tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34230710904469906372024-03-05T06:16:08.872-08:00My BarefootUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-47498405305019211972010-07-29T15:29:00.000-07:002010-07-29T15:33:25.435-07:00Rereading - Harry Potter (Again)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It has been at least a year since the last time I read the Harry Potter series - again. It's time to pick it up again and share the story with my dd. My sweet dd is starting kindergarten in just a few weeks- maybe it is the start of something big that causing me to daydream about the wizarding world - or maybe it was the reminder from my wonderful friend Michelle- she is reading the series to her boys...either way tonight I am cracking open our much loved copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Sorcerers-Stone-Anniversary/dp/054506967X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280427086&sr=8-2">Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(Really, why couldn't we in the US have the title Philosophers Stone- really we are not all that dumb that we would have been turned off by the title.) </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I was pregnant with our son, as my belly grew, my ability to fall asleep shrunk. It could have been the hormones, the night hiccuping of my growing little boy, or whatever- but I just couldn't fall asleep. One night, my husband picked up the copy of Harry Potter that had been sitting on the nightstand and began reading to me. That simple act of sharing his love of reading - awakened a thirst for great books I didn't even know I had. Night after night he would read to me. After our son was born we actually used to fight over who got to read. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bedtime reading is one of my most treasured time with my munchkins. The quiet time at the end of a day right before they fall asleep, where all of the craziness of living stops and all focus shifts to a new world, a new adventure, and someone else's story. As my children get older and there want and need of my company diminishes- I hope we never stop reading together! </span><br />
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</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-75074067410645870652010-07-08T15:42:00.000-07:002010-07-08T15:42:04.176-07:00Tenzin’s Deer<div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We just recieved the new </span><a href="http://www.barefootbooks.com/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Barefoot Books</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> catalog (which is amazing) and after flipping through it my ds asked for a copy of </span><a href="http://store.barefootbooks.com/tenzin-s-deer-3.html"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tenzin’s Deer</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I knew we had a copy somewhere in the house and spent the day looking for it. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My ds had a pretty hard time learning to read, and only this past year in third grade, did he really get the hang of it. As such anytime he is remotely interested in a book I do my best to get it for him, or borrow it from the library. But today we were in luck, since the book he wanted was already in our collection. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like so many of our books it was still in a box in the garage from when we moved (almost two years ago). On our way to swim class today my ds sat quietly in the back of the car reading Tenzin’s Deer. Getting out of the car he said, “Mom, that is a great book.” It had been a long time since I read Tenzin’s Deer but remembered how powerful the message of the book was. What struck me was that all I remember feeling sad about the loss Tenzin felt, and what my ds seemed to feel empowered by the kindness the boy showed to the animals around him. One true sign of a great book is that you feel changed by having read it and Tenzin’s Deer is one of those great books.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://store.barefootbooks.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/540x425/e5c3f25dbe2a3021345b55270d5894a1/T/e/TenzinsDeer_HC_W_2.jpg" width="320" /></div><div style="background-color: transparent; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf0222; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1788452685">Tenzin's Deer</a></span><a href="http://store.barefootbooks.com/tenzin-s-deer-3.html"><br />
</a><h3><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #f58229; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Tibetan Tale</span></h3><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meet Tenzin, a kindhearted boy who discovers a wounded musk deer high up in the hills. In this Tibetan tale, Tenzin nurses the deer back to health, and must learn the most important lesson of all: how to love enough to let go.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #7f7f7f; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ages 5 to 10 years</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #7f7f7f; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Written By: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #f58229; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Barbara Soros</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #7f7f7f; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Illustrated By: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #f58229; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Danuta Mayer</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-74298085842603985622010-07-07T08:38:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:38:02.512-07:00Wordless Wednesday (Favorite Places)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUpLjocuFOwM_bAmHlPQSoqI9kWZiXBWO7-xcHlHSwCJ7nP4Sjd9ZE5EMJBou3NhW8vl1-tglyEVC7VdYtM7Yfik99OCp58gyAeq9hipBGElOrroEj6NjzM8IiOpxxqm6oLji-a5e9NIA/s1600/bookstore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUpLjocuFOwM_bAmHlPQSoqI9kWZiXBWO7-xcHlHSwCJ7nP4Sjd9ZE5EMJBou3NhW8vl1-tglyEVC7VdYtM7Yfik99OCp58gyAeq9hipBGElOrroEj6NjzM8IiOpxxqm6oLji-a5e9NIA/s320/bookstore.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-78675506379709338092010-07-06T14:26:00.000-07:002010-07-06T14:26:34.071-07:00Shopping with Dad (New Format)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://store.barefootbooks.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/540x425/e5c3f25dbe2a3021345b55270d5894a1/S/h/ShoppingWithDad_HC_W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://store.barefootbooks.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/540x425/e5c3f25dbe2a3021345b55270d5894a1/S/h/ShoppingWithDad_HC_W.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of my favorite books is now available in paperback! </span><a href="http://store.barefootbooks.com/shopping-with-dad-1.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Shopping with Dad </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> by </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Matt Harvey is super fun to read aloud perfect for preschoolers and elementary school age children. This lovely book is brilliantly illustrated by Miriam Latimer who's playful style and bright colors are sure to capture your little cuties attention. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 16px;">This is a great book to give as a gift or keep for your personal collection!</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-32121234507739203802010-05-27T08:23:00.000-07:002010-05-27T08:23:20.857-07:00Late Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwyOdZHo-Q4yES1-PbNWQc2ltQchKO9dt6gz9039yHH6qkGu92ADA7wiAFLYsv-KSrK9mb_sWwn-p0qSSQn1dzIPyQeQfLPu-msz7rHcK602mvpKTT5wJ9eNz1VtG3XHdL2PNtiz9Ycc/s1600/necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwyOdZHo-Q4yES1-PbNWQc2ltQchKO9dt6gz9039yHH6qkGu92ADA7wiAFLYsv-KSrK9mb_sWwn-p0qSSQn1dzIPyQeQfLPu-msz7rHcK602mvpKTT5wJ9eNz1VtG3XHdL2PNtiz9Ycc/s200/necklace.