Joyful Hours

"The silent influence of books, is a mighty power in the world; and there is a joy in reading them known only to those who read them with desire and enthusiasm. Silent, passive, and noiseless though they be, they yet set in action countless multitudes, and change the order of nations." ~Giles


Dear Reader,

A joyful Monday morning to you! We decided to take some time to dust and rearrange our parlor bookcases today, and Audrey was the lucky one whose turn it was for dusting, so the task fell on her capable (though a tad unenthusiastic) shoulders~~




Unlike Fanny Dashwood, we love the smell of books! Old books that are musty, new books that are inky; ahh, perfume as sweet as the earth in spring.



We have quite a library of moldering, unwanted books that we've collected through the years (Thank you, eBay), and have wonderful plans of re-binding them someday! There are old histories, texts of articulation and elocution, tomes on women's health (very intriguing), with a few classics (Such as a tiny "Lady of the Lake") sprinkled on for good measure. For now they rest on the very tippy-top bookshelf, so as to keep them safe from the ravages of little book worms, but we dream of having a beautiful display case (with locking glass doors) to house them in.

And then there's the bookcase (or two or three) full of Mother's books which are housed in her bedroom (We're still trying to find a way to suspend a few cases from the ceiling :) )~~~~Full of lovely, inspiring, feminine books and magazines, to help encourage and uplift, and give refreshment to her weary soul~~

Another project-covering these utilitarian slipcases with something rosey.

And let's not forget the family room's more family-friendly board books, nature magazines, school books, etc. etc. (We hesitate sharing a picture of THAT collection with the whole world, however!)

And hopefully we will have time in the next few months to gift the world with our first book, "Little Folks Companion, a Treasury of Tools for Buildling a Happy Home", which is a compedium of lovely homey advice which we've gleaned from Victorian and vintage magazines and books over the last several years, with a few of our own poems, songs, etc.

Not sure why these are side-ways~~ I think I've finally gotten down drawing people-Hooray!
This is one of my favorite pictures of Frankie and me.

(Note to self: No more attempting detailed portraits on a 4"x6" sketch book!)

May you be inspired to share a favorite book with your family, or to pick up a new old treasure at an antique or thrift store, and be lost in the wonders of the written word.

Love,

Marqueta

"A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party, a company by the way, a counsellor, a multitude of counsellors." ~H.W. Beecher