Baby Boy Thank You Cards

I adore these Kate Spade thank you cards that my friend Clare ordered with her son George's initials on them. How cute is that?! I sent her a pre-written, addressed and stamped thank you but she didn't use it. I'm so glad she didn't or I would've never seen these cuties.

Christmas Cards Galore

Wondering what to do with all those Christmas cards you receive this year? And what to do with all the cards from years past? It would be a shame to throw them away, but then they probably end up in a shoe box at the bottom of a closet. To avoid that, I bought some beautiful leather photo albums to put the cards in year after year. I do the same with baby announcements in another book. I leave them in my living room and people love to flip through them. I have Christmas cards going back five years or more for some friends and it's fun to see the changes in the families... a couple's first card together once they're married, maybe the next year they have a new dog, and then there's the best part ... the babies!

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Delicious, Healthy & Meatless!

My friend Nicole first introduced me to Sunset magazine recipes. Who knew they were so good?! I have been making this recipe for Curried Red Kidney Beans and Cauliflower on a regular basis ever since I saw it in the magazine. It's good for you and packed with flavor. And now that I'm trying to do at least one meatless day per week, this is a fabulous option for a satisfying meal. The recipe takes a little prep-work but once you're ready to roll it goes fast and then simmers for 20 minutes. It makes a huge batch so there's tons of leftovers. I made it tonight and can't wait for lunch tomorrow!

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* The list of ingredients looks long but it's predominantly spices. You can get most of them in the bulk foods herb section at Whole Foods. I only buy enough for one or two preparations so they're always fresh. Whole Foods also carries green cardamom pods which can be hard to find.

Curried Red Kidney Beans and Cauliflower (Rajma Masala)

Red kidney beans are very nutritious. They are, however, harder to digest than other beans, which is why they're traditionally cooked with seasonings that help break them down, such as ginger. Use spices that are as fresh as possible--their health benefits, let alone their flavors, will be more potent that way. Prep and Cook Time: about 1 hour. Notes: Garam masala is a mixture of warming spices; find it at Indian grocery stores or gourmet groceries.

3 tablespoons vegetable oil (I use olive oil)

1 large onion, chopped

1 cinnamon stick (2-in.)

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced

1 tablespoon ginger, minced

1 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

3 green cardamom pods, cracked open

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 teaspoon garam masala

1 can (14.5-oz.) whole peeled plum tomatoes, without juice (I use the juice too)

1 serrano chile, stemmed, seeded, and minced

1 tsp. salt

6 cups cooked red kidney beans (roughly 3 cans, maybe 4), rinsed and drained

1/2 - 1 head cauliflower, cut into 1/2- to 1-in. florets

1 to 1 1/2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro sprigs, coarsely chopped

6 to 8 cups hot cooked brown rice

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1. Prepare brown rice according to instructions on package.

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2. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed 4- to 5-qt. pot or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and fry, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until slightly softened. Stir in cinnamon, bay leaf, garlic, ginger, fennel, cumin, and cardamom and fry, stirring, 2 minutes. Add cayenne, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala and fry, stirring, 1 minute. Shred tomatoes into pot with your fingers. Stir in serrano chile, salt, kidney beans, cauliflower, and 1 1/2 cups water. Lower heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, or until cauliflower is tender and liquid has thickened into a velvety-looking sauce (add more water if necessary).
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3. Season beans with salt. Stir in lemon juice and cilantro. Serve hot over brown rice, with plain yogurt on the side if you like.

Makes 6-8 servings

Have You Instituted One Meatless Day Per Week Yet?

If not, here's an interesting article from the New York Times that might help convince you to start.

"As More Eat Meat, a Bid to Cut Emissions"

Grand Marnier Roasted Chicken

My friend Erika is a wonderful cook and I always enjoy talking with her about our favorite recipes. This is one she told me about and I love it. This recipe makes such a pretty roast chicken and it's delicious too. I served this recipe with the brussel sprouts (surprise surprise) and some yukon gold potatoes (recipe below).

I always make chicken stock & then chicken noodle soup the next day because there's a hint of sweetness to the soup from the glaze. It's pretty subtle but I like it. I use Tyler Florence's recipe for both. I use the chicken carcass instead of a whole chicken for the stock. For the soup I use less noodles and more garlic, herbs, and seasoning.