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDJatBdTqIYKp-T7GKBRuD5RffzMAp0zVU-0SEzTfn8xwOYdRwxhaZM2hmgJK27KqB_K-7ifVSwCvjSYeK6ETWNzmsV9L4eeZNlLf8cnPvfrKqMX7ISzP6cc4W8kBLwYRee2JKVEwtbE/s1600/flowers+mothers+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDJatBdTqIYKp-T7GKBRuD5RffzMAp0zVU-0SEzTfn8xwOYdRwxhaZM2hmgJK27KqB_K-7ifVSwCvjSYeK6ETWNzmsV9L4eeZNlLf8cnPvfrKqMX7ISzP6cc4W8kBLwYRee2JKVEwtbE/s200/flowers+mothers+day.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-2056289364525534722010-05-25T11:14:00.000-07:002010-05-25T11:16:01.113-07:00The Magic of Chinese Delivery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUuBP9wsuFGEiw83GM77j2FHJGWpS6ZAv3kxhB55mhVgtQXxSr5umhZSi1Vxyi_JiCTBXG-D9La2PPLmQFxWe7NbynhBycrWPE68cb_RJppaR6T7WvvJ6umxP3JuCaMkQfPq3dtP2KY4/s1600/Take+out+box.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUuBP9wsuFGEiw83GM77j2FHJGWpS6ZAv3kxhB55mhVgtQXxSr5umhZSi1Vxyi_JiCTBXG-D9La2PPLmQFxWe7NbynhBycrWPE68cb_RJppaR6T7WvvJ6umxP3JuCaMkQfPq3dtP2KY4/s200/Take+out+box.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475268255306287938" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">The story begins with<br />(One little miss with a cold<br />+One mama that was not feeling much better<br />+ One son just getting over a cold)<br />- One daddy at work late<br />= Chinese Take Out!<br /></div><br />To be completely honest it doesn't take that much for me to be convinced that it is a <a href="http://china-wok-restaurant.com/">Chinese Take</a> Out night, (proof of this is that the person that answers the phone at our favorite delivery place knows my voice) but today was an exceptional example of the absolute need for me like many other moms to have a Chinese delivery place close by at all times.<br /><br />Back to the story, last Wednesday (also known as little <a href="http://thehappywillow.blogspot.com/2010/05/its-good-to-be-5.html">Miss's birthday</a>) when my sweet son came down with a nasty cold. Mr. Sweet shared his cold with me and by Friday I was feeling miserable. The weekend was spend with bouts of sneezing, mild fevers, and many attempts to nap.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fact:</span> The worst part of a weekend with a sick mom is that all those errands that are left 'till the weekend inevitably are left undone.<br /><br />Which brings us to Monday...when little miss woke up and came in to my bed to snuggle with a a mild fever and very stuffy nose. So Monday brought with it an empty fridge, a still under the weather mother, a sick little miss, and a beloved Chinese restaurant that delivers!<br /><br />Thank you <a href="http://china-wok-restaurant.com/">China Wok</a> without you this day would not have been possible!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-33019627705247065872010-03-17T06:47:00.000-07:002010-03-17T06:49:39.981-07:00Wordless Wednesday - Walking<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ7HXD1am9JCYazk4FmzDMSk27Zm-aVKnqyElV1S4FkkuVhLGHWo1AxPN9LJN20I4ayjVTj492LCtzfODtZtI6hPk0VpjZZ2F6D3uOtk1VrE6hqPZFebcSKYDljDyK__cB-yeVKDGRSt3/s1600-h/flower.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ7HXD1am9JCYazk4FmzDMSk27Zm-aVKnqyElV1S4FkkuVhLGHWo1AxPN9LJN20I4ayjVTj492LCtzfODtZtI6hPk0VpjZZ2F6D3uOtk1VrE6hqPZFebcSKYDljDyK__cB-yeVKDGRSt3/s200/flower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449599534842095602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvShywY4oZvXauCNbX4EoO1Ba-JVkebtE3H5pUsU02GuYgpn8kGsDXpM-48eEKZf6kbzJqJ4lEhTyVbij6VExcfULk6JMUXbuqWWYV3dX2CfSte0gLzCauEm-gv5aK7U5CRlWktlaNLxCt/s1600-h/old+car.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvShywY4oZvXauCNbX4EoO1Ba-JVkebtE3H5pUsU02GuYgpn8kGsDXpM-48eEKZf6kbzJqJ4lEhTyVbij6VExcfULk6JMUXbuqWWYV3dX2CfSte0gLzCauEm-gv5aK7U5CRlWktlaNLxCt/s200/old+car.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449599414976627426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0LD-kJYySYt4uMAx5nldWG41apHSTLSEXyYAKZjGFD7wUDtSkNVS0PI9mcBcd5Z9Myev1sQCOYGebqRjL-Egbqc1lIhX2PSyPLaP3CjMJZ7Ln3N3b_xeuak2Un2X1LU6269kHSbvf-1R/s1600-h/shadows.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0LD-kJYySYt4uMAx5nldWG41apHSTLSEXyYAKZjGFD7wUDtSkNVS0PI9mcBcd5Z9Myev1sQCOYGebqRjL-Egbqc1lIhX2PSyPLaP3CjMJZ7Ln3N3b_xeuak2Un2X1LU6269kHSbvf-1R/s200/shadows.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449599289367599602" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-16656832090445841052010-03-16T21:13:00.000-07:002010-03-16T21:14:28.808-07:00Picky Kid's Syndrome<div>Ok, I am not a <span style="font-style: italic;">bad</span> cook more like a <span style="font-style: italic;">reluctant</span> one. It would seem that when homemaking skills were given out or taught in school, I must have been absent. I wish some of the time that I was one of those mom's that got excited about grocery shopping and cooking for my family, but honestly, I just don't. In part this is due to what I like to call the Picky Kid's Syndrome. Now I bet you are wondering; what is Picky Kid's Syndrome?<br /><br /><b>Symptoms of Picky Kid's Syndrome</b><br />*Have you found yourself in the grocery store and are unable to remember what you are there to buy?<br />*Have you had the experience of after returning from the grocery store you are unpacking and putting the groceries away and realize that you have spent way too much and have no actual meals?<br />*You and your spouse are grocery shopping and they ask (passive aggressively) "So it looks like we have a lot of "snacks" and not a lot of meals"? In response to their inquiry you want to pull out your hair and cry.<br />*Do you find yourself eating cold left over french fries and fish sticks (or chicken nuggets) for dinner?<br /><br /><b>Signs of Picky Kid's Syndrome</b><br />-Tired mom<br />-Hungry frustrated mom<br />-A lack of desire to cook<br />-Grocery shopping seems like a new form of punishment designed to make you remember what a snotty teenager you were.<br />-A willingness to eat out almost anywhere just so you don't have to do the never ending amount of dishes that magically appear in your sink.<br /><br />If you answered yes to any of the above you too might be suffering from Picky Kid's Syndrome.<br /><br />Seriously, I used to like to make dinner and try out the occasional new recipe, but since my DH is often working late (at an awesome company that feeds him) and my children in most cases won't even try something I have cooked, I just gave up trying. DD will try things but often won't like them enough to take more than one bite. DS won't even try something new, nor will he eat a banana or any other fruit if it is bruised even in the slightest. Some might think that this is silly and they should just eat what ever I make or not eat, but that just isn't the kind of mom I am. I have two wonderful children and I respect that they might not enjoy what I do so I end up making them the few things that they are willing to eat. Unfortunately, that means that either I make two meals, one for them, and one for me (since DH's work has catered dinner, which I will touch on at some time soon, along with the magic notepad and pen) or I eat what they eat .<br /></div>In practice what happens more often than not is that I make the kids food, work some while they eat, realize I am starving and eat the cold left overs. (Rather pitiful, huh?)