This is a very special Scene of the Blog for me because I'm featuring one of the few book bloggers whom I've met in the flesh.
Kay and I kept bumping into each other all over the internet, as you do when you share a passion. We kept commenting on the same blogs, and I have no clue which one of us checked the other out first, but I'm glad it happened. We met last year at the perfect place: The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, and although I had a house guest and missed the opportunity of getting together this year, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for 2013. Kay is a fantastic lady, wonderful to talk with, and I felt as though we were old friends from the moment we clapped eyes on each other.
Kay puts out the welcome mat at Purple Sage and Scorpions, which is a friendly, informative blend of books, photography and family. If you haven't visited this lady's blog before, please do so without delay. You're missing out on a treat!
If you're a visitor from Purple Sage and Scorpions-- Welcome! I hope you enjoy the tour Kay has prepared for us. If you'd like to see any of the photos in a larger size, just click on them, and they'll open in a new window. If you'd like to see the creative spaces of previous participants, click on the Scene of the Blog tab at the very top of my header. There are two ways to search: by Blog Name and by Location. Now let's see where the magic happens!
My husband and I live outside of Georgetown, Texas, which is about 20 miles north of Austin. We built this house last year and moved in during one of the hottest and definitely the driest summers Texas has ever seen. It was 107 degrees the day we moved! I was very excited to get to have a library/office of my own, otherwise known as one of the spare bedrooms. Here's a look at it.
 |
| Kay's library/office |
I will freely admit that I'm one of those crazy people who always has a tidy, clean desk. It's a "need" of mine - a must, must, must. Anyway, I am also a desktop computer person. I just can't seem to manage a laptop. Must be all those years in an office. I have decorated the walls with pictures of one of my favorite places on earth, Oregon. We lived there for 3 years in the '90's and I love my pictures of favorite spots. Mount Hood is to my left and the shot above my computer is actually 3 phases of Mount St. Helen's - before eruption, during eruption, and afterward when the top of the mountain was gone. These are not photos but an artist's rendering that I got on a trip to Oregon last year.
 |
| Kay's cozy reading spot |
This is my cozy little reading corner. It has lots of natural light. My comfy recliner is well used these days, and I have a little table to my left for a cup of tea or coffee. I love the arched window that looks out onto our driveway and the special old live oak tree that lives right outside.
 |
| One of Kay's bookcases |
This bookcase used to live in my bedroom, along with its twin that sits by my recliner. Sadly, they don't make this furniture anymore or I would have gotten another bookcase. The picture to the left is of Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge - Oregon, again.
 |
| A very special bookcase |
This small bookcase is special to me because my grandfather made it for me when I was a little girl. It's dinged up and scratched, but it's just perfect beside my desk.
 |
| Shhh...Kay's book closet |
As I said, I'm a little picky about neatness. However, here's a peek at my book closet. Not so neat in there - my stacks have stacks. When we moved, I got rid of a very large amount of books that were shelved all over our old house. All my books live in my library room in this new house. These will one day migrate to the shelves, hopefully.
 |
| Kay's secondary reading spot |
My last picture is of my secondary reading location - our covered back porch. Once the awful mountain cedar pollen disappears, you'll be able to find me out here, book or Kindle in hand, reading the afternoon away.
======
I don't know about any of the rest of you, but I want to sneak into Kay's book closet and have a good nose around! The covered back porch looks like a wonderful place to read, and I know from experience with my own that those chairs are comfortable. (Her indoor reading corner is no slouch, either!)
The only other comment I'm going to make is... I wish I had neat desk syndrome. When I worked, I had absolutely no problem in keeping my desk whipped into shape, but that's never translated to my desk at home. *sigh* Do you think you could rub off on me the next time we meet, Kay? Pretty please?
In the mean time, I want to thank you for taking the time to show us your reading and blogging spaces. I know we all appreciate this glimpse into your home and your life!
Don't forget to stop by next Wednesday when I'll be featuring yet another book blogger from our wonderful worldwide community!
Cathy, thanks so much for iniviting me to be part of this feature. If we get to AZ in 2013, we'll definitely get together. And thanks so much for your kind words. I always love visiting here with you or there with you or wherever we might meet! LOL
ReplyDeleteI was just tickled that I could finally feature a blogger I'd actually met! That it was you... well, that was icing on my cake. :-)
Deleteso neat...I am getting a complex! lol
ReplyDeleteI must say that reading chair looks mighty inviting.
Don't get a complex, Caite. It's just me and my sense of "order". It's a pain a lot of the time. The reading chair is one of my favorite things - and more than a few naps have been taken in it!
DeleteThe closet...I have to empty mine out of all that non-important stuff and I can hide more books there! Lovely spaces Kay.
ReplyDeleteYes, Peggy, you've got the idea. Hide the books there and "no one" will ever find them or know how many you are sneaking in. LOL
DeleteWow, I wish Kay could come clean at my house - I'd love the neat look too! Very beautiful, Kay!
