I have always loved the Beach Boys.
They are second only to the Beatles in my list of musical favorites. I change my mind from time to time about my favorite of their songs, but I keep coming back to "God Only Knows." This is such a beautiful song, written by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher, and featured on the album Pet Sounds. The lyrics and harmonies are beautiful. The song begins:
"I may not always love you But long as there are stars above you You never need to doubt it I'll make you so sure about it
God only knows what I'd be without you"
I also love the instrumentation, which includes French horns, violins, cellos, and even accordions. This song was featured in the Brian Wilson biopic Love & Mercy. I saw the movie this weekend, and if you love retro music and the Beach Boys, it is a must see! I think it may be my all-time favorite musical biopic (and this is a genre I love). It is beautifully written, with strong performances from Paul Dano, John Cusack, and Elizabeth Banks. The way that love brings Brian Wilson back to his life, and ultimately saves him after a breakdown, is both moving and uplifting. I've included the trailer from the movie for you:
Do you love the Beach Boys? Have you seen Love & Mercy? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.
Hi fellow fans of all things vintage! I have a few fun little vintage additions to my shops to share with you. As always, you can find these goodies online: Birdhouse Books on Etsy Birdhouse Books on eBay
Saying Thank You Makes Me Happy is a cute little Happy Day Book illustrated by Francis Hook. You will recognize her illustrations from 1960's Northern Tissue packages.
The Family That Grew is a 1963 children's book about adoption by Florence Rondell and Ruth Mitchell.
This cute little unused parrot Valentine reads: "Hi Valentine - you fill the bill."
This vintage Valentine features a mouse holding an apple and dialing an old fashioned telephone. This is a card for a teacher.
Here is another mouse card for teacher. A little dressed mouse stands at a blackboard with a pointer.
This is a cute card from the 1920's. It features two little girls, and the card opens from the center of the heart to reveal a garden with a white picket fence.
This Valentine, also 1920's, features pink roses, and it's very sweet. (Would look great framed!)
This Valentine may be my favorite this week. A little wide-eyed girl on ice skates holds a heart. "A Token of Love." This is a 1920's card.
I hope you enjoyed peeking in the windows of my shop with me. I always love hearing from you in the comments, below.
Dear Friends, It is me, your favorite Doxie-Jack, here to spend a few minutes with you visiting and catching up. My friend Barbara wrote: "Abby, can we see you modelling your Thunder Shirt? We have heard about them, but
really don't know exactly how they work. Perhaps you can explain, as many pups
out there are afraid of loud noises, fireworks & of course, thunder."
I am very happy to talk about ThunderShirts! I have no affiliation with them, but am available if they ever want a real life spokes-dog. :-) The ThunderShirt is made of a sturdy, felt-like material. Momma wraps it tightly around my body with velcro. It fastens securely at my chest, and around my belly. The gentle pressure of the shirt makes me feel like a baby who has been swaddled. I feel secure when I have it on. Because of my background (rescued stray) I am very frightened of loud noises. My list includes thunder, fireworks, tree surgeons, and roofers. Before, I would pace and hide and almost make myself sick because the noises upset me so much. Now, when the noises start (or on nights where we KNOW there will be noise, like 4th of July fireworks), I get my ThunderShirt on. Momma still puts on music and fans to make happy noise to distract me as well ... but this really helps. We keep the shirt in the bedroom closet, and I go sit by the closet door when the noise starts ... I know my shirt is waiting there for me. Thankfully, I have Momma trained and she always goes right there to get it for me. You can read about the shirts at the official website: Thundershirt.com. They are available at any pet supermarket or pet specialty store. Fireworks have been legalized in our area this year, so we are already thinking ahead to ThunderShirts and the summer holidays!
How are you doing this week? Do you have any questions for me? I look forward, all week, to chatting with you here. I always love to hear from you in the comments, below. Love from your friend, Abby xoxo
When I was a kid, we had jungle gyms. They were on the playground at school, at public parks, at campgrounds ... and I never met a jungle gym I didn't like. You see that little girl climbing on the top of the jungle gym below? That is exactly what I would have done on this climber. You rarely see these now, with playground safety concerns, but they sure were fun! Do you remember retro jungle gyms? Were you a playground daredevil who hung upside down on jungle gyms and stood up on swings? I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.
