A Love Like Ours | Book Review

Lyndie and Jake were inseparable friends as children.  But when Lyndie's family moves away, it will be years before they meet again.  Twenty, to be exact. Now adults, they've become very different people.  But there's one thing they still have in common - horses.  After being injured while serving his country in Iraq with the Marines, Jake struggles with PTSD.  Now working as a Thoroughbred trainer, he spends most of his time alone and avoids relationships.  But with Lyndie back in his life and exercising the horses he trains, how long will that last?  

An excellent spring/summer read, I read this book in one day.  There was no way I could put it aside for later once I'd begun.  Truthfully, I think the cover is quite sappy (although the colors are lovely), but the plot and sub-plots more then compensated for that.  Jake reminded me very much of the tall, dark, and brooding characters from Jane Austen's books (Mr. Darcy, anyone?).  I'm sure that was intentional.  Lyndie was sweet.  Sweet, caring, and thoughtful.  And she loves horses, so how could I not like her?  I especially enjoyed the interaction between Lyndie's family.  Her only sister is confined to a wheelchair because of health problems, and over the years she has helped to grow their faith.  Yes, I loved their family.  And unlike much of Christian Fiction, the faith they showed was not wishy-washy.  This was a great book and I will be seeking out other titles by Becky Wade.

: : I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. : :

Book Review | Deadly Echoes

Living in the rural town of Sanctuary, MO, Sarah Miller has found peace and contentment in Christ and teaching at the local school.  She's finally begun to put the past to rest, the tragic death of her parents which has haunted all of her life, and is delighted to have reunited with her sister, Hannah, and her niece after so many years.

But when Hannah is murdered, under circumstances so similar to her parents, all of the memories come rushing back.  The police write it off as a burglary gone wrong, as they did with her parents. Coincidence?  Maybe...but when Sarah receives a letter mailed by Hannah shortly before her death, things take a more serious turn.  They never found the person who murdered their parents...could the two tragedies be linked?  With the assistance of Deputy Sheriff Paul Gleason, Sarah begins digging deeper and uncovering facts that someone is desperate to keep hidden.  Someone who is desperate enough to come after anyone who gets in their way.

: :

This was a suspenseful read and I enjoyed every page!  I love a good mystery, and this was definitely one of them.  Very well written, clean romance, with the love of Christ shining brightly without being cliche, the plot drew me in right away.  The characters were believable, relate-able, and like-able.  I found Sarah especially so.  Always comparing herself to others, especially her sister, thinking that she's nothing special.  I think that's something a lot of us do.  I loved this part in the book, "We can't see ourselves clearly when we're standing in someone else's shadow...God created you to be Sarah."  God has made us each our own, unique person, with our own special talents.  If we're constantly comparing ourselves to others, then we won't see that.  Not only was this is fantastic mystery, but I came away from this book encouraged and uplifted.  I'd recommend it to anyone without hesitation.

: : I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. : :

Beautifully Bound | New in the Shop

Last fall, my Grammy Carole called me to ask if I'd like several sets of encyclopedias that they had and a few that had belonged to my Great Grandma.  She said I could keep them, sell them, or give them away - whatever I wanted.  Of course I said, "Bring them over!!"  A few weeks later, they drove up, and I opened the back door of their car to find it and the floor completely covered in books.  I started to feel giddy, looking at all of those books!

There were four sets total, two of which I will be keeping.  One is a 1940s A-Z encyclopedia set which belonged to my Great Grandmother and which I am beyond thrilled to have for my own.  I can't wait for my future children to thumb through them, drinking it all in like I did when I was a kid.  The other set I'm keeping is a collection of literary and historical classics.  It's an incomplete set, but still quite impressive.

The set currently listed in my Etsy shop is this 30 volume set of The Harvard Classics literary encyclopedias from 1980.  They're beautifully bound, and I would love to have them on my shelf too, but how many encyclopedia sets does one person need?  They're in excellent condition, and if any of the sets will sell, this one will.

Harvard Classics - 1980 // 30 Volumes | by Wool & Whatnot

I had so much fun taking pictures of these beautiful volumes.  They're quite photogenic, aren't they?

p.s.
Wool & Whatnot's Anniversary Sale is getting closer!

It's awesome.

