I’ve noticed that there’s a bit of what I’m calling sushi madness going around. A few years ago, while visiting Washington D.C., our family, in our usual adventurous eating style, sampled the cuisine at a Japanese restaurant. We decided then that sushi was overrated, and I thought that was the end of the story.
Everyone always told me to enjoy my kids while they were young.
They said, "They grow up so fast."
Well, my twin boys turn thirteen on March 2. They are pretty self-sufficient and don’t really need mom for much. But it seems like it has taken a lifetime to get to this point.
As they enter their teen years, I know there will be plenty of struggles. Just like when I was pregnant, I will turn to books to find out what to expect during the next stage of their lives. Thankfully, MCPL has plenty of books and movies to help me out.
Who doesn’t like pancakes? There is a lot you can do with pancakes besides the traditional butter and syrup. February 10th through 16th is National Pancake Week, and MCPL is prepared to help you fill your week with a variety of pancake cookbooks. These cookbooks have a wide range of pancake options, from hearty breakfast choices to light snacks to delicious desserts. Another creative option is to make heart-shaped pancakes for Valentine’s Day, which falls right in the middle of pancake week.
I think all of us have a "blind date" story we could share that wasn’t a good decision to make. We all have well-meaning friends who are trying to help find a love match for their friends. But are you a person who does NOT want their help…?
Then, come on down to the Camden Point Branch for a "Blind Date With a Book" for Valentine’s Day this year.
The annual Building Block Picture Book Award election is held each fall at every MCPL branch, September 1through December 31. Children, not yet in first grade, are asked to vote for their favorite title from the list of nominees. This award is presented annually to the author and illustrator of the picture book voted most popular by preschool children in Missouri's public libraries. The purpose of the Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award is to encourage language development and pre-reading skills through reading aloud.
Is there anything more annoying or enticing than bubble wrap?! It’s hard to resist snapping it when you get your hands on it, but to others listening, it could be very annoying.
Believe it or not, there is actually a "Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day"! It annually falls on the last Monday in January, (this year's is Jan 28th). It is this country’s favorite shipping material and was invented in 1960. How will you celebrate…maybe a friendly snap off competition with friends or create a new bubble wrap fashion statement!
"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door," he used to say. "You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to."~Bilbo Baggins
I know what you are thinking…I don’t need a special day to clean off my desk. But take a look. Is your desk clean and clear of clutter? I know mine isn't. I have trouble finding a writing instrument, let alone a piece of scrap paper. So, I do need a day.
That New Year’s Resolution...Have You Given Up Already?
Here we are at the end of the first week of the New Year. And, many of us have broken the New Year’s Resolution that we had good intentions of keeping. Why does this happen? Maybe, we are putting too much emphasis on things that we think we should be changing because that is what others tell us is important. Or, maybe we set our goals too high.
My grocery bill seems to just keep going up. To help lower the cost, I’m looking for alternative meal options. One way that has helped me is to buy less meat. Although my family and I are big meat-eaters, I have found some recipes that have protein substitutes and are still delicious. Here are three of my family’s favorites:
