Tickled Pink

My Interview with "From Smiler, with Love!"

2008-02-07T20:17:00.000-08:00

When I started participating in the meme Thursday 13 I was immediately drawn to Smiler's blog. She is a world traveler, a talented writer, posts about stuff I never knew existed - and poses in the bathtub! She's way cooler and smarter than I ever hope to be, and this was my chance to pick her brain on how she thinks the universe, or at least blogging, opperates.

Q: Why did you start a blog?
I started From Smiler, with Love to help me communicate with friends and close family members who live all over the world. It allows me to easily exchange with my mother who lives in France on a daily basis. She’s a writer and we enjoy bouncing ideas off each other. My father who lives in Israel is also a regular reader. Another reason I started this blog was because I needed a creative project that could encompass my eclectic tastes. I worked in magazine publishing for a number of years so it seemed like a natural fit, while giving me the kind of freedom I could only dream of when working with print.

Q: What has blogging brought to your life?
It’s given me a sense of continuity. I’ve traveled and changed living arrangements many times in my life, so it’s nice to know that wherever I go, the blog will still be there, and that I’ll still have access to some of the people I enjoy exchanging with regularly. It’s also given me a place where I can put down seemingly random things, and write out some of my memories and somehow find a continuous narrative through it all. That’s ended up being very therapeutic for me, especially when I find other readers responding to some of my experiences.

Q: What advice do you have for new bloggers?
Keep in mind that there isn’t a “right” and a “wrong” way to blog, so don’t be afraid to explore and experiment. Visiting other blogs will give you an idea of what some of the possibilities are for your own blog. I’d say do keep in mind though that everything you write on your blog ends up on the web and you have no control over who reads it so if you’re not sure you should share certain things, it’s best to save a draft and come back to it again fresh. Also, don’t worry about traffic at first. That takes a while to get going and gives you the opportunity to build up content so when new visitors come they’ll find more reasons to want to come back.

Q: What are your favorite blogs?
There are too many to name here which is why I’ve created a page especially for all my links which is aptly named Link Love

Q: I see motherhood as…
A lot of work! I seriously admire moms who are able to be so giving and put their own needs second, as is usually required, especially if there are young children to take care of. I don’t think every woman is necessarily cut out to be a mother and I came to the conclusion I was one of those. I’d rather put what little energy I have into creative projects such as writing, photography and painting. I’m always very careful when I talk about that around moms because I don’t want to make anybody feel like I don’t aprove of their choices which couldn’t be further from the truth. I just think to each her own and we’re amazingly lucky to live in a society where we can make those choices for ourselves.

Q: What keeps you going?
I’m a student of life. A lot of times just getting out of bed seems like a major accomplishment since I’ve been battling with a serious mood disorder all my life and the depressions are debilitating. But no matter what, there’s always something new to discover. Everything is an inspiration to me and I see many things as possible material for a creative project. That’s what keeps me going. If there were nothing to feed my curiosity and no outlets for my creativity, I don’t think I’d be interested in going on. Luckily it’s not possible to ever run out of either.

Q: Name an artist, photographer, musician, or author that you like or admire:
I’ll name just one from each category (it’s hard enough to narrow it down to one!)
Designer: Milton Glaser. Because he’s more than an artist or a designer, he’s a mastermind.
Photographer: Margaret Bourke-White. For a long time photography was practiced almost exclusively by men. She was one of the great women pioneers in news photography.
Musician: impossible to narrow down, but I’ll say Schubert (composer)
Author: Kahlil Gibran (for The Prophet)

Q: What inspires you?
Practically everything! Travel, nature, city, people, animals, objects. The one which usually blocks my creativity is an office setting.

Q: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and what would you do there?
I actually posted a partial list of 13 places for TT a few weeks ago. I’d really love to go to India eventually take photographs and stay in an ashram for a few weeks. But more immediately I’d like to go to France to see my mother and spend some time in Israel to see my dad.

Q: What's your favorite gift to give?
We’ve never been big gift givers in my family, but I like giving books mostly.

Q: In 2008 …
I’ll continue living one day and one moment at a time.

-- Peace, love & namaste!

Please be sure to check out some of my interviews including:

Janet Wallace of "A Slice of Pink",

Ann Kroeker

and Anne Glamore of "My Tiny Kingdom"!

Break

2008-02-02T14:17:00.001-08:00

Too much going on -- I need to take a break until Friday.

Please check back with me then for my interview with the amazing Smiler!

WFMW - Our RED Valentine's Day Menu

2008-01-30T18:00:00.000-08:00

When it comes to holidays that are entwined with cuisine, Valentine’s Day ranks high on the list. We’ve been married too long to battle the crowds, and with this year’s Valentine’s Day falling during the week we’re celebrating with a simple RED meal at home. We’ll be lighting the candles (I believe in doing this EVERY night), putting on some nice music and quizzing the boys about what girls they might have a crush on.

Our Menu
Salad: Spring salad mix, Craisin’s cranberries, pine nuts and balsamic vinaigrette
Tomato-Basil Risotto
Chicken Parmesan
Red Velvet Cupcakes (see video)

Wisit other Works for Me Wednesday particpants here.

My Interview with Anne Glamore of My Tiny Kingdom!

2008-01-25T06:22:00.000-08:00

If I could pick my neighbors, I’d want Anne Glamore, of My Tiny Kingdom fame, to live next door. She’s glamour-ous, loves her kids madly, and has a kick ass sense of humor. I read her blog so much that I’m afraid that if she checks her stats she’ll think I’m a stalker.

:: Why did you start a blog?

I did it because my friend, Halsted Sullivan, who is a Hollywood writer and thus very plugged in, suggested it. He'd been the recipient of many of my Tales over the years, and we'd talked about putting them together in book form. We'd get all excited about it, then I'd go off and have spine surgery, or twins, and the idea would get pushed aside.

In early 2005 he emailed me about blogs and told me I should start one. I looked at a couple and thought it was a great medium for me.

I viewed the blog as a way to discipline myself to write on a weekly basis, with the hope of developing an audience acting as a motivator. Halsted was convinced that publishers were trolling the web looking for writers, and that something bigger could develop.

Fifteen minutes after we concluded our emails back and forth, I set up the blog-- from work. (I'd never heard of Dooce.)

As it turned out, Halsted and I were both right. I've kept up a regular writing schedule for three years now, and I'd only been blogging for 5 months when I was contacted by a national women's website and asked to become one of their first five bloggers.

:: What has blogging brought to your life?

It sounds trite, but blogging has opened up a whole new world for me. I had no idea all these people were out there writing about knitting, or pottery, or cooking.

I've made friends blogging-- people I've never actually met but don't hesitate to call or email for advice, like Busymom, Suburban Turmoil, Boomama, and MetroDad.

Technical stuff is not my thing, but to the extent anyone's the expert in my house, it's now me. My HTML coding skills have been hard won. I've slogged through Flickr, installing ads, setting up Facebook and MySpace pages, and podcasting.

Blogging has also presented me with some fabulous opportunities: writing for iVillage, getting to speak at a seminar with Gay Talese and Richard Schickel, speaking engagements and writing assignments for local magazines.

I have a fantastic record of the last three years. I might not have remembered some really old stories, like the time I finally concluded Porter wasn't a complete idiot.

Blogging has made me a better writer, especially when I have a deadline. I'm also a more ruthless editor. I used to save every word. Now I'll write four paragraphs and realize that the last sentence is the beginning of the story and delete the rest without sobbing.

On days when I look around my house and think my whole life is Tostito crumbs and dresser drawers left open, I can look at my blog and see something I've accomplished that doesn't bleed, scream, complain, or ask for lunch money. It's a wonderful addition to the family.

:: What advice do you have for new bloggers?

My advice differs depending on a blogger's purpose. For this question, I'm going to assume that you're like me, and that you see the blog as more than just a place to spill your guts and drama.

From the beginning, I've hoped, and still do, that the blog would lead to bigger and better things. I've set goals for myself. The first year I learned how things worked technically, tried to find my voice, found a schedule that worked, and learned about creating a blogroll. Last year I worked on marketing the site, and really increased my readership. This year I'm expanding into podcasting and selling myself, not just my writing.

Listen to your readers, because they'll let you know what they enjoy reading and what doesn't quite work. Comments can teach you whether a joke came across or got lost. Occasionally I'll just ask a reader what they liked about something, and people have been great about responding. I often go back and edit old entries to improve them.

Read other sites, so you know what the new hot thing is and whether you want to try it, whether it's Twittering, the Blogrush widget, Feedjit, or whatever.

From the beginning, and until very recently, I viewed my blog as a place to publish "stories," and that's what I did. Twice a week I'd publish posts that are long by typical standards, and they'd be polished and edited. This is because I started by posting stories that had already been written, and then my iVillage columns were essay-like, not stream of consciousness. The result is that I've built up quite a portfolio of columns that are between 800 and 1500 words, which is great.

The down side is that I rarely published short posts that captured the mundane or frustrating parts of life, because I just wouldn't have time to write them up and polish them to my standards. I think readers enjoy those tiny moments, though, and so I'm trying to sprinkle in more posts that are just dashed off. Yesterday's post about the snow is an example. I'm a Type A lawyer, and I can get caught up in taking the whole thing so damn seriously! New bloggers should avoid that trap, as it will suck the life out of you. Plus, you'll burn lots of dinners and your family will protest.

:: What are your favorite blogs?

Dude! I have a feed reader full of blogs, but I don't mind hurting some feelings by pulling out a few as my particular favorites.

Consumerist- I'm hooked on this site, in which consumers tell tales of customer service woe. Sometimes a former employee of a national chain such as Best Buy (ALWAYS getting smacked on here) or Radio Shack will reveal how they're trained to treat customers. Maybe there will be a story about a store that refused to accept cash for a purchase and insisted on a credit card. Every once in a while they'll post emails and phone numbers of the head honchos at big corporations so a hapless customer can bomb the company with emails in an attempt to get justice. It's a kick.

Smitten Kitchen- Deb and I wrote together at iVillage and then she launched this beautiful cooking site. She has a post where she reveals how she creates such breathtaking food photos. I admire her ability to take them, because when I write about cooking I generally forget to take a picture until the meal has been eaten, and I just have a shot of a plate with a few crumbs. In case I forget to write about it myself, go read her post where she adapts The Red Cat's zucchini recipe, because Aunt Lulu and I made it over New Years and it totally rocked. Plus, Aunt Lulu says D'Agostino's carries zucchini already cut into matchsticks, so this dish is now super simple for those in New York City.

Perez Hilton- Yeah, I'm snobby and highbrow and read The New Yorker every week, but I've been known to panic when my US Weekly fails to arrive on time. I also need a daily shot of Perez, mainly to check on Amy Winehouse. He's as obsessed with her as I am, but has better sources.

Flotsam- She's a beautiful writer, whether she's being funny, which she frequently is, or whether she's going through an extremely tough time, as she is now. Her voice is true and distinct.

Pub Rants - I keep up with plenty of literary agents' sites. Kristin's is updated regularly, sounds like a note from an old friend, and often contains bits of wisdom that I hope to need in the future. She's located in Denver, which is unusual in that most agents are in NYC, but she has an enviable client list, so clearly her location is no drawback. Also, her music rocks.

:: Being a mom is…..

Being a mom is a job that requires me to argue with the persuasiveness of a lawyer, to pray with the fervor of a pastor, to mop blood automatically like a nurse, and to cook what's on the menu and accept both compliments and complaints like a chef. I issue orders brusquely like a captain, I rule on fashion choices with the certitude of Tim Gunn, I schedule activities with the expertise of Oprah's personal assistant. I rule in arguments with a judge's wisdom. I dispense money, factoring in fines and pay, with the mathematical genius of a CPA. The mom part comes in when you find yourself doing something you swore you'd never do, like pulling a booger out of your kid's nose, or spitting on your finger and wiping that smudge of Ovaltine off his mouth because it's picture day at school.