It's awesome...sitting around a campfire singing hymns with friends.

It's awesome...going to the contra dance with your very favorite people in the entire world.  And then going to a friend's house for ice cream.  And then going to the park to watch the oncoming storm (no, not the Doctor - a lightening storm;).  And not getting home until 1:30 AM.

It's awesome...dancing.  Dancing is wonderful.  I don't know how I did without it for so long.

It's awesome...curling up on the sofa with a cuppa tea and a good book.  I've been enjoying Julie Klassen's regency romances lately.  The Apothecary's Daughter and The Tutor's Daughter were so, so good!

It's awesome...finishing a 1.2 acre fenced area for you sheep.  You can never have too many fenced pastures.

It's awesome...having a dad, brother, and friend who are willing to help pound t-posts and put of fencing.

It's awesome...driving the tractor! :D

It's awesome...raising and lowering the post hole drill on the tractor.  Clutch in, switch on PTO, clutch out.

It's awesome...that the lambs are almost ready to be butchered.  I'm ready for them to go, and I'm can't wait to have meat in the freezer!  September 30th! :D

It's awesome...going to Home Bible Study Fellowship at the assistant pastor's house.  Excellent study (we're going through Acts) and wonderful fellowship.

It's awesome...that the assistant pastor lives only a few miles down the road from us.  Really loving the short driving time!

It's awesome...when the librarian sees you checking out Doctor Who for the 100th time, and says, "Okay, since you're a Whovian, I have to ask...what do you think of the 11th Doctor?"  Which prompts an all out fangirl conversation.  We agreed that Ten is the best, Eleven is still the Doctor (although definitely not David Tennant), and we're happy to see a more 'mature' Doctor in Twelve .  And if none of that made sense to you, I'm sorry...I'm so sorry...but not sorry enough to stop. ;)

It's awesome...when your bro says, "I should be a wedding planner..."  And he's almost serious.  He'd probably be really good at it...just sayin'. *grin*

the Literary Heroine Blog Party | The Questions

: : The Questions : :

1| Introduce yourself! Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!  This year, I'm going with the "something completely random" option...When I was a child I called my big toe my "thumb toe".  It actually makes sense when you think about it.  At least, it does to me...;)

2| What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?

Okay, I'm determined not to go back to last year's post and copy any of my answers.  I. am. not.

A true heroine strives to honor and glorify God by her every word and action.  She's is dedicated to seeking God's will in her life and serving Him all her days, in whatever situation she may find herself in, whether single or married.  She is strong (not necessarily physically, but mentally and spiritually), able to defend and take care of herself, yet she understands and cherishes her role as man's helper.  She is kind, gentle, feminine, but not afraid to get dirty.  All of that said, she is also human.  She isn't perfect, and because of that we can understand and relate to her.  She is real.  She has flaws and failings to overcome.   A sinner redeemed by Christ's shed blood.  Sometimes she falls, but is always moving forward, becoming more like Him with every step she takes.

3| Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.

Jo March | I've always admired Jo for being herself.  And we both have such trouble controlling our tempers and our words.  I can't remember how many times I've read Little Women, but I never get tired of it.  Marmee's words to Jo never fail to encourage me.

Margaret Hale | She's not perfect, but she cares so much for those around her.  Quick to stand up against injustices, quick to speak her mind.  And more than anything else about her, I know what it's like to care for your mother.  Day after day, it's not always easy.

Amy Dorrit | Everything that a heroine should be - loving, gentle, feminine, forgiving, selfless.  Amy encourages me to put my own wants and desires aside in favor of serving others.

Molly Gibson | So kind and gentle, but not afraid to tell you what is what!  But she always does it with such graciousness...well, most of the time. ;)  Little Molly Gibson...if it had been me rather than you, I would have strangled Cynthia, and then told Roger to go take a long walk off a short pier.  I admire her most for her selflessness and her relationship with her father.

4| Five of your favorite historical novels? 

The Scottish Chiefs, The Scarlet Pimpernel (the entire series, but especially El Dorado.  Sooo good.), Little Women, An Old-Fashioned Girl, and The Last Trail.

5| Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why?

