Hello Weekend! Nice to see you again.
Image above created by me, Chris Olson. Want to see more Note to Self images, check out the series link or click on the posts below:
Surround yourself only with people who are going to lift you higher | Note to Self
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Thursday night is DVR time. Gotta get my The Big Bang Theory fix on CBS (8/7C) and then, of course, my weekly dose of comedy on NBC--Community, 30 Rock, and The Office.
Photo: via fashionfucsia.blogspot.com
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Shopping around for the best deals online is one way to find discounted holiday flights. Even better, why not put the web to work for you for free! Get the help of a "personal shopper" when you sign up for the fare alerts from the airlines or an airfare alert service. Recently I wrote the post about finding deals on hotels, airfare, rental cars in "Six ways to save big on your next trip." You can use many of the same online services plus some additional options, just check out my list below.
Find cheap flights online:
FareCompare offers an e-mail fare alert service, an iPhone app, and a Twitter feed to notify you of deals.
Airfarewatchdog.com tracks low airfares to hundreds of cities worldwide. Some of my favorite features include the scoop on hidden sales, emailed news alerts for your location, top 50 low fares, and message boards. You can also follow them on Twitter and on Facebook.
Yapta.com offers two ways to save: Track flight prices BEFORE you buy. Yapta email alerts let you know when prices drop and when to buy to save money on airfare. The second way Yapta helps you save is by helping you get airline refunds AFTER you buy. If the price of your flight drops below what you paid, Yapta helps you get a refund for the difference. Follow them on Twitter.
Expedia offers a fare alert application for your computer and an iPhone app. Expedia also lets you book the plane tickets (no booking fees).
Travelocity's FareWatcher Plus service will watch up to 10 destinations and notify you about any deals. You can also book the plane tickets.
Travelzoo.com is a travel search engine that sends you weekly emails to help you find the best deals on airfare. Follow them on Twitter.
KAYAK.com is a travel search engine like Travelzoo.com. It searches online for the best deals on flights. They have a smartphone app. Follow them on Twitter.
Southwest Airlines is known for offering discounted fares. Now with the "iPhone app Plus with DING!" you’ll be notified immediately of discount flights. (With the app you can also make reservations, check in for flights, and access your Rapid Rewards account directly from your iPhone.)
For more information on finding holiday airfare deals, check out
Photo: Kossy@Finedays
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The funny, angst-filled Cathy comic strip ended on October 3rd after 34 years. Cartoonist Cathy Guisewite's autobiographical cartoon diary reminded me daily that feeling ambivalent or stressed out is normal. Even the embarrassing meltdowns in Cathy's life made me laugh with her at the struggles we shared. If Cathy survived it, then so could I. Before Cathy, who knew our neuroses could be so funny? If Cathy struggled to find the perfect bathing suit for her body, then chances are women around the globe shared many of her same insecurities about body image as well as relationships and career.
Thank you, Cathy! Facing problem coworkers, smothering parents, or clueless guys will never seem so daunting because of you.
Curious about how Cathy"s voice sounds? Watch this YouTube video about Cathy
(Photos: The Cathy comic strips appeared in my favorite newspapers and were created by the talented Cathy Guisewite.)
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Thanks to the hardy chocolate mint plant, now you can have your own chocolate factory on a windowsill or front porch with partial sun. I love the peppermint patty flavor and scent. Use the plant to add flavoring to many drinks and foods--just add the washed leaves to tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cakes, cookies, etc. I've even heard of cooks adding it as a secret ingredient in pesto. This versatile herb adds a zippy chocolate-peppermint flavor to icings for cakes and cookies. Even if you don't want to eat the leaves, the plant is a perfect all-natural aroma therapy herb.
The chocolate mint plant grows quickly and needs a large pot so it does not become root bound. Also, be careful not to burn the plant by exposing it to full sun. If you want to create new plants, the mint propagates easily from cuttings.