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">It is my goal to reawaken the inner cook in myself and find some new inspiration for cooking for my family and myself. So, I am ordering some interesting cookbooks including </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0061450995/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a id="ay6d" title="Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights: Recipes for Every Season, Mood">Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights: Recipes for Every Season, Mood</a><span style="font-size: 85%;">, and </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Contessa-Back-Basics-Ingredients/dp/1400054354/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268719779&sr=1-1" id="cd5t" title="Appetite & Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: Fabulous Flavor from Simple Ingredients">Appetite & Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: Fabulous Flavor from Simple Ingredients</a>. My next step is to actually write down a meal plan and try to stick with it.<br />Wish me luck!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-2866401753403513692010-03-10T13:38:00.000-08:002010-03-10T13:40:01.669-08:00Wordless Wednesday - S.F. Love<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51lA5EL_NjZtqIs1LfPkQe8u0fW5VUjWLxgO6bzA3Lqw8VL6YFBfWhN7amH8DpfpLzUQh8v7x_ynizVa1zP8_vox3N4kE6DA4nf6R_LgSeB1aStP6yuLdu29eOI3u5uzi9RrEGBn9fXs/s1600-h/Red+heart+SF.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51lA5EL_NjZtqIs1LfPkQe8u0fW5VUjWLxgO6bzA3Lqw8VL6YFBfWhN7amH8DpfpLzUQh8v7x_ynizVa1zP8_vox3N4kE6DA4nf6R_LgSeB1aStP6yuLdu29eOI3u5uzi9RrEGBn9fXs/s200/Red+heart+SF.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447122438940820530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6K1X9cr7iUBiDJE_dFPe3LrzT6AFkUFAFxuJrQRjTotDEGJOIUG6WXDahBep31rywn3qKbbni_VAz7_8YRGhvVAmUHwRjBwond79-D7Oc_GLDyJnVctQBRja8YQyAy89SXtZ2lLHLW2k/s1600-h/cab+SF.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6K1X9cr7iUBiDJE_dFPe3LrzT6AFkUFAFxuJrQRjTotDEGJOIUG6WXDahBep31rywn3qKbbni_VAz7_8YRGhvVAmUHwRjBwond79-D7Oc_GLDyJnVctQBRja8YQyAy89SXtZ2lLHLW2k/s200/cab+SF.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447122360142676482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJzCY5bgm259jNDQFU85-41GigGCBZx53ppm7f22XOogM3mn6x1wnDOUeuMk9iRGqCI05E0t7LV_fpfSNDG4xPEvtVgD3Qgsbj1ha2t1XVGhOZ74XLcr9zXmHPSplZMmLFwWcAXlzolk/s1600-h/Cool+building+SF.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJzCY5bgm259jNDQFU85-41GigGCBZx53ppm7f22XOogM3mn6x1wnDOUeuMk9iRGqCI05E0t7LV_fpfSNDG4xPEvtVgD3Qgsbj1ha2t1XVGhOZ74XLcr9zXmHPSplZMmLFwWcAXlzolk/s200/Cool+building+SF.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447122260391481506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKPWIEy2EV7yWbk-CPUg_TRnnZkiOXNjcVJUcIQbK6AWF_sG-GAYPk236i0YHE7Q4DDqkMJGT_QvkQ0uBQmbVxk5f380XE6RSzT0ETKHzB6t8lvdndnKT2Gwv1v37xpM361Ob2sfbqUU/s1600-h/City+Art+SF.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKPWIEy2EV7yWbk-CPUg_TRnnZkiOXNjcVJUcIQbK6AWF_sG-GAYPk236i0YHE7Q4DDqkMJGT_QvkQ0uBQmbVxk5f380XE6RSzT0ETKHzB6t8lvdndnKT2Gwv1v37xpM361Ob2sfbqUU/s200/City+Art+SF.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447122157931850706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeChv2ANzqsMbiKQBXNq5AIM_cvIQL2AMThPde4n7L5pp_IhjQVbqDHgsgsUWrrm0M3AP9kBrDnHle3IGBNaP-nd_E-KRdaP_Oyr4OTqM5Y1IPd6EnDEfckR3eLfZXkG66YrLtphmmTI/s1600-h/Sky+Heart+SF.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaeChv2ANzqsMbiKQBXNq5AIM_cvIQL2AMThPde4n7L5pp_IhjQVbqDHgsgsUWrrm0M3AP9kBrDnHle3IGBNaP-nd_E-KRdaP_Oyr4OTqM5Y1IPd6EnDEfckR3eLfZXkG66YrLtphmmTI/s200/Sky+Heart+SF.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447122045084431650" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-69339581379188782102010-03-09T10:16:00.000-08:002010-03-09T10:17:32.755-08:00Paper HeartsI guess it is just that time of year when everyone is sick...me included. As a mom having a cold is just not allowed. Working from home and being a mom is really, really, not allowed. So what does this mom due when she is feeling ucky and would like nothing more than to curl up in bed...well, for starters try to keep her very inquisitive almost 5 yr old DD busy so that she doesn't make gigantic messes. In an effort to keep little Miss.Mess Maker entertained I discovered that she didn't know how to make a paper heart.<br />Here are some pictures of the fun DD had while I tried to get some work done.<br /><br />Just in case you forgot how to make a paper heart here is what you will need;<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Paper and Crayons<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pjqnwha4D1sDqApgBHdMayHa_pieG-mIjLaADp5_5vvlvO7Ef3fO5g1Kkk1D3qBMwRKwnNXHNOjRU3aMm-C0HOoLEcJ2-jpiRR9aWKiWHJ4dADJI4wgDtCZzfjO9KypmbHNQtt1vQV8/s1600-h/Gathering+Supplies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pjqnwha4D1sDqApgBHdMayHa_pieG-mIjLaADp5_5vvlvO7Ef3fO5g1Kkk1D3qBMwRKwnNXHNOjRU3aMm-C0HOoLEcJ2-jpiRR9aWKiWHJ4dADJI4wgDtCZzfjO9KypmbHNQtt1vQV8/s200/Gathering+Supplies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446697301901904962" border="0" /></a><br />Oops, almost forgot you will also need scissors to cut out your heart (no pun intended).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Z2rn1sp6Po9KaYernQN-LgLcvVLSztF0nSBzxZSmSYvXLY6eGQ_Io6HUpoE9zp8lhcM3HNJXEJN2B7G1FH-LIGb0k5elnrVpAYZY9fh22FGO7WojGrw6YscPdkDMnyP_C1gmy7WGyks/s1600-h/oops.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Z2rn1sp6Po9KaYernQN-LgLcvVLSztF0nSBzxZSmSYvXLY6eGQ_Io6HUpoE9zp8lhcM3HNJXEJN2B7G1FH-LIGb0k5elnrVpAYZY9fh22FGO7WojGrw6YscPdkDMnyP_C1gmy7WGyks/s200/oops.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446696957128905106" border="0" /></a><br />Next you will want to fold a single sheet of paper in half.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiookkVnFOq87O2c2Kg2RHGrLDLiQ3zN6tdZP3t_PwbLdX4groKuqA8vo5RqFfsKOBM6PgXgpmIWHCXsp5kyBd2bTrlw4hs4uBfIKYKwIV3gd7aPdO7nArcs33MNzIWUXSI_xt9tTj8p8Q/s1600-h/Folding+Heart.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiookkVnFOq87O2c2Kg2RHGrLDLiQ3zN6tdZP3t_PwbLdX4groKuqA8vo5RqFfsKOBM6PgXgpmIWHCXsp5kyBd2bTrlw4hs4uBfIKYKwIV3gd7aPdO7nArcs33MNzIWUXSI_xt9tTj8p8Q/s200/Folding+Heart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446697949542330674" border="0" /></a><br />Draw your half heart on the side of the paper that is folded (not the side with the edges of the paper). We found that using a dark crayon made it easier to see when you the lines when you cut it out. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Q4RIr9XiXfd4D1yF9C99upYrJKgPNLteFKOsGNWtVJj2379q3UOtGuIqBR2rFcA9Pe_vYPZ7AssQOeAFqL_P69uxqHZCsTDKB_y0axgw39uVCMkHIW7q1i0pOhK_TFjCo-fuc-T5_yc/s1600-h/Drawing+heart.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Q4RIr9XiXfd4D1yF9C99upYrJKgPNLteFKOsGNWtVJj2379q3UOtGuIqBR2rFcA9Pe_vYPZ7AssQOeAFqL_P69uxqHZCsTDKB_y0axgw39uVCMkHIW7q1i0pOhK_TFjCo-fuc-T5_yc/s200/Drawing+heart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446697231235133010" border="0" /></a><br />First heart! Not bad at all.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YpXXDm-_d7MOg08kA04oKZdS6GI2oCTuK5TxNalNhiWG7Uz1vCYyE3XtiBd7oWHMeD6HV3V_3-99nCQAHapIP5E_cp1do0jFoIaa27wVwYtE56CAtHFbDWlrqr1zRFT85n3y3ZY6czE/s1600-h/FIrst+try.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YpXXDm-_d7MOg08kA04oKZdS6GI2oCTuK5TxNalNhiWG7Uz1vCYyE3XtiBd7oWHMeD6HV3V_3-99nCQAHapIP5E_cp1do0jFoIaa27wVwYtE56CAtHFbDWlrqr1zRFT85n3y3ZY6czE/s200/FIrst+try.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446696806144526882" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The second heart came out a bit better. DD found it easier when I drew the heart and she cut it out. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NZTRjheF3yE61Yg2tTJd5H1uEp3aoUZvnl3SmyJK4SMEp_h1qGK_ZCsF88cK7CVzcqej5TmKadgUolKeiIgjw3RItlxV62ycq5qw6CZxORmjyVwoLs_S9SfL2Gt3uBQemaRjS8OwsX4/s1600-h/Getting+better.