'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and although I don't have many traditions, one I've started with the boys is to read this book, 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving. I originally acquired the book many years ago at a children's book fair where the author was signing copies. It is a very clever little book written to the same rhythm of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. T1he illustrations are equally as clever and include spoofs on a few famous paintings including American Gothic and Van Gough's Starry Night. Anyway, I just thought I'd share a little sample here:

The book begins with a class field trip to a Turkey Farm where the kids meet Farmer MacNugget and his slew of feathered friends:

The children fall in love with the turkeys and are somewhat mortified when they find out the turkeys are to be butchered for Thanksgiving the following day:

The children then devise a plan to rescue the turkeys from their horrible fate by sneaking them home on the bus:
The book concludes with each family enjoying Thanksgiving with a turkey as a guest at the table (instead of as the meal on the table):

Anyway, my description doesn't do the book justice. It is a really cute book that you should check out when you get the chance. Also, I should note that while the book advocates having a vegetarian Thanksgiving, I will definitely be eating turkey tomorrow, and lots of it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

What Are you Thankful For?

Thanksgiving is less than one week away and I can't wait. (Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, second only to Independence Day.) Watch this video. It made me smile:



(From The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints via Curls Rock.)

Two Going on Sixteen

On an unseasonably warm day last week, I cleaned out my car while Spencer hammed it up in my sunglasses in the driver's seat:

This one is my favorite: "Blue Steel"

Then, I went inside to grab something and came back out to this:

No joke. Although this picture is a little incriminating, I promise I don't talk on my cell phone while driving. Well, not that often. At least he still has both hands on the wheel, right?

Twenty Nine

So my 29th birthday came and went quietly with little fanfare (which is the way I prefer it anyway.) I tried my best to accomplish all I had on my "28 things to do before I turn 29 list" and I was moderately successful, crossing off a little over half of my goals. I think having a list like this handy (I printed mine off and kept it on my desk) is a great way to remember all the little and big things you want to accomplish. I'm planning to continue to add to my list and maybe add some bigger goals to aim for before I hit the dirty thirty. Here is last year's list revisited:

1. Have a picnic
2. Go to a drive-in movie
3. Read a classic novel (Suggestions?)
4. Make a mobile
5. Volunteer
6. Reupholster the chair sitting in my garage
7. Buy a film camera and learn to use it
8. Make chocolate covered strawberries
9. Surprise Jared
10. Surprise myself
11. Learn the dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (still in progress)
12. Grow my own herbs
13. Make a quilt
14. Star gaze
15. Take a Photoshop class
16. Host an outdoor dinner party
17. Start a collection
18. Visit a new city
19. Buy a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors
20. Attend a live music performance
21. Take back my spice cupboard
22. Ride in a convertible with the top down
23. Take my kids to Tuscora Park
24. Watch a classic movie
25. Take pictures with Jared in a photobooth
26. Eat at a restaurant I've never been to
27. Create a family photo wall
28. Eat breakfast in bed

Lonny

I subscribe to Gwenyth Paltrow's free lifestyle e-newsletter, Goop. If you don't get it, you can sign up here. She gives some pretty good advice on everything from travel to fashion, recipes to parenting. Anyway, in her most recent newsletter, she turned me on to a new on-line magazine called Lonny. Apparently it was created by a couple of Domino magazine alumni. (R.I.P. Domino.) I just clicked through it's pages and it is chock-full of great home decor inspiration. Have a moment of silence for Domino and then go check it out for yourself!

Flower Garland

I love this beautiful fabric flower garland. I've probably mentioned this before but I'm a total sucker for pretty things that float above my head: lanterns, tissue paper pom poms, garlands and the like.

{By Dolci Odille via Oh Joy!}