crooked house

Being Elmo

Can't wait to see the well-reviewed documentary Being Elmo. Whatever you think of him, Elmo's hypnotic appeal to toddlers is remarkable and his inventor (alter ego?) Kevin Clash is a kind of genius.

Children Sent By Mail

Uniformed Letter Carrier with Child in Mailbag from the Smithsonian on flickr:

This city letter carrier posed for a humorous photograph with a young boy in his mailbag. After parcel post service was introduced in 1913, at least two children were sent by the service. With stamps attached to their clothing, the children rode with railway and city carriers to their destination. The Postmaster General quickly issued a regulation forbidding the sending of children in the mail after hearing of those examples.

Via India's tumblr.

Chemical Apple Pie

We made Chemical Apple Pie (apple pie without the apples) and wrote about it for The Awl.

Luke liked it.

No apples were harmed during the making of this pie. See? They are fine.

Mothers and Daughters

I like to zone out and look at  the mesmerizing images on Angela Walters's beautiful Mothers and Daughters pinterest board while my own little daughter tugs at my arm and begs me to play with her. (I usually snap out of it when she starts bellowing "HELLOOOO!? MOMMY!? Anybody HOME!?")

Keep Them Fresh Longer

An extremely odd vintage ad for cellophane. From Save the Baby! (I would, if I knew exactly what you meant by "save.")

Happy First Day of Fall

Go to Mrs. Fox's Autumn Days and Cosy Nights board on pinterest to get in the mood.

Turkish Delight & Treasure Hunts

Have just reserved Jane Brocket's Turkish Delight & Treasure Hunts: Delightful Treats and Games from Classic Children's Books, Ripping Things to Do, and Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer from the library. All feature games and foods taken from classic children's books. (She had me at "turkish delight." Hello Narnia!) I knew about the Cherry Cake one but found out about the other two at Behind the Curtain. I used to read Jane Brocket's blog -- I first saw the Persephone books there -- back when she was working on her very first book. She's been busy. 

Three Favourite Cities

Three of the loveliest cities in the world: Paris, San Francisco, and Vancouver, mapped by illustrator Marisa Seguin. (She has prints for sale!)

Tegu Blocks

These natural non-toxic wooden blocks embedded with magnets are really cool. They're made by a socially responsible company called Tegu in Honduras and they're on my wishlist for the kids.

Grey Eyes

Image from here.

 

Luke: Mommy, do your eyes make everything look grey?

Steph [puzzled]: No... [suddenly concerned] Why?! Do yours?

Luke: No.

Steph: Well, why you'd ask?

Luke: I just thought that maybe when people got old, their eyes made everything look grey.