Groovy Mother Goose

I have a soft spot for vintage children's books. Okay, okay it's a big honking love. I am especially drawn to books from the 1950s and 60s. And there's just something about Mother Goose books that I like but what that something is, I couldn't tell you. Maybe nostalgia since most of us grow up with Jack, Jill, Little Boy Blue and Miss Muffet? Maybe the game of trying to figure out if there is any reason behind the rhyme? Seriously, most of it just reads like gibberish. Can't remember where I found this 1977 edition of "Dean's Mother Goose Book of Rhymes." The outside looks rough but the inside is just fine. I kept it intending to use it for craft projects but I just can't make myself tear it up. I mean, look at these crazy good illustrations by sisters Janet and Anne Grahame Johnstone. Apparently a good copy can fetch quite the price so be on the look out.

  

 

 

  

  

 



This is probably my favorite rhyme in the book.

What's your favorite Mother Goose?

Random Thoughts No. 25

Gosh, I haven't written one of these "Random Thoughts" post in awhile. They are so fun because I can just share whatever I want and it doesn't have to have a theme or anything. It's a little snapshot of what's caught my attention lately … and it's a great distraction from all the packing and cleaning I should be doing.

1. I've been binge watching the BBC's "Robin Hood" (2006-2009) on Netflix. Nice cast, good action, a love story -- yes, yes, that's all well and good. But I'm way more interested in Sir Guy, played by Richard Armitage. He is so bad, so so bad. He also makes for a pretty hot dwarf. 

2. I recently picked up "Outlander," published in 1991, on a whim. It was so good. I didn't know until after I read it that the book was recently turned into a TV series on Starz. I look forward to watching it and reading the rest of the series by Diana Gabaldon. 

3. Often, I try a recipe found online and it doesn't live up to the hype and never does it look like the picture. But every once in a while, I find a winner. These cream cheese chicken taquitos were delicious! The boys didn't eat them (well, Will ate two bites, said it was great, ate one more bite and said never mind) but my husband Chris ate three helpings! Three! I ate about that much myself too. Since it's a crockpot dish, very easy to make too. Perfect for a Taco Tuesday. 

More books! More books! More books!

So, it was that day again. One of my favorite days. All those books just waiting for me to take them home. I don't miss the book sale at Emmet O'Neal Library. I probably should miss it (where will I put them? All the bookshelves are full!) but we all got stuff that makes us happy for no good reason and bringing home a bounty of books is one of mine. 

Joseph was a true champ hanging out so he got to pick out a few that I myself would have left. For example, that Diego book hiding in the back. It makes sounds. Sigh, but hey, I can put up with it. And that dinosaur dictionary. Of course we needed that! Duh, mom. It's not like the other four dinosaur textbooks we have at home are enough. (I love that Joseph only reads truly academic dinosaur books. He doesn't want it dumbed down to a kid level.)

I didn't need to get any board books — while we still read the ones we really love, Joseph is too old for them. But the "How Do Dinosaurs ..." series is awesome and this one, "How Do Dinosaurs Love Their Dogs?," should come in handy. We finally decided on a timetable on getting a dog — THIS SUMMER! The second board book, "Ghosts in the House!" is adorable. The little witch catches all the ghosts, puts them in the washing machine and then proceeds to decorate the house. I found a review with pictures at Every Day is Like Wednesday. 

Thanks to Once Upon A Bookshelf for sharing this picture.

Joseph IS the right age for picture books. So I brought home eight and Will picked out another, "The Sign of the Seahorse," for daddy because he's a fan of the author Graeme Base. I hope we'll fall in love with "Peter's Long Walk" (1953). A little boy playing with a fox and bunny and more?! Yes please! Find more pictures and a review at Once Upon A Bookshelf. 

Other picture books worth a mention — "Counting Birds" by Alice Melvin (honestly, that one's for me), "What Goes Around Comes Around" by Richard McGuire, "George Shrinks" by William Joyce and "Noah's Ark" by Peter Spier. Apparently that "George Shrinks" is very well known (even a TV show!) but this is the first I've seen it. 

