Hot Cocoa, Handcrafts and a New Command Center!

We enjoyed such mild weather today! It was so sunny, and the air felt soft (if that makes sense) and smelled almost like Spring. Even so, the boys and I thought it was a good day for cocoa! So my "Tuesday Tea" this week was hot chocolate with a dollop of whipped cream and a small shake of cinnamon sugar. This mug was a gift from another homeschooling mom years ago ... it was made locally and I just love its earthy colors and texture. :)

And speaking of gifts, I'd like to show you some lovely things made for me by two kind and thoughtful friends ...

The first is this pretty tea towel, hand-sewn by Elizabeth:

Isn't it beautiful? The colors are just perfect with my kitchen! And the nostalgic pattern reminds me of my new set of mixing bowls:

:)

And Theresa crocheted these sweet kitty toys for my Archie and Ollie:

As you might expect, the kittens are simply smitten with them ...

❤ I am so grateful to Elizabeth and Theresa for their lovely and thoughtful, gifts. I will treasure them always! ❤

Now, before I go I must give you all a peek at my new desk - aka "command center!"

Here's how it looks from my "tea corner" where I'm sitting at this very moment ... that's Bill figuring out the wiring underneath.

I think it fits the corner very well!

(My "corner office," lol.)

I will do a follow up desk post (more than one, most likely) once I have all my 'stuff' arranged. I love how clean and clutter-free it looks, and I'll try to keep that in mind as I arrange. ;)

Well, my friends, thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope you all had a nice Tuesday, and I hope your night brings you much comfort and rest. Tomorrow is a busy day for us ~ we're hosting Bookworm's Brit Lit group here in the morning, so I may not "check in" till after lunch. So if I don't make it on early - have a good Wednesday as well!

❤

Comments

[Dawn]

Tanya, thank you so much for trying to help out Denise! And Denise, I'm sorry I can't help you with your issue! I'll ask Bill if he has any ideas, but I think without having internet access you might not be able to access my blog.

I'll let you know if I think of anything ...

[Tanya W]

Sorry Denise....I imagined that you were viewing on a laptop at a clients and would have access to the browser at home but no net access. Too bad...I hope you are able to find a solution!

[Denise]

Thanks for the suggestion, Tanya, though I'm not sure what it means. :-) I usually just "save" to a memory stick, & then view it on my home computer (which isn't connected to internet.) I'll keep trying. I'm really bummed!

[Tanya W]

Dawn, I was thinking a bit about Denise's problem.

Denise, have you tried subscribing to Dawn's page via the RSS?? (the "Subscribe to this blog's feed" link under the recent commment on the right hand sidebar) If you subscribe, it will update your feed into your browser when you are connected and Dawn' posts should be available to you offline...though often the pics don't show if you aren't connected. That might be a way of being able to enjoy the posts until you can save the page again. Hope you are able to find a way around the glitch :) Take care!

[Dawn]

Thank you so much, everyone! :)

Teresa ~ LOL! Bill is actually a-ok with me abandoning that pull out rolling file crate cage. We plan to put it to good use! (I'll post all about it, of course.)

Donna ~ Yes, right outside those windows is a large spruce tree around which we hang and post all our feeders. We call it our "nature study window." :)

Gill ~ Thank you so much for the book suggestions! I need to update the boys' book lists - they're quite outdated!

Denise ~ I'm so sorry, but I'm not sure how to remedy your problem. I haven't changed any settings recently - perhaps it's a glitch with Typepad? If I figure something out I will let you know.

Blessings, all!
~ Dawn

[Denise]

Very thoughtful of your husband! Thanks for sharing it with us! Now, I have a problem. I don't have internet at home, so I "save" two blogs that I just can't live without, one is yours, of course! However, the last several days, the page "can not be saved." Or so the pop-up message says. Any ideas how I CAN save it to read at home? I use the internet at my client's, but don't have time to actually read while there. Besides, I like savoring your post & the other. Any help greatly appreciated.

[Tanya W]

Absolutely love your desk~ as other readers have said, it looks perfect in that corner. We have a very worn out computer desk that we could use a corner desk like that in place of....must show this post to Steve and see if he thinks something similar would work for us. I really love how it works with your room too....keeps everything cosy :) And I'm sure you'll like having your command center back with everything (file crate included) together.

And your hot chocolate looks super yummy. You've just reminded me I have a carton of whipping cream in the fridge.....yum.

Your sweet gifts are lovely too :)Take care and have a great Wednesday!

[Maralena]

Having a beautiful corner and gorgeous desk reminds me of something Miss Charlotte Mason said: "Ideas are held in that thought environment which surrounds the child as an atmosphere, in which he breathes in unconscious ideas of right living emanating from his parents."
Love your blog. Love your thoughts on organization. Love your environmental homey atmosphere.

[Beth]

The new desk looks great! What a perfect fit for that corner. I think it will be so nice for you to have a desk to keep everything organized - and still be able to watch the birds and squirrels!

[Elizabeth Quigley]

Hi Dawn,
How pretty. The view is great. I am so happy you are enjoying my little gift. I love to hand sew.
Blessings,
Elizabeth

[Greta]

Your new desk is lovely! I can't wait to see what you do with it. My own desk needs some serious reorganization, so I am hoping you will give me some inspiration.

[Helene]

I love how the white looks with the wall and furniture colors.

[Nancy]

Dawn...I have always loved that room! How I long to have a room with windows like yours...to be able to have such a view of the outside!! The desk looks perfect! Thanks for always being willing to share your home!!

[Gill]

I am looking forwards to hearing about the book group. My son has enjoyed so many of the books you have recommended and I am so grateful for these posts/booklists. May I suggest one to you? We have just started "The History Keepers" series, by Damian Dibben. Book one is "The Storm Begins". The hero is a 14 yr old Londoner,Jake, and he is about to set off to find his parents who are lost somewhere in time...possibly 19th century France! It is very promising and book two is out soon :)
I would really like to hear from your boys about the books they are enjoying too ;)

[Kristie]

Oh, its so pretty! And it looks wonderful tucked under the windows! Can't wait to see it all set up.

[Theresa]

The desk looks great! I agree with Trish... I'm coveting too, although I don't have a corner to put it in. :)

So fun to see the cats enjoying the toys. The kids enjoyed looking at the pictures of them with their toys.

[donna]

I don't know if I would get anything done with a desk near a window - what is the view like? Is that tree a spot for some bird watching? Really looks lovely!

Looks like at least one kitty is feeling better - I do hope they will be alright.

[Teresa in Ohio]

Dawn,
How perfect of a fit right up under the window frames! I was so sad when you said you were changing that room, but I love the coziness you have created. I would much rather curl up on that furniture and do school than the hard chairs and table:) One question though- How is Bill handling the fact that your file crate cabinet will most likely be empty???? What will you use that space for now? Can't wait to see the planning posts and all the decorative access. you will use.lol
Have a great night
Teresa in Ohio

[Penny]

What a perfect fit - I am SURE you will dream up many wonderful ideas in this location!

(and the cocoa looks pretty darn good too :))

Those are some super sweet gifts. Such nice handwork!

[trish]

Oh great. Now I'm coveting! Looks awesome. Very happy for you.Thanks for sharing.-trish

[Ellie]

Oh how exciting! You new desk looks wonderful! Have fun organzing everything!