A Bit Of This and A Bit Of That

Into the dark...

2013-06-20T06:00:00.000+09:00

The latest Big Kids Magazine is out, as you know we are fans and have contributed in the past, such as the memory game and the Treasure boats. This time the theme is Into The Dark.

It took quite a while to decide what to make or do, as we were brainstorming Ebi-kun talked about caves and going into a dark hole, so we decided to make one. We used a shoes box and painted the inside black.

As that was drying, he got out the plasticine and started making scary monsters, we used glue to stick them to the ceiling and walls. Then made an 'Ebi-kun' out of card, so it looked like he was entering the scary cave....

As we worked on the monsters we made up a poem, we had, 3 verses down by the time we finished and then we worked on it a bit more, using the senses as a way of exploration....

The magazine encourages adults and children to work side by side, it is something that both Ebi-kun and I love doing, so if you haven't checked out the magazine yet, go and do so!

Lemon & Ricotta Pancakes ~recipe

2013-06-18T06:00:00.000+09:00

Ebi-kun picked this recipe out and I have to share because they were so, so, so good! Yes, that good! We made them for breakfast on father's day, which was a change because usually daddy makes the pancakes at the weekend.

Recipe:

Makes 12 small pancakes

200g ricotta cheese

pinch of salt

50g caster sugar

25g melted butter

3 eggs, separated

zest of 2 lemons

50g plain flour

Sauce

200g mango (we used frozen)

2tbsp cointreau

little sugar (to sweeten if needed)

Banana or other fruit to decorate.

Make the sauce:

1. Stick everything in a blender and whizz until smooth. Put aside.

Make the pancakes:

1. Beat together the ricotta, salt, sugar, melted butter, egg yolk and lemon zest.

2. Fold in the flour.

3. Whisk the egg whites until stiff then gentle fold into the pancake mix.

4. Heat a pan or griddle and brush lightly with melted butter.

5. Place tablespoons of batter in the pan, with space between them, then they have bubbles on the surface, flip them over for a minute, then place on a place and keep warm whilst you cook the rest.

Try not to burn your finger or anybody else's in the process (lesson learned!)

6. Pile the pancakes on a plate, decorate with some sliced fruit and drizzle mango sauce around the edge.

7. Invite me round to try them out, just to make sure they are up to scratch :)

Lovely start to the day, well except for the burnt finger incident, but he will live! Daddy was happy with his new t-shirts. The rest of the day, we did the usual, aikido, lunch, grocery shopping. Then the boys watched the recorded Japan Vs Brazil game. Nice to actually sit and chill for part of the weekend!

Happy father's day Yasutoki, you really are a great dad!

A School Trip That Ends Up With Goo

2013-06-17T11:05:00.001+09:00

Friday, Ebi-kun had a school excursion to.... The local high school and a hair dressers!

From what I can gather, there were several groups and they all went to different places, some went to a bakery, others to a drug store etc.

So, he had a tour of the high school and had various questions to ask and the same with the hairdresser, which apparently has a beautiful chandelier! And he came home with a shampoo and conditioner sample, those little sachets you get. Of course, he wanted to try them out, I didn't think there was any harm in it, he doesn't use conditioner normally but the hairdresser had explained to them how to use it and I gave him instructions too.

O-M-G!

How can anyone mess up using conditioner?

So, he had his bath and washed his hair but what I didn't realise was that he had missed a big lump of conditioner. The next morning he gets up with the revolting gooey mess stuck in his hair. I had to wash his hair twice and it still hadn't washed out, it was revolting! He went off to football and then had to wash it out again that night, it took 4 washes to get all the crappy stuff out.

He has decided that he is never using conditioner again.

Amen to that!

Inspiration Sunday - Marinda Jansen van Rensburg

2013-06-16T06:00:00.000+09:00

Today's guest is another b-school buddy, I am telling you, the coolest people are in b-school! And this time we are off all the way to South Africa, truly international, these Inspiration Sunday posts.... over to Marinda...

1. Tell us a bit about yourself....

Hi, I’m Marinda. Born and raised in Pretoria, South Africa. My name means “from the sea” which is weird, because I’m nowhere near the ocean. Although, I can speak whale, so I guess it’s close enough.

Heeeeellllooooooo, hoooow aaaree yyyyooooouuuuu?

See? I told you.

2. Where do you get your inspiration from?

New ideas. Great design. Beautiful photography. (Finding Nemo?)

3. Tell us about your business...

I do design work for crazy-passionate entrepreneurs. I also teach women how to setup and design their WordPress site, MailChimp account and social media pages for their businesses.

I’ve always been a big believer in brand consistency, but I actually started off as a photographer.

4. What led you to start your business....

I didn’t have a lot of money to invest, so I opted to build my website myself. Soon after I wasn’t booking any photography sessions anymore and got obsessed with every detail of my web presence. It became very clear that it was what I was meant to do, so I recently made the switch from photography to branding + web design.

