Lady of 'The Arts'

My Heart Pumps Water And Wine

2012-02-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day!

As you may remember Dr. J and I don't celebrate this holiday

I do love these cool carafes designed to resemble a heart.

Made by Italian born artist Liviana Osti she write of her hearts:

Two glass carafes shaping a human heart when joined together. The heart is a reminder for the generally underestimated but essential role health plays in our lives.
In order to prevent cardiovascular and blood pressure diseases we have to start with the root of the problem, our daily consume of food and beverage.
A wine decanter is built together with a water carafe. A half half coloured mix of red and white. Red wine stands for low pressure, water stands for high pressure.
The organic heart shape has been developed into two different, stand-alone objects according to the natural division of ventricles.

To check out her website and see more of here work click HERE

Film: Submarine

2012-02-08T07:22:00.000-08:00

I forgot I saw this movie and how much I enjoyed it until I recently saw a preview for it.

Submarine is film based on the novel by the same name, by Joe Dunthorne. Mr. Dunthorne wrote his novel in 2002 while he was finishing up his undergraduate studies.

This coming of age, teenage angst story features the life of Oliver; a 15 year old school boy who is as intent on losing his virginity as he is in stopping his sexually charged neighbor from having any sort of relationship with his mother. As is often the case in these types of stories, Oliver finds an equally confused lady, Jordana Bevan, and together they discover first love.

The film first debuted at the Toronto Film Festival in 2010 and is produced by Ben Stiller.

The cinematography in the film is done by Erik Alexander Wilson and is quite amazing.

The constantly changing setting, whether in a forest, abandoned fair ground, bon fire side or along water overlooking an industrial town, emphasize artistic features that only a genius with an impeccable eye could capture and execute.

I plan to read the book.

Click to read the NYT review of Joe Dunthorne's story Submarine

Have you seen Submarine?

What is your favorite coming of age novel or film?

January: Moments

2012-02-05T09:43:00.000-08:00

I used to be really good about posting a Friday: This Moment.

Since the advent of Instagram, I find myself posting several 'moment' that I want to cherish and remember. For those of you who Instagram I am under ladyofthearts.

I've decided to start a monthly series here at Lady Of The Arts featuring monthly moments.

These are our January Moments

Reusable Plastic Containers

2012-02-02T14:02:00.000-08:00

I hate single use plastics. I took a pledge to limit my single use plastic and Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Refuse. Unfortunately there are still some single use plastics that I haven't gotten out of my life. I save a lot of household items to use for our crafting so I've been saving those little plastic containers from our strawberries, blueberries and fresh figs.

Check out these cute boxes we made- They are sturdy and fulfill the motto of using the single use plastics more then once.

We used recycled paper from the 99 cent store and newspaper, white glue, paint brushes and plastic containers.

We cut the paper in strips and made a milk like liquid by mixing one part glue to four parts warm water

And we wrapped the plastic containers in paper

It took a few days for them to thoroughly dry and once they did we were ready for the second part-

Using Mod Podge, paint brushes and tissue paper we ripped up the tissue paper and glued it on.

We tried to seal all the edges and over lap colors to create new ones-

The results are glossy, sturdy reusable boxes- that would make cute gifts.

Questions to consider while creating:

What materials are we using? Where do they come from? What is it made of?

Is this recycled art? Why?

I took this opportunity to go over the concept of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Refuse.

What colors are we using? Are you making a pattern?

What are warm colors? Cool colors?

What materials are we reusing and what materials are new?

Do you have any creative uses for grocery store single use plastic containers?

Artist: David Cole

2012-02-01T09:23:00.000-08:00

We are big Lego fans in this house. The boys have tons of Lego, much of it mine from when I was a kid or from my cousins who are now both in college. It is a monthly event to take photos and submit them to Lego Magazine for consideration. The monkeys have yet to be featured but we'll keep on trying.

These taxidermy animal Lego kits by artist Davide Cole are a clever and inevitable art medium for modern artist. I have featured Lego as an art medium before, most notably with the Lego Concentration Camp kits by a Polish artist Zbigniew Libera. Check out David Cole's blog and work where he gives an honest account of his creative process.

Here is the NYT article about David Cole and his Lego Kits.

Click to read more about Zbigniew Libera and his controversial Lego Concentration Camp Kits

Check out this post about Occupy Lego Land- We want to be a Nation NOT a land

Do you think that Lego is an valid art medium?

Do you still play with Lego?

Artist: Jennifer Collier

2012-01-30T09:38:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Collier is an artist whose degree in textiles, at Manchester Metropolitan University gave her a solid foundation to branch out in different mediums. Her studies led her to experiment with various materials and she creates 3-D paper sculptures using a variety of techniques including weaving, layering, lamination, stitching, waxing, embedding and fusing, often with found materials.

Artist Statement:

The papers are treated as if cloth, with the main technique employed being stitch; a contemporary twist on traditional textiles.

The papers themselves serve as both the inspiration and the media for my work, with the narrative of the books and papers suggesting the forms.

I tend to find items then investigate a way in which they can be reused and transformed; giving new life to things that would otherwise go unloved or be thrown away.

Click to see Jennifer Colliers Website

What are some of your favorite uses for recycled paper?

Different Type Of Learning Environment

2012-01-25T14:58:00.000-08:00

I am passionate about educations and the current need to revamp the 100 year old system most public schools in North America employ. As many of my readers know, we took our monkeys out of private school and are homeschooling. For us it is the best 'system' we have access to.
I know there are school all over the world that have created systems of education that are considered revolutionary and experimental.

I saw an article about a 'free school' in Sweden called Vittra described as:

no classes or classrooms – instead, the students are taught in groups according to level based on the school’s pedagogical principles of ’the wateringhole’, ’the show-off’, ’the cave’, ’the campfire’ and ’the laboratory’ – didactic approaches that create different types of learning and teaching situations. In Vittra, they do not believe in regular classes and the school organisation’s vision is to create an everyday for the individual students where individual development, a living cultural work and challenging learning environments are most important.

Here are photos from the Stockholm location:

Here is part of the school's philosophy and mission statement:

Vittra gives every individual the opportunity…

to find the best approach for them
Children play and learn on the basis of their needs, curiosity and inclination in the best ways possible.
to learn based on experience
Children’s learning is based on their experience which increases motivation and inspires creativity.
to understand their own learning
Children are equipped with the tools to acquire new knowledge and increase understanding of ‘How I learn’, which enables them to learn more easily and effectively in the future.
to have faith in themselves and their abilities
Children become more self-aware, aware of their strengths and potential for development which means they dare and like to be challenged.
to develop their ability to communicate and engage in respectful interaction with others
Children understand and are considerate to the needs and interests of others, they can express and stand for their own views as well as take responsibility for their actions.
to be equipped for study and work in an international environment
Children develop effective bilingualism in English and Swedish while experiencing and creating international contacts through networks and exchange programmes abroad.

