a very notable read (or should be)

 This is a lovely children's book written some time ago that is quite a treasure. I think as a mom, an African American woman and an appreciator of quilting histor, I love to see read books from the days where slavery and the Underground Railroad played an important part of the rich oral, written and created by hand traditions that make up the identity of "the what" and "the who" that share this beautiful country we live in.

This book is beautifully written. A sentimental writing with the most affecting and warming pictures. I'd say that, as a mom, this book would be great family reading for families with children aged 7 or 8 and up. The concept of slavery may be harder to delve into for the younger than 7 set.

(edited 5/6/2012 rush posting, is my excuse)

Library comforts, home comfort

I love libraries! I can enjoy my love of books, printed pages and editorial art form for free due to the largess and generosity of so many dedicated patrons and donations of those who obviously feel like I do about books and their relations ( other media forms of artistic expression) filling the many shelves and databases in our real and virtual world. It's abso- rootin'- tootingly marvelous! Just look at this smoking hot stack of my recent "procurements"

Umm, the books, not the dog, she's mine

I was leafing, longingly, through this from a previous trips' stash of library books and my fingers flipped along all those mouthwatering, taste bud craving recipes until I came to a most exciting discovery. Alas, I could not find what I discovered from that book on her website to share with you all but I thought I'd show you and then you could make you some lusciousness from the cookbook. Try to get your copy from your local library, nothing beats free! Can you guess what I made!

Lovely, carmelly (?), s-a-weet, stickyyyy, bubbly

cinnamon scenty

buttery, delicious,crispy, tender = drooly mouthiness=happy comfort!

These were so easy to MAKE!

 Thanks Ina!

PSSSSSSSSSTTTT! Hey 'cue lovers! Live in NYC like me! You can be here soon! Wish it! Do It!

Butterflies are so truly magical!

I really like bugs. I mean I like them and find them interestingly magical, mystical, and seldom appreciated. Nature is a pleasing diversion to me as a very busy parent. Stopping in the midst of my day to browse a book about butterflies is something extraordinary for me. Browsing spectacular books is a great way to relax, appreciate the small and other significant living things around us and realize how much more closer to the natural world we should be amidst all the technology within our lives.

Butterflies are fantastic! You can behold in their visual appearance a supernatural and magical beauty that may not be so evidently apparent in other specimens of the insect world. This book One Hundred Butterflies by Harold  Feinstein is a most lovely "coffee table " book. But, I think it better than coffee table and upgrade it to everyday reference and enjoyment. Leave a page open everyday and each picture will invoke many things within the minds of those whose eyes befall it as they pass it by. I mean really, those creatures are that inviting! (As many of you already know!)

And this picture of the Blue Morpho just fills me with memories from the many books I've read on my own and with my children that invoke images of fairies and fairy folk

If you are in New York or visiting here you should go here! It is a fabulous place to see butterflies and many more fantastic displays!

You can view the lifecycle!

Join an Association and become an expert!

Do some superb butterfly decorating around your home!

Here is one project I have done so far! With those lovely butterflies, I believe I will do much more!

How about some bug hunting!

When the evening rolls around, read some of these-

A soon to be classic for all!



Already a fantastic classic with a famous bug like fairy character we've all grown to love!

Whipup with your kids!

Happy April to all! I have been so busy as a single mom can be! Soul searching, care taking, career exploring, and having a roller coaster ride time in my life! Thank God not dismally so! Life is a blessed journey!

Lately, when thinking about this blog and reflecting on my lack of posts, I feel at a loss of what direction I am taking. Sometimes, I feel, I am making to big a deal of these posts, and when I get to feeling that way, I tell myself self that what I need will come- the answers, the ideas, the joy. I like to revisit my older posts and see what I have been bringing to the "table" and what I myself would like to see more of. I have found that blogging is a growing process. You can see where you been, and what you would like to change. For now, I think that I will keep this blog as my life seems to be- a peace finding, joyful, neither here nor there, jumble of ideas, life exploring WIP (work in progress)!

A SHARE (Special Happy Activities to Reach and Engage)- Purchase an Action Pack for your children ! A child and family magazine filled with the most enticing activities! Your children will really love what they make with their hands! I love what my children have made with their hands!

A day of "Action Pack" and art activities!

My daughter did this!

My nephew did this!

A night with the legendary Bruce Lee and some paranormal reading

A little Bruce Lee is not a bad thing. I watched a little of a "documentary" about him on a channel I would normally never watch after "supper" ( really our dinner, but after so many past acquaintances with these wonderful stories, dinner feels less homey and more formal, so henceforth "supper" takes its place) with my manchild (aka my son). I was a fan of Bruce Lee in my youth! It was like wow! A really cool Chinese guy! I was amazed! Then followed, Shaolin, and it was like I needed to get my practice on by chopping my little brother, sparring with uncles and  hacking cousins - just happily pretending I was a great, fabulous and very cute (though wannabe) martial artist! Those were my adventures!

 

This night I have started reading a book by an author known to me! How exciting is that- maybe I can get her to stop by with an interview-

The cover faces me as it sits in front of me-so beautiful- and extremely haunting!

Virtual visit- Balenciaga via NYPL

    

I am often visiting the New York Public Library website. I find it tremendously valuable in many ways. It is a creative compendium of media. I like to look up digital images that can be inspirational for whatever I am thinking about for the day. Retro is always in stye and I think we all can learn something from the past. This is especially true for fashion. Well made clothing rules follow tried and true designs. The photo above from Andre Studios as part of a collection of sketches that can be found on the NYPL site in collaboration with the Fashion Institute of Technology is truly a wonderful public gift-free-priceless!

Take a look for yourself! Print out one or more and hang them! Together they can form a lovely decoration stylishly hung on a wall. 

Another cool wall suggestion *

These lovely letters came from the Marie Claire idees website. Print them out, gratis, of course-um, for non-french speaking, that's free! And hang them on your wall-





    

Then you can cover them with a plastic or vinyl sleeve, apply some double stick tape and voila!

It's instant decor art!



Who wants to get SLiCED?

I just noticed this enytry from the side bar on my blog site. Moda creates wonderful fabrics for the quilter and crafter. I think that "SLiCED" is such a fabulous way to get into the spirit of the fun competitiveness that is exploding on television. Why not, then, the internet? I will be tuned in... maybe an audition too!

Prelude to feminism-digging up " Daisy"

Encouraging our future through an enlightening past!
 Watch on PBS on this coming Sunday, February 5, 2012.

A Food Conference......just bliss

SMASH some ideas

I am so glad to see this clip. I have been doing this for years with composition books. I keep recipes, articles from the art and fashion sections of the NY Times, quotes that I love, funny things I've heard, ideas I get while doing household chores, books I want to get my hands on, sketches I ponder and create in my mind- the list goes on.

Did you catch the SMASH stick the woman is holding in this clip? So sleek and very appropriate.

Very unlike my fat and chubby glue stick!