Scribbit | A Blog About Motherhood in Alaska

Merry Christmas

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

I'm going to be taking a break for a couple days until Saturday when I'll have a special Norah Jones and Lego giveaway (doesn't THAT make you wonder a bit? Because when you think Legos doesn't your mind just naturally jump to the thought "Oh, yea--Norah Jones!")

But in the meantime I'm going to leave you with a couple treats from Christmases past. First, from Christmas 2008, these sweet little jam sundaes for which the directions are here: How to Make Jam Sundaes.

Then, from Christmas 2007 an anecdote that still makes me giggle:

I was doing the Christmas Eve preparations in the kitchen, baking pies and getting ready when I commented to Andrew that I'd eaten so much that I was like Santa. David perked up at this and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well I'm starting to 'shake when I laugh like a bowl full of jelly'."

"OH!" He said happily, "My nipples shake when I laugh!"

It brought conversation to a halt. What does one say in response to that revelation?

Then it made me wonder if Santa's are shaking too.

And then finally from Christmas 2006, "Alternative Christmas Songs":

Lillian: (singing Angels We Have Heard on High)
"GloooooooOOOOOOOO--ria!
In-ex-pen-sive Day-O
GloooooOOOOOOOO--ria!
In-ex-pen-sive Day-AY-O!"

David: (singing Jingle Bells with his distinctive lisp)
"Oh what fun it is to ride
In a slippin' slippin' sleigh-AY!"

Spencer: (singing Let It Snow, Let It Snow and knowing full well what the correct words are)
". . . and since there's no place to go,
yellow snow, yellow snow, yellow snow."

David: (singing Frosty the Snowman and no he doesn't know what that word means)
"Frosty the Snowman was a jolly, jolly ho--
With a cock-eyed pike and a runny nose and two eyes made out of coal . . ."

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

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Day One

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

You know what today is don't you? It's the day when we officially start accumulating day light. A few seconds each day at first and then slowly we'll work our way into grabbing a few minutes more then finally we'll be up to nearly half an hour each week.

Somehow life is easier when there's more light.

I went out to collect my mail at 4:15 yesterday and this is what it looked like.

But tomorrow, it will be just a tiny bit lighter a tiny bit earlier and that is progress. Happy Solstice, folks!

***

Congratulations to Gina from Cambridge, Minnesota for winning last weekend's Snapgifts.com giveaway and to Anne from Greenville, South Carolina for winning the beautiful red earrings from Alison Kelley Designs this weekend! May your days be merry and bright and may all your Christmases be white.

Sponsored by Pak Naks--decorate your stuff!

Science v. Religion: It's So Yesterday

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I was listening to my good ol' NPR on the way to pick up my kids at school (a weekday ritual) and the guest was Brian Dunning who runs Skeptoid.com, a site that produces podcasts dedicated to promoting critical thinking.

Their point was that while we're in a miraculous age of heart transplants, super sonic travel and nano robotics that people are also loosing the ability to think clearly and see truth even in the most blatantly illogical and fallacious situations. I myself happen to be a naturally born skeptic, when I hear or read something I can usually be found testing it out and looking for ways that it's all hooey so when both men recommended reading Carl Sagan's book The Demon Haunted World: Science As a Candle in the Dark I put it on my list.

I picked up the hefty 400+ page book, anticipating smooth, stylish prose with an engaging argument for critical thinking and promoting science in a world where psyhic hotlines are paradoxically brought to the masses via fiber optic cable but instead it was a colosal waste of time. Can I say I'm glad I borrowed it from the library? Don't waste your money on this one.

I don't understand how people today can believe in things including but not limited to: the Loch Ness Monster, megavitamin therapy, Big Foot, urban legends, astrology, ghosts, Holocaust denials, food irradiation poisoning, "faith healing," guided imagery therapy, psychics and any number of "facts" commonly held as truth. Besides plodding along chapter after rambling chapter filled with repetition Sagan's book debunks without being revelatory or original. I'm afraid I don't believe in witchcraft, crop circles or alien abductions so it wasn't as if he had a hard time convincing me of how wrong they are--I was with him from the first paragraph--and as I got deeper and deeper into the book I noticed a strange lack of continuity--unless you count a continuous railing against conspiracy theorists continuity.

While I'll admit I'm a skeptic I also have the dual nature of being a person of intense faith and what struck me right away was how Sagan includes religion in the list of false beliefs. An agnostic himself, Sagan doesn't believe in God or creationism or life after death and instead of taking the more difficult and rewarding task of sorting through the issue of faith v. superstition he throws out religion entirely as if believing in God is comparable to believing the world is flat, that science has proved there is no God just as surely as it's proved that the world is a sphere and to believe in the eternal nature of the soul or Intelligent Design is a debilitating weakness.

I'm so very tired of the science v. religion debate. There is no debate, truth is truth no matter how it's discovered and pure religion and pure science are two lanes on the same road, heading in the same direction. Take the subject of miracles. To medieval England an airplane would be a full-blown miracle but since, thanks to Mr. Bernouli, we can explain it with words like "thrust," "lift" and "drag" it's commonplace and quite unmiraculous. A miracle is simply something that science hasn't quite been able to explain yet and the ability to work miracles is merely the knowledge of and the ability to follow the rules of science with perfect precision.

Can the open-mindedness that science claims as its god honestly exclude existence of a greater God that cannot yet be proved empirically? We only recently understand flight, black holes, anti matter and circulatory theory so it's arrogance to suppose that because we don't yet understand Intelligent Design or life after death they don't exist.

And at the same time should the faith in God that religion claims break down just because it bumps up against the changing theorems of another fallible human being once in a while? True faith in God says that believing that He was behind the creation of our universe is enough--though it's nice to know the details they may not come all at once, there are many possibilities of how it was done besides a rigidly literal translation of a few sentences from one ancient text and the pursuit of knowledge is a godly virtue. It's all just pieces of the same big puzzle coming together in different ways and believers and scientists alike should welcome truth however it finds a place among what we already think we know.

Anyway, instead of the religion v. science non-debate I would much rather see a discussion of faith v. superstition--because if we're talking about enemies here, what threatens both faith and science universally are the counterfeits: astrology, alchemy, phrenology, spiritualism, a study of the occult or even believing in karma or luck over individual will. And frankly, the line between faith and superstition can be thin and hard to discern. For example, it's so much easier for people of faith to throw up their hands and say "it's God's will" when something unexpected happens rather than taking the spiritual and mental effort to determine what God's will really might be that it comes uncomfortably close to superstition rather than true faith.

So, getting back to the book with the unintentionally ironic subtitle, I'm sorry Mr. Sagan. You spent so much time crying about how alien abductions can't possibly be real (uh . . . d'uh) that you miss the much more intellectually and spiritually pertinent question of the division between truth and superstition. But then when you've thrown out the possibility of any intelligence higher than your own I suppose it wouldn't have occurred to you.

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Chicken Caesar Lasagna

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

After so many fattening, tasty treats this week I'm leaving you with a recipe for a main dish that got happy reviews. Of course it's noodles and cheese so what's not to like, right?

It's called Chicken Caesar Lasagna and adapted from a Better Homes and Gardens recipe but I couldn't actually taste that much of the "Caesar" in there. It was good and easy to put together but if you're trying it for the Caesar angle your efforts might be better spent elsewhere.

Just to warn you.
1 box lasagna noodles (about 15 noodles)
2 bottles light Alfredo sauce
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
3 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 ounces chopped frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1/2 cup diced onion
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook noodles according to package directions, drain and rinse with cold water; drain again.

