NDL's LFL (Little Free Library)

We have thought for a long time that it would be great to host a Little Free Library. Fittingly, as the first LFL was built by a son for his mother, this one was too. We asked the middle son to "help build a LFL for us" and it seems that what we really meant by "help", was "will you build a LFL for us", because that is what happened. Perhaps we held a board in place, and we certainly loosely supervised from a lawn chair, but all the real work was done by a more capable, and very patient carpenter. 

When it got down to the fine details we turned the foreman job over to the shop bunny aka Mr. Bunny who saw the project to completion.

LFL #103,686 was installed in July 2020 and ready for patrons. And yes, our number reflects that we were the 103,686th library to be registered since the first one installed in Hudson, Wisconsin in 2009.

You can check the map for LFLs in your neighborhood.

In the last year we have had so many people tell us that they really appreciated being able to get books at little libraries during the pandemic while public libraries were closed, or they didn't feel comfortable going in to them, or they wanted to browse books rather than order online for pickup. That made us feel very good. 

Stop by anytime to Take a Book and Leave a Book. And if you see us out please say "hi". We love talking to strangers. 

And if you want to create your own Little Free Library all you need to know can be found at littlefreelibrary.org.

The Glad Game

Pollyanna is a very old reference from a book written by Eleanor H. Porter in 1913. Probably most people don't know why we say someone "is being a Pollyanna". Pollyanna was the titular character  of the novel, and according to the story her father taught her to find something to be glad about no matter how dire the situation by playing "The Glad Game". She is so good at the game that she influences her very crabby aunt and even an entire town to see the world in a more positive light.

Another more current book with a humorous take on remaining optimistic is "Could Be Worse" by James Stevenson. Despite the everyday woes of the grandkids, or even the amazing events in his tall tale that starts with being lifted out of bed by an eagle and dropped in the mountains where he meets the abominable snowman, his constant refrain is "could be worse". And it is true, isn't it?

Just last night we read in The #1 Ladies Detective Agency book currently on our nightstand that "Mma Ramotswe always managed to put things into perspective. Everything could always be worse, and so be grateful that things are only as bad as they are."

We are simply calling our attempt to find the silver linings during these very unusual times 

"Bad News/Good News". Here we go.

Bad News: No hair appointments for the foreseeable future.
Good News: We never gave in to coloring so we will have no grey roots growing out. As for the bangs - we still own bobby pins, and a scissors if things get desperate.

Bad News: Teeth cleaning cancelled.
Good News: No scolding for flossing deficiency.

Bad News: Stuck at home.
Good news: We have a cozy, big house with a full pantry in a walk-able neighborhood with congenial neighbors to wave to and greet from a distance.

Bad News: No get togethers with friends and family.
Good news: Lots of technology for virtual visits!

Bad News: Dreary weather and rain.
Good News: It is not snowing and signs of spring, including rain, are all around.

Bad News: Absolutely no reasons to procrastinate on the household to-do lists.
Good News: We are actually getting things done. Taxes, census, cleaning, cooking. Check, check, check, check.

Bad News: We get no visitors.
Good News: Pajama time 24/7!

Bad News: Spring and Summer vacations canceled.
Good News: We won't miss seeing our own garden at the peak of the growing season. We can admire every single moment of the magnificent rhododendron, lilacs, and spring epheremals in bloom.

Bad News: Our president is not doing a very good job of reassuring the nation, and indulges in some harmful magical thinking.
Good News: We do not have to be the ones standing behind him at press conferences trying desperately not to react to what he is saying. (Those people deserve a daytime Emmy for their performances.)

It doesn't matter where you are getting your inspiration to find the Good News in your situation, we only hope that you are finding it somewhere. And, we welcome you to share your Good News or source of hope with us here in the comments. If anyone calls you Pollyanna please take it as a compliment and remember, it could be worse.

Northern Hospitality

RCMP mug recently added to the stable of coffee cups. A fine new specimen for our Mountie collection as well. Thank you, Niece.

We may have been drinking from it when we recently read this book. 

The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland

We were afraid a book about 9/11 would be very sad, and it was, but the overwhelming feeling was amazement at the hospitality of an entire community towards the thousands of people stranded on their island when the events of the day caused the grounding of dozens of planes at their airport. 