Click to learn more about this school

Would you have loved to learn in an environment like this?

Would you send your children to a school like this?

Cuppow

2012-01-24T04:30:00.000-08:00

I love this idea! Cuppow is a company that produces lids that fit over mason jars, which convert into clever drink holders for your favorite hot or cold beverages.
This is such a throw back to my university days when we used mason jars as drinking glasses- a concept which has been making rounds as a cute party drink idea in blogland.
What I love the most about this company/idea is that it creates an alternative use to something that most people probably already have at home.

In the words of the inventors:

The canning jar already makes an awesome platform for a travel mug: it’s easy to clean, made of heat-resistant glass, cheap, durable, and when sealed it doesn’t leak. The only problem is that with their large openings, canning jars are not great for spill-free sipping while on the move. So we adapted it - made a new lid that lets us drink like a boss from virtually any wide-mouth canning jar ~ Joshua and Aaron

The lid cost $7.99 and is reusable, dishwasher safe, BPA free and durable.
Check out this cool video below:

CUPPOW! from Paper Fortress on Vimeo.

Check out their website and order your very own Cuppow

What is your favorite reusable product?

Carl Kleiner

2012-01-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

Carl Kleiner is a Swedish based photographer whose work I first became familiar with when he did the photography for an IKEA cookbook called Hembakat är Bäst or Homemade Is Best

I really appreciate the originality of his photographs in this cookbook.

Using a minimalistic approach, Mr. Kleiner creates a visually inspiring display of ingredients.

To see more photographs from this book check out Homemade Is Best at IKEA.

Some of his other works with food include these cuties:

Mr. Kleiner also did a really amazing job with a commission for the company AVIOS:

And most recently another collaboration with IKEA- this time presenting their Kitchenware with geometrically balanced precision.

It certainly makes me want to go check out some new kitchenware at IKEA-

What is your favorite style of photography for a cookbook?

Film: After The Wedding

2012-01-19T09:29:00.000-08:00

I did not expect to like this film. I ordered it and it sat and sat on top of the DVD player. I could not even remember why I had ordered it. One night when Dr. J was out for a work thing I decided to watch it.

This movie is excellent. Amazing. Easily a favorite.

It is also primarily in English.

This Dutch film came out in 2006 and gained nation wide attention after showing at the Toronto Film Festival in the same year. The story starts in India at an orphanage and plays out mostly among the wealthy elite in Denmark.

The film is chilling in its explorations of love, money, obligation and responsibility. It has amazing twists, that are impossible to foresee.

From the NYT review this film: "relies on whipped-up familiar ingredients — a birth, a death, a wedding, a funeral, a man, a woman, another man, another woman"

I recommend seeing the film prior to reading any reviews. I promise you will love it.

Have you seen After The Wedding?

What We Eat

2012-01-17T09:14:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since I did a 'what we eat' post. Here are some meals we've been eating at home and out and about. My friend M. gave us a restaurant review book for our city as a Hanukkah gift so we've been checking out some of our local cuisine-

Trying to get my smoothie in-take to a couple of times a week-

I like to mix blueberries with spinach for less likely detection.

One of my favorite breakfast meal and reminds me of my grandfather-

Fried mushrooms with garlic (real) toast and fried egg

The Veggie Benny at our favorite breakfast place

Typical Jewish Brunch

Homemade Pho

Veggie burger made with black beans

Falafel

Homemade bread with Eggplant Parmesan

Bento Box

Veggie Pizza

In and Out!

I like to make a bird every week- buy organic and use every last drop of the bird including carcass to make broth.

Chocolate sauce spare ribs- great way to use up the huge amount of premium chocolate bars we got over the holidays.

What have you been eating?

this moment

2012-01-13T09:40:00.001-08:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

www.soulemama.com/soulemama

BIOME By: Samuel Wilkinson

2012-01-10T14:18:00.000-08:00

Inspired by the desire to create alternative uses for a smart phone or tablet and the idea of slowing down, designer Samuel Wilkinson created Biome.

This self contained flora terrarium is climate, water, light and nutrient level controlled via your smart phone or tablet.

Wilkinson calls his prototype creation a "living Tamagotchi" and says that: “The idea promotes 'digital downtime' by finding an alternative use for smart phones and encouraging their owners to consider a slower life. The control and nurturing of a real mini eco-system takes patience and care, contrasting with the immediacy of messaging or tweeting that is so characteristic of the smart phone generation.”

This would make a cool gift for an urban dwelling green thumber.

Check out Samuel Wilkinson's website

this moment

2012-01-06T09:22:00.001-08:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

www.soulemama.com/soulemama

Film: Crazy, Stupid, Love

2012-01-05T10:24:00.000-08:00

This film opens up with a married couple, played by Steve Carell and Julianne Moore, having dinner and her asking for a divorce.

Blindsided by this news the plot quickly thickens when the other cast members appear, one by one and the overlapping love triangles and relationships emerge.

I am not one to get girly crushes on movie stars, however, Ryan Gosling is extremely easy on the eyes. Furthermore, his character has a fantastic house with great architecture which I find makes him all the more appealing. (Click to read my review of Blue Valentine)

I enjoyed this film because aside from a fantastic cast, it is not predictable.

This is the third film I've review where Julianne Moore plays a cheater (and here).

Have you seen Crazy, Stupid, Love?

Mats Ottdal

2012-01-04T08:22:00.000-08:00

Mats Ottdal is a Norwegian based graphic artist and illustrator. He studied at the University of Melbourne and has a passion for topography which I thing is evident in the work he does.

Check out his blog

You Snooze, You Lose

2011-12-31T10:37:00.000-08:00

Happy last day of 2011!

This morning the four of us discussed our new years resolutions. I love that the monkeys are old enough to make their own and they both thought of really thoughtful and insightful goals for themselves to work on. We each though of a few for ourselves then each chose one resolution for each family member to improve on. I'm going to type them up and hang them in our main living space to have as a reference.
One member of our family is going to work on not sleeping in which reminded me of this alarm clock:

This alarm shreds your money if you don't get up in time- Yikes!
The monkeys thought it would be funny to have a hammer alarm clock that you leave your IPhone or in their case ITouch under and it would smash it if you didn't shut it off- Double Yikes!!
I'm a morning person but tomorrow we're going to a friends for a morning brunch- might need something like this then!

One of my resolutions it to take more chances this year-
Happy New Year and all the best in 2012

Food Tips

2011-12-30T06:57:00.000-08:00

Hull a strawberry using a straw

Rub a walnut over dings and scratches on your wood furniture

Stop cut apples from browning by securing with a rubber band

What are your favorite food tips?

Green Tips

2011-12-28T06:43:00.000-08:00

Tips to make life easier while staying 'green'

Re-use bread tags to identify cords

Re-use a wet wipe container to store plastic bags-

I'm going to make one of these for my car!

I love this idea and love how it looks-

Re-use old gutters to make a window box veggie garden.

