The Plumbago


Plumbago: The Botanical Name for Leadwort

 Native to tropical regions of the world with warm temperatures, our Plumbago is happily growing on the west side of our house in southern California.

Although this particular species can reach over 6 feet, if pruned and trained early, the Plumbago can be a lovely display of color. The lead blue flower contributes to the belief that the plant was a cure for lead poisoning. 

Plumbago Poem Painting by K
 The butterflies love Plumbago but not deer!
Why, they even have Plumbago Aprons online...

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Have a wonderful weekend!

Best,






“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis



The Kelmar Trilogy


The final installment in the Kelmar Trilogy


The Friday 56
(Host Freda's Voice)

" As Carmen walked back through the thinning crowds out in the streets of Pyramid City, she felt a horrible sense of doom creeping over her... Her mind was racing with uncertain thoughts as she silently predicted how Kelmar would change under Maidak Kalvaro's rule-no matter how it lasted."

-- The Master of Kelmar by Laura Sepesi

Follow My Book Blog Friday
 (Host Beck Valley Books)

 

Q. What book that hasn't been turned into a movie (yet) would you most like to see make it to the big screen, and who would you like cast as your favorite character? 

A. I would definitely like to see the trilogy penned by Laura Sepesi on the big screen. I am amazed and impressed at her writing skills and story content for a brilliant young author!

The screen play would be action packed with great visual props for the fantasy world, better than Star Wars and Batman. It could be spectacular! Have you read the series?

I think I would choose between Jane Seymour, Anjelina Jolie and Meryl Streep.

Book 1: The Guardian of Kelmar.

Book-review-guardian-of-kelmar 

Book 2: The Secrets of Kelmar.

Book-review-secrets-of-kelmar 

Book 3.  The Master of Kelmar.

Here is my SkyWatch Friday post:
http://ladyd-books.blogspot.com/2011/09/skywatch-friday-acrostics.html

Happy Friday! What are you reading?









“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis







My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

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SkyWatch Friday: Acrostics


SkyWatch Friday Photo Meme

I am learning about Acrostics. You know, an alphabet poem.
Well, I think it's like a riddle of wordplay.

Skies of blue
Kindling little sparks
Yonder and beyond
We watch with much surprise.
A single ray of sunshine like 
Thin white granny shawls that seem to
Catch airstream currents from
Heaven up above.

                                http://skyley.blogspot.com

 Have you heard about children's books, reading material for airplanes? Visit, Kids in the Clouds




I Wish Someone Had Told Me That! ebook

Best, 






“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis




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Wordless Wednesday: The Right Apple

Wordless Wednesday


Is it truth or folklore that an apple a day really does keep the doctor away?” I love crisp apples and I’m a firm believer in their super fruit powers! The apple is rich in fiber and contains a powerful antioxidant that fights inflammation. Besides, they just taste good, full of naturally sweet juice, and refreshing to the taste. But which variety of apple will you choose?

Wordless Wednesday
 
Wordful Wednesday

Here are the top 10 varieties of apples produced in this country: (According to the U.S. apple association.)

1. Red Delicious: Full-flavored, sweet taste and crisp texture. Best for fresh eating and snacks.
2. Golden Delicious: Smooth, sweet taste and tender texture. Best for eating raw; cutting up in salads; and making applesauce, cider, pies or other desserts.
3. Gala: Crisp and snappy with mellow sweetness. Best for fresh eating or in salads and sauces.
4. Fuji: Sweet-tart flavor; stays crisp for weeks. Good all-purpose apple that’s best for fresh eating, salads and applesauce.
5. Granny Smith: Crisp with sour apple flavor. Good all-purpose apple.
6. McIntosh: Juicy with lightly tart flavor and fresh apple aroma. It is excellent in applesauce, cider and salad or for fresh eating and also used in pies.
7. Rome: Mild, sweet flavor and firm texture. Most popular for baking.
8. Ida Red: Tangy-tart flavor. Favored for sauces, pies and desserts.
9. Jonathan: Juicy flavor with a spicy tang and tender texture. Use for fresh eating and cooking.
10. Empire: Sweet-tart taste and extra crisp. Use for fresh-cut slices, candy and caramel apples, and baking. Excellent lunch-box snack.

Here are some Core facts:

• Nutritious apples are fat-free, sodium-free and cholesterol-free.
• Apples are a great source of fiber. One medium apple has 5 grams, 20 percent of the daily recommendation.
• Whenever possible, don’t peel that apple! Two-thirds of the fiber and many of the antioxidants are found in the apple’s peel.
• Prepare apple dishes just before serving to minimize browning. You can also protect cut apples from browning by dipping them in a solution of one part citrus juice and three parts water.
• Fruit bowls are beautiful, but they’re not the best way to store apples. To maintain their crispness, keep apples refrigerated.
• Buy shiny apples. If they appear dull, they won’t be crisp and tasty.
• Nearly 100 varieties of apples are grown commercially in the U.S. but just 15 of them accounted for 90 percent of last year’s production.
On the outside of a Happy Meal box, (naturally my grandson wanted one), I was surprised to find:

“Did U Know?”

