Page 3 – Tribute Journal

Cinderella Days! A Few Of Grandma’s Favorite Things!

Cinderella Days! A Few Of Grandma’s Favorite Things!

A little while ago, I spotlighted some of my granddaughters favorite things, and although I am a fairly new grandma, it hasn’t taken me long to acquire a few of my own “favorite things” and “must haves” that help me better cherish this coveted role even more!

Munchkin Snack Catcher

Even with the very best of intentions in mind, I experienced a few mishaps of spilled cereal and crushed crackers on my kitchen floors before I found these Munchkin Snack Catchers, a little gem of a container that is perfect for toddlers on the go who want their snacks as mobile as they are! They’re good for promoting a bit of independence too–and we all know how important that is to a child–since they can reach in and get their own snack whenever they want it! I imagine that this would also be perfect for saving errant snacks from escaping in the car or at the store when busy moms are running errands with their little ones who need a treat to pacify them. Happy child, happy mom–right!?!

Dress Ups!

Buy a few fairy costumes at the dollar store, gather some of your old Halloween costumes, along with any jewelry or other accessories you might have around the house, then sit back and watch the world of “make believe” appear before your eyes–better yet, join in on the magical play time for some of the best fun of your life!

This is a funny picture my daughter sent me of the girls after a dress up session at home!

Play Tents!

The ultimate “make-believe” world for most children is a play tent! I can even remember playing for hours on end with my cousins in makeshift huts made from a card table and blankets when I was a child! Hands down, this is one of Makena and Marli’s most favorite things to do! This Pacific Play Cottage Tent is easy to assemble, stands 58 inches tall, and is roomy enough for the girls and all their “stuff”! (There’s a wide variety to choose from online and at department stores. It’s a bit of an investment, but well worth it–I still pull out my old card table and a pile of blankets on occasion too!)

Makena and Marli think putting the tent up is part of the fun! You just assemble the outside structure, then simply align the fabric tent piece over the poles. The tent also comes with a nice bag to neatly store everything away when you’re done playing for the day.

Oh, the stories this tent could tell–the ones I have overheard will be treasured forever! Occasionally, Marli has even fallen asleep and had her nap inside the tent after we’ve read books!

Books And Story Time!

Speaking of story time–there’s nothing like cuddling up together while reading some fun stories! I loved collecting neat books with my kids, (I still do) and now Makena and Marli take turns picking some of these same books off the shelf for us to read! I’ve started a collection of some great new books that the girls have selected at the store and added them to my home library, as well.

Now that Makena is in school, I love that she wants to read some of the books to Marli! Marli’s cute, animated version of these same stories is hilarious!

Whether it’s one of their favorite “Olivia” books, or a classic Disney story, one of my very favorite things to do with my granddaughters is read books with them! Makena loved when we read “Pinky Dinky Boo: Back To School” this summer, right before she stared kindergarten!

Miniature Dishes and Play Food!

My kids are all much better cooks than I am–I’m sure it must be due in part to all the countless hours spent cooking and baking with their miniature Tupperware dishes! Ha! These dishes have certainly withstood the test of time and now my granddaughters love playing with them too! We’ve also enjoyed “mini meals” on them together for our lunch!

Mess Free Arts And Crafts!

As good as my children have gotten with their cooking skills, I’m afraid I might have stunted their creative painting and craft energy a smidge, since I usually didn’t want to deal with the mess! Ugh! However, now that Crayola has come out with their new line of mess free, invisible craft paint, I have expanded my horizons on this front with my granddaughters!

This product comes with special paper that activates the paint colors–otherwise it is just clear gel that doesn’t stain. I just know a very smart mom or grandma invented this–wish it had been me!

Like a lot of things, my most favorite thing about being a grandma is something I didn’t appreciate as much as I should have when I was a mom…

…I’m so grateful for second chances to really cherish wonderful leg hugs! It’s hard not to look down and wish these sweet girls could stay this young and innocent forever and ever!

What are a few of your favorite things that you love to do with your kids or grandchildren? Please expand my horizons some more!

–Mary

Thoughtful Kindness!

Thoughtful Kindness!

With Thanksgiving Day just a few weeks away, this is the time of year where we hopefully take time out to give a little thoughtful consideration for all the things we’re thankful for and express our gratitude to those who have impacted our lives in influential ways!

One of my favorite quotes about “GRATITUDE” sits all year-long on a shelf in my living room to remind me of a couple of characteristics I want to develop better in my life!