Last year, I no doubt said Sir Percy Blakeney, but this year I'm going to pick a favorite girl main character...and I have to choose Jo March.  Although I'm definitely not a tomboy or a writer of stories, I've always related to Jo.  Like I already said, we both have a hard time keeping our tempers in check. *sheepish grin*  But we keep trying to improve ourselves, no matter how many times we fall flat on our faces.

6| Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why?

Oh dear...okay, I'm going to go with Sir Andrew Ffoulkes.  An all-around good chap, steady and dependable.

7| If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there?

Bonnie Scotland, of course!  What would I do there?!  Just...everything.  Okay, okay...visit all of the historical landmarks and museums (I LOVE reading plaques), buy something from Ness, send my extended family and friends postcards, just soak in the beauty and take lots of pictures! *bliss*

8| What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?

The early American frontier (1600s and 1700s).  Think James Fenimore Cooper and Zane Grey.

9| You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of?

Probably singing, maybe with my bro's Bluegrass band.  That would be fun!  Maybe...I'm not really into getting up and performing in front of an audience...you'd probably have to drag me up there, in all honesty. ;)

10| If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?

Lady Helen Mar from The Scottish Chiefs, or maybe Amy Dorrit.

11| What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?

With mint or caramel, please.

12| Favorite author(s)?

G.A. Henty, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, C.S. Lewis, Zane Grey, James Fenimore Cooper, Beverly Lewis, Baroness Orczy, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle...shall I continue?

13| Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land?

A camera counts as an essential, right?  So does a good friend, at least in my book.  So...well, as cheesy as it may seem, I've always loved the idea of bringing along a stuffed animal of some sort and posing him/her and taking pictures.  Because those picture would be fun to look at later. :)

14| In which century were most of the books you read written?

19th and 20th

15| In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…

Um, duh...Sir Percy Blakeney aka The Scarlet Pimpernel!  Although, in all honesty, Aragorn from LOTR is very high on my list of literary heroes.  Just sayin'...but no one will ever surpass Sir Percy.  The end.

16| Describe your ideal dwelling place.

A simple, modest house, small-ish and cozy, nothing fancy.  A good sized garden, big barn for my animals, plenty of pasture space...and I'm still hoping for a covered walkway from the house to the barn. *please please please* ;)

17| Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence.

Feminine and vintage-y, but practical.

18| Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?

Not that I can think of right now...although all of those French and Russian names in War and Peace get rather confusing at times.

19| In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...

I think I said George Wickham last year, and I'm going to stick with that.  Especially if you watch the LBD!  Oh my word!  What a creep!
Edit: Why do I always forget Rigaud from Little Dorrit?!  He's got to be the creepiest, scariest, most detestable villian EVER!  Just sayin'.

20| Three favorite Non-fiction books?

Aside from the Bible (because that really goes without saying...um, which is why I even mentioned it...:), Adam's Synchronological Chart of History (If you've never seen this, you are totally missing out!  It's a HUGE fold-out timeline starting with Creation.  So awesome!  I could look at it for hours...), Back to Basics, and Webster's 1828 Dictionary.

21| Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?

With friends.  Playing badminton, or sitting by the lake talking.  Or by myself, taking a walk with my dog or trail riding.

22| Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.

Kellie, this question always throws me.  You're mean.  But I love you anyway. ;)  Something vintage, from the 40s, nothing too fancy, just a sweet little thing perched on my head.  Although I would LOVE to find a hat like the one worn by Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca!  LOVE that hat!!  And yes, I would totally wear it.

23| Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.

Finding our church family, among other things.

24| Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

Psalm 91

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

{emphasis mine}

.....

Make sure to hop over to Kellie's and check out the other ladies answers!  And the fabulous giveaway!!

Happy Trails!

It's awesome.

It's awesome...when you're reading The Hobbit and you laugh until you cry when you get to the part when Bilbo is rolling about on the floor shrieking "struck by lightening, struck by lightening"...and then you laugh until you can't breath imagining Martin Freeman as Bilbo acting that scene.  Don't know if that will be in the film, but I sincerely hope so.  That would be brilliant. ;)

It's awesome...listening to your brother and Grandma playing the piano together.  Those two are insanely talented.  Not that I'm a no talent bum or anything, but, in the words of dear Algy, "I don't play accurately--anyone can play accurately--but I play with wonderful expression."

