http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/ Confessions, revelations and pleasures of an over-committed life. en-US Fri, 08 Mar 2013 06:27:00 -0500 http://www.typepad.com/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification typepad/ytEjhttp://feedburner.google.com http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2013/03/reading-up-in-search-of-a-swan-and-his-trumpet.html http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2013/03/reading-up-in-search-of-a-swan-and-his-trumpet.html I am thrilled again, to be contributing to "Share a Story-Shape a Future" as part of the week-long annual event celebrating literacy for children. Be sure to click on over to the main site for lots of additional resources and stories. Today's Topic: Kindergarten Earlier this week I shared my struggles in engaging my babies and toddlers into the act, let alone, the joy, of reading. It took a bit more work than I imagined. In the end my effort and dedication paid off and two little book lovers now sit beside me. This event and it's call to contribute,... Books It's Local kids Marketing Barefoot Fri, 08 Mar 2013 06:27:00 -0500 http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2013/03/bringing-stories-to-life-with-toddlers.html http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2013/03/bringing-stories-to-life-with-toddlers.html I am trilled to be contributing to "Share a Story-Shape a Future" as part of their week-long annual event celebrating literacy for children. Be sure to click on over to the main site for lots of additional resources and stories. Tuesday's Topic : The Terrific Twos, hosted by The Family Bookshelf When I was pregnant with my first baby I received a book as a shower gift. As a side note, I do think giving books to expectant moms is the greatest gift of all! This particular little gift shaped our lives in ways one could have never imagined. It... Barefoot Books Books Marketing Barefoot Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:31:00 -0500 http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2013/03/wallpapering-with-vintage-maps.html http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2013/03/wallpapering-with-vintage-maps.html Last spring I scored a mother-load of vintage nautical maps. As luck would have it, I was in the process of updating my boy's bedroom. The maps landed in my lap like a gift. I hung them the next day. The room needed an update from toddler to preteen and a design, I hoped, would negate the need for any further updates. This room needs to last. And so I think it will: I had started a pinterest board where I was saving inspiration for the upcoming change. There was a painted mural on one wall that needed to be... Marketing Barefoot Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:01:32 -0500 http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2013/02/i-did-not-sign-up-for-this-tales-from-a-reluctant-hockey-mom.html http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2013/02/i-did-not-sign-up-for-this-tales-from-a-reluctant-hockey-mom.html Last night I drove my boys home from hockey practice. It's a drive I have been making 3x weekly since labor day. It's dark out when hockey practice is over and last night it was raining and cold. I think I had a bit of melt down, followed by an epiphany: I didn't sign up for this! Quite frankly when I got married and had babies I had NO idea this was to be part of my life. My husband and I met skiing in Vermont. We got engaged in the same town where we met. We suspect the seed... kids Marketing Barefoot Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:28:39 -0500 http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2013/01/candy-free-valentine-idea.html http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2013/01/candy-free-valentine-idea.html While last year's homemade valentine will be hard to beat, this year had the extra task of being candy free. Here is where we landed and miraculously my boys are well on board: The little bit of pop culture infusion did the trick: We made a tag that says: "If you like it then you should'a put a ring on it" (shamefully they do love Beyonce & the video ) The whole thing entails a Weenie chevron treat bag with a conversation heart ring inside! The bags and rings came from Hey Yo Yo (my favorite whimsical party-goods on-line retailer)... Design kids Marketing Barefoot Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:53:09 -0500 http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/10/meeting-miss-clara.html http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/10/meeting-miss-clara.html I had a rather amazing experience this summer and since that time this blog post has been partially composed in my head. Glad I am finally around to writing it down! I had the opportunity to meet, see and experience, French illustrator, Miss Clara. Miss Clara, among other things, illustrates books for Barefoot Books and she was the special guest at our summer Ambassador conference. Good heavens, I don't think any of us knew what an amazing treat was in store for us. Upon meeting, listening too and experiencing her work first hand it is very clear that Miss Clara... Books Design Marketing Barefoot Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:58:02 -0400 http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/10/craigslist-curb-alert-finished-project.html http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/10/craigslist-curb-alert-finished-project.html I don't know how many months this ugly, criagslist "curb alert" chair has been sitting in my house. Poor chair, It was suffereing terribly from cat scratch fever. Can't count the number of time Big Daddy has wanted to cart it off to the dump, but I held on tight. "Just wait", I said. Picked up some realtively inexpesive fabric ($10/yard) and sent a photo off to a friend for her thoughts: She, whose advice I always respect, was unimpressed. Poor, sad chair sat even longer. Two weeks ago, I finally decided to myself: "too bad if the fabric is... Design Find of the Week Marketing Barefoot Thu, 11 Oct 