It's been raining up a storm here in #HRVA these past few weeks -- my garden looks awesome but my kid is a little bored (and honestly, so am I). We've been turning a lot to craft books lately, and these two new releases are among our new favorites. I'm a big fan of sites like Pinterest, but they can get a little repetitive, with the same things appearing in my feed over and over -- it's nice to have a bunch of original, super-creative projects in one place when you're looking for a way to fill the rainy hours.

Disclaimer: I received review copies of these books from the publishers. My opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links that may result in a small commission for the blog. 


Maker Dad by Mark Frauenfelder: My first thought on seeing this book's subtitle was to roll my eyes a little -- does a book really need to be marketed to one gender over another? Then I opened it up, and immediately forgave the marketing team. Maker Dad is crammed full of projects that not only look amazingly fun but teach things like computer programming and how to use basic hand tools, skills that girls (and boys, too!) can put to use long after they've put the book back on the shelf. There's a strong emphasis on science and technology projects (how to put a video camera on a kite, create your own podcast, or build a robot that can draw beautiful abstract designs) with a few simpler ones (soap molding and extreme-bubble-blowing) thrown in. For the most part, the projects are aimed toward the older kid/tween set but this is one I'm definitely keeping in mind for when A. hits elementary school.




Project Kid by Amanda Kingloff: Project Kid, written by the former Lifestyle Director of Parents magazine, is definitely on the artsier end of the arts-and-crafts spectrum, no automated robots here (but there is a tutorial for a cute robot coin bank). While a few of the projects were a little twee, even for me (does anybody really need an embroidered flyswatter?), most were adorably innovative, and I did appreciate the emphasis on recycling and reusing instead going out and buying a ton of stuff just for the purpose of crafting (see PK's K-cup mobile, which is so cute it makes me wish I had a Keurig so Anne and I could whip one up). Bonus: Kingloff's tutorials for things like fringing and fabric dyeing are really helpful for those of us new to the kids-crafts rodeo, as are her checklists of things to have in your craft box so that you can stop, drop, and DIY at a moment's notice.

Do you do a lot of DIY at your house? Where do you get your crafting inspiration? Do either of these books sound like something your kids would like?

Happy Tuesday!

We stopped by the 61st Annual Norfolk NATO Festival this past Saturday -- it was my first NATOFest as an adult, and Anouk and James's first NATOFest ever, and we had a great time. For those of you new to the area, and those of you reading the blog from elsewhere, who might not know, Norfolk is the home of the U.S. NATO headquarters, and so NATOFest is a big deal in celebrating our city's place in the international community and also just a really fun opportunity to get to know a little bit more about the other countries that make up NATO.

We started with the Parade of Nations downtown -- 28 NATO member states each decorated a giant float with symbols of their countries (did anybody else know that Belgium was home to the Smurfs? Because I didn't until I saw the people in Smurf costumes on the back of their float, posing next to a giant vat of chocolate, natch). We especially appreciated the Spanish contingent, with the women in their bright flamenco dresses, and the United Kingdom float, complete with Beatles, James Bond, and a Dalek. In between there were bands, drummers, dance teams, and not one but two bagpiper contingents, one coming all the way from Oman.




After the parade, we walked over to Town Point Park to explore NATO Village. Volunteers were handing out mini passports for the kids, and Anouk and I stopped to get a stamp at each country's booth. AND to pick up some swag -- the swag was maybe the best part of the whole event (at least for me, I cannot resist a good gift bag). Some booths were giving away candy from their countries, others maps and posters, stickers, and miniature flags. Anouk collected the flags for her Barbie dream house, which now has a really impressive international flair. I scored a giant map of Paris that I can't wait to hang up in my craft room, and a book of beautiful photographs of the fjords of Norway for my sis. (J. walked away with probably the coolest freebie of the day, a beer couzie from the Albania tent, and it's pretty neat, I have to admit. We're all a little jealous.) There were food trucks, music, a beer garden, and a wiener dog costume contest, because nothing really says global cooperation like dachshunds dressed in military uniforms, does it?

