April Fool’s Day March 30, 2008

Tuesday is the big day!  We used to play “amusing” tricks on our kids with “odd” breakfasts on April 1.

Now that they are grown, it is hard to figure out what to do that is original.  I found a few sites to share that might help with ideas.  However, I will not be revealing my plan for 2008.

Just to keep the tradition going and inspire you here are a few sites to visit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fool’s_Day

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/aprilfool/

Be Prepared ! Have fun and be careful! 

hallmark.com has free AFD cards.

If you happen to know which city &  state this photo was taken– let me know! (I do know already.)

Earth Hour- tonight- March 29th March 29, 2008

Tonight from 8-9 pm we all have an opportunity to participate in something magical.  Notice Google’s dark background today?  Read more on Earth Hour and participate! http://www.google.com/intl/en/earthhour/

 My maternal grandfather was quite the frugal man.  He initiated dark nights once in a while to remind his children how lucky we all are to have electricity at our disposal.

 BTW, it is almost National Turn-off the TV week!  Another way to pause and reflect on our lifestyles and advantages/disadvantages. April 21- 27, 2008

http://www.tvturnoff.org

On the flip side, a friend and I watched The Kite Runner DVD last night. This is a must-see!

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson March 28, 2008

Charlottesville was hopping last night.  Not only were the frat boys partying on their front lawns and enjoying a fine spring evening at UVA, but a week long literary event was being held.

If you have not read this inspiring book, please do ASAP. My good friend R and I went to hear him speak about his school building projects in Pakistan.  If you have ever felt moved to join the Peace Corps or volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, hearing this humble man speak will give you much pause for thought.

To find out more visit: www.threecupsoftea.org

To donate: Central Asia Institute PO Box 7207 Bozeman, MT 59771 phone #406-585-7841 www.ikat.org  www.penniesforpeace.org

The event we attended is called  The Virginia Festival for the Book.  It’s the 14th year of many interesting author events held in C’ville each March.   VABook.org

The Root of All Evil March 25, 2008

Lewis Black has a new show on Comedy Central.  Due to its late hour, we have not watched it yet.  However, during a time of insomnia recently, I visited  comedycentral.com and watched a few video clips from the first two weeks of the show. One segment was about the “evils” of St Patrick’s Day.  It was hilarious! http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/arts/television/12blac.html

On a different note concerning evil: In today’s local newspaper, I read a fascinating article about Mary Badham, the now 55 year old woman who played Scout in the movie To Kill A Mockingbird.  She is part of the Virginia Arts & Letters Live event this upcoming weekend.  This initiative is part of the National Endowment for the Arts focus on The Big Read. 

http://www.neabigread.org/index.php

Her timely comment was ” All of the issues that they deal with in the book (TKAM), we deal with right now. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the United States or Afghanistan or South Africa or Iraq or Iran, it all comes down to the same thing. And to me, that is that the root of all evil is ignorance, because ignorance breeds hatred and bigotry and contempt and racism.  This is a very simple, from-the-heart beautiful book that is about life and making a stab at trying to uphold the things we believe in as Americans and tolerance is the base of that.”

Marsha Mercer, national columnist, also wrote a timely column yesterday called “Reading is the First Step in Writing our Own Destiny.” “For people to believe they can write their own destiny, they must be able to read.”  And she goes on to comment….imagine if we had put all the money we are pouring into Iraq into the war on illiteracy….

FUND EDUCATION…NOT WAR!

Weeping Willows March 23, 2008

Spring has arrived! What a glorious time of year. Not only do I love to see all the blooms, I also love to see the “green” returning. Willows have a wispy way of reminding me of many joys.

We are In Delaware right now. It is cold and I look forward to going south via the Eastern Shore later today. Hoping to celebrate spring by going kite flying at one of our favorite VA state parks.

I have been listening to Robert Fulghum’s latest book in the car. It is called What on Earth Have I Done? This man is a Unitarian minister who lives in Seattle, Utah and Crete. His office is a houseboat. Generally, I would call him an observer/philosopher of life and all things amusing and mundane. I enjoy hearing him go on and on. ( sometimes) I loved his Kindergarten philosophy so many years ago. So, I am a follower. The rest of my family (traveling companions) voted not to listen to him on our drive to the beach yesterday. Oh well. (But they listened and laughed on the way home, while in a traffic jam near Williamsburg!) http://www.robertfulghum.com/
We watch CBS Sunday Morning many weekends. I love the nature meditation at the end. The stories are upbeat and interesting. Today they featured Peeps. There are now Peeps diorama contests and numerous websites featuring Peeps!  Have fun! ( And consider roasting them over a campfire too!)

