Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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In the Limelight

October 16, 2016 at 10:06 am by Claudia

Yesterday: Obsessively deleting tons of emails – I really need to be better about doing that every day, cleaning here and there, some good heart-to-heart talks with my husband, crying about Scout, walking the trail, feeding the horses (Ashley let me stroke her coat!), dinner and the Cubs game. We didn’t last through the whole game because we got sleepy, but I see this morning that they won.

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The dried hydrangeas that were in this bucket had been there for years. It was time for a refresh. I clipped these limelight hydrangeas the other day when I knew we were going to get frost overnight. I’m planning on adding more; there are some large blooms on that bush, but they haven’t reached the perfect pink/green stage yet. Turns out the frost didn’t harm them.

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Have I told you how much I love this table? Oh, that’s right, I have. Repeatedly.

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I have three different hydrangeas on the property: Annabelle, Limelight and a version called Endless Summer. They are gorgeous, each and every one, but the Limelight is the only one that changes from white to this pale pink and green. Limelight blooms are also cone-shaped, unlike the fat, round blooms of the Annabelle and Endless Summer.

Today, we’re going to go to a vintage car show. Don has recently become a fan and has gone to a few of them. We thought it would be a fun thing to do today. I’ll take pictures.

I want to update you about the fundraising campaign we had for our friend Dawn. Our goal was $3000 and generous donors helped us meet that goal. I’ve spoken to Dawn on the phone a couple of times during the campaign. Each time, she started crying because she was so moved by the donations made by friends and strangers – good people, all. She has started to work an hour or two a day – that’s really all she can handle at the moment – but her voice sounds stronger and we’re cheering her on.

Some of you, dear readers, also contributed and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Dawn thanks you as well!

In the midst of virulent speeches and anger and a feeling of being besieged on all sides by this presidential election, we stop and remember that there are really good and kind and loving people out there. We see it every day and we certainly saw it in this campaign. We are thankful.

Happy Sunday.

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Filed Under: antiques, flowers 26 Comments

Frost, Flowers, Leaves & Horses

October 15, 2016 at 9:26 am by Claudia

We had frost last night. And, if you remember, we had frost a few days ago. My moonflower and morning glory vines are toast.

Sob.

I had a good run with the morning glories, but the moonflower and I were just getting into a rhythm of beautiful blooms.

Last night, I covered the geraniums, brought some of the porch plants in and covered the others with sheets. Fingers crossed. This is so frustrating given the fact that the weather is getting warm again in the coming week with – get this – a high in the 80’s on Thursday.

October frosts: I really, really dislike you.

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The limelights are turning pink. In anticipation of the frost, I clipped several of them and brought them in the house to dry. They may or may not be in the vintage ice cream maker that sits on the café table. Perhaps I’ll take a picture or two for you today.

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The sedum Autumn Joy is looking particularly beautiful.

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I took this picture yesterday and posted it on Instagram. The colors of the autumn leaves are particularly vivid this year. Those reds! Is it because it was so dry this year? I have no idea.

We went on a trail walk yesterday and brought along some carrots for the horses, who now eat out of our hands. We love that.

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Ashley (the mom).

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Pliers (the son).

This little ritual of stopping by to say hello and give them a treat makes us happy.

I just finished Missing Presumed  this morning. How lovely to read and read and read, sipping coffee made for me by my husband, with a shawl around my shoulders. For those of you who missed it, I have a book giveaway going on (see yesterday’s post) and I also asked the readers of Just Let Me Finish This Page to share what they are reading. Stop by and share your current reads with us. We all love these posts because we can compare notes and learn about authors who may be new to us.

Happy Saturday.

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Filed Under: animals, books, flowers, reading 32 Comments

Book Review: Devil Sent the Rain by Lisa Turner

October 14, 2016 at 9:49 am by Claudia

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Today I am reviewing Devil Sent the Rain by Lisa Turner for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

About the book (from the publisher): Fresh from solving Memphis’ most sensational murder case, Homicide detective Billy Able and his ambitious new partner Frankie Malone are called to a bizarre crime scene on the outskirts of town. A high society attorney has been murdered while dressed in a wedding gown. Billy is shocked to discover that he has a very personal connection to the victim. When the attorney’s death exposes illegal practices at her family’s prestigious law firm, the scandal is enough to rock the southern city’s social world.

In a tale of the remnants of Old South aristocracy and entitlement, twisted by greed and vengeance, Billy must confront the secrets of his own past to have any chance at solving the murder of the girl he once knew. But, as he seeks the truth, he’s drawn closer to an embittered killer bent on revenge – and eliminating the threat Billy poses.

My review: Gosh, I liked this novel! I was unfamiliar with Lisa Turner’s work before I read Devil Sent the Rain. I’m now a fan. As there are two other books in this series of Memphis police procedurals, I will be making up for lost time.

Turner clearly understands and knows the South. Her descriptions of Memphis are evocative and paint a picture of life in that city, as well as life in other, more rural, areas of the South. Also ringing true is the portrait she paints of Southern ‘aristocracy,’ and the members of that tribe who cling onto a way of life that is fast dying.

Billy Able is a fascinating character – one with a past that is very much a part of this present-day mystery. I really want to read the other two books in the series to follow his journey prior to Devil Sent the Rain. All of the characters are written in great detail, with sharp and telling portraits of the key players. The plot is complicated and compelling. As with all good mysteries, I couldn’t put it down as the story catapulted itself toward the denouement.

This is an excellent police procedural/mystery rooted in the deep south, with the past at war with present. From that starting point, everything spins out of control. I recommend it highly.

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About the author: Born in Memphis, Lisa Turner is a southern mystery author who could the roots of Southern identity around her characters, then pushes them to the edge. She travels between her ancestral home in the Deep South and her writing haven on the wildly beautiful coast of Nova Scotia.

Published by Harper Collins.

Good news! One of you will win a copy of Devil Sent the Rain. Just leave a comment on this post and I will choose a winner on Sunday evening.

And stop by Just Let Me Finish This Page today, where I will be asking my favorite question: What are you reading?

Happy Friday.

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Filed Under: TLC Book Review 21 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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