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<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:blogger='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005" xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996</id><updated>2024-05-02T22:56:33.665-07:00</updated><category term="random musings"/><category term="books"/><category term="picture book"/><category term="arts and crafts"/><category term="ages 4-8"/><category term="ana antics"/><category term="fiction"/><category term="ages 6-9"/><category term="ages 9-12"/><category term="chapterbooks"/><category term="all ages"/><category term="activities"/><category term="miscellaneous"/><category term="holidays"/><category term="non-fiction"/><category term="parenting"/><category 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term="nature"/><category term="Og-books"/><category term="masking"/><category term="potato stamping"/><category term="schooling"/><category term="travel"/><category term=""potty training""/><category term="ages 12+"/><category term="art"/><category term="baby movies"/><category term="disability"/><category term="dr.seuss"/><category term="folktale"/><category term="penguin-cards"/><category term="rush"/><category term="salt-dough"/><category term="science"/><category term="screen-free"/><category term="toys"/><category term="usborne-art"/><category term="usborne-art-ideas"/><category term="MG"/><category term="berry picking"/><category term="comics"/><category term="easter"/><category term="oil-pastel-resist"/><category term="painting"/><category term="sahm"/><category term="textured-paper"/><category term="vacation"/><category term="waterclor-cling-wrap"/><category term="age-number-book-cluster"/><category term="ana-sewing"/><category term="april-pulley-sayre"/><category term="baby talk"/><category term="christmas"/><category term="costume"/><category term="environmental"/><category term="fall"/><category term="father's day"/><category term="friendship"/><category term="india"/><category term="indian"/><category term="interview"/><category term="kidscience"/><category term="outdoor"/><category term="paste-batik"/><category term="poem"/><category term="rose festival"/><category term="saffrontree"/><category term="salt-sprinkled"/><category term="winter"/><category term="artist"/><category term="author-Ana"/><category term="autumn"/><category term="baby clothes"/><category term="baby signs"/><category term="book+cd"/><category term="cake"/><category term="chalk pastels"/><category term="coming-of-age"/><category term="concept"/><category term="deepavali"/><category term="dvd"/><category term="découpage"/><category term="family"/><category term="funny"/><category term="graeme-base"/><category term="grandpa"/><category term="hand-made"/><category 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term="felting"/><category term="finger-painting"/><category term="flags"/><category term="friday fave"/><category term="gender-identity"/><category term="geography"/><category term="goody bag"/><category term="hand-print"/><category term="kids cooking"/><category term="krishna"/><category term="learning-fun"/><category term="marine"/><category term="mo willems"/><category term="momday mommy tip"/><category term="musings"/><category term="news"/><category term="novelty"/><category term="ocean"/><category term="owl"/><category term="party favors"/><category term="peace"/><category term="performance"/><category term="photobook"/><category term="pop-up"/><category term="roll-printing"/><category term="seed-paper"/><category term="snow"/><category term="steve jenkins"/><category term="storytelling"/><category term="tidepool"/><category term="under-the-weather"/><category term="values"/><category term="visual pun"/><category term="watercolor"/><category term="women"/><category term="yarn craft"/><category term="3rdgrade"/><category term="4thgrade"/><category term="8 things"/><category term="CBW"/><category term="Dorling Kindersley"/><category term="YA"/><category term="abecedary"/><category term="accolade"/><category term="adventure"/><category term="ages 18+"/><category term="ana-writing"/><category term="audiobook"/><category term="audiobooks"/><category term="autobioraphy"/><category term="baby girl"/><category term="bag"/><category term="beatrix potter"/><category term="beatriz vidal"/><category term="beerfest"/><category term="bhutan"/><category term="bilingual"/><category term="bits-o-paper"/><category term="black history"/><category term="blind"/><category term="book-making"/><category term="bookmarks"/><category term="business"/><category term="cabbage patch doll"/><category term="caldecott"/><category term="camping"/><category term="cannon"/><category term="carrots"/><category term="cats"/><category term="children's show"/><category term="chile"/><category term="clever"/><category term="color"/><category term="coupons"/><category term="crochet baby"/><category term="culture"/><category term="deaf"/><category term="degen"/><category term="design"/><category term="diapers"/><category term="dick king-smith"/><category term="dinosaurs"/><category term="dmc"/><category term="dragons"/><category term="duct-tape"/><category term="early humans"/><category term="early reader"/><category term="earth day"/><category term="ebook"/><category term="educational"/><category term="emotional turmoil"/><category term="endangered"/><category term="enterprise"/><category term="fable"/><category term="fairy tales"/><category term="farewell"/><category