- What can I do with the hour glass?
- How can I start writing my own books/diaries?
- Is there really a use to the broom?

1. Roleplay
2. You must do it in real life.
3. Roleplay.

For a journal if you're on the pc you can either make one using the CS, or for ease try this mod** http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=15294 .
** I've not actualy tried this mod so I can offer no idea if it's for you.

If you're playing on a console and have access to a non game pc, write it down in text and make a back up of it to keep.
Otherwise p&p it, or maybe there is a document format or website that a console player could use?? but I have no clue about that sorry.

If you are on PC, Kyoma's Journal Mod is a must.
The other two questions, There is no use, except for decorating or roleplaying.

Some of my characters use some of the "clutter." One of my mages makes extensive use of a crystal ball, for instance. Also, I use the above mentioned journal mod. It works well. You can write in separate books and/or scrolls, and you can also keep a running "journal." You can also set the journal to require your character to have a quill and ink in order to write.

I would think that if you were going to do a lot of alchemy, you might want to assemble a complete "lab," with not just your alchemy equipment, but also scales, an hour glass, and various vials and jugs.

I'm wondering where I might find a scamp brain in a beaker... :wink_smile:

Yes, I always do that. Some times I litter the floor with ingredients and 'failed' potionsm 'broken' apparatuses, it makes me feel completely insane.
And in every room of my house(s), there is an hourglass, what use is it if you don't know what time it is, as I like to think they run for 24 hours.