Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Tiles and Picks

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I call this “Still Life with Tiles and Picks.” Don has been practicing using a pick with his guitar and I have been finding these all over the place. We don’t need Mr. Riley snacking on a pick. I gathered them all up and dumped them on top of the mah jongg tiles in my McCoy dish. Wait…that might make a nice photo. And there you have it. Don’t you find yourself looking at everything as a potential blog photo? I do.

I’m so proud of my dogs. After much preparation, blocking off the stairs, putting all things away that an anxious dog might find potentially edible, bringing down Scout’s bed and closing the door to the den – I took Scout’s little face in my hands and explained why, for the first time ever, she had to sleep apart from us and asked her to be a good big sister to Riley. I talked to Riley, too. We left them downstairs, with a little classical music playing (just as we do when we leave the house) and cheerily said goodnight. We made a beeline for our bedroom, closed the door, turned on the white noise machine and hoped that all would go well. I, being the sap that I am, started crying. The dogs are always with us in our bedroom and this would be a major change to their routine.

This morning, we tiptoed out into the hallway, peeked down the stairs and saw them both sleeping. Scout was on the loveseat, Riley was on his favorite area rug. No messes, no puddles, no nothing! They really handled it well. They are such good dogs.

It is so cold here today – I’ve haven’t gone outside at all. Around mid-afternoon, I heard my husband let out an ‘Oh no’ as he realized the hot water pipe in the kitchen had frozen. Luckily, he discovered it just in time and we used a hair dryer to warm up the pipe. Crisis averted.

Spring, please come quickly.

Comments

  2. Oh Claudia sweetie…
    I am so thrilled that the dogs did well, and you almost did okay. Tonight will be easier. Each night it will get better. Better for the critters keep telling yourself that.

    Gosh do I remember the pipe problems. When we knew that the storms were coming, I can remember leaving the water to a slow drip to keep it moving. Yep those are days gone by.

    We are having a beautiful sunny 67 degree day. 72 degrees if I am outside in the sun next to the pool. Just a beautiful gardening day. One of the reasons I love the desert. We have the beautiful winters.

    Have a warm night sweetie. Yes those tiles, I see a picture coming our way. Would make a cute frame too. Country hugs and much love…Sherry

  5. aw, about the little doggies. good little doggies, that is.

    i see things as post potential all the time. the other night i took off a pair of earrings and hung them from a jar of seaglass in the bathroom while i brushed my teeth and thought – gee, that’s pretty – i should take a pic. i didn’t but as you can see, the idea lingers! love the picks and tiles.

    it is SO freezing!

    xo
    elyse

  6. OH! FROZEN PIPES, I REMEMBER WHEN IT HAPPEN TO US. FOUND IT JUST IN TIME. SPRING CAN’T COME FAT ENOUGH. SO HAPPY FOR YOU AND YOUR TWO BABIES. I KNOW, THEY CAN BREAK YOUR HEART.
    IT’S SNOWING RIGHT NOW, UGH!!! HAVE A NICE WEEKEND. RIZZI

  7. Hello Claudia,

    I love the picture of the tiles and picks and what could be better than McCoy!? :0)

    I’m glad to hear the doggies adjusted and did just fine downstairs but I know how hard it was for you to not have them with you. Of course, My little Miss Morgan is in HER spot on the bed every night. :0) As tiny as she is some nights you’d think she was retriever with the space she will hog..LOL

    Stay warm,
    Stephanie

  8. Love the pic! It is nice how all the colors worked! I am so glad your puppies did well. I hope tonight you will do better! I do understand. I can leave them but I don’t like it when they leave me! So glad you didn’t get a frozen pipe! We have an empty place next to us so I am worried the pipes may freeze.
    Hope it is warmer tomorrow!
    Hugs, Lisa

  9. Morning Claudia! So glad that the doggies adjusted and the frozen pipe didn’t burst! You have so much to be thankful for even tho it’s so darned cold! I’m looking out over a frozen marsh and I’ve gotta get out there and fill the birdfeeder! xo Happy Sunday ~
    xo Roberta

  11. Lucky you, catching the pipes in time! We are hoping and praying that our water pipes do not freeze this year – we leave the water dripping when we leave the house. Fingers crossed.
    Your sweet Scout and Riley did very well! Yay!
    And yes, I do look at things and think – ooooo, good photo opp. Hubby just rolls his eyes. :)
    Have a great day!!!
    Zuzu

  13. Hi Claudia!
    What sweet little dogs you have. It is obvious to me that they are very secure, no separation anxiety. I am glad to hear that your pipes did not freeze. No one wants plumbing problems, especially not on a weekend. Thank you for visiting my new blog. Now that I have found yours, I will be back!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley
    xxoo

  15. just saw this about Riley…hope all is well…me too…up at 3 in the morning to go downstairs and let Buddy go potty….he is old and blind..and he is the love of our life…..

    thanks, Claudia for stopping by Farmhouse..and YES! Sharon did write an article for Country Living….it was wonderful…..

    thanks for the kind comments too…

    have a cozy Sunday, my friend

    kary and buddy
    xxx

  16. Hi Claudia,

    I read your wonderful words about my old Country Living Gardener column on Kary’s blog. Thank you.
    I loved writing about nature and gardening and felt like I lost a limb when the magazine (like so many others) folded.

    I still write and illustrate books and like you two I chased my dreams of Maine to a little seaside cottage on an island in Maine. We renovated it and we spend half of every year in time with the tides. We love it more than any place in the world.

    Here in California my studio is called Mockingbird Studio and my favorite book-To Kill a Mockingbird. I guess it is also my favorite movie. I think we’re related somewhere back in our histories.

    Drop in for a visit! http://sharonlovejoy.blogspot.com

    All best wishes to you,
    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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