Books, They Aren't Just For Reading...

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time you know that I love to read. But there is more to it than that... I love books! There are a couple of reasons why I most often read on my iPad these days, but that doesn't mean I can't be surrounded by books. To me a grouping of books is beautiful, and I find a room without books to be... well, rather boring.

You probably recognize my favorite stack of vintage children's books wrapped up with a bit of twine. Here they are giving a bit of height to a treasured figurine.

 

And again, a couple of books help to vary the height to a grouping of objects, but I was going for a softer look so they are draped with a pretty doily.

 

This time I've used a basket to gather several books along with an ironstone pitcher filled with greenery and a lovely piece of needlework. For this arrangement the colors and sizes of the books used became important.

 

 

This antique painted box holds books that have family connections. It may move around the house, but the contents tend to stay the same... they all seem to belong together.

 

 

One of my ironstone pitchers is much more interesting perched atop a few books.

 

 

What creative ways have you used books in your home? I'd love to hear from you!

 

 

Till next time...

Blessings,

Gail

A Little Extra Effort...

It really just takes a few extra minutes to set a pretty table...

 

And it's a simple way to make a Valentine dinner special.

 

 

I think a T-bone steak and baked sweet potato along with a green salad will look pretty good on those plates. And I'm planning on topping it off with a strawberry rhubarb trifle.

 

Yum! The only thing better would be if somebody else was cooking... maybe tomorrow evening!

 

Until next time...

Blessings,

 

Gail

 

A Valentine Sweet...

Wouldn't it be great to sit down and have a cup of coffee and a cookie together?

 

Since that probably isn't going to happen today, I'll do the next best thing and share a cookie recipe with you.



This is an old fashioned oatmeal cookie with Craisins. The original recipe calls for raisins, but since we aren't big fans, I have done a substitution. Besides, the little red dots are perfect for Valentines Day. You can get 36 cookies if you make them a bit smaller than I did (and don't sample any of the dough).

Old Fashioned Oatmeal & Craisin Cookies
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 1/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
2 cup oats
3/4 cup Craisins

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Beat first 5 ingredients until well mixed
Whisk together flour, soda, salt, cinnamon & oats.
Add to sugar mixture in three additions scraping the bowl between.
Fold in Craisins.
Drop onto greased cookie sheet.
Bake 10 minutes.

Enjoy! Happy Valentines Day!

Till next time...
Blessings,

Gail

Good-Bye Winter!

That's it! I'm done! Even though I don't HAVE to go out most days, I have had enough of these frigid temperatures. Warm hugs to each of you that head out to your vehicle each morning to go to work or take kids to school.  Wishing that I could, but there is nothing I can do about the weather outside... but I can change what I look at inside.

When I packed away the Christmas décor early last month, I left out a number of items that were more 'winter' than 'Christmas' thinking they would remain until the middle of March. But their day is done... I don't need any reminders of winter as I look around my home. So, the deer and cute little figurines that are making snowmen and ice skating - the three angels, greenery and pine cones - my fun little Woof 'n Poof girls and the chenille snowmen... Bye bye! See you again in November.

And while I was busy clearing shelves and tabletops, it seemed like a good time to re-arrange the living room. Everything that I could lift or push got moved - it had been a while (anybody know how to revive the carpet where furniture legs have left an indent?).
Today as I look around there are definitely some areas that need to be re-worked and added to - what used to sit there? It will be a work in progress for a while as I sit with a cup of coffee and think it through!

At least I don't have to be reminded of winter everywhere I look, but I know it will slap me in the face when I step out the door!

Till next time...
Blessings,

Gail