Never Too Many?

“Where do I find the time for not reading so many books?” Karl Kraus (1874-1936)

The Bargain Bin at my grocery store is what did it; it started this whole thing. I guess your store sets one up at the beginning of the year as well? Mine sure does. It is filled with books going out of print (at least that’s what I’m guessing they are), and the prices are ridiculously low. So there I was, innocently pushing my grocery cart on my way to the frozen foods. It was birthday cake flavored ice cream I wanted, not bargain books.

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  1. Debbie says:

    Hi Rebekah!
    I love this post! I am a hanger on to most, and a passer- on to others. We did a trip down memory lane sometime when our daughter was 10 too… I love that you reminisced together with reading allowed!
    You and I share a love for many of the same books and I recently did a post on books as well.
    I say the more BOOKS the merrier!!!
    Here’s the link! http://www.deborahjeansdandelionhouse.com/2010/01/book-ish-delights-sunflower-houses-give.html
    Beach Blessings,
    Deb

  2. We have an entire room devoted to books. That’s just our science fiction collection. Seven large bookshelves adorn other walls in the house, and they are all full. So yes, we’re hoarders.

    But! This year, we went Kindle. I simply cannot see bringing another book into this house, unless it’s just not available on Kindle.

    I like the Kindle well enough. I do miss the front matter, which may sound strange. But it was always part of the book experience for me – opening the cover and turning the blank pages to see the title page, then the publishing info. Acknowledgments, author notes, forward… all of that is important to me, but they get left out of ebooks. That is just dumb, methinks.

    The only children’s book I have left is "The Crows of Pearblossom" by Aldous Huxley. We all have such good memories of reading that book. I can’t wait to read it to my grandchildren.

  3. rebekah says:

    This is going to be one of those posts where I have to add comments along the way to yours. Sorry! I do try to be quiet down here, since it’s your place to talk, but I simply can’t this time!
    Deborah, I can’t wait to stop over and read your post. Cute title!
    Marlene, I’m encouraged that a book lover went to kindle. Hmmm, maybe I should never say never afterall. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that book! It is one I had as a child; and boy oh boy, that snake used to scare me half to death! (Hey, maybe that’s where my phobia came from.) My copy is very old and looks it too! I’m going to dig that one out to read tonight!

  4. Bonnie says:

    Oh, Rebekah! I almost hate to say that I have kept the majority of my children’s books over the years and they have been loved by the grandchildren as well. I keep a basket of favorite ones by the beds in the guest room. Our youngest grandchild who is 11 still reads them when she stays over. And sometimes I find her curled up by the bookcases in the great room reading the childrens books. I was presented a "bunch" of thin,paper Russian children’s books by an elderly friend whose sister had taught English. She also gave other hardback books to the girls and we treasure them. My husband also taught English, so you might guess where that leaves us with books! After teaching he became a realtor and investor and I am sitting at the computer in the office surrounded by books relating to those subjects. Both our daughters have a love for books as well. Our oldest worked for ivillage and interviewed authors in a chatroom situation and has many autographed copies from those she interviewed.
    So, there are many of us out there who could be accused of hoarding-only books though. 🙂

  5. Margie Smith says:

    Hi Rebekah,
    My alltime favorite childrens good is Secret Garden. My fifth grade teacher read it to us and I have watched all the movies. I have 3 or 5 different copies, one illustrated by Tasha Tudor, whose books I also like. As to throwing away a book, who would do a thing like that? I work in a public library and we accept donations of books in good condition. I also collect cookbooks, at time I had over 300. But alas, we moved into a mobile home and I had to get rid of some. Books have allways been my escape. Keep on writing about your farmgirl life, I enjoy it.
    Margie

  6. Bonnie says:

    One more reasons not to get rid of your daughter’s books. Grandchildren! You will end up buying the books that you donated. Most will be out of print and you will pay a fortune on ebay. Donate your books, not her books. The years fly by, believe me.

