New workout partner

Today Daniel and I went on a short 2-mile walk. Not a single time did he ask to be carried. He´s a real trouper and loves to come along for a stroll.

Holidays

It's that time of year again when families get together and children get totally spoiled by grandparents. My kids are certainly enjoying the all the attention and new experiences that only grandparents can provide. There is a bright light in their eyes when they smile and a deep innocence in their laugh - these are priceless moments.

Being with my family and enjoying it are part of the true blessings of the Holidays for me!

Snowflakes

It snowed in Houston today!

"Secret it"

In the car, on the way to a party this weekend Kaila wanted me to tell her where to find a new set of moldable soap I had saved for her. Not wanting Daniel to hear the hiding place (and maybe beat her to it when we got home) she asked:
"Mommy, can you secret it to me when we get to the party?"

When did secret become a verb? Is this some new kids thing that I'm way out of the loop on?

Kids section

I couldn't help it but browse a little more... the kids posters also have some pretty neat finds.

Vintage Film Posters

I've just spend some time looking through some pretty, artsy, original Czechoslovakian film posters from the 1930's through the 1980's at
Terry-Posters.com. Many of the posters are available for sale in store at the Světozor Cinema in Prague and online. All the prints are original. For sale or not - they're all well worth browsing.

Jane McDevitt from Maraid Design Blog has a recent entry with the posters that she acquired at Terry's. Maraid's Flickr photostream also has many neat design finds - I love her collection of matchbox labels.

Cocktail a la George

Jack asked for milk with his dinner tonight. George opted for apple juice.
After a few sips Jack decides that apple juice seems like a better choice. Adults say, "No, drink the milk you asked for...". George as a good 3-year old host, without skipping a beat, pours his apple juice into Jack's milk. The two were as happy as could be - Jack enjoyed his "apple flavored" milk and George was very proud of himself for sharing! I couldn't help but laugh. The joys of a separate dinner party table for kids.

Happy Thanksgiving

Google has the cooolest Snoopy and Woodstock doodle.

ABC featured today "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving". I was glad I recorded it. As much as I like Snoopy, the ratio ads-to-program was extremely high, making it not worth watching the regular program without the >>FF control.

'Tis the Season

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and we're coming up on holiday specials. Yahoo!TV just posted a series of Christmas shows with air times on thier site. I want to catch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" on Tuesday, 12/01/2009 at 8pm ET on ABC.

Happy Birthday!

It's been 40 great years!

40th Aniversary - Sesame Street

Google has some really need google doodles this week celebrating the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street coming up next Tuesday, November 10.

Big Bird was the first one featured on Wednesday, then we had Cookie Monster and today it's Ernie & Bert.

In Brazil, Big Bird is called Garibaldo.

A Year in Japan

I've just finished reading
"A Year in Japan"
by Kate T. Williamson.

The book is printed in thick pages with beautiful cursive writing and very nice art work. Kate talks about her experiences and many unique places to visit in Kyoto and around Japan. She describes with grace the intricacies of life in Japan. You'll learn about moon-viewing, wash cloths, Zen meditation, counting tofu, paper cranes origami.

Dark

No fun getting home from work when it's already dark...

Post-Halloween with Calvin

For all those of you experiencing tons of snow already...here are some ideas from Calvin!

Happy Halloweeen!

Free downloads of the pug stencil and other breeds at BetterHomes&Gardens. Stencil designs by Diane Starkey.

Banana Bread

I promised Daniel we'll do some cooking/baking this weekend. Banana bread sounds good right this minute... I like this recipe from Betty Crocker - last time, we used star shaped pans for an extra special look.

Banana Bread

Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 3 hours 25 min
Makes: 2 loaves

1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed very ripe bananas (3 to 4 medium)
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped nuts, if desired

1. Move oven rack to low position so that tops of pans will be in center of oven. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottoms only of 2 loaf pans, 8 1/2x4 1/2x2 1/2 inches, or 1 loaf pan, 9x5x3 inches.
2. Mix sugar and butter in large bowl. Stir in eggs until well blended. Add bananas, buttermilk and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt just until moistened. Stir in nuts. Pour into pans.
3. Bake 8-inch loaves about 1 hour, 9-inch loaf about 1 1/4 hours, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen sides of loaves from pans; remove from pans and place top side up on wire rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours, before slicing. Wrap tightly and store at room temperature up to 4 days, or refrigerate up to 10 days.

Substitution
If using self-rising flour, there is no need to add baking soda and salt.
No buttermilk on hand? Mix 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice or white vinegar and enough milk to make 1/2 cup. Or substitute 1/2 cup plain yogurt.

Mirror, mirror...

Alice laughed. "There's no use trying", she said; "one can't believe impossible things."

"I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. There goes the shawl again!"

Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass

e-book

Chaco

Chaco Culture National Historic Park in northwest New Mexico is well worth the visit. I was there for the first time close to 8 years ago - would love to go back and see it again.

"Chaco Canyon was a major center of Puebloan culture between AD 850 and 1250.
It was a hub of ceremony, trade, and administration for the prehistoric Four Corners area.

Chaco is remarkable for its multi-storied public buildings, ceremonial buildings, and distinctive architecture. Its structural elements combine pre-planned architectural designs, astronomical alignments, geometry, landscaping, and engineering to create an ancient urban center of spectacular public architecture--one that still awes and inspires us a thousand years later.

The Chacoan sites are part of the homeland of Pueblo Indian peoples of New Mexico, the Hopi Indians of Arizona, and the Navajo Indians of the Southwest."

O Poema

My favorite poem from Brazilian poet Mario Quintana published in his book Poesias.

Uma formiguinha atravessa, em diagonal, a página ainda em branco. Mas ele, aquela noite, não escreveu nada. Para quê? Se por ali já havia passado o frêmito e o mistério da vida...

A loose translation

A little ant crosses, in diagonal, the page still blank. But he, that night, didn't write anything. What for? If by there had already passed the essence and mystery of life...

Family "Fortune"

Dinner at Mai's has become a family favorite. Their Pho' Tai is the best.To wrap things up we always get a fortune cookie each. Sunday's messages were just right:
Daddy - "Be yourself and you will always be in fashion."
Kaila - "You have an active mind and a keen imagination."
Daniel - "You will always be surrounded by true friends."
Me - "A small act of charity will go a long way."