You can always wait until you have the time and energy to make everything from scratch but for some of you (like me!), that time can be ever elusive and baking can seem like an overwhelming prospect. The above pic is one example of how I jump right in with the kids, shallow end first. I baked a batch and after school everyone will frost and sprinkle for a post-tree outing treat!

N.D. Wilson has a new book. While I’m quite sure you all know that all ready, perhaps you haven’t heard of the fabulous promos he’s been running. First off is a giveaway for all you Facebookers out there. Just “like” the official Ashtown Burials page here and then vote on which book trailer score is your favorite. You can vote here. Up for grabs are two audio copies of The Dragon’s Tooth and a signed set of the 100s Cupboards books. Christmas shopping at its easiest.

Second freebie is for those of you who have the book already. Simply snap a pic, tweet it with the hashtag #dragonstooth, or post it on the Ashtown Burials page on the Facebook, and you’ll receive a cool-as-can-be boxing monkey patch, the ultimate stocking stuffer and fashion accessory.

The Facebook promo ends Monday so go cast a vote!

Nate and I drove by this today. No idea who did it but that billboard’s been asking for something for a while.

While I didn’t make an appearance, I did zip through the blog party links. Hip, hip, yahoo for all you readers. Thanks for playing. Quite the variety of gals we have out there.

This has been a crazy year for us Wilson peoples so far. A week after Marisol was born, Nate took off on whirlwind, twelve day tour for a National Geographic documentary on the Shroud of Turin. He made himself a counterfeit shroud some years ago and despite his best attempts to keep that skeleton in the closet, no such luck. You can see the show next Sunday, April 18. Check here for more info.

For those of you in need of something new for the ears, Jakob Dylan has a fresh CD, Women and Country. Nate just picked it up on our last Starbucks run, and so far, so good. Seeing Things was excellent so hopes are high around here.

N.D. Wilson Today Show festivities have been postponed until next Friday, April 16. 100 Cupboards is an Al’s Book Club pick, for those of you not in the know.

Though I don’t make a habit of sending people to youtube, this one made my day. Meet the Chinese Susan Boyle. Do note the awesomeness of the hair. Fans of “The Bodyguard” will appreciate.

To cap things off, here’s the main (and most fabulous) reasons my postings have been most absent.

Cheers, a belated happy Easter and hope to catch you all again before another year passes!

The Amazing Tale of the Butterfly-Unicorn-Ballerina-Princess and the Giant, Creeping Land Squid

Bedtime. It is the most important time in my day. At bedtime, I tuck four children into the appropriate beds in the appropriate rooms. They never think they’re tired. Their eyes are bright and their young minds crackle with surprising thoughts on the day, the future, the nature of the universe. At bedtime, I let go of four imaginations, and they wander alone through the darkness, unchaperoned, unguided, shaping visions for themselves, resting in warmth or wandering into terror.

Every night, I feel like I’m launching paper boats into an ocean. I point my children as best I can. I flavor their minds with subjects and characters and songs and dances and blessings. And when they are warm and spilling over with joy, I let go, and I wait for the morning to hear of their adventures.

This is why we sing about drunken sailors and what to do with them, about how some folks say a man is made out of mud, about lost Scottish love and the walls of Jerusalem. This is why I tell them stories.
Read the rest here.

“Slumdog children to be rehoused

Two child actors from the film Slumdog Millionaire will be moved from slums to new houses by Indian authorities.Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, who played young versions of two main characters, were discovered by casting agents in Mumbai’s Garib Nagar slum.

There was an outcry when it was found they were still living there after the success of the Oscar-winning film…”

Read more here.

P.S. The first comment has a spoiler so if you plan on seeing it, skip the comments!

Left to right we see Ameera’s Natasha, the whale, Lucia’s sea otter, Seamus’ Bob, the reindeer dog, and Rory’s Wolfie, the baby wolf, enjoying a lovely view of Phoenix.

The kids were very pleased when they saw the email this afternoon. Next stop, Chicago!