  7. rebekah says:

    Hi Bonnie! I’m glad to know I’m not alone. What a special collection you have. Yes, keep them forever. You have given me encouragement to keep mine…one day my grandkids will enjoy them too!
    Hi Margie! Oh yes–I love the Secret Garden book. I’ve never seen the Tasha Tudor one, but have heard of it. Lovely, I’m sure. Oh no, not me–I’d never throw away a book. It’s hard enough for me to think about giving them away. Books, yes-a wonderful escape, you’re right. I guess I’ve decided I’ll keep them as long as I have a place…Thanks for your sweet words!
    Y’all take care~

  8. CC says:

    all of the Little House on the Prairie series!! And the Wrinkle In Time books (I think there’s at least three) … and my beloved Hobbit and the trilogy that came after. I still remember the wonderful 6th grade teacher, Miss Stanton, who read to us from the Hobbit on our lunch 1/2 hour every day – we never finished the book (school ended for the summer) but I think everyone from the class ended up buying or borrowing their own copy to finish the story over the summer — what a great teacher she was!
    Thank you for sharing your favorites!

  9. Bonnie says:

    Gee, I forgot to include myself in that mix. I have a 36×36" bookcase in the kitchen with cookbooks which I love to read. A must for Tasha Tudor lovers is her cookbook. It’s beautifully illustrated. I also have a good collection of quilt books and magazines! ( I do quilt, but probably don’t cook as much as I should) We’re just a book loving family all the way around.

  10. Cathy Harvey says:

    My favorite children’s book is on of the ‘Golden Books’ called ‘We Help Mommy’. I’ve read that book so often and still read it occasionally when I come across it. I wouldn’t part with it for anything. It’s about children who help their mother clean, cook, shop, etc. I believe that book is the reason I’ve wanted to be a homemaker and nothing more.
    Don’t feel guilty about keeping so many books. I believe we, as women, take a lot of unnecessary guilt on our backs that was never meant to be there. Just enjoy them; I know I enjoy mine.

  11. Brenda says:

    I am definitely a hanger on. When my three girls had grown out of their books we went through them together and they picked out their favorites to keep. I ended up keeping quite a few others that none of them wanted. We now have them to read to our grand children. One of my favorites was Ping the Duck. I also have kept the Childcraft books from my childrens youth and have them for the grandkids to look at. My books.. I do not to part with a few.

  12. rebekah says:

    Hello CC,
    Oh yes, the Little House series. We’ve got that and need to read it again! Wrinkle in Time–well, I’ve never read, but I think we have that too. Oh, how I loved the Hobbit. That’s one we don’t have that we NEED to get!

  13. rebekah says:

    And Bonnie, oh no. I don’t have the Tasha Tudor cookbook. Okay, let me put that on my list!

  14. rebekah says:

    Hi Cathy! Thanks for the reminder–dump the guilt! Boy, those Golden Books are real treasures. I don’t remember that one, but I remember one about a nurse. Do you know that one? It even came with a band-aide as I recall. Oh, and the Pokey Little Puppy. I always loved reading that one!

  15. rebekah says:

    Hello Brenda! Ping the Duck? Okay, I don’t know that one either. Yes, I should keep all these wonderful children’s books! And add to the collection!

  16. Kathy says:

    Books! I love them and have hundreds. In an effort to make more room on the shelves I got rid of tons of children’s books several years ago. Now I want them back for my grandchildren and as someone else mentioned many are out of print and very expensive.

    I like the books "Rainbabies" and "Grandmother’s Pigeon" for the artwork. The people are so realistic looking. Some other favorites are "The Three Questions", "Livingstone Mouse", and "The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear", and "Corduroy".

  17. Bonnie says:

    Wow, I just signed on to MaryJanes site and love the city girl post. Since I grew up near Chicago, never got to be a farmgirl till I got here. First article I read is about books – my favorite topic. I too am a "horder" of books, they are in every room of my apartment. Keep buying more bookcases to hold them. My niece also has this passion and her husband built her a wall to wall bookcase in the living room. When I go there it is like visiting a library. Mine need to be decluttered though. I have gone thru them so many times and cant part with them. I did do this once, it was when I moved from my little house to this apartment. I actually had two big boxes of books that I took to the library so that I could at least visit them 🙂 Now I want to rearrange the second bedroom to a guest/library room. At work we had a book exchange where we could just drop off our books and take another one. We tried this twice and someone always got rid of them. What a fit we threw, you just DONT throw away a book!! Unheard of. So we have complained again and we will see what happens. Lots of women readers at work.

