tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70078618938042732532024-02-19T00:24:40.394-05:00All Works in ProgressBecause we're all Works In ProgressRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.comBlogger412125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-58992746998614919212016-04-15T13:44:00.000-04:002016-04-15T13:50:54.624-04:00Please, please update your subscriptions!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've MOVED!<br />
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All the content here and much, much more will be at...<br />
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Drumroll...<br />
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www.rebeccagrabill.com/blog<br />
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I've left blogger and will now journal with Squarespace. It took some doing to get set up, a lot of doing, actually, four-hundred posts of doing. If you want to know more, go <a href="http://www.rebeccagrabill.com/blog">TO MY NEW SITE</a>! Ok? Ok!<br />
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I have a subscribe button over there. Use it. Please? Pretty please? There's a great search function, too, so why not head over right now and try it out?<br />
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What are you waiting for? <a href="http://www.rebeccagrabill.com/blog">Go sign up for all my new posts</a>!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-63523692341104633482016-03-19T15:29:00.001-04:002016-03-19T15:31:00.929-04:00Why I'm Not going to write Dollhouse tutorials (and links to all the best on the web)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBm2ARbr51VVEoxtYZYwhag5k2lXc1wPILo2-1-XMXEK82nbYQUTJV-tJaCR38apl4e-UwBRNxjpi13_naz0W6TDgsxkob1hOyjsuYLjX844u0-PLB2BMUaXspEJRKCMoacz2QcKQC1Rdo/s1600/dollhouse_tutorials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBm2ARbr51VVEoxtYZYwhag5k2lXc1wPILo2-1-XMXEK82nbYQUTJV-tJaCR38apl4e-UwBRNxjpi13_naz0W6TDgsxkob1hOyjsuYLjX844u0-PLB2BMUaXspEJRKCMoacz2QcKQC1Rdo/s640/dollhouse_tutorials.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
For the past year and a bit Mud Pie and I have been working on the Epic Victoria's Farmhouse dollhouse. At the outset I thought, "Oooh, fun I can write up tutorials! Like how to run electricity, how to ..." I don't know, build a dollhouse.<br />
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And I could write those tutorials. Because we're building the dollhouse inch by inch and learning a heap. But I'm not going to write tutorials. Why? Well, take a look and see.<br />
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The already written tutorials (here!) on <a href="http://journal.rebeccagrabill.com/2015/01/shingles-and-corners-and-chimneys-oh-my.html" target="_blank">staining shingles</a> and <a href="http://journal.rebeccagrabill.com/2015/01/its-so-logical-why-and-how-we-turn.html" target="_blank">making faux wood floors</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinajmsR-p7qHiPSaaaE_ZyvviptPW86NQUou-R5waOrxS6MLaFjtjrp_jC-dcnpP8reRhAH3x4BE9a2F2tnO8MEOZEbe3nOJ7cmjoosnzsagkpD5x0ItCATldWk4HvARNbAhf7jtzdqwVP/s1600/IMG_5556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinajmsR-p7qHiPSaaaE_ZyvviptPW86NQUou-R5waOrxS6MLaFjtjrp_jC-dcnpP8reRhAH3x4BE9a2F2tnO8MEOZEbe3nOJ7cmjoosnzsagkpD5x0ItCATldWk4HvARNbAhf7jtzdqwVP/s400/IMG_5556.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, that's egg carton!</td></tr>
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Bricking the chimney: A tutorial on how to make the dollhouse chimney look like REAL BRICK with an old egg carton. Seriously, it's genius, simple and waaaaay easier than the floors. And clearly worked amazingly well. <a href="http://www.otterine.com/blog/blog1.php/cutting-egg-carton-bricks-plus" target="_blank">Find the tutorial here</a>.<br />
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Electrical: The ins and outs of running tapewire (which autocorrect keeps changing to tapeworm. Um, not quite the same) in <a href="http://tinyfixation.blogspot.com/2012/11/tutorial-tape-wiring-dollhouse-basics.html" target="_blank">this tutorial here</a>, which helped me see why my connections weren't working, and how to fix them!<br />
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General everythinging: The well-buried and hard-to-find "official" <a href="http://gr123.powweb.com/DollhouseWorkshop/1065.html" target="_blank">Victoria's Dollhouse assembly tips page</a>! There are hundreds upon hundreds of photo-tutorials and tips for all the Real Good Toys dollhouses (tips transferrable to any dollhouse project). I mean, this page and the pages linked within are a treasure.<br />
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And when we finish the roof and glue on the porch, we'll stone up the foundation. Wouldn't you love to know how? Lookie here, someone has <a href="http://www.emilymorganti.com/blog/?p=4589" target="_blank">already written up a fabulous tutorial</a>!<br />
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Plus <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/grabillcreative/victorias-farmhouse-dollhouse/" target="_blank">my Pinterest</a> where I will be pinning all the new, fabulous tutorials as I need them.<br />
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As of today, this is what our house looks like:<br />
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-73240587809697057332016-01-25T20:07:00.002-05:002016-02-08T13:42:53.147-05:00A Wreath of Hearts: Valentine's Day Picture Books to Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimda2_RgP9u7KxLhBElq_HNZfgfSC6rRZnZq60891eB4lfGT5r4TKKu0boCl93jYjCmAYuTDdTlOLvvYWGrxAHowZ2fLMo94VEu1Dziskuju7KgZ4o80OzuUUslfgRf_sydG7sQ36tuiCc/s640/blogger-image-1472416403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimda2_RgP9u7KxLhBElq_HNZfgfSC6rRZnZq60891eB4lfGT5r4TKKu0boCl93jYjCmAYuTDdTlOLvvYWGrxAHowZ2fLMo94VEu1Dziskuju7KgZ4o80OzuUUslfgRf_sydG7sQ36tuiCc/s640/blogger-image-1472416403.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25666023-the-shape-of-my-heart" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Shape of My Heart" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1442831844m/25666023.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25666023-the-shape-of-my-heart">The Shape of My Heart</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/135683.Mark_Sperring">Mark Sperring</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1523600502">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
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Here is a delightful and educational book about ... <strike>Valentine's Day</strike> shapes. I enjoyed the illustrations immensely and liked the educational content. This would be a household favorite, I think, though I found myself wishing for more actual story. I also was not crazy about the way the text was laid out on the page. Why not integrate it with the art more? I would not place this as a Valentine's Day book, regardless of the title. But as a concept book, it's fun with lots to look at and items and shapes to name. My trusty assistant* would consider this a favorite!<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25817276-i-love-you-already" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="I Love You Already!" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1452372986m/25817276.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25817276-i-love-you-already">I Love You Already!</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1977410.Jory_John">Jory John</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1523600547">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
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The adult reader will for sure relate to the bear who just wants some friggin QUIET! Throughout the story the poor bear is beset by his best friend with questions and requests and just a whole lot of chatter. Like the bear, I found his best friend irritating. And given how irritating, I wasn't entirely convinced in the bear's avowal of affection at the end. The illustrations were light and happy, the story simple enough, if long. A cute, non-love-and-hearts Valentine's find!
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13414860-bear-in-love" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Bear in Love" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1333579065m/13414860.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13414860-bear-in-love">Bear in Love</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20575.Daniel_Pinkwater">Daniel Pinkwater</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1523600574">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
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The sweet illustrations perfectly match an equally sweet story of a surprising friendship. A bear finds surprises (edible ones) and eventually starts leaving gifts of his own. Of course the adult in me was thinking, "No, don't it's a hunter's ploy! He wants you for a bearskin rug!" But it wasn't a hunter. Nope, rather a sweet little... HAH I won't spoil it. The repetition was engaging, but overall I thought it was perhaps a bit too repetitive. The back and forth went on perhaps too long without anything else happening. My preference: this maybe should have been a 10-16pg board book instead of a 32pg picture book. Of the new Valentine's Day books however, this is a winner.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7172082-zombie-in-love" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Zombie in Love" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1322897276m/7172082.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7172082-zombie-in-love">Zombie in Love</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/223840.Kelly_DiPucchio">Kelly DiPucchio</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1523188213">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
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The adult me loves this book. Concept, illustrations spot on. The story of a zombie looking for love in all the seemingly right places is just what I'd expect. And the solution, zombie meets zombie, also expected. The twist on a popular pop song was less expected and highly funny (for me, the adult), but overall I found it a bit wordy and predictable. Slight, like an underfed zombie. So because I'm an adult, I'm giving it four stars for my own reading enjoyment. As a parent and for my inner child, I would give it three. For the simple reason that my four-year-old assistant would not let me read her this book. Too scary. And I think the dating theme was handled a bit too maturely for the audience. But the illustrations are boss. Can I say "boss"? Probably not. I'm probably too old. Sorry.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25817559-plant-a-kiss-board-book" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="Plant a Kiss Board Book" border="0" src="https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/111x148-bcc042a9c91a29c1d680899eff700a03.png" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25817559-plant-a-kiss-board-book">Plant a Kiss Board Book</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21674.Amy_Krouse_Rosenthal">Amy Krouse Rosenthal</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1523600526">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