Once again I wasn't sure what to get Will — he's such a one and done reader that I'm on the hunt for books he will re-read again and again. He is liking the "Nate the Great" and "Stink" series but those can be had at the library. I got the first three books in the "Little House on the Prairie" series. Bonus — they are hardcover 1953 re-issues (but these copies actually printed in 1961) with pictures by Garth Williams. I hope he will like them. But if he doesn't, I hope he'll at least appreciate the historical aspects. What a different time to live in! Just re-reading Chapter 1 of "Little House in the Big Woods" makes me appreciate the grocery store!

Also for Will, two of the books in the "My Father's Dragon" trilogy. Now to find the missing second book. I first saw it reviewed on Vintage Children's Books My Kid Loves and it shows promise. If the glowing praise found on GoodReads is any indication, "The Wizard Children of Finn" by Mary Tannen should be life changing! Lots of folks recall reading it again and again. I also picked up "Ender's Game" which I'm going to read first. I somehow missed it growing up. 

My favorite find of the day? The one that made me really happy? A British Harry Potter! The first book in fact — "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone." Why did they change the name of the U.S. edition? Seriously, why? Can't wait to re-read this and see if I can find water closet instead of bathroom and lorry instead of trucks. I'm such an anglophile!

Past book hauls here, here and here. 

A surprise on the library shelf

Looking at a list of my top 10 favorite books, "Watership Down" by Richard Adams is at the very top. I have read and re-read it over the years and each time it does not disappoint. Recently I was at the library waiting to checkout books, not really focusing on anything when my eye happened to spot this, "Tales from Watership Down" published in 1996. What?! A sequel?! How had I not known about this? Of course it came home that day. But then it sat and sat. I just couldn't pick it up. What if if was not as good as the original? I finally was determined to read it after two notices from the library that they might want their book back soonish. 

It's not really so much a sequel as a companion book. There are more stories of the sneaky hero of the rabbits, El-ahrairah, and more adventures for Hazel and his friends. You could sandwich this book between the last chapter and epilogue of "Watership Down." While I was scared to read it, I shouldn't have been. It was a delight to revisit old friends. My only problem with this book is that it just ends. Reprinting the epilogue from "Watership Down" would add closure/tie it up neatly. 

British author. British men. I guess I should write about tea next. 

Top Books of 2013

Every year I like to look back at the books that we really loved. The ones we read again and again. Sadly, the list is getting shorter and shorter. Will has grown away from picture books and is reading lots of chapter books on his own. He's a one and done kind of kid, moving on to the next thing rather quickly. And our reading habits are changing — when Will was little we'd read an average of three books a night. Now most nights, Will picks a book and Joseph picks a book. And sometimes now Will's book he is off reading on his own and Joseph's book is brought from school so our own books aren't getting read again and again. But the main thing is we are still reading. Reading is good.

Will finished up the Magic Tree House series. And the Bad Kitty series is hilarious. "Dragons Love Tacos" by Adam Rubin with illustrator Daniel Salmieri came home from the library for Joseph but ended up a favorite of Will's as well. Santa even brought us our own copy after it was checked out several times from the library (a true sign of a favorite here). Will loves going to the school library and is still bringing home lots of Eyewitness Books.

Joseph had me read "Sheep in a Jeep" by Nancy E. Shaw with illustrator Margot Apple again and again. It's been a favorite forever and was on the 2011 list as well. But the real "star" of the year was "Lego Star Wars: Save the Galaxy!" It's a large format board book that recounts the first movie (I don't count those prequels!). In fact, I read it again just last night. Dinosaur books still top his list and Santa brought two new ones. I'll admit that I pass the dino books over to Chris to read because he does a better job pronouncing all the crazy names. 

Another favorite of ours that I don't think I've mentioned before is "365 Penguins" by Jean-Luc Fromental with illustrator Joelle Jolivet. I really don't remember how the book came into the house (how can I not? I find this weird) but the charming book about a family dealing with a slow invasion of penguins is well, charming! And funny. We've had it for awhile but we read it again and again. 

In a very unusual move for me, I actually read two books in 2013 that were actually published in 2013. Crazy I know. "We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves" by Karen Joy Fowler made several Best of 2013 book lists and was much better than I expected. I also read "Amy Falls Down" by Jincy Willett.

