When a bookish perk brightens your day...

That moment when you realize that the bookmark you randomly picked out and the book you randomly stuck it in actually match. Like they were made for each other.

Just look at those reds and golds together!



That little tiny bookish perk brightened my day!

What brightened yours, dear friends?




Oh! And don't forget... only 3 days left to get your entries (or daily bonus entries) in for the Book Page Snowman! >>

MyWriMo: Day 1, and Sharing Our Bookshelves {November 2011}

Today is the start of NaNoWriMo, for many people. For myself, it is the opening day of a month in which I hope to move forward in, concerning my writing. My only goal is to make progress. The focus is not on what my word count will be at the end of these thirty days, but simply on the fact that I did accomplish something. Months have passed since I last tried formulating a story worth writing, and I don't have much to show for in 2011. This is why I would like to set aside this month to have something to remember the year by.

I have a new bit of inspiration for the month too, as you might have seen in the photo here. Glancing at the word "write" on my desk is sure to be a motivation, don't you think?

Throughout November I will probably post here and there about what I'm doing, and I hope to hear what you other writers are accomplishing throughout the month too. You are welcome to link to your posts on the linky below, and we can all click over and read each others' posts. (Remember: Sharing Our Bookshelves linky is all about connecting to readers and writers, so whether you're posting about your November writings, or your recent reads, please feel free to link up, all month long.)

"The great advantage of being a writer is that you can spy on people. You're there, listening to every word, but part of you is observing. Everything is useful to a writer, you see—every scrap, even the longest and most boring of luncheon parties." —Graham Greene, British author

Books to Treasure

"March of Books" is something the Young Ladies Christian Fellowship's blog is doing for their 2nd time around. I was able to participate in the fun last March too, so I was excited when I found out they are doing it again. Check out their blog to see lots of book-related posts on their blog this month. One of the things that you can do right now is to take part in Snapshots of Favorite Books. You can take a look at everyone's photos on the YLCF site. I'm joining up and my post is below...



Sharing about books is my passion. I do it all the time on my blog. However, it was hard for me to decide which book to share about today. Picking one is impossible! Finally, it came to me---I'll share about those special books I have that I will keep forever. They are stories that I know I will read again and again throughout my life. I'm quite sure you know the kind that I'm talking about.

{Currently, this is my treasured stack of books.}

You can't go wrong with having "Little Women" as a part of your special books. Especially if it is a complete & unabridged, hardback copy with charming pictures of the lovely March girls.

"Les Miserables" is in there too--yes, that includes all 1463 pages of my copy.

...and it includes of the fine print that comes with such a book as "Les Miserables". Just seeing the photo of the inside pages makes me want to start reading the awesome book.

"Greyfriars Bobby" ~ possibly my VERY favorite book ever.

"Anne of Green Gables" ~ I enjoyed all 8 of my Anne books. They are truly one of a kind.

"Elsie Dinsmore" ~ I'm happy to say I do own all 28 of the original classics, although I'm not quite finished reading them all. As soon as I do finish the series, I know I will start it all over again.

So there they are. I think I'll stick with these books for a while, and maybe add some more books to my "keep forever" list.

What are the books that you will always treasure?

A Tale from the Snowstorm

One of the my favorite things about the startling blizzard that recently passed though our area was...

...this pair of mourning doves.



They sat together, right outside of our living room front window.
(the perfect place for me to stay cozy inside and take pictures
of the outdoor action)


We first noticed the pair sitting outside the window before 9 o'clock that morning.


The doves continued to stay as the thick snow landed on their backs.
Occasionally they would shake cold, white fluffiness off their necks.


This one particular birdie did not seem to mind that is was quite literally
being buried in the snow.
I felt sorry for it, since it must have been so cold.


The snow kept piling up... and covering this poor dove.
The second bird moved about a bit more.


For at least 5 hours, these birdies endured the cold, wet snow
building up around them. I returned to the window at about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, to check on them again.


The two mourning doves had left...
leaving an empty spot in the fresh snow
and a sad place in my heart.

Favorite Finds #21

Free Online Sewing Class (starts February 16th at 3pm CST) - Yellow Tennessee

Six Angles "Life, from six unique perspectives." - (1 new photo, 6 days a week, from 6 different photographers)

Pet Poetry Contest (deadline is February 14 at 5pm EST) - for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students
Have any younger siblings that would like to enter?

Helping Your Child Find Wonder in Mathematics - Looking Out My Backdoor

Apothecary Label Hand Towels: Free Digital Downloads - Just Something I Made



Also doing some Favorite Finds this week is.... Elisabeth. You'll want to check out her links too!