It's awesome...when your Grandma brings you copies of her Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, and Gene Kelly piano sheet music.  She knows me well and I'm always up for some new songs!

It's awesome...when your Grandma can play the Bumble Boogie. =)

It's awesome...talking to friends after church on Sunday.

It's awesome...finding the complete series (seasons 1-3) of Wanted: Dead or Alive (with Steve McQueen) for $12 on Amazon.  Wooooooohooo!! :D

It's awesome...when it takes you a bit longer to get a joke and when you finally do you laugh harder than everyone else...and they laugh at you for finally getting it, but in a friendly way.  I'm not usually slow, but we all have our moments...;)

It's awesome...when there's a heavy frost covering everything - the ground, the bare twigs on the trees and bushes, the crunchy fallen leaves - and everything shimmers and sparkles in the moonlight, which is almost as bright as daylight.  And you get to walk to the barn through that magical world.

It's awesome...when you find out your friend really does have a set of bagpipes.  Really.  They are a glorious red plaid and everything bagpipes should be...except they don't work yet.  But they will, they will...

Have a wonderful, awesome day everyone! :D

Question:  Do you enjoy bagpipe music?  I want to know!

Miscellany

Right now I'm listening to Christmas music and gazing happily at the gently falling snow outside.

Yep. we got our first "real" snow of the year a week ago!  It starting snowing during the night and didn't stop till the next night.  It wasn't snowing very heavily though, so we only got about 6-8 inches total.  Like I said, it's currently snowing again and it doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon. =)

Last Friday, my bro and I had a bunch of our friends over for a game night.  We all had way too much fun playing our special version of Pictionary for several hours.  In our version (sometimes known as The North Idaho Homeschoolers Version;) there are two teams, one list of words, and whichever team gets through the list first wins.   Plus each team is in a separate room with the list somewhere between the two, so you have to run out of the room, get your word, and run back to your team.  Yep, it's lots of fun!  After two families had to leave, the rest of us played Apples to Apples until around 11:30 PM.   And yes, we were really starting to lose it towards the end there. *grin*

Do you know what happens when you're trying to open something that requires a sharp object, there are four guys in the room, and you innocently ask, "Does anyone have a knife?"   Almost instantly, there are four assorted pocketknives being held out to you.   I only needed one! ;)

Right now, my ewes are visiting Earl the ram at a friend's house.  I'm sure they're having a grand time, but poor Maggie (aka The Nibblin' Lamb) is missing her mommy a bit.  I've been spending extra time with her to try and make up for that.  The girls will be coming home around December 8th.  I'm hoping and praying for clear weather.

Oh, and the most exciting news - my Grandma Barbara is coming up from CA for a visit!!!   She'll be here in less than a week.   I think it's been about 2 or 3 years since I last saw her, so yeah, I am super excited and cannot wait! :D

I'm set for winter reading material for a while!   I decided I needed to read The Hobbit again before the first film comes out next month.  It's no fun if you can't point a finger and say, "That wasn't in the book!"  Hehe - at least for me.   Reading Ben-Hur, Wuthering Heights and David Copperfield for the first time, although I've only started Ben-Hur so far.  I'm LOVING it!!  The other two, Angel Train and The Parting, are just what I call "filler" books - light, easy to read in one or two days.  Angel Train...well, I love westerns, but this one was rather poorly written (imo) and I found much of the plot twists and story line to be a trifle cliche...not to mention the heroine was rather irritating.  The Parting I have read before and loved, so I thought I might want to read it again.

And lastly, something to think about...

This includes both those you meet in real life and those you meet online.

Well, I'm going to make some hot chocolate and curl up by the fire with a book.
Happy Trails, y'all!

Going Through the Era's {Fun Monday} - 1940's

I'm linking up to Bramblewood Fashion's Going Through the Era's event!

This week {March 11th-17th} is the 1940s.

Today's theme is...Fun Monday!

{share games, TV shows, music, radio shows and books from the era}

....

The Andrews Sisters were in high demand during the 40s, and were the most profitable stage attraction in the nation.

I just love their songs Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Bei Mir Bist Du Shon, and Oh, Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!