5. What does an average day look like for you?

My days are quite different from each other work-wise. Some days I create content, other days I’m on Skype with a client, or I’m managing social media updates... However, there are some things that just seem to be happening all the time, like:

Having a cup of coffee in the morning
Chatting to/spending time with my boyfriend
Checking my emails
Taking my unicorn for a spin round the block
Okay maybe that last one isn’t true. But can you imagine?

6. What is the one thing about your job that makes your heart sing?

Just the whole design process itself. I can get totally lost in it, doing PDFs is my favorite!

7. Share a secret with us that has never been shared online before ...

I’m one of those weirdos who ask their computers why they aren’t working properly as if they will answer. Hey, maybe in the future they might actually talk back, who knows?

Find Marinda....

Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/beautifulonlinepresence
Twitter : https://twitter.com/marinda_ky
Pinterest : http://pinterest.com/marindajvr/

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/marindajvr

Resources...

Get a list of great business books to read : www.beautifulonlinepresence.com

Download a free guide to which camera to buy : www.knowyourcameraguide.com

About...

Marinda Jansen van Rensburg is a branding and design expert who offers step-by-step training programs that teach women how to create a beautiful online presence they adore.

All images property of Marinda Jansen van Rensburd except for Inspiration Sunday Banner

Secrets Of A Rock Star Mom is HERE

2013-06-14T05:00:00.000+09:00

For those who are on my fanzine list, you will have already heard the news - get on there if you want to here all the gossip before everyone else!

The last few months, it might appear as that I haven't been doing much at all but in fact, I have been a busy bee, rockin' my bad self and getting the new program and website ready!

And so...drum roll please.... Secrets Of A Rock Star Mom is taking centre stage!

A SPECIAL OFFER

In the coming weeks, I will be offering a 30-minute Breakthrough Session for $497.

However, because I'm so passionate about this, I've decided to offer 20 of these sessions to women who qualify... before I launch... at NO COST.

What this means for you is if you act quickly AND you qualify, I'll gift you with one of the spots that remain.

Here's what we'll cover in your 30-minute session:

Together we'll look at a specific issue that is preventing you from achieving your goal.
We'll troubleshoot what may be keeping you from getting where you want to be.
You'll leave the session energized and inspired to solve the issue and meet your goal.
Together we'll find out if we're a good match and what program is right for you.

This opportunity is right for you if you want to make a change in your life but you don’t know where or how to start.

It's right for you if you're truly committed to putting yourself first and making a positive change for the whole family over the next 90 days.

Also, if you're actively looking for support and need help figuring out why you are feeling ‘stuck’ and unable to move forward (plus you get accountability so you move through fear quickly and take action to achieve your goals!)

To claim one of the 5 sessions that remain, here's what to do...

Click over to THIS page and fill in the form (about half way down) but I recommend you have a read through! Then my rock star assistant Lulu will be in touch, simple!

Remember, nothing with change if you don't do anything, so take the first step.... Click HERE

In the book bag....

2013-06-13T06:00:00.000+09:00

Haven't done this for a while.

Ebi-kun is currently reading Lemony Snicket - How Could That Be At This Hour. Although he says he is enjoying it, he is plodding through rather than devouring it, devouring is his usual way of reading. I have heard that Lemony Snicket is very popular with boys especially. He is about half way through so the verdict is still out on this one.

Available on Amazon and The Book Depository

I am reading The Mysterious Benedict Society and The Prisoner's Dilemma, which we are both very excited about. The first two books were really exciting, real page turners and this one is the same. Probably aimed more at 10-12 year olds, there are a few things I have to explain but it is great for expanding vocabulary, the story has many twists and turns and I think each child can relate to one of the characters in the story.

Available on Amazon and The Book Depository

The other book I often find Ebi-kun engrossed in is Bear Grylls - Living Wild. This is also aimed at older kids but since when has that stopped Ebi-kun! Bear Grylls, for those who don't know is an adventurer, ex SAS and star of a show where he survives in the extremes, often getting dropped off in the middle of a jungle with nothing more than what he is wearing and he has to make it out alive. In the show he does some pretty scary and dangerous stuff (boost the ratings no doubt) but the book is very sensible and down to earth. He is now the Chief Scout in the UK and obviously takes the role seriously which comes over in the book. As a scout myself I have found it useful to dust off the cobwebs and remember how to do certain things, I am sure we will be using the book for reference for years to come.

Available on The Book Depository

I have been reading The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks, it is really interesting. It is about how you block yourself from success whether it be financial or otherwise, how to recognise those blocks and what to do about them. This book has been recommended to me by all 4 of my mentors at one stage or another. It isn't too woo-woo, which always puts me off and he shares some great examples of the principles he is talking about. If you are struggling with your business, I highly recommend it.

Available on Amazon and The Book Depository

So, that is our book bag, what is in yours at the moment?