In a bowl combine Alfredo sauce, lemon juice, and black pepper. In a skillet saute onion, pepper and carrots in olive oil. Once onions are translucent (five minutes) stir in spinach and cook one minute more. Stir in chicken and spinach mixture into Alfredo sauce.

Lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Add a scoop of sauce mixture to the bottom of the pan and smooth around to coat. Arrange 5 noodles in bottom of dish. Top with one-third chicken mixture then 1/2 cup grated cheese. Repeat layers twice more, using all the extra cheese on the last layer.

Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes or until heated through and browned on top. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Makes 12 servings.

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Alison Kelley Designs Giveaway

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

We've had snow dumped on us all week long and I feel so Christmas-y that I the only thing that would make me feel more festive would be these gorgeous beauty-red earrings.

I've reviewed Alison Kelley Designs before and I absolutely love her work--it's simple and tasteful and fits with so many styles. They're the kind of pieces where you fall in love with a necklace and then go out to find an outfit that matches because it deserves that kind of attention.

It's hard to choose my favorite from her shop--so many have beautiful natural themes--but if I had to it would be the Leaf Me Copper Necklace which is completely gorgeous. And it's really reasonably priced if you notice. Peak through some of her sold items as well because there are some amazing things that have already been purchased but you might be able to get a custom order if you ask.

The good news is that Alison Kelley Designs is offering the ruby red earrings you see above to a lucky holiday winner this weekend (also reasonably priced). If you simply can't wait until the winner is announced then you can get a 10% discount on your purchase with the coupon code SCRIBBIT10 entered in the notes to seller at checkout which will be refunded through PayPal after purchase.

I just love that copper leaf necklace . . .

Here's how to win:

Before 12 am Monday morning go to the giveaway entry form on this page and enter your name and email. I will pick one of the names at random, contact the winner via their email and publish the winner's first name and home town in next Tuesday's post. See the bottom of the entry form for more details.

This giveaway is open to all readers! Good luck!

Great Holiday Recipes

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

I've been baking like crazy here--I'm in the mood for it and I'm not entirely sure why. Regardless, I've been collecting recipes to try in my del.icio.us bookmarks and here is a sample of some of the best.

1. Panettone
Last year I raved about the French toast I made from this Italian sweet bread and was told that you don't really bake panettone, that it must be bought from an authentic Italian bakery. Well my favorite bread blog, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day posted a recipe and if there's anyone that I trust it's those guys.

Bought the ingredients, will be making it this week.

2. Chocolate Cobbler
I love cobbler. I love chocolate. So I'm pretty sure I'm going to flip for this one. I'm just trying to decide if making it for breakfast would make me a bad mom . . .

3. Pizza Egg Rolls
Pretty much anything that uses the word "pizza" as an adjective is going to be A+ with me. I love pizza more than getting mail, more than my minivan, more than having all my laundry clean and folded and put away . . . I just love it.

So these got the thumbs up right away. I'm planning on making them for New Year's Eve--they'll make a great treat while we're playing games and staying up way too late.

4. Eggs en Cocotte
This is really just a pretty little baked egg in a cup but it looks so fancy and sweet that I'm going to give it a try. I've never fixed eggs like this and while it's simple the presentation is going to make it feel really fancy--which will compensate for the Lucky Charms they typically have for breakfast.

5. Pofosen
And speaking of breakfast, this too is going on the menu. It's really just jelly-stuffed French toast but with a fancy European name it feels ridiculously luxurious, like you need to eat it with linen napkins or something. Or rather you need to eat it with linen napkins on your lap. Boy, I almost messed up and got caught advocating napkin eating. Don't let that rumor get started.

6. Houdini Bars
Yes, as in Harry Houdini. And why are they called Houdini Bars? Because they disappear, silly!

7. Motherload Layered Cookie Bars
And if you haven't succumbed to diabetes yet, just wait until you see these guys.

A layer of cookie, a layer of chocolate, a layer of peanut butter then another layer of chocolate-chip infused cookie topped with stripey chocolate heaven. It does not get more decadent than that folks. My picture space is getting crowded so go look for yourselves. Picky Palate has tons of amazing treat recipes guaranteed to send you running for the insulin. Boy they look good. . . .

8. The Ultimate Brownie
It may all be a big advertising scam but with a name like that these babies sure caught my attention. Who wouldn't be interested in something claiming to be the mother of all brownies?

They supposedly have taken the original ultimate brownie recipe and made it even better--easier, healthier but without losing the ultimate flavor. If that's true people, I think we have a new World Champion.

9. Black Bottomed Mini Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites
See? Another Picky Palate recipe. Apparently the palates there aren't that picky, as long as it has lots of sugar it's good. I had to check the name about three times before I could type it properly, there were so many modifiers in that title. They're like a five-course meal in one bite.

But I dare you to say that any part of that sounds less than magically appealing. I bet you can pop five or six of those into your mouth before you even realize what you've done.

10. Dark Chocolate Creme de Menthe Cupcakes
I'm a huge fan of mint and dark chocolate together--though in an odd twist of fate and despite my addiction to ice cream I cannot stand that green stuff they palm off as mint chocolate chip ice cream at the grocery store. It might as well be full of garden soil for all I know, it tastes nasty. However, if you really want the good stuff stick with the Ben and Jerry's variety that isn't green but very naturally yummy with Girl Scout mint cookies chopped up in it (not to be confused with Girl Scouts chopped up in it--that would be very unnatural and un-PC).

So these cupcakes are right up my ally.

11. Banana White Chocolate Toffee Cookies
I'm not usually a banana fan but if it's baked in enough sugar even I will try it. Add white chocolate and I'm smitten. Add toffee and I'm yours forever. So these too are on the list to try. No picture, go check the link for yourself. They look just like any cookie and not that amazing but I'll bet they taste terrific.

12. Sausage Bread
No sugar in this one but there's enough fat to truly compensate I'm sure. Sausage, bread, I'm so there with this one. I figure it'll make for a great breakfast if I know my family. A guaranteed home run.

13. Grown up Pop Tarts
I will not eat pop tarts, they're little more than glorified cardboard and they taste horrible but these? Now these look like something I'd be willing to waste some empty calories on.

14. Sticky Apple Butter Biscuits
And finally, biscuits. I love apple butter--I'd have it more often around here if it wasn't such a pain to make. I bet you could even use applesauce in a pinch though it would certainly give it a different flavor. Boy they look good though.

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Cranberry Kuchen

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Do you buy those bags of fresh cranberries they have in the produce section? I will usually buy a couple bags each holiday season and use one for cranberry onion sauce which is so much better than the jellied nasty stuff you get from a can that it's not even funny. Then I'll usually use a second bag to make this wonderful breakfast treat.

I think "kuchen" is the German word for cake? Maybe? and with whipped cream on top and a mug of hot chocolate on the side it's one of our favorite holiday treats.

Oh, and those bags of cranberries freeze very well too so you can have this even when the cranberries have left the stores for the season.

For cranberry sauce:
2 ½ cups fresh cranberries
½ cup maple syrup

For cake:
2 ¼ cups flour
½ cup sugar
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter
1 egg
½ cup milk

For topping:
½ cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
½ teaspoon ginger
¼ cup butter
1/3 cup sliced almonds

To make sauce, in a saucepan cook berries in maple syrup over medium heat until berries just beginning to pop.

To make cake, mix all dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder and salt) then add wet ingredients (butter, egg and milk) and mix until well combined.