Grand Marnier Roasted Chicken

1 whole chicken
1 orange, quartered and seeded
3 large fresh rosemary sprigs
1 small yellow onion, quartered
kosher salt
freshly ground pepper
3 T. butter
3 T. whole-grain mustard (or Grey Poupon)
3 T. apricot preserves
3 T. honey
3 T. Grand Marnier (sometimes use Cointreau instead of Grand)

Bring the chicken to room temp.(or close to) before roasting, other wise it always seems to take WAY longer to cook.

Preheat oven to 400. Place the chicken, breast-side up, on a rack in a small roasting pan and squeeze the juice from the orange quarters over the chicken. Place the orange quarters inside the cavity along with the rosemary and onion. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Pour 1 cup water into the bottom of the pan.

Roast chicken for 30 minutes. Rotate pan 180 degrees and reduce heat to 375. Continue to roast for 25 min. longer.

While chicken is roasting, in a small pan over med-high heat, melt the butter and then stir in the mustard, apricot preserves and honey. Cook, stirring constantly, until well blended 2-3 mins. Add the Grand Marnier, stir to blend, then remove from heat.

Remove chicken from the oven, pour off the juices from the pan, and brush the chicken with Grand Marnier glaze. Continue roasting the chicken, basting frequently, until the juices run clear, about 15 more mins.

Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 10-15 mins. before carving.

Yukon Gold Potatoes - This was my dinner back in college

Rub the outside of a few potatoes with butter and stab a few times with a fork. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until fork tender (depends on their size). Remove while you cook the chicken. Slice the potatoes in half and rub with a little more butter. Season cut side with salt, pepper, garlic salt, parsley and a little cayenne pepper if you like. When the chicken is done cooking (and you're letting it sit for 10-15 minutes), turn the temp to broil and raise the oven rack one notch. Put the potatoes in, cut side up, to brown slightly and reheat. Watch closely so they don't burn. Top with cottage cheese, yes, cottage cheese.

Christmas Gift Idea #3

As I said in one of my very first posts, I can't live without my "peppercorn" grinder. It's actually a coffee bean grinder that I use to make freshly ground black pepper. I grind a huge amount every few weeks and then have it next to the stove while I cook. It's so much easier than having to grind pepper by hand for every recipe.

I also love my swivel top marble box with two sections - one side for the pepper I grind and one side for kosher salt. I have a black marble one but they also come in white marble (carrera) or this honed marble version. Call Mr. J's (425-455-2270) if you can't locate the one you want online.So for the chef in your life, buy the Cuisinart Grind Central Coffee Grinder and this marble salt & pepper box. Then buy a jar of whole black peppercorns as a stocking stuffer! You can get those at the grocery store or get a fancy jar from William Sonoma. Or do as I do and buy them in the bulk foods section and store in an air-tight glass container (they are cheaper if you buy them that way). I bought this little trio for my brother's birthday last year and it was a hit!

Favorite Blankies

Yesterday I was on the hunt for a baby gift and I can never resist buying blankets. I opted for a purple Little Giraffe blanket because my daughter is obsessed with her Little Giraffe "blang blang". I thought I would write a post about our most favorite blang blangs in case you're in the market for some baby gifts.

Under the Nile
I loved these organic cotton blankets and thought they were perfect swaddling blankets - not too big, not too small, not too warm, not too thin. Loved them!



Luna Lullaby
I had my daughter in July so we had a few hot months when she was first born. I loved these Luna Lullaby blankets for swaddling on the hottest days. I also used them to cover up while breast feeding or draped them over the stroller when my girl was sleeping. They are so big and lightweight that they were great multi-purpose blankets.


The Luna Lullaby blankets are sold in packs of three in the following color/pattern combos:


Little Giraffe
Ah, the blang blang. What would we do without these?! It is my daughter's most favorite thing and she finds so much comfort in it that we always try to have one on hand for when she starts to get tired. She runs the silky edges between her little fingers when we're reading books or when she lays quietly in her crib. It's precious.

Little Giraffe blankets are the softest I've found and they wear really well. We wash and dry ours every two or three days and they are holding up great. I love the small version as well. It's great for hot days when a huge blanket is a bit much.

