Dream Room In My Dream house!

A room lined with shelves and filled with books has always been a part of my dream house. Well, they are still just a dream! The only bookshelf I got cannot even hold all the books I have anymore. Hmmm... I really should get a bigger one, one of these days!

Just a couple of days ago, four more books were added to my collection. I was feeling a little guilty about it because they were an "impulse buy". They were on a sale shelf and I just can't resist going over and browse the covers. I decided I'll get only one, but then I saw one by an author whose other books I already have, so I was thinking it was too good to pass on. Then I saw another one which seems really interesting and so I got it too. Okay, one last look, and that leads to one last book (grinning)! Enough, I told myself, and went straight to the cashier, paid for them and went out of the store! Oh but yes, it felt so good!

This one really interests me and I started on it today. I'm beginning to like it already! The two illustrations are from the book. Aren't they nice?!

This picture quote says it all!

For The Love of Books!

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.” ― Ernest Hemingway

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
These quotes best describe the way I feel about my books. They are one of my best company! There's no better feeling than reading a good book when you are alone. It is a solace to my weary soul. A cure to loneliness. A relief to the stresses of the day. A diversion to negative thoughts. That's besides the lessons and knowledge about everything in life that you can get.

I read a book when I'm sad, it cheers me up. I grab a novel and read when I'm feeling lonely, the characters keep me company. I browse my cookbooks when I don't know what to prepare for dinner, they give excellent ideas. That is what my books are to me, important and a great company!

First time I saw these books, I knew I wanted them! But I am the type who wants to pass the buying first and then go back for it when it does'nt leave my mind for more than a couple of days (Oh well, yes, sometimes by the time I come back, it is gone!). These books however, took me almost a year to get them. They were from a bookstore in my hometown where I only get to visit now during Christmas season. When I visited the bookstore last Christmas, it was such a surprise to see them still there! I guess, this is what makes them extra special!

My small collection of cookbooks! I love the Campbell cookbook, it's vintage! How great it would be to find more of that "A Little _ Cookbook" series. These collection is placed above the refrigerator.

According to designer Emily Henderson of the show Secrets From A Stylist, when displaying books, you should place the shorter ones on both ends and the taller ones in the center. That way, you are creating the illusion of a mountain of books. Clever right! The Thomas Kinkade Classic Prayers is one of my favorite. The prayers featured are heavenly and the illustrations, as one can expect from Thomas Kinkade are really beautiful. On this shelf, is also where my Elf-Help books are displayed. They are a series of self-help mini books. They were called "Elf-help" because they feature an illustrations of an endearing elf characters as they offer messages of joy, wholeness, serenity and healing.

Books on our coffee table. I know for a fact that one characteristic of a coffee table book is for it to be non-fiction. So, why do I have my Bridges of Madison County book on my coffee table? Well, I just like it there!

My unread books (all of them when I took the picture). But as of the moment the one on top, the Sweet Revenge is out of the list as I just finished it today. The Memories of Time Past is a coffee table book.

Danielle Steel is one of my favorite author. When my sister saw these collection in a garage sale, she bought it for me. How thoughtful! I just wish I still have my copy of my favorite ones. The Promise, The Rings and Zoya. They were borrowed and never returned.

My collection of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series. I am missing number 7 (74 Seaside Avenue). Just a little fyi, you will know the order of the books through the first number on the title.

When it comes to mystery and suspense novels, Mary Higgins Clark for me, is one of the best.

A close friend passed on her books on infertility to me. She also had a hard time getting pregnant and she said these books help her cope with all the anxieties of infertility. But they were blessed eventually and had a son. As for me, all hope is lost as I came around the age where it isn't possible anymore.

In the Mood for Beaded Jewelry !

These past couple of weeks, I was in the mood for making beaded earrings for myself and as always, once I start making one, I can't seem to stop so I end up making more! Then I ran out of ear hooks/wire (sad facing), so I decided to make some bracelets. And guess what, yes, I think I am running out of beads!

These are the earrings I made.

I changed the round Torquiose earring. I think it looks nicer with the Red Coral combination.

I love this one. The beads look like a Pink camouflage and it is just so cute.


The last but not the least. Amethyst stone chips and Purple glass beads.



Now the bracelets...



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Recycled Orchid Label

I just posted a thread in an orchid forum about my recycled idea for an orchid label. The other members seemed to like the idea and I'm feeling so happy! :) Okay yes, even kinda proud of myself!

I just found a recycling idea for those little expiry date or tags from my bread purchases. I save them for future use and this time I found a use for them. The rubber bands are also recycled. They came from the vegetable bundles I bought from the market.

I've Turned into an Orchid Hunter!

Yes, I've turned into an orchid hunter! It has been on my mind these past couple of months. I crave to go uptown and visit the orchid vendors and yes again, I go home with a potted Dendrobium or a few orchid cuttings. Yey!

Online time have been recently spent mostly in an orchid forum (OrchidTalk.com), or searching for informations about orchids and looking at photos of orchids. Oh yes again, it's orchids, orchids and orchids!

This morning, I just thought of summing up the amount of my orchid purchases (eversince I got into it so much!) since April 2014 until May 2014. It surprised me that I was able to spent that amount already! Prior to this "orchid craze" phase, I kind of promised myself not spend on unnecessary things. But the hunt for new orchids was so strong that it made me not live up to my promise! >< I would like to make a new promise to myself and I am keeping my fingers crossed (lol)! Maybe, just one potted orchid each month or a few cuttings (in equal amount)? And a promise to just visit the orchid vendors once! Anyway, here are some photos of my growing orchids. I don't have photos of the cuttings though.

Mokara Red Robin Vanda
A birthday present for myself this May 2014



Green Dendrobium
Also a birthday present.



Airy Peach Dendrobium
This is really pretty! My favorite so far!



Blue Dendrobium