october picture book pile ♥ the cottage library

 

Happy October, kind folks!

It's that time of year when the vibes are vibing, as they say. All things cozy are making their return to the forefront of our home, and I'm so here for it. In our home, we've always seen Halloween as a fun holiday. We do spooky and mysterious and cute but no horror or terror or anything of that sort. Over the last few years, I've begun intentionally collecting picture books that I grew up with, as well as new ones that I enjoy. I've found quite a list of authors and illustrators that I love as well, so that's always fun to find one of them out in the wild. 

There are many cute Halloween storybooks out there, and I've got a few to share here today. Instead of focusing on just one book to share, I've decided to share my October picture book pile...some of these I've read and some I have not, but they're all in my pile to enjoy this month. Who said picture books were only for children? I'm convinced they can be some of the most comforting, healing books out there, especially if the illustrations are the sort you wish you could jump right into, Mary Poppins style.  

I find many of my picture books at little free libraries. And such is the case for many of the ones I'm sharing here today. I tend to go towards picture books that are a bit older...think at least 10-15 years old minimum, with a few exceptions here and there. I also love warmer, more traditional styles of art with a magical, whimsical, enchanting, imaginative angle. Lots of color and details...especially tiny details making everything feel like a wonder. Huge emphasis on home and nature and family and just the beauty of ordinary life. I think storybooks are one of the greatest foundations for instilling a sense of wonder and awakening to the beauty of ordinary days. (And serve as quite the reminder for us grown-ups.) So many newer picture books just feel so...well, modern, and that's just not really me. I also tend towards picture books where the art feels very seasonal and nostalgic...picture books today (for the most part) just lack something special, in my opinion.

I also love to collect these early reader type books...some may be considered early chapter books. I haven't read the above ones yet, but I was so drawn to them by the covers...yes, I do judge picture books by their covers. I admit. {{smiles}}

Like squirrels gather nuts for winter,

autumn signals my need to collect more books 

for the cold months ahead.

~ Jamie Davis ~

Spookley is a story that I discovered as a little girl, and this is my childhood copy. It's a sweet story, and I adore the colorful artwork throughout. Sometimes, I may not actually read through picture books word for word, but it's always fun to flip through, turning the pages slowly, and taking in the illustrations. I find them so inspiring and enchanting...so many of my imagination's musings are right there on the pages.

I always keep a list of picture books, authors, and illustrators that I want to keep my eyes open for. Collecting picture books has become a fun, delightful, whimsical hobby for me...any my stash has outgrown my first book basket and has moved to a book rack, which is nearly full, too.

I plan to share a picture book pile for each month. I know many adults, whether or not they have children, love picture books just as much as I do. I'd love to know if you have any favorite picture books or any authors or illustrators that are your favorites. I do think that adult books should have little illustrations in them more often...perhaps that'd be a good collection to share sometime...adult books with illustrations??? Hmm...my wheels are turning!

Thanks for joining me here today...

I'll be back here soon with a fun October photo diary series for the month.

Wishing you the loveliest October, dear readers!

home is where the heart is ♥ the cottage library

Welcome back, dear reader.

And welcome to a new, hopefully, weekly series I'm starting here at my cozy cottage. If you've been poking around here for any time at all, you'll quickly realize that I love books and stories. I've shared some of my favorite novels on here through the years. However, my shelves are absolutely full of books, and not just novels. I've got quite a lovely collection of coffee table books, cookbooks, garden and home books, picture books, some poetry books, craft books, and more. 

 My favorite way to grow my personal library is attending the annual library book sales. I'm fortunate to have a few libraries in my area that not only have a small shop of used books that are open year-round, but several times each year, they hold a HUGE used book sale. It is at those sales that I really have some fun! You can fill a big box for just $12, and do you know how many books you can fit into a big box? I'll tell you... A LOT! That for me is better than vacation!

I also love visiting local little free libraries, and I try to make the rounds every couple of months. I've found some real treasures in those! And as much as I love shopping for used books off my book list, there's something about going into a sale or walking up to a little free library and not knowing what you're going to find. I've found some absolutely lovely and gorgeous books in those unexpected places.

Which brings me to this new, hopefully, weekly series...my hope and plan is to go through my shelves and choose a book somewhat randomly and share it with you. Through photographs, perhaps an excerpt or two, and any other thoughts I want to share. I think it will be great fun, and I hope you'll join me for these posts. I won't be sharing any (err, many) novels in this series, as I want this to be more about those other books on my shelves. I hope you enjoy!

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To begin this new series, I thought a good place to begin would be with an absolutely gorgeous book. Back when I was a young girl, the art of Thomas Kinkade was all the rage. I even seem to recall seeing commercials on TV showing his art. Even as a little girl, I was completely enchanted by his artwork, and especially how so many of his pieces depicted homes and cottages and the beauty of those sacred places.

This book, Home is Where the Heart Is, is a sweet coffee table book. Let's take a peek inside...

