The Simpsons is inarguably one of the most influential television shows in history. Winning countless awards and breaking countless records (including being the longest-running prime-time show in US history), The Simpsons is celebrating twenty years (and twenty-one season – and counting). What better way to celebrate than with the 20th season on Blu-Ray?

Season 20 was the first season The Simpsons went HD (though not until the second half of the season) so it seems fitting that it be the first season released on Blu-Ray. All 21 episodes are spread out on two discs, and look beautiful. The standard def episodes are as crisp and clean as the HD episodes. Interestingly, the audio on the HD episodes sounds flat and tinny – it actually sounds bad. Standard def episodes have audio that is crisp and well-mixed. To add to the disappointment, there are no extras, save for a five-minute preview of the 20th anniversary special directed by Morgan Spurlock. Frankly, I think that “preview” is the opening segment of the show that will air.

I get the feeling that this season was rushed to Blu-Ray to go along with the anniversary. All the early seasons that were on DVD (I think they are up to season 12 currently) are clean, sound good, and have some extras. The people putting together the DVDs took their time. Season 20 feels slap-dash, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they release a new and improved version in a couple of years.

Felt Furnishings: 25 Accessories For Contemporary Homes by Anne Kyyro Quinn is a beautifully illustrated book with patterns and tutorials for making home accessories out of felt. Felt is a great fabric because it is inexpensive, easy to work with, and has come a long way from the inexpensive craft felt from your kindergarten days.

Some favorite projects: the decorative throw pillow with huge ruffled rosette over the front; throw pillow with bulbous, padded pleats down the front; throw blanket with asymmetrical mod circles appliqued over it – and semi-matching throw pillows; table runner with contrasting cut-outs; throw pillow cover made of strips of felt woven and sewn together; spiral-top ottoman; and striped tab-top drapes.

The felt offers a fun, mod feel – perfect for a first apartment or dorm room. Plus, the projects are easy, require little knowledge of sewing, and great directions are included for true sewing beginners like myself.

Organize Now! by Jennifer Ford Berry offers many of the same tips and advice. But the big difference in her book is the way it is organized. The spiral-bound book is arranged into seven different areas to focus on: yourself, your papers, your things, your high-traffic areas, your personal spaces, your storage areas, and your special events. Each of these is further broken down into specifics: organize your emails, your recipes, your medicine cabinet, your photographs, etc.

It’s not as overwhelming as it sounds. Each mini-section is its own week. Week 21 is Organize Your Living Room. She offers a check list of a dozen or so goals for the week, such as organizing current magazines in one basket and recycling the rest. There are tips for a tidy living room – like buying a coffee table with drawers for storage. A Stay Organized checklist gives you simple tasks to do once a month, once every six months, and once a year to keep clean and organized. There is even a section for your own notes and to-dos. Each week offers similar tips and advice.

While none of the tips are particularly earth-shattering, the small, focused chapters make it easy to concentrate on one task at a time, and helps prevent against the overwhelming feeling that I know often makes me throw up my hands in disgust and go watch TV.