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I absolutely love the illustrations, and the voice of the story and the story itself. I did not, however, fully "get" the abstract concept. I know the author doesn't want it to be pedantic, and I appreciate that, but if I didn't really catch on, I wonder how well a child will? I wanted more direction/author intrusion. Very pretty book, however.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2807811-the-day-it-rained-hearts" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Day It Rained Hearts" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1408185382m/2807811.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2807811-the-day-it-rained-hearts">The Day It Rained Hearts</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/42436.Felicia_Bond">Felicia Bond</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1523188232">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
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Sweet little heart-catching girl makes valentines for all her friends. What a delightful book! I love the happy illustrations, the craft-ability, and how well the illustrations and spare text work together. I was surprised to see who the valentines went to - perfect for a child's world. This is a classic. I can see why it's still a favorite after so many years.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14781139-the-very-fairy-princess-follows-her-heart" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;"><img alt="The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1340758783m/14781139.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14781139-the-very-fairy-princess-follows-her-heart">The Very Fairy Princess Follows Her Heart</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6781.Julie_Andrews_Edwards">Julie Andrews Edwards</a><br />
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1523188239">4 of 5 stars</a><br />
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A story of a girl whose Valentine's Day is nearly ruined all because ... Ha, I almost did it again. I love the explosion of pink in the illustrations. And I love the subtle switch-up of the valentine's with Daddy's work papers. The text could have been a bit trimmer, but this is a fun, girl-friendly Valentine's Day book.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/9072585-rebecca-grabill">View all my reviews</a>
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*Four-year-old Little Miss Rowdy BritchesRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-89195526159177666392016-01-05T17:27:00.000-05:002016-01-25T11:12:25.363-05:00A Mama's 12 Days of Christmas!On the twelfth day of Christmas my sweeties gave to me...<br />
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Twelve complains of schooling,<br />
Eleven books of reading,<br />
Ten "Noyoucannotusecomputerrightnow"s a saying,<br />
Nine "hangupyourcoatplease" repeating,<br />
Eight days of coughing,<br />
Seven (zillion) errands running,<br />
Six (ty) dollars fleeing (to Hobby Lobby this time),<br />
Five hours of sleep!<br />
Four pops to glug,<br />
Three great hugs,<br />
Two snuggle bugs,<br />
And a carpet of needles beneath the tree!<br />
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I so lost energy for this project. Something about all those school complaints and busy days and pine needles ... Which, I have a feeling, will be there for a while. Happy Epiphany Eve! </div>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-48936123849431380032015-12-30T16:56:00.000-05:002015-12-31T22:29:57.247-05:00Mama's 12 Days of Christmas, Day 7On the Seventh Day of Christmas...<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0E63hHI_rIhyphenhyphenKcDfdPPJmeM_72Y9JqzSjPBB1IetPgwQawaVJoiLbveqhXpm56btx4HeHF4Wdm8M1C5zmtPu0OPJt7i7a0BP0Qh0L5y8tjgKHUwl5GmaPQIkGCvY9_jghZ0MDGrBUBIYp/s640/blogger-image--1691689362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0E63hHI_rIhyphenhyphenKcDfdPPJmeM_72Y9JqzSjPBB1IetPgwQawaVJoiLbveqhXpm56btx4HeHF4Wdm8M1C5zmtPu0OPJt7i7a0BP0Qh0L5y8tjgKHUwl5GmaPQIkGCvY9_jghZ0MDGrBUBIYp/s640/blogger-image--1691689362.jpg"></a></div>Seven (thousand) <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">errands running</span><div><div>Six squabbles settling </div><div>Five pizzas gluten free!</div><div>Four singing siblings</div><div>Three cup cakes</div><div>Two root beer mugs<br>
And one just-turned-12-year-old Birthday Boy!</div></div><div><br></div><div>Yes I've entirely given up rhyme and rhythm. I'm writing this while a ear-infected little love snores on my chest so my literary standards are a bit lax right now. Fish will get his real celebration when we're all healthy. He has requested bowling with friends. Um. Fun. </div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-30459959963793700842015-12-30T14:04:00.001-05:002015-12-30T16:25:08.483-05:00A Mama's Sixth Day of ChristmasOn the sixth day of Christmas my household gave to me...<br />
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Six (ty) dollars fleeing (to the med center)<br />
Five gallons of mucus!<br />
Three dead mice (thank you, Oreo)<br />
Two lost dice (again, thanks Oreo)<br />
And a game of Catan with some yummy hot tea!<br />
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I have given up any attempt to read, write or count because my sinuses are full of concrete. As are Awesome Sauce's ears. Or one anyway. "Two prescriptions for antibiotics" didn't have the same ring as two lost dice, but it certainly applies. As would "six chickens clucking" since chicken #7 mysteriously disappeared. Merry Christmas Mr. Fox. I hope you enjoyed her. Poor girl.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-77530296381770937672015-12-29T07:59:00.001-05:002015-12-29T14:09:56.585-05:00A Mother's Fifth Day of ChristmasOn the Fifth Day of Christmas my children gave to me...<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UULnbpBP_HW19EJi_iHojppN7rjdE0q9tt3M4pA0uGsOlh240BeQuTnUDOuF2LmzN0GVvHJp54eFHAXID74dGfXiSZ7KpZ7Hvgm_BNvVp8GCtPZAnIQjAbb_yelwmlgr1IkYcLJeWlWx/s640/blogger-image-643110136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UULnbpBP_HW19EJi_iHojppN7rjdE0q9tt3M4pA0uGsOlh240BeQuTnUDOuF2LmzN0GVvHJp54eFHAXID74dGfXiSZ7KpZ7Hvgm_BNvVp8GCtPZAnIQjAbb_yelwmlgr1IkYcLJeWlWx/s640/blogger-image-643110136.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Five hours of sleep!</div><div>Four DVDs</div><div>Three states to see</div><div>Two (dozen) stops to pee</div><div>And not one place to eat gluten free. </div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-67609223764127564222015-12-28T15:54:00.001-05:002015-12-30T14:04:45.205-05:00Mom's Fourth Day of ChristmasIn the Fourth Day of Christmas the hotel gave to me...<br />
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Four little fish</div>
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Three hot waffles</div>
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Two dirty looks</div>
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And maid service all for a fee!</div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-14778549546355050142015-12-27T11:21:00.001-05:002015-12-27T18:46:17.635-05:00A Mom's 12 Days of Christmas: on the roadOn the third day of Christmas my children gave to me...<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-RdOCIhrXxDZ_1luuCgo2a45hbYXVz2ar5Ct1eILlirts1gpucc3uNxEFzCZyEhWOCQOJ_WmP9yfCGQaBmDPf4M9ycls8g6ZHPRM16WEg5ffd_EtDsdDyhsQGmJjQuO-rW6ZuI0xPpuR/s640/blogger-image--211029270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-RdOCIhrXxDZ_1luuCgo2a45hbYXVz2ar5Ct1eILlirts1gpucc3uNxEFzCZyEhWOCQOJ_WmP9yfCGQaBmDPf4M9ycls8g6ZHPRM16WEg5ffd_EtDsdDyhsQGmJjQuO-rW6ZuI0xPpuR/s640/blogger-image--211029270.jpg"></a></div></div><div>Three great hugs,</div><div>Two cuddle bugs,</div><div>And a visit with Gram and Auntie. </div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-37090395771460874292015-12-26T12:31:00.000-05:002015-12-26T12:31:04.955-05:00A Mom's 12 Days of Christmas: Second DayOn the Second Day of Christmas my children gave to me...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNj5MoVuMfm8CXQr3bobnF9cmNnheWy3jVV84PaqHzO8TRk8U54TB7g-sJCtFQNJNqNBItmMIRWyV4RD1XYU92qL5mmWIcEeUzTrLWbXx9pDKuvz1yAJRXyLMJxPjGovLlLk3YnhTXMxRa/s1600/IMG_5293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNj5MoVuMfm8CXQr3bobnF9cmNnheWy3jVV84PaqHzO8TRk8U54TB7g-sJCtFQNJNqNBItmMIRWyV4RD1XYU92qL5mmWIcEeUzTrLWbXx9pDKuvz1yAJRXyLMJxPjGovLlLk3YnhTXMxRa/s320/IMG_5293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two nasty colds,</div>
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And a tin of magnetic poetry!</div>
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For those [one] individuals who actually read this, yes I'm doing the 12 Days of Christmas AFTER Christmas. Why? Because that's when they happen! Contrary to cultural belief, they are the twelve days between Christmas and Twelfth Night, which is the eve of Epiphany.<br />
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Also, I am slightly delirious from lack of sleep.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-4336161730404108482015-12-25T11:32:00.003-05:002015-12-25T11:38:43.107-05:00A Mom's 12 Days of Christmas...<div style="text-align: center;">
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On the First Day of Christmas, my family gave to me...</div>
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A huge bag of trash by the tree!</div>
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Ps. Merry Christmas to all my beloveds. I am blessed beyond words and overflowing with ... crinkled wrappings. Right this moment we're in the post-gift hangover phase, with a nice stack of items on the counter to return. Like three Nerf guns. Me: ever the idealist, and the fool. </div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-23417413920418447552015-12-10T07:47:00.000-05:002016-02-08T14:21:13.444-05:00Victoria's Farmhouse Dollhouse Construction: A Year of ProgressOkay, so maybe assembling a dollhouse is a little more complicated than I thought. Here it is, almost a year later and we are STILL not done. We now have: a foundation, exterior walls, roof. Plus a few extras so complicated they require their own post. Like electricity!<br />
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Meh, it's not that complicated. Who wants to build a dollhouse in the summer when there are chickens to chase and bikes to ride? Downside of taking a six-month break, one may not read the directions thoroughly when starting back up. Imagine my horror when - just yesterday - I spotted a bottle of Tacky Glue under the worktable. I've been using Elmer's Glue-All for everything! Sure enough, the instructions recommended Tacky Glue. One frantic Google search later and I discovered Elmer's is a perfectly suitable construction glue. Panic averted. Mostly.<br />
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Following are some in-progress shots. It doesn't look quite as dramatic as it feels (paint! walls! floors!). Enjoy!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happy (creepy) family. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyElRW4IaWzUyw86ft62Yu07f8NFrOZJNJp6uULnq4MpZMTG5P7tEP5GGT_SbUde5BJSHx98Ctesufeu1jGlJLB81GUv-qQKdUqXJBlnjkdzr_zPMwbgjIrt6aXYPCBxvYlGhOTZp2KhN/s1600/IMG_4914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyElRW4IaWzUyw86ft62Yu07f8NFrOZJNJp6uULnq4MpZMTG5P7tEP5GGT_SbUde5BJSHx98Ctesufeu1jGlJLB81GUv-qQKdUqXJBlnjkdzr_zPMwbgjIrt6aXYPCBxvYlGhOTZp2KhN/s640/IMG_4914.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look, honey, walls!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRqZiSyYOjLYyLZ23p_3pSl_GJu9GaBB_7YuxEXtJMzS-pJOrqIOAA-8AI8JvMpdAVuPDTEcH3ud1MTz5xR3w6AyzGniZuPxEuArh0Yd7EAF7G6Lgz2hW0_ty0Vb2s-3Wi8eoaEVHphyphenhyphenn/s1600/IMG_4915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaRqZiSyYOjLYyLZ23p_3pSl_GJu9GaBB_7YuxEXtJMzS-pJOrqIOAA-8AI8JvMpdAVuPDTEcH3ud1MTz5xR3w6AyzGniZuPxEuArh0Yd7EAF7G6Lgz2hW0_ty0Vb2s-3Wi8eoaEVHphyphenhyphenn/s640/IMG_4915.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mud Pie can't wait to play.</td></tr>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-53913023779503815522015-12-01T17:20:00.001-05:002015-12-01T17:22:16.979-05:00Gloria! Celebrate Advent with the Jesse TreeThe season of Advent is upon us! Actually, the season began a few days ago, but in our house celebration begins today, December 1st. I have our Jesse Tree ornaments in the Advent calendar, treats in the candy jar (with five children all old enough for treats they don't fit in the calendar anymore! The treats, not the children), and our daily readings all planned out.<br />