Every page showcases a piece of Kinkade's art, as well as a poem or excerpt from a book or a few shorter quotes...all on the theme of home. The painting here is called "Blessings of Autumn". Can you see the little pumpkins on the front steps? {{smiles}}

Home is a comfort

And home is a light

A place to leave the darkness outside

Home is a peaceful and ever-full feeling

A place where a soul safely hides

And being at home should remind you that still

There's a place that's prepared just for you

~ Michael Card ~

This is a song! Who knew?!?! 

You should definitely go to YouTube and give it a listen...your heart and soul will thank you. ♥

(Can you see why this book jumped out at me?!?!)

A close-knit and loving home is worth more than a kingdom.

~ William Bennett ~

This painting is called "Sunday Outing".

I'm a lover and collector of quotes. I've been keeping a commonplace book for over a decade now. And I love finding new quotes that I haven't read or seen before, such as the one above. How true those words are! I know I'm happiest at home.

While I'd heard the last line of this poem, I didn't know it was part of a longer poem...and this is just part of it here. You can easily search for the entire poem online and give it a read.

The artwork throughout this book is especially inspiring...the use of color and light and the central focus of home...it all fills me with so much inspiration and imagination. I am reminded of my love of home and the value I place on that sacred haven. I am inspired and moved to continue to make my home what I want it to be. I especially love how the shifting seasons are brought to life in the different paintings...the autumnal colors in the one above, as well as the leaf pile burning in the front yard...the scent of crunchy autumn leaves and sticks burning and woodsmoke nearly comes right off the page. I also really appreciate the soft dampness on the sidewalk and how the lights are reflected there. This painting is called "Amber Afternoon".

I have never, ever come across any Miss Read mentions, much less excerpts from her books, in any other book...until this one. How lovely is this selection from No Holly for Miss Quinn?

She lay back and listened to the little domestic sounds of the old house.

The fire whispered, a log shifted at its heart, the dog snored gently after his meal.

Outside, the wind stirred the trees, and somewhere a distant door banged as the breeze caught it.

Christmas magic. Horses tied up waiting outside by a tree decked with twinkly lights. Gentle lights glowing from within the home. A wreath on the door. This painting is called "Christmas Memories".

And a rather lovely selection from L.M. Montgomery in Anne's House of Dreams.

The first glimpse of her new home was a delight to the eye and spirit...

The door of the little house opened,

and a warm glow of firelight flickered into the dusk.

How lovely are some of the lines of this poem by Edgar A. Guest...

Sittin' on the porch at night when all the tasks are done,

Just restin' there an' talkin', with my easy slippers on,

An' my shirt band thrown wide open an' my feet upon the rail,

Oh, it's then I'm at my richest, with a wealth that cannot fail;

For the scent of early roses seems to flood the evening air,

An' a throne of downright gladness is my wicker rocking chair.

The painting here is called "Hometown Memories".

This painting is called "Victorian Garden II". The very first thing I noticed is the smoke coming out of the chimney. Then, of course, all the gorgeous flowers and picket fence and lamp post...the porch and lights glowing from inside and how quaint it all feels. 

I hope you enjoyed this little peek inside one of the most beautiful books on my shelf. I absolutely love Thomas Kinkade's artwork and the words paired with his paintings in this book were sheer perfection. I hope you found some inspiration in them, too.

Until my next post, 

may your day be filled with wonder and beauty!

an autumnal greeting . . .

A warm autumnal greeting to you, dear reader.

It's been a hot minute since my last post. We had a medical emergency with one of our fur babies. It was a rocky few weeks, but thankfully, our sweet boy is doing much better. And I hope to be back in this space more regularly.

Today marks the autumn equinox, one of my favorite days of the year. It means that "my" time of the year has arrived. The seasons of autumn and winter are officially upon us, and it fills me with as much giddiness as a little girl in a candy shop. Tonight we'll be having our annual Autumn Celebration Dinner, a tradition which I began our first year here at Shady Cottage. Each year on the first day of autumn, we have a special dinner and dessert to celebrate our favorite time of year...because, yes, we all agree in our home that autumn and winter are the best. {{smiles}} Every year the menu for this meal changes because there are so many delicious recipes that fit our criteria: cozy, comforting, seasonal. And this year's menu is: Broccoli Cheddar Soup with Apple, Bacon, and Smoked Cheddar Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, and for dessert, my sister made our very favorite homemade pumpkin pie...it smelled absolutely divine in our home last night as it was baking away in the oven. I'll make some fresh vanilla whipped cream to go along with it, because what is pumpkin pie without whipped cream?!?!?

On Friday, I officially began my autumn movie watching with You've Got Mail. This is a dear favorite of mine, and somehow, it just gets better every time I watch it. I have a list of autumn films that I want to watch over the next few weeks, with some Halloween movies thrown in as October arrives. Then, it will lead to a few Thanksgiving movies (of which I declare there are not enough of! Do you have any recommendations or favorites to share?) and then Christmas movies from November through early January. The winter months allow for lots of watching of films that aren't quite holiday particular, but very cozy nonetheless. 

