Tanja Brodyr

Now why would I be so excited to discover this?

*grin*

Want! (In red orange or purple, whichever you think I would like best. Thank you.)

P.S. Hardcore IKEA fans know that IKEA constantly encourages you to customize its products. If you’ve memorized the catalog and still need some DIY inspiration, check out some of these IKEA hacks.

H.A.P.P.Y. Radio

As a part of your children’s well-rounded education, you’re teaching them the classics, right?

Whether you’re cleaning the house together, dancing down the street, or just trying to wipe away the morning grumpies, Edwin Starr’s “H.A.P.P.Y. Radio” should be a standard part of your curriculum.

Besides, everyone needs to know how to spell “happy”.

Play loudly and repeat often.

[Thanks!]

Too short? I agree. Longer version! (Lots more. Thanks!)

Jumping cups will make you jump! jump!

We’ve been making these jumping cups all week as part of our ABC Countdown.

The first graders loved this craft.

The fifth graders loved this craft.

We didn’t have time to make this with the adult students, but I’ll bet you 2 blueberry muffins they would have loved this craft, too.

Our version isn’t quite as fancy as the version on BloesemKids (oooh, she’s Dutch, ja?). I like that explanation better, so trot with me over to her site to see what we’ve been doing all week.

Fun, yes? Right now, go make some!

Two and Three!

“Two and three for the bathroom!” my grandma would call.

The four grandkids and our parents were at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Ten of us in a house that had only one tiny bathroom (with green carpet on the walls!).

My grandma had noticed that we were using too much toilet paper and spending too much time in the bathroom. We…who? The grandkids? I suppose so: we were turning 11, 12 and 13 years old. You know, new teenagers.

Grandma made a new rule: two minutes in the bathroom and three sheets of toilet paper.

No no no, Grandma didn’t stand next to us in the bathroom and count how many sheets of toilet paper we used. She simply called out the rule, and we obeyed.

But that’s what I find so funny all these years later. How would Grandma have known if we used more than 3 sheets?

Ah, don’t be foolish.

Grandma always knows.

Hi, Grandma!

******

We discussed this before: Before you use toilet paper, do you bunch it? or fold it?

What’s a motto?

Nothin’. What’s a motto with you? (Oh come on, you know which movie that’s from, right?)

Add this motto to your collection:

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

Tempura Brussels Sprouts

It’s Brussels sprouts season again!

Again, I’m quite content to eat Brussels sprouts steamed and lightly dressed in lemon juice (naked sprouts? oh my, the thought makes me blush…).

Tempura Brussels sprouts?

I’ve lived in Japan a whole bunch of years now, and yet this recipe idea is new to me.

******

1. Blanch 20 trimmed Brussels sprouts in boiling salted water for 5 minutes.

2. Refresh in cold water. Cut in half. Chill 30 minutes.

3. Combine 1 beaten egg and 1 cup very cold water. Blend in 1 cup sifted flour and ½ teaspoon garlic salt.

4. Dredge 6-8 sprouts in batter. Deep fry in hot oil (350° F/180° C) for 1-2 minutes until lightly browned. Drain on rack. Repeat with remaining sprouts.

5. Serves 4 as a side dish.

******

Oh yum!

Push that pom pom!

Big soft pom poms are fantastic at any age.

Big soft pom poms that go into a short tube and then suddenly start coming out the other end are especially fantastic for 18-month-old toddlers.

And 18-month-old kittens.

If I had the skills, I would make this Pom Pom Push myself, but I would much rather support the craftsmen at Early School Materials who make this and other terrific-looking products. The products are handcrafted and simple and battery free, which is exactly what I want.

Battery free! Awesome!