Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

  • About MHC
    • Disclosure
  • Dollhouses/Minis
    • Hummingbird Cottage
    • The Studio (Formerly TSP)
    • Dove Cottage
    • The Lake House
    • The Folk Art Dollhouse
    • The Modern Dollhouse
    • Dollhouse Source List, Information and Tutorials
  • On the Road
  • Collecting
    • Roseville Pottery
    • McCoy Pottery
    • Egg Cups
    • Bakelite
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / life / Wednesday

Wednesday

November 12, 2025 at 9:16 am by Claudia

It’s been windy and rainy and extremely cold here, which means I haven’t been motivated to take a picture. Hence, Ruby and Dexter taken in my temporary accommodations in New Jersey.

I’ve moved all the porch plants together, placing them on the floor in a more sheltered area. So far, they’re surviving and it went down to 27 degrees the other night. I haven’t been bringing them inside. I’m just not up for it, mostly because I know it’s almost mid-November and we live in the Northeast/Hudson Valley and it’s not going to get much warmer. BUT, I still water them and hope they’ll survive a bit longer. Such a strange time of year, this is. Hanging on to the summer but knowing what’s on the horizon.

The other day, I said to Don, “It looks bleak out there.” As I glance out the window at this moment, it still looks bleak.

My birthday is in a little over a week and I realize that I’ve rarely had a sunny birthday. It’s almost always cold, the trees are bare, it’s not quite the Christmas season yet, so there are no decorations or lights. It’s just what comes with being a late November baby. I think my few sunny birthdays occurred when we were living in San Diego. Of course, my beautiful husband will make the day feel  sunny, bless him.

Still having problems getting into a book. I think the universe is telling me that it’s time to start a jigsaw puzzle. Working on a puzzle makes gray wintry days much easier to handle.

I might start adding the pastel Christmas trees to the doll cubbies soon. That way I can get a wee view of Christmas from my chair here in the den.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: life 16 Comments

Comments

  1. kathy in iowa says

    November 12, 2025 at 10:04 am

    i like that … putting things that bring happiness into plain view. an obvious-yet-gentle reminder that there’s good in the world, and reasons to smile. doing that here.

    hope you get your reading back, and in the meantime have a fun puzzle to enjoy.

    happy, safe days to you, don and everyone else.

    kathy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 12, 2025 at 10:22 am

      Thank you, Kathy.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  2. Regula says

    November 12, 2025 at 11:59 am

    Christmass tree up and Puzzle sounds like a perfect plan. All the best! Regula

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 12, 2025 at 3:50 pm

      The same to you, Regula!

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  3. Elaine (in Toronto) says

    November 12, 2025 at 2:38 pm

    Sometimes I think November is the bleakest month. It gets dark very early, it’s often cold and rainy and everything in the garden is going into hibernation until spring. But it’s also a time to get cozy, think about Christmas, read, do jigsaws, play with your girls, bake an apple pie (I’m looking at you Don). This is a perfect description of November – “The fires burn and the kettles sing and earth sinks to rest until next spring.” Stay warm. Hugs, Elaine

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 12, 2025 at 3:51 pm

      Thanks so much, Elaine.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  4. Lynda says

    November 12, 2025 at 3:54 pm

    The doll pictures have been so cute!

    I’m finally reading Lessons in Chemistry (found a copy at the Goodwill). I think my favorite character is Six-thirty.

    I look forward to your real Christmas tree.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 14, 2025 at 8:45 am

      Oh, thank you so much, Lynda!

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  5. Lucinda says

    November 12, 2025 at 5:25 pm

    Hi Claudia
    It’s grey & cloudy in Detroit also. Know what you mean about your birthday. My Mom always asked me “Do you want to go ice skating or sledding on your birthday?” Mine is a week exactly after New Year’s Eve. So I always think of the holidays as Christmas, New Year’s, my birthday. My folks for years threw a big sit down dinner party for all the their friends on New Year’s Day. So to me that just meant days of cleaning, set up, getting sent to someone’s else’s house with a babysitter. Never being able to just sit down and watch the gorgeous Rose Parade on TV. Plus usually a grey, cold, snowy day. Not so true now with global warming. The one thing my Mom did when I was you young kid was celebrating a Summer birthday–so would receive a fun present that had to do with Summer activities. Hope you have some blue skies for your special day!

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 14, 2025 at 8:46 am

      What a neat idea – giving you a summer birthday celebration!

      I’ll cross my fingers for both of us – maybe we’ll have sunny birthdays, even if it’s cold.

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  6. Irene dykstra says

    November 12, 2025 at 11:36 pm

    Nice one, Elaine. Elaine has been my favorite name (except for Jane, my Oma’s name). Elaine was the character in Margaret Attwood’s book Cat’s Eye. These days I enjoy poetry, as it comes up on Facebook. Can’t write a poem to save my soul! I watched an interview with our Canadian journalist and Louise Penny. She seems like so nice.
    Ruby looks like me when I was young, too skinny (I’m still pretty skinny) and that brown hair. Maybe Ruby just needs a sweater, but you’re right Claudia, the weather is so nice still.
    Have a good one. I’m off to the bath, then bed.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 14, 2025 at 8:47 am

      I’ve met Louise Penny and she is extremely nice.

      I was very skinny when I was young, as well.

      Stay safe, Irene.

      Reply
  7. linda in ky says

    November 13, 2025 at 1:22 pm

    dear Claudia/Don — we had some gloom lately but today the sun is shining beautifully — such an improvement – really lifts the spirits, knowing it is temporary — is this our Indian Summer??

    this little girl looks like she has been crying with her red nose — her friend should cheer her up !!
    was there a disagreement with the other girls? I always make up stories for the pictures of your girls, Haha. Love seeing all of them.

    sure hope you all stay safe/healthy

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 14, 2025 at 8:48 am

      I hope you are getting an Indian Summer, Linda.

      Ruby wasn’t happy that she had to travel to New Jersey!

      Stay safe.

      Reply
  8. Irene dykstra says

    November 18, 2025 at 1:36 pm

    Hi, I’m so sorry for all who live in the US. What a political disgrace your president is!! God bless America.
    Today I need to cut back the last of our flowers. It’s been quite a nice fall here. Really moderate temperatures, some wind of course and a small bit of wet snow.
    I wish I could enjoy it but I’m sleeping most of the time. Ive actively looked for help all year, but apparently haven’t found anyone in our medical care system who can help. Im only 61.
    Oh, your birthday is almost here. Wonderful!! Hope you have a calm, beautiful day. I hope don brings you flowers.

    Reply
    • Claudia says

      November 19, 2025 at 9:17 am

      I hope you feel better soon, Irene!

      Stay safe.

      Reply
Please check back to follow the conversation!

Leave a Reply to Regula Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Instagram

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.

Thanks for stopping by.

Searching?

The Dogs

The Dogs

Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

Winston - Our first dog. We miss you, sweetheart.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse, read and enjoy. All content is my own; including photos and text. Please do not use anything on this site without permission.

Disclosure/Privacy Policy can be found in the Navigation Bar under ‘About MHC.’

Also, I love receiving comments! I do, however, reserve the right to delete any comment that is in poor taste, offensive or is verging on spam. It’s my blog. If you’re a bot or a troll you’ll be blocked. Thanks!

Archives

All Content © 2008 - 2026 Mockingbird Hill Cottage · Log in