This & That: Pass the Book; Election Layout; Recommendations and More

Happy Friday! I have a little of this and that to share with you today.
First, there's a wonderful free holiday photography class with limited enrollment. It's run by Cheryl Johnson of Feel Good Photos. I've taken it before and loved it!  You can read the review here (although, in retrospect, I think it should have received a higher grade). You can sign up for it at this link. But hurry, as it fills every year.
Second, thanks for all the wonderful comments lately. 
I love voting (and not just to get the cool sticker). I am an unabashed Obama supporter, but I don't want to get into a long political discussion. Instead, I thought I'd share the layout I made for the 2008 election (which includes my "I voted" sticker). The picture is from the back of a magazine I receive from my alma mater.  The journaling is about how involved the whole family was in the 2008 election, how I took Clara to vote with me and the champagne we drank on election night.
I also loved reading about how everyone organizes their linens. I had to look up Amy's reference to "Manchester," which turns out to be an Australian expression for linen (I love learning stuff like that).  Also fascinating how many people use duvet covers. I've decided to keep three sets of sheets for each of the kid's beds and four sets for our bed (like Karen, we use flannel in the winter and twill or knit in the summer). I'm keeping two long and two short table cloths up here in the kitchen (short for when the table is regular size and long for when we expand it for company). I've also decided that we need to start using the cloth napkins, so I'm going to put them in a basket on the counter and see if I can get the family into the habit of using them (because I have a set of 12). I kept two sets of place mats, although I'm not sure why (as we never use them).  My kids use a massive number of towels; still trying to figure out how to curb that impulse.
Several of you have asked about the college application process here. Every senior in high school does something different, and there's a variety of different approaches taken by colleges and universities. Many private universities use something called the "Common App," which requires one long essay and one short essay.  Many of the public Universities have their own application with essay requirements (or do not require any essay). By planning carefully, Henry was able to write one long essay which fulfilled the requirement for most of his schools, but there are a couple of outliers, and he still needs to do those. He applied to ten schools in total: two California state schools; three private universities; and five out of state public schools. He should start hearing back around the end of the year.
Third, it's time for me to pass the book!  I have Trading Card Treasures up for grabs. 

The book is about making artist trading cards using your photographs. If you want a chance to receive the book, let me know in the comments.  The catch? After you keep it for a while, you need to pass it on to someone else to peruse and pass along. For details, check out this post from Melissa's blog Daily Life - Bits & Pieces. The idea of Pass the Book originated with Sian of From High in the Sky (click here).  I will soon be sending the book, Art Saves by Jenny Doh, back to Sian (although I will shed a little tear when I let it go; I might have to buy my own copy).
Finally, be sure to check out Jennifer's Jumbles Frosty Festivities, coming up Novemer 16-18.  You can read more about it at this link.  It's sure to be a lot of fun, and there's great prizes available as well!
Have a great weekend!