Sunday, June 6, 2010

"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....

17 comments:

Cedar ... said...

wow,...my kind of place!

Kathy in KY said...

Ah! Your posting today made my evening here at sun-set in KY. Beautiful pix of the flowers, and the neat little cottage - yes I could envision faeries and gnomes along the creek. Thanks for sharing with us. Take care, from KY. And have a great Monday evening.

Farm Girl said...

What a lovely day! I am going to track down those books! They sound heavenly. I am still looking for that book you had in a post called " How to Shovel Manure." What a wonderful find. Your pictures as always are beautiful. The little house in the woods I am sure, is filled with "little folks from the woods." I might try Elmer's again too but it does look kinda creepy.
Thanks for giving me a tour. I just loved it.

Kim said...

Beautiful photos. The torrential rains and thunderstorms passed through Nova Scotia on Sunday. I posted some pics of Lupines last week too. I think they are so pretty.
Maybe you should ask hubby to build you a cute little gnome cottage - it was adorable.

Pondside said...

To continue with the theme from the first comment - my kind of day and my kind of place!

Rowan said...

What a lovely day out, I've never seen the lupins flowering in the wild. Must make my next US visit in June I think. The Gladys Taber books were a wonderful find especially Stillmeadow Sampler. I've come across her books occasionally but only read one, must see what I can find online.

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh, the last Taber book I saw was about 10 years ago and it was 40.00 in a used bookstore. I wanted it sooo, but couldn't justify that price tag. Even the best bloggers will not surpass holding a Stillmeadow book.

Unknown said...

Aren't thrifty finds great?! I will keep my eye out for Ms Taber's books, they sound very interesting. I wish Elmer's was closer to me, that blue pedestal sink looks intriguing!

Dog Trot Farm said...

I was remiss in mentioning that the books I purchased were 2 at $4.00 and one at $3.00.

Lisa said...

I drive right past Elmer's on my way with our IW to the dog chiropractor.
Elmer's does look "sketchy" indeed.My neighbor says it is the place to go for antique hinges as there are drawers of them. Maybe someday I'll stop in.

DayPhoto said...

StillMeadow is you!!! The lines sound just like you!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/

Rock River Stitches said...

Elmer's looks like my kind of place. Wish it was close to where I live. Now I think I need a junk fix. Maybe I will head out to our local antique mall and the goodwill on this rainy day.

Tammy

Genny said...

What a great deal, two books for $4!! I love the photos of all the wildflowers and the little cottage is just wonderful. I could definitely see myself in there. I'm going to have to read some Stillmeadow books. Your deal is better than mine (buy one box of Mrs. Paul's crunch fishsticks and get one free).

Anonymous said...

We drove up to Rockland from Southern Maine just last week and enjoyed all of the wild Lupines.......beautiful!! Thanks for the information about Gladys Taber.......I will be keeping an eye out for her books! Did not see Elmer's on our outing....would love to know what town it is in. We stopped at Nobleboro Antique Center....nice place! Moody's Diner is a great place to eat.....if you head south on Rt 1, be sure to stop at the Maine Diner for some Indian Pudding....SO good!
Cindy

Dog Trot Farm said...

Elmer's Barn and Antiques is located in Coopers Mills. I have dined at the Maine Diner and next time will try the Indian Pudding.

Eve said...

I LOVE that little log cottage Julie...wish I had one in my woods...bug free of course! Great finds...next time I come visit...this is what we'll be doing for sure!

Rural Rambler said...

The Lupines and Buttercups are beautiful! Elmer's looks a whole lot like one of our neighbors down the road a bit :) Oh the country life. I will be checking out Mrs. Taber's books.