Momathon Blog

We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne

 

Back in 1788 Scottish poet Robert Burns composed the famous New Year's song Auld Lang Syne. 

When the clock strikes midnight, join me in singing the song translated here into the English version. (Scottish version printed second.)

(photo above by jsorbieus.)

Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you'll buy your pint cup!
and surely I'll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine†;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS
And there's a hand my trusty friend!
And give us a hand o' thine!
And we'll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Original Scottish version:

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
and surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We twa hae run about the braes,
and pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot,
sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS
We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn,
frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
sin auld lang syne.

CHORUS
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
and gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willy waught,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

Driven to distraction lists: Best design blogs

   

 
I can't take credit for creating this top 50 list, but I agree with the selection made by London Times. If you are looking for inspiration in interior design or almost any design niche, then check out the list. (Just don't blame me if you end up spending a whole afternoon reading the blogs.)

Starting with number 50, here is the London Time's list and their comments on 50 of the world's best design blogs:

50. Lovely Clusters Pretty design finds chosen by a Hawaiian-based graphic designer.

49. The Fabric of my Life Musings and photo collages from a London interior stylist.

48. Design Squish Design blog with an emphasis on nature, sustainability and eco issues.

47. Pillar Box Post London style and observations from an American ex-pat.

46. Automatism The daily visual inspirations of a Canadian illustrator.

45. Nestled In Home renovation and thrifty finds from Finland.

44. Oliveaux A Brisbane-based interior designer shares her passion.

43. Brooklyn Limestone The renovation of a traditional Brooklyn limestone townhouse.

42. Delight by Design Glamorous interiors and classy styling ideas.

41. Please Sir Vintage purchases to covet and more from a North Carolinian designer.

40. Chez Larsson The interiors and craft projects of a Stockholm family home.

39. Katy Elliott New England-inspired selections from an ex-Domino writer.

38. Simplesong Design favourites with a clean and simple quality. 

37. Modish Portland-based champion of indie designers.

36. Oh So Beautiful PaperWedding invitations and inventive stationery ideas.

35. The City Sage California-based Anne Sage’s features include seasonally-themed styling and book reviews.

34. The Design Files Melbourne homes, shops and design.

33. Home Shopping SpyTechnically the blog of Ideal Home magazine run on the writer’s sparky comment.

32. Mint Design, art and more from graphic designer Ellie Snow, with an interesting recent series on adapting to a freelance lifestyle.

31. Making it Lovely Feminine favourites, independent design and home decoration.

30. Oh Hello Friend Beautifully-designed and curated posts from a graphic and jewellery designer.

29. Fine Little Day Quirky Scandinavian style from a Swedish designer and photographer.

28. Bliss Photographer Mrs French’s ‘I heart Monday’ wishlist is a weekly highlight.

27. A Field Journal Visual eye candy featuring this talented student’s own photography and craft projects.

26. Coco & Kelley Trend watch from a Seattle-based interior and events stylist with a penchant for elegant glamour.

25. Wee Birdy Incredibly cohesive: London shopping and birds-inspired design, authored by an Australian magazine writer living in London.

24. Pia Jane Bijkerk Unique content from an Australian prop stylist and author living in Amsterdam.

23. Daydream Lily Her other life - dreamy images selected by Melbourne-based research scientist Liss Winnel.

22. Sweet Paul Craft and styling ideas from New York-based food and prop stylist Paul Lowe.

21. Design for Mankind Featuring edgy graphic and product design, this blog has a brilliant video series highlighting issues facing creative freelancers.

20. Dos Family Photographer Jenny Brandt’s aspirational home tours feature stylish Swedish families.

19. This is Glamorous Consistently classy selections with a high glamour factor.

18. Lobster and Swan Hastings design muse Jeska shares her photography and vintage-styled vignettes from her home.

17. Frolic! Relaxed style from a Portland-based floral stylist.

16. Grain Edit Mid-century inspired graphic design.

15. Print and Pattern Popular British blog focusing on colourful surface pattern design.

14. Swiss Miss Unique ideas and products picked by a Swiss graphic designer living in New York.

13. Bloesem Kuala Lumpar-based writer Irene also has an offshoot blog featuring child-specific design.

 

12. Young House Love Interiors advice, DIY and moodboards from a young couple renovating their own home.

11. Design is Mine A perfectly picked selection of art and design from independent designers worldwide.

10. SF Girl by Bay Bohemian chic from San Francisco-based Victoria Smith, a former art dealer.

9. Creature Comforts FeaturingFlickr favourites and promoting handmade design, this blog’s layout is itself a visual treat.