For more gardening ideas, check out Momathon gardens.
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Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010
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I love weekends because I can slow down enough to actually see the beautiful things all around. Enjoy these photos by talented photographers around the globe.
A lovely flower by Strife. (UK)
Girl dancing on the beach by mikebaird (CA,USA)
Bird by Marioawsm
Horses on the beach in Morro Bay CA by tbchris
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We've all been there... You're sitting at the park next to the PR Mommy who can't stop bragging about how advanced her kid is. And then she inevitably adds a cutting comment: Don't worry, your child will catch up soon.
Ouch. So what do you do? Sometimes I wish that when the PR Mommy stands up a gooey bird turd clings to the seat of her dry-clean only pants. (So far my fantasy has never come true.)
I admit I also have been tempted to try some baby bootlegging. If you don't think about what you just did it feels harmless, that is, until you get caught.
Mitch on the NBC show Modern Family in the clip below "borrows" another child's block tower in order to make his daughter look better. Everything is fine until this bad karma moment bites back.
I admit it, sometimes I find awkward moments hilarious!
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Move over Cosmo,
the girls have a new sublime cocktail to share.
Recipe compliments of SKYY vodka.
1) To rim a martini glass with a bit of sweet sparkle, dip the rim of the glass in a shallow dish filled with crème de cassis and immediately place rim in another shallow dish with sugar, rotating the glass to ensure the whole rim is covered.
2) Combine citrus juices, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice.
3) Shake vigorously and strain into the martini glass. Finish the cocktail with a drop of Crème de cassis on top.
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When a warm March day tempts us to wear shorts and T-shirts, spring has to be right around the corner. Today is one of those days. Walking my dogs up the "big" hill by my house, my feet feel lighter than usual. No coat is needed. Sandals are almost appropriate. My dogs are smiling at the prospect of an extra-long journey to the ridge high above us and the view of the city below. I'm not sure they ever really marvel at the view. More likely it is the gentle breeze that is a constant up there and the fact this is the epicenter of all the sounds and scents in nature. At the top, the dogs lounge in the tired, brown grass from last summer. Together we survey our surroundings and consider where we might go next.
(Image above is © Chris Olson)
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Ever wonder how you and fellow knitters can raise funds for a charity by knitting? Avid knitter and bestselling author Debbie Macomber's book Knit Along with Debbie Macomber: Charity Guide for Knitters includes tips, knitting patterns, and guidance to help your craft bring comfort to individuals in need. ($16.95)
Book includes simple to intermediate knitting patterns that can be used to support newborns in hospitals, the military, and many more charities. Patterns include:
For more great reads, check out my reading list on Momathon books.
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In this unique craft series by Debbie Macomber, book lovers and knitters unite. Macomber's latest knitting book in the series, Knit Along with Debbie Macomber: Hannah's List, is the companion book to her novel in the popular Blossom Street Series. The book will be available March 8th. It includes 15 projects inspired by the characters in her book. This is her 10th book in the Knit Along with Debbie Macomber series. ($12.95)
A few of her other knitting books:
For more great reads, check out my reading list on Momathon books.
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A good day on the mountain starts with some carbs...
And a cuppa joe...
Nothing makes a ski day like sunshine and kids
And when you are tired, just follow the signs...
Photo credits: 1. Sauce Supreme, 2. Alex-s', 3&4 Luna Blue Studio
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The official Geeky Mom (that's me) list of iPad pros (list of cons coming tomorrow).
Pros:
--Size. Apple delivers a miracle: The iPad is compact but big. Except for the fact it won't fit easily in a purse or pocket, I love the size. The specs: 9.7 inch display (imagine your favorite video playing here), 0.5 inches thick, and weighs only 1.5 pounds. Some will complain that the iPad is still too heavy. Not such a big deal to us moms who lug around kids and pets and backpacks and groceries more than we want to admit. And don't even ask how much my purse weighs.
