July 2006

So it turns out I love carrot juice. I’d like to say it’s because I’m a healthy eater, but I’m not. I actually just like it. When I open the fridge, I am more likely to pick carrot juice than orange juice, chocolate milk, soda, or anything else that’s sweet and a beverage. I like [...]

I like my babies to get attached to a comfort object, a blanket, a teddy bear, etc. I’ve tried to plant a not-too-ugly object in the hopes an attachment will form. Sometimes it’s worked sometimes it hasn’t. The rules: it has to be soft (no plastic or synthetic parts). It has to be good looking. [...]

I love these building cards. I want these in my living room to dink around with or on my office desk. Or, I would want to give these to my pre-teen that is outgrowing legos but still likes to build things. Or to someone that got their first desk job out of college — much [...]

My sister Sara just bought a new vacuum and we had a pre-buying discussion about it. You can probably predict that I recommended the Dyson to her. I’ve never actually used one, but the commercials have me convinced they are the best, and of course, they look cool. Instead of the Dyson, Sara opted to [...]

Steve asked here about Caldecott Books. For those unfamiliar, the Caldecott medal is given to the ARTIST who has created the most distinguished PICTURE book of the year. [ The Newberry award is given to the AUTHOR of the most distinguished CHILDREN'S book of the year, which doesn't have to be a picture book ]. [...]

The last of our Nalgene water bottles is in the trash. The lid somehow rested against the heating element in the dishwasher and melted. So I’m seeking a replacement. I love these pretty Sigg water bottles. Lightweight, indestructable and won’t leak = great for kids. Bonus: the bottle design is part of the Museum of [...]

I like to use the things I own. So, when registering for china during our engagement, I ended up choosing pewter instead and have never regretted it even for an instant. Pewter looks good in casual and formal settings. It’s unbreakable, so we use it all the time without having to worry about being careful [...]

IKEA can be a frustrating place to shop. The catalog is full of great design ideas, than you get to the store and everything seems skimpy on size and cheaply made. But occasionally they have a really high quality product at a really great price. One of those products is the bekvam stool. It’s solid [...]

My 18-month old has only recently become interested in books. He especially loves anything that has a rhythym when you read it. His current faves (all have a great rhythym and all have excellent, though widely differing, illustration):Hand, Hand, Fingers, ThumbBarnyard DanceThe Remarkable Farkle McBrideChicka, Chicka, Boom, BoomBam, Bam, Bam Although I bought it for [...]