8. Emma's Design BlogScandinavian style from a Stockholm-based design enthusiast.

7. Poppytalk Vancouver-based blog with a marketplace for independent designers.

6. Decor8 All-round comprehensive design blog written by an American living in Hannover, Germany.

5. Oh Joy! Stylish selections which complement the cool aesthetic of the writer’s own successful stationery range.

4. Desire to Inspire Interiors inspiration galore, co-written on different continents by an Australian and a Canadian.

3. The Selby Uber-cool photographs of creative people in their living spaces, taken by photographer Todd Selby.

2. Design Sponge With a book in the works, Design Sponge includes readers’ DIY ‘before and afters’ and inspiring house tours.

1. Apartment Therapy Every aspect of interior design is covered in this American mega-blog, with the useful option of posing your design dilemmas to its readers.

Geeky Mom: Teach Fido some basic tricks with iPhone app

A busy dog is a happy dog. An easy and fun way to keep your dog busy is to teach your dog a few tricks. 

Of course, you can get the same tricks offered on this app for FREE on the internet, but if you want a portable version you can carry with you then the $2.99 for the Dog Tricks- Best of 101 Dog Tricks iPhone app might be worth it. The app features step-by-step instructions with a demo video featuring dog trainer Kyra Sundance for 8 tricks including sit, down, crawl, roll over, shake hands, spin circles, and fetch. (Sundance also has a series of "101 Dog Tricks" books and DVDs.)

I've decided teaching my puppy sit and down are useful, but teaching him to spin in circles might not be the smartest idea. 

 

Best cookbooks for families according to Babble.com

I love browsing the cookbook section at bookstores. Certain things catch my attention and great food photos are a must. And I recently decided that a cookbook with a carrot cake sandwich recipe must be very good. (See below.)

Here are a few cookbook suggestions from the clever editors at Babble.com:

 

 

"When it comes to pleasing everyone at the table, many cookbooks miss the mark — either aiming too squarely for the more sophisticated palates of mom and dad or resorting to nursery food and babytalk. During the holidays, especially, when dozens of glossy new titles beckon from bookstore shelves, it can be hard for a practical cook to know where to look. Well, search no further. We've combed the shops for the latest crop of cookbooks and selected a handful that promise to entice readers — and eaters — of all ages." — Sarah Karnasiewicz at Babble.com

(Quoted text via www.babble.com)

My thoughts on the best cookbooks:

• Jamie's Food Revolution: Rediscover How to Cook Simple, Delicious, Affordable Meals (Great for finding recipes to feed the kids.)
• The Craft of Baking: Cakes, Cookies, and Other Sweets with Ideas for Inventing Your Own (Did you know you could make carrot cake sandwiches?)
• Get Cooking: 150 Simple Recipes to Get You Started in the Kitchen (A hippie-chick Rachel Ray?)
• The Lee Bros. Simple Fresh Southern: Knockout Dishes with Down-Home Flavor (I'm a MN-slash-CO gal, but I want to devour the photos in this southern cookbook.)
• Salt to Taste: The Key to Confident, Delicious Cooking (Yes! Flavorful recipes that are not complicated.)

Okey-Dokey: Kids Can Cook Gnocchi

 

 

It's still vacay at my house... 
So here is a favorite post from a few months ago:

Who knew gnocchi was so simple to make? It's the perfect meal to make with the kids. Only five ingredients! Potatoes, egg yolks, flour, salt & pepper. I'm loving this delicious dinner recipe that won't cost a fortune. Gnocchi is a great alternative to pasta and it's easier to make than mashed potatoes.

You can watch Amanda Freitag, executive chef of The Harrison in NYC, create a yummy meal with gnocchi that your kids will love to help you make in the TODAY show video clip below. (You can see the super simple gnocchi recipe at this link.)

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

(photo by Marco Fedele)

Keep your dog safe during holidays

 

Tinsel and chocolate. Two big no no's for pets. Dogs love to chew. On almost anything. Toys (and decorations) that are not designed for dogs are not safe play toys for pets. Small parts--even the squeaky part inside a toy--can spell trouble if your pup chews up the toy and swallows the choking hazard. Instead give your dog indestructible toys like a Kong filled with dog treats. 

Even people food can be toxic to your dog. It's hard to resist giving your pooch a snack from the dinner table. Especially during the holidays. Unfortunately some foods that people love--even foods that are healthy for you--can harm or kill your pet. 

