tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post6030036268463299863..comments2024-03-22T17:14:03.969-04:00Comments on The Cottage Nest: The Great EscapeJen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-51655308976392549442014-06-18T13:39:31.838-04:002014-06-18T13:39:31.838-04:00have you read Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns? ...have you read Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns? You should. i also love the Mitford books as your first commenter posted. :) and i'm super curious to hear your opinions on the rest of the stack. :) sounds like we need to email about books too! :)Kimber-Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10868316866491561515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-32079360659206701242014-06-17T22:53:06.655-04:002014-06-17T22:53:06.655-04:00Jen, I would just love to grab a good summer read ...Jen, I would just love to grab a good summer read (probably one of Mary Kay Andrews), park myself on your lovely new porch furniture (in my favorite color, I might add) and sip a tall glass of sweet iced tea. No words needed...just the sweet sounds of summer and the compatible silence shared between two good friends. Yvonne from North Carolinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16819251575570091182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-62931463001531970132014-06-16T19:49:55.366-04:002014-06-16T19:49:55.366-04:00I read over 70 novels in 2013 and my favorite by f...I read over 70 novels in 2013 and my favorite by far was Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler. So so good. Also love anything by Joshilyn Jackson, Anne Rivers Siddons, and Adriana Trigiani. Also try The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05264759053486803657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-55419377877664027202014-06-16T19:49:51.068-04:002014-06-16T19:49:51.068-04:00I read over 70 novels in 2013 and my favorite by f...I read over 70 novels in 2013 and my favorite by far was Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler. So so good. Also love anything by Joshilyn Jackson, Anne Rivers Siddons, and Adriana Trigiani. Also try The Apple Orchard by Susan Wiggs.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05264759053486803657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-82454207075254250392014-06-15T23:33:43.164-04:002014-06-15T23:33:43.164-04:00I just read The Whole 30 because I was tired of IB...I just read The Whole 30 because I was tired of IBS controlling my life and dissatisfied with the treatment my GI doc prescribed. I'm now on a gluten, diary and (mostly) sugar free diet. I've also cut way back on my consumption of coffee and for the first time in decades I'm not plagued with constant abdominal pain and exhaustion. I've tossed out the medication prescribed to me that made me feel worse than ever and I'm hoping my dietary changes will prevent me from developing an autoimmune disorder that I'm genetically predisposed to on my dad's side of the family. I can truly say that the book changed my life! On the lighter side, I also read the latest in the Bridgett Jones series. I love me a humorous book as an escape from everyday stress.<br /><br />I love your new porch furniture and the pillow that I'm sure you stitched up! Darn on the roof repair!Vickie @ Ranger 911https://www.blogger.com/profile/12847126296813987337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-78551414433966110542014-06-13T18:09:06.969-04:002014-06-13T18:09:06.969-04:00Gods in Alabama made me laugh out loud so many tim...Gods in Alabama made me laugh out loud so many times--a good read that is somewhat literary as well as fun to read!nannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02929727558577488718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-15564903578753388442014-06-13T18:08:03.243-04:002014-06-13T18:08:03.243-04:00The School of Essential Ingredients is wonderful &...The School of Essential Ingredients is wonderful & magical!!nannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02929727558577488718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-79418024754048134702014-06-13T18:06:59.928-04:002014-06-13T18:06:59.928-04:00LOVE the mitford series! on my list of "comf...LOVE the mitford series! on my list of "comfort books".nannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02929727558577488718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-70818943845294066012014-06-13T18:05:37.410-04:002014-06-13T18:05:37.410-04:00Jen, in the summer my go-to reads are childrens...Jen, in the summer my go-to reads are childrens'/young adult lit. The Anne of Green Gables series, A Girl of the Limberlost (classic set in indiana), The Children of Greene Knowe series (not well known here, british series....the first book has a lot of description of the actual garden at the home of the author---so many new & classic titles to choose