We recently bought a stove top pop corn maker which we love-

This idea of using plain paper bags alleviates the plastic lined bags usually used for microwave popcorn.

What are your favorite 'green' tips to make life easier?

Dreidel Cake- Hanukkah

2011-12-27T08:48:00.000-08:00

We made this dreidel cake over the weekend-

It is super easy to make and has the added bonus of getting immediate rewards by tasting the cut off parts right away.

Here is a post about dreidel's

We baked a vanilla cake in a rectangular cake pan

Cut the top with two large squares on either side

two triangles off the bottom

and there is our dreidel cake

{would love to see your on Instagram- I'm ladyofthearts}

I sprinkled some icing sugar on top and it was company ready!

Only two more nights of Hanukkah-

How is your holiday season?

Holiday Tips

2011-12-24T07:33:00.000-08:00

My friend S. sent me an email with some great ideas to make life easier-
Here are a few that are sure to make your holiday season a little easier:

Turn your muffin pan upside down, bake cookie-dough
over the top and voila, you have cookie bowls for fruit
or ice-cream.

Use wire to make a space to store gift wrap rolls
against the ceiling, rather than cluttering up the
floor.

Use egg cartons to separate and store your
Christmas decorations.

Make an instant cupcake carrier by cutting
crosses into a box lid.

What are your favorite tips to make the holidays easier?

(Besides alcohol!)

these moments

2011-12-23T08:51:00.000-08:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember- I generally don't veer from the one photo format but this week I decided to share a moment for each of my monkeys- May you have a wonderful and blessed holiday season.

www.soulemama.com/soulemama

Hanukkah Craft- Wreaths

2011-12-22T07:32:00.000-08:00

I'm not aware of wreaths being solely a Christmas decoration. We made this craft at a workshop where other children used Christmas themed scraps of fabric- and we used white and blue.

First we cut a circle out of recycled cardboard.

Then using two different fabrics we placed one on top of the other and tied them together to create a 'bow'.

We repeated that step 30 times!

Finally we glued our thirty bows around the perimeter of the the circle being careful to rotate them slightly.

Finally we tied a blue ribbon and glued it on.

I hole punched the cardboard and added another ribbon to make it easier to hang.

I imagine I will have these for years to come- My mom still has the macaroni wreath I made in kindergarten and she puts it up every year.

What decorations of yours was your parents favorite?

What is your favorite homemade decoration?

Hanukkah Latke

2011-12-20T09:19:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah- there is a buzz of excitement in the house.

As is the tradition we made latke- we like to make the traditional potato ones and this year we tried a carrot curry recipe. Every year we make the latke ahead of time and I quick freeze them.
On the nights we eat them I heat them up on a tray in the oven. Anyone who has made latke knows that it is messy and the smell of frying oil permeates the house. By making them ahead of time we are able to avoid the hassle and enjoy our guests.

To see a recipe for potato latke and my post from last year (where I took much better photos!) click HERE.

Traditionally they are served with sour cream and apple sauce.

I prefer the apple sauce.

Happy Hanukkah!

this moment

2011-12-16T03:56:00.000-08:00

this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

www.soulemama.com/soulemama

DIY Holiday Gift Ideas- Spruce Up The Gift Card

2011-12-14T11:08:00.000-08:00

We give out a lot of gift cards- I enjoy making the gift more personalized and having the monkeys get involved with making gifts.

We purchased mugs, hot cocoa, and candy canes.

We then made non denominational ornaments and wrapped up little gift packages with a gift card tucked inside each mug.

We started off by collecting pine cones and painting them.

We then glue gunned a piece of ribbon to the base and called it an ornament.

I don't believe in cellophane- if you have any ideas for clear wrap that is better for the environment- please let me know.

For the sake of identifying what gift card was in the gift and to keep production lines moving on our dinning table I opted to use the clear wrap.

I would love to get a gift like this- Wouldn't you?

In case you wanted to see the cutest dog in the world:

here is my Spike with his holiday cut and some bells to prove it!

Color Drip Candles

2011-12-12T08:37:00.000-08:00

When I was in college, my roommate and I used to spend hours making drip candles. We would get various colors groups and starting with the darkest drip layers of wax along wine bottles- (wine bottles were not hard to come by!) I love lighting candles, especially around the holiday season and had started saving stubs of candles to do this project when I came upon these Color Drip Candles at World Market.

Each pack comes with two candles which is a great starter for two wine bottles- To continue the wax drip art just add colored candles (the ones that are colored through and not white in the center are best).

The monkeys are really quite into playing with wax and fire (shocking I know!) so we are going to gather a few more wine bottles and actually make the bottles I had originally wanted to make- The starter pack is a great way to get the project up and running (pun intended).

Happy Monday!

What is your favorite candle decorative?

this moment

2011-12-09T06:44:00.000-08:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

www.soulemama.com/soulemama

Film: Chloe

2011-12-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

Atom Egoyan is a famous film maker, in Canada. One of my top favorite movies of all times is The Sweet Hereafter (1997)- if you haven't seen it I highly recommend you do, it is one of those stories that stays with you. Last night I watched Chloe (2009), touted as an erotic thriller. The film stars Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson, and Amanda Seyfried- an amazing cast in my opinion. Amanda Seyfried who I best recognize as the oldest daughter in Big Love is an amazing actress and has a sexy big lipped look about her.
The film takes place in Toronto not far from where I grew up- in fact Atom Egoyan lives right in my parents neighborhood. It was really awesome seeing various scenes form Yorkville, The Royal Ontario Museum and Queen Street West. The snow and cold reminded me of how glad I am to live in the South West!
As I mentioned this film is considered an erotic thriller, a label that I don't like. It feel that the expectations and the audience that such a label attracts is not the same audience who would enjoy the intricate layered relationships which contribute so much more to the story. The film is about a high end call girl Chloe, who is hired by a woman in an attempt to seduce her husband to gauge his faithfulness to her. As is typical in a tragedy- the characters ultimate demise is rooted in the bad decisions and choices they make.
Watching the film to see the architecture and design of the house Julianne Moore and Liam Neeson's characters live in- is alone worth watching the film.

Have you seen Chloe?

What do you think of the Erotic Thriller genre?

Artist: Bryan Christiansen- Trophy Hunter

2011-12-07T07:12:00.000-08:00

The idea of our ancestors being hunter gatherers, re-created in a modern urban context, is what inspired Bryan Christiansen to create his found object trophies.
As a fan of found object art, I appreciate the metamorphosis of an item. The more complex the transformation from its original state, the more it inspires the viewer.

Christiansen takes discarded furniture and household items such as: mattress, couches and La-Z-Boy recliners and reconstructs them into mementos that a hunter might display.
Essentially he skins a couch and pins the fabric creating an eerily similar effect to that of a skinned animal pelt.

His deer and doe sculptures are made from mattresses and couches, a wink towards taxidermy. They remind me of Jared Pankin's works- another artist who creates animal trophy art using synthetic materials.