term="feeding"/><category term="flowers"/><category term="food"/><category term="fundraiser"/><category term="garden"/><category term="gbbc"/><category term="grandma"/><category term="greek"/><category term="grinch"/><category term="hand-made-paper"/><category term="historical-fiction"/><category term="hollie-hobbie"/><category term="holocaust"/><category term="home"/><category term="home remedies"/><category term="how-to"/><category term="ikebana"/><category term="immigrant"/><category term="invention"/><category term="jamberry"/><category term="jane yolen"/><category term="japan"/><category term="july4th"/><category term="karadi-tales"/><category term="kids show"/><category term="kitties"/><category term="lunar-new-year"/><category term="lynne cherry"/><category term="magazines"/><category term="magic"/><category term="mason jar"/><category term="meme"/><category term="montessori"/><category term="motherhood"/><category term="new year"/><category term="newborn"/><category term="pa"/><category term="paper dolls"/><category term="periodic table"/><category term="presentation"/><category term="print making"/><category term="product"/><category term="protective"/><category term="public service"/><category term="puffin"/><category term="puzzles"/><category term="pvz"/><category term="recycled"/><category term="sci-fi"/><category term="sea creatures"/><category term="shapes"/><category term="siblings"/><category term="sidewalk chalk"/><category term="silly"/><category term="song"/><category term="synesthesia"/><category term="t-shirt"/><category term="tag"/><category term="thanksgiving"/><category term="thriller"/><category term="thumbprint"/><category term="tie-dye"/><category term="titanic"/><category term="toilet"/><category term="tolkien"/><category term="toot-and-puddle"/><category term="translated"/><category term="trees crocus"/><category term="trivia"/><category term="true-story"/><category term="turkey"/><category term="verna aardema"/><category term="vintage"/><category term="welsh"/><category term="wild things"/><category term="wordless"/><category term="yoga"/><category term="zoo"/><title type='text'>The Joy of My Life, and other things</title><subtitle type='html'></subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/-/random+musings'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/search/label/random%20musings'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><link rel='next' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/-/random+musings/-/random+musings?start-index=26&max-results=25'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>273</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-1887466062366719902</id><published>2017-05-14T18:39:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2017-05-14T19:57:43.487-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="holidays"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="mother's day"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="parenting"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Happy Mother's Day, 2017!</title><summary type="text"> While part of me automatically dismisses "made-up holidays", I haven't found a strong enough reason not to get swept up in the celebrations that kids put together for Mother's Day. Of course, every day is Mother's Day and Father's Day, &nbsp;Grandma's Day and Grandpa's Day, &nbsp;Daughter's Day and Son's Day, &nbsp;Brother's Day and Sister's Day... And, not all of us can make every </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/1887466062366719902/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=1887466062366719902' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/1887466062366719902'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/1887466062366719902'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2017/05/happy-mothers-day-2017.html' title='Happy Mother's Day, 2017!'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKo93hv3iquZA_lqVOHQ62PK8jfqbbYRNrtfPlJYDMdWGif1LBhzJk38YN6IGXv-T5OyltKqen4rdqA9yCNI0MXv_Z0BmudrGSwYAoZQJGAOgTylSLpreaHoyQEiNdQIjM33fNQ/s72-c/1-mothers-day-hike-biomimicry-trail.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-8953411904320358992</id><published>2017-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2017-01-04T17:03:59.210-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="arts and crafts"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Handmade Alpaca Wool Felted Adult Indoor Booties</title><summary type="text"> We waved goodbye to 2016 surrounded by pristine winter beauty, thanks to a well-earned mini vacation. I got to make a pair of felted alpaca wool booties while on vacation, which was both a relaxing and rewarding enterprise. The wool came from these lovely beauties, my favorite alpacas I know by name. The indoor booties fit perfectly and seem like a </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/8953411904320358992/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=8953411904320358992' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/8953411904320358992'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/8953411904320358992'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2017/01/handmade-alpaca-wool-felted-adult.html' title='Handmade Alpaca Wool Felted Adult Indoor Booties'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOyu9fBVmzqpV2PGt5WoFBxeO3up7Vu0O1KMBpOdNZlpd-KrtzO4plEdCVbh07e9RVYN2Gz3jqTvfEpaqIjCNZMqn3K0AJ5nwAXqlrfHMpOSujZE-UDKlKUMphYmiZwplt7P5jg/s72-c/1-winter-landscape-1.