More efficient method:
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Thursday, January 29, 2009
Problem Solving Skills- Part Deux
Typical run-of-the-mill 17-month-old way of clearing your nasal passages:
More efficient method:
My kid's a genius!
More efficient method:
My kid's a genius!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Valentine Goodies
My nephew, Aidan, watched an episode of Caillou the other day about Valentine's Day. Caillou got a Valentine from his friend and Aidan got very excited and told his mother that he was going to get Valentines from his friends too. He is only 4 and doesn't go to school, so his mother told him he would get Valentines from grandparents and such, but he didn't have any friends. He started to cry.
The poor child is going to be traumatized. I made two cards from him, one from Zoe and one from Noah as well as a treat bag to put M&M's in. I plan to duplicate the treat bag for Noah's classmates.
The poor child is going to be traumatized. I made two cards from him, one from Zoe and one from Noah as well as a treat bag to put M&M's in. I plan to duplicate the treat bag for Noah's classmates.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Simplicity Part 2
I believe we are always being sent subtle messages but sadly our lives are so busy that we often don't recognize them. There are moments, though, when unmistakably, the universe is screaming at us to pay attention. I believe I am having one of those moments in my life. ( If you have not read my previous blog, Simple Gifts, please do so in order to understand this one)
Today, DJ took one of his CTO days he had accumulated for extra work he'd done. We went to lunch at Pei Wei and this is the message that was in my fortune cookie:
Today, DJ took one of his CTO days he had accumulated for extra work he'd done. We went to lunch at Pei Wei and this is the message that was in my fortune cookie:
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Simple Gifts
I was awakened this morning by sun beaming in my window. This was a welcome change as it has been dreary, cold and snowy/rainy for what seems like forever. I was already excited about today and had actually planned my day's activities around watching the inauguration. I had one of those zen-moment feelings that perhaps the weather was foretelling of better days ahead for our nation.
Now, let me jump a moment to my favorite composer- I promise I have a point. My favorite composer is Aaron Copland followed by #2 Percy Grainger. My love of Copland goes back to high school and maybe even junior high, I just can't remember the exact moment I fell in love with his work. Grainger came about reluctantly in college after sweet ole Barry pounded him in my head and eventually taught me an appreciation I had not seen before. I digress.
Before DJ and I got married, he knew I loved music and that I had previously been a music major and we had many conversations about music and pieces I liked as well as how music inspired me just like art inspires him. He knew of my favorite composers and when he flew home for our wedding, he got off the plane and told me that he had plugged in his headphones on the plane and was listening to the music and had heard a piece that moved him. He remembered it was by Copland but could not remember the name. He began to tell me how it started with a simple clarinet playing a melody and progressed to the entire orchestra majestically playing the same simple tune and how he just couldn't stop thinking about it. I knew exactly which piece he was talking about and pulled out my Appalachian Spring cd and found the part which he was referring to. I played it for him and he confirmed that, yes, that was the piece he was talking about. I then told him the origins of the song- again- knowledge imparted on me by the great BWJ. The melody is a traditional Shaker hymn, titled, Simple Gifts. Aaron Copland took the melody and composed a set of variations for Appalachian Spring.
This brings me to today. I was sitting on my couch experiencing my zen moment while watching the inauguration when it was announced that the musical selection composed by John Williams would include musicians Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman. I was definitely impressed and then the name of the piece was announced: Air and Simple Gifts. I almost fell off the couch. My zen moment only got "zen-ier". (I am aware I just made up a word, but I don't care) Suffice it to say, had you been sitting in my living room around noon Eastern Standard Time today, you would have seen a snivelling mess. The piece was beautiful and the whole moment one I cannot describe.
I am not writing this blog to try and make you feel the way that I do or change your opinion on anything. I simply wanted to state what a wonderful and moving moment the whole thing was for me. But mostly, I wanted to share the story behind Simple Gifts as well as the words to the original Shaker hymn so that you can fully understand how truly perfect that selection was for this moment in history.
Simple Gifts
Simple Gifts was written by Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr. in 1848. It was first published in The Gift to be Simple: Shaker Rituals and Songs. Simple Gifts was a work song sung by the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing (more commonly called the Shakers, an offshoot of the Quakers).
