fresh corners

 
As we leave a season in which so much of our time is spent out - with our selves and our things scattered and in the open - we enter a new one in which we are quite literally closer together, our space tighter and our things nearer. We've been feeling the pull inside for a bit, and last week, there was a bit of rearranging to reflect that. The kind of living - play and work - that we do changes so very much from year to year and season to season at this point in our family life, and so, therefore, does our space.   

I carved out a little space for the playthings that are just now coming off the summer porch, where it's far too chilly now to play. The baskets will be pulled aside off the hearth once the wood stove really gets going for the season. Soon, I imagine.

So much watching and daydreaming happens right in front of those windows. Waiting for the birds, watching the leaves fall, and being surprised by visitors. With two little guys on the edge of reading by themselves (and one little girl who THINKS she can read All.By.Herself.) there's a lot more cozy, on the floor, snuggled up, solo reading happening here than we've ever had before.

And with the new nook came a new blanket. My sewing-for-pleasure time is limited at the moment, so this simple tied quilt was perfect. One little evening project for what will hopefully be a winter of cozy reading.

Comments

[Melissa!]

Areas for reading, snuggling & chatting here & there are the best!

[earthchick]

*sigh*

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I want to come live at your house!

[Jessica K]

What a sweet new blanket. Doesn't it make you proud to see them wanting to read on their own? It makes you feel like you've done something really good for them. (And Adelaide is just TOO CUTE cooking in her little apron!)

[Amy]

You have me missing fall awfully. No fall at all here in Malaysia just hot hot hot.

[Bex]

Oh! I just caught the "must move things about" bug from you!

[heather]

how fun it must be for the little ones that you recreate your living space so freely. i love the new cozy blanket and reading/bird watching corner, sweet and memorable.

[lottie]

beautiful. it all looks like such a creative space, filled with possibility for the winter ahead.

[ilse]

Hi Amanda,

Can we please come and live with you ?!

I wish I could be in this lovely new corner in your home right now. Ooh it looks so cozy and warm.
Let the new season begin !

I love this posts, having a little peek in to your lovely home ! thank you so much for this beauty.

[karen a toronto]

love what you've done to this corner, love the blanket, impressed by the numbers of books (thought my daughter had too much books but was wrong :o) and you never have enough books. )

[Stefani]

it looks like a warm and inspiring place to cal home,amanda :-)

[jean]

my favorite season is at the door. love the cozy corners.

[jennifer]

lovely - i love all the nooks that develop and are in a constant state of rearrangement. little ones are so creative for that and offer a delightful inspiration. thanks for sharing the snuggly images.

[Rachel]

Having a lovely cozy little reading nook in your home sounds like the perfect way nurture your young readers.

[Eren]

My oldest two are on the verge of reading as well...such an exciting time. Isnt it? It is difficult to contain myself wanting to just bubble over with joy at the new adventures solo reading will bring to them. Great reading nook and love the tied quilt. I just finished my first one this week. Happy Tuesday Amanda!

[Blair]

I love your take on your world amanda. That blanket is perfect too!

[Kelly]

Wow - my first reaction is this looks like such a fertile place for a child's imagination to take wing. Your kids must be thrilled with it!

[Tara]

Once again, I'm inspired. Off to create a new cozy book/snuggle corner!

[Melissa]

I love this post. These are the eye treats that I stop by for ;o)

[UNIFORM Studio]

I love that quilt -the fabric and rickrack are perfect.

[greenemother]

When I see pictures like this, that are real and not posed, it makes me sigh a happy sigh. Yet, I also get just a touch of sadness, because some children never get the chance to reach this level of contentment. It just shows what a great mother you are, that you can attain what some only dream of. What peaceful pictures.

[jessica]

your house is so inspiring! all the natural materials-- the careful selection of toys-- things i aspire to.

thanks :)

[Anne]

What a cozy nook that is; I want to read there too. Is that a little doll house or farm?

[Heather Wilson]

i love that reading space you created. My boys have one of their own as well.I think it is almost a mandatory space for a winter in Maine, no?
I found a sign that says "once upon a time" that hangs above the bean bags where they sit.

That quilt is adorable and I might have to use it for inspiration as my boys have been dragging the quilts off their beds to cuddle with throughout the house. The ricrac is perfect on it!

have a fabulous day!!!

[julia]

how wonderful. makes me want to cuddle up in a corner with with a quilt and a book as well. looks beautiful. thanks!

[camerashymomma]

what a beautifully warm room. each season does bring rearranging, doesn't it? thanks for sharing this inspiring corner in preparation for the winter!

[Qalballah]

Ah I love your cosy corner!

[Anna]

Your home seems so warm and cozy! What beautiful toys your children have to play with.

[Amy Curran]

This room is beautiful. We just created a shared "playroom" at our house. I need to get some pics up.