--Multi-touch. The multi-touch display screen acts like an iPhone and iPod. Familiar is good. After all, who takes the time to read the tech manual? This gadget is easy to use right out of the box. My kids think this feature makes all those games even cooler.
--Apps. Apps. Apps. Runs nearly 140,000 apps found at the app store. Even runs your favorite iPhone/iPod apps and you can sync them!
--iWork runs on iPad. I love Pages, a classy document creator with oh-so-cool templates and formatting on my laptop. I see one problem because the iPad lacks the multi-tasking cut and paste feature.
--Price. I was surprised by the relatively low $499 price for the basic 16GB model that uses Wi-Fi. Seems reasonable for a professional, but not really affordable for kids and teens who REALLY love gadgets. A Wi-Fi only 32GB model @ $599, a 64GB model @ $699. The Wi-Fi and 3G enabled iPad has 3 options: 16GB @ $629, a 32GB @ $729, and the fully loaded 64GB @ $829.
--3G. I admit it, I am a 3G snob. Wi-Fi is great--really great--but it isn't everywhere, yet. I know thinking I must have 3G is irrational. The 3G feature is either a decadent tech luxury or one more vice I should cut from my diet. You decide. A deal with AT&T gives iPad users 250 MB of data a month for $14.99... I'm warning you: Don't give your preteen/teens this option. The unlimited data go-ahead-and-surf-the-web-24/7-and-send-a-million-texts-a-day plan is $29.99.
--iBooks. I love books and I really love books with photos and lots of color. No, I am not talking about books for toddlers. I love photo-rich cookbooks, decorating books, travel books and--kids cover your eyes--I love textbooks. I watched the books feature on the introductory videos. Love the hi-res, LED-backlit screen with COLOR. However I read on the blogs and tweets that the iPad was introduced in a dim room. So how does it perform in normal light or sunlight? We'll see. Also, I didn't hear much talk about textbooks. I am crossing my fingers. Textbooks on the iPad is a dealbreaker in the decision to purchase an iPad for my high schooler.
--10 hour battery life while watching videos. And a month of standby. The critics are complaining that the battery is not removable. Not a big deal for me. Having a spare battery would just mean more to lug around.
--News. The intuitive NYT app is so much better on the larger iPad display. I was hoping more newspapers and magazines would be on board too. I can wait patiently for more digital news editions, but I hope they hurry.
--iPad keyboard. Of course you can use the virtual keyboard on the screen. But I also like the fact you can also use a standard sized keyboard with a soon to be released keyboard dock that lets you type and charge at the same time.
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(Image from Dog eat Doug web comics.)
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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.
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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)
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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.)
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"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!
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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:
Mark December 17th on your calendar. Happy Shopping.
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Back in February I wrote a post about a yummy cookie that travels well in the mail or in your suitcase! Since so many of you might be packing your bags for a Thanksgiving reunion, I thought this recipe might come in handy again. So here is the cookie recipe from earlier this year.
Have fun baking!
You never know what you might happen when your kids say they need help with homework. Sometimes it's long division or pre-calc. Or maybe writing an essay on Thomas Jefferson. Or a paper mache volcano.
And sometimes it's food. These are the projects I like...as long as it doesn't involve frying anything. A recent donut-making episode for a Social Studies project would have been simpler if I have just stopped at Dunkin' Donuts.
Recently my son made a Spanish cookie for a Spanish class. I give him an A for effort and an A+ for presentation/taste. And I give him an A++ for finding a great recipe for cookies that travel well--in the car or via mail.
Here is the cookie recipe:
SPANISH ANISE COOKIES
Ingredients:
2 cups four
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup margarine
2 eggs, well-beaten
approx. 1/8 to 1/4 tsp anise extract
Preheat oven to 375
Blend dry ingredients, cut in margarine until particles are size of large peas. Stir in eggs and anise extract. Mix thoroughly with hands or use a heavy-duty mixer. When mixed, divide into two parts. Using 1/2 dough at a time, roll 1/4" thick on a lightly foured board. Cut into sticks, approx. 4 x 12". (You can also cut into squares.) Place on ungreased baking sheet. Brush with melted margarine. Bake 10-12 minutes until lightly brown on edges. Makes 3 dozen or so sticks/squares.