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-1161398189327385902</id><published>2016-12-25T10:30:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2016-12-25T11:25:38.739-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="holidays"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="xmas"/><title type='text'>Merry Christmas 2016!</title><summary type="text"> Much like every year so far, the kids were excited to make their wish lists. Since we don't have cable TV or Network TV or Satellite TV or anything filled with ads, kids have no clue what sort of "toys" to ask for Christmas. So, they've always been creative with their wish lists. One year, when she was 5, the older child asked for a 2-year old sister in her wish list! Yep, she wanted a </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/1161398189327385902/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=1161398189327385902' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/1161398189327385902'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/1161398189327385902'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2016/12/merry-christmas-2016.html' title='Merry Christmas 2016!'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7rTkUkDf8QDow9TkdSTZ-uMY9w_9PgiM65zCARe_7SRRLiqm1LN1zd3MugsOlpj16N4qs1apeQHRJBVZE9sjHL6fvyMh-DlFy2bx1I_lB0yaViGTXUtbhl9GcVa9C6sSabclIg/s72-c/jam-cookies-for+santa.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-8634041967178387129</id><published>2016-12-22T00:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2016-12-24T18:15:05.049-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="party favors"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Homemade Hand Warmers and Sugar Scrubs</title><summary type="text"> It was a fun little project to do last weekend... sew a few hand warmers... and make some soothing sugar scrub. There's a growing list of fun little projects to make and sew that I have been pinning. Finding little pockets of time to do them is the challenge. I keep telling myself that when kids are older I will have more time for soul-nourishing pursuits... For now, I am at </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/8634041967178387129/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=8634041967178387129' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/8634041967178387129'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/8634041967178387129'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2016/12/homemade-hand-warmers-and-sugar-scrubs.html' title='Homemade Hand Warmers and Sugar Scrubs'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jPRFpZDeymAvt4cAu6uqkykUM3ICeNZzPchR6Y9C6QEg_CLCaJw5ck1pyQbT8DBWM_lupotEYefrxLGjwiYMCC3ELXYvF9rn0ASoahqx4KRQ7vpnMSAEFqOTnBNuqWRfa7bY7g/s72-c/sugar-scrub-and-hand-warmers.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-3122051512660609050</id><published>2016-12-01T00:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2016-12-01T12:16:16.966-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="blog event"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="books"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="crocus"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Welcome to CROCUS 2016: Exploring Inclusive Narratives in Children's Literature</title><summary type="text"> Starting in 2009, at my other home, Saffron Tree, we have been celebrating a short and exuberant annual blog event, a festival of books we call&nbsp;CROCUS: Celebrating Reading of Culturally Unique Stories. Each year, we adopt a theme after much deliberation and peaceful voting -- a theme that speaks to us at that time, a theme that guides our book picks to share during the few days of the</summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/3122051512660609050/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=3122051512660609050' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/3122051512660609050'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/3122051512660609050'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2016/12/welcome-to-crocus-2016-exploring.html' title='Welcome to CROCUS 2016: Exploring Inclusive Narratives in Children's Literature'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bPv_WdTGWfo1yipshK1d02B8a3AoR-JE5qQVLOq456jEytgQYbg0UD-H79TPB03mHRybFLFsyoN_qW2_WK9uVkZW-czdOIt_x7t4STYDXJNTNE1P-2XX3lYGnQww1umiBnEg/s72-c/CROCUS-2016-Disability-is-not-a-limitation-No-more-Marginalization.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-5679102034940440007</id><published>2016-11-15T00:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2016-12-13T13:08:26.327-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="books"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>The Journey from Children's Book Reader to Children's Book Author</title><summary type="text">For over a decade now, I've passionately written about children's books here as well as at Saffron Tree, on and off. What started as a place to record the books my kids and I enjoyed reading turned into a venue for me to champion for all the published gems that filled me with comfort and delight and gratification and pure exhilaration... Among other things that I write about in this blog, of </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/5679102034940440007/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=5679102034940440007' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/5679102034940440007'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/5679102034940440007'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-journey-from-childrens-book-reader.html' title='The