Spread half of batter in 9x9 greased pan. Top with berry sauce then drop remaining batter by spoonfuls onto top. Combine the sugar, flour and ginger for the topping then cut in butter and add sliced almonds. Sprinkle on top of cake.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean and top is golden.

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Creamy Cheesy Dinner Rolls

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Continuing with a week of recipes I'm including an updated version of my favorite dinner roll recipe.

Rolls are Andrew's favorite part of Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner and he declared these guys to be extra tasty.

I made the basic dough recipe up (a double batch) then cut it into three sections, one section I filled with bacon bits and grated Cheddar (a fine combination) but the other two got special treatment.

I was sent a box of cheeses from Alouette to sample--two were soft, spreadable varieties and I used each one in a separate batch of rolls. On the first batch I spread the sweet pepper medley and on the second I used the berry version. One sweet, one savory and they both turned out wonderfully--I'd highly recommend them.

So here's the recipe and general instructions, you'll love them!

For dough:
1 1/2 cups warm water
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1 1/2 tablespoons yeast
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons powdered milk
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons butter

For fillings:
Alouette sweet pepper medley spreadable cheese
Alouette berry medley spreadable cheese
1 cup grated Cheddar and 3 tablespoons bacon bits

You can make these in a bread machine which means you'll add the dough ingredients in the order given and set the machine to "dough" cycle. Remove dough and shape.

If you make them the traditional way, add the yeast to the water and allow to sit for a few minutes until it begins to bubble, then add sugar, milk, salt and butter and finally the flour, mixing it together until it forms a ball of the right consistency. Allow to raise for an hour then punch down and shape.

To shape, cut the ball of dough in half and roll it out into a circle about 10" across (maybe smaller). Then slice it into eight slices pizza style and on each section of dough spread one of the selected fillings. Roll each section up wide end to point and allow to raise for half an hour before baking at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden and tasty.

Sponsored by Pak Naks--decorate your stuff!

Nanaimo Bars

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

You can tell we're living in darkness here because my food pictures are so grim. Nothing like photographing a noodle under a flickering incandescent bulb to make it look unappealing.

But I think you still get the general idea and I'm willing to brave sad photography for the sake of these amazing treats. I came across a recipe for Nanaimo Bars (of Canadian fame) and couldn't believe I'd never heard of them before. Because, you know, I can see Canada from my house.

The story goes that these are a common delicacy from our neighbors to the east and there were so many raves about how wonderful they were that I just had to try them. When was the last time you heard anyone raving about Canadian cuisine? Brings out the curiosity, doesn't it?

So I figured it would be irresponsible not to give these a try and, I assure you, the effort was well worth it. Don't let the list of ingredients put you off, there aren't that many things as so many are repeated in the list and, not having to bake them, they're not very time consuming or hard to make. The biggest thing is that you must chill them before cutting and that might take some time. Because heaven forbid you get a giant chewy, eewy, gooey mess that sticks to your fingers and coats your fingers with chocolate ecstasy.

The square pan ends up making quite a few bars because they're rich enough you'll want to cut them small. Plus, cutting them small has the added benefit of making you think you're not consuming any calories of note and therefore you can eat these babies in bulk--and trust me, you'll want to.

With a brownie-ish no-bake bottom layer that incorporates walnuts, coconut and graham cracker crumbs followed by a middle custard-frosting layer and a top coating of chocolate they're half-way between a brownie and a candy bar and Andrew claimed that they have officially made it into the "top five best desserts you've ever made." They'd be great to make with kids because they're so easy and I suspect that they'd also be easy to convert to a gluten-free version because the cracker crumbs are the only objectionable ingredient.

Impressive, eh?

So tell me . . . anyone out there have any kind of a clue as to how to pronounce "Nanaimo"? And where on earth did it come from?

Bottom layer:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Second layer:
1/4 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons skim milk
2 tablespoon cook-and-serve vanilla pudding powder such as Jello brand
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar (I used 1 cup and it made the frosting slightly less firm)

Top layer:
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate, chopped (or use chocolate chips)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Grease a 9x9 square pan.

In a sauce pan melt the butter over a low heat, stir in sugar, cocoa powder and then slowly whisk in the beaten egg. Cook, stirring constantly, 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, graham cracker crumbs, coconut and nuts (I used 1 cup graham cracker crumbs because I was a little short and it still worked but the full amount would be better).

Press evenly into the pan. I usually slip my hands into plastic sandwich bags for this kind of thing, using them like plastic gloves so that my hands don't get all dirty. Just a tip. Allow the crust to cool slightly.

For the second layer, cream the butter then beat in the milk, pudding powder, vanilla and sugar. You can thin it down if you must with a bit more milk. Spread custard frosting over the bottom layer and refrigerate until cool, 30 minutes.

For final layer, melt the chocolate in the microwave on a low power (taking care that it doesn't burn) and add the butter to smooth it and thin it a bit. Then spread over bars and allow it all to cool again. Once it's firm, cut with a knife into bars. I got 25 out of my pan.

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Seven Layer Dip

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

My kitchen has been hot lately--hot I tell you. It's all that pre-Christmas rush to get goodies baked so I'm going to take a bit of a break this week and post recipes each day.

Of course from the things I'll be posting you'd probably assume we eat nothing but good ol' fashioned, gut-destroying refined sugar and artery-clogging fats but that's just for special occasions. Normally we eat healthily but I figure we all need a break now and then from the rules and what better time to give in to complete self-indulgence and gluttony than during the religious observance of Christmas?

Here's one of my favorite appetizers because, as we all know, Tex-Mex always hits the spot. Of course with seven layers to this thing there is something to offend everyone in the house unless you're like me who likes it all.

More recipes tomorrow . . .

1 10-ounce can bean dip
1 cup sour cream
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 tub guacamole
1 large green onion, sliced
3 medium Roma tomatoes, diced
2 3-ounce cans sliced olives
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
taco chips

Layer the above ingredients on a plate one by one starting by spreading out the bean dip on a round dinner plate then mixing the sour cream and taco seasoning together and spreading it over top of bean dip then spreading a layer of guacamole, onions, tomatoes, olives and cheddar.

Dig in with taco chips and you'll be eating more than you probably should.

Sponsored by Beau-Coup for unique baby shower favors.

Snapgifts.com Giveaway

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

How's that Christmas list coming along? Got everything yet? Well if you're still looking for last-minute ideas I have a site that is perfect.

Allow me to share Snapgifts.com, a place where you can easily purchase gift cards to all sorts of places from restaurants to book stores to theaters to sports equipment stores. I know because they offered me a free chance to try it out for myself and I was highly pleased.

You can shop for services by city (say you want a gift card that will work in SanFrancisco or Boston or L.A.) by category of services (see left side bar) or by brands such as Lowes or Borders or Cold Stone. It's easy to pick out what you want then set the amount you'd like set on the card then once you pay for it and tell them where to send it you're set. It took me five days to get my card from the time of purchase to when it showed up in my mailbox and how pleased I was.

You can get the card shipped for free throughout December just by adding the "freeshipping" at checkout. Go ahead, give it a try.

If you follow the directions below you might get lucky and win a $25 gift certificate for Snapgifts.com for yourself just in time for the holidays--treat yourself or someone on your list whose hard to buy for. Merry Christmas!

Here's how to win:

Before 12 am Monday morning go to the giveaway entry form on this page and enter your name and email. I will pick one of the names at random, contact the winner via their email and publish the winner's first name and home town in next Tuesday's post. See the bottom of the entry form for more details.

This giveaway is open to all readers! Good luck!

