Intelligent Toys

Day 18.
Intelligent Toys
 
I'm going to take a moment to reminisce about a simpler childhood before all the gadgets that go beep-beep-beep.
 

 
 
I'm not that old... a child of the 80s really. But times and toys have changed considerably since I was growing up. Although I am to some degree impressed that my five year old nephew can work my cell phone better than I can (which may actually say more about my technical skills than his), I can't help but think that in an age where everything is so electronically focused that kids growing up today may not be developing their cognitive skills in the same way the previous generation did. I hope they aren't losing the abilitiy to think and create and be challenged by things that don't have an electronic component. I'm not trying to negate the benefits of understanding new technology (it seems almost second nature to children today), but I am going to say there is great benefit to other kinds of intelligent toys that make you think for yourself and figure things out. I have two great examples for you here.

 

http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/fractiles/fractiles_7.cfm  

This toy, Fractiles-7, is very impressive to me. It reminds me of a similar magnetic toy I had as a child. You can spend hours on end figuring out the geometric patterns and how things connect and inter-connect differently than they did moments before and I think toys like this get the brain and the hands working in sync. I think that's really cool. Here's another toy that I would have loved and think is so clever...newspaper builders!

 

http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/roylco/newspaper_builders_.cfm

 

On a larger scale kids can "figure it out" and see how geometric patterns connect to build a structure around them. Using old newspapers as the base opens up an opportunity to explain about re-using and recycling things when we are finished...and who knows, the child might actually start to READ something in one of those newspapers.

 

My hope is that no matter how far ahead we move with our technology that we won't lose the part of our minds and ourselves that is engaged by creative and cognitive challenges...even when the cell phone battery dies!

 

 

The Gift of Eating Well

Day 17.
The Gift of Eating Well

I suppose it's one of life's little ironies that in spite of loving so many crafts and creative endeavors I have never been much of a cook. Although I do enjoy baking, when it comes to actually cooking my skills are rather limited. So if I'm going to be making a meal it has to be relatively easy to prepare. When I discovered a delicious, American made pasta in a variety of flavor options I thought it was both a perfect gift idea as well as a meal I could easily prepare myself. I love that!

These Pasta Partners can be found at http://plentifulpantry.com/. I give them high praise for being both delicious and easy to make. Although I don't cook often, I would like to dispell a rumor started by my mother...

So now the truth is out...I can in fact boil water!

Making Ornaments

Day 16.

Making Ornaments

Finding special ornaments is great, but making them yourself can take the personal meaning to another level. I love crafting and making things and would love to share how you can make two different styles of ornaments using supplies I use frequently that are made right here in the USA. 

Once you know the basics of the materials it's easy to let your creativity take over and you can make all sorts of beautiful creations!

Special Ornaments

Day 15.

Special Ornaments

Every year my collection of holiday ornaments grows larger and larger. Each one has a special memory attached. When it's time to bring them out each year to hang on the tree it's a little like opening a time capsule and reliving the experiences that they have helped to commemorate. There are a few that hold particularly special significance to me...like the baby ornament in needlepoint made especially for me by my neighbor, Betty, to celebrate my first Christmas...or the crystal bride and groom ornament given to me by my parents when I got married...or the pewter "new home" door ornament given to me by my employer the year my husband and I bought our first home together. Ornaments are more than beautiful decorations. They are reminders of precious times in our lives. This year I have a few new additions to share...

There are lots of cool ornaments just like this to be found at www.gloriaduchin.com.

For even more American made ornaments I would also like to suggest you visit www.achristmasornament.com. There is such a wide variety of ornaments and each will have a special meaning for someone. That's what makes ornaments such sweet little gifts to be treasured for a lifetime.

The Gift of Hair Care

Day 14.
The Gift of Hair Care


Do you remember the scene in Legally Blonde The Musical where Elle is presented with some two in one shampoo/conditioner and the ladies get so excited about the gift because "he gave her HAIR CARE!" Well, hair care certainly can be a great gift (and perfect contents for another basket) and it can also be something we can be attentive to all throughout the year. I recently went to my local salon and asked my stylist to only use made in the USA products on me during my visit. This started us down the road of examining the bottles of different products throughout the shop. I think it was an eye opening experience for both of us! There was one brand whose name would make you think it was made here, however the bottles told a different story. After some discussion about this blog and why I felt it was important to know about origin of the products she was using we selected shampoo, conditioner, hairspray and other styling products made in the USA from the L'ANZA line. I must say I felt being dilligent in the search led me to getting the best out of this experience because L'ANZA is a very high quality line that is sold only in salons. You can find out more at http://www.lanza.com/. Follow me through my salon visit...

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite L'ANZA products that I've used for quite awhile (even prior to this particular visit) is from their Healing Moisture Collection. I absolutely LOVE the L'ANZA Healing Moisture Moi Moi Hand Treatment.



This hand treatment has a nice, light fragrance and is very moisturizing, but dries quickly so it does not leave your hands greasy or sticky. It is my favorite for my hands and I use it frequently right after washing my hands to restore the moisture. I think very highly of this line and the salon experience I had.

 

I also want to give praise to some other hair care lines making products here in the USA.



 

 

 

Every product that you see here is made in this country. Next time you visit your salon please consider asking them to take a closer look at what they use and you will feel wonderful about having a great hair care experience while supporting American made products at the same time.

Candle Lady

Day 13.
Candle Lady

I took a quick count of how many candles I currently have in my house...147! Is it any wonder I'm known for being the candle lady? I love scented candles and am always looking for more. Candles are a great gift and can really create a beautiful ambiance in the home, both from the flickering glow and the fragrance. Well, the candle lady has happened across a line of candles I'd like to recommend to you. Stella Mare candles, handcrafted in Portland, Oregon are now among my favorites!

Stella Mare's products can be found at www.stellamarehome.com. What I like best about their soy candles is the pleasing fragrance and nice, clean burn. It's a high quality hand made candle with nice packaging and an impressive presentation...and believe me, the candle lady knows a good candle when she finds one!

Knitting

Day 12.

Knitting

 

I've always loved crafting of all kinds. I've enjoyed needlepoint, wood burning, sewing, jewelry making, painting, drawing, designing, glass etching, plastic crafting, bead making, mold making and more. However there's one craft that has always intrigued me and I've decided that now is the time to try my hand at it...

 

 

 

 

There are plenty of other cool folk toys, crafts and kits to be found at www.homesteadtoys.com that are made in the USA. They also have "My First Crochet Set". I might have to pursue that next. However, if you (or someone you're shopping for) are a little more experienced with yarn crafts, you might consider a kit like this...

 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kaleidoscope-cashmere-crochet-scarf

 

Back to it now...

Knit one, purl two...knit one, purl two...