Chinese Laundry

Last week, while Brad was out of town, the kids and I painted the laundry room. All by ourselves.  Big accomplishment, people. 

The color is "Haystack" by Martha Stewart and isn't it cheerful?  I love it.  Originally I wanted blue, but I decided doing laundry makes me blue enough.  I need sunshine while I sort.

Anyway, while I painted I listened to this...

Such a fascinating memoir.  Chua is a Chinese-American mom who has chosen to raise her daughters in the Chinese tradition.  As a result they are straight-A students who play concertos at Carnegie Hall.  The author is honest and some of her confessions are shocking. 

Listening, I felt like a really great mom.  Except for the chapters that made me feel like a really lazy American mom.  I think this will be my bookclub pick, a real conversation-starter.

Which reminds me, this month our bookclub read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford.  Coincidentally, also a novel about a Chinese-American family.  This one is set in Seattle during WWII.  A sweet love story with a happy ending!  I liked it.

And now, back to the laundry room...

(If you look close you'll see Jake's snow clothes.  He and Brad went sledding in the mountains today with the church youth.  Also notice Em's swimsuit.  She and the twins stayed here and swam in the hot tub, then ran around in flip flops.  How fabulous is January in the Valley of the Sun?  Please remind me in July.)

I Heart Fall

The absolute best thing about starting school in July is getting two weeks off in October. So beautiful.

We started early and headed up to The Motherland last week.

I know a lot of folks don't like Utah, but they just don't know the right Utah people. Or the good places to eat. I, for one, love visiting the Beehive State. I know all the right people and am related to most of them.

The only photo I can get off my phone. More to come.

Highlights of our trip have included: meeting old friends, a 64th birthday bash, ATV rides, taking the big kids to General Conference, Twinkie Power squared, Alpine Sliding and some serious cousinlove.

We've spent the past few days in Park City and I've loved it. Our family had a getaway place here when I was growing up and a drive up the canyon always meant something fun was going to happen. Feeding the ducks and roasting marshmallows. Singing along with the old-fashioned player piano. Breakfast at a restaurant or skiing at Deer Valley, if we were really lucky.

Brad and I came here on our honeymoon. We've brought our kids almost every year. Now it's a place full of happy memories for them as well as for me. After all the summer upheaval, it is heavenly to spend a few days resting in the mountains. We're loving the autumn colors and crisp weather.

What am I reading? My mom's awesome book, Son of a Gun, of course! Did I tell you she is being published?! And it's really really good. Watch for it at a bookstore near you.

Tomorrow we head to Vegas.

I am seriously loving October.

Life with a Tweenage Daughter

Em just finished my all-time favorite tween romance. Fifteen by Beverly Cleary. Since Salina Gomez got her all pumped about Ramona and Beezus again, she has been devouring all the Cleary books in the house.

I confess, when she reached for my old dog-eared copy, I discouraged her a little. "That's kind of a teenage book, Emmie. About a girl who wants a boyfriend." Well, duh, Mom. She was all over it. A few nights I even tiptoed in to read a chapter with her and it was pure pleasure.

Can I just say Beverly Cleary ROCKS?! I mean, this book was originally published in 1956. It was old-school when my mother read it. The dad smokes a pipe, for Pete's sake. The best friend wears a girdle. No one is texting or online. But the writing focuses on emotions and relationships that are timeless.

When she got to the last page, that climactic moment when Stan finally gives Jane his ID bracelet and a chaste 1956 kiss, Emmie's eyes were shiny.

My little girl is growing up. She is babysitting (a little) and on the phone with old and new friends (a lot). Her moods have always been less predictable than her brothers', but now that she's almost in the double-digits, I find I have to tiptoe even more carefully. Just yesterday, I was teasing her (a little too publicly, I guess) about something we'd always laughed about. But this time, she burst into tears. Yikes.

And that was just the school nurse on the phone, calling to say Em is in her office with a headache. She forgot her glasses. Again.