For 2014, I've got a long list of books to read, most recommended by friends. I haven't wading into the Game of Thrones fandom yet. I'm already in the deep end for Doctor Who and Sherlock. I asked friends on Facebook — read the GOT books or skip 'em and watch the shows? I thought it would be a 50-50 debate but overwhelmingly the consensus was to read the books. I'm sure Chris would love that though. When I get my hands on a good book, I tend to ignore the house.

Case in point, around the first of December I randomly picked up the first book in The Mortal Instruments series, "City of Bones" and torn through the five books available in about a week (dishes, what dishes!) only to have the tortured love story come to a screeching halt with book six coming in March! Better than Twilight but not a good as Hunger Games is where I'd rank it. YA fiction has so much to offer these days.

So besides "The Goldfinch" — which I can't wait to read, why do I not have a copy yet?! — what did you love in 2013? What is on your must-read list for 2014?

More words on the wall

Recently my friend Amy* mentioned in a Facebook post she was looking at book wreaths on Etsy. Then another friend commented she would like one too. Knowing they aren't too hard to make (here's mine), I told them to pick a design, pick a night and pick up a bottle of wine. I would bring all the supplies. We got together last Monday at Amy's and had a good time talking and ripping books apart. I think the finished products look great. I think my friends like them too. Carla Jean has already posted about her wreath. And she has better pictures!**

Now what can we get together and make next?

*Okay this is were the internet and FB are cool. Amy and I have only been friends on FB. I don't know how I started reading her blog but it's hilarious. So the night we got together to craft was the first time we had ever met in person. Awkward? No, it's like I've known this cool chick forever. Carla Jean and I at least had a history being former co-workers. Weird fact from the night: We all arrived in Birmingham the same year. 

**Seriously, I keep cleaning my phone but I'm blaming sticky little boy hands for the fuzzy quality. I'm the momma, I can do that. 

A word or two on the wall

I've been waiting to make a book page wreath for quite some time. One night I just got too it — two hours of television later, I was finished and quite happy with the results now hanging above the mantle. I won't go into details — Google "book page wreath" and you'll find many tutorials and many examples. I skimmed through several tutorials and then just winged it. This size (roughly 26 by 20 inches) took two books; both were vintage and rescued from the trash. I wouldn't do this to a new book! The pages are tri-folded and hot glued to a cardboard backing. The cardboard works here but I want to experiment with other materials (plywood? canvas? ideas?). 

I would have shown you the whole mantle but it is such a dumping ground for mail, lego projects, toy pieces found under the sofa waiting to be put in their proper homes. Do you have a picture-perfect mantle? Or take a quick swipe before company arrives like me?

MADE BY YOU MONDAY

MONDAY FUNDAY

THE SHABBY NEST

Top books of 2012

Once again, here are the books that had us entertained in 2012. Previous lists here and here.

Joseph enjoyed hearing "The Three Bears" over and over. And if we weren't reading "The Three Bears," then mommy was re-telling the tale with much ad-libbing. One day Joseph suggested the three bears should really lock the door the next time they leave the house. I had some discussion with friends on Facebook as to what IS the moral of story? Is it lock your doors? Don't fall asleep while robbing a house? Buy better furniture?

"Nobunny's Perfect" by Anna Dewdney (of Llama, Llama fame) got checked out again and again from the library. Thanks to MayMay we got our own copy for Christmas. Joseph also loved "Big Mean Mike" from the library. I randomly picked it up off the new arrivals shelf only to come home and see that bunnies play a big part in the story. Yep, we're still surrounded by bunnies.

And dinosaurs. Joseph likes the "How do Dinosaurs ..." series by Jane Yolen. But his favorite dinosaur book is an old, scruffy one he found at the thrift store, copyright 1971. It's for much older readers so I thought it would be forgotten after we got home. Nope, he pulls it off the shelf again and again. I admit to passing most of the reading of the book off on daddy.

Will dove into the Magic Tree House books. And hasn't meet an Eyewitness book not worth flipping the pages. It was really amazing how boom, one random day his reading skills just took off. Like a switch. Now he's reading chapter books and acing the tests on them at school. We still read to him nightly, after he reads to us. "Ma Lien and the Magic Brush" (1968, Parents' Magazine Press) became a favorite thrift store-find. Again, I tend to pick up any PMP book I see and nine times out of 10, it's a keeper.

