Rexanne's Web Review
Web Sites & Insights

Issue #78 - April 1, 2004 

Brought to You By: Rexanne.com

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Welcome All Newcomers! 

Is it spring yet?! I know some of you are reveling in spring break already ... ;-)

I've been a busy little web master this past month with three new pages added to my birthday site which you'll find scattered throughout this newsletter and I've created a new site, all about babies. This was a massive labor of love and I am happy to finally share these pages with you. Please pass this site on to anyone you know who is about to have a baby or who has a newborn to toddler-aged child: About Your Baby

Easter is upon us. Have a last trot through my Easter pages for everything you'll need to inspire a great holiday and last minute festivities: Rexanne's Easter - Have a wonderful Easter holiday!

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Reader's Comments:

Martha wrote about our parenting article 'Gardening with Kids' from last month's newsletter:

"I had my own green bean vines, really cool watching them grow. Didn't particularly care to eat them (yuck! - vegetable). However, something must have stuck from the experience. I've always had at least a container garden if no ground area was available."
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Jane wrote:

"I'm amazed that you have been publishing this newsletter 4 years! I still look forward to every issue, like a favorite magazine. Thank you for continuing to work hard for your readers. I hope you never give it up!" 

Thank you Jane. Because of feedback like yours, I continue ... ;-) 

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And Rina wrote:

"I can't believe 4 years have gone by!" 

Neither can I, Rina. ;-)

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OK, here's the scoop:

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--- Quote of the Month: Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!' - Robin Williams

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Supporting the sponsors and advertisers in Rexanne's Web Review keeps this newsletter alive. Each advertiser has Rexanne's Seal of Approval. Please visit them today.

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This Month's Web Review Sponsored By: Great Arrivals Gift Baskets

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Parenting & Family Topic of the Month: Making Gorgeous Easter Eggs

This is a terrific article on creating decorated Easter eggs with your kids. The ideas are easy and the results fantastic. 
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Eggs-Travagant Easter Eggs Without All the Hassle. Wonderfully simple to do and oh so impressive!
By: Rondi Hillstrom Davis and Janell Sewall Oakes

You don’t need a $40 Easter egg decorating kit with pages of instructions to impress your family and guests this Easter – achieve sophisticated elegance with colors taken directly from nature. Simply decorated from a myriad of plants and flowers, you can create a beautiful range of natural colors and textures. Try this technique – it’s simple enough to do with young children. 

Ingredients

Gather together eggs, an enamel or stainless steel pot, vinegar, cheesecloth, a rubber band, and plant materials such as onionskins, blueberries, pecan hulls, parsley, beets or dandelions.

Directions

1. To prepare the dye bath, fill a pot with two or three cups of plant material. Barely cover it with water (more plant material produces stronger colors.) Simmer for at least 30 minutes. Add water and stir as needed. The dyes can be made several days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Strain and heat the dye before using it. 

2. Use hard-boiled or blown out eggs. Carefully wash the eggs with soap and water. Allow them to dry. Wipe the eggs with vinegar.

3. To decorate the eggs, moisten small leaves and grasses, one at a time. Press them firmly against the egg. Hold them in place by wrapping the eggs in a six-inch square of cheesecloth or nylon pantyhose. Pull the cloth tight against the egg and secure it with a rubber band. Immerse the egg in a container of warm dye. Some dyes are stronger than others. The process may take only a few moments or several hours. Dyes derived from yellow onionskin, red onionskin, and blueberries all provide quick results.

4. Unwrap the eggs, drain, and let them dry upright. 

What a magical and unpredictable process. Each lustrous egg is a unique surprise. Some of our favorites were the results of happy accidents. Enjoy discovering! 

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I highly recommend Rondi & Janell's amazing book, 'Together: Creating Family Traditions'. You can buy it here: Amazon.com
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Rondi Hillstrom Davis and Janell Sewall Oakes are the co-authors of the award-winning book Together: Creating Family Traditions. To check out their website that's jam packed with family ideas, visit: Together Parenting - To subscribe to their online newsletter, go to: Subscribe

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Know of a good parenting or family site your fellow readers might enjoy? Please send it for possible publication in an upcoming issue. Click here: Parenting Site

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Food & Cooking Site of the Month: Easter Brunch

If you've decided a big Easter dinner is just too much food to consume late in the day, consider this delectable and very special Easter brunch. Recipes include Apple-Mustard Glazed Ham, Egg and Broccoli Casserole using a slow cooker, Luscious Lemon Muffins, Cheese Scones and a recipe for Cherry Strata that sound positively sinful and delicious. Much of the preparation for these recipes can be done ahead of time, freeing you up for a more relaxing Easter Sunday. 

Bon Appetit!

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Advertisement: Amazon.com Easter Candy Bonanza

Easter candy is traditional and specialties such as jelly beans and chocolate bunnies have kid's hearts pounding in anticipation. And boxed chocolates from Godiva or See's make wonderful Easter gifts for anyone. You'll find all the Easter candy you need to fill baskets and for perfect gift-giving at Amazon.com's Easter candy bonanza. Order now for guaranteed Easter delivery. 

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Kid's Site of the Month: Easter for Family & Kids

Lots of crafts, activities and fun await on this page dedicated to kids, their families and Easter. Yes, there are books and coloring pages, too. Time to let the kids surf.

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Freebie of the Month: Olay Samples, Party Check & Guest Lists

Get free samples, coupons and other great offers from Olay, the 'Oil of' people. Fill out a very easy and fast form to receive any Olay product of your choice. I love stuff like this. :-) Click here: Olay Samples
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Here is a very useful birthday party checklist and a party guest list. Both are printable on one page. The guest list can be saved and updated right in your computer.

Party Checklist --- Party Guest List

Find other helpful birthday pages here: Birthdays by Rexanne

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Tip or Trick of the Month: Birthday Party Tips, Tricks & Ideas

Yes, this is shameless self-promotion. I can't let this new page launch without letting you all in on it. This is a collection of my favorite party tips, culled from years of experience as a party-giving mom. Grab a cup of whatever you're drinking at the moment. You'll need it ... the page is a marathon. ;-) 

Have a tip or trick your fellow readers would enjoy or could use? Please send it here for possible publication in one of the next issues:  Tips 

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Time Waster of the Month: Easter Mahjong
Because life is supposed to be fun!

Play this classic solitaire mahjong game with an Easter twist, using adorable Easter-motif tiles, a pastel interface and happy, animated characters. Download the trial version to begin playing right away. Be forewarned: Mahjong can become addictive ... feed the kids first!

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Featured Site of the Month: Successful Family Chores

I know I need this one desperately! ;-) They say it best so read on:

What would you like your family to look like? Is the picture you see full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness? Is it purposeful, organized, unified, a force that cannot be stopped? Or is it full of anxiety, uncertainty, always hurried and in a panic, scattered, disorganized, everyone going their own separate ways with no sense of "family" as we know it should be? Successful Family Chores has many articles, resources and info to strengthen and empower your family. Visit them today at: Successful Family Chores

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I have personally checked out the links provided here but they could possibly lead you to any number of bizarre and/or offensive sites. Surf at your own risk. The DIRECT links on this page are all family friendly unless stated otherwise. While this newsletter is family friendly, it is not necessarily intended to be read by children. Parents should always monitor their children while they are on the Internet. 

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