That's right! Love your fluffy friends even more today! I should take my little guys out from under my desk. Show them some deserved love. I do have one fluffy friend ... a puppy dog that I've forgotten the name of (shame on me) that I still leave in my bedroom on my bed. For the most part though, all my fluffy friends have made their way here to the library, where I can see them and appreciate them everyday. Want to come see them? Please come by when I'm here and you can say hi! I'm not here? My tsum-tsums are! Just check out the display case (which you can borrow to display your loved items) and see who I have!

As for what we have going on this week ...
Minecraft Monday at 6pm
Witches and Wizards Tuesday at 4:30
Sip, Swap and Share: Toys Tuesday at 7pm

Please come by on Halloween in your costume! We'd love to see you. :)

For ages 8-12

Love telling stories? I love listening, and I’m sure that there are others who do as well! We will be taking your stories and making a podcast which will be put on our website.

Not so comfortable talking out loud? Have artistic abilities? Write down and illustrate your own work! It may get published and added to our collection.

Not sure what story you want to tell? We will have games that we use to create stories that you can make your own.

Still working on the podcasting portion. I have to figure out where I'm going to store all the audio so that we can put them up on the website, but I'm working on it.

I just want to hear your stories! I love interesting and strange stories, and I'm sure that you have them waiting for me in your brains!

Whenever Columbus Day comes I always get the "In fourteen hundred ninety-two Columbus sailed the ocean blue." stuck in my head. Unfortunately, its only been that part, so I had to find out more!
I had to do a little research, because didn't know anything about the rhyme. Then I found out it was a poem and I needed to find out who wrote it and apparently, it was Jean Marzollo!
The reason for the exclamation was because she was in charge of all the I Spy books too. How cool!
Here's more information specifically about the book, In 1492.

IN 1492
In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
He had three ships and left from Spain;
He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain.
He sailed by night; he sailed by day;
He used the stars to find his way.
A compass also helped him know
How to find the way to go.
Ninety sailors were on board;
Some men worked while others snored.
Then the workers went to sleep;
And others watched the ocean deep.
Day after day they looked for land;
They dreamed of trees and rocks and sand.
October 12 their dream came true,
You never saw a happier crew!
“Indians! Indians!” Columbus cried;
His heart was filled with joyful pride.
But “India” the land was not;
It was the Bahamas, and it was hot.
The Arakawa natives were very nice;
They gave the sailors food and spice.
Columbus sailed on to find some gold
To bring back home, as he’d been told.
He made the trip again and again,
Trading gold to bring to Spain.
The first American? No, not quite.
But Columbus was brave, and he was bright.

Oh, it looks so divine! If only there was one in my hand. Of course, there's probably a million-billion calories in them ... but the combination of coffee and sugary goodness? I could totally use that now. The tea (while delicious) is not working at getting me pumped up and ready to go!
So I'm trying to be health conscious and I cannot even tell you the last time that I've had a glorious frappe, however this recipe might give me cause to have one!
BTW, I might be okay if one appeared in my hand since Monday is my long day! :) (HAH) This evening we have Young Librarians, and we will be making fall art to display in the children's room! I need to be pumped and ready to go!
Skinny Caramel Frappuccino
This caramel frappuccino is too good to be true! It's cold, creamy, rich, and satisfying, plus it's only 50 calories per serving.

Yield: 24 ounces
Prep Time 1 minute
Total Time 1 minute Ingredients

• 3 cups ice cubes (3 big handfuls of cubed ice, not crushed ice)
• 1 cup cold strong coffee, previously brewed and chilled
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or your favorite milk)
• sugar-free sweetener (white stevia powder, liquid vanilla stevia drops, Splenda, or your favorite), to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
• 2 tablespoons fat free whipped topping, for garnishing
• 1 tablespoon sugarfree caramel sauce, for garnishing

Instructions

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in the canister of a blender and blend until smooth, creamy, fluffy, frothy, and combined, less than 1 minute. Taste, and if necessary, adjust with a splash more coffee, milk, dash of sweetener, or a few ice cubes.
2. Garnish with whipped topping and caramel sauce. Serve immediately.

Notes
Tip: Make the full batch and place un-garnished extra portion of frappuccino in a freezer-safe mug. Later on, simply let it unthaw a bit, either 30 minutes at room temp or about 1 minute in the microwave.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 57 Total Fat: 1g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 1mg Sodium: 45mg Carbohydrates: 13g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 10g Protein: 1g