Stolen from an Italian restaurant (not a recipe!)

2013-06-11T09:36:00.000+09:00

We sometimes go to a lovely Italian restaurant and there are two things that I really love, tiny tweaks that make a big difference. They are so simple that anyone can do them! The first is that on each table they have a little vase or glass with a single flower or a small cutting taken from their garden. Now, I am not the worlds best gardener but even I can manage this!

With it being small it doesn't over power the table but it does bring it up a notch or two and surprisingly, it starts many conversations too. It is also a great little job for the kids to do, you can show them the first couple of times how to do it, then let them pick one or two sprigs to make the table decoration.

The second thing is also equally easy. You need a net and some fresh herbs - from the garden if you have them. Put a small bunch in the net bag, tie the top and pop it in your hand washing basin/sink. When the water hits the bag it releases a lovely smell, leaves the room smelling fresh and no need for nasty chemicals.

You do need to remember to change it every couple of days though and to move it out of the way when brushing your teeth. Last year I planted lemon balm and it went crazy, it is popping up all over the place this year - great way to dispose of un-wanted over enthusiastic herbs!

One of my mentors, Denise from Lucky Bitch often talks about upgrading, I love implementing these tiny upgrades and they don't even cost anything! Do you have any little upgrades that you can share?

Inspiration Sunday with Cal Patch

2013-06-09T06:00:00.000+09:00

You know I like to sew but I admit at not being very good at clothes for myself but then I got the book Design It Yourself Clothes by Cal Patch and now I far more confident to make my own clothes. Why am I telling you this? Because I have the delightful Cal in the hot seat today...

1. Tell us a bit about yourself....

i'm cal patch, which is short for carolyn. no one remembers who started calling me "cal" when i was a child, but it stuck. i grew up in rural Ohio, in a town called Novelty. ha! it wasn't very novel, but i loved it because i could have a pony, and then a horse. after graduating college with a degree in fashion design, i moved to NYC to become a designer. i lived there for 18 years, but after about 8 years of working in the fashion industry, i knew it wasn't for me. since then i've forged my own path of various types of self-employment, like shopkeeping, teaching, and making handmade one-off clothes. i love to create pieces that are the antithesis of chain-store mass production, and that have a story behind them. 4 years ago i moved upstate to the Hudson Valley/Catskills region of New York, about 2 hours north of NYC. i wanted to buy a house, have outdoor space, garden, and raise chickens and (hopefully one day) goats. i wanted a better quality of life. so now i live in Accord, NY, deep in the woods, with my boyfriend, dog, cat and 6 chickens. we love it.

2. Where do you get your inspiration from?

i'm inspired by daily life. i'm very practical: i like clothes that i can put on in the morning and wear out in the garden while playing with my chickens, and then out to dinner and to see a local musician. i am also very inspired by fabrics, yarns, and other materials. i love to find unusual textiles from other parts of the world. the fabric often tells me what it wants to be.

3. Tell us about your business...

i make one-of-a-kind clothes which i sell via my Etsy shop, hodge podge farm . i also teach sewing, patternmaking, crochet and a few other fiber arts, both locally and about every other month at Purl in the city. i also travel to teach at retreats around the country, which is one of the most fun aspects of my job!

4. What led you to start your business....

frustration and dissatisfaction working in the fashion industry drove me to leave it and open my own shop, where i sold handmade, artful clothes and home objects. it was there that i began teaching, which led me to where i am now. owning and running a boutique had always been a dream, and was really fun, but i realized it wasn't right for me. i'm a terrible salesperson! so ever since Etsy came along, i've been happy to have an online shop and sell at craft fairs or fiber festivals a few times a year.

5. What does an average day look like for you?

they vary widely, since i'm my own boss, and a very undisciplined one! but a typical day starts around 8 or 8:30, when i can no longer ignore the insistent calls of the chickens, who want to be let out of their coop. then i make tea and have breakfast, and deal with emails that need answering, classes that need scheduling, updating the Etsy shop, blogging... you know, all the computer stuff. this always takes much longer than i think it will! i'm trying to cut back on my computer time, as it eats up more of the days than i would like. this will often take until lunchtime. eventually after lunch i get into my studio and try to shut out all distractions. i might sew some dresses or leggings that have been ordered, make pieces for an upcoming fair, or work on samples for one of my classes. often i'll need to leave around 5 to go teach an evening class from 6-8. i wish more people could take classes on weekdays, as my evenings and weekends get booked up quick with teaching. i'm home around 9 and we make and eat dinner by 10 or so, and usually dine on the couch with some Netflix and a crochet project.

6. What is the one thing about your job that makes your heart sing?

i love seeing people wearing my clothes! when someone sends me a photo and tells me how happy they feel wearing one of my dresses, it brings me pure joy. or when someone who i've taught gets in touch months or even years later, and shows me what they've done with their new skills, that is also what i live for!

