maple leaves

When the trees look like this each autumn, after being amazed by how beautiful it is, I always think of the book Look What I Did with a Leaf! by Morteza E. Sohi. If you can get your hands on a copy, it is the perfect guide for some creative crafts on a fall afternoon. I have put a copy on hold at the library and we are heading out to gather what has fallen of the sugar maples right now!

Images: flickriver, myowlbarn, jannahsteps

i heart mini clothespins

Why is it that some things are even better when miniature? This is true for mini clothespins. They are the perfect decorative touch, great for gift wrapping and can be all dressed up for fancy occasions... 

 Images: etsy, wanelo, etsy, creaturecomforts, etsy

illustrations of autumn in children's literature

Images: Elsa Beskow, Muth's Zen Ghosts, Tudor's Pumpkin Moonshine, Cooney's Ox-Cart Man, Denise's Oliver Finds His Way, Scarry's I Am a Bunny

clever charlotte

clever charlotte is the brainchild of two gals who grew tired of searching for sewing patterns that were just right for their young daughters and instead created them! The result of their efforts is the site clever charlotte , part shop for the wonderful, modern patterns and part blog (with helpful sewing tutorials).
I am quite smitten with the chickadee blouse and skirt, but all of it is really terrific.....

 All images: Clever Charlotte

The Godfather as Lifestyle Movie

Long before Nancy Meyer's movies' beautiful interiors (Something's Gotta Give, It's Complicated) sent fans in search of perfect croissants and casual flower arrangements, the Godfather's rich images of food, family, and religion sold viewers on an idealized Italian-American lifestyle (with a generous side helping of vengeance). I rewatched the Godfather last night for the first time in years and, as a nesting thirty-something, was much more taken with the lifestyle side of the movie than I was with the themes of honor and revenge, which for some reason captivated me during my late teens and early twenties. So, dear readers, here are a few of my favorite Home and Gardens moments from the 1972 Oscar winner:

Lovely Tudor-style home (filmed on Staten Island)

Luxist.com

City gardening, complete with wine and fruit

from the Godfather wiki

Hats

mptvimages.com

Travel

Interesting post about Bar Vitelli here

Unforgettable cannoli

(Apparently an improvised line--read more here)

Italian cookies (served at Connie's wedding)

from the We Love Astoria blog

And, of course, a spectacular wedding

1972 Paramount Pictures

Lay Baby Lay

The blog Lay Baby Lay is filled with beautifully orchestrated inspiration boards for children's rooms, mostly nurseries, by Joni the custom sign maker of chocolatebutterbean. Her choices are full of great art, color and energy- but most impressively she includes complete source lists. So thanks for the all the great ideas AND links!

 Images: laybabylay

Transfer to Washington. Transfer to Jefferson. No one at Westerberg is going to let you play their reindeer games.

If you are familiar with the quote from the title of this post, then you must know the 1988 film Heathers. Something I bet you did not know (I wish I could un-learn it) is that Bravo TV wants to reboot the cult classic and pick up 20 years later, with a show focusing on the teenage daughters of the original movie's characters.
Can you imagine? Some things are better left alone!

Images: ohnotheydidn't, movieposter ,mamapop , neatorama

Cheers

I have said it before, and I am sure I will again, that I am a big Amy Poehler and Parks and Recreation fan. I loved seeing this quote from her:

"I hope and assume that every good comedy writer, no matter the age, has a moment where they discover how great Cheers is," says Poehler, who regularly watches Cheers episodes in her Parks & Recreation trailer. "And I would encourage any young person getting into comedy to sit down and watch it."

Not only did I agree, having been a Cheers Fan since the 6th grade (which as a mom now I think is perhaps inappropriate...), but it also lead me to the fantastic article in GQ,  "The Best TV Show That's Ever Been". It is about the creation and duration of the 11 season comedy and includes insight from creators, writers and actors.
I remember eagerly anticipating the finale of the series. It actually aired the night before my last official day of high school. You know how folks sometimes say they grew up watching something....I guess that is how I can describe this much revered sitcom. I grew up watching Cheers and was pleasantly surprised to find out from the article that all 275 episodes are on Netflix. If you are a fan of the old show, or just want to read an interesting entertainment piece, check out the article from the October 2012 GQ!

Image: wikipedia

Mr. Putter and Tabby

This summer we started reading the Mr. Putter and Tabby series, an early reader collaboration from author Cynthia Rylant and illustrator Arthur Howard. Every couple of weeks I bring home another volume with my library haul and we are never disappointed. Rylant and Howard are not only in tune with the needs of new readers, they fill the tales of the every day with a kind humor and curiosity that appeals to any audience.

 

The elderly Mr.Putter may be a bit "creaky", but he and his Tabby cat- along with their fiery grandmotherly neighbor, Mrs. Teaberry, and her bulldog Zeke- have plenty of adventures. There is excitement in the simple because of Rylant's engaging storytelling and Howard's always expressive illustration. The stories have action, conflict and are often very touching- they offer all of this while the characters row a boat or paint a porch or pick some pears. The world Rylant and Howard share is funny, warm and bright and it is one that we look forward to visiting again and again.

Images: mrleepersbookshelf,  juiniorlibraryguild,  juniorlibraryguild

Banned Books Week

It is the 30th anniversary of the annual event held to celebrate the freedom to read. The American Library Association's Banned Books Week starts today and their site provides a history of the celebration, information about banned or challenged books, and a calendar of events throughout the week.

An interesting addition to Banned Book Week is the Virtual Read Out Page. The following comes from the page and explains how you or your local library could participate.

"For the second year in a row, readers from across the country and around the world will be able to participate virtually in the 30^th anniversary celebration of Banned Books Week, Sept. 30 – Oct.6. Participants may proclaim the importance of the freedom to read by posting videos that will be featured on a dedicated Banned Books Week Virtual Read-Out YouTube channel.

Instructions on how libraries can participate in the event can be found on the How your library can participate in the Banned Books Week Virtual Read-out! page. If your organization will host a Banned Books Virtual Read-Out, consider using this free promotional poster.
Video criteria

• Videos (no more than two minutes long) can be submitted by anyone as long as it includes a reading of a banned or challenged book. The video must include information on where and why the book was banned or challenged. You may also wish to add your thoughts on the importance of keeping that particular book on library or bookstore shelves.
• Videos of up to three minutes long can be submitted giving eyewitness accounts of local challenges.
• For those who are camera shy, you can still participate in the Banned Books Virtual Read-out by creating a video montage that centers on banned/challenged books. Thomas University created a video last year that can be used as an example.

Submitting your video
Submit your video by filling out this form. You must have a YouTube/Gmail account in order to upload to YouTube."

So spread the word and happy reading!

 Image: ALA