These past weeks we’ve been celebrating International Guitar Month, which, of course, rocks. But April is also for enjoying National Gardening Month. I wonder if we’re the only people commemorating both? J I wonder if many guitar players have green thumbs? Hmm…
One of my favorite things to do as a child was helping my grandma plant seedlings for her garden. From rhubarb to petunias, she grew flower and vegetable gardens that would be the envy of any horticulturist. Seriously, the woman is a gardening magician (not to mention a fantastic jelly, salsa and pickle canner).
So to encourage you to flex your green thumb this month, I’ve created a simple DIY gardening tutorial below, perfect for your little “sprout” to assist.
What you’ll need:
1. Gardeners – You and your little “sprout.”
2. Seeds – We used Marigold, Zinnia (fairly easy to grow), Sweet Pea, Morning Glory and Moonflower. (Tip: Ask your local nursery for some flowers that grow best in your environment.)
3. Potting soil – We used Miracle Grow Moisture Control Potting Mix
4. Biodegradable Pots
5. Water and Care;)
Growing your sprouts:
1. For each kind of flower you’ll be planting, pack a pot about ¾ full of potting soil.
2. Follow the instructions for sowing the seeds on the back of the seed packets.
3. Have your child cover up the seeds with required amount of soil.
4. Place plants in spot with regular amounts of sunshine.
5. Have your kids water each pot regularly (and according to packet instructions).
6. When the seeds have sprouted and the ground has warmed, transplant your little sprouts by burying the biodegradable pots in your garden or larger flowering pot.
If you happen to pick up the same batch of seeds, use our adorable flower markers!
Getting dirty can be darn tiring. Make sure you and your little gardeners get plenty of rest with the help of these lullabies:
To commemorate this day, our resident daddy blogger, Charles, is recounting his version of “take my daughter to work” day with his baby daughter D in a letter, which he hopes she’ll treasure.
Dear D,
You may not remember the first day that we visited an archaeological site together on April 7, 2013. You, 10 months old; me, still learning how to be a father. Our visit included a long and winding drive into the mountains overlooking the Santa Barbara coastline. As we made our way up the mountainside the road became slightly narrower.
First lesson, daughter: Most archaeological sites worth visiting are never easy to reach. This is part of the journey.
As we made our way towards our final destination I took the time to teach you more.
Second lesson: Be aware of your surroundings.
I point out the poison oak—leaves of three leave them be. (I said this to you in my best Yoda voice.) Remember, daughter, that a good archaeologist will know the hazards of the job. One day remind me to tell you the tales of my encounters with rattlesnakes and coyotes. There are many.
When we reached the end of our journey we came face to face with a part of California history that is unknown to many Californians: the Chumash Painted Cave. Named after the culture that occupied this region of California, the Painted Cave site is a rock art site that includes several beautiful images painted on the surface of the sandstone walls. The colors are vibrant and they catch your attention.
Will you be hooked on sites like this like your daddy? Your mother, who also made the journey, asked me what the art meant. I told her that some believe they are images taken from Chumash cosmology. Others believe that they are the hallucinatory visions of shamans.
When you’re ready, I ask that you give me your interpretation. You speak in an unknown language, but you do it with confidence. I love it and I love that we could share this opportunity. I hope it will be the start of many more to come.
My daughter, Little D, is a Gemini. I did everything I could to get her out so she wouldn’t be one. Why? Because I love Geminis, but I don’t know how to live with them. No offense to my friends forever, Anne and Anna, or to the rest of you Geminis out there. (Feel free to trash my sign.)
On the other hand, the two guys in our family—my dad and my 14-year-old nephew—are Geminis. And they certainly are personalities to be reckoned with. Based on my experiences with them, you never know which side you’ll be greeted with: Bruce Banner or the Hulk. (D’s papa is Pisces, but we’re leaving him out of this, because fishes mean no harm to anyone, right?)
So, last year, when my bulging belly was still bulging with baby after May 20, and I had to surrender to the fact that my child was going to be a Gemini, I told my husband we’d better brace ourselves. And days later, out D came on May 24 (thanks to Dr. H), a restless, 10-pound busybody, full of energy, looking for action. In a word: wild.