The next NATOFest won't be until 2015, but Norfolk's Allied Command Transformation holds other events throughout the year (such as ODU's International Festival last month). Click here for more info on upcoming events, and to learn a little more about ACT in general.

On a chilly trip to the beach last week, I left the sand toys at home in the hopes of keeping Anne out of the water (she always ends up drenched while filling her bucket and it was really too cold for that). Instead, I slipped a paint-with-water book that she got for her birthday and a few brushes into our beach bag. It was a huge hit, and kept her happily entertained on dry land long enough to soak up some precious vitamin D. 

What outside-the-box activities keep your kids occupied at the beach? Let us know in the comments or drop me a line if you're interested in possibly sharing in a guest post. 

This week at Fun and Free Hampton Roads, I'm writing about free events that are happening this weekend as a part of the 2014 NATO Festival, including the Parade of Nations and the NATO International Village at Town Point Park, and about the free Healthy Kids Day event happening at the YMCA of South Hampton Roads locations (a great chance to experience some of what the Y has to offer without being a member). Click on over to check them out and have a happy weekend!

For a lot of people, Easter means roast lamb and mint jelly, but in my mom's Lebanese family, holidays mean a Mediterranean feast is in store. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter always open the floodgates for me, and in the weeks after, I find myself cooking all of my old favorite family recipes because I'm suddenly in the mood for them. Right now, in our fridge, we have homemade hummus, some leftover kusa (meat-stuffed squash) and these pretty lifts (pronounced liff-its) -- turnips pickled in vinegar and colored pink with beet juice.

I learned most of these recipes at my grandmother's side, and it's very important to me to pass them down to Anouk. This recipe is so easy to make that I thought it would be a good one to start with. Plus, everyone the in the house loves them -- they go fast. It's almost not worth making them unless you make a huge batch. Spicy, tangy, and earthy with a snap. There's nothing else in the world like lifts.








Ingredients:

1 lb. turnips
1.5 cups water
1.5 cups distilled white vinegar
5 tsps salt
5-6 garlic cloves, smashed
crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions:

Peel the turnips and cut into bite sized chunks. Mix up a bowl of brine by stirring together the water, vinegar, and salt (if you need more for the amount of turnips you've got, mix another batch). Place the turnips into Tupperware or mason jars with the garlic (about 2-3 cloves per container). Add red pepper if you'd like -- about 1 tsp per 8 ounces.

Pour the brine over the turnips. Place 2 slices of beet at the top and replace the lid. Let sit in the fridge for 1-2 days. Every 12 hours or so, open the jar and taste a lift, and adjust the flavorings (more salt or pepper if you'd like). You'll know they're ready when the brine turns a deep red and that the flavor is just right when you can't eat just one.

Serve the lifts as a side with hummus, pita and olives. We like them on spinach dressed with some of the brine mixed with olive oil, or just by themselves, eaten like popcorn while watching a movie. Yum!

What favorite family recipes have you shared with your kids?

Saturday the 12th was a lazy day for (some of) us here at the Watermelons Grow household. For some reason, having a lazy day actually makes a harder day to shoot than a busy one. Nonetheless, we'll take it (especially since we're having a busy week this week -- a flu-y cold and a lot of home reno stuff will do that to you).

Don't forget to stop by and visit our friends at No Monsters in My Bed and Not-So-SAHM to see how their 12ths went!




9:00 AM: Anne collects neighborhood intel while I make breakfast. She gives me a full report over pancakes (seems like the neighbors across the street have a new truck. She also saw a doggy. Things are afoot here in Ocean View.)



10:00 AM: Speaking of home reno stuff, here is a photo of James up on the roof. We've got a few repairs going on now. I can't wait to see how it all comes together (mostly because I'm tired of it raining in my house). Don't you love his snazzy hat?



11:15 AM: I head to the gym (pics or it didn't happen, right?). Have I mentioned how much we love our membership to the new Y on Granby? (We do -- thanks D. and S. for SUCH a wonderful present!) It took me approximately 20 minutes to get my locker open at the end -- made me feel like I was in high school all over again. A woman drying her hair finally took pity on me and helped pop it open.