I've also pulled out a smallish pile of books I hope to read this autumn...I've started one, but I'm a bit leery about it as I'm not sure if it will stay my cup of tea. I'm a bit concerned about the content, but I shall see. I've also pulled out a few seasonal cookbooks that I want to flip through for some new recipes to try. Autumn and winter are also my favorite times of year to cook and eat. I love the warm, cozy, comforting meals that this time of year inspires me to cook. I'm of the firm belief that cozy, comfort food can also be nourishing and wholesome and healthy. Over the last handful of years, I've grown quite a repertoire of recipes that we love and there's something about it being chilly (or cold!) outside, lighting a candle in the kitchen, popping in a favorite CD, and making a delicious meal for my family. 

The earlier evenings that this time of year brings are one of the best things about autumn and winter. The sun sets earlier, we close the curtains, tuck ourselves into our living room with a heap of throw blankets on our favorite spots to curl up and settle in for an episode or two of a show we're working our way through (currently, it's Wolfblood -perfect for this time of year!, and Castle - a fun new-to-us crime drama with comedy thrown in, too). I also love working on a handicraft in the evenings, and yes, I'm still going to town on my afghan...I've got only about 20 or so more granny squares to crochet and then it's time to lay it all out and arrange the squares before I start attaching them. I'm so excited to see how it all turns out...it's my first crochet project, after all, so it's all a brand-new experience! {{smiles}}

I'm really, really hoping for some cooler, crisp temperatures soon. Our September has been excruciatingly hot. It's been barely below 100*F for a few weeks now, and it's getting to me. I'm beyond over it...for someone who experiences reverse seasonal depression, I'm really struggling with this lingering summer weather. I'm craving grey skies, steady rain, crisp air, cool breezes, temperatures cool enough to wear a sweater and warm socks, and for those autumn vibes to become reality. Come on, autumn, bring me some nice weather...pretty please, with a cherry on top.

I hope your September is lovely so far, and that your first day of autumn is as beautiful as you hope it to be. May you find yourself filled with delight at the new season upon us, may your dinner table be filled with delicious comforting foods, and may this autumn be a magical, enchanting, gentle, cozy one for us all...

Thank you so much for joining me here today, lovely readers.

I hope to be back here very soon...

♥

the letter tucked in a susan branch book . . .

 The one thing I knew I wanted for my birthday last month was to add to my growing Susan Branch book collection. My mom and sister got me a handful of her older books as well as a preorder for her upcoming winter book, which I am excitedly awaiting. When I was looking through each of the books, I came across a letter tucked inside the back of Vineyard Seasons, a letter from a father to his daughter in June 1999. This is one of the *many* reasons why I tend towards used books...sometimes you find the sweetest notes tucked inside the back flaps or even written on the inside cover. Here’s what the note said:

Dear Kristen,
How are you? I am fine. I’m tired of editing sports. Amelia is in the other room figuring pricing- and she is meeting with her girlfriend Anne and husband to walk at 4:00 pm. I think I’ll go home then too.
I had breakfast with Bill on Monday. He and Ash just got back from Costa Rica. He sounded good. I guess Monday was yesterday.
I made stewed sprouts and also I cooked cabbage and kielbasa. I have 2 jars of it. It will last all week.
This is a neat book. The lady Sue Branch is like you. I met her once. She is one of Amelia’s good friends. She lives on Martha’s Vineyard.
Anyway I thought you would like it.
Love,
Dad
P.S. I hope I’m sending it to the proper address. This is an old used book. I hope customs understands. Pop.

Little notes like this, evidence of someone’s ordinary, everyday life, tucked into a book, found 27 years later, somehow make the world seem smaller and remind me that everyone out there is just living their own little life. Reminders of the beauty tucked into ordinary days and the sweetness in small, little things. I don’t know if I’m the only one who finds things like this heartwarming, but maybe it made you smile a bit today.

a daybook for august

Little glimpses into the past few weeks . . .

{{ feeling that patriotic vibe all summer long with this handmade T-shirt. my sister saw similar ideas online and I took what she showed me and made our own version or the fourth of July. I was so pleased with how they turned out. }}

{{ confetti from our poppers on the fourth of July...we don't do fireworks at home; instead, we head to town for their fireworks show and do little poppers at home. and yes, we swept up our mess afterwards...my sister made sure every single little piece was picked up so no little critter gets ahold of one. }}

{{ a july sunset on the way home from a day trip to the hills }}

{{ homemade blueberry muffins...the perfect late night baking session }}

{{ a good-night mug of nourishing hot cacao with whipped cream whilst watching Vera...I've started adding some cardamom to my hot cacao, and oh my goodness, is it divine! }}

{{ deep summertime green...one of my favorite colors }}

{{ we absolutely enjoyed a couple days where the high temp was 78-80 F...if summer felt like this during the day all the time, I do believe I could love it }}

{{ so thankful to live in a quaint cottage nestled in the trees...I feel like I live in a treehouse ♥ }}