Journey from Children's Book Reader to Children's Book Author'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-5946841035932986919</id><published>2016-10-31T21:00:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2016-11-04T11:08:25.185-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="costume"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="halloween"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="holidays"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Happy Halloween</title><summary type="text"> The younger child decided to be Ivan, from The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. Not the scariest costume if one knows Ivan, the sweet and adorable gorilla. He had a mask in his Dress Up cubby and had black pants and black shirt, so, the costume was easy enough for him to put together. The older child decided to trick or treat as a Voodoo Doll. Chopsticks and large pompoms became </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/5946841035932986919/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=5946841035932986919' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/5946841035932986919'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/5946841035932986919'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2016/10/happy-halloween.html' title='Happy Halloween'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2b-bj5JG2PWuCZ2_pohXfqrjCgmUasFgakggP9kjXMwrQcgOMVbbv7glOASgiLQMM7EhCW5m79Kk0JAk9dtMlxuJvRdHsV_8aVNEnaTISSV7kWMuy_uwG-qlrYo2m3Th-lr0nA/s72-c/jack-o-lantern-halloween.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-49568400625447546</id><published>2016-06-16T19:00:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2016-06-21T15:58:21.365-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="mason jar"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="schooling"/><title type='text'>Truffles & Teas: Another school year just flew by</title><summary type="text"> Sometimes I wish I was back in grade school. The years from 8th grade through 12th were absolutely lovely for me - grueling, stimulating, joyful, stressful, promising, and frustrating all at the same time. However, I have no intention of going through puberty again, worrying over what to do with my life when I 'grow up.' Not until high school did I get quite taken up with learning for the </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/49568400625447546/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=49568400625447546' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/49568400625447546'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/49568400625447546'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2016/06/another-school-year-just-flew-by.html' title='Truffles & Teas: Another school year just flew by'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9Crfr7SYmhYRZkQ3cxXuV9sd3lO58Rg1PFsAvjeDbHcXiUh3zRlPf9BztZygIUI4PwLUrDaTy2ojEYXZwwySc7qSb5eRgslKIR_00jJ24oaFCWDfWrMt8pEl876CLFrJNqv0rg/s72-c/IMG_2408.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-7971729739847422390</id><published>2016-05-06T00:00:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2016-05-15T10:32:11.637-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="children's games"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Board Games Popular at Home</title><summary type="text"> Board/card/word games are a staple at home, some more fun than others depending on our moods. As I was sorting through the Games Cupboard, hoping to get rid of some old ones that kids have outgrown or not played at all in ages, I realized that I am not ready to part with any of them. So, I decided to list some of them here in case kids (and I) want to look back some day and feel a pang of </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/7971729739847422390/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=7971729739847422390' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/7971729739847422390'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/7971729739847422390'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2016/05/board-games-popular-at-home.html' title='Board Games Popular at Home'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOVs3w1oPPqk6zwBKMYiBssRUQXtUzXgF00zXTc_U3QfOSObJhucY5tIDzPmFYvjjlVSYpnY5IfzIvw275qymAJSjDpQnTMMrvI11gahmJyWg1UyQ4pwdWTCelPVuKseu2BYcyg/s72-c/board-games-for-kids-ages-6-to-12.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-82360284396685017</id><published>2016-05-02T00:00:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2016-05-17T08:40:39.741-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="screen-free"/><title type='text'>Screen-Free Week: May 2 - 8, 2016</title><summary type="text"> Presented by Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood, the annual Screen-Free Week event has been staunchly and steadily encouraging parents to minimize the time young children spend in front of TV/Video games/Computers/iPad screens. For the 5th year in a row, I am happy to be writing about Screen-Free Week that has freed up so much time for kids everywhere so they can pursue their many </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/82360284396685017/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=82360284396685017' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/82360284396685017'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/82360284396685017'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2016/05/national-screen-free-week-may-2-8.html' title='Screen-Free Week: May 2 - 8, 2016'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwoIbNVhH-KeJZIAfKiVpYbMWhULYV_09_H8x9dxI7yfJ9YKPBia1uL4BjOKp1huT88wJXGRtnsre74TFm5OQK-3fP2-5HEHNRn-Vy5XorEWViVeKVIpbiF8i-eXzqHHsQLQCTg/s72-c/screen-free-clip-art-001.