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

popcorn balls

Popcorn balls are part of the Halloween season around here. I usually make them a couple of times - once plain and once with the addition of  kids' choice of treat (usually Halloween m&ms). I noticed there is a variety of ways to make them , but I stick to the old Martha Stewart recipe - sweet and reliable!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for buttering hands
• 1 package miniature marshmallows (10 ounces)
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 3 quarts popped popcorn
• 1 cup dried cranberries, or English toffee bits, optional (this is where my kids choose m&ms)

Directions

1. Melt butter in a large heavy pot over low heat. Add marshmallows and brown sugar and stir until melted. Remove from heat.
2. Pour popcorn and cranberries, or English toffee bits if using, into pot; toss well. With buttered hands, shape into 2 1/2-inch balls. Set on parchment lined baking sheet to dry slightly.

Image:readyseteat

ghost pumpkins

White pumpkins are albinos, or ghost pumpkins, and are becoming increasingly popular in decorating and seasonal festivities. I liked many of the photos I came across of monogrammed white pumpkins or the albino varietals as centerpieces and in decorative displays, but I like them best as is.....just being plain, old ghost pumpkins.

 Images: Etsy, flickr, siw-vegetables.blogspot, Etsy, aprairiecottage, 
marthastewart

pampering

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Spa and Resort via Conde Nast

For the last 6 years and counting- the only pampering happening around here has to do with diapering babies, but in a few years, for my 40th birthday...it will mean something else. One of my very best friends suggested a ladies' spa getaway to celebrate turning forty and I think it is an amazing idea. Definitely an indulgence, something special to mark the milestone and, hopefully, in about 30 months-a reality!

Until then- this homemade sugar scrub is as close as I will get to the spa :).

kale

This time of year you can find kale everywhere from the garden centers to The Home Depot. It is beautiful in landscaping or in an indoor arrangement. The striking blend of purples and greens makes it a standout.
Sidenote: A small kale plant in a terracotta pot is a great little housewarming or token of appreciation gift. Just tie a tag with twine around the pot and the burst of bright purple is guaranteed to brighten someone's day.

 Images: lipsunzipped, meandyoulookbook, althouseblogspot, weddingdecoratorblog, floretcadet

To Do: Create To-Do List

When visiting Boston last year, I fell in love with the stationary store Paper Source and bought copious amounts of thank you cards from their discount section. After bridal showers and a wedding, I can attest to the importance of feeling enthusiastic about your writing material. Nice stamps and address labels made me feel like the notes were half written before I even began.

So how nice would it be to feel that way about a to-do list? After browsing through these cute sets of five pads ($35), I think I know what everyone on my shopping list is getting for Christmas. Done! The best part of lists, after all, is crossing things off.

 

Dotted bands 

Jars

And if Wes Anderson were on my list...

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