Cephalopods and Book reviews: Brian Kesinger

Evening post for you all today and a book reveiw of a more specialty styled book from Brian Kesinger called Walking you Octopus a Guidebook to the Domesticated Cephalopod .

I fist discovered Mr. Kesinger's work when I was considering entering a T-shirt conest for We Love Fine. I believe it had been a steampunk contest, and his entry was a piece I just fell in love with called Walkies for Otto. Needless to say, I felt my own art doodles were not quite up to par with his, and I chickened out and didn't enter. Shame on me...But sometimes that happens...Okay let's be honest, most times that happens. Be I'm working on it. I double dog... pinky promise...swear to you.

Now I wanted to wait to share this particular book review with you until after I had completed one of the hats for my sisters Hats for the Hearts project so I could couple them together...similar themes and all, more info here.

 Brian Kesinger is well know for his animation, writings, and art work with Disney for over 15 years, but perhaps he is much more well known for his creation of the Tea Girls quite often featuring the lovely Victora and Otto. His work can be found here http://www.bkartonline.com as well as on DeviantArt and Facebook.

His first book Walking Your Octopus a Guidebook to the Domesticated Cephalopod is an adorable story for children, and of course the child at heart as well.

Now while the idea of having an octopus or any cephalopod may seem a bit silly, you have to use your imagination, and if you have ever attended or plan to attend any type of Steampunk or Cosplay event you know that this is not that strange of an occurrence.
 

I absolutely love the copy of Walking Your Octopus from the time I opened it from it's hardback cover (yes I know, I'm a bit of a book snob) to the metal corners, and Mr. Kesinger's signature inside. I felt at first that the book was a bit of an odd size and photos of the book are a bit deceiving. It is a rather strange length for a book measuring in at 7" x 14", but once you open an understanding on the size dawns on you as his work is showcased wonderfully well on the more panoramic styled pages.

In regards to the content of the book, I found that it makes a quick read for bedtime stories as well as an educational experience. I know, I see a few doubters and naysayers in the crowd saying "how is a book on having an Octopus for a pet actually educational?", but just give me the benefit of the doubt.
 

The book covers points on how you should train and raise your Cephalopod, everything from feedings, and bath routines, to training, habitats, a few fun facts and my favorite the very last page which covers ensuring you and your pet get enough sleep. Though Mr. Kesinger has written each of these items as if the Victorian Gentleman or Lady were raising his/her own Cephalopod each item truly can be related to any type of pet and makes a wonderful addition to the home library.

 

 

 

Now if you like the adorable cephalopod hoodie, or Scoofie as I should say, the pattern is available through the PinkAvenger on Etsy. I did make adjustments in the fact that instead of crocheting the eyes and suckers I added buttons, so I changed the pattern a bit to suit myself.

 

Also please remember that Google will be dropping the Google reader portion of Blogger tomorrow 7/2/13, so if you would like to keep receiving my feed, or even if you haven't followed me yet, but would like to you need to find a third party app. Personally I have switched over to BlogLovin, and I know several of the blogs that I follow have as well.

 

 

I'm off for now to don a Cephalopod on my head and have tea with my fabulous little darlings so until we meet again don't be afraid to let you inner child out to play. I promise the sandbox is big enough for all. 



Summer time Staples

 

 

Summertime is one of my favorite seasons when there is green grass and tree's in abundance. Especially the beginnings of summer, when the evenings are just cool enough to start a small fire in the backyard and enjoy the stars. And what better way to do that than with S'MORES!

 

 

Now most of us have had the plain old chocolate, regular marshmallow, and graham cracker kind that are delicious in their own right, but I have made something special, and as you can tell from picture, they are not the regular s'mores at all.

 

Well lets get right down to it shall we!



 

 

With the above ingredients I made, Key Lime Pie S'mores, Lemon Meringue Pie S'mores, and PB&J Smores, also not pictured which we tried were Rainbow Sherbert S'mores. (excuse me while I recover from my sugar coma)

Ingredients:

Key Lime Flavored Marshmallows (campfire brand)

Lemon Meringue Marshmallows (campfire brand)

Strawberry Flavored marshmallows

Vanilla (white chocolate)

Peanut Butter Cup's

 

 

With any of the S'mores you know you have to toast the Marshmallows to a wonderful golden brown over the red coals. (or if you are impatient to a blackened crisp over the flames, this is purely your choice, I would recommend golden brown, but as my crew is impatient...well you know which we end up with. LOL)

 

These are super simple to make so I'll just let you know what goes together for each.

 

Key Lime Pie S'mores

1 Graham cracker broken in half (for a top and bottom to your S'more -  like a sandwich)

2-4 key lime marshmallows

1 Vanilla chocolate square (we used Ghirardelli Vanilla Dream squares...delicious, but any white chocolate should work)

 

Smoosh (very technical term :) )  together when marshmallows are toasty.

 

Lemon Meringue S'mores

1 Graham cracker broken in half

2-4 lemon meringue marshmallows

1 Vanilla chocolate square

 

Smoosh together when marshmallows are toasty

 

*On a side note, you have to watch the Campfire brand Marshmallows as they tend to melt off the stick, so you've gotta be quick when you toast these lovelies.

 

PB & J S'mores

1 Graham cracker broken in half

1 Strawberry Marshmallow (if someone knows of some grape marshmallows these would be    outstanding as well, or if you make your own...)

1 Peanut Butter Cup

 

Smoosh together when marshmallow is toasty

 

Rainbow Sherbert S'mores

1 Graham cracker broken in half

1 Strawberry Marshmallow

1 Lemon Meringue Marshmallow

1 Key Lime Marshmallow

1 Vanilla chocolate square

 

Smoosh together when marshmallow's are toasty

 

I hope you enjoy these. The kids loved the PB & J ones as they are exceptionally sweet, while the adults liked the pie varieties better.

 

Bring out your inner child and sing camping songs with your kids around a bonfire, and enjoy summer.

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Summer

So I know many of you must think that I took another Hiatus. Well sort of...I'm working on moving to beautiful Washington state, and on top of that Summer has begun, and I have been a bit tied up with college, and trying to make sure I spent tons of time with my kiddos.

 

My husband and I made a welcome to summer sign for the kids to run through when they came home. They were excited about it, but kept trying to duck under it instead of just running through it. My neat freak kids (we're talking about kids who try to open birthday and Christmas gifts with scissors to save the paper though. At least they are frugal).

 

The below photo is what met them on the steps.

 

 

Those are fluffy stuff snowballs in the red metal bucket. My husband and father were waiting on them out back with additional snowballs and water bombs. Both of which can be found on my Pinterest page Successful Kiddo projects here.

 

The kids had a blast, and everyone ended up covered snowball dust, or drenched from the water bombs. To play like no one is watching is a wonderful feeling and truly makes you get in touch with your inner child again.

 

So as always, I encourage you to go make your own magic, and get in touch with your inner kid. He/She is longing to get out and show you just how happy you can truly be.