Thursday, January 17, 2008

My Reading Spot




I know that in the past, I've told you how I find this time of year so hard to take. The excitement of the holidays is only a distant memory, and taking stock of our lives in the past year often disappoints with unfullfilled resolutions (still haven't lost that extra 20 lbs.!). My birthday comes towards the end of the month, but that's quickly becoming something I don't really want to remember. And I just need spring.



So whenever I feel as though I could use a mental health boost, I try to spend a few minutes sitting in the sun on this sofa, reading and enjoying my morning tea. The sun just pores through this window, and often there are small birds hopping from branch to branch in the shrubs outside. A nice way to start the morning.



Here are some books I got for Christmas. My family knows that I love books, especially decorating books, so there are always a few under the tree at our Little Red House.









So if the sun is shining, chances are this is where you'll find me.







I think I'll go make another cup of tea!



























40 comments:

  1. How inviting that sun shining on your sofa looks. Snuggled up with a cup of tea and a book sounds like heaven.
    Enjoy.
    Alison

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  2. Ah, now that is a perfectly lovely little reading spot...and great reading you've got ready too! I'm not a winter person either, and the months just after December are tough to get through until spring nears. Finding ways to lift one's spirits is essential, isn't it? Hope you're enjoying an extra cup of tea in your cozy corner...((HUGS))

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  3. Hi Mary!
    Were your ears burning yesterday? Tee..hee...I was having a conversation with my sister about my blog, because and I told her that your blog always makes me feel like I've just come "Home" - it's so comforting, and beautiful. Love your reading spot, and especially that gorgeous sofa. P.S. - love the books!
    Rose

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  4. May I join you???...we're having a snow day today...I live in Central Iowa...I love the snow...but hate the cold!!!...I love the sun streaming through my windows, too...we have 3 double wide windows on the south side of our house..I always welcome the sun in!!!...enjoy your day!!..Lacy

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  5. Can I come join you? That sofa in the sunshine looks like just what the doctor ordered. I have been trying to post this morning and blogger wont let me. I am having a grey week and I need the sun! Unfortunately, I leave for work just about the time it comes out, I am dragging from the grey! That French Country book looks like one I will have to look into. My home isnt french country but that doesnt mean I cant look! Soak up some sun for me Mary, ok?

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  6. Yes, Bright sunny days do help get us through the winter. Love your reading spot and looks like some really great books too, enjoy!! Love coming to your blog each day. Your pictures make me feel so cozy and warm. Wishing for you, bright sunny days, Janie

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  7. A wonderful to place to snuggle up and read those wonderful books. Now I want to see the throw you put over your lap......that's the only thing missing! Just kidding....I definitely need one when i snuggle up to read :-)

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  8. Mary, What a great place to sit in the sun. I crave the sun too this time of year! That English book looks fabulous.
    Have a great day!
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  9. I hear ya - I need spring to come soon. Enjoy your sofa in the sun , and have a cup of tea for me :)

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  10. ck of books under the end table. never ending reading...what a wonderful way to spend winter.

    Janet

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  11. A very cozy spot indeed. Lovely.
    Alexandra

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  12. Hi, Mary, I know what you mean about this time of year. We sometimes have to cheer ourselves up, cause the outside is not doing it. I love it when the sun is out & hate the cold dreary days & this time of year, it can go either way.

    Love your milkglass collection..so pretty!

    Rhoda

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  13. I love that spot...it looks so cozy!
    Hugs,
    Robin

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  14. Can I come over.....I will pick up my coffee on the way over....

    Your sofa looks heavenly!

    Fran

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  15. Hi Mary! What a cozy spot indeed--a wonderful place to read, relax and just think! Oh, and look out that window.... can you see what I see? Spring is coming slowly up its way, sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses....

    Have a pretty day!

    Cielo

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  16. I love your reading spot! Very cozy. I was looking at Perfect English just this week at an online bookshop but was not sure about it. Could you tell me how you rate it?

    ~~ Heidi ~~

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  17. That's a great spot for recharging. Just plug into the sunshine and look at beautiful books. My own reading spot is a big overstuffed chair that reminds me of a Mary Englebreit drawing. So cozy. Stay warm Mary.

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  18. Heidi, I love it. The photos are beautiful, and the houses shown are not huge manor houses, but lovely smaller country houses. I think that excerpts from the book can be found in the English Home magazine, if you want to get an idea of what the book is like.
    xoxo,
    Mary

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  19. Oh what a cozy spot that looks like snuggled up with a cup of tea. May I join you also? the books look devine, enjoy!

