Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time
Within seconds of the announcement that the Hunger Games movie would be released on August 18, Lexie asked if she could host a party to watch the movie. Alrighty, we said. So this past weekend Lexie and a handful of her friends gathered to channel their inner tributes and watch The Hunger Games. [Read more…] about Hunger Games Party
Have you seen the movie Hachi: A Dog’s Tale? It’s a remake of a 1987 Japanese film about a dog named Hachiko, his human, and their amazing, true story. I don’t think that the movie, which stars Richard Gere, Joan Allen, Sarah Roemer, and some adorable Japanese Akitas, even had a theatrical release in the United States. Tim said it’s more of a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, and I think he’s right.
But it’s such a sweet, beautiful story. The basic premise is that an Akita puppy, in transit from a Japanese monastery to a U.S. destination, gets lost in transit and ends up with a college professor (Richard Gere). The two become best friends and every day Hachi walks the professor to the train station and then meets him again at night when he returns home from work. Until one day—
I’d better stop there. It’s hard to believe this is a true story, although if you’ve had a dog for a best friend it’s not too hard to believe at all.
I think this movie is appropriate for all ages (unless you have an exceptionally sensitive child). It deals with love and the kind of loss that all of us will experience at some point. Every single one of us cried, but in a good way. If you watch it, make sure you have a box of tissues handy!
As we wrap up the last country in our Country of the Week series (next up is Camp Week followed by State Fair Week), I wanted to share One Charming Party’s adorable World Traveler First Birthday party with you. One Charming Party has all the ideas (and free printables) you need to celebrate the first year of your baby’s exciting journey with style. [Read more…] about World Traveler First Birthday from One Charming Party
During our visit to the Tomodachi store in Roseville yesterday, we picked up some origami paper so we could give the traditional Japanese art form a try. Origami (from oru meaning “to fold” and kami meaning “paper”) has been a celebrated art form in Japan for hundreds of years. To create origami sculptures, you fold small, flat sheets of paper this way and that until you end up with everything from a boat to a polar bear. (The whale I made involved some cuts, so I think that makes it kirigami instead of origami.) [Read more…] about Country of the Week: Japan / Origami + Cat
This is the face of someone who has tried roasted seaweed only to discover that it tastes like fish. And not the kind of fish that’s been slow roasted on a cedar plank with a nice ginger glaze. Nope, this was like scooping a fish out of the creek and licking it. But I give Lily and Lexie props for at least trying Trader Joe’s Roasted Seaweed Snacks. Andrew and Will took a sniff of the snacks and ran for the hills.
Apparently the snacks are wildly popular and Trader Joe’s can’t keep them on the shelves. I wanted us to like them because they’re probably super healthy, but we just couldn’t do it. Fortunately, Trader Joe’s had plenty of other options for Japan Week. [Read more…] about Country of the Week: Japan / Roasted Seaweed and Mochi