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NZTRjheF3yE61Yg2tTJd5H1uEp3aoUZvnl3SmyJK4SMEp_h1qGK_ZCsF88cK7CVzcqej5TmKadgUolKeiIgjw3RItlxV62ycq5qw6CZxORmjyVwoLs_S9SfL2Gt3uBQemaRjS8OwsX4/s200/Getting+better.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446696419153700866" border="0" /></a><br />Lots of great hearts! DD made one into a card for a friend at school.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBF9hQCBp9UeGB_Bbcc70klETU61bQuvFwHg1tI57B1JtuISwLZXpxTuJRkBzX5lU23iVnWxmBpe-mtVEZcCtcthQjbNo9Ac9Wky2f74vGDkL0yYecngA06PUTPhHkr1q6xmPnuXZcWi0/s1600-h/final+hearts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBF9hQCBp9UeGB_Bbcc70klETU61bQuvFwHg1tI57B1JtuISwLZXpxTuJRkBzX5lU23iVnWxmBpe-mtVEZcCtcthQjbNo9Ac9Wky2f74vGDkL0yYecngA06PUTPhHkr1q6xmPnuXZcWi0/s200/final+hearts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446696215447865058" border="0" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-53748689536549141142010-02-25T19:33:00.001-08:002010-02-25T19:36:04.904-08:00Week in Pictures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZoExAPpG2DA89VRTmB-eOEyFeWtBPsy6tOugtVdkz73jNheOEDbJzmYidEzrg6xFfp7a2LQHHWJ1pfTV1EEwJSySi99pVTsLnVr8GcBQvkuRIEhSaks5-DDzO_7TvAhhxe3tqpt_39cw/s1600-h/Cool+Bug.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZoExAPpG2DA89VRTmB-eOEyFeWtBPsy6tOugtVdkz73jNheOEDbJzmYidEzrg6xFfp7a2LQHHWJ1pfTV1EEwJSySi99pVTsLnVr8GcBQvkuRIEhSaks5-DDzO_7TvAhhxe3tqpt_39cw/s200/Cool+Bug.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442390731623532210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCEIOu2oVv8vHtDjRNQa7dhJw6RZnFHLCslviAWzJWGfU5IjTL0XP19sZ2csr217C12mRa06ytqR1PnjGbbfrEE3AkI1VEslQNZmnSbBxs8IuAOI89LH3xm-cv-ZIgWr87iBQM_cqYKNB/s1600-h/Cool+Fish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCEIOu2oVv8vHtDjRNQa7dhJw6RZnFHLCslviAWzJWGfU5IjTL0XP19sZ2csr217C12mRa06ytqR1PnjGbbfrEE3AkI1VEslQNZmnSbBxs8IuAOI89LH3xm-cv-ZIgWr87iBQM_cqYKNB/s200/Cool+Fish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442390665679032674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHSMN3h60QCk92NMUCG3T6DjCJLf21jXIs4pJ4jlcnuUZk7NYgbcXOktZBmPTyKQpy01JWkYEXAHupGMwbyzzZWlA92Vuvu4woFQnOLblw_LoNi8l0ZxqfG_qbrorHaXvFvUE5xfJ1d20/s1600-h/Snail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHSMN3h60QCk92NMUCG3T6DjCJLf21jXIs4pJ4jlcnuUZk7NYgbcXOktZBmPTyKQpy01JWkYEXAHupGMwbyzzZWlA92Vuvu4woFQnOLblw_LoNi8l0ZxqfG_qbrorHaXvFvUE5xfJ1d20/s200/Snail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442390559262543634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxrGW0NfoFZC0HHFNxswWKOWO_9-NbdjLrKNIgJNyiziLhpW0Lli4LBcB2vhudoC4MvpRBODFRSQlYaYf-svPbgU9UqhFDA8RxHocg165nxBMmkmhu0V4icrNu3GFU6FTrkuPkYWSqO2J/s1600-h/Enjoying+sunshine%21.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxrGW0NfoFZC0HHFNxswWKOWO_9-NbdjLrKNIgJNyiziLhpW0Lli4LBcB2vhudoC4MvpRBODFRSQlYaYf-svPbgU9UqhFDA8RxHocg165nxBMmkmhu0V4icrNu3GFU6FTrkuPkYWSqO2J/s200/Enjoying+sunshine%21.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442390354915931394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-92103481358268881012010-02-24T13:44:00.000-08:002010-02-24T13:45:43.640-08:00Why anchor your efforts in social media with a blog.<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;" class="im"> <p class="MsoNormal">Now that we know what social media is and why it is important let’s move on to some best practices. <span> </span>While we are all out on the web posting updates on Twitter, reviews of restaurants and such on Foursquare, pictures and articles on Facebook, it can quickly become over whelming <span> </span>(or a waste of your efforts) if you do not have a place to anchor it all, like a blog. </p> </div> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">To have a conversation in person you have two or more people (two or more identities) engaging one another.<span> </span>The same is true for conversations on-line; to create an on-line identity you need to designate a space to where that identity lives. A blog or some other similar space holder is essential to the creation of your identity or on-line persona. </p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;" class="MsoNormal">If you are a business it is important to maintain a business persona along with a personal voice. A blog or even a Facebook<span> </span>Fan page can act as a place holder for a company’s on-line persona. <span> </span>Having one or a few people in the company acting as the company’s on-line voice can be a great way to promote and communicate with your customer base, find partnerships, and grow brand awareness through viral marketing.</p> Once you have a persona, an online voice, taking the next step in pushing content, creating community and having conversations will be a natural next step.<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-43760060871312078912010-02-23T11:21:00.000-08:002010-02-23T11:22:41.263-08:00Social Media Part 1 of manyIt is an amazing world we live in. Technology has made the world smaller than it ever was before by connecting people all over the world through social media. So what is social media really? Well, let's break it up into the two terms that we use to define it: social & media. I think social is fairly easy to understand that it is how we in engage with others (or at least I am going to define it that way…). Media we will think of as information that way we are not limited by a classical understanding by which one would limit the channels to which the information could and would come from. You could ignore my definition and opt for the Wikipedia definition and I think you will still be able to derive the same conclusions that I have in the following posts.<br /><br />Types of social media include things like e-mails, chat rooms, message boards, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and I would venture to say that most things that you can find on-line would have some component of social media that they participate in.<br /><br />Why is social media important? To answer that we need to consider what makes human being, well, human beings. I think at the heart of it is that we are by nature social beings and as we create, invent, and dream up technology we inherently look for ways to connect with others. These new and old technologies have made it possible for us to connect or “socialize” in ways we that were not possible in the old world before computers and telephones before that. Communities are no longer bound by geography and can be based on a simple love of rocks, trees, comic books, skateboards, art, music, pain - sorrows, tribulations, motherhood, fatherhood; it really is limitless in complexity and simplicity. These artificial communities exist not only in the abstract sense but they also have a firm foot in the here and now.<br /><br />What does this translate to in “real life”? Marketers (like me) and businesses look to these communities as a way to market or hand sell to their consumers. We want to meet and speak to our customers and target market when, where, and however we can, on-line communities offer that possibility in a unique way.<br /><br />Social media has become the heart and blood of how many companies find and sell to their customers. So the importance of social media is not only to the media, marketers, businesses, and sales people, but also to the consumer who can and do frame how they are marketed to. Consumers have a new voice and a new power for change.<br /><br />We have seen various examples of this recently:<br /><br />Toyota, Southwest, Tiger Woods, Sigg, and many more companies/celebrities have found out what happens when consumers have a voice and a viral voice at that.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-53030474882514856252010-01-27T18:51:00.000-08:002010-01-27T19:05:55.172-08:00Dreamy Voyage<a href="http://store.barefootbooks.