{{ another night...another mug of hot choco }}

{{ pattern mixing is one of my favorite things...and so is pairing up favorite pieces with old pieces to make them feel new again }}

outside my window

Absolutely gorgeous summertime green...which I will not stop talking about because it's seriously one of the only things I actually like about this time of year. We've had lots of rain this spring and summer, which gives me all the happy feels, and I think the trees love it, too. We've had to water more lately as it's been so incredibly hot and things are starting to not look so good...our basil is looking rather poorly. The crepe myrtles are stunning this time of year, though. All the different colors are gorgeous around town!

i am thinking

Of what I want to cook for dinner over the next few days; how to use up leftovers so they don't go to waste; of some crafty project ideas with my sister; of what book(s) I want to read after I finish the one I'm working on; what fun autumnal things I want to do this year

i am thankful for

rainy days; sunset drives in the countryside; admiring the lush vibrant green; being inspired by creative folks; *really* good books; candlelight and mugs of hot cacao; simple, ordinary days that are my favorite kind of day

from the kitchen

Last week, I made lemon butter salmon for dinner, and it was my first time eating it. I'd made it before for my mom and sister, but I'm so not a fish person. To my complete surprise, I actually loved it...this felt like a major accomplishment to me. Ha! It was my sister's birthday on Wednesday, and she requested homemade peanut butter ripple ice cream with dark chocolate chunks and a caramel fudge chocolate cake...not only was it so fun making them, along with her birthday dinner, but they were so delicious! 

i am creating

In the last week, I have crocheted so many granny squares, I've run out of yarn...I'm hoping it is on sale this week. I am officially obsessed with granny squares. And I'm officially over halfway through making all the squares I need for my first afghan. My sister and I have also done some decoupaging recently; we have a bit to do to finish our project, but it's been so fun.

i am wearing

On this hot August day, I'm wearing one of my favorite sundresses...brown and white gingham dress with a floral crop blouse with lace details over. You can see it in the photo above. {{smiles}}

in my cup

Just plain ol' iced water for me this evening. I'm someone who genuinely loves drinking water, and on hot days, it just hits the spot.

i am reading

I've been thankful to read a couple really good stories these past few weeks. First, I read The Penderwicks at Point Mouette, which is the third book in the series. I absolutely loved it; and seeing as how it was set at the beach, it was the perfect summertime read. I love the Penderwick family so much, and I really enjoyed getting to know Aunt Claire in this book. She is such a sweet, caring, understanding aunt. At the time of writing this post, I'm in the last 100 pages of Anne of Avonlea, which is just so darn good. It's my first time reading beyond the first Anne book, and it is exactly what I hoped and dreamed it would be...and more. L.M. Montgomery is quickly becoming a real favorite of mine. I love her storytelling style; she has a true knack for immersing her reader in the story and makes it feel as though Anne, Diana, Marilla, Rachel, and Gilbert are your own little circle of friends...and how I wish they were. It's a good thing to read a book you just really, really love, but it's also a bad thing because you hope your next read is just as good, and when it's not, it can put you in a real reading slump. At least that's what I've noticed about me.

i am listening to

Aside from listening to some of my favorite film scores while cooking dinner in the evenings, which I highly recommend, by the way, my top 5 songs this past month are:

Chasing Rainbows (The High Kings); Up on the Roof (James Taylor); Through the Dark (One Direction); Sunrise (Norah Jones); On the Sunny Side of the Street (Steve Tyrell; from Father of the Bride)

i am watching

Seeing as how I've been crocheting nearly every evening, it's given me a chance to try out a few Hallmark movies, and I've got a few new favorites to add to my list. 

A Harvest Wedding- I loved this one so much. Jill Wagner is one of my favorites, so this was a must-try for me. The autumnal scenery was stunning and I loved the farm setting. The whole story was really sweet, and I also greatly appreciated how the usual tension and miscommunication and misunderstanding part of a Hallmark movie wasn't really present in this one. For me, this one belongs on my "favorites" list.

The Way to You- This is another one to go on my "favorites" list. I seriously loved this movie. I loved the wintry New York City setting, and the main characters were both likable, which is always a plus. I loved how the male lead who lived a more mainstream lifestyle really respected the female lead's unconventional, creative lifestyle, instead of condemning it or making subtle jokes about her choices. That was refreshing.

Hearts of Winter- Another Jill Wagner movie. While I wouldn't consider this one a favorite, I still really enjoyed it. I especially loved the father-daughter relationship that was portrayed in the movie; it was really sweet and heartwarming. I loved that the father's character was so devoted to his daughter and he really tried his best to be the best dad he could be for her. I found that particularly touching.

i am hoping

that the rest of summer isn't too hot; to continue working on my granny squares; that the next book(s) I pick up to read are just as amazing as the last few I've read

i am hearing

cats playing and goofing off; the air conditioner just clicked off; TV on in the background; the hum of my computer; and music playing in my headphones

around the house

lots of little tidying and cleaning projects...it's amazing how spending 15-30 minutes working on an area makes a HUGE difference.

one of my favorite things

My newest favorite thing is my brand spanking new crochet hook with a grip...it makes my crafting time so much more enjoyable and easier on my hands.

word collecting

I think magic is remembering. Remembering what it feels like to talk to the wind as a child, to trust the pull of the moon, to believe the world was alive with something unseen. Maybe growing up isn't about forgetting. Maybe it's about learning to listen again.