Christiansen employs a careful and deliberate process when making his sculptural animals and wall- mounted pelts. After 'hunting' for just the right piece of furniture, Christiansen returns to his studio where he proceeds to skin and gut the object as though it were a fresh kill. In acknowledgment of Native American traditions [] Christiansen makes sure that nothing goes to waste, saving and bottling everything down to the last bit of sawdust and string.

I like the idea of a modern day hunter gatherer. Fundamentally that is what a thrifter or vintage shopper is. The main difference of course being that the average scavenger does not deconstruct their finds but often revers them.

Are you a sidewalk scavenger?

Do you have pieces of furniture in your home you've found?

this moment

2011-12-02T09:21:00.000-08:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

www.soulemama.com/soulemama

DIY Holiday Gift Ideas Under Five Dollars #2

2011-12-01T14:14:00.000-08:00

The monkeys had a great time using fabric paint to stencil, trace and paint.

We used tea towels, pillow cases and cotton work gloves and added a personal touch to make gifts that we hope our family and friends will not only enjoy, but use.
These are also great gift to mail as they can be sent in an envelope!

***** MAJOR SPOILER ALERT*****

If you are our mama, meme, ciocia, aunt, dziadzia, or zadie- reading on will result in you seeing your gift

I found unbleached cotton towels at the dollar store- We already had fabric paint but it is easily found at a dollar store, big box store or craft store, the stencils were a dollar store find and we printed paw prints and used an X-acto knife to cut them out.

As blotters we used wine corks with a bit of sponge from packaging, held on with a rubber band and recycled plastic foam.

This pillow case is for a animal lover who celebrates Christmas!

I was able to find cotton pillow cases on clearance for less than a dollar!

I forgot to take photos- but for the grandfathers we painted cotton work gloves- again found at the dollar store.

Click to see other
DIY Holiday Gift Ideas #1

DIY Holiday Gift Ideas Under Five Dollars

2011-11-30T13:23:00.000-08:00

This year I've decided to try and make as many holiday gifts as possible. Over the next few weeks I will be posting the things we've made:

** Spoiler Alert**
If you're someone we know 'in real life' reading on may cause you to see your present prior to actually getting it.

The monkeys mixed up cement- We bought a bag at the hardware store for under three dollars

I used recycled cookie tins to pour the cement in- then we used glass beads I bought in the craft section of a big box store for under three dollars

One of these Stepping Stones is for our neighbor and we added their doggies paw prints and wrote his name.

We actually have a bunch of Stepping Stones in our yard that we've made as Father's Day gifts with the kids hand prints- They are great for walk ways, in gardens, in front of BBQ's and we have some around our pool equipment area-

Click to see other DIY Holiday Gift Ideas

Marble Drop With Triple Vortex

2011-11-25T10:52:00.000-08:00

I guess the marble drop is becoming an annual event- Here is the one we made last year.

This year the monkeys had the genius idea of using these cones, which I have no idea where they got-

I suppose it would be easy to make them using paper- They loved the anticipation of waiting for the marble to fall and thus the game engaged them for longer.

We made this marble drop using the cones, recycled egg cartons, gift wrapping cardboard tubes and lots of tape. Egg cartons were numbers at the bottom and points assigned to each cup-

We have a large mirror which they used- last year they used a window door- makes the tape removal less damaging-

Do your monkeys love to make marble drops?

California Academy Of Science

2011-11-24T12:55:00.000-08:00

The only place on the planet where you can explore an aquarium, planetarium and natural history museum under one living roof.

The Rainforests Of The World is a climate controlled sphere within the building.

Visitors enter at the base of the rainforest and continue upwards.

The floor of the rainforest displays animals found there- snakes, insects, lizards, spiders etc.

As you move upwards you see the animals that live in the canopy- free flying birds and butterflies-

From the top of the sphere an elevator takes you to the base- where the aquarium and over 2,000 reef fish dart about the Technicolored forest of coral.

There is a really cool area where visitors are able to touch and examine marine life through a microscope which transmits the images on a TV screen above.

I thought this exhibit was pretty cool:

The living roof houses over two and a half acres of native California plants:

The natural history museum houses African penguins which the monkeys loved- they had a 'show' where they fed the penguins which was a highlight.

The planetarium had a great show narrated by Jodi Foster- I have not been to a planetarium since I was in HS seeing Led Zeppelin laser shows- not any less trippy and made me a bit dizzy.

What is your favorite Natural History Museum?

Did you see laser shows at the planetarium?

Shelter Cove

2011-11-23T10:14:00.000-08:00

In the 1920's, when they built the Coast Highway in northern California, engineers decided that a stretch of the coast, from northern Mendocino County- through Humboldt County, was too rugged to make a road.

Thus, an expanse of magnificent coast line soon became isolated and hard to get to- this is now referred to as the 'Lost Coast'.

There is a small community called Shelter Cove which is located about 45 minutes away from Garberville in southern Humboldt County.

We spent a lovely day watching the Harbor Seals and Sea Lions (above Dr. J is taking photos of them on the rock beyond). We spotted many different types of birds, sea otters, hermit crabs, fish, and even an eel.

In the several hours we spent at the beach picnicking and exploring the tide pools we only saw two other people- it was beautiful and serene- I am so glad they left this small part of the California coast undeveloped.

Have you ever visited the Lost Coast?

What is the most secluded beach you have been to?

Redwood Forests

2011-11-21T10:37:00.000-08:00

It has been a lifelong dream of mine to visit Redwood Forests- There are several state parks in Northern California where old growth trees are preserved- These trees are the oldest trees IN THE WORLD.

'Majestic' does not even do it justice.

The four of us walked among these giants and many times would just exclaim- 'These are the oldest trees in the world'. The feeling of the life within these trees is palpable.

We visited Humboldt County Redwood State Park- Our journey began at Founders Grove-

The greatest accumulation of plant mass ever recorded on earth is here- This area has seven times the biomass (living and dead organic material) of that found in a tropical rainforest.

An ancient forest is defined as having:

Trees of all ages, many layers of canopy, large standing dead trees, large downed logs, trees over 200 years old.

A long time ago, fossil records show that redwoods grew naturally in various parts of North America- due to climate change they naturally grow in just a narrow strip- 40 miles wide and 450 miles long- along the West coast from southern Oregon to southern California.

Redwoods are so big that they actually live in three climatic zones at once- The base of each tree is in one set of climatic conditions, the stem in an other and the crown in yet another.

This tree is the famous Dyerville Giant-

Approximately 1600 years old- The Dyerville Giant was the largest recorded tree recognized by the American Foresters Association.

It was hit by lightning and fell on March 24th, 1991-

It is two feet taller than Niagara Falls or comparable to a 30 story building.

Weights over 1,000,000 pounds.

Here is a tree that was hit by lightning and the burn marks are still visible.

