#1 Where the Wild Things Are by author Maurice Sendak

Where the Wild Things Are is a story about a young boy named Max. Max has been sent to bed without dinner and chooses to wear a wolf costume to bed. Max’s adventures are ones you will want to share with your children. Where the Wild Things Are is a winner of the Caldecott medal and is listed as one of the best illustrated children’s books of all time. This is my sons favourite book at the moment. Out right now is the feature film.

#2 The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

This is a great story about love. Teaching our children to give and to love others can sometimes be a challenge. Read this story to your child. It is sure to be a favorite.

#3 Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

This famous bedtime story will rhyme your child to sleep for sure. Considered one of the most loved picture books this one is popular with all ages. Margaret Wise Brown, a former teacher, wrote this book about a little bunny who wishes goodnight to all his surroundings.

#4 Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

This easy to read book by Dr. Seuss is so easy to read that you will find yourself memorizing the words. This one has great rhythm and humor. If you love Dr. Seuss books you are certain to love this one.

#5 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judy and Ron Barrett

Hilarious is an understatement for this book. It is definitely a must read. This book is fun to read and even more fun to talk to your child about once you have read it. A stormy day begins this fantasy about raining food. Your imagination will run wild with this one.

#6 The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar has eaten its way into the hearts of millions of children and adults around the world. This is the story about a very hungry caterpillar that eats way too much.

#7 Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

Waking up with gum in his hair is a sign of the kind of day Alexander will have. He finds his day getting worse and worse as the day goes on. This story helps us teach our children to find humor even in the worst situations.

#8 Guess How Much I Love You by author Sam McBratney

This book teaches children how to express their feelings in more ways than one. With great content as well as artwork, this award winning story will bring your children begging to hear it over and over again.

#9 Pat The Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt

Published in 1940 this story about Paul and Judy has been classified as timeless. Whether babies are learning to play peek a boo or older children are learning about their senses, this interactive book will thrill them all.

#10 Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch

This humorous, sentimental story hardly ever leaves a reader with a dry eye. This is a simple story that will touch your heart. Love You Forever is not only a must read, but a must have for any library.

I tend to make the same things year after year, family favorites are always the most fun to make.  One of the favorite cookies I make is Gramma Mae’s molasses cookies.

This recipe has been handed down from generation to generation.  I was lucky enough to find the recipe card that Gramma Mae had written the original recipe on.  It only had the ingredients listed with no measurements and some smart daughter at some point in her life must have asked Gramma what they were.  This recipe is made from basic ingredients that thrifty bakers would have had access to back in the day when staples were few and far between.  These crafty bakers also had to feed large families so the recipe is designed for this in mind.  If need be just halve the ingredients and enjoy, the recipe is as follows:

1 cup sour milk

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup shortening

1 cup molasses

5 cups of flour

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. cloves

2 tsp. ginger

1 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. baking soda

Grease cookie sheets, preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix sugar, flour, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, baking powder, baking soda together in a large bowl.  Add milk, eggs, molasses, dough will be stiff!

Drop by tablespoons onto greased cookie sheets, using a glass dipped in water slightly flatten the cookie, sprinkle with granulated sugar.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, cool on wire racks, when cool sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

Enjoy!

Traveling back to the Champlain Valley this past weekend was so beautiful… moving through the beautiful Adirondack Mountains with the fall foliage reminded me of quilts that my mother in law used to make. The leaves were fibrant showing off their beautiful colors in a last dramatic hurrah before winter sets in. We stopped at a camp ground where we used to camp with our son and walked around on the crunchy leaves and marveled at the crystal clear waters of the small pond we stood by. Loons gently floated off in the distance and if you listened closely enough you could hear their faint cries to each other, moving through the water enjoying being in the presence of each other. We lingered a while, enjoying the solitude of the moment smelling the faint scent of wood fire smoke from some brave campers across the pond. It was a glorious, beautiful day to be alive…