Movies to See Instead of Going to the Theater

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

I'm always a fan of a good movie and usually the summer and Christmas movie runs are eagerly anticipated around here but this year? Pretty disappointing. There isn't really anything I'm particularly interested in seeing--certainly not Robert Downey, Jr. butchering Sherlock Holmes as dramatically as Stephanie Meyer butchered vampires and werewolves. Apparently the pen is definitely more destructive than the wooden stake and poor Bram Stoker must be rolling in his grave.

But ah me, it's just as well--tickets are nearly $10 and there are only a handful of films that could possibly qualify as being worth that kind of money.

SO . . . we'll be watching movies at home this Christmas and enjoying a comfy sofa and popcorn that doesn't cost $17 per ounce of buttery goodness.

The hardest thing about watching movies at home, however, is that with six people in the room it's hard to find things that are appropriate for all. So today I'm listing some of the movies that we all enjoy for a family movie night together. Some of them are good for younger children but most are things I'm comfortable letting my 10, 13 and 15 year olds see. If you have any recommendations of your own please let me know because I'm always on the lookout.

1. The Guns of Navarone
Not for small children but if you happen to have a teen boy in the house this is a must-see. Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quinn form part of a World War II special-ops team assigned to destroy the gigantic guns guarding the Greek island of Navarone in time for the British to come to the rescue of the doomed prisoners.

It's one of my favorite macho war movies, right up there with The Dirty Dozen and The Great Escape (also great films) and while not everyone in the house is a war movie aficionado it's still a great movie. Suspenseful and well-acted as you'd expect with a cast like that. No rating on this one because it was made in 1961 though it is in color, don't worry. If I try to throw a black and white classic at them it's complete and total anarchy, I do know my limitations.

2. Castaway
I'm partial to Tom Hanks movies with the kids because so many are clean and well-made. We watched Joe v. The Volcano the week of Thanksgiving which is quirky and odd but strangely appealing. Probably because Meg Ryan has some lines to hoot over.

"I have no response to that."

But I digress. The subject is Castaway, the movie that takes Robinson Crusoe to the level of reality television and succeeds marvelously. My boys like it for the adventure angle and my girl likes it for the romance (plus adventure). It is rated PG-13, which you can't dismiss lightly, but it's for intense action sequences (like a ginormous plane going down in a scene that rivals the train wreck in The Fugitive for intensity--man I nearly went into labor with Grace right there in the theater when I saw that for the first time. Not a good movie to see while 9 months pregnant.) Otherwise it's clean.

3. Silverado
Another manly movie. I like westerns okay, it's not as if I'm haunting Clint Eastwood or anything, but this . . . THIS movie is a favorite. The cast is all-star: Danny Glover, Kevin Costner, Brian Denehy, Kevin Kline, Jeff Goldblum, John Cleese, Scott Glenn and others I can't quite recall right now. All westerns are essentially the same--guns, shooting, revenge, injustice followed by eventual justice, the savagery of nature and the savage nature of men--and this one follows the formula wonderfully.

Again, it's PG-13 so it's not good for small kids, but it's rated that for the shooting that goes on and the cowboys do occasionally have colorful cowboy mouths but it's not heavy stuff and my boys loved the movie.

4. The Man Who Knew Too Little
If you're a Hitchcock fan you'll recognize the pun in the title and it ought to give you an idea of the fun you're in for. Bill Murray can be sooooo funny and this is my favorite movie he's made. It's full of hysterically quotable lines and funny scenes that we'll still laugh about.

Murray plays a dingaling guy (which I know is a given) come to visit his brother (Peter Gallagher) in London as a surprise. The surprise comes at a bad time so the brother unloads Murray for the night by buying him tickets to an experimental theater show called "The Theater of Life" where people can pay to participate in a scripted spy caper--kind of a live-action version of choose your own adventure.

The only problem is (and there's always a problem, right?) Murray gets twisted around and gets himself involved in a real spy caper, thinking it's fake and he bungles through as only Bill Murray can. Rated PG.

5. Apollo 13
See? Another Tom Hanks movie. Told you I liked him (but then who doesn't?).

You probably remember this film about the 1970 Apollo 13 moon voyage where the famous "Houston, we have a problem" line was uttered but if you haven't seen it you must. A great movie and historical films are always good for talking about afterward and inspiring further study. I'd also recommend Spartacus, A Man for All Seasons, Amadeus, Ghosts of Mississippi, Gandhi and Memphis Belle as good historical movies and I'm sure there are plenty more that I just can't recall right now.

Rated PG

6. Operation Condor
James Bond is always fun but Jackie Chan is even more fun (unless we're talking Casino Royale, then forget it, James Bond is definitely better).

The problem is, Bond isn't exactly the greatest role model for children and you know what I mean. Try Jackie instead--and while there's plenty of punching and dodging and kicking and bullets flying it's not gory and you won't see him with a martini or a babe in bed. Other martial arts movies tend to take themselves way too seriously but this one is played for the comedy (I still do not get Crouching Dragon Hidden Tiger--what was up with that flaky ending???)

Operation Condor is his best movie, while some of the others are fun they tend to fall into this tumble mess of Hong Kong city scenes and dubbed second-rate actors. It's PG-13 for the action.

7. Sky High
Okay NOW we've got movies for smaller kids though the great thing about this one is it's enjoyable enough that adults can watch it too. The premise is that this kid is the child of two superheroes and just like Harry Potter gets called into Hogwarts at age 11 this young super guy gets to go to the high school for super heroes: Sky High.

Honestly? It's Kurt Russell's funniest role and the lines actually get you chuckling. There are sappy kid movies that are a drain to sit through and then there are those that take pity on us as parents and give us something we can enjoy too.

As with all Hollywood successes the film inspired a knockoff called Zoom which stunk. Don't bother with it, stick with this one and enjoy. Rated PG.

8. The Kid
The movie where Bruce Willis made his transition from hardened NYC cop fighting super bad guys to sensitive leading man not afraid to show his vulnerability though the real star of the movie is the kid himself. The boy who plays Bruce's younger self with all his lisping, chubby cuteness.

Bruce goes back in time to meet up with his younger 10 year-old self to determine why his life hasn't turned out quite the way he'd originally intended and of course goes through all that self-discovery, repentance and resolution that you'd expect from the screen writers guild.

Again, a movie that's good for adults and kids alike, rated PG.

9. Secondhand Lions
Don't be fooled and think that because this is possibly the sweetest most endearing movie ever made that it's just for kids or that it's all cheese and sugar. With Michael Caine and Robert Duvall you can expect that it's a first-class production and it is a fabulous movie for the whole family.

A boy on his way to being a man is foisted on his elderly uncles living in the middle of the Heartland. The men are eccentric but wise and full of stories and advice that is just what the boy needs and just what we need to keep us watching and chuckling and enjoying ourselves when we watch it.

I don't know why movies like this are considered "family" movies, they ought to just be considered "excellent" and leave it at that. I see no reason why they should be shoved off into a separate category merely because they're devoid of offensive material. End of tirade.

Definitely an A movie, rated PG.

10. Willow
Another Ron Howard film and a favorite from the 80s. Not at good as Lord of the Rings but then what is? And while it's not as good it's funnier, which I do appreciate--thanks Ron.

I've tried to hit all sorts of genres with this list and here's my nod to fantasy, this mini epic (is that an oxymoron?) follows our heroes (including Val Kilmer) as they try to save the world from the evil queen while rescuing the child of which it has been prophesied that salvation would come. Got it?

Watch the brownies, they're a crack-up. And while the costumes, set and cinematography aren't exactly Peter Jackson it's a fun movie that gives you plenty to enjoy--rather like The Princess Bride. Rated PG.