We also hiked at Rockefeller Forest where Giant Tree is located-

There are two types of needles on the forest floor-

The needles that come from the tops of the trees have tight scale like spikes which reduce evaporation surfaces for the drier conditions found in that climate zone.

The needles growing lower on the tree have broader and flatter surface to catch more sunlight.

We saw a lot of different wildlife in the forest-

These slugs were like nothing I had ever seen before!

Redwood Sorrel

Have you ever been to see the Redwoods?

Do you love the smell of a forest?

New Twist On A Regular

2011-11-19T10:38:00.000-08:00

The uniform I wear consists of a scarf. I love my big pashmina's and wear them fall through winter.
I didn't realize how boring my scarf wearing was until I saw this video- My usual is the European Loop- or Wrap when I wear it indoors- What is your 'usual'?

In my sister in law's words- she is so frikin cute I could eat her-
I am going to try the Infinity and the Braid such great looks.
Which knots are you excited to try?

this moment

2011-11-18T06:15:00.001-08:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

www.soulemama.com/soulemama

Umbrella Coat

2011-11-15T06:40:00.000-08:00

We live in the desert but I've had my share of run-in's with rain. Growing up in Toronto, one of the worst weather issues is when it is 'freezing cold' but just above freezing, so when it rains it sticks in slushy clumps.

I never understood umbrellas- after going through the effort of holding it- I always end up wet anyway.

When I saw this article about the Umbrella Coat I thought it is genius-

The hood of this jacket, designed by Greek designer Athanasia Leivaditou, converts into a clever 'hands free' umbrella. There are pull strings, similar to a sweatshirt hood, that prevent the hood from popping inside out- another hazard of umbrellas.

The innovation does not stop there- in case of a monsoon or major down pour- your rain coat can convert into a full length jumper!

Amazing!

Would you wear this?

Do you like rain?

Artist: Jesus Bravo

2011-11-14T09:08:00.000-08:00

Jesus Bravo's exhibit: Abstract Works is a collaboration of mixed media collage with found objects art.

His large canvases are thought provoking and require a degree of dissection to isolate contemporary and past corporate logos, capitalist imagery and American propaganda.

Collage is a major component of Mr. Bravo's work, a medium I find particularly interesting as there is always the chance of seeing familiar design in a refreshing context.

Many of his works have a dark ominous, look and feel to them, yet when taken in detail are nonthreatening 'found items'- such as candy wrappers and bingo cards.

I enjoy his use of painted lace as a metaphoric veiling of symbols, representative of money, corporations and perhaps greed.

From the Artist Statement:

"This body of work is not representational and does not adhere to a formal constructive methodology...I feel the viewer can be rewarded by ultimately drawing a personal critique...of exploration, self awareness and discovery."

Do you enjoy collage art?

Appliance Decals

2011-11-11T10:13:00.000-08:00

I first discovered the joy of using decals as part of home decor about a year ago when I found these bird decals on Etsy.

(source)

I actually love my appliances and would not want to 'cover them up' but I wish I had known about these back when I was renting!

Too Occupied To Care About Occupy

2011-11-09T17:01:00.000-08:00

My time is too occupied to take the time to chit chat about the Occupy movement. I did get into a discussion on FB and then I quickly backed down- I just don't really care that much.

Here is the thing- the only Occupy Protest I've seen, live, is the one in San Francisco.

I took my monkeys to hang out as it was across the street from where we were meeting Dr. J after his medical conference. We were there in the heart of 'tent city' for about an hour. It was my observation that the media practically outnumbered the Occupiers and that there were way more tents than people to occupy them. My sympathies are with the countless small business that are having to lay off workers due to Occupy Protest camps taking over where there used to be paying customers.

I like the juxtaposition of the corporate logos on the monkeys clothes against the tent background

I saw these photos today for Occupy Legoland-

'We want to be referred to as a Nation not a a Land!'

(source)

Now that is funny!

It takes a village

2011-11-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

Valerie of A Place Like This... inspired me to write this today. She wrote a post describing how her son was interested in archery and that when she took him to the archery place for him to learn to shoot a bow and arrow that "a wonderful man who saw the glimmer in my child's eye took the time to let him experience a real bow and arrow"

Great Ranger at Mesa Verde National Park

As a mother, and now homeschooling mother, I find one of the most rewarding experiences is to facilitate pleasure and passion in the interests that my monkeys have. Isn't that why I drag them to the Preserve when I know there will be a show about insects? So much of what I do is plan; plan fun trips, excursions, adventures, experiences. But what is all this planning for, if not for the help of strangers who then answer those inquisitive eyes (for my shy son) or demanding, precocious questions (of my not so shy one).

When I take the monkeys to our local Children's Museum (often, as we are members) and I read the days workshops, demonstrations and presentations- all I can do is lead them to the information at the predetermined time slot. I don't know the answers to many of the questions. I don't know all the elements of the periodic table. All I can do is hope that the person with the knowledge is patient enough to share it with my monkeys.

In our modern world it is hard to maintain the idiom 'It takes a village to raise a child', after all who really cares about other peoples children- more than their parents, grandparents and family? Often, as in our case, family and those who have a vested interest in our children, live far away.

It is perhaps because of the distance from those who love us the most, that I find myself feeling so blessed when another adult- a teacher, an educator, a docent- take an interest in helping me lay the foundation for these monkeys I have been entrusted with molding.
I find myself casting gratitude while trying to give the impression that I too want to understand how a volcano works or how a snake sheds it's skin (sure…I'd love to touch the snake too!)

I have a limited amount of knowledge. There is only so much I can teach my children and as they get older, my influences on them will wean. My role as their facilitator for learning and education will not.
I know this because my parents still send me articles and books to read.

I am grateful to all who take the time to teach a child, set a good example, fuel a passion or give a smile- It is the little things that add up to make a great person and I certainly could not Make Men Out Of Monkeys on my own.

San Francisco

2011-11-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

I love San Francisco in the fall- It is one of my favorite cities in the US. The summer is too cold for my liking but when the sun is shining and the water is sparkling I feel happy and alive in San Francisco.

Bay Bridge

Eating Fish and Chips and Chowder in a bread bowl at Pier 39

I love how SF is such a politically motivated city-

We spent about an hour at the Occupy San Francisco camp because I wanted to give the boys a unique perspective. I love how children don't have boundaries. They watched a meditation group, played with animals, ran around tents, spoke to people, watched food being distributed and then, as I had hopped, asked their dad and I a lot of questions.

The next three photos are from Alcatraz Island which I wrote about HERE

Photo of a Tee-Shirt from the Pork Place at the Market (Pier One)

What is your favorite city in the US?

this moment

2011-11-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

www.soulemama.com/soulemama

Alcatraz

2011-11-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

We visited Alcatraz last week and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I knew the monkeys would love it but expected it to be more of a 'little boy' type of excursion.
Alcatraz island was originally used as an army fortress as well as military prison before it became the notorious maximum security prison it's name is now synonymous with. The prison officially closed in 1963 and stood empty for many years until it became a national park with historic gardens, tide pools and bird colonies as well as amazing views of San Francisco.