    One thing I wish I still had was all of my Golden Books. When I was a child, my mother would stop in at Walgreens where she waited for the bus home. On payday she would buy me a book – 25 cents back then. I had soooo many and when I moved away, they disappeared. I think some went to my niece, which is good, others who knows where but I miss them. 🙁

    So I am soo glad to know there are others out there like me who love their books. I would still like to buy The Nook but never give up my Book.

  18. Cindy says:

    What a great post. I just recently cleaned out the one bookshelf that I have – live in an "A" frame and no room for bookshelves! But I do have boxes and stacks in just about every room. I do have some of my childhood books however and will never part with them. No chance of grandkids but hopefully some nieces and great nieces that might enjoy them someday. Two favorites were read so many times the covers have come loose – Hear our Prayer by Garden City Books; and The Golden Book of Chirstmas Tales – Legends From Many Lands by James and Lillian Lewicki. These along with every kids book from the local library! Best part of my Saturday was walking to the library for a new stack of books. Recently stressed over getting a Kindle. Much debate between my sister and niece – one for and one against. I did get one and I do enjoy it as it is easy to carry along anywhere you might have a few minutes to read. I still go to the library on a regular basis as I love to hold a book as well. Sorry to be long winded – but this post was too good to pass up. Thank you for sharing your memories and getting us to remember ours! God Bless.

  19. Sarah says:

    My favorite to read to the kids (besides all of Dr. Suess) is The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton. It is a book about a little house that gets swallowed up by the big city, Sorry Rebekah,no offense intended. It’s just a great book, with fantastic illiustrations. MY favorite however is Anne of Green Gables (the whole series, not just the first book). I reread them every year, around springtime. I can’t wait to share them with my daughter.

  20. Debby Carrico says:

    I became a librarian because I have ALWAYS loved books and have hundreds of favorites like Secret Garden, Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe, Velveteen Rabbit, all the Flower Fairies series. My grown sons remember Cowardly Cyde by Peet and the Muffin Muncher. One of my grandaughters had a favorite called My Yellow Blankie, a boardbook, and she still goes to that one when she needs comfort. There is no comfort like a good book.

  21. Brenda says:

    I am a hanger on to it person. Books that I love or magazines or crafts I just can’t seem to let go of.My son’s books as children I now have for my grandchildren to enjoy but I think I enjoy them more than they do. There are a few I read and pass on but most seems to find their way back to my house. And those 25 cent books are now over $2.00. I too love the feel of the book in my hand and spending time in a bookstore is one of my favorite things to do. I as for the bargin bin I hope the authors take it as a chance for some to read their book that maybe wouldn’t have at the regular price. I love reading your articles it is almost like reading a good book please don’t stop. And if you are writing a book good luck and let me know so I can get it.

  22. rebekah says:

    Thank you, Deb, I’m grinning from ear to ear with your sweet words! And yes, Goodnight Moon is one of my favorites too! Could never give that one away!

  23. rebekah says:

    Bonnie, Welcome! What a wonderful memory! Your Mom going into Walgreens at the bus stop, buying you a book on payday. I love that. Thank you for sharing such a sweet story. A book exchange is a great idea! Hope y’all can work out the kinks.

  24. rebekah says:

    Hi Cindy! Even though I have shelves now, I still have stacks and stacks of books too. I totally understand stacks! The Golden Book of Christmas Tales sounds very familiar–I think we have that one. I need to check. If not, well, I’ve got to add that to my list. Oh dear…
    And, Cindy, there is no such thing as long winded here! We love it! Share, share, share!!!!!