from!!nannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02929727558577488718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-2044763045606043002014-06-13T18:00:37.667-04:002014-06-13T18:00:37.667-04:00these are wonderful books, particularly for a gard...these are wonderful books, particularly for a gardener. The Enchanted April was made into a film years ago, one of my favorite "small" movies. Just gorgeous to watch.nannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02929727558577488718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-87349335179362958072014-06-13T17:59:17.225-04:002014-06-13T17:59:17.225-04:00i was about to recommend these books to jen as the...i was about to recommend these books to jen as the perfect summer read/escape! love the small town settings, the way she works a little magical realism into her stories, the quirky characters and her charming, hypnotic writing style. <br /><br />nannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02929727558577488718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-80664195990570742742014-06-12T18:21:33.155-04:002014-06-12T18:21:33.155-04:00I love reading as well and try to spend as much of...I love reading as well and try to spend as much of my free time reading as possible. I love sitting in the yard with the pool fountain on while I read. We are frequent visitors to our local library. <br />Kellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04104100135764091440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-80035172792599253742014-06-12T13:00:33.805-04:002014-06-12T13:00:33.805-04:00I love all the books mentioned!!! I too have decid...I love all the books mentioned!!! I too have decided to spend more reading time this summer~slowing the pace of life to read especially outdoors surrounded by the sound of birds and the scent of all my flower beds! great Indiana long summer days and evenings with a splendid book! Way to go, ~~~the slow life at last!!<br />Enjoy! LoriLorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13260211673617167087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-63185653920144027742014-06-12T09:23:31.056-04:002014-06-12T09:23:31.056-04:00If you don't already know Sarah Addison Allen,...If you don't already know Sarah Addison Allen, I'm pretty sure you will love her and her books. Read the Just so you know section on her site and you will be charmed. I have read all her books but I strongly recommend Garden Spell and The Sugar Queen. http://www.sarahaddisonallen.com/index.html<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05254541412975960200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-20329422277596897232014-06-11T16:27:24.901-04:002014-06-11T16:27:24.901-04:00I loved The Language of Flowers and would highly r...I loved The Language of Flowers and would highly recommend it. The best book I've red in the last 2 years was Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. I avoided it for a long time because it is not the type of book I typically enjoy...but I was absolutely fascinated by this amazing true story. Happy reading!Charla Liedahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796959628598271551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-2800983352628236262014-06-11T15:40:05.954-04:002014-06-11T15:40:05.954-04:00I am loving Elizabeth and Her German Garden, by El...I am loving Elizabeth and Her German Garden, by Elizabeth Von Arnim. She is also the writer of The Enchanted April, also an excellent read set in Italy and England. And also a wonderful movie. My go to read when we go to the Oregon Coast each June is That Camden Summer, by Lavyrie Spencer. Set in New England on the sea coast, with a gutsy lady as the star. Wonderful story. Enjoy! KitKithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17821207596562393224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-33636755315269098702014-06-11T08:45:46.255-04:002014-06-11T08:45:46.255-04:00I just finished the violets of march. A very eas...I just finished the violets of march. A very easy and fun read. My husband was up north (it's a Michigan thing) and I read the book in 2 days. Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01634110921192329625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-7163870447849873572014-06-10T16:55:02.565-04:002014-06-10T16:55:02.565-04:00I really enjoyed Listening is an Act of Love. It&...I really enjoyed Listening is an Act of Love. It's about the StoryCorp Project on NPR, so if you are familiar with StoryCorp you will enjoy the book. For fiction I enjoyed The Marriage Bureau for Rich People and Major Pettigrew's last stand. I've read your blog for a while now and I really think you would enjoy both of these. They have a calm, beautiful arc to the story that (in my mind at least) match the mood I pick up when reading your blog. I found both rewarding.