We know chocolate and candy is bad for Fido, but did you know that meatloaf with onions is very harmful because of the onions? When my Rhodesian Ridgeback got pancreatitis after eating the turkey meat with the skin on it, I found out how quickly a healthy dog can become gravely ill. Also, you should avoid any candy or other item sweetened with xylitol. For more information on pet safety during the holidays, check out the ASPCA Holiday Safety Tips.

 

Common signs of poisoning include:
Muscle tremors or seizures
Vomiting or diarrhea
Drooling
Redness of skin, ears, and eyes
Swelling and bleeding

For a detailed look at poisonous foods and items for pets, check out ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

Here's a quick overview of foods pets should not eat according to the TODAY show:
Avocados
Beer
Nuts (especially macadamia nuts and walnuts)
Chocolate
Candy or anything containing the sweetener Xylitol
Caffeine
Grapes or Raisins
Onions
Human Medicine

Many of your favorite household plants are poisonous to pets too. Check out the ASPCA--17 Common Poisonous Plants

Here are 17 plants that are poisonous to pets:
Lilies
Marijuana
Sago Palm
Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
Azalea/Rhododendron
Oleander
Castor Bean 
Cyclamen
Kalanchoe
Yew
Amaryllis 
Autumn Crocus 
Chrysanthemum 
English Ivy 
Peace Lily (AKA Mauna Loa Peace Lily) 
Pothos 
Schefflera

(illustration by Chris Olson and photo image by digital_image_fan)

Simply Delish Peppermint Bark Recipe

 

Looking for an easy last-minute holiday candy recipe? Here is one of my favorites: Last Christmas I wrote a post about an easy and delish recipe for classic peppermint bark. You can check out the recipe and a how-to video on the TODAY Show with Chef Kathleen Daelemans. Full recipe is available on the Today Show website.

The inexpensive homemade version is a great gift idea too. The candy recipe only has four ingredients:

• bittersweet chocolate wafers or chips
• white chocolate wafers or white chocolate
• canola oil
• peppermint candy

If you don't want to make the peppermint bark at home, check out the yummy Williams-Sonoma Original Peppermint Bark ($26.50 for a one-pound tin).

You can watch a short how-to video on making the peppermint candy on The TODAY Show. below. (Note: The TODAY Show clip starts out talking about cookie swaps with homemade gingerbread and then the next item they discuss is the peppermint bark.)

A ribbon wreath and more

 

(photo by JoeShlabotnik)

 

(photo by Tobyotter)

 

(photo by Chris J)

 

(photo by Alanna George)

 

Holiday cooking: Bread pudding recipe for kids

 

 

Do you have fussy eaters at your house? Cooking for kids is always better if the kids join you in the kitchen.

At my house, if I want the cooking project to be a success, then the kids need to be in charge. And grown-ups need to chill. Don't worry about the mess while the kids cook, as long as all of the cooks agree to help with the clean up afterwards.

I love to hear about families cooking together. For example, Sisters Belle (13) and Liv (11) started cooking with their dad when they were only two. They started the Spatulatta: Cooking 4 Kids Online series in 2005 and won the prestigious James Beard award in 2006. 

Watch Belle make a yummy Bread Pudding recipe in this video link featured on their cooking for kids website. The complete recipe is on this link too.

 Bread pudding is a great way to use up leftover French bread. 

(Note: Lovely bread pudding photo at the top of this post is by WayTru.)

Geeky Mom: Comparison shopping made easy with TheFind.com app

 

 

I love finding a bargain. But I hate running from store to store to find the best deal. Now you can use your iPhone to find the best deals on a specific product at nearby stores with the free TheFind.com iPhone app.

In my testing, I was able to quickly type in the product name (or even the approximate name) and the app gave me a list of possible options with store locations and prices.

So easy. Plus the TheFind has a great desktop platform that works well with the app to help you comparison shop--even locate coupons and product reviews.

TheFind features

• search for product in nearby stores
• get addresses, phone numbers and directions to nearby stores
• find prices from both local stores and online retailers
• view maps to show stores
• get product details and photos
• calculate driving cost to each store from your current location

Happy shopping!

It's so Etsy: Dew Drop Moonstone ring

Luminous. Dreamy. Fabulous. That's my take on the lovely Dew Drop Moonstone ring by OneGarnetGirl at her shop on Etsy. Ring features a 10mm (slightly less than 1/2 inch) white moonstone cabochon and bezel set in a sterling band. Available in size 6.5. $74.00.