Mothering can consume you, but if being a mother is preventing you from making love, you’re carrying things way too far.

:: What keeps you going?

The alarm clock and the promise of the morning's first cup of coffee.

:: Name an artist, photographer, musician, or author that you like or admire.

It's hard to beat E.B. White's essays. They're simple and evocative. Plus, I'm in love with his dog, Fred.

:: What inspires you?

Whoa, that's a deep question.

:: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and what would you do there?

I'd like to take the whole family to China. I've never been, and it would be thrilling to see a culture that's so different. We're way into trying wacky food, and China ought to provide plenty of opportunities for that. Most important, there's been a long-running debate in our family between the twins and Finn as to whether the Great Wall is held together by sticky rice (the twins' view) or a more standard substance such as mortar or mud. No one will be satisfied until we view it in person.

:: What's your favorite gift to give?

A book called Bitter With Baggage Seeks Same- The Life and Times of Some Chickens by Sloane Tanen.

In 2008… I'm going to keep cooking fancy dinners for my family, but I'm going to relax and not treat the recipe like the Bible. If the recipe calls for pearl onions, which are a pain in the ass to peel, and red wine, and I'm out, I'm tossing in regular onions or shallots and some port or sherry and the hell with it. It'll eat.

Thursday 13 - Go Go Google Gadgets

2008-01-24T07:40:00.000-08:00

Gadgets powered by Google are miniature objects created by users that that can be placed on your iGoogle homepage. Google is so good at this stuff I’m hoping they’ll move in and run my life. Thirteen of my favorite gadgets on my iGoogle pages include:

:: A reader link to 43 Folders
:: Recipe links to: Simply Recipes, My Recipies and CD Kitchen's crockpot recipes
:: Thinkmap's Visual Thesaurus to help improve my vocabulary.
:: National Geographic's Picture of the Day – incredibly inspiring
:: A reader link to Zen Habits. This site rocks my world.
:: A reader link to Lifehack because there is so much I don’t know.
:: Zytu's Interesting Photos of the Day from Flickr.
:: A weight Watchers point calendar (I joined WW last week)
:: Mark Mason's Daily Photo Tip
:: Brain candy for Artist of the Day
:: WikiHow's How to of the Day
:: My Google calendar and
:: Comedy Central's Joke of the Day. I am totally addicted to blonde jokes.

I’m sure I’m missing some great ones. Are there any you recommend? Which ones can you not live without?

Link to other Thursday Thirteen Participants here.

Please check back here tomorrow when I post
my interview with Anne Glamore of My Tiny Kingdom!

WFMW - GOOG-411

2008-01-22T12:05:00.000-08:00

Looking for a free version to your phone service's 411? Try Google's version for business numbers and locations by calling 1-800-GOOG-411. Check it out for yourself or watch this clip for more information:

YouTube - 1-800-GOOG-411: Google's 411 service

Please check back here Friday when I post

my interview with Anne Glamore of My Tiny Kingdom!

And be sure to check out my post Friday featuring

my interview with Ann Kroeker!

She has a lot of good information for bloggers!

Check out other great ideas at Shannon's Works for Me Wednesday

on her blog Rocks in My Dryer.

Honoring Dr. King

2008-01-21T14:07:00.000-08:00

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

- Dr. Martin Luther King
I Have a Dream

-------------- The colors of my class --------------

This Week

2008-01-19T14:00:00.000-08:00

:: When I saw my friend Elizabeth on Monday my jaw dropped. She got a sassy new haircut and looks amazingly similar to Princess Di. After squeals she bragged that losing 30 pounds didn't hurt. Her secret? Weight Watchers. Motivated by her success, I went with her Tuesday night and signed up. I chose the Flex Plan and can only eat 21 points a day. That night I went out and ate a giant chicken taco salad with the works. Wednesday I failed because I haven't set up any food/meals. This is going to be HARD, but I want to lose the 10+ pounds I've put on this school year.
:: Dinner out with another couple at a Spanish tapas restaurant dining on lamb chops, calamari, peppered tuna, and more. The sangria tasted amazing with bits of passion fruit. For dessert? Bread pudding and some other thing I was too stuffed to try. I was fortunate enough to go to college in Spain, and I miss it. Going out for Spanish food brings back a rush of good memories.
:: A party at a friends. With a mime, face painter and a reptile guy I felt like a kid again. I posted a couple of pictures on my Flickr account. A few months ago I got a Canon Powershot and I neglected to read the manual. I inadverently pushed one of the modes and couldn't figure out how to get it back. I missed some great shots that night, but now I've read the manual cover to cover.
:: Taking a photo each morning for my Flickr Project 365
:: I finished report cards!
: Building electric circuits with my class
:: Reese had his first real heartbreak when he didn't get into a play he auditioned for. While he was home with the babysitter after school he opened the letter expecting good news. I was proud that he dealt with his sadness by tearing up the letter and burying it in the backyard.
:: I found a beautiful topaz bracelet at an antique mall. My friend Lynne eyes the same color, and I'm going to save it for her birthday next August.
: The boys had their Scouting Pinewood Derby last night. My husband spent many a sleepless night this week.
:: My monthly Bunco game. I always feel too exhausted to go, but once I'm there I am always uplifted by the most amazing group of women anyone could be blessed to know.
:: Listening to Fleetwood Mac's Tusk blasting from the car stereo
:: Finally, I had a conversation with a parent who was upset because I assigned her daughter Freaky Friday for a book report. I hadn't read the book in years, and apparently she was offended by some of the dated language. I've pulled the book from my classroom bookshelf because I didn't feel comfortable keeping it, but I also don't feel comfortable banning a book either. I wasn't surprised that when I "Googled" this topic that this issue has come up about the same book in other schools.
:: Posting an interview with blogger and writer Ann Kroeker!

My Interview with Ann Kroeker!

2008-01-17T15:04:00.000-08:00

I first discovered Ann Kroeker through Shannon's blog Rock in my Dryer, and her weekly community blog carnival, Works for Me Wednesday. I was immediately drawn in by her writing, and I wasn't surprised when I discovered that she is a professional author. She has the book The Contemplative Mom: Restoring Rich Relationship with God in the Midst of Motherhood and many magazine articles. In addition to her freelance career Ann gives speeches, and is the mother of three children. She's brilliant, beautiful and creative.

:: Why did you start a blog?
I started a blog back in 2003 because my editor highly recommended that his authors use them to build name recognition. I’d never heard of a blog and faked it when he suggested it. “Oh, sure…a blog. Okay.” Then I quickly turned to Google in search of a definition. At that time, early in the history of blogdom, blogs had just barely evolved from techies sharing cool links with each other to diarists pouring out their intimate life details. Each group kind of looked down on the other. I took inspiration from the original intent of the techies and tried to provide interesting links, but found myself wanting to tell stories like the diarists, so I’d mix it up a bit. My main goals were to:
1. Gain regular writing practice.
2. Experiment with metaphor, tone, pace, humor.
3. Write posts that in some way complement or enhance off-line writing projects.
4. Download wide-ranging ideas that flit through my mind on any given day. The blog became a wonderful repository for these thoughts that are prompted by daily curiosity.
5. Be helpful in some way to a broader audience than my family.
6. As my editor suggested, build some name recognition. That’s why I chose to use Ann Kroeker for the name of my blog. It’s not cute or clever, but hopefully you’ll recognize my name when you see it floating around on the Internet.

:: What has blogging brought to your life?
After years of blogging, I’ve been able to gain from all of those goals that I listed, experimenting and hopefully improving my writing skills through regular practice. I’ve had the pleasure of reading comments that something I’ve written is helpful, thought-provoking or encouraging to someone—that’s always a wonderful thrill. Plus, I’ve met like-minded people who seem to share some of my interests. I’ve come to appreciate the power of communication and learned about all the technology that’s available, even though I don’t really utilize much of it. I’ve been inspired by the knowledge, creativity, and talent of other bloggers I’ve gotten to know. It’s a connection, I guess; albeit virtual. I guess that’s what I love most about it—all the connections with people.

:: What advice do you have for new bloggers?
· Don’t worry if nobody comes to visit other than a best friend and your mom; it’s a great time to experiment. As you find your voice and define your purpose, you can set more goals and be more intentional and proactive about the whole thing.
· Learn everything you can about available technology (surveys, link gadgets like WFMW’s Mr. Linky, podcasts, etc.) and try out anything of interest.
· Unless it’s part of your job, don’t let it take over your days. And don’t substitute it for real life. Spend time with and nurture the people whose eyes you can look into and want to meet you for coffee.
· Everything you write has a consequence, so be careful what you publish. Read what others say about being careful with personal information. You can always say more, but you can’t take back what you’ve already published to the World Wide Web. Think, also, of how your words might affect a key person in your life—if you’re married, will something you write affect your husband’s reputation and negatively impact his career? Or your own? Or your children’s future careers? My mother-in-law warned me to be careful what stories I include in any of my writing projects (to avoid embarrassment later in life), so I discussed with the children about what they were and were not comfortable with, and I often wait for their approval before clicking publish. Even though I don’t name the protagonist of some funny incident, her grandparents can certainly figure out which one I’m talking about. I want them to feel okay about it being out there. I guess it’s summed up with this: respect people’s privacy, and think about the consequences of your words.

:: What are your favorite blogs?
·Visit my site www.annkroeker.wordpress.com and check out my blogroll!

:: Being a mom is…..
· …so complex, it can’t possibly be reduced to one paragraph or statement. I don’t even know where to start. This feels like the start of a twelve-part series moms should attempt on their blogs. Then again, maybe that’s what moms are attempting to capture, day after day as they post.

:: What keeps you going?
· As a blogger, or a mom?

:: Name an artist, photographer, musician, or author that you like or admire.
Just one? I find that I take away such different treasures from so many writers, it’s impossible to narrow down to one. Or even two. One person might dazzle me with her skill, though I wouldn’t want to use the same language. Another guy impresses me with his insight, though maybe his writing skills aren’t anything to showcase at a writer’s conference. Someone else might make me laugh, and another makes me think, and a third makes me weep. As a result, almost every book I come into contact with offers me something useful.

:: What inspires you?
As a working writer, I can’t wait around to be struck by inspiration. I have to turn out materials whether or not I feel inspired. Practically speaking, I collect articles (see my recent WFMW post) with content that generates an internal response in me that I want to explore in the blog. My kids inspire posts for the blog quite often, as do conversations with friends that get me thinking. Inspiration and ideas could come from anywhere; I just try to be receptive. I try to live slowly and deliberately enough to pay attention. When I’m running too fast, I miss it. When I slow down, I notice much more.

:: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and what would you do there?
· I’ve never been to some tropical paradise in the Caribbean. I’d go with The Belgian Wonder, walk along the beaches and in the water. Swim. Maybe try snorkeling. Lounge in a hammock and read. Eat fresh fruit. Get my hair braided.
· Or I’d go to New Zealand and Australia. I’d hike and enjoy the coast and sightsee and talk with people.
· Or I’d travel to California and see some Redwoods. I fear I’ll live my whole life and never admire a California Redwood up close and in person. Runner’s World magazine has a page in every issue that shows a runner passing through some spectacular setting—a “Rave Run.” One of those photographs showed a guy running through a Redwood Forest, and I stared at it for a while. The pull was powerful; I really wanted to be in his shoes, dwarfed while running amidst those giant, ancient sequoias.

:: What's your favorite gift to give?
I’m not a big gift giver in a traditional sense—my gifts are usually in the form of time together listening and talking. I love having a good friend over and making a pot of tea, setting out some treats, and then sitting down to get to know each other better. I’m very practical, so in terms of tangible gifts, I used to enjoy putting together themed gift baskets, but I’ve gotten away from that. Perhaps your question is inspiring me! I recently noted some great gift basket ideas over at Meredith’s (Like Merchant Ships).