There were several 'cells' that were open to enter- needless to say it was a bit eery.

These are the ruins of the Warden House-

We could not have asked for better weather and the views were killer (hehe)

This is a copy of the original sign that you see upon docking at Alcatraz

The audio tour is award wining and able to keep both monkeys and adults entertained and informed-

The sound effects for the attempted prison escape and subsequent riots played out as an audio reenactment.

The monkeys were interested in the story behind the families of the prison staff which lived on the island and ferried into San Francisco for school and shopping.

We checked out a book from our local library called Children Of Alcatraz which shares photos and stories of the families lives.

The tour also included tidbits of some of the more notorious criminals like Al Capone and Robert Stroud 'The Birdman'-

On the advice of my favorite librarian- we rented Birdman Of Alcatraz a 1962 black and white film staring Burt Lancaster and the monkeys sat through, AND enjoyed, all 2.5 hours of it.

Have you ever visited Alcatraz or seen Birdman Of Alcatraz?

Grape Expectations- Making Our Own Wine

2011-10-31T11:02:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to make my own wine for years.

Living in the desert and not having a basement makes it difficult. Plus there is the added issue of having to invest in all the equipment and potentially messing up a batch (or few) of wine.

In comes Grape Expectations- this company facilitates making your own batches of wine.

Together with a few other people from Dr J's office we gathered over two Sunday afternoons to make our own wine.

First we waited for the call that our grapes were ready and delivered.
We are making a Merlot and Chardonnay-
The grapes are all hand-picked and from northern California.

The grapes were small with a bitter taste-
It takes about 750 lbs of grapes to make one barrel of wine.

Crate by crate they were dumped into this machine which de-seeded and de-stemmed the grapes

Watch your fingers! This is the crushing process.

Check out those stems

This is my youngest watching the grapes flow into the bin

Then comes the science lesson- there is a four part process of adding yeast and other ingredients
I didn't write these down which is a pity.

Wine education

Mr. KJ gave the instructions and two very eager volunteers assisted

The ingredients were whisked and added to our bin of grapes

Fast forward one week- the end of the primary fermentation-
our grapes have been resting in the bin- they are stirred daily (a volunteer from our group went daily to stir it) the grapes at this point are (in the words of Mr. KJ) a very expensive grape juice. They are fragrant and give off warmth.

Mesh baskets are used to separate the juice from the pulp and a vacuum is used to siphon up the liquid

Once we get as much juice as we can out the pulp is placed into this presser

All the remaining juice is siphoned out and added to the barrel

Here is my youngest pumping

And here it will sit until May when it will be filtered into stainless steel containers and eventually bottles to take home.

The whole process was so much fun- they have party areas where various groups gathered and everyone brings food and drinks wine.

The wine will be stirred and barrel tasting is encouraged.

Once a year Grape Expectations hosts the Bacchus Awards and you get to taste other peoples wines and enter to win the gold-

I look forward to tasting our wine next summer- We are now in the creative process of talking about our label design.

I'm thinking: Lady Of The Arts?!

What would you name your personal wine?

Red Rock- Pine Creek Canyon

2011-10-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hiking is a passion of ours- We have hiked in Red Rock many times but just did this hike for the first time- It took us about six hours round trip but had a great waterfall at the end which made everything worth it. Near the begining there was an original homestead foundation which the monkeys thought was pretty cool.

Homestead Foundation

Goofy kid with fallen tree

Spike in the water

Caves to explore

all the moments

2011-10-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

My grandmother died on Monday.

I am so grateful that my monkeys are old enough that they will always remember her.

Looking through photos reminded me that it is about all the moments.

Flipper Heels

2011-10-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

Really?

Would you wear these?

Clutch- By Guy Latulippe

2011-10-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

I don't often have the opportunity to use the handful of clutches that I own.

Even when I could use a clutch, I generally opt to give my ID and lip gloss to Dr. J.

Truth be told I find clutches cumbersome to carry.

When I saw these elegant clutches made by Toronto designer Guy Latulippe I thought he is nothing short of a design genius.

It is a functional bracelet and clutch sure to make anyone look twice.

Alleviating the problem of having to hold onto the clutch this one provides a secure grasping handle and gives the illusion of a cool leather cuff accessory as well.

The genius does not end there-
From his website:

The clutch has an outer flap back pocket intended to carry phone, cards, keys, cash, and when the flap is open, there is a secondary zipper pocket that reveals the compartment for a slim pair of flip-flops to be discretely tucked away into. Of course, this compartment can be used for any number of things, but there you have it.

A flip-flop carrier! Monsieur Latulippe seems to have thought of everything-

He also designs men's accessories:

And I am also loving this bag of his:

CLICK to check out his shop

or purchase at

Fresh Collective

401 Roncesvalles Avenue

(647) 352-7123

freshcollective.com

First Friday

2011-10-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

Like a lot of big cities, ours has a great outdoor art event, the first Friday of every month, called First Friday.

It is a great time for artists to showcase their creativity in many forms.

My monkeys love the street performers, Dr. J loves the live music, I love the visual arts and we all love the culinary arts.

Because yesterday was the first Friday before Halloween, there was definitely a underlining theme in the way people dressed and the art on show.

Here are some of my favorite photos of the art work we saw.

Giovanni Morales

Ryan Grey

Dusty Davis

Graffiti Street Art

Because it is a big event and takes place after dark I didn't focus on getting the names of all the artists or titles of their works down, as thoroughly as I would have liked to-

Not losing my monkeys among zombies was a top priority for the night- so in that case it was a success.

this moment

2011-10-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

www.soulemama.com/soulemama

Home Education-

2011-10-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

This week has flown by- I had great intentions of posting on both Lady Of The Arts and
Making Men Out Of Monkeys but it is just not happening this week.
I have reoccurring carpal tunnel syndrome and my therapist made me promise not to use the computer…Shh-

If your are interested, please check out my posts over at
Making Men Out Of Monkeys- where we did this project:

If you are part of the tribe- may you have an easy fast- -

Film: Garden State

2011-10-03T08:22:00.000-07:00

Zach Braff and Natalie Portman are two of my favorite actors. I saw this 2004 film a few years ago.

It was part of the official selection of the Sundance Festival and Zach won New Break Out Director at the Hollywood Film Festival.

It is written, directed and stars Zach Braff- He also created the sound track which won a Grammy.

Zach plays a depressed waiter, Andrew, who returns to 'Garden State' aka New Jersey, after a phone call from his father telling him that his mother is dead. Andrew meets Sam at a doctors office, where she seeks treatment for her epileptic seizures. Add to that, Sam is a colorful pathological liar.

