Aaaah, la belle Paris!

fabienne delacroix: we’ll always have paris

https://scbwikitetales.wordpress.com/2020/03/18/ktchat-with-author-margo-sorenson-how-to-write-what-you-know-without-oversharing/

love me some hot cross buns

Jama's Alphabet Soup

Happy Good Friday!

What are you doing today? Will you, perchance, be wandering city streets with your basket or cart peddling freshly baked hot cross buns? If so, then it’s likely you’ll be singing this classic rhyme as you go:

Hot Cross Buns,
Hot cross buns;
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot Cross Buns.
If your daughter don't like them,
Give them to your sons;
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot Cross Buns.

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Walter Crane (The Baby’s Bouquet, 1878).

I must say you’re in excellent voice. You’d fit right in with 18th century London hawkers and their “hot cross buns” street cry in the days leading up to Easter. From street cry to nursery rhyme to an aid in musical education, “Hot Cross Buns” is now a cherished part of our childhood lexicons.

~ from The Illustrated London News (1861).

Until the 18th century these yeast-risen beauties…

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Three Chords and the Truth–Medieval Romance and Country Music!

Fandom Friday: ROMANCE AND COUNTRY MUSIC—THREE CHORDS AND THE TRUTH

Steal a Heart–er–a base!

Fandom Friday: BASEBALL

Heartwarming Heartland!

#amreadingromance #romance #romancebooks #medievalromance #Canada #ranch #horses #familydrama

HEARTLAND

[songs + recipe] Celebrating Paul’s 80th Birthday + a summer blog break

Jama's Alphabet Soup

“What I have to say is all in the music. If I want to say anything, I write a song.” ~ Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney turns 80 tomorrow!

We’re celebrating Macca’s milestone birthday by sipping English tea, nibbling on fairy cakes, and listening again to several of his best songs.

photo by Mary McCartney (2020)

We all have our favorite McCartney tunes – from his time with the Beatles, Wings, and as a solo artist. But have you ever wondered which of Paul’s songs he likes most?

I imagine “I Lost My Little Girl” will always hold a special place in his heart, since it’s the first song he ever wrote at age 14. He composed it on his Zenith acoustic guitar shortly after his mother Mary died.

Yes, he still has that Zenith!

Here he is on MTV Unplugged (1991). Can you detect the Buddy Holly influence? 🙂

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May 24 – National Brothers Day

About the Holiday

Today we take time to celebrate brothers! Whether you grew up with one brother or a few or have a friend you love like a brother, today’s holiday gives you a terrific reason to spend time together or get in touch and make some new memories! This year, as we’re spending more time working and playing with family, today’s book is certainly a home run!

Calvin Gets the Last Word

Written by Margo Sorenson | Illustrated by Mike Deas

 

Calvin’s dictionary is well-positioned to know all about (and describe) Calvin’s life because from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to bed, that dictionary is in his hands. “Why? Because Calvin loves words—I mean REALLY loves words,” the dictionary says. And Calvin won’t rest until he’s found the perfect “word for everything—especially his rascally brother.” Take this morning, for example. Calvin grabs his…

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just call me strawberry girl

Jama's Alphabet Soup

“Strawberry picking is my jam.” ~ Anonymous

Art by Madison Safer

Since May is National Strawberry Month, thought we’d have a little fun going berry picking shopping.

There’s just something about seeing those red heart-shaped beauties on everything from socks to tea towels that makes me happy. And of course there are some cool strawberry toys too. Yes, please.

So grab a shopping cart and happy picking! Just click on the images for more info. 🙂

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“Strawberries in Green Cocktail Glass” original oil painting by Diana Fritch.

Strawberry Onesie by SnuggleMonkeysCC(also comes in long sleeve).

Hand-knitted Top Handle Bag by Hailing Crafts.

Handmade Strawberry Shortcake Mug by The Native Element.

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[sticky review] Paddington’s Easter Egg Hunt by Michael Bond and Karen Jankel, with art by R.W. Alley

Jama's Alphabet Soup

Guess what?! The Easter Bunny left a surprise on our doorstep – a brand new Paddington Bear picture book! WooHoo!

Needless to say, all the furry Alphabet Soup kitchen helpers, especially the 70-something resident Paddingtons, are simply beside themselves. After several jubilant paw pumps and back flips, they cartwheeled from room to room before finally settling down long enough to actually crack open the book.

This new story is a welcome treasure, truly a rare gift for all Paddington fans, since dear Mr Bond passed away in 2017 (and we’ve all missed him terribly). But. It seems his agent discovered an old story Mr Bond had written with his daughter Karen Jankel for a charity newsletter back in 1995. Why not turn it into a picture book?

So Paddington illustrator extraordinaire R.W. Alley created some brand new illustrations, and, I must say, he’s really outdone himself. 🙂

In this toothsome…

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