{Fun Fact: those of you who watch the Narnia movies may recognize Oh, Johnny, etc. as it was used during the hide and seek scene in LWW.  You probably all knew that already, but you never know...}

One of the popular crooners of the day, and someone who has been one of my absolute favorite singers for as long as I can remember, is Bing Crosby.

Here's his version of Don't Fence Me In, one of my favorite songs, sung with the Andrews Sisters.

After checking out Hanne-col's post for today, I realized I'd excluded two of my favorite entertainers...
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans!
Several years ago, I fell madly in love with Roy and Dale.  All I watched were their movies.  All I listened to were their songs.   For about a year:)
And I still love them very much, but they've had to make room for others whom I have come to love.
But here are a few of my favorite songs from one their movies...

They just love giving each other a hard time and are so, so cute together! :)

I love all of their films, but I think that Lights of Old Santa Fe is my very favorite.

.....

The Patty Lou books by Basil Miller are a series of Christian adventure book for teen-age girls from the 40s.
There are only 3 book in the series from what I can tell - there isn't any information on these books online that I can find - Patty Lou of the Golden West, Patty Lou's Pot of Gold, and Patty Lou of the White Gold Ranch.

I own two of them, although I must admit that I've only read one of them, Patty Lou and the White Gold Ranch.  I received the other book as a present from a friend last year and just haven't gotten around to reading it yet.  You know how it goes - so many books, so little time. ;)

Anyway, the one I have read was both interesting and fun to read, with a good Christian message.

My books are both marked Second Edition 1943 and were published by Zondervan Publishing House.

Basil Miller also wrote a Christian adventure series for teen-age boys, about a boy named Ken.  I have the first book in that series, Ken Rides the Range, but can't find it right now.  I enjoyed reading it very much, though.

I've seen copies of these books in antique stores for about $4 each, and I'm sure you could find them on ebay, if you are so inclined.

.....

Happy Trails, y'all!

Miscellany

I haven't had much to say lately, have I?  I guess that's because there just isn't much going on right now.

Winter is a slow time of year around here.  A time for resting...in between shoveling snow, feeding animals and hauling buckets of water from the creek. ;)

Source: thelittlehermitage.tumblr.com via Natasha on Pinterest

It's a time for curling up by the fire and reading a good book.  I've been reading lots of Nancy Drew and Beverly Lewis this year, a rather odd combination to be sure.  I also read the play The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.  I LOVED it!  So, so funny!!  And I'm working my way through our A encyclopedia.  Someday, I'll have read them all from A-Z.  At least that's the idea;)

Source: feelingstitchy.com via Jill on Pinterest

It's a time for crocheting or sewing like mad while watching an indecent amount of classic films. =)

This week it's been The Major and the Minor (so, so cute and funny!), Guys and Dolls (Frankie!!!), The Caine Mutiny (awesome performance by Bogie), On the Waterfront (Brando), The Guns of Navarone (Gregory Peck), and The Razor's Edge (Tyrone Power).

Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I had a marvelous sleepover with Kellie in her wall tent the other day in honor of her 20th birthday.  We ate chocolate, drank chocolate mint tea, watched an awesome movie, laughed, giggled and squealed.  We may or may not have screamed a few times from sheer delight.  The little hoodlums (aka Kellie's younger sisters) were busy elsewhere, so we had the entire evening to ourselves. =)  The next day was spent driving up to Sandpoint for some window shopping and singing along to crazy songs in the car.  I might have some pics to share at a later date, but I'm not sure how many we actually got - having too much fun. :)

Speaking of Kellie...if you haven't already, then you really should go join in the fun over at her blog.

We're all having a simply marvelous time at the Literary Heroine Blog Party!

And you may be seeing some of my handy work over there sometime during the festivities...:)

I've been working on sewing a dress from the vintage pattern I bought.  I decided to make my first effort red gingham, like the one on the pattern envelope.  It's a pretty simple pattern, but I'm having some difficulty getting it to fit me correctly - thank goodness for Betty, my dress form!  I don't know what I'd do without her. :)

I'm planning a surprise for you all next month...but I can't tell you what it is.  I'll give you a hint though - it has to do with my Etsy shop's one year anniversary, my birthday and one of my hobbies.
Ok, so that was three hints.

