Monday, December 04, 2006

Unexpected Pleasures

Last night, Tim let me know that he was planning to go to the library this morning. I have a noisy brake and he wanted to look at a manual for the car. I told him I'd like to go and maybe check out some craft books. After his mom was taken care of, we went out. We remembered that the main library has a store where they sell books for incredible prices. I'm talking 10-50 cents per book! So, to the basement we went. Oh the restraint that was shown! We spent $18.75 and left with almost more than we could carry. Tim thinks we probably left with at least $500 worth of books and video tapes...for less than $20!

I've taken pictures of a set of Christmas books I bought. I thought they were very pretty and fun. They have Christmas hymns in the back of them. They're full of artistic renderings of Christmases past and they tell about Christmas traditions all around the world. I really enjoyed looking over them and think I will start the new tradition of having them out on the coffee table during the holidays.



I also got a set of Dostoevsky books. I'm really excited to read them since I haven't read any of them before. Then again, I think the only book I've read of his is The Brothers Karamazov. I hope these are as enjoyable (painfully enjoyable, though it was).

Tim picked out a bunch of video tapes. It wasn't until we got home that he showed me the one on spinning yarn. That will be a lot of fun to watch. We got gardening books and Christmas tradition books and I got a bunch (oh, I knew I wanted to take a picture of something else!) of vintage magazines. Crafts, homemaking and swaps! Bloggers are not the first to swap crafts and materials. People used to put their full address in magazines and swap and become friends, just as we do now. I think that is so cool.

After we left the library, we went to a coffee shop downtown.

We each had a cup of house coffee and I had a yummy cranberry muffin. It was a nice crisp morning and all over the market area Bing could be heard singing Christmas songs. It reminded me of when I was a little girl and I got to spend a few days with my Aunt Berma in Charleston, WV. The streets, to me, seemed filled with vendors. She bought a marionette bird for me. I loved it! That is such a great memory. She is an awesome aunt. She sends a birthday card every year even now that I'm in my 40s.

The rest of the day has been fairly quiet. I got a little creating done. I didn't really have a project in mind. I just needed to play.



I hope everyone is doing well. I know some of you are going through hard things and I want you to know that you're on my mind and in my heart.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

what a fantastic collection of books! lucky you. And sometimes it does the soul good to just play :)

Anonymous said...

What fun - now I definitely wish I could have been there for that!! I have a huge collection of Christmas books some for children some for adults that get pulled out for Christmas - I can't wait for the girls to get older so that they can read on their own - I am hoping that all the facets of Christmas 'story' get ingrained in their very being.

Tongue in Cheek Antiques said...

Hey 40 is young!!

PennyBlue said...

Sounds like a great day! I love the heart/angel ornament!

Anonymous said...

What a great haul you two made!
Glad you had time just for you to play.

smilnsigh said...

"They're full of artistic renderings of Christmases past and..." O lucky you! And sooooo many great finds, for such a great price. And coffee/ muffin, and downtown Christmas ambiance tooooo. :-)

And I'm so happy that I make you smile. {your comment in my blog} Couldn't ask that my blog, do anything more. Hugs...

Anonymous said...

Ooooh wonderful finds. Lol Crime and Punishment is a real laugh a minute...or so I've heard ;) It's on my mental list of books I'll read one day, I've never read any Dostoevsky.

Looks like you're making some pretty things :)

Christmas music always brings back feelings and memories...like in A Christmas Carol the ghosts of Christmas past come to haunt.

Amy said...

I love, love, love, book sales like that. What a great day!

Anonymous said...

Loved hearing about your day. PT came today and told me I could go out for a ride, so tomorrow I am planning a trip to the coffeehouse!!

Kali said...

Sounds like your day was spent 'just right'...
Wonderful!

Hulda said...

Your Christmas books looks very sweet, and lovely pictures in them too. I love your picture called "Yesterdays Children". Very pretty.

Anonymous said...

I REALLY enjoyed reading your blog this evening! It made me feel ...cozy! Yeah! And Christmasy! ...So, I am going to try and do something similiar this weekend!

Anonymous said...

Lucky you to find such wonderful Christmas books. When I was a child, my daddy used to bring home a book called Christmas Ideals every Christmas season. I loved reading it. It was full of stories and poetry and wonderful pictures. It was always the highlight of my Christmas season. Wish I still had them all. I enjoy reading your posts, Lisa. I am glad you are such a spiritual person. It makes me feel the spirit as well, when I read about your own spiritual feelings. You are true to yourself and that is so great! I'm glad you are my cyberfriend. :)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful day you had! Those books are wonderful!

Naturegirl said...

Great books I love your red heart. Yes this is a sad time for many when they think of Xmas past without certain loved ones.It is suppose to be a season of comfort and joy but for some it can be sadness and lonliness. We need to reach out and touch those souls ...even if it is with prayer.

Anonymous said...

A beautiful day Lisa.

xoxo