Much to mommy's happiness, I found the reincarnation of Douglas Adams, and his name is Jasper Fforde. I'm late to the party because the first book in the "Thursday Next" series was published in 2001. After I devoured all that was available, I picked up the next book by Fforde sitting on the library shelf, "Shades of Grey." The writing is fantastic, the plot complex and I was soooooo mad to come to the last page to see sequels mentioned but not yet written. Not to be confused with that other "50 Shades of Grey" which I will admit to reading. There are at least six Fforde books I haven't read yet so that should keep me busy in 2013. And I'll probably re-read all the Thursday Next books too. When I really love a book, I tend to read it too fast (and way into the night) so a second reading is always good.

Was there something you really enjoyed reading to others or by yourself in 2012? Got a long list for 2013 already? Please share.

A happy video for Tuesday

Goodness, is it only Tuesday? The weeks are just dragging here. It's been a lovely summer but I'm ready for fall, ready for a return to routine. We start school Thursday but that feels forever away. So here's a happy book and video some of you might remember.  I grew up watching "Sesame Street," "Mr. Rodgers," "Reading Rainbow" — and despite watching all that TV, turned out all right. I was hopeful the boys would like "Sesame Street" too but neither turned into fans. (I think the newer seasons have lost some of the magic. Hey, there's always "The Muppet Show.")

When I brought home "The Four Seasons" from a thrift visit, I thought at least I can share some of the magic I remember with the boys. I think it's pretty neat that they took some of the skits and turned them into books. Dear Prairie Dawn directs Ernie, Bert, Cookie Monster, Herry Monster and lovable furry old Grover in a play about the four seasons, copyright 1979.

"First the sun starts to shine. Then the rain starts to shower, and up from the ground 

grows a beautiful ... flower!"

Enjoy!

Fifty shades of oh my!

I resisted picking up Fifty Shades of Grey for as long as I possibly could — bought a copy last week. Oh my! The word I would use to describe the book is naughty, very naughty.

I'm intrigued that the story line started as Twilight fan fiction. The Fifty books certainly share many details — hot guy, lots of money, taboo love ... minus the fangs. Many Twilight fans certainly wanted Edward Cullen (or Jacob) to do naughty things to them. (I'm Team Edward myself.)  The author is not going to win any awards for writing but I raise my glass of red wine to E L James for her success. (I want to write a book soooooo badly!)

While the first book was quite the ... page-turner, I found the second book a little boring. Take out the naughty bits and the angst (I love you. No, I love you more) and it could be a short story. Of course, I'm going to read the third one! I liked the third installment better — more story, less naughty. All that naughty got a little monotonous.

Thoughts?

Does it encourage violence against women, as this Forbes post worries? Does the Fifty books romanticize controlling jerks? Give us the impression that our bad boys can be changed if we're open to taking his crap? It ain't happening! Your boyfriend/husband will not change. They will still have all the annoying habits they had when you first meet them. I myself still annoy Chris by having too many lights on in the house and leaving my shoes where I took them off.

Does it give guys another impossible-to-reach standard of perfection? I warned my teenage cousin there are no Edwards in the world (while there are great guys out in the world, no real man can be that perfect). Just like Edward, Christian is a fantasy — his world revolves around Ana, he buys her anything she wants and more, he'll even microwave dinner when he has too. (That link has spoilers but I found it a good read. The writer makes a lot of the same points I would.)

Does the series send a message to publishing houses around the world that as a housewife and mother I'm only interested in reading "mommy porn?" I really hope not. But just like vampire fiction flooded the bookstore, I'm sure we're going to see a lot more on shelves soon.

And maybe the most important question, how the heck are they going put the books to film and avoid a NC-17 rating??? (By the way, my vote to play Christian is Ryan Gosling!)

Playing in the rain

"Peter Spier's Rain" 

Sometimes, a parent can forget that a kid just needs to be a kid. Sometimes, all it takes is a book to remind us how special and fun and messy childhood can and should be. 