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/03/25/sunday/main683276.shtml?source=search_story

http://www.marshmallowpeeps.com/index.php

 The Monument Ave Easter Bonnet Parade occured yesterday also.  Love those photos! Thanks Richmond for being a great home town!

Asparagus Quiche- FYI March 18, 2008

Spring break is coming! Spring break is coming!

I am starting to dream about camping and warm weather; despite the fact that I feel chilly and am in need of comfort food.  I have found these delightful frozen whole wheat pie crusts and at times of fatique, I like to make quiche or chicken pot pie.  Tonight it is asparagus quiche.  What a lovely spring veggie! Thin, fresh and green are the only type invited.

For some reason, I have switched over to free-range brown eggs.  Why?  They seem to taste better.

Have you ever noticed anything “odd” about asparagus?  While searching for a photo, I came upon this question and answer on Yahoo.  Here’s the answer—- you figure out the question.

“The odor of urine after eating asparagus is due to the volatile sulfur-containing compound methanethiol. A study of 800 volunteers in 1987 reported that 43% produced a smell similar to rotten or boiling cabbage after eating asparagus.

It is also interesting to note that just because you don’t smell anything foul in your urine after eating asparagus does not mean your urine doesn’t stink. There are polymorphisms (variations in a trait) in the human population for the ability to smell that compound. Some people are not able to detect it while others are hypersensitive and are able to smell the compound even when diluted.”  Don’t you just love “statistics”??

Be Wedgie Free! March 16, 2008

Hanes  “NEW” Comfort Fit Promise.  Could this be a backlash to thongs?  I’d like to think so and what’s more……..No Ride Up- money back guarantee…Really?!

yada yada yada  I laughed when I saw this ad in today’s coupon section of the newspaper.

In honor of St Patrick’s Day, I’d like you to meet Nasty- the naughty Leprechaun.  He has solved the wedgie problem by “goin’ commando” aka shooting the moon!

 TTFN

There once was a man from Kilkenny,
A leprechaun, actually, named Danny,
He went to a dance,
And there dropped his pants,
And showed everybody his fanny.

~~~~~~~

Chocolate Granola! March 14, 2008

Taste testers unite!  If you love chocolate and you love granola, here are 3 brands waiting for you to create cookies, sprinkle on yogurt, create parfaits and ice cream sundaes! 

New! Kashi Cocoa Beach Granola (great!) http://www.kashi.com/

Bread Shop Mocha Almond Granola (yummy!) Available through Amazon.com “grocery” with customer reviews- 5 star ratings!

Bared Naked Chocolate Granola ( oh my!) http://www.bearnaked.com/recipes/

 (I know I said that I rarely endorse a product, but here I go again - more than two thumbs up in one week!)

DIY- Yes, you could try to create these on your own.  If I have time over spring break, I will try to use the LLL standard homemade granola recipe and I will substitute  some type of chocolate for the usual honey  sweetener. I’ll keep you posted! Check out my daughter K’s recipe blog for the recipe. http://kellucopia.blogspot.com/ (February 13, 200

Children’s Literature & Book Blogs March 12, 2008

While perusing the latest edition of School Library Journal, I happened upon the following sites, explored them and immediately put them in “My Favorites”.  WOW!

kidslitinformation.blogspot.com

blog.cybils.com (blog awards for book sites)

goodreads.com ( cool!)

blogtations (check this one out!)

childrensbookreview (pb wiki)

Coldwater Creek- they’ve got me now March 11, 2008

Usually I don’t advertise for brand names, however…I have found the ultimate place to shop for women’s clothing.  Because they have wall waterfalls in the dressing rooms,nice restful music,  a great catalog, wonderful selections in just my style plus super coupons…..I’m hooked!  (They even have outlets- although I have never lucked out there…yet!) Recently I had the need for an interview outfit.  I found a great coupon in a magazine the day after I purchased what I needed.  I called the store ( now close by) and they said to bring the coupon in and they would recalculate the prices using the coupon.  They also keep sending discount postcards and offering me to apply for a job.   Nice try! Amazing.