"STILLMEADOW"

When I discovered this book at Goodwill for $2.99 no less, I was beyond thrilled. I swear my heart beat a little faster, this book Stillmeadow Sampler is a first edition in it's original jacket and in perfect condition. Stillmeadow books by author Gladys Taber are stories about her life at her beloved 1690's cape encompassed by 40 acres and a pond. "Stillmeadow isn't just a house and land, it is a way of living" writes Gladys Taber. It is a way of living with tranquility, with joy and purposefulness. Also residing at Stillmeadow were a bevy of Cocker Spaniels, an Irish Setter and at different times a cantankerous feline. Her books are pure joy to read and reread, and if you are fortunate to find one for sale, for pete sakes buy it! Saturday's outdoor plans were postponed due to thunder storms and torrential rains. The kind of weather which makes you happy it's a Saturday and you have the luxury of pulling the covers up and linger in bed a bit longer. But by mid-morning the rains had subsided enough for DH to suggest a drive. Knowing that one of my favorite destinations is driving up Route One traversing the mid-Maine coast, where at this time of year the countryside is ablaze with lupine. Lovely blue, purple, pink and white lupines.

Lupines as far as the eye can see.

and Buttercups too.

and then you come to this

Cowshit corner, yup you read it correctly. One never knows what you may find on drives such as these, just look what I happened to spy off in a wooded thicket. The most adorable house, okay tiny cottage, but enchanting nonetheless. It was love at first sight for me.

The front of the cottage exposed hand chinked logs

and the rear looked out upon a stream. One could almost envision faeries and gnomes close at hand. How perfect this tiny building would look tucked in my woods. Well, I can dream can't I? Further down the road we passed another interesting home- it was properly named The "Octagon House" with it's own pond and lots of fowl roaming the dooryard.

More brilliant Lupine

And then we came upon this, Elmer's Antique Barn. DH knows I am always on the lookout for antique "yard art" and this looked like the perfect spot to browse. The first floor was actually kind of scary, no really scary. I was actually waiting for mice or rats to jump out from the dark corners or worse, spiders to fall from the rafters. I almost passed going up to the second floor, but figured I'm here I might as well give it a go. Then, I had no more placed my feet on the second floor when there it was the "mother load" organized on a shelf marked with the letter "T", T for Taber, Stillmeadow books! I have never seen so many of Mrs. Taber's books (other than our library) in one location. I was like a child in a candy store, finally DH said he was starving, and yes we could go to Moody's Diner and yes I could get pie. I hated to leave the books behind and yes DH offered to purchase all of them for me, but I didn't want to be greedy, but I did choose three. Stillmeadow Day Book, What Cooks At Stillmeadow and Especially Dogs. I am going to savor each and every sentence.

You can bet I will be going back to Elmer's, there is a third floor!!!!! oh and I never did get my pie....