The Written Word...

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them.  ~Mark Twain, attributed

No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books.  ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The love of learning, the sequestered nooks,
And all the sweet serenity of books.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I have a thing for books.

It goes back as far as I can remember.

When I was 7 years old I remember trading books with my girlfriend.

In the 4th grade we both read 'Are you there God, It's me Margaret' probably  5x each

That very same girlfriend and I trade books today, many years later.

In fact I just finished reading a book she recommended to me.

'The Help' by Kathryn Stockett

I highly recommend this book.  The characters were so well-developed they became friends to me.

The story was truly wonderful and I savored each and every page.

This author has shuffled herself right up to the top of my "favorite author list".

Of course, no day is complete without reading, so I have many many books lined up.

These are just a few of the books that are next up.

That girlfriend I mentioned earlier?  We both LOVE Jodi Picoult.

She just finished reading House Rules.

I just started.

She is currently reading Little Bee.

That's next up.

I'm excited to discuss 'The Help' with her.  

We love to talk books.

We also loved The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.

I'm gathering up books that I would like to read this summer.

I hope to find the time to read a LOT of books.

I think if I read every minute of every day, I would still not read all the books my heart desires.

So...

What about you?

Do you read?

What is your favorite?

What's on your bedside table?

My test of a good novel is dreading to begin the last chapter.  ~Thomas Helm

TV.  If kids are entertained by two letters, imagine the fun they'll have with twenty-six.  Open your child's imagination.  Open a book.  ~Author Unknown

Books can be dangerous.  The best ones should be labeled "This could change your life."  ~Helen Exley

A house without books is like a room without windows.  ~Heinrich Mann

One Decision Made, Another on it's way...

Kitchens are definitely the most difficult room to decorate.

I love so many different styles that I really find it almost impossible to make a final choice.

I have gone back and forth between this choice or that.

It's been awful.

Hubby finally stepped up and made a decision.  He said, "Blame me if you hate it".

That has the best thing that's happened.  LOL

So, the floor is chosen and sitting in a huge stack next to me as I type.  Currently I'm living in an ugly mess and I have to keep focused on the end prize so I don't lose my mind.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to leave a comment with their opinion on my tile choices.

Everyone made really great points and when I weighed them all, I have chosen...

White Subway tile.

The next choice I have to make is the countertop.

This kitchen is on such a tight budget that it shouldn't even be getting done.

Seriously, we have NO money.

But, I love love love the look of soapstone.

I'm afraid to even think about how expensive this could be.

Does anyone have this?  Here are some photos to drool over.

What do YOU think?

I need Opinions & Thank You

First, before I say anything, I want to thank you for your kind thoughts during this rough spot in my life.

I have Ischemic Colitis, which does not respond to medications, but on occasion can be quite painful and can do some rather crazy things to my life.  This time was especially bad, but going on a clear liquid diet and moving slowly to a full liquid diet has been the key to a speedy recovery.

Okay, now to more fun things.

We are finally working on our kitchen (the crowds cheer) and things are moving along nicely.

Now I have a dilemma.

I absolutely love white cabinets and white subway tile.  LOVE it!

image source unknown

But, then I saw this photo and thought WOW.  Look at white cabinets with slate tiles.

It really does something completely different in the room.
(click on photo to see full backsplash)

image source unknown

So...

I am asking for opinions.

What do you like?  Why?