A Place Like This......

Off Together

 
Psssst..........hey you......, I've got a message for ya.

On this great day for cloud watching I'd like to let you know, yes me the katten would like to inform you, that my family is off together , but just for today.

All of us want to thank all of the men and women in the armed forces who so bravely serve both today and in days past. We'd also like to especially send out warm thoughts to all military families who sacrifice so much. 

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If you're still looking for Valarie, you can find her over at Earthmama's until Friday. She's giving the foxes away! So head on over to see if you can win a copy for your very own self.

Have a very wonderful Memorial Day.

Love,

Katten

 

DWTS in NYC

Unlike the day before, the weather was fresh with a slight warm breeze. Skies were blue and clear and I was headed to Times Square in New York City.

What is that woman looking at? In fact, what is everyone looking at?

That's when I received a sign,

and became part of a morning block party.

First our champions, Hines Ward and Kym Johnson, spin across the stage.

Waiting to come back "on-air", Max gave a wave and a smile and looked right into my lenses.

Coming down from the GMA news desk to join the party were the GMA anchors.

What a way to wake up in morning huh? I hadn't even had a cup of coffee yet and I was Dancing with the Stars.

 

KAL with Natural Suburbia

Finally I've found 5 seconds to pick up the sticks and string again. Happily I'm participating in Linda's knit a long. This time it's the Shalom Cardi. I've wanted to knit this for years and now I've found the perfect occasion. 

Here's how far I've gotten. So far so good. No big hic-ups yet. My yarn is from "the stash". I have 20 balls of this yarn and am determined to make it work no matter what. The first thing I'm noticing is that it doesn't show the pattern very well, but this yarn is easy to handle and I think it will make a very cozy sweater. 

While you're reading this I'm in NYC at Book Expo America. I'll be back at the end of the week with fun news from New York City.

Until then please don't forget about the 5 book Percy Jackson Giveaway over at Jump Into A Book.  Ends May 28th !!!

The Kung-Fu Kid

On Saturday something really special happened...... 

After 4 years, "O" earned his junior black belt in Traditional Shaolin Kung Fu. Twice a week we've gone to practice the age old tradition. 

Unlike "Tournament" marshal arts, Shaolin Kung-Fu is an ancient Tradition which holds a sacred trust of ancient instruction between a student and their teacher. Encompassing the whole person, body, mind, and spirit, Shaolin Kung Fu is a way of life. There are animal forms to learn, sparring technique, Tai-chi, meditation, and wholistic living via organics. When an individual is in balance they serve their community by creating balance.

Sifu Daniel has a wonderful Tradition Shaolin Kung Fu studio in Knoxville Tennessee which welcomes children as young as 4 years old through adult age. 

A Huge Thank-you to Sifu Daniel and the wonderful encouragement and instruction you've given "O" over the last 4 years.

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On a different note completely.......Are you ready for a big summer book giveaway? Head on over to Jump Into A Book for a chance to win a complete set of Percy Jackson books.

Last Day of the Blog Tour at Swedish House

Happy Monday Everyone!  Today is the last day of our blog tour so does it surprise anyone that we would end it in Sweden? 

If you're just landing here let me give you a little back ground. I'm of Swedish heritage and I love all things Swedish, and from Sweden. You can find me at least once a year in Sweden visiting family and friends and if I'm not physically there, I'm there in spirit.

 

Today finds us at Julie's and her blog Swedish House. Julie and I met through mutal friends in several places on the blogosphere. It was only a matter of time before we met anyway because of our love of a little Red Swedish house known as a stuga.

'The sun shines on a little cottage and in that cottage I want to live with you!

Red stugor are found everywhere in Sweden except on Gotland where my family is from. I have a great love affair with the old wooden houses and the folk culture which inhabits them. 

The minute I saw Julie's Swedish House I just wanted to move in and then there is the great love of Loppis........yard sales. Julie orignally hales from London England. Her and her family moved to Sweden a few years ago and have spent their time learning the language and culture as well as redoing and decorating their sweet little house. 

 Our friendship has grown over a love of old Swedish things, crafting, the art of drinking coffee, baking, supporting each other through parent illnesses, and creating and appreciating each and every day.

Please stop by and say "hej" pronounced hay to Julie. She's giving away one last copy of The Fox Diaries, on this round of the blog tour.

Enjoy!

Today's photos: Some are Julie's  and some are mine.

Mousy Brown's House

Here's a vision for you:

It isn't with just everyone that I sit in front of a coal lit fire in my gnome pyjamas, knitting a hat, and singing a long while I watch GLEE. But that's just the sort of friend that EM is. 

