Thoughts and dialog- What Books Would I Write For My Child?

I haven't been here in a bit, so, I thought my return should be of something that I find interesting. I love books. I love children's books. And, I think that there should be more books written for children of color. Hence, when, a lovely title comes along, I get excited. I also thought I might stop my hamster life wheel for a moment (BUSY, BUSY, like all moms) and share with you

I learned about this book on NPR, WNYC, while in the midst yesterday's morning rush. Listen

I also came across this website while browsing on Facebook

http://www.mommybrown.com/

I am going to keep checking this website out. It might be a great resource in parenting.

Always looking for the ups in life. It's all about making this my best life lived. Wishing you the same.

Polyvore Fashion Fall 2010

Fall 2010 Set by Tsharisse featuring fendi handbags

Some polyvore fun! Digital creative dreaming! Very engaging stuff...................

The Battle of the Click

It all happened one afternoon while I was on eBay. In a previous post here on this blog, I mentioned some little past treasures I had found and won on eBay. But, there is more to that story or event I shall call it. You see, There was this one item that I wished to win that was highly desired out of all the other bids. This was that item

The bidding got quite hectic at the end of the time period. I was sitting in my chair waiting, waiting, waiting, for the notification that I was losing. I held my ground at a high of $28.00! I was completely mad! I am thinking at the time, "Girl! You crazy, bidding that amount!" The bidding started at $5.___. I forget now, please don't quote me. But, it was low enough for me to manage the amount in addition to the other bids I was in. So, I waited for the notification, and the bidding ended. All of a sudden I see, "Sorry, you did not win...." blah, blah,blah, blah.......Big Sigh! And, the other bidder won at $30! $30!

I am feeling discouraged, sad, and just plain taunted. I mean I know that's what it's all about.  This bid/lose thing. But, I could not get out of my head that winning bidder, whoever he or she was, whooping and a hollering, I won (my extreme or not so extreme thought, I mean, I really don't know)!

So, what's a person feeling jilted supposed to do? I mean, really. Well, she takes her jilted feelings over to amazon.com and purchases the same book for $3.95 plus shipping and handling and feels really, really good! Like so good that she's whooping and a hollering (well not exactly, it was more sinister like)! 

And, I now have the ITEM in My Hands (yes, I am feeling a little immature right now).

So, this brings me to the part about why this book is special. Here are a few pics. Mind you, they are not the best pics, I was, shaking with excitement-

Cool! I mean retro, but so stylish and lady like. These magazines remind me of how when I was a young girl and teen, I would pour over these magazines and others like Essence and Ebony just studying the fashions and beauty spreads. These remembrances have kicked up in me a passion to explore needlecraft arts again. I personally think that if Good Housekeeping were to do it again, I would definitely be a subscriber. Oh, many wishes!

So, I will probably buy or bid for more of these magazines. I mean they are just chock full of wonderful patterns and tips for knitters, crocheters, and sewers. I love the styles and home ideas. 

Does my story/event sound familiar? This event brought out many things in me, which, also brings me to the thought on how many lessons I have learned from this experience. Too many!

Check out this wonderful interview at Burda Style

Featured Member: KateXXXXXX – Sewing Blog | BurdaStyle.com

Burda Style is a great sewing and fashion resource. Check it out. Lots of free sewing patterns to download and try. Free makes me so happy!

Present, Past, Yesterday, Today

Ana Tijoux, Chilean rapper, really smooth. I like her flow. Although, I still listen to my old school rap, she is smooth and to me, reminds me of the rap styles of my youthful heydays.

 I think I am gonna need to brush up on my Spanish...

Como se dice "brush up" en Espanol.........

And an interview with Ana this morning on WNYC (NPR)

My recent ebay purchases which once found could not be resisted. Nostalgia to me is irresistible.

And I think I may have found a room to sew in. The pantry which was the sole space for our family refrigerator, which has now been moved to the kitchen, seems to have the potential to become a sewing/inspiration room, or more like nook, for me. I shall report my progress in future posts.

Watched last night a Masterpiece Theater selection that I enjoyed very much

and I have been crocheting some

This cute little amigurumi elephant can be downloaded from Lion Brand Yarn for free. This great site has wonderful patterns for knitting and crochet. After you register, you can download many of them for free! Projects galore!

Too many patterns I love to add here. But, you get the idea. Got to get more yarn!

Apricot Tart

I wanted to make a dessert. I did want to try something other than my usual treats. No chocolate chip cookies. No flan (I love it, no all my children do not like it so much). No lemon cake (we eat a lot of lemon baked goodies, because I love the freshness, but my children are just tired of lemon cake), And, so that left me either turning the pages of my cookbooks which is limiting but full of lovely suggestions. Or, go to Martha, who is easy to access, and with a few well thought out searches and a bit of finger pressing patience, you can have a great recipe with just a press of the print icon and you are ready to go. I wanted to try a tart. But, I wanted to keep it very easy. Nothing complicated that would make me give up all hope to try it again. Not to mention how intimidated I am by pie crusts. The best reason for my fear of making them is that I do not own a food processor which I keep hearing makes doing pie crusts completely fearless (not to sure about this though). I am a big advocate of keep it cold and use your hands; to me, by far, my best equipment.

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/frank-and-jeromes-apricot-tart

This is a pretty simple recipe. The crust is delicious and the tart was pretty good.

