Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

When Did This Become the Norm?

at by

A rainy morning here at the cottage.

Three different times this morning, I’ve tried to take a picture that wasn’t dark and grainy. But no can do. Too dark. If I’m thinking ahead, I try to take pictures the day before. But I didn’t, so you’re stuck with a photo of houseplants. Again.

A short post today because I don’t have a whole lot more to say.

I am heartsick at yet another mass shooting, where innocent people worshipping in a church were gunned down. I don’t want to hear one more politician who takes money from the NRA say anything about ‘prayers.’ Grow a damn spine and stand up to the NRA. Now. At what point did an amendment that concerned owning a musket evolve into the right to own semi-automatic weapons? And when did the right to own a weapon become more important than the lives of our fellow citizens? When did any semblance of a moral compass disappear? I tell you, I have had it. There is an insanity spreading in this country. I won’t have it. I want my country back. Vote tomorrow. Vote.

Happy Monday.

More Light at the End of the Day, Please

at by

A quick reminder: some of you are still attempting to comment via the email version of posts. I am unable to respond to you via those emails. So please, if you have a comment, come to blog and comment on the actual post.

Okay. I mowed and mowed and mowed yesterday. Since it’s going to rain today, it had to be done. But it left me feeling tuckered out by the end of the day. Maybe that’s the last mowing job for the year?

I don’t like the time change. Never have. The whole ‘gaining an extra hour’ thing has never impressed me. I still wake up when I wake up. I know it gives those who have to be somewhere this morning a little extra time, or in the case of someone like my husband who has five show weekend, an opportunity to catch a few more minutes of sleep. But when it gets dark way too early tonight, I’ll be cursing the whole thing.

This is the split-leaf philodendron that I nabbed at Terrain. I’ve repotted it, but I have some concern about the roots, which were completely coiled around the soil in the original pot. I’m wondering if it needs an even bigger pot. Like I said yesterday, I’ve never seen something so completely root bound. Maybe they’ll relax and sort themselves out.

I love the glossy quality of the leaves.

This pot is also from Terrain.

And the succulent called String of Pearls. Because who could resist?

I have been casually mentioning houseplants to Don to prepare him for the decided increase in green things he will see when he gets back home. Thankfully, Don likes plants (especially if I’m the one watering them!)

Checking in on the rescue dieffenbachia:

It’s looking better all the time.

Clearly, I’m transitioning from the outside to the inside. The last morning glory bloomed two days ago. Sigh. But I have nothing to complain about. It kept blooming into November and that’s the first time that has happened. I am grateful. So, ever the nurturer, I’m concentrating on my houseplants now as I prepare to say goodbye to my porch plants later in the week.

I’m having breakfast with Rick and Doug this morning. (Rick loves to eat out.) And then I’m trotting off to get my hair trimmed and, boy, does it need it!

Happy Sunday.

Field Trip: Terrain

at by

As you can see, most of our trees are leafless. Because we are situated in such a way that we get a lot more wind on those windy days than others, we seem to lose our leaves pretty quickly. I have to re-learn that every year. The only upside is that I’m done with raking until Spring. It was a very dramatic day yesterday, with sun, then heavy clouds and sudden showers, then sun again.

I was going to recycle but I decided to do something I’d been wanting to do for a few months. I figured it was now or not until next spring because the chances of me driving there in the winter were nil. I decided to drive to Westport, CT to walk through Terrain. Terrain is a shop full of plants and hip plant-related accessories, as well as kitchen items, stationery, candles, and items for the home. They are a  part of the Anthropologie empire, so the fact that they are beautifully designed is a given. There are two locations out East – Connecticut and Pennsylvania. And two more on the West Coast, in Walnut Creek and Palo Alto. Like Anthropologie, items can be pricey. But I found some very good buys as well, which I’ll share with you soon.

It took an hour and a half to get there and when I arrived the parking lot was full to the brim so I had to maneuver into an adjoining grocery store parking lot.

It really is gorgeous. I didn’t take many photos because my battery level was low after using my phone for navigation purposes on the way there.

A bit blurry, but it’s the best I could do. Several employees were up on ladders, decorating for the holidays. Though I can and do appreciate the beauty, it’s too early for me. Plus, I have more than enough Christmas decorations!

I spent most of my time looking at the houseplants that were everywhere. I bought one – another rescue. It is a split-leaf philodendron and it was in the sale area and extremely  root bound. I repotted it, but I might have to go back in and release a few more roots. I’ve never seen a plant as root bound as this one was. Nevertheless, it was in the process of unfurling new leaves and looks healthy. More research on what to do will be done today. I also bought a couple of pots and some very small sansevierias, which I have potted.

You remember my pilea peperomiodes? It’s currently the plant that everyone wants but its scarcity makes it a bit pricey. You can find it on Amazon and at certain shops for a somewhat reasonable amount of money. I saw it in Terrain:

Nice, healthy plants in small pots. Over $50. Yikes! I will say this for them, they had a lot of pilea on hand and I rarely see it. But I admit to gasping when I saw the price.

They have a wonderful café, so I had some lunch.

Headed back home and did some repotting before settling down for the evening. Today, I do  have to recycle as well as mow the lawn – probably for the last time.

My bush is turning a vivid red. I love that.

Temps at night are supposed to dip into the twenties later this week, so I am bracing myself to say goodbye to my porch plants. Ah, well.

Happy Saturday.

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