For this post, I have to thank Vanessa at Silly Eagle Books for her post on Peter Spier and his mostly wordless books. A few days after the post, I brought home "Peter Spier's Rain" from the library. And a few days after that, it did in fact rain fairly hard at our house.

I took Joseph and his friend Woodrow out to play in the rain puddles (mom's still responsible — no thunder or lightning). They had a ball getting muddy. Then they had fun getting clean in the tub. Ain't it great to be a kid!

Friday find

I took a box of books to our 2nd & Charles last week. It's a huge used book store, the idea of the folks running Books-A-Million. What I like is they offer a higher buyback if you opt for store credit. Come on, we all know I'm just going to turn around and buy more books. I came home with three books — restraint! — including "What's for Lunch, Charley?" by Margaret Hodges, copyright 1961.

A quick scan at the book store convinced me it might be a fun read for Will. For a dollar, I can take a chance that we'll like it. It wasn't until I got home that I noticed the publisher's price (on the price tag) was listed as $25.00. What? The other two books had $3.99 and $1. So I did some research. Folks have fond memories of it in the Amazon reviews. And sure enough, the resale prices are pretty high. I'm going to consider it quite a find. 

How about you ... any good finds lately?

Latest thrift store finds

In 2009, a study linked PMS and compulsive shopping. I wasn't in the study but I can attest to the fact that I do go out and indulge in retail therapy now and then before that time of the month. (Apparently, PMS also makes me stay up late watching Twilight and eating egg-free raw cookie dough.) Fortunately, I hit the thrift stores instead of the mall which means I don't spend much. 

Now, I didn't go out shopping just to shop. I was on a mission. Last time at Mission Possible I passed up some really pretty bowls. Then when I got home, I realized they would have been perfect for the outdoor kitchen. Of course, the bowls were gone by the time I got back. Rule No. 1 of thrifting, you better get it when you see it. But I did find some other goodies. 

From Mission Possible:

Awesome vintage Cat in the Hat beginner books for my beginning reader. Two frames for an idea kicking around my head. An unopened Martha craft kit that I had always wanted to try but was unwilling to pay full price for in the store. A Hallmark bunny candy container. Not pictured, the dinosaur toy my shopping buddy Joseph brought home. It was too much fun to leave at the store.

From Lovelady:

Old Navy shirt with a cool summer print for Will now, Joseph later. A framed botanical print. I've read too many Martha magazines not to bring it home. It was the fun yellow frame/mat combo that really caught my eye. More books ... I love collecting books that are a "series." I found "I am a Puppy" to match "I am a Kitten" which of course matches one of our all-time favorites, "I am a Bunny." And that "The Little Kitten" actually matches a book I had when I was little, "The Little Duck." Not pictured, a small blue camping pot Joseph found for the outdoor kitchen. It also doubles as a hat. 

You can also see a copy of "The Velveteen Rabbit" in the picture. I've been looking for a nice copy and at 45 cents, I couldn't find better. I'm not ready to read it to the boys yet ... we love our Baby Bunny so much. I'm worried what Joseph will take away from the story — might he worry that I'll throw bunny away the next time he is sick? Or be disappointed when his own bunny doesn't turn into a real bunny? Of course, when I read it to them I'll have a few tears running down my face.

Your own stories of retail therapy? Craziest thing you ever bought under the influence of hormones?

Fabulous Friday — Book jackpot

My Mother's Day was quite nice. I was woken up quite early by my two lovely boys, one of whom was very excited to share the present he made at school (a beautiful votive decorated with flowers). We took a nice hike a Ruffner Mountain. Joseph immediately fell asleep on the ride home so I suggested a short detour to a couple of thrift stores I had never visited. Chris was ready to go home but, since it was Mother's Day, he pointed the van in the right direction. Good call because I found a lot of great books!

Six Richard Scarry books! We heart Scarry! I'm loving "The Early Bird" from 1968. The early bird gets the worm ... and invites him home for dinner and a sleepover. Very cute!

I pretty much pick up any book published by Parents' Magazine Press. While I wonder if bringing home older nature books might have information that is no longer scientifically valid, these illustrations from the 70s are so worth a little misinformation. "Wonders of Nature," 1974.

