A Good Book Is A Great Excuse For A Party

     I completely sympathize with the brilliant author, L.M. Montgomery, when she said,

     "I am simply a book drunkard". 

     There are few things I love more than a good book!  I can't get enough, and I blame it all on L.M. Montgomery!

     I wasn't much of a reader when I was a kid.  Who had time to sit down and read a book when there were trees to be climbed,  forts to be made, and endless games of HORSE to be won?  Occasionally, on a rainy day with nothing to do, I might pick up a book to read.  It wasn't until I married a book lover however,  that I began to see the appeal of reading.  My husband was always in the middle of a good book.  I was intrigued by his fascination with books, and now, being a little less enamored with fort building, and a lot enamored with my husband, I decided that maybe I wanted to be a reader too.  Once I dipped my foot in the pool of beautiful literature, I was sunk. There was no getting out of the pool, and I was ok with that. 

     There was a specific book for me, that more that any other I had read up to that point, touched my heart, and changed me just a little.  "Anne of Green Gables".  I was swept up, from page one, with this authors gift for weaving words, and with the charm and imagination of Anne Shirley.  I will forever be in love with this book for teaching me the power of a good book.  And thus, I blame it all on L.M. Montgomery, (and a little on my husband, too.)  

     One book.  It only takes one book, that we really connect with, to turn us into readers.  Knowing this, and knowing the joy that can come from a love of reading, I am determined to find that "one book", for my kids.   

     It's not always easy to convince our kids to sit down and read.  Believe me, I know, the pull of fort building and tree climbing is strong, (or maybe, sadly more accurate, the pull of TV, and video games, is strong).  With all the competition for our children's time, sometimes we have to be a little creative. 

     In my quest to find "the one", book for my kids, I've found a method that works well for us.  We call it, a Book Party. 

     The whole idea behind a book party, is to make reading a book an event, something to look forward to, to get them excited about spending time together, reading. 

     It all starts with choosing the right book; one that you think might resonate with your kids.  Next comes a little negotiating.  Tell your kids that if you can read this book together, when you finish, you will have a fantastic, book themed, party to celebrate.  Don't worry, this negotiation is usually only necessary to convince my kids to sit still and listen to me read, for the first chapter.  After that, they're usually hooked on the book, and actually look forward to our time reading together.  We usually stick to one chapter a day, unless we are at a particularly good part, then two chapters becomes necessary.  There is something about reading a book aloud with your kids that engages them on a different level than when they read individually.  I love to watch the faces, and see the reactions of my kids, some of whom were initially reluctant to sit and listen, as I read.  By the end of the chapter, usually everyone is caught up in the story. 

     When you have finally managed no small feat, of finishing the entire book, it's time for the party.  Here are some examples of how we party, book style:

To celebrate finishing the book Matilda, by Roald Dahl, we dressed up like our favorite characters, watched the adorable movie from 1996, with Mara Wilson, and ate a chocolate cake, in honor of Bruce Bogtrotter, who finishes off a giant chocolate cake to defy the evil Ms. Trunchbull.  (One of my kid's favorite parts of the book).

After finishing one of my, and my kids, favorite books ever, The Penderwicks, by Jeanne Birdsall, my kids again dressed up like a character from the book, we ate gingerbread and brownies, both significant in the story, (read it to find out why!), and in general, celebrated this wonderful book that had changed us just a little. 

I think my favorite book party yet, would have to be the party for Anne of Green Gables.  (Are you surprised?)  This party happened a little differently than the others.  Since reading the book myself, I could hardly wait for my girls to grow up, so I could read it to them...so, I didn't wait.  I tried once when my oldest two were about three and five years old.  I didn't make it much past the wordy and descriptive first page before their little minds wandered off and they were bored.  I patiently waited several more years, and begged my girls to let me try again.  My oldest agreed, but Grace wasn't interested.  Emma loved the book, and the day, a few years later, that Gracie finally agreed, and read the book on her own, we just had to celebrate!  For the Anne of Green Gables party, we braided the girls hair, in a very Anne-like style, donned aprons like she might have worn, made up a batch of Raspberry Cordial, and watched the perfect movie from the 80's, with Megan Follows.

