Weekend Whatnot

According to my daughter, you can never have too many Webkinz. Although, I think she's getting close.

While the Midwest suffers through a deep freeze, we're sitting here in the Northwest watching our record snowfall slowly melt away. I kind of miss it already. No, not really. But it is nice to be driving on asphalt again.

My friend Ann sums up 2008 with a stunning collection of her best photographs from the past year. Check it out here.

Brown rice has always been a staple of our nightly meals, but lately we've been substituting quinoa in its place. We first heard about it during a history lesson on the ancient Incas. Quinoa is an edible seed that originated in South America. It's much higher in protein, fiber, and amino acids than rice, and has a unique "nutty" taste that is a nice alternative to the same old thing.

Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy is the latest book to keep my son awake at night. And not just awake, but laughing hysterically while the rest of us are trying to sleep. I haven't read it in 25 years, so I don't remember what's so funny. The movie version from a few years ago certainly wasn't.

Does a GPS locator watch take the place of good parenting? Or can it give you peace of mind to know exactly where your child is at all times? Me, I'd rather rely on my own eyes and ears, and trust my kids to know their boundaries. Strapping that watch on their arm would seem too much like putting an ankle bracelet on a parolee.

Enjoy your weekend. I'll leave you with the latest video from children's musician Eric Herman, "The Sun and The Moon."