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-3791155010856880272014-06-10T16:09:29.233-04:002014-06-10T16:09:29.233-04:00I wish I had that kind of time. My summer is spent...I wish I had that kind of time. My summer is spent helping my disabled Brother find housing and hopefully moving him after our Mom died and I just moved myself back from out of state. I have been packing , unpacking, moving since February and now I get to do it all for him again as he is unable to function normally. Between the packing, sorting Moms things and constant driving in traffic I am spending my summer frazzled and in constant state of stress. I get to spend a total of he entire summer in hell dealing with him and his problems To have a life of nothing but sitting reading must be wonderful. I cannot imagine not having extreme stress or nothing to do every day but that. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-37393007796286028482014-06-10T15:45:48.088-04:002014-06-10T15:45:48.088-04:00HI Jen......ok, got my list of all time FAVORITES,...HI Jen......ok, got my list of all time FAVORITES, the books i have to read every so often for comforts sake; Some are non-fiction and revolve around farm life, the others are well known favorites;-<br />Bean Blossom Dreams Sallyann Murphey, A Country Year by Sue Hubbell, Barefoot Summers by Faith Andrews Bedford (a former Country Living contributing writer, excellent short stories of her life), Once there was a Farm by Virginia Bell Dabney, 50 Acres and a Poodle by Jeanne Laskas, A Place called Sweet Apple by Celestine Sibley about her life renovating a log cabin in the country. The fiction books I love are The Mitford Series, Bridges of Madison County by Robert Waller, Nicolas Sparks books are enjoyable too! I have jotted down suggestions from others here and look forward to adding to my favorites list!!!Ironstone and Pinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04786696719222689306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-28070614558573251112014-06-10T15:14:13.531-04:002014-06-10T15:14:13.531-04:00HI Jen! Mitford series gets my vote too.........h...HI Jen! Mitford series gets my vote too.........has been a long time since I visited "Father Tim" and the rest of the Mitford gang, but those first books of the series are wonderful, enjoyable reads!dphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15489949512200563040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-35077670880398087152014-06-10T14:46:58.308-04:002014-06-10T14:46:58.308-04:00Oh my, sorry about the unexpected expenses! Those ...Oh my, sorry about the unexpected expenses! Those big ones (the porch roof!) are the worst kind of surprise. As for books, I have to agree with Rachel, The Mitford Series comes to mind immediately as a wonderful series of books, some of my favorites.Kathleen Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-28777635825412772912014-06-10T11:41:57.058-04:002014-06-10T11:41:57.058-04:00I am longing to carve out some time for reading. I...I am longing to carve out some time for reading. I may just have to escape for a day to the beach. Love the pillow, and looks like a good porch project. I am guessing you put that one together. So sorry about the porch roof. Seems like when we have a project around here, one just naturally leads to another. Have fun reading. Oh, and I am reading Finding Spiritual Whitespace new by Bonnie Gray.Empty Nest Full Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01614775825338921445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-40181833298953285902014-06-10T11:38:28.903-04:002014-06-10T11:38:28.903-04:00The Mitford Series, like so many others mentioned,...The Mitford Series, like so many others mentioned, is a delightful escape. The Miss Buncle books (3 in the series) by D. E. Stevenson are very fun. The Scent of Water by Elizabeth Goudge is wonderful, and your daughter might like The Little White Horse by the same author (my 10 year old daughter did).Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16902958185595093827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-62772273944760146962014-06-10T11:28:36.048-04:002014-06-10T11:28:36.048-04:00I totally feel your pain about the roof...our hous...I totally feel your pain about the roof...our house is always needing something major done, and sometimes it gets discouraging. Our furnace and central air units are the original of the house - 26 years old! - so we're living on borrowed time with those. We need all new windows and siding, too. And the master bedroom? Still has the original carpet. :-o So, on to better subjects: books. I'm an avid reader, too. Are you on Goodreads? If so, you can follow me on there. I loved all the books you mentioned. Have you read The Obituary Writer by Ann Hood? Other suggestions: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet; The Baker's Daughter; The Lost Wife; The Language of Flowers; Water for Elephants.Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.com