I am very proud of my first tart making experience. I brought it to work with me. It was my last day there and the responses I received were very kind.With enthusiasm and encouragement, my fellow coworkers praised my efforts. And I was thankful. But for my own future reference, I would definitely put less applesauce on the tart or use very thick apple butter. I believe that I would prefer that texture to the sauce. But, I still think, Bravo me!

Nneka, her music, her story

I have found out about this talented musician and singer most recently these past few months. And I love the music she creates. Music can be inspired by both good and bad in life. But, it should motivate in its listeners understanding or agreement or action in a positive and sharing way. There is a book that I am reading now called "Little Bee" by Chris Cleave that tells about a young Nigerian woman's life concerning the issues Nneka sings about. If you have time in your summer reading (and listening) get your copy of both-music by Nneka and Little Bee.

A July summer in NY is HOT and humid

Well, today is a record high day! 97 and with the humidity caressing you, the feel like temperature is 105!!!! Triple digits, friends. And I left the house today with the girls because we had comps to SI Yankee Kids day. Yeah! A very nice turnout with those giant blowup things that the kids love to "get on or in", playing frisbee, hula hoop, and water balloon toss with the team members. Fabulous. Did anyone notice that ball players are extremely handsome?

Other summer highlights-

My sons Graduation from High School and college bound

We have a pumpkin growing in our backyard! I absentmindedly tossed a rotted pumpkin in our yard, left it, it magically and mysteriously was planted (I assume by some of the wonderful backyard animals and magical creatures lurking around) and Viola! Or, Presto! Or, Sha-Bam! (etc., etc.-please feel free to fill in your favorite magical word there) Pumpkin growing (high singing voice)!

Another baby blanket completed. OMgosh, I am into crochet. You can do it in your bed, propped up on pillows watching your favorite movies or tv series. And I so feel like I am getting things done when I crochet in bed. 

Eat, Pray, Love.....Exactly

Spring Cleaning

I live my life late. I am constantly backed up with chores. Why? Because I am always hanging out with Procrastination. Kinda my bestie for a while now. I will have to get me a better, more productive new friend.
So, I have begun spring cleaning in July. I am trying to avoid using the products that are bad for the environment and going the clean but natural route. Therefore, my cleaning bucket contains


Mrs. Meyers wonderful smelling (aromatherapy for the home) household cleaners. They work on dirt. And, they make me feel upbeat and no sick feeling while I get the jobs done. Yes, JOBS. I think with all the work I have to do, I will be cleaning clearly until the fall.

I haven't gone to see the new Twilight Eclipse movie yet. And, I don't think I will. Priorities come first. And, I usually fit mine somewhere around next to last depending on how highly I need it. Priority list looks something like

1.GOD
2. Kids
3. Eat
4. Hygiene
5. Laundry
6. Work (huh?)
7. Home
8. Me

I think that's about right!

Eclipse, need I say anything else?

And, I am reading

I am trying to give myself time to finish this book. Hopefully, before I go to view the movie.......by Friday, hmmm.

Goodness, it's hot!

I am considering the purchase of a ceiling fan for my living room. I initially wanted to purchase the fans for all the rooms in the house that have flat ceilings, no angles or close by walls near the ceiling fixtures. But, after reading about ceiling fans on the This Old House website, I found out that really reliable ceilings fans are an investment and so this has prompted me to rethink my budget. Alas, I can only afford one for now.

I am kinda nervous about installing a ceiling fan. Electricity gives me the yikes. Like, Yikes! I could get electrocuted! Or, Yikes! I might DIIIIIEEEE! So, I thought it would be smart to seek some professional help from the experts. Free professional advice from the old house experts-

How to Install a Ceiling Fan from This Old House (a  video)


I found this unit at my local Lowe's store. It is inexpensive but has very good reviews. Guess what, it fits the bill, the budget (okay, I really looked for a fan under $50, but, came to my senses, I mean, I think it should last a bit), and the pocket . Bingo!

Okay. So, I have reviewed the video and I am making plans to get the fan. If you don't see me later............

Okay I know I'm late

I have joined a "twilight" readers club on facebook. I realize that I am very late in the game. But, hey, I have a good excuse,or should I say excuses. Grad school, single-parent mom, work, household work, etc. You know what I am talking about. Plate full and over flowing even though I want to cut down my life portions, the heaping servings keep coming from all directions. 

Okay, so, yes, I am finally getting a chance to read "the saga". It's pretty non-threatening reading intellectually. I mean it's terrifically no pressure, just pure entertainment. Which is just what I need right now. I have to force myself to practically remember that it is not affiliated with journal articles or coursework, and then it's easy to slip off into the words and characters.

And, I may say now, that I cheated a bit. Okay, quite a lot. I have watched

So, I can almost say that I have been put up to speed. I get the gist. Now I have to read the books for the meat and potatoes of the saga. 

At first, I thought the reading was too lovey dovey, but I have decided to give them a decent go to the end. I am going to try........I will. And, I will keep you informed to let you know if I did.

Which brings me to what I want to put more of on my life plate and move other portions off for-

Sewing, crochet, recipe delving and tasting, making things.

I have been trying to push my crafting and sewing interest to higher levels of actually doing as opposed to all the studying of ideas, patterns, and designs. It is the actual doing I have realized (no really) that gives the interest meaning. 

And, do you know how hard it is to take out or redo a project and not leave it as it is? That takes a lot of strength. I am making a round crochet pillow. Actually two. And I did not like the first outcome, so I pulled out the stitches to begin again. But, the second time around it is faster work, I am glad to say. I just don't know what will be the outcome again. High hopes! 

And some hand crafted "monster" dolls.