Carnival Themed Baby Shower

My friend Nicole and I just threw a baby shower for our dear pal Courtney. She is using the circus bedding from Pottery Barn Kids so we decided to go with a circus/carnival theme for her shower. It was a hit and I think it would be super cute for a child's birthday party too. Here are all the details:

Invitations
Invitations were done with a circus graphic of an elephant and clown and a circus font for key words. A gromet and ribbon were used on one end and the invitation was inserted into an old-school popcorn bag, then mailed in a clear cellophane envelope with a cute address label. Everyone loved them.

Appetizers

Fresh popped popcorn (made by my husband who makes the best popcorn on earth)

Caramel corn

Cheese plate

Lunch

Chinese take-out boxes in primary colors filled with a baguette sandwich and a pickle, individually wrapped and tied with bright colored ribbon. A delicious salad was served as a side, along with chips.

Beverages

Root beer, sparkling lemonade, blood orange Italian soda, sparkling water, white wine

Dessert

Trophy cupcakes with vanilla frosting, bright sprinkles and animal crackers on top

Favors

Candy bar inspired by Amy Atlas Events. We used the leftover popcorn bags from the invitations and everyone helped themselves.

Decor

Balloons and homemade garland in primary colors

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For shits & giggles

Nicole and I greeted guests in clown hats doing funny little clown jigs with carnival music playing loudly (maybe the best part!)

Messy House?

To keep people from going upstairs we hung this little sign saying "Ride Temporarily Closed". That way I didn't have to clean the whole house before the party. Genius Nicole!

Courtney...

Our adorable guest of honor.

Nicole - We made a good team! Thanks for all your hard work and creativity!!!

Christmas Gift Idea #2

Dior launched a new mascara called DIORSHOW ICONIC. I love it! Great Christmas gift for someone on your list or something to ask for from the Santa in your life.

Just Found What I Wasn't Looking For...

... another Christmas tree skirt.

This year I'm doing a silver and gold Christmas tree. There is always some white in there too so I thought this white Jewel Quilted Velvet Tree Skirt from Pottery Barn would be perfect. It's a lot cuter in person and it's on sale. Perfecto!

Party Dress

I saw this adorable Phillip Lim dress at Nordstrom. It's super short so I thought it would be cute with black tights and great black shoes. Perfect party dress for all those holiday parties or a big New Year's Eve bash. I won't be attending a big New Years Bash though. I will be at home, wearing sweats and cooking up a feast with good friends and good wine. I can't think of anything better. I'm getting old, aren't I?!

SALE at SINGER 22

20% off on Singer 22 today. Get your Love Quotes scarves, high-waisted jeans and Ben Amun coin necklaces today and save! Coupon code is TURKEY20.

My Favorite Jammies for My Little Lovebug

I love these organic cotton jammies from Hanna Anderson. They look so cute on those teeny little bodies. The pink and white stripes are my fave but the seasonal ones go on sale so often that I end up buying more of those. They are originally $36 but you can get them on sale for $18 or $25, especially if you're willing to wear holiday pjs after the holiday. And if you live near a Hannah Anderson outlet store you can get them even cheaper.

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These pajamas are not flame-retardant which is a plus for me....

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A few years ago I read a very interesting book about the impact chemicals are having on our health. In that book there was a section on SIDS and a possible connection with fire retardant chemicals. A chemist in New Zealand made a persuasive argument that toxic chemicals like fire retardants interact with the heat from the child's body and a fungus that commonly grows in bedding. It creates a gas that asphyxiates the baby. This would make sense considering parents were told for so many years to have their babies sleep on their stomachs. They found that SIDS cases fell 48 percent once they instituted a new campaign to encourage parents to wrap the crib mattress in airtight protective coverings.

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Maybe there is truth to this SIDS argument and maybe not, I cannot say. But I always like to avoid chemicals when possible so I am happy knowing there aren't a bunch of fire retardant chemicals on these jammies.

Another way to avoid unnecessary chemical exposure while your baby sleeps is to invest in an organic cotton crib mattress from GIGGLE.

Dying to Make This Soon ...

My friend Chris was nice enough to share his secret halibut recipe that I was raving about the other day. It was heavenly. And don't forget to serve with rice or cous cous and those delicious brussel sprouts!