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Thanks for joining me here today...

I hope your upcoming week is a beautiful one!

come on a summertime garden ramble

Come join me for a little late summer ramble through our garden...

I've got a mason jar of iced herbal tea in hand, a wide brimmed sunhat on, and my old worn-in sandals that feel as comfy as a dream on. It's stifling hot and the humidity is so thick you could cut it with a knife. However, thankfully, our many, many, many trees are providing lots of much-appreciated shade as we mosey along and poke around to see what's going on in the garden these late summer days. Fortunately, we've had lots of rain, so we haven't needed to water the plants hardly at all this season. They love the rainwater! And I love the rain, too. {{smiles}}

The monkey grass is beginning to showcase these gorgeous purple flowers. I've noticed each year that these purple beauties come up in late summer, and it's a sure sign that the season is s l o w l y starting to wind down. I absolutely love the soft violet color popping up among all the green.

Purple has come to be the color of summer's end for me. I wrote a post sharing some of my thoughts on that here a few years back...you'd be most welcome to read it.

As I was crouched down to get these photos, a little buzzing sound surrounded me. I looked around and there it was...this little friendly bumblebee friend. It buzzed around and visited many of the blooms. We have always believed in and strived to keep a natural yard...no poisonous sprays or chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers or weed killers. We very much believe in letting nature be nature and that nature is perfect as it is...and that weeds are simply flowers that someone decides are in the wrong place, to quote Sister Monica Joan from Call the Midwife.

After we moved into Shady Cottage, we had no idea what the previous owners did to the yard in terms of chemicals and such. It's been eight years now, and they say it takes five years for a yard to detox from those poisons, so if they did abuse the yard and garden (as most everyone around us loves to do), it should be well cleared out now. Over the last few years, we've noticed more and more bees, butterflies, moths, squirrels, birds, and lightning bugs in our yard. And hardly any anywhere else in our neighborhood. Just goes to show that nature really is just fine as it is...a perfectly manicured yard is doing absolutely nothing for the environment and pollinators, which we all depend on for our food.

Each spring, we fill two big planters with impatiens...in a variety of colors. They last all season long and sometimes, well into the autumn. The bright bursts of color really make a cheerful entrance to our home.

Rewild your yard.

Bee happy.

Be pesticide free.

Leave the leaves.

Restore the balance.

Lose the lawn.

Bee the change.

Slow the mow. 

Grow natives.

Weeds are just unloved flowers.

Let it grow.

Leave the trees.

Be pollinator friendly.

Build a butterfly haven.

(I saw a garden flag with those sayings all over it, and I absolutely loved it. I want one for our yard! They perfectly say what I feel and believe!)

Our basil is growing and flourishing beautifully. We use it regularly to cook dinner and I've also already made one big batch of pesto...some for dinner one night and two more containers for our freezer. I'd like to make another batch or two to freeze for the autumn and winter before the season ends.

And our sage is doing well, too...the rosemary is just okay. I've used both to make roasted chicken and bone broth, and oh my, did they make the flavor pop!

Our corner of the world is still quite lush and vibrant green. Soon, though, as with every year before, some mid-to-late August, the trees and plants will begin to have that worn out, weary sort of look...green fading to yellow as the leaves begin their change to autumnal tones. It happens every year like clockwork. Sure signs of the seasonal change. The grass begins to grow slower and for that, I am always grateful. Ever since my dad passed away, I've done most of the mowing, and with the intense sun and heat, it really drags me down. So I'm always glad to see mowing season end until the next year.

What are your gardens looking like these late summer days? I'd love to know if you're doing any preserving for the autumn/winter months. Do share!

stories that feel like home . . .

Some books are so familiar that reading them is like being home again.

~ Louisa May Alcott ~

As the years go on, and as I grow...both as a person and in age, there's one thing I've come to learn about myself. And that is the absolute fact that my favorite books are the ones where the stories feel like home. When I say feel like home, what I mean is a story that feels like coming home to the place that overflows with warmth, comfort, safety, relief, familiarity, goodness, beauty, family and kindred spirits. Where you can practically smell dinner simmering away on the stove and you can hear the creak of the old staircase. Where you know you're safe and protected and you can step away from the noise of the world. The kind of story where the setting comes to life in your mind, almost as if you can step right into the page and experience it in person. A story where the characters feel like old friends and kindred spirits who you can relate to and learn from. A story where goodness lies at its heart, where beauty of ordinary life shines through, and where you know your heart and soul are going to be filled to the brim with something truly lifegiving. That's what I hope for my home to be, both for myself and my family, but also for anyone who comes through our door. But, I've come to realize that's also what I love in a story. And just because it's not always sunshine and rainbows, as is the same with life, the beauty and goodness shines through and makes a way and all is well in the end. Stories like that are the ones that I have come to realize are the ones that stick with me...and I find myself pondering them long after I return the book to my shelf.