  25. rebekah says:

    Hi Sarah! Well, I don’t know that one either. Believe me, I see so many things getting swallowed up by the city–drives me nuts. I need to check out that book! Anne of Green Gables is sitting on our shelf. I have never read that book. It is time to take it down!

  26. rebekah says:

    Oh Debbie, Being a librarian, you must know the best of the best! I love the Velveteen Rabbit. Reminds me of my Seddy (wrote about him last time) and all his fur being loved off! I’m writing down your favorites!

  27. rebekah says:

    Hi Brenda, You’re right! That’s a great way to view the bargain bin! And don’t get me started on magazines. I love to save those too! (When we moved my husband was so close to tossing the magazines. But I do go back and look at them, don’t you?) And thanks for the encouragement!!! One day!

  28. Stella - farmgirl-at-heart in Cleveland, Ohio area says:

    Hi Rebekah – great post! I’ve been a reader all my life and have a special place for Laura Ingalls Wilder and her Little House series. As a teen I fell in love with The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and Mister God This Is Anna by Sydney Hopkins (aka Fynn).
    As for collecting or hoarding, I like to think of my stash of books and magazines as a collection. Like you, I purged scary paperbacks years ago, but kept favorite fiction and non-fiction to re-read someday. Most fiction/non-fiction I now take out from the library because I can’t fit one more book in the collection–except for cookbooks. My excuse in amassing vintage and newer cookbooks is that I literally do read through them for pleasure, and refer to them to nourish my family!
    Of great joy to me is my sister’s new-found pleasure in reading, at nearly 50 years of age. She never felt the attraction to books and reading that people around her have (me, her husband and friends), but has now been "bitten" by the reading bug. It is SO wonderful to be able to talk with her about books, and also to know that I have my favorite books on hand to share with her.
    Thanks for always providing such interesting posts, you’re a pleasure to read online and in MaryJane’s magazine.

  29. Joanna says:

    I love this post. The only books I have ever given away were the Stephen King novels I used to read as a teen-ager. I have moved across the country (Canada) twice and both times at least half of what I brought with me were books…I got rid of all my furniture but could not part with a single box of books. We have many of the same treasures…my kids have all loved Blueberries for Sal and Stranger in the Woods and of course all Dr. Seuss…
    We also LOVE Julia Donaldson: Room on the Broom, the Gruffalo, Squash and a Squeeze, etc. and I love reading the Little House on the Prairie series with my kids. I say you can never have too many books!

  30. rebekah says:

    Hi Stella! Oh yes, Mister God This Is Anna! How I remember reading that one! I do the same thing with cookbooks–I enjoy flipping through them and reading everything. Ingredients and directions. It’s a pleasure now that the photos are so good. Good for your Sis! Better late than never, huh? What are you reading now? Anything wonderful? And thanks so much for your sweet words! I love y’all so much, it’s nice to chat!

  31. Stella - farmgirl-at-heart in Cleveland, Ohio area says:

    Recent reads have been Bill Bryson’s ‘The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid’ about growing up in the 50s (makes you laugh out loud while reading) and John Grisham’s ‘The Confession.’ My sis got me a book for Christmas that’s next – Homer’s Odyssey – about life with a blind feline. See? Already sis is sharing the reading love… 🙂

  32. Judith says:

    …and books have been my constant companion since I learned to read. Bargain book bins make me breathless. A man who enjoys books (and can build custom book shelves!?) is number three in my personal list of desired attributes. Ahh, books, such heavenly gifts.

  33. bonnie ellis says:

    I love Rabbit Hill, Wind in the willows, the bang bang family, Harold and the purple crayon, goodnight moon, Mr. Poppers Penguins. Those are older books but my kids and my favorites. Happy reading. Bonnie

  34. LaRoyce says:

    I admit to liking the "bargain books". I have a hard time justifying to myself the expenditure at full price. I know that many people may not be able to build a library at full price, therefore, bargain books are still being viewed, collected and loved!

