Until recently, I had not heard of Ta-Ka-Radi. However, now that we have it, we can’t stop playing it. This is a game that is perfect for the family. Ta-Ka-Radi involves players constructing a tower with spaces in-between three chosen tiles per level. After the tower is built, each player takes a turn pulling out a tile from any level and putting it on top.  The only rule is that you can’t touch the other player while they are making their move!  Now, if you are like me and live with an engineer, well, you are at an instant disadvantage!  However, even though I haven’t one yet, we have had a ton of fun playing with this.  This is too hard for Will and Madison to play.  However, they take the wood tiles and built towers with them every day.  They loves these just for their own use too.  Ta-Ka-Radi is made by a family-owned company in Maine. The tiles are made from native Maine hardwoods, and the game is packaged in personalized re-usable tote bags. Ta-Ka-Radi makes a fun and unique gift for the holidays and is great for a lot of family fun!

Since 1946, Ten Thousand Villages has supported the work of artisans in over 30 countries including Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.  The company has grown to over 145 retail stores.  They continually strive to improve the lives of artisans in developing countries through the expansion of fair trade.  Most of its artisan partners use environmentally friendly processes, sustainable natural resources, and recycled materials for their products.

I was able to try out the Handmade Caterpillar and Butterfly Puzzle. Now, this is a tad too old for Will (who is 18 months old), but Madison (my 4 year old) seems to handle it pretty well. You can definitely tell this is a hand painted puzzle. It has the detail that you don’t normally see.  The butterfly puzzle has more pieces, but the bottom of the tray is also painted with a butterfly, so it makes it easier to figure out where the pieces go.  The catepillar is less pieces, so it is a tad easier to do.  As for materials,  this is painted albizia wood (and the paint is nontoxic).

Ten Thousand Villages has many other items to pick from also.  I focussed on the toys, but you there is really something for everyone there.  I found gifts for women, men, and even teachers!  If you are a looking for a one of a kind gift this Christmas, Ten Thousand Villages is your answer.

It is crazy how many giveaways I have going, but I do have another winner announce today.  The Paper Shouts giveaway ended last night and I drew my winner this morning while I was cleaning my floors. It is amazing what a weekend of rain and snow will do to your floors. Ick.  Without further ado, here we go:

The winner is Candie!  I will be emailing her shortly!  Congrats!

We all get those itches that we just can’t scratch. I know I have had to look around the house for ruler or anything that can get that itch that no one can reach. I now have my handy dandy backscratcher.  Let me tell you, this thing is awesome.  It can reach anywhere on my back.  It actually works better than me itching!  (I have long finger nails and can draw blood without trying sometimes). They are eco-friendly and are handcrafted out of wood by local USA craftsmen in Maine and Tennessee. They are made out of walnut, cedar, aromatic cedar, cherry, oak, and maple.  Now, these are so easy that anybody can use them:

When my one year old got ahold of it, he thought it was a sword, and it made it through that beating. You can even buy telescoping back scratchers which is smaller version of this that would make great stocking stuffers. If you’ve ever had an itch you couldn’t scratch, you need to get one of these awesome backscratchers!