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/540x425/e5c3f25dbe2a3021345b55270d5894a1/S/t/Starlight-Sailor-HB_W_1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 272px" alt="" src="http://store.barefootbooks.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/540x425/e5c3f25dbe2a3021345b55270d5894a1/S/t/Starlight-Sailor-HB_W_1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Written By: James Mayhew<br />Illustrated By: Jackie Morris<br /><br />Starlight Sailor is a new favorite of mine. I love the moody blue and gold that linger throughout this fantastic book. One of my all time favorite poems from when I was a child are combined with new life and versus. The red dragon, unicorn, and humpback whales make the the voyage of the paper boat only that much more special for the reader.<br /><br />I would recommend this as a great gift for a special child in your life!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />*I am an employee of Barefoot Books.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-80167666473558248232009-05-19T15:47:00.001-07:002009-05-19T15:47:10.754-07:00<br /><a href="http://www.oldredbarnco.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t152/danabol/janome_giveaway_WebSmallBan.jpg"/></a><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-69453167416520339192009-04-16T19:31:00.000-07:002009-04-16T19:36:23.780-07:00the great tollipop giveaway<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tollipop.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551d85a99883401156f203447970c-800wi"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 470px; height: 313px;" src="http://tollipop.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551d85a99883401156f203447970c-800wi" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I just heard about a super cool giveaway on <a href="http://tollipop.com/">Tollipop.com</a>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tollipop.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551d85a99883401156fc31547970b-pi"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 225px;" src="http://tollipop.typepad.com/.a/6a00e551d85a99883401156fc31547970b-pi" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">To enter the contest,go to <a href="http://tollipop.com/">Tollipop.com</a> leave a comment .<span style=""> </span>There are, however, several ways to procure <em>additional entries</em> that you can check out on her site!<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: 'Goudy Old Style';"><o:p><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Trebuchet MS;">*****</span></p> <span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: 'Goudy Old Style';"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: 'Goudy Old Style';"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Comments will be open until my bedtime this Friday (April 17th), whenever that may be, and over the weekend I will announce the winners. </span></span></span></p></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-89782264786965489112009-03-12T17:19:00.000-07:002009-03-16T20:22:45.132-07:00Earth Tales First ProjectBedtime in my house consists of tubbies, pjs, brushing teeth, and (my favorite part) bedtime stories! Most, if not all, families have some sort of bedtime ritual which is done every night with varying degrees of success (at least in my house). Last night we decided to begin reading <a href="http://www.barefoot-books.com/us/site/pages/productone.php?pid=2432&rep_code=US-1010574&eventcode=EV252">Earth Tales</a>, a great new title from <a href="http://www.barefoot-books.com/us/site/pages/home.php?rep_code=US-1010574&eventcode=EV252">Barefoot Books</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.barefoot-books.com/us/site/pages/productone.php?pid=2432&rep_code=US-1010574&eventcode=EV252"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 150px;" src="http://www.barefoot-books.com/bb_files/2432/2432-02_18_09-large_cover.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><!--</div>--> <table style="margin-top: 8px; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); text-align: left; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td class="textstyle0" bg=""><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Discover how the rest of the world is 'Living Green'!</b></span></td> </tr> </tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a href="http://www.barefoot-books.com/us/site/pages/home.php?rep_code=US-1010574&eventcode=EV252">The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales</a> -<br />In this beautiful anthology of folktales, young readers learn how different cultures around the world live in harmony with the rhythms and patterns of nature. Discover how to tread lightly on our precious Earth by following the easy eco-tips and trying out some of the fun and creative activities that accompany each story<br /><br />The perfect gift for any earth-conscious child!<br /><br /><br /></div>We read the first story which is the Aboriginal tale of the begin of the world. Gabbie exhausted from a full day of running around like a monkey fell asleep part way through the story. Theo and I finished reading the story and were delighted to find a fun activity. Since it was 8 pm we planed to get painting as soon as we finished breakfast.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.barefoot-books.com/us/site/pages/productone.php?pid=2432&rep_code=US-1010574&eventcode=EV252"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpPuXDsGtsENy7DMbtxAZeOVcIiKz9SIVoRv6TJ9poY30o66ahpNZiJQVoI0GCtUekoL8WIfmEd6RMqfjchaxdt-aHv6NrhENzqGwKA_DYYGEXpOa7smEp99_OMzDEuy7sYQ1LYISpks0/s200/570.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313886847194907170" border="0" /></a><br />The directions said to use a brown or tan piece of paper...we opted for a brown paper bag. We really do our best to bring reusable bags to the grocery store, but every once in awhile we either forget, or buy more groceries than the bags we have brought will hold. I guess we have been doing a great job of remembering to bring bags with, since we were only able to find one bag.<br /><br />We were instructed to create a picture using colors you would find in nature, like the Aboriginal people would use in there drawings. Colors like brown, red, yellow, and green we decided on the tempera paint that came with our art box. The directions suggested using paint brushes, cotton balls, fingers, and a few other things to create the Aboriginal art work, we figured paint brushes and fingers were enough for us. Using an empty pickle bottle to carry out some water to clean our brushes between color and we were ready.<br />We gathered up our supplies and headed out onto the porch.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEQi9sY7-tti4d3Y9BENwZItp8VeMWW92nO83xyRix4vvFeuhYcvmjC5ATcO8yEPPZxa6mJ3wOFqjPBzRJAMWBLuu_NMLzfFFrkpxkXt2mxGqh_PXyHCpF3h-pmME_CkGffGtYMmePG-G/s1600-h/573.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEQi9sY7-tti4d3Y9BENwZItp8VeMWW92nO83xyRix4vvFeuhYcvmjC5ATcO8yEPPZxa6mJ3wOFqjPBzRJAMWBLuu_NMLzfFFrkpxkXt2mxGqh_PXyHCpF3h-pmME_CkGffGtYMmePG-G/s200/573.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313887056288810962" border="0" /></a>After cutting up our bag into four nice sized bits we got down to business.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC21IlOtzpSKC4k8mEOKD77cxtroQze8kXYf-4U3T1n_V2H89RPZY6fSYEuqijL0vtHDsHrwrVYzEBsotJbQBL6FqoCp-KxOz-G2Vuo5in21z0muWcECEpmWC3eKfuiDWNp1gjcXfMmmrE/s1600-h/575.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC21IlOtzpSKC4k8mEOKD77cxtroQze8kXYf-4U3T1n_V2H89RPZY6fSYEuqijL0vtHDsHrwrVYzEBsotJbQBL6FqoCp-KxOz-G2Vuo5in21z0muWcECEpmWC3eKfuiDWNp1gjcXfMmmrE/s200/575.