:: In 2008 …
Lord willing…
· By the end of the year, I will have completed a book project that will be nearing its release date.

· I’ll be reasonably fit from training for a half-marathon in the spring.
· I’ll try out some new blog technology.
· Travel with my family (but, sadly, not to the Caribbean, New Zealand, or the California Redwood Forests).
· Laugh a lot with my kids.
· And I’ll make a bunch of new blog-friends, like you!

Thursday 13 - My Favorite Online Magazine Sites

2008-01-16T19:33:00.000-08:00

Part of what I've been blogging about this week is my addiction to magazines. Saturday I posted about my yearly treasure map using magazing clippings, and yesterday for Works for Me Wednesday I posted about my clippings notebooks.

I also love that magazines now have special features and access to some of their content available online. The following are 13 of my favorite magazine websites.

:: Real Simple - Amazing tips and ideas

:: O Magazine - She has improved my life. I was thrilled when I read this week that she'll be launching a second television network in 2009.

:: People - this is bookmarked on my iGoogle page to check out the latest gossip daily

:: Southern Living and Midwest Living - great recipies, decorating and travel tips

:: Martha Stewart. Martha now has a blog too!

:: Family Circle - My favorite magazine for suggestions that you can do in "real" life. Get six healthy slow cooker recipies here.

:: Family Fun - They have the best ideas for holiday crafts to do with your kids. Get ideas for homemade valentines here.

:: Cooking Light - I like their lifestyle suggestions even more than their recipies. Be sure to check out this month's cooking class video on braising here.

:: Bon Appétit -A foodie's dream. They seem to have revamped their format, and I can't get enough. The February issue has a great recipe for banana cream pie.

:: National Geographic - We get the adult and kid version at home, and I love getting their daily photo link on my iGoogle page.

:: Mary Englebreit's Home Companion - Great crafts and I love to read about real artist's lives.)

:: Country Living - Eye candy every month. Every month I find my dream home amongst their pages. Online this month be sure to check out Melissa Newfeld's printable vintage valentines.

:: Woman's Day - My second favorite magazine for suggestions that you can do in "real" life. This month be sure to check out the video they have on meals in minutes.

And for even more fun ...

be sure to check out other Thursday Thirteen participants!

******

Please come back tomorrow when I

post an interview with

Ann Kroeker!

WFMW - Magazine Clippings Binders

2008-01-15T20:17:00.000-08:00

A few of my clippings magazine: Christmas,

Decorating, Crafts & Gifts, and Inspiration I&II

My heart pounds every time I enter the magazine section of the bookstore. I just know I’m going to solve all my problems in 10 simple steps, add the word “organize” to the cover I can’t get to the checkout fast enough.

My magazine addiction goes back to reading issues of Highlights and Cricket when I was little, changing Young Miss, Dynamite and Tiger Beat during my teen years. As a teen I spent hours I plastered my door with images of Leif Garret and Andy Gibb, and I remember learning about what not to do while dating from reading YM’s "Boy, Was My Face Red" column.

I started my clippings binders when I was in junior high, and in my Christmas binder I have craft ideas going back to the early 80’s. I can’t throw them away because it connects me to who I was at a time when my biggest worry was which flavor of Bonnie Bell lip-gloss I was going to wear.

A high school friend called recently to reminisce, and I felt embarassed when she asked me if I still collected magazine articles in binders. I don’t know why, but my initial reaction was to lie, to hide my addiction to being new and improved. Fortunately she said that she has several and thinks of me every time she uses them.

Titles for my over-filled binders include Cooking, Decorating, Exercise (I don’t think I’ve ever actually reread any of them, but they’re there – LOL), Gifts & Crafts (I am not crafty, but I love the idea of it), Photography (with the advent of Flickr I haven’t added to it in years), Seasons & Holidays (with an additional one for Christmas), multiple FlyLady Control Notebooks that I have good intentions of making work, and Inspiration (with a additional binder for Oprah’s "What I Know" and Martha Beck columns from O mag). I also have a box of writing ideas/story prompts for journaling. I try to put the best articles in page protectors, and I’ve covered each binder with pretty scrapbooking supply paper.

Finally, I have a box of clippings of images from magazines that I fall in love with. On Saturday I wrote about my annual treasure map collage, and I also like to keep them for inspiration for my photography.

Does anyone else reading this post do this?

Thank you to evenryone who commented here last week with their favorite blog.

I had a lot of fun reading your blogs, and checking out many I hadn't heard of.

Works for me Wednesday gals ROCK! Check them out at Rocks in My Dryer.

Saturday I posted about how I enjoy saving images from magazines to make into

my annual Treasure Map (inspired by the book "Sinmple Abundance").

Tomorrow I'm going to post about my favorite magazine's web sites for Thursday 13.

My Desk is a Mess

2008-01-15T19:52:00.000-08:00

This is what happens after missing days last week while I was home with Will while he was sick. Report cards are due, there are stories to edit (the kids are currently writing stories to accompany their own versions of American Gothic that they made in art class), books to be read (I'm currently reading The Egypt Game for our mystery genre study), Dr. King projects to finish, circuit projects to build, and math games to play. It's the bestest job in the world.

This Week

2008-01-10T14:04:00.000-08:00

:: Will got pneumonia on Tuesday and his fever quickly shot up to 104. After a visit to the pediatric ER to get x-rays he was sent home with an inhaler and some heavy antibiotics. By Thursday he was back to himself, aside from the cough. Whew.
:: Knowing my class was in the hands of one of my Districts best subs ever. I barely had to plan a thing.
:: After school play dates for our healthy child
:: Trader Joe's chocolate ice cream and meringues from my mother-in-law dropped off by mother-in-law
:: Holiday cards still trickling into our mailbox, including one from a friend I adored from summer camp in Maine. I cried when I saw her familiar, sunny face.
:: Two massages at Massage Envy. I'm a knotty girl.
:: A pedicure with OPI's Midnight in Moscow
:: Sweet potatoes baked on the bbq.
:: Minestrone soup.
:: Listening to Sara Bareillis' Love Song and Ingrid Michaelson's The Way I Am
:: Keeping up with taking a photo a day for my Flickr Project 365. Anyone can jump in on the Project at any time. I joined to remember to work daily on my photography and to notice my life more. I was inspired by Alicia Alferman and Heather Smith Jones' Noticing Project that I linked to via Alicia's blog Mayfly. I didn't discover the inspirational photo blog 3191, A Year of Mornings, until recently, and now it's finished. I'm hoping to find new inspiration through the Noticing Project.
:: A new stack of magazines
:: Posting my first blog interview: be sure to check out Janet of A Slice of Pink
:: Working on my 2008 Treasure Map. I started making these in 1999 (maybe before) while Reading Sarah Ban Breathnach's Simple Abundance. She writes: "A personal treasure map is a collage of your ideal life that you create as a visual tool to focus creative energy in the direction you want to go...When making your personal treasure map, think fun. Think delight. Think seven years old. This is not an intellectual exercise in existentialism. This is a wish list to the Universe." Here are my treasure maps for this year and the past two years:

2008

2007
2006

Have you ever made a treasure map? Even if you haven't, what images or words would you include? Any other Simple Abundance fans reading this post?

My Interview with Janet Wallace from A Slice of Pink

2008-01-10T12:09:00.000-08:00

When I first discovered blogs I fell in bloggy love with Janet Wallace from A Slice of Pink. Janet, a semi newlywed, recently left teaching high school photography, and coaching the school’s robotic team, to purse her law degree. She is cute as a button, has a black belt in shopping, and a continuous sunny outlook on life.

:: Why did you start a blog?
I was bored! I worked in an office job with a substantial amount of free time to waste on the Internet. Also, my husband told me that blogging was "the wave of the future" and, being an Aquarius, I like all things futuristic and ultramodern.
:: What has blogging brought to your life?
Blogging is a great creative outlet for me. When I was a little girl, I would create little magazines and newsletters out of construction paper, paste, and photographs. I loved taking those little "All About You" quizzes in teen magazines and filling in blank books with collages, quotes, and miscellaneous thoughts and ideas. My blog is simply the grown-up version of all that fun. I've also had the good fortune of making many blog friends over the years--several that I have met in person for lunch, drinks, coffee, and baseball games.
:: What advice do you have for new bloggers?
Write often, be genuine, and run spell check. Describe your perfect day.My perfect day would be spent touring a foreign city--a visit to an art museum (one with a fabulous museum gift shop to browse in), lunch at a bistro with some fabulous chocolate dessert, exploring a used book shop, and dinner at a great local-favorite restaurant (with champagne!).
:: Law school is…..
A true study in contrasts--completely horrible and quite wonderful. Whether I absolutely love it or want to drop out immediately depends entirely upon the day. It's frustrating and demanding but interesting and absorbing.
:: What keeps you going?
Espresso!
:: Name an artist, photographer, musician, or author that you like or admire.
This is a hard one because there are so many--my bachelor's degree is in Art History so there are dozens of artists and photographers that I like and admire. Most notably would be Leonardo Da Vinci, Henri Matisse, and the Post-Impressionists.
:: What inspires you?
Kindness, pure and simple.
:: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and what would you do there?
I'd go to Costa Rica where I would learn to surf and become fluent in Spanish. I might need to stay for awile!
:: What's your favorite gift to give?
I love to give Moleskine journals, wine, and gifts by local artists.
:: In 2008 …
I'm going to write more letters, embrace learning, eat lots of apples, be kind, and laugh with my husband as much as possible.

Thursday 13 - 13 Little Ways Our Family is Going Green in 2008

2008-01-10T06:08:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid in the 1970’s during the Carter Presidency, I remember being energy efficient was big. Issues of Dynamite Magazine had tips on saving energy for kids, like turning off the water while you brushed your teeth, and we had stickers in our bedroom on the light switch to turn off the lights when we left. Do you remember? I don’t fully understand why, but we returned to being a consumer economy. Now were “Going Green” and my kids are coming home with the same tips I learned when I was a kid. The following is a list of ways we’ve decided to “Go Green” in 2008:

:: Installing Smart Strips for our televisions and computers.
:: Bringing our own basket and bags to the market
:: Using energy efficient smart light bulbs that use up to 75% less energy and last 8-10 times longer than standard bulbs.
:: Carrying our own refillable water bottles
:: Cutting back on consuming and spending. It will help reduce packaging and increase our financial bottom line.
:: Shopping more often at our local produce market. If we buy locally, we don’t have to rely on farms that ship food nationwide, which in turn helps to decrease use of oil and gas emissions.
:: Composting
:: Using biodegradable pine kitty litter
:: Using the clothes dryer less. My husband installed a wooden dowel handing line in our laundry room and I’m using it to dry some of our clothes to save energy. According to Project Laundry List, clothes dyers are the third-largest energy users in the home, behind the refrigerator and washing machine, costing more than $100 a year to operate.
:: Using rechargeable batteries. I recently got at digital camera that goes quickly through AA batteries. Using rechargeable batteries will reduce the number of batteries we go through.
:: Keeping our freezer full. This too will help the environment by reducing the energy we use, and it will help me with reducing our grocery bill by having dinners on hand when I’m too drained to cook.
:: Washing more clothes in cold water. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, almost 90 percent of the energy used to wash clothes is used to heat the water. In addition, according to the Alliance to Save Energy, turning the dial from hot to warm will cut your energy use by 50 percent per load, and save up to $63 a year.
:: Teaching our children to be environmentally conscious by turning off the lights, not running the water while they’re brushing their teeth, taking a more active part in things we recycle at home, and encouraging them to pay attention to how much they consume.

Any other little suggestions? Are you "Going Green"?

