Words are spoken, spelled, written, played on, divulged. They provide nourishment. Haven't we all eaten our words at one time or another? Figuratively, of course. Or actually...

Here's some food for thought - you can have your book and eat it too this April Fool's Day. How, you may wonder... Well, get creative and join the International Edible Book Festival. What a novel idea!

The brainchild of  Judith A. Hoffberg and Béatrice Coron, the first event took place in 2000 after contacting colleagues and friends via the Internet. Despite their distances, everyone assembled to enjoy an ingestion of culture in Books2Eat. It has since become an annual sensation of book lovers around the world, young and old. Libraries host culinary collaborations, book clubs boast bestseller flavor, and literary minds can think alike while feasting on their favorite fiction.

Blending our attachment to food with our scholastic culture, everyone is invited to share this global banquet. Befittingly, the date was originally selected to coincide with the birthday of Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755-1826), famous for his book Physiologie du goût (The Physiology of Taste), a witty meditation on food and how we are what we eat. A perfect read for the foodie.

From the Books2Eat website, participants are asked to follow just three rules:

1) The event must be held on April 1st (or close to that date).

2) All edible books must be "bookish" through the integration of text, literary inspiration or, quite simply, the form.

3) Organizations or individual participants should send a link to their photo album or upload pictures on the official  Facebook page and see to it that the event is immortalized. This way, all can share the fun because a picture really is worth a thousand words...

A bunch of teenagers on a Saturday afternoon devouring Hibachi-grilled grub. High school girls doing a serious weekend shopping session at the mall? That's a possibility, but I'm not so sure about that.

"I'm going to Maggie's. But I can't wear jeans or any make-up. She's gonna send me home to change into PJ's or sweatpants or just anything that doesn't resemble real clothes if I do," Brenna informs me this morning. She showers and simply puts on the outfit she slept in last night. 

"You could at least put on a clean tee shirt... And what about the other pants?" I respond as she springs down the stairs, ready to go...

~Lazy Day Party~

11 am to 7 pm, Saturday, March 23rd

Wear something comfy because we're not going further than the couch

Bring fifteen bucks so we can order Japanese take-out

Hopefully the Les Miserables video will arrive in time so we can watch it again and weep...

And don't forget the Kleenex!

Are you kidding? Am I invited too? These girls are as serious about slouching as they are about the honor roll. The laptops are pushed under the bed for today nowhere to be seen. With the Snuggies in tow, let the laziness begin! I suspect they knew yesterday was National Goof Off Day. These girls are smart to celebrate a full day of lounging on the weekend to achieve the benefit of the holiday. If I didn't have any errands to run, I'd be in my PJ's too.

I'd love to enjoy A Walk on The Moon again since it's been so long, but what about the four loads of laundry calling me from the closet? Maybe they can wait just a bit longer. Besides, if we didn't have to get dressed, there would be less laundry to do anyway. Yeah, I like this idea. We all need a good lazy, hazy day now and then. Count me in! 

Have a great day everyone! xoxo-Sonya

With an overload of craft projects, recipes, gardening ideas and too many others to mention, the internet is an amazing tool, but it can also easily become overwhelming! Some ideas gain popularity due to the season and can breathe new life into traditional arts with simplicity. Take egg dying, for example. Easter is swiftly approaching and one family tradition is the ritual decorating of eggs. I happened to see an article in the March issue of Relish magazine for "Tie-Dyed" Easter Eggs. My natural curiosity prompted me to search on the internet where I found Martha Stewart's directions for creating cleverly pretty patterned eggs with minimal effort. All you need is some printed silk fabric or thrift store silk neckties, vinegar, water and of course, the eggs. I tried it. Let me show you what I came up with...

Starting with a selection of printed silk fabric remnants, I cut each silk print into a round or square piece large enough to wrap around a raw egg.

Wrapping a raw egg with a piece of silk, make sure the printed side of the material is facing the egg. Silk can still be used if it doesn't fit perfectly around the egg. If you are using neckties, simply cut them open at the seam and in pieces big enough to wrap. Secure each with a rubber band.

VOILA! These came out a bit lighter than I thought, but the pattern transfer is beautiful! This was certainly a successful trial run. When my daughter and I make more in a couple of weeks, we'll try silk neckties to supply the patterns for that batch.

So easy, really. No dipping and rolling in colors that splash all over cracked shells. Cooked and colored in one pot... Yes, I can say that's a good egg. xoxo-Sonya

Is it time for another cup of coffee? Just like clockwork, that magic hour of two in the afternoon beckons me to the kitchen. Hanging on the refrigerator door, peering mindlessly at the shelves in front of me, I want something, but what? Something sweet... something salty... this has become an essential habit on the days I work at home, so if a snack is inevitable, it really has to be something healthy. Oh, let's just grab the yogurt. I know what I can have...

They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Snacking on Doritoes with a pint of sour cream is not cutting it for me anymore. Healthier choices not only satisfy, but they really keep your body on the right track, cut cravings, and boost energy during afternoon slumps. Just three ingredients create a really yummy low-fat snack (or breakfast sometimes) packed with smooth flavor and powerhouse of vitamins.

P.Y.D... Peanut butter Yogurt Dip with Apples

1 tbsp creamy peanut butter

1 6oz container vanilla Greek yogurt

1 apple (I am allergic to any apple that is red, so I usually snack on a Granny Smith)

1) Add the peanut butter to the Greek yogurt in a bowl. Whisk together until completely blended well.

2) Slice the apple. Dip. Enjoy!

There are many variations of this simple recipe. You can use honey or plain Greek yogurt. Giving it an even more decadent spin, whisk in a 1/2 tbsp of Nutella and make a platter of cut fresh fruit slices for a wholesome dessert offering. It's easy to please the kids with this one too!

Oh yeah, it's a dip-pity-do da kind of afternoon... xoxo-Sonya

Happy March everyone! The snow has melted, birds are chirping wildly amid the trees (driving Kit absolutely crazy!), and you can just about feel spring in the air. Time to finish up those projects indoors and make a plan for all the outdoor stuff. AND this is the perfect time to kick off March as National Craft Month. Okay, let me pick from the endless list of projects. What to start with? First, send all the stuff from winter organizing to a new place of residence. 

How many of you have purchased t-shirts or sweatshirts from your eventful travels? All those road trips, ports of call and concerts can rack up a pretty penny in souvenirs over the years. I seem to always wear the same thing leaving the items bought buried all the way in the back of the closet or drawer, yet still find it difficult to part with. What to do? Well, I thought instead of donating them all to Good Will, how about donating to my sofa as a cozy trip down memory lane via cushions... Yep, let's make those sweatshirts into square throw pillows to spruce up the family room and basement sofas.

Colorful satin-stitch embroidered or printed fleece is the perfect fabric for cushions since it is easy to sew and stuff with minimal effort while furnishing maximum benefit. Fun memories and motifs add variety and a sentimental personal touch to your home's decor. Play with colors and themes based on your own collection. Since many of the sweatshirts we have are from places we've been, travel became the obvious theme. With jersey t-shirts from various concerts, you can create a group of music artist pillows, using the front and back to make them really funky yet functional.

Martha's Vineyard, Salem and even our honeymoon in Spain bring back lots of special memories while relaxing in front of  TV or just stretched out enjoying a good book with a cup of tea. Heck, even Kit has a favorite head rest when he's taking his daily snooze in the family room!