'Tis the gift to be simple,'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.
Refrain:
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right
'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,
Refrain
'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.
Refrain
Now, let me jump a moment to my favorite composer- I promise I have a point. My favorite composer is Aaron Copland followed by #2 Percy Grainger. My love of Copland goes back to high school and maybe even junior high, I just can't remember the exact moment I fell in love with his work. Grainger came about reluctantly in college after sweet ole Barry pounded him in my head and eventually taught me an appreciation I had not seen before. I digress.
Before DJ and I got married, he knew I loved music and that I had previously been a music major and we had many conversations about music and pieces I liked as well as how music inspired me just like art inspires him. He knew of my favorite composers and when he flew home for our wedding, he got off the plane and told me that he had plugged in his headphones on the plane and was listening to the music and had heard a piece that moved him. He remembered it was by Copland but could not remember the name. He began to tell me how it started with a simple clarinet playing a melody and progressed to the entire orchestra majestically playing the same simple tune and how he just couldn't stop thinking about it. I knew exactly which piece he was talking about and pulled out my Appalachian Spring cd and found the part which he was referring to. I played it for him and he confirmed that, yes, that was the piece he was talking about. I then told him the origins of the song- again- knowledge imparted on me by the great BWJ. The melody is a traditional Shaker hymn, titled, Simple Gifts. Aaron Copland took the melody and composed a set of variations for Appalachian Spring.
This brings me to today. I was sitting on my couch experiencing my zen moment while watching the inauguration when it was announced that the musical selection composed by John Williams would include musicians Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman. I was definitely impressed and then the name of the piece was announced: Air and Simple Gifts. I almost fell off the couch. My zen moment only got "zen-ier". (I am aware I just made up a word, but I don't care) Suffice it to say, had you been sitting in my living room around noon Eastern Standard Time today, you would have seen a snivelling mess. The piece was beautiful and the whole moment one I cannot describe.
I am not writing this blog to try and make you feel the way that I do or change your opinion on anything. I simply wanted to state what a wonderful and moving moment the whole thing was for me. But mostly, I wanted to share the story behind Simple Gifts as well as the words to the original Shaker hymn so that you can fully understand how truly perfect that selection was for this moment in history.
Simple Gifts
Simple Gifts was written by Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr. in 1848. It was first published in The Gift to be Simple: Shaker Rituals and Songs. Simple Gifts was a work song sung by the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing (more commonly called the Shakers, an offshoot of the Quakers).
'Tis the gift to be simple,'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.
Refrain:
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right
'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,
Refrain
'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.
Refrain
Sunday, January 11, 2009
When Toys Go Bad- the Jersey Pinelands Edition
Anyone who has seen Toy Story, knows and understands how difficult it must be for a child's beloved toy to accept that a new toy has come into the child's world and taken the prime spot of affection.
Some toys go to drastic measure, though, that I cannot condone. Zoe got an adorable orangutan for Christmas. She loves stuffed animals and she hugged on him for awhile until she opened a stuffed dog that made puppy noises. The dog became a favorite... until she opened a baby doll. Suddenly, the doll became the toy-of-choice.
After, only a few moments of experiencing Zoe-love, the orangutan became extremely jealous and went to extreme measures to try and eliminate his competition. While no one was looking, he nabbed two of Noah's favorite scores of the day and used them to try and nab Zoe's doll.
I really thought he was a sweet little primate and would never have thought he would go to such lengths. I don't know.. I can only guess that maybe this is learned behavior from the wild where maybe his relatives have taken up similar measures to save their habitat that is being destroyed in southeast Asia.
Some toys go to drastic measure, though, that I cannot condone. Zoe got an adorable orangutan for Christmas. She loves stuffed animals and she hugged on him for awhile until she opened a stuffed dog that made puppy noises. The dog became a favorite... until she opened a baby doll. Suddenly, the doll became the toy-of-choice.
After, only a few moments of experiencing Zoe-love, the orangutan became extremely jealous and went to extreme measures to try and eliminate his competition. While no one was looking, he nabbed two of Noah's favorite scores of the day and used them to try and nab Zoe's doll.
