Paper Bag Princess

Sorry for the absence of posting this week. Roo started preschool four mornings a week in a new classroom, with a new teacher, followed by swim lessons. It's been a busy, busy week here at the old homestead. This coincides with the weather getting unbearably hot (94º right now and balmy) and my introduction to the glories of ankle swelling, which I was miraculously spared from during my last pregnancy. I had no idea my ankles could get so, uh, round.

Anyway, Bob and I hit a couple of yard sales between preschool drop-off and swim class. A couple of He-man bad guys for Roo's collection, some clothes, a post hole digger, assorted files and a trunkful of Pyrex ware. Woo-hoo, I am so set to be the queen of casseroles. Feel free to send me your recipes, I am feeling super freezer-friendly these days since it's too hot to actually cook over the stove.

My favorite purchase today was this book for a quarter:


I am sure many of you have heard of this already, since it does have the air of an instant classic, but I don't remember it from my youth. (I know I am older than the hills but it lists the publish date as 1980, so it should have been in libraries when I was still in elementary school...) I was totally blown away by how cool it was when I read it to Roo pre-nap. I bought it because it had a dragon on it but was amused by its premise. The dragon burns down the princess' castle, including all her fancy schmancy clothes, and kidnaps her betrothed prince. So she dons a paper bag (the only unscorched thing she could find) and sets out to rescue him. Bla bla bla, she tricks the dragon, saves the prince only to have him criticize her slovenly appearance. So she dumps him. End of story. How cool is that?!

More info at author Robert Munsch's page.

Apron-esque

Nan from Life Is Like a Lunchbox is going to be having a fancy apron giveaway all next week! Oddly, I have been totally obsessed lately with finding matching aprons for me and Roo. I love the ones on Darlybird, but their lack of pockets bum me out. Please don't tell me I should make my own. You obviously have never seen anything I've sewn.



My friend Meghan had the world's coolest apron, ever. It was vintage barkcloth and had huge, handy pockets. She wore it when she had yard sales to keep her change organized and it absolutely was a treasure. The vintage ones I've amassed tend to be more silly, like the ruffly black see-through chiffon number with roosters painted on it. I'm all for form, but a little function never hurt anyone...