Zach Braff describes the film as a story about: love, for lack of a better term. He goes on to say that: it's a movie about awakening. It's a movie about taking action. It's a movie about how life is short, go for it now. My character says, 'I'm 26 years old, and I've spent my whole life waiting for something else to start. Now I realize that this is all there is, and I'm going to try to live my life like that'
(source)

The film underlines the theme that as soon as we are able to let go of all of our preconceived notions of what limits us, we become limitless.

I ordered this film to watch it again. It is definitely one of those works that can be seen through different eyes as time passes.

What films do you think are worth watching more than once?

Making Men Out Of Monkeys

2011-10-02T14:44:00.000-07:00

Posting on my home education blog today- hope you had a great weekend!

this moments

2011-09-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

www.soulemama.com/soulemama

Oriah

2011-09-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

Oriah is a writer who lives and works in Toronto. She has published several works and is perhaps best known for her book The Invitation which has been translated into over 15 languages.

From her website:

The focus of her life and work has been an on-going inquiry into the Sacred Mystery. Her writing, teaching and personal journey all explore how we can each become the individual we are at the deepest level of being and how we can co-create meaning together in the world. Blending humour, insight and compassion for our human struggles Oriah encourages herself and others to be ruthlessly honest and infinitely kind toward our own strengths and our weaknesses.

I have been reflecting lately on relationships- thank g-d those closest to me, my husband, my parents and a handful of friends I've known forever- continue to be a source of happiness and solidity to me.

As our life path has continued and changed people have dropped out of our lives. I find myself not mourning the loss of these relationships so much as anticipating with excitement the people who will fill the spaces that are now open. Transition has always been an exciting time for me. I love the anticipation of traveling, going to new places and meeting new people.

These words written by Oriah are inspirational-

The Invitation:

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shrivelled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself. If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand at the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, 'Yes.'

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the centre of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

What or who has been inspiring you lately?

this moments

2011-09-23T08:41:00.000-07:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

www.soulemama.com/soulemama

Crayon Art

2011-09-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

I have been looking for fun craft projects to do with the monkeys using 'recycled' crayons. My boys don't use them much anymore- preferring coloring pencils (or if you are Canadian Pencil Crayons). A few months ago a friend of mine was cleaning out her play room and gifted us with a huge bag of Crayola crayons.

We finally found a great easy project when Adele from Musings On The Simple Life posted her Melty Crayon Art. The monkeys and I did this project in an hour and they had a blast- This is definitely one we'll do again.

To make you will need: crayons, canvas, glue gun, hair dryer and newspaper.

Sort crayons and remove the labels.
Once they were done peeling the labels they played around with various patterns
before we glued them on with the glue gun

My younger monkey decide to follow a color chart and group like colors together

We glued them on across the top

My older monkey chose to do an abstract pattern

We took them outside- laid out the newspaper and got the hair dryer ready

They melted quickly!

The final result was something they were both proud of

Dr. J took one look at their art and asked if he could take them to his office to hang up!

Questions to consider while creating:

What materials are we using? Where do they come from? What is it made of?

Is this recycled art? Why?

What colors are we using? Are you making a pattern?

What are warm colors? Cool colors?

Read the names of the colors- why do you think they named it that color?

What direction will the wax melt? Will it melt with other colors to create new colors?

What does the silver crayon take longer to melt than the other colors?

What are some art projects you like to do with crayons?

Wine Glasses

2011-09-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

I know I shouldn't complain- I GET it that I am lucky to have Dr. J AND that he washes dishes- but early on in our marriage my dreams of having nice wine glasses was shattered.
Literally. One…after…the other.
I usually buy a box of Ikea glasses to replace and count myself lucky when they are broken while being washed and not straight after filling up with red wine.
I can still swoon over beautiful designer glasses like these by Calici Caratteriali

(source)

(website)

Maybe we should stick to less delicate wine glasses like these: Govino Wine Glasses

made from a proprietary, food/pharmaceutical safe PETG, only it is superior in that it reflects the wine's color and aromatics much like crystal. It is recyclable, but more importanly, it is reusable.

Do you use 'nice' (read expensive) wine glasses?

The Food We Eat- New Home Education Blog

2011-09-20T10:52:00.000-07:00

I have been taking less photos of the food we eat lately- partly because we've been eating so many vegetarian Asian dishes which look very similar and partly because we've been so busy.

We just started home schooling (I'm trying to call it Home Education as I am not trying to replicate 'school' in the traditional sense).

In an attempt to keep this blog from getting over run with home education posts- I've started a new blog:
Making Men Out Of Monkeys

Here are some photographs from the last few weeks of the food that I did get photos of:

Breakfast

Egg on ham with spinach and fritki (Polish for French Fries)

Lunch:

Fish Taco's at my friend M's place

Ice tea

Munchies:

Cheese, chip, cracker and fig platter

The perfect bite

Veggies and Trader Joe's Flax Seed Chips!

Tofu Indian

Chicken Thai

Arugula, tomato and mozzarella salad

And we went to a baseball game where I had my first ever 'Fat Tuesday' hotdog
It was the best hot dog ever but I felt totally sick after eating it.

Because it is still so hot here- we have not busted out fall flavored food-
It will still be another month or so before I stop using the Air Condition.

Have you had a Fat Tuesday hot dog?

Go The F*ck To Sleep By Adam Mansbach

2011-09-19T03:02:00.000-07:00

Written in the style of a children's book, ''Go the F to Sleep'' unabashingly drops the F-bomb in the text-

Dina Santorelli

This is one of the funniest books I've ever read-

The four of us laughed our A$$'s off when I read it out loud- over and over.

My monkeys are just old enough to appreciate the humor and see some of their own transparent antics in play. They also happen to think it is hilarious when an adult says the F word.

(Having said that they know not to use it- at least in front of adults- I'm a realist and far from a saint).

The story is that the author, Adam Mansbach, was exasperated with his 2yo taking so long to fall asleep-

He posted on Facebook "Look out for my forthcoming children’s book, Go the — to Sleep"

and got positive feedback from many of his friends, so he wrote the book!

I love: 'how it came about' stories like this!

Every page is 'the best' but this one rings particularly true for me:

This one reminds me of my 2yo niece CP who we spent a few weeks with this summer

My amazing SIL, who's a much more patient mother than I, spent hours trying to get her daughter to nap- CP who was potty training at the time used this excuse often-

This one reminds me of my youngest- who needs a lot of 'friends' and Zombie Spray to sleep

To order a copy through Amazon click here

Have you read this book?

Honey

2011-09-18T03:28:00.000-07:00

I love to use honey-
You may remember the honey bees from our backyard

Well this is some of the honey from Mr. Torres

Dr. J and I visited this Market- (the last photo is the booth where we purchased the honey lid and dispenser) while we were in the Czech Republic

I have been adding it to my coffee and love the taste.

this moment

2011-09-16T06:52:00.001-07:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

www.soulemama.com/soulemama

Artist: Carly Waito

2011-09-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

Crystals have healing powers. I am fascinated by them and affected by them. I can feel the heat and vibrations from powerful ones. Dr. J and I collect them.

