CRITTERS FOR THE CHILDREN'S LIBRARY

What do you do with all of your recyclables? I've decided to make some paper mache figures for the Children's Library for the summer. The summer reading program theme is "Make a Splash" this year so I'm making a few of the more popular figures and putting them into a water theme. I think I'll put little floaties around Froggy's arms and some flippers on his feet. Below I gather my materials.............an old Tide container, toilet paper rolls, wallpaper paste, newspapers, masking tape, paper plates, etc.

I start by looking at the shapes of the materials and figuring out how to make Froggy out of a Tide container! I roll newspaper balls up for eyes, tape paper plates as lips, and tape the toilet paper rolls as arms.

I then tear newspaper up into small (somewhat) pieces and dip into the wallpaper paste. I start applying to the figure and keep adding newpaper balls where needed. The masking tape keeps things in place. It also helps to use a hair dryer to quickly dry the wet newspaper. Below, you can see his face developing.

Here he is so far with the first layer of paper mache applied. I will let him dry today and add arms and feet tomorrow. When he is dried, I will paint white gesso to completely cover the newspaper print and then paint with acrylics. I think these figures will add a touch of whimsy to the Children's area at the Woodstock Public Library. Come see us this summer and sign your kids up for the Summer Reading Program!

LITTLE DANCERS

Could there be anything cuter than a three year olds dance recital? My great niece is in the back row with the strawberry hair. (actually the PLAY button is pointing right at her) Enjoy!

FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE CHOCOLATE HIDEAWAY

Exciting times at the Woodstock Library tonight during National Children's Book Week. We were the location for the kick-off of a new children's novel, THE CHOCOLATE HIDEAWAY - THE RIDDLE OF WALLACE. Brian Baer read the first chapter of Penelope Fieldstone's new book. Below are a few of the patrons on their way to the reading.

Caroline, one of the characters in the book, holds a lantern and leads the way into the meeting room where the reading will take place.....

And here is the new book!

Vicki is our Children's Coordinator and introduces Brian Baer, an actor who will be reading from the book.

Before the reading, Brian asks for volunteers to help him with a few riddles. He had a lot of volunteers and they did a great job and as you can tell from the photo, they had a great time too!

Brian reading from the book "The Chocolate Hideaway". He is a very talented actor and made you feel like you were a character in the book. I can't wait to read my copy tonight!

After the reading, children stand in line to receive a ticket for a chance to win a T-shirt or book.

Brian Baer and Woodstock Library's manager, Sue Stephens. Now, quickly go to Barnes & Noble and buy your copy, or go to the Woodstock Library and pick up a copy to read

MY DREAM LAMPS

We are still remodeling, repainting, recovering and removing! I've been IN LOVE with some lamps from Restoration Hardware called the "Palladian" lamp. (middle photo) I just couldn't justify paying $440. for a lamp. I keep scouring Home Goods for something new and TODAY I found my copies of the RH Palladian lamp. Mine, below, is taller, which I like and the price was $99. which I like. Check out Home Goods if you haven't done so.

Below is the Restoration Hardware Palladian lamp which I think is so classic.

We are painting our upstairs hallways a nice warm shade of grey. The downstairs will be painted the same color. We decided to paint the banister all white. Now I need to frame some photos for the walls. A work in progress...................

ONE OF MY FAVORITE PHOTOS

This is one of my favorite photos of me and my daughter, Kelly. I think she is about 3 so it must be around 1986. Kelly was always running around playing with friends and sooo busy. This was one time I caught her and someone took our picture. Ohhhh, I wish my hair was still that dark. I love Kelly's little smile for the camera, and the yellow jasmine on the mailbox. My dad hand carved the hanging numbers on that mailbox in Greenville, SC. That was a great little house and we have so many wonderful memories there!

HOLY CRAP

I painted this figure for an event (a reading from the new children's novel, "The Chocolate Hideaway") we're having at the library tomorrow night. I put it beside the door so I'd remember to take her to work today. When I got up a few minutes ago to take my dog out, it scared the CRAP out of me!!! I thought someone was standing by the door!!!

Kelly and I cut her out of pink foam board that we bought from Home Depot, painted it with black gesso. I thought I wanted just a black profile of a figure, but later decided I wanted to add a little color. I'm glad we did because now you can tell she is holding a lantern.

My kids always told me that my National Velvet doll that is downstairs in the storage closet always freaked them out! They said everytime they open the closet door she scares them. Haha! Now I know what they're talking about. Guess I need to find her a shirt!

SALMON WITH BROWN SUGAR AND MUSTARD GLAZE

I LOVE this grilled salmon recipe! It not only is delicious but it only takes a few minutes to whip up the marinade. Pop the salmon on the grill and presto..........a tasty and healthy meal!

recipe:

1 Tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon honey

2 teaspoons unsalted butter

2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 Tablespoon soy sauce

1 Tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger (I use the tube version in the produce dept.)

1 whole salmon fillet, skin on about 2 1/2 pounds and 3/4" to 1" thick.

I make a shallow dish out of aluminum foil, folding the edges up to contain the marinade. Place the salmon, skin side down.

In a small saute pan over medium heat, melt the brown sugar with the honey and butter. Remove from the heat and whisk in the mustard, soy sauce, olive oil, and ginger. Allow to cool. Coat the flesh of the salmon with the brown sugar mixture.

Place the aluminum foil with the salmon over medium heat until the edges begin to brown and the inside is opaque, 25 to 30 minutes. The internal temp. should be 125 degrees.

Turn off the heat and serve fish directly from the grill. Slide a spatula between the skin and flesh and remove the salmon pieces to a serving platter.

ENJOY!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Happy Mother's Day! It's a rare occasion to have all three of my children home at one time but the planets were aligned yesterday and I was lucky enough to spend some time with them. We took my mom out for dinner. She is 81 and awesome! I remember growing up in the 50's every Mother's Day my dad would buy my mom a corsage to wear to church. Hers was always white roses (white because her mother had passed away). My husband sent me some beautiful flowers (below) for Mother's Day this year and it was great to have everyone together again for a little while laughing and remembering old times.

THE CHOCOLATE HIDEAWAY

My library is celebrating National Children's Book week by hosting a reading of a children's novel THE CHOCOLATE HIDEAWAY. I am working on some artwork to go above the doorways to advertise the event. Below is the first of three. Join us May 13 at 6 p.m. at the Woodstock Library to hear a reading of this debut novel.

MY FIRST SWEATER

Well........it's starting to look like a sweater! This little sweater pattern is the reason I wanted to learn how to knit. A friend of mine made this same pattern in yellow for my daughter when Kelly was a baby. It was my favorite sweater because it zipped up the back and little Kelly couldn't take it off. I had a hard time trying to find the pattern and finally wrote to my friend. She still had the pattern...............after 27 years!!!! Now, I'm making one for a special little boy. My friend Jenna, from The Whole Nine Yarns helped get me started. I have about 4 inches left to knit. I'll post a "finished" photo after I sew the side seams, insert the zipper and block it. This size is 12 months, made with "Dream in Color" Blue Lagoon which is a 100 % superfine Australian merino superwash wool. It is so soft and the color is yummy!