Saving Time on Etsy Metal

I will be a weekly guest author at the Etsy Metal blog. My first post was published yesterday. Click here to read it.

It's NOT HUNNY!

In the wake of my night readings of Winnie-the-Pooh to the boys, Emet's eyes popped wide open when his father served him an over-easy egg the next morning. When he stuck his fork in and pulled it out covered with runny yellow stuff he smiled in exuberant exultation and said, "YESSSS! Honey! (But I'm sure when he said it, he meant "Hunny!" just like Pooh bear.)
Elijah looked over at him with a look of disgust. "That's not honey. It's yolk. And that's the reason I like my eggs fried all the way through. It's Yuck!
Not to be deterred, Emet took a defiant lick of his sticky fork and declared, "Well, I Yike it!

To see more original drawings by E.H. Shepard from Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne, click here.

Bembo's Zoo

Heard of this children's Alphabet book? Well, I love the website even more...and the kids do too. Click here.

Does Evil Exist?

I read this story on the blog, "What You Got 2 Say" and I loved it enough to share it with you:

One day, a professor of a university decided to defy his pupils.

He asked, “Did God create everything that exists?”
A student answered bravely, “Yes, He did.”
“…everything?” asked the teacher.
“Yes! Everything.” Was the answer of the student
“In this case, God also created evil, correct? Because evil exists.” Said the teacher.

The student had no answer and remained in silence…..

The teacher was delighted at the opportunity to prove one more time that God was only a myth.

Suddenly, another student raised his hand and asked: “May I ask you a question, professor?”
“Of course you may”, replied the professor.
“Does cold exist? asked the student.
“Of course.” answered the professor, “Did you never feel cold?”

“Actually, sir, cold does not exist. According to studies in physics, cold is the total and complete absence of heat. An object can only be studied if it has and transmits energy and it is the heat of an object that transmits its energy. Without heat, the objects are inert, incapable to react. But cold does not exist. We created the term cold to explain the lack of heat.”

“And darkness?” continued the student.
“It exists.” replied the professor.

“Again, you’re wrong sir; darkness is the total absence of light. You can study light and brightness, but not darkness. The prism of Nichols shows the variety of different colors in which the light can be decomposed according to the longitude of the waves. Darkness is the term we created to explain the total absence of light”

And finally, the student asked “And evil, sir, evil does not exist. God did not create evil. Evil is the absence of God.

Now it was the professor’s turn to remain silent….

Well if you are wondering who the student was, he is none other than Albert Einstein. What a great thinker he was.
(image above is from this great flickr photostream)

Give a book, get a book

In light of the hundred top book list, I thought I'd pass on this new book source I found. The best part about it, is that the books are free as long as you have one to give too! Sign up at BookMooch.com.
(Image from here.)

I Got My SELF Published!

I don't think I've ever seen my name in professional print before. I entered a tip a couple of months ago and other than giving permission to print it if they decided to use it, I haven't heard a thing about it. So, last night I was leisurely browsing through my new mag during the commercials of Design Star and all of a sudden, there I am! Along with words I wrote! Hooray!



At the bottom of the page it says "Tip winners scored a gift card," and I will have you know that I haven't gotten mine yet! Hmmmm.

Typing oncce again...

We got a keyboard! Thanks to our generous neighbor! It'll take me a while to respond to all my emails and stuff...but I'm excited that I don't have to copy and paste individual letters in order to sign in to read my mail!

The Secret Lives of Bees

I have just finished The Secret Lives of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. It was a pretty fast read and I enjoyed reading it. I loved being in the time period when my own mother was a little girl and some of the passages gave me pictures of how her life might have been. And although I would recommend this book to anyone, I have to attach to it a disclaimer. There were some religious ideas that conflicted with my beliefs in this book. In a particularly touching moment, an older woman touches the heart of the little girl and tells her that everything she needs in life she will find within herself. Well, if that's true, than I am disabled, dysfunctional and pretty much defunct because left all alone I am nothing and have nothing. The only way I can reach in myself and pull out any power is because Jesus lives in me and he told me that if I "remain [in Him, he] will remain [in me.]" (John 15:4)
Even if I didn't know enough to desire Him to live in me to be my source for everything, I would still need others (and do, because God uses them for His purposes in my life) in order to survive. No wonder there are so many people dealing with the bane of "addiction to co-dependence;" for we have been hard wired to need something or someone other than ourselves, otherwise our search for truth or God wouldn't be needed. He has made us needy so that we will search for Him and He will be found by us.
So anyway, that's what I thought.
I also did a collage based on the book. I know, I'm such a dork. I did it when I was bored.