As a teenager and young woman in my early to mid-twenties, I didn't make the best choices when it came to reading material. My choices were nearly always books with a strongly, burdensome, guilt-ridden, toxic, heavy religious bent. They did nothing to feed my soul and fill me with goodness. Instead, they stole my peace and made me question every single little thing in ways that one should never have to. They caused me many years of anxiety and a tangled web of thoughts always running through my mind. It wasn't until I was in my mid-twenties that I made the switch to fiction. And not just any fiction, I made the conscious choice to fill my mind with fiction that wasn't heavy, dark, or depressing. I sought out books that were light and beautiful and happy. To many, those words automatically mean that a story lacks depth or realness or substance, but I beg to differ. I think and truly believe that folks would do well to stick with those sorts of books and set aside those books that are "deeper" with themes and tones that trigger anxiousness and depression and an overall dark view of life and the world. Depth can absolutely exist and be found in beauty, lightness, and happy endings. Not only that, but also in gentle, comforting, wholesome, charming stories, too. At least that's what I've found to be true.

In my fiction-reading-journey, the biggest thing I've been on the search for are stories that feel like home. Stories that are exactly what I described above; stories and characters that I can relate to and feel a connection with; stories that show and remind me that goodness and beauty do indeed still exist in this world. (I can sometimes get caught up in forgetting that.) With this post, I wanted to shine a light on a few of the stories that have come to hold a special place in my heart...stories that feel like home.

Growing up, I was very familiar with Jan Karon's Mitford series. My mom learned about them from a friend and began reading them when I was 6 or 7 years old. She collected the books as she finished one and was ready for the next. Those same books sit on my shelf today, as a few years back she gave me her set. Those books have made it around to three more friends, plus her stepmother...and every single one who read them all loved them. I grew up hearing about the characters and stories and from my mom and the ones she shared her books with all talking about how much they loved everything about them. Last November, after years of prodding from my mom, I finally picked up the first one and read it for myself. Needless to say, I was in love. It was unlike any of the other books I'd read before, as it felt like home...really and truly. It was like coming back to a part of myself and healing a piece of my heart that needed mending. The stories are heartwarming and charming and full of good, clean humor. The storytelling is gentle and comforting and wholesome. Mitford is a town that I would want to live in if I could, and its townspeople are folks I wouldn't mind having for neighbors or running into while running errands. I've since read the second book in the series and am about to begin the third soon. 

I didn't grow up with Anne Shirley. She was a kindred spirit I met right after I stepped into my twenties, and that was through the Megan Follows movie series. It wasn't until my mid-twenties that I finally read my first Anne book. Several years had passed, and I returned to that same story last autumn and found so much more the second time round than I even did the first time. L.M. Montgomery created an entire world...a world that invited my grown up, adult self to reawaken my imagination, to rediscover wonder, and to cultivate a strong desire to notice the beauty right in front of me. I realized that I live in a magical land, filled with wonder and beauty and whimsy, all thanks to Lucy Maud's imaginative writing. She stirred up something within me when I met Anne. I see the world differently...my imagination has been reawakened and that's something I think every adult needs to experience. In some ways Anne and me are kindred spirits; in other ways, I find myself more of a Diana sort of girl. Either way, the characters in these stories feel like dear old friends. And so does the landscape and scenery and nature that is written about so vividly in these books. I've still just read the first Anne book, but you can be assured that I have plans to pick up the second very soon. And I'm also curious about Montgomery's other books...are they as captivating and wondrous as her books about the Anne girl?

While the stories I shared above are full series, there are some books that are standalones. Not only that, but I've realized that each of these standalones have some similar qualities about them. Each one of these makes you realize it's okay to be quirky and to be yourself. They help you realize that being normal isn't necessarily a virtue, but rather denotes a lack of courage, as Aunt Frances so wisely says in Practical Magic. As someone who has never felt like I belonged or fit in, who has always felt broken or weird in ways, and who spent my childhood being bullied by adults and children alike (and even into my adulthood, too), stories like these always feel like home...like finding a kindred spirit and a place where I can actually belong. 

Sarah Addison Allen's First Frost was one of the first books I ever read that felt like coming home. I found myself in this story; I was comforted and healed and felt seen. Not to mention, this is a story that is set in the month of October and brings all the autumnal feels and cozy vibes right off the page. Natalie Lloyd's A Snicker of Magic is a middle-grade that my sister told me I must read. I read it a few months ago, and it immediately became a favorite. Her storytelling is so captivating and her characters, though they be children, felt like kindred spirits. Where were these children when I was in school? I'd have liked to have them as my friends. Both of these books feature characters who are learning to accept their unique qualities and quirks and being okay with being different...whether that be in talents or skills, personality, or the things that make them who they are. It's funny and kind of ridiculous, but even in my thirties, I deal with insecurities and low self-esteem sometimes because I feel different than what is considered "normal"...what even is normal? I am always drawn to characters and stories (whether in books or on screen or even in song) that make me feel like I'm not the only one to experience those thoughts and feelings.  The Waverly women in First Frost and Felicity and her family in A Snicker of Magic are some of those characters for me.

