Scene of the Blog-- Kelly of The Novel Bookworm

If you're looking for a blog with humor, an eclectic mix of books, giveaways, and features on beloved (and under-appreciated) books, you definitely need to stop by and see Kelly at The Novel Bookworm!

I have to admit that I love her header photo. Yes, on the surface it may appear to be the usual shelf of books, but several of those books look well-loved. This isn't a picture postcard book shelf; these books have been read. They're friends. I look at that photo and stories immediately start popping into my head, so that's why I like it. Don't bother telling me that I'm strange. That's old news, folks!

Let's pop on over to Kelly's house in California and see where she does all that creative blogging! I think Kelly might have some birthday cake ready for us because this is a special Scene of the Blog. You'll see why!

(Don't forget...you can click on the photos to view them full size.)

I used to have this whole little setup in the closet of my "guest room", which was really turning into my library. I'd removed the closet doors and put oak shelves above the desk. I now have a house guest, and I've had to move my poor little desk, etc. into the living room and put my printer on an end table. Since I had to move out of my little room, my books are now stacked all over the place; some under a table in the upstairs hall, some spread out among 3 bedrooms, in the family room and living room. (Okay...with a few migrating to the kitchen and laundry room!) I'm looking forward to getting my space back, but in the mean time, I'm coping very well!

The reason I love my wee little desk may not be apparent in the pictures. I found it sitting on an elderly lady's front porch. It had been holding pots of plants and getting rained on for years. She put it up for sale for $25. She had purchased it from an old library that was being torn down 40 years before. When I pulled out the writing table, you might notice in the back a round hole and a little cutout groove. The groove was for pens and the round hole which looks like a cup holder is actually an inkwell. The little gold plaque read July 27, '09, The Burkhardt Furniture Co., Dayton, O. The table isn't probably worth anything to anyone but me. It was in pretty rough shape cosmetically, and I did have to sand it and refinish it. I didn't have to do anything else though, and it remains as sturdy as when it was built.

I love the idea of writing on a library table that is just a hair shy of 100 years old. But then, I love older useable stuff: I also sew quilts, and all the machines I use were built between 1948-1956. (I think it's a family thing; my hubby also restores vintage motorcycles and has an old Autocycle from 1946 built by the Norman company in England. It's the kind of old bike you pedaled like a bicycle to start the engine.)

When Kelly told me that her desk was going to be 100 years old at the end of July, I just had to schedule her feature so that we could all celebrate its birthday. I think it is soooooo cool that she cleaned that desk up, refinished it, and brought it in off a porch so it could be used as it was originally intended, don't you? It's lovely! Happy Birthday, Kelly's desk!

Although Kelly might not have the ideal blogging situation at the moment, you wouldn't notice it from the quality of her posts. She's making the best of a slightly uncomfortable situation. I do have to admit that I was sitting here staring at that wallpaper border. I keep wanting to walk over that little bridge and go sit in the gazebo! (Why are you looking at me like that? And why are you leading me into this little room with the upholstery all over the walls??)

Thank you so much for sharing your space with us, Kelly...and for sharing the story about your very special desk. We really appreciate it!

Don't forget to stop by next week when another book blogger's creative space will be featured here on Kittling: Books!