Despite the Thanksgiving season, however, another word has occupied my mind and nudged my conscience more dominantly lately. Not too long ago, a dear friend sent me a copy of a graduation address given by George Saunders, a New York Times best-selling short story author, to students at Syracuse University in upstate New York this past year. Although I had seen excerpts of this speech quoted in related articles, I hadn’t read it in its entirety. Upon doing so, the word “kindness” has taken on a deeper meaning for me and I’ve felt compelled to incorporate it more genuinely in my life, especially in terms of how I associate with others! I would also like to enlist your support in joining forces with me to help promote a more concerted effort of giving more “thoughtful kindness” –one act at a time!

Mr. Saunders, in his advice to the graduating students, related a few personal stories, then summarized that ultimately he had few regrets in life, other than his failures of kindness. He then posed an interesting question by saying:

“Who in your life, do you remember most fondly, with the most undeniable feelings of warmth?

“Those who were kindest to you, I bet.”

“It’s a little facile, maybe, and certainly hard to implement, but I’d say, as a goal in life, you could do worse than: Try to be kinder.”

“Now the million-dollar question: What’s our problem? Why aren’t we kinder?”

“Because kindness, it turns out, is hard!”

(Read George Saunder’s full speech here.)

We all hear stories about ‘pay it forward’ or ‘random acts of kindness’–I love them and have even dedicated a board on my Pinterest page to them, and I also have a file in my desk drawer where I’ve collected these heart warming types of experiences about others! It seems like almost on a daily basis, you hear of a newsworthy story about someone leaving a large tip for a struggling waitress or waiter and you can’t help but be impressed by this kind of generosity to complete strangers!

Now here’s my thought…just think what we might accomplish if we looked around and better observed those we associate with–family members, neighbors, work colleges etc. and dedicated ourselves to giving a little more thoughtful consideration to how we can truly be more kind to these people, among all the others we rub shoulders with, so to speak, on any given day. It’s one thing to write a check and leave extra money for someone we perceive as being able to benefit greatly by this act of good will, but to actually take a little time out of our busy, busy schedules to really give some sincere thought as to how we might impact another’s life, even anonymously, might be the greater challenge to take on, but perhaps just as rewarding, if not more so, for all parties involved!

Hearing about all the devastation that’s taken place this week in the Philippians, it’s easy to feel pretty helpless and like we can’t possibly make a difference, but maybe with small, kind gestures we can, as we reach out to those around us and in more meaningful ways try to lift them up. Certainly opportunities may arise where we’re given the chance to help other people on a larger scale, but in the meantime, I think it’s so important as go about our day-to-day lives that we try and offer simple acts of thoughtful kindness!

I love the last part of George Saunder’s graduation speech where he states:

“One thing in our favor: some of this ‘becoming kinder’ happens naturally with age…we somehow come to see how useless it is to be selfish…so my heartfelt wish for you as you get older, is that you will gradually be replaced by LOVE.”

(I love it when I hear about any upside to getting older!)

My hope is that we will all consider…

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…in our lives and that you’ll be inspired to share your stories and observations with me, either here in the comments or by writing me at my contact email, so that today and on other “Thoughtful Kindness” days in the future, I can spotlight you by highlighting your stories here!

If you feel so inclined, I would especially love for you to share this download on your blog, Facebook page, or any other social media, (or you can just print off a copy to have as a reminder on your fridge or bulletin board) then at this special Thanksgiving time, we can collectively enlarge our capacity to be more grateful by showing our ability to love and truly share in thoughtful kindness!

I’m grateful that my parents, as well as wonderful friends and family members have been such tremendous examples to me of how to be kinder and love more fully!

Best Wishes for a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

–Mary

Crazy Good–All Things New York!

Crazy Good–All Things New York!

Aside from the crazy good frenzy of last weekend’s New York City marathon, these are a few of the other things I love about New York City:

I love the epicurean delights served up in New York City! Although I’m pretty mainstream, I can honestly say I have not had a bad meal in New York City! (Granted, it helps that my daughter and son-in-law live in New York and aptly guide my foodie cravings in the right direction!) The eclectic energy of this amazing city has a way of opening up your mind–and taste buds–to being a little more daring when it comes to making cuisine choices! New York style pizza always seems to be the perfect combination of soft, chewy crust, fresh toppings and delicious blended cheeses! Italian restaurants are my favorite, and the ones I’ve been to in New York City have expertly honed the talent of adding just the right amount of spices to any sauce and take personal pride in their homemade noodles! When it comes to breakfast or brunch, the options are endless! This time of year, it is highly likely that fresh pumpkin will be added to your pancakes or waffles, raising the delectable quotient of your meal up a notch or two!

“Public” restaurant has become one of our favorites in New York City–it was once a public library, thus it’s name! The menus are like library cards!

Since space is at a premium, dining tables are set close together in New York City Restaurants! Often you become acquainted with those you’re sitting by and can ogle the menu items they’ve ordered!

My daughter, Mandi and I savored their pumpkin waffles with cranberry compote! Presentation, as well as taste are given thoughtful consideration!