Visit Other Thursday 13 Participants Here

WFMW - What Are Your Favorite Blogs?

2008-01-08T20:26:00.000-08:00

It’s a backwards Works for Me Wednesday for the Rocks in My Dryer community, so instead of offering up the little pieces of what works for me, I get to ask a question.

I was wondering what blogs and challenges you love and have to check out regularly? Which one is on your “Must Read” list? What blogs have inspired you, helped you push your life into new directions, or helped you make connections? I started this blog in November and I am excited about all the great blogs out there!

Please check back here Friday. I am going to post my first blog interview with one of my favorite bloggers: Janet Wallace from A Slice of Pink!

This Week

2008-01-05T13:36:00.000-08:00

:: A fresh start for 2008.
:: Writing thank you notes and packing away Christmas. I think our cats are really going to miss knocking ornaments off the tree, and they’re losing their new favorite hideout spot under the tree.
:: Rereading copies of Organizing from the Inside Out and Kathy Peel’s The Family Manager’s Everyday Survival Guide. Inspired, I went to The Container Store and picked up storage containers for drawers and the boy’s art supplies.
:: Ringing in the New Year with French bubbly, lobster and steak at home, just the four of us. This was the first year the boys stayed up until midnight to watch the ball drop and to go outside with noise makers and banging pots and pans.
:: Joining Flickr’s Project 365. You commit to taking one photo a day for a year, and they also post weekly challenges if you want to participate in that too.
:: Winter break celebrated with dinners out with friends knowing that I wouldn’t have to worry about waking up in the morning, and lunches out enjoying friend’s company without the sound of the clock ticking in the back of my head. After one lunch my friend and I shopped at a local boutique and I restocked my Curly Girl card supplies. I love everything she makes.
:: Frost on the car windows in the morning.
:: Reading Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously
:: Listening to an amazing NPR interview with Will about Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl. Will is a huge Foo fan, and it was his first real “driveway moment.”
:: Our friend Matt’s big surprise birthday bash last night.

Thursday 13 - Looking Back at 2007

2008-01-03T08:51:00.000-08:00

Reese's First Communion, April 2007

On the dock, Wisconsin, 2007

:: Becoming a better wife, friend, daughter and mother by clearing out some mental and physical clutter, keeping our house in order, and keeping our calendar clear for things that really matter.

:: Will and Reese performing in their first musical, and although Reese is the only one continuing, it was an amazing experience for both of them.

:: Being able to be the best mom I can be during an amazing time in my boy’s lives. They completely fascinate me, and I have learned so much from them about how to live and love.

:: Joining Al-Anon

:: My husband working a 12 step program and our marriage is better than ever. Not perfect, but pretty good.

:: Breaking off a couple of unhealthy relationships even though it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. On the other hand, I healed my tense relationship with my mom by going to a therapy session together last April and hashing out some important past issues. It only took one two hour session and our relationship is on the up swing. (My mom is hyper critical, and she mistakenly thinks it makes her a good mother.)

:: Losing over ten pounds.

:: Looping with my third grade to fourth grade. They are the best class a teacher could hope for.

:: Starting this blog, and practicing gratitude

:: Reading several good books including The Myth of You and Me, Emma, Small Wonder: Essays, The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, finishing the Harry Potter series and tons and tons of poetry. But my heart really lies with magazines. Love 'em.

:: Getting our two precious kitties in September. The dog is still in shock, but they light up my days with the cute things they do.

:: Cutting back on TV. In 2007 I became so much more engaged with my life that I didn’t even realize how little TV I now watch until someone asked me about a program I’d never heard of. However, I do sneak in The Hills (a guilty pleasure) and Pushing Daisies on the web.

:: My favorite playlist from 2007 includes: Rihanna with Jay-Z: Umbrella (MY summer song of 2007), Justin Timberlake: What Goes Around, John Mayer: Waiting for the World to Change, Snow Patrol: Chasing Cars, Nickelback: Rockstar, Avril Lavigne: Girlfriend, Plain White T's: Hey There Delilah, Amy Winehouse: Rehab, Fergie: Clumsy, Colbie Caillat: Coco, and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss: Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On).

Update: Check out Susie J's blog today on making your dreams come true. Lots of good stuff!

WFMW - Keeping Medicines & Vitamins Organized

2008-01-01T17:40:00.001-08:00

Inspired by Target's color-coded medicine bottles, I started adding colored dot stickers, one color for each member of our family, to the lids of our medicine. It's much easier, especially on hectic mornings, to remember to pull each person's color. I initially tried drawing rings around the lids with different colored Sharpies, and writing the first initial of each person on the lid, but the sticker system is simpler. We have the weekly pill containers, which are a great way to remember if you’ve taken you’re daily dose, but we often forget to fill them up for the week.

We also store our Juice Plus vitamins and other daily vitamins in this basket in the kitchen. Juice Plus was something I originally felt obligated to buy from a trainer at our gym, but when we remember to take it we all feel much better and my skin looks better.

Happy New Year to all my new Works for Me Wednesday acquaintances! I have been inspired and have learned so many great ideas in the two months I've been participating. WFMW has motivated to regularly ask myself, "Does this work for me?" Not surprisingly, a few times the answer has been a clear no and I've been able to change. Thanks for all the blessings Shannon and YOU members of this blogging community have brought to my life!

Bright Beginnings for 2008

2008-01-01T16:58:00.000-08:00

Freshly planted Paperwhites

(paperdolls cut by Reese today after we cleaned the art station in the basement)

My first photo for Flickr's Project 365

Mind
:: Participate in Flickr’s Project 365 Group
:: I also want to take a basic sewing class (I’ve tried before, and sewing is way harder than it looks)
:: Take a field photography class in late spring.

Body
:: The cliché resolution of losing weight (around 7-10 pounds) and exercising (mininum 4x a week, including weight training 2-3x a week). Some good friends are running in a ½ marathon in April and they are motivating me to get back to the gym. I know that working out early in the morning is the best time for my life.
:: To feed my body, and loosen the grip on my pocketbook, one of my biggest goals is to cook at home. We have been eating out, well, I’m too embarrassed to write how much we eat out.
:: Get back to the tennis courts in March

:: Packing healthy snacks and lunch

Spirit
:: Family first, no exceptions
:: Find a church that nourishes me
:: Step work with my Al-Anon sponsor including
:: Keep in touch with friends
:: Use this blog to remind me of all the blessings in my life

:: Practice gratitude and let go of expectations

Home and Finances
:: Cooking healthy at home including freezing meals and using our Crockpot
:: Keeping a spending diary for January
:: Cutting out impulse spending by waiting 24 hours before new purchases
:: Purging “stuff” from our house, especially our basement, pledging to follow the 1 in/1 out rule, and following my FlyLady weekly routines.

This Week

2007-12-29T07:39:00.000-08:00

:: Dining at an Italian restaurant then watching National Treasure II with my brother-in-law (one who is in from out-of-town) and another family we’re close with. The movie was entertaining, but you really have to suspend your beliefs to overcome the movie’s implausibility. :: Wrapping presents in gorgeous, luminescent paper I found with three designs at Home Goods. The gifts sparkled under the tree.
:: Christmas Eve spent with my mother-in-law’s side of the family at her house. We gorged on salmon, brie and Aunt Susan’s peanut brittle. The most hilarious moment came after the extended family left when all of us donned hats from my mother-in-law’s collection.
:: When we got home, even though it was late, the boys made slice-and-bake cookies for Santa, put out carrots and lettuce for the reindeer, and wrote gratitude notes to Santa. They got up to bed just before Santa Tracker announced he would be flying over our city. I know that they are too old to believe in Santa, but I’m glad they’re still playing along.
:: Christmas morning spent at home with just the four of us. The boy’s opened their stockings from Santa, and presents from us. We set up the new Wii and I had some time to download some iTunes into Will’s new iPod Nano.
:: Christmas brunch at my parents with my brother, sister-in-law, and their two kids. We started off with my mom’s stocking collections for everyone, and my parents spoiled them the grandkids rotten.
:: Christmas dinner was spent at my brother-in-laws with my husband’s family again. More presents and more joy. I still have to find homes for all this new stuff.
:: My favorite material gift was a modest diamond band from my husband. For most of our married life he claims he couldn’t understand why giving me gifts on the holidays is important, but this year, after working with a counselor, sponsor and working a 12 step program, he made up for it. I love, love, love it. But mostly I love the person he’s become; it’s the best gift I could ever hope for.
:: Other favorite gifts included cash from my mother-in-law (I bought green slacks at Talbots, a red wool scarf and a Lucky Brand knit hat), a hand knit angora scarf (also from my mother-in-law), lots of lotions and soaps, a compact car maintenance kit (it includes a tire gage, I have the tendency to hit curbs – gah), Nigella Lawson’s Nigella Express, and a new Starbucks travel mug (my husband “steals” them and leaves them at work).
:: Post holiday dinner out Wednesday with a group of high school buddies from my husband’s small, boy’s Catholic school. I’ve known them for over 20 years and look forward to celebrating milestones and holidays with them when everyone comes to town.
:: Dinner at a Lebanese restaurant (they prepare the most amazing garlic chicken dish served over garlic mashed potatoes) with Debbie before going to see the film Juno. The reviewers are right, it’s a gem of a film.
:: The boys had friends over Friday and kept themselves entertained ALL DAY. Last night they had “Cousin Fest” at my brother-in-law’s and I got an evening home ALONE. Bliss.
:: Thank goodness for the New Year next week, we’ve overindulged in Christmas cookies and treats, fattening meals, and too many nights out. After some pretty rough years, this was one of our best holiday seasons ever.
:: Listening to Creative Mom Podcasts, learning that it is best to shoot Christmas lights at dusk, getting inspired to journal in 2008, and feeling motivated after pouring through the Best of Zen Habits 2007.
:: Friday’s Oprah show spotlighted depression, and I know it must have brought hope to people who saw that you can come out on the other side. For many years I have suffered from days when I thought I would never be okay, but with a lot of help I feel happy and grateful. I am praying for all the people who have had a tough holiday season.
:: The “Oh No” moment of the week happened this morning when we discovered that our eight month old cats somehow got the baby powder out. They’ve rolled in it and there is a white film all over the house.
:: Quote of the Week: Reese, donning his elf hat instead of his Santa hat at bed time said,"I better wear the elf one in case Santa comes and wants to take me along!"

Thursday 13 - Our Annual Christmas Card

2007-12-27T07:48:00.000-08:00

click on image to enlarge

I keep our annual holiday cards in a special Christmas

album that is covered in red taffeta with our family name

embroidered on the cover.

The photos here are in order from our first Christmas in 1994.

In December we put the album out in the living room and

awe over how quickly the time goes. I haven't had a family photo

I've liked since 2001, but it's definately one of my resolutions for 2008.

Christmas 2007

Join in the Thursday 13 Fun!