1. An apple tree can grow as many as 350 apples in a season. That’s almost an apple a day!
2. 25% of an apple is made up of air – that’s why they float!
3. Apple trees can live up to 100 years. Who’s the oldest person you’ve ever known?
This year, our own fruit orchard gave us a huge harvest of Anna’s apples and we were busily making applesauce for the family. We would use our pole picker to harvest the fruit up on the tree tops because it has an attached bag on the pole that makes it easy to reach the high ones.

As the first day of Fall approaches with the crisp autumn air, I will be heading up to the mountains with my family to Julian, near San Diego to purchase some fresh apple juice, cider, apple pie, apple cake and apple butter. What a great time for an old-fashioned hayride and buying a basket of apples. ‘Tis the season for caramel apples, for sure! 

Apple Recipe in Book

 Too Many Visitors for One Little House

I have reviewed a couple of books that have tucked a family recipe in the back of the book. I think it's a clever idea and I love the smell of apple cake, apple bread and applesauce. It's so refreshing! Do you have a favorite apple to munch on?



Want to Write for Children? Here's the Place to Be!






“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis






My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

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Book Review: The Violin's Magical Melody (Scribbles and Friends)

The Violin's Magical Melody: LadyD Books
The Violin's Magical Melody with Audio Book CD

It's Book Sharing Monday!

Product Description

Scribbles and his two friends Tiger and Gemma look forward to entering Greenvale County's annual kite race. However, their excitement fades after the mischievous Skunk Brothers, Randy, and Riley, plant seeds of doubt and fear in the minds of the three friends. Wanting desperately to run and hide until after the race, a talking blanket named Jorey appears and offers to take them to Imagination Land, a delightful place "Where Your Imagination Makes All Your Dreams Possible." Once there, they meet a teary-eyed musical prodigy, named Harmony, who has a terrible case of stage fright. Harmony believes the only way she will be able to perform is if she plays with an enchanted musical instrument. Vowing to help their new friend find her confidence, Scribbles, Tiger, Gemma, and Jorey accompany Harmony on an exciting adventure through Imagination Land in search of the legendary magical violin.




Product Details                                  

  • Hardcover: 48 pages
  • Publisher: PediNatural (October 1, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0982729448
  • ISBN-13: 978-0982729441
Have a look and listen for yourself. I LOVE the music! It's so upbeat and alive!


If you're interested in the storyline, you can hear the audio book CD on YouTube.com  The violin is an amazing instrument and one of the most challenging to play!

My Review


Scribbles & Friends (The Imagination Blanket Series) is a wonderful, educational children's book. The author, Terica Lynn Swangin has brilliantly combined friendship, feelings, family, and music into one dynamic book. Parents and children will enjoy reading many of life's valuable lessons woven with courage and imagination. 

The illustrations by Maa Designs Limited capture the main character, Scribbles and secondary characters such as  Harmony, Tiger, Gemma and Riley & Randy who are warm and lovable amongst colorful surroundings. Jorey, The Imagination Blanket, is one of my favorite characters.

I was so impressed with this heartfelt story. It begins with an annual kite race, along with Scribble's parents affirming and nurturing ways of encouraging Scribbles to do his best. Plus, the winner receives their favorite ice cream sundae from Madame Moo. The seeds of doubt arise with heckles from the peers but the story takes a delightful turn and the journey of adventures begin throughout Imagination Land... "Where your imagination makes all your dreams possible."

Children will discover Harmony, a girl puppy whom I love dearly. Her feelings of vulnerability are shared here regarding her lack of confidence that her melody played on the violin will not be special enough to win. Haven't we all felt that way at times, no matter our age or what we're going through? I love this universal hook and I am pleased that my grandchildren turn the pages ever so quickly to find out what happens next. Wait 'til you meet Verity, a fairy who cares for magical instruments.

This is a most engaging book to share with children. Being a piano teacher myself and having joy in teaching children the piano and putting on recitals, it is rewarding to read about how Harmony conquers her fear and plays the violin ever so sweetly. 

***** stars! An enchanting book. I highly recommend it!

The Violin's Magical Melody

Meme: 5 Books a Day (All About Music)

1.  My Hands Sing the Blues.html

2. Mozart in the Future

3. Diamond Rio Beautiful Mess

4. The Story of Music

5. Morgys Musical Summer
 
Mellow Yellow Monday



















I can hear the musical sounds in the neighborhood of a local market on the streets of San Francisco! 

Happy Monday!



















“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis






Purple Song, Flower and Book


Flowers on Saturday

 "Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." Hans Christian Anderson
                                                      Quote It Saturday


"Purple" Children's Books




1. Harold and the Purple Crayon

2.  The Purple Balloon

3. The Purple Coat


Purple Songs



1. Purple People Eater

2. The Purple Piano Project from Glee

3. Deep Purple

4. Purple Rain

I have always loved the color purple. Can you think of other purple books and purple songs to add to the list?

By the way, You may want to stop by Beck Valley Books, Weekend Gathering Hop.

Have a wonderful weekend!






“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis




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