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-4989106965881956945</id><published>2015-12-26T10:10:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2016-01-07T10:16:51.800-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="holidays"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="xmas"/><title type='text'>Happy Winter Break!</title><summary type="text"> Winter Break was simple and mellow. Many different board games were played, sometimes ending in a screaming fit, and sometimes going endlessly because it was too much fun. Lots of hot chocolate was consumed, sometimes with marshmallows and fresh whipped cream, after 3 mile walks on neighborhood trails. Handmade greeting cards were sent by kids to friends. Stories got written, whimsical </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/4989106965881956945/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=4989106965881956945' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/4989106965881956945'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/4989106965881956945'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2015/12/happy-winter-break.html' title='Happy Winter Break!'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtJXfhuR6dSCZdrXgAQVhnO2s5QNcdGHBiT2SNrx2JAAlDPFKwCSvfpJD4A-4_jP-LmUSO6qXj3FbeqflXYhhVFQ-HbIFX3W6zXpc8U9fMa8KODIahEZcS6AbkoGfKdF8AlIGgw/s72-c/IMG_7999.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-6703233530169330344</id><published>2015-11-13T00:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2015-11-13T00:00:07.783-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="blog event"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="books"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="crocus"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>CROCUS:Celebrating Reading Of Culturally Unique Stories</title><summary type="text"> It's that time of the year again! Saffron Tree's annual festival,&nbsp;CROCUS:Celebrating Reading Of Culturally Unique Stories, is a four-day long joy-ride of fantastic books and interviews shared by our contributors on a specific theme or topic, to foster the love of reading in children. I am happy to be a part of this vibrant community of individual contributors who have all come </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/6703233530169330344/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=6703233530169330344' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/6703233530169330344'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/6703233530169330344'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2015/11/crocuscelebrating-reading-of-culturally.html' title='CROCUS:Celebrating Reading Of Culturally Unique Stories'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolXRvDKVchYELTO8xxawnHCDUshPw_oKIVPIucMS-sL5UUTfSqfoCfM_y25vr3x9F6QGfChKaPZ6PVkRV-6aOgruAacv5XapV4XIc3AFuMZiOqjNnvqabBcqChNu5r3ZIuOJ0tQ/s72-c/crocus2015.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-1277350467342162797</id><published>2015-11-10T00:00:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2015-11-10T00:00:02.052-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="festivals"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="holidays"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Deepavali: Festival of Lights</title><summary type="text"> Fall has always been soul-filling yet overwhelming for me. First, the natural beauty around me just fills me up with joy. But then, the pressure starts building with a string of festivals and holidays both Indian and American that we try to celebrate as best as we can. When I was young, it felt liberating during the festival season - no school thanks to national holidays; all friends and </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/1277350467342162797/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=1277350467342162797' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/1277350467342162797'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/1277350467342162797'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2015/11/deepavali-festival-of-lights.html' title='Deepavali: Festival of Lights'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSdZcEZHTzLbijZehobckgUXLYqkKSbfXaL1yLgJT1Rfvi40zdf4bZ5xdkB6Y6_YEmN0hTxPdTIvRAdLJ5y4yibpQAEmst9tvgqNxEcneWJtc_JNF2jlrNY-LaJUc0ICklBPfzA/s72-c/deepavali-festival-of-lights.