Gallop into the Wild West....

...at your nearest library.
We are having a western theme this week at our library during March Break, while the children have the week off from school. There have been many programmes planned in the Wellington County including at our local Branch, with much enthusiasm from the Programmers as well as the children.
Although I am a country girl at heart and love this rural area, love country music, love horses, and love pioneer stories, I've discovered that I don't own a single western clothing item and had to borrow from friends...
Denim clothing and a bandana go a long way, but wouldn't cowboy boots with stirrups and a cool cowboy hat be fun?
I wanted to share this art with you:
Counting my Blessings
by Jack Sorenson
If you love horses, you will love his work which you can view here
You can also find some great activities for children with a western theme here.
I thought that I would share a few photos of the great display that one of our programmers, S, put together with some help. I just love her creative approach!

Beautiful Western Saddle

Howdy Partner!

I am off now to get ready for my shift at another library, but wanted to drop by to say:
*Howdy Partner*, as I wish you all a lovely day wherever you may be, and as we continue to pray for all those affected by this recent disaster in Japan...cherish one another and celebrate the gift of each new day that you are given.

Building Memories by Jack Sorenson

Library Basket Lovelies

It's been a long, long day and I am so thankful to be home again after a 40 minute challenging drive through freezing rain and sleet and snow and slippery slush...
March indeed!
This tablescape was the scene I came home to, along with a cheerful greeting from two girls who were glad that I made it home safely. I've just had my tea and chatting with my girls who have now headed off to their rooms, so I thought I would drop by with a library post.
I wanted to share some non-fiction with you along with a CD that I placed a hold on long ago... it just arrived at the library for me.
Tomorrow will be my catch up day at home, as well as grocery shopping. The weather is supposed to get milder so the snow will be melting away again...yes!
I am so ready for Spring!
I am calling it a night now, but wanted to leave you with a few library lovelies that are full of lovely domestic goodness...

Today I’m gonna try and change the world
Gonna take it one day at a time
I’ve made my resolution
I’ve opened up my eyes
Today I’m gonna try and change the world

I’m gonna say hello to my neighbor
Greet him with a smile
Shake the hand of a stranger
Sit and talk for a while
Tell someone I love them
From the bottom of my heart
Today I’m gonna try and change the world

(Repeat chorus)

Gonna make sure my children
Know there’s a right and wrong
I’ll never turn my back
On those of us who need someone
I’m gonna try to see myself
Through another’s eyes
Today I’m gonna try and change the world

(Repeat chorus)

Today I’m gonna try and change the world
Today I’m gonna try and change the world
Not for me, but for those I’ll leave behind
I’ve made my resolution
Change it one day at time
Today I’m gonna try and change the world

Don't you just love the lyrics?
It's intentional living at its best, isn't it?
It's the small, thoughtful things we do for others
that can make such a difference in their life.
You can listen to the song but be sure to pause the playlist below...
(I have a wide range of music love, so this may not be for you:)

Welcome February...♥ Library Love ♥

February arrives cold, wet and gray, her gifts disguised for only the most discerning spirits to see. Gentle is our path. Gratitude is the thread we weave into the fabric of our daily lives this month, giving thanks for our simply abundant lives and asking for the gift of one thing more: grateful hearts.
Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach

This card arrived in the mail for me, made by my wonderful sil M.
I was so touched and moved that as she created this card, she thought of me.
That was just so thoughtful and such a kind gift...my heart is filled with gratitude:)
I am adding it here as I think it goes perfect with the library/love theme.
Don't you love that library card...so perfect!
Who can you send a card to this month to bless and encourage...just because...


It's hard to believe that we have flipped the calendar again to the month of February....the month of love and romance. There is evidence in the stores but also right here in our library.
We had fun adding a little romance to our display table:

Chocolate, Roses, Romantic Novels, Movies and Music...

I just had to share this photo with you that was emailed to us at the library.
Shall I let you guess where this library is located? Any ideas?
If you don't know, I will reveal it tomorrow...


And this in from The Weather Network
February 1, 2011 — Blizzard, winter storm warnings issued ahead of “Groundhog Day Storm.“
Wednesday's “Groundhog Day Storm“ is almost guaranteed to be a major snow event in southern Ontario, with up to 40 cm forecast for some areas by mid-afternoon.
That, combined with strong northeast winds, has prompted Environment Canada to issue a blizzard warning for parts of the region, including Sarnia, London, St. Catharines and Hamilton.
This is the first widespread blizzard warning for southern Ontario since March 1993.
A winter storm warning is in effect for the rest of the region and stretches as far to the northeast as Ottawa.
When winter storms hit, the safest place to be is at home, and the Ontario Provincial Police are asking people to avoid unnecessary travel Wednesday.

