Are you voting green? - You are if you car pool to the polls. Assuming it's too far to walk, organize a carpool for next Tuesday with coworkers or friends, so nobody, er, forgets to vote, and…

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Continue reading → Carpolling (No, Not a Typo)

Halloween is like Christmas in our house. I don’t really get into the outside decorating things as much as my neighbors. With one boy in college, one about to go to college, its a different ball-game. Besides, my Golden Retriever…

• Witches Contemporary 1960-Now Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Alice in Wonderland Figurines Contemporary 1968-Now Disneyana Collectibles
• Pumpkins, Jack-O-Lanterns Contemporary 1960-Now Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → The Halloween kid

Have a fun weekend, my lovelies, and enjoy these posts from around the web…

A great way to carry your books–straight from Tokyo.

Jenny’s new haircut is really pretty.

Ballerina birthday…

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Continue reading → Have an adventurous weekend.

This morning, I drove down the streets of my Palo Alto neighborhood and started to take pictures with my Sony DSLR. I have walked past these homes hundreds of times and smiled at my neighbors. “My Peeps”, as some of…

Continue reading → What Are The Political Lawn Sign’s In YOUR Neighborhood?

Dear Bunny and Wallie, For the past year, your Mamma has been living and breathing politics trying very hard–along with other mothers (your blogger aunties)–to do everything we can to…

Continue reading → Letter to Bunny and Wallie before Election Day

I could not wait until Halloween. Today is the the day my son gets to wear a costume to preschool for Halloween. Some parents dread the extra hassle of getting their kids into costumes during the morning crush of breakfast,…

Continue reading → Halloween is our default setting

I made this delicious dip recipe with my cooking students yesterday and will be making it again with a different group of students this afternoon. The green, ghoulish color makes it perfect for Halloween! But there is no food coloring here - our green comes right from the ingredients themselves!
Ghoulish Garden Dip
1/2 [...]

• Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Halloween Holidays Postcards Collectibles

Continue reading → Halloween Appetizer: Ghoulish Garden Dip

After a night of trick or treating, wouldn’t it be great to kick back at Mitchell Park Library for some stories told by Kirk Waller, sometimes through song or mime, but always exciting and entertaining! The show starts at 2:30 on November 1.On Sunday, …

• Deals Park City Utah Skiing Vacation
• Deals Winter Park Colorodo Skiing Vacation
• Library Lamps Home Lighting

Continue reading → Whoo Hoo….Program Friday

I just can’t quit with the Halloween costumes! Check out this ridiculously rad one: Hollister Hovey and her sister Porter dressed up as Daniel Plainview and his son H.W. from the movie There Will Be…

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• Costumes Vintage Pre-1960 Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles

Continue reading → There will be blood….

I am sure you all know exactly who I am talking about. There is only one Dr. McDreamy and that’s Patrick Dempsey from Grey’s Anatomy. I can hear all the appreciative murmurs coming through the computer now – don’t deny it. Resistance to this man is futile.
Patrick Dempsey is exactly my kind of sexy. Tall, [...]

• Spider-Man Superhero Graphic Novels, TPBs Comics Collectibles

• Could Dr. McDreamy Be Our Next Fabio? I am sure you all know exactly who I am talking about. There is only one Dr. McDreamy and that’s Patrick Dempsey from Grey's Anatomy. I can hear all the appreciative murmurs coming through the computer now – don’t deny it. Resistance to this man is futile. Patrick Dempsey is......

Continue reading → Could Dr. McDreamy Be Our Next Fabio?

My dears, here’s a weekly round-up from my Glamour relationships blog, Smitten, if you’re interested…

Would you rather have Gisele’s body or a million dollars?

The official length of the…

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Continue reading → Feeling Smitten…

I’m very happy to present Cup of Jo’s November sponsors, which you can now see on the left. Please feel free to visit their lovely shops. xoxo

P.S. A wonderful web programmer, Caroline, put up the…

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Continue reading → Welcome, November Sponsors!

