How could you not love that face? Monty the cow has lived with us at least 10 years, maybe longer. We found him a little shop when we were living in our rental. The shop no longer exists, unfortunately. Monty is named for the town we lived in before moving to this cottage. His wide-eyed, slightly startled, but always gentle look is what sold us on him. A year or so after we acquired Monty, we rescued Riley, who had that same look in his eyes. Maybe Monty and Riley were really brothers, separated at birth? Clearly, I’m drawn to those big dark eyes. They say “Rescue Me.” And Don and I are most definitely rescuers.
Baby, it’s cold outside! We are in the middle of an Arctic blast that has caused the temperature to plunge. Despite the cold temps, we took our regular late afternoon walk yesterday. Don remarked that the walk wasn’t nearly as charming in the cold, cold weather. Ah well. We stuck to our guns and did it, that’s the important thing.
By the way, Don’s American Experience is supposed to air on January 7th on PBS. It always pays to check your local listings but that’s the official date. Mark your calendars.
I’ve also added a link on the navigation bar to my coaching website, in case you’re curious about that aspect of my life.
I’ve got a stack of books to get through. These are the books I have checked out from the library. I have another stack on the desk that I need to read for review purposes. And I’m nearing the end of How the Light Gets In. I find myself in that place that only occurs when reading a newly discovered and now favorite author. I can’t wait to see what happens, how the plot is resolved, but I know that the minute I close the cover, that will be it for my blissful Louise Penny reading experience until her new book comes out. And I really can’t prolong it because I have to read a book that is scheduled to be reviewed next Monday. Drat!
Okay. You’re probably sick of hearing about her. But truly, she is one of the best writers I have encountered. Ever.
Since I’m thinking books, books, books all the time lately, I find myself staring wistfully at the wall that is behind the sofa in the den. Remember I said that I’d love to have built-in bookcases on that wall? The minute I saw this house for the very first time, I imagined them there. It’s now eight years later and, still, no bookshelves. There’s always something else that needs whatever spare cash we have on hand.
We don’t know any handymen. Or a carpenter. My husband is many wonderful things, but handy he’s not. I don’t have a relative living nearby that can come over and help me.
There’s also the fact that there is baseboard heating all along that wall and that has to be taken into consideration.
Here’s what I envision: shelves all the way to the ceiling with some crown molding at the top. Beadboard behind the shelves. The long stretch of bookshelves would be divided into sections. One section would be from the wall on the left to just past the screen. The next section would stretch from just past the screen to the window. This section would require a special shelf placement because I want that painting on the wall to stay there. So the shelves would be built around it. The next section would span the window, with a shelf just above the window frame and one below it. The final section would stretch from the right side of the window to the wall.
Can you picture that?
Now, if only a carpenter would magically appear on our doorstep, we’d be in business.
Happy Wednesday.
Good Morning! I do see your vision for the book shelves! I think they will give a lovely custom flair to your room. I hope you will remind us about Don’s PBS gig. I’d love to see it.
About books, I love to read, but haven’t had a lot of time for it lately. I don’t like interruptions when I’m in the middle of a good book. But life is full of little interruptions. So I put it on the back burner until the hectic pace slows down a bit.
Have you tried Angie’s List to find a carpenter?
Have a great day!
I’m going to ask around town – my friend has an antique shop and knows a lot of people.
The bookshelves would be so fabulous. I’m crossing my fingers that carpenter appears! My Ikea bookcases are as close as I’ll get in my rental but I am thankful for them for sure. Love your cow, it’s funny how a thing can just grab you isn’t it. I understand about those eyes…when my eyes met Charlies across a crowded PetSmart I was a goner. Adopted him that day and have never regretted it 15 years later. I had to turn on the heat for the first time this morning to take the chill off. That arctic blast was cold! I’m trying to find the next Louise Penny book at the library, looks like I’ll have to request it. I really can’t afford to buy now so hope my library can find it. I enjoyed book one very much!
Stay Warml
Linda
I bought some of my Louise Penny books, but I also ordered several of them from my local library, Linda.
My library has all but two of the books. I just got # 2 in the series on my Kindle (the lowest price to buy). I will be starting it today!
Yes, it is frigid here too…a good day to snuggle in with a good book! Bookshelves would look wonderful…but it is hard to maneuver around heating ducts. You just can’t block ’em if you live in the north! Your design sounds great…especially with breadboard backing. Good luck in your search…maybe if you click your heels together one will magically appear! ;)
If only!
Good Morning Claudia! When that “fairy” carpenter finishes your bookcases, please send him my way. I have several projects ready for him! As for the arctic chill……well it make it’s way down to Texas this morning and we had our first frost of the season. Time to pull out the flannel pajamas!