Edward Gorey! Score!

(also from Parents' Magazine Press, 1971)

Maurice Sendak! Score!

The drawings are not "busy" but packed with so much detail. The book dates to 1955 but Sendak recolored the illustrations in 1997. I love the dedication in the front ... "for fun." Yes, Sendak certainly gave us all a lot of fun!

What fun treasures have you found lately?

Work in progress

I've started to dismantle the nursery (sniff, sniff). With Joseph in his big boy bed, it's time to return the crib to Aunt Lenora. The plan right now* is for the nursery to be a computer room/playroom/whatever with the boys' room having a reading nook. Still not sure where the legos are going to end up. Or the art easel. But that's why it's a work in progress.

The train table got moved to the living room to act as a coffee table which freed up a lot of space in the boys' room. Next step was to move the little bookcase from the nursery into the boys' room. Yes, we have a lot of books. Yes, I know we have a lot of books. Books are awesome!

Now all this room is missing is some comfortable seating. How about this from the Land of Nod ...

Or (the real reason for this post) Hey Mom, let's make some Rollie Pollies ...

*I reserve the right to change the plan at anytime without prior notice.

Random Thoughts No. 20

I don't get much computer time these days. Chris is running off with the laptop more now that he has resumed his title of international auto journalist extraordinaire. Check out the work by him and the rest of the awesome folks at Autoblog if you want to know everything and anything about cars.

Now you would think having the computer out of the house would equal a cleaner house. Don't worry, I've found plenty of books to fill the void. I picked up "Shades of Gray" by Jasper Fforde at the library yesterday afternoon. I'll finish it this morning. If you miss Douglas Adams as much as I do and think the Monty Python guys deserve knighthood, you will like his writing style. Much thanks to Hannah for introducing me to Fforde's work by sharing the first Thursday Next book, "The Eyre Affair."

What I need to be re-reading is "The Hunger Games." The movie is almost here! Release date of March 23. I can't wait to see the novel on the big screen! We'll be out of town for a wedding that weekend, but maybe, just maybe, I can sneak off to a movie theater.

We're all about movies lately. Joseph is loving the Disney VHS movie collection given us some years back. Yes, be amazed that we have a working VHS player. We've watched "Peter Pan" and "The Aristocats " over and over and over. That Peter Pan guy is quite the cad. It might surprise you to hear this is a new concept to our house ... Will is a "one view and done" kid. There are a few things he watched over and over but not much. Joseph, on the other hand, can watch something again and again and again ... now, we're trying not to watch TV all day but rainy days and sick days happen.

Movies to recommend? Books you like? What's on your mind these days?

Books!!!

No, we don't need any more. The shelves are fully loaded, groaning with each added book. But I still want more and the boys don't complain. Thank goodness for library book sales. This weekend was one of my favorites at Emmet O'Neal. I always find awesome titles and a few vintage gems. A couple of these are going on eBay (or Etsy? I don't know. What do you think?). I've got to pay for this hobby somehow!*

I don't pick these books willy-nilly. My book sale strategy (of course I have a strategy!) is to first pull any book that looks interesting. I usually have quite a tall stack. Then I sit, have a look at each one, decide what I want and put the rest back.

Here are the highlights, from the top:

The only book officially for momma, "Lost in a Good Book" is the second title in the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde. I highly recommend. Especially if you miss Douglas Adams.

"Rain Makes Applesauce" ... reviewed here. So I wasn't going to leave it there.

"The Princess Book" ... is not your average princess book. The introduction tells us "many princesses are pink and pretty and protected." But the princesses in this book are "energetic, resourceful, funny — princesses who can run fast, think quick and look beautiful all the while. Princesses who will speak to girls of today." It almost makes me wish for a girl of my own to share it with. Because whether it's 1974, the book's copyright, or 2012, girls need strong role models.

"The First Book of Gardening" ... by Virginia Kirkus, 1956. This might be the book to get the boys and I playing in the dirt. It's written clearly and covers the basics. Best of all, the illustrations by Helene Carter are fantastic — black and white pencil drawings with the addition of light green accents throughout. Simple yet elegant. 

