Mariannes Motifs

Happy Leap Day

This has been an exciting month, this Feb. 2008.  We had a full lunar eclipse, leap day, and on a more personal note, I started the scifijungle blog and t-shirt shop.  I hope that the special features of this month are a good omen for my endeavors.

Here is a scrapbook layout share for you today.

Kim Hill PDQ Template Set 28 Template 5
coming soon to SBE
scrapbook-elements.com
PSE BleachedOut Action - Kim Hill
Scrapbook-Elements.com
Background Paper - Memory Lane Kit cgessentials.com
Accent Paper - Zhtamph Koreani Kit
fonts
Base02
DJB SusanB

I just started reading Eragon

I just started reading the book Eragon, by Christopher Paolini.  I can't believe this kid was 15 years old when he started writing the book.  Thinking about that makes me feel like an old failure in life.  Sigh.  Oh well.  The book is very well written so far.  The  writing is sparse, yet descriptive enough to allow you to picture what is going on in your head as you are reading.

I already saw the movie before reading the book.  Usually I like to read the book before I see a movie, but in this case I really didn't think I would read the book.  But I saw a great looking copy at Goodwill and couldn't resist.  I like to skulk around the book department of my local Goodwill on my lunch hour since it is right across the street from where I work.  I am a bit of a book addict so that's my secret for being able to buy books cheap.  heh heh.

For you DVD loving folks, the movie is also out on Blu-Ray DVD and well as regular DVD.

Kim Hill sneak peek 50% off today only

Kim Hill's got a new Sneak Peek kit up at cgessentials.com.  This one is fantastic and today only 50% off.  It's got alot of pink, but don't worry if you have boys because it has enough neutrals and elements to make it worth your while. 

Really worth your while.  Folks - THIS KIT HAS A TOTALLY COOL CARDBOARD BOX IN IT.  Yes, its awesome.  Trendy and totally what I need right now.  But Kim's style kit - with her signature rich depth to the papers.  And the elements are to die for - time and date market type thing....  Well I don't want to spoil the fun of the surprise so I won't go into more detail than that.

Dr. Seuss coloring pages and Seussville site

Updated for 2011

March 2, 2011 would have been Dr Seuss' 107th Birthday.  Its the 13th Anniversary of National Reading week.  Dr. Seuss was born on March 2, 1904

Dr Seuss  Lesson Plans for kids

First, check out the Seusville website - lots of cool Dr. Seuss games, activities, poems, etc.   Seussville University section of Seussville - go straight to the printables. 

Then, go print out some free dr. seuss coloring pages.

St Patrick's Day Space Alien T-Shirt

UPDATE:  HURRY and order now for cheapest shipping.  March 4th Midnight is the deadline for Economy Shipping from CafePress for St. Patricks Day Delivery.  March 7th is the deadline for standard shipping St Patricks Day Delivery.

New in the CafePress Store - Zeb the Irish Alien all decked out for St. Patrick's Day.

“St Patrick's Day Space Alien T-Shirt. Our space alien Zeb says "I'm from the Irish Galaxy" and has a cute lil shamrock.

For the Irish sci fi fans and those who just want to party on St. Patrick's Day.”

File under "Doesn't Look Right"

Everyday for the past few weeks on my way to pick up the kids at daycare, I pass this sign.  Its pretty common around here to see these real estate signs for new developments being built, but the placement of this one is just not quite right. 

It says "Grand Estates of the South" and has this really big arrow which is pointing directly at...

The Graveyard.

I don't think those are the Grand Estates we all have in mind for that amount of money.

Indian Basmati Rice Recipe / Instructions

I got some "me" time today and as I was driving back from my massage (yay!) I decided to stop in and check out this local Indian Market and Cafe that I have never been to.  It's called Little India Mart - really cute place.  I bought some yummy food for lunch for the family and also a big bag of Indian basmati rice.  The guy at the checkout was so nice - he gave me some instructions on a good way to cook the rice in the microwave.  So I thought I would write it down so I won't forget and share the wealth too.

Indian Basmati Rice Instructions

1 part rice to 1.5 parts water (eg. 1 cup of dry rice will serve 2 people, 2 cups dry rice for 4 people)
cook in microwave for 17 minutes

Preparation:  First wash the rice in a colander with clean cold water.  Place some butter or ghee (to taste) in the bottom of a microwave safe container with a lid.  The rice needs space to be able to grow twice its size as it absorbs the water.  With the butter place 2 or 3 whole cloves and 2 cardamom seeds (break apart).   Optionally add some cumin seeds too.

Cook on high in the microwave for 17 minutes.   If you want to, you can pre-cook some frozen mixed vegetables or peas in the butter at the beginning of the process and then make the rice with them in it, and you will have a little veggies in there too.

Note:  My mom used to make rice in the microwave similar to this before she got her rice cooker.  She used a big Corning Ware Casserole with lid for it.

Poetry for Kids

Is Poetry a lost art?  I don't think so.  Although we don't see a huge popularity for traditional poetry at the moment, I think poetry has gone underground and is best represented right now in hip hop, and popular song lyrics.

I think Children have a natural affinity for poetry.  Their brains' language receptors are still fluid and  not as locked down as us adults.  The music of poetry really works for kids.  Poems are a great way to teach kids reading skills, and to foster their artistic natures.

Here are some web sites and references I found for "Poetry for Kids," and "Kids Poems"

Cute and Funny Web Site

Informative Website for Teaching Kids about Poetry

Great Book of Poems for Kids

A Wonderful Classic - Shel Silverstein

The Poet's Corner - Poems for the whole family - bonus includes readings of the poems by John Lithgow and other celebs.

Oprah's New Book Club Pick

Looking for Oprah's new book club pick?  Here it is on Amazon. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose   I am not sure I am ready to get rid of my ego but I guess we could all use some consciousness raising every now and again. The cool thing about Oprah picking this is that I guarantee that in about 3 months I will see 15 copies of A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose at my local Goodwill for $1.50.  Oprah's book club picks are always popular at the book dept. of the Goodwill.  I check in there on my lunch hour at work and pick up good looking copies of stuff and get my reading fix in cheap.

Torchwood on iTunes

Next Episode of Torchwood - tomorrow night.  Get your Tivo's all programmed.

Torchwood
"Meat"  (episode: #204)
Sat 2/23 8:00PM     BBC America

Rhys finds out the truth about Torchwood and becomes involved in the investigation of a suspicious alien meat supply.

I also saw linked on meevee.com that itunes is now going to be carrying BBC shows including Torchwood so you can buy episodes for your iPod.    Cool beans.  I love to watch tv shows on my video iPod while I am waiting in the doctors office or anywhere where I have time to kill.  I saw it on the UK iTunes but not the US version.  Ok, Apple, I'm waiting...  When will Torchwood be available on iTunes in the US?  My iPod needs some Captain Jack.  And I am not talking about Johnny Depp and Jack Sparrow, I am talking about Capt. Jack Harkness from Torchwood - the BBC DrWho spinoff.

Like Sci Fi stuff like Torchwood?  Check out SciFiJungle, my other blog.