MonkeyGrass Clippings

Where does the time go??

Well, I don't know where the time has gone, but Halloween (and the long awaited election) are just around the corner. It really seems like yesterday it was 90 degrees (oh, I guess that was actually last week...) and summer. Normally I'm really not a "hey, it's October so let's start thinking Christmas" kind of gal, but considering that a week ago I saw a Christmas commercial for PopTarts- not to digress, but apparently they have a holiday package that you can write "to" and "from" on the faux wrapping... Um...seriously? Who's giving anyone a Pop Tart for Christmas? I know times are tough, but believe me, I'd like to meet the person who give Pop Tarts to his or her whole gift list... Actually, I would decidedly not like to meet them.

At any rate, there are so many places that have their Christmas "stuff" up, I really felt obliged to start getting my holiday show together! So, if you check out the website, you'll see more and more items that are centered around the holidays, and even more of a festive holiday atmosphere if you come by the Shops at 5807!

The daily drop of deliveries has recently brought us the previously mentioned Esther Derkx Improved! Pottery, absolutely awesome handmade pottery from Lollipop Pottery in Ohio, and stockings and ornaments from My Perennial. These stockings and ornaments are all handmade by a women's cooperative in Hungary, using a material that is 70% wool and 30% recycled synthetic fibers, and are available in a number of really hip but classic designs. The ornaments are just as cute, and soon to be featured in Oprah's holiday selection- sure to make them fly out the door, so get yours fast!!

Lots of other things are happening over here, not even including the whole "Halloween's not even here yet!" business. At least the little guy doesn't have an obsession with decorating our house to look like a Halloween...you wouldn't use the word "wonderland" here, would you? Anyway, I'm quite glad we don't have to add faux cobwebs to our list of things to do, not to mention to our yard.

Stay tuned for more info on the upcoming short series on Richmond's WTVR 6- every Monday in November I'll be on Virginia This Morning with tips on living more sustainably. Check it out and hopefully you'll find out at least something that you don't know.

News, news and more news...

I gotta say, with so much going on, I've been rather remiss at keeping in touch with the blogosphere...I do have lots and lots of news to report, though. First, I want to mention a few of the new items that we have in stock, with LOTS more to come in the coming weeks! These are all in store right now, and we'll be photographing and adding to the website in the next couple of days (I hope!).

  Esther Derkx Improved! Crockery 

This line consisting of cast-off crockery with various shapes has been given a new lease of life by re-printing them with new designs, using the screenprint-technique for ceramics. Images of dancers and athletes were chosen because of their flowing movement, which complement the contours of the crockery that is collected. Either next to, or on top of the original prints, they are always interrelating in a special way. Every design is chosen specifically for its particular shape to preserve the unique character of each cup and saucer. The images are being applied in the colours blue, green, yellow and red and finally fixed in the ceramics oven.

Truly unique, and a great look on a display shelf, or otherwise displayed. We have cups/ saucers, platters, plates, creamers and coffee pots in stock, every piece unique, and every piece a work of art!

 

On a totally different note, if I haven't mentioned how much I love my son's school- I love love love it! In addition to the schoolwide theme, "Earth Day Every Day", we celebrated the works of Dr. Seuss yesterday in his kindergarten class. All of the children were able to dress up, and a few of the moms (and of course the teachers) did as well. I helped man the "Green Eggs and Ham Cafe," and the children came in and tried each of the things, tallying how many liked each one better, and they incorporated their lessons for the day into the activities around the celebration. It was so much fun, and unbelievably enjoyable for the little guy, who dressed as the Once-Ler, and I as the Lorax- our ensembles included a thneed (rather mediocre, but I think it got the point across), some truffula trees, a truffula seed, and an ax (which, though a toy, was only at school while I was- I had to explain a number of times, Seuss style, that "it's not cool to take an ax to school")

I may have forgotten the giant fluffy moustache that I wore as well- isn't it nice looking? Notice the truffula trees in my hand, and the ax in the hand of that pesky Once-ler's (he's also holding up his thneed)  You can even see the ad for the "You need a Thneed" on his back in the photo to the left.

 

 
It did surprise me that so many of the children had not read the Lorax, as it really is one of my all time favorite Seuss books, in addition to being one of my all time favorite children's (or general) books!  

"UNLESS someone like you...cares a whole awful lot...nothing is going to get better...It's not."

If you haven't read this with a child, you really should- it's definitely a "message" book, but one with such a great message, a terrific story, and and trust me, you won't regret it. It's a great way to teach your children about the environment, in a clear, understandable and fun way.