I remember going to Trick or Treating with my cousins. All of us would meet up at my aunt’s house…

• Halloween Holidays Postcards Collectibles
• Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Red Cross Pinbacks Pinbacks, Bobbles, Lunchboxes Collectibles

Continue reading → Halloween Safety Tips

Another ridiculously cute Halloween costume. What are you going to be tonight?

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• Halloween Holiday, Seasonal Collectibles
• Halloween Holidays Postcards Collectibles

Continue reading → A mini ventriloquist’s dummy

This is a truly exhaustive guide to California lakes and rivers and one of the best we have ever come across. With more than 400 bodies of water covered, it’s hard to find any other resource that is this complete. If you are planning a trip to California or just looking for some new places [...]

• Deals Big Bear California Skiing Vacation
• California US State, Town Views Postcards Collectibles
• California College-NCAA Fan Apparel Souvenirs Sports Collectibles

• California Wilderness Areas Volume 1 If you are planning a trip to one of the many coastal areas or mountain ranges in California, there are a few books that will help you learn all that you can about these amazing wilderness areas. One of the best we’ve ever found is this book by George Wuerthner.......
• Boat Camping At Lake Sonoma [pic] Lake Sonoma is a dammed reservoir in the heart of Sonoma count wine country.  For those in the know, the lake is actually off of dry creek road. Lake Sonoma is the #4 boat-in camping location in California according to Foghorn Outdoors California Recreational Lakes and Rivers: The Complete Guide to Boating, Fishing,......

Continue reading → Foghorn Outdoors California Recreational Lakes and Rivers By Tom Sienstra

Located in Palm Springs California Desert Adventures offers jeep tours to their 1,000acre private preserve located right on the San Andreas Fault. Visit a beautiful natural palm oasis and recreated Cahuilla Indian Village and participate in an active a…

• California Mixed Lots California US State, Town Views Postcards Collectibles
• Reproductions Desert Storm 1990-91 Militaria Collectibles
• Original Period Items Desert Storm 1990-91 Militaria Collectibles

Continue reading → Desert Adventures Jeep Tours

Awesome costume, little dude! You look just like Max. And happy halloween, everyone!

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Continue reading → Where The Wild Things Are

Sugar Bowl Ski Resort is located in: Norden, CA
Phone: (530) 426-9000

Website: http://www.sugarbowl.com/home
About the Resort:
Sugar Bowl Ski Resort is easily one of the most popular resorts in this area of California. There are more than four peaks and plenty of opportunities for skiers of every level. There is a new village under construction at the [...]

• Skiing Resort Vacation Deals
• Bowl Chandeliers Home Lighting
• Bowl Game Items College-NCAA Fan Apparel Souvenirs Sports Collectibles

• Arapahoe Basin Resort, Dillon, CO Arapahoe Basin Resort is Located In: Dillon, CO Phone: (970) 468-0718 Website: http://www.arapahoebasin.com/ABasin/ About the Resort: Arapahoe Basin Resort is considered to be one of the finest places to ski in North America and they also feature one of the longest seasons on record. If you are serious about having......
• Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, Norden, CA Sugar Bowl Ski Resort is located in: Norden, CA Phone: (530) 426-9000 Website: http://www.sugarbowl.com/home About the Resort: Sugar Bowl Ski Resort is easily one of the most popular resorts in this area of California. There are more than four peaks and plenty of opportunities for skiers of every level. There......

Continue reading → Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, Norden, CA

This book is probably one of the most respected and used books in the sport, and it was great to see it re-released. It first came out in 1972 and since then it shaped the lives of many of the world’s greatest players. Now, a whole new generation of players can benefit from the wisdom [...]

• Big Game Reels Reels Saltwater Fishing Fishing
• Jerseys Football-NFL Game Used Memorabilia Sports Collectibles
• College-NCAA Game Used Memorabilia Sports Collectibles

• Book Review: The Best Tennis of Your Life: 50 Mental Strategies for Fearless Performance by Jeff Greenwald When it comes to the mental game of tennis, this is an area that every single player must master, and there is always room for improvement. This book offers an in depth look at numerous mental strategies that any player can put into practice in order to learn to play......
• 5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Tennis Game While many people are under the impression that learning tennis is nearly impossible, there are actually quite a few incredibly easy tips that can drastically improve your game. While these tips may not turn you into a star over night or land you at Wimbledon, they will help solid players......

