Thursday, October 15, 2009

Nursery Theme: The Velveteen Rabbit

HAVE

1. The Velveteen Rabbit (Williams/Nicholson) / Velveteen Principles (D'Antonio) Gift Set: This book is what inspired me to create this theme.
2. The Velveteen Rabbit Game (RoseArt): I'm going to use the little stuffed bunnies and the picture pieces to make a mobile.
3. The Velveteen Rabbit stuffed toy (Douglas Co.): Really soft and small, I'm still looking at other bigger versions too but this one is perfect for an infant.



4. Illustrated Editions by Francher and Johnson, Officer, Jorgensen, and Tien Ho: We're going to frame important scenes using different illustration styles for our wall art.



WANT

1. Velveteen Rabbit products on my Baby Registry at Amazon: This registry includes products you can buy from Amazon as well as those from any other online merchant, so even if it isn't an Amazon product the registry still provides a link and keeps track of what's been purchased.
2. Other vintage/retro/classic toys: They don't have to be authentic, in fact, reproductions are actually better because they are safer and cheaper!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

"_____ Snipes Mosley"

Currently, our unborn son is known as Rigaberto or "Tito". Hopefully, he will have one of the following first names soon:
  • Carter
  • Graham
  • Archer
  • Cameron
  • Jackson
  • Davis
  • Carson
  • Wilson

Monday, July 20, 2009

Europe Trip Pictures

LONDON

Above: Windsor, Stonehenge

Above: Bath, London

PARIS

Above: Orsay, Eiffel Tower

Above: Versailles, Louvre

ROME

Above: Vatican, Pantheon

Above: Colloseum, Forum

To see more pictures, click here to go to our Snapfish Photo Album

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Vetoed Baby Names

From Nancy's List
  • Paxon
  • Snow
  • Cotton
  • Brown
  • Zen
  • Blythe
  • Madigan
From Mark's Counterlist
  • Dark
  • VII (Pronounced "Seven")
  • Hominy
  • Templeton
  • Epitomy
  • Puddle
  • Londry

Thursday, May 28, 2009

American History Baseball Cards

Patrick Henry (1775) - "Mr. President, it is natural for man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it...Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

Ratification of the Constitution (1788) - "Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this; you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself." James Madison, The Federalist No. 51

Frederick Douglass (1852) - "What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shout of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanks-givings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy - a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour."

Nineteenth Amendment (1920) - "The preamble of the federal constitution says: 'We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America.' It was we, the people, not we, the white male citizens, nor yet we the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed this Union. And we formed it, not to give the blessings or liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people - women as well as men. And it is downright mockery to talk to women of their enjoyment of the blessings of liberty while they are denied the use of the only means of securing them provided by this democratic-republican government - the ballot. " Susan B. Anthony in 1872

George & Ira Gershwin (1930) - "Days can be sunny, with never a sigh; Don't need what money can buy. Birds in the tree sing their dayful of song, Why shouldn't we sing along? I'm chipper all the day, happy with my lot. How do I get that way? Look at what I got: I got rhythm, I got music, I got my girl, Who could ask for anything more? I got daisies in green pastures, I got my girl, Who could ask for anything more? Ol' Man Trouble, I don't mind him. You won't find him 'round my door. I got starlight, I got sweet dreams, I got my girl, who could ask for anything more?"

V-J Day (1945) - "The enemy has recently used a most cruel explosive. The frequent killing of innocents and the effect of destitution it entails are incalculable. Should we continue fighting in the war it would cause not only the complete Annihilation of our nation, but also the destruction of the human civilization. With this in mind, how should I save billions of our subjects and their posterity, and atone ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors?...As for the bearing of the wounds of war, the tragedies of war, and the welfare of those who lost their families and careers, it is the object of our profound solicitude. From today hereafter, the Empire will endure excruciating hardships. I am keenly aware of the feelings of my subjects, but in accordance to the dictates of fate, I am willing to endure the unendurable, tolerate the intolerable, for peace to last thousands of generations." Emperor Hirohito

Barack Obama (2009) - "Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint...To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

My Favorite Playlist

We have over 4500 songs on our iPod, 750 of which are by Bob Dylan and what seems like a couple hundred by Johnny Cash when it's set to shuffle. It also contains Russian pronunciations for Stravinsky's Les Noces, as well as a whole album of traditional songs played by the "stalagpipe" organ at Luray Caverns. I love having our entire music library in my purse at all times, but it can make it difficult to search for the songs I want to hear most often when I'm driving. There are some whole albums I listen to on a regular basis, like the Soundtrack from Once, but I really love to mix it up. And as you can imagine, I love to make playlists. I've got playlists of old mixed tapes and CDs, as well as new ones like "Songs About the 50 States" and "Songs From House, M.D." Here is the best of the best:


  • Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
  • The Only Living Boy in New York - Simon and Garfunkel
  • I Wonder - Chris Isaak
  • Shenandoah - Hayley Westerna
  • I'm in Love with a Girl - Big Star
  • Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver
  • Secret Heart - Feist
  • Dreams - The Cranberries
  • Iowa (Traveling Ill) - Dar Williams
  • Passing Afternoon - Iron & Wine
  • Find the River - REM
  • The Nearness of You - Norah Jones
  • Fields of Gold - Sting
  • Wise Up - Aimee Mann
  • The Water is Wide - James Taylor
  • I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll - Gillian Welch
  • The Beauty in Ugly - Jason Mraz
  • Nanci - Toad the Wet Sprocket
  • Our Town - Iris DeMent
  • As You Turn to Go - The 6ths
  • When You Say Nothing At All - Allison Krauss & Union Station
  • Yellow - Coldplay
  • Mr. Tambourine Man - Bob Dylan
  • New Slang - The Shins
  • It's Not Easy Being Green - Kermit the Frog

Friday, March 27, 2009

And the winner is...

  • Cutest stick figures - Mark
  • Most pajamas - Nancy
  • Least helpful in making the bed - Dobby
  • Dedication to European vacation planning - Nancy
  • Most likely to engage in Kleenex shanangans - Tie between Dobby and Nancy
  • Biggest couch potato - Nancy
  • Consistency in blogging - Mark
  • Best ears - Dobby
  • Worst typist - Tie between Mark and Dobby
  • Master of American history crossword puzzles - Nancy
  • Most Valuable Player - Mark
  • Sassiest - Nancy
  • Achievement in paper grading procrastination - Tie between Mark and Nancy