So many acts of kindness! A beautiful result from a horrible act of violence.

A synopsis from Amazon:

When 38 jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land at Gander International Airport in Canada by the closing of U.S. airspace on September 11, the population of this small town on Newfoundland Island swelled from 10,300 to nearly 17,000. The citizens of Gander met the stranded passengers with an overwhelming display of friendship and goodwill.

As the passengers stepped from the airplanes, exhausted, hungry and distraught after being held on board for nearly 24 hours while security checked all of the baggage, they were greeted with a feast prepared by the townspeople. Local bus drivers who had been on strike came off the picket lines to transport the passengers to the various shelters set up in local schools and churches. Linens and toiletries were bought and donated. A middle school provided showers, as well as access to computers, email, and televisions, allowing the passengers to stay in touch with family and follow the news.

Over the course of those four days, many of the passengers developed friendships with Gander residents that they expect to last a lifetime. As a show of thanks, scholarship funds for the children of Gander have been formed and donations have been made to provide new computers for the schools. This book recounts the inspiring story of the residents of Gander, Canada, whose acts of kindness have touched the lives of thousands of people and been an example of humanity and goodwill.

A recommended by NDL read. And the inspiration for the Broadway play Come from Away.

Blizzard Bread

Just two weeks ago we were housebound by a spring snowstorm. Today the sprouts are sprouting, the buds are budding, and the grass is greening. Finally!

The good news about the late, last blast of winter was that we finally made bread after vowing to all winter.

We wanted a not too healthy, but wholesome bread that would make good breakfast toast. This recipe for Country White Bread from Taste of Home was perfect.

Punching down risen dough is so satisfying.

Just out of the oven and brushed with butter for a soft crust.

According to our vintage copy of the Farm Journal Country Fair Cookbook the "break" on the sides that we thought was not good, is actually desirable. Does it look "well shredded".

We won't be entering the fair with this recipe, but it is a winner and keeper for the collection. Now that it is documented here it will be available by an easy google search of "Next Door Laura bread" whenever we need it. How cool is that? Quicker than finding a card in a recipe box!

This is a great resource for figuring out "what went wrong?" with our many baking failures (with out having to pester our home ec major friends with questions too often). There is a similar page for each type of baked good - muffins, pies, cookies, biscuits, cakes, etc. And there are blue ribbon winning recipes in every chapter too.

Copyright 1975. Many batter spatters inside.

Just One in One Thousand

Somehow we just happened to notice that this post would be the 1,000th for NDL.

We deliberated about whether that called for something significant to mark the milestone. 

And then we thought, "nah", let's just carry on as we would have. 

So here is what was next in the queue of drafts. It is a photo taken last spring of a jumble sale sign from the UK village of Temple Guiting.

Make that an Extraordinary Jumble Sale sign!

Back in the  80's we read several books by Barbara Pym*. 

Mostly what we remember about them is that the characters were perpetually preparing for church jumble sales while having tea and talking with or about the vicar.

So imagine our delight to spot the jumble sale sign outside this lovely church yard,

across from a sunny tea room,

in a charming English village

on a beautiful day in the middle of a long ramble through the countryside.

The only thing missing really was a vicar sighting.

Sometimes we feel apologetic about the number of times we have traveled to the same country when there are so many other places under the sun that we have not seen. Days like this, however are why we return again and again. Every visit holds in store a new delight.

*Very coincidentally Wikipedia tells us that Barbara Pym died on this very date in 1980. It also tells us that " A superficial reading gives the impression that they are sketches of village or suburban life, and comedies of manners, studying the social activities connected with the Anglican church. Her works are deeper than that, however. She closely examines many aspects of women's and men's relations, including unrequited feelings of women for men, based on her own experience. The dialogue is often deeply ironic. A tragic undercurrent runs through some of the later novels." 

Looks like we will be putting Barbara Pym back on our book list to see what 35 additional years of life experience brings to a rereading.

Withdrawn, But Not Forgotten

The library book sale.  $6 a bagful! 