Time to go. Life with tweenagers is not all a Beverly Cleary romance, if you know what I mean.

The Books in my Life

Is anyone else out there a reading two-timer?

I HAVE to have more than one book going, mostly so I don't have to run up and downstairs more than necessary.

Usually I really like one and only sorta like the other...but right now I'm in the middle of THREE amazing reads. I feel it is my duty to recommend.

Here they are:

This is the audible book I am listening to while I clean the kitchen and fold laundry. I will confess it is SO good, I've actually been finding excuses to mop. Along the same vein as The Thirteenth Tale or Possession, the plot jumps from past to present with stops in Brisbane, London and Cornwall. Absolute heaven.

This is my pool-bag book. I've read it before, but I could read it 100 times. Haven Kimmel is in my Top Ten list of favorite authors. Her descriptions are so funny, you find yourself actually giggling. Out loud. I recommend sitting some distance from other pool-moms as you read due to the possibility of audible snorting. Potentially embarrassing.

This is my nightstand book. 1943, Chicago. Three Irish-Catholic sisters writing to their soldiers. Need I say more? Why is WWII so romantic, anyway? Very nostalgic and full of homefront details. I want to go read some right now.

What are you guys reading?

A Few Recommendations

Number One:

If you, like me, are moving old furniture into a new space, run and get this book at the library...
It's an oldie, but a goodie. Lauri Ward teaches design principles that work with any furniture, in any room. Because the people at Pottery Barn don't want us to know this, but we really don't need ALL new stuff to make our homes comfortable and attractive. I have been rereading this week and learning a lot.

Number Two:

If you, like me, will be sending children back-to-school shortly, don't forget to celebrate Children's Day first! (If you aren't familiar with Children's Day, I detail it in this old post. By the way, who are those adorable little tykes? What happened to them and their high-energy young mother?)

Number Three:

If you, like me, love to be inspired by real-life moms, go check out my real-life friend, Rochelle, here. Watch the clip. Anyone with a special needs child or just a burning desire to see a darling redhead will be more than satisfied. Go Ro!

Alzheimer's and Yard Sales

This was my airline companion last weekend. Excellent read. So sad. The story of a young woman who develops Alzheimer's in the prime of her life. I didn't know much about the reality and tragedy of the disease, but I learned a lot. Fascinating and heartbreaking.

I recommend the book very highly, unless you are a hypochondriac. (Not mentioning names, here. You know who you are.) Because even a non-hypochondriac, like me, closes the book and becomes absolutely certain that each ordinary, airhead mistake is a sure sign of early onset Alzheimer's.

Otherwise, two thumbs up.

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The other exciting development in my life is our first ever yard sale this weekend!

Can you believe we've never had one before? Completely out of my element here and needing tips, folks. Simple strategies for selling everything quick, without a whole lot of effort.

Ideas?

A Window in His Smile

All four of my children have been last among their peers to get and lose baby teeth. This is tough because everybody knows that a gap-toothed grin is the ultimate kindergarten status symbol. So Sam was completely thrilled when his first little chopper came out at school today. Not only did the event totally dominate Circle Time, but he also got to visit the school nurse and received a plastic treasure box, a brushing chart and a sticker! Heady stuff.


Once home, he lost and found the tooth at least half a dozen times. It's hard work keeping such a tiny pearl safe until bedtime.

(P.S. I am very proud of Luke. He has been supportive and hidden his envy well. It must be tough to watch your twin excel in tooth-losing and (worse!) money-getting. Especially when you don't have even the teensiest of wiggles in your own mouth.)

Anyway, I am happy we have some tooth stories on the bookshelf. It's a fun way to make bedtime a little more special.

Little Rabbit's Loose Tooth by Lucy Bate.

A classic. I remember reading it at the dentist's office when I was little.

The Holiday Handwriting School by Robin Pulver

The twins want SO MUCH to believe in the Tooth Fairy even with all the doubtful comments from the sophisticated third- and fifth-graders in the family. What better way to comfort them than a book all about the Tooth Fairy and her buddies, Santa & the Easter Bunny?