  35. Sandy says:

    I agree, save those books for the grandchildren — that day will arrive sooner than you imagine! The arrival of grandchildren I mean. Most books I save, some I have had for 40 years. Those are the precious ones. Those that I am not attached to I swap on paperbackswap.com. Give it a try!

    Yesterday I went to the library to pick up a requested cookbook about gluten free cooking. I walked out of there with a stack of 6 books. I am weak, just can’t turn down a book!

    Sandy

  36. rebekah says:

    Stella, I love Bill Bryson. I’m laughing just thinking about his books!

  37. rebekah says:

    Hi Judith! So are you going to tell us what numbers one and two are????? Your third one is a very good one indeed!

  38. rebekah says:

    Hi Bonnie-Oh yes! Harold and the Purple Crayon. I had totally forgotten about that one. I don’t think I’ve seen that since I was a kid. I don’t know Mr. Poppers Penguins, but if it’s as good as its name, well it’s sure to be terrific! Names of children’s books are like the names of country songs-so clever!

  39. rebekah says:

    Hi LaRoyce! You’re absolutely right!! Someone emailed me that the dollar store has great hardback books for a dollar. Now I’ve got to check that out too!

  40. rebekah says:

    Hi Sandy! I know what you mean-I’m the same way. We can now check out as many books as we want to at our library. No limit. I always bring home more than I could possibly read. You’d think I’d learn. Nope, not me. Haven’t tried paperbackswap.com-good idea!

  41. bobbie calgaro says:

    Reading your blog brings back memories of books shared with my daughter. I had breast cancer when she was 6. We went through the Little House books when I didn’t have much energy from chemo to do anything. Then there are the boxcar children series and my favorite Anne of Green Gables, because you see once we got started with me reading aloud we couldn’t stop even after I was well. I know I read with her until she was in middle school. She and I both love books. I have my library in this house, she has hers.Hers will be the library for future grandchildren. And she and her husband are starting one for themselves. Half-Price bookstores are their favorites. They are very green.I am finding myself buying used books that I once bought and let go because now i miss them. Yes,I soooo know where you are coming from.

  42. rebekah says:

    Oh, Bobbie, That touches my heart deep~deep~deep down. As I read your comment, I pictured a Mom and young daughter reading Little House books, snuggled together under a quilt, as Mom heals. (And Mom probably covering up how bad she feels so her daughter won’t worry so much….) Thank you for sharing. I can’t imagine how that experience touched your lives.
    And, hey–I hadn’t considered the green aspect of used books. How did I miss that??

  43. Jackie says:

    Ahhh, the lure to keep all those precious books. I have culled our collection more times than I can count, but the ones we continue to hang onto are the Little House Series, all books by Elsa Beskow (who was writing at the same time as Beatrix Potter), and our collection of Christmas stories added to through the years.

  44. Cindy says:

    I didn’t read all of the comments so I’m wondering, did anyone mention Miss Rumphius? You must read Miss Rumphius. And after you read it, you will be planting lupines everywhere! You and your daughter will love it. It’s a must read for everyone.

    And when I saw Jane Goodall, my heart skipped a beat. The ape lady! Have you read Harvest for Hope? It will change the way you buy your food. No, not you. You already do the right thing. But if others read it, it will change the way they buy their food. It changed me.

    Then you bring up Tasha Tudor. Oh my goodness. I have to tell you, I saw her in person! I did. At the Cincinnati Flower Show. I got an autographed copy of her garden book. When she was on stage the first thing she did was take off her shoes! She had to be barefoot to draw and she was making drawings to be auctioned off after her talk.

    Books are my biggest weakness of all. I do have too many of them. I go to book signings whenever possible. I don’t think I’ll ever have a kindle. How would one autograph a kindle?