Equally delicious were my husband’s Salmon Eggs Benedict!

Mandi’s husband, Cole, is the most adventurous when it comes to trying out unusual menu selections–although I didn’t get a picture of them, he ordered Turkish poached eggs–kinda crazy, but he assured us they were very good!

Leave it to New York City to come up with a unique restaurant called “S’ Mack” that serves up indulgent macaroni and cheese! Crazy Good!

I love the vast and varied urban culture and the parks and secret gardens of New York City! There will always be the usual popular draw to the various museums and Broadway plays in New York City, but I have recently been enlightened as to what’s available when you take a detour off the “touristy beaten path”, so to speak!

My parents always tried to plan their many travels to include a few days in New York City to take in a Broadway play or two! “Matilda” is my new favorite–right up there with “Fiddler On The Roof” and “Lion King”!

The iconic Empire State Building! (This is for you “Sleepless in Seattle” fans!)

If you want to really broaden your cultural experience in New York City, just get off the Queen’s Street subway exit and the flamboyant art of 5 Pointz Graffiti Park will greet you!

Obviously someone’s interpretation of their super hero!

My daughter and her husband unknowingly came perfectly color coordinated for pictures at 5 Pointz!

Amazing stippled art! So crazy good!

My husband is not a fan of graffiti that defames other’s property, but loved that this place exists for talented artists to express themselves!

5 Pointz is a popular spot to film music videos!

My husband lovingly told me that this was a perfect rendition of my face on any given Monday morning as I’m racing out the door for work! (Funny guy, my husband!)

Although New York City is known as the “concrete jungle”–there are so many beautiful parks and secret gardens intermittently tucked away inside busy city blocks! Note the garden plots that neighbors often work on together–reminds me of one of my favorite books, “Seedfolks”!

I love shopping small shops in the big city of New York! Upon entering a small, quaint shop along any side street of this grand city, you quickly become aware that your shopping habits are about to take on a new, more personalized nuance! (You’ll find many big chain stores in New York City and of course, there’s the larger than life eye candy of 5th Avenue too!) At these self-owned shops, more often than not, the owner will greet you warmly, then with kind, considerate care go out of their way to help you find exactly what you are looking for. My husband has noted, however, that one of the downfalls of browsing the merchandise in these one-of-a-kind, specialty shops, is all the things you find that you never knew you needed! Ha! All I know is that shopping becomes an event to be cherished whether you buy anything or not!

Embracing the New York City retail experience while waiting for my daughter to model some great clothes finds! Store clerks in New York City always seem make a fun addition to a good shopping excursion! (The gal who waited on us at this store was from Australia and was such a doll!)

My husband is a succor for small neighborhood book stores–and New York City has many! You do lose track of time upon entering them!

New York City bakeries! www.mytributejournal.com

Stopping at one of the many cute bake shops in New York City makes for a perfect ending to any shopping trip!

I love the outerwear style and fashion of New York City! So many in the “Big Apple” rely on the public transportation systems to get them where they need to go, and since cold fall and winter weather conditions often have to be braved when additional blocks must be walked to reach intended destinations, outerwear in New York City serves the dual purpose of being functional as well as stylish. While observing the random, yet clever pairing of various coats, scarfs and boots on the subway or any other place in New York, you soon realize that it’s hard to feel quite as free to pull off the same look for yourself upon returning home!

Floral patterns can be mixed and matched and animal ears on your stocking caps are trending! Is this not the epitome of crazy good! Mind you, many of these pictures were taken at a very fast pace, which is also another crazy good aspect of New York City!

Although this picture doesn’t do it much justice, the wool texture and darling yoke of this cute coat caught my eye! I actually asked this gal where she got it, but alas, we never had time to find the store–maybe next trip!!!!

My braver alter-ego wears a pink fur vest and high-top converse sneakers! The lady wearing this did appear to be somewhere near my age bracket!?!

My granddaughter, Marli, pulls the look off without a hitch! Clothing boutiques for children in New York City are worthy of a post all their own–for any grandma out there, they are sooo crazy good!

Outerwear just begins to describe the diverse style of people in New York! Anyone willing and able to walk the city streets in 4 inch heels, certainly has the strongest caliber of New York City grit–doing that just seems crazy!?!

Mostly, I love that people live so passionately in New York City and have such a deep love for America and display it proudly–doing that is just so good!

I know I got a little carried away with this post–thanks for bearing with me! Now it’s back to reality!? My oldest daughter reminded me that at least my reality is pretty darn good, even if it is a bit crazy at times! Thanks again to Mandi and Cole for being such great hosts!

If you’ve never been to New York City, I hope you can arrange to go someday soon! If you have been there before–let’s start planning our next trip!!!!

What do you love most about New York City or anywhere else you’ve visited recently?

–Mary

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