1:00 PM: A. and I head off to the mall, ostensibly to get her picture taken with the Easter Bunny but once she sees him in all his life-size, creepy glory, she balks. It's not happening. Instead, we have lunch and hit the Loft 50% off sale, yippee.


2:45 PM: It's such a nice day that we make a detour to Lafayette Park on the way home. Anne has lost interest in the toddler-sized play structures and wants to play on the big-kid ones, which means I spend a lot of time with my heart hammering in my throat as she dangles on the edge of precipices. But she had fun, and that's what counts.



3:30 PM: The dogwoods are in bloom all over the city. I think I love dogwood season even more than azalea season.



5:00 PM: We head out to a fundraiser BBQ at the Knights of Pythian -- my aunt bought tickets from her neighbor and took the whole family as a treat. Is there anything better than home-cooked pork barbecue and giant slabs of red velvet cake in the name of diabetes research? Or anything more random than a suit of armor in a banquet hall?



8:00 PM: Anne tells Dada all about all of the day's adventures before bed. The Makka cat is not impressed.

We dyed eggs this week, of course. And by "we" I mean that the adults dyed eggs -- the kids didn't seem interested beyond a first few dunks but get together a couple of Pinteresting mamas and you have the perfect way to while away an afternoon while the small ones dump toys out downstairs. My favorites were the pretty dip-dyed ones, I love the way they turned out.


Speaking of Easter eggs, I love this article, posted on Practically Perfect Travel's FB page, about the fabulous works of art in Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort Easter Egg display. Tell the truth, how loud would your kid wail for that Elsa egg?

Here are some kids who have never seen a Walkman before and have no idea ON EARTH what it is used for. I feel old.

Selfies for science! NASA is asking everybody on Earth to take a photo of themselves on April 22 and help them create an image of what our world looks like through this different lens.

I know New York is considered a lot safer and more convenient now, but these pictures of NYC storefronts taken 10 years apart make me a little sad (especially the one of CBGB) (does it seem like Subway might be taking over the world?)

Over at AltDaily, local readers are talking about ways to make Virginia Beach cooler. Am I helplessly uncool if I think it's already pretty cool as it is?

A chef writes about cooking Passover seder for the First Family (I want that recipe for coconut quinoa!)


Over at Fun and Free Hampton Roads, I'm posting today about guided walking tours at Forest Lawn and also some free Easter egg hunts around town, sort of a part II to last Friday's post. Check it out! And have a happy weekend.

The Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach is in the process of being renovated -- completely renovated, which means every single thing in the hotel is being replaced. Which also means that every single thing in the hotel had to go -- so the new ownership threw open the doors in an unprecidented move and hosted probably the poshest, most exciting rummage sale that Virginia Beach has ever known. All of the furniture, fixtures, artwork, EVERYTHING in the hotel, all up for grabs.

For those of you who don't know, the Cavalier is kind of like Virginia Beach's version of the Plaza, or the Greenbrier. It hails from the '20s, from the time when Virginia Beach was just beginning to be known as the fabulous resort town it would become. Over the past 80 years, the 350-acre hotel and grounds have hosted a wide range of celebrity guests (Bette Davis! Judy Garland!) and presidents, and even the US Navy when it was taken over as a training ground during WWII. The hotel has gotten a little worn around the edges in recent years, but still serves as a sign of the kind of Jazz Age glamor that you usually only get to read about in books.

The first day of the sale, the line stretched out of the hotel doors, past the name CAVALIER etched into the green lawn. We waited a week to miss the crowds -- which also meant we missed most of the truly great deals. The place was eerily empty when Molly and I and our three kids showed up, the ballroom echoing and the gorgeous, iconic wallpaper torn from the wall in big patches. Even the staff running the sale seemed over it already. But there was still enough to keep us looking. We passed stacks of headboards and mattresses and groups of TVs, even a towering Christmas tree or two.



