Book-A-Day

Last month I stumbled upon perhaps the handiest blog ever for Children's Literature enthusiasts or really anybody looking for a great book recommendation for kids. Anita Silvey's Children's Book-A-Day Almanac is a spot for daily essays on classic and contemporary children's literature.

If you are unfamiliar with Silvey, you may not realize what a resource this is, but if you are acquainted with the work of the once VP at Houghton-Mifflin Publishing and Editor-in-Chief at The Horn Book Magazine, then you are jazzed :). Either way, the children's book almanac is a treasure trove of information on everything from picture books to young adult literature delivered one day at a time.

Silvey only launched the blog back in October, so she is just getting started. I started visiting the site daily last month and I am already coming away with loads of interesting information and titles to check out.

If you, or one of the smaller folks in your life, is looking for a summer reading resource...this is the spot!Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/blog
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perfection

Smitten Kitchen's Strawberry Shortcakes
Ingredients:

1 2/3 cups (224 grams) all-purpose flour

3 1/2 tablespoons (50 grams) sugar
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon (20 grams) baking powder
2 hard-boiled egg yolks
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons (84 grams) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 teaspoons lemon or orange zest (optional)
2/3 cup (168 grams) plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream

Shortcake assembly
1/2 pound strawberries, washed, hulled and quartered
2 tablespoons (25 grams) sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup whipping cream, beaten to soft peaks

In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, egg yolks, and salt. Pulse to combine. Add the butter and zest, if using, and pulse until the flour resembles coarse meal. Add 2/3 cup of cream and pulse until the dough comes together.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and gather into a shaggy mass. Knead a couple times to make it into a cohesive mass and then pat it into a rough circle about 6 to 7 inches in diameter, and 3/4 to 1-inch thick.

Using a sharp knife, cut the circle into 6 wedges and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Alternately, you can use a cookie cutter to make shapes of your choice. Chill for 20 minutes (and up to 2 hours).

Preheat oven to 350°F. Brush the tops of the shortcakes very lightly with heavy cream and sprinkle lightly with the coarse sugar. Bake until risen and golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Turn the pan around halfway through to ensure even cooking.

While the shortcakes are baking, toss the strawberries, sugar and lemon juice together in a bowl. Let stand several minutes. (If the strawberries are extremely firm, do this 30 minutes in advance.)

Split the shortcakes in half horizontally and set the tops aside. Place the bottoms on dessert plates and heap strawberries over them. Spoon whipped cream generously over the strawberries and replace the shortcake tops. Serve immediately with any remaining whipped cream on the side.


Serves 6, very happy, people.
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/blog
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A find

I first saw this great shelf/cabinet thingamob in a post on design*sponge and followed the link to the source, ladybird and fellow, because I had to find out more about it.

I love the look of it and the fact it is multipurpose (the car display kills me).
Turns out it was a $5 garage sale find that was painted black (the "display" portion is a mail sorter!)- what a cool way to repurpose this piece.


I wish I stumbled upon such possibility for a finski....




All images courtesy of ladybirdandfellow
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/blog
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vintage picture book illustrations

Forget shoes or jewels or just about anything else, if I could have a collection of anything - it'd be vintage children's picture books. Of course like any collection, building such a library can get expensive, but lucky for me there are some amazing sites that cultivate the images that my greedy little hands want to hold. Below are some lovelies from some of my favorite picture book blogs and websites. Enjoy the feast for your eyes!

The blog "Vintage Kids' Books My Kid Loves" is a must visit for any picture book lover. The blogger Burgin Streetman has the most amazing personal collection of vintage finds which she discusses in loving detail, shares in great giveaways, and also sells in her etsy shop. I've discovered so many great illustrators (and stories) through her posts, here are a few:



from "This is New York" by M. Sasek, 1960



from "Miss Esta Maude's Secret" by W. T. Cummings (1961)



from "The Fabulous Firework Family" by James Flora, 1955

"Vintage Children's Books" is a flickr pool that has not only shares images from picture books, but also vintage illustrations from coloring books, sketches and greeting cards:



from "Words" by Joe Kaufman, 1963



original sketch of Setting off for the North Pole by E.H. Shepard, 1926
(located at the Victoria & Albert Museum)



from "Frog Went a Courtin'" retold by John Langstaff, illustrationed by Feodor Rojankovwky, 1983