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-6988088740453757914</id><published>2015-11-05T21:23:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2015-11-06T11:05:28.991-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="parenting"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Little Minions</title><summary type="text">Stretched on the sofa eating bon-bons and reading my favorite book while the little minions er... elves jump to my bidding&nbsp;er request... Ha! Thanks to establishing The Cleaning Elves lifestyle over 2 years ago, things are a bit easier to handle. Kids still struggle to put things back in their allotted spots on a daily basis, they still need plenty of reminders to organize their things, </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/6988088740453757914/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=6988088740453757914' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/6988088740453757914'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/6988088740453757914'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2015/11/little-minions.html' title='Little Minions'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSfgRLpHRBANBBSugNEhX5pbSUG80xBfSoyzmmM7CtO9BVT-MKexwtI7W0DBinKA1y55SIVysDCRyIQRyQ4n5Aw5_uGn4iaTWapWk-6H78BstBrO-YOWptjYzHE2J84zqrzbd1g/s72-c/jobs+001.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-7612534429578957964</id><published>2015-11-01T14:53:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2015-11-03T13:28:04.552-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="halloween"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="holidays"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Ever-Scary Clown and the Bucket Head Zombie</title><summary type="text">Unlike the previous years where I did the major work of sewing/making kids' costumes based on their input and request, this year I left it entirely up to the kids. I offered to assist them as needed, of course, but, I made it clear that I won't be deeply involved. The 10 year old is fully capable of &nbsp;designing and possibly sewing her costume if needed, but she has her plate full this term </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/7612534429578957964/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=7612534429578957964' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/7612534429578957964'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/7612534429578957964'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2015/11/ever-scary-clown-and-bucket-head-zombie.html' title='Ever-Scary Clown and the Bucket Head Zombie'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGIBGfxK1r3cnEMRZ13Kl7Cx-CiwJ5Um5xbUfGMfl5T6QAQtPJMjDP3jwmTcoDh0dqI8Qc656HdBm6CGlgmqt3Q4QwFQkQVUf-bach4Y1ud9P2g4PxLn2I4Vacn280JX3Bvtk1g/s72-c/blogger-image--951382687.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-7534529977170021359</id><published>2015-10-20T00:00:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2015-10-21T09:46:57.506-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="fall"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="fun event"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Apple Tasting</title><summary type="text"> So many varieties of apples -- heirloom and hybrid -- burst forth during the gorgeous autumn harvest. I remember about two dozen different fruits I grew up with that are not available here -- custard apple, jackfruit, a hundred varieties of mangoes, several dozen varieties of bananas, sapota, guava... One lifetime may not be enough to savor all the fruits that our wonderful earth has to </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/7534529977170021359/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=7534529977170021359' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/7534529977170021359'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/7534529977170021359'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2015/10/apple-tasting.html' title='Apple Tasting'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct8M4CjA9ylYmhKBpYLIKktvlsJ7MKOyS6gcu2jHe5fMLPyX1g8TYjMpEtwXCxEw3LKda6HthJWN3YXwZ9SoNkfUEU-9EJPn7gTtXNhRncJhWWtTvVD-q7VgwFHEZEJ6Cxcmm8Q/s72-c/blogger-image--1782598051.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-4506074585440218342</id><published>2015-10-01T00:00:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2015-10-01T07:59:43.244-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="fun event"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="news"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>October: International Walk to School Month</title><summary type="text"> Not all of us stay within "walking distance" of school. But then again, "walking distance" is subject to interpretation which includes safe route, time constraints, physical limitations, proximity, weather, and motivation. A two mile brisk walk could take about 35 minutes for a second grader, but possibly only about 20 minutes for an active adult. Not all working parents have the luxury of </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/4506074585440218342/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=4506074585440218342' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/4506074585440218342'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/4506074585440218342'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2015/10/october-international-walk-to-school.html' title='October: International Walk to School Month'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9UBdZgFnYcpYW__pzWGlg04o4qX7p5jLIT5GTdrCTmSAp8IVJ7ZpYoGY8ttvgoXk_FPLdWBLTpjmKZDpOrqrFVuV301AVEdGk1Obi4daAOAUrXA85UYk2H7aN6ZejxV37_7Zlg/s72-c/Logo-iwalk_CMYK_0.