"The Daddy Book" ... Chris is getting this for Father's Day. You can find pictures of it here. It's far-out groovy.

"A Book of Christmas" ... This could possibly be the best find of the day. Copyright 1979, it's a 

3-D book with gorgeous illustrations by Tasha Tudor. In just about perfect condition too. Worth way more than the $2 paid for it. It's a very nice addition to the Christmas book stash.

Not pictured is an illustrated history book "Alabama Mounds to Missiles" from 1962. We've been enjoying it already. It should get a post all of its own.

Looks like the rest of the day will be spent trying to find a place for all these "new to us" reads.

Previous years' hauls can be seen here and here. 

*See a book you're interested in? Send me an e-mail.

Thrifty goodness

Lately, I've had some luck at the local thrift store ...

I hadn't heard of this book before but with the names Margaret Wise Brown + Leonard Weisgard, I took it home without looking at it first. (That I managed to look at anything was amazing because Joseph was asleep in my arms!) I'm glad I did. What a gem for $1.

Still holding Joseph, I spied some real treasure. Apparently, these preschool books were included free when you bought your Encyclopedia Britannica. Dated 1966. The set originally numbered 13, but only seven of the books found their way to the thrift. Yes, I feel the urge to track down the other six. I bet I won't find them for 59 cents like the ones pictured above!

From "Understanding Numbers"

What is it about circa 1960s illustrations that make my heart happy?! 

I want to jump into this picture! 

And the fabric that I used as the background? A new skirt I'm looking forward to wearing in the spring after a winter of gray and black.

What treasures have you found at the thrift store lately?

2012 resolutions

I'm not really up for making resolutions for the whole year this 2012. I still need to work on a lot of stuff left over from last year. Instead, I think I'll make monthly resolutions. For January, I need to create a master to-do list ... I have about 4 or 5 notebooks worth that need consolidating. I should probably finish sending out the Christmas cards which will now include Happy New Year greetings. I'm not going to worry about exercising until February when the gym will once again be quiet.

While I'm feeling anti-resolution, there is one resolution I have made for 2012 that I look forward to every night with the boys. We're reading "The Golden Book of 365 Stories." There is a short story or poem for each day of the year. Chris received the book for Christmas way back in 1974. How special it was to watch Chris read the first few days to his own boys.

Today's story was "The Sneezy Bear," a nice tale about keeping your germs to yourself!

Recognized the illustrations? Early Richard Scarry work! Love!

Top books of 2011

It's no secret that I'm all about the books. To say we have a few is a vast understatement. 

Here are some of the more popular reads of 2011 as picked by my boys ...

"Stubby" by Marion Borden with illustrations by Art Seiden (one of my favorites). Not sure where this book came from ... it might have been in the big book grab box or the local thrift. After close to three weeks of reading it daily, Stubby had to go into hiding. Sorry Stubby. Copyright 1963. The book did bring some debate to our dining room table. Is it a sweet tale of a tractor looking out for the animals around him or the vast capitalistic machine intent on mowing down the little guy? You decide.

"Big Red Barn" by Margaret Wise Brown was also read again and again. It was a favorite with Joseph last year too. The classics "Good Night, Gorilla," "Goodnight Moon" and "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" were also on heavy rotation throughout the year.

"Sheep in a Jeep" by Nancy Shaw. I can quote this one in my sleep. Joseph has fun acting it out.

"I Took the Moon for a Walk" by Carolyn Curtis and Alison Jay was under the tree last Christmas. But it wasn't until about mid-year that Joseph warmed up to it. The pictures are wonderful and the text so relaxing. I love all our Alison Jay books. 

William is a little trickier when it comes to reading. He's well past the repetition stage. But there are a few that got a "read it again" request ... 

"Diary of a Worm" by Doreen Cronin. The "Click, Clack, Moo" author does not disappoint.

"Sir Toby Jingle's Beastly Journey" by Wallace Tripp. A thrift store gem from 1976, I'm glad I brought it home.

Now mommy too had some must reads for 2011. I fell in love with the "Hunger Games" trilogy. I've read all the books at least three times now. Looking forward to the movie showing in March 2012. 

Any reads of your own to recommend?