Land of CUTE TOYS

Sylvanian means, "inhabits the wood"..or something to that effect, so it's no wonder these toys are called "Sylvanian Families"(or "Calico Critters" in the US). Not to be missed are the many accessories they come with, and the little outfits.

Meet the Beaver

This little beaver has the cutest hind feet/flippers - check 'em out!

About Baby Beavers: Beavers are born fully furred, with their eyes open, and incisors erupting. They usually weigh about 1 pound. Litter size is usually 2 to 5. Beavers spend the first month of life in the lodge, nurtured by the mother. Beavers are highly social, and orphaned beavers being raised in isolation without a sibling or, if single, without close contact with a human caregiver, have been known to succumb to the stress of isolation.

Beavers are strictly vegetarian, and their normal diet includes the cambium layer of trees, leaf buds and leaves, as well as a wide range of aquatic plants.

so cute you want to eat it

I received this delectable handmade ring Tuesday from robin's jewelry box on etsy. I was literally jumping up and down when I got the package; this is the cutest thing I've ever put on my finger [since I wore the cute dolphin ring Zoe picked out for me]!

sometimes, naughty is cute

It's time to re-visit my mom's naughty puppy, Ella. Last week she decided that there was something really important on the other side of the puppy gate (the pantry). Trying to be all MacGyver-like she plotted her grand escape only to discover her already-full-stomach was an insurmountable obstacle. Better luck next time, Ella.

Jiji

Kiki's sidekick black cat. A very cynical critter who.... well gives Kiki advice where he can. Jiji is the type who dislikes becoming involved in others' problems and who prefers to stick to the letter of the law. Mrowr!

Sandwich Buns

Tracey has again provided cute, as seen here in this photo she took at the Sandwich Fair. Thank you Tracey, and thanks to the bunnies for being so cute!

Tracey's New Kitten

He has no name yet, but what a cutie! We like his guy-liner around the eyes - Maybe his name should be something egyptian - like Ra, or Set, or Horace....Congrats Tracey!

on winds and willows

The Wind in the Willows is a classic of children's literature written in 1908 by Kenneth Grahame. The story is alternately slow moving and fast paced, focusing on four heavily anthropomorphised animal characters in a pastoral version of England. The novel is notable for its mixture of mysticism, adventure, morality, and camaraderie. & etc.

In plain English, the story is about cute furry (and/or slimy) animal friends having adventures. I remember my dad buying this book for me when I was little... it holds a special place in my heart.

We were really able to identify with Rat and Mole during the Great Kishwaukee Flood of '07... it was a very tempting idea to ditch work, grab a canoe and go.

Racoon Subway Entrance

Our town has a new subway system, to promote public transportation. Unfortunately, low funding has dictated that it be only available to Racoons. Stops along the line include:
Across the street
Down the block
Near the river
Two blocks away
Near the gas station

and now... what you've all been waiting for...the conclusion to the Land of Cute's mission statement!

*

May we all have success as we set out to search the wide world for the cutest of the cute.

Look! Up in the sky! It's a... hovering hamster?

This mini-hamster-turned-superhero was first witnessed flying here. He has since taken up residence in the Land Of Cute, protecting us from all that is scary and non-cute. Soon to be a major motion picture...

Stay tuned next week for the exciting conclusion of Cute Expedition!

Land of Cute mission statement, part 2

(click to view larger image)

Land of Cute mission statement as told in Aranzi Machine Gun Vol.1

This is installment 1 of 5 of the story "Cute Expedition" from Aranzi Machine Gun Vol. 1. This explains exactly why we do what we do here at the Land of Cute. It's all for you, my friends. Your lives are at stake, and we are here for you!

Amur Amore

You could call them the littlest versions of the Earth’s biggest cats. Two Amur tiger cubs born at Brookfield Zoo weighed only about two pounds at birth, but will likely gain 400 to 500 pounds by the time they are full grown.

It will be a while before zoo guests get to see the little tigers in person. Right now they are in an off-exhibit maternity den with their mother, Tiara. Keepers have had very limited interactions with the cubs, keeping tabs on them through a camera in the den where the tigers will stay until going outside this fall.

Muncha Muncha Muncha

Munchlax (Gonbe in original Japanese language versions) eats everyday and goes to sleep. Munchlax rarely uses it's move Metronome. Whenever in time of need Munchlax uses Metronome but eventually it eats and goes back to sleep again. One can obtain a Muchlax by breeding two Snorlaxes with one holding a Full Incense.

In the anime, May owned a Munchlax as a promo leading towards the next generation. One of its attacks is the Fighting-type move Mach Punch.

It appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as a Pokémon to emerge from a Poké Ball. Munchlax wanders around the stage and devours any item it comes across.

on snails and velcro

This (belated) unexpectedly cute item was created by our student worker, Jimi (pictured above). It occupied an honored place in the office until our boss mistook it for an actual usable piece of velcro and disassembled it. Snaily will live on in our hearts forever.

I want to see it, yes I do!

In the children's book "Put Me in the Zoo"author Robert Lopshire is responsible for the beloved cross-breed bearcat who's only desire is to be...in the zoo. His spots are very clever, and can be transmitted to non-animated objects, as well as the boy and girl who befriend him. He throws his spots in the air and folds them, and they even change colors. It's kind of a graphic fantasy...

Do you know where he gets to go at the end of the story?

Whistle-candy and barrettes

A box of candy sent by my friend Karen came in the mail last week. She lives in Sacramento, and down the street from her is a Japanese grocer. Land of Cute requested that a cute inspection be done...these are the results. The most intriguing was a candy that allows you to whistle, packaged in a link of little plastic bunny packs. The larger bags with jungle animals held a gummi snack. One candy featured a toy in a box. After much excitement getting into the packaging to find the toy, it turned out to be a small barrette. But cuteness adorned nearly all the packaging, and lived up to all expectations.