11. Without a Clue
If you're going to mess with Sherlock Holmes then THIS is how you do it. Take notice Robert Downey, Jr--Michael Caine takes on the role with Ben Kingsley as the ever-present Dr. Watson but the twist is that Holmes is a complete idiot and Watson is the brains of the operation. Holmes, an out-of-work actor, is hired by Watson to increase his street cred with the guys at Scotland Yard and things go off from there.

Great comedy, AND it includes the bonus of having Ed Rooney (remember Ferris Beuller?) playing Inspector Lastrade, the only man possibly as stupid as Holmes himself.

Rated PG. And if you like this you might try Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Caine and Steve Martin, another classic comedy that I love love love which is also PG.

12. The Rookie
Sports movie? Check. This one's good though there is also Rudy, Remember the Titans, Rookie of the Year, Cool Runnings and Little Big League as well, depending on the age you're trying to entertain. Oh, and Invincible is pretty good too--though that's for older kids.

I like sports movies well enough, they're all pretty much the same, and this one follows the tracks with reliability.

Rated G though and I have to at least give it a mention--when was the last time they made a G movie at all, let alone one that adults could sit through as well? You kind of have to go back to the Disney princess era for that.

13. Ever After
Speaking of Disney princesses, here's the girliest movie on the list and it's a great one. Ever After is the live-action Cinderella story, told with plausibility as if you were trying to explain how it could have really happened.

Drew Barrymore is fun, the clothes are beautiful, the movie is romantic without being saccharine and I give it two thumbs up. It's rated PG-13 for "brief intense language" but honestly? I can't remember ever hearing anything at all like that--I must have missed it because it seemed squeaky-clean to me.

It even has it's fun lines and chuckles too.

14. Galaxy Quest
Can you tell I'm more inclined to a movie if it's funny? This one is great, it's really a spoof on Star Trek and it cracks me up.

Tim Allen, that guy from Monk, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Richman--great cast, funny lines, clever scenario, it's all there and if you haven't seen it you're missing out.

Oh, and it also has that guy from the Mac commercials (I don't know his name) that makes Macs look cooler than PCs. He's in it.

Though I warn you, you'll never look at Gilligan's Island the same way again (inside joke--watch the movie). Never. Rated PG.

15. Nicholas Nickleby
And my nod to period movies. This one is touching, sweet, well-made, and thoroughly a thrill. And while it has those typical moments of Dickensian squalor and abject human suffering it's not a bad movie to watch together because you can then talk a bit about what you saw. My kids got pretty choked up over the plight of poor Smike.

I'm talking about the 2003 version with Anne Hathaway and Allen Cummings and the rest of the fabulous cast. And if you like period movies then there's always of course Pride and Prejudice and the whole Jane Austen collection but this one is probably the best for younger kids. Just an opinion.

Sponsored by Color Incorporated Digital Prolab for your digital printing needs

Alaska Inside and Out

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

I haven't felt very festive at all lately, it doesn't seem as if it could possibly be December 9th already, and I've found myself wishing that I could get a bit of a delay on the whole holiday thing--you know, push it back a week or two so that I could be good and ready. Apparently I need to brace myself for impact.

Nonetheless, we went out Monday to cut our Christmas tree. Instead of doing our traditional breakfast binge at IHOP this year we did the dine-in option. To make it more fun we pretended as if we had menus and everyone ordered whatever they wanted including but not limited to: cherry covered pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs and omelets and somehow they all thought it tasted better than if we were eating out (though I think they were just being kind).

The fog was heavy on the inlet as we drove south but on the return trip this is what we saw coming down from the pass back toward Portage:

And by the end of the evening this is what we saw:

And suddenly I felt more in the mood.

Lillian and I sat down to finish the beaded crystal snowflakes I started nearly a year ago but didn't quite finish in time for Christmas 2008 so our windows are decorated, our tree is up and we are officially Christmas-worthy. Bring it on.

Sponsored by Pak Naks--decorate your stuff!

More Sewing Projects and a Few Mistakes

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

I had another post lined up for today and wouldn't you know it? I messed the entire thing up. Long story but you can bet I let out a wail when my hour of work went down the drain. I'll have to try it again for next week but to hold you over I'll share this instead.

I was kind of proud of this one because I had an old dress pattern from several years ago (New Look 6748 if you're interested) that I'd been holding onto and then I happened to have yards of fabric left over from Grace's Halloween costume last year.

So I put the two together and came up with this. Kind of like the peanut butter/chocolate marriage thing and I think it works--at least I felt kind of fun wearing something that felt a little more exotic than my standard dark winter wear.

However, the whole thing was not without its irritations as well because the pattern called for a knit fabric. I was worried that my normal size would be too small for a woven pattern so I cut it larger and when I was done it looked like a tent on me.

Great. So I spent the next day taking the whole thing apart and cutting it down to size (the good news and the bad news, right?) Well after I'd spent a second day of sewing putting it back together I realized I'd messed up yet again and cut it too much--it was now too small. I could hardly breathe.

So I took it off, took a deep breath (trying not to say the words that came to mind) then I took it all apart yet again and spent a third day of sewing to put it back together, complete with hidden inserts for expansion. It was quite an ordeal.

So how did I know it was a success? When my daughter wanted to borrow it for the dance. Nice try Grace.

***

As for last weekend's VTech toys giveaway, I ended up having to redraw a winner which was Karen of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Congratulations to her and to Stephanie at Metropolitan Mama who won this weekend's TOMS Shoes Giveaway.

Sponsored by Beau-Coup for unique baby shower favors.

Gone Fishing

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

My children call my father "Regular Grandpa" because they know they have another grandpa in there somewhere but the only one who has ever met him is Grace, and she was too young to remember the event. From what little I know of him he's a quiet, reserved yet friendly man, a former computer programmer and a good stepfather who loves country dancing with his wife.

If I ask Andrew about his memories of his father he'll inevitably talk about those few times in high school when his Dad would sneak into his bedroom before the alarm went off, shake his son gently and say, "Get up--we're going skiing!" Andrew would skip school, his dad would call in sick for work then they'd spend the day at Copper Mountain, Breckenridge or Keystone and the day would inevitably end with Andrew falling asleep on the drive home.

The mom in me shakes a finger and says, "How irresponsible! What kind of a parent would take their son from school for an empty day of bumming around on the slopes?" But then another side of me knows those times are the most important--years later Andrew will point to those days as highlights in his relationship with his father.

I've written before how family vacations are so important--how taking the time to smell those roses together is what brings you closer and adds depth to your relationships--and today Andrew and I are being our own brand of irresponsible parents. Each year we go out to cut our Christmas tree in the Alaskan wilderness (or at least 100 feet away from the highway as the law permits) and part of the tradition is taking the children out of school for the event.

We sleep in a bit, go to breakfast together (usually at the local IHOP or Village Inn) then spend the morning traveling along the peninsula in search of the perfect tree (or at least one that will fit on top of the car) and this year is no different. Today the kids get that thrill that can only be found through a flagrant flouting of school policy.

Yes I know it's probably very wrong but it's a tradition that we've grown to love. It's moments like these that I hope will help keep our children close to us and this year it feels even more important for some reason, the only change is that we won't be going out to breakfast so there will be no artery-clogging Country Fried Steak abominations consumed but they'll still be skipping school and listening to Christmas songs and dragging a tree over the snow.

I hope that the kids will remember us strapping trees to the roof rack with bungee cord then stopping every five minutes during the two-hour trip home to keep them from plunging off the back. I hope they remember how ugly the trees were, covered with tufts of moose hair and looking like they'd been through a dozen rounds of chemotherapy, but how pretty they looked once they were lit up and decorated.