Christmas Meme

2007-12-26T14:30:00.000-08:00

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I LOVE wrapping paper and ribbons, but when you’re in a rush, or have an unusual shaped gift, you can’t beat a good bag. Plus, bags can be used over and over which has to be more environmentally friendly.
2. Real tree or artificial?
Real, because the Men’s Club my husband is in sells them, but I secretly yearn for a hassle-free fake tree.
3. When do you put up the tree?
After Will’s birthday (December 7th). We feel it’s important to celebrate just him.
4. When do you take the tree down?
I’m ready to take it down now, but we’ll wait until New Year’s. The cats are loving it too much.
5. Hot chocolate or apple cider?Hot chocolate after our annual drive to see the Christmas lights.
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
A Child’s Garden of Verses at a time when I truly believed in Santa and fairies, and a musical jewelry box with a ballerina who twirled when you opened the box.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes. We have creshes from France, Mexico, and a Play Mobile one.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Parents and in-laws because it feels like they have everything they need. This year I found them art pieces at the Chicago Art Institute, tea and honey from Teavana, and battery powered automatic can openers (a surprise huge hit).
9. Easiest person to buy for?
The boys. They’re at the age when they’re getting into technology and we got Will his first Nano and Reese got the Wii.
10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?
Pink wide-whale cords when my husband and I first started dating. No single piece of clothing has ever looked so bad on me.
11. Mail or email Christmas card?
We mail them, but this year we received a couple of cute email greetings. We also received a few cd greetings through the mail that are incredibly creative.
12. Favorite Christmas movie?
A Christmas Story
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
All year, but I completely forget what I buy. Next year, I’m going to keep the gift closet organized with a checklist.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I can’t bring myself to. I end up passing stuff on to the “Helpie Selfie” box in the teacher’s lounge at work or giving it to someone who might be able to use it.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Buche de Noel, clementines eaten with graham crackers and chocolate, chocolate coins, and so much more.
16. Clear lights or colored?
White, but next year I want to go back to color.
17. Favorite Christmas song?
Sarah McLaughlin’s Wintersong
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Fortunalely we live in the same city as both sides of the family.
19. Can you name Santa's reindeer?
I know, Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, Donner (Donder?) and Blitzen, and I recall the most famous reindeer of all...Rudolph the red nosed reindeer.
20. Angel or star on top of the tree?
Angel, but my husband broke off her wings years ago.
21. Do you like egg nog?
No
22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?
Christmas Eve we open one set of stockings at my in-laws, we open our stockings and gifts at home Christmas morning, travel to my parents for Christmas brunch and presents, then have Christmas dinner, and open more gifts, at my brother-in-laws for Christmas dinner.
23. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
Realizing you’re not done shopping, even when you think you are
24. What do you leave for Santa?
Cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots and lettuce for the reindeer.
25. Favorite ornament?
Too many to name, but I’m especially fond of ones from my childhood because they bring a rush of memories, and the ones my boys made when they were little.

Weekend Snapshot

2007-12-24T12:26:00.000-08:00

Oh Tannenbaum

This Week

2007-12-22T07:58:00.000-08:00

I over did it this week with work and holiday parties and I’m over stimulated and exhausted. A good exhausted, but I feel like I’m half asleep.

:: The start of winter break!
:: Bunco and “a rob your neighbor” ornament exchange.
:: Celebrating Will’s, my father-in-law’s, and my nephew’s birthdays at my brother-in-law’s house.
:: The melt-in-your-mouth pheasant at cousin Holly’s Christmas party.
:: After Holly’s, and despite six inches of snow and nearly getting snowed in at Holly’s, we headed to our friend’s annual holiday bash to laugh with friends. My favorite line of the night was when I told my friend Jim, a neat and tidy businessman who’s idea of being crazy is not closing all the blinds in their house on schedule when his wife is out, that our kids were both at sleepovers. His quick reply was, “You could be home, dusting. Naked.”
:: The boys sledding and having snowball fights with their cousins.
:: My school’s staff holiday party and getting a basket of goodies from my Secret Snowflake (yes, because I teach in a public school, and we practice what we preach about inclusion, Secret Santa is OUT and Secret Snowflake is IN.)
:: My friends Girl’s Night Out Christmas party with pomegranate martinis and catching up on all the latest gossip.
:: Finally mailing my Christmas cards. I usually have a summer vacation picture of the boys, and an annual ritual for me has always been to put on some holiday music Thanksgiving weekend and get them written. Unfortunately, this year I couldn’t find a photo with both of them I liked, and I procrastinated on taking a substitute. Sunday I took a photo of them, a diversion they were not happy to accommodate, and had to go to two stores to get the photos printed because their machines crashed. Lesson learned.
:: A pajama party with my class on Wednesday because they’re so wonder-full. I have two boys whose families can’t afford pj’s and I was able to find Under Armor style shirts and pajama bottoms for them at Wally- World. Their smiles were so big I cried. My class always gives way more to me than I can ever give to them.
:: My mom taking my two boys for a day and a half since their school let out earlier than mine. When I came home the kitchen sparkled and there was bread baking in the oven. It doesn’t get any better.
:: Christmas cards from friends from high school and college friends that I haven’t seen in years, but whose story we share, and a package (I’m waiting to open) from my best friend, and former bridesmaid, from grad school. She now lives two thousand miles away, but not a day goes by that I don’t miss her.
:: Yankee Mistletoe and Christmas Eve scented candles (they mix perfectly when burned at the same time)
:: Aveda had lotion (a gift from a Secret Santa party last week). For the firt time in my life I have dry skin.
:: Listening to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas from Meet Me in St. Louis, James Taylor's Christmas, Ertha Kitt's Santa Baby, and Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You.
:: Reading blogs in stolen moments including this, this and reading the end of one of this woman's journies into creating a better place in one corner of the world, while I wonder where life will take her next.
:: Crumbling into bed last night with a new book, The Photograph, by Penelope Lively.

WFMW - 10 Ways to Reuse Wrapping Paper

2007-12-19T14:38:00.000-08:00

I remember it taking my mom forever to unwrap gifts so she, in her words, “ruin the pretty paper.” I don’t want to hurt the environment, but I can’t store the stuff either. Here are ten projects that can help us reduce our eco footprint.

:: Use pieces of old wrapping paper as cummerbunds around the gifts
:: Use pieces of old wrapping paper to make a collage for new wrapping or create works of art. Be sure to check out http://www.blogger.com/www.kinderart.com/seasons/wrappingpapercollage.shtml.
:: Cut into squares and make orgami
:: Put it through a paper shredder for stuffing other gift bags and gifts going in the mail
:: Use it to protect your Christmas decorations before storing them for the next holiday season
:: Cut it into snowflakes. Anthropologie’s windows this season were filled with stringed snowflakes cut from what looked to be recycled magazines. You could also add the snowflakes to blank card for thank you notes and more.
:: Decoupage it onto cardboard or wooden shapes to make decorations or ornaments for next year.
:: Use it to make clothes for paper dolls. I have my students make Pilgrim paper dolls every Thanksgiving, and although they’ve rarely even heard of paper dolls, they love them and create amazing stories.
:: Iron it on a low setting and use it for backgrounds in scrapbooking.
:: Use it as a mat for picture frames.

Weekend Snapshot

2007-12-17T20:10:00.000-08:00

This Week

2007-12-15T09:29:00.000-08:00

A plaque from my Secret Santa
Rabbi, hello. Anyone there?
One of our cats looking like she just

devoured Reese's dinosaur.

:: Will and Reese performing in their school’s Christmas celebration.
:: Reese’s solo at the Christmas celebration and him getting roars of applause.
:: Snow turning our own world into a white wonderland.
:: A Secret Santa reveal party with laughter and cocktails.
:: Getting this plaque as one of my Secret Santa gifts, even though my Secret Santa didn’t know I had just read this book written by the plaque’s creator. Quite serendipitous.
:: A fleecy new robe. My old, old, old one was too big, and this one, though it makes me look enormous, is cozy and comfy. We also dressed the beds with new fleece blankets and the boy’s are digging their nightly fireworks of winter static sparks.
:: Our afterschool babysitter making sure all the boys have their homework done, and have studied for their weekly spelling lists, before I got home.
:: A Hanukkah gingerbread house from Luca
:: Our friend’s annual Christmas party. For the past ten years I’ve given her an ornament, and we had fun finding them on their tree.
:: Christmas music by Sarah McLaughlin and Karen Carpenter.
:: Decorating the Christmas tree.
:: Because of staff meetings yesterday I got to GO OUT to lunch with four of my favorite coworkers! I normally don’t get to eat until 12:40, and then I’m cramming down a Lean Cuisine, or something from the school cafeteria served on Styrofoam with a spork, in between making photocopies and phone calls. Going out to lunch feels so glamorous, even at the corner Mexican restaurant.
:: My husband’s skillet breakfast of eggs, hash browns and sausage, served with a warm cup of coffee in a snowman mug, and a morning of reading blogs like this, this and and these photos.

Works for Me Wednesday - Holiday Style

2007-12-11T17:38:00.000-08:00

The holly daze are here and with little brain space left over,
and a clothing budget I want to strech,
here are five holiday outfits that can go from work to party.
All of them works for me beyond the holiday season.

I splurged on this new skirt from Anthropologie because I can wear it almost anywhere.

With ballet flats it looks just as sweet and great for a lunch out with the girls. I bought this pencil, calf length skirt at least five years ago and wear it all winter long.

With the red trim it's just enough color to wear to a holiday fête.

This red knit skirt goes with me from work, to sports games, to dinner parties. I'm wearing it tonight to the Secret Santa reveal party.
I fell in love with this Talbots sweater with faux pearl cuffs. It's perfect for New Year's, the pearls remind me of champagne bubbles.
I posted a few weeks ago about my passion for wearing scarves. This red one can be worn as a bow in the front or back. " Merci bow-coup."

For more holiday fashion ideas check out:

:: Real Simple's holiday fashion and Stacy London talking about accessorizing on the Today Show
:: A Washington Post article on holiday party dressing
:: In Style's take on 2007 holiday trends

Check out other Works for Me Wednesday ideas here

The View

2007-12-11T16:17:00.000-08:00

The view from my classroom window about two weeks ago -

fall was gone in the blink of an eye.

Sunday Scribblings - Competition

2007-12-09T17:48:00.000-08:00

Remember comedian Tim Allen’s show Home Improvement? On it, Allen’s character, Tim Taylor, was a family man who hosted a television show called Tool Time. On this fictional show within a show, Allen’s character was always trying to add more power to anything with an engine, including a hilarious episode where he super charges the dishwasher. Its clear Allen’s character feels he is in serious competition with other men to show his manliness by making everything bigger, better and faster – arrr, arrr, arrr. Funny when it’s on television, but not so much in real life.

The Christmas cards have already started coming in and I can’t help but feel a little less than with cards that tout a trip to Russia, a family trip to Maui, updates on their summer home and more (this one’s for real, and yes, they’re happy). Why is it so easy to compare up and not look to compete to have more? Eventually I am happy for my frieds, but I momentarily become little and want to scream like Veruca Salt, “I want a chocolate river, Daddy!”

With the holiday season in full gear there are boundless opportunities to compare whose tree, decorations*, party, home, children, … are better. I don’t like to recognize the competitive side of my personality, but she rears her ugly head when I pretend that part of me doesn’t exist. Thankfully, with the help of therapy and friends, I’m learning to appreciate the GOOD things I do have, and I’m learning to value myself by my own yardstick, not my perception of everyone else’s expectations of me. Starting this blog last month has also given me a place to focus on the amazing moments in my life. I feel it. I know that I won’t have the best Christmas card, that spot has been taken up in my head by two creative friends, and my food will never compare to a girlfriend I went to grad school with who I swear has eight arms in the kitchen. My house is decorated just enough for me. My Martha aspirations will have to sit on the back burner for another year.

Along with putting this embarrassing commentary out there, I want to add that my noncompetitive goal is to spend the holiday season celebrating one of the hardest, yet most blessed, years of our life. I know 2008 is going to be amazing.

*I’m hoping this guy doesn’t have any neighbors who feel a need for some friendly neighborhood competition, or else there won't be any peace on earth.

This Week

2007-12-07T09:44:00.000-08:00

:: My first born turned eleven

:: Will's soccer team played in the city finals. Although they lost, it was an awesome game, and Will got tons of praise from his team, and the opponents, on his goalie skills.

:: Reese played Rudolph in a community theater workshop play

:: My friend Melanie welcomed a baby boy on Wednesday afternoon. Welcome to the world, Cameron. I can't wait to meet you this weekend!

