An obsession with books

It's cold outside, but I am warm and cozy in my home library! Though it still needs a lounge or library wing chair or armchair (I haven't decided yet), the library is basically done. Our treasured antique Turkish rug takes centre stage and the bookcases have lined one full wall. Books and treasured decorative finds and gifts from friends are also on display. Here's a sneek peek folks:

 From a slightly different perspective.

And some close-ups:

A few of the awards hubby and I have received for doing work in the community.

Some of my favourite Palestinian pottery in front of the AMARAH civilisation books.

I love this black and white silk painting given by my little brother Salam. The painting is from a market in Malaysia.

And the shelves showcasing the books for my PhD.

Mind you most of these books in the library are mine- hubby's are in his office at work, but in the next few months, he will have to bring them home while his office building is being refurbished. I wonder if there is enough room? Hmm. I guess I will have to share.

Packing Time!

What a busy few days! I have managed to ruthlessly declutter my closet (giving away about 40-50 items of clothing- makes me sick to think that I had that much to give away in the first place), yet my closet still looks quite full. I will have to reassess the situation in a few weeks time and see if I can give more away.

And I got my youngest boy to declutter his toy drawers. I am proud to say that he was willing to give many of his toys so that other kids could have a chance to play with them. He also decided to give away many of his books. So this is what our decluttering has amounted to (minus my two bags of clothes I took to LifeLine today or gave away to friends):

But I think this is only the start. I will get my other kids to declutter their rooms when they get home from the farm tomorrow.

I have also started packing. I know we haven't received a handover date yet, but by all indications it looks like it will be end of June. And with my commitments to uni, community and family, I don't want to panic and be overwhelmed end of June because there is just so much to do.

So far, I have packed most of my linen closet, keeping only a few towels and a set of sheets for each bed out. I have also packed away most of our books, leaving only my books I need for my PhD. And this my friends is what one bookcase packed looks like:

I still have 2 more bookcases to do. While it hasn't been difficult to declutter my closet, I find it very difficult to part with my books. I still have books I read in high school, carrying them from the US to Malaysia and now finally Australia. My books are too precious to me. But I know I will eventually have to summon the courage to give them away, if I truly want to comitt to living minimally.