But most of all I hope that they remember that we loved them enough to do things together as a family and that there's no one I'd rather spend a day playing hooky with.

***

Here are some past years with photos of our Alaskan tree hunting expeditions. Just in case you don't believe me.

An Alaskan Christmas Tree for Me
Christmas Trees Alaskan Style
Stalking the Mighty Alaskan Spruce

Sponsored by Color Incorporated Digital Prolab for your digital printing needs

Mini Pumpkin Pies

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Everyone loves breakfast here, it's always a great meal. For about four months I've been avoiding cold cereal--both for the expense and for the lack of nutrition--and I've been quite creative in coming up with alternatives to the ubiquitous bowl of Lucky Charms.

I had a stroke of genius around Halloween when I saved our pumpkins and roasted them up in the oven for an hour at 350 then pureed the remains. I decided that having pumpkin pie for breakfast might be a tasty addition to our menu.

The pumpkin is healthy, the eggs and milk are healthy. There's a bit of sugar and whipped cream but I made these in ramekins without crusts so they're probably healthier and less sweet than a bowl of Fruit Loops. The family was thrilled because who doesn't like pie for breakfast? With a glass of juice or milk and a piece of whole wheat toast you've got a good start for the day.

1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
2 cups pureed pumpkin
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl with a whisk and beat until thoroughly combined--no lumps. Pour mixture into eight greased ramekins and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Cool and top with whipped cream.

Sponsored by Pak Naks--decorate your stuff!

TOMS Shoes Giveaway

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

This weekend's giveaway is brought to you by a company that is perfect for this season of giving. TOMS Shoes sells shoes but for every pair that they sell they give one away.

It started with a visit to Argentina where the founders noticed children going barefoot and after realizing how widespread the problem was they decided to do something about it.

According to their website they've given over 150,000 pairs of shoes away and plan to give another 300,000 more in 2009. That's a lot of feet that will be riding in comfort.

And to help with their message and goal they're offering a $200 gift certificate to this weekend's winner which will be enough for two adult and two children or youth-sized pairs for the winner. The styles are simple and relaxed, comfortable and ideal for casual wear for the whole family.

For more information about the TOMS movement see this page, for product details on the shoes themselves see this page here. Be sure to check out the Herringbone Sparkle Mary Janes that are completely adorable.

So if you'd like to know how to get your name in on the drawing follow the directions below. If you'd like to sign up to receive the TOMS Shoes newsletter either leave your email in the comment section or see this page here which not only allows you to register on their website for the newsletter but lists other ways to be involved with their goals.

Here's how to win:

Before 12 am Monday morning go to the giveaway entry form on this page and enter your name and email. I will pick one of the names at random, contact the winner via their email and publish the winner's first name and home town in next Tuesday's post. See the bottom of the entry form for more details.

This giveaway is open to all readers! Good luck!

Beautiful Homemade Gifts

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

We've been encouraging the kids to make their own Christmas gifts but it's not always easy to find good projects that people will actually like.

Here follows some of my favorite projects from around the web--some good for kids, some better for adults--there's still enough time to get a start on some of these.

1. Make felt book covers
You can find good patterns all over the place for felt book covers, I've seen some with cute little pockets for pencils or strings attached with charms on them, this is one of the prettier versions and the link above gives a step-by-step tutorial.

2. Crochet snowflakes
Martha Stewart has a tutorial for a few styles but you can find these too all over the place. Pretty as package toppers or for decorating the tree or a window they're a beautiful little gift. Someone gave me a set of them years ago and we still hang them on the tree.

3. Make a bedside organizer
This is a good gift for younger gift givers and with a bit of glue it can be a project that doesn't require any sewing skills. A good gift for adults or kids, boys or girls.

4. Grow a ginger plant
By using a piece of ginger root you can start your own ginger plant indoors--a nice gift for someone who likes plants. They like humidity and filtered sunlight like most tropical plants so they're not a bad option as a houseplant. The instructions are on the link.

5. Make tiny terrariums
You know I love terrariums, they're just so cute and they always make fun gifts. A few of my recent favorites that I've come across are Altoid tin gardens, and lightbulb terrariums, globe terrariums.

Plants are always a nice gift and tiny is always endearing. The perfect combination.

6. Make a sewing duck
I love this little guy--I've seen another pattern for one where there is a pin cushion built into the duck's back.

This particular sewing duck was on Etsy and has since sold out though you can get an idea how to make one from the picture. Very clever.

7. Crochet knights and a castle
See this cute little toy? A castle with knights, a dragon, a horse and princess--cute beyond words.

And you might even have time to finish it before Christmas if you hurry. Of course if you don't like the castle you can always instead crochet a dwarf battle helmet which is extremely tempting.

8. Make a tea party play mat
This is so cute! You'll need some sewing skills but if you've got the time and the skills it promises to be a gorgeous gift. And since I'm not including a picture with this one I'll just say that it's a tablecloth that has plates, cups, silverware and tea goodies on the fabric just as if it were a tea party set for a princess. Really cute. Did I say it was cute?

9. Make a bottle of sea glass candy
So pretty! I love the packaging too--nearly as sweet as the candy inside.

I think I'd make mine watermelon flavored. I really like watermelon flavoring for some reason--it's weird though because it tastes nothing like real watermelon.

10. Make a survival kit
A great gift for kids to make, you take a tin box (again, Altoids work well) and fill it with things for your recipient's hobby. Fill it with bandaids, gauze, ointment and aspirin for a tiny first aid kit or fill it with wax, a wick and a package of matches to make an emergency candle (both are good things to keep in your car or kitchen).

Fill it with a needle, thread, buttons and tiny scissors and it makes a great sewing kit. Put a bandaid, flash drive, piece of candy and a pre-paid calling card and it's an emergency kit for your college student.

All sort of possibilities.

11. Make your own perfume
I haven't done this yet but it sounds so fun to try. If nothing else, you'd come away smelling so good.

12. Make a nutcracker
All this would take is a bit of drilling and a clamp and you've got a modern and sleek nutcracker, Don't forget a bag of walnuts.

13. Make some slippers
Very chic. The tutorial is there so there's no excuse.

14. Make an outdoor fire pit
I've wanted to do this for a while but there's not much sense in making a fire pit this time of year. No one would stay outside long enough to enjoy it. But still . . . it's a fun project.

15. Make iron-on placemats
Another project kids could make. This version has you ironing apples on burlap with fusible webbing but you could easily change it to a holiday picture or you could have children cut out their own shapes and let them decorate it with unique patterns.

Either way it's a cute project and would make a sweet gift.

***

And you can see previous posts where I've listed other great crafts for kids to make here:

Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make
Crafty Gifts to Make
More Crafty Gifts to Make
Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas

Sponsored by Beau-Coup for unique baby shower favors.

Finally Finished My Sweater

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

This is, hands-down, the craziest knitting pattern I've ever made and by the time I got done with it I'd unpicked and restitched enough to have made it three times over. But . . . it is finally done and I like it.

It's a shrug and you start from the cuff of one sleeve and work back and forth until you widen into a large circle for the body then narrow back to the second sleeve and on down to the final cuff.

Once you've got that you sew up the arm seams then pick up a ton of stitches completely around the circumference of the body/circle and knit in the round to make this big ruffle around the body. The ruffle folds down into a collar at the top and hangs on either side as a lapel.