7. Share a secret with us that has never been shared online before ...

when i was a kid, i always had short hair. so i liked to tape yarn or ribbons onto my head and pretend i had long hair. once for Halloween i was Laura Ingalls and had a hat with long yarn braids, which i continued to wear for months!

About Cal:

Cal Patch has been making, designing and teaching all things textile-related in New York City since 1991. She sews, crochets, embroiders, spins, prints, knits, dyes, and more. She designed clothing for Urban Outfitters, Free People, Gap, and Old Navy before developing her own line of one-off pieces called "hodge podge", which she currently sells at craft fairs and in her Etsy shop. After owning a boutique for four years which showcased her own and other local indie designers' work, she opened one of the nation's first craft schools in 2002. She contributes to books and magazines such as Stitch N' Bitch: The Happy Hooker, Mend It Better, Applique Your Way, Crochet Today and Sew Stylish. In 2009 Cal relocated to upstate New York where she is learning to be a crafty farmer. She offers classes through her teaching venture, Double Knot Studio, and online via Creativebug, and travels to teach at retreats and events like Squam Art Worshops and Sock Summit. Her first book, Design-It-Yourself Clothes: Patternmaking Simplified, was published by Potter Craft.

Find Cal....

website : http://hodgepodgefarm.net

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/hodgepodgefarm

Twitter : https://twitter.com/hodgepodgefarm

Pinterest : http://pinterest.com/hodgepodgefarm/

Ravelry : http://www.ravelry.com/people/hodgepodge

Creativebug (my online classes) : http://www.creativebug.com/instructors/cal-patch

Etsy : https://www.etsy.com/shop/hodgepodgefarm

and her book Design-It-Yourself Clothes is available on Amazon and the Book Depository

All images property of Cal Patch except for Inspiration Sunday Banner

Need to rustle up a quick party plate?

2013-06-08T06:00:00.000+09:00

So, we went to a party at the weekend and I didn't have time at the end of the day to make what I had planned, so I used this old fallback!

Pack of small gyoza wrappers - I used the pack of 50 round ones.

Square wrappers make prettier pies

Some kind of filling

muffin tin

I really did go the lazy way this time, I used tinned meat sauce - the stuff people use for pasta and grated cheese. You can also use the same technique for mini quiche, sweet filling like apple sauce words too. In fact you can put almost anything in them!

Grease the muffin tins with a little oil.

Pop two gyoza wrappers in each hole - this is a great thing to give a little helper to do.

Spoon a dollop of filling into each hole, I sprinkled grated cheese on top before I popped them in the oven...

They take 15-20 minutes at 180deg C. Just keep an eye on them, they seem to brown very quickly once they get started.

We often have them with some kind of egg based filling, like mini quiche and they are perfect for parties!

Have you tried making mini pies with gyoza wrappers? What do you put inside them?

Keith Haring Art Day...

2013-06-07T06:00:00.000+09:00

We had fun learning about Keith Haring. We don't actually have a book about his work so we turned to the net and had a look through the Keith haring website instead. Then it was time to do some Keith Haring inspired art.

We started by making a couple of jointed paper dolls from a cereal box...

Ebi-kun's first attempt, the pieces were too small so we had to redo them, of course, I only have fancy brads/fasteners!

He then drew around the paper doll onto coloured card, then moved the position of the arms and leg and did another one of different coloured card. Before cutting them out, he traced round them with a thick black marker pen.

Then cut out the pieces and stuck them to a nice bright piece of paper. Lots of bright coloured paper/card is needed for this project!

Final touches were to add the little black movement lines.....

And done... not sure what this new 'sticking tongue out' pose is all about! Hopefully he will grow out of that soon.

An amusing little tale.....

2013-06-06T06:00:00.001+09:00

The day before yesterday, Ebi-kun has his health check at school. He came home with a letter saying that he has a TUMOUR in his nose and we need to take him to the ENT as soon as possible.

I have never been to the ENT hospital in our town before, had no idea where it was, do my husband had to take half a day off work. We picked Ebi-kun up from school and took him over there. Luckily, we didn't have to wait long. First the doc checked his ears, gave them a bit of a clean. Then took a look at his nose.

There was some urrmmming, then he took out some pincers and remover one, enormous bogey!

Yep, the so called tumour was a bogey!

Why, the school doc didn't realise this is beyond me, surely they know what a bogey looks like!

So, yes, we can see the funny side of it now, luckily I had kept myself off google, you know the last thing you should do is google an ailment, hubby on the other hand....

I want want to come over as bashing the system here, obviously the school doc needs new specs but the health checks are good and I am sure there are kids that have had ailments picked up on because of their checks, and then got early treatment. Did make me wonder how many other 'tumours' the ENT doctor had to remove this week!

Catching up with old friends...

2013-06-05T06:00:00.000+09:00

So, Sunday was equally busy for us. Off to aikido first thing, it finishes at 11.30am so we stopped for some lunch, nipped home so the boys could change, pick up the food and drinks then headed to a friends for a wee party.

