this week in phone photos

I'm joining life.rearranged today with my Instagram photos for the past week. I love that app ~ love the filters ~ love the little moments of life it catches for me. 

Since school started, I haven't spent much time at the sewing machine. This past weekend I ignored my big bag o' schoolwork and did some sewing. I also did some napping, but that's beside the point. I will be in a craft boutique in November and I've got to get going. I have lots of ideas in my head ~ let's see what I can work out in time.

I was crafty and somewhat productive last weekend. I think I sewed 7 pouches and this banner. It's something new I'm trying. What do you think? Sure, I know, everyone has been doing these forever and I'm just now seeing fit to making one. It's really cute I think.

Well, shoot, where did the week go? Today the kids and I went shopping to get supplies for Halloween costumes and more fabric for crafty creations. I wore them out ~ they both fell asleep on the way home.

This will soon be a Halloween costume. Any guesses about what it will be? Don't think too hard about it, it's kinda obvious. I really hope this works. I've made and remade these costumes in my head over and over for the past couple of weeks. One prototype didn't work out and I had to rethink it. In my brain is the perfect solution. Let's just see if real life cooperates.

   

camping with family

These days our lives are filled with all things busy. School started. Dance started. Homework started. I'm finding myself working more hours than the last several years. I brought home a pretty hefty bag of work this weekend. This doesn't make for much crafting or blogging time, I tell you. I have a craft show coming up in November, so I better get busy! 

We did take time out about a month ago to go camping with Greg's sister, Wendy, and her family. 

They camp in a 5th wheel. We camp in a tent. Honestly, the tent is fun except when somebody has to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. The campground where we usually go has pretty nice bathrooms, considering. We went to a different place closer to home this time & the bathrooms were g.r.o.s.s.! Let's just say I had a little quiet time with nature a few times in the middle of the night.

The weather was chilly ~ a nice reprieve from the still hot days. Shoot, our days are still hot now, even in the middle of October. The hatchets and axes came out and fun was had by all.

Greg taught the kids how to use the hatchet to chop wood.

Everyone got a turn.

He even taught the littlest cousin.

He was pretty proud of himself!

Check out Heather's concentration.

Do you think it run in the family?

Just before it was Sam's turn to use the ax (and while he wasn't looking), Wendy lodged the ax into the stump pretty hard to make him work at getting it out. Just as expected, he couldn't get it out.

Uh, I guess the joke was on Wendy, cuz she had quite the time getting it out herself. If I remember correctly, Greg had to get involved.

Yup, everything is fun and games until the ax gets stuck.

Grandma & Papa came up for the day with their little doggie.

There was a lot of sitting, eating, and relaxing.  Can you see the dog waiting, hoping that Chris drops some of that beef jerky?

All this sounds pretty quiet and peaceful, right? Well we did have some excitement along the way besides middle of the night bathroom breaks. It was supposed to rain that weekend. Ha! Where we live if they say it's supposed to rain, it usually doesn't. But, we were in the mountains, so we were prepared with an extra tarp, towels, and blankets. We'd never been rained on while camping. And I wasn't interested in getting rained on.

Friday night ~ no rain.

It started raining Saturday. Off and on. Once a little bit hard. We even took a nap in the rain which was nice. After the rain we inspected the tent and only a tiny amount of leaking in a corner or two, so we mopped it up and left the towels to soak up any more potential water.

Saturday night in the middle of the night the heavens opened up wide! At first it was a spectacular show of thunder and lightening with the rain. The rain got harder and harder. It was so loud in that tent that we had to shout at each other to be heard. Greg was a foot away from Stephanie's face and shouting to be heard.

It was pretty exciting. It was a little bit scary.

And then.

It started hailing.

It got louder. It got a whole lot scarier.

Greg and I hurriedly got fully dressed because we thought we all might have to make a run for the camper. Things finally calmed down and we realized we wouldn't have to make a run for it after all. When we peeked out of the tent, the ground was covered in white.

The next day we found that the tent leaked quite a bit more than our middle of the night assessment. We were super glad for the tarp that was draped across the top.

We had a hot mess of wet stuff on our hands!

I informed Greg that it was fun and all, but no more rainy camping.

   

catching up

Hello! Remember me? Once again, this holding down a job thing seems to be kicking my butt! But I'm here now, with pictures of the adorable babies. Be glad.

Because of scheduling issues, Greg was not able to take all the girls to the first day of school.  Only one other time did this unfortunate event happen. All the other years, we've been lucky enough to have him off work on the first day of school.

No daddy on the first day of school means I'm in charge of the first day photos. Now I can take photos well enough, but that means I have to be extra organized and on time to have a moment to do that. Those of you who know me well, really well (or read well since I've told you before), know that being early is not my strong suit. Merely being on time is a huge challenge.

I think we did pretty well. Stephanie was not tardy the first day. Whew! For the record, she was only tardy twice last year. Uh, and once already this year. Yikes! I better clean up my act.

Stephanie and Heather were so excited to go back to school this year! Stephanie is in 7th grade and Heather is in 4th grade. Like every mom says, where has the time gone? Just look at them, all sassy and cute!

Stephanie is returning to the magnet school this year, which means uniforms for her. Well, uniform in a loose sense of the word. They actually call it student standard attire. A little more flexible. She chose a more casual outfit for the first day this year.