Christopher’s Texas Pecan Crusted Halibut in Tomato Orange Sauce

Fresh halibut fillets (skinned)
4-5 Tbsp grape seed oil
4 cloves purple or rag garlic, minced
14.5 oz can of Muir Glen Fire Roasted Tomatoes (once you use these you’ll never go back)
Zest and juice of 1 navel orange
½ cup fish stock
1 cup of unbleached flour (add some cracked pepper and a touch of salt)
2 eggs
1 cup orange glazed pecans (you can also mix with toffee pecans depending upon your taste and sweet tooth)

The sauce: saute garlic in grape seed oil over medium heat. After a minute, add zest, orange juice, tomatoes and stock. Bring to a boil; then reduce and simmer.

Crush the pecans. This can be done by either putting them in a bag and beating on them with a meat tenderizer until they are crushed or using a food processor. Set out three plates and in one plate add your flour, in another add the two beaten eggs, and in the third add the crushed glazed pecans. Take the individual halibut fillets and coat with the flour mixture shaking off the excess. Dip them into the egg and let the excess drizzle off. Finally coat them with the pecan mixture. Continue with each fillet and set aside.

Preheat a cast iron skillet over high heat. This is the best pan to give the pecan crust a crunchy texture. Add grape seed oil to the pan and continue to heat. Place each fillet into the pan for approximately 1-2 minutes per side, bringing the heat down on the pan so you don't burn the fillets. If your fillets are too thick and aren't cooked through in that short time, then throw the pan in the oven for a few minutes until cooked. Remove the fish and serve with basmati or brown rice. Spoon the orange sauce over the fillet and rice.

Christmas Gift Idea #1

If there's someone in your life who is an avid gardener or cook, is interested in the quality of food or the global impact of the food they're eating, or is trying to eat more of what's in season and grown locally, then I highly recommend the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life. It's educational and inspiring. I am thoroughly enjoying it and just ordered a few extras as gifts.

Check out the excerpt and recipe on NPR's website.

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Jennifer Garner Says "She's Magic!"

If you're ever in LA (or live in LA) you should book a facial with "facialist-to-the-stars" Nerida Joy. She has been working as an aesthetician and "skin expert" (a title reserved for dermatologists) for 29 years and has her own spa in Beverly Hills. I went to her for a facial and it changed the way I deal with my skin on a daily basis. I use to get lazy with the eye cream and SPF. Now, not a day goes by that I skip any part of my routine. She really educated me on my skin type, skin damage and what I need to do to improve and prevent signs of aging. She also scared the living daylights out of me when she explained the skin aging process and what's in store, especially once we hit 40. All the more reason to really take care of your skin now and stay out of the sun. That is the toughest part for me. You just look better with a little color but ... play now, pay later. Not worth it I guess.

Nerida said that very few aestheticians can properly diagnose skin and warned me about those who push services like microdermabrasion, monthly facials, peels, etc. She said those are not good options for my skin type ("thin skin"). She said she has so many clients whose skin has been absolutely RUINED by microdermabrasion or other services.

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Nerida also sells a line of facial products - cleanser, eye cream, moisturizers and more. I am a big fan and feel that my skin looks better than it has in a long time. I have seen her twice now and we both noticed a significant improvement in the wrinkles around my eyes once I started being really regimented about my morning and night-time routine. All of her products can be ordered online.

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If you ever schedule an appointment with her, say Colleen referred you. It doesn't do anything for me but YOU save a bundle on your first visit!

One of the Best of the Year!

I saw the movie "Slumdog Millionaire" last night and let me just say ... wow! It was a powerful story about the life of a young street begger who ends up on a game show and knows each answer based on an experience in his life. The film flashes back to show these moving moments. The cinematography was stunning, the family life tragic, and the love story emotional. Surely one of the best movies of the year. I highly recommend it. Just be prepared - it is intense. And stay for the credits. I needed the pick-me-up after such a gut-wrenching movie.

Read the review from Rolling Stone magazine and watch the YouTube trailer for a sneak peak.

Butterflies for Ornaments & Beyond

I came across these sparkly little butterfly ornaments at Pottery Barn and thought they would be cute on a colorful Christmas tree. This year I'm doing a silver and gold tree so I won't be able to use them but next year I'm vowing to do a really bright, fun, colorful tree. The tree at the Pottery Barn store was so bright and beautiful with these little butterflies perched on branches throughout. They would also be perfect for a mini tree for the kids. They are even cuter in person than in the photo.