One of the playgroup families have moved back to Canada and this is their first time back in 2 years, so good to see them all again, although it didn't really feel like they had been away.

The kids went out to play in the little park and came back BLACK, I have no idea what they were doing but they were filthy and had to take a shower, according to Ebi-kun he had washed his face at this point!

All together again! It was good fun and now the kids are older and don't need someone constantly watching over them, us adults can kick back and relax a bit.

I think M-chan was really happy to have the other girls around, often she is stuck with all the boys, the group does seem to be boy heavy at the moment!

I did see this article over the weekend about oldies in Japan complaining that kids make too much noise! Ridiculous stuff, whatever next?

5 minutes of fame and football...

2013-06-04T06:00:00.000+09:00

After the excitement of being in the Japan Times, we went to football practice. I don't always go but after a week of being tethered to the computer I felt like I needed some fresh air. It is about an hours drive to the footpal place and every time we go we I see this in a window and it just cracks me up - it is for some rescue service....

Turned out not to be very busy, I think a lot of the local kids had an observation day at school, usually there are a few days that join the class too but this time there were only 2 dads, Ebi-kun just about to score against the other dad...

Luckily is was an overcast day so not too hot, just as well! After the practice, we went for lunch and then on a hunt to try and find a print version of my article, failed miserably so we did the weekly shop and went home. I needed to prepare some food for a party the next day so hubby went out and resumed the hunt. He was gone for over an hour but did manage to bring back 2 copies!

Not an especially relaxing day but at least I got a break from the computer! What did you get up to over the weekend? Anything exciting?

Destroyer Of Domestic Chaos....

2013-06-03T09:06:00.001+09:00

That's me! Or should I say, that is how The Japan Times described me. I was interviewed last week for a column they do on people with unusual jobs, or not run-of-the-mill jobs that most foreigners do here in Japan.

I have had loads of lovely comments and people writing to tell me how inspiring it is to see someone carve a niche out for themselves, which I am really chuffed about. I really do hope the piece shows that you don't have to take the English teaching route, if teaching isn't your thing and that these days, thanks to the internet there are so many more options available now.

Louise did a great job of pulling all the info together, makes for an interesting read, even if I do say so myself! Pop over HERE to read the full article.

Inspiration Sunday with Bryce Piper

2013-06-02T01:00:00.000+09:00

This week we are having a bit of a change, instead of an inspiring woman, we have a MAN! who-hoo, I would like you to meet Bryce, I think you will be surprised at his special creative talent....

1. Tell us a bit about yourself....

Hello! I’m Bryce, an active duty US Marine stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. After 18+ years on active duty, including several deployments, my family and I are very happy to be fortunate enough to be together and living in Japan. Hope and Grace are parts of my daughters’ names. They’re 12 and 10 and together with my wife are the impetus for everything in my life. There has always been an artistic side to me, much neglected but periodically shining through over the years. After a short tour in Afghanistan in 2011, I needed a centering hobby and tried my hand at pen turning and haven’t looked back. I see what I create at art first and writing utensils second, hence the slogan, “Handcrafted Art That Writes!”

2. Where do you get your inspiration from?

When I first started turning pens, I grew envious of the work of other woodcrafters who were doing inlays and patterns and Celtic knots. I’d ask questions and experiment, learning so much in a short time. Sometimes I’m inspired by the wood itself, sometimes I’ll see something in art or life and try to emulate it in wood. It’s not always easy! Sometimes my muse (my wife) will say, “Why don’t you make one that …?” Sometimes a client will come up with a crazy idea and challenge me to recreate it in a pen. There are no laser engravers or laser cutting involved, so I’m not able to create every idea people come up with, but that shortcoming is offset by my pride that everything is done by hand.

3. Tell us about your business...

Hope & Grace Pens offers fine writing instruments and sundry handcrafted wood accoutrements. I specialize in inlays and patterns, creating unique and beautiful pens and pencils from handcrafted wood. Pens make the perfect gift because they’re useful works of art you carry everywhere, and nice pens are not the kind of thing many people buy for themselves. I also partner with other Marine woodcrafters to offer military coin racks and other items like business card displays. I’ve recently “branched” out into rustic, all-natural keepsake boxes and votive candle holders. For us, it’s more about the art than the “business.” We make these things because we enjoy making them. The fact that others enjoy them makes it all the more satisfying.

4. What led you to start your business....

I tried pen turning as a DIY project offered here in Iwakuni. That’s all it took. I instantly fell in love with it and began making pen after pen, giving them as gifts to friends and family. I was so proud and flattered when one day my mentor offered to try to sell a pen I’d just finished. I found out later it took him 15 minutes to sell. He laid out several pens for a client who chose mine almost instantly. I realized I was spending a lot of time and money on my hobby, so began selling them to try to offset the cost of my lathe and shop fees and materials. It didn’t take long to realize the inlays and patterns I made were unlike anything my contemporaries were doing. Now I’m looking forward to retirement from active duty in a few years, with pen turning to supplement my retirement income (wow, that sounds strange; I’m not that old!).

