The pansies are thriving, probably because of the amount of rain we’ve had. I have three containers full of them. By the way, these urns, or former urns, are made of a cheap composite material. I got them at the now defunct Christmas Tree Shoppes several years ago. I have two in this off-white color and two in a dark gray. Because they are exposed to the elements for several months, they’ve gradually decayed and the bases detached from the pots. For the past two summers, I’ve managed to balance the pot on the base, but this year one fell off. I decided to go with just the pot – Don likes them better this way. How much longer they’ll last is anyone’s guess. I miss the Christmas Tree Shoppes. I found our two Adirondack chairs there, as well, for $50 each! Much less than a proper Adirondack chair.
Rain is back today, tomorrow, and Friday. So we mowed the corral and the back forty yesterday. Oh, and the secret garden, which seems to be permanently boggy because of all the rain. I knew I couldn’t wait until this next round of rain exits to tackle that chore, so I went ahead and mowed it, my boots constantly sinking into the mud.
Our froggy friend, Phileas Frog, has taken up residence down in the culvert. Don appears to be a “frog whisperer.” He walks down there and waits until he sees a splash and talks to him. Yesterday, when we were mowing, etc., I heard Don singing. I thought he was on the porch, but he was down at the culvert singing to Phileas. Apparently, he sings to him every time he visits. I tried going down there and I sang to him, but nothing. No appearance by Phileas.
Don has won him over. (I find this so endearing. Don has an inate sweetness that warms my heart.)
I spent yesterday afternoon looking at miniatures online, and thinking about the Beacon Hill. That’s a good sign, don’t you think? There is a man in England who creates the most beautiful vintage looking appliances. I’ve had my eye on one of his vintage stoves for a long time, but it would be a major expense and I’d have to save up for it. It is white and very much like our Stella. But yesterday, I saw this new design:
Photo credit: OC Miniatures/Oliver Clarke
Oh my heavens! In mint green, no less. It’s actually a copy of Wedgewood stove, but for all intents and purposes, it’s like our Stella. It’s expensive and rightfully so, but after I pay for the host renewal for this blog, I will start putting aside some money for this gem. (I’ve saved a little each month for the host renewal and I’m just about to pay for it in full. Hurrah! That means I’ll be blogging for at least another year.)
Anyway, I’m salivating over this beauty.
The shop is on Etsy and the wonderful Oliver Clarke is the designer. This is his photo from the site and I want to make sure I credit him. I don’t know how he does this, but he is very talented, indeed. I’ve corresponded with him before and he is such a nice guy.
Okay. Have to go make a second cup of coffee.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
Hi Claudia!
That is an Awesome miniature stove! You are really good at finding great miniatures, even if they are expensive… Sometimes they just make your heart sing and are worth the investment. It would certainly be worthy of a Beacon Hill home… grand and elegant! I am always amazed at the way the “pieces” we put together can steer the design and the endpoint is sometimes different than what we thought it would be at the start! An adventure in the making!
I am so glad to hear you will be continuing your blog…. a thing that gives you pleasure and connection and meaning in your life… and provides that for many of us “viewers” too! Thank you for being there!
I make a practice of only investing in a few expensive pieces per dollhouse. I could never afford to buy expensive everything. In this house it might (fingers crossed) be the stove. The sofa was also an investment piece but I got it at auction for a good price. Same thing with Dove Cottage. The sofa and the chair were investment pieces. Then I fill in with inexpensive pieces that I transoform in some way and pieces I build from kits.
You’re so right. Sometimes a piece I find ends up defining the way I decorate a room.
Stay safe, Betsy.
That stove was meant for the Beacon Hill!
And what a great guy Don is, singing to a frog! I’d love to hear that!
Take care
He’s a sweetheart, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
That stove! Biggest sigh! It’s just wonderful.
The pansies look good in the pot — pity about the legs but hey — you still win. And I love that Don is the frog whisperer!
It’s gloomy here and more rain/big storms expected tonight. Rick’s still at the lake, going from bad to worse. I’m so glad I had a cottage fund so I can pay this off but now it will be almost starting at the beginning. First world problems. (The property is also my retirement/”the home” fund, in case everything else runs out before I do.)
I’m so sorry about the unexpected cottage expenses, Jeanie.
Darn it!
Stay safe.
Claudia, I’ve returned from my nephew’s wedding in Minneapolis. We decided to arrive a few days early to see the sites. I was won over by the friendliness of everyone we met, and had fun chats with many vendors at the Mother’s Day Craft Fair at the Sculpture Garden, as well as with people who worked at restaurants and coffee shops. A fun very long weekend.
Pleased you got to the mowing that needed to be done.
I’m impressed by the OC miniatures shop. His craftsmanship is off the charts! No wonder why you like the stove. It will certainly be the centerpiece of any (miniature or otherwise) kitchen.
Also pleased there’s indication that you’re blogging for another year.
I’m from the Midwest and my experience has always been that Midwesterners are just plain friendly and nice. They’re good people. Glad you had a good time, Wendy.
Stay safe.
Your pansies are so pretty…I especially like the purple one in the middle. Sounds like Don has a new friend in Phileas… that’s fun. I can see why you’re salivating over the miniature stove. I looked online and those appliances are amazing. It would be hard to pick just one item. Enjoy your coffee!
Oh, I know! I wish I could afford all of them! His work is impeccable.
Thanks, Barrie.
Stay safe.
I have pansies those colors on my front porch. I have to move them to a bigger container soon but they are so pretty.
That’s a cute little stove – looks so real, I wouldn’t guess it is a miniature.
Stay safe, Claudia.
I know! It look life-sized.
Thanks Ellen.
Stay safe.
Your new stove is adorable. See, I’m being optimistic it will be yours soon. Lovely to think Don is the frog whisperer. So sweet. Stay dry! Hugs, Elaine
Thanks so much, Elaine.
Stay safe.
YAY, to another year of Mockingbird Hill Cottage posts! And, that miniature stove is, indeed, drool worthy!!!
It’s really something!
Stay safe, Debbie.
Oh boy, that stove is amazing. I would love a real Stella like you have. It must be so fun to cook on. Maybe I would cook more, or maybe not! I had more fun looking through that shop. What a talented man. I am also glad you are continuing your blog. I read it all the time. How funny that Don sings to a frog! I wish we had one in our pond, but I think it is too hot in Phoenix. Also your pansies look amazing. Send some rain our way!
I’ll put the order in for more rain for you, Deb.
Stay safe.
happy to hear that you plan to keep the blog for another year. thank you.
and i will be happy for you if you get that stove for the beacon hill! :)
the pansies are beautiful. and you and don singing to phileas frog?!? so sweet! makes me feel better to see people respecting, tending to and loving nature. including frogs (i have a small fear of jumping creatures like frogs and grasshoppers).
a little bit ago my sister and i came back from nebraska (a quick trip over and back in one long day) … a sentimental journey, bittersweet for sure. it’s hot here (85+ degrees) and my car’s air conditioner just went out (fan works, think it needs freon) so it was a noisy, long, hot drive there and back with the windows down (and up and down on repeat when very loud semis would go by us, which happened a lot … and you can imagine how my hair looked, haha). but we made it and that’s obvious and good and the most important thing. and there are now flowers on our grandparents’ graves. found a treat for myself. will describe it next time. been a long day, it’s almost 11:00 pm and i need to hopefully get some sleep.
goodnight.
kathy
Oh, boy. Not the best atmosphere for a long drive! Glad you made it home safely.
Stay safe, Kathy.