Delicioso!
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Looking for region specific updates? Follow Liftopia.com at its market-specific Twitter handles.
Liftopia New England on Twitter
Liftopia: BC Alberta on Twitter
You can also follow a general feed of information on Liftopia on Twitter.
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Thirty days and nights of literary abandon began November 1st. Over 70,000 aspiring writers have joined National Novel Writing Month. As of today, the collective word count according to nanowrimo.org is...drumroll, please...355,226,349 words!
No excuses allowed.
No outline yet. No time to edit. Don't worry. The goal of this month's literary extravaganza is to write, write, write. You can edit after the month is over. Just try to get 50,000 words in 30 days!
I love this idea because let's face it, if you didn't have someone pushing you to write and write some more, nothing would happen. NaNoWriMo gives you that much needed push to get writing and keep writing. Sign up to write your novel and give weekly word count updates here. The site also includes easy writing guidelines. Plus they do offer prizes.
Why write a novel this month? According to the clever folks at NaNoWriMo:
"Doing something just for the hell of it is a wonderful antidote to all the chores and 'must-dos' of daily life. Writing a novel in a month is both exhilarating and stupid, and we would all do well to invite a little more spontaneous stupidity into our lives."
I love a challenge. And a stupid--but harmless--one makes it all the more fun. I am only at 4530 words. Long way to go to reach 50,000. Come join me at NaNoWriMo.
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I'm planning my next mommy escape
because happiness is too precious to postpone--literally in this case.
(image by Four Seasons Resort)
I have simple tastes.
A beach, some sunshine, and a cabana.
Unfortunately I also have very bad timing...
The resort pictured above just closed.
If only I hadn't postponed my travel plans.
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What's the worst part about reading? According to internet comedian Amir the answer is: the reading part.
Check out Amir's solution to the dilemma of reading without really reading in the video clip below. Warning... this is college humor. If you are seriously worried that technology is taking over our lives and spells the end of reading, then do NOT watch this video.
Jake And Amir are two friends that work together, live together, and play together. Are they best friends? Probably not. Watch more Jake and Amir video episodes to decide for yourself.
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Ever feel like if you take time to shower, then your preschooler will never get into the right college?
Okay, I'm exaggerating, but you know the feeling. And this mommy guilt is toxic. The truth: the more you accomplish on your to-do list does not guarantee you will be happier.
You know the drill. While you cook dinner/fold laundry/check homework, you still feel guilty about not spending time reading a book with your kids.
Chances are if you feel overwhelmed, then now is the perfect time to step back and figure out what you can do to recharge your batteries. I'm not talking about a once-a-month splurge on a mani-pedi or whatever. I'm suggesting you carve out small chunks of time every day to focus on you. Scary? Maybe. But if you take a few minutes to escape and search for beauty in your life, then you will feel better.
No big commitments like training for a triathlon are required. Grab your tennis shoes and take a walk. Or find that journal you loved years ago and start writing again. Even if you just sit down and meditate for 15 minutes in a quiet room, you will feel better.
Just like my mom told me: If mom is happy, the whole family is happier.
Looking for some motivation? Check out this book: Mothers Need Time-Outs, Too by Susan Callahan, Anne Nolen, Katrin Schuman.
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I am fixing up my work/craft room so I was excited to find an easy DIY pattern for making storage baskets by jcaroline creative. I love the Peapod and Flora fabric too. Sewing directions for a small and large basket here.
