Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / life / Sparkle

Sparkle

January 3, 2026 at 9:03 am by Claudia

Gilly and I are enjoying one last weekend with the Christmas tree.

Some years, I am not ready to remove the tree. But this year, after this weekend of course, I think I will be ready. I’ll miss the lights mostly. Happily, we have the feather tree this year and it will remain decorated into mid-January. Then I’ll store those ornaments in a separate bin. We’re going to keep it going with seasonal ornaments of some kind. I’m not sure what: little birds? snowflakes? I have these tiny red berries in one of the Christmas bins. I bought them years ago when we first moved out east. My parents had the same kind of berries on their Christmas tree. I might start off with them. But first I have to find them.

At this moment, Don is recycling. It is frigid out there! It’s 19°, but feels like 10° – enough already! Tomorrow will be an exciting day. We’ll actually hit the freezing mark!

I’m going to go to Lowes today to buy a couple of storage bins. I need to gather up the doll boxes that I want to save in case I ever sell them. They’re taking up a lot of space in my one closet in the studio. I’ll put them in a bin and store them in the shed. Plus, I think there are some other items in that closet that could be stored. Anyway, it’s the first of the year and I’m ready to organize.

I just changed the date on the footer of this blog to 2026.  So it reads “2008-2026.” Yikes! Yes, my friends, we’re headed to the 18th anniversary of this blog in February.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

 

Filed Under: life 14 Comments

Comments

  1. Donnamae says

    January 3, 2026 at 10:42 am

    It’s hard to remove the sparkle isn’t it? I do love your idea for the feather tree…to keep using it through the seasons. It got me thinking about glass bird ornaments in the 50’s that clipped on the tree. Do you remember those? They had white, soft filament as the tail. Very fragile…I wasn’t allowed to touch them as a child. I don’t know what happened to my parent’s birds…they had six or eight of them. They are quite pricey now…but I think they would look lovely on a feather tree.

    I’m glad that the weather is warming up a bit for you. Here too…thank goodness. The snow will melt again…but I’m okay with that. That means we are one day closer to Spring.

    Enjoy your weekend…and the twinkle lights! ;)

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      January 3, 2026 at 6:08 pm

      I do remember those ornaments. They’re lovely.

      Thanks so much, Donnamae.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  2. Verna says

    January 3, 2026 at 11:31 am

    Claudia, we have a very lovely fake palm tree with white lights we use all year. It really warms up our cold dark evenings. Your feather tree trimmings will be fun to watch. Take care and stay warm. Verna

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      January 3, 2026 at 6:09 pm

      Thanks so much, Verna!

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  3. Irene dykstra says

    January 3, 2026 at 3:40 pm

    Hi blog friends, and claudia, writer-in-residence.

    Im still around. See you have your tree up still, like myself.

    Im still around home and glad of it. Ill put hospital tests as long as possible.

    This year I’ll write in my journal again. But see its already the 3rd or 4th day in and I haven’t begun. Im going to clean out areas of our house. Im going to sew the quilt.

    The carpenter is finishing up in the basement bathroom and around there. Im grateful I met him and somebody young, strong and pleasant is willing to complete the task.

    Our days have been without sun. My mother- in- law is enjoying her s.a.d. light, my dad his globe – gifts from us. Im looking at my gorgeous pastel painting book, dreaming to become an artist. My sister and family were here at Christmas time.

    Must go and get things done. Wash up, get into gear. Happy new year!!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      January 3, 2026 at 6:09 pm

      Happy New Year, Irene!

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  4. kaye says

    January 3, 2026 at 7:03 pm

    I like the idea of a little tree being up. There is a need for light and sparkle in the days ahead.
    I think it is wonderful that your blog is coming up on an anniversary. I and many others are grateful for you!

    Take Care,
    Kaye

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      January 5, 2026 at 8:39 am

      Thank you so much, Kaye.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  5. Ceci says

    January 3, 2026 at 7:09 pm

    My first thought was “Gilly looks cold!”. Maybe a shawl?

    Ceci

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      January 5, 2026 at 8:40 am

      She’s in our warm house. She’s fine!

      Thanks, Ceci.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  6. jeanie says

    January 4, 2026 at 10:25 am

    It sounds like a good day, a productive one, one you are ready for. I love the idea of keeping the feather tree seasonal. It’s so pretty, and that makes loads of sense! I was thinking that when I need to move, I will take one of the smaller trees to the lake to leave up all summer while we are there, just for the sparkle!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      January 5, 2026 at 8:42 am

      I hope you don’t need to move soon, Jeanie!

      Thanks so much.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  7. Leslie Hayes says

    January 4, 2026 at 7:15 pm

    I’m having a difficult time getting my tree down. I’ve taken all the ornaments off, so now I’m just enjoying the lights. Maybe I’ll get to removing them tomorrow.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      January 5, 2026 at 8:43 am

      Yeah, we extended our take down the tree day until at least Tuesday or Wednesday. I understand!

      Thanks so much, Leslie.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
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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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