5. What does an average day look like for you?

Well, I’m a “fulltime” US Marine, so all my woodcraft gets done when I’m not at work. There is also a lot of “rest time” for each project as glue sets or finish dries, which means I work on up to eight or ten projects at a time. I spend much more time cutting and assembling than actually turning the wood on a lathe (which is the opposite of most penturners). Typically, I’ll check on yesterday’s work, make the next cuts and assemble then set those pieces aside to dry, and HOPEFULLY get to actually turn a pen on the lathe. I also do all the photography, blogging, marketing, packaging/mailing, all of which eats time I’d rather use to create art.

6. What is the one thing about your job that makes your heart sing?

It’s got to be the gasp when someone sees a pen that appeals just to them, like it was made for them all along. They’re pretty online, but in person you can really appreciate the woodgrain and how certain woods play with light. Every now and then someone will look over my pens and I’ll hear that sudden intake of breath and see her hand reach out to pick up whichever one caught her eye. I get an inner smile and elation, knowing that something I created made another person react that way.

7. Share a secret with us that has never been shared online before ...

As a spoiled brat child, I ate only certain foods and made my parents strain the onions out of my gravy. As a parent, I make my children clean their plates!

About...

There’s an active duty Marine called Bryce, who makes fine writing wood pens that are really works of art in wood. He does everything by hand, including inlay, spiral patterns and Celtic knots and more in a variety of woods and settings. Take a minute to peek behind the curtain at Handcrafted Art That Writes!

Byrce is offering you, lovely reader a 10% discount with the coupon code JOJOEBIGETS10

Find Byrce....

Blog : http://hopeandgracepens.blogspot.jp

Etsy : https://www.etsy.com/shop/HopeAndGracePens

Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/HopeAndGracePens

Twitter : https://twitter.com/HopeAndGracePen

Pinterest : http://pinterest.com/hopeandgracepen

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hopeandgracepens/

All images property of Byrce of HopeAndGracePens except for Inspiration Sunday Banner

Time to invest in your sun screen...

2013-05-31T06:00:00.000+09:00

Sometime I am contacted by a company and asked if I would test a product and give a review, I am quite picky about what I accept, if it something that is useful for me and the family I will usually say yes.

So, this time it was for sunscreen. I have fair skin and burn terribly easily and I also suffer from sunstroke so I have to be very careful in the sun/heat. A lot of Japanese women don't like to get a tan - I think much of it is to do with the old way of thinking that white skin = a higher class (peasants and farmers who worked outside are often dark skinned) and that still goes on today. In the summer here it is very hot and incredibly humid and many women are completely covered up with long sleeves and big floppy hats. The downside is that this doesn't apply to kids. Very rarely do I sees Japanese parents applying suncream to their kids and as for wearing hats, very hit and miss.

I know all the Aussies reading this are sitting there in disbelief! Of course, I am a Brit and sun is rarely a problem over there, trench foot on the other hand... Joking aside, I know I am not the only mom of a mixed race kid who worries about their child's skin. Luckily Ebi-kun does seem to have more of his father pigmentation (and he hardly ever uses sunscreen and I have only known him get burnt once!) But that doesn't stop me from being cautious.

So, I have ben trying out these creams by Sunsense with is made in Australia - and you know how serious they are about such things. Camp at Golden Week was a perfect testing time, we were outside all the time and it was beautiful weather, I didn't suffer any burns so all was good! I think when I buy a replacement I will get the roll on applicator instead - much easier to use on kids!

I also tried the tinted cream too - it isn't something I would usually use but I actually really like it, the only downside to either of them is that I feel like I have sticky hands after I have applied it which is a bit of a pain if we are out, that said, it is a small price to pay for not getting burnt.

Want to get your hands on some? Well Sunsense have kindly given me a discount code for you to use...

Just use MUMMY13 when you check out and you will get 15% off!

Want to know more, you can follow Sunsense on Twitter and Facebook!

The boy and his pottery...

2013-05-29T06:00:00.000+09:00

Ebi-kun has had his pottery back, he made a wall hanger this time and a small bowl. I'm not sure where the wall hanging is going to live yet, we are running out of wall space!

I think next time we do it, we will ask if the parents can join in too, it is fun to watch the kids but I am always itching to get in there and do it too!

The dish he made last year is a cereal bowl sort of size, this is a small side dish and in Japan, you can never have enough small dishes.

For Otilija and Orlando...

2013-05-28T06:00:00.000+09:00

Otilija and Orlando are the two adorable kids that Kathreen and Rob left behind when they passed away recently. Some people wanted to know how to help, well a fund has been set up for them, all the information is available over at Whipup.

What will happen to YOUR digital content if you die?

