Pancakes For Findus, Halloween, and Hauntings...

"The neighbours thought Pettson was odd. He certainly was absentminded. As far as Findus was concerned, there wasn't anything wrong with Pettson at all" - Sven Nordqvist (Pancakes for Findus)

It has been said, that when one reads Calvino they are haunted by his ghost and experience strange happenings. I don't recall having any hauntings because it was one of the "Books Read So Long Ago Which It's Now Time To Reread". Anyway, I hear that he only visits cool people, so that leaves me out of the mix. Recently, however, we've had a few magical experiences of another sort:

• We went out to buy some non-toxic silver paint for Satchel's homemade robot costume for Halloween and as we reached the car, Robert realized that the keys were magically locked inside the house. Luckily I remembered that I left the studio window open, in case of otherworldly mishaps, and he was able to climb in and retrieve the keys.

• Then a day or so later, when Robert flew to MO to drive his parents back to our nest to spend the week, he thoughtfully took the bus to the airport so that we could have access to the car and car seat in the event that we needed them during his three day absence. Upon his arrival in MO he noticed that the car keys had mysteriously appeared in his pocket.

• And yesterday, when Robert went to the market to purchase some applesauce for Satchel's irritable belly, he came back with three bags of tummy soothing treats, but the applesauce eerily disappeared from the lot.

In light of these recent events and my 45th birthday, I decided that another reading of the delightful, "Pancakes for Findus", and a batch of pancakes (with a couple of chocolate chips) would be fitting.



Findus is a cat who loves to eat pancakes on his birthday. His companion, Pettson, has a difficult time creating a celebration for his cat because his things are moved about by invisible, mischievous beings.

*This post is lovingly dedicated to the Griswold family of Methuen, MA!

Seasonal Book Basket: Autumn

In celebration of the first day of fall, here's what you'll find in our seasonal book basket!

In a Nutshell is a beautifully illustrated story about the life cycle of an oak tree and the interconnectedness of all living things.

This Teacher's Choice award winner is a beautifully illustrated retelling of an old favorite from the Brothers Grimm. The paintings have a warm glow and I love how the needle and thread frames the page.

Darling is the best word to describe this book and has inspired us to build our own fairy houses. I think we will make our Halloween Pumpkin a fairy house this year. The Fairy House series has become a phenomenon and encourages children to use found objects from nature to create beautiful tiny houses. So wonderful!


Pumpkin Circle is a story about the life cycle of a pumpkin with beautiful photography by Shmuel Thaler. Treat yourself to a peek here!

Vincent's Colors is a beautiful way to explore the world of color through art...
and then go leaf peeping!

Soon the leaves will be will be falling...a perfect opportunity for learning to identify trees with this Fandex Family Field Guide. I love the die cut leaves.

Dem Bones! Is a fun way to teach children a bit about anatomy and good book to have handy for Halloween when all those creepy skeleton decorations start appearing. Would make a cool gift when given with this skeleton floor puzzle.

Gosh! I wish I had this when I was a kid! The Knit-it-kit for kids includes needles, yarn and simple instructions for several fun projects to work on during cold weather days.
I'm going too teach myself to knit...