    Debbie

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  20. What a comfy spot!!! A good book, coffe, chocolate what more could you want?? Had a great visit. Please stop by anytime. Connie

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  21. Hi Mary,
    Wow, looks so cozy! I just love cozy and decorating books. Somehow the two would probably make me want to nap. Sounds good! Enjoy your relaxation spot! Enjoy~Rosemary

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  22. A wonderful cozy reading spot -- and some wonderful books! Enjoy Perfect English -- GREAT decor book! Shall I put the kettle on?

    Jan at Rosemary Cottage -- where its gray and cold here in Dallas too!

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  23. Mary! I found you again! ;o) We had one little disaster after another around here during the holidays, one being my computer died, and before that I lost everything on my blog (my fault). And I lost your link! So happy to find you again! I love your little red home. I love your writing and your pictures! Thank you for sharing with all of us!

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  24. Hi Mary,

    What a lovely spot to read. I have a huge stack and it seems something always keeps me from just relaxing with a good book. I had to laugh when you said you had one of those trays because I totally thought of you when I found it. Hope you are having a good day.

    Hugs,
    Dena

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  25. That looks like the perfect spot to curl up and read, Mary! And those books look like fabulous reads! Right about I'll just take seeing the sun! ~ hugs, Lynda xo

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  26. Oh Mary...your special spot is one of the most inviting and cozy. And such wonderful books! That cuppa and a lovely decorating book to nourish your mind and soul and that pretty couch to nurture your body is just pure Heaven.

    That is a blissful afternoon!

    Stay warm and sweet!

    Hugs,
    Sue

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  27. your reading spot looks delightful -

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  28. Hi Mary. That looks like a nice sunny place to sit and read and what great books you got for Christmas. I know exactly how you feel about the lack of sun. I was like that also. when we lived in Canada and PA. We live in North Carolina now and it is so much better. Try to pamper yourself during these grey days of winter. Rhondi

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  29. Now this is a gorgeous spot to stop for a spell and relax. Makes my reading corner look oh so..... humble! I'm still willing to trade weather with you sweetie. All this heat and sunshine is rubbing the polish off my shine (the smile off my face) lol.
    Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

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  30. What a beautiful place to sip tea and leaf through the pages of those gorgeous books.Full of inspiration, no doubt and perfect for lifting the spirit.
    Did it work?
    Susan

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  31. Hi Mary
    Which you have for a beautiful romantic sofa.
    Surrounded with such marvelous books, a cup of dte and perhaps an embroidery...
    so I could spoil myself also gladly ;-)
    take care Barbara

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  32. How can you sit there in such a dreamy, dreamy spot and not fall asleep? I'd get two pages read, and it'd be lights out.......Snore.

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  33. I can't think of anything more lovely than sitting in that wonderful room, with a cup of hot tea and browsing through wonderful decorating books! Of the three is there one that you would recommend the most? Both the English and the French one intriqued me.
    Penny

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  34. Hi Mary

    Its me again .... you have been tagged ! Check out my blog :)
    Have a wonderful evening !!

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  35. I agree a few moments outside in the sun does me a world of good!
    Mary
    hoganfe handbags

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  36. Hi Mary

    Thanks for stopping by for a visit...I hope you'll come again...you're always welcome.

    I've sure enjoyed visiting you tonight. Lots of fun posts. I'll be back. It looks like we enjoy alot of the same blogs.

    Hugs!
    Kat

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  37. Mary, what a peaceful spot you have for reading. I can imagine the sun coming in warming you, memories of your youth in this very house, the pleasure of a new book to enjoy and inspire, the warmth of your cup of tea and the anticipation of spring. I think we all long for winter to be over soon after Christmas has come and gone. We're lucky here in the south that we don't have the terrible winters our northern sister states have and it won't be very long before our azaleas and dogwoods bloom....sigh, I can't wait!
    Have a wonderful weekend - Judy

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  38. Mary, what a peaceful spot you have for reading. I can imagine the sun coming in warming you, memories of your youth in this very house, the pleasure of a new book to enjoy and inspire, the warmth of your cup of tea and the anticipation of spring. I think we all long for winter to be over soon after Christmas has come and gone. We're lucky here in the south that we don't have the terrible winters our northern sister states have and it won't be very long before our azaleas and dogwoods bloom....sigh, I can't wait!
    Have a wonderful weekend - Judy

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  39. This is such a cozy spot and I can see why you love it so much. The whole room is the kind of room that once you are there, you don't want to leave.

    xo
    Becky

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  40. What a wonderful place to sit, read and have some quiet moments with your tea. Great inspiration! ~Adrienne~

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I love to hear what you have to say!