Throw Your Tooth on the Roof by Selby B. Beeler

Do you know kids in South America throw their teeth on the roof? African children plant them in the ground. French children leave them for the Tooth Rat to find. Fun and educational. Enjoy!

April Distractions

Last night, I came up with the perfect post along with alliterative title. I loved it and it was going to be so great. Then, as I started to type, I got that deja-vu-all-over-again kind of feeling and realized, after clicking around a bit, that I had used the EXACT title and written practically the EXACT same post almost EXACTLY 365 days ago.

So, I guess, the bottom line is this....I cannot focus on blogging (or making dinner or doing laundry or planning a lesson or shopping on a budget or anything requiring thought, patience or restraint) in April. It's not just this year, it's an annual occurence.

Aside from a life-changing cross-country move, children who are growing up faster than my azalea bushes and a calendar packed to the brim with springtime activities, here are a few of my favorite distractions:

Em and I have been reading this together at night. (Jake also usually shows up and lays on the floor "not listening." He's too cool for chick lit.) It is the original Mean Girls story and Emily is at the perfect age to read and discuss. I highly recommend for anyone with daughters (or cool older brothers).

Posession. Loved the book, love the movie. While Brad's been away this week, I have been watching it in 45 minute segments at night, in bed, on my laptop before being swallowed up in exhaustion. Sweet dreams.



And...if you happen to stay up too late reading to your kids or watching movies on your laptop, you will definitely want to get some of this stuff. Bobbi Brown concealer is the BEST for covering undereye circles and other unsightly facial flaws. My mom and sisters told me about it in Vegas and I am hooked. Serious spackle for the face. Thank you, Bobbi. You know how to treat a girl right.

What's distracting you this April?

Age Appropriate Reading

Whether it's the rash case of eye-rolling, distinct wardrobe preferences or the fact that entire bags of Doritos are disappearing at alarming rates around our house, I can tell I've got a tween on my hands.

Part of me is absolutely thrilled that Jake is right on schedule with his new 'tude. (Any development is good development, right?) The rest of me, however, is terrified at the thought of any hormones (aside from my own, of course) running amok in our household.

So, I've been doing some research. That's what I call it when I am stretched out on my bed with a parenting book. Mom Research is a vital part of my job. And so what if I do it in my pj's with a couple of Mint Milanos nearby?

Here's what I've been reading:

A friend recommended this book to me years ago and I've read it several times. Each time I read with a whole new set of eyes and experiences and I devour each and every page. Dr. Latham perfectly combines scientific research with scriptural examples. He is completely positive and totally realistic.
Another friend recommended this one and I've loved it. Rosemond is no-nonsense, old-fashioned and empowering. His take: Teenagers probably won't like you sometimes. But did you like your parents when you were a teen? It makes me feel better.

Got teens? Grab these books, put on your pj's and start your research.

And don't forget the Mint Milanos!

Trendy? Who, Me?

Apparently, the latest trend is to have a kid with Aspergers Syndrome. It's hip. It's now. It's the millennial thing to do.

Is it just because I'm living in Aspergerland myself or is it really popping up everywhere as the disorder du jour?

Last night, I watched five minutes of Parenthood with Brad. The episode got our attention because it featured some parents with an Asperger child. Of course, they were stereotypically uptight and overeducated, with a card catalog of specialists and a whole bunch of psychoterms thrown into the conversation. Their kid was out of control and very very weird. It was funny and it wasn't.

Ninety-five percent of me was thinking, This is entertainment? Why should I watch this? I live this. But another little part of myself could not look away. It was like looking into a funhouse mirror. Wow. Is THAT what we look like? Is that what the rest of the world sees?

This is the book I'm into right now. The story of Jacob, a boy with Aspergers who is on trial for murder. I would've bought it even if I didn't have such a personal interest. I think Jodi Picoult is fun to read.