As I was browsing through some of my old Wallpaper Wednesday posts, I decided that this wallpaper of Aragorn needed some help.  He looked rather green before...well, more green than he is now=)

Here's the updated wallpaper...

Much, much better! 

You can find this wallpaper, and over 40+ others designed by me, on the "for {You}" page.

And I believe that wraps it up - I can't think of anything else I absolutely needed to say.
Happy Trails, y'all!

my love affair with vintage books

I don't usually make impulsive decisions. 

I like to think things through and then, and only then, make a logical (and, ahem, economical) decision.

 

But...some things are just too hard to resist.

 

Especially vintage books.

 

They're my one weakness.

 

I just now splurged and bought two lots of vintage Nancy Drew books on Etsy.

 

Oh Etsy!  How you do tempt me!  How I love you!  How I hate you!

 

Ahem, moving on...

 

 

They are beautiful, are they not?

 

 

Lavender covers...mmhmm.  Yes, please.

 

 

There are two mysteries in each volume and I bought six volumes.

 

 

My mom said go for it...

 

So I did.

 

 

What else could I do?  I always do what my mommy says.

A Random Posting of Pictures

I decided I'd better post some of the pictures I've been meaning to post now, instead of waiting for more to pile up on me...

 

...~...~...~...~...~...~...

 

What have we here?

 

 

Sense & Sensibility!  (1995)

 

Methinks it's time for an afternoon of Regency {bliss} and tea.

 

Whenever I bring a new movie home for my mom, we have a little tea party, just for fun.  :)

It's become a delightful tradition which we both enjoy very much.

 

 

Lemon shortbread cookies - oh, yummy.  

 

{Lest you think I'm some kind of baking whiz, those are store bought cookies}

 

 

 

My favorite teacup, given to me by my dear Kellie.

 

...~...~...~...~...~...~...

 

A peek into my workbasket...

 

 

 

 

 

 

...~...~...~...~...~...~...

 

One of the things I'll splurge on...

 

 

...vintage books!

 

 

They look simply smashing on my shelf:)

 

 

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And speaking of vintage, here's what my mom and I have been working on...

 

 

Meet Nancy.   Nancy is a very special young lady - she belonged to my Grandma Barb (my mom's mom) when she was a girl.

Now she's my mom's, and someday she'll be mine...and someday I'll give her to my children, if I ever have any.

 

Yes, Nancy is very special.  Someday I'll have to take pictures of Nancy's other clothes, some of which were sewn by hand by my Great Grandmother Annie.

 

My mom and I are working on restoring Nancy's trunk.  The original paper is crumbling off and, as you can see, there is some water damage.

 

 

Alex cleaned all of the metal hardware off with steal wool.   I wish I had before pictures - they were simply covered in rust.

We couldn't believe the difference!

 

"Surprising what a little paint will do, isn't it?!"  -- Wallace and Gromit

 

...~...~...~...~...~...~...

 

A sneak preview of what will be showing up in my Etsy shop soon...

 

 

Details...

 

 

Vintage charm...

 

 

More crocheted creations coming soon, too!

 

...~...~...~...~...~...~...

 

Congratulations!  You've made it to the end of this post!  ;)

 

Happy Trails, y'all!

The Literary Heroine Blog Party - The Questions

~The Questions~

• What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine? A true heroine puts the needs of others ahead of her own.  She is gentle and kind, always up for adventure, and always a lady no matter what the circumstances.
• Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.

-Jo March-

I'm not a tomboy, but we have the same quick temper and a knack for getting ourselves in trouble with our hasty words.

I treasure Marmee's advice to you, Jo.

Please note that I do not admire Jo's temper, I simply relate to it;)

  -Elizabeth Bennet-

I love your quick wit.

 

-Kate from Stepping Heavenward-

Same as for Jo.

My mom gave me this book just when I needed it most.

 

-Millie Keith-

Millie, I admire your faith, your strong convictions, and your willingness to share the gospel.

• Five of your favorite historical novels? The Scarlet Pimpernel (the whole series, really), The Scottish Chiefs, Captain Blood, Pearl Maiden, The Last of the Mohicans, and Little Women.
• Out of those five books who is your favorite character and why?  The Scarlet Pimpernel, aka Sir Percy Blakeney wins hands down, although Peter Blood runs a very close second because of his delightful Irish accent)  Sir Percy is the perfect gentleman, he loves is wife, and he's willing to lay down his life to save others.  I've heard, though haven't been able to verify this as a fact, that Sir Percy really did exist.  Wouldn't that be awesome?!

