Sunday, March 27, 2011

happiness found in books & the happiness of a dog

anytime i return from running errands
this is what brinkley does.
he waits patiently for someone
anyone
to throw him a tennis ball.

when we're done
he's the happiest dog in the world.
if all of life were this simple.













 speaking of happiness....around here, books make us happy.
when the girls were little i would encourage them to take care of their books
& not color in them or tear them up.
i would say "books are our friends"
caroline would repeat, "books - friends"
we still say that 
in her former 2 year old voice of course.

a couple of weeks ago,
i thought it was sorta cool that everyone's current reads were all classics.
dan read & loved the bonhoeffer book if any of you are looking for a great biography.


i believe 2010 was the 50th anniversary of 'to kill a mockingbird'
so we picked up a couple different anniversary editions.



once i pulled everyone's reads together
i then decided to photograph some of our collection.

clearly i had a little too much free time
because who does this?
 


these are two super cute whimsical versions of the classics cinderella and thumbelina.
'cinderella, as if you dind't already know the story'
&
'thumblina, tiny runaway bride.'



i love to collect red hardbacks.
 'the little red book of wisdom' is wonderful,
written by a friend of ours
& one i highly suggest.

'revolutionary parenting' is one of my favorites on the subject of parenting.


& i also love books with deckled edge pages.






my latest read...
it deserves its own post.
'one thousand gifts'
fabulous
raw
emotional
& will change your heart.
i'll be posting & giving away a copy later this week...


34 comments:

Debby said...

YOur dog is so sweet. I love all the pictures. The ones with the ball in his mouth are so cute. You do have a thing about books, but it is a good thing. The new book looks like a good one. Happy Spring.

Amanda said...

wow - what a collection of books! love all the new versions...and i am very intrigued by the ;last book! do you have a library? where do you keep them all?

Angela said...

Good morning Paige,

I love your book pages and finished the Nor'easter book yesterday. I think they changed the names to protect the innocent in that one. Haha, nope no inn opening for me. It was good but when Baker said it's not you it's me--HEAVENS TO BETSY!!! I have heard that one before!!!

Can't wait for the give away. I will be right here waiting for it!

Love you and your blog!

Angela

Nancy said...

I almost picked up the biography your husband read. So close. But, I opted for the Bread Bible. My daughter has loved Ivy and Bean. One Thousand Gifts... ok I am going to order it. I think the Lord has been calling me to read it. I keep thinking about it and reading rave, life changing reviews. Ok, Lord, I am going to Amazon! :)

Kat said...

Oh that Brinkley, melt my heart, he's such a sweetie! I reall y want to check out One Thousand Gifts, I've heard such wonderful things about it. I noticed Anne of Green Gables in your collection. Having growin up in Nova Scotia and traveling to Prince Edward Island to see Lucy Maude Montgomery's house and the Anne play, I just love Anne of Green Gables. Can't wait to share her with the girls when they are a little older.

traci said...

awwww. brinkley is so cute. that's how our higgins was. loved his tennis balls.

i reread to kill a mockingbird 2 years ago. just as good as the first and second time i read it. such an amazing book. i have never read any jane austen. what should i start with?

and your current read is in my stack. maybe i should move it to the front of the line.

have a great day!!

Deborah said...

Love your photos (as usual). Actually I think it's a great ideas. Periodically taking a picture of what your family is reading at any given time. Just read One Thousand Gifts. It did change my heart and life. Gotta go. Heading to the bookstore.

{A*very} Blessed Life said...

Oh how I love mr. Brinkley! He's such a handome fellow! We are lovers of classics as well. I am glad I am not the only one who has taught my children to respect their books as "friends." I still have my original copy of Little Women. It is my all time favorite book. I read it for the first time when I was 12 and cried buckets of tears. There are tear marks on the pages where I sobbed into my original copy as a preteen. And of course you already know how I feel about One Thousand Gifts. You are so generous to have it as a give away! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

One Woman's Thoughts said...

Books and dogs . . . some of life's greatest pleasures.

GREAT photos!
Your dog just hugged my heart with such innocent sweetness.

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

this is just the prettiest post. The dog and the green grass behind him. what a great sight.

And, all your lovely books the way you have displayed them are gorgeous.

Have a beautiful day!

lea
xo

Anonymous said...

Nothing cuter than a Golden Retriever with it's ball.

Love the book list. I've heard nothing but good about One Thousand Gifts!

Dawn said...

Paige...I love love love your book posts!

I am currently reading Pride and Predjudice, the yummy gold cover, for the very first time, your Madison got me inspired. I love seeing that you collect different versions of some books, and I love that!

I also LOVE that you are a "jackets off" kind of girl with your books, I just did a blog post about that! My Lucy is 6, and we will be gettting the Ivy and Bean series for sure!

Curious...are you not an "e-reader" type family?? I have been on the fence, but I really love books, it seems like for vacation it would be great :)

and...that Brinkley is a sweet sweet dog!!

julie - eab designs said...

Lovely photos of all of your books. We have many of the same titles. Books are something my girls and I have always held close to our hearts and I have every one that have every owned, even their chubby little board books. They hold so many precious memories.

Susan R said...