    Cindy Bee

  45. Bonnie says:

    Has this post elicted the most comments ever? I am amazed and delighted that so many wonderful memories revolve around favorite children’s books. It’s been so much fun reading everyone’s comments! I was also suprised that there are at least 3 Bonnies responding to your posts. Not a name I run into very often. Anyway, Rebekah, it’s been a really enjoyable read! Thanks. Bonnie B

  46. Kristy says:

    I wish there was some way to contact all those "Anne of Green Gables" ladies. My daughter and I both loved Anne, but we found the "Emily of New Moon" series by the same author and loved that even more.
    What a topic. I’ve spent on hour on this blog reading and making notes.
    I’ve always thought of the bargain bin books as ones that just didn’t get a fair chance in the market place. They need to be embraced by some one & this may be their lucky day.

  47. Bonnie B says:

    I can’t leave this post without one more comment. A great place to find books very inexpensively is at our "Friends of the Library" book sales. They have 2-3 days every month where their own store is open and 5 rooms of shelves are loaded for sale. Most books are $.50 – $1.00. There are some exceptions. They also have DVDs, CDs etc. Children to teen books are .$25 – .50. And there are also bagged "collections" that are free for the taking. Who knows what you might get. Such fun. Maybe some of you will want to see if your library has such a program. Warning – it can be addictive!

  48. carol branum says:

    hi,you can never have too many,but,I just keep the hardbacks.I still have all of my childhood hardback books.Laura Ingalls Wilder books,Winnie The Pooh,and "Cheaper by The Dozen"series,Nancy Drew,and my Betty Crocer childrens cookbook,serveral others too numerous to mention,all signed with love,your aunt…How could I posibly throw them away when they are signed with love your aunt,their is no way…but,my house is so full of keepsakes and antiques that I can hardly walk,but,the memories are so worth it,and I am so blessed that my aunt wanted me to love reading…We are snowed in here,have been all week,good thing I love to read!stay warm,blessed be,carol branum….ps. the bargin bin is the greatest!

  49. Susan Ruff says:

    Gone Away Lake and Return to Gone Away. Hands down my all time favorite. Nothing better than curling up with an old favorite.

  50. rebekah says:

    Hi Jackie! Well it sounds like you’ve done better than me! Again, a new author. I haven’t heard of Elsa Beskow! I can’t wait to read her!

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Celebrating Old Friends

“It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.” 
Ralph Waldo Emerson

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  1. Sherry says:

    My friend is Charlie..he is a year older than me at 52. My mom got him for her 18th birthday, and I glommed onto him. He is an old stuffed droopy hound dog with a teardrop in his eye and a rubber? face….He used to have a squeaker in his ear and he was white with really soft curly fur. He is now very dirty gray, now has no fur, no squeaker, torn ears and barely any pad left on his paws….but he still has the teardrop…and I still love him dearly. We always say..just like the velveteen rabbit…any stuffed animal loved that much just has to be real. I loved your post…and it brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes too.

  2. Sarah says:

    My special friend was Alice. Also a teddy bear. I felt the same way about dolls and barbies. Only needed my bear. She has had several repairs over the years. The biggest being when her arm nearly came off, that was pretty tragic. One time (when I was a preteen) I put makeup on Alice, blue eye shadow and pink blush. She stayed that way for years, and then I finally got a little tired of Alice looking that gaudy and luckily that makeup came off with hot water after all that time. She now sits in a basket on top of my bookshelf with several of her friends that have made it through all my moves. She will always be my special friend. 🙂

  3. Dianne says:

    Rebekah, Thanks for the nice blog. My best friend was a 24 inche doll with curly blonde hair and rubber hands. Every single finger had a bandage where the stiffing was coming out. One day I left her outside in the sun and when I found her she had a permanent tan. Oh, how I loved her. I could sit down and ball just thinking about her. One day, my Mom threw her in the trash because she was so bad looking with the tan and all. I had a meltdown. I cried and cried and demanded we go to the dump to find her. We never did go. Sad times they were. I was mad at Mom for a long, long, long time. Isn’t it great that your Mom had Seddy and that you have him again. Knowing how important something is to someone is such a wonderful bond. Many happy returns. Thanks DIanne PS I also can cry when I hear or see JT!!!

  4. Genevieve says:

    Aw, this made me cry. As a kid I always became super attached to my toys–I couldn’t imagine their not having thoughts and emotions just like me. I still feel an inexplicable, overwhelming tingling when I come across one of those old toys–must be the love.