I really thought he was a sweet little primate and would never have thought he would go to such lengths. I don't know.. I can only guess that maybe this is learned behavior from the wild where maybe his relatives have taken up similar measures to save their habitat that is being destroyed in southeast Asia.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Thomas the Train Card
My nephew, Aidan, is having a Thomas the Train birthday party and I found the perfect little Thomas over at Handmade by Jade. Heather has done all the hard work for me.. she designed the Cricut cut file in Design Studio and has it on her blog for download. Thanks Heather! I think it is adorable and all I had to do was put the pieces together and make a card for my little Thomas to reside on.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
"Orange You Glad You Found My Hiding Spot?"
For a few days now the oranges have been mysteriously disappearing from their happy perch in the basket in the kitchen. I had a suspect in mind but couldn't prove it. I lacked the solid evidence I needed and we all know you cannot accuse someone based on "a hunch".
Earlier, I was in the kitchen doing my favorite thing in the whole world- cleaning out the refrigerator- when I heard a commotion in the living room. I peered around the corner to find my little Nolan Ryan winding up, ready for the pitch.
And then shortly after that, she decided it looked more like a soccer ball...
Based on the new evidence, I could certainly prosecute my little redheaded suspect for citruscide, but still lacked any proof she was the one stealing the oranges as I had not located the missing persons or their remains.
I continued to watch and finally after she became bored, she toddled off to the corner with the orange and emerged without the orange.
A-HA!!
Upon further inspection, I found the following tucked into the magazine rack:
Exhibits A,B,C, D & E. Three oranges, a partially-eaten poptart and Noah's hotwheels car.
Case closed.The organic remains have been disposed of and the car was returned to its rightful owner. I'm just glad I didn't discover this next week playing, " Where is that smell coming from?"
Earlier, I was in the kitchen doing my favorite thing in the whole world- cleaning out the refrigerator- when I heard a commotion in the living room. I peered around the corner to find my little Nolan Ryan winding up, ready for the pitch.
And then shortly after that, she decided it looked more like a soccer ball...
Based on the new evidence, I could certainly prosecute my little redheaded suspect for citruscide, but still lacked any proof she was the one stealing the oranges as I had not located the missing persons or their remains.
I continued to watch and finally after she became bored, she toddled off to the corner with the orange and emerged without the orange.
A-HA!!
Upon further inspection, I found the following tucked into the magazine rack:
Exhibits A,B,C, D & E. Three oranges, a partially-eaten poptart and Noah's hotwheels car.
Case closed.The organic remains have been disposed of and the car was returned to its rightful owner. I'm just glad I didn't discover this next week playing, " Where is that smell coming from?"
Monday, January 5, 2009
2nd Entry for Contest at Bitten By the Bug
Same contest as my "Wild Thing" card. We were allowed two entries and here is my second.
The paper is K& Company- Urban Rhapsody. The stars and their shadows are cut from the George and Basic Shapes Cricut cartridge and "Groovy" and "Love" are cut from Storybook and welded with Design Studio.
The paper is K& Company- Urban Rhapsody. The stars and their shadows are cut from the George and Basic Shapes Cricut cartridge and "Groovy" and "Love" are cut from Storybook and welded with Design Studio.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
YAY! I've been scrapping!
I loved my Christmas picture so much, I decided to make one for Valentine's Day! The papers used are from K&Company, Daisy D, My Mind's Eye- Bohemian, DCWV- The Sweet Stack, and Basic Grey- Sugared, Phoebe, LilyKate and Blush
Regina's Challenge
This is for a challenge going on on Regina's Bitten By the Bug. The challenge is to make a card primarily using the colors green, pink, yellow and blue. The card must have a star on it and must have at least one cut from a Cricut cartridge.
This is made using K & Company paper- Amy Butler, Belle and the Cricut Carts I used are: Alphalicious for the title, Accent Essentials cut 36 for the heart, and Paper Dolls, outfit 3 accessories 3 for the monster.
Finally to my photoshop obsession
A few things I enjoy doing with photoshop:
I made the invitations for Noah's and Zoe's birthday parties:
I made the invitations for Noah's and Zoe's birthday parties:
I also made an invitation for a friend whose little boy was having a Wiggles party... we took a picture of him and inserted it in the car with the Wiggles:
My Christmas card this year:
And I also love manipulating photos! I set up my camera on a tripod Christmas Eve and told my son that we were going to try and "catch" Santa and that the camera would take pictures when it sensed motion. This was so much fun to do!
