What The Cuss...

It's rare that I make grand statements.  Like stand at the podium grand statements.  But I will stand on any stage and tell E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E that Fantastic Mr. Fox is one of the best movies of our time.  Dazzling, just dazzling!!  Which is why I need, NEED, these costumes.



Find here

William Wegman is a Funny Man

Chip Wants A Dog is one of my all-time favorite books.  I found myself repeatedly checking this out at the library for ME, not the kids.  If the pictures don't make you laugh you should check to see if your heart is beating.  Seriously.




This photo I just think is so blessedly beautiful.



Along with this one.

Trolls

Every year in the weeks leading up to Halloween,  I find myself turning off the lights and firing up a scary movie whenever I get the chance.  Last night the Netflix gods led me to stream Trollhunters, a Norwegian film made in the "found footage" style.  On a whim and since it was PG-13, I let my 13 yr old darling daughter watch it with my husband and I.  Cool call as it turned out.  This film was funny and clever and maybe a tad spooky.  I mean what if we did discover that Trolls really did live under bridges and the government had been covering it up?  This film is gonna be a cult classic and is well worth your time.  Troll!!!

Cemetaries in Daylight

Personally I think abandoned houses are way creepier than graveyards.  But I have seen Poltergeist and I can tell you I fervently believe that you should never build a house where someone has been laid to rest.  Key word, rest.  I would be peeved if someone built a swimming pool in the place of my eternal rest.  And darn tootin' I would wreak havoc on the people building it.  About four years ago in my town they moved a family cemetary for a new housing development and people actually BOUGHT houses there!  Call me superstitious but I am waiting for the spirits to get their plan of attack together and get to haunting.
But I love cemetaries.  They are often the most beautiful place in town.  With shady trees and forever views they are always interesting to visit.  The following pictures are from St. John's Parish Church Cemetary in Barbados where my husband and I visited this summer.  This was the oldest cemetary I have visited, dating to the early 1600's.  It was incredible.

The above picture is the side of the church facing the Atlantic Ocean.  It's quite fascinating because there are dead people buried in the walls standing up!  See those abutments or vaults on the walls?  Yep, final resting places.  Well, hopefully.  A hurricane did take this church down once in 1831.  It was rebuilt and reopened in 1836.  In the inside are also niches and more vaults and stones on the floors letting you know who you are standing on.  Here's the view from the church.

As I stood there taking this picture I pondered the question of burial versus cremation.  I have always assumed I would be cremated and thrown off a party boat but after spending some time at this peaceful place maybe it's an equal fit.  Either way, I don't see myself coming back to haunt anyone.

What I Want Today...

My get ready for winter nesting urge has arrived something fierce.  I spent the day ripping out my summer garden, readying the soil for a top coat of straw.  The days are still warm so I do this before the garden is turned to muck by fall storms.  I have clay soil so when I say muck, I mean muck.  But as I gathered eggs from my chicken coop my thoughts turned to food as they often do and I thought about hosting some fall festivities.  Really just looking for a reason to bake some pumpkin cheesecake squares, make some spiced cider and mulled wine and enjoy the golden glow of the outdoors.  But I can think of a few things I might need to spruce up my home with first.

Sigh...I love anything Scandinavian.  These plates are delish.



I deserve this piece...if it could scream my name, it would.  So lovablely kitchy.



It's orange.  Need I say more?




Mmmm....classsyy.  I could use a bit of class to straighten up the kitchy. And gray goes with orange.

Find the goods here and here and here and here

Art Everyday

I am lucky to have kids to pile onto the couch with along with a stack of books to read and admire.  I wonder how I will do this on my own once the children go their own way.  I best not think about that but enjoy what I have today.
Today while cleaning up the detritus that is my son's floor, I came across a favorite book.  Brian Wildsmith's Animals to Count.  Said son is way too old for this but the pictures are too cool to let go of the book just yet.  This book is so amazing it has been published in numerous languages (including Navajo!).  

How about this one of Mother Goose?

And Hansel and Gretel...

Jaguar and Parrot...

My favorite, Crows...

Wildsmith has an amazing portfolio.  Find more illustrations here and books here Barnes & Noble Kids Store: Find Gifts for Inspiring Curious Minds. Visit BarnesandNoble.com today!