Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 12:19PM 
I love lists. Word lists, grocery lists, even to-do lists. But my favorite list of all is a to-read list. I keep one in my planner, in the list section, of course. Here is the New York Public Library's list of 2011 children's books to read and share. Find great books to add to your lists: to-read, to-give, to-read to others. And hurray, the list includes The Luck of the Buttons!
Monday, January 2, 2012 at 8:35AM 
It was a festive New Year's Day on Monterey Bay. We spotted an elephant seal on the beach usually occupied by harbor seals. Dolphins loped alongside us as we walked by the bay, and migrating grey whales breached and spouted. Here's to adventure and discovery in 2012!
Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 9:05AM 
Dear Readers,
We have all three kids home this week, a sweet gift of togetherness we celebrated with a walk on our favorite beach. There aren't many shells here, so it was fun to find that the ocean had delivered this candy cane greeting, which I'll pass along to you. After studying my Sea Shells of the World Golden Nature Guide, I've tentatively identified it as a keyhole limpet, as much fun to say as it is to spot.
Wishing you sweet surprises in the days to come, and delicious hours with family and friends. Thanks for reading along this year!
Cheers from here to there,
Anne
sea shells in Words Friday, December 2, 2011 at 9:33AM Look what arrived in my mailbox recently. Thanks, Katie! Yes, there is another Button family with their own series of adventures. They go to a zoo, a farm, a soap box derby, and beyond. The early readers by Edith S. McCall were published in 1954. Hmm...descendents of the Goodhue Buttons?
Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 6:23PM
from Friday's farmers market:
guava persimmon pomegranate
butternut kabocha cauliflower yam
and my favorite:
romanesco