Paper Crafting projects
Here are some recent paper crafting projects: I made giftcard boxes using a template from Heather Bailey's blog to house the gift cards for Noah's teachers. I also made them a set of all- occasion cards:
I also used my square punch to punch squares from various Christmas patterned papers to make this craft to go in the frame by my front door. I got the idea from the gallery at http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/ 
Last One
Problem-Solving Skills
Last night, Noah came to me and asked for a piece of wrapping paper and some tape. He was wrapping a gift for his Daddy. ( I think he wrapped up one of his toys) He disappeared back to his room and a little while later, emerged with the gift. Apparently, he couldn't get the tape to tear, so he just improvised. This is what is sitting under our tree:
Last night, Noah came to me and asked for a piece of wrapping paper and some tape. He was wrapping a gift for his Daddy. ( I think he wrapped up one of his toys) He disappeared back to his room and a little while later, emerged with the gift. Apparently, he couldn't get the tape to tear, so he just improvised. This is what is sitting under our tree:
Oldies But Goodies Part 3
This one is from just a few weeks ago:
Well, "Noah" IS Hebrew
Noah has renounced Christianity. Well, not really, he's 5, but he has an advent calendar with candy canes on it and has happily been eating one candy cane a day since the beginning of December.
Tonight, he informed me that, " Guess what, Mommy!?? Today is a VERY SPECIAL DAY.. it's Hanukkah and so I get to have TWO candy canes and open one of my presents!" I decided to put aside my need to always correct people and tell him that actually Hanukkah began at sundown last night, and informed him simply that he isn't Jewish. Translation: put the extra candy cane back and get your grubby paws off the present! Well, I could see this coming a mile away when he decided he wanted to be Jewish. I told him I would support any decision he made, but that if he was Jewish, Jews did not celebrate Christmas and he could pick 8 presents from under the tree and the rest would go back... and Santa Claus is part of Christmas.. so as not to offend the newly Jewish Noah, I would have to call up Santa and inform him of Noah's conversion so he would know not to stop by.
With that, Noah renounced Judaism and after only 5 minutes as a Jew, took up his cross again and was sucked back into the commercialism that is Christmas. Please, noone tell him how blended families celebrate both holidays.. I can't afford Chrismahanukwanzukah.
I am a little disappointed... I was looking forward to being a Jewish mom. They have such personality and I really like potato pancakes and saying, "Oy vey!" But, looking on the bright side.. I don't think I could have given up bacon. I really love bacon.
Well, "Noah" IS Hebrew
Noah has renounced Christianity. Well, not really, he's 5, but he has an advent calendar with candy canes on it and has happily been eating one candy cane a day since the beginning of December.
Tonight, he informed me that, " Guess what, Mommy!?? Today is a VERY SPECIAL DAY.. it's Hanukkah and so I get to have TWO candy canes and open one of my presents!" I decided to put aside my need to always correct people and tell him that actually Hanukkah began at sundown last night, and informed him simply that he isn't Jewish. Translation: put the extra candy cane back and get your grubby paws off the present! Well, I could see this coming a mile away when he decided he wanted to be Jewish. I told him I would support any decision he made, but that if he was Jewish, Jews did not celebrate Christmas and he could pick 8 presents from under the tree and the rest would go back... and Santa Claus is part of Christmas.. so as not to offend the newly Jewish Noah, I would have to call up Santa and inform him of Noah's conversion so he would know not to stop by.
With that, Noah renounced Judaism and after only 5 minutes as a Jew, took up his cross again and was sucked back into the commercialism that is Christmas. Please, noone tell him how blended families celebrate both holidays.. I can't afford Chrismahanukwanzukah.
I am a little disappointed... I was looking forward to being a Jewish mom. They have such personality and I really like potato pancakes and saying, "Oy vey!" But, looking on the bright side.. I don't think I could have given up bacon. I really love bacon.
Oldies but Goodies Part 2
Another favorite off of my myspace blog- This is from March 2008 and I just love it because it showcases Noah's personality so well:
Zsa Zsa Gabor ( "Please, no pictures!")