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313887323313331858" border="0" /></a><br />The directions explained that Aboriginal art work tended to be a about an aerial view of places and things. We used dots, circles, lines, representing things like grass, water, and bushes. Above you can see Theo's picture of a walk in the park.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYYCc-_LEJD4-081e5_WEjYPglotjmBydu___-2Gy17tldwn0-EqIyvs7tmhb4qrOgjBI5QkXjESwXD3BBeUreBEOON_txRIP5-4GxVMWIsxe1za3vGEFFIS1rcBSwDk6z5afz0KmRbm7/s1600-h/577.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYYCc-_LEJD4-081e5_WEjYPglotjmBydu___-2Gy17tldwn0-EqIyvs7tmhb4qrOgjBI5QkXjESwXD3BBeUreBEOON_txRIP5-4GxVMWIsxe1za3vGEFFIS1rcBSwDk6z5afz0KmRbm7/s200/577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313887638510761698" border="0" /></a>Theo put the finishing touches on his second picture of the bush he saw covered in butterflies.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.barefoot-books.com/us/site/pages/productone.php?pid=2432&rep_code=US-1010574&eventcode=EV252"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInO0_GvIGRDDik7DbPbaMaVuyPCq89uANuiL0k_F9FfR8PJEeV_JgP2tToN2Xl0v-4K3X3UH-IjDsSyiZoiZm1gLSU3mFCMRMVuAd1_I3QiCLIx5R6eQOePCVl_04FBael53sCp5GvN-9/s200/574.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313887860182157170" border="0" /></a>Here are the finished works of art! Gabbie had a lot of fun with dots. I asked her what the dots meant and she looked at me as though I was a small silly child and said in her best my silly mommy voice, "Mommy they are just dots".<br /><br /><a href="http://www.barefoot-books.com/us/site/pages/home.php?rep_code=US-1010574&eventcode=EV252">Barefoot Books</a> will be planting trees in partnership with <a href="http://www.ecolibris.net/">Eco-Libris</a>, for each copy of <a href="http://www.barefoot-books.com/us/site/pages/productone.php?pid=2432&rep_code=US-1010574&eventcode=EV252">Earth Tales</a> sold in the till the end of April in honor of Earth Day. If you would like to purchase a copy of this fantastic new title or check out what other great books please visit my Barefoot Books site;<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barefoot-books.com/us/site/pages/home.php?rep_code=US-1010574&eventcode=EV252">www.ReadingBarefootBooks.com</a><br /><br />Or to learn more about planting trees to offset the publishing industry you can visit Eco-Libris;<br /><a href="http://www.ecolibris.net/">www.EcoLibris.net</a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-40124374554023283312009-03-11T21:29:00.001-07:002009-03-11T21:49:12.715-07:00Birthday!!! No Way 8<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6_qyx55jzdHxJ8_2sF5r7TbTPN3dP7dwGL4wDXcp50MuN8xfwV_yC074ImtTkcC9OSbk7Kn1-kVnKDxmPTKpf-bkNi_LuDCedJHoLurPsSbmRXG9KBUSEPtXPE6B5hSHzjnQP7j3oTt9/s1600-h/030609+302.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6_qyx55jzdHxJ8_2sF5r7TbTPN3dP7dwGL4wDXcp50MuN8xfwV_yC074ImtTkcC9OSbk7Kn1-kVnKDxmPTKpf-bkNi_LuDCedJHoLurPsSbmRXG9KBUSEPtXPE6B5hSHzjnQP7j3oTt9/s200/030609+302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312154692830276754" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, my super boy turned 8 yrs old last month. I really can't believe just how big he is. Not just how amazingly tall (and he really is tall) but more how he is turning into such a wonderful person. Since, heading back to school in January he has grown as a person so much. He has some great new friends and is really working hard to learn to read.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNn6c5vCpfs7n3z9CKLZrSTaSMQ1hPSmqjTImtzzmeeNVomMh1slYw5wKTVS4y35pn0JDzfzCxaGhHUnb4otsoEQU9ACSN_UGOd_TCMSjCg4zDI_HXwwPEgruN5xf3GmnVciam9tW9gHl/s1600-h/030609+441.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNn6c5vCpfs7n3z9CKLZrSTaSMQ1hPSmqjTImtzzmeeNVomMh1slYw5wKTVS4y35pn0JDzfzCxaGhHUnb4otsoEQU9ACSN_UGOd_TCMSjCg4zDI_HXwwPEgruN5xf3GmnVciam9tW9gHl/s200/030609+441.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312154244407831154" border="0" /></a><br /><br />While Theo was at school I ran all over the place getting decorations for the house. We have not had the "friend party" yet but we have had two family parties. The cake pictures below is from the party we had with my parents on the night of Theo's birthday. It was the first time since Theo turn 1 that my parents were able to be with us on Theo's birthday.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OWpYJ3wY5D60xb7x00M_fEjDqpKqjDRjGDl67x_1UB-3MDqVCOiB2R1-zFmVCprYdVAoSawDy8RqqNZKAtGps0l2fQ4edCQMP8xVZlB9jfLg37K2dyA1X-xAKsGt2GKQEWhQ2LphJ6yE/s1600-h/030609+445.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OWpYJ3wY5D60xb7x00M_fEjDqpKqjDRjGDl67x_1UB-3MDqVCOiB2R1-zFmVCprYdVAoSawDy8RqqNZKAtGps0l2fQ4edCQMP8xVZlB9jfLg37K2dyA1X-xAKsGt2GKQEWhQ2LphJ6yE/s200/030609+445.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312154021976693122" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is one of my favorite pictures of Theo from his first birthday! I made the flower crown for him. It probably took me 2 hrs to make and I am sure he really didn't want to wear it...but it looks so incredibly cute on him.<br /><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLvP08TJAmzh_aOYW9j8WCUx_ja8SBh46zaruey-iGX3jiatWtyiMERMgqU2fC1lg5tlhM9azHRAwllDC8jGS2ndt0xOhBg5Nu2GhLxzWipnuggz1yhXO2UM3wxcVthq_qSDESwAnOViq/s1600-h/2002_03_02_14_45_17.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLvP08TJAmzh_aOYW9j8WCUx_ja8SBh46zaruey-iGX3jiatWtyiMERMgqU2fC1lg5tlhM9azHRAwllDC8jGS2ndt0xOhBg5Nu2GhLxzWipnuggz1yhXO2UM3wxcVthq_qSDESwAnOViq/s200/2002_03_02_14_45_17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312157116709745394" border="0" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-37706929701880825092009-03-07T09:56:00.000-08:002009-03-11T21:29:12.726-07:00Ruby Sky (Whoo Hoo Thats Right!)<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.club-calendar.com/cgi-bin/DJcalendar.cgi?TEMPLATE=rubyweb-event.html&EVENTNO=01335" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.club-calendar.com/EVENTIMG/TN01335.jpg" border="0" /></a></div> <h2>Saturday: March 14 - 2pm-5pm</h2> <p class="intro">Ruby Skye Presents</p> <h1><a href="http://www.club-calendar.com/cgi-bin/DJcalendar.cgi?TEMPLATE=rubyweb-event.html&EVENTNO=01335" target="_blank">BABY LOVES DISCO</a></h1> <p>Baby Loves Disco transforms San Francisco's hottest club into a child proof disco as children (6 month to 7 years) and parents looking for a break from the routine playground circuit let loose for an afternoon dance party featuring real music spun by real DJs blending classic disco. Plus, bubble machines, a chill-out area, diaper changing stations, a full spread of healthy snacks AND optional cocktails for non-driving parents.</p><h3>Saturday afternoon is the new Saturday night. Come join us! </h3> <p>Advance tickets at: <a href="http://www.babylovesdisco.com/locations/sanfrancisco/" target="_blank">PURCHASE TICKETS</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.club-calendar.com/cgi-bin/DJcalendar.cgi?TEMPLATE=rubyweb-cal.html#top"><br /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-41014630185603054312009-03-07T09:37:00.000-08:002009-03-07T09:53:05.470-08:00New FriendsAfter moving 2,000 miles it can be a bit hard to find your way. Lucky, for us we lived in the Bay area pre-kids so we kinda know our way around. We are finally feeling a bit more settled after almost 6 months :) Oh, and I am way behind on posts... So for the next week or so I am going to be posting a bunch to try and catch up!<br /><br />It is so funny to think that when you are young and in school making friends is like walking, it takes little thought, once you get the hang of it. After you leave school and especially if you are an at home mom, making friends takes work, sigh....