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Jesse Tree, what's that? Ornaments? What daily readings, you say? Oh, I'm so glad you asked!<br />
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You see, there's this wee little Advent ebook called <i>Gloria! A Family Guide to Advent and Epiphany</i>. It takes you through all of December with daily readings, songs, activities, Jesse Tree ornaments, and then, THEN it takes you through the Twelve Days of Christmas. You knew the 12 Days of Xmas came <i>after</i> Christmas, right? Even better, it's free! Look, here it is:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/gloriaadvent/home/downloads/Gloria-Advent%26Epiphany.epub?attredirects=0&d=1" target="_blank">Download Now!</a></td></tr>
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And wouldn't you know, I put the whole thing together. A labor of insanity that began in 2012 or something. A long time ago. The first year I made these cute, lumpy, hideous ornaments from salt dough without knowing that salt dough was, well, lacking in longevity. Here's the deal: Salt dough doesn't always dry all the way, or it will re-moisturize (that's a word, right?) if left in a damp place. Like, say, a basement. And what happens when metal hooks combine with moisture? Uh, yeah.<br />
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So I had to make all new ornaments (not all I suppose, since some weren't made with salt dough, though since I was making most of them over, I ended up making all of them over because I'm like that). These are a few of the ornaments:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdelI6op6Y7eW9Hp3GoEnMNMHl9lcqsagr1onw22__1XjfaceqG40OP6IxDn5WUoeUlIjajHQ1ROSz91dmV3d_j2-watvjysgX4BQkPyTxbgaQNMHpr-cRJRuHJCEtnLhL3ofJx-7xzoT/s1600/IMG_0460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdelI6op6Y7eW9Hp3GoEnMNMHl9lcqsagr1onw22__1XjfaceqG40OP6IxDn5WUoeUlIjajHQ1ROSz91dmV3d_j2-watvjysgX4BQkPyTxbgaQNMHpr-cRJRuHJCEtnLhL3ofJx-7xzoT/s640/IMG_0460.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Find the rest in the book which you can download <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/gloriaadvent/" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
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And just in case you were wondering what special fun activities are included in the book, and what stories are studied on each day, find the full list below:<br />
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And click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caDwkdgCJH8&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">here</a> to preview one of the fabulous songs for the first day.</div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-29237306996672014162015-11-05T17:47:00.001-05:002015-11-11T15:02:04.601-05:00Epic Murder Mystery Birthday Party, Pre-Teen Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pE7ochrWyNr_9MflAV-XMJ0fEsxpE8wTgzTJzqBiDZ4w3eKTZrRK-2MOMYNG3cXNfKKD8MmpJfbiLt5c5DgUKyTckkEN4BS03K-Fc5sy0Q0Hdd7ol8H1on1AnkX4xbKmpJUd_Gz_76R1/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-05+at+4.50.38+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pE7ochrWyNr_9MflAV-XMJ0fEsxpE8wTgzTJzqBiDZ4w3eKTZrRK-2MOMYNG3cXNfKKD8MmpJfbiLt5c5DgUKyTckkEN4BS03K-Fc5sy0Q0Hdd7ol8H1on1AnkX4xbKmpJUd_Gz_76R1/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-11-05+at+4.50.38+PM.png" width="486" /></a></div>
I don't know how Mud Pie got me to agree to it. Sure, both her brothers had big birthday parties around age 10 (I think Fish's was his 11th, but whatevs). Sure ,poor Pie has spent her whole life with a dumb mid-summer birthday so she's missed out on things like bringing treats to class or handing out invitations (July 3, which is actually pretty awesome but again, whatevs). Sure, my sanity is always questionable. But somehow she talked me into it. I may have even suggested it myself. A tenth birthday shindig with none other than a Murder Mystery theme.<br />
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We'd actually planned it a week or so away from her actual birthday, but when only one-ish little girls RSVPd "Yes" we decided to postpone. My sneaky self wanted to postpone anyway since I knew we were starting a new homeschool co-op and I expected Pie to make friends quickly, which she did, so we had an abundance of invitations to hand out. She did so at the beginning of October, and last weekend, Halloween, was the chosen date. Now I will share what we did and how it went, in case someone else somewhere someday wants to <strike>make themselves crazy for a week</strike> have the pleasure of planning and executing such an event. Many ideas were outright stolen from <a href="http://www.chickenbabies.com/2015/03/murder-mystery-party-for-tweens.html" target="_blank">this website,</a> and other ideas were swiped from other websites or emerged from the remnants of my brain at some point during that pre-party week. So what did we do?<br />
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The invitations:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Murder Mystery Party Invitations</td></tr>
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A little something I whipped together in Pages. We printed them on card stock (three to a page) and cut them out. I also sent an Evite since keeping track of responses would be so much easier online. Once I had confirmation, they were sent their character, but more on that in a moment! Each was asked to dress appropriately and was given one special line or instruction. Things like, "I hate feathers!" Or "Someone stole my ring!" Moms were also invited. Why not? We had as much fun as the girls!</div>
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Next for the big event, I decided I would write the mystery myself. My thought process: I'm a writer, this should be easy, I ought to be able to whip this out, no problem at all. Yes, I am this moronic. After several hours I wished I'd gone and bought a mystery kit online. After several more hours I really, really, really wished I'd bought one online. Eventually, I had some semblance of mystery hashed out, complete with a spreadsheet and about twenty sheets of scrap paper. Here's where I made characters and assigned them to each girl/guy and mom who was able to attend.</div>
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Finally the big day! When each girl arrived (and one guy, since Fish was attending and was allowed one friend), she received a bag with her "Mystery Item" which was a prop that would be used at some point during the game. Then we gathered at the dining table for tea (apple cider punch - yum) and crumpets (donuts and scones. Yeah, I went all out. Like all the way out to the grocery store). First task: match each attendee with the "profession" on their suspect sheet.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">So many streamers! All over the house!</td></tr>
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Our mystery began with the Countess (Mud Pie) and her Royal Chicken who lays golden eggs. The Countess suspected someone was out to steal her chicken, so invited all the suspects to tea. They did not know this yet, of course, but they would soon find out! Because the Countess slipped off to the upstairs nursery (her and Rowdy's room) and screamed.</div>
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Imagine ten kids and five moms thundering up the stairs to find Mud Pie unresponsive (but very giggly) on the floor! The Coroner declared the Countess dead and together the kids marked out her body.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyV4gEW_c-uK4n_TVyqvRXPDf6Kq-1CBZdHqUpksQZ4GeRjTT859MepQWCSP1MX0mtRdt1LLW3DohvlmtGWwfWdz9ZtUJdaVPScuxXsp6Trpa_FCa41HbH9R7B67UQKXDUrO-NE_fx0Xr/s1600/FullSizeRender+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyV4gEW_c-uK4n_TVyqvRXPDf6Kq-1CBZdHqUpksQZ4GeRjTT859MepQWCSP1MX0mtRdt1LLW3DohvlmtGWwfWdz9ZtUJdaVPScuxXsp6Trpa_FCa41HbH9R7B67UQKXDUrO-NE_fx0Xr/s400/FullSizeRender+10.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh the fun of masking tape!</td></tr>
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What fun. Rowdy, little sister, cried and asked Pie to "Get up!" Which she eventually did because she was actually just knocked unconscious. Sadly, the blow wiped her memory so she had no idea who attacked her and who ... stole her chicken! Another character's ring had also been stolen.</div>
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The butler, Fish, was supposed to lead everyone downstairs to watch a video the Countess left for such an occasion, but brothers are not always the most helpful. Thankfully Mom-Housekeeper had that spreadsheet handy! Down we went to watch the recording:</div>
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Poison! The tea was poisoned?! We had to be sure! So upstairs we raced to test. Except again Fish had misplaced his Mystery Item, so Mom-Keeper to the rescue with some baking soda to toss in the cup of colored vinegar. Poison confirmed, the Coroner placed everyone under arrest. We followed a thread to the dungeon (basement) where a "Web of Intrigue" had been crafted, painstakingly by Mom and Pie earlier in the day. Which we had to fix about a hundred times because Fish's bedroom lay on the other side. Anyway, it was like a laser maze, but with thread.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRDFip-_qDqJz7ZD4aB1trTLgija66AV60mHfcgOOtt5JDk9fX_ov5dgWjpH1z7pOajCOrjE2FtjcGOiCUnQHT4zEK5Y56XyPvRqPgAC2znkGRh6rr5NkuaFYAQDwS5xfnwHvO53Jf5jm/s1600/FullSizeRender+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRDFip-_qDqJz7ZD4aB1trTLgija66AV60mHfcgOOtt5JDk9fX_ov5dgWjpH1z7pOajCOrjE2FtjcGOiCUnQHT4zEK5Y56XyPvRqPgAC2znkGRh6rr5NkuaFYAQDwS5xfnwHvO53Jf5jm/s400/FullSizeRender+9.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We navigated the maze in the dark with glow sticks. Not the best idea for the longevity of the maze.</td></tr>
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Inside Fish's room we took mug shots and fingerprints. I made use of a handy iPhone app. Fun! And while waiting for our photo shoot (which didn't take long), we solved Halloween Riddles. Like What did the skeleton order at the bar? Two cokes and a mop! Groan.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5TtajzL552-NkgDOt45nhKb8D5GJJyfDe5ovoI5Z8lbeWS-i4IORBsQcp0uAk-8qXlaFOZJbL93dVS9A87Em28QtyOgjE2dxDEcOeMeTJUd1iIdqmWBTFc-rtkOts4STXKkE0zTraKwk/s1600/IMG_4722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5TtajzL552-NkgDOt45nhKb8D5GJJyfDe5ovoI5Z8lbeWS-i4IORBsQcp0uAk-8qXlaFOZJbL93dVS9A87Em28QtyOgjE2dxDEcOeMeTJUd1iIdqmWBTFc-rtkOts4STXKkE0zTraKwk/s320/IMG_4722.JPG" width="268" /></a></div>