 

       
      

        
  
     More than just a good party with brownies and cake, with each book party, we can achieve memories to last a lifetime, and with a little luck, we might just stumble across that "one book", that will forever change our kids and bring them into the happy group called readers.
    
Today's a new day; let's make it purposeful!
Kara



  

    
      
  

You Can Have Your Cake and Broccoli Too

     At some point every December, my husband will put on an apron, and whip out the candy thermometer and a staggering amount of brown and powdered sugar.  These are the tell-tale signs of our kid's favorite Christmas tradition, Danish Fudge!  Instantly, impatient for a taste, little one's will gather around to watch.  This is no ordinary fudge! This fudge might be the very best thing I've ever put into my mouth.  It is creamy, caramel, maple, perfection.  Several years ago, after a taste of this long-anticipated treat, my little boy exclaimed, bursting with feeling,

     "Fudge is my favorite vegetable!"

     It's moments like these that I start to reevaluate my family's nutritional habits.

     I could never be Scrooge enough to do away with my kids favorite Christmas tradition, no matter how sugar saturated it is.  But, I definitely could make small changes to my family's diet, to bring a little more nutritional balance.

     Here are my five favorite, small yet effective ways, to boost the nutrition in my family's diet: 

1.  Think Green
     It is common knowledge, that when it comes to food, green is not a kid friendly color.  It's not an easy job to get our kids to eat leafy greens, but it's not impossible.  Spinach, Kale, Beet and Collard Greens, are all incredible sources of vitamins A, C, and K, and essential for our growing families. My kids would revolt if I asked them to down a Spinach or Kale salad, but, they hardly notice, and even like Kale or Spinach in a smoothie, (especially when we call it a Ninja Turtle Smoothie), or chopped up and thrown in soup.  Kale is perfect sautéed with garlic, and thinly sliced potatoes in Olive Oil.  Add some Parmesan cheese, and even the pickiest eaters will try it. 

2.  Do Away With Meat, (Just Once, or Twice)  
     Double the veggies, and take out the meat.  It's not hard to go meatless, one or two meals a week.  Our family's health will benefit from giving our bodies a break from the often fatty, high in cholesterol , or sometimes highly processed meats.  Nobody will miss the meat, if you make a hearty bowl of Black Bean Chili and cornbread.  Who doesn't love a big, green salad, loaded with lots of fresh veggies, like Green Peppers, Cucumbers, and Tomatoes.  Add some homemade croutons, or garlic bread, and no one will ask, "Where's the Beef"?

3. Sub out the Sugar 
    With Christmas fudge, Valentines cookies, and Halloween candy, sugar seems to be my family's biggest nutritional stumbling block.  Thankfully, there are alternatives to using super refined, white sugar, and you don't have to give up sweet treats all together.  I love to substitute honey for sugar, whenever I can.  Honey is natures perfect gift to all who suffer from a sweet tooth.  It's delicious and sweet, works incredibly well in any recipe that asks for sugar, and it's good for you!  Did you know?  Honey is loaded with "flavonoids, antioxidants which help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease",  says an article on the benefits of honey, on care2.com.  I'm also a big fan of using pure Maple Syrup, and my new favorite, Coconut Sugar, as sugar replacements.  

4.  Try Something New 
      Sometimes we get stuck making the same list of meals for our families, over and over and over.  Having favorites we make often is great, but adding some variety to our meal repertoire can add some new and needed nutrition.  For example, who would have thought that my baby would love Hummus and Sushi, or that my four year old would be crazy about Asparagus and Artichokes?  I would never have known if I had been afraid to introduce them to new foods.  Try something new!  Your kid could be crazy about Eggplant Parmesan, or mashed Turnips.  You never know until you try.

5.  Magic Muffins
     Okay, this is my very favorite nutrition secret, by far.  We have a copy of a recipe for my husband's grandma's, very delicious Banana Bread.  I'm not one to mess with tradition, but in my ongoing attempt to bring balance to my families diet, I have learned that with a few, well a lot, of substitutions,  I can make a ridiculously healthy version of grandma's recipe, that is every bit as delicious.  I make these muffins regularly for my family, and here lies the magic, nobody would ever know I made any substitutions, if I didn't tell them.  I share with you now, the muffin recipe that will change your life...