Carly Waito is a Toronto based artist who is able to capture the spirit of a crystal in paintings.

These are painting- not photographs!

From the artist's statement:

In these works, diminutive specimens of semi-precious gems and minerals are rendered in meticulous detail, exposing the beauty and logic of their structural minutiae.

From the artist's information page:

Through curating minerals, photographing them in macroscopic detail and rendering them in oil paints, Waito employs a layered process highlighting the ties between mimesis and levels of value.

For those based in Toronto, Narwhal at:

680 Queen St. West

is running an exhibition of her work, called Specimens, until Oct 2nd 2011

Check out Carly's blog

Do you love crystals?

Jerusalem Maiden By Talia Carner

2011-09-13T10:03:00.000-07:00

I just finished this book last night and thoroughly enjoyed it.

It is an epic tale that spans from the end of the Ottoman rule in Jerusalem in 1911 and ends after WWII and the War of Independence in 1948.

The story follows Esther a Jerusalem Maiden from a strict Haredi ultra- Orthodox family. This particular sect of Jews maintain strict codes of behavior, reject secular influences and consider themselves the chosen among the chosen people.

Esther's battle with her upbringing and artistic talent is a major theme in this novel. The passion for creativity is a gift that she struggles to cultivate. Ultimately it is also a love story.

Author's comment: Inspired by my ten-generation family roots in Jerusalem, I wrote a "what-if" alternate life for my grandmother and her untapped artistic genius

Here is a link to The Story Behind The Story

Have you read Jerusalem Maiden?

Discovery Atlas

2011-09-12T10:54:00.000-07:00

As some of you already know my family does not subscribe to cable- We do however enjoy watching TV shows and having family movie nights. The theory is that we watch shows or movies that are thought out and not aimlessly found while channel surfing.

We just finished watching a great series that we borrowed from our local library called Discovery Atlas- The series chronicles the lives, cultures, traditions and natural aspects of several countries.

These documentaries contain stunning footage of both cities and natural landscapes and follows the lives of people who live in both rural and urban communities.

In the Japan episode, for example, they follow the lives of a geisha in training, Ama divers, a family who competes in Robotics and a tuna fisherman.

The countries include China, Brazil, Australia, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Mexico and Egypt.

To see another great educational series we enjoyed click here.

Have you seen any great educational series lately?

September 11, 2001

2011-09-11T11:41:00.000-07:00

We were living in Toronto. Dr. J had been accepted to medical school and we were hanging out basking in the glory of our new baby while preparing for our move to another country.

This particular morning instead of the three of us sleeping in as we usually did- I woke up early to get ready for my first Mommy and Baby Yoga class. I put on The Howard Stern Radio show and putzed around the kitchen. I don’t remember his exact words but I heard it from Howard first- A plane hit the World Trade Center in New York. I remember walking to the TV and turning it on. I was still standing in front of the TV listening to the confusion and conflicting reports when I watch, live, as the second plane hit. I woke Dr J up. We watched. How can the buildings not fall I remember asking out loud.

I went to my yoga class. By the time I got back everything was down.

I watched the replay of the buildings collapse hundreds of times over and over.

Despite Toronto not even being in the same country, our city shut down.

Our subways shut down. Our Airspace shut down. Our finical sector shut down. Our city was solemn.

I feel pain for the people who lost loved ones- People who wanted to believe with every fiber of their being- but knowing.

Those last phone calls- they get to me.

The decisions- so many hard decisions- decisions to go up, decisions to jump down- brave decisions.

The emptiness of seeing empty stretchers, an over abundance of donated blood and rescue dogs laying idly-

It gets to me.

Where were you?

Please feel free to share links about your experiences.

Guest Post!

2011-09-09T09:44:00.000-07:00

Lenore asked me to write a post while she was away from blog-land, getting hitched and taking some time off- I wrote about my thoughts on love and marriage-

Check out my post today over at Lenore's blog Lather. Write. Repeat.

this moment

2011-09-09T09:32:00.001-07:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

www.soulemama.com/soulemama

Zion, Utah- The Narrows Hike

2011-09-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

This is the second year in a row that our family has done the Narrows hike at Zion National Park and I believe that for us it is a spiritual pilgrimage. The hike is strenuous and seemingly never ending. There are countless obstacles and the farther you hike the less people you see.
I posted about our hike last year and offered a lot of logistical information and links.
There are waterfalls, areas of white water rapids and slippery rocks. This year we hiked for two hours longer than we did last year- making the hike just over six hours.
The water levels were much higher this year and there were several areas where the water was above the monkeys head and that Dr J and I were walking with our packs held above our heads.

The Narrows is one of the most unusual hikes on the Colorado Plateau. Hiking is done largely in the river, as for a third of the route, the river runs canyon wall to canyon wall. The walls are vertical and sheer, and often red in color. While water levels change from season to season, most hikers will wade at least waist-deep, and many will swim a few short sections. The hike is 16 miles (26 km) long and is very tiring because it is in the river itself. Permits are required before hiking the Narrows from the top and can be obtained at the Zion National Park Backcountry Desk. Hiking in the river is strenuous. The water is often murky and the bottom of the river is covered with round, basalt rocks about the size of bowling balls. This makes foot protection and use of trekking poles or a walking stick essential. In the spring, The Narrows might be closed due to flooding while the snow melts off the upland areas to the north if the flow rate is higher than 120 cubic feet per second.

http://www.zioncanyon.com/

Walking sticks are a necessity for crossing the strong current areas and maneuvering the slippery rocks

The monkeys enjoyed catching tadpoles.

This moment was one of my highlights

Monkey number one took the jump

This was the exact spot were we stopped last year

We did it! And look forward to next year!

There is a strong sense of togetherness with the hikers you meet along the trail. Advice is always being passed along regarding water depths and paths to maneuver. Despite this community the real dangers create a sense of survival mode that is very exciting. I could not imagine doing this hike with children who are not strong swimmers. The reality is that it is dangerous and far from help.

this moment

2011-09-02T06:41:00.000-07:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember

www.soulemama.com/soulemama

You may remember us making the art supply holders

The Food We Ate In Cape Breton

2011-09-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

After visiting the Lobster Factory we picked out lobster for our annual family cook out in Cape Breton

The cook out is always a highlight of our trips to Nova Scotia

This is what we brought our lobster back in
We also made a quick stop at a crab factory and grabbed a bunch of fresh crab

We brought these guys home

Then my father in law got busy with the cooking!

Dr. J and his dad

The crab in the pot

Lobster in the pot

We ate like kings and had a ton of leftovers-

The best leftovers ever- fresh crab and fresh lobster

Here are some of the culinary treats we made:

I made lobster broth- it needed very little to make it delicious and nutritious

I added onions, garlic, bay leaves and celery

Lobster salad

Which for some reason tastes best on white bread buns

Crab salad

Dr. J made lobster and crab Etouffee

It was amazing over rice

And we made crab omelette's

Delicious Memories!