Monday, May 12, 2014

Birds and Books and Timbuctoo!

My girlfriend Jean from the French Cupboard wanted me to have one of her pretty bags.

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She knows I love nature so she made me this one. It’s the perfect size to carry shopping or to festivals. And she made it herself which makes it extra special! Visit her blog HERE to meet her and see what she’s making now!

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And books? Oh how I love old children’s books, especially readers and school books from my childhood.

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Judy from Cranberry Morning sent me a ‘new’ reader and I sat down and read a lot of it.

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Sure takes you back to happy times…when your teacher read aloud while the whole class sat enraptured.

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Aren’t the illustrations beautiful?

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And Timbuctoo was a fun poem to read ….

out loud in the lanai!

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And she included a bar of her wonderful, handmade soap. Have you ever tried her soaps? The Etsy shop is HERE and she has a great deal if you buy 5 bars, you get one free. I did that awhile back and they last a long time. Amazing fragrance and they lather so well. I love them!

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I had a wonderful Mother’s day. I didn’t get to go to Timbuctoo but we did go on adventure to find a new hiking trail. AND this amazing new bridge looking over the Withlacoochee River.

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I’ll share my adventures soon!

Did you have fun? Happy Monday!

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

what beautiful gifts, that is a lovely bird on the bag! Very talented lady!

Diane said...

Old school readers are really fun to flip through. Cute bag!

Suzan said...

Blogging Buddies are the Best!!
I don't know Withlacoochee River!!
Your header photo looks wonderful!! I bet there's some great fishing in there!!

TexWisGirl said...

some really great gifts!

Helen Philipps said...

Such wonderful gifts, I love the bag with the pretty bird and those old school readers! So glad you had a great weekend!
Happy week, too, Diane!
Helen xox

Cranberry Morning said...

I'm so glad you're enjoying the little gift, Diane! I do remember the times the teacher would read aloud to us, usually when it was too rainy or cold to be outdoors during recess. Glad to hear you're not having to go all the way to Timbuctu for your adventures. :-)

Linda aka Crafty Gardener said...

What a wonderful bag, I'll be visiting her blog to see more of what she makes. Glad you had a lovely Mother's Day as I did. It's wonderful weather today so I'm in and out to the garden getting things planted. Happy Monday to you too :)

Vee said...

Oh sweet gifts from Judy and another sweet day in the great outdoors. So glad that you chatted with "the boys" as well. They're always "kids" to their moms.

Julie's Lifestyle said...

Hi Diane, you are truly blessed with such nice blog friends. Wow I love that homemade tote bag and the soaps and the childrens book are so nice. Enjoy all your goodies. I had a nice day visiting my mom and brothers and sister and nieces and nephews yesterday. I got a break from cooking which was nice. I want to buy that watercolor app that you have. I just love all the photos you made using it. Have a wonderful day.
Julie

Olive said...

You are loved by all and rightfully so.

Art and Sand said...

Beautiful bag filled with fun items.

I cooked on Mother's Day, which is funny because I don't cook. Both of my kids came by with flowers and gifts. We had friends by also and had a fantastic BBQ. And, I even did the clean up because planes had to be caught. But, I loved every minute of it.

ann said...

Wonderful books of days gone by. You should see the stuff that is forced on school children these days.

Anonymous said...

I remember having the teacher read aloud back in elementary school. I'm not sure they do that anymore. Everything is so technical. Your travels are so much fun. Thanks for sharing your shoulder bag with your followers. Hugs right back to you.

cucki said...

Wow truly so special :)
Huge pleasure xxx

Montanagirl said...

Beautiful bag! She's very artistic. The books are really cool, and beautifully illustrated. I had a good Mother's Day too. Husband took me to brunch, then we drove past the "lake" and saw quite a few neat birds.

Nancy Jo said...


Hi,
I love old Children's books too. I pick them up when I see a special one.
Guess what I got in the mail today and I have two more coming. Not easy to find in the states. Three "DAPHNE'S DIARY" magazines. Two from E'bay and one from Amazon. Just love the magazine. I'm going to check and see if my Barnes and noble bookstore has it, but I rather doubt it. I read someplace where you had a comment on it. Anyway, hopw all is well in your world.
Nancy Jo

Noelle the dreamer said...

