There’s a hint of spring in the air today, as the mercury soars above 30 degrees. Yup, it’s truly been the winter of our discontent here in the Northeast where we have been “toughing it out” during what feels like a never-ending chill fest. Trust me when I say we’ll be paying close attention to that groundhog, come Sunday. The skin on my hands would welcome some warmer temps; I wonder if this feeling of parchment paper will become permanent. Because I have an overactive imagination, I sometimes find myself daydreaming about warm weather getaways to far-off lands. High on my list is Provence in summertime, with the sun beating down on those lush lavender fields that seem to go on for miles. No wonder [&hellip
Weekend Walnut Archive
Ever wonder what it’s like to zip-line through a rainforest? Or hike down a canyon? Kids will be able to find out for themselves on Monday–or, at least live vicariously through PBS Kids’ Dinosaur Train Nature Trackers Adventure Camp. This one-hour television special will take viewers along for a journey with the entire Pteranadon posse as they travel various terrains, from canyons to mountains, learning about geography and paleontology along the way. The show is divided into four nature-themed segments–rafting, mountain climbing, zip-lining and canyon hiking–with plenty of adventure to get kids interested in the great outdoors. It’s the perfect antidote to the winter blues, and proof-positive that there’s a great big world out there to explore. In a Nutshell: PBS Kids’ Dinosaur Train Nature [&hellip
How many foodies do you have on your gift list this Christmas? We’ve got a few ourselves, not to mention out-of-state peeps who appreciate a package of sweet treats. But rather than stick with the same tried-and-true gift baskets you’ve been known to send out, how about a delectable dessert that also has some health benefits? We were recently treated to Mrs. Prindable’s gourmet caramel apples, and have now found ourselves a new holiday favorite. These juicy apples are first rolled in creamy caramel, then dipped in chocolate and topped off with a variety of nuts. The result is a crunchy, delicious taste that satisfies a sweet tooth without the guilt. We love that we get our vitamin C from the fruit, while still getting [&hellip
Only 19 shopping days left ’til Christmas and counting! If you’ll be bravely hitting the malls this weekend and therefore loading up on caffeinated beverages to get you from Point A to Point Z without collapsing in a tired heap, may we suggest a colorful travel cup to keep your spirits jolly and bright? We love the just-released collection of Pantone Universe Thermo Cups that deserve a permanent spot in your cupholder. (Just be sure to take them out and wash them from time to time ;-). Naturally, the Flame Scarlet and Macaw Green styles are our personal favorites this time of year, but you can certainly pick up one (or a few) to suit your mood. The Thermo Cup does a stellar job at [&hellip
Happy (almost) Thanksgiving! If you’re looking for something to do with the kiddies over the long holiday weekend, may we suggest a movie or two? Just released on DVD The Snow Queenis , an animated version of the fabled tale by Hans Christian Anderson that demonstrates the power of family (a fitting tribute to the holiday season). In this story, the title character threatens to freeze the entire world in a blanket of ice as she takes a young boy captive. When his sister Gerta sets out to save him, she is faced with a number of patience-testing challenges along the way. Be sure to have plenty of popcorn on hand for this edge-of-your-seat story…And if you’ll be heading out to the movie theater, we’re [&hellip
My daughter’s bus driver just told me it’s supposed to snow on Sunday. Already? I was just admiring the still-ripe roses and their unseasonal bloom on our garden trellis. We’ve been so spoiled by the mild fall here in the Northeast, that it’s hard to believe it’s nearly December. Since so many of you will be sitting down to Thanksgiving leftovers in the coming week, we thought we’d share a useful product idea to make your oven accident-proof. Spud Spikes are a cooking nail that, when inserted into a pre-cooked potato, prevent blow-outs and allow for even cooking. The result is a tasty side dish, and less clean-up. We think they’re more effective than jabbing a fork into your pretty potato skin over and over….And [&hellip
Can you put a pricetag on a good night’s sleep? If you happen to be a new parent or a worldwide traveler, it’s probably something you don’t get much of. So, if you’re wondering just how precious those zzz’s are, would you consider investing in one of the latest trends in sleep aid? We’re not talking about popping a pill or drawing a hot bath. Philip Stein, maker of high-end watches, jewelry and other lifestyle accessories, has created a Sleep Bracelet that’s designed to give you the quality rest you so desperately need, especially during the start of an especially exhausting time of year. How does it work, you ask? The $300+ bracelet is designed with perforated holes that allow your skin to breathe more [&hellip
Happy first weekend in November. Have you scarfed down all that Halloween candy yet, or at least put it out of plain sight? As the countdown to Thanksgiving begins, we’re trying to be a bit more…er, healthy and so that means making smarter choices in what we put in our tummies. And that’s the perfect excuse for updating your kitchen gadgets or dropping a few hints what you might appreciate under the tree this December. Because my 5-year-old has been on a smoothie kick lately (I wish I could take credit for this, but I think it’s because of Healthy Snack Fridays at school), we can truly appreciate a juicer that gets the job done and looks pretty on the kitchen counter. The Omega NC900 [&hellip
This Sunday marks the end of Daylight Savings Time, and not a moment too soon. I don’t know about you, but Halloween has left me a bit pooped out. (Show of hands: How many of your kids could barely make it to the bus stop this morning?) That extra hour of sleep will surely come in handy this weekend, especially after we all crash from the post trick-or-treating sugar high. As you find yourselves turning on the lights a bit earlier, consider stocking up on Cree LED bulbs. These energy-efficient light bulbs are long-lasting, shatter-proof and don’t contain any mercury (a big plus for households with young kids). And if you happen to be dining by candlelight this weekend, be sure to check out Yankee [&hellip
TGIF. Have you picked your pumpkins yet and been on a requisite hayride? Our house is outfitted in its Halloween finest, our costumes are all figured out and all that’s left to do is buy the candy (trust me, if I’d bought it any sooner, it’d be all gone by now). As you put the finishing touches on your own Halloween, be sure to find a spare moment for yourself and indulge something warm and toasty. If you’re a tea drinker (as we are), brew up a nice hot cup, put your feet up and inhale that wonderful aroma. If you happen to be in NYC, you might want to check out Starbucks Teavana Tea Bar on the Upper East Side. Opening its doors for [&hellip