Jeremiah Goodman

I've always been fascinated with interiors, and that's why the master interior illustrator Jeremiah Goodman is so interesting to me. I decided to get this book, Jeremiah: A Romantic Vision, after reading an article about him in Veranda magazine.

I finished it.

What can I say? I'm glad I read it. It was hard to read (think Bowling for Columbine,) but the way Picoult dissects the tragedy from all sides makes the horror of it all somehow seem less mysterious, therefore less scary. It definitely made me think about how my actions affect others and how my parenting affects children besides my own. And there is an interesting twist at the end...

For the Readers...

I was tricked into joining one of those clubs where they offer you a whole bunch of books for only $.01 and then you have to buy four more books at regular price over the next two years.
O.K., I say tricked, but really, I knew what I was getting into because in high school I did the CD version and proceeded to go into major debt with my parents because of all the music that was sent to me that I didn't have the heart to send back. That's how they get you. I should have learned, but I fooled myself into thinking that I was mature enough to handle it this time, and instead of them using me...it would be I who used them to get some free books.

Well, the time has come to buy those four books or else they're gonna bill me an insane amount because my two year membership status is coming to a close. The reason I never bought any books after those free ones is because they really don't have very many good books other than the free ones that I already got! I've ordered two (shown in the photos.) And I'm hoping that someone will be able to tell me a good book or a good author that I might not have thought of. So, help a girl out... good books anyone?

Domino is Eco- Friendly

I just got my March issue of Domino and I was excited to see that it was their "green" issue. I thought it might be hard for a consumer magazine to pull that off, but I really enjoyed looking at all the eco-friendly items they found and the articles were pretty good too. I'm not sure that my budget can withstand a total turn to living green but I am excited to look up some the new websites that were mentioned just to see if one day I might be able to afford something that will make my carbon footprint a little bit smaller...
like these cute eco-friendly low-fire clay and lead/cadmium free glazed coffee cups from Terra Keramik (which I absolutely love.)


Or these organic cloth napkins, which would help me cut down on all the paper ones we use. From Ortolan Organic.




We're considering switching out our lightbulbs to these LED's because they're not made with mercury like the current "green" bulbs are. I'm also thinking of getting a smart strip surge protecter to cut down on our computer's draining "vampire power."




And then there are all the natural beauty products out there that are appealing because they seem good for you (which somewhat justifies the need for beauty products) and the packaging is always simple, clean and screams "buy me!"
Check out Farmaesthetics, Burt's Bees, Aedes, Jurlique, and Acquarella Polish.
And last, there were tons of great places to find natural cleaning products. I already clean with vinegar and lemon juice, but I'm glad to find some good sources for laundry detergent, furniture polish, and other multipurpose cleaners.
For other cleaning tools, try Bioclean Home, 3R Living and Casabella.
GOoooo Green! (if you can afford to.)

A Firefly in a Fir Tree

I found a little, tiny, threadbare book about the size of my palm amongst my Christmas decorations. The kids and I have had such fun singing this mouse's version of The Twelve Days of Christmas.

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...a firefly in a fir tree.
On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me...2 silver pins, and a firefly in a fir tree.
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me...3 thistle dusters, 2 silver pins and a firefly in a fir tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...4 holly berries, 3 thistle dusters, 2 silver pins and a firefly in a fir tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...5 bluuuuee bells...
4 holly berries, 3 thistle dusters, 2 silver pins and a firefly in a fir tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...6 wrens a-nesting, 5 bluebells...4 holly berries, 3 thistle dusters, 2 silver pins and a firefly in a fir tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me...7 spiders spinning, 6 wrens a-nesting, 5 bluebells...4 holly berries, 3 thistle dusters, 2 silver pins and a firefly in a fir tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me... 8 crickets singing, 7 spiders spinning, 6 wrens a-nesting, 5 bluebells...4 holly berries, 3 thistle dusters, 2 silver pins and a firefly in a fir tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...9 nuts for nibbling, 8 crickets singing, 7 spiders spinning, 6 wrens a-nesting, 5 bluebells...4 holly berries, 3 thistle dusters, 2 silver pins and a firefly in a fir tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...10 tree toads leaping, 9 nuts for nibbling, 8 crickets singing, 7 spiders spinning, 6 wrens a-nesting, 5 bluebells...4 holly berries, 3 thistle dusters, 2 silver pins and a firefly in a fir tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me... 11 feathers fanning, 10 tree toads leaping, 9 nuts for nibbling, 8 crickets singing, 7 spiders spinning, 6 wrens a-nesting, 5 bluebells...4 holly berries, 3 thistle dusters, 2 silver pins and a firefly in a fir tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...12 bees a-buzzing, 11 feathers fanning, 10 tree toads leaping, 9 nuts for nibbling, 8 crickets singing, 7 spiders spinning, 6 wrens a-nesting, 5 bluebells...4 holly berries, 3 thistle dusters, 2 silver pins and a firefly in a fir tree.