"We Heart Books" is an Australian blog maintained by two mums who also run the We Heart Books Store. They not only share images of the amazing vintage children's books that they grew up with (that are often unknown to American audiences), but also beautiful contemporary Australian picture books. I totally want to be friends with them:



from "Singing Away the Dark" by Julie Morstad (2010)



from "Sunshine" by Jan Omerod, 1982



from "A Little House of Your Own" by Beatrice Schenk De Regniers, 1957

Sadly, the blogger of "Golden Gems" has been on a hiatus for a seriously long time, but her archive of Golden Books is deep and I love to just revisit some of the stunning images created for those slender little volumes:



from "The Animal Fair" by Alice and Martin Provensen, 1952



endpages from "The Large and Growly Bear" by Gertrude Crampton, illustrated by J. P. Miller (1961)



from "A Child's Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson
illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen, 1951

"Fantasy Vintage Home" is another flickr pool that I adore. Although this pool includes lots of images from ads and magazines, I always end up stumbling upon images of homes from picture books that I want to dive into and live in (no matter whether those homes are supposed to belong to people or mice):



from "See Again, Say Again" by Antonio Frasconi, 1964



from a Slavic (Russian?) children's book, 1968



from "Songs We Sing" illustrated by William Dugan, 1957
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/blog
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momfilter

Image from "Remembering" series via momfilter

Did you ever read Cookie magazine? I had just started a subscription when they called it quits. It was such a disappointment because I really liked the blend of parenting issues, style features, recipes, and general life/work pointers the magazine offered. It was not too parent-y and not too fashion-y....it was just right.

Well, the founding editors of Cookie are still delivering that just right blend of information, but now they can be found (along with some fantastic contributors) on the blog momfilter . In a cyberspace crowded with blogs, this one was a welcome discovery!Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/blog
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Thursday, Hiving Out, and Etsy

hexagon necklace by cristinapires


When we started this blog - oh about two years ago (seriously? wow) - coming up with a name for ourselves was a challenge. First, we, of course, way over thought it. We wanted something whimsical, but not too whimsical. Self-referential, but not explanatory. We also wanted a name with a pretty association. So since we wanted to think of our blog as a place where the three of us would be "hanging out" and sharing our discoveries and talking like busy bees in a beehive... we decided on, well, you get it...


The added benefit of going with "Hiving Out" was all the loveliness associated with bees, beehives, and honeycombs that we hoped would shape the look of this humble little blog. And so with that aesthetic in mind, here's a "Thursday" post with so many lovely Etsy pieces that celebrate the colors, shapes, and natural beauty found in all things bee - just in case we ever wanted to dress ourselves (or dress our homes) in the theme of our blog. :)


Buzz-worthy items that we we'd love to wear:



"Honeycomb-Rhinestone headband" by Myhaleygirl



"Honey Posts" by WinnieChai



"Stainless Steel Yellow Honeycomb" by SilverSlate



"Organic Cotton Leggings with Honeycomb Screen Print"
by prettypennydesigns



"Bumble Bees in a Honeycomb hand embroidered and stamped mini clasp purse"
by EmenGeeDesigns


Honey-sweet finds for the imaginary offices of "Hiving Out" (or just the ones in our own little homes:



"Punch Needle Honeycomb" by erinf115



"Honeycomb Print" by thespottedsparrow



"Vintage Bee Container" via MidwestSplendor



"Beeloved - Blank Card" by JanetHillStudioINK




"Honeycomb - Felted Oatmeal Milk and Honey Soap" by SoFino



"Honeycomb and Honeybee, Hand Carved Stamp set of 2"
by TCWitchcraftFactory
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/blog
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For Japan With Love

Tomorrow, Friday, March 18th, we at Hiving Out will be taking part in the Bloggers Day of Silence in order to take pause and acknowledge the devastation going on in Japan.

Organized by the blogs Utterly Engaged and Ever Ours, these bloggers have also joined together with ShelterBox, one of the first major charitable organizations to help after the quake, in order create a fundraising site called For Japan With Love.

By donating to For Japan With Love you could help send some much needed supplies as well as an emergency shelter to people in need:
"Each large green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items."