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: left;">At last resort you end up making friends at your kids school, lol! Anyway, we have some great new friends with children around the same ages as ours. (Which makes hanging out much easier.) They came over a couple of weeks ago for dinner and brought us a master piece of confection for dessert!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ3wTutL2Pz2-MdFbV6bgN_5oEKFyXhByUcIqX8lLhsFcCrsQSiNertRE8ycIE8hvCMKIeFcWl6RUaPWRSz7XEQ8aN_TPzMXyZrtpCi0XZIJpYG3GNhv5Bc_TZw0py3JaYNgV5LpEJar8/s1600-h/030609+004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 72px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJ3wTutL2Pz2-MdFbV6bgN_5oEKFyXhByUcIqX8lLhsFcCrsQSiNertRE8ycIE8hvCMKIeFcWl6RUaPWRSz7XEQ8aN_TPzMXyZrtpCi0XZIJpYG3GNhv5Bc_TZw0py3JaYNgV5LpEJar8/s200/030609+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310503540171404242" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkhpLlQkoaPjLF-57tiEdjGff-2ZjOQsrpSe3vg9do1OQ6BvMz9qpiovq2hlCmiomhMw6iMpxEVIulsWRtTUYVw2wAw0FvQqpZasqxn4ihhbHYlGvm4_Bn35oX1LxRFBf-MDe9YyDCKfF/s1600-h/030609+006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkhpLlQkoaPjLF-57tiEdjGff-2ZjOQsrpSe3vg9do1OQ6BvMz9qpiovq2hlCmiomhMw6iMpxEVIulsWRtTUYVw2wAw0FvQqpZasqxn4ihhbHYlGvm4_Bn35oX1LxRFBf-MDe9YyDCKfF/s200/030609+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310503751158994450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yummy! Really, it looks amazing and it tastes even better. This heavenly desert was enjoyed by all. (Even Theo who is pickier than anyone loved it!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">Thank you! T.K.T.J!!!!</span></span><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-49633794953673333072009-01-29T19:29:00.000-08:002009-01-31T09:48:12.051-08:00Year of the Ox<div style="text-align: center;">To celebrate the Chinese New Year Theo's class had moon cakes! Theo being the sweet big brother he is ( and an incredible picky eater) brought home his moon cake for his sister. Theo also brought in a copy of the Great Race to share with his class. The Great Race is a fantastic book that tells the story of the Chinese Zodiac.<br />Gabbie and her class painted a card board box and used it to make a dragon head for there parade! So fun!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.barefoot-books.com/us/site/pages/productone.php?pid=1906&rep_code=US-1010574&eventcode=EV252"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 127px; height: 155px;" src="http://www.barefoot-books.com/bb_files/1906/1906-07_28_06-large_cover.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a></div> <h1>The Great Race - Hardcover</h1> <!--</div>--> <div class="textstyle25"><i>The Story of the Chinese Zodiac</i></div> <table style="margin-top: 8px;" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="textstyle0" bgcolor="#98ca4a"><b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Which animal will win the race and get the first year of the Chinese calendar named after them?</b></td> </tr> </tbody> </table><br /> <div style="font-size: 12px;">Race long with Rat, Monkey, Dragon, and their companions while discovering the origin of the Chinese Zodiac. This bright and colorful book includes intriguing notes about the Chinese calendar, the festivals, and the animal that rules each year.</div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.barefoot-books.com/us/site/pages/productone.php?pid=1906&rep_code=US-1010574&eventcode=EV252"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 354px; height: 222px;" src="http://www.barefoot-books.com/bb_files/1906/1906-09_07_06-image_1_lg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.barefoot-books.com/us/site/pages/productone.php?pid=1906&rep_code=US-1010574&eventcode=EV252"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 357px; height: 224px;" src="http://www.barefoot-books.com/bb_files/1906/1906-09_07_06-image_2_lg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-17045900353029220772009-01-28T17:11:00.000-08:002009-01-28T17:14:27.590-08:00Poem By GabbieI am Boxer<br />I am Boxer<br />and I am a Dragon<br /><br />I am a Dragon<br />I am a Dragon<br />and I am a Princess<br /><br />And that's it!<br /><br />Gabbie 3 1/2Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-64614803572924768942009-01-23T20:41:00.000-08:002009-01-23T20:48:41.276-08:00Barefoot Books is CSPIA Compliant<b><span style="color:#62b713;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Safety Information</span></span></b><span style="color:#62b713;"><br /><br /> <b><span style="color:#000000;">The health and safety of the children for whom we create our books is the top priority. </span></b></span><p> <span style="color:#62b713;"><span style="color:#000000;">All of our products comply with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. Barefoot Books products also exceed the more stringent safety standards required under European Union (EU) law.</span></span></p><p> <span style="color:#62b713;"><span style="color:#000000;">Barefoot Books <a href="http://barefoot-books.com/cms_files/Barefoot_Books_CPSIA_Certification%20of%20Compliance.pdf" target="_new"">CPSIA Certificate of Compliance</a> is also available<a href="http://barefoot-books.com/cms_files/Barefoot_Books_CPSIA_Certification%20of%20Compliance.pdf"> </a><a href="http://barefoot-books.com/cms_files/Barefoot_Books_CPSIA_Certification%20of%20Compliance.pdf" target="_new"">here</a>.</span></span></p><p> <span style="color:#62b713;"><span style="color:#000000;">In addition to manufacturing our own products, we distribute puppets manufactured by <a href="http://www.folkmanis.com/safetystatement.php" target="_new"">Folkmanis </a>and puzzles and games manufactured by<a href="http://www.galison.com/SAFETY-INFORMATION-C532.aspx"> </a><a href="http://www.galison.com/SAFETY-INFORMATION-C532.aspx" target="_new"">Mudpuppy Press</a><a href="http://www.galison.com/SAFETY-INFORMATION-C532.aspx">.</a> These partner companies products also comply with CPSIA requirements.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="color:#62b713;"><span style="color:#000000;">For more information go to <a href="http://www.barefoot-books.com/us/site/pages/986_generic_.php?rep_code=US-1010574&eventcode=EV252">www.ReadingBarefootBooks.com</a><br /></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-3817564013931342982009-01-21T22:19:00.000-08:002009-01-21T23:32:03.808-08:00It Is Official We Are No Longer Happy Homeschoolers<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrq5RvEXllt65c5SSsKeaoVCvhd3Akoue3cMuKqW5kW7tSrmJOF3SMDPO4vkV82Y_cNDDS3604g8iL8sTg4hYOrAA129zMG8Ms6KW9U9o6EssVHpLiXWgDZma35Sb46jV4g1F3K4DpfCfT/s144/Lost%20and%20Found.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 66px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrq5RvEXllt65c5SSsKeaoVCvhd3Akoue3cMuKqW5kW7tSrmJOF3SMDPO4vkV82Y_cNDDS3604g8iL8sTg4hYOrAA129zMG8Ms6KW9U9o6EssVHpLiXWgDZma35Sb46jV4g1F3K4DpfCfT/s144/Lost%20and%20Found.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">That is exactly how I feel; Lost & Found .... or maybe it is Happy & Sad? Our homeschooling journey began about a year and a half ago. We became homeschoolers in part out of curiosity and part out of need. For kindergarten our son went to an amazing private school which we loved, but could not afford on one income. With a new baby at home we knew that we were going to have to have financial aid, which is what we told the said private school.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We were given financial aid for kindergarten and I spent every moment I could volunteering for the school. With my little baby girl on my back I even set up a book fair. Long story short the administration changed during our first year and we were not given financial aide for the second year. As it would happen we found this out in the middle of the summer and were left with little options in the way of schools that late in the game. So we decided to try our hands at homeschooling.