  5. Becky G. says:

    Only a year ago my mother found, and returned to me, my favorite doll as a child . . . my Betsy Wetsy! She is probably about 52-55 years old by now, and I still love that little girl and her little pink dress made by my great grandmother – Ma Cook. How little we realize when we are young, how much these things will mean to us in our second childhood! Thanks so much! Becky G. in GA (FG Sis 1941)

  6. Ann says:

    My daughter (32) has a rabbit (Thumper) that she received when she was five. His whiskers are chewed on, and he is now flat,(we say he looks like a road kill rabbit) but he will be with her forever!

  7. mckee says:

    When I was 7, my mama got me a pink puff a lump ( a 80’s toy) and from then on, we were the best of friends! It went with me everywhere, and every time we moved, it was right by my side. All through my teen years and early adult it was on my bed. It is packed up right now, we are in between homes right now. But that is the first thing I am going to get out when we unpack everything!

  8. Judy T. says:

    What a beautiful post! I cried to. Glad you found your bear. I must try the recipe, the cupcakes look so good. I could use some chocolate right now.

  9. Frances says:

    I find your words powerful and sweet. My friend was also a bear, light colored blue. His name is Jazz. I still have him and he is also missing some important parts. I replaced his eyes with buttons when I was 10 or so. They have long since fallen off too. Perhaps I should sew some more buttons on so he can see again. 🙂 I keep Jazz on a high boy in my guest bedroom. I know he is safe there.

  10. carol branum says:

    Becka your daughter is adorable…great post…my favorite is a scarecrow from the movie the wizzard of oz and I still have him after all of these years.have a great day,it is snowing hard here so try to stay warm,blessed be,carol

  11. Brenda says:

    I also have my childhood bear. He is not very big and has one of those rubber faces with a sad mouth and his eyes painted on closed. He is made by the Knickerbocker in this good ol’ USA and the tag also says he is washable but I am afraid to wash him because he might fall apart. His fuzzy hair is half missing and since I am 53 I would guess he is too. His name is Boo Boo, only reason I can think I named him this is because I loved the Yogi Bear cartoon when I was a child. This was a sweet post and I certainly will check out the cupcake recipe!

  12. Cheri says:

    I LOVE this post. Mine is a lamb, I got her when my little sister was born. I was, hmm, 9 years old when my mom planned on gifts for us for each day that she expected to be gone at the hospital. She thought ahead. Lambie is an awesome neck pillow- WAY BEFORE anyone sold them for that. He went along on many horse shows, was never lost in the hotel rooms (ok that is when i was in high school and college) and is at my home still. He is now on my daughters bed. Now she has a piglet, that looks alot like your bear. It is great to hear similar stories. You cant PLAN on a specific toy becoming their favorite, it just happens. THANKS

  13. Ann says:

    Rebekah, thanks for your post, I no longer feel silly for loving my "Blahs" to this day – 3 baby blankets my parents purchased before I was born. I swear, they have their own personalities, and nothing else can comfort me as much as their warmth on my feet at night (can you believe, they only reach to my knees but I once used them to play dress-up. Over the years they have lost their edging, have changed from white to a grey-ish color, and I think one is about to disintegrate, but when I get married, they will be coming with me under the guise of "for my future children" 🙂

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A Random Year

How this post came to be? Well, I started thinking about 2010. And I started wondering about your 2010 too. Was yours good? Or not so good? In thinking about mine, I considered what it brought, what it didn’t bring, what I lost, what I gained. Like most years, there was both good and bad, both joy and pain, both peace and turmoil.

So how best to represent 2010? How about random photos? You know, not the ones I pick and choose for a particular blog post. Just random picks here.

Continue reading

  1. karen says:

    Thank you….that was a wonderful post…I love the ‘randomness’ of it!

  2. Kris Hundt says:

    What a fabulous idea. Thanks for sharing.

  3. Genevieve says:

    Aw, that’s delightful! Life is made up of the small moments, no?

