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A Mom's Year

Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time

February 15, 2011

My Risky Bookcase

A month ago, I posted a photo of the recently completed, empty built-in bookcase in our loft. I linked to this beautifully decorated bookcase by Design Mom and said that I didn’t have it in me to sort books by color. They have to be organized by genre. And then alphabetized by author.

Well. This blogging has unleashed all sorts of craziness and it turns out I can group books by color. And actually enjoy it.

The best part of this project was walking around the house looking for items to stick on the shelves. The Winnie-the-Pooh bookends that had been tucked away have been given new life. The handprint art that my mom helped Will and Lily make for me one Mother’s Day and the little Chinese doll given to us by dear friends when we were waiting to bring Lily home are in a much more visible place now. They make me smile whenever I walk by.

Is it strange to have a Beatrix Potter piggybank and an Airsoft gun target in such close proximity? Probably. But I had to cover up the unsightly gaggle of speaker wires on the bottom shelf and that was the only black thing I could find. Let’s call it eclectic.

I couldn’t bring myself to separate some of the series like Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia so they’re still living happily together on other bookshelves. But I still think this shelf adventure shows true growth in the risk-taking department.

So how about you? What risks have you taken decorating- or otherwise? Have you stepped outside your comfort zone lately?

  • Have you seen the amazing work of Finnish mom Adele Enerson? Her series of “When My Baby Sleeps” photos are incredibly creative and just plain fun to look at. My favorite is the Princess and the Pea.
  • I never ate Nutella growing up. But Tim did (maybe from his family’s years in England?). At any rate, my kids love it and I’m sure they’ll love this Nutella French Toast recipe from One Ordinary Day.
  • These colorful streamer invitations would set such a fun tone for a party.
  • This mother-daughter journal might be a wonderful thing to do with Lexie. Maybe I’ll order one to give to her on Mother’s Day.
  • Day 46 of the 100 Push-Ups Challenge. Whose idea was this, anyway?

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Filed Under: Decorating Shannon

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Hello! My name is Shannon Taylor. I'm a long-time writer and editor from Minnesota surprised to find myself on an island in the Pacific Northwest. I'm sharing this adventure with my husband, four kids, and two dogs. I “published” my first newsletter when I was nine, and I’ve loved sharing ideas, stories, and information ever since. I hope you find something here to inspire you and help you create a comfortable, cozy life.
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Will’s rowing coach sends daily updates that sta Will’s rowing coach sends daily updates that start with quotes like “The most dazzling human achievements are, in fact, the aggregate of countless individual elements, each of which is, in a sense, ordinary” (Angela Duckworth, author of GRIT). I’m not sure if all the rowing parents are getting these or if it’s just me because Coach Bruce despaired of Will checking his messages, but I appreciate the encouragement and inspiration! There’s something special about people who love something so much they’re compelled to share it, even when they could be resting on their (literal Olympic) laurels, and Bruce Beall is definitely one of those people. Good coaches and teachers are truly a blessing and a gift. (Yes, the reality of this being Will’s last season is hitting me.) @bainbridge.island.rowing
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