One of My Favorite Things: The Old Book Barn

I'm struck this morning with the sometime-associated-Christmas song "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music.  Strains of Julie Andrews' voice & the lyrics are circling my mind, and I am finding myself humming.  Why?  Well, some pretty obvious reasons:

a).  It's Christmastime.

b).  Music has always been a big part of my holiday season, and thus one of "my favorite things."

c).  Between the "brown paper packages tied up with strings" and the wrapping galore that's happening in my house around me, it makes sense.

But add in, yesterday I went to one of my favorite places in the world yesterday.  No, not Paris, Rome, or somewhere exotic on that scale, but a nirvana in and of itself for me.

The Old Book Barn!

I've written about this gem of Forsyth, Illinois before (see my June 27th, 2011 blog entry).  With over 200,000 books (the lion share are reused), it's a book lover's dream....and a great "green" example!  It is always one of my stops when I'm in the neighborhood.  My classroom always gets a major boost to its library after a stop here, as I take home a bag-full of "gently used" books.  My own children love pouring over the Kids' Section (pictured above with the Christmas tree!)  Of course, at this time of the year, the Christmas room is magical in and of itself!!  Yes, it is easy to lose yourself in the stacks, and time flies at the Old Book Barn. 

So, until they open up a franchise on the East Coast (and I tried to talk them into it when I was there!), I'll have to savor my visits as I get them!!  And savor, I do!! 

Pictures from my camera; Video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfbB0p-yyLA