Etsy is the place to find wonderful handmade items.

(image by onegarnetgirl on Etsy)
 

Party foods that make kids happy according to Oprah.com

Looking for food ideas that will please both young and old party guests? Check out these kid-friendly recipe ideas from Oprah:

• Sausage Rolls with Worcestershire Sauce
• Lemon Pepper Dry-Rub Ribs with Vegetables
• Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins - Food to Make Kids Happy - Oprah.com
• Classic Hot Chocolate
• 12-Layer Chocolate Cake

(image by ajagendorf25)

Geeky Mom: "Cry Translator" iPhone App

 

Ever wonder what your baby's cries mean? The iPhone Cry Translator app identifies five distinct cries made by infants

• hungry
• sleepy
• annoyed
• stressed
• bored

The iPhone Cry Translator app is supposed to identify the type of cry within 10 seconds. Amazing or too good to be true? I think Mom can be just as quick and maybe more reliable, but the app is worth a try.

According to the developers, once you know the type of cry, you have a starting point for understanding how to comfort your child. 

Note to readers: I have not tried this device. My kids are older, but I wish I it had been available back then.

Does this app work for deciphering the whines of older kids and even spouses? I'll get back to you later with my take on that topic.

Mockumentary about three families

They all want to be the picture perfect family--a May-December second marriage, a gay couple who've adopted a baby from Vietnam, and a nuclear family with three kids.

Modern Family is an ABC sitcom with a twist. Check out the preview clip below.

You can watch full episodes of Modern Family here.

Who knew from pap-schmears!

Okay. I already know this CBS Cares PSA is controversial. But in this case, I think that's a very good thing.

See what you think...

Just a schmear could save her life. 

Spending Hanukkah in Santa Monica

Brrrrrr! It's cold outside. I think singer-songwriter Tom Lehrer had the right idea way back in 1990 when he wrote the song Hanukkah in Santa Monica.

You can watch the Lehrer oldie turned into a YouTube video by a fan.

I'm spending Hanukkah in Santa Monica,
Wearing sandals, lighting candles by the sea.
I spent Shavuos in East St. Louis,
A charming spot, but clearly not the spot for me.
Whose eastern winters, I can't endure 'em,
So every year I pack my gear and come out here til Purim.

--Lyrics by Tom Lehrer

What makes a perfect city? Or a great vacation destination?

What makes a city great? Cost of living? Education opportunities? Jobs? Weather? The truth: No one really knows. But Americans are obsessed with making lists, so let's indulge in a game of comparison. 

We've all seen the lists before that claim to know the best places to live. I love the Best Towns 2009 in Outside magazine that ranks the top 10 cities in the 100 most populated cities in the US. Maybe I'm a tad biased. Colorado Springs won this year, Seattle came in second, with Atlanta in third place. A bonus feature, this magazine also ranks the best small towns near the big cities.

Of course many other magazines rank their favorite cities too. Travel + Leisure asked readers to rank their favorite cities and the results are revealed in T+L's America's Favorite Cities 2009. I love this interactive listing. You can even choose two cities to go head-to-head and see how they compare in the category of your choice using the City Face-Off. 

If you aren't ready to move to the perfect city just now, then try out the interactive Vacation Finder. You choose the criteria and T+L finds your perfect vacation city. I'm thinking this might be a good way to end the squabbles over where to go on vacation next time.

TIME's Top 10 of practically everything

If you like lists about current events, technology, tweets, books, video games, gadgets, late night jokes, fashion faux paus, or just about any list you can imagine, then Time's The Top 10 Everything of 2009 is for you. TIME charts the highs and lows of the past year in 50 lists. Check it out TIME.com.

 

 

Geeky Mom: Free e-Books from Sesame Street

 

There is something magical about the characters on Sesame Street. Of course the TV show is great, but the Sesame Street books were a favorite with my kids too. Now you can listen to the lovable characters reading their books to your children with Sesame Street eBooks. You can read and listen to free e-book samples on this link. 

The free e-books featured this week are

• Celebrate
• Grover's Guide to Good Eating
• The Monster at the End of the Street
• 123 Count with Me

Sesame Street will sell e-books from its website. Approximately 100 titles are expected to launch this year. The books are downloadable and work with both Macs and PCs. The publisher is iPublishCentral.

Geeky Mom: Eat This, Not That app for the iPhone

You've probably already heard of the wildly successful Eat This, Not That book series by Men's Health editors David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding. Now you can get the book translated into an iPhone app format.