Continue reading → Book Review: The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance By Timothy Gallwey

Since starting to spend less money over the past month, my husband and I have been very pleased to rediscover that we really don’t need All That. Stuff. Dining Out. New Shiny Things. Extra Things. More, More, More. We can…

• Tokens Love Exonumia Coins Paper Money
• Credit, Charge Cards Trading Cards Collectibles

Continue reading → Valuable lessons: I don’t really need All That

The Encyclopedia of the Violin was first published in 1925 as a comprehensive reference of the history and evolution of the violin. It is still the number one source for all types of violin information, even after all these years. The book is written by Swiss-born Alberto Bachmann, himself a concert violinist and [...]

• Concert Memorabilia Rap, Hip Hop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
• Concert Memorabilia Jazz, Big Band Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
• Rare Handbags

• Book Review: The Encyclopedia of the Violin The Encyclopedia of the Violin was first published in 1925 as a comprehensive reference of the history and evolution of the violin. It is still the number one source for all types of violin information, even after all these years. The book is written by Swiss-born Alberto Bachmann, himself a......

Continue reading → Book Review: The Encyclopedia of the Violin

Is there any better time to reintroduce the joys of tooth-brushing to your kids than Halloween? I’m going to say no. Which gives me the perfect segueway to introduce all of you to the joys of …

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Continue reading → It’s okay to stick that in your mouth - you know where it’s been.

When my girls hit shoe sizes in the double digits, I was dismayed at how grown up some of the styles were. Heels for a preschooler? Eek. Thankfully, the new line of fall shoes by Eleven, the big…

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Continue reading → Eleven Shoes get a perfect 10

My daughter loves cooking with me. Loves it. And, while a mother/daughter cooking extravaganza might sound good in theory, the reality is actually quite messy. So I was intrigued by the many promises…

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Continue reading → Baking kits for your own little Betty Crocker

Hey Everyone,If you’re in the Bay Area this weekend, I would be delighted if you’d come out to the Alternative Press Expo in San Francisco. I will have the first six issues of The Boy Who Made Silence as well as posters and art from the series. I am al…

Continue reading → THE BOY WHO MADE SILENCE THIS WEEKEND AT APE!

Wanna Earn(hardt) major green points? - Ready, set, go bio. If you gotta use disposable plate ware and utensils, opt for biodegradable options (often made from corn or sugarcane), and compost…

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Continue reading → Starch Your Engines

It’s hard to find little boys exhibiting more typical little-boy behavior than my twin preschoolers. Consider: * At the age of 7 months, they began fighting over the only toy in the house with wheels on it: their big sister’s…

• Kirsten American Girl By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls Bears
• Girl Scouts, Girl Guides Fraternal Groups Historical Memorabilia Collectibles
• Kit American Girl By Brand, Company, Character Dolls Dolls Bears

Continue reading → Are my sons gay? I hope not

Why, yes!, you are seeing lots of soup recipes on CityMama, lately. It’s just that Fall is my favorite season and soup is one of my favorite ways to, um,…

• Souvenir Salt, Pepper Shakers Kitchenware Housewares Kitchenware Collectibles
• Salt Pepper Shakers Horse Animals Collectibles
• Salt, Pepper Shakers Ceramics, Porcelain Decorative Arts Antiques

Continue reading → Fresh Corn Chowder with Guanciale

One of the joys of traveling is the opportunity to meet new people, but in many cases, you won’t get that opportunity if you don’t learn how to interact with locals. Although there are dozens of ways that you can integrate into a society, we have gone through this list and pulled out the top [...]

Continue reading → The Top 3 Ways to Interact With Locals

Force-of-nature Erin Loechner and Jessica Goldfond of Shiny Squirrel fame have just launched an amazing new web magazine all about travel: Truant. The debut issue–about New York–features over 50…

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Continue reading → Truant Magazine: New York Issue

I came across a new blog today and loved one of their articles - it gives 100 ways to make your kitchen more earth-friendly.  Some are super simple and others take a bit of time, money or effort.  Either way, it is a great series of suggestions!
I’ll tease you with a few of my favorites, [...]