It is a great time to try authors you have been meaning to read, own old favorites, or take a chance on something that might be too quirky or, wonderfully quirky.

Sometimes you find just the book that speaks to you in multiple ways. Badgers. Check. Great illustrations. Check. Heartwarming narrative. Check!

We cried.

We laughed. 

We cried some more.

If you choke up too much to read a book out loud you know it is a winner.

And eventually, with practice, and the desire to share the story with your little badger, you will get the words out. And if he or she is snuggled on your lap, where all the best story times happen, they will not be able to see your glistening eyes even if they wonder why you are taking unusually long pauses between pages.

Can You Do This, Old Badger? - Two thumbs up, five teardrops, and five chuckles for this charming story of a little badger learning the ways of the world from his old badger grandpa. - NDL Review

A Case of the Munchies

One tends to be very hungry before metamorphosis.

That's how it goes. Eat, eat, eat. Grow, grow, grow.

Then something wonderful happens.

This little quilt, just right for a small one to cocoon in, is finished and safely tucked in the 

hope(to be a grandma)chest awaiting some cuddling action.

Squirrel Season

This little glass button needed a scene.

Seasons, published originally in France and titled Saisons provided one.

Blexbolex is the illustrator.

The book is full of his strong, graphic depictions of signs of the four seasons.

Voila!

Button Backstories

More buttons. More books. 

At the National Button Society Convention booth of the famous NYC button shop Tender Buttons 

we found sweet little buttons painted by Edith and Alan Brooks of England.

In the 1940s and '50s the Brooks hand painted designs on 1/2" to 3/4" plastic and glass button blanks. The designs were protected by a clear lacquer coating. The subjects of the tiny paintings included many types of colorful flowers, birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and other whimsically portrayed creatures and plant life. 

Reader's Digest covers of the '50s and '60s with their very Vera-like cover art provide the background for these two examples of the Brooks' floral motif buttons.

In 1948 and 1950 sets of buttons created by the Brooks were presented to Queen Elizabeth II upon the births of Princess Anne and Prince Charles. 

The set for the Princess depicted a different flower on each button, painted in tones of blue, on white. 

One of them featured a morning glory much like this one. Similar sets were sold to the public.

It was a very interesting design era. Do you love this or hate it or love/hate it?

We're not sure, but leaning toward love. 

No indecision on the Brooks' buttons however. They are solidly on the love list.

The Condensed Version

Buttons love books and books love buttons.

That's it really. It's a short story.

This charming, china, morning glory button recently acquired at the National Button Society convention rests on a backdrop of a Reader's Digest Condensed Book cover. They were made for each other.

These covers are from the '70s and '80s.

Because these books are easily found at very cheap prices in thrift stores and at rummage sales they have become an affordable art supply for the creative set.

Just Something I Made has several ideas for crafting with books.

As does The Smith Nest.

Ashbee Design shares some book art inspiration then shows us how to fold some art  

and then fold some more.

Other uses we have seen include, but are not limited to: covers reused as journal covers 

and mini clipboards, hollowed out books as secret treasure boxes, stacks of books as lamp bases, 

folded page photo holders, sewing kit boxes, colorful bookshelf filler, backdrop for photographing buttons, and heck- even as reading material.

The sky's the limit.

Sew Read

We've talked about Julie Paschkis in the past. She illustrates wonderful books. One book in particular is our favorite gift for new grannies smitten by their first grandchild.

Julie also designs fabric. Beautiful fabric.

Some of it recently came into our possession. Paypal get thee behind me.

Julie's newest book appeals to us in so many ways starting with cookies, and including cows, community spirit, as well as WPA and Grant Wood artwork influences. 

Check out Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar?.

Be Kind to Books Club

NDL - card carrying member since 1965.

Just a few of the books we were kind to this winter*.

Remember...if you are kind to books they will be kind to you.

* Plus the latest Maisie Dobbs story by Jacqueline Winspear, the most recent Ladies Detective Agency and Isabel Dalhousie books by Alexander McCall Smith, opening chapters of All the Pretty Horses, The Book Thief, Loving Frank, and the book that made us giggle the most, A Girl Called Zippy - Growing Up Small in Mooreland, Indiana, by Haven Kimmel.