Can't get over the RedHead book

I know, it's kind of cheating if I blog about the same thing twice, but I can't get over how excited I am that Lucas is going to be featured in a book. The author just emailed me the picture they decided to use. Isn't it cute???

You can order one too if you want at http://www.littleredheadbook.com/

Charlotte the French woman

I was unloading groceries last night and this is what unfolded after Charlotte saw that I bought a cantaloupe:

Charlotte: Oh...I am SO happy to see this!

Allie: Ya know, I thought you would be (for some reason I knew the cantaloupe would thrill her)

Luke: What's it called?

Charlotte: A banquoi

Allie: Banquoi? In English we call it a cantaloupe.

Luke & Charlotte: Oh..

Allie: Charlotte...what did you call it??

Charlotte: Baaan-quuuuoi (said with overdone enunciation)

I learned a while back to never correct a child on what they think something is called. I always tell them what I call it, or what we call it in English, but who am I to judge?? For all I know Charlotte was Portuguese in another life or French and I am just too slow to keep up...regardless...her version of everday words never ceases to entertain me. Just in case you were about to, I already did (googled it), can't find a darn thing. If you know of something I don't...share please!!

Wise words

You cannot help the poor, by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak, by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity, by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up, by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man, by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage,
by taking away men's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently, by doing for them what they could and should,
do for themselves.


-Abraham Lincoln.

Very, very wise words, written years ago and we still don't get it.
I have decided to educate myself in politics. I am tired of not feeling conviction about my voting choices and I am tired of not taking part in my country like I should. I have wanted to get active for a few years now and it's time. My first step....read the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Wish me luck.

Lucas is featured in a book!!!!!!!

Lucas is being featured in a book about Redheads!!! This project started a few years ago and it's finally arriving in a few weeks.

This is such a cool story. I was approached by a lovely mom in Griffith Park and she and I got to talking about our children's red hair and she invited me to be part of a book she really wanted to do. To make a long story short, she organized, finanaced, self published, dealt directly with the printers in China and basically followed her dream through many, many hurdles to produce an INCREDIBLE book. It has fun facts about our states, answers so many questions about redheads, and of course has beautiful pictures about tons of redheaded children across America.

Through emails, photoshoots, and lots of questionaires, we are now going to be part of this really cool book.

The book is due to arrive very soon and I was just looking at the website and it's
beautiful!!! If you want, you can preorder now!!

http://www.littleredheadbook.com/

The little things

Because it's nice to appreciate the little things, the subject of today's blog is my favorite salad dressing. Newman's Own Balsamic Vinegarette. Not only does it make everyday salad so much yummier, it is a great dipping sauce for chicken or meat (the kids favorite) and is divine on a tomato and hardboiled egg salad (like the one I am eating right now).

And if that wasn't enough, the Paul Newman foundation donates ALL the proceeds to charity. How cool is that?!? I was reminded recently when I was listening to a beauitful radio euology on the man, his career and all his many charitable contributions. $250,000,000 ballpark. What an amazing man.

Thank you Paul Newman!

Scary stories

My good friend hosted a Halloween scary story night at Mallard Canyon (sooo pretty!) and we had such a good time! Thank you!!!!!! She had organic snacks galore, cookie decorating and another mom read "scary" kids halloween books. Here is the table decor glowing at night. How pretty!!


There was this huuuuge rock in the creek bed that doubles as a slide. Violet, being the dare devil that she is, couldn't get enough.


Here is the homemade pumpkin cookie that Katherine got organic and healthy decorating stuff for. Look, she CUT OUT triangle shapes to do the face with.


Lucas with an old preschool buddy Diego


Some of the kids on slide rock


Intenting listening to one of the stories


Hello scary flashlight man

Pumpkin carving...mucho fun

This year I decided I wanted to see what a power drill could do to a pumpkin. I used it to carve weird eyes. Nothing pretty or spectacular, just something I always wanted to try.



Luke and Grammy are planning out his design.


I think this was her favorite part. She kept trying to steal this part away from others. I defended mine, it's the best part of pumpkin carving! Notice the nude body, that's right, it was over 75 degrees at 7pm in late October!!!





I am very thankful my dad has so much energy and fun in him. He was hysterical tonight with all the sound effects and maniacal, halloween-ish laughter. He also did the set up, clean up, and helped both kids carve. THANK YOU!!

Have you visited the library lately?

A smart & frugal friend of mine turned me on to a cool feature a while ago and I kinda forgot, okay, I was lazy. Clicking on Amazon, buying the book I wanted, and having it arrive on my doorstep a few days later was just easier. The cats outta the bag....

But with my re-newed pledge NOT to spend needless moola, I rediscovered the library and it's super neat feature of ordering books and having them shipped to your local branch. If you suffer from a small local library like me, you suffer from a small book selection. This solves all problems with about 5 clicks and a quick trip that doubles as connecting with your community.

ALL FOR FREE! All you need is your library card # and the last four digits of your telephone # on file. Yah...I had to dig in the dark holes of my memory for my number back on Hillrose! Good to know I haven't lost THAT marble.

Do you know how much money this will save me?? (As long as I return them on time!)

Glorious I tell you. Simply glorious.

PS I put a few books on hold: The Bill of Rights: A User's Guide, The Words We Live By: Your Annotated Guide to the Constitution. Yes, I am trying to brush up on my government knowledge - just sick and tired of being illiterate in this area, waaaay too important. Time to know what I need to and then help do my part to save us from this mess.

And I am trying to hold the book "Nick of Time". Supposed to be a fun historical novel for teens - I love teen books! Thanks to Connie Herrera for that recommend.

freaking hystercial

http://www.snotr.com/video/1299

You will not be disappointed.

Recent pics of my sis's family

My sister and a few friends of our went out to this AMZING apple farm in Yucaipa. It is so beautiful and have they have the BEST caramel apples. My sister here is sampeling the glory, still warm with fresh caramel and that stuff is well...kinda sticky. Her mouth is a little sealed shut in this photos. :) hehe


At our friend's recent birthday they had wax lips in the goody bags.


Memo (my bro in law) and my yummy niece Violet.

Meet taco baby. I gave her a bath and then wrapped her up and set her down while I got jammies and she stayed there all wrapped up. :)