Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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You are here: Home / life / Unexpected Delights

Unexpected Delights

December 31, 2021 at 9:32 am by Claudia

Unexpected delights. It’s foggy this morning and as I looked out the kitchen window, I saw mama robin’s nest, now abandoned. What an unexpected pleasure it was to watch this single parent build the nest, lay her eggs, and feed her babies – all of which must have been exhausting without her partner. Another unexpected pleasure – watching the Carolina wrens build their nest and feed their babies.

Discovering I could paint in oils. (Who knew?)

After nearly two years of no work, starting work again with the 2nd national tour of Anastasia.

Coaching a movie.

Discovering Blythe dolls in August.

I’m sure there’s more.

Grateful.

Here’s to new delights and discoveries in 2022. To nature and all its beauty. To health and happiness and peace and solace and love and joy for all of you.

I am so grateful for your presence in my life. Thank you.

Happy New Year, my friends. (Taking the day off tomorrow, but I’ll be back on Sunday.)

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

 

Filed Under: life 27 Comments

Comments

  1. Marion Shaw says

    December 31, 2021 at 10:11 am

    Happy New Year Don and Claudia!!

    Marion

    Reply
  2. Ellen D. says

    December 31, 2021 at 10:31 am

    Happy New Year to you and Don, Claudia. Hope 2022 is filled with good health, fun adventures and lots of love! :)

    Reply
  3. NYCgirl says

    December 31, 2021 at 10:39 am

    Wishing you both a peaceful 2022

    Reply
  4. April Baldwin says

    December 31, 2021 at 10:59 am

    Happy New Year to you both!

    Reply
  5. Dee+Dee says

    December 31, 2021 at 11:35 am

    Happy New Year to Claudia and Don. Also to everyone else who reads on here, best wishes for 2022!

    Reply
  6. jeanie says

    December 31, 2021 at 11:54 am

    And to you, many more delights as well! Happy New Year — enjoy the day off!

    Reply
  7. Joy says

    December 31, 2021 at 12:36 pm

    Happy New Year Claudia and Don. Your posts have been such a highlight always.
    Hugs
    Joy

    Reply
  8. Janet+K. says

    December 31, 2021 at 12:43 pm

    It has been a pleasure to accompany your and Don’s adventures this year. During a time when we were more isolated than normal it was so enjoyable to see new things through your eyes. I wish you both all the best in the new year and as always thanks for all you share. 😊

    Reply
  9. Linda Piazza says

    December 31, 2021 at 1:42 pm

    Happy New Year to you both!

    Reply
  10. Denise S says

    December 31, 2021 at 2:24 pm

    Happy New Year Claudia, Don and the Mockingbird Hill community!

    Reply
  11. kathy in iowa says

    December 31, 2021 at 2:28 pm

    another great list! thanks for that and all you share.

    reminds me of something my sister and i have talked about during/due to covid … we made lists of every state and country that we’ve been fortunate to get to. same with concerts, major league sports events (though my family and i like the minors and school levels best), etc. all reminders of cool things we’ve done, seen, heard … and look forward to again someday.

    i am going to make a list of 2021 (re)discoveries tonight. thank you for the inspiration.

    i wish (pray, really) for you, don, everyone else here and all your loved ones a very healthy, happy, safe and peaceful new year and always.

    and i thank you for cheering me on and helping me through tough times. better days ahead for everyone!

    xo
    kathy

    Reply
    • ChrisK in WI says

      January 1, 2022 at 2:20 am

      Kathy, I hope 2022 is your year! Happy New Year & hopefully, happy new job, too!!

      Reply
      • kathy in iowa says

        January 1, 2022 at 10:12 am

        thanks, chris. happy, healthy new year to you and your family, too.

        your granddaughter turns two soon, doesn’t she? fun age (they’re all fun ages)!

        thank you. new job is going to be alright. wrote a bit about it to vicki yesterday, if you want to check that post from claudia.

        hugs, if okay, from your friend in very cold iowa,
        kathy

        Reply
  12. Kit says

    December 31, 2021 at 2:55 pm

    Happy New Year’s to you two! I thought about you on Tuesday. My daughter and I went to see Anastasia in Spokane, Wa. Your name was in our program and I told her all about you. It was a wonderful show. So beautiful! Kit

    Reply
  13. Chris says

    December 31, 2021 at 3:10 pm

    Claudia: I hope for more great things for you and Don in 2022. And thank you for your blog. I truly look forward to your posts every day. And because we should never forget what the lunatic orange man tried to do (and did) to our country this year (and the years before that) . . . LOCK HIM UP! Happy New Year. Best wishes from your friend you’ve never met. Chris

    Reply
  14. Wendy T says

    December 31, 2021 at 3:46 pm

    A happy and healthful 2022 to you and Don and all you hold dear, Claudia. I’m certain the new year will bring you adventures and unexpected delights, big and small.

    Reply
  15. Carol says

    December 31, 2021 at 4:27 pm

    Happy New Year! Thank you for sharing your life with us. I hope 2022 is a happy and healthy one for you and Don.

    Reply
  16. Donnamae says

    December 31, 2021 at 5:14 pm

    I am wishing many more delights for you to discover in the New Year, continued good health for you both, and to see what new things may pique your interest in the coming year.

    Happy New Year! ;)

    Reply
  17. Janette says

    December 31, 2021 at 6:30 pm

    Happy New Year Claudia and Don. I hope 2022 is a year full of love, joy, good health and abundance.

    Reply
  18. Lyn Morrissey says

    December 31, 2021 at 7:15 pm

    Happy New Year Claudia and Don!
    May the new year bring you good health, good fortune and much, much laughter

    Kyn

    Reply
  19. Wendy C says

    December 31, 2021 at 10:07 pm

    Happy New Year to you both.
    May 2022 be kind to all of us!

    Reply
  20. Lottie says

    December 31, 2021 at 11:26 pm

    Happy New Year! Looking forward to a great year ahead for the both of you!

    Reply
  21. Martha says

    December 31, 2021 at 11:48 pm

    A most Happy New Year to you and Don!!
    A big ‘Thank you’ to you and to all the lovely folks who follow your adventures.
    What amazes me is how many rabbits you pull out of a hat or, in other words, find ways to rebuild & reignite your spirit (as well as mine). You are a treasure beyond measure, for certain.
    Bonne Année et Bonne Santé
    XOXO

    Reply
  22. Lorrie Orr says

    January 1, 2022 at 1:58 am

    Happy New Year, Claudia.

    Reply
  23. ChrisK in WI says

    January 1, 2022 at 2:23 am

    Happy Happy New Year, Claudia & Don! May we all find joy & peace in the year ahead! Take care.

    Reply
  24. Kay+Nickel says

    January 1, 2022 at 8:47 am

    Thank you for sharing your delights and adventures with us. I am so proud of you. Happy New Year!

    Reply
  25. Linda MacKean says

    January 1, 2022 at 8:58 am

    Happy New Year Claudia and Don. May it bring us all more moments to be grateful for!

    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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