Banana Muffins  (original)           
1/2 C. butter or margarine                                          
2 eggs                                                                         
1 C. mashed bananas, (about 3 bananas)                
2 C. all-purpose flour                                                  
1 C. sugar                                                           
1/8 tsp. salt                                                               
1/2 tsp. baking soda                                                     
                                                                                      
 Banana Muffins (Healthified!)
1/2 C. Coconut Oil (sometimes I still use butter,
because I really like butter).
 2 T. Ground Flax seed, mixed with 6 T. water
1 C. mashed bananas                      
2 C. White Wheat Flour
1 C. Honey or Coconut Sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Bake at 325, until a toothpick inserted into muffin comes out clean. 


Today's a new day; let's make it purposeful!

Kara


         

How Colbie Caillat Helps me With the Dishes

                                                                   Photo From Huffington Post

     Maybe we were inspired years ago by Cinderella singing, "Sing Sweet Nightingale", while she mopped the floor.  Maybe it was Snow White's admonition to "Whistle While You Work".  My kids have always been fascinated by Pippi Longstocking's ingenious, scrub brush skates. With a happy song, Pippi makes light work of cleaning the floor, by skating through mounds of foamy bubbles. Whatever the reason, my family can't seem to clean anymore, without cranking up some tunes.  In fact, we can't seems to do anything anymore, without adding the appropriate soundtrack. 

     It is not uncommon in my house to hear my kids say things like: "Let's turn on some breakfast music," or, "We need some good rainy day music," or sometimes even, "This feels like a day for classical music."  (Ok, I am usually the one who says this one).  Why has music become such an integral part of our everyday?  The simplest answer I can find, is that music just makes it better!  Music has the power to energize us, or it can bring us peace and help us relax.  What is it about good music that makes it powerful enough to inspire us and motivate us, and make even doing the dishes tolerable?

     Music affects us in profound ways, physically and emotionally.  Renowned Neurologist, Oliver Sparks, in his article, "Wired For Sound," found in O Magazine, teaches of the incredible power of music in his patients.  He says,

     "The right kind of music can literally unlock someone frozen by Parkinson's disease, so that they may be able to dance or sing, even though, in the absence of music, they may be unable to take a step, or say a word."

     This is incredible!  This is the power of music! 

     We can also get a happiness boost from listening to music, according to a University of Missouri study, cited on Psychologies.com. 
    
     "Music can benefit psychological wellbeing, too. Research from the University of Missouri published in The Journal Of Positive Psychology found for the first time, that upbeat music can have a very positive effect on well being.
‘People were successful at raising their positive mood as long as the music they listened to was happy and upbeat,’ said Dr Yuna Ferguson, the lead author."

     If music can make us healthy and happy, what could singing in the shower,  turning on classical music while our kids do their homework, breaking out the old Clarinet you haven't played since high school, or turning off the television, and turning up some cheerful music, do to make your day more purposeful and happy.

Today's a new day; let's make it purposeful!

Kara

A Return to Art and Creativity

 

 

                                                                             (photo found on Google)
        
           "Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."
                                                                                                     Pablo Picasso


I am intrigued by the power of a smell, to instantly take us back.  Cinnamon will forever be the smell of Christmas to me.  I can't use a certain brand of hand soap without a wave of nausea, because I used it while miserable with morning sickness, (true story).  And perhaps my favorite smell association, a box of crayons.  One sniff, and I'm back in my third grade class, coloring a printout of a Thanksgiving Turkey.  

Crayons, construction paper, watercolor paints and modeling clay, each a staple in most of our childhoods.  Art seems to come so, pardon the pun, artlessly, to kids.  Creativity seems to bubble up from some intuitive, childhood source.  I love to lay out an assortment of artsy supplies on the kitchen table, and watch my kids have at it.  In no time at all, and with no instruction from mom, art happens!  A green dragon with three eyes and a spikey tail, a castle with trap doors and a mote full of lava, a construction paper pirate hat.  