Such a lovely bag and I love the quote (already in my book!)
Since I get to celebrate Mothering Day twice, I should not 'boast' but this time my children surprised me with not only a blueberry bush, a geranium but also an evening to the movies: (Amazon movie right at home) 'The Book Thief'!
My grin made everyone laugh!
All the best,

Sharon said...

I'm popping over from Jen's "Muddy Boot Dreams" to say hello. You have a bright, welcoming place here. I've enjoyed my visit and will return soon:)

Roses, Lace and Brocante said...

Aww what kind and thoughtful friends!

I'm always looking for old children's books too - I sometimes tart them up and send them to my french granddaughters with wishes for a happy day!!
They love them.

Tuesday here already - I'll catch you again tomorrow!
xox

Jill said...

Those old readers certainly do have the sweetest illustrations!!!

I have a couple that I've thrifted and use for SMASHing.

SImple and Serene Living said...

Love your cute bird bag, Diane. Hope your week ahead is full of fun filled hikes. xo Laura

kathyinozarks said...

such lovely gifts-very special-I am off to check out the links (oh and I am having a giveaway)

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Love the bag and what fun to get a new reader!

hugs, Linda

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

Great picture of you by the bridge and your bird bag is very cute. I'll go check out her blog.

Shug said...

I worked for a few years as the Librarian at our elementary school...Not only did I enjoy my job, but I loved reading a lot of the good ol' books to the kids...
Takes me back to those days..

cynthia lee designs said...

Love the little bird bag...so cute!! Had a good Mother's Day until the storm came thru with a tornado warning. Luckily, no touch downs...just a lot of rain and hail!!
Hope you have a great week.
hugs,
Cindy

RURAL said...

Hi Diane, that looks like such a cute bridge, so tidy and neat.

Lovely of Judy to send you some soap, and that cute reader...I remember those.

Jen

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Your gift is delightful! Birds are the closets things to angels we have here on earth...it was a sweet gift.

Anonymous said...

That bag is so lovely!

Petite Plangonophile au chocolat said...

You receive some lovely presents. I really love those old books. They have got a nice feeling to them and are feel with lots of memories and adventures. I can't help imagining all the tiny hands who have gone through the pages.
Thanks for sharing your adventures with us.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

You make so many friends blogging, it is such a joy yes ;) I love it, though I have not met, but 2 of my blogging friends yet. Those old readers would be so charming. I did enjoy my day and it will continue through this week~

Petite Plangonophile au chocolat said...

Thank you so much Diane for your encouraging words. Thank you.

Jeanne said...

Oh, I love the old readers too. So nice to see these in such good shape.

Barb said...

Hi Diane,
Love that sweet bag, she does fabulous work!
I LOVE books from my childhood too. They do take you back to a simpler time with great memories!
Thanks for sharing!
Enjoy your day,
Barb

Poppy said...

What a lovely gesture and a very pretty bag! It really does suit your style, Diane! Glad you had a wonderful time on Mother's Day doing what you so love to do: explore with enthusiasm!

Hugs,
Poppy

Red Rose Alley said...

I love this little bag and quote, Diane. I am wondering who it is written by? Your friend gave you some special gifts. I love children's books too. I still have the ones that I read to the kids when they were little. I just saw the cutest Little Golden Book. Do you remember those?

Have a happy week, Diane.

love,
~Sheri

Sam I Am...... said...

I love vintage childrens books too as you well know. The bridge is gorgeous. I've missed stopping by...I have to catch up....again.

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

There's something about old children's books I love too Diane. The illustrations were so detailed and saturated with color.

I admire your insatiable sense of adventure, you're always out and about exploring your lovely neck of the woods. Sounds like you had a great Mother's Day, as well you should! (((Hugs)))

Unknown said...

Hi GF,

Looks like you are having a wonderful time. SO in love with your children's books you got...fab.
Hugs, Lynnie

Deb said...

Beautiful bag Diane and love those old readers, wonderful illustrations! Love the name of that river too, now that's a mouthful!

deb @ frugal little bungalow said...

Wonderful gifts / a fun read. I read an article the other day on the Net saying that the younger generation does not read much at all anymore for entertainment :(

Ariadne said...

Oh I loved the reader!AriadnefromGreece!

Ariadne said...

Oh I loved the reader!AriadnefromGreece!