Each whole box costs $1,000 (US), so For Japan With Love is hoping to raise enough to send 5 boxes so please donate if you can.

Thank you and have a lovely weekend - we'll see you Monday!


{For more information, go to Utterly Engaged and For Japan With Love.}
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/blog
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Kate Spade tumbl(e)s for you

I've been thinning out my google reader account and un-following blogs left and right in order to just get down to the blogs I really like to read. I have, however, recently added a new one: the Kate Spade New York tumblr blog. I know, I know... it is just a really well-dressed up advertisement, but I can't help it. It's just so darn pretty and who can resist dreaming about living in such a candy-colored yet ladylike New York world? A sample of images...



all images via http://www.katespadeny.tumblr.com/
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/blog
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Make It Do

Pinecone Elves


I love stumbling upon a blog I know will wind up being a favorite. That was definitely the case with Make It Do . I had been searching for Snowman Kits because my kids had received one for Christmas that they were crazy for and I was thinking ahead to next year and gift possibilities for nieces and nephews. Anyhow, I stumbled upon Make It Do's- Make It: A Snowman Kit and was instantly smitten.


The blog has so many great projects, ideas, and recipes carried out in tutorial form with pictures. It is one of those sites that makes you want to try the DIY ideas you uncover and love, but never give a shot. Make It Do just celebrates resourcefulness in general. I have plenty of fashion, design, and "head-in-the-clouds" blogs that I really enjoy visiting , but I needed this kick in the pants to be more creative and productive!

Snowman Kit


Baby car seat cover tutorial


Banana Cream Pie


Childhood Tradition

All images courtesy of Make It Do
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/blog
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"sometimes it lasts in love but sometimes it hurts instead”

So I got married last week and though I've still feeling the love and happiness of marrying such a sweet and wonderful man (blah, blah, blah) - there is still nothing that feels as good as a good song about heartbreak. For example, Adele's "Someone Like You..."



Oh, and thx to a dear friend of Lorelei's for posting this video to his facebook page from which I swiped it (by the way, LL's friend also has a pretty amazing blog - check it out if you can stand following a blog that is, like, 100 times cooler that this one: http://www.fiftyfivehundred.org/).Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/blog
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newdressaday

Before


After
I am totally impressed with the site newdressaday.com. It is the handiwork of Marisa, who (after being sparked by the film Julie & Julia) decided to tackle her own year-long creative endeavor. She blogs:

The only shopping that I’ll be able to do is that of pieces that have been used and worn already. So long to mall trips and hello to sifting through piles of vintage pieces at flea markets and at neighborhood garage sales. Each day for the entire year, I’m going to introduce a new piece into my existing wardrobe that I’ve found from these places. On top of this, I’m giving myself a budget of $1 a day.

At a time when folks are growing more aware of recycling and re-purposing, her blog is not only creative and humorous, it is inspiring.

As a non- sewer, I was constantly fascinated by how she could hem and stitch her way into a whole new look. I was particularly charmed by the non-glossy, funny presentation of her creative process and the slew of "before and after" photos.
There are only 25 days left in Marisa's self appointed challenge- you should check out her blog before her year is up!

Images courtesy of newdressaday.com
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/blog
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beyond the Boston Brahmin

Dear Boston,
You know how much I love you and your cobblestone streets and public gardens. I could wander all day on your city streets and never feel lost (as long as there's a Dunkin' Donuts within shouting distance and the accent of your people in the air - I know I am home). But, Boston, for so long - for so very long - you've had the rep of being old fashioned in the worst possible way. Yes, I am talking about your sense of style. 


You, old friend, are not known for being a trend setter in any way, shape, or fashion. And though you and I agree that plenty of fashionistas strut your streets, you still get called "frumpy" or "old-fashioned" or, despite your politics, "conservative" by those who don't know you intimately. But how great to hear that things are changing thanks to Beyond Boston Chic! As I'm sure you know, BBC is a blog that's been documenting some of your better dressed natives for some time now (though the blog is new to me) and sharing their style with the world.  And hasn't Beyond Boston Chic captured your fashion-forward residents beautifully? You must be so proud of her!


Anyway, missing you a little bit extra now that it's fall and you are in your prime. Promise to write back when you get a chance though, okay?


Love,
Vivi






All images via Beyond Boston Chic
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/blog
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