Stephanie had open house this past week. I love going to middle school open house. We go through her school day, going to each class. I'm liking all of her teachers so far. She is going to be starting work on a big semester project ~ a living museum. The kids will research someone from history, write a speech, then become that person for the living museum. I'm looking forward to that night.

Heather is still at school with me. When people find out that I've moved back to 4th grade, they ask if she will be in my class. Nope. She needs to be with other teachers during the day. We have mommy-school all the time. She needs another face during the day. Plus she absolutely adores her teacher & can't wait until she comes back from maternity leave.

Heather declared that she will be wearing more skirts and dresses this year. So far, she's kept to her pledge. I still have a few skirts to make that I promised her.

So far we are surviving this year. We are getting used to getting up at the crack of dawn, homework, lesson plans, more homework (Stephanie has lots), trying to go to bed early, grading papers, & getting presentably dressed every day again.

Just for fun, let's take a look back to the first day of school last year.

   

tales from the schoolyard

• School started yesterday and I am wiped out! This always happens the first week of school. I nearly fell asleep at my desk after school grading papers today. 
• My feet hurt because of new shoes.
• The kids got blisters from their new shoes.
• Cute new shoes can be a rough deal ~ but oh, so cute.
• The kids were so excited to start school. The excitement is not waning.
• Stephanie is a pro now at this middle school gig. 7th grade. Wow!
• Heather is in 4th grade. Like me. But not in my class. Her teacher is on maternity leave until October. Heather is not happy about that, although she does like the sub.
• Moving back to 4th grade has been a positive experience so far.
• They get my jokes and twisty sense of humor.
• My class seems sweet and so far they are behaved. Good behavior will continue because it's what I expect.
• The one child whom I was most afraid of having in my class just may turn out to be a favorite. Go figure.
• Students from last year have the good sense to come say hi to me and tell me they miss me. 
• There are first day pictures of the kids. So adorable. I'll post them this weekend.

what's black & white and cute all over?

I've made a few of these pouches lately with either red or yellow ruffled flowers. Recently I was asked to make a pair and she said any color flower. So I took myself down the the store and found this cute pink and black polka dot. While I was making hers, I made an extra set.

I couldn't stop. I made a checkbook cover.

And another checkbook cover.

Then I went upstairs and made a black & white card with a little spot of color. The pink was a coincidence.

And one more card.

There's something really striking about black and white with an accent color. I may not be done with this theme.

Here's a little sneak peek at what's going on inside my classroom. Uh, it appears to be black and white. Maybe I've been thinking of my classroom all along as I crafted. Hmmm.

I'm sure you can guess what the theme is this year, right? I took some before pictures and will take loads of after pictures for you. I'm having lots of fun making a cute environment for the kids.

The pouches, checkbook covers, and cards have been listed in the shop. Do you want a pouch with a different color ruffle? Let me know.

 

lettuce wraps

For several years now, the teachers in the 2nd grade have taken turns bringing lunches on Fridays. So each teacher had a turn every six weeks. It made for a happier morning every Friday knowing that I didn't have to worry about what to pack for lunch. I will miss these lunches!

Anyway, Helene would bring lettuce wraps every once in a while. We'd ask her how to make them and she'd him & haw around a little and tell us the basic ingredients. She didn't really use a recipe, so she had a hard time telling us how to make them. 

I tried them a couple of times and finally came up with a combination that suits us. We tried hamburger, ground chicken, and ground turkey. We liked the ground turkey the best. 

Be forewarned, like Helene & much to the dismay of my husband, I don't measure with this recipe. I just go with it until it seems right.

You will need:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• mushrooms (5-10 mushrooms)
• water chestnuts (I use about 1/2 to 2/3 of the can)
• cilantro
• garlic (can be fresh or jarred)
• onion powder
• teryaki sauce
• soy sauce
• potsticker sauce
• lettuce (iceberg or romaine hearts)

Chop the vegetables. I like to chop the mushrooms quite small so they blend in well for those family members who seem to think they don't like mushrooms. I give the cilantro just a rough chop.

Spray a skillet with non-stick spray and start browning the meat along with the mushrooms.

When the meat is mostly cooked, add about 1/2 a teaspoon onion powder, the equivalent of a clove or two of garlic, and the water chestnuts. You want the water chestnuts to stay slightly crunchy, but you do want them to soak up all the flavors that are about to come to the party.

I like the pieces of meat to be pretty small. For years I wondered how to accomplish this until one day it dawned on me to use the potato masher. Brilliant! I didn't need to use it this particular time, but I use it frequently on ground beef. 

After several experimental batches of lettuce wraps, this is the sauce trifecta for me! Start by adding about 2 tablespoons teryaki sauce and one tablespoon each of the potsticker and soy sauces. Then? You'll just have to taste it and add more of what you feel it needs. I almost always add more of each one. Let the sauces hang out with the meat for a bit, you know, everyone getting to know each other.

Just a few minutes before you are ready to serve it, add the cilantro. I would have never thought to use cilantro in an Asian dish ~ it just screams Mexican food to me. But it adds a bright layer of flavor that cannot be left out.

Serve with either iceberg leaves (like that very famous restaurant) or on hearts of romaine (like Helene does). I like the romaine & Greg likes the iceberg.

You can experiment with this meal so it better suits your tastes. You can add different vegetables, like shredded carrots. Or how about a little bit of chopped peanuts. Sesame seeds? Get daring & make it your  own!

And there you have a satisfying meal that is figure friendly and health conscious. Your stomach will thank you and your hips will not betray you.

Linking to:

   

menu