[charlotte]

cozy, indeed! love the shot of Adelaide in her apron so busy at the stove...and the boys reading at the window. imagine them calling over to her, whatchamakin? xoC

[RonikaLeigh]

Amanda,
Your blog offers me a needed break from my stressful workday, and inspiration for the time that I have to myself. Thank you so much for that sunny window into your life and home. Enjoy the Season inside.

[Laura]

I want to move in. Everything always seems so perfect in any state it's in when it's in your house.

[Sarah]

I don't know if you have time to answer my question...so no big deal if you don't but...do you keep all of your books out all of the time or do you rotate your selection? I have been trying to decide if I should pull some books off of the shelf or just let Felix have access to our whole collection. I think you mentioned at one point that you have a seasonal book area? I see that some baskets have labels...

I love the coziness of your new space. Very inspirational. :)

[Ella]

look at all those books!! The boys look cozy and A is ever busy with her play. i love your little quilt.

[Kristy]

Those windows are amazing!

[Veronica TM]

a perfect corner, a perfect quilt, so cozy!

[Kristin]

So cozy and sweet. I miss those play kitchen days with my little ones. And the book nook! What fun!

[julie]

What a warm and inviting home you have... so cozy!

[SOULEMAMA]

Someone asked about the farmhouse - it's by Ostheimer.

Sarah - about the books. Yes, we keep most of them out always. The chapter books, poetry, and short stories are on a shelf in their bedroom. Vintage children's books and textbooks are on another shelf in this room. And on the bookshelf in the little nook are picture books. Board books are on the opposite side of the nook. The baskets are all full of non-fiction organized by loose categories like, "animals,", "science and nature," "people and history,", and "nature". And the seasonal books are in a basket by themselves as well. Oh - and the learn-to-read books have their own home too.

Okay, writing that all out makes it sound a little obsessive. But with sooo many books and sooo much reading happening, it is heavenly to know *relatively* where something is when we look for it. It also helps me look at our selection and see where our holes are in literature, and what we have plenty of.

The kids are sometimes into putting the books in their spot and sometimes not. It's not a big deal - I just go through from time to time and move them about.

I hope that helps!

[Amy]

Oh, Amanda. This is the coziest corner I've ever seen. I want to come play!

[kelly mccaleb]

what heaven for a child!

[Kelly]

looks so cozy!

[Nancy Cook]

Lovely
I don't know if you have time to respond but, I would love to know more about the kitchen that Adelaide is playing with. I am in the market for one. Also, I love the simple hand tied quilt. Is there instructions for that you could pass along? Thanks

[eesh]

I love your home. I can only hope that when my daughter grows up I can watch and appreciate such wonderful transformations in her.

I would also like to know where you got that kitchen Adelaide is playing with. I've been looking everywhere for one just like that for my daughter.

[Nikki]

So pretty!!!! Reading time by windows is so wonderful for the imagination. Totally digging your blog Amanda.

[SOULEMAMA]

Hi all! The kitchen. Yes. It's from Elves & Angels - a wonderful, homeschooling, rural Maine family company. Their website has disappeared, and it looks like they might have been bought by Nova Natural - another wonderful source for wooden toys. We have Lucy's Kitchen, which is here:
http://www.novanatural.com/s.nl;jsessionid=0a0014481f43d235a0b8b4734d769d9c9040282f7ce3.e3eTaxiNaN0Te34Pa38Ta38Pax10?it=A&id=942

And, Nancy - the blanket is really just two square pieces of fabric and a piece of batting. I sewed all three pieces together, leaving an opening to turn inside out. Turned it inside out, pressed, and topstitched the edges. Added rick rack. And then tied it in 12 or so places through the blanket. It was a super quickie. But now there are no worries when it gets dragged everywhere, likely stained, etc. Hope that helps!

[tara pollard pakosta]

how fun and cozy!
i want to come snuggle up with them and read a story!!! how FUN!
thanks for sharing your delightful life with us!
tara

[bubbachic]

What a TOTALLY magical little space - love it

Dee
x

[Lane_like_the_street]

I was brought to you by Shenuts--just want to say I love your blog, and ask you a question:
Does your wood stove just go out the wall? Or is there a chimney out there? Or...? I am desperate for a wood stove out here but we just bought our first house and there were other priorities for our money-- other choices needed to be made. Just wondering if it would be easy to put one in...or even safe without a chimney...

[Marissa]

wow, it looks like it would be so wonderful to be a child in your home or I think I'd be happy there now as an adult it seems so warm and full of creativity

[beth]

We're a sort of Waldorfy, homeschooling family to 3.5 year old DS and 10 month old DD. We just ordered an Elves and Angels kitchen and fridge for them to share for Christmas to replace an old curbside find they had before ;) Your pic totally inspires me.

I'm already plotting next year's holiday gifts, which will probably be a doll, pram, and high chair for DD. I'm wondering if you can tell me about the little high chair? The scale is nice and small which is what I want :)

Love these photos. Your blog helps me set the tone for our day around here and is a daily reminder of what I value for our family...outside time, quiet time, creativity, warmth, love, good food, good cheer, good company.