Show Me How! May 31, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Books & Movies, Health & Wellness.comments closed
Need a great gift idea for the caregiver of small children?
Check out Vivian Kirkfield’s carefully crafted and delicious book, Show Me How! ~ Build Your Child’s Self Esteem Through Reading, Crafting, and Cooking.
Between colorful covers, Show Me How! is overflowing with 100 picture perfect picture book ideas (e.g., Whistle for Willie), 100 crafty craft ideas (e.g., making a whistling instrument), and 100 kid-pleasing recipes (e.g., “whistle while you work” tortilla pizzas).
Buying Show Me How! is like getting three books for the price of one ~ it provides parents, teachers, librarians, grandparents, and baby-sitters with hundreds of cooking, crafting, and reading ideas designed to entertain and educate tiny tots for day after day after (rainy) day.
Here’s what Norman Bridwell, author of Clifford the Big Red Dog series, had to say: “Show Me How! is a wonderful resource for people who care for their children and hope to better their reading and learning experience. Kirkfield is to be commended for this book!”
To read more enthusiastic reviews and buy a copy(or two!) on Amazon: Show Me How! It’s also available on Kindle ~ Show Me How! Kindle.
To learn more, visit Positive Parental Participation.
About the Author: Vivian Kirkfield’s love affair with children’s picture books began over fifty years ago when she was given The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton as a present for her third birthday. Helping her mother turn the pages, a new and exciting world was revealed to her.
As a kindergarten teacher with a master’s degree in early childhood education, a daycare provider, and the mother of three (now grown with children of their own), she formulated a program that utilized children’s picture books, not only for entertainment and enjoyment, but also to help preschoolers deal with many of the challenges they encounter in their early years.
Show Me How! ~ Build Your Child’s Self Esteem Through Reading, Crafting, and Cooking is the first book in her new Positive Parental Participation series. Vivian has also written a number of picture books that help toddlers learn their colors, numbers and ABC’s.
Vivian loves reading, crafting and cooking, as well as hiking and fly-fishing in the mountains and rivers of Colorado . . . her husband of 43 years says she always catches the biggest fish.
Her most recent adventure might provide the basis for her next children’s story.
She went skydiving with one of her sons and jumped out of a perfectly good airplane.
She landed safely.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Got Dogs? May 30, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Exercise & Fitness, Health & Wellness.comments closed
My brother-in-law invented a bike tow leash for exercising the guide dogs that he and my sister raise and socialize.
Designed to prevent tipping and tangling and mangling of limbs (both yours and your pets), his bike tow leash allows you to exercise your pets at faster speeds than using your own foot power.
His invention is started to hit the airwaves, along with other cool pet products for your pampered pup:
And another segment:
If you want to combine biking with “walking the dog” . . . check out BikeTowLeash.com
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related posts: Pedaling with Pets
Focus on Rewards . . . not Risks May 30, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Less IS More, Life Balance, Mindfulness.comments closed
When I was younger, I was “braver” . . . I didn’t envision potential pitfalls as easily. I saw sunny skies waiting for me wherever I chose to roam.
Now, there is a weighing of risk vs. reward with even simple actions.
I talk myself out of doing things I want to do because “it probably won’t be that great anyway.”
I am far too focused on what I don’t want . . . with only cursory consideration given to what I do want.
Here’s to changing that habitual pattern!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related post: How to become aroused by yourself in 20 minutes or less (Raptitude).
Today Only ~ Dream, Save, Do for FREE! May 29, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Books & Movies, Mindfulness.comments closed
Today, in honor of Warren’s 41st birthday, he and Betsy are GIVING AWAY copies of their book ~ Dream, Save, Do!
Got a dream? Go for it.
Got a dream? Save for it.
Got a dream? Plan for it.
Follow this link to download the book for FREE from Amazon Kindle.
Then, head round to Married with Luggage to say THANKS . . .