We ended up leaving with not much more than we went in with -- M. scored a mirror for something like $5 and we both left with pieces of the heavy red wallpaper embossed with the Cavalier logo. But I'm still glad we went, even if we weren't among the ones who walked away with great finds (we did have a vicarious thrill watching others leave with rolls of the beautiful aqua, magnolia-printed wallpaper and antique furniture). Molly and I had both been to events at the Cavalier in the past, and it was interesting to see another side of the place, to have the chance to roam the halls and really have a look at things (the famous deco swimming pool -- empty -- was a sight to see).

The kids enjoyed their time there, too, running around peering at everything and making friends with the kids of the other shoppers. It's not every day you get to roam around a real-life "castle," is it? We're excited to see what's next for this grand old Oceanfront landmark and we appreciated the chance to say goodbye to a place that holds so much local history. 

The Cavalier sale will run through the end of April, if you want a behind-the-scenes glimpse of this local landmark (or maybe an industrial icemaker of your very own?)

t Darcy of No Monsters in My Bed posted last summer about sandcasting with plaster of Paris and I knew right away we had to try it, where had this idea been all my life? We finally got around to trying it last week, probably because during the summertime, we're too bogged down with towels and drinks and snacks and floaties to feel like lugging a box of plaster of Paris to the beach. This time of year, though, it's still too cold for swimming and there's only so much you can do with sand toys, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity. We ended up having a lot of fun and taking home some pretty souvenirs. And finding a new way to spend time in one of our favorite places.

Here's how to do it: mix up a batch of plaster according to the directions on the package -- we used a beach bucket and driftwood stick. Dig a shallow hole in the wet sand, and fill it with shells, sea glass, and all of the treasures you find. Pour in the plaster (make sure it's a few inches deep), wait, and then dig it out and ooh and ahh over your new treasure. (The digging it out is strangely satisfying, I loved how it just seemed to emerge from the sand like magic).



Some tips: the plaster dries incredibly quickly -- it was starting to set by the time we filled our final hole, about five minutes after we mixed it. So keep that in mind. Also, the best designs were the organically shaped ones -- the ones we tried to shape into letters or stars or hearts broke apart easily.

It was a lot simpler and low maintenance than I expected, and the results were pretty cool -- our new plaster objet sits on our coffee table at home and everybody who comes in comments on it. There was something so intriguing about bringing home a piece of the beach, almost like making a sandcastle you can keep. How cool would it be to do one of these at every beach you visit, a sort of memento of the trip?

Forest Lawn is the newest of Norfolk's public cemeteries, established in 1906, and is known for its beautiful art deco architecture (the community mausoleum features stained glass by Frank Lloyd Wright). Points of interest in the cemetery include the 111th Field Artillery Batallion and the 29th Infantry Division Memorial, erected in honor of fallen WWII soldiers in Europe, and the Seaman's Friend Lot, which serves as a final resting place for foreign soldiers who passed away at sea or upon arrival in Norfolk. Forest Lawn is also a natural arboreturm featuring dogwoods, crape myrtles, magnolias and holly trees and is absolutely meticulously cared for by staff.

As for the egg hunt -- it was the first year this event was held and it ended up being a little crazier than the organizers expected, with hundreds more people showing up than registered online. The result was that there were vastly more kids hunting for eggs than there were eggs to find. Anouk and her friends ended up scoring two or three each but that may have been largely due to parental involvement (I will say nothing further on this point for fear of incrimination -- but let's just say that I was pleasantly surprised to find that I can still outrun a gaggle of six-year-olds). Nonetheless, they had a blast just being there (except when the Easter Bunny popped up -- Anouk was having none of that and I'm not sure I blame her).

Before we left we walked around the graves (wouldn't these ones with Chinese calligraphy make AWESOME grave rubbings?) and found some amazing names (I think Iola was my favorite, never come across that one before) and even visited some of our family that was buried there.

All in all, it was definitely the most interesting egg hunt we've been to yet, and despite the kinks, we hope it will become an annual thing. To read more about how to donate to the Norfolk Society for Cemetery Conservation, which the hunt today benefitted, click here.

Have you hit up any egg hunts yet this season? How'd you make out?