A Home for Books

A little over a year ago I purchased this brushed white oak, solid wood hutch at my favourite thrift shop for $29.00 and managed somehow to squeeze it into my car so my husband and son could carry it inside. 

The bottom shelf holds various books written by Elizabeth George, Emilie Barnes, Janette Oke, Karen Kingsbury, my collection of Gladys Taber's Stillmeadow series as well as some of my latest by Grace Livingston Hill ~ books that share other women's  hearts on subjects dear to my heart and specifically for me as a Christian woman eager to grow in my life before the Lord.

Since the above photos were taken, that shelf is now FULL so I'm going to have to figure out where newer additions can find a home :o)

Blessings,

Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea by Sam Coleman at AllPosters.com

He brewed his tea in a blue china pot,
poured it into a chipped white cup
with forget-me-nots on the handle,
and dropped in a dollop of honey and cream.

He sat by the window, cup in hand, watching the first snow fall.

"I am," he sighed deeply, "contented as a clam.
I am a most happy man."

~ Wildflower Tea by Ethel Pochocki ~

The Time for Home

"Winter is the time for comfort,
for good food and warmth,
for the touch of a friendly hand
and for a talk beside the fire:
it is the time for home."

~ Edith Sitwell ~

One Problem Solved, Another Created

Dusting Furniture

In cleaning the highest shelf on my rarely used top cupboard, [because I'm so short :o) ], I made a fortuitous discovery! A very little amount of special teak conditiong oil . . .

With money received as a wedding present from my husband's parents, we purchased a teak table with extensions that extend on either end and conveniently store under the table.

Well, it hasn't been oiled in a very long time and with teak, that is very important to do!!

I thoroughly enjoyed the process of carefully spreading the oil over the table and shortly afterwards, polishing it with a clean, lint-free cloth until it shone once again!

Now the problem is how to dispose of the used cloths which are highly flammable and almost fatal if any of the oil is ingested!!

It turns out that our area has a special hazardous waste depot that is ONLY open 1 Saturday morning per month!

My husband works every 2nd Saturday, so it's highly UNlikely that the single Saturday per month will fall on his Saturday off :o(

I'll have to phone them and ask for special permission to drop off the little closed parcel that I've made to ensure the petroleum distillate *fragrance* doesn't *perfume* our house!

One problem solved while another has been created . . . Does anything like that ever happen to you?

Blessings,

Domestic Happiness :o)

"Good apple pies are a considerable part
of our domestic happiness."

~ Jane Austen ~

Fresh and Clean

The weather was perfect yesterday

for me to wash the light curtains
from my bathroom, kitchen and dining area!

Next, those in the bedrooms and living room :o)

Although they don't LOOK any different,
I know they are :o)

Blessings,

Fruits of Summer

You can tell I enjoy creating mosaics with photos :o)

This year seems to have produced
an abundance of delicious strawberries
and we just love strawberry no-cook freezer jam.

What's YOUR favourite summer jam?


Blessings,

Cooking Ideas for Hot + Humid Days

CLICK on PHOTO to *SEE* the RAIN POURING

I'm not sure about you, but for some odd reason, I've been scratching my head more often than I used to when trying to think what I'm going to make for supper :o)

In summer, we often have BBQs with either pork steaks, chicken, steaks, hot dogs or hamburgers but it's the *in-between* times and the times when it's pouring outside and too humid inside to use the oven that I'm talking about ...

Help me out and let me know what summer stand-bys are for days like that?

Fortunately, today was much cooler so I took advantage and made ham and scalloped potatoes in the oven ... the house didn't even get hot :o)

Blessings,

Welcome to Stillmeadow Cottage

Easy Living by Dwayne Warwick

~ Welcome to STILLMEADOW COTTAGE ~

"The mind makes many journeys,
but the heart stays home."

~ Gladys Taber ~

I've always loved the wonderful series of books
about Gladys Taber's adventures in her wonderful home
known to her readers as STILLMEADOW
~ I've named my cottage in honour of this special place.

My cottage is where I store recipes
for all sorts of tasty dishes that are family favourites.

Sometimes I also share what I'm working on
from my *craft basket* or a project that is finished.

Blessings to all who pop in for a little visit . . .