Post by Mark T. Locker.

Last week, I got a twinge of nostalgia for my favorite Saturday morning TV shows and decided, using my son as an excuse, to get my hands on some episodes of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, courtesy of my neighborhood library. (Support libraries!) The show is far weirder than I recalled it being, but my boy loves it. I actually love it (well parts of it, at least) but it got me thinking about Pee-Wee’s chef d’oeuvre, the immortal Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.

Now, if you haven’t seen this movie, let us all take a moment in silence for your sad, sad soul. If you have seen it and dislike it, the same goes for you. The premise of this very silly movie is that Pee-Wee Herman, eternal child, has the awesomest bike you have ever seen. When it is stolen in broad daylight, he goes on a crazy mission to find his bike. From scary truckers to ex-cons to spoiled children, Pee-Wee has an incredible, and incredibly absurd, adventure. It’s got comedy! It’s got action! It’s got a cameo by Twisted Sister! Seriously, what more could you ask for in a Friday night family movie?

Tags: bed, bedroom, Charles P. Rogers, Children, family, Movie Reviews, movies in bed, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

Post by Mark T. Locker.

We spend so much time here on the Bed Blog discussing a lot of great ideas, helpful hints, and offering fantastic recommendations. So I thought today we could look at some more…unorthodox approaches to bedroom design. Most of you may enjoy the spectacle but have no intention of transforming your bedroom into, say, a giant princess castle. For those who yearn for such things, you are welcome. Please enjoy the following alternative takes on interior decorating.

This brings a whole new meaning to the word waterbed. I don’t recommend this design to anyone with a propensity for somnambulation!

This little piggy made his bedroom out of straw! You may want to wear several layers of thick, soft pajamas if you are planning to sleep in the straw bed. In movies, they always put straw down to sleep on in a barn, so perhaps it’s quite comfy!

Don’t you hate the cumbersome activity of climbing out of bed, walking across the miles-long cold linoleum floor to get yourself a midnight snack? Save yourself the trouble by turning your room into your own little diner! I’m disappointed to note you don’t get to climb under the bread, but you can’t have everything.

…and if comfort and coziness are not your style, you can always move into a big stone culvert. In a field. Surrounded by a bunch of other stone culverts.

Tags: bed, bedroom, Charles P. Rogers, Design, Weird Bedrooms

Post by Alison Hein.

It’s almost time for the Super Bowl! This excites me for two reasons: 1) I get my husband back, and 2) my sister and I dream up an awesome game day menu with foods from both team’s hometowns. Well, I suppose there is a third cause for excitement – our very own New York Giants are once again poised to win the big game!

Janet and I are deep into our menu planning. We usually go through a ‘one from column A one from column B’ routine – a New York steakhouse chopped salad, New England clam chowder, mini-hot pastrami on rye sandwiches, lobster roll bites… well, you get the idea.

Anyway, this year I thought it would be fun to serve a Super Bowl breakfast as well. Instead of traditional dishes from each spot, I wanted to make one dish with elements from both locations. It also had to be pretty straight forward (so I have enough time to bake both cheesecake and Boston cream pie). Super Bowl Māgels, or Maple Bagels, form the perfect middle ground. A crisp, malty New York bagel adorned with a New England maple-infused schmear.

To me, maple syrup is one of nature’s wonders – honeyed, amber elixir I could eat by the spoonful. Sadly, some find it too sweet, so pour it into the cream cheese with a light hand. You will also need to refrigerate the spread for at least two hours to allow it to firm after mixing. All kinds of bagels, toasted or not, work well. My favorite is pumpernickel, but plain and cinnamon raisin are also delicious.

On game day, I plan on lingering with my māgel over a super, maple-y breakfast in bed. I’m not sure what the New York Giants will be serving that day, but I’m hopeful they’ll be eating the New England Patriots for breakfast.

Ingredients
8 ounces cream cheese
2 to 3 tablespoons maple syrup
10 to 12 assorted bagels

Preparation
Remove cream cheese from refrigerator until softened. Place cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Pour in maple syrup and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Spoon maple cream cheese spread into a small container and refrigerate until firm, at least two hours. Serve with bagels.

Serves 10 to 12 people.

Tags: bed, Breakfast in Bed, Breakfast Recipes, Charles P. Rogers, Superbowl

Post by Kyle St. Romain.

Do you sleep on your side or your back? Is the way you sleep affected by whether you share your bed with your significant other? Has the way you sleep changed over the years? Your answers to these questions can offer insight into your personality and relationships. It’s hard to fake body language in bed, as we are most honest asleep.

The most common sleeping position is the fetal position; whereby, you curl up in a ball on your side often hugging a pillow or other sleep comfort. Studies show that upwards of 40 percent of respondents indicate sleeping in the fetal position. Furthermore, women are twice as likely to sleep in this position than men. Psychologists believe that fetal position sleepers can be summed up as being soft on the inside with a tough exterior.

The second most popular way people sleep is on their side. There are variations of slide sleepers, the most common of which include sleeping with your arms by your side or sleeping with both arms out in front.  If you sleep with your arms at your side, a position called the “log”, you are said to be an easy-going, trusting extrovert. On the other hand, sleepers who put their arms out in front, called the “yearner,” are likewise open and outgoing, but can be suspicious and cynical.

The third most popular way is to sleep is on your back. In this position, sleepers either put their arms to their side or above their head. The “solider” position, where you place your arms by your side, is indicative of a quiet and more reserved personality. Back sleepers who put their arms over their head, a position called the “starfish,” tend to be good friends and listeners tending to avoid the center of attention. If you snore, you may want to avoid sleeping on your back, as the weight of your chest can burden your breathing.

Last but not least are stomach down sleepers, a position called the “freefall.” Freefall sleepers are the most sensitive of the bunch. They are characterized by a disdain for criticism and extreme situations. This position is said to be the best for digestion.

Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to sleep; it’s purely a matter of choice. The best sleep position is the one that allows you to get a sound night’s rest. And while people are reluctant to change their sleep position, sometimes we have to sleep in new position out of necessity. If you are experiencing sleep difficulties, however, you may want to try a new position. A change in the way you sleep could be just what your body needs for the New Year.

Tags: bed, bedroom, Charles P. Rogers, sleep

Post by Mark T. Locker.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.

If you are a regular reader of my outstanding book reviews, you may recall my discussion of the sad and touching and funny book Looking For Alaska a few months back. Well, John Green has struck again with another heartbreaking and hilarious novel for teens.

It is rare that a book about a sixteen-year-old girl with cancer could be described as “laugh out loud funny” without feeling it must be totally offensive, but The Fault in Our Stars is just that, and so much more. Told from the perspective of 16-year-old Hazel, who has been on an oxygen tank and stricken with cancer for three years, she lays everything out in a straightforward, smirky, jaded but insightful way that only a teen who is facing mortality could do.

John Green’s ability to be at once heart-wrenching and funny is a very special trait. I would not usually be excited for a book of this intensity but this one is spectacular.

On an interesting side note, apparently he and his brother Hank have a video blog that they do together called Vlogbrothers (their fans are Nerdfighters) which reportedly has over a million fans. So, if you need a little levity after this book, you can go and check that out:

Tags: bed, bedtime stories, Charles P. Rogers, Children's book reviews, John Green, The Fault in our Stars