    And HELLO, you are GORGEOUS without makeup! Seriously, between you and MaryJane, I MUST know how y’all keep yourselves looking so young and glowing!

    Nice post,
    Gen

  4. JoEllen says:

    I totally agree with the post about you looking gorgeous! Wish I looked like that without makeup! So nice to see you and Maryjane together — you both look like true soul sisters! Love looking at the snippets of your life — what a great idea to take a photos of each month and choose one to make a memory book out of — I’m going to do that this year. Thanks for letting us inside your life and thoughts — they do inspire, bring peace, and creativity!

  5. Helen says:

    This is such a fun post. I know you didn’t ask, but my favorite photo is the birds on the fence. About 2010, I say good riddance!

  6. Patty says:

    Lovely post, I do hope you left those invaders to feast. They are the larvae of the swallowtail butterfly, they feed on dill and fennel and most things in that family including Queen Anne’s Lace. Next year plant an extra row for them, usually when they find a food source they’ll come back!

  7. Wendy says:

    Thanks Rebekah! I’ve been gone for a while. Somehow fell off your blog post. I forgot just how much I love your post. This is my first in a while and I feel like I’ve missed an old friend. Thanks for all the great thoughts and pics. I love the cow!!! Thanks also for celebrating your year with us. Looking forward to catching up with the older posts that I’ve been missed! Happy 2011!!!

  8. Missy says:

    Charming post. Thank you for taking us on the nostalgic photo jounrney of the past year. It was delightful because instead of just telling us about your past year you took us on a wonderful ride and exposed us to your authentic month by month journey. I too shoot photos almost everyday. I keep or share many of them with my family who are scattered accross the states it somehow keeps us connected. Thank you for such a clever and brilliant way to share 2010! Farmgirl #604

  9. Debbie says:

    Hey Rebekah!
    Thanks for the peak at your 2010… We had our share of everything in 2010 but it ended on a high note and I am feeling very optimistic about 2011! Yep, you and Mary Jane DEFINITLEY have that farmgirl glow happening! LOVE IT!

    See you here next time…
    Love and Beach Blessings,
    Deb

  10. Kristy says:

    I seem to have missed the green tomato marmalade. What is it? Not that I would ever have extra green tomatoes. I love those so much I barely get any red tomatoes.

  11. rebekah says:

    Hi Everybody! Thanks for your sweet and wonderful comments! I find such joy and wisdom in your words. Thank you for every single one–they are all precious to me! I read and re-read them. It helps me to know that this is a worthwhile endeavor. So thank you for that! I’m hugging each one of you!
    I wanted to put up the link to the Green Tomato Marmalade recipe for Kristy. I had quite a lot of green tomatoes this year and didn’t know what to do with them all. The Marmalade was very good. Definitely like a breakfast jelly/jam, sweet.
    http://www.rebekahteal.com/2010/11/little-green-tomatoes.html
    Thanks for a great 2010! Looking forward to learning more about Farmgirling with you in 2011! Love you all!

  12. meredith says:

    Oh, if I only looked that good with a bare face! Ha! Farmgirl life has given me a "oudoorsy look"! I loved your post- it has inspired me to make a small scrapbook of last year. What a fine project for each January! Thank you!

  13. Judy says:

    Great blog! I loved the way you presented your year in such an interesting and random way. The photo of you and MaryJane is beautiful. I feel blessed to have found this community of like-minded women. I appreciate what you do and always find inspiration in your posts. Have a great 2011 and keep us closely informed about your undertakings and adventures.

  14. Keleen says:

    What a sweet, sweet picture of your mother-in-law and your daughter! I can’t help wondering how much we have missed when we trended away from generational living. Thanks for including that photo.

  15. Joan D. McGuigan says:

    LOVED your post and the photos. Especially enjoyed you selections of out of the ordinary / non-typical pictures for various months. It gave me a new ways to look at the months. You are inspiring! My favorite was the one of your mother-in-law with your daughter…a very touching, poignant moment.
    Thank you for sharing your gifts, Rebekah!

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