Mother Daughter Book Reviews is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the lower middle grade book "Axel & Theo: My Dog is The Emperor of a Faraway Galaxy" by Amberly Kristen Clowe from June 22 to 28, 2015. This one is a great choice for reluctant readers!
About the Book
Title: Axel & Theo: My Dog is the Emperor of a Faraway Galaxy | Author: Amberly Kristen Clowe | Publication Date: November 15, 2014 | Publisher: Smooth Sailing Press | Pages: 44 | Recommended Ages: 6 to 10
Summary: Theodore Howard wants a white flag. The kind of white flag that will show Riverwood Elementary’s biggest bully, Theo’s given up on ever surviving the fourth grade, and achieving his dream of becoming a real-life astronaut. But, Theo’s seemingly pathetic future gets a glimmer of hope in the form of a very talkative weenie dog named Axel. Theo learns that his best friend on four legs, is actually an alien from the planet Doglin, and just when he begins warming up to the idea of having an alien for a best friend, Axel is kidnapped by two cats from the planet Catlat. Theo chases after Axel and his kidnappers, embarking on an adventure he could have never imagined.
Readers of my blog will know that I am slightly dachshund-obsessed. From the moment I saw the cover of
Axel & Theo: My Dog is The Emperor of a Faraway Galaxy, I wanted to
read this book. The cover art even features a little boy and his red
smooth dachshund buddy. This
is a charming read for children. It will appeal to early readers
as well as reluctant readers a bit older. I think the reading range of
6 - 10 years is spot on. Young
readers will love the story of Theo, who escapes a bully with the help
of his brave dachshund ... and then ventures to outer space on a great
adventure with him. Axel, the brave dachshund, is the emperor of planet
Doglin. Unfortunately, Doglin is being threatened by cats who want to
rise to power. How the boy and dachshund escape danger and emerge
victorious is a fun read. The
book is very clever, with short chapters and dialogue that moves the
story along. Descriptions are creative and sure to appeal to a child.
For instance, on planet Doglin flowers smell like rib-eye steaks so they
appeal to dogs, and the ocean is full of strawberry soda. I would enthusiastically recommend this book to children who love fantasy adventure stories, and to adults who love dogs. Five stars from me - and four paws up from my doggie friend Abby!
More Buzz About the Book
"When I saw the subheading of this book — My dog is the Emperor of a faraway galaxy, I knew I had to read it. After all, how often do you see a sci-fi kid’s book? Being the sci-fi nut that I am, I couldn't pass this one up. I was not disappointed."~ Shari T., Amazon
"Fun book!! The story is imaginative but told with enough familiar themes to make young ones think, "I can see how this could happen!!" And in a world jam-packed with princesses and girl power, it's nice to see fun stuff for boys, too." ~ Valerie S., Amazon
"What a nice story! Got this for my son and he chuckled through it all. He loved the characters and their adventure. He is looking forward to the next one." ~ Nathalia G., Amazon
"It is a great book! My kids loved it (as did I).
I can't wait for the second adventure!" ~ John, Amazon
About the Author: Amberly Kristen Clowe
An avid story writer since elementary school, Amberly Kristen (Krissy) Clowe truly discovered her passion for writing after enrolling in a college, children's literature class, where they read and analyzed children's books. After completing her BA in early childhood education she began her teaching career.
"After my first year of teaching second grade, I had so many ideas swirling around in my head, I had to write. I might have gone crazy if I didn't!" Clowe tells.
Axel & Theo is the first chapter book series written by Clowe, though she already has two other children's picture books in print, and another due for publication in 2015. Today, her children provide the inspiration to her many stories, along with everything else she loves in life.
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize, winner's choice
Giveaway ends: July 5, 11:59 pm, 2015
Open to: Internationally
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the publisher, SmoothSailing Press and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send and email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com. a Rafflecopter giveaway I received this book from Mother Daughter Book Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
