April List

Camping: getting ready to try camping in Sicily. Any tips? Feeling inspired by this interview and this recent article about camping in Europe with kids....the weather is nice right now, the price can't be beat, the kids have been begging to give it a try, and we are starting to research campgrounds. If you have camped in Sicily or other parts of Europe, please share your recommendations.

Reading: The Roald Dahl love continues. Our lastest read was The Witches. Once again, Noah and I were staying up way too late reading "just one more chapter"...hard not to love the pipe smoking grandma and the dreadful, detailed descriptions of "Vitches of Inkland". In the past year we have been making our way through Dahl's books. Which means a trip here this summer will be very exciting for a certain seven year old boy and his mama. I never really enjoyed Dahl's books when I was a kid, but now I am just as eager as Noah. I can't get enough of the wild adventures and clever writing and I cherish this shared reading experience with Noah.

More Reading: I recently gobbled up Ruth Reichl's Tender at the Bone. I have been meaning to read it for awhile. So glad I finally got around to it. It reminded me of A Homemade Life in terms of the format: personal essays/memoir mixed with recipes, but with its own unique twists and tastes. Eager to read her other books now. And I also inhaled Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler. I love how she crafts such quirky, memorable characters and in her most recent book she has done it again.

Viewing: Adam and I watched In Bruges on our recent train ride from Amsterdam to Bruges. It's a very dark comedy that had us wandering the streets of Bruges re-living some of the scenes. Not family viewing, but highly recommended for adults who enjoy Pulp Fiction,Cohen Brother films, etc. In terms of family viewing, this month's hit has been The Triplets of Belleville. A beautifully crafted animated film that is mesmerizing despite the fact that it is nearly dialogue-free. I remember friends raving about it when it came out several years ago and now that I have seen it I know why. Thanks to my mom for renting it one night during her stay...had us all talking, humming, and re-playing favorite parts (like this one). Also, had me questioning why it is rated PG-13 when so much of the American trash that is targeted at kids should be, in my opinion, rated PG-13. Glad I ignored the rating and showed it to the kids. This is one I would consider buying it. And then there is this. Not quite sure what to say about it.

Gardening: We tore out the remains of the winter garden this week. It was a very productive winter garden. We had fresh lettuce from January-April. Broccoli from February to April. Parsley all winter and still going strong. Onions getting ready to be harvested. In our spring/early summer garden we have carrots sprouting (but thinking we should have planted them earlier? we'll see), dill, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, and basil. Need to get cucumbers and beans going soon.The herbs (rosemary, oregano,sage, thyme, mint) continue to do well in the front garden and I have added lavender and chamomile. I miss having access to nice, new shiny garden books. Since our library just doesn't have much of a garden section, these days I spend way too much time reading blogs like these: Garden Porn, Digging, You Grow Girl, Garden Rant and The Inadvertent Gardener. Hoping to make this gardeners hand scrub soon. Sounds easy and handy.

Playing: Dinner Games. Someone gave this to us as a gift a couple of years ago. I stashed it away until the kids were older and recently added it to our dinner routine. What a hit. This is something that any family could make on their own. Simple set of index cards with prompts for discussions and easy table games or you can buy it here.

Listening: They Might Be Giants' Here Comes Science. Over and over again. There are two little scientists in our house (and our car) who can't seem to stop singing about the elements, the solar system, and the circulatory system. Highly recommend it, but also eager to hear if anyone has any listening suggestions for me? I haven't heard anything new in the past eight months (except for kid stuff). Eager to add some new tunes. Any and all suggestions very welcome.