2013-05-27T06:00:00.000+09:00

A friend who works for Google sent me this info a couple of weeks ago, I put it on my to-do list, not the Have-To-Do-Today list but the other one, the Have-To-Do-Sometime list, I know you have one of those too!

Anyway, after the recent tragic news about Kathreen, I put my arse into gear and got it set up. Now, I know some people are thinking, why do I need to do this, my partner knows my password. But what if, your partner were to die at the same time? What if, you get divorced and it turns nasty? What if, your partner takes your death badly and just can't cope with the thought of dealing with your online life? There are so many more what if's out there!

My 'problem' is that I change my passwords monthly and really can't expect my husband to remember the latest one!

The whole thing can be a logistic nightmare for those who are left to deal with your online life and the different companies have different ways of dealing with it. Google won't shut down an account without a court order (US), Facebook on the other hand prefers to shut down the account or will leave it as a "memorialize" account, so people can still connect but no one can log into the account. Yahoo & Twitter will deactivate an account if proof of death is given but won't allow access to the account and so it goes on, there is no universal standard! I think the way Google has this set up is certainly a step in the right direction.

The website DeceasedAccount.com has a list of policies of most of the social network sites and so if you are into social media, it is worth checking out to see where you stand. Of course, it is not just social media, what about Paypal, frequent flyer miles, itunes, Amazon? - so many places that your spouse would need access to.

One option is to set up a digital will and testament. With Secure Safe, you can store documents and passwords and then let your trusted people have an activation code to use if and when the time comes. You can store 50 passwords for free with one beneficiary.

Here is a step by step guide for those who use google services. Don't stick it on your Have-To-Do-Sometime list, do it now...

Click through to THIS page (or you to your account settings page and it is under Account Management) and click on Inactive Account Manager.

Next you will get a basic rundown of what happens, you decide what happens to all your online google related data. Click Set Up

This is it, a few simple steps...

Work through the set up, it is very straight forward. First add your mobile phone number and you will be sent a code instantly - pop the code in the box. This is for security reasons to make sure no one is accessing your account when they shouldn't be!

Your default gmail address should already be there and you can add another one - useful if you don't use your gmail account as your main account.

Next, choose the time out period anything from 3mths to 18mths.

Now the hard part.... You can pick up to 10 people to be notified that your account has been inactive for whatever time you set for. You do it one at a time and you need to write a message too - I found this bit particularly hard to do. I added my husband and a couple of close friends/relatives. I also let them know that I had done it!

Finally you can choose whether to delete your account or not.

Then Click ENABLE and you are done!

To close a PayPal account (according to info on the Paypal community forum) for a deceased account holder, the Executor of the estate needs to fax the following documentation to (402) 537-5732.

1. A cover sheet that states the account holder is deceased and the Executor wishes to have the PayPal account closed.

2. A copy of the Death Certificate for the account holder.

3. A copy of the deceased account holder's will or legal documentation that provides the information regarding the Executor of the Estate.

4. A copy of a photo ID of the Executor of the Estate.

The faxed documentation will be reviewed and, if approved, the account will be closed. If funds are available in the PayPal account, a check will be issued in the account holder's name, as the Executor of the Estate will then have the ability to cash the check.

I am sure all this information will change and be updated as time goes on and more people start to think/worry about the situation. You can get a head start and do something today... just in case!

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Inspiration Sunday with Marie-Claire Camp

2013-05-26T06:00:00.000+09:00

As a mom who loves making stuff for kids, I think todays guest and I would get on like a house on fire! Back in the day, I also made cards for my son, but I didn't go as far as setting up a who company and going into production with them...

1. Tell us a bit about yourself....

Hi. My name is Marie-Claire Camp. I’m originally from a little farming community in Southwest, Michigan. I moved to Grand Rapids, MI to go to art school (with my high school boyfriend) in 1999. I have since married my sweetheart, bought a house, have three cats and now twin three year old boys.

I worked as a professional Graphic Designer and Interaction Designer for 7 years, and now I’m a full-time Momma and part-time maker.

2. Where do you get your inspiration from?

My inspiration comes from my children, Silas and Owen. They are the most amazing thing that has even happened to me, and have changed how I see the world. They want to know everything, and everyone, and they love making things. Their hunger for life is infectious and beautiful.

3. Tell us about your business...

I make “Wallet Cards” for kids to play and work with. Beautiful, durable, nontoxic and educational cards for small children to work and play with. I’ve found the best materials, artists and people to help produce the cards, and it shows in the finished product.

4. What led you to start your business....

It started out as a project to create smarter and better versions than the cards they were both already obsessed with – the cards in my and my husband’s wallet (licenses, credit cards, gift cards). But those cards were made out of toxic materials and covered with corporate logos and the boys were teething at the time and putting them in their mouths.

I thought “someone should invent cards that are beautiful, durable, nontoxic and if they were educational, that would be great too.” It turned out that I was that someone.

