Thank You and Some Unrelated Sunday Ramblings

Thanks so much everyone for the book orders. This week I received a note on a book order from Marianne. She wrote "I hope that your book is a success and that the knitters and crafters have been able to help you, The Farmer, and Julia to maintain the farm and your lovely, colorful country home." This note really hit home with me this week as I packed orders. It actually made me cry. I reached out to you all and so many readers have ordered books. I think this is one of the most wonderful things that has come of the internet for our family. I have watched Kickstarter campaigns, and other crowd-funding campaigns and contributed to some that I truly believed in. I guess this was my own version of a Kickstarter and I am so thankful for all the orders. I know that the economy isn't great yet for most of us (will it ever be?) and that you could have just as easily ordered from somewhere else so Thank You!

I have processed all books ordered received on or before the 18th (last Sunday) and they will be going to the Post Office tomorrow. Jim, the Postmaster, has me in come during his lunchtime so that I do not hold up other customers - gotta love a small town! I have another shipment of books coming tomorrow evening (fingers crossed they get here before the storm) which will cover all orders in house with extra for any incoming orders. There is still time to order and receive the freebies that I am including. Check it out here.  

Here are some interesting things I have found this week.
• My friend and fellow author and blogger Jane Brocket, is offering Free PDF downloads of her Grand Provincial Tour Series. Jane is the author of many, many books. She had plans to go the self-publishing route with a travel series called "Brocket in My Pocket". After some problems which she outlines in this blog post, she has decided to give away the first 3 for free. They are guides of UK cities from her perspective - which is smart, literary, homey, crafty, quilty, and design based. Check them out on her blog here.

Photo Rikki Snyder

•When I designed our kitchen here at the farm, there were 2 pieces of furniture that had to be used. One of them was my grandmother's Seller's Cabinet. I painted it bright orange. It has a flour bin and I store baking supplies and other things in it. This week on the Houzz.com website, they featured a photo of Gram's cabinet and profile these very American hardworking pieces of furniture. Check it out here. 

Inside the left hand door, there is a flour bin that I still use.

Photo Rikki Snyder

Tucked on the inside of the door is a little tool for the housewife - a shopping list called "Daily Reminders." These were the days of calling the market and home delivery was an option. Very cool that this paper has survived. Does anyone else have one of these cabinets? I love mine to death and I am sure Gram would be happy it is still being used.

The rolled portion of my cabinet is broken. I have never had the patience to take it apart and fix it. Instead, I made curtains out of some antique embroidered sleeves from a man's garment and hung them on a curtain rod. 

Photo Rikki Snyder

• I listen to a lot of podcasts while I am working. Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge does a great one. She has just put a round-up of all her 100 episodes splitting them into categories. For those of you who enjoy podcasts but not be totally designed obsessed, this break down will make it easier to pick and choose which to listen to. Check it out here.

There is a blizzard warning. This afternoon they are predicting 12 to 24" of snow. UGH is all I can say. I'm bringing in wood like crazy. The Farmer is prepping the barns and making sure there is plenty of hay ready for the sheep. Julia is looking forward to time off school. Have a great Sunday everyone.