Although I'm not far into House Rules, I'm enjoying it. Picoult serves up her usual cast of characters--the overwhelmed and self-sacrificing mother, the resentful sibling and the big-hearted cop. I can identify with all the characters, which is the great thing about Picoult's writing. And maybe it's therapeutic to read something far-fetched with a heaping dose of my reality stirred in.

I've said it before. My feelings about media + autism are mixed. While I'm grateful for greater exposure and understanding, I'm also worried about stereotyping. And I don't want to look as if I'm just a trend-follower, grabbing at the latest excuse for poor parenting.

Anyway, I can't help it. Whether it's going through in vitro, having twins, or adopting, my millenial parenting experences aren't novel, they are the norm these days. And I guess I'm in good company.

But thinking about the whole thing makes me want to do something completely untrendy and nonmillennial.

You know, like blog...

Caramel Cake & Conversation

I love bookclub. A whole buncha girlfriends sitting around chatting. Not about husbands or kids or church or basketball picture day. Just plot, characters, setting (and, maybe, hair!) for an entire evening. I feel like a grown up at bookclub.

Last night was my turn to host. We read The Help by Kathryn Stockett. If you haven't read it yet, find a copy. Now. I'm not kidding. You won't get anything done for a couple of days, but there's always Pizza Hut and letting kids play "fish for an outfit" in the dirty clothes hamper, right?

The book is about black maids and their white employers in 1960's Missippi. A few desserts played an important role in the story.

I took a picture, because I will probably never make this again. You really DO need a maid to clean up the kitchen when you're done...

One of these is Minny's Caramel Cake. I have never had caramel cake, but apparently it's a Southern tradition. This was the recipe I used. Time-consuming, but enjoyable.

Chocolate pie is important to the plot also, so I brought out this old favorite from Mom's cookbook. (Warning: There are uncooked eggs in this recipe. But, having ingested large quantities of raw cookie dough on a pretty much daily basis, I can assure you that salmonella is highly unlikely.)

Swiss Chocolate Pie

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar, divided

6 oz. chocolate chips, melted and cooled

2 eggs, separated

1 cup heavy cream

1 tsp. vanilla

Dash salt

Whip cream until fluffy. Set aside. Whip egg whites with salt until fluffy. Add 1/4 cup sugar and beat until soft peaks form. Set aside. Beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, vanilla, egg yolks and cooled chocolate. Gently fold in whipped cream, then egg whites. Turn into chocolate cookie crust. Chill five hours or overnight. Slice and serve with sweetened whipped cream.

A Book to Inhale

Mom gave me this for Christmas and I could not put it down.

The words were so beautiful, the thoughts so poignant. If you read Mitten Strings for God, you are familiar with Kenison's gentle advice on mothering young children. Here are her thoughts on raising teens and letting go as they grow up. I am going to re-read with a highlighter in hand.

Ghost Stories

Charles Dickens knew that December was the perfect time for a good ghost story. While I'm not usually a fan of the genre, this month I've read two ghost stories and liked 'em both.

One was deliciously creepy and enjoyable.

The other was deliciously silly and enjoyable.

Both are set in London. (My favorite fiction setting!)

Both will probably be made into chick flicks. (Jude Law, call your agent.)

Both provided much-needed spirited distraction from the scariness of daily life.

Enjoy.

Just Me and My Carb Face

A couple of weeks ago, I checked out this book from the library. Occasionally I enjoy reading diet books. Preferably while eating, of course. This one looked like it would go nicely with a big chocolate chip cookie. So I brought it home.

My philosophy about diet books is the same as my philosophy about parenting books. If I read a good parenting book, I feel like I am a good parent. Even if my parenting behavior has not changed. Same with a good diet book. I read it and instantly feel thinner.

But this book made a believer out of me. The author of this one made a claim that caught my attention. On page 188, Dr. Gullo promised that I could lose my carb face in 10 days.

What is a carb face? You may wonder. Well, here's what the book says,

"If you've ever looked closely at a person who has...binged on carbohydrates, his face often looks puffy and distended. This is what some of us who work in the field of weight management call the 'carb face.' "

I totally have a carb face.