The Gifts

"Peter, Adam's Son," said Father Christmas.
"here, Sir," said Peter.
"These are your presents," was the answer, "and they are tools not toys. The time to use them is perhaps at hand. Bear them well."
With these words he handed to Peter a shield and a sword. The shield was the colour of silver and across it there ramped a red lion, as bright as a ripe strawberry at the moment when you pick it. The hilt of the sword was of gold and it had a sheath and a sword belt and everything it needed, and it was just the right size and weight for Peter to use. Peter was silent and solemn as he received these gifts for he felt that they were a very serious kind of present.
"Susan, Eve's Daughter," said Father Christmas. "These are for you," and he handed her a bow and a quiver full of arrows and a little ivory horn. "You must use the bow only in great need," he said, "for I do not mean you to fight in battle. It does not easily miss. And when you put this horn to your lips and blow it, then, wherever you are, I think help of some kind will come to you."
Last of all he said, "Lucy, Eve's Daughter," and Lucy came forward. He gave her a little bottle of what looked like glass (but people said afterwards that it was made of diamond) and a small dagger. "In this bottle," he said, "there is a cordial made of the juice of one of the fire-flowers that grow in the mountains of the sun. If you or any of your friends are hurt, a few drops of this will restore you. And the dagger is to defend yourself at great need. For you are also not to be in battle."
"Why, Sir," said Lucy. "I think -I don't know- but I think I could be brave enough."
"That is not the point," he said. "But battles are ugly when women fight. And now" -here he suddenly looked less grave- "here is something for you all!" and he brought out (I suppose from the big bag at his back, but nobody quite saw him do it) a large tray containing five cups and saucers, a bowl of lump sugar, a jug of cream, and a great big teapot all sizzling and piping hot. Then he cried out "A Merry Christmas! Long live the true King!" and cracked his whip and he and the reindeer and the sledge and all were out of sight before anyone realized that they had started.

-From The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waste, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." Ephesians 6:13-17
"The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place." Deuteronomy 1:30-31

The Tin Forest

One of our favorite books around here is The Tin Forest by Helen Ward and Wayne Anderson. It is a sweet, hopeful story with beautiful illustrations, about not giving up your dreams. Kaleb used to bring it to me quite often for me to read as his bedtime story, then he practiced learning how to read with it. Now it is one of Elijah's favorites and almost anytime I ask him to go pick something out for me to read, he returns with this book. We give it an A+.

Miss Potter

I have just finished watching Miss Potter starring Renee Zellweger and Ewen McGregor and I loved it. I have several of Beatrix Potter's books from my childhood and I read them to my boys. As an artist, I am always inspired by her beautiful illustrations. Miss Potter is a beautiful movie and I heartily recommend it.
The Tailor of Gloucester (1903)

"Benjamin suggested that they should fill the pocket-handkerchief with onions"
From The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, 1904

Yellow Grisette (Amanita crocea) and Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria), drawn by Beatrix Potter in September 1897
Miss Butterfly was tasting the sugar from The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse (1910)

Fast Paced Science

I am caught up in this book by Michael Chrichton, so much so that I actually skipped my workout this morning to read more of it. The first Chrichton book I ever read was Jurassic Park. It was an assignment for high school science. I remember wading through all the science mumbo jumbo in complete boredom, and yet the rest of the fast paced story line kept me trudging along, so that when I finally finished the book I felt that I had actually enjoyed it and remarkably had retained some knowledge of DNA that I had not understood before. As an adult I have found that I quite like Mr. Chrichton's books and I thoroughly appreciate the science behind them and the questions he lays out for us to ponder about how much responsibility mankind has in scientific pursuits. Next is a particularly good read about bio-genetics, also Prey which revolves around nanotechnology. State of Fear is about global warming and I can't wait to research this subject more, as there is an extensive appendix in the back of the book as well as a 21 page bibliography. All goes to say, I would heartily recommend any of Mr. Chrichton's books, not only for the thrilling story lines, but also for some good information.