And now, 11 months later, we are constantly embracing this Pisces-Gemini-Capricorn family. Sure, this little Gemini girl of ours has been both friend and foe, angel and dragon, heartbreaker and love of our lives. But each day with this wild child is both scary and thrilling: a constant adventure for all of us, simply trying to figure sh*t out. (Geminis’ apparent #1 enemy is boredom.)
D’s daytime caregiver summed up perfectly what life with our little girl is like: “She’s such a good baby, she never cries, she never cries…as long as you don’t stick her in a crib.” Yup, classic Gemini, doesn’t like to be confined. And so it goes, I’ve had to happily accept both sides of her; after all, I always wanted to have “twins.”
All signs can certainly agree on one thing: a well-rested baby equals a happy baby. Make that a reality with these adult-friendly, baby-approved lullaby renditions of music by Gemini musicians!
It’s pretty safe to say we all want our planet to be a thriving and healthy one. Our list below of 5 simple actions make it easy for you to do your part this Earth Day.
5 Easy Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
1. Throw away someone else’s litter.
2. Make home recycling plans with your family.
3. Take a nature hike.
4. Prepare an “Earth Day” meal using only organic, locally grown foods.
5. Plant your own herb and vegetable gardens!
And while you’re flexing your environmentally conscious muscles, listen to our Earth Day Playlist, complete with a few tunes for you to doze off to after your Earth Day work is done.
Want to know which record stores will be carrying Lullaby Renditions of The White Stripes on VINYL for Record Store Day? Check out our list of retailers below.
Not seeing your favorite record store on our list? Head over to the Record Store Day website and see if they’re listed as a participating store. If they are, call them and urge them to order Lullaby Renditions of The White Stripes for the big day!
CLOSED! Congrats to our winners: Bobbie G., Michelle B., Sarah B., Christi A., and Sara B!
Do you love The White Stripes? Yeah, us, too. That’s why we’re fishing to hook you up with your own copy of our upcoming release Lullaby Renditions of The White Stripes.
In a comment below, tell us your favorite White Stripes song and why. You’ll be automatically entered to win an advance copy of the album! Easy Peasy. Five winners will be selected.
**Get a bonus entry if you share a favorite memory involving The White Stripes. Mostly because we love to hear them!
As a first-time parent I had a lot to learn about how important baby proofing is. And by “baby proofing,” what comes to my mind may not be what you’re thinking. For me, tips for baby proofing your life are really ways to protect yourself from your baby’s wrath.
My daughter is just over 10 months old and is seriously on the move: walking, crawling very fast, hitting, climbing, screaming, steamrolling me and, in between, loving me.
And with that, I’ve learned that the following tips go a long way in protecting myself from baby, especially if that baby is a dragon.
And, of course, don’t forget to add these great Rockabye lullaby renditions to your tightly packed shelves—but not so tight that you can’t access them in times of need!
Ready for another Rockabye Baby Movie Night? Here’s a movie that all music-loving parents are sure to enjoy…especially the rockers: Sound City, by none other than Dave Grohl, in his directorial debut. (As if the guy isn’t already talented enough, right?)
This documentary is about the history of the Van Nuys, California, recording studio Sound City that closed in 2011. Nirvana recorded Nevermind there and other heavy hitters such as Fleetwood Mac and Metallica passed through its doors. Want to know more? Check out the trailer below.
As for the kiddies’ soundtrack for the evening, they can cuddle up to any of these lullaby renditions of bands featured in the film!
It’ll be quite the rock-heavy night for the whole family–but the ones who will be snoozing before the end of the film won’t be you!
Lollapalooza fans, we have some breaking news for you!
Two of your favorite bands may be headlining this year’s Lollapalooza in August. Who, who, who, you ask? Here they are…
You can find the full lineup HERE, and more details about the August 2nd–4th festival at Chicago’s Grand Park can be found on the Lollapalooza website HERE.
No offense to my friends forever, Anne and Anna, or to the rest of you Geminis out there. (Feel free to trash my sign.)