Have a wonderful chilly day with a cup of hot chocolate. It’s legal on days like this!
Brenda
I skipped my hot chocolate yesterday, so I’ll treat myself to a mug after our walk today.
Those shelves would look wonderful.
I have a husband and a son who are both master carpenters but,alas, we all live in Colorado. I know how blessed I am to have them!
Maybe, if you put the word out, you will find just the right person to make your dream a reality.
nancyr
Hopefully, I will be referred to someone.
We are getting a bit of cool weather here for a few days. Lovely change for us. I love your idea for the bookshelves. If you lived near me you could get those things built easily. Our neighbor George is an excellent carpenter as well as mechanic. There is a defective part on our 11 year old mini van that keeps going out. The part is less than $10 and bless his heart he has replaced it 3 or 4 times now. We have to make him take money for doing anything for us. My husband has the desire to be handy but he’s all thumbs. I wrote down the date so I”ll be sure and remember Don’s program but I’d love a reminder closer to time too. Hope you have a great day.
Gosh darn it! Why don’t I have a neighbor who’s an excellent carpenter?
What about bartering? Maybe a note at the local grocery store or health food store that Don would trade guitar lessons for book shelves? Or you could make vegetarian meals for a bachelor craftsman? I think I’d just do the whole back in beadboard, then let the shelves work their way into the way you want them. Can’t you just have them built down to a few inches above the heating? I’m not used to that kind of heating living out here in So Cal. Claudia, just remember where there’s a will there’s a way.
Yes, I’ve already thought about having them built to just above the baseboard heating. They would extend out over the baseboard heating and have some sort of decorative and functional legs.
That sounds fantastic! I can really picture it by the way you described it.
Someday, Teresa!
Claudia, why don’t you buy the pre-made book shelves from Ikea and make them work in your space. Just screw them to the wall and add some crown molding and they will look like custom built ins.
Because I want some variation on shelves, less space for paperbacks, more for larger books, etc. And they wouldn’t go up to the ceiling.
You can do the variation with the IKEA bookshelves…they’re adjustable. How tall are your ceilings? The Billy bookcases go up to 93-1/4″ tall.
Still think the best thing would be built-ins, so I can control the look of them, so that they cover the whole wall and so I can build them around the window. Plus, the baseboards go the entire length of the wall and I need to make them a part of the whole thing.
I’ve thought about getting two Billys as temporary bookshelves in the meantime.
Sounds like a wonderful plan Claudia..A book lover like you should certainly have shelves to fill..lol..Please do give us a reminder when it is time for Don’s show to air..I am very anxious to see it and my memory is so bad lately!
Oh, I’ll remind you!
Monty the cow is adorable. Is he a smallish figurine, or perhaps a doorstop? It’s really cold here, too. Down to 10 degrees last night; in the 30’s during the day. But the weather forecast shows warming again, gradually getting up to 61 by Sunday, then plummeting back down into the 30’s again! I always have stacks of books going…right now I’m in the middle of a book by Jeffrey Lent called “In the Fall” – loving it. I’m also in the middle of “reading” some cookbooks. Your wall is definitely the perfect place for bookcases, though I have no idea how that is managed when there’s baseboard heating. I’m sure a good carpenter would have a solution. My husband is like Don – many wonderful things, but definitely not a handyman.
Monty is fairly large. He sits on a lab stool in our living room. He isn’t a doorstop, someone based locally made these cows, each of them slightly different and we grabbed Monty. He is not heavy enough for a doorstop, Melanie.
It’s funny that you would mention bookcases. I have dreamed of built in bookcases in my front room for many years now, but alas they have not been in the budget either. I was reading a post on The Inspired Room yesterday, and she used some bookshelves from Target in her guest bedroom. They really looked pretty nice. I am considering these as it looks like we will only be in our house for a few more years and I’m not sure I want to spend the money on the built ins. I can only imagine how much I would enjoy seeing my beloved book collection on display.
I saw that too. The only problem is that we have baseboard heating all along that wall and if I used those bookcases, they’d sit out from the wall. Gosh, I wish this house didn’t have baseboard heating!
I can’t wait for the next Louise Penny book, but alas it will be next year. I love the idea of the built in bookshelves. They would be perfect. Now where is that carpenter? xo Laura
It’s terrible that we have to wait until next year, Laura!
I think we may share a problem with books, Claudia. It’s the topic of my latest blog post, The Joys and Woes of Being a Reader. Good luck with your bookshelves!
Good luck with that Claudia..It will be a great look when it’s done…For some reason my blog doesn’t show up even though it’s been “posted” 2 days in a row..Also there are no comments coming thru in my email..DOn’t know what’s going on or what to do about it..May be done blogging..hope not..
January 7th going on the calendar right now. I can’t wait to see it!