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-2903433126839991832</id><published>2015-08-27T20:30:00.004-07:00</published><updated>2022-05-04T10:42:13.162-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="cats"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Census-Taking</title><summary type="text"> It was a balmy night. A gibbous moon hung high in the golden evening sky. Postprandial stroll in the neighborhood was in order. The kids and I embarked on a not-so-beaten path. In fact, it was a road-never-traveled -- for us anyway. As we walked on the as-yet-unknown residential streets (yes, on the streets, as sidewalks are a rarity in our neighborhood), the kids took it upon themselves </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/2903433126839991832/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=2903433126839991832' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/2903433126839991832'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/2903433126839991832'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2015/08/census-taking.html' title='Census-Taking'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SZrF4vAwF62B-iJxAjDdHlTv1zopUBkuF7LUntHUBHmSLG2D-vOZh7Qx9ugDq6fpSXUcs4CBzqlmukz2MkBdIegp953d-i53lvIR6RtnjB0esGPe_bW82xjjyqoLjEjLo3ql9g/s72-c/blogger-image-704617498.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-8574756427209864751</id><published>2015-05-11T01:30:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2015-05-11T19:22:38.706-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="holidays"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="mother's day"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Mother's Day Hike!</title><summary type="text"> "What do you like for Mother's Day, Mama?" asked the ten year old a few weeks ago. I like her spirit: in addition to what she likes to do for me, she always asks what I'd like, and tries to accommodate my likes. Being a compulsive list-maker, there is a running Wish List handy at home, to which I keep adding items that catch my fancy, and occasionally remove some that no longer interest me</summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/8574756427209864751/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=8574756427209864751' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/8574756427209864751'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/8574756427209864751'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2015/05/mothers-day-hike.html' title='Mother's Day Hike!'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraJgZE8H0IH_8EUftEk8LLihffcrnfuQr1pNoKWUbIzeprdsAc7p_9OF1JrvMVTMJ7XowHJs_1P0SJxMSE1ssciIueoJyuml2eIdNoYIoBbc_NaniAHzBBeLLdJy8kdbOwo-s9w/s72-c/mirror-lake-tom-dick-harry-mountain-hike-oregon.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-8297971951938144640</id><published>2015-05-07T15:09:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2015-05-07T19:10:42.983-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="birthday"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="sewing"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="t-shirt"/><title type='text'>Double Digits and Rice Crispy Pops</title><summary type="text"> "What do you think my special talents are, Mama?""Do you think I have any special talents?""What should I do when I grow up?""Will I get pimples on my face in a few years?""When can I go to the park by myself?""Is it okay if I stay home by myself now?""What treat can I share with my friends for my birthday?" All I could think of, by way of answers to the stream of questions by the </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/8297971951938144640/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=8297971951938144640' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/8297971951938144640'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/8297971951938144640'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2015/05/double-digits-and-rice-crispy-pops.html' title='Double Digits and Rice Crispy Pops'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO03oEF3RqFtEHNQYld5sFH_IdhOf1aNXC4Fdp3VAo5rIDv5ysYV7tcaLjhG72waYKJwbW_FgGkRFECRWdXchHDeetBkFYQMgetegVr72p7l4Ej9p-g8VcHvwKL_-EP666NV4HUA/s72-c/rice-crispy-pops-kid-made-home-made.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-6101168751238197445</id><published>2015-05-03T11:19:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2016-05-02T13:31:24.008-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="screen-free"/><title type='text'>Screen-Free Week May 4 - 10, 2015</title><summary type="text"> It's that time of the year again to spread the word about the importance of minimizing the time kids spend in front of screens - passively or actively -- meaning, watching TV shows, or playing interactive video/iPad games. While Zero-Screen-Time has never been the goal at home, it has become a habit for kids to not watch TV/Movies on weekdays, because "School days are not Watch days." Kids </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/6101168751238197445/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=6101168751238197445' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/6101168751238197445'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/6101168751238197445'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2015/05/screen-free-week-may-4-10-2015.html' title='Screen-Free Week May 4 - 10, 2015'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwoIbNVhH-KeJZIAfKiVpYbMWhULYV_09_H8x9dxI7yfJ9YKPBia1uL4BjOKp1huT88wJXGRtnsre74TFm5OQK-3fP2-5HEHNRn-Vy5XorEWViVeKVIpbiF8i-eXzqHHsQLQCTg/s72-c/screen-free-clip-art-001.