(image found online)

I am scheduled to go in to work tomorrow for a long shift at another library in the Wellington County, but the possibility is there that I will have to stay home due to road conditions.
Do you suppose I will have time to work on my knitting project or curl up in my favourite chair to get caught up on some reading?
That would be bliss indeed!

Library Basket Lovelies: It's beginning to look alot like....

...Christmas, everywhere I go.
Although it does seem early, there is a festive atmosphere at the malls and at our local library. The tree has been set up, along with the decorations. It is looking so cosy and is such a welcoming place for many in our community. There is a lovely selection of Christmas books, both fiction and non-fiction. My library basket at home is filled with library basket goodness that I thought I would share with you, as I have to return the books today so that someone else may find pleasure and joy in them as well. The pile I am returning are cookbooks as well as craft and decorating books, all including great ideas for gift giving, meal planning, and home decorating. Enjoy!

A Visit to the Library

One of the pleasures of a library is that it is accessible and free to the general public.
We loved the library in the Joure, just 10 minutes by bicycle from home. When we arrived at the library the first time to check our emails, we were approached by lovely staff who were so welcoming and hospitable as they gave us a quick tour of their facility. We came in several more times during our trip and were greeted with a friendly hello each time. It was truly a joy to visit the library here, part of the Skarsterlân library system.

Feel free to visit with me:

"They are the books, the arts, the academes,
That show, contain and nourish all the world."
~William Shakespeare

"It is impossible to enter a large library...
without feeling an inward sensation of reverence,
and without catching some sparks of noble emulation,
from the mass of mind which is scattered around you."
~James Crossley

"Make thy books thy companions.
Let thy cases and shelves be thy pleasure grounds
and gardens."
~Judah ibn-Tibbon (12th century)

"You may have tangible wealth untold
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be.
I had a Mother who read to me."
~Strickland Gillilan

You can read the poem in its entirety here.
And more great library quotes here.

If you came to visit us at our local library here, you would find the following books, based on dutch stories and having a dutch setting. The illustrations in these next two books are so beautiful with such a Rembrandt style:

When we were biking in the countryside, I spotted this stork and got so excited to see my first stork ever. This area of Friesland has many storks as well as stork nests which you can see in the following photos.



And yes, it reminded me of this children's book that we have read:

Of course, the Netherlands (known as Holland to some) is also renowned for its many frozen canals for long-distance skating in the winter, including the now famous Elfstedentocht which you can read more about here.
This is another well-known children's novel set in the Netherlands and made into a movie. Both the book and the movie are worth reading and watching for all the details of life in the Netherlands and on the canals.




And when we spotted many of these mushrooms with red and white dots or rood met witte stippen,( a dutch children's song)
it reminded me of another children's book I just love!

Before leaving for the Netherlands, I discovered a book in our library system that I was very curious to read. It was because of this book, that we visited a small hamlet in the northern part of Friesland. While there, we met a wonderful older lady who happened to be walking toward us as we read the signage in front of the church.
She was heading to the church to toll the noon bells. It was such a delight to have met her and to have her share the inside stories for the following book written by Geert Mak who at one time resided here at T' Skriuwershuske or the house where the author lives and writes. You can read more about his book here.


When my girls went into the Anne Frank museum in Amsterdam, they were very moved by the images and stories they took in yet were so thankful to have had this glimpse into the life of an ordinary girl with an extraordinary story. They were also saddened to see that her dreams were never fulfilled:




We also visited this monument to remember my husband's Grandfather who died a hero in the war for his involvement in the dutch resistance movement.


Just seeing this and listening to the stories shared by my husband as well as his mother, I was reminded of this book:
"Corrie ten Boom (1892-1983) was a Dutch woman admired the world over for her courage, her forgiveness, and her memorable faith. In World War II, she and her family risked their lives to help Jews escape the Nazis by hiding them in their home in Haarlem." (taken from review at Amazon)

Another book came to mind, written by Canadian sisters, Kristen Den Hartog and Tracy Kasaboski:
"This book is written by two sisters whose father and his siblings were born to Dutch parents just before, and during WWII in the Netherlands. It offers a deeply touching account of the family's life during this period of time, from the courtship of the author's grandparents, to their marriage, young family life, invasion of German forces and German occupation of the country, and their struggle to survive these horrifying years, to their eventual emigration to Canada a few years after the war.
The reader is given a glimpse into the Dutch way of life during this period of time, their customs, family life, etc., as well as the history of Holland's WWII war experience, which was shocking to me ...who knew little about the reality of living through this period of time in a country occupied by enemy forces."
(taken from Amazon review)
And this book written by Canadian author Jan de Groot, who recounts his experiences during war-torn Holland:

"If minds are truly alive they will seek out books, for books are the human race recounting its memorable experiences, confronting its problems, searching for solutions, drawing the blueprints of it futures."
~Harry A. Overstreet