Post by Alison Hein.

Hang on to your hats, we’re going back to the 70s. Not for polyester leisure suits, pet rocks, or even to listen to great music (although that would be cool). Nope, we’re going back for the food – specifically: granola bread! You already know I love granola, so it’s not such a stretch to slip some into an easy quick bread batter to revive a delicious but forgotten tradition. Granola bread is textured, and lightly sweet, with a faint yogurt tanginess lingering on the first bite.

The bread will vary dramatically based on the underlying flavors of the granola you choose (think bran vs. sesame seeds; coconut vs. cranberries). Most granolas, though, bring a delicious oat crunch to the final product. I like to use oil and honey (instead of butter and sugar) as part of my retro-baking repertoire. Measure out the oil first, then use the same container for the honey to keep it from sticking. The bowl will also be easy to clean.

Slice a few thin pieces – baked-in grains and nuts make granola bread just right for toasting. Pop them in your toaster – tantalizing warm almond and vanilla aromas will soon arise. When golden, remove your toasted bread, add a slather of salted butter, and serve with morning coffee for a trip back in time and delectable, retro breakfast in bed.

Ingredients
½ cup safflower oil
½ cup honey
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup yogurt
1 ¼ cups unbleached white flour
½ cup whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup granola
½ cup oat flour-rolled date pieces (or substitute raisins, currants, or other dried fruit)

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease loaf pan. Cream together oil and honey. Beat in eggs. Add vanilla and yogurt and mix well.

In separate bowl, mix white flour, wheat flour, baking powder and salt. Combine dry ingredients with oil mixture. Stir in granola and dates. Pour into loaf pan and bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool slightly on rack before removing from tin.

To serve, slice thin, lightly toast and spread with butter.

If you like, make granola muffins instead, shortening baking time to 25 to 30 minutes.

Makes 1 loaf, or 12 muffins.

Tags: bed, bedroom, Breakfast in Bed, Charles P. Rogers, family, Granola Bread, Recipes

Post by Laura Cheng.

Thinking of my first home, the one image that I can’t get out of my head is the horrid wood paneling that encompassed all the rooms. Not one room was spared. Actually, maybe the smallest bedroom, but its walls were also a product of the 70s with repeating silver seashell print wallpaper on a mauve pink background. Painting over the wood paneling was top on the move in to do list. It added architecture and guests would never know we were covering up 1972. Since then, I have come to appreciate wood and its uses in bedroom design.

This country home is located on the Jutland peninsula. It is built upon only three materials – concrete, wood and polycarbonate. Taking a peek inside the bedroom is no joke. The bedroom walls are fully lined in wood. No artwork is needed as the beautiful anatomy of the wood is already a showcase of natural art. In fact, a headboard is not needed either.  With large slabs of modern and minimalistic paneling like this one, I can’t imagine anyone every daring to paint it, even 40 years later.

Source: http://lorilangille.blogspot.com/2011/12/loft-retreat.html

If I could have found a way to transform the paneling from the walls to the ceiling, my bedroom would have been golden. I love the industrial, yet cozy feel of this bedroom. This residence was designed by WA Design Inc and is located in Tahoe Donner, California. The bedroom’s ceiling repurposes elements of the local Tahoe area and region can be seen not only in the ceiling but also in the fireplace.

With such a dramatic vaulted ceiling, other elements of the bedroom can be kept simple and functional. Although I would opt for an oversized piece of artwork to make a colorful wall statement, I do like the graphic and bold print of the pillows. Color, as shown here, can add softness and warmth to any bedroom. The pale lavender walls do a great job of working with the pillows to do just that.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/7jbbhe7

Wood paneling has come a long way and it can be used to create a modern bedroom that won’t have the seventies calling for their wood back.

Tags: bed, bedroom, Bedroom Design, Charles P. Rogers, Wood Paneling

Post by Mark T. Locker.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka. Illustrated by Lane Smith.

You’ve all heard the story of the Three Little Pigs, whose homes were so cruelly destroyed by that dastardly Big Bad Wolf. At least you think you have, but it turns out that that was just media hype and no one bothered to get the wolf’s side of the story. Turns out the poor guy was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was framed!

This is the premise of the first book by renowned children’s author and spokesman Jon Scieszka (as his website notes: “Rhymes with Fresca”. A clever retelling of a classic children’s fairy tale with a little bit of humor that will appeal to everyone. A definite must for every maven of picture books.

Where’s Walrus? by Stephen Savage

You can’t really blame Walrus. He lives in this tiny pool at the zoo. A walrus has to get out and stretch his flippers once in a while! While the keeper is hot on his heels, the walrus hides in plain sight. On one page, he sports a hardhat and tries to blend in with the other construction workers. Where’s Walrus? It’s not terribly hard to tell, but it’s always fun and funny.

Filled with simple colors and with no text, Where’s Walrus? is easy enough for little kids but fun enough for older kids (like five) to appreciate too.

Tags: bed, bedroom, bedtime stories, Charles P. Rogers, Children's book reviews, Jon Scieszka, Stephen Savage

Post by Mark T. Locker.

I am about to make a potentially divisive comment, and may well lose friends and/or family members in doing so, but I think some of those Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K for nerds in the know) movies are pretty darned funny. You know them: two snarky robots and a human watch campy sci-fi movies and make fun of them. It’s like having friends who are funnier than your real friends. A lot of these movies are available on Netflix; most are not all that good but a few are very funny. And since Mitchell, which many nerds would argue is their magnum opus, is not available online (legally) I am going to direct you to their full-on big screen movie release, a scathing commentary on the 1955 science fiction movie This Island Earth.

I couldn’t possibly do it any justice trying to explain what is funny and why; it’s like trying to describe a comic strip to someone. You just have to see it for yourself. It is really (in my nerdy opinion) worth it, and what better way to fall asleep than all a’giggle?

Tags: bed, bedroom, Charles P. Rogers, Movie Reviews, Mystery Science Theater 3000, Science Fiction, This Island Earth

Post by Mark T. Locker.

Although most people prefer silence for falling asleep, some people need some soothing music to help slow down the brain. I know I used listen to the same record every night. But even if you like quiet whilst drifting off, relaxing music before bed can help to calm the body for bed. I have compiled a few albums which I find particularly good at getting me ready for sleep.

Chopin Nocturne Collection

Everybody knows that classical music is the stereotypical “peaceful” music (though I often find when I’m looking to relax, my local classical station is playing the “Kettledrum and Trumped in a Dryer Suite) and the gentle melodies of French pianist Frédéric Chopin are some of my favorites. Just beware some of those “Best of” collections which will go from a quiet nocturne to a peppy Waltz, leaving you jumping out of your slumbering skin!

Ryuichi Sakamoto Railroad Man

This is just one track off of his album BTTB and it sounds to me like sadness and raindrops and saying goodbye and snowflakes and melancholy and peacefulness. Buy the one track and put it on repeat. You can thank me later.

ABBC Tête À Tête

This album, which is a collaboration between Tucson-based Calexico and the French Amor Belhom Duo is lovely. I’m not a music reviewer, so I apologize. Just don’t listen to the long, meandering, experimental tracks and stick to the haunting and beautiful other pieces.

Tags: bed, bedroom, Charles P. Rogers, music, Music Reviews, sleep