But only for nine more days.

That's right, ladies and gentlemen! I have already completed one-tenth of the 10-day Gullo TurboCharge Diet. Just in time for Thanksgiving, too.

All I have to do is eat egg whites, fish, cottage cheese, and grapefruit for the next 240 hours. But don't worry, I won't starve to death. See, I get to have unlimited quantities of ice water, green vegetables, and sugar-free gum.

I don't want to be a size 2. I don't want to run a marathon. But I am fascinated by the thought of losing my carb face. So I'm going to try it. And I will keep you all in the loop.

Stay tuned.

Source: The Thin Commandments by Stephen Gullo, PhD [Rodale Books, 2005]

Reading is for Mammals

Today the big kids went to the library to read-aloud to therapy-dogs-in-training.

Isn't that the greatest idea, ever!?

I love to see my kids enjoy reading because I am always happiest with my nose in a book.

Here are a few good ones I've enjoyed lately:

If you liked Julie & Julia, if you TiVo Top Chef, then this is the book for you.

An insider's look at culinary school (more competitive than Harvard, who knew?) and, my favorite, gourmet recipes and cooking tips at the end of each chapter!

Well-written, touching, funny and eye-opening. A young mom's memoir about dealing with cancer--as a patient and as a care-giver. I loved it.

This is a novel based on the author's real-life experience. Raised in an upper-class English home, she meets her American birthparents as an adult and comes to terms with life on both sides of the Atlantic. A clever look at adoptive issues and Anglo-American differences.

Lisa See is such a great writer. I loved Snow Flower and the Secret Fan but enjoyed Shanghai Girls even more. I love learning history via fiction.

Another historical book, although this one is based at Stanford in the early 1970's. A novel about moms who love to write. I could relate.

I listened to this one on my iPod, which I recommend. The accents were so entertaining. I was just yearning to drive through the Irish countryside after this one.

What are you (and the mammals in your life) reading these days?

Non-Fic Picks

You know you've had a good vacation when you can dig your way through a big bagful of books. This trip my faves were all non-fiction. Here's where my nose was buried...

This book is smart, well-written and makes me want to completely change my lifestyle and eating habits. I agree with just about everything Pollan says. Eat whole foods. Mostly plants. Don't buy foods with more than five ingredients. Now I just need him to come to my house and do the grocery shopping, lunchbox packing and cooking for my four little omnivores. Until he does this, I can only swallow his advice with a very large grain of (organic) sea salt. Three and a half stars.

I read this book twice in 48 hours. I was so emotional during the first read that I had to go back for the tear-free version. Excellent. Every mom who wonders "Why am I doing this?" needs to read. Full of good quotes, stories and examples. I would lend you my copy, but it is going to be permanently stationed on my nightstand for those days when I need inspiration. Five stars.

Ever notice that there are a zillion infant/toddler/adolescent/teenager books and almost nothing for the 5-10 year old demographic? This is the perfect one for the ages and stages of my children right now. Greenspan writes great parenting books. His advice is realistic and helpful. After reading I felt reassured. My kids are normal after all. I think. Four and a half stars.

Beauty Secrets

I knew Mom was my beauty-partner-in-crime the day she took me to get my ears pierced.

After years of pleading tears and pitiful begging, I had managed to convince my parents that having a couple of little gold balls in my lobes would not be the first step on a path to teen pregnancy or delinquency. I promise-promise-promised that, even with holes in my ears, I would still choose good friends, be on the Honor Roll and clean my room.

(And, actually, I'd probably do these things a whole lot more effectively with the added confidence and self-assurance one can only achieve wearing a pair of green, plastic m&m studs.)

Whatever the argument, Mom gave in. Or maybe she just let me think she was giving in. It was my twelfth birthday and I got her all to myself as we drove to Castleton's Department Store for the Big Event.