:: I bought this gorgeous skirt for the holdiays at Anthropology

:: Receiving my first of three Secret Santa gifts

:: Holiday party invites and Christmas cards in the mail

:: My first blog giveaway

:: Overheard in my classroom: "I better quit being so nice to all the girls or they're all going to be in love with me by college."

:: Surprising coworkers with gifts of fresh holly

:: Fergie's Clumsy

:: Finally putting up Chrismas decoations

:: Shopping and lunch at a Southwestern restaurant with DW to celebrate her birthday -- and bananna burritos and champagne for dessert!

:: Cuddling with our cats to keep warm and help shield me from the shock of a $3,000 car repair bill for my husband's Explorer. Merry Christmas, hunny.

Eleven

2007-12-07T07:39:00.000-08:00

Dear Beautiful Boy,
Happy eleventh birthday! I’m delighted, but truth be told I hoped you wouldn’t grow up. Not the, you’re 27 and living in the basement, but that I would be your mom, and you would be a kid, and we’d live happily ever after. However, I’m learning to deal with reality, and as each day passes I get excited about your universe. You’ve grown into someone I didn’t expect, and I’m grateful for that. I’m proud of your individuality, and that you are confident in making your own choices. You’ve picked up interests I had hoped to discourage you from, like hunting, but you don’t allow your friends to tell you what to do, and you don’t let your mom either.

Your passion for the History and Discovery channels cracks us up. Every night at dinner you share some nugget of information, and at the Chicago Art Institute you impressed the docent away with how much you know about arms and armor. Your vocabulary is incredible.

I am blown away by how smart you are, and that you’re doing so well in school academically, socially, and that you have a diverse set of interests from sports to choir. You have a beautiful voice, and I loved watching you participate in a community theater musical this summer. When you sing in the school choir I hear the voice of an angel.

This summer you went away to camp for the first time, and it looked like you weren't coming home. You wouldn't pack up until the last boy had left. Between the freedom, and the archery and shooting, games, canoeing and other stuff, you found your own heaven on earth. It's going to be heartbreaking, but this summer I will let you go for as long as you want.

Congratulations on winning the championship with your hockey team, and winning district finals in soccer, but I’m glad you were just as happy when your baseball team lost nearly all their games. You celebrate the game more than the wins. This summer you overcame fears from last summer's waterskiing and tubing, and you became fearless on the lake. Your snow skiing and snowboarding skills come as naturally to you as breathing. I imagine that, although you think you want to go to college at Vanderbilt like your dad, or Notre Dame like your Uncle Dan, I think you’re going to end up in the mountains where I’ve seen your spirit explode.

Sports are your first love, but you leave a lot of room for other passions. Its fun watching you develop your own taste in music, and I’m getting used to Green Day posters and the Foo Fighters blasting from the stereo.

I’m also glad you are becoming a reader. I had my doubts, wrenched over your love of video games, and worried that you would only read for school assignments, but you’ve started asking for books, and your buddy Michael has got you hooked on the boy’s Dear America series. You recently devoured Old Yeller, a book I thought would be too emotionally wrought for you, but you fell in love with the story and talked at dinner about how books like that stick with you forever.

It's also awesome watching how you relate to animals, and your new cat Shadow would follow you to the ends of the earth. Lelaini is getting used to sharing your attention with the cats, but she knows she rules the outdoor universe, and weekends at the farm, with you.

Have an awesome day celebrating today playing Laser Tag with your friends. I’ll be the one crying tears of joy in the light of 12 candles (one to grow on).

God’s blessings, and all my love,
Mom

Mosaic created with Flickr Toys

Thursday 13 - Christmas Treats

2007-12-07T04:41:00.000-08:00

The tree and decorations aren’t up, and I haven’t written a single Christmas card, but I am already gorging on holiday treats. Today it was Charlotte's orange cookie crisps with chocolate. I couldn't - stop - eating - them.

This is a list of my Top 13 Christmas Holiday

Can’t Miss Favorites.

::Gingerbread Men – I have a story about how to break your Kitchen Aid mixer by trying to put too much dough in at one time.

::Clementine’s – they’re my darlings, and the only healthy item on my list

::Hot chocolate – add Bailey and you have a whole meal

::My mom’s Shortbread Cookies and Rum Balls - Careful how many of those you eat. Whoops, too late!

::Candy Canes and my friend Dawn’s Candy Cane Crisp Cookies – Dawn loves to bake and cook and impress her friends. The link recipe isn’t hers, but it’s close enough

::Rice Krispies & Marshmallows Christmas Wreaths – These were one of the first things I ever learned to make.

::Aunt Susan’s Peanut Brittle – she will not share her recipe

::Bûche de Noël – Easier to make than it looks, and it makes me feel ooh la las

::Red Velvet Cake with Snow White Icing – I could eat this in a box, with a fox, anytime of year

::Italian Panettone – I have never made this because our local bakery does such a good job, and they wrap it in such pretty, pretty paper

::Kim’s Sugared and Spiced Nuts – Kim’s perennial favorite to bring to Christmas cookie exchanges packaged in Mason jars with a Christmas ribbon around the rim.

::Champagne – The bubbles make me feel skinny

::Christmas Spiced Tea

Cookbooks on my wish list include:
The Art of Simple Food,

by Alice Waters
Nigella Express: 130 Recipes for Good Food, Fast

by Nigella Lawson

Works for Me Wednesday - Sereni-TEA

2007-12-05T04:44:00.001-08:00

Although I don’t have afternoon tea like my parents, I did inherit their love for a proper cup of tea to warm me in the cold weather months.

Want a simple way to brew yourself a cup of tea? Teavana’s Perfect Tea Maker allows me to brew a cup of tea just right for me. After you boil the water, seep loose leaf tea in the tea maker for a few minutes, and then drain the tea into your favorite mug. Brilliant! With Teavana’s wide array of teas all my family has to do is rinse out the Tea Maker and add another tea.

My fall favorite is Teavana's Plum Harvest, and over the holidays we enjoy drinking Christmas Spiced Tea.

My first Giveaway:

I will select one random reader of this post to win

their own Teavana Perfect Tea Maker.

Just leave a comment below.

The winner will be chosen Sunday!

Pink Link - Brad Pitt's 9th Ward Project is Pretty in Pink

2007-12-03T08:17:00.000-08:00

From People Magazine: Brad Pitt unveiled his ambitious new residential vision for the Hurricane Katrina-ravaged Ninth Ward of New Orleans on Monday's Today show. With a goal to have the project completed by the end of next summer, he calls it "Make It Right."

For more information click to People online

Sunday Scribblings - Walk

2007-12-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

I HEART my iPod. Its user friendly, does what I tell it to, it’s way cute and portable, its commercial free, has tunes to cheer me up, goes for eight hours, you can shuffle your tunes with just one button, it has more than once it has blocked out the noise of my children, connets me about through the iTunes Store, AND my i Pod motivates me to get up and get moving.

My iMix for walking was inspired by my sister-in-laws’ passion for playlists on her iPod. I have a short attention span for exercising, and she encouraged me to make playlists for different occasions. Most fitness gurus suggest a playlist with a consistent beat, but this one keeps me guessing and giggling.

Walking on Sunshine – Katrina & the Waves
Walk this Way – Aerosmith
Walk this Way – Run DMC & Aerosmith
Walk On – U2
Walk On – Kelly Clarkson
Walk Away – Pink
Don’t Walk Away – Bad English
I Walk the Line – Johnny Cash
Walk like an Egyptian – The Bangles
These Boots Were Made for Walking – Nancy Sinatra
Walking on the Moon – The Police
Wakin’ on the Sun – Smashmouth
Walking in Memphis – Marc Cohn
Walking After Midnight – Patsy Cline
Walking on Broken Glass – Annie Lenox
Walk on By – Aretha Franklin
The Long & Winding Road – The Beatles and ...
Gimme Three Steps - Lynyrd Skynyrd

I also found a couple of good sites for walking playlists. Try: Walky Talk and Quick and Simple. And if I ever become a runner (one of my 2008 goals) I want to try the Nike iPod Sports Kit.

Let me know -

What are the tunes that get you going?

Sunday Scribblings was set up to provide inspiration and motivation for anyone who enjoys writing and would like a weekly challenge. Join in!

Click here for photos of our Thanksgiving Weekend Walk

This Week

2007-12-01T10:36:00.000-08:00

:: My 13th Wedding anniversary, celebrated with dinner and my parents taking the kids for an overnight

:: Going back to school to get my National Board Teaching Certificate

:: A new camera (the anniversary gift I really, really wanted). I love my Canon Rebel, but it’s cumbersome to lug around sometimes. (I'm still in shock I've become such a Canon devotee. I still have the Nikon F4 I got for my undergrad college graduation, but the Canon Rebel was cheaper than the Nikon SLR's, and I've loved what I can do with it.)

:: J.J. announcing she’s expecting

:: Bodyworlds Thanksgiving Sunday

:: Turkey soup with barley

:: My monthly Bunco girl’s night out

:: Reading The Borrowers to my class. It is an indescrible feeling exposing children to stories you know will open their eyes to life in a new way.

:: Reese’s dance classes and Will’s ice hockey games (winning 10-1 and 5-2)

:: Planning Will's laser tag birthday party for his 11th birthday next week

:: The first Christmas cards and party invites arriving in the mail

Thursday 13 - Thirteen Year Wedding Anniversary

2007-11-29T08:21:00.000-08:00

... His morning routine of brining me coffee and getting the boys ready
... His love of Life is Good clothing
... He makes the best barbecue in the world, especially ribs slow cooked at our farm in the summer for friends and family, and that he cooks dinner most nights and cleans it up
... The way he talks to our dog and lets our new cats sleep on his pillow
... His hazel eyes
... That despite having a dad who wasn't involved in the details of his life, he coaches our kids sports teams, teaches them to hunt and fish, and works daily with them on homework.
... The way I fit perfectly next to him when we spoon in bed.
... He pays the bills, a chore I hate.
... He doesn't care what I look like.
... He's supporting my decision to go back to school, even though he knows he'll be left with a lot more responsibility.
... He knows things like the names of animals, trees and plants. He has eagle eyes, and he can spot a deer or hawk anywhere.
... His back massages
... Because he loves me unconditionally

And these didn't hurt either ....

Wedding Pic Here

Thursday Thirteen

WFMW Decoupaged Christmas Frames

2007-11-28T17:06:00.000-08:00

Are beautiful holiday cards going unused at your house? Yep, ours too, so the boys and I decided to use them to decoupage wooden photo frames for them to give as gifts and to put up family holiday photos. You decoupage fanatics are thinking nothing new, but we have never done decoupage before, but we learned quickly. The biggest mistake we made was not painting the first frame before we added images, and we also learned that the frames look much nicer when you use images within the same color scheme. All you need to create the frames is a wooden frame, scissors, glue, old holiday cards and some Modgepodge to coat the images when you're finished.
We have planned on a big collage using the photos we’ve collected over the years, and we’re also turning some of the cards into an interlocking building game, a project idea from an old Martha Stewart Living. Martha also had a great idea to cover wooden blocks with six different cards to make a picture puzzle set, and a friend of mine is cutting her cards using a circle cutter and turning them into a paper wreath.

Do you have any other good ideas about how to recycle old Christmas cards?

Homemade with Love

***My last week's WFMW entry***

Anniversary

2007-11-26T16:46:00.001-08:00

A Bakers Dozen --

Thirteen Years Ago Today

Misspent Youth?

