Toys Are Important

Studies have shown that kids with active imaginations grow up to be more successful and happier. I'm all for that!!

A great online source is Back To Basic Toys. They have a wonderful selection of toys. I especially love the "Folding Barn with Animals" and the "English Easel "(my 9 year old daughter would love this!) or the "Table Top Puppet Theater" and Playmobile toys have always been a favorite at our house as they never seem to wear out and provide hours of imaginative play! I also like the fact that they are not marketed to boys or girls but both.













Note:

In August 2003 Back To Basics Toys was purchased by Scholastic, Inc., The Most Trusted Name In Learning®. Scholastic is the leading provider of quality learning products and services in school, at home and in a variety of media that children love.

Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel

(14.11.1805, Hamburg - 14.5.1847 in Berlin)

Anyone who has listened to classical music has heard a composition by Felix Mendelssohn since he is considered by some to be the most popular composer of the Romantic era. However I suspect that few have heard of his sister Fanny Mendelssohn. She was a very talented composer herself and was supported by her family and husband in this pursuit.

As noted on Wikipedia - Fanny composed 466 pieces of music. Her compositions include a piano trio and several books of solo piano pieces and songs. A number of her songs were originally published under Felix's name in his opus 8 and 9 collections. One of these songs, 'Italy', was a favorite of Queen Victoria, who thought Felix had written it. Her piano works are often in the manner of songs, and carry the name Lieder ohne Worte (Songs without Words). This style of piano work was most successfully developed by Felix Mendelssohn, though some modern scholars assert that Fanny may have preceded him in the genre. She was also the only known composer of the time to depict the months of the year musically in her collection of pieces Das Jahr (meaning 'The Year').

Stories like Fanny's always bring to mind the question of how many other women's talents have never been known to us. In many stories like hers the success of the women is greatly dependent on the attitude of her father - the ability to be educated and to follow ones own talent. I also wonder about women all over the world living under a patriarchal society unable to express themselves in a way men take for granted. Men would never stand for this kind of treatment and rightly so. The other half of the population - mothers , daughters, etc. deserve the right to live out their dreams and talent. Fanny's story and music live on as a tribute to her and her family and the gift they gave to her...freedom.

Prelude in E Minor for Piano - Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Out Of Africa Soundtrack - John Barry

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving in our house without the music from "Out of Africa" playing softly in the background.

Flight Over Africa

Go Away Little Girl Live

Donny Osmond

The holidays are drawing closer and plans are being made for my sister and two nieces to fly in from Portland, Oregon and join us for New Years. So I've been reflecting on childhood memories and endless days spent playing with my sister - who is only 14 months younger than me. We grew up more like twins!

Just a few weeks back - Oprah had the Osmond's on her show and made the comment that just the mere mention of Donny Osmond's name turns grown women into swooning girls. Well I hate to admit it but I am one of those still swooning over Donny. My 4th grade girl heart never has quite recovered from that smile and that voice - as my sister can attest to.

Memories

I just had to post these wonderful pictures from the Sally Scott catalogue. It reminded me so much of when I was 20 and all the fun I had with my best friend Karen (remember K. all those dinners, camping trips, adventures, and lots of other things we cannot mention...shhhh...). We made up our own rules and fun as we went - much like these girls hauling that table outside for a meal filled with great conversation and lots of laughter!!

Bottled Water

(OXO Travel Mug from Sur La Table)

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It takes the equivalent of 17 million barrels of oil to create the 900,000 tons of plastic used to bottle water in the U.S. last year - as a result 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide were created and almost 90% of those bottles ended up being thrown in the trash instead of the recycling.

That is so shocking! I now keep a stainless steel (inside and out) travel mug filled with tap water in the refrigerator at all times. I can take it with me in a moments notice or sip from it right from refrigerator whenever I'm thirsty. I also have smaller ones for all the kids - so handy.