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Next we returned upstairs because someone spotted the chicken (me - I hadn't quite figured out how to get everyone upstairs). Interestingly, colored eggs were all over the living room. Inside the eggs, puzzle pieces (and candy because you have to have candy in colored eggs!). Next task, put the puzzle together!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoht5n73AAqkjhKUqy57swO1Se0CDNdKyb2rKk9GjEGjiuEH49m-1M00saOUNmVxpS1DEwEfrK_6ux6KQex5z7Pd_8vnPBUl3bZd0g3CpAmh2ApjYJFHSTFwwQoi-J3KU_GN_eyw6WV7Ba/s1600/FullSizeRender+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoht5n73AAqkjhKUqy57swO1Se0CDNdKyb2rKk9GjEGjiuEH49m-1M00saOUNmVxpS1DEwEfrK_6ux6KQex5z7Pd_8vnPBUl3bZd0g3CpAmh2ApjYJFHSTFwwQoi-J3KU_GN_eyw6WV7Ba/s400/FullSizeRender+13.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mystery puzzle in progress...</td></tr>
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I'd been worried about having enough time, and had pushed things along a little quickly. So at this point we were, oh, like fifteen minutes into the mystery part of the party. It was going a little too quickly. The puzzle took longer than expected. Pfew! I made the puzzle, yes I did and I made it from this picture:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh6cWQRntDfV0ac8RGix_2CSWiFdM8UOrkdSRatwJjl9rSlzUc3b8uSVrfKBLcY9DoJ5SJMO2y64PGHSr9F9RtKO1z7Nlmq8Q3VGgk8yoQe7hkOWOPXRHve1-sqTINyB5K8RD0SzbIkEa/s1600/IMG_4611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTh6cWQRntDfV0ac8RGix_2CSWiFdM8UOrkdSRatwJjl9rSlzUc3b8uSVrfKBLcY9DoJ5SJMO2y64PGHSr9F9RtKO1z7Nlmq8Q3VGgk8yoQe7hkOWOPXRHve1-sqTINyB5K8RD0SzbIkEa/s400/IMG_4611.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, that's a chicken and a ring.</td></tr>
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Our next clue! The chicken had the missing ring, and was last seen where this photo was taken. Down to the family room where a mess of feathers had suddenly appeared. And the poison was taking its toll. We had to pick up the feathers using cooking utensils because our fingers were no longer working!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBWMOAxtvAFWwC8OVYXpdgwCgFoeQP1TUHNMwJWMIx0qnBBfwm3yYkdD89jX7gyTFaqjhRu2QXVill2_j2FX85t_Y6G4st0lQx5buEM4Kt2EEvGG189KFaMmNZLyMqyUa69JOFxYI3hea/s1600/FullSizeRender+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBWMOAxtvAFWwC8OVYXpdgwCgFoeQP1TUHNMwJWMIx0qnBBfwm3yYkdD89jX7gyTFaqjhRu2QXVill2_j2FX85t_Y6G4st0lQx5buEM4Kt2EEvGG189KFaMmNZLyMqyUa69JOFxYI3hea/s400/FullSizeRender+16.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I detest feathers! That was the maid's "line."</td></tr>
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Beneath the feathers, one of which was a paintbrush, lay a message written in chicken language (pig pen code that St. Nick helpfully wrote out). One of the girls had a cypher as her Mystery Item. Of course Mom-Keeper had to remind her, but it worked out fine.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbzYSj1FY6KT-cg_iDUyNamxX8E77UoYtFtd9tlAwsyQXZvDAeeoxjn8mKrh-Z2O00xedZfkZRTF_Yrv4Cjgu9WmDOtPb9gKWoF5REesKyzUj3JgcstVBwKqLkXhKcIuqNUOCJCKxWPgw/s1600/FullSizeRender+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbzYSj1FY6KT-cg_iDUyNamxX8E77UoYtFtd9tlAwsyQXZvDAeeoxjn8mKrh-Z2O00xedZfkZRTF_Yrv4Cjgu9WmDOtPb9gKWoF5REesKyzUj3JgcstVBwKqLkXhKcIuqNUOCJCKxWPgw/s320/FullSizeRender+14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sticky fingers?</td></tr>
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The message told us that the suspect had sticky fingers. So up to the kitchen we went, only to discover a fingerprint on the stove. Who'd have thought our suspect sheets had fingerprints on them! Match up the fingerprints and ... The Artist stole the chicken to save it from the cook, who wanted to cook it! And the chicken laid an egg with the missing ring inside. The Princess (who had lost the ring) paid a reward (fake money, which was her Mystery Item - see how clever I am?) to everyone.</div>
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Mystery solved, Mom-Keeper wanted to collapse. But it was only a bit after 3pm and the party didn't end until 4. Plus the Ambassador had not yet arrived (a girl who was planning to come late), and she knew where the antidote to the poison was. Right as I was about to give it up and serve the cake, the Ambassador's mom pulled up in the driveway! Saved! </div>
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The Ambassador had a riddle, the solution to which provided us with the location of the antidote. It was inside a pumpkin, mixed in with pumpkin guts. Yuck. But oh so fun!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YG4bXD9IjoD7w2h4GtNOboQHx4vXitpj7A3gNudmbVZEF79hCRzSGG5JRSREyyKMGblFjjRJEWAfol_oza0MNqeOX0aRZvOiYB0qh72FjqXCoyTOKnQwZ-7aMMXcAtDZU1tAzT4qdiby/s1600/FullSizeRender+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YG4bXD9IjoD7w2h4GtNOboQHx4vXitpj7A3gNudmbVZEF79hCRzSGG5JRSREyyKMGblFjjRJEWAfol_oza0MNqeOX0aRZvOiYB0qh72FjqXCoyTOKnQwZ-7aMMXcAtDZU1tAzT4qdiby/s400/FullSizeRender+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging through pumpkin guts for the antidote</td></tr>
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Finally, cake and presents and one last game. An auction of wrapped dollar store treasures, opened in White Elephant fashion. The girls were too polite to steal one another's gifts, however, so most everyone ended up keeping what they got. All good. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8imHZnrwNalzVYXWQdL0H5BYWVec0OT10v8PQZVVEcnTrzBsHiXgYMFd9Q5asUPlm0234qxuX3HcYMP4-3hJj4jMPMySspcYIP5DM3PkDOArq4kzZEasVjQjqnsBkVZatumx8FI8LSCvR/s1600/FullSizeRender+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8imHZnrwNalzVYXWQdL0H5BYWVec0OT10v8PQZVVEcnTrzBsHiXgYMFd9Q5asUPlm0234qxuX3HcYMP4-3hJj4jMPMySspcYIP5DM3PkDOArq4kzZEasVjQjqnsBkVZatumx8FI8LSCvR/s400/FullSizeRender+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Store bought cake. I have my limits.</td></tr>
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We wrapped up at exactly 4pm! Except that many of the moms and girls stuck around for a while to chat, eat more cake, and generally enjoy the afternoon, which I must admit was the highlight of the whole event for me. And what did I do the next day? Sleep? Nonono. I vacuumed feathers out of the family room.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHI3xH3w6FbRkHZp1VSxUoncqu0xOxYDQFJ6VM4vBuYofSNv-TpsIhOC_nwe-FZS83bEhyphenhyphen6LtccgnFWp1vAvOnQsyyzr-A7D1WHD-5CLliZFhmKQAI2nxPfsMtPm6VlIOgmIz0J6xl7_e/s1600/FullSizeRender+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHI3xH3w6FbRkHZp1VSxUoncqu0xOxYDQFJ6VM4vBuYofSNv-TpsIhOC_nwe-FZS83bEhyphenhyphen6LtccgnFWp1vAvOnQsyyzr-A7D1WHD-5CLliZFhmKQAI2nxPfsMtPm6VlIOgmIz0J6xl7_e/s400/FullSizeRender+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite picture: Pie and Rowdy getting ready for the party!</td></tr>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-72302668991241421882015-10-30T18:09:00.000-04:002015-12-07T07:17:52.460-05:00Halloween Picture Books To Die For<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuLWnlQK0hjSpPCrzkx3hS2UnjtjPxDFJu5APwnHxRN2YU1xqezR7Rhc-wZR8F2ViCRaYGEpweO5aQBsd1rhUcK8VxLBYlry3cnItFz2_KKlHmlHyMfbirL8ZeCgYsjmx0nwPRI4tX2BL/s1600/halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuLWnlQK0hjSpPCrzkx3hS2UnjtjPxDFJu5APwnHxRN2YU1xqezR7Rhc-wZR8F2ViCRaYGEpweO5aQBsd1rhUcK8VxLBYlry3cnItFz2_KKlHmlHyMfbirL8ZeCgYsjmx0nwPRI4tX2BL/s640/halloween.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpIAP2Sr5CySVNehaXSviNPcBfLpMHbeVoW4nzwBWgYvTeCXXJtafB38lw9TH8_EN9yUFPm33piYNfWedm1uFhjEbIwcYZQkbrEiPWddyb3qJszveEu-Dh0H48-7VuF0rZBl_Uc-psPsm/s1600/819qhDJBXTL_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpIAP2Sr5CySVNehaXSviNPcBfLpMHbeVoW4nzwBWgYvTeCXXJtafB38lw9TH8_EN9yUFPm33piYNfWedm1uFhjEbIwcYZQkbrEiPWddyb3qJszveEu-Dh0H48-7VuF0rZBl_Uc-psPsm/s320/819qhDJBXTL_0.jpg" width="263" /></a><br />
<h3>
Night of the Pumpkinheads </h3>
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Michael J. Rosen, Hugh McMahon illus. 2011<br />
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The concept of a picture book illustrated with totally over-the-top-awesome pumpkin carvings is incredible. Brilliant, actually. The story, while fairly simple, has a full and satisfying arc. The pumpkins want to dress up and scare the children, but the children laugh. The vegetables, on the other hand... Well, what kid isn't afraid of vegetables?!? There are also some parent-friendly puns and jokes (mimes really are scary!), but the text itself is straightforward, with almost textbook clarity. It's a smart book, an incredibly creative book, a "why didn't I think of that" book. But the execution taught me a few things.<br />
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For one, I happen to love frivolity and play in the language. Picture books are like poetry: every word counts, every word should do multiple things (evoke, set tone, move the story, establish character). Relying on concept and (obtuse-to-a-child) humor just doesn't sparkle. I also longed for more "setting" to the pumpkin-carved illustrations. Of course I'm not an illustrator or a pumpkin carver, but I <i>am</i> a photographer. Why not set up whole scenes instead of the chalk background? While the text was supremely easy to read (if a bit verbose), the pictures were hard to read.<br />
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P.s. Why is October muggy - warm and moist? Wouldn't it be chilly? Windy? Stormy? Words matter.<br />
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That said, the carvings are really truly amazing, and the story is satisfying, clever, funny, especially for adults.<br />
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<h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXCfYxix2N9xJiHBP0ud_LmX9sfUDntdDdjl3-T_DMzFw7bHRfUOMc5-gyBHihdePk14qhZubcl6hiRJnNpSi2bZYeFlKcSF-qrhwkx0Pj07V-dbbm8l8xDjSb6ilpSFW-cRAjq1qVLKp/s1600/81ulWkWI7oL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXCfYxix2N9xJiHBP0ud_LmX9sfUDntdDdjl3-T_DMzFw7bHRfUOMc5-gyBHihdePk14qhZubcl6hiRJnNpSi2bZYeFlKcSF-qrhwkx0Pj07V-dbbm8l8xDjSb6ilpSFW-cRAjq1qVLKp/s320/81ulWkWI7oL.jpg" width="317" /></a>Trick or Treat</h3>
Leo Landry 2012<br />
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First, I love the size of this book. The smaller, square size is so bedtime-friendly, and the amount of text per page is perfect for an evening read-aloud. I hate when Rowdy is trying to flip pages ahead of my reading, and she didn't need to do that here. (I also hate wordless pages where I, in my pre-bedtime-zombie state have to make sh@t up on the spot.) I also love the simple story of a little ghost having a Halloween party, and clear illustrations with a bit of visual irony. One invitation ends up in human hands! Oh my! The ending is satisfying.<br />
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Here's an example of text and illustrations that meld perfectly. Both are streamlined, simple. The text isn't showy, nor overly complex. It tells the story in a sweet, gentle way, which matches the sweet, gentle illustrations and completes a story about Scary things (Like a ghost named Oliver!) that turn out to be sweet and gentle! Talk about aboutness - this book does it beautifully.<br />
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<h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8WGoDMcuBNxdbxrmVqG35I-5dGiqIjfvSS311XBRkukb4xvI4f9dzqXPs4Z8DmQggNz-bKB7TBY8SBuEVGBMtdZB2wc0bWcFbL0TosS7MdySpMFt5wniORKe0GgULIma_epft_NEbYGx/s1600/61AKiVGOX%252BL._SX258_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8WGoDMcuBNxdbxrmVqG35I-5dGiqIjfvSS311XBRkukb4xvI4f9dzqXPs4Z8DmQggNz-bKB7TBY8SBuEVGBMtdZB2wc0bWcFbL0TosS7MdySpMFt5wniORKe0GgULIma_epft_NEbYGx/s1600/61AKiVGOX%252BL._SX258_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" /></a>Monster Mash</h3>
David Catrow illus. 2012<br />
