Betty Bunny is a very popular bunny in the world of children’s literature, but she also gets a little bit of a bad rap because she’s pretty badly behaved.  She’s in good company though–all the old and new favorites tend to be less than perfect as far as manners and overall demeanor: Olivia, Eloise, etc. ... Read more

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We had a very girly couple of days last weekend.  Daddy was off hunting and so we spent our days trying to tire out our puppy and doing each other’s nails…baking peanut butter muffins and red velvet cupcakes and flat ironing each other’s hair..but most of our time, in the evening at least, was spent ... Read more

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Why are bad things so much worse at Christmas?  For some reason there is this almost innate desire in us parent types to have that traditional, Norman Rockwell-esque picture perfect holiday with the cozy fire, nuclear family, big dog on the rug, carolers at the door, steaming cider in mugs.  Anything short of that is ... Read more

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We were having dinner at my mother-in-laws the other night.  Her ice maker has been on the fritz, and she lives alone so she had just been using her old ice trays rather than call a repairman.  She was helping my daughters get some cranberry juice—on the rocks—of course, and was popping the ice casually ... Read more

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I’ll never forget one of  my first freshmen English sections in college.  The teacher—probably a grad student—went around the table asking each of us which character in fiction we wanted to be and why.  I was horrified and petrified and the truth was I really wanted to be one of the Sweet Valley High Twins ... Read more

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I absolutely love dyeing Easter eggs—always have.  I love that vinegar smell.  I love waiting and waiting for the color to get really dark and true.  I love painting fancy eggs with brushes and everything.  It’s honestly one of the few holiday traditions that I fully embrace.   Plus I love to eat hard boiled eggs ... Read more

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I have to be honest.  I am not a big fan of Halloween—the actual day with the trick or treating and all that.  One of my daughters has tremendous angst over costume selection and changes her mind 5 thousand times every year.  I did manage to talk her out of going as a taco this ... Read more

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This book is an absolute classic.  It was much loved by me as a child and my own kids feel the same way.  It contains stories, poems and songs and the last story is Clement C. Moore’s The Night Before Christmas which of course, we always save until Christmas Eve! The illustrations are vintage which for me, ... Read more

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The holidays are here!  In the spirit of massive excess that marks our American Christmas celebrations, I offer you a sort of montage of Christmas books this month. I thought I’d try to be a little bit seasonal—thematic if you will, for this month, this oh, so joyous month of glad tidings and joy to ... Read more

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