ReplyDeleteTidy, yes. Do I love cleaning house? Not so much, Jill. I have to talk myself into actual cleaning. :-)
DeleteI used to have neat desk syndrome but it got lost somewhere along the way. I LOVE the bookshelf her grandfather made - what a treasure to own!
ReplyDeleteKathy, it's not ornate or anything, just a plain ordinary bookshelf. I wouldn't take anything for it. :-)
DeleteI, too, have neat desk syndrome so I can relate and appreciate that. Love those Oregon photos, as well as that wonderfully placed reading chair right between two windows! What a perfect spot. :-)
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, it is a perfect spot for reading or catching a quick nap! LOL
DeleteI go in phases of having neat desk syndrome and losing control and just shutting the door to the office! My excuse used to be the kids, but with only one left at home, I've got to come up with another one.
ReplyDeleteNise', my entire house is not like this - well, it is sort of, but I've left my husband's office alone. He does not suffer from neat desk syndrome! LOL
DeleteI don't think you are a 'crazy' person for having an organized desk. I think neat people get a bad rap. I have always felt that the imagination can soar when the space around is orderly. If there is clutter, it makes my mind cluttered!
ReplyDeleteDo all the Oregon pics cool you off when the temps rise? :<)
I do love these 'scenes of the blog' and I was invited, but somehow feel too shy or something. I don't know. All I know is your spaces are great.
Once my bookshelves are full-ish, I cull. I have to be able to see all my books, and have them in order on the shelves.
Nan, you know that the neatness just makes me feel more in control. I haven't shown you what my drawers look like!! And, yes, the Oregon pics do make me feel cooler, although with a very nice A/C system, that's not really an actual problem. :-)
DeleteThanks for the tour. You have wonderful blogging and reading spaces. I understand the need for 'neatness'. I have semi-neat desk syndrome! I tolerate a little clutter and when it's too much, I start shredding and filing, anything to get rid of it.
ReplyDeleteLesle, yea!! A woman after my own heart. You can see the shredder on the far left side of the first picture. It gets used a lot. LOL
DeleteOur 'shredder' is the wood stove. :<)
DeleteShredders are wonderful things!
DeleteOh, I so wish I could have my own book closet. I also wish my house was that tidy. I enjoyed taking a peek at Kay's writing and reading spaces.
ReplyDeleteAnna, my house hasn't always been so tidy. My nature is to have a tidy house, but with just two of us here now, no one to un-tidy it much. When our girl was younger, different story. She decidedly did not inherit my tidy streak. :-)
DeleteI think it would. E woth the plane ticket alone just to peek n that book closet! Love all of your spots, most especially the outside spot!
ReplyDeleteStaci, you go ahead and get that ticket. I'd love to show you my book closet and read on the outdoor porch with you. We're going to be getting very hot soon though and the humidity is already here. Sigh.
DeleteSo tidy! I feel very guilty about all of the books I have scattered all about my house now...
ReplyDeleteStephanie @ Read in a Single Sitting
Oh, no, don't feel guilty. This is the first house that I've had this kind of set up. My last one had books in the living room and in bedrooms and in the closet and in.....you get the picture. I've never been able to have a dedicated library/office and I'm loving it. Only took 32 years of marriage to get there. LOL
DeleteEverything's so neat! I get a clean desk by sweeping everything into my "inbox" and by the end of the week, my "inbox" is teetering over ;-)
ReplyDeleteDebbie, it's just the way my mind works. I'm a very tidy cook too. In fact, I'm usually so busy cleaning up, I kind of forget to continue cooking. LOL
DeleteHey-- I'm a clean-as-I-go cook, too! I don't want to get stuck with everything at the end when everyone else is someplace having fun!
DeleteI wish I was neat like that too! I love the Oregon photos! You know what's funny is that I keep photos of the desert and rocky places on my computer background and calendar - especially in the winter when the rain is never-ceasing. The 107 degree move sounds painfully hot!
ReplyDeleteAlyce, when we lived in Oregon, I had pictures of Texas bluebonnets. Well, I still do, just not in my office.
DeleteWhat a lovely home and office space. I too am fortunate enough to have my own office/library at our house and although it is cluttered up badly, it's "mine" and I spend as much time in it as I can. May your air conditioning never break down, Kay.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, there's just something about having your "own" library space isn't there? Yes, hoping for no A/C problems. LOL
DeleteI have no idea how I came to miss your scene of the blog, Kay!. I know I've been away but I thought I'd caught most of what went on while I was in Cornwall. It appears not. I loved this to bits and am very envious of Cathy for having had the pleasure of meeting you.
ReplyDeleteWell, how nice that we are back to back on this feature, Cath! Seems suitable since we have chatted back and forth so much. And aren't you sweet - I'd love to meet you too. Who knows - maybe someday. :-)
Delete