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They also had these Christmas balls in bright colors - gold, turquoise, green and magenta - that looked great. Shown here (bottom left) in gold.

I will be keeping Pottery Barn on my radar and might go crazy for these items when everything goes on sale. The great thing about the butterflies is that you can use them for other events like a butterfly themed baby shower or a little girl's birthday party. Check out my previous post on Butterfly Party Decorations and you will see how these "ornaments" from Pottery Barn would work right in.

Delicious Dinner Party Menu

Sauteed Brussel Sprouts with Lemon and Pistachios from Epicurious

I just got back from a fun weekend in Austin, visiting my friends Chris and Jeff. They were wonderful hosts and showed us a great time. Chris is an amazing cook and makes it look so easy. They hosted a dinner party one night and he threw together the most delicious dinner with such ease.

Butternut Squash Soup with Grilled Prawns
This came about by accident actually. The neighbor made a delicious butternut squash soup and Chris was planning to grill some marinated prawns (marinated in garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper I think). He got creative and chopped the prawns up after grilling them and put them in the bottom of the bowl. Then topped with some soup and a little parsley. He also thought a little creme fraiche would be fantastic dribbled over the top but didn't have any. It was so good and a fun twist on traditional butternut squash soup.

Sauteed Brussel Sprouts with Lemon and Pistachios
I have never been a huge fan of brussel sprouts but these were so good I had a huge second helping. Trimming the leaves off took a minute or two (understatement clearly as we made three bunches) but was worth it. I loved the presentation. This would be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dinner. It's a quick and easy preparation once you get the leaves trimmed. Recipe from Epicurious.

Pecan-Crusted Halibut
I'm on the hunt for this recipe. It was absolutely delicious. There was a sauce made of crushed whole tomatoes in sauce, fish stock, orange zest and more. The halibut was served with wild rice and the sauce spooned over both. I ate every last bite. Delicious. I will post the recipe when I track it down.

Handmade Sweets with a Dash of Spice

If you're in need of some stocking stuffers, holiday hostess gifts or something to satisfy your sweet tooth, I highly recommend the tasty delights from Whimsy & Spice. The clever duo behind Sweet Find Day recently re-launched their website (and now offer ecommerce directly) for their delicious homemade sweets.

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Thinking they would make great gifts for the holidays, I thought I would order a few bags for a trial run. Good excuse to indulge, isn't it?! I have been testing them out with my coffee in the morning and as dessert after dinner and must say they are some fine little cookies.

They offer small bags of cookies, biscotti, brownies and more. Or you can order gift boxes and try a variety of goodies. Their treats have a shelf life of 8 weeks but are best eaten within 5-10 days so keep that in mind when ordering.

My faves:

Pumpkin Ginger Sandwich Cookies
A creamy white chocolate filling, delicately spiked with white pepper is sandwiched between two spiced pumpkin ginger cookies dusted with sparkling sugar. Each 2" cookie is perfectly crisp on the outside, but cake-like on the inside.

Hazelnut Chocolate Whisky Sandwich
A bittersweet Scotch Whisky-infused Madagascar chocolate filling nestles between two cookies studded with ground hazelnuts and rich chocolate chips. Each cookie is 2.25 inches in diameter.

Superfoods

I cam across this list of Dr. Perricone's Superfoods on Oprah's website. Click on each one to learn more about it. I always love these kinds of lists because they inspire me at the grocery store.

Açaí
The Allium Family
Barley
Beans and Lentils
Buckwheat
Green Foods
Hot Peppers
Nuts and Seeds
Sprouts
Yogurt and Kefir

The Future of Fish

Seafood fans - read this quick article, "A Seafood Snob Ponders the Future of Fish", from the New York Times last Sunday. It won't make you stop eating fish, but you may be more aware of what you're eating going forward.

Great Finds at JCrew

JCrew has really impressed me with their new launch into jewelry these last few seasons. I think they've got some really fun pieces that don't break the bank. I purchased the bracelet pictured above last spring and had fun with it this summer. Jenna Lyon, Creative Director of JCrew, is wearing it on this month's cover of Domino. Super cute.