The ETNT app price at $4.99 is higher than many similar apps costing less than a buck, but the creators promise you get more.

Here is what the ETNT app offers according to their promo featured on the iPhone app store.

• complete no-diet weight loss solution
• discover thousands of simple food swaps
• track calories for over 13,000 menu items and 10,000 grocery products
• tools to build a healthier grocery list
• tools to view nutritional grades for over 13,000 adult and kid menu options at restaurants
• food comparison chart lets you put two foods head-to-toe to see which is the healthier option.

One obvious benefit of the app over lugging around the book is the fact you can take Zinczenko and Goulding's advice with you everywhere--in the grocery store, at a restaurant, or at a fast food place.

We all know that sometimes it is difficult to get kids to eat healthy, but this app could make the difference. The graphics and interactive features will make it more fun for you to help younger children decide which item is the healthier choice. Of course, older kids with an iPhone can use the app themselves--just don't tell them it was your idea.

Ooo La La! Raspberry Tiramisu

 

I can't take credit for this yummy recipe by Dorie Greenspan at Parade.com. Only 7 delicious ingredients. Looks easy enough to make with the kids. 

The fabulous red berries make this tiramisu the perfect holiday treat.

Now all I need to do is decide what to serve the desert in... Wine glasses? Martini glasses? Or just some pretty glass bowls?

Go to this link for Dorie's recipe for Raspberry Tiramisu

(Image by Bloggyboulga)

What makes a perfect brownie?

Are brownies with chewy edges better? Brownie lovers have definite opinions on this one. I took a poll at my house and two wanted chewy edges and two did not.

If you are like me and, of course, you know best, then chewy edges are deelish! In a regular 9"x13" pan, most of the brownies you make do not have chewy edges. Now with the Edge Brownie Pan by Baker's Edge every brownie serving has two yummy, chewy edges! The pan's unique design prevents burned edges and undercooked middles. I love the fact this pan fits most box mixes and recipes for 9"x9" or 9"x13" pans. 

Shopping links

$34.95 at CHEFS Catalog

$39.95 at Solutions

$34.95 at Amazon.com

$39.95 at Sur La Table

I don't have the brownie pan yet, but it's on my list. 

Bon Appetit!

(image from CHEFS Catalog)

Wow, Santa really outdid himself this year!

Kudos to all those Santas who are smart shoppers. Even when buying electronics!

I know Target has gotten more than a few complaints about their new holiday ad campaign. Is it anti-Santa? Is it sexist? In my highly opinionated opinion, I don't think the ad deserves to be the subject of controversy. In fact, I love it. Power to the smart shoppers--Santa included! 

You can check out the clever ad from Target below. 

Spritz cookie recipe

Okay, mommies. Show of hands. How many of you wait till the very last minute to make holiday cookies?

Here's a quick and easy recipe for those of you procrastinators like me. (It may look familiar to some of you, I posted this recipe last year too.) Enjoy! Note that you will need a cookie press to make them. Here is the recipe:

Buttery Spritz cookies are not just tempting, they are addictive. So make sure you whip up a batch with the kids so you don't eat the whole batch yourself! This spritz recipe is perfect for baking with the kids because mixing the 5-ingredient dough is a snap. Plus your kids will love using the cookie press to make the cookies.

Buttery Spritz

1 cup butter or margarine

2/3 cup sugar

3 egg yolks

1 tsp flavoring (almond or vanilla)

2 1/2 cups flour

Heat oven to 400. Mix butter, sugar, egg yolks, and flavoring. Add flour to mixture. Select the cookie press shape you want to use. (Each time you fill the press you can change the cookie press shape.) Using about 1/4 of the dough at a time, force the dough through the cookie press (see the photo below) onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 7-10 minutes--be careful not to overbake. Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

Happy baking!

The babies are coming... (to a theater near you)

Four new babies.

Four places on earth.

One year in their lives.

Babies: The Movie

    

Babies: The Movie features one year in the life of four new babies, from birth to first steps, in four very different places on earth--the U.S., Japan, Mongolia, and Namibia. The 2010 documentary is produced by Focus Features.

Gotta love those chubby cheeks. Can't wait to see the movie! It's coming to the big screen in April 2010. 

All together now... Sooooo Cuuuuuute!

Share the love: adopt a shelter dog

This week is Puppy Mill Action Week and the Humane Society of the US urges people to help end the cruel cycle of puppy mills. Pet overpopulation is a big problem. So many puppies are bred for pet shops in inhumane puppy mills. One way to stop this cruelty is to stop buying from pet shops that sell puppy mill dogs. Instead, please go to your local shelter or go online to a rescue dog search such as Petfinder.com. 