(Moment of silence in memory of Castleton's, please. You SLC gals of a certain age know what I'm talking about. Was it not THE place to shop? Smaller than ZCMI, classier than Penney's and the nicest salesladies, ever. You could pay for your entire back-to-school wardrobe of Espirit camp shirts and chunky cotton vests with mountains of crumpled babysitting dollar bills and they wouldn't bat an eye!)


Anyway, Mom walked me to the jewelry department, held my hand while the deed was done and then (wonder of wonders!) announced that she'd like her ears pierced, too. The rest of the summer we were religious about using hydrogen peroxide and twisting our studs. We went earring shopping together, too. I felt beautiful and grown up and thrilled that I was sharing it all with Mom--the most glamorous woman I knew.

I think my mom was smart to share beauty secrets with her daughters. While other mothers were tsk-tsking about miniskirts and Maybelline, Mom would sit down at the kitchen table with a stack of fashion magazines and clothing catalogs. While her teenage boys were drawn to the Doritos in the pantry, her teenage daughters were drawn to J.Crew and marie claire. As we girls flipped casually through the pages , Mom was subtly sharing classic style secrets, encouraging modest clothing choices, and getting the lowdown on life at the high school. It's amazing the profoundly life-changing discussions that can occur while leafing through the Nordstrom summer shoe circular.


Instead of treating makeup like forbidden fruit, Mom took me to the Clinique counter. She spent hours looking for clothes to suit my hard-to-fit shape. We got our colors "done" together and took an aerobics class and made facials out of eggwhite. I had so much fun with Mom that I forgot I was supposed to be a teenage rebel. Of course, I made plenty of hair and fashion mistakes (it was the Eighties, after all) and, of course, my mom was still the Strictest Mother Alive when it came to being home on time, respecting adult authority and helping around the house.


But it's a whole lot more fun helping around the house when you're wearing navy blue mascara.



This Mother's Day my mom gave me a beauty book. It's fun and light and helpful and the perfect kind of reading when you're sitting at baseball practice or waiting for piano lessons to end. The book is full of tips and products and fun "insider" stories. Still, all my tried-and-true glamour tips come from Mom. Here are a few of the beauty secrets she taught me:

1. Red shoes go with everything.
2. Spend the most money on the clothes you wear most often.
3. An organized closet will save time, money and space. (Check out her closet...she practices what she preaches!)
4. If you're old enough to wear makeup, you're old enough to wash it off every night.
5. Don't try to look like anyone else. Emphasize your own beauty assets.
6. Beauty is not about size or age, it's about style and attitude.
7. The goal of looking your best is to feel confident, forget yourself and focus on others.

What are your beauty secrets?

If I Ran the Library...

• I would not be surprised that the newly-installed automatic door-opening buttons attract the attention of noisy four-year-olds. I would not say "That's enough, boys!" and give the stinkeye to helpless mothers who find themselves powerless in the wake of such tempting and addictive new technology.


• I would keep a freshly-stocked basket of the newest Chick-Lit books, as well as some non-parenting magazines, on a shelf near a cozy armchair in the kids' computer zone. Also, I would install a Glade Plug-In.


• I would recognize the importance of oiling the wheels on all those squeaky rolling-step-stool-library-thingies.


• I would lobby for a Children's Wing bathroom.


• I would not stare blankly when asked for read-aloud suggestions. Instead, I would smile kindly, ask a few thoughtful questions and lead enquiring readers to some of my favorite recommendations:
  

For your high-and-hyper-on-life almost five boys:

All Jamie Lee Curtis books are sheer delight. But this one is my absolute favorite! Even if all the pages were ripped out, just looking at the illustrations in the front and back endpapers could provide a worthwhile 20-minute bedtime discussion. So good! So good!

For your first or second grader:

A classic. Girls love it. Boys love it. They can read it themselves--the chapters are short, interesting and well-illustrated. But it's also fun to read together. Best of all, once you get 'em hooked, there are a couple more books in the series. Enjoy!

