Keeping our Offbeatlings upbeat in the face of gender judgement
The world is a difficult place for children… how can a sensitive child feel free to express himself differently from others in a world where “different” is “bad?”
A not quite co-sleeping, non-Montessori floor bed for a toddler
We didn’t want to co-sleep but weren’t comfortable with a crib, and VOILA! Our toddler floor bed was born.
The most amazing USB key EVER WROUGHT
Every Monday I cruise the Offbeat Home Flickr Group and curate the most interesting photos for us all to gather ’round computers and look at. Together. This week I present to you: an YouTube video meme sampler, a patio puppy and loads of oogly Clicky Links — like a place selling vintage porn posters.
Are parents happy?
In what seems like a surprising or at least dishonest turn, parents self-report seems to be that they are happy … these studies measured happiness moment-to-moment, a definition that makes sense in a culture that tends to be about the moment-to-moment with focus on products that provide quick fixes and instant pleasures.
How to make a natural air freshener, and assemble your own laboratory for concocting teas, salves, and syrups
Herbs. They taste good, they smell nice, and have well-documented medicinal properties. You can put inexpensive ingredients to good use after you put together your apothecary kit. Though I’m even more interested in Dale’s illustrated herb chart on salvaged wood.
Colorful toddler boy shoes that aren’t blah brown
Oh, little boys. You seriously get the shit end of the stick when it comes to apparel. Or I guess I should say “shit-colored,” because everything is brown. Or if it’s not brown, it’s navy blue. Or maybe black. I went on a hunt the other day for cute, brightly colored shoes for Tavi, and I thought I’d share some of my non-brown findings here.
Our friend the television: Is cable an outdated dinosaur?
Last week Mashable published an article about the connective devices — Boxee, Roku, Apple TV and Google TV, and an Xbox 360 — taking over cable’s market. It was an interesting read, but I think the idea of keeping television separate from the internet is already outdated. Let’s prognosticate.
Blackmetal gardening, lit up courtyards, Star Wars cookies
This Monday’s Montage features a photo of the uber-rare Blackmetal Gardener, grazing hillside goats, and a link to a Star Wars cookie cutter. We also beg the question: Why the hell doesn’t someone design a better shower control?