This past weekend, Kara was in Vermont for a fabulous retreat for young adult novelists. She critiqued manuscripts, met some very talented and passionate writers, listened to renowned authors discuss their process, read a bit of her work-in-progress to the group, and spoke at length about structure and its importance in novels and in life.

Of course, she was glad to get home so she could get some REAL work done. Like learning how to send monkey e-mails.

Meanwhile, Jenna is still under artist's house arrest, working towards her upcoming book deadline. Lately she has been drawing gnome hands. While they are more commonly known for their mad gardening skills, gnomes also make excellent hand models, if you can convince them to put down their watering cans and step away from their toadstools.

FYI, monkeys do not make excellent hand models. Believe us, we've tried working with them. They just can't seem to grasp the whole opposable thumb thing.

Seen on the subway one morning last week:

A young boy (elementary-school-age) sitting with his mother. The boy was eating what can only be described as a Deli Danish (prepackaged, sweaty, fritter-like pastry topped with a layer of thick white frosting), washed down with a liter of — wait for it — grape soda.

Upon witnessing this spectacle, Kara vomited a little in her mouth, which probably had more nutritional value than what the boy was eating.

In big news today, Kara needs a haircut. She has what the LaReau Sisters refer to as DOG HAIR (no offense to pooches). If anyone happens to see Kara lately, please know that she is aware of the problem and her hair will not be looking like this for long. She has an appointment with Leila, her groomer — er, stylist — in two weeks.

Jenna is also not happy with her hair. It is getting very long, not conducive to leaning over the drawing table. Her hair has actually begun to dip into her paint, which has given Jenna an idea — she could save money on brushes and make do with her own 'do. Or maybe she should pull a Natalie Portman and go for the V for Vendetta look.

As further proof of the bald is beautiful trend, did anyone check out the Prison Break premiere this week? Kara says, rowwwrrr.

Kara just got back from a deeeelightful vacation in Florida. Here are some of the things she saw:

1. Her own beautifully pedicured tootsies. The color? "Strawberry Margarita," of course. (One must always try to coordinate one's toes with one's beverage.)

2. A Red Sox spring training game, vs. the Twins. As research for the next Rocko and Spanky book, Kara sampled a ball park frank, which tasted almost as good as they do at Fenway. She found herself strangely drawn to the Red Sox mascot, Wally the Green Monster, perhaps because he very much resembles an oversized Muppet (see above).

3. A program for the Fort Myers Rodeo, showcasing a special event called "Mutton Bustin'," in which 4-6-year-old children are encouraged to jump on the backs of scampering sheep — the winner is the child who can stay on the sheep's back the longest. Kara and Jenna suspect there may be an animal rights issue there somewhere. And, um, it doesn't look 100% safe for the kids, either.

4. A seafood restaurant with a section of its menu punfully labeled "CRABBETIZERS."

5. A 2004 World Series ring, as modeled by a waitress in a restaurant where Kara ate (the owner of the Sox was there and let her try it on).

6. Many signs for PANTHERS CROSSING. Yet, no sign of any panthers. Kara is not complaining.

7. Salamanders. Or perhaps they were geckos. In any case, Florida seems to be teeming with little lizards. They are like tiny hairless squirrels.

Speaking of squirrels...Kara has them in her attic. This is not a euphemism. As we all know, Jenna is no lover of squirrels, so has not enjoyed hearing them scrambling around in the walls of her studio as she works. If anyone can explain the purpose of squirrels in our ecosystem, please let us know.

And speaking of things scrambling around in the walls, Kara and Jenna saw a great movie last week — The Door in the Floor. It's based on the first part of the John Irving novel A Widow for One Year, which is one of Kara and Jenna's favorite books. In the movie, Jeff Bridges plays a children's book author and artist, though he doesn't seem to have much talent for writing or illustrating. He does, however, have a way with the ladies. (BTW, it is a movie for grownups. For cinephiles of all ages, Kara and Jenna highly recommend this super-cute hamster slide show.)

Kara and Jenna would like to present the very first LaReau Sisters supermodel...Olivia!

Olivia is workin' our Twins onesie. As you can see, it's the perfect fashion choice for a girl (or boy) on the go...even down the slippity-slide.

If anyone else out there has photos of their own budding supermodels in LaReau Sisters fashions, feel free to send them along!

Kara and Jenna and Rocko and Spanky have been reading a lot of great books lately. Here are some of their recommendations:

Superman: The Golden Age by Les Daniels, designed by Chip Kidd
Batman Collected by Chip Kidd, photography by Geoff Spear
Jenna's favorite superheroes are Superman, Batman, and Chip Kidd. Not necessarily in that order.

Inexcusable by Chris Lynch
The story of a golden boy with a dark side.

Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
The amazing sequel to A Great and Terrible Beauty. Best appreciated when read in order. (Why hasn't this series been made into a movie? Duh, Hollywood.)

Chicken and Cat by Sara Varon
A story of a fowl and feline friendship, told in fabulous pictures. Rocko especially digs the gardening scene.

Houndsley and Catina by James Howe
For anyone who thinks dogs and cats can't live in harmony, pursue writing careers, or enter cooking contests. If Houndsley is reading this, Spanky would like his chili recipe.

In other news, Jenna opened a fortune cookie yesterday and found an unexpected message, featured above. Jenna says, "That is NOT RIGHT." Seeing as she was only given one fortune cookie, it was rude to tell her to have another. And it is insensitive to joke about food with a starving artist.

Also, Kara learned the importance of careful microwave defrosting. Kara says, "Many foods are best eaten hot. Cheesecake is not one of them."