Family Resources Kid's Resources
Family Support
The Parlor Join us on our message boards for conversation, introductions, support, encouragement and chit chat. Stop by and introduce yourself Here!
Otto has many concerns, among them when will he find
a friend who likes to do the same things he does and why
is it so hard to feel like going to bed. Todd Parr shares
Ottos prediciments in his colorful and fun books Otto Goes to
Bed and Otto Goes to the Beach. Parr's books remind me
of the Maisy books, which are one of my daughter's favorites. We
may not understand why as adults, but simple drawings in
bright primary colors reach out and grab toddlers. They
want to help Otto solve his problems. At the end of the book
they feel like they've shared in Otto's day, and they like him.
And maybe, just maybe, they'll remember the lessons they
learned with Otto next time they have the same problem.
But even if they don't, that's okay, because you'll be reading
about Otto over and over. These are "keeper" books that
will become part of your toddlers take along library.
One of my favorite things about the Otto books are the last
page where Otto and Todd leave a special message for the
reader. It really personalizes the books and makes them
special to the kids, so they feel like they were written just
for them. This is a feeling that will keep them reading and
loving books for years to come.
SeptemberLady "Born and have lived in Southern MD most of my life. My husband and I just finished building a new home on the family farm, where I hope to retire in the near future.
My interests: Doll collecting, cookbook collector (especially old ones), antiques, family/friend get-togethers, cooking/baking, flower and vegetable gardening, bird-watching."
Memorial Day: Backyard Grilling Memorial Day signals the start of barbecue season. Everyone wants to light that fire and charcoal that first meal. A few tips might pre- vent your entree from becoming a "Burnt Offering."
Read these tips for plenty of grilling ideas, make this year's barbecue perfect!
Growing and Using Garlic Chives Garlic chives, Allium tuberosum, is a hardy perennial (Zones 3-9) that will grow to about 12 inches high. The stems are skinnier and flat, instead of hollow as are regular chives, with greenish white blooms that are about an inch wide and not as rounded. They bloom in the summer rather than spring. The bloom stalks grow much taller than the leaves, sometimes up to 30 inches.
The stems and blooms are both edible and have a mild garlic onion taste. I've noticed many writers will list this as primarily as an Asian herb, as they are also known as Chinese chives, Chinese leeks, ku chai (China) or Nira (Japan), but it has many other uses as well!
The Perfect Porch Swing Perhaps it is the soothing rhythm or the reassuring creak of the porch swing that attracts us. Perhaps it is the companionable silence or quiet conversation. Or maybe swings simply remind us of more genteel times.
Although porch swings can be purchased in a wide range of materials, the most common are wicker and wood. You can also make your own porch swing from one of the myriad of woodworking patterns available at garden centers, hardware stores, or on the Internet.
Memorial Day: Backyard Grilling
Growing and Using Garlic Chives
The Perfect Porch Swing