<br /><br />Luckily for us Chicago has an amazing homeschooling community. (which we took full advantage of) Tons of great classes and wonderful people all supporting each other in homeschooling there children.<br /><br />Fast forward to this past September when we moved to California.... It became apparent rather quickly that our little girl really wanted to go to school. Our move left us with in a new state with no playdates and poor Gab missed her friends. We found an amazing preschool and began to learn about Parent Participation schools. We mentioned that we were toying with the idea of school for Theo and Gab's teach suggested the elementary parent participation school, her kids went too.<br /><br />Theo had begun to ask about maybe, possibly going to school again. He too was missing his friends back in Chicago and we were having trouble finding other homeschoolers here. But what kind of school would welcome a former homeschooling family with open arms? And Theo had never been to a "normal" school would it be fair to just send him to a school and see what would happen. (no way we are so not that kind of family)<br /><br />Both Gab and Theo also began taking gymnastics classes in hopes of meeting new people and of course they also wanted to learn gymnastics. After the first class Theo had made a couple of new friends and couldn't wait for the next class! Gab had a great time also. During the second class I was chatting with another mom of one of Theo's classmates, she suggested the same school Gab's teacher suggested. I was starting to see a pattern forming ... people we like, like this school. We decided to check it out for ourselves.<br /><br />Love at first site is a good way of characterizing our experience. Both my husband I fell in love with this school. It just felt right. So after a few weeks and much anticipation today was Theo's first day at his new school.<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB6jwbz0RNki00IvJ3p3fUrCKjoXaEFQtSWjNqb1xyPpygh1Cm2C_OSTbmFTp0I6xgI3_lN4E8K4a_-xXOqX0K8zeQBnNh3JzzQP_FJ812nPvOPCDWLjTZFKoZJpFCaGhtSNmMYAnL9-h/s144/Stop%20Trying%20to%20take%20my%20picture.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 93px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB6jwbz0RNki00IvJ3p3fUrCKjoXaEFQtSWjNqb1xyPpygh1Cm2C_OSTbmFTp0I6xgI3_lN4E8K4a_-xXOqX0K8zeQBnNh3JzzQP_FJ812nPvOPCDWLjTZFKoZJpFCaGhtSNmMYAnL9-h/s144/Stop%20Trying%20to%20take%20my%20picture.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Mom really? Must you take my picture?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmoJ-PsU6_vMLuGomnpOE5YW11u0jisn9d9KDKMlAUpZsXjk5gQOhEVkcMmTptHM8OYwtj5M0ODBUWQhAVYe3ICLoAZ6fvGD18RksyTJ5YmibKRKgXmbaWqj_hSL6OycidwroHmolg3b9/s144/And%20we%20they%20are%20off.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmoJ-PsU6_vMLuGomnpOE5YW11u0jisn9d9KDKMlAUpZsXjk5gQOhEVkcMmTptHM8OYwtj5M0ODBUWQhAVYe3ICLoAZ6fvGD18RksyTJ5YmibKRKgXmbaWqj_hSL6OycidwroHmolg3b9/s144/And%20we%20they%20are%20off.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And they are off.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgtUTL7HUh2VZuBZxa5K9ZKrhi74JIXhtxzaO62YpVSwRebXrmEDJxh1PX_YgbpsJC906w24kL9lalZ-s7I_xyp_OoaeCPrQXrLrN_7xd1H0SiRbjbkGAS91IhyphenhyphenUJHwIx0PNX5j9xpUCr/s144/Ok%20I%20might%20be%20a%20little%20excited.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgtUTL7HUh2VZuBZxa5K9ZKrhi74JIXhtxzaO62YpVSwRebXrmEDJxh1PX_YgbpsJC906w24kL9lalZ-s7I_xyp_OoaeCPrQXrLrN_7xd1H0SiRbjbkGAS91IhyphenhyphenUJHwIx0PNX5j9xpUCr/s144/Ok%20I%20might%20be%20a%20little%20excited.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ok, maybe I am a little excited about my first day!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkt7MjlmBCJDbzqiSV7QaqpgY3hF7inWaQ6DMzc_j5wtZPUqfLhCbTuxmGbDdvVEzhPjB4wjJxOMMABZuWXHBAz60qDvxNgMaDkiwnZ4FdAsimgccxz9lWxfP_Sjh2eaAmy3Sr5GF1av5/s144/and%20I%20am%20off.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 96px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkt7MjlmBCJDbzqiSV7QaqpgY3hF7inWaQ6DMzc_j5wtZPUqfLhCbTuxmGbDdvVEzhPjB4wjJxOMMABZuWXHBAz60qDvxNgMaDkiwnZ4FdAsimgccxz9lWxfP_Sjh2eaAmy3Sr5GF1av5/s144/and%20I%20am%20off.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And there he goes ... my sweet boy.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">P.S. He told me he had a GREAT day!<br /><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423071090446990637.post-2580074895469959842009-01-19T13:24:00.000-08:002010-01-12T09:11:01.054-08:00You And Me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://store.barefootbooks.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/540x425/e5c3f25dbe2a3021345b55270d5894a1/Y/o/YouAndMe_LB_W_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 285px;" src="http://store.barefootbooks.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/540x425/e5c3f25dbe2a3021345b55270d5894a1/Y/o/YouAndMe_LB_W_2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><!--</div>--> <table style="margin-top: 8px; width: 662px; height: 17px;" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td class="textstyle0" bg="" style="color: rgb(152, 202, 74);"><a href="http://store.barefootbooks.com/you-and-me.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">New In Lap Book!</span></span></a><br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /> The imaginary games of a boy and a girl form the basis of this enchanting picture book about opposites and contrasts. As the two children play together, they picture themselves as all kinds of characters, animals, landscapes and moods. "I'm a circle, you're a square; I'm a tiger, you're a bear." <p>Celebrating difference, but above all celebrating relationship, <i>You and Me </i>is a very special picture book that will captivate pre-school audiences but is also sure to attract plenty of adult fans.</p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://store.barefootbooks.com/media/product_files/interior1_image_2746_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 442px; height: 283px;" src="http://store.barefootbooks.com/media/product_files/interior1_image_2746_1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is a great early reader. It has all of the things you look for in a beginning reading book. The pictures tell the story. It has repetition but is far from boring. With illustrations that speak to the imagination and perk curiosity this book is so fun to read.<br /></div><br />The second time my son read us You and Me he pointed out to his younger sister "Gab did you notice that they are opposites?" It is so much fun to see them discuss books. Theo further explained "See Gab I am Hot and You're Cold, they are opposites."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://store.barefootbooks.com/media/product_files/interior2_image_2746_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 476px; height: 305px;" src="http://store.barefootbooks.com/media/product_files/interior2_image_2746_1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>For the past week Theo has read us You and Me every night! He has begun to read it from the back to the front... just to change things up!<br /><br /><br />If you would like to learn more about <a href="http://store.barefootbooks.com/you-and-me.html">You and Me</a> or <a href="http://www.barefootbooks.com/">Barefoot Books</a><a href="http://www.barefootbooks.com/"> </a>click below.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barefoot-books.com/us/site/pages/home.php?rep_code=US-1010574&eventcode=EV292"><br /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1