2007-11-25T08:55:00.000-08:00

The truth is that despite three years of high school Latin
The only thing I remember is how to recite Mica, Mica, Parva Stella.
The truth is that despite PBS being one of the only channels we could watch,
I can still remember, in detail, every Brady Bunch episode ever created.
The truth is that despite learning to value all people, and all religions,
Growing up in a Unitarian church,
I ended up marrying a conservative Catholic with Republican leanings.
The truth is that despite all the home economics classes, and taking a basic sewing class three times,
I’d still rather get Chinese take-out or buy a pillow at Pottery Barn.
The truth is that after years of ballet and dance classes
I can no longer touch my toes.
The truth is that swinging makes me feel sick,
And that my roller skating talents have taken me nowhere.
The truth is that all the nights Madelyn and I spent dreaming of what our lives would be like
When I married Leif Garret, and she married Shawn Cassidy, didn’t work out.
The truth is that learning how to dissect a frog
Has never come in handy.
The truth is that my youth is gone,
But if I had to do it again,
I wouldn’t change a thing.

This Week

2007-11-24T13:15:00.000-08:00

--Thanksgiving celebrated warmly with both sides of the family, and I didn't have to do any of the cooking
--Family visiting from New York, Chicago, Boston and Louisville
--Thanksgiving celebrated warmly with both sides of the family, and I didn't have to do any of the cooking
--Family visiting from New York, Chicago, Boston and Louisville
--Getting an update on my niece teaching English for a second year in Japan
--A new hat!
--Fall colors - in a blink they will be gone
-- Drinks out with girlfriends last night, and smiling until my face hurt
--My sister-in-law's sweet potato casserole with sugared walnuts
--The way my brother-in-law makes my boys feel like they're the most important people in the world
--Seeing Enchanted on opening day. I was worried I would be disappointed, but the movie exceeded my expectations. Entertainment Weekly gives it a B+, but for me this movie deserves it's own Oscar category.
--My husband's aunt's hummus on crackers, turkey soup and homemade pumpkin pie after a long walk at our farm.
--Warm woolen mittens
--Joining Simple Abundance online. I don't know what to expect, but it looks like it will help keep me on a path of gratitude.
--Being able to watch full episodes of Pushing Daisies online
--My husband's barbecued steak and "secret seasonings" - never the same twice
--Finally finding a Wii after weeks of trying
--Reading Midnight on the Moon with Reese and listening to updated on Old Yeller with Will
--Pumpkin muffins and coffee at Starbucks with KG

Post Thanksgiving Workout

2007-11-24T12:32:00.000-08:00

A bundled up walk at our farm on Friday afternoon full with playing may apple soccer, collecting berries and leaves, finding turkey feathers and even a cow skull or two. Our dog Leilani chased the hills, and Will and Reese kept warm by the love of family. The sun set behind the hills turned the trees and people into living silhouettes, and the last of the leaves falling from the trees felt like colorful confetti from Mother Nature. At home we retreated to the warmth of the fire, hot chocolate for the boys, homemade turkey soup, and the last vestages of the pumpkin pie.

Pay it Forward

2007-11-23T06:25:00.001-08:00

Through Sunday Scribblings I've discovered so many awesome blogs and creative spirits. Today I linked to Tanya who is participating in a Pay it Forward game (I have no idea how many links back this goes. Beware, once you start clicking it's hard to stop.), and I'm eager to jump on the bandwagon.

Here are the rules:

1. You leave a comment here on my blog and request to join the Pay It Forward exchange.

2.The first three comments who agree to join will receive a handmade gift from moi (a surprise of course).

3.You return the Pay It Forward by making the same promise on your blog. How fun is that!!!

Wii Wii Wii All the Way Home

2007-11-23T05:49:00.000-08:00

Dear Nintendo Company,

After weeks of calling around to stores, my hubby got up at 4 this morning and bought a Wii for my kids for Christmas. Whew. He said he stood in line with over 20 people, all with post Thanksgiving tryptophan hang-overs. Some people who've been even more frustrated than us trying to find one to buy, and with a supply of 20 gaming systems people were going home empty handed.

So what I want to know is, what's up with you creating such a high demand and such a limited supply? This is supposed to be the season of fa la la.

Your new inquiring customer,
Tickled Pink

The Pilgrims Came

2007-11-22T10:42:00.000-08:00

Mama Deux and Papa with Will and Reese

and my brother's adorable, yummy, precious kids.

My neice did all the decorations for dinner including

personalized placemats.

Mine said, "Ant Nicole" - I'm saving it forever.

I forgot to charge the battery on my camera

and have only a couple of photos from

our two holiday celebrations. Gah.

The Pilgrims Came

The Pilgrims came across the sea,
And never thought of you and me;
And yet it's very strange the way
We think of them Thanksgiving day.
We tell their story, old and true

Of how they sailed across the blue,
And found a new land to be free
And built their homes quite near the sea.
Every child knows well the tale
Of how they bravely turned the sail
And journeyed many a day and night,
To worship God as they thought right.

- Author Unknown

Works for Me Wednesday - Wearning a Scarf

2007-11-21T08:33:00.001-08:00

I must have inherited my love of scarves from my French father (my mother is British). Pictured above is a of a photo of them, and my mother looking effortless elegant, despite having a newborn (me!).
As a working wife and mother of two busy boys my outfits need to be faire simple (“keep it simple”). Wearing a scarf is effortless, a last minute addition. One of my favorite ways to wear a scarf is to string it through my pants loops and tie it in a square knot or bow. Each of my scarves tells a story, and this William Morris scarf is from one of my close friends (and former bridesmaid oh so long ago), who bought it a the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
I also like to tie one on a purse, especially during the holidays, to add color to an outfit.

To store my silk scarves I bought this inexpensive holder from Organized Living and keep it in my closet.
This basic fold, from an old copy of How to Wear Your Hermès (French pronunciation [ɛʀ.mɛs]Scarf is essential.

And for some lovely, simple directions on how to wear a scarf, be sure to check out Mireille Guiliano, author of French Women Don't Get Fat, at this Borders Books Club video (play #9). There you’ll learn my favorite way to wear any scarf during the winter.

To get more fabulous Works for Me Wednesday ideas click here

2007-11-19T16:35:00.000-08:00

Capturing Fall III

2007-11-19T16:17:00.001-08:00

Photos From a Walk this Week

It's a horse, of course!

Will and Reese
Tickled Pink (and green, yellow, red, orange ....)

Up and up - unitl they all fall down So many colors

Hat Head

2007-11-19T16:10:00.001-08:00

He learned how to make this hat from a kit,

and I got it.! Way cute!

Sunday Scribblings - I Carry (A Photo and a Poem)

2007-11-17T16:00:00.001-08:00

I must be feeling brave. Here's a photo of what I really carry in my purse (click here for notes):

This week's Sunday Scribblings promt is "I Carry."

Here's a poem I wrote today. I teach writing poetry to my class,
and this was a good exercise in how hard it is.

Bag Ladies

We went to dinner,
some new restaurant we all wanted to try,
hanging our purses on the tops of designer chairs.
We ordered tapas and tried the red wine
the sommelier recommended.

We toasted our glasses and pulled out photos of our kids, saying
“How they’ve grown! Where does the time go?”
Gretchen pulled out a silver compact touched up her lips with her latest pink.
I caught her,
while she unconsciously brushed the growing lines around her eyes.

Stacy reached into her purse,
discretely to everyone but me,
and popped several pills
which she swallowed with her Merlot,
confirming what I already dreaded.

I glanced at Caroline’s purse
overflowing with pieces of her -
receipts, cosmetics, candy, multiple to do lists, volunteer work, a book, and toys for her kids.
She looked up, blushed, and confessed,
“I live in fear of being called up for Let’s Make a Deal.”

I glanced at my own purse and wondered
what the purse I carry said about me,
what secret it was holding inside.
Ashamed, I wondered, did I max out my credit cards on a retail therapy trip to Target?
Waiter, check please.

This Week

2007-11-16T18:02:00.000-08:00

· Will's team (pictured left; he's in the center) winning their District in soccer today! He's the team goalie, and they beat their opponents 5-1.
· A tie soccer game with Reeses' the two third grades faceing off for an end of season match.
· A crab cakes and a bubbles flight (a trio of sparking wines) with Meg to celebrate her birthday
· A holiday gift/decorations auction with friends
· A kick off party for a friend whose running for an open house of representatives seat in our District
· Hubby saving the day by coming home from work to fix a flat tire
· Slipper drama
· My first Works for Me Wednesday, Thursday 13, and Friday Fiver postings
· A super successful Boy Scouts Scouting For Food collection
· Chicken crepes with cranberries
· Chai Lattes with Resse
· Admitting that I needed to drop one of my work committees and not feeling bad about it
· Taking holiday cards to the Veterans
· New gray cashmere sweater and gray wool slacks from Ann Taylor
· Saying goodbye to a favorite CSI cast member
· Rereading Susan Branch’s Autumn
· Purging a stack of magazines and passing them on to J.S.
· Cuddling with the cats on the screened in porch
· Autumns beauty with the color still hanging on.
· Acorns crunching beneath my feet on a fall photo walk
· Bri’s heart tree
· Pulling out the homemade quilts from Grandma H.
· A bright crescent moon
· Watching a snippet of Blazing Saddles with Will. It’s just as funny as I remembered.
· Baking a confetti cake with Reese. It didn’t make it a day.
· Reading inspiring blogs
· Hubby “bagging” a buck. Not my thing, but it makes him happy. Will makes his first hunting trip out with Dad tonight.

And last, but NOT least....

· Dan, the best man from our wedding, receiving a call for a kidney transplant!! He’s doing exceptionally well. Our prayers are with Dan, Susy, their four kids and extended family, and the family of the young donator who died in a car crash. Please, please sign the back of your driver’s license.

Friday Fiver

2007-11-16T09:30:00.000-08:00

I think you have to have a special account to log on to Friday Fiver, but I'm participating anyway ...

1. What's the last thing you threw away? I just purged some magazines, but I donated them to a friend who is equally addicted.

2. Have you ever been to Paris? May favorite trip was during my study abroad in Spain while in college. My favorite memory is of seeing the impressionists’ paintings at the Musée d'Orsay up close on a rainy day. Who doesn’t dream of rainy days in Paris?

3. What do you stare at? My children while they’re sleeping.

4. What do you hurry for? To get to work. I have the “one more thing” syndrome in the morning.

5. Friday fill-in:I could have been a gossip columnist. In high school I was voted most likely to be one and an advise columnist. How could I help it if everyone told me everything?!

Capturing Fall II

2007-11-16T06:35:00.000-08:00

These flowers, with thier happy faces, brighten my day
Fall Kalediscope

Bri's favorite heart (shaped leaf) tree

I love this tree because when you stand back and look at it it's red,
but if you go under it, the leaves are green and a golden yellow
The sky is blue and the air is CRISP

Thursday 13 - Thanksgiving Myths

2007-11-14T14:31:00.000-08:00

Who knew Thanksgiving could be so controversial?! With a gobble, gobble here, and some hunting and gathering there, I’ve put together a list of 13 Thanksgiving myths for my first Thursday 13.

Myth #1: The Pilgrims wore black and white outfits, buckles, and pointed hats. Pilgrims did wear black when they went to church on Sunday, but they did not wear black for the first Thanksgiving feast. In addition, Pilgrims weren't quite as stylish as some people think because they didn't have any buckles on their shoes. Buckles didn't appear on the fashion scene until the late 17th century. Inventories from the Mayflower show that John Howland had two red waistcoats, that William Bradford had a green gown, violet cloak, lead colored suit with silver buttons, and a red waistcoat, and that William Brewster had green drawers, a red cap, and a violet coat. Black, white, grey, and brown were by far the most common colors worn by the Pilgrims, but were definitely not the only colors.

Myth #2: Thanksgiving always was in November. The Pilgrims had their first feast sometime between September 21 and November 11. The dinner lasted for three whole days! The Pilgrims probably remembered their old English harvest festivals on this special day. Since the autumn harvest usually occurred sometime between late September and the middle of October, the colonists' harvest festival wasn't celebrated in November, like it is today. For hundreds of years, people simply celebrated the harvest whenever nature was ready.