So, why is it that most of us seem to outgrow art?  If I had a nickel for every time I heard an adult say, "Oh, I don't draw."  Is it maybe that we learn to be insecure, or overly critical of our artwork?  Could it be that we are just out of practice?  Do we forget how much we used to love to lose ourselves in the creative process of making art?

What could we gain from a return to art and creativity.  Taking the time to nurture our creative side is a perfect way to slow down and live purposefully.  To again borrow from the wisdom of the great Pablo Picasso,

"Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life." 

Or, if I may, art helps us to elevate our everyday life.   
            
As much as I like crayons, they are obviously not the only way to be artistic or creative.  We can take time for creativity in small, simple ways, everyday:

- Presenting a meal with a little flair.  Something as simple as a Basil leaf or two on top of Spaghetti.
-  Rearrange the furniture. 
-  Write a letter to a friend.  Definitely a lost art form!  There's just something about physically writing the letter, and your own unique handwriting, that gives you the rewards of creating, far more effectively than shooting off a text or an email. Writing from the heart is as creative as it gets!     
-  Take Photos!  Use your cell phones, or make it a habit to bring along your camera on more outings.  Taking photographs trains the eye to look for beauty, to notice memorable moments. 
-  Art with the kiddos.  This one may involve crayons, but will absolutely also involve happy kids and happy memories.  Sit down with your kids, follow their lead, and color, cut, glue, paint, and enjoy a creative high with the added benefit of time well spent with your kids. 

If you're still unsure if the latent artist in you can be awakened, go ahead, smell a box of crayons, and I defy you to resist the urge to color a printout of a Thanksgiving turkey.

Today's a new day; let's make it purposeful!

Kara

This is What It's All About

     I have six kids.  I know, it's a lot.  I am that mom in the grocery store who you avoid.  The mom with the shopping cart overflowing with cereal and pasta and diapers.  You've seen me, holding the baby, who refuses to stay buckled in the cart, and awkwardly pushing the cart down the aisle with my free hand, while continuously saying, "No, put it back", to my hungry four year old.  Six kids means a lot of groceries, a lot of laundry, a lot of noise,  a pile of school supplies you wouldn't believe every Fall,  and six kids means not a lot of free time.  Most days, I am exhausted. 

     Life isn't easy.  The endless demands and busy schedules that greet us every morning can be overwhelming.  I've had weeks where one day sort of feels like the next; an endless chain of chores and appointments and routine.  One day, I was sure, I would be able to break free of the monotony. Over the years, slowly, I've learned a liberating truth: It is possible to be free IN the monotony. There is a way to see our daily routines for what they really are:  small, crucial, beautiful steps that lead to a fulfilling and purposeful life.  It sounds a little contradictory...Joyful monotony?  Exciting routine?  Daily adventures, close to home.

     So what's the secret?  How can we be happy, and love exactly the day we are having?  The secret is to slow down enough to notice, and really see, the beauty and the wonder of the little moments, of the details, that make up our days.  These words of Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, capture my meaning perfectly.

     "When you are washing the dishes, washing the dishes must be the most important thing in your life. Just as when you are drinking tea, drinking tea must be the most important thing in your life. Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the whole world revolves--slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this actual moment is Life."
 
      My husband recently shared with me an experience that helped him to appreciate what his life offers, right now.  Jacob often dreams of the day when our family will find the perfect house, own a little land, and realize his dream of owning a small farm.  While dreaming of this ideal farmhouse, Jacob posed this question to our kids:
   
     "What is your dream house?"

     Our seven year old Lily answered,  "THIS house is my dream house, dad!"

     Of course.  To Lily, nothing could be better than home.  This seven year old had the perspective that facilitates happiness.  Notice the details of your life right now, and be thankful for them.  Don't keep your eyes continually on the horizon, waiting for the day when it will all be perfect.  Make perfect, (or at least really good), happen right now.

Slow down.  Notice.  Appreciate.

Today's a new day; let's make it purposeful!

Kara