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The song, Monster Mash, in picture book form. Hmmm. I'm not sure how well the song translates into an actual story. Because, well, it's not a story. It's a song. So the plot would be: monsters come to a party and do the monster mash. Which is, well, not much, but hey, it's about the illustrations, baby!<br />
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Which are ... gross. I mean, they're amazingly artistic and creative and colorful and almost sort of disney or pixar or something (which, if you look at the artist's bio, makes sense). But the creatures are scary. And gross. And this is coming from someone who keeps a collection of Garbage Pail Kids Funkos on her desk. When I asked Rowdy if she like the book she said, "Yeah." So I asked, "Are the pictures scary?" "Naw, it has Spooky Scary Skeletons!" So, bah, whatever. I would have liked the book <i>more</i> had the illustrations pushed for more of a story, gone beyond the Monster Mash song.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBY3wGdgYYtqcjhc1vLjApbstKmsvUuvDqtymUanhNOJT0jzBoBkV9Sp5M5gdB8hq2DjCtIjjIIFG2TcIQaWOIlpEa2x9eX_FN91DvgQFC1RxPzzrTtyU9wGrX7zWD49Y1Bw0-qoFqbdj/s1600/51QA1IxpKZL._SX258_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBY3wGdgYYtqcjhc1vLjApbstKmsvUuvDqtymUanhNOJT0jzBoBkV9Sp5M5gdB8hq2DjCtIjjIIFG2TcIQaWOIlpEa2x9eX_FN91DvgQFC1RxPzzrTtyU9wGrX7zWD49Y1Bw0-qoFqbdj/s1600/51QA1IxpKZL._SX258_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" /></a>Only a Witch Can Fly</h3>
Alison McGhee, Taeeun Yoo illus. 2009<br />
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This book has definite kid appeal, proven by 10-yr-old Mud Pie's theft of it. She's read it several times already so it must speak to her. And no wonder! The writing has a Charlotte Zolotow feel to it. Lyrical, poetic.<br />
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From the mouth of Mud Pie, "I liked the kitty, but I didn't like that I couldn't tell if the person on the broom was a girl or a boy." So there, publishing industry, quit trying to make characters gender-ambiauious. It's creepy. Though a Halloween book is supposed to be creepy, so... Never mind!<br />
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<h3>
The Monsterator</h3>
Keith Graves 2014<br />
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Illustrations: adorable, scary without being grotesque, and the flip-book monster-maker at the back is brilliant! It's a book, it's a toy, it's a full fifteen minutes of entertainment on a long car ride! The story: child-centric (good), clever (good), surprising (gooder!). Spoiler alert: I sort of love that the little monster didn't "learn himself a lesson and be a good boy ever after." Because you know, sometimes if you make a nasty face long enough, it really does stay that way. The rhyme: worked as well as it needed to.<br />
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Harriet Muncaster 2015<br />
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Surprisingly this take off on the "Is that my Tractor" sort of book was our absolute favorite. Rowdy asked for it many times, and Pie and I spent quite a while studying the pictures and exclaiming over little details we spotted. We love love love love loved (we really loved) the illustrations. We loved the simple storyline that, though the illustrations, wrapped up surprisingly well (all the discarded costumes show up at the party anyway!). Adorable, creative. One I wouldn't mind adding to my permanent collection.<br />
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<h3>
Black and Bittern was Night</h3>
Robert Heidbreder, John Martz 2013<br />
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Here I'm going to be grumpy. I really really loved this book. I love the playful language, the illustrations that pop with simplicity. I never got to read it all the way through. Why? My tongue hurt. Seriously. Reading it aloud just wasn't happening, and Rowdly got too impatient with the thrickle thrackling skul-a-mug-mugging to let me work it out. As a performance piece it might be amazing. As a bedtime read-aloud? Splickderringdoo.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-50387185873379727612015-09-22T06:53:00.000-04:002015-09-22T06:53:00.666-04:00Picture Book Round-Up: Three Fun Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thanks to <a href="http://journal.rebeccagrabill.com/2015/09/what-publishing-will-do-for-you.html">recent developments</a>, I love love love the library again. (Although I still prefer bookstores - they're less expensive!) The books I pulled off the New Picture Books section today: Yard Sale by Eve Bunting (love her!), illustrated by Lauren Castillo, Are We There Yeti? by Ashlyn Anstee, and Flowers Are Calling by Rita Gray, illustrated by Kenard Pak. Now for my writerly thoughts (pics take you to amazon links, affiliate style).<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763665428/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763665428&linkCode=as2&tag=rebeccagrabill-20&linkId=YXZLDA6NCICKCWTL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Yard Sale by Eve Bunting" border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0763665428&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rebeccagrabill-20" title="" /></a></div>
<i>Yard Sale </i>(Bunting/Castillo, 2015): Firstly, the touch of the book: I absolutely love it. I'm extremely tactile, have been known to go to Joann <i>just</i> to run my hands through the fabrics, so when I come across a book with feel-good pages I'm very very happy. The paper is heavy, matte, pleasureful to touch and turn. Paper combined with the deceptively simple illustrations lend the book a retro 1980s feel. Which really matches the story, because the economy in the 80s was rotten, and life was just kinda depressing (for my family, anyhow). The illustrations perfectly blend with the mood Bunting creates, but don't make the story melodramatic or caricatured, if that makes sense.<br />
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The story itself is beautiful, the writing straightforward, the <i>aboutness</i> clear and moving. For those studying picture books, this would be a good one to re-type, storyboard and dissect.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0544340124/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0544340124&linkCode=as2&tag=rebeccagrabill-20&linkId=CJE2UZSCONFJEEKV" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Flowers are calling" border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0544340124&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rebeccagrabill-20" title="" /></a></div>
<i>Flowers Are Calling</i> (Gray/Pak, 2015): Those same fabulous matte pages which are essential for the absolute drop dead gorgeousness of these illustrations. The illustrations are really truly glorious. I wanted to frame them and hang them all over my house! Now, may I confess something? I didn't understand the text until I read the jacket copy (which I read precisely because I didn't understand the text). I may very well be that slow, but as I read I kept thinking, <i>Why aren't the flowers calling the porcupine? Is he hidden in the picture? No, he's not, so why...</i> Apparently Rowdy thought the same, because somewhere around the moose she wiggled off my lap and wandered off to play. She may be (at 3.5) on the young side for this book. However, this is one I'll use with my older children when we talk about plants/pollination later this school year. Rarely do education and beauty meld into such a perfect harmony.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1481430890/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1481430890&linkCode=as2&tag=rebeccagrabill-20&linkId=HJVSMPOYS6A2SVBK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="are we there yeti" border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1481430890&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rebeccagrabill-20" title="" /></a></div>
<i>Are We There Yeti?</i> (Anstee, 2015): Another one with a great feel to the pages. Yay! I'll admit, I was skeptical of this book because I wasn't sure Rowdy would "get" the pun. But she totally did and spent the rest of the day saying, "Are we there YETI?" and laughing like a maniac. How awesome is that? I think she loved the pictures too, and the mystery (what's in the cave? oooh more yetis!!!), and the kids being impatient on the bus.<br />
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This is a great book to study suspense, how a picture book needs to build it up then resolve it in a satisfying way (this one does both exceptionally well).Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-34894694127068226852015-09-13T15:01:00.000-04:002015-09-15T16:53:33.389-04:00With the BFG Movie Coming and All<div style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: 'Gotham SSm A', 'Gotham SSm B', 'Gotham SSm', Gotham, 'Proxima Nova', 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 22px; word-wrap: break-word;">
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In honor of a very special day, I thought I'd revive this old post about a book I found, um, intriguing, with some interesting asides (see below!).</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0142410381/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0142410381&linkCode=as2&tag=rebeccagrabill-20&linkId=JNO5FG2XGOVV3TVM" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0142410381&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=rebeccagrabill-20" /></a>My first thought as I read this book was <em>Wow! Dahl is on LSD! </em>Which makes sense for a book published in the 80s (is Dahl a child of the 60s/70s?). But no, he wasn't on psychotropic drugs. The book is Freud and Jung with a dash of Platonic forms. That says it all, doesn't it?</div>
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=rebeccagrabill-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0142410381" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: 'Gotham SSm A', 'Gotham SSm B', 'Gotham SSm', Gotham, 'Proxima Nova', 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px;">Ok, on to at least one real thought: BFG’s fabulous voice of made-up words, rhythm and bizarre syntax that never muddles meaning makes the book vivid and real, and surprisingly easy to read. Logic, however, seems a non-essential factor in this book, and in fantasy for this age in general. Example: the BFG can’t understand the natterbox spiders (he doesn’t know the language), but he can understand the chatbag cattypiddlers. Um. Why? Not that I really care because, hello, natterbox spiders and chatbag cattypiddlers are just too freaking awesome.</span><br />
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Yet I can’t get away from a Freudian reading of this book. Case in point, the giants have these frankfurter lips, right? And we all know what hot dogs represent... And they have this slimy drool, and little Sophie ends up in a giant cucumber-like (phallic much?) vegetable and is then taken into the giant’s mouth ... Yes, yes, I know. A stretch. It’s just creepy to me, like the author is subconsciously working through some latent memories he can't make sense of. Anyway, enough of that. Now for additional disjointed and seemingly random thoughts:</div>
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I love how the BFG is so childlike while the giants are rather obviously bullies, though the “message” is a little too heavy-handed for me, and a wee wittle one-sided. There's a line about human beans (yes, beans) being the only ones that kill their own kind, which isn’t true at all. I had enough hamsters as a child to know they often kill one another, and they eat their young (or in the case of Peaches, half of one of her young. The other half she left for me to find). On that note, I was a little annoyed by the social commentary. It seems the book was half parody (jack and the beanstalk references), half fantasy, and half cultural critique (yes, I know my halves don’t add up). Yet even with all the talk of how human beans kill one another, the giants (only doing what comes naturally to themselves, unlike the awful humans) get a pretty severe punishment. </div>