But the pattern (which I found at the Lion Brand Yarn site) didn't have a diagram of the garment so when I needed to adjust the stitches for a better fit I couldn't tell what part I was even working on. Crazy.

But the good news is that it knits up very quickly with chunky yarn and size 11 needles so even if you have to make it three times it's not an overly long project.

The only question left is: Does it make me look like Grover?

***

And speaking of knitting, I was sent Natural Nursery Knits by Erica Knight to review. I get a lot of craft books and while the majority are only moderately good some of them, like this one, get me excited.

The patterns are gorgeous--and by that I mean that they have a soft look of vintage love rather than the sometimes garishness of looking overly handmade. The illustrations are beautiful and I'd love to try this hat on the cover one of the pairs of booties.

I haven't yet tried any of the patterns but now that I'm finished with my sweater I'm wide open for new projects.

Sponsored by K & M Studios and photographer Megan Burgess

Battleground, Dragon Strike and Atlas Adventures: We LOVE Games

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:00:00 +0000

I should start this with a disclaimer--I'm not being paid to write this nor was I even contacted by the companies. There! Does that give me good credibility?

Because if you're looking for good kid games, these are three that I'd heartily recommend. They've been on my kids' wish lists for a while but I'm hesitant to buy them for them mostly because they have friends who own the games so that when they get together they're always a novelty.

Why buy them again? You have to play with someone so it kind of makes sense that you each have your own unique games. Keeps things interesting that way.

But Battleground is a terrific one. My brother in law found it on sale at Toys R Us for ten dollars on clearance because even HE loves to play it. It's just what you see here: a war game complete with catapults and projectiles where you win by knocking your opponent into the ground. Simple, direct, effective and entertaining. David loves to play this and it even appeals to the boy in my husband.

Dragon Strike is a board game with a large mechanical dragon that knocks your pieces all kaput if you get in the way. My kids had a babysitter who owned it and would bring it over when she watched them and they loved it so much that they begged me to call her when they needed watching.

Of course they also begged me to buy them the game (which I also saw on sale for something like $15) but I wasn't going to do that because then it wouldn't be a thrill when she came. I wasn't that stupid.

And finally I'd recommend Atlas Adventures which is another board game which I like for a couple of reasons. First, it doesn't have batteries (always a huge bonus) but then it's also educational but in a so-fun-they-don't-realize-they're-learning-kind of way.

And the best? It's listed at under $20 right now on Amazon. It just keeps getting better and better.

***

And a drum roll please . . .

Congratulations to Gaye of Saint Peters, Missouri who won the HP TouchSmart 600 desktop computer. She was number 1741 of 1806 entries. Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word and make it the greatest giveaway ever. The only way it could get better is if I gave away a Porsche next time.
And congratulations also to Summer who won the VTech Toys giveaway from this past weekend but who needs to respond to my email to claim it--go check your box! Also a fabulous prize.

Sponsored by Pak Naks--decorate your stuff!

Following Up

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

For those of you who tuned in two weeks ago I relayed a conversation my teen daughter and I had about some of the things that were happening in her high school. Turns out she watches a bit of television--okay a lot. In fact, if she probably deserves an honorary degree in broadcast and communications based on the number of school hours she's spent in front of a screen and judging from the amount of comments the post got I touched a nerve.

I hadn't exactly intended to, I was just frustrated with the situation and what can I do when I feel completely impotent but mouth off to the great and powerful Internet? But I thought you might be interested in what has happened since then.

First of all, the television thing is still going strong. In fact, her German teacher is probably the worst offender because she'll put in a DVD, switch it to the German language option and then let the machine run for days at a stretch and last week it happened again only this time they watched a German silent film.

Did you catch the irony? A silent film. They're not speaking English, they're not speaking German, they're not speaking at all. Seems like the perfect option for teaching German in the classrooom, ja wohl?

And then for the week of Thanksgiving her history teacher (if you remember the Shirtless Wonder I mentioned previously) spent Monday, Tuesday and part of Wednesday showing the class Glory as a wrap-up to their study of the Civil War.

This was the part that particularly interested me because I remembered the movie from the 80s and knew that it happened to be R-rated. We don't let our kids see R-rated movies and it was my understanding that the school district's policy was that no movie over PG was to be shown to students without parental consent.

So I sighed deeply and wondered if maybe it wasn't time to get involved.

The weird thing about me though is that I'm a complete wimp about confrontation. If the choice is fight or flight I'll take flight every time and though I tend to talk big I'm Jello when it comes down to addressing issues face to face. I might be angry or frustrated but as soon as I'm dealing with a human being with their own feelings and concerns I get rather nervous.

But I thought this time it was important so I wrote an email to the principal telling him I was concerned because it wasn't an approved movie and that they seemed to be watching an inordinate amount of television anyway. Then I might have mentioned somewhere in there that I also thought Mr. History Teacher was slightly creepy for his shirtless pictures and talking about his binging weekends (I think I might have left that part out of the previous post but yea, he likes to brag).

Well the principal wrote back and asked to speak with me. By that time my cowardice was kicking in and I seriously thought about dodging his call (how many times have I said we needed caller ID?) but I sucked it up and spoke with him.

He was nice enough and our conversation went something like this:

"I understand you're concerned about the movie Teacher X will be showing this week?"

"Yes, my daughter said it was a movie that I understood to be R rated."

"Well don't worry, it's actually an edited version of the movie that was put together especially by Pepsi for educational purposes." (and I'm quoting this line verbatim).

"Oh. Well if it's Pepsi . . . " (okay that part I didn't say though I wish I'd had the guts to deliver it with all the sarcasm it deserved).

While he was very nice and treated me politely I could tell that he saw absolutely nothing wrong with the idea of taking three days to watch a movie as the culminating activity for a study of the Civil War. While I'd concede grudgingly that showing a clip or two might be acceptable (or perhaps I should say it's at least not poisonous) I don't understand how watching Hollywood's shaky retelling of an historical event is better than reading Uncle Tom's Cabin, Andersonville or Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. The class could spend the last days studying the works of Lincoln, creating a time line of events, studying the military figures or mapping the geography of the states. And if they had to watch something the Ken Burns' documentary on the Civil War is at least a better choice. There are so many other ways to have spent that three-day period and if the principal, a man trained in the field of education, couldn't see more profitable alternatives to Matthew Broderick sipping Pepsi for three days how was a conversation with a frustrated mother going to change any of that?

But the good news is that they're not showing R rated movies to the kids, if you want to look at it that way.

The principal assured me he'd speak to Teacher X about being more aware of propriety, not showing pictures of his tattoos, yada yada yada but to be honest it was a frustrating conversation. He was polite but seemingly without the same concerns, we were looking at the same picture but seeing two very different things.

However, ultimately I came away with an epiphany. She's going to have good teachers and she will also occasionally have duds but regardless of who is teaching her the responsibility for her education ultimately rests on me as her mother and on her as an individual. I've always believed that education begins in the home so it's up to me to make sure she's learning even if it means making up for what isn't happening in the classroom.

And now, I will leave you with one more thought:

It's not a real message but it's funny nonetheless, striking a blow for frustrated teachers everywhere.

Sponsored by Beau-Coup for unique baby shower favors.

Thai Beef Rolls

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Busy? We were snowed in this weekend, the stuff started coming down on Thursday and by the time things were over Saturday morning I couldn't take my van out without getting stuck.

But it was actually kind of nice, once everyone was safe inside together I liked how cozy it felt and we played games and ate too much.

So we've been keeping on the "down low" as they say, just enjoying the winter and holiday and pretending that we don't have to go back to work tomorrow.

