Today I thought I'd share another card I made with Papertrey's new Bibliophile stamps and dies. I can't put my finger on it, but I'm not loving this one. I wanted to share it anyway, though, to show you the idea of adding that linen napkin under the teacup, which I made with the new Embroidered Frames: Dots dies. But first, the books are stamped and die-cut with Bibliophile stamps and Bibliophile dies. I love the look of the stacked books, and how you can incorporate your sentiment into the book spines. Just so darn cute and clever! There's actually another line to the sentiment that I chose to omit. The full sentiment is "Relax, may you feel better with the turning of every page." The Fancy Teacup die is gorgeous. I lightly sponged the solid background layer in Aqua Mist ink and the more intricate top layer in Harvest Gold ink. I added a strip of Pure Poppy card stock behind the little circles, too. For the napkin, I die-cut the smaller rectangle from the Embroidered Frames: Dots die set out of Fresh Snow linen card stock, leaving the middle part inside the frame and securing with a little tape on the back. I arranged it at the angle I wanted, then trimmed off the top and right before layering it over the book stack. I think what's bugging me about this card is that it feels like it should have more of a vintage, flowery tea party look. This looks like a circus :) I look forward to giving it another go in a totally different style! Enjoy your weekend! Papertrey Ink - Bibliophile Stamp Set Papertrey Ink - Bibliophile Die Papertrey Ink - Fancy Tea Cup Die Papertrey Ink - Embroidered Frames: Dots Die Harvest Gold Pattern Pack (36 Sheets) Hawaiian Shores Pattern Pack (36 Sheets) Perfect Match Pure Poppy Cardstock Perfect Match Hawaiian Shores Cardstock (24 Sheets) Perfect Match Smokey Shadow Cardstock Perfect Match Harvest Gold Cardstock Perfect Match Aqua Mist Cardstock (24 sheets) Paper Basics - Stamper's Select White Cardstock (40 Sheets) Paper Basics - Fresh Snow Linen Cardstock (40 sheets) Perfect Match Harvest Gold - Inkpad Perfect Match Aqua Mist - Inkpad InLinkz.com

Martha Cheng|!!| author of “The Poke Cookbook|!!|” former line chef and former HONOLULU Magazine food and dining editor|!!| talks about how a New York city publisher decided Hawai‘i’s favorite pūpū was for everybody.

It is with great trepidation that I make this list. Inevitably a book will be left off or I will somehow screw this up. But…these books have shaped my year. These books with their worlds, …

Dilly beans are an old-fashioned favorite that's full of flavor, and they should be on every home canners pantry shelf!

Step by Step Wednesday, March 29, 2017 Today, if I start any day with dread, I probably need to do a 10th Step or re-do my Fourth. Clearly something is wrong and I have not yet reaped benefits of sobriety or, worse, I am little more than a dry drunk. The Serenity Prayer tells me that I have no control over what this day might serve up, but it also tells me what I can change is me. The program gives me the tools to do it, from its first four words - "Admitted (I am) powerless" - to the 12th Step's promise of a new me through a spiritual awakening and its command to practice all the steps "in all (my) affairs." And if I take the attitude that the day ahead is something to just get through, I will likely make it a self-fulfilling prophecy. Today, I am powerless over whatever this day has in store, but that my attitude toward it can make or break the serenity that recovery promises - and faith in my Higher Power will give me the courage to change me. Sobriety and life are not things to endure or just get through. Today, I will live, not just endure or get through. And our common journey continues. Step by step. - Chris M., 2017

Fruits are part of our history and culture, a way for us to feel connected to our community. And, if you’ve ever had a ripe mango, you know there’s nothing else like it.

HONOLULU’s first-ever list of the most iconic, trenchant and irresistible books about Hawai‘i, as voted by a panel of literary community luminaries.

Thought I would share another activity I had with my Activity Days girls last week. We were on a mission, we went undercover and performed 7 days worth of SecRet SerViCe. Before we got started we talked a bit about service and the blessings that come when we help others. I found some manila envelopes at the dollar store and personalized them with their names on them. Inside I included a pen and these "forms" that they were to fill out during the activity. I also included a list of ideas for serving to help get them going. I was also lucky to find these fun "undercover" glasses to stick inside. Just to help them really get into the part...AND they would know if anyone sneaking up on them ;) (they really did kind of work!) The girls thought it was great. Honestly, I was pretty surprised with how excited they were to get going on their challenge. A lot of them told me they were going to go home and get started right away. Just goes to show that it doesn't take much (couple of bucks at the dollar store) to get kids excited about doing things for others. It turned out to be a fun, easy way to teach the important principal of SeRviNg oTheRS...

View the comic strip for Herman by cartoonist Jim Unger created November 27, 2017 available on GoComics.com

Real Friends. Shannon Hale. 2017. 214 pages. [Source: Library] First sentence: When I was little, I didn't worry about friends. After all, I had Mom. Premise/plot: Shannon Hale has written a memoir of her early school years in graphic novel format; the novel covers kindergarten through fifth grade. It is illustrated by LeUyen Pham. The graphic-novel-memoir opens in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the fall of 1979. Throughout the book, readers see Little Shannon struggle at school and at home. At home, Shannon doesn't always, always, always get along with her sister, Wendy. (I believe Shannon's name is the only one that was not changed?) At school, Shannon struggles with distinguishing real friends from dare I say it here-today-gone-tomorrow friends. (You know friends that laugh with you one minute, and another minute are laughing at you. Or, you know friends that talk about you behind your back. Friends that leave you questioning where you stand with them. Is this a day they'll like you or hate you?!?!) One thing that I loved throughout the book was Shannon's creativity and individuality. I loved seeing her imagination at work. I loved that she was never bored, but, was always inventing something new and wonderful to play. I also loved that storytelling was always involved whether it was acting out a story with friends or writing down a story. I also love that Hale didn't create a perfectly-perfectly-perfect heroine. Little Shannon struggles with anxiety and some OCD tendencies. The novel covers the joys and sorrows of growing up. There are plenty of good and happy times depicted. But there are also other emotions as well. The book feels genuine, authentic, easy to relate to. My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one. Shannon Hale is a great writer, I think this may be my favorite so far. (She has written plenty of fantasy novels for various age groups.) I love LeUyen Pham. She is one of my favorite illustrators. I adore her work. Though graphic novels aren't usually something I gush like crazy about, I just have to say this one was wonderful. I would definitely recommend it! I think it needs a NEWBERY. © 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

A Signet book.

Back in October, before I had to cut and run for home , my students benefitted from the kindness of a couple of my author friends. ...

A step by step tutorial to make your own old fashioned pickled beets at home. This is a Ball Canning pickled beets recipe.

My debut novel, Mitzi Bytes, was published by Harpercollins Canada in March 2017. Order at Chapters Indigo.ca Order at Amazon A Toronto Star Most Anticipated Book of the Year “Entertaining, engaging and timely, Mitzi Bytes is a pleasure to read from start to finish.” —Toronto Star Go