It has been impossible lately to get a good photo of Noah. When I took the two kids to get their pictures taken, the whole session was a disaster. So, when notices came home that the school was taking spring photos, I was optimistic that maybe, without me there, the photographer could get a good shot of Noah. The pictures came home today... now I wasn’t there, so I can’t speak for them, but I would guess it didn't go well.
It has been impossible lately to get a good photo of Noah. When I took the two kids to get their pictures taken, the whole session was a disaster. So, when notices came home that the school was taking spring photos, I was optimistic that maybe, without me there, the photographer could get a good shot of Noah. The pictures came home today... now I wasn’t there, so I can’t speak for them, but I would guess it didn't go well.
Oldies but Goodies
Here are some of my favorite blogs taken from my myspace blog- this one was written in January 2007 when I was pregnant with Zoe:
A Torrid Affair
I'm having a torrid affair with guacamole! I really forgot how intense a pregnant woman's cravings could be until guacamole entered my thoughts. Here's how it happened:
I was on the phone with a friend who mentioned she was making a seven-layer dip and needed some avocados for the guacamole layer. The seed was planted. "Guacamole? I could eat some guacamole!" Now, the Northeast is not an area known for its fine Mexican cuisine, so I knew just picking some up somewhere was out of the question, and I am not sure I could make some as spicy as I would like, so I tried to put it out of my mind. For the next few days, guacamole dominated my thoughts like an absent lover. I became a woman obsessed! Finally, I could stand it no longer and I gave in.
I went to the local grocery store and was surprised to find very ripe avocados perfect for making guacamole. Then, I found one of those seasoning packets and my heart soared- until I turned it over and saw it was manufactured in MASSACHUSSETTS!! WHAT???? I put the avocados back and was wandering aimlessly on the verge of a breakdown when- a single ray of sun beamed through the glass window of the Acme into the produce section- illuminating, in all it's glory, a single vacuum-sealed package of ready-prepared guacamole!!! With trembling hands and a hopeful heart, I picked up the package and flipped it over. Stamped on the back, were the most beautiful words I have ever read, " Product of Mexico" and just underneath- " Packaged in Keller, TX" !! With tears in my eyes, I gingerly stroked my package of guacamole and then practically skipped to the chip aisle where I picked up a bag of tortilla chips. I had guacamole for lunch, dinner, snack..... in fact, I am writing this in a guacamole-induced stupor!
Now, if I could just get my hands on some really good enchiladas!!
TUNE IN NEXT TIME FOR- " How far will Jennifer go for a Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper?"
A Torrid Affair
I'm having a torrid affair with guacamole! I really forgot how intense a pregnant woman's cravings could be until guacamole entered my thoughts. Here's how it happened:
I was on the phone with a friend who mentioned she was making a seven-layer dip and needed some avocados for the guacamole layer. The seed was planted. "Guacamole? I could eat some guacamole!" Now, the Northeast is not an area known for its fine Mexican cuisine, so I knew just picking some up somewhere was out of the question, and I am not sure I could make some as spicy as I would like, so I tried to put it out of my mind. For the next few days, guacamole dominated my thoughts like an absent lover. I became a woman obsessed! Finally, I could stand it no longer and I gave in.
I went to the local grocery store and was surprised to find very ripe avocados perfect for making guacamole. Then, I found one of those seasoning packets and my heart soared- until I turned it over and saw it was manufactured in MASSACHUSSETTS!! WHAT???? I put the avocados back and was wandering aimlessly on the verge of a breakdown when- a single ray of sun beamed through the glass window of the Acme into the produce section- illuminating, in all it's glory, a single vacuum-sealed package of ready-prepared guacamole!!! With trembling hands and a hopeful heart, I picked up the package and flipped it over. Stamped on the back, were the most beautiful words I have ever read, " Product of Mexico" and just underneath- " Packaged in Keller, TX" !! With tears in my eyes, I gingerly stroked my package of guacamole and then practically skipped to the chip aisle where I picked up a bag of tortilla chips. I had guacamole for lunch, dinner, snack..... in fact, I am writing this in a guacamole-induced stupor!
Now, if I could just get my hands on some really good enchiladas!!
TUNE IN NEXT TIME FOR- " How far will Jennifer go for a Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper?"
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