Continue reading → How to make your kitchen more eco-friendly

Loving the new action-packed photos on house-tour website The Selby. Todd has an awesome way of capturing people in their regular lives–giggly, goofy, smoochy and dancey!

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Continue reading → Home Inspiration: The Selby

Hidden Valley Lake is located in: Hidden Valley Lake, CA
Phone: (800) 441-2077

Is boating allowed?
Yes, you can bring your own boat, or rent one right at the lake. This is a very boater friendly lake and we highly recommend it. It is however a non-motorized lake, so please keep this in mind.
Is there a boat [...]

• Deals Lake Placid New York Skiing Vacation
• Deals Sun Valley Idaho Skiing Vacation
• Deals Waterville Valley New Hampshire Skiing Vacation

• Lake Mendocino    Lake Mendocino is located in Ukiah, CA Phone: (707) 462-7581 About the Lake: Lake Mendocino is a man-made lake that was finished in 1959. It is home to numerous varieties of fish and is a favorite for boaters thanks to its tranquil but fun atmosphere. The lake is......
• Lake Isabella, Lake Isabella, CA Lake Isabella is located in Lake Isabella, CA Phone: (760) 379-2806 Is boating allowed? Yes, boating is encouraged and there are numerous marinas (listed below) to serve you. Is there a boat launch? Yes, most of the marinas on the lake have boat ramps. Be advised that there may be......

Continue reading → Hidden Valley Lake, Hidden Valley Lake, CA

Yes, please! My English cousin Olivia arrived today for a two-week visit, and I think I will make these as a welcome treat. (Seriously, why is pumpkin so good?!)

P.S. And don’t you love these lacy…

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Continue reading → Pumpkin Parfaits

Soda Springs Winter Resort is located: Truckee, CA
Phone: (530) 426-3901
Website: http://www.skisodasprings.com/index.html
About the Resort:
This may not be the biggest resort in the world, but it is one of the best places to take your family. Soda Springs Winter Resort has built up a great reputation as being family friendly and they are very well suited [...]

• Skiing Resort Vacation Deals
• Deals Winter Park Colorodo Skiing Vacation
• Sleds Snow Tubes Winter Sports

• Soda Springs Winter Resort, Truckee, CA Soda Springs Winter Resort is located: Truckee, CA Phone: (530) 426-3901 Website: http://www.skisodasprings.com/index.html About the Resort: This may not be the biggest resort in the world, but it is one of the best places to take your family. Soda Springs Winter Resort has built up a great reputation as being......
• Snow Summit Ski Resort, Big Bear Lake, CA Snow Summit Ski Resort is located in: Big Bear Lake, CA Phone: (909) 866-5766 Website: http://www.snowsummit.com/index_winter.php About the Resort: If you love Alpine skiing, this is the resort to visit. Dedicated almost entirely to this type of skiing, the resort offers a great chance to get away from it all......

Continue reading → Soda Springs Winter Resort, Truckee, CA

One of the hottest issues in tennis is the use of oversized rackets. While there are a handful of pros in the circuit that actually use them, by far, they are most often used by inexperienced players that are just getting started in the game. There are some benefits and a few drawbacks to using [...]

• Head Racquetball Discount Tennis Gear
• Head Racquets Tennis Discount Tennis Gear

• The Debate Over Oversized Tennis Rackets One of the hottest issues in tennis is the use of oversized rackets. While there are a handful of pros in the circuit that actually use them, by far, they are most often used by inexperienced players that are just getting started in the game. There are some benefits and......
• 5 Tips to Prevent Tennis Elbow Although tennis may not be a full contact sport, it is still possible to get injured. One of the most common injuries that tennis players face is called tennis elbow. This is a repetitive strain injury that can be incredibly painful. The good news is that you can prevent it,......