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Moving on: Stephen King wrote somewhere that horror is having people react in expected ways to unexpected events. Here a giant meets real England and a table is made for him of grandfather clocks and a ping pong table. Dahl gives great authenticating details of the butler needing a ladder to set the table, it taking four footmen to carry the clocks, and so on. Such great humor here, and the fart jokes, and by the bellypoppers and portedos. I’m laughing aloud. In public. People are looking at me. </div>
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On the downside, it took to page 118 (Sophie trying to save the school kids) for there to be strong forward motion. The plot was muddled throughout and not tied up too neatly at the end. Maybe because the whole thing is just some Jungian shared dream? It was all Dahl’s dream, obviously, since he is the BFG who, we discover at the end, is writing the story. Obviously, right? RIGHT? </div>
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So although I found the book creepily Freudian/Jungian, and although I did enjoy the wild creativity and fun use of language, I do hope Dahl got himself some good psychotherapy. </div>
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As an aside, I loved the bit about why there are blank pages at the back of an atlas—to draw the places no one has ever been. Isn’t that a metaphor for writing? And for life itself? </div>
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A second aside: Dahl and I share a birthday! Which just so happens to be TODAY! Happy birthday to us!</div>
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Third aside: affiliate link up there, yo. </div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-80030556700002420322015-09-10T16:11:00.000-04:002015-09-11T15:40:39.985-04:00Abundance, Gratitude, Life as GiftThis year has not been easy.<br />
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Every moment is packed with more than I can do (school! meals! chauffeur! high schooler! baby! toddler! writing!). Every corner of our home is packed and used for multiple purposes (kitchen: food prep, mail station, delivery center. Dining room: food consumption, school, craft table, office, clothes folding. Living room: morning coffee, office, baby play wonderland, kids' computer center. Family room: entertainment, school work area, partial library, preschool supplies, music and art. etc.). Every corner of my mind is packed with things I desperately don't want to forget. From order forms to rare quiet moments snuggling our newest bit of abundance.<br />
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Rather than seeing life as overwhelming, draining, exhausting, I'm striving to see the fullness of every corner as abundance. Life is gift. These children are gift. And today we celebrate our newest, smallest gift. I realized in writing this that today is my first time mentioning him here. I'm not sure how a year slipped by, but it has, and I will remedy that now by unveiling his journal nickname (since all my babies have nicknames). He is and will forever be: <i>Awesomesauce</i>.<br />
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And what an awesome year it has been. Little Awesomesauce has been the true Tagalong Baby, going with us to Kentucky and Pittsburgh and Milwaukee and New York City. I was nursing him when my agent called with news of my first book contract and he helped inspire my second book. Yet despite clutching to every moment in an attempt to preserve it forever, an entire year has passed. I'm not sure where it went. But a few of those places:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brand new and already smiling</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2whnzdipe0TXDpEKMPhyphenhyphenSJ6kwg5ns-67heXb72306DDAaLuqsT6zs7LmVljqILByRRGOjiNqjrPObjA4AQbkgZVefOq21_RLTkCmNZmg8-xVGp7HpSPhApYsFPu7g005HFcLMNpQhX4IA/s1600/Kilian09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2whnzdipe0TXDpEKMPhyphenhyphenSJ6kwg5ns-67heXb72306DDAaLuqsT6zs7LmVljqILByRRGOjiNqjrPObjA4AQbkgZVefOq21_RLTkCmNZmg8-xVGp7HpSPhApYsFPu7g005HFcLMNpQhX4IA/s640/Kilian09.jpg" width="415" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1F95BmxWh0se0JKueYoOAfwUZQScvhLEwoIpP0sUiCE_s7QQOeN3TbvKEH8ry0Xly0FGiPB5WhGCxCqV6OreygOih3HnQwkh5Y5m4ONBO8glrZJf-S6DTPZoLKDAEE9Q02_vVh73mruD/s1600/IMG_2199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1F95BmxWh0se0JKueYoOAfwUZQScvhLEwoIpP0sUiCE_s7QQOeN3TbvKEH8ry0Xly0FGiPB5WhGCxCqV6OreygOih3HnQwkh5Y5m4ONBO8glrZJf-S6DTPZoLKDAEE9Q02_vVh73mruD/s640/IMG_2199.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel Poolside in Pittsburgh!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDREAuv80no3pPH-va-94Bk7FYyiWkHE2HF66pUfYvXylqwHRcXmwo5bt0T_qWj1xKBKdbNAMIAQdpSGLQ47in3l5JLBArNH_8vl5vNPaGpvRA6eEuPYUTy8zXO72Jaj6jVPpPd0xZxCc/s1600/IMG_1832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDREAuv80no3pPH-va-94Bk7FYyiWkHE2HF66pUfYvXylqwHRcXmwo5bt0T_qWj1xKBKdbNAMIAQdpSGLQ47in3l5JLBArNH_8vl5vNPaGpvRA6eEuPYUTy8zXO72Jaj6jVPpPd0xZxCc/s640/IMG_1832.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing Hide-n-Seek?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamgNiJzIbmEPbRq8ZSL4wjFVreuNas0alw71Vyn2b34Pp66VcTOdIfyKIGstWmFEBRsF68oOUrGNXs89wMGJiTU2PAwDp1N-CF8fJLcGKNWDbIwGhXGLJ3wOZKxh6sK2m4W3K8a4fafl0/s1600/IMG_2480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamgNiJzIbmEPbRq8ZSL4wjFVreuNas0alw71Vyn2b34Pp66VcTOdIfyKIGstWmFEBRsF68oOUrGNXs89wMGJiTU2PAwDp1N-CF8fJLcGKNWDbIwGhXGLJ3wOZKxh6sK2m4W3K8a4fafl0/s320/IMG_2480.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At MOMA in NYC!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sTY8P7ldxSbg5jBjTl0ldplfItMMVajAfGW6tZCpQuYcLNtN5HljA-oucKBRmbwiZ25bMkF3GXXPunzh0fa42oOjrUUFQzNizAknDRI_iOYhu6yEE-MVJ8kDPFWiER8aEapH-GGdpmdB/s1600/IMG_2603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sTY8P7ldxSbg5jBjTl0ldplfItMMVajAfGW6tZCpQuYcLNtN5HljA-oucKBRmbwiZ25bMkF3GXXPunzh0fa42oOjrUUFQzNizAknDRI_iOYhu6yEE-MVJ8kDPFWiER8aEapH-GGdpmdB/s320/IMG_2603.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another museum!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTblhBtb_hAudZu8PCKLcNAgYFg2WHFisCuCU2cSoI5Pev6IOQM0MLOKWtBxyoyu-KgRPxW6P87PriwpdhIUn40I-pGEj2L2z8uoPl8LgplsHxaNR7SXV-roh8Wj12tTNMLwPLPxan1fA/s1600/IMG_2666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTblhBtb_hAudZu8PCKLcNAgYFg2WHFisCuCU2cSoI5Pev6IOQM0MLOKWtBxyoyu-KgRPxW6P87PriwpdhIUn40I-pGEj2L2z8uoPl8LgplsHxaNR7SXV-roh8Wj12tTNMLwPLPxan1fA/s320/IMG_2666.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a castle!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Happy birthday, my darling, always-smiling boy. You are the sauce that makes everything awesome.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaUVpHNh87h8U4qwDPlgK_ti44jIGjz3JeZckpEh6ydGtadYgdD9Q8xi51nZmIVhVzIazZ-XYblTW67QYLpH2UDbV1_JxLB9T4Bk0clqEGkT4LLVPi_nma7OwYRzY8KQ-oGrTJLRhUmkx/s1600/IMG_2548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaUVpHNh87h8U4qwDPlgK_ti44jIGjz3JeZckpEh6ydGtadYgdD9Q8xi51nZmIVhVzIazZ-XYblTW67QYLpH2UDbV1_JxLB9T4Bk0clqEGkT4LLVPi_nma7OwYRzY8KQ-oGrTJLRhUmkx/s640/IMG_2548.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The awesomest sauce of all</td></tr>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-82480562922393659432015-09-07T14:29:00.000-04:002015-09-08T08:12:22.381-04:00A New Old Regular Everyday Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtE-c4JbvMeUjG3O9pHhcmpHzxg5jpK0Kl9Adurct9SfgPNf4Q0Y51xC37ey8YVhXuLjjUnsw_fVG394UskmRU-f0uQbM1FwPx1MzgL0qoUMKbqBu4mFi21ja3kL2ymqtS-NXG8SnhL-FM/s1600/new+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtE-c4JbvMeUjG3O9pHhcmpHzxg5jpK0Kl9Adurct9SfgPNf4Q0Y51xC37ey8YVhXuLjjUnsw_fVG394UskmRU-f0uQbM1FwPx1MzgL0qoUMKbqBu4mFi21ja3kL2ymqtS-NXG8SnhL-FM/s640/new+old.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
In this house we read a lot, especially picture books. I'm sure it has nothing to do with having a three-year-old and a sweet little baby. So trips to the library (Penny's favorite place ever) always end with stacks upon stacks of picture books. Usually I have to sneak some back on the shelf because our book bag will be overflowing. I'm not sure when the library added a New Books section for picture books, but the discovery has yielded a happy preschooler. More books! While I get to keep up with new titles.<br />
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I'm also trying to Read like a Writer, and since picture books are too easy to read carelessly and cast aside, especially when a certain tot often loses patience with a book after the first few pages, I'm going to record books as I read them and share my (I'm sure brilliantly insightful) thoughts here. Starting with...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEh_hR9YMiuUqGMBXuhQT-YJQBvbhb3HdI9iarfaBP39iwYMPKoNBueGE9lyEPAMK5zwq61a2CNhdM9SZOWCNMlO-V7EdY5Yw1veUq6_PLKOYbx_QH01f3yS9vC7Y8hM2HC3MtNVsbhWbhDrQzEFcaXh7H8WUhc=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61rmFieLDcL.jpg" id="yui_3_17_2_46_1440874117675_1608" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%; width: 377.390625px;" /></a></div>
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</div>
</div>
<h4>
Jampires! </h4>
Sarah McIntyre/David O'Connell, 2014<br />
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Can I just say I love love love weird books like this? The illustrations are zany, frolicking, fun (not to mention delicious), and the story is surprisingly satisfying for a picture book.<br />
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I hate writing, "for a picture book," because picture books <i>should</i> have stories. You know, with beginnings and middles and endings. The really great ones do. <i>Very Hungry Caterpillar,</i> <i>Where the Wild Things Are</i>. But too often it seems picture books are given a pass. Anyhow, I'll rant about that another day. Right now I'll comment on the elements of Big People Books that this picture book shares, that make it good.<br />
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1. A sympathetic protagonist. Sam is cute as a button, has personality, and shows efficacy - he solves the problem and rescues the world from jamlessness!</div>
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2. A plot. I feared, especially when I saw the rhyme, that the book would be a sing-song little story about creatures who eat jam. And while it is about Jampires, it's mostly about Sam saving his donuts and returning the little lost Jampires to their home (the latter was the one element I thought could have been developed more. But hey, we're talking about a few hundred words so...).</div>
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3. A really awesome setting. The Jampire's world is so, so, so YUMMY! I want to live there, like right now, with my afternoon coffee. Honestly, I can see a movie springing from this book. If it did, I'd be first in line to see it.</div>