Sharing Our Bookshelves {February 2011} - Also, anytime this month, you can still link up your blog posts here for "Sharing Our Bookshelves". Any of your book-related posts are welcome.

Favorite Finds #19

Coming to the end of the third week in January now.... time for a new Favorite Finds post to show you what I've been reading the past few days.

cute-NESS ~ The Last Rose of Summer
An entire blog post dedicated to a special store in Scotland, appropriately named Ness... such delightful clothes!

use [your] words. ~ the Mrs.
Wonderful post I just happened across... all about WORDS.

The Best of Betty Crocker 2010 ~ free download! Scrumptious recipes.

Going Green ~ Urban Comfort
Such lovely furniture! ~ "eco-friendly design and creative upcycling"

Practical Simplicity - 3rd week of giveaways on Miss Antoinette's blog.
This time it's a subscription to "The Kings Blooming Rose Magazine". Contest ends January 22.


the joy of LOVE ~
Free Photography Class
~ every day in February

Favorite Finds #13

Some new "Favorite Finds" for this week. I hope maybe you'll find something that interests you in one of these blogs.

enter the world of. . . {a peek at our NaNo novel} - by Anna
She and her sister, Michaela, have been writing their NaNoWriMo novel together. Anna wrote this description of their story... sounds fantastic!

Ode to the prolog of the Un-Named book...NaNoWriMo '10 - by Michaela
Here is a little glimpse of what Michaela & Anna have been writing. Can't wait until I can read more!

R. M. Ballantyne Book Giveaway - Now to December 27th, each week another Ballantyne book will be given away!

White Blossoms: The Promise - by Katie
Writer's inspiration after midnight... filled with lovely, poetic descriptions.

Grace for the here and now - Just a thoughtful quote I liked.

How to Manage A Business, School, and Family - by Hannah
Sounds a little bit like my own life!

Something brand new - More inspirational words to think about.

Called by Name Photography - A new blog I found. Lovely photos. Check out this one entitled "Classics".

Autumn Recipe: Pumpkin Crunch

I've been wanting to share this recipe on my blog for a while now. It's one that my family especially enjoys during Autumn time. If you like pumpkin pie, then you're sure to like this recipe too!

- Pumpkin Crunch - ingredients: 1 can (16oz) solid pack pumpkin 1 can (12oz) evaporated milk 3 eggs 1 ½ cups sugar 4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice ½ tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp. salt 1 package yellow cake mix 1 cup chopped pecans 1 cup butter or margarine, melted whipped toppping directions: Preheat oven to 350°. Grease bottom of 13”x9” pan. Combine pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, pie spices, cinnamon & salt in large bowl. Pour into greased pan. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over pumpkin mixture. Top with pecans. Drizzle the melted butter on top. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool completely. Serve with whipped topping. Refrigerate leftovers.

Note: I'm linking this post to Emily's Fall Recipes linky list.
If you'd like to join, please click here.

My dog, Terra

Maggie {from Bliss} is hosting another Photo Challenge...the theme this time is...PETS!

So, I thought I would share a picture of my dog... (some of you may have seen her before).
She is a Westie, and her name is Terra.

{click on picture to enlarge}

> > read more about the contest by clicking here
(it ends on Friday, so get your pictures posted soon, if you'd like to enter!)

"Faces in everyday places."

There's a neat photo contest running on the blog Bliss {written by Maggie}.

The theme for the photos is - "Faces in everyday places."
> > click here to read more about the contest


Here's my entry...



Feel free to join up in the contest yourself! -and- Go see what kinds of pictures that the other participants are coming with.

Blessed with Bunnies

Bunnies. Aren't they cute little things?

My family has been blessed enough to be able to watch some cottontail rabbits grow up in our very own backyard. It started with this little one right here.



That first photo was actually taken a few weeks ago. Her name is Cottonberry. Below is a much more recent picture of her, nibbling on some bread -- see how much she's grown!!



Now to see some other members of the family....
Meet the big Momma rabbit:
(who runs away from me quite often)


Next, there's the twins. Here is tiny Thistle...


And this is her brother Basil, who is coming out of his hiding place to get his share of the bread.


In this photo you can see both Thistle & Basil again, along with another bunny, named Kent.


I have been enjoying this experience so much! It's amazing to watch them hop around our yard every day, feed them bread, and become their friend.


When Rabbit said, 'Honey or condensed milk with your bread?'
he was so excited that he said, 'Both,'
and then, so as not to seem greedy,
he added, 'But don't bother about the bread, please.'
- written by A. A. Milne