Home edition of the LA Times today featured a few (not so well known) gardens to visit to "relax, renew and restore". Here are three of them... These are definitely going on my "to do in LA" list.

The Orcutt Ranch includes 24 acres of gardens and a citrus orchard (you can even pick fruit there in the summer). It is supposedly best to visit during the cool winer months.

Wattles Mansion and Gardens will celebrate 100th birthday next year. It is popular for weddings and other events, but also for the gardens that extend into a park going deep into Hollywood hills.

The Mother Center, Self-Realization Fellowship. Apparently great views of downtown LA, on a clear day. I really want to see this one, and these days, since it's cold and windy, could be perfect for some good views of the downtown.

Browsing... I do too much of it... sometimes I feel I just waisted time, with all the junk out there. But sometimes, like yesterday, I find amazing information...
Did you know that the first snowflake (a single snow crystal!) was photographed in 1885? Wilson A. Bentley, a self educated farmer worked for years on adapting a microscope to a bellows camera, and finally in 1885 he photograped the first snowflake. He went on to photograph more than 5000 crystals, and he never found two that matched! Amazing! Because of his work, he became known as "Snowflake" Bentley.
So what are these images above? The first one is a collage of snowflake pictures taken by "Snowflake" Bentley. And the second one is a snowflake quilt created by Paula Naderstern. She creates amazing kaleidoscope inspired quilts. She also designs fabrics and has published several books.

And finally, let me share another amazing graphic with you. This is from the Snowflake Bentley Gift Shop - it is a Snowflake Thermometer poster. It shows different snow crystals, depending on the air teperature when the snowflakes are formed (created by Dorothy Wallace-Senft). This is a very interesting display of information - something Edward Tufte would be proud of!
I want it!

This is too late for Christmas, but maybe as a New Year present? Actually, this would be good for any occasion, and for no special occasion. Bonding While Learning - an activity book for you to have fun whith your child, while at the same time helping your them learn how to read. It was co-edited by a friend of mine, Grace Chiu, who is currently a graduate student in Education, and a literacy specialst. That's why I feel comfortable recommending this book without reading it firt. My copy is on the way!
One more reason to buy this book, is that you will be supporting America Learns, an organization that helps non-profit reading tutoring and mentoring programs around the country.

This is another great resource for all of us looking for new and interesting reading material for our kids. It is the International Children's Digital Library, founded by University of Maryland. The idea is not only to provide access to children's books online, it's mission is to "support the world's children in becoming effective members of the global community". Here you will find books from all over the world, in their original languages (some have been translated into english). This is excellend if you are trying to teach your child another language, or you are bilingual (English is the second language), like we are, and are looking for a book in your native language. You can search by language, by country, by age, by keyword... You can even volunteer to translate books to English, or from English... The site has a pretty good interface, but loading of the book pages can be a bit slow, so I would not recommend using it if you don't have a broadband connection. 

All of the items in my shop are ON SALE now. Go and see...

I wanted to add more items, but as I said... too busy. next week.

It has been busy around here with a recent trip to Sacramento (this past weekend) and preparations for our trip to Toronto. We are leaving tomorrow and the big present for my niece was finished today! I made her a comforter cover (twin size) and two pillow cases for her new, big-girl bed. This is the fabric I used - flannel in white/cream, and green, with little splash of reds.

It was fun coming up with the design and cutting up fabrics, but sewing it all together - not so much. I did not realize that the comforter cover will be THAT big. It just gew and grew, with each piece added. When all the piece were sewn together, I had to cut it to the right diemnsions (66X86in) and that was close to impossible - I just don't have any area that big! And sewing 66 in long strips - not fun either. So, I donlt think I will be making one of these any time soon. But, I am pleased how they turned out:

Off to Toronto...