Tuesday, December 23, 2008

"Everything in Order in the Sideboard"

"She sifted powdered sugar over the great platter of beautifully brown crisp doughnuts . . . she cleaned the fine old family silver, and got out the best long tablecloth to look it over for possible breaks, counted out the napkins, and arranged everything in order in the sideboard so that the dinner tomorrow would be assembled with the least possible effort . . . .

--Grace Livingston Hill, The Substitute Guest

7 comments:

YayaOrchid said...

What a pretty word picture of anticipation of a get together...and of domesticity.

Polly said...

As soon as I read "she sifted.." I knew this was from The Substitute Guest! I love, love, love the details of domesticity in that book. It was the first of a few Grace Livingston Hill books I've read and my favorite thus far. Also love the description of Alan in the guest room (the hot water bottle! the lavender scented bed! the warm flannel pajamas! the cozy fire!). And the breakfast with forget-me-nots.

DealFinder said...

And what an atmosphere of serenity. Praying for such an atmosphere today as I finish preparations for tonight and tomorrow while surrounded by three little boys!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Jennie, for reminding of dear Grace Liviningston Hill. This is one of my favorites that I like to re-read at Christmas. She was your mom and my favorite author in our younger years. Such simplicity and purity. I'm so glad that your health is improving little bit by little bit. Have a wonderful Christmas with all your family around you this year! Love to you and Caleb. - Aunt Colleen :)

Anonymous said...

"The Substitute Guest" is one of my very favorites and I reread it each year. I, too, am a fan of GLH's lengthy descriptions! :-)

Martha A. said...

Awww, my all time favorite GLH book!!! I lvove this one and doesn;t it always make you so hungry for food and beauty? I love the oatmeal description in there too!

Rhonda said...

I LOVE Grace Livingston Hill books. I just finished re-reading for the umpteenth time:
The Christmas Bride,
Brentwood, and
The Challengers.
There are so many others that I love!
Lone Point
A Daily Rate
Rainbow Cottage
The Girl of the Woods
I have many, many of her books and I think that no other author compares to the simple charm and beauty that her writings invoke.

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