May 2012
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06/05/12Let's Go: Blueberry PickingI have a confession to make. I am a pusher — of blueberries. As the month of June arrives, I always anticipate the berry picking season. It's such a simple pleasure, I feel compelled to share it with friends. Blueberries in the South grow on tall, fat bushes like this one (photo courtesy Nesbit Blueberry Plantation). What's more, the fruit is so evenly dispersed throughout the shrub — minus any stickers or pests — that the picking is a pleasure, whether you're 6 or 60. My son and I have gone blueberry picking almost every year for the past decade, usually with another family in tow. And I don't think anyone's ever gone away disappointed. Children like having traditions they can look forward to each season. In New England, where I lived... |
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06/01/12Fashionista of the Week: JaydenFashionistas tend to exhibit a certain je ne sais quos, by that I mean — a certain something special. This came to mind as I was enjoying the beautiful river views from Mud Island this week. I was out walking my pomeranian, Alexander, when whom should I see in the community gardens but this tender beauty. What further caught my eye was her playful sense of style. Clad in a flouncy layered skirt by Aphorism (which her mother, Kesha, smartly scooped up at T.J. Maxx), and bright neon top by Copper Key from Dillards, Jayden is as sunny as her sunflower. What's more, this 9-year-old loves to personalize her look with scarves and bracelets. As any good fashionista knows, accessories are one of... Posted at 08:42 AM | Permalink | Comments: 3 |
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05/31/12The Sustainable Life: Deanna Caswell From The Blog, "Little House in the Suburbs"A decade ago, when Deanna Caswell and Daisy Siskin first started their journey towards sustainable living, Caswell's real quest was to emulate her grandmother. "She was a woman who cleaned everything with vinegar and baking soda," says Caswell. Living in rural Arab, Alabama, "My Nana made everything from scratch. She knew how to fish, knew how to clean a fish, and she canned." Hers was a sustainable life. Caswell has successfully achieved something comparable, which she shares at their blog, Little House in the Suburbs. Today, this mother of four relies almost exclusively on her own homemade products. She likes being able to keep toxins at bay. But it also appeals to her pragmatism. Homemade items work well, if not better, than those laden with chemicals,... |
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05/30/12AllerMates Make For Safer PlaydatesNo matter how careful you are, if you've got a child with allergies, life can be tricky. You can't always know what your child is getting into when he's away at daycare or camp. That's what prompted one mom to create AllerMates. These clever charms boast 14 cartoon characters that easily convey to others your child's allergy. The product line includes charms, wristbands with the characters affixed, and a lunchbox. The characters represent the majority of allergies kids experience, from peanuts, wheat, or dairy to penicillin, even insect stings. Have your child wear the charms as a necklace; they're perfect for daycare, sleepovers, or travel. "No matter how many forms I signed or how many times I spoke to the teacher, the inevidable happened,"... |
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05/29/12LEGOLAND Water Park in Florida Now OpenIf you're headed to the Tampa Bay area this summer, here's a destination you won't want to miss. LEGOLAND Florida in Winterhaven (55 miles east of Tampa, 50 miles southwest of Orlando) officially opened its water park Memorial Day weekend. If this park is anything like it's cousin in southern California, it will be a huge hit. My son and I spent the day at LEGOLAND in Carlsbad, California, and I found it to be one of the most kid-friendly theme parks I've ever encountered. What I liked is that it's actually geared to young children ages 2 to 12. My son was 12 at the time of our visit, but he had a ball. One of his favorite attractions was Driving School, where kids get behind the wheel of a Lego car and motor around a miniature city, complete with traffic... |
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05/25/12Fashionister of the Week: ChristianThere's nothing like a playground to bring out clever children. I was completing my laps at Audubon Park recently when I came across this handsome boy. Not only is Christian smartly dressed, in his Ralph Lauren polo shirt and cargo pants from Macy's, but he is quite a talented fashionister. Once we finished our photo session, he showed me how he can dribble a basketball. Not just single-handedly mind you, but from hand-to-hand — and between both legs. I was completely dazzled. Oh, did I mention his age? Christian is just 6, yet he's already a title holder. His AAU (Amateur Athletics Union) basketball team, Swag Elite, came up the winners of the Tennessee 2nd Grade State Basketball Champions. Maybe this explains his beautiful smile; Christian's got plenty to... |
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05/24/12Still Need A Summer Camp? We Can HelpSummer is a great time for kids to explore new worlds. Why not try a day camp? We made a flurry of calls and these organizations still had openings as of Wednesday, May 23rd. THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS — Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center • 385-6440 2012 Summer Theatre Camp: June 25-29, July 9-13, July 23-27. Half-day camp for grades 2-8. Themes include Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, and The Little Mermaid. Cost: $125/week. — Dance Scholars Inc. • 301-3262 • 25th Annual Summer Camp: A Chance to Dance. July 5-31. • Full-day camp for juniors (ages 7-12) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Full day camp for seniors (ages 10+) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Dance classes include jazz, hip hop, creative &... Posted at 08:11 AM | Permalink | Comments: 2 |
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05/23/12Let's Go: Listen to Frogs at Ghost River's Mineral Slough in La Grange, TNI love the springtime. That's when the frogs in my neighbor's pond begin to sing and transport me to places far wilder than my urban neighborhood. I've often wondered what it is I'm hearing out there. So when the Wolf River Conservancy (WRC) announced a frog chorus walk at Mineral Slough Boardwalk at LaGrange, Tennessee, my curiosity was piqued. A friend and I, along with her two grandchildren, made the hour-long drive to explore the WRC's boardwalk. It provides public access to a beautiful bald cypress-water tupelo swamp in the Ghost River State Natural Area, but this place also plays an important role in our watershed, according to Ken Kimble, development director for the WRC. When the Wolf River overflows its banks, flood waters collect here. The swamp acts as... |
