Pumpkins and Pearls

It took us longer than planned to get to a pumpkin patch this year -- we beat our Halloween deadline by only two days.  As we expected, getting a posed picture of all three girls proved impossible because there was just too much else to do!

Like picking pumpkins.....

And transporting pumpkins....

 Arranging pumpkin displays....

Eating pumpkins....

And having a good cry over the excitement of it all....




In the end, we settled for a few individual pictures of the girls.  They had chosen their own attire --- purple dresses, of course, paired with pearls.  Why not?  :)

Happy Fall.

Giveaway and Book Recommendation: The Veil

This is my good friend,  Cory Putman Oakes:

Cory is amazing.  A former lawyer, she now juggles full-time mommyhood with a flourishing career as a novelist.  She writes, edits, and manages publication deadlines during her toddler's naptime.    She also maintains a gorgeous home, throws creative parties, cooks original recipes, and completes P90X in her spare time.  To top it off, Cory's a genuine friend who, within hours of a major disaster striking you, will show up at your home with homemade baked goods and hugs.  Cory's a bit younger than I am, but I nevertheless aspire to be as cool as she is when I grow up!


Today is extraordinarily special for Cory, because after years of hard work, she is releasing her debut young adult urban fantasy novel, The Veil, published by Octane Press:

The Veil is a paranormal romance set in Marin County, California.  Here's the publisher's blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Addison Russell is in for a shock when she discovers that she can see the invisible world of the Annorasi.  Suddenly, nothing is as it appears to be -- the house she lives in, the woman who raised her, even the most beautiful boy in town all turn out to be more than what they seem.  And when this strange new world forces Addy to answer for a crime that was committed long ago, by parents she has never known, she has no choice but to trust Luc, the mysterious Annorasi who has been sent to protect her.  Or so he says...

Sounds good, doesn't it?  I had the privilege of reading a manuscript of The Veil, and I liked that while it's accessible and appropriate for young adults, it's also a page-turner for grown-ups.  I read it straight-through, with no breaks, twice!  And as a mom of girls, I also appreciated the strong female protagonist and the clean language.  If you enjoy the fantasy worlds created by Stephanie Meyer, J.K. Rowling, and Madeleine L'Engle, you'll immerse yourself in Cory's world of the Annorasi.  I'm not the only one who thinks so; the reviews so far have been great, like this one by Emelie Saunders on The Pioneer Woman:   "It was rejuvenating to read a fantasy novel without vampires or werewolves....This was the book I have been looking for all this summer."


To celebrate The Veil's release, I am honored to give away an author-signed copy of The Veil to a cul-de-sac reader.  Cory will even personalize her inscription, if you wish to give it as a gift to a young reader (perfect for the holidays!) or keep it for yourself.  


Here are five ways to enter -- you can use any or all of them to increase your chances of winning:


1.  Subscribe to Cory's blog and then leave a comment here telling me you did.


2. Add The Veil to your reading list on Goodreads and leave a comment here telling me you did.


3.  Ask your library to purchase a copy of The Veil and leave a comment here telling me you did.


4.  Become a Google Friend Connect follower of the cul-de-sac and leave a comment here telling me you did.


5.  Blog, tweet, or post on Facebook about this giveaway and leave a comment here telling me you did. 

Entries close Wednesday, November 9, at 6 pm Central.  If you don't win, don't despair: just purchase your own copy at Amazon, support a wonderful writer who is making her publication dreams come true, and transport yourself to the fascinating world of the Annorasi!


Happy Reading!


(this giveaway is now closed --- winner will be announced soon!)

November Reading List

5 Minutes for Books asks, "What's on Your Nightstand?"

Here's what's loaded on my iPad, ready for November bedtime reading:

I feel late to the party reading The Tiger's Wife, which was just nominated for a 2011 National Book Award. 

I didn't love Eugenides' last novel but understand this has a much different tone.

 I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I enjoy John Grisham novels when I'm in the mood for mindless easy reading.  Not all reading has to be thought-provoking, right?  Besides, I want to see if his depiction of "litigators" in any way resembles my former life or the lives of the many litigators I know and love.  I'm guessing...not.  :)

 

 Of course.