Picture books are also rich with stories that feel like home and characters that feel like kindred spirits. Jill Barklem's Brambly Hedge is just one example of that. These woodland folk love home and simple pleasures and family and friends. They love celebrating festivals and holidays and making an ordinary day feel magical and special. Brambly Hedge is the sort of village I would jump right into if I could. Think Mary Poppins style. {{smiles}} Their homes feel like home to me, and I am inspired by how they make havens that are so cozy, comfy, and welcoming. So yes, I have some kindred spirits who are mice.

There are others I could mention, and perhaps I'll share more in another post. And along with these fiction selections, I have a few authors who write diaries/memoirs that feel like home to me, but I'll save those for another post. The stories I shared her today are the ones that come to mind first when I ponder stories that feel like home. Jan Karon wrote that the reason she writes the stories she does is to give readers an extended family and to applaud the extraordinary beauty of ordinary lives. That single phrase is exactly what I mean when I say "stories that feel like home". It's precisely the thing I look for in a story as well. And the wonderful thing about books is that I can find that in stories written for adults as well as for children, even in picture storybooks. I stand by the thought that a children's book that is truly well written can also be enjoyed by adults...and make them ponder things, take away something meaningful, and stir up their imagination.

I would absolutely love to hear from you...what are the books that feel like home to you?

a hodgepodge of ordinary joys

hodgepodge - 

a collection of things; jumble

If there was ever a word to describe my taste in things, whether it be music, what I watch or read, what I enjoy eating, what my hobbies and interests are, it would definitely be hodgepodge. The world, both online and in real life, likes to lump people together in boxes and place labels on everyone and everything. Everything must be so set and categorized. Lots of people give themselves to one thing in life...for example, reading; that's all they do for enjoyment. I'm just not a set or one and done in the area of interests and in-the-box sort of person. I'm a hodgepodgey sort of gal, and I'm not ashamed of it. I don't follow one aesthetic or style or way of doing anything in my life...I like to gather what I've learned or what I like about something and make it my own in some way. I don't want to live in a way that looks exactly like others. I don't want my home to look like someone else's. I have many interests and enjoy variety of hobbies. I believe in being a wildflower sort of person...embracing my uniqueness and thinking for my own self and in letting my interests and hobbies be wild and free to bloom as they will.

 And today's post is a hodgepodge of the ordinary joys that make me who I am. In a world where everyone and their cousin loves to gripe on and on about what they don't like, I find it's much more beneficial and lifegiving to celebrate the things I love. And these are just a few of them...

~ Reading ~

It’s no secret that reading is one of my dearest loves. Novel and lifegiving memoirs are my two favorite sorts of books to read...domestic fiction, cozy mysteries, middle grade family stories and mysteries, small town stories with a cast of characters, stories with magical elements, stories that put a heavy emphasis on the things I hold dear and believe to be of utmost importance, such as family, home, simple living, old-fashioned values, etc. And for me, it’s got to be physical books. I'm old-fashioned when it comes to things like that. {{winks}}

~ Crocheting ~

Shortly before Christmastime, I taught myself how to crochet granny squares. I'm currently working on my first afghan, which I believe will call for 140 granny squares, if my measurements are correct. I've got about 40 done so far, and I enjoy making a few here and there in the evenings. I've chosen four colors: lilac, sage, mustard, and blush. To me these say "autumn" and "spring", which are my two favorite color schemes, and I'm very pleased with how they're turning out so far.

~ Walks in the neighborhood ~

I'm a walker. It's my preferred choice for exercise and movement, and it's also good for my mental health. Our neighborhood is a lovely place to take daily walks, as it is quiet and has sidewalks. And as a major plus, we've got tons of nature, so my walks are full of lots of trees, birdsong, butterflies and bees flying about, squirrels in the grass, and lots of green. 

~ Learning to quilt ~

Another creative endeavor I've begun this year is working on my very first quilt. I've been so inspired and learned a ton from YouTube over the last 18 months. I've chosen the St. Louis 16 Patch for my first quilt, as I've learned it's an easy quilt block for beginners. I'm going for an autumnal and spring color theme with lots of florals and I'm happily embracing a very scrappy, imperfect, but fun approach to quilting. 

~ Decorating with collected treasures ~

Hometending is very dear to me. I love making our home into a cozy haven that we just love to be. Home is our favorite place, so it might as well be as cozy, comforting, and enjoyable as we can make it. I love thrifting for home decorations and little treasures to add to our shelves, cupboards, walls, coffee table, etc. There's something to warm and homey about a collected home, as opposed to a home that is so mainstream with pieces that are mass-produced at stores like Hobby Lobby. I find the quality to be better, the prices to be much more affordable, and the styles much more suited to our taste. And it's fun getting to go on what feels like a grown-up treasure hunt at the thrift store!

