A Good Book and a Good Dinner

Hello Everyone:

I've gotten the library all spic and span so come in, sit down, make yourself comfortable and share a good book with me.

I took a class and learned to make Victorian lampshades eons ago and this was my first attempt.  I've made several since and my skills have improved somewhat.  You will see them throughout the Cottage as we continue our tour but, I know, I should deep six this one but just don't have the heart to do it yet.

We acquired this large cupboard from an antique shop that sold European antiques.  It was originally used in a barber shop.  There are mirrors behind the open shelves and an opening below where a barber chair would pull up to.  Jerry added shelves in the opening so I could put some of the books we have collected over the years.

When we purchased the piece we didn't have any measurements with us and we just guessed (and hoped) that it would fit in the room.  As you can see from the picture below not much space was spared next to the wall. It is the same at the other end.  Good guess, huh?!

This is my little corner where great things happen!  The bills get paid!  This little desk is a garage sale find and I haven't gotten around to refinishing it yet.  I don't think I like that mustard yellow.

I love this embroidered picture of the California poppy.  We picked it up at a garage sale for $1.  I couldn't believe it.  I stitched the God Bless America one.  I got it from a website that two sisters ran but I looked it up the other day and evidently they are no longer in business. It is a replica of work that was done in the Victorian era.  It is stitched on paper filled with little holes.  It was very fun to do and I have done several.

These cute little pipe and ash tray holders I found at two different garage sales. The pipe and ashtray were missing but what a sweet rendition of Scotty dogs. The book, "In the Bishop's Carriage", belonged to my grandmother's library.  It has a 1903 copyright date.  I love the title and the picture on the cover.  I think I will have to read it.

The print was in my mother's family.  It depicts a race of the Brighton coach, "Old Times" in 1888 for the wager of 1000 pounds.  The book press was my great-grandfather's and the little rifle belonged to Jerry's grandfather.  I added the greenery at Christmas a few years back and never took it down.  I think it looks 'libraryish' with the plaid ribbon.

One last small detail.  When we moved into the Cottage this was the original piece of baseboard.  Where the two boards come together it looked like a little mouse hole down by the floor to me, so I thought, if it was a mouse hole, it would be a very tiny mouse that lived there, and that's how this little drawing came to be.

After a hard day of cleaning, I like nothing more than cooking a good meal.  Well, not really but I thought I should fix one for Jerry to make up for all the time I seem to be spending at the computer these days.  I wonder why? So here's what was set in front of him and he was very happy.

Pork chops with peach salsa, rice and brussel sprouts. I sometimes watch late night infomercials and I purchased the NuWave Oven.  Boy, does it cook meat good! I use it for everything from filet mignon to hamburgers.  It's so easy to pack around too when we take the motorhome. The peach salsa was excellent.  It was my first time making it. It would be good with anything but especially with something a little spicy.  I rubbed the chops with olive oil and chili powder.  The coolness of the salsa was an excellent pairing.

Here's how it was made:

1/2 red onion, diced
2 peaches, halved, pitted and diced (I used canned peaches)
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro leaves
pinch salt and freshly ground black pepper

Toss altogether in a bowl.

Have a good weekend and enjoy a good book....Judy