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-6557085641603104873</id><published>2015-03-21T13:17:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2015-04-24T12:43:23.946-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="birthday"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="oggie"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Seven it is</title><summary type="text">Oggie turned 7 a few weeks ago without much fanfare or fuss, just the way he wanted. We planned a small family celebration at Gilbert House Children's Museum&nbsp;with just his sister and parents. Quite by coincidence he ran into two of his friends and former classmates from his preschool there and had a blast anyway. We rounded out the day by visiting his grandparents who made a delicious </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/6557085641603104873/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=6557085641603104873' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/6557085641603104873'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/6557085641603104873'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2015/03/seven-it-is.html' title='Seven it is'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiE_F1XIHBkYQDN9eLuuvraL0rBjoM7QgPjAQqWlm4aD3EcYnhlDahoUE5vIZYHlk9NT280vJdw6erd5x9_upK9t2JG7JTk8Vi5ttDR_8bnAHsDnkRFG160gLA1QJZ-hWqwZmYJQ/s72-c/1-2015-03-26+gilbert.jpg" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-6027844948385820561</id><published>2015-02-24T20:30:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2015-03-12T18:28:46.696-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Little Free Library</title><summary type="text"> There are these cute little boxes with books in them sprouting all over my neighborhood. I wanted one as well. And found out about it at Little Free Library! Take a Book, Return a Book is such a simple concept, and so powerful. In a country with free access to public libraries, there are still not enough branches to reach all the folks. Nobody wants to ride the bus just to get to a </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/6027844948385820561/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=6027844948385820561' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/6027844948385820561'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/6027844948385820561'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2015/02/little-free-library.html' title='Little Free Library'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qu2D-RVy2fIK4evk4JTPTm-wMwQd9Bp6YVdPob-zydKcsjqiAhiPFDtMmHHzzuN8muAiB9yQlS-RSx4dRAE9scL5rVu28bfFjlzEZY2b5kipetlKdeYPNnW6O1ABQ08tYa9BqQ/s72-c/1-weefreelib+007.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-4158807813136595912</id><published>2015-01-24T12:02:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2015-03-12T18:26:00.189-07:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Bicycle Art</title><summary type="text"> So many pretty, quirky, stylish, creative things around town... these two are just a couple of bicycle art that make me smile as i wander around my neighborhood... </summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/4158807813136595912/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=4158807813136595912' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/4158807813136595912'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/4158807813136595912'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2015/01/bicycle-art.html' title='Bicycle Art'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNY2KVa7eKOGR9XHcMDA-xJ31REEli8hu01ecuTA7SCJ92Kz26G2kHz1PutfkDYLHMQwBtKvd2lhQkBwDPt3fdajOPxRDwTzITvC-TKMr3gLJfuzmSGdMmrtLQuo0wXfOd0n7hw/s72-c/bike-art.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31471996.post-3702660582149201272</id><published>2014-12-27T00:30:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2014-12-30T09:23:56.701-08:00</updated><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="birds"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="miscellaneous"/><category scheme="http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#" term="random musings"/><title type='text'>Backyard Birds</title><summary type="text"> It is a busy life for the backyard birds. There's quite a bit of tension and drama as well. Like, when a female house-finch parks herself on the cedar feeder and refuses to budge. The little chickadees and &nbsp;goldfinches flit close to the feeder hoping to land but are thwarted, again and again. The female house-finch has no intention of giving up her vantage spot at the feeder. That</summary><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/feeds/3702660582149201272/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31471996&postID=3702660582149201272' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/3702660582149201272'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/31471996/posts/default/3702660582149201272'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://the-joy-of-my-life-and-other-things.blogspot.com/2014/12/backyard-birds.html' title='Backyard Birds'/><author><name>Sheela</name><uri>http://www.blogger.com/profile/01892316117026334238</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='33' height='22' src='http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/442986396_5e893834c7.jpg?v=0'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" url="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixb2z5P5rwx5n2zDFqO24kUUiAAIQsyuwPuxIeGr1oKQzOkqsUidvPs05bwK_ALaLNfMwsVKPaYMqnpiykwGRqW4ALBSX5tCBk7vS0p07URQl5P2RCqvjPNXQUVQQ7EhGc59Pw_g/s72-c/1-birdies+027.JPG" height="72" width="72"/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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