My dear friend Froiline Maria got me the bracelet pictured below for my birthday and I love it too. I love the gold tassle that dangles off the bracelet. Super cute (must be my new saying). Both are fun pieces when you want to snaz up an outfit for an evening out.

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I'm also a fan of the oversized rings that JCrew is selling this season (I'm a sucker for big rings) as well as some cute necklaces and bracelets. Check 'em out. I say better to peruse the store than the website though. Jewelry can be tough. Some things are much cuter in person and some are actually better photographed (they can look cheap in person) so it's good to get your hands on a piece to try before you buy. Happy shopping!

ABCs & 123s

Well how stinkin' cute are these handmade stuffed felt letters and numbers that I came across on Etsy?! I may have to get a set for my daughter as a Christmas gift. She's way too young for them but I can't resist.

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You can even buy individual letters for $1 a piece. There are lots of fun things you could do with these. Attach them to the top of a wrapped gift for a birthday present. Mount them on the door of each child's bedroom. Sew them to felt stockings for the kids to hang over the fireplace. Make them into Christmas tree ornaments for a kid's tree. I'm not that crafty so I'm sure you creative types can come up with even better ideas. Do share if you think of something clever!

I is for Indulge and Ina!

My friend Whitney made Ina's Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing yesterday and I had the pleasure of indulging in one last night. I ate every last crumb of that delicious little cake and have been day-dreaming about them ever since.

She skipped the chopped nuts on top which I think was a good call. I was kind of surprised to read that on the recipe actually. The frosting was so good although she said she wished it made more. Maybe it wasn't the recipe's fault and the fact that she was sneaking spoonfuls for herself (hmmm?). I thought they were perfect and plan to make them first chance I get. Give 'em a whirl! The recipe looks pretty easy and they won't disappoint!

My Life in a Nutshell

"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"

"What's for breakfast? said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"

"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.

Pooh nodded thoughtfully.

"It's the same thing," he said.

Books Galore

I don't buy my daughter an overabundance of toys, but I don't think you can ever have too many children's books. There are so many great books out there that I find it hard to control myself. I'm always finding new ones at the bookstore, reading about them on blogs or hearing about favorites from friends.

I recently posted my list of favorite kids books but as I'm sure you experience, the little tots discover new favorites every few weeks (much to my relief actually because if I had to read some of them one more time I might go crazy insane!). The book Is There Really a Human Race is still a top contender, but here are some other current favorites...

Caps for Sale
Esphyr Slobodkina

My friend Whitney just shared some of her favorites and one is the delightful book Caps For Sale. Originally copyrighted in 1940, it is a clever little tale about a cap peddler and what happens to his caps one day during a snooze. My daughter and I thoroughly enjoy it. And any time she starts to get bored, I remind her that there are monkeys in the tree and she simmers back down into my lap. Fun little children's book.

A Bear and His Boy
Sean Bryan (Author) & Tom Murphy (Illustrator)

I can't remember where I first came across A Boy & His Bunny but my daughter and I both love it. Now she is loving another book by the same duo, A Bear & His Boy, and we've read it a couple hundred thousand times. We've liked them so much that I just ordered A Girl & Her Gator, and my husband and daughter are reading it now as I get a break to blog. I'm sure we'll be reading it ALL day tomorrow.

Peekaboo Kisses

Barney Saltzberg

My friend Nicole first told me about Animal Kisses when her daughter fell in love with it. I picked one up for my daughter and she is also a fan. Come to find out there are several more including Baby Animal Kisses and the favorite in our house, Peekaboo Kisses, because it has different fabrics/textures like the other books AND it has flaps for the kids to flip. If you just get one, that would be the one to try. Fun for little ones!

ABC: A Child's First Alphabet Book
Alison Jay

And finally, I'm sure you've heard of all the wonderful picture books by Alison Jay. I love her ABC book because each page is full of items starting that page's letter and it's fun to go through and point everything out. We also like her book Picture This.

So ... what to do with all those children's books you're collecting??? In addition to them being strewn throughout the entire house, I've collected three little bamboo shelves to store my daughter's books. You can find them at antique stores from time to time and they have a little more character than a plain set of bookshelves. And if you're lucky you can get a good deal on them so you're spending less than a traditional set. These two are from Pacific Galleries Antique Mall in Seattle.

Would love to know what your favorite children's books are so please post a comment and share!