Myth #3: The Pilgrims celebrated Thanksgiving every year after 1621. The Pilgrims did not do a Thanksgiving dinner every year. It took a long time before it became a real holiday. Abraham Lincoln made it a national holiday with his 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation. Later, President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided that the fourth Thursday in November was an excellent permanent day for this celebration.

Myth #4: The biggest meal that the Pilgrims ate was in the evening. Actually, the Pilgrims ate their biggest meal at noon, and this meal was called dinner. Another name for the noon meal was noon meat. Everyone has a different time for their Thanksgiving feast since it is usually the only meal served, and you remain stuffed for hours. The Native Americans did not have a tradition of eating scheduled meals, and instead ate whenever they were hungry.

Myth #5: The Pilgrims were celebrating a wonderful harvest. The harvest of 1621 was not very bountiful after all. However, the Pilgrims were grateful to be alive. Their wheat, barley, and peas that came over from England did not do very well. The only crop that flourished was corn. The corn crop did so well because of a generous man named Squanto. He belonged to the Patuxet tribe, but he was captured by the English. He later became a member of the Wampanoag tribe when he returned to the New World and discovered his people had all died from disease. He knew all about corn and taught the Pilgrims everything. Most of the Pilgrim's time was spent gathering, preparing or eating food. Interestingly, although there was plenty of wild game, the Pilgrims did not know how to catch it! They could not fish nor hunt. If not for the Indian corn they found and later grew, the new arrivals would have starved to death. Moreover, the guests brought most of the food. When the Pilgrims invited their Native American guests, they weren't prepared to feed everyone who came. A Wampanoag chief, Massasoit, sent his men home for supplies.

Myth #6: The Pilgrims ate turkey, cranberry, corn on the cob and pumpkin pie. The only food that historians are certain that the Pilgrims ate is deer, but they would have been accustomed to eating turkey. Foods like the ones listed today became popular because the Victorians celebrated that way. Historians say the actual Thanksgiving meal probably included: duck, goose, swans, seal, rabbit and lobster.

Myth #7: The Pilgrims were the first to celebrate Thanksgiving in America. Native Americans had been living in America for over 40,000 years before the Pilgrims arrived. Certainly, harvest celebrations had been part of their rituals. San Elizaro, Texas claims the first feast was held in 1598 to celebrate the arrival of Spanish explorer, Juan de Onate. The Berkeley Plantation in Virginia reenacts the landing and celebration of the settlers on board the Margaret in 1619, a year before The Mayflower reached Massachusetts.

Myth #8: The Pilgrims who sailed on the Mayflower were mostly old men. There we about 103 passengers on the Mayflower including 51 men, 22 boys, 20 women, and 11 girls. About half of them died in the first winter in the New World.

Myth #9:: The Pilgrims stole the land for their Colony from the Indians, and mistreated them. The Pilgrims arrived and found a place to settle, called Plymouth on Captain John Smith's map of 1614. The native Indians called the area Patuxet. The Patuxet tribe had been completely wiped out in a 1618 plague (probably smallpox), and so there was at the time no tribe inhabiting or claiming the land the Pilgrims settled. The only Patuxet survivor of the plague was Tisquantum, more commonly called "Squanto" (who had been in England at the time of the plague). Squanto was accepted into the Plymouth Colony and acted as interpreter and negotiator with Massasoit and the Wampanoag confederation of tribes--the Pilgrims nearest neighbors.
The Wampanoag never overtly challenged the Pilgrims' right to live on the land (until 75 years later), and in fact it appears Massasoit liked the idea of having Englishmen neighbors and allies because it increased his own power within the region by keeping his enemies at bay.

Myth #10: The Pilgrims ate with forks and ate their plates. Partly true and false. The Pilgrims used bread as plates and then ate them afterwards And while forks were widely used by the upper class in Italy during the late Middle Ages, they were not known in England until 1608, when the English writer Thomas Coryate returned from a walking tour and showed his countrymen the Italian eating implement. The English were slow to adopt the idea; as Jonathan Swift put it in 1738, "Fingers were made before forks, and hands before knives." The English considered eating with forks effeminate and regarded them as jewelry. They used their napkins to both pick up food and wipe their hands.
The Wampanoag never overtly challenged the Pilgrims' right to live on the land (until 75 years later), and in fact it appears Massasoit liked the idea of having Englishmen neighbors and allies because it increased his own power within the region by keeping his enemies at bay.

Myth #11: Children were part of the celebration. The tradition for eating in that time was for husbands to sit at the table followed by their wives and adult guests. Servants and children stood by the table to help with the meal and bring more the heated food to the guests. Children and servants ate after the adults had left the meal area and ate leftovers from the main meal.

Myth #12: The Pilgrims ate with forks and ate their plates. Partly true and false. The Pilgrims used stale bread as plates and then ate them afterwards And while forks were widely used by the upper class in Italy during the late Middle Ages, they were not known in England until 1608, when the English writer Thomas Coryate returned from a walking tour and showed his countrymen the Italian eating implement. The English were slow to adopt the idea; as Jonathan Swift put it in 1738, "Fingers were made before forks, and hands before knives." The English considered eating with forks effeminate and regarded them as jewelry.

Myth #13: The Mayflower had originally set sail for Virginia but, due to bad weather and navigational errors, landed at what is now Massachusetts. The tiny ship sighted huge breakers off of Chatham on Cape Cod, and alerted to this danger followed the coast north to the safety of what is today's Provincetown harbor before sailing across Cape Cod Bay a week later to Plymouth. At that time, most of the east coast of North America was considered Virginia and Massachusetts was merely the northern portion.

Works for Me Wednesday - Thanksgiving Cards*

2007-11-13T19:36:00.000-08:00

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?"
–William A. Ward

One of my cherished rituals in November is sitting down to write some family and some close friends is putting together a Thank You/Thanksgiving gratitude card. I feel blessed to know so many amazing people, and I think writing the cards fills my heart more than it fills theirs.

This year some of the people I’m thankful for include: SR & KR for having us to their house for our annual boating trip, MB for setting the bar higher for me by constantly setting the bar higher for herself, KG for encouraging me on good and bad days, LB for holding my hand through some dark days (and for being their for me to talk to on my morning drive to work; she’s way better than a new cup of coffee at Starbucks), DW for teaching me how to always do the next right thing, MV for being an amazing friend and for reminding me to enjoy life’s little moments (like the day we celebrated her birthday for hours with the windows open at a city bistro), TI for still making me feel young like we did when we both celebrated each other’s weddings, CH for teaching me how to save myself and giving me the tools to do it, SK for teaching me that there are limits for what I can do for other people and that my best is more than good enough, co-workers MP, DM and JS for being there when I need to be uplifted and for being some of the best friends a girl could have, and to my mom who worked hard to repair some old wounds in our mother/daughter relationship. Just typing this list has left me feeling overwhelmed with gratitude.

Want to write your own, but don’t know what to say? Some links that might help get you started include:

Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude

The Wheel of Gratitude

Some Famous Quotes about Gratitude

wikiHow – Letter of Appreciation

wikiHow - Love Letter

43 Folders - Keeping Connected

New York Times - Gratitude Visits

*This is my first Works for Me Wednesday post after being a long time lurker.

Be sure to click over!

Slipper Day for Children's Book Week

2007-11-13T16:20:00.001-08:00

Slipper Day for Children's Book Week

Darn they look so cute. Too bad it took a quick trip to Wally World to buy them before school, once again causing me to feel like a "Bad Mom." Grrrr. I really thought I had my act together this week. Focusing on the positive, the important things are that they got them (and got them to school, and me to work, on time!), that they had a fun day strutting around school and cuddling up with good books, and that I even had a moment to snap this photo, something I wouldn't have thought to do before becoming a Blogger! I'm not feeling like such a bad mom after all.

Capturing Fall I

2007-11-12T19:19:00.001-08:00

Leilani in the backyard on Sunday afternoon

Veteran's Day - Sunday Scribblins "Left and Right"

2007-11-11T15:10:00.000-08:00

These are some of the cards, poems and posters some students from my class, and others from my school, made for one of our local VFW halls, a project we've done for the past five years. Some of the projects are used to decorate the fireplace at the hall, some go home with Veterans, and many they deliver to some Veterans at the city Veteran's hospital. Dropping off the cards each November helps me to put some of my gratitude into action. My father served in Korea driving a duck boat, and my brother in the Middle East on an aircraft carrier. It's a good feeling to know that my family has contributed to our country's greater good, and I think it makes my students feel good to reach out to people who have served.

To me, whether your political leanings are left or right, it's important to believe in the sacredness of individual life; to support our troops and the people of which ever contry we're fighting for or against. I smiled ear-to-ear when I saw a bumper sticker that read, "God loves everyone. No exceptions."

My class wrote acrostic poems with words like Veteran, Freedom, Remember and American. We also studied the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and read the poem The Vigil. I love it when I feel like I'm learning as much as they are.

The Vigil

In measured steps he makes his rounds,
The click of heels the only sounds.
He stands erect, so straight and tall,
With pride and dedication responds to the call.
With deep affection his vigil keeps
Over those who forever sleep.
He responds not to the visitor's stare,
Maintaining his vigil as in in silent prayer.
In the morning's twilight hours,
His watch becomes like cathedral towers
Reaching from Earth to Heaven above,
A lasting tribute to one man's love.
As time and seasons come and go
His vigil remains for all to know
That beneath the sacred Arlington sod
Lies three buddies known but to God.

Thanksgiving Decorating 2007

2007-11-11T09:39:00.000-08:00

Pics of Will and Reese with friends from their second grade Thanksgiving play, and a photo of the boys with some of their cousins

Fall Vignette with a fall tree by Will, music box from a trip to Austria my brother brought back for me when I was 10 years old, a watercolor of the smoke house at our farm by by friend Meg, and some Shaker boxes from an Amish store near our farm
Watercolor by my mother-in-law of Will and Reese in the creek at our farm
Pilgrims on the mantle
Kid friendly table setting
Pilgrims II
My childhood Muffy Vanderbear decked out for Thanksgiving

Fall folliage and checked ribbons decorate a chandlier
Mice and pumpkins in the china cabinet

The Welcome Turkey

Pumpkins at the door

Thursday 13 - 13 Wishes for the Rest of 2007 (in random order)

2007-11-09T12:39:00.000-08:00

My family stays healthy
Hubby and I remember to celebrate each other on our 13th Wedding Anniversary!
We have a gratitude filled Thanksgiving
We clear out the basement for better chi
We can keep the financial budget balanced for the holidays
We keep our energy balanced
We travel somewhere, somehow
I get to the gym five days a week
Family photo gets take, Christmas cards get mailed, and presents are assembled, wrapped and mailed
Bud has an awesome 11th birthday
Plenty of time with family and friends
To remember the true meaning of the holidays
To cook at home and eat out less

Sunday Scribblings - Money

2007-11-04T16:42:00.000-08:00

During October I help my school get ready for Halloween by organizing a UNICEF Pumpkin Run fundraiser, and by getting the kids jazzed up to take the bright orange UNICEF Trick-or-Treat boxes out with them Halloween night.

Money raised this year will go to the Swazi Children Care Project, a program that trains community volunteers to provide health services, nutritious meals and care to the children of Swaziland. The funds will help provide basic equipment, hygiene, educational, recreational and emergency supplies; link orphans and vulnerable children to essential basic services; train volunteer caregivers; and improve the ability of local organizations to provide community-based services.

UNICEF provided our school with an excellent DVD to show the kids where their money is going. Some of the images were shocking to students. Some students even asked if the images were real. I guess the days of Sally Struthers and others begging on TV to help children around the world isn't as common. I smiled when one kid announced, "Man I have a good life!"