I launched a Kickstarter campaign last Summer (2012) to fund the first deck, an Alphabet deck illustrated by Marc Martin of Australia. A few weeks ago, my second Kickstarter was successfully funded, and I’m currently working with my husband to create four new decks and a companion iPhone app.

5. What does an average day look like for you?

Wake up with the boys, get cleaned up and make breakfast, my husband Victor heads off to work (he’s an Interaction Designer). I’m with the boys all day – we dance, cook, read, whine, nap, go for walks, eat snacks, draw, build things, sing, take pictures and wait for Papa to come home. After the boys go to bed, I open my computer and work answers piles of emails, work on layouts, write and prepare orders to go out to clients.

Somedays I have help (my amazing husband, our friend Ray, and two of the best babysitters on earth), and some days I do it all myself.

6. What is the one thing about your job that makes your heart sing?

Making amazing things that kids love.

7. Share a secret with us that has never been shared online before ...
This is more of a fun fact I guess... I once won an apple pie for first place in a tomahawk-throwing and fire-starting contest. My amazing family used to travel around the Midwest doing French and Indian War reenacting on weekends. We dressed and acted as an 18th-Century French family. I learned amazing skills like fencing, sewing, candle-making, a ton about American history, and of course, how to throw a tomahawk.

Marie-Claire works tirelessly during the day with her twin boys, and at night to make amazing and beautiful products. She finds materials made in the United States, amazing illustrators, and superior Michigan printers and developers. She’s empathic, strong, and really, really, really patient.

We have four new card sets for pre-order, they ship in August:

• Color & Shape

• Numbers

• GO!

• My Wallet set (cards, play-money, wallet and companion iPhone app)

Preorder them now at www.YouGuysAreSoAwesome.com

We’re also reprinting our Alphabet deck, pre-orders now reserve your place when they ship out in early June.

Find Marie-Claire....

website : www.YouGuysAreSoAwesome.com

Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/ChildrensWalletCards

Twitter : https://twitter.com/soawesomecards

Pinterest : http://pinterest.com/soawesomecards/

Kickstarter page : http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/482898835/childrens-wallet-cards-color-and-shape-numbers-go

Thanks and Cheers!

Marie-Claire Camp

Creator of Children's Wallet Cards

Owner of SO Awesome, LLC in Grand Rapids, Michigan

(616) 446-3622

All images property of Marie-Claire Camp except for Inspiration Sunday Banner

Decisions, Decisions....

2013-05-24T13:26:00.001+09:00

I have booked in to get my hair done tomorrow but I just can't decide what to do with it! I have been trawling pinterest looking for the perfect style and colour... the 4 main contenders are.....

Mine is not quite as long as picture 1 but I really like the deep fringe. I have had it like number 2 before and I love it that colour. Not fussed on the style of 3 but I do like the funky colours, although I might look ill if I go that dark - I am naturally quite fair and number 4 is fun but I'm not sure I want to go short again. My hair drives me nuts when it gets humid and tying it all up out the way is usually the best way to go.

Hmmm - so over to you, what do you think I should do?

Another idea for creative writing...

2013-05-23T06:00:00.000+09:00

I shared this idea over on My Organized Chaos, with a tutorial so you can see how I make mine and you can then make your own too. In a nutshell, I used pictures of Ebi-kun and super-imposed them onto fun backgrounds then he gets to write a story or report. They have been a lot of fun so far!

You can read the whole tutorial HERE.

Incidentally, if you are interested in the crafty & homeschool type of post and don't want to miss any. Then you should sign up for the newsletter, I send it out once a week with a round up of the posts plus I release the early bird dates and through the newsletter first and any specials that I have, you can sign up HERE (it's free!)

And (s)he was fair as is the rose in May

2013-05-22T06:00:00.000+09:00

Our town has a Rose Festival each year. It actually annoys me because they spend a truck load of money on it yet for the last 3 years they have been pulling up the kids play equipment in the same park and not replacing it. They did put in a new slide and climbing thing this year but it is nothing like the great play equipment they had when we first arrived.

Anyway, rant aside, we were going to the supermarket and the shortcut is through the park so we decided to stop for a while. Ebi-kun wanted to try out the macro feature on his camera again. Just to show my protest we didn't pay to go in, we walked round the edge of the garden to take the photos - that will show them! Ha! probably not...

It does smell lovely though...

And there are some beautiful colours....

If you do pay, you have battle the old people so it was also safer on the outside hahaha!

A very clever idea for abused kids...

2013-05-21T06:00:00.000+09:00

I saw this video the other day and think it is a great idea - especially as it is is targeting children who are being abused and will often be out with their abuser.

Although I think it is great for this situation, I could help but wonder what will happen when toy manufactures or any other company that targets children get hold of the technology, it would be nice to think that companies would do the responsible thing...

It's today! Don't forget to join me...

2013-05-21T00:30:00.000+09:00

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