Continue reading → The Debate Over Oversized Tennis Rackets

I have a confession to make, I tried to do too much this fall…okay just a fact not really a confession. I am sure this won’t shock anyone that knows me, or anyone that has read my personal blog or…

• Time Travel Romance Books
• Time Travel Romance Audio Books

Continue reading → Where did October Go?

The accordion is a potable acoustical musical instrument that is box shaped, and is derived from the hand held bellows-driven family of free-reed aerophone instruments. The accordion is sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays this particular instrument is known as an accordionist. The accordion is played by compressing or expanding the [...]

• Bass-Upright String Musical Instruments
• Bass Fishing Boats Fishing Boats Boats
• Brass Musical Instruments

• Brief History of Concertinas A concertina is a free reed acoustic musical instrument, falling in the same family as the accordion and the harmonica. The concertina musical instrument has buttons and bellows much in the same was as an accordion does, however the buttons typically exist on both ends rather than just on a......
• Welcome to Musical Instruments Bass Musical Instruments Bass will be website dedicate to the bass. The stand up bass, the electric bass, and the acoustic bass. As I prepare the website for launch please consider checking out the musical instrument bass store.......

Continue reading → Brief History of the Accordian

Ahoy! Pay attention ye scurvy scum!

There be treasure in them there hills!
As I have been discussing potential cuties for gracing the cover of romance novels, romance novel covers have been on my mind. No surprise there. Grin.
The other night I was talking with my pirate friend here on skype and superstitiously snapped his photo while [...]

• Pirate Romance Books
• Time Travel Romance Books
• Romance Novels

• Pirate and Privateer Romance- Separating Myth from Truth What is pirate, privateer, or buccaneer romance? While pirate romance seems pretty self explanatory the truth of the matter is that modern romantic notions of pirates are far from fact. When we think of a pirate, I am sure many of you will conjure up an image of the deliciously......
• Present Your Very Own Pirate Contest Ahoy! Pay attention ye scurvy scum! There be treasure in them there hills! As I have been discussing potential cuties for gracing the cover of romance novels, romance novel covers have been on my mind. No surprise there. Grin. The other night I was talking with my pirate friend here......

Continue reading → Present Your Very Own Pirate Contest

Baby bedding has come a long way, even since having my son just under two years ago. And what’s amazing to me is that designers, like Catherine Fitzsimmons of Rikshaw Design, a former buyer for…

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Continue reading → Bohemian Rhapsody

Sure, I slogged through 8 Hundred Million Names For Baby (or whatever that well-thumbed paperback was called) each time I was pregnant, but did that tell me which celebs picked which baby names just…

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• Baby Dolls Dolls Dolls Bears

Continue reading → What’s in a baby name? Everything.

This past weekend, no one was going to mistake my son for the MVP of his soccer team but he did try his best. It was the perfect occasion for one of the playing card-sized notes from Kiddo Kards.

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Continue reading → Take note. Or better yet, give one.

White Walls & The Shooting Gallery Presents:”Awful Mountain” by Jim Hauser & Richard Colemanopening reception Saturday - November 1, 2008from 7pm - 11pmshowing through December 6th, 2008White Walls835 Larkin StSF CA 94109415-931-1500Social Book…

Continue reading → White Walls & The Shooting Gallery Presents: “Awful Mountain” by Jim Hauser & Richard Coleman

Scary-high organic food prices freaking you out? - They're def enough to give you chills, so if you've only got a little extra to spend on organics, put it toward the produce items…

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• Food Restaurant Advertising Collectibles

Continue reading → Attack of the Killer Tomatoes?

You know what I’m talking about? That deep, no-nonsense, monotone voice. The one that’s often used to make your kids jump to do your bidding immediately…if not sooner? Well, I think it’s gotten out of control. I think I’ve gotten…

Continue reading → I Need To Get Control of My Command Voice

My dears, today’s giveaway comes from A Farmer’s Daughter. Designer Melanie Hull works in a studio in Vancouver to create gorgeous, one-of-a-kind feather headpieces. Today, she’s giving a headband…

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Continue reading → Wednesday Giveaway!