"Plant a new truffula. Treat it with care. Give it clean water, and feed it fresh air. ..."

Although it was first published in 1971, The Lorax by Dr. Seuss continues to be the foremost example of anti-industrialization and nature conservation in children's literature. The Lorax was earth friendly before a lot folks really knew how important it was to be aware of protecting the natural resources of our world.
In 2008, The Lorax Project was launched by Random House Publishers, Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Conservation International to encourage people of all ages to do their part in conserving the planet's forests and protecting the world's endangered species. The site is filled with information, activities, games, and brings general awareness to not only children, but any visitor to the Project's page.
Earth Day is April 22nd, a couple of months away, but if you have children that would like to participate in a conservation project or if you are wondering how you can be more proactive this year, The Lorax Project is a great place to start getting informed!

Image courtesy of The Lorax Project

ranunculus arrangement

I was in my local Trader Joe's today and they had so many bunches of Ranunculus flowers for a real steal. I started thinking about the ways they could be arranged and given as Valentine's Day surprises (I prefer something a little different than roses).
They are such delicate, layered blossoms and they work in individual displays and as bunches.
It would be a really unique kind of heart day treat to gather great bunches of the flowers in the same tone and arrange them in tiny vessels, but inside a larger carrier, like they have here.....presentation is everything!

images: wholeblossoms, pinterest projectwedding, pinterest, sallyleebythesea

petite alma

Sometimes you come across a site where everything is just so lovely that you find yourself browsing with no purpose except to take it all in. That is how I was when I first went to Petite Alma. It is a site/shop that has beautiful and charming paper goods, stationery, gifts and design sketches. I am particularly fond of the birth announcements.
The gifts are unique and sweet.....the bookmarks and stuffed toys are my favorite.
The founder of Petite Alma has a unique background in stationery design and fashion design, in particular children's clothing, so her clothing design work can also be found on the site.
There is something so aesthetically pleasing about Petite Alma- definitely worth browsing....

all images courtesy of petitealma

"Nothing seems different here, / but nothing is the same."

My favorite poet of all time, Wisława Szymborska, died this week. If you don't know her- give her poetry a chance (give her a chance even if you don't like poetry. She'll break your heart and then piece it back together again. I promise).

Here's a heart breaker as well as a eulogy.

"Cat in an Empty Apartment" 

(Translated by Stanislaw Baranczak and Clare Cavanagh)

Die—you can’t do that to a cat.

Since what can a cat do

in an empty apartment?

Climb the walls?

Rub up against the furniture?

Nothing seems different here,

but nothing is the same.

Nothing has been moved,

but there’s more space.

And at nighttime no lamps are lit.

Footsteps on the staircase,

but they’re new ones.

The hand that puts fish on the saucer

has changed, too.

Something doesn’t start

at its usual time.

Something doesn’t happen 

as it should.

Someone was always, always here,

then suddenly disappeared

and stubbornly stays disappeared.

Every closet has been examined.

Every shelf has been explored.

Excavations under the carpet turned up nothing.

A commandment was even broken,

papers scattered everywhere.

What remains to be done.

Just sleep and wait.

Just wait till he turns up,

Just let him show his face.

Will he ever get a lesson

on what not to do to a cat.

Sidle toward him

as if unwilling

and ever so slow

on visibly offended paws,

and no leaps or squeals at least to start.

P.S. 

Her best translators are the co-translators Stanislaw Baranczak and Clare Cavanagh and so start with the collection, "View With a Grain of Sand." Seriously.

snoods are cool

Apparently snoods are very 2009, or really very 1949- if you want to be historically accurate. They were originally like a hairnet to keep a long mane in check- now they have morphed into a luxurious knit tube, a lazy man's scarf/hood hybrid. Whatever they are- I like them.
Even if I am 3 years, or 63 years, behind the times.....I would not mind a beautiful, soft snood for these winter months.

Images: designhousestockholmusa, google, lifestylenewmodel, RoyalWindsorKnits, aseasonofharvest, AtelierTPK

crayons, two ways

A couple of Valentine projects that I would like to try happen to involve crayons. They also happen to involve a heat source, so I am still debating giving it a go with my kids. I think for school age kids, they are fantastic activities.
The first is Martha Stewart's Crayon Hearts. It just takes some waxed paper, kraft paper, crayon shavings and an iron....the tutorial walks you through the few steps it takes to get those beautiful, glassine-looking hanging hearts for your windows. I really like the look of them hanging in a layered bunch.

The second is a DIY heart-shaped swirl crayon....
The Elizabeth Hall Photoblog has great pictures and instructions on how to create unique heart shaped crayons for valentines. It would be the perfect way to make use of the tiny crayon nubs in the bottom of your art bin! This just may be something I have to try this year after all.....

Images: marthastewart.com, elizabethhallphotoblog , heather sitarzewski

World Atlas by Barefoot Books

An atlas is probably one of those books that is quickly, and sadly, becoming a relic from a time before the Internet. That is a shame because I feel as though a well done children's atlas can appeal to the reluctant reader and the bookworm. It is the ultimate "fact book", as my 5-year-old would say, and can provide the answers to so many questions about the globe.

The Barefoot Book World Atlas is not only beautifully illustrated, it is developed with the modern world in mind.

"Divided by geographical region, the Barefoot Books World Atlas looks at the way in which communities and cultures across the world have been shaped by their natural environment, and at the ideas and initiatives which are shaping the future. An atlas for the twenty-first century, it shows how all parts of the planet are interconnected and looks at the challenges which face us all in creating a sustainable future."
- Barefoot Books

If you need a gift for the 5 to 10-year-old in your life- this book would be perfect. Let's do our part to save the atlas! :)

Images courtesy of Barefoot Books

parade of printables

There are so many cool (and free!) printable valentines out there- from simple and sweet to silly and fancy- I rounded up some of the links to make the choosing a little easier.

Cards courtesy of A Fanciful Twist

Card courtesy of Lula Louise

Cards courtesy of Hello!Lucky

Cards courtesy of PinkPeppermintBlogger

Card courtesy of paperandthepea

Cards courtesy of thefrugalgirls

Cards courtesy of June Craft. the blog

Card courtesy of betweentheendpages

a laugh

I am a giant Parks and Recreation fan. I definitely prefer it to 30 Rock, which I know has a crazy dedicated fan base, but has more of a mean-spirited (though often riotous) humor. The first season of Parks and Recreation was not the best, but since then it has been tweaked and characters have been added and now every week I find myself laughing out loud and that is always welcome.
The video above was definitely one of those times- although physical humor is not usually my favorite....I love this scene.

video courtesy of nbc.com

something old, something new

The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston has opened the new 180 million dollar wing designed by famous architect Renzo Piano. Since 1903, the museum has impressed visitors with not only the beauty of the art and music it contained- the exquisite warmth and grace of the space fascinated them as well. Piano had the daunting task of expanding on the incredible building folks affectionately call "the Palace".

Piano connected the original, historic space by way of a glass passage to the modern glass structure that is now part of the grand Gardner Museum. The marriage of old and new appears to be a happy one. I can't wait to see it in person......

Images courtesy of visitusa and wallpaper