For your nature-lovin', animal-crazy ten year old:

If you don't wanna buy a pet, the Dimwood Forest series is the next best thing. Charming, but realistic animal characters. Funny, with just the right amount of kid-friendly earthiness. Lyrical. A pleasure to read-aloud. Still, don't be surprised if your li'l bookworm finishes the whole thing under the covers after you've tucked him in!

And, if I ran the library, there would be no late fees. But I would give you a fresh-baked cookie if you returned my favorites and brought along a few of your own.

Correspondence

I'm a pretty good penpal.

Believe it or not, I still keep in touch with my very first best friend. Her name is Lydia and we were introduced at birth by our parents who lived in the same married student trailer court. (...I know, but it was cool in the seventies, right?)

Although we were separated by 40 miles, Lydia and I wrote letters all through elementary, junior and high school. We'd meet up every few years, which was fun. But the real excitement of our friendship was found in the writing, folding, licking and stamping. I can still remember her childhood address...541 N. Pleasant Circle. I must have printed it a million times.

We've grown up and live on opposite sides of the country now. But we still have plenty in common. Both of us graduated from the same university and became schoolteachers. (Not bad for trailer trash, huh?) We both love to read. We both have twins. We're both too busy to write letters anymore. But I do look forward to our annual Christmas card exchange.

Lydia wasn't my only penpal. I've always been a letter writer. My wise parents encouraged this hobby and kept me happily supplied with pens, stamps, paper and envelopes. One of my all time favorite birthday gifts was my first set of personalized stationery. I've been a notecard collector ever since.

These days blogging is my letter-writing. And when I think of it as correspondence, I feel a lot better about it. All those Jane Austen ladies spent hours composing witty messages at their little desks. Just because I'm not dipping a feather into an inkwell, doesn't mean my writings are frivolous.

Today I finished the most wonderful book of letters. (Not the New Testament...Paul is totally the patron saint of penpals, but I can only absorb a few pages at a time.)




The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is everything I love in a novel--historical, romantic, funny, educational and surprising. Check out the following preview, then check out the book, share it with a friend, or send it to your penpal!

Snow Day Recommendations

Tonight the kids all put spoons under their pillows in hopes they'll awaken to two feet of powder and the day off school. I could've told them that no spoons are necessary. We'll definitely be snowbound. Brad flew off to Florida today which always guarantees a brutal winter storm, a clogged toilet and/or a disgusting gastrointestinal virus.


But it's ok...we are set. Here are a few wintertime discoveries guaranteed to cure Cabin Fever for at least a few hours.



Mom's pick:

Holly at Marathon Bird recommended the Amelia Peabody series and I have devoured the first few. Discovering a good book is a treat, but discovering an 18-book collection is a feast! The books are clean, witty, historical and adventurous. Spending a few hours in Egypt is the perfect antidote to a grey winter afternoon.


Jake's pick:



My Shakey loves animals and he loves to draw. This website combines his two passions. He's filled a whole binder with cartoons, but even better, he's filled quite a few long winter hours doing something creative.





Luke's pick:My hyper kids love Hyper Dash! A really simple obstacle course-type game that gets 'em thinking and running...in a constructive way. It's easy enough for the twins to play themselves, but the older kids can adjust to their level and still have fun. There's a single-player option too. Plus no itty-bitty parts to get lost between sofa cushions.




Sam's Pick:

Speaking of itty-bitty parts...the Quadrilla marble track was recommended by Amy at still life and it has been hugely popular. It's the kind of toy that adults don't mind playing. Warning: It is a bit pricey and you will find roll-away marbles in all kinds of nooks and crannies. But it is so much better than plastic marble toys, plus I'm pretty sure it has raised my IQ.

Em's pick:

The kind of story Mom starts reading aloud, but which is finished under covers as kids can't resist reading just one more chapter. Spooky and suspenseful. Read with a big bowl of peppermints nearby.

And now the school's robocalling service has just phoned to say that, yes indeed, all schools will be closed tomorrow. I guess the spoons (not to mention our Florida-bound daddy) did the trick! Good thing we're ready...

What's your cure for Cabin Fever?