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Christmas, decorating, houseplants, politics, Stella 61 Comments

A Little Decorating and Another Nancy

December 12, 2017 at 9:25 am by Claudia

Monday List:

Get the trees out and decorate them.

Check.

I added this little tree to the den. I bought it last year when I had to spend the holiday season in Hartford.

The lights are from Target and are battery operated. Since we actually had some AA batteries on hand (that never happens) I was able to use them.

The ornaments on both trees are vintage; mostly Shiny Brites. When Don came home in the afternoon, the trees were up and the lights were glowing and we admired the trees while eating molasses cookies that I had just made.

That was the other item on my To Do list. Making the cookies.

Oh, and wash the sheets. Check.

I love turning on the tree lights when we get up in the morning. It makes for gentle and lovely way to start the day, slowly sipping coffee while looking at the tree.

The expected snow for today has turned into rain.

This arrived yesterday:

Love the cover art.

I bid on an earlier auction for a copy of The Clue in the Diary, but lost out, which was fine as the price went higher than I was willing to pay. The next day, I looked at eBay and there was a new listing for a ridiculously low price and it was Buy Now. So I did. It was printed during WWII and there’s a message on the title page:

This book, while produced under wartime conditions, in full compliance with government regulations for the conservation of paper and other essential materials, is COMPLETE AND UNABRIDGED.

Only three more to collect in this limited series of Nancy Drew books with dust cover art by Russell H. Tandy: The Hidden Staircase, The Clue in the Old Album, and The Ghost of Blackwood Hall. I’ll get them, eventually. I know exactly how the cover art should look and, since there are only three more to get, I’m taking my time so I can extend the pleasure of the search.

Happy Tuesday.

 

Filed Under: Christmas, Nancy Drew 32 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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