This past January I popped over to Wales to wish my dear friend Emily a happy 40th birthday. In those short 5 days we bonded the friendship that had started off as blogging comments to solidify the fact that we had a sisterly sort of friendship. We love to take photos, knit. We celebrated her birthday by learning how to crochet. We have an affinity for old and vintage. Thanks for sending my royal mugs Em.  We love gardening but most of all I think we love mothering the most.

So as the blog tour makes it's way around the world I had to stop in and visit my buddy Emily to celebrate and share this momentous occasion. Emily is the happy blogger over at Mousy Brown's House.

Emily does more with a pillowcase than anyone I know. They just aren't for sleeping anymore. She's made tablecloths, curtains, market bags, aprons, I think coasters too. Anyway if you have a pillowcase that you want to sleep on , you better hide it or it will be magically re-purposed. 

Her home is warm and welcoming with a kettle boiling and books everywhere.

She has a way of making moments magical. The time I spent with EM and her family are just precious in my mind.

Photo by Emily

(She does paper cutting to and now I'm addicted to the practice)

Please have a stop on our blog tour and meet my dear friend Emily. She has a great Etsy shop with lots of treasures. Be sure to have a look at her tutorials and her blog roll as well. There are some mighty fine people I've come to know from the sidebar. 

Emily will be having a giveaway for one copy of The Fox Diaries.

The Jumpeeezzzzzzz

Throughout her life she's bounced on the sofas, chairs, beds, trampolenes, porches, diving boards, bottom of the sea, in grocery stores, (especially the frozen food aisle),  skis, and anything else that looks bounceable. Our dock was no different. Waiting for her brother and sister to come in on the boat, she requested that I take yet a few more photos of bounciness. 

I wish they gave medals to mothers who raise tiggers. Bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce,

By Hand At Home

The blog tour has made it's way to Portland Oregon and that means I'M HOME! Kendra of Hand At Home is a very special friend indeed. This is the friend that makes me my favorite jam in late summer..........Marionberry Jam and sends it clear across the United States so I can savor a few moments from home.

She celebrates the lovely little moments in life with a gentleness and kindness. Whenever I stop by Kendra's blog it always feels like I'm stopping in for the three C's of life......coffee,cake, and conversation. 

 She's  momma to two of the sweetest children.

Who happen to love foxes. 

Along with a shared love of cooking, reading, and knitting, there is a great passion for crafting. Kendra has the cutest Etsy store filled with her hand-made gifts. 

It is such an honor to be visiting this happy nurturing home in a city we both love, Portland. Kendra is offering a giveaway of the Fox Diaries. Please stop by and say hello and enjoy your time there.

Be well everyone and have a great day.

(Today's photos are by Kendra)

Family Day at the Lake

It had been too long since we had been together. All of us in the same room that is. While our Mimi was away at school we had connected via facebook, email, skype, and cell phones. We had gone to see our girl at separate times, but the family all together hadn't happened since December. 

As I drove Mimi home from college, she made it very clear that we had to have a family day once a week, without phones, friends, or anything else. Just each other. Everyone agreed, Thursdays were to become Family Day. 

Up to our little Stuga at Lake in the Sky on Top of the World we went.

Tradition dictates that we must burn our hotdogs on an open fire.

As the coals got hot they rekindled their relationships through vibrant conversation. Making plans for future Family Days, and laughing a lot.

"Should we get the boat out?"

Soon they were ready to launch the first boat ride of the season.

In years past both of "O's" sisters have picked up the slack while in the boat. This year Mimi realizes how much her baby brother has grown. He pulls his own weight now and hers.

My Sweet girl Zuzu stayed behind to enjoy the dock view with me while we watched the first swim of the season happen.

I think I like the idea of Family Days. How do you spend time together with your family?

Blog Tour Continues at Ren Lady of the Arts

Happy Monday everyone! The blog tour continues and today takes us to the desert of the Western United States. Ren lady of the Arts is a blog for the person who loves living. There you will find my friend Ren, loving her two little monkeys....well in real life they are boys.  Watching her favorite art house films, appreciating the finesse of Wabi-Sabi, cooking great food and not only loving great art but sharing her great art finds.

Photo by Ren Lady of the Arts

Where Ren is concerned I always have this running list going. What's on it?

• The never ending movie list of films I know Ren will like.
• Her recipes I've tried which have become family favorites.....like the roasted garlic.
• Books 
• Last but not least things I think her boys might like.

I think of Ren all the time. She's just returned from a trip to Prague  and Austria where she shared so many marvelous corners, like my favorite vintage store in Vienna, art museums, and food. 

Photo by Ren Lady of the Arts

Today, I'm so honored to stop by Ren's blog and share The Fox Diaries over there. As is our tradition, there is a book giveaway. Please stop by and see the incredible world of Ren and her art filled world.