Jill Rappaport is a dog lover like me. She really puts her journalist talents to work at the TODAY Show to help shelter dogs find loving homes. You gotta admire what Jill does for animals. Sending warm mommy hugs Jill. She's a wonderful pet ambassador.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

(Video above features Jill Rappaport helping shelter dogs find homes.)

ADOPTION TIPS

If you are interested in getting a dog, please check out your local shelters. They have so many wonderful dogs, cats, and other pets. They even have many purebred dogs. First do your research, find out what type of pet personality, pet exercise needs, and pet discipline fits your family. You can find out a great deal about pet selection at ASPCA Adoption Tips--including questions to ask yourself before adopting, finding the right pet for you, and tips on kids and pets. I also like the resources on Petfinder to help you find the right pet for you.

Should you buy a puppy or an older dog? Yes, puppies are very, very cute, but they also require more supervision and training. From personal experience, I can say adopting an older dog can be less stressful and very rewarding. You might worry that an older dog will not bond as closely with you, but this is not true. An older dog can become a devoted member of your family. Thousands of people like me have adopted an older dog. Shelter dogs are so grateful to be in a loving home and they appreciate your kindness in ways we can only imagine. 

Warm mommy hugs to Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep turned sixty this year and she still gets the greatest leading roles. Has Hollywood finally realized 'older' women are still sexy and smart? I am hoping Meryl is a trendsetter and more women her age--and older--grab those coveted leads in high-profile movies.

Streep even jokes about her continued success after all these years. "I've been given great, weird, interesting parts well past my 'sell-by date," says Meryl Streep in Boston.com.

 

Meryl Streep on Vanity Fair, January 2010

Why is Streep still so successful playing the lead in romantic comedies and more? I think she is successful and beautiful at 60--and throughout her career--because she is self-confident and seems to enjoy the fact she has experience. I don't like the phrase 'she looks good for her age' because it seems terribly sexist. (No one ever says that about a man.) I think Streep is amazing and successful because she is devoted to great acting.

You can read more about Streep online in the Vanity Fair preview cover story about the January 2010 issue. Still want to know more? Grab a copy of the January issue coming out today, December 2nd. (So very glad I am a VF subscriber.)

Girl talk

"You can have more than one best friend at a time," I said.

"No, you can't."

"Why not?"

"Because best means best."

I thought about that. "What about close?" I asked.

    – from Just as Long as We Are Together, by Judy Blume

  

Friendship. Body image. Parental divorce. Dating. School. Bullies. All are Judy Blume moments--events in the lives of girl that Judy Blume captured with her funny, poignant and honest voice. Chronicling the lives of girls from Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing to Smart Women, Blume is one of those teasured writers who captures the feelings of girls growing up and makes a difference in the lives of her readers.

 

If you want to get a glimpse of how the unforgettable stories by Judy Blume influenced other women writers, then check out this collection of 24 essays, Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume. The anthology is edited by Jennifer O'Connell--another favorite author (and a friend from PPWC). It features essays by acclaimed women writers including Meg Cabot, Megan McCafferty, and Melissa Senate.

Happy reading!

Free shipping day? No kidding!

 

(image by mysza831)

Practically everyone on my Christmas gift list lives out of town. That's why I was so excited to discover December 17th is National Free Shipping Day for participating merchants (see partial list below). And shipped items are guaranteed to arrive by Christmas eve.

Check out their website for participating merchants. So far, Free Shipping Day includes 407 participating merchants and counting. On Thursday, December 17th at 12:00AM EST the Free Shipping Day promotions for participating merchants will be revealed.

Here are a few of the National Free Shipping Day merchants as of this post date:

• Aeropostale
• American Eagle Outfitters
• Apple Store
• ShopAddidas.com
• BabiesRUs
• BabyAge.com
• Bebe
• Borders
• Brookstone
• Chronicle Books
• Crabtree & Evelyn
• Discovery Store
• Eddie Bauer
• FAO Schwarz
• Godiva Chocolatier
• The Land of Nod
• Macy's
• Nike
• Nordstrom
• OverStock.com
• PetSmart
• Red Envelope
• Sears
• Sephora
• 7 for all mankind
• The Body Shop
• Tommy Bahamas
• Toys R Us
• and many more

 
Mark December 17th on your calendar. Happy Shopping.