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So that's that. I could go on about rhyme (pretty good), and the use of color to evoke mood in the illustrations (really lovely), but maybe next time. I'll just say, I want a Jampire of my own. I also love the word <i>Dodgers</i>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7pcPeL3kJJtJS5t93CwWsp7JKFgPzn71l143LsDNs7A7UmTGOg8uBgi6fHhWh1Y6Z3QuavSVLc8MdIyKhJpwe2JgbK6traUBXCusgRFzEI3rzp9LpTGgjxpJHWlSAeol699r7GahfyAQ/s1600/drwho.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Never to young to love the doctor (Barnes and Noble bookstore fan night(" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7pcPeL3kJJtJS5t93CwWsp7JKFgPzn71l143LsDNs7A7UmTGOg8uBgi6fHhWh1Y6Z3QuavSVLc8MdIyKhJpwe2JgbK6traUBXCusgRFzEI3rzp9LpTGgjxpJHWlSAeol699r7GahfyAQ/s320/drwho.JPG" title="Two Young Dr. Who Fans" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Who fans come in all ages!</td></tr>
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In Bird by Bird Anne Lamott describes publishing as the golden eagle on your credit card that only seems to soar, and she writes, "Almost every single thing you hope publication will do for you is a fantasy."<br />
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I agree. If anyone thinks that a magical first contract will ... pay off their mortgage, repair their marriage, get their kids to obey, fill them with endless joy, make writing easy, well, it won't. I don't feel much different today than I did six months ago. My house is still messy, my kids still draw all over themselves with Sharpie during nap, writing is still hard. Really, really hard.<br />
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In some ways writing is harder. My agent expects things from me. Like books. Good books! Finished books! I give myself arbitrary and unyielding deadlines because the pressure is on, baby. I question every word I put to the page because, ach, I only studied picture books one semester, how can I be a picture book author? I have the unshakable and very rational fear that the editors who bought my books were just playin' and any day now will notify me that they changed their minds and could they have the advance money back please. Security? Confidence? My pen scribbling off one blissfully perfect story after another? Nope, publishing did none of that.<br />
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But these first contracts did do something. Something surprising.<br />
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To find out what, check <span style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rebeccagrabill.com/news/2015/8/23/what-publishing-will-do-for-you">here</a>!</span>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-22922126302545993142015-08-30T08:30:00.000-04:002015-09-03T15:19:36.352-04:00Internet Troll Strikes AgainWell, <a href="http://journal.rebeccagrabill.com/2015/05/the-joy-of-robots-or-what-happens-when.html" target="_blank">they did it again</a>. That whoever-with-too-much-time-needs-a-day-job troll who swiped my original blogspot sub domain has added more content. And, as before, the content is mine, taken from the ever useful internet archive. Shown here:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-QwqwmVGXA9n-0RYYXEGNeBh26jGEnuwzJ9L34c8SBh_i_Yp7WN1oD3ggxmY5EBwHHvCeTWk0c2x9GZRWfq0xQ-SwrUBR4hG4VVRUwtCQrITnZf2Gqb9dwBhSXKuBU8VDvKz7GDVC6eB/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-08-29+at+8.42.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="screenshot of Of Making Many Books from the Wayback Machine" border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-QwqwmVGXA9n-0RYYXEGNeBh26jGEnuwzJ9L34c8SBh_i_Yp7WN1oD3ggxmY5EBwHHvCeTWk0c2x9GZRWfq0xQ-SwrUBR4hG4VVRUwtCQrITnZf2Gqb9dwBhSXKuBU8VDvKz7GDVC6eB/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-08-29+at+8.42.28+PM.png" title="Once Upon a Blog..." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the Wayback Machine!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoUBhtb7Ad44LhcJcvEIiVoLc3lqHQLSc3aBe36oQrLEYAD_olzvdZn_snSA4wDeoUXya8y2RCqZe7ESEoILkvGjd2n1g97til4GO1j3a3j3_N3x7gM22hl7t8fUnZtddfnO41Ap36h3h/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-08-29+at+8.42.53+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Look at that hair! " border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoUBhtb7Ad44LhcJcvEIiVoLc3lqHQLSc3aBe36oQrLEYAD_olzvdZn_snSA4wDeoUXya8y2RCqZe7ESEoILkvGjd2n1g97til4GO1j3a3j3_N3x7gM22hl7t8fUnZtddfnO41Ap36h3h/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-08-29+at+8.42.53+PM.png" title="Another screenshot of My old blog" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously, that hair.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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That's me, when I first started blogging all those eons ago. I had only three children then, and short hair! I remember designing the key graphic from photos I found on Flickr (Creative Commons, of course) and spending hours and hours and hours staring at lines of code, deciphering it like an archeologist studying a stone tablet. I was so proud of that little blog. And it served me well. I got my first editorial contact through it (hi Mick!) and developed a following - in a genre I no longer write in, but that's beside the point. It seems my old, defunct posts have been resurrected by this, this *spit* hacker.<br />
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One post stolen still lives on my current blog: <a href="http://journal.rebeccagrabill.com/2006/06/anger-overtaking-america-dough-rage.html" target="_blank">this one</a>. Who knows, maybe I'll bring back the others just for kicks.</div>
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The thing I don't understand is why? A few posts link to weird little websites, and the same weird websites (from the same IP address, interestingly) are linked in the sidebar. I'd assumed the thief was using my content to drive traffic to real businesses, that actually sell something, thus earning, like, you know, real money? Because hello, trolling the internet archive for posts from 2006 on some random mother-of-now-five's old blog and copy/pasting them to one's own hijacked site is really time consuming. And if you're not making money from it, then why do it? To troll me? Because s/he is bored? Incapable of writing his/her own posts? Mentally ill? All of the above?</div>
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Maybe I should be flattered. I mean I know I'm a Totally Awesome writer and everything, but maybe I'm awesomer than I thought. Maybe I'm so amazingly brilliant this Ukranian-Panamanian-MN-dweller just couldn't help himself from, uh, helping himself to my words. That must be it. Right? I mean, I'd steal this. Totally.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYw1QrTLUEEkux1XitTrL2huyd5c2ljGqHVr4LRBz9u2vyj1YBwNOE3VUmCSgX4UARRIV3ZJIpeArZvFfLgh6vUs1sZA1Tu1FggHrg7FoOyPf8zHD5cH4g9yRVQIaZR2L6uJGsqO-merg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-08-29+at+8.53.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYw1QrTLUEEkux1XitTrL2huyd5c2ljGqHVr4LRBz9u2vyj1YBwNOE3VUmCSgX4UARRIV3ZJIpeArZvFfLgh6vUs1sZA1Tu1FggHrg7FoOyPf8zHD5cH4g9yRVQIaZR2L6uJGsqO-merg/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-08-29+at+8.53.45+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to enlarge and read the posts. Or, maybe not.</td></tr>
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<div>
Because I know between nursing the baby and searching for another child's lost wallet, and responding to emails from my editors and driving my teenager to orientation and trying to get my toddler to please god just poop already, I really have time to be emailing my lawyer friend. So to this emorphous Whoever (Whomever?): take my intellectual property off your site. Please.<br />
<br />
On the upside, the nostalgia of browsing the Wayback Machine is just. So. Amazing. Like this:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0uGicE19l68dSTxhShC6smCM37x2Fcdhqigp-WVyOF2lIm7Jg9oLRJ5bmurZr0SeYOwh-eteGHuSG9-cQSb3_uLQKfOOFzArY5UxNYdIZyG3owcsCntO2dnfUixOOtaYeoyAa-SFdb_R/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-08-29+at+9.02.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0uGicE19l68dSTxhShC6smCM37x2Fcdhqigp-WVyOF2lIm7Jg9oLRJ5bmurZr0SeYOwh-eteGHuSG9-cQSb3_uLQKfOOFzArY5UxNYdIZyG3owcsCntO2dnfUixOOtaYeoyAa-SFdb_R/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-08-29+at+9.02.14+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I mention I love the Wayback Machine?</td></tr>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-41156551726536406842015-08-29T15:12:00.002-04:002015-09-03T19:11:17.644-04:00An Update of Paprika, Pepperplate and other Cookbook-Recipe AppsOnce upon a time I was trying to find a recipe I knew my grandmother had sent me in an email. I thought I'd saved it in a Pages doc somewhere, or maybe it was still in Gmail, or on an archive disk. Or maybe ... As I dug through my computer files, I realized I had at least a dozen folders of bookmarks with Must Try or Recommended recipes, eats I never remembered when I was doing my bi-monthly meal planning. I needed a way to keep my cyber-recipes organized and all in one place. Obviously my Pages doc wasn't working for me anymore. So off to Google I went, in search of anything that could help me organize this culinary mess.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFr1tf5N_niMBP-CG-JIZGTy5CwRr9eQE-moJWhZvzpotQ2QwNJEOGTUYhW06XRMBYpkhiGTEwoAIS3ejrAgVusuy2bjeN6tM4_1hj6hS5xhW3B8_lbYVpedOtrVpGe4FOPMa4FuEhMBU/s1600/IMG_3919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="pizza crust without gluten" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFr1tf5N_niMBP-CG-JIZGTy5CwRr9eQE-moJWhZvzpotQ2QwNJEOGTUYhW06XRMBYpkhiGTEwoAIS3ejrAgVusuy2bjeN6tM4_1hj6hS5xhW3B8_lbYVpedOtrVpGe4FOPMa4FuEhMBU/s320/IMG_3919.JPG" title="Cauliflower crust: AIP Paleo pizza" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my new favorites: Cauliflower Pizza Crust!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
About the same time I got my first tablet, a little Android thing for Mother's Day that broke in the first few weeks. But I discovered Pepperplate had an app as well as online recipe box. I set it up, and continued to use it with my inherited-from-my-son first gen iPad, and then with my current iPad Mini. I had to do most of my organizing via my MacBook Pro, however, for the simple reason that Pepperplate's app doesn't allow you to add recipes. An annoyance I could work around, although it slowly grew more and more annoying. If only they'd make a few changes to the app! But Pepperplate hadn't had an update for their app in a long time, if ever, and the service is free. Would it disappear from cyberspace, taking all my recipes with it? What other options did I have? So I did what any OCD pregnant lady would do, and started looking.<br />
<br />
Some of the main players I discovered are Yummly, Allrecipes, Evernote Food (or something like that - I'm not into the whole Evernote world), BigOven, Pepperplate and Paprika. I have specific needs and wants for a recipe organizer, so while I downloaded Allrecipes and Yummly, I didn't really play with them very much. They don't meet the minimum requirements of: Must be able to add my own recipes/edit the recipes I keep, Must have a meal-planning feature, Must be available offline because, believe it or not, I'm not always connected to the internet. I actually really liked Yummly and Allrecipes for finding new meals, so I'll probably keep them around, but they won't be my go-to apps for cooking or meal planning (and I could just as easily browse their websites so when my iPad is full, they'll go bye-bye).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
