Are You a Crab?

Lately I have been discussing habitats with my daughter who will proudly tell you she has crabs. Of course,  this may mean something quite different to you than it does to a 10 year old. She just means she has 2 pet fiddler crabs named May and June and they are in a plastic container with bright blue rocks, a "swimming hole", a tree and other items necessary to simulate a "natural" environment in which they can flourish, lose their outer shell, play, swim and eat. So far, our "natural" habitat is working. But are we missing anything? Are the sounds of our household a problem - they really aren't typical for a crab habitat? I don't really think it will be a problem.
But what about intrusions into our everyday lives that are our of the ordinary. Intrusions like too much noise, nastiness and other unwarranted stresses can be as very toxic to a living environment. Hmmm...

FYI - fiddler crabs are about an inch long. The males have one larger claw than the other; hence "fiddlers". They are not used to make soft shell crabs (click for recipe).

Well, gotta go tend the crabs now. They are molting.

If you really love crabs but don't want the responsibility, this personalized self inking stamp is for you ($40). Use it over and over again.

Do You Want Some Cheddar Caulifower? No Cheese Added.

Our local Farmer's Market here in New Hope is something I look forward to every week. We try to get there early - right after school as they are still setting up. Yesterday we were all over the cheddar cauliflower and the lush looking beets. Of course, we couldn't resist these HUGE and decadent chocolate yogurt cupcakes from Comfortfood by Chef Kim Quay. (We like her Granola too!)

Roast the cauliflower with extra virgin olive oil and kosher salt - yummy. 

The New Hope Farmers' Market is on Thursdays from 3:30 to 7, located at the High School. Rain or Shine.

Paper Tuesday - Sitting Pretty

Regular Business Cards 


Not a chance!
Bamboo paper makes quite a statement for invitations, stationery and absolutely sets apart your business cards. Bamboo is in the grass family and it is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet. Sustainable. Replenishing.*  Bamboo has been used to make paper for a very long time. (Think ancient China.) High quality bamboo paper can be pricey but the quality is evident all over the page. The bamboo paper used for our Smock design here feels smooth and luxurious. Click on the link to learn about the various qualities of this sensational paper.

* People can disagree about the net environmental benefits of its use as paper but they cannot disagree about it lusciousness.

Wooden Ya Know

"What you are as a person is far more important that what you are as a basketball player."

John Wooden, exalted man and basketball coach of the UCLA BRUINS passed away last night. He is said to be the greatest college coach in history who, aside from his incredible streak of NCAA championships (10) and his "first" of being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and coach, is attributed with an unbelievable number of quotes about life and the game. (Reference LA TimesSports Blog.) His words of wisdom extend beyond sports. ( I am thinking better than motivational greeting cards here people.)

On June 2, last Wednesday night, if you haven't heard by now, during the baseball game between The Detroit Tigers and The Cleveland Indians, Tigers' pitcher Armando Galarraga was robbed of a "Perfect Game" in the ninth inning, with 1 out to go. Umpire Jim Joyce made a bad call that left a man on first base, thus ending the chance for a perfect game. It was a mistake. There was outrage; replays on TV show quite clearly that the call was bad and really it was a perfect game. But baseball does not use instant replay so the call stands. The Perfect Game remains, in the record books, a Non-Perfect Game.

After the game, Jim Joyce, with tears said regrettably and sincerely that he made a mistake. Armando gracefully moved on. publicly recognized his mistake. What the fans got was not a perfect game but a display of integrity, grace and class.

Sportsmanship, grace, kindness and forgiveness for a major mistake in the world of sports. Life lessons delivered from the playing field - the beauty of sport.

A Fruit Cocktail

Over Memorial Day Weekend we had a lot of fun in the hot, hot sun and we made our own version of a fruit cocktail - not truly remarkable but fresh and fruity. This is pretty strong straight up and definitely NOT for children so, if you have kids around, label it because it looks very tempting.

How to:
Cut up a fresh pineapple into cubes.
Put the cubes into a pitcher of vodka.
Let it soak overnight in the refrigerator.

Voila!
Easy Homemade (almost) pineapple vodka.

Are You Feeling Blue?

Turquoise is the color of the year and it is popping up not only on stationery but also in nail polish for summer. Chanel has Nouvelle Vague - a beautiful sea blue, Essie has Mint Candy Apple (see below on me) - more like a Tiffany blue and there are others. It is fun and different. Warning: can run the risk of looking tacky in the day light and I think by week's end you may just want to keep it down below on your toes.


Orrganics' custom design stationery above, Smock letterpress on bamboo paper.


A sheet from Smock's letter writing set. Ready to go loveliness. This sheet is from the Isle collection.


(Okay, so I might also be a little blue because LOST has ended)

Are you Lost? I Am So Lost.

Yes, I am so LOST.
There is really not much to say about the end of one of the most original and captivating TV shows ever that has not already been said. And, while I was sad to have it come to end, I did feel satisfied with a well done and lovely send off (except that I really don't know why Penny was in the Church).
That is the question that I keep asking. So, if anyone knows, please fill me in.
Namaste.

Click here for everything LOST.
Photo is courtesy of and from the ABC website for LOST.

And, don't even get me going - I also lost 24 this week.