I think I heard Brinkley say he wanted to come hang out at our place for the summer. Really, he did.
Love the Ivy and Bean books. I just bought a set for my Paige, along with a set of Anne of Green Gables. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE books.
I actually have two fantasies. One is to own a Children's book store and the other is to run a boarding stable for horses.
If you're gonna dream...dream big.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

What a precious dog you have.

NIKKI said...

I am about finished with 1000 gifts but I had to move so slowly because it rent my heart sore! I break every time I read it... i don't ever want it to end.
our bella is like yours...she is a lab and loves her ball. this is precious..happy sunday
xo

Lori Lucas said...

Just so you know, I also take pics of my books. I also have often wondered how nerdy that makes me!!!! I loved those pics. And of course, Brinkley as well. I read One Thousand Gifts and made that my "go to" gift this year for all my friends. Have a great week. Lori L
P.S. When I went to Seaside last summer we stopped in Oxford, Miss. and they were having some special things going on for TKAM. I fell for the entire thing and bought everything in sight! (I justified it by telling my husband, "But I teach this...."!!!!!). Anyway, one of the books I bought was called, "Scout, Atticus and Boo". It gives some background info on Harper Lee and the characters, but it also has first-person accounts from famous people on how TKAM shaped their thoughts and changed them. You would really like the book. Lori L

Jboo said...

Love your sweet dog and your books! So adorable. Mr. Tennis cannot understand why I think a real book is better than an e-reader thingy! This post would probably help him, eh!!?!

Hope you all have a great week!

Janet

Debra said...

What a sweet, sweet dog. I am reading 'One Thousand Gifts' right now.- I am loving it, too.

I think you can tell alot about a person (or family) by the books on their bookshelves.

eating key lime pie said...

yup...i like to read also...but i don't have a dog.
Ivy and Bean...love those!
ok...gotta go finish moving furniture..but wanted to pop in before you disowned me.

3 Peanuts said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE books too. I am currently looking for a good read.

Happy SUnday.

Anonymous said...

I love the adorable face of Brinkley..Too cute..What a collection of books you have there..My girls were also told not to write or color in their books and today they have a collection to pass down to their children someday..Love your blog

Amy R. said...

Your dog pics are precious! I just watched your video and want to say thank you for your words of encouragement and truth. That is awesome that you are allowing God to use you through your circumstances. I am really enjoying your blog!

Jodee said...

Your furry family member is sooo cute! We are getting ready to add another furry family member in a few weeks and I can't wait! They bring sooo much love and joy!

Bravehearted Beauty {formerly LLH Designs} said...

First of all, I totally get you! I'd be just as likely to photograph books (and have done it many times).

Second of all, "One Thousand Gifts" is transforming my perspective in the best of ways. Life changng really,

I took a picture of it last week and have been wanting to share, but had to get my gardening under way. I've already bought six copies to give to friends. It's lne of those books I have to read real slow just to let it soak in. Lots of underlining going on over here!

And don't you just ADORE the cover? Oe of my favorite stationery designs (and best selling) has been a nest with blue eggs, so when I saw the cover, I about died!

Xoxo,
Linsey

Hayley Fraser said...

I really enjoyed this post...for your sweet and humble dog (reminds me of my own Booker T.) and for your mention of the classic To Kill a Mockingbird (I start teaching it for the first time in a few years on Tuesday). I love, love that book...and lots of others. Happy reading!

Marci @All Things Wonderful said...

Your dog is beautiful. We have always had goldens in my family. Aren't they the best dogs?!
I am so intrigued by the last book. I'll have to check that out. I love a good read. :)
Your book collection is awesome.

Heather Mattern said...

Such a sweet dog! I have a 18 week old Golden and am completely in love!

Living Life in the Lowcountry said...

LOVE books! To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite! I read it at least once a year (I am that weird!). Love some of those covers!
I have been wanting to read One Thousand Gifts, but haven't picked it up yet.

Peggy said...

I just finished reading the Nor'easter book a couple of days ago. Loved it so much I read it all in one day. I've been reading review of One Thousand Gifts and thinking that I need to pick it up. Thanks for all your posts - they both brighten my day and give me things to ponder.

Kelli said...

I can't wait to look into those books you suggested. We also love the Ivy & Bean books...they are a current fav of my daughter. I'm reading Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother and it is quite interesting. I love getting lost in a book :) Thanks for sharing your stacks.

Alecia said...

Brinkley is soooo cute!!!
Where in the world do you find such beautiful books...I own a lot of the books you have listed but NONE that beautiful or cute!

Jen Kershner said...

Emma is reading the Anne of Green Gables books right now. She has read all of the books I wish I had read when I was a little girl, like Little House on the Prairie, and now I'm thinking maybe it's not too late?
Also. Brinkley. I just love him. Millie wishes so much that she could play with him. she also is ball obsessed and will give you the sad face for-ev-er until you throw for her. I could never again have any dog other than a golden.

Katherine @ Grass Stains said...

Okay, I HAD to come back and find this post today, because I ran across something that I thought would just tickle you to pieces! I read this at Jamie's Rabbits this morning: http://jamiebg.blogspot.com/2011/04/post-about-jane-austen-winning-birthday.html and of course thought of your family. :) Who knew this even existed?