I <a href="http://journal.rebeccagrabill.com/2014/07/paprika-my-new-cooking-bff-as-compared.html">posted earlier</a>, my initial thoughts. Now my update: I am still using Paprika, have not looked at Pepeprplate once and deleted the rest off my devices! Paprika wins!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-69789330253492913762015-07-09T15:38:00.000-04:002015-09-03T19:13:12.997-04:00Just when you think it will never happen...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/54d27fd4e4b0d87b5fd2212b/t/55be7950e4b0331474c60ee0/1438546257252/image.jpg?format=1000w" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Me and baby at the post office" border="0" src="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/54d27fd4e4b0d87b5fd2212b/t/55be7950e4b0331474c60ee0/1438546257252/image.jpg?format=1000w" height="320" title="Is your package safe to mail?" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safe to mail?</td></tr>
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It does! Like what my husband says his parents said when he was a kid (follow that?) - when he was waiting for the pizza to come and he didn't think he could take it one. more. second... That's when the server showed up with the steaming ooey-gooey pan of cheesy deliciousness.<br /><br />In my experience, the pizza shows when I go to the bathroom. So I always miss the first slice, but whatever, it still comes!<br /><br />To find out what, check <a href="http://www.rebeccagrabill.com/news/2015/7/9/just-when-you-think-itll-never-happen">here</a>!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-81652671779793111392015-07-03T21:07:00.000-04:002015-09-11T06:46:11.141-04:00Ten Years of Thanks<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTy6dy-3L2i7yeWg2aR0cGAUIM7wi8eKHvdlkdC6ayKiRbf2itNZz9KJvBXinRtIzQs8mzd6VdSaC7ZkQx5Zq9ktskcK3-banvrQp7AI_dc-P59jwIqioQ7mStFI0dwMu6oeKsYv8gTVC/s1600/2005-06+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTy6dy-3L2i7yeWg2aR0cGAUIM7wi8eKHvdlkdC6ayKiRbf2itNZz9KJvBXinRtIzQs8mzd6VdSaC7ZkQx5Zq9ktskcK3-banvrQp7AI_dc-P59jwIqioQ7mStFI0dwMu6oeKsYv8gTVC/s320/2005-06+031.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma and the boys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
June 25, 2005</h4>
We are waiting for you. Not patiently, even though you were due just a few days ago. Your grandparents come from out of town to take your big brothers out for malts and to the park, and to meet you. You have other plans.<br />
<br />
Daddy and Grandpa install new air conditioners while I sit poolside at the hotel and watch your brothers swim. You kick and roll. You are swimming, too.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY2-XxBUio-i2z2LHr8bgdrIbKCLZow-i9QZEyYm-t6hTNlJVLGTld-5matACxjczcmKJ7k1ketFVvXENeqPK6E1vBePzJWt7mfbFSSQF-DwIp3qsUrfnUluQTTyQSf2VzBlfKtn-uUcV/s1600/Yolanda+homevisit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Home visit with my midwife, in prep for a home birth " border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjY2-XxBUio-i2z2LHr8bgdrIbKCLZow-i9QZEyYm-t6hTNlJVLGTld-5matACxjczcmKJ7k1ketFVvXENeqPK6E1vBePzJWt7mfbFSSQF-DwIp3qsUrfnUluQTTyQSf2VzBlfKtn-uUcV/s320/Yolanda+homevisit.jpg" title="Home visit with my midwife, in prep for a home birth " width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our midwife at a home visit </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
June 27</h4>
"Girls bake longer," the midwife says and smiles.<br />
<br />
Daddy and I exchange a glance. We have no pink in your layette, not after two boys, but deep in some secret place, I know we should.<br />
<br />
<h4>
June 29</h4>
Thunderstorm and we lose power. The temperature indoors soars with the blessed air conditioner stagnant. "Can we birth with no power?" We worry. Will you pick tonight to come, in the dark?<br />
<br />
We call the midwife, fluttery, impatient. "A birth by candlelight! How lovely - I do it all the time."<br />
<br />
At ease, we wait. Soon?<br />
<br />
No, not yet, you say. Power restores at midnight.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PipFIteqO2W5BPUd2YsL2o02I7nfMl_4Y2h393AxTPuBa7k10N39F0EjqafXGB0tpWZ0KCIzBW64mtdTJ3wA9uec7ePM981lUR2YghnyLAYzc6Y94auX6un54tXr0a2Pj8nvVhKtDl99/s1600/prego+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PipFIteqO2W5BPUd2YsL2o02I7nfMl_4Y2h393AxTPuBa7k10N39F0EjqafXGB0tpWZ0KCIzBW64mtdTJ3wA9uec7ePM981lUR2YghnyLAYzc6Y94auX6un54tXr0a2Pj8nvVhKtDl99/s320/prego+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watch out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
July 2</h4>
Too hot to sit, too sore to stand.<br />
<br />
Achey, testy.<br />
<br />
When will we meet you?<br />
<br />
<b>4:00pm</b> ~ What is this? A dull ache, hardly unusual, but intermittent and regular.<br />
<br />
"Is it time?" Daddy asks.<br />
<br />
"I don't know," I say. "I don't think so."<br />
<br />
<b>6:00pm</b> ~ We go out for dinner, Russ' Restaurant and I eat something - I don't remember now. Eight minutes between trips to the restroom. "Bladder the size of a pea," I joke and think nothing more.<br />
<br />
"Are you in labor?" your grandmother asks.<br />
<br />
I laugh. You are nearly two weeks late - I have resigned myself to being expectant forever.<br />
<br />
<b>8:00pm</b> ~ Your brothers are tucked in their beds. "Should we call the midwife?" Daddy asks. I shrug. I feel a gentle tightening, not at all like your brothers. "Maybe."<br />
<br />
<b>10:00pm</b> ~ "I think this is the night," I tell the midwife. "I'm not sure, though."<br />
<br />
She ignores my hesitation. "Shall I come now? You know you labor fast."<br />
<br />
I pause, a contraction. "No, these are so slight."<br />
<br />
"Well ..."<br />
<br />
<b>11:00pm</b> ~ "Shouldn't the midwife come soon?" Daddy asks.<br />
<br />
I laugh at him. "Am I even in labor?"<br />
<br />
<b>11:30pm</b> ~ Something changes. Subtle, like a gentle shift from a major to a minor key. "You should call the midwife," I say. "No great rush."<br />
<br />
<b>11:45pm</b> ~ "Could you ... gasp ... call ... and tell her ... to get here ... NOW?"<br />
<br />
<h4>
July 3, 12:00am</h4>
<br />
Your midwife arrives at the door and takes one look at me. She sends Daddy out for the stool. Your brothers sleep soundly upstairs. "Let's have this baby!" she whispers.<br />
<br />
<b>12:42am</b> ~ We meet you - tiny, pink and only blue to dress you in.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51mZW3nEw5Cvf7XNaEKozrPYg1c73qHC7K-Wxlg3DafD5FoLXVN17e9gvY7AXkTOtPdvWm3Sr6DIDwHhqQPxZBUkX3fGCELiz1XyEJpXsh520aF4JaAjgW5B4DOe6YhjRoUDbDymQxs0Z/s1600/2005-07-03+Birth+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Homebirthed newborn" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51mZW3nEw5Cvf7XNaEKozrPYg1c73qHC7K-Wxlg3DafD5FoLXVN17e9gvY7AXkTOtPdvWm3Sr6DIDwHhqQPxZBUkX3fGCELiz1XyEJpXsh520aF4JaAjgW5B4DOe6YhjRoUDbDymQxs0Z/s640/2005-07-03+Birth+021.jpg" title="Newborn Baby Girl" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Your brothers sleep through it all, but I will never forget later that morning; Daddy brings them downstairs and whispers in their ears, "You have a baby sister!"<br />
<div style="line-height: 1.6em;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/myloonyland/328161250/" style="color: #776644; text-decoration: none;" title="Photo Sharing"><img alt="2005-07-20 Maggie and family 101" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/143/328161250_d63b44ac65_m.jpg" height="180" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 4px;" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/myloonyland/328158840/" style="color: #776644; text-decoration: none;" title="Photo Sharing"><img alt="2005-07 new baby 034" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/143/328158840_23e66b552d_m.jpg" height="180" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 4px;" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/myloonyland/326388378/" style="color: #776644; text-decoration: none;" title="Photo Sharing"><img alt="Nicholas holding baby" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/326388378_7d86da8d42_m.jpg" height="180" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 4px;" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/myloonyland/329301511/" style="color: #776644; text-decoration: none;" title="Photo Sharing"><img alt="Rotation of 05-08 Family summer 034" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/151/329301511_68739b84e3_m.jpg" height="240" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 4px;" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
Never before and never since have I seen their eyes light with such wonder. And even now, two years from that day, you are still filling us with wonder. For God's abundant grace which sustained you those floating months, for each smile, each word, each step, we are grateful.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy birthday to you!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/253/519818178_7fa7f6f249.jpg" style="color: #776644; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/253/519818178_7fa7f6f249.jpg" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; padding: 4px; text-align: center; width: 500px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet perfection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px 0px 0.75em;">
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<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
I first wrote this post when you were two. And now you are ten. I'm even more grateful for you today, my beautiful intelligent kind thoughtful amazing and in every way a part of my heart, Mud Pie. I love you.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmcH4RwaS2hcwlJR8KO8TDXFcDoxDXhoJQ78TecHDSOFFwFfEVt9hFMxZeNoGmpVQA4Eyj7X7kX9A7eyOu7sGdhEcpVurmh7MKLng9v88Gfe5lETZT0lLTNCcSdbx57w9yXsG8Lmhyphenhyphen8_w/s1600/IMG_3525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmcH4RwaS2hcwlJR8KO8TDXFcDoxDXhoJQ78TecHDSOFFwFfEVt9hFMxZeNoGmpVQA4Eyj7X7kX9A7eyOu7sGdhEcpVurmh7MKLng9v88Gfe5lETZT0lLTNCcSdbx57w9yXsG8Lmhyphenhyphen8_w/s320/IMG_3525.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still sweet perfection!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="post-body" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7007861893804273253.post-25046471094666276082015-06-04T15:36:00.000-04:002015-09-03T19:15:25.246-04:00I've done it again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/54d27fd4e4b0d87b5fd2212b/t/55be7ca4e4b08edc253ddea2/1438547110492/?format=2500w" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="my book is being published!" border="0" src="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/54d27fd4e4b0d87b5fd2212b/t/55be7ca4e4b08edc253ddea2/1438547110492/?format=2500w" height="143" title="Publisher's weekly announcement" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Remember that tantalizing bit of good news? It's now official! Another picture book, this one picked up by lovely wonderful amazing Jill Davis (</span><em style="color: #363636; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Auntie Jill</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> to Maggie and Penny) at Katherine Tegen Books, HarperCollins. The </span><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/66990-rights-report-week-of-june-1-2015.html" style="color: black; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">announcement</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"> went out </span><a href="http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/66990-rights-report-week-of-june-1-2015.html" style="color: black; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">today</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #363636; font-family: proxima-nova; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">. Hip-hip-hooray! Check out who will do the illustrations <a href="http://www.rebeccagrabill.com/news/2015/6/4/i-gone-done-it-again">here</a>!</span>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292597646595740720noreply@blogger.com0