(image: jcaroline creative)
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Do our solitary snacks reveal something about our souls? Are your eat alone dishes a civilized meal or do you just find whatever works from your pantry? Do you eat differently when you are alone than when you are with someone? If you ever wonder what others are eating when they are alone, check out the new book by Deborah Madison and Patrick McFarlin: What We Eat When We Eat Alone: Stories and 100 Recipes
When I am alone I love a LARGE bowl(s) of cereal. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner---cereal is my favorite. If I have already had enough cereal for the day, then I make a salad and pile on the cheese, cashews or walnuts, and my favorite creamy peach dressing.
Makes me think that I could use a snack right about now.
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What would you say if your local school district decided to change your school calendar to a 12-month school year? My first response is YIKES! But after some thought and research I see this not so new idea is catching on for some very good reasons.
Modified school calendars have created a big discussion around the water-cooler. Staying competitive in a global economy puts getting a good education as a priority. Here's what Babble.com writer Jeane Sager says in a recent article:
"Arne Duncan wasn't the new Secretary of the Department of Education long before he started talking big change for America's kids. The former CEO of the third largest school district in the nation, the Chicago Public Schools, wants to say goodbye to the school year as we know it."
If schools modify their calendar to year around school, they can increase the classroom time and increase learning time. Sounds great for education but what about the benefits of relaxing bodies and rebooting brains over the summer break? Does a modified calendar spell the end of summer as we know it? Here's what Sager says:
"Regarded as a long-standing tradition, even by parents who scramble to find daycare for a lengthy ten-week period, summer break has loyal parent supporters. Threats to the traditional school year have spawned groups like Summer Matters, an information clearinghouse launched in 2001 expressly to give parents ammunition to fight the modified calendar. The site is filled with letters to President Obama that proclaim modifying the school calendar "has been tried and failed for more than 100 years."
How do you feel? I am still siding with the longer summer break as long as parents work with their kids to encourage learning over the summer too.
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I like to hike with my dog. This time of year I just might end up hiking with a few animals I don't enjoy sharing the trail with. Bears.
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I love Colorado. It's my home partly because the Rockies are also home to some amazing animals. This time of year the majestic elk are looking for love in Estes Park, Colorado.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
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I love to make things: Sew, cook, draw, paint, knit, bead, and more. Reading a crafting book always motivates me to start a new project.
Now more and more women are turning their love of crafts into a business. Here are a few books that just might inspire you to do the same.
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Finding a magazine for girls that isn't loaded with diet advice, popularity contests and ads might seem impossible. That is, until you discover the wonderful New Moon Girls Magazine.
"New Moon Girls magazine is about helping girls discover and honor their true selves, engage in meaningful pursuits and dialogue, and express their voices in ways that matter."
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If you are feeling a bit of H1N1-related cabin fever, no worries. You can travel virtually from the comfort of your own home with your laptop. Check out T + Ls gorgeous new travel website.I want to go to there.
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Back in March I wrote a post about Finding Instant Karma and I mentioned that a few years ago, a friend gave me a tiny book filled with suggestions for nurturing good karma. Despite it's compact size, this book includes a lifetime's worth of suggestions--8,879 ways to give yourself and others good fortune. I keep the book by my desk and when life goes a little insane I open it on any page and read a few ideas. Sometimes the suggestions I read make me smile. And they always make me think.
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"We thought that a blog would be a great way to share some of the other aspects of the craft department that don’t always make it onto the pages of the magazine — behind the scenes, inspiration, personal work etc. We also thought that it would be a great way to be a more active part of the crafting community as a whole. We are all pretty active as individuals but there is a different dynamic to the department as a group."
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In the age of iPod apps and Xbox games, can a puzzle that requires no electricity or batteries build a cult following like it's popular predecessor?
Some of us have been waiting nearly 30 years for the second generation of the Rubik's Cube that was invented back in 1974. Guess it takes a while to make a new version of this puzzle. The sculptor/engineer/architect and inventor of the original Cube, Erno Rubik, 64, says he has a new puzzle called the Rubik 360 that will go on sale in August.
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