And speaking of books, please come back and visit the cul-de-sac on Tuesday, November 1 for a very special book giveaway announcement!  Happy Reading!

It's Fall, Y'all: Time for Stew

Here in Austin, it's finally fall, y'all, and that means it's time to dust off the slow-cooker and make hearty autumnal fare.  On the menu today, a tried-and-true family favorite: Beef Stew with Bacon.  You can find the recipe from Williams-Sonoma here.  I feel fortunate to be working from home today, because my entire house smells heavenly (assuming heaven smells like bacon, of course!).

What are your favorite fall recipes?

Reading with the Kids: Lovin' BabyLit!

I can't wait until next month's Kids' Picks to share these wonderful children's books, so this is a bonus post.  I recently discovered the fabulous BabyLit series by Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver:

For those of us moms who love classic English literature, these sturdy, beautifully illustrated board books are the perfect counting primers to read with our toddlers.  "1 English Village...2 Rich Gentlemen....10,000 pounds a year!"  What a fantastic way to introduce our children to the characters and (age-appropriate, simplified) plots of the classics.  I can't wait until they release Jane Eyre next year!

Living the Dream

via

I haven't been blogging much lately because I've been working really long hours while also parenting three sick kids and nursing my own cold.  I'm barely one step ahead of work deadlines, way behind on laundry and sleep, and I have blurry memories of feeding my kids frozen waffles for dinner one night last week.  There have been many moments in the past week when I have grumpily told my husband that I cannot --- cannot --- be expected to do everything I do, even one day more --- that something has to give.  I know from past experience that when life gets this crazy, I feel guilty for not focusing exclusively on the children, and that the something that gives, other than laundry, is work --- an extra paper I hoped to publish, a research collaboration I hoped to pursue.  And then, I feel guilty for not contributing to society at my fullest potential.  My life as a working mom is a pendulum swinging between two guilt trips.

Tonight, I was in my study, focused on writing when my husband brought me the baby to nurse.  I took a little break to feed her and catch up on my internet news.  On the CNN homepage, I saw this headline: For Parents, Sacrifice Is Living the Dream.  I clicked, and read Josh Levs' wise words.  They resonated. And as cliche as it is, I saw all of my dreams in my sleepy baby's sweet smile.  She was content; I was content.

This working mama is still tired, but happier to have a little perspective tonight.

I wish you all a good weekend filled with the things that matter.

Christmas Shopping for the Kids: Tegu Blocks

Call me a Grinch, but I don't buy many toys for my kids, at Christmas, or otherwise.  We much prefer to spend our money on experiences than material goods.  Our toy strategy has been to invest in a few quality pieces with longevity and open-ended creative play potential (like a play kitchen, musical instruments, blocks, dolls, magnatiles), and avoid the temptation to buy the latest trendy plastic-electronic contraptions from Target.

This (relative) toy minimalism is helped by the fact that my kids have never once set foot in Toys R Us or seen any television commercials advertising toys.  If they don't know that it exists, they don't miss it.  And truly, they have very happy, fun, playful lives.  We value the purity of a childhood that isn't overly tainted by commercialization (hypocrisy disclaimer: unless that commercialization comes from Apple, in which case we embrace i-Everything).

Santa does bring one or two special gifts each year, however, which are complemented by a few smaller gifts (clothes, books, art supplies) from Mom & Dad.  In the past, Santa has brought an art easel, a play tent, a fabulous red play kitchen, and magnatiles.  This year, after consultation with me, Santa bought the girls Tegu blocks (Santa's an advance planner and does his shopping early!).  In my work life, I teach business ethics, and Tegu's story is compelling:


The Tegu Story from Tegu on Vimeo.

They are expensive, but the purchase price not only buys quality magnetic blocks made from sustainable wood, but also allows you to contribute to re-forestation and education causes in Honduras.  Beyond the social responsibility element, Tegu blocks are appealing because they encourage imaginative play.

via Tegu

The customer reviews thus far are very positive, and Santa's hardest decision was which set to buy.  I'm excited to see what the girls create.  Santa made a good choice, I think.

Have you started holiday shopping?  What are your favorite finds this year?