And wish Warren a Happy Birthday!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Coquina Beach May 27, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Food & Drink, Nature.comments closed
A few days ago, we attended the Grand Opening of the refurbished Coquina Beach Cafe. Here’s an artist rendering of the Cafe & Deck by Judy Strom.
The Cafe is located a shell’s throw from the sparkling waters of the Gulf.
While listening to the obligatory (and somewhat self-congratulatory) speeches, we enjoyed complimentary hors d’oeuvres (Shrimp Tempura, Coconut Shrimp, and Greek Salad) on the new ADA compliant deck.
The deck takes advantage of views and ocean breezes off the Gulf of Mexico.
After eating our fill, we wandered down the mile long pathway to the inlet.
Along the way, we spied an Osprey dining al fresco on sushi in a pine tree.
We continued along the path until land and sky collided with the sea.
This bridge connects Anna Maria Island to its sister island, Longboat Key.
A shady path leads to the beach at the southern tip of Anna Maria Island.
Before retracing our steps home, we took one last look at the inlet.
And just beat the storm clouds as they rolled in across the Gulf.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Contrasts May 26, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Mindfulness, Nature, Poetry.comments closed
Opposites exist for a simple reason
Everything has a time, place and season
Contrast provides our days with texture
Nothing in life is a permanent fixture
Related Post: Weekend Theme ~ Contrasts (View from the Side) * Texture and Contrast
Summer Delights May 26, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Gratitude, Happiness, Nature.comments closed
Playing in the sand . . .
Sailing under sunny skies punctuated by puffs of clouds . . .
Splashing in pools . . .
Wandering the beach . . .
Toasting marshmallows for S’Mores . . .
Summer delights . . .
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related Posts: Weekly Photo Challenge ~ Summer (WP Prompt)
Use It . . . Or Lose It May 24, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Humor, Life Balance, Mindfulness.comments closed
If we don’t use our muscles, they atrophy and waste away . . . to nothing.
Don’t believe me?
Climb into bed. Stay there. For 30 days. Then, try to stand on your own two feet.
Not gonna happen.
It’s not just leg and arm muscles that disappear from non-use. Our memory muscles, sense of humor, drive, enthusiasm, resilience, determination, goal setters, dream-makers, kindness capacitors, vision questers, inner artists, and imagineers all benefit from regular work outs.
If we ignore these central and essential players, they dissipate and evaporate.
They vanish.
**POOF**
Leaving us to play the game of life with fewer and fewer resources at our disposal.
Have you ever played chess with only pawns left to defend the King from attack by opposing Rooks, Castles, Bishops, and the evil ubiquitous Queen?
Not fun, is it? The chance of prevailing diminishes with each piece lost.
Eventually, our odds of winning are on par with making it to the top of Mt. Everest, without Sherpas, while wading through an avalanche in a blizzard.
Use it . . . or lose it.
Get up. Get out. Get moving.
Get happy!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related post: Muscle Mania: A Nod To The Remote Control (Kate Shrewsday)
Don’t Wait To Be Freshly Pressed May 23, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Blogging, Writing & Writers.comments closed
Tired of waiting around to be discovered by the Freshly Pressed crew?
Here’s a new way to get noticed on WP . . . A Post for Your Thoughts! WP recently added the “Submit a Topic” page to the Daily Post menu. Via the “Submit a Topic” page, you can send WP suggestions for new posts or submit your story for any one of three new series:
* Why I Blog ~ what makes your blog tick?
* Blogger Profiles ~ recommend favorite bloggers who never cease to amaze you.
* My Morning Coffee ~ share your favorite blog stops with others.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Quote to Ponder: Success is sharing the best parts of yourself with the world.
Advice From The Ocean May 22, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Less IS More, Nature, People, Word Play.comments closed
Be shore of yourself * Come out of your shell * Relax and coast * Avoid pier pressure * Sea life’s beauty * Don’t get tide down * Make waves!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Spirit Lights The Way 