2012 12:27:45 -0400 http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/10/grown-up-party-theme.html http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/10/grown-up-party-theme.html A friend emailed me last week asking for an idea for a party theme for adults. Lucky for me, the request was immediately followed by two helpful coincidences: An email I received including a link to this post on The Sweetest Occasion I had just been browsing paperless post for invitations for a party I am hosting. These two instances collide with the said request and voila - Party theme! Fall Frolic? Party Animals? Woodland Wonderland? Call it what you will - here it is..... all wrapped up. This Invitation from Paperless Post: Launch the theme of "woodland party animals"... Marketing Barefoot Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:44:18 -0400 http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/10/a-winter-ice-skating-party-embracing-the-pending-season.html http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/10/a-winter-ice-skating-party-embracing-the-pending-season.html I stumbled upon this stunning party scene while looking for ideas for a friend who's planning to host a sassy event. While it's not right for her - it's just up my alley, I'll be filing this one away! It's complete with vintage mason jars, my own personal addiction. Photo & content source (and the rest of the story) TheSweetestOccasion. Happy Monday, everyone! After a very snowy weekend I can’t wait to share this winter ice skating party with you! In a word, it’s awesome. Kate from Beautiful Days sent over this party, which was held in her backyard and... Food and Drink Marketing Barefoot Fri, 05 Oct 2012 07:25:43 -0400 http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/10/lets-throw-a-party-together.html http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/10/lets-throw-a-party-together.html Did you know that more people are born in the month of October than any other month? I think it has something to do with New Years Eve and the dark and cold nights of winter some 40 weeks before. Whatever the case, it's true. My household is noting if not proof: Self, husband, child, even our dog has an October Birthday. You know who else has October b-day's? Homeless kids. Don't make me get the water works cranking. I can, I assure you. While I am planning my owns sons indulgent b-day party (at which I am rather skilled)... Marketing Barefoot Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:42:56 -0400 http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/10/barefoot-books-give-a-way-halloween-story-book.html http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/10/barefoot-books-give-a-way-halloween-story-book.html What good timing I have, for once. Seasonally appropriate and in plenty of time to execute. I am so excited to offer a copy of Tales of Mystery and Magic by Barefoot Books as a give-a-way this week! (commenting ends on Saturday) It's a beautifully illustrated story book with a CD of the stories read by Hugh Lupton. Not so spooky, perfect for the season and just sitting here waiting for you! A bewitching world of mystery and magic awaits you! Meet singing elves with magical feet; skeletons that move of their own accord; and a heroic blackbird who outwits... Books Marketing Barefoot Tue, 02 Oct 2012 21:17:00 -0400 http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/10/work-at-home-ways.html http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/10/work-at-home-ways.html I need to change my work at home ways. The first step was moving my office out of our basement and into the actual house part of the house. This part I worked on all summer and It has already done wonders for the mental attitude. I really, really didn't like being a full time cellar dweller. I started working from home when babies started being born around here, and that is going on 10 years ago. Way back then, with infant on hip, I started the bad habit of not showering and dressing to take on my day. Always... Marketing Barefoot Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:10:07 -0400 http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/09/resurrecting-yard-art-.html http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/09/resurrecting-yard-art-.html I knew it would have to be something good to bring me out of my blogging hibernation. Travelling biblical yard art? Good indeed. A friend of mine has a new neighbor. The days following the new neighbor's move in found the yard filling to the brim with yard art. It's a menagerie if you will, with all of God's creatures well, yet not at all artfully, represented. The collection appears to multiply over night, every night. The whole scene is disturbing at best. I've yet to see yard art done well, and I assure you this new addition to the... Marketing Barefoot Wed, 26 Sep 2012 06:51:11 -0400 http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/02/brown-eyes.html http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/02/brown-eyes.html What are your weekend plans? Me? I plan to be making out with my dog all weekend long. Who could resist that face, those eyes! Have a good one! the good life Marketing Barefoot Sat, 18 Feb 2012 08:07:00 -0500 http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/02/kids-birthday-party-favors.html http://rocksinthedryer.typepad.com/rocks-in-the-dryer/2012/02/kids-birthday-party-favors.html Can we talk about party favors real quick? I make cookies for just about every party I host. It's standard issue. I wish everyone would, just do something homemade that is. Standard kid party favors really annoy me on so many levels. I wish I could start a trend..... I could pitch it in the following ways: Green: No manufacturing and shipping of plastic crap. Inexpensive: Making anything saves so much time and money. Kids Activity: Get the kids involved, make them work for thier party. Fun: Darn it, I like making stuff. I have done some crazy time-consuming party... Food and Drink kids Marketing Barefoot Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:20:00 -0500