Here's my recipe for the week, these little sandwich wraps are easy and tasty. The only thing would be to make sure you make enough of the sauce because they're really good with the sauce drizzled on them. I bet you could even substitute the beef for leftover turkey if you wanted to give it a try. Couldn't be bad, could it?

1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 to 1 tablespoon finely minced ginger, depending on how hot you like it
2 teaspoons fish sauce
3/4 teaspoon sugar
4 10-inch flour tortillas
8 thin slices roast beef
2 cups shredded cabbage
1/2 cup julienned carrots

Combine the first six ingredients to make the dressing.

On each tortilla liberally brush some of the dressing then spread two slices of roast beef then divide the shredded cabbage and carrots between the the four tortillas. Serve with extra dressing if desired.

Sponsored by K & M Studios and photographer Megan Burgess

VTech Toys Giveaway

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Hit any sales this weekend? We went skiing but I decided I wasn't brave enough to face the crowds and each year I do more and more online shopping.

I love being able to have things delivered to my door without having to find a parking space.

If you're starting into your shopping list VTech Toys have got gadgets for the munchkin on your list--check out the Jungle Gym Ride and Learn Giraffe Bike where kids can ride their "bike" and practice their shapes and other learning activities while they ride. Or the Cyber Pocket where you kids can play games with the touch panel and flip up LCD screen on the go.

Electronic games and toys that work to teach while kids play--and if you're interested in some tips, the VTech site has a handful of tips for stress-free holiday living. And I think the last one said something about online shopping . . .

And this weekend, courtesy of VTech, I have a Cyber Pocket to give away to a random winner! Talk about starting your holidays off on a good foot. Good luck!

Here's how to win:

Before 12 am Monday morning go to the giveaway entry form on this page and enter your name and email. I will pick one of the names at random, contact the winner via their email and publish the winner's first name and home town in next Tuesday's post. See the bottom of the entry form for more details.

This giveaway is open to all readers! Good luck!

Someone I'd Like You to Meet: Amanda from Oh Amanda

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Our Write-Away Contest guest judge this month was Amanda from Oh Amanda, a wonderful person who writes about her two children, her home, her creativity and her religion with a comfortable openness that invites you in.

When I interview people sometimes I'll focus my questions on things that interest my guest and then sometimes I'll focus on things I'm thinking about myself and you can tell by a few of my questions where some of my thoughts have been lately . . . Christmas is right around the corner!

Amanda, I hope you're having a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

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You’ve been blogging for several years now, how do you deal with the ups and downs of blogging?
I've always said I love the ebbs and flows of blogging. It's MY blog and MY life so I can kinda do with it what I want. When I'm busy, my blog reflects that. When I'm focused and inspired, my blog reflects that, too. I also think it's the ups and downs that spur me on. When I feel blaze about my blog or my readers or stats or "influence" it makes me want to push harder and do better.

Have your goals with your blog changed? How?
When I first started my blog I thought it was a creative writing outlet. But I remember my very first post and I can hear that I also hoped someone would read it. And I'm continually surprised that people do! I think this all goes back to the ebbs and flows...at one point my goal was to get 3 comments. Then to make a couple of bucks. I think now my goal is to influence people--I try to post things that will be encouraging, insightful or helpful. (I don't think I always get that accomplished, but I try!)

What has been the most fun part of your blog? What makes you want to keep with it?
The most fun part of blogging by far is the people! I've met so many different types of people. People I'm pretty sure would have never spoken to me (or vice versa) in real life--are now dear friends to me. My whole world has opened up in a new way since I've really gotten into the blogsophere. I couldn't NOT stick with it--like that old blinkie says, "I love my computer. My friends live in it."

Do you have any advice for people trying to get their blog noticed?
I wish I was an expert on this. My only advice is to be a part of the community . . . read and comment, play along with carnivals and fun parties, email your comment-ers back, respond on facebook or twitter. If you want your blog to be out there--put yourself out there! Oh, and it doesn't hurt to be cute and normal, too.

You do a lot of product reviews, what advice would you give for people who’d like to do reviews on their own blogs?
Don't take everything that comes your way. I just got an email about tissues. And although I think it would be fun to get a big box of tissues in the mail . . .what am I really accomplishing? I saved $1.42 and now I have to spend an hour or more writing a post about tissues that my readers don't even want to read. Just make sure you pick stuff you really like and would have blogged about for free. (Uhm, like Disney or chocolate.)

If you've never received a PR pitch, try signing up with a network like One2One or MomSelect. They send out emails about lots of different opportunities. You can pick and choose and not worry if it's a good company or not!

What changes, if any, have you seen in the world of blogging—especially mom blogging?
I think my blog has mirrored the blogging world as far as changes. I went from I'm-in-the-cool-geeky-crowd to wow-someone-likes-me to i-can't-believe-this-company-

likes-me to I-am-my-own-persona.

I love that blogging has mushroomed. I have to admit, sometimes I feel like it's passing me by. I am in awe that I get to be a part of your Write Away contest--you are a bloggy hero to me! But I am also feeling the "age" of my blog. I feel comfortable in my blog and I think there are many people who are recognizing the amazing platform that blogging is. I want to take full advantage of it and use it to make a difference in the lives of others. So to make a long answer even LONGER, I think the biggest change is that blogging is LOUDER. Moms have seen that a blog can be more than a journal or a way to win free stuff. Blogging can be a vehicle, a tool and an agent for change.

What are your favorite holiday traditions your family has?
As a semi-new mom (my kids are 3 and 1) I feel like our family "traditions" are all forming. And I think that's exciting. My daughter has had 3 Christmases and doesn't remember any of them. So, every year is a new sparkly treat for her. I love discovering family "traditions" with her and now with my son. I'm inspired by so many traditions and crafts and books that I think I try to many at one time!

What do you do to make the holidays more meaningful?
I'm the kind of person that likes to make events special. I want the candles lit, the music playing, the food ready to go and a few little extras thrown in. But besides the actual celebration, I want my children to know the meaning behind the holiday. I have worked hard at helping Lydia understand what it means to be thankful. We spend weeks focusing on the details of the real Christmas story. I feel like I've got a fleeting opportunity to get to her heart before the media and the craziness of the season gets it's chance--and I want to impress her first!

Do you have favorite holiday books or movies your family enjoys? I know you recently posted about Thanksgiving traditions, what about Christmas or New Year’s?
Oh my goodness, books! I could list 50 Christmas books I love. My very favorite story ever is the Gift of the Magi. I have started collecting as many different editions as I can. It's the most beautiful story of sacrifice, love, gratitude and thankfulness. It is set at Christmas time but I think the lesson is appropriate at any season. My newest favorite tradition is the advent calendar. I can't get enough of them. This year my daughter will probably be opening five advent calendars a day while we make another one! Like I said, I get excited about traditions and special events!

What kinds of things are you looking forward to in 2010?
My son will be in his first year . . . I mean his first year that he's NOT an infant! This 14-20 months age is so exciting to me because I can see a little peek into his real personality. Everything will be new and fun for him. Everything is a first. My love grows with my children and I'm excited to see how he grows and my love with him. Also, on a personal note, I'm a new Disney Mom, so I'll be on the Disney World website as part of the Disney Mom's Panel this year--a dream come true for me!

Sponsored by Pak Naks--decorate your stuff!

Happy Thanksgiving

scribbit@gmail.com (Scribbit) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Andrew pulled this out and had us read it as a family this week. It's Washington's official declaration of the first national day of Thanksgiving from 1789 and I thought you might also enjoy it, Happy Thanksgiving.

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WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requsted me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.

George Washington