~ Collecting teacups and mugs ~

My teacup and mug collection began in the winter of 2015, and it has grown so much since then. I was obsessed with teacups for a long time there, but now I'm more of a mug girl. Teacups are a bit daintier and fancy than I tend to care for...mugs, for me, are more down-to-earth, homey, cozy, comforting, and feel good in my hands when they're full of a warming drink. I tend to go for seasonal designs most of the time, but I do love more general styles, too, which for me includes lots of florals and nature designs.

~ Perusing my collection of old cookbooks ~

I've been collecting cookbooks since I was 8 years old. As a young girl, I spent my TV time watching the Food Network when everyone else my age watched Cartoon Network. (Not that there's anything wrong with that! It just wasn't me.) My collection is huge, I admit. But I find great pleasure in simply taking a few down from the shelf at a time and flipping through them. Most of my collection is quite dated, from several of my favorite publications that my mom collected as I grew up. It's also fun picking new recipes to try...and just to get inspiration from as well.

~ Collecting books ~

I will also admit here that I have a quite large book collection. Nearly all of my books are used, as that is what I personally prefer. And probably three-fourths of them I got for less than a few dollars each. Our community library, as well as the big city library each have massive book sales each April. You can fill a box for $12, and do you know how many books you can fit in a big box?!?! {{smiles}} I also frequent little free libraries around where I live every few months. And, of course, I do shop at local used bookstores and Abe Books online. I really, really prefer used books so much over new ones...I love how they already feel broken in and well-loved. It's like a perfectly worn in pair of jeans. I also do not like for my books to remain in perfect condition. That honestly annoys me...a perfect looking book or book collection. I like a hodgepodge, mixy/matchy, obviously well-loved book collection. I like for my books to look read and used and enjoyed. So, yes, my book spines are broken, and pages are creased and sometimes the corners are folded over or pages written on. And I think my shelves show that quite well.

~ Watching favorite shows ~

I'm of the belief that watching TV shows and movies that one finds comforting to be one of the best hobbies out there. My favorite shows include police/crime dramas and cozy mysteries, Gilmore Girls, The Middle, Home Improvement, and I just began watching Friends for the first time. It's especially wonderful when you pair a favorite show or movie with a board game or crafty project or even while you clean. That's one of the coziest things to me! 

~ Holistic wellness & Natural living ~

I've been a student of holistic and natural wellness since my late teens. It's a topic that I could talk about for ages...and then some. I enjoy studying herbalism, ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, somatic healing, holistic nutrition, homeopathy, yoga, aromatherapy, etc. For me, these things are not only beneficial and informative to learn about, but also very inspiring and lifegiving and hopeful.

 ~ Coziness. Comfort. H O M E. ~

Home is the nicest word there is, as Laura Ingalls said. And I heartily agree. There's no place like home, says Dorthy Gale. How I echo those words. Home is truly my most favorite place to be. I seriously do not understand people who do not like being at home or who can't be at home for any length of time. For me, home is where it is at. I have many thoughts, beliefs, convictions, values, and deeply rooted feelings about home. I believe home to be the most important place on earth. Simply put.

~ Watching favorite movies ~

Just as with TV shows, movie watching, particularly rewatching is among my favorite hobbies. I know some people can't stand rewatching the same things over and over again, but I love it. {{smiles}} A few of my top favorites are: Julie and Julia, Under the Tuscan Sun, Little Women (1994), Miss Potter, Letters to Juliet, and many of the Hallmark Mystery series.

~ Commonplacing ~

I've been keeping a commonplace book since 2015. I know they've gotten rather trendy and popular thanks to some "influencers", but some of us kept these types of journals way before then. It's my favorite way to keep my favorite quotes together, and a fun way to look back on what speaks to you at different times in your life. I like keeping mine very casual and not fancy at all, using simple composition notebooks instead of designer journals...very unlike the ones popularized by certain "influencers".

~ Journaling ~

I don't know what some would call the kind of journaling I like to do...but for me, it's simply creative journaling or scrappy journaling. I love stickers, washi tape, scraps of paper I collect from random things, etc. It's a way to have fun and be creative without thinking too much. I find it very peaceful.

~ Storybooks ~

So, yes, I collect storybooks. I believe storybooks are for every age group, and I honestly find so much inspiration in the illustrations as well as the stories themselves. My collection is completely used and well loved, and thoroughly enjoyed, too. I love reading them now, and hope to share them with my future children one day. The one in the picture above is from our family collection from my sister's and my childhood. It was, and still is, a true favorite of ours!

~ Cooking ~

Cooking has been a love of mine since I was very young helping my mom by pulling up a chair to stand on. Nowadays, I love not following recipes, not measuring anything, and just having a sort of free-for-all when I cook. It's the most fun! Especially when I play a CD in the kitchen, too!

~ Nightly teatime ~

One thing I'm trying to incorporate into my daily rhythms is a nightly teatime. I've done this on and off through the years, and I'm trying to get back into the habit of it. We have a wide variety of teas to choose from, and of course, tea must be enjoyed out of a pretty mug, in my opinion. ♥

There is a large measure of joy in ordinary moments.

~ Susan Gale Wicks ~

What are some of your ordinary joys? Do share with me in the comments!

 Do we have any in common? Let me know below!