Yesterday was a crock-pot day. Actually, there were two crocks simmering side-by-side with homemade goodness. One with a hearty beef stew. The other filled with a rich vegetable bean soup, made rich with the addition of a tablespoon of butter. (Here's a tip: When you make a vegetarian bean dish or soup--with dried beans, the addition of butter will make them so much more tender and flavorful.) Well, the house smelled wonderful all day. By dinnertime all I had to do was heat French rolls, plate up some sharp raw cheese and fresh fruit. A simple meal that was like a warm hug on a cold night. The girls take over in the kitchen today. I like this tag-team cooking schedule. I like it a lot!
I'm ever so s-l-o-w-l-y re-hauling a few rooms and unearthing "treasure" in the process. Making space. Starting fresh. And parting with a few books; scanning a few pictures I want to remember. Like these. I love woodstoves. In our last house, we had one similar to this in an upstairs studio/family/bedroom. Oh, That Room! It was an all-purpose mega-space that seemed even larger with its high open beam ceilings and enormous windows. The big black 'Pioneer Box' sat front and slightly off-center in the middle of the room radiating heat in every direction all winter long. I loved it. I also love the push-button central heating in our current house; no more hauling wood over a rickety slippery upstairs deck!
These photos are taken from a book called, Making The Most of Small Spaces. It's an awesome little book with home improvement ideas and creative storage solutions that draw insiration from seaside huts, cozy cottages and other challenging spaces. And I'm giving it away! Leave a comment on this post to throw your name in the hat if you are interested. Please know that I truly regret I cannot ship freebies overseas and abroad due to the high cost of postage. But I can share a few more photos. . .
Now back to the book shelf for more hidden treasure....
UPDATED 1-16: Thank you all for your comments, a winner has been chosen!
Oooh! This books looks wonderful! I live in a really tiny, 1 bedroom apartment and would love to take a look at this book. Thanks for sharing and the chance to win!
Posted by: Laura | January 09, 2013 at 05:39 PM
I love that woodstove! I grew up with a woodstove for our primary heat, so I totally understand missing the stove but not the wood hauling :) thank you for offering a copy of the book!
Posted by: Allison | January 09, 2013 at 06:44 PM
Love the bookshelves and the wee window seat. It really looks like a charming book and I thought we were catching glimpses of your home. =D
Your meal sounds delightful. A bit of butter adds some flavor to nearly everything. We had cheesy corn chowder for supper tonight. It's cold out there and it sure went a long way toward warming us up.
Posted by: Vee | January 09, 2013 at 06:46 PM
we have a wood stove which we like.
thanks for the tip about the butter in the beans
Posted by: Carrie P. | January 09, 2013 at 07:07 PM
Oh! What a wonderful book! My house has lots of rooms, but they are all a bit on the small side, so I am sure I would find lots of useful ideas in it. I love the thought of a wood stove, but can't imagine what it would be like to manage one. I've never lived anyplace cold enough where wood stoves are common, so have never even seen one in person!
Posted by: Jenny B Harris | January 09, 2013 at 07:18 PM
What a beautiful and useful book! I do not have what I would consider a small house, but it doesn't have ANY closets at all, not one, so I'm always on the lookout for creative ways to store things. Preferably attractive ways, shoving things into a plastic tub is not my idea of pretty. :)
Posted by: Jane S. | January 09, 2013 at 08:40 PM
Our farmhouse has cozy spaces too.. I'd love to see that book!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | January 09, 2013 at 09:17 PM
I love the shelves and window seat with the pillows! It looks like a great book!
Posted by: Sophie | January 10, 2013 at 12:47 AM
Oh yes, yes, please throw my name in the pot for the book. I love those bookcases in the first photo. I have so many books and that looks like something I could do to solve a storage problem. I always look forward to your updates. Butter makes everything better in my opinion.
Posted by: Sandy | January 10, 2013 at 06:35 AM
I'll throw my name in, that looks like a wonderful book!
Posted by: Mrs. Worcester | January 10, 2013 at 11:29 AM
Oh! That looks like a pretty book! We're a family of four living in a 2 bedroom home and can use some inspiration. Thanks for being so generous!
Posted by: Ana | January 10, 2013 at 04:59 PM
The book looks delightful and I've been wanting it since I saw it not too long ago.
Warmly,
Tonya
Posted by: Tonya | January 10, 2013 at 05:37 PM
Small spaces are cozy. Thank you for the chance to win!
Posted by: Patty | January 10, 2013 at 05:43 PM
I enjoy your blog....thanks for sharing.
Posted by: katherine | January 11, 2013 at 04:27 AM
Love this blog, I recently found it and am an avid sticher! Thankyou for such an inspiring sight!
Posted by: Bella Hughes | January 12, 2013 at 09:27 AM
Love love love your blog I have been a follower for years and have ordered alot of things from Pattern Bee
always love everything I get !
I would be delighted to win the book ,always looking for new inspiration.
Posted by: Diana Clark | January 12, 2013 at 01:38 PM