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05/23/1210 Ways You Can Improve Your Family's DietAs Southerners, we like our food salty, sweet, and plentiful. But as parents, we need to consider how our eating habits shape the health and well-being of our children. And that starts with smarter choices in the kitchen. To learn more about healthy cooking, I sat down with Emmett Bell, a certified executive chef at L'Ecole Culinaire. This culinary school offers a two-year program in the culinary arts, and recently launched a new, 10-week Nutrition and Dietary Management Certificate program. Bell says there are simple changes you can make that will improve your family's diet. Start today. 10. SHRINK SUPER-SIZED PORTIONS. The average American consumes 3,000 calories each day. And many of us don't get enough exercise. Is it any wonder that two-thirds of... |
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05/19/12Fashionista of the Week: EmilieAh, the fashionista, always looking for adventure. I spied charming Miss Emilie at the zoo this week, striking a pose by some topiary. The shrub was fashioned in the shape of a giraffe, just like the two that create a heart on this 4-year-old's top. Don't you love how Emilie's flowered leggings seem to sprout from beneath her denim skirt? And those glittery pink ballet flats complete the look. Mom Setareh tells me all of these pieces can easily be found at Sears, Children's Place, and Target. What's more, this mom is crafty. Just look at this adorable bow she fashioned out of ribbon. It's hot-glued to a clippy and embellished with feathers and a colorful giraffe sticker. Hooray for clever DIYers! Not to mention equally clever little sisters.... Posted at 08:54 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
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05/14/12Biking the Wolf River GreenwayLike many Memphians, I love biking the Greenline. But sometimes, I yearn for curves and water views. That's when I take the Wolf River Greenway. I like to start on the dirt trails that wind through the woods along the Wolf River, south of Walnut Grove Road. I park under the overpass there and pedal off into the cool, dappled stillness of the forest. As you parallel the river, you'll glimpse the new bridge that spans the Wolf River. Soon, the dirt path meets pavement; and a right turn takes you across the bridge to the Wolf River Greenway terminus. Riding on both the paved and unpaved trails is relatively easy, and provides a fun adventure for even young riders. Here at the Humpreys Center Trail Head, you have several choices. The 1.5 mile trail circles West Lake. If... |
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05/11/12Fashionista of the Week: JaniceFashionistas are often on the go. And what better way to travel than by scooter? I recently met Janice, as her mom is one of our Facebook friends. Doesn't she look adorable? What caught my eye (in addition to those fabulous sequins, of course) was her top, decorated with a mod line drawing of a little fashionista all her own! The sky blue sequin skort and the newsboy hat, embellished with a daisy, provide just-right accessories to this trendy ensemble from J.C. Penney's. We love how her ash blonde braids just peek out from beneath the cap. As we part ways, she zips off, her spangly outfit shining in the sun. She is the apple of her family's eye, and it shows. • Do you have a little fashionista at home? Do tell! Drop us a note here. Follow us on... Posted at 07:37 AM | Permalink | Comments: 2 |
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05/08/12Remembering Author Maurice SendakThe passing of beloved children's book author Maurice Sendak touched the hearts of many in Memphis. Sendak died Tuesday, May 8th, following a stroke. He was 83. The author was considered among the most important writers of children's literature in the twentieth century. Mom Kimberly Baker referenced a line from Sendak's Chicken Soup with Rice on her Facebook page, a verse Carol King set to music. "He's been such a big part of my life, ever since I was a child," says Baker, the manager of child life education and movement at the Church Health Center and mother of two. As a teenager, Baker sold countless copies of Where the Wild Things Are, at her first job at Pinocchio's: The Children's Bookplace, and later shared her love of stories like Pierre,... |
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05/04/12Fashionista of the Week: PrestonWhat is it about little boys that makes them so delicious? Is it the way they flash that devilish grin as they toddle out of reach? I happened upon this little heart throb while roaming the zoo mid-week. Eighteen-month-old Preston had rolled up his sleeves to enjoy some serious fun. His confident gaze made me smile. He looked so grown up in his chino-style khakis and crisp Oxford shirt by Wes and Willy. But what truly capped off his look was this darling skull and crossbones necktie worn at a jaunty angle. If you like his ensemble, then you'll love Jack and Anna Beanstalk, a children's shop on Getwell Road in Southaven. Take a peek. At the end of our photo session, Little Man climbed back into his stroller and asked for Mother's iPhone. This clever boy already... |
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05/02/12Sew Memphis Opens in MidtownThe People: Mary Allison Cates and Susan Schwartz, owners of Sew Memphis, celebrate the grand opening of their new sewing shop, which offers contemporary print fabrics, notions, and a creative outpost for stitchers of all stripes. Aren't these colors great? The Celebration: Friday evening, May 4th, from 6 to 8 p.m. The Place: 688 South Cox (two blocks east of Central and Cooper). Store hours: TBA The Story: It's not often that neighbors become friends and business partners. But Mary Allison and Susan shared a common passion for sewing and got tired of having to find pretty fabrics somewhere else. Why not create a specialty shop in Memphis that carries colorful prints? Then, provide classes for folks eager to learn how to sew. After all, quilts and home... Posted at 08:28 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