• If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there?  Scotland and Austria - I want to do and see everything in Scotland, including a horseback ride cross country over the highlands and on the beach (you really can do that!), and, while I was across the pond, I'd visit my relatives in Austria:)
• What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?  The early American frontier - everything was so new and exciting!
• You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert.  Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of?  Probably Kellie and I singing...possibly including a yodeling monkey and a chicken on a bicycle!
• If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?  Well, as I've already attended such a party as Marguerite Blakeney, I think I would go as either Arabella Bishop (from Captain Blood) or Jo March.
• What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?  Chocolate is...creamy, delicious, goodness.  The only thing better than plain chocolate is chocolate paired with mint=)

• Favorite author(s)?  Baroness Orczy, G.A. Henty, Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, James Fenimore Cooper, Rafael Sabatini, Lousia May Alcott, L.M. Montgomery...shall I continue?
• As a small, imaginative, red-haired damsel might query; would you rather be divinely beautiful, dazzlingly clever, or angelically good?  Why?  Oh, dear me!  I think I shall have to agree with Matthew here and say "I don't know."  However, if pressed, I'd rather be either dazzlingly clever or angelically good, because I'd enjoy being clever and I'd love to be really good:)

• In which century were most of the books you read written?  19th century
• In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…  Sir Percy Blakeney, of course!
• Describe your ideal dwelling place.   A country victorian style house in the country, surrounded by trees, with a pond and a stream gurgling nearby.  The house will be white with lilac shutters and trim, with a wrap around porch that goes all the way around the house, a bay window with a window seat, a window seat at the end of the upstairs hallway concealed from view by curtains with a "shh, I'm reading" sign, a library with shelves from floor to ceiling with those neat little rolling ladders to reach the topmost books, a kitchen with a cooking island and a big sink, an attic crammed full of old furniture and trunks full of delightful things from days gone by, lace curtains on all the windows, a laundry chute, a music room with a baby grand piano, wood flooring throughout the whole house, and a room set aside as the school room.  Also, no ideal dwelling place of mine would be complete without a barn, so a large barn with plenty of room for my horses, sheep and other livestock, a cozy place for me to sleep during lambing season, and a covered walkway from the barn to the house so I don't have to shovel a path through the snow.  And this ideal dwelling place will be located in the ideal, beautiful state of Idaho!  There - you asked for it;)

• Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?  Well, I can't think of any at the moment... 
•  In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...  Oh dear, this is a hard question - and I came up with it!  What was I thinking?;)  Okay, Lady Mar from The Scottish Chiefs - a completely odious, traitorous woman, to be sure!  I also have to say Mr. Wickham from Pride & Prejudice or Mr. Willoughby from Sense & Sensibility, because they're so deceptively pleasant at first glance.
• Three favorite Non-fiction books?  God's Word, Back to Basics, and Adam's Synchronological Chart of History.
• Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?  Sitting in the pasture while my sheep graze, reading a new book, with my dog leaning against me, and a kitty or lamb in my lap.
• Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.  Either a sweet, little, creamy wool 1940s hat that perches on the back of my head, with ribbons and lace, or a big, wide brim hat, with ostrich plumes, yards of lace, and a small spray of flowers nestled in the lace.  I don't know that those portray my true character, but those are the hats I would most like;)
• Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.  Well, definitely my mom being so sick and finally discovering that she has Lyme disease.  Also, my cousin's wedding, serving on a jury (that was fun!!), and the Epic Pilgrimage.
• Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.  Hebrews 12:28&29 - Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
  For our God is a consuming fire. 
• And lastly, as I am a rather businesslike hostess, may I ask you your views regarding those adorable little items - namely pin back and mirror back buttons?  1). Where would you choose to display a button badge to best showcase your unique style?  2). What image and/or sentiment would most make you smile were it inscribed on your very own compact mirror? 1) I should add it to the collection already displayed on my laptop case, and 2) I'd like the picture of Audrey Hepburn on the bike with the text "Smile":)