Sunday 8 December 2013

Countdown to Christmas, a bird called Ted and an Award

British summertime is now a distant memory but there's still plenty to look forward to as autumn turns to winter. Christmas is just around the corner, and if you're looking for presents, I may have some ideas for you. Vintage books are always a joy to give and to receive.


Vintage annuals make delightful gifts.

A jolly good read.

Vintage illustrated story books for the one you love.

Or something from our 'Special Book Room'.

A Bird called Ted

Some of you will remember the story of a little wild bird called Ted and Janet the lady he lives with. If you want to refresh your memory, you can read the original post here. A few days ago, I received another email from Janet, with more photographs of Ted. Janet has kindly agreed to my reproducing both the email and the photographs here...


This is what Janet said... I go across the field to the woods every day to feed the wild birds. I saw a Woodcock yesterday, such a stunning bird and a real treat. Today, there was a squirrel which luckily, my dogs didn't see. The pheasants were there and as always, a Robin. I call if I can’t see him, and he always comes. I will go on Christmas Eve no matter what the weather and put out a feast for the next day.



It is very muddy in places, and today I got stuck and ended up with my boots full of mud and my trousers filthy. When I got home, I threw them in the sink and turned on the tap to rinse them. As you can see from the pictures, Ted decided to join in. The picture of him with his eyes closed is because he is actually under the stream of water. There are no pictures of him when he got out as I had to rush to fetch the hair drier before he got cold.  

What can I say? Janet is obviously a really caring person and Little Ted is adorable. Thank you so much for the update and 'photos Janet.


The Liebster Award

Last but certainly not least I want to thank Margitte over at Something Wordy for awarding my blog the Liebster Award. Having just got back from my holiday and with lots of Christmas orders to fulfil, I don’t have the time to answer the questions, but I do want to pass the award along.

The award does come with a few rules;

Link back to the blog that nominated you.
Answer the questions they set (sorry I broke that one!)
Nominate 10 blogs & let them know.
Ask 10 questions for the blogs you nominate to answer in their post.
Share a couple of random facts about yourself.

Some random facts about me; Book auctions and book fairs still give me a thrill even though I’ve been visiting them for a very long time. My favourite kind of shopping is book shopping, especially for second-hand books. I used to enjoy gardening and cooking, but I don’t find much time for those simple pleasures now. My days are spent surrounded by books, and I would not want it any other way.


MY QUESTIONS ARE
 Do you have a favourite Christmas song? If so what is it?
What or who inspired you to start writing your blog?
Do you remember the first book you ever read?
Do you prefer physical books or e-books?
Do you have a favourite Christmas movie? If so what is it?
Do you have a favourite series of books?
How often do you blog?
Do you blog about books or a mix of topics?
Do you have a favourite author?
If you won the lottery what would be the first thing you did?

MY 10 NOMINEES:


Update July 2016: All the featured books are now sold. March House books closed on my retirement in 2015, but I am still happily blogging here at March of Time Books. Your visits are always appreciated.


33 comments:

  1. These books are wonderful! And congratulations on your award! It is well deserved! I don't buy actual books for myself that often anymore, I download them to my Kindle because my house is becoming overrun, but Dan still treasures "real" books and I have made it my mission in life to find books that were published by Leary's Publishing Co. in Philadelphia. I have been quite successful and have gotten him some really cool books from different sites. He loves that bookstore so much, so I printed him a history of it and got a postcard from there as well. He was tickled!

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    1. Thanks Theresa, I was tickled pink to receive another award. I still don’t own a Kindle and can’t bring myself to buy one. I would feel I was being disloyal to the printed word – especially as I sell books. But I can see how useful they must be, especially when going on holiday.
      What a brilliant idea for a collection! I know some people collect anything published by Raphael Tuck or Penguin, but this is the first time I’ve heard of Leary’s. I will do a google search to see what I’ve been missing out on. Thanks for calling in and for your good wishes. Barbara.

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  2. That's a lovely story about Ted & Janet :)

    Congratulations on the award! :)

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    1. Thank you Nikki-ann. I love reading about Janet and Ted and am glad you enjoyed it too. Barbara

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  3. That's so nice, thank you Barbara!!

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    1. Not at all! You lovely blog really deserves the award. Barbara.

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  4. Good morning Barbara dear! Your book ideas are just fabulous and a book as such is a delightful surprise on Christmas day! And Ted.....what a darling little creature! We have "met" such friends on our summer walks and my husband rescued a sparrow one day from our furnace! He flew in through the chimney chute and my husband was able to save him, put him in our shower to get revived and then he flew off home.

    Wishing you a great week of Christmas preparation! Anita

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    1. Hello Anita, thank you so much for taking the time to call in and leave a comment I always enjoy hearing from you. I’m so glad 'your’ sparrow was able to fly home. There is so much cruelty in the world it's refreshing to know there are people like your husband and Janet in the world, it restores my faith in human nature. We always had injured birds or other injured/motherless creatures at home when I was a little girl (all part of living on a farm), and I’ve tended to carry on the tradition! Terry is for ever saying if there is an injured bird anywhere within a 50-mile radius it will make its way to our garden.
      Thank you for your good wishes. I hope your Christmas preparations are in full swing. Barbara xx

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  5. Yes I agree, books are a great gift! Ted is simply adorable!! This summer we had a young cardinal hit our window, he was stunned and sitting on the ground. I went out and sat on the bench next to him (to keep away predators) for about ten minutes until he was able to fly away. Thanks for this cute post!

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    1. Hello Diane, all my blogging friends have hearts of gold! I’m so glad you were around to look after that little bird in his time of need. I dread to think what might have happened had you not been there. Thanks so much for calling in and leaving a comment. I really appreciate it. Barbara.

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  6. Good for you on getting the Liebster award.
    You have a fave series from my childhood. I just loved Jennings and his adventures.

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  7. Thanks Roger. I am rather ashamed to admit I've never read a Jennings story - I was always too busy with the Famous Five and Secret Seven.

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    1. Completely different style but just as entertaining as Enid's work.

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  8. Wonderful blog, wonderful books, as always, Barbara. Whatever would we do without the printed word? (and our blogger friends, of course!) x

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    1. Hello Marilyn, I hate to think! My life would certainly be poorer without books and blogging friends. Thanks for calling in.

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  9. Hello there, Ted the bird! teeeheee

    Barbara my friend! Thank you for coming over tonight! I have a desire to focus on nature this year for the holidays, and with all the photos of nature, I could not resist my impulses! Yes, it takes hours to gather picture and then figure out what I'm going to say, but I so enjoy this type of work.

    Have a wonderful week! Anita

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    1. Your latest post is absolutely beautiful Anita, and well worth all your hard work. Judging from all the comments on your blog, I’m not alone in thinking that!
      I hope your week is more than wonderful! Barbara.

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  10. What a great collection of books. It was nice to see Ted again. So cute! Things are gearing up for Christmas here too. Did the tree today.

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    1. Well done Darlene! I'm intending to get up early tomorrow to do my tree. I love all the Christmas lights they really cheer up the dark nights. Thanks for visiting. Barbara.

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  11. Another wonderful post!
    I adore Ted, he's such a cutie and certainly appears to love that water. I've been browsing through your collection of books and am in awe of some of the wonders in your shop. It's just heavenly to be surrounded by books, searching for vintage treasures is one of my favourite pastimes too.

    Congratulations on your award, you deserved it!

    Have a brilliant day Barbara x

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    1. Thanks Yvonne, you do say the nicest things! Ted is adorable, and it was lovely to get an update from Janet. I would be out searching every day if I had the time, there is nothing more exciting than finding something rare or unusual – I love it.
      Good luck with your hunting I hope you find lots of nice things in the run-up to Christmas. Barbara xx

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  12. Loving hearing more about Ted, I'm so pleased he's no worse for his watery adventure.

    Well done on your award, its very much deserved and thanks for thinking of me.

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    1. Thank you Tracy, I wasn’t certain how you felt about awards. I know some people love them but just as many hate them! I hope you will enjoy it, and if you do I will look forward to reading your answers.
      Glad you enjoyed hearing more about Little Ted.

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  13. Loved getting an update on Ted. What a cutie! Glad he has someone who is so caring helping to keep him safe (and warm). :)

    Congrats on the award! And thanks for sharing so many wonderful ideas for the holidays. I love the idea of giving friends and family secondhand books that are meaningful to them in some way. :) Almost everyone on my list wants a gift card of some sort- so maybe I will have to add my own touch to the gift giving. Thanks!

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    1. Hi Stephanie, I couldn’t agree more about Ted. It's lovely to know that he is being looked after.
      Gift cards are a good idea (I like getting them too), but it’s nice to have something personal. My sister sometimes gives me a gift card but there is always a little something extra added. I think it shows the gift giver has put some thought into it.
      Thanks for your visit, Barbara.

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  14. Hi Barbara,
    Wonderful collection of books. I got so many new ideas and books for my growing buddy. Loved each one of them ! I enjoyed browsing through your rest of the wonderful posts. It was a real delight to see and learn so much from your each and every post. Hope to see more of your creative endeavors in the New Year.
    Have a wonderful Holiday Season and stay Warm !
    Best Regards, Sonia

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    1. Hello Sonia, Thank you so much for your visit and your lovely comment. I’m glad you found a few ideas and enjoyed browsing through the posts.
      I wish you all the very best for Christmas and the New Year and will be over to visit with you soon. Barbara.

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  15. Barbara! Thank you, but Help, Help! I don't know who to send them to? What do I do?

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    1. Please don't worry, I will pop over to your blog and let you know what to do. Barbara.

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  16. Vintage books make really endearing gifts and it is terrific to hear about Ted and Janet again! Makes me happy to know Ted is having such a wonderful time hanging out with Janet. Congrats on the award, Barbara. I know how it is like to be surrounded by books. No other way will do!

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    1. Thanks Claudine, glad you enjoyed the update – I did too.

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  17. How sweet and caring your friend Janet is. I'm sure that sweet little bird waits for her.
    Congrats on your award.

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    1. I think Ted is a very lucky little bird indeed to have Janet to care for him. Thanks for the congratulations; it is always nice to receive an award.

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx