This and That

It would be nice to discuss books and such in overstuffed chairs by a fireplace, sipping seasonal tea.  Instead I can only respond via blogdom... sigh.

So pretend we're sharing a cup of tea and a scone while chatting and I'll talk about some comments.

Regarding A Severe Mercy, when I first read it I thought the couple too totally immersed in each other, also.   It was so sad knowing how much they loved each other and that she would die fairly young.  Having lost my father suddenly as a child, I am very sensitive to writings about death and all.

However, I view it differently as I read it now.  I think Vanauken is sharing what a special gift their relationship was from God.  It was also interesting how Lewis would have a similar experience... loving one so much and losing them after too few years (from a human standpoint).

I must admit now concentrating my thoughts more on how they came to Christ and their time at Oxford with Lewis and the others.  I must read Sheldon Vanauken's lesser known (to me) works... someday.

Regarding Laine's Letters... her main website still exists.  If you go... here.  The directions about what to click to get her Letters archives, the This Week in My Home archives, and her Recipe archives are at the top of the homepage.  I believe what no longer exists is the archives of her mailing group.

I have three file folders of Laine's Letters print offs, mostly printed out as they originally came in over e-mails.  I would print them off and then save them to enjoy with a cup of coffee, tea, or something nice and cold in hotter weather.

However, I also took days (one summer I was not busy with homeschooling) and perused all of her letters and "In My Home" e-mails and printed out favorites I didn't have already.

You can still sign up to receive her letters on the website but she only updates every few months or so.  They did eventually adopt their little Chinese daughter although it took a few years of disappointments.

Spending time in the archives (beginning in the late 1990s) is time well spent for anyone who loves reading about making a home, good cooking, serving others, etc.

The first Stevenson books I read were the Miss Buncle books, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  A lot of people really like her Mrs. Tim books.  My very favorite, though, was Vittoria Cottage and the sequel Music In the Hills.  I thought Vittoria Cottage a very charming book.

There are many Goudge and Stevenson books yet to read!  One of the wonders of reading is the ability to escape to a kinder and gentler time (albeit a world war is rumbling in many English books).

I am so glad my Italian Friar friend (say that three times) Freddie is writing again... here.  He is constantly in my prayers regardless but I do enjoy reading about his work for the Lord.

The wonders of Blogdom is bringing us together in this world.  :)

Someday there will be no time or space between those of us who love Him... in our various different ways.

I started collecting tea cups long ago, most likely inspired by Emilie Barne's collection in her books and then receiving my first English teacup from a friend at a church we attended long ago.

My brown transferware dish collection began as my tastes changed a bit and I found myself attracted to earth tone colors more.  My mother loved to wear and decorate with the color brown, perhaps it makes me think of home?

Vee was right, when you begin to collect certain items... your eye begins seeing them more often.  I've been fortunate to live in areas where there were numerous garage sales, thrift stores, and antique malls (which are often easier on the wallet than antique stores can be).

I never intended to actually collect books... they just come home with me as stray animals would if I lived farther out in the country.

For those of you thinking of blogging... stop thinking and start doing.  My daughter encouraged me to start blogging and now I'm in my sixth year (and cannot believe it has been that long!).

Believe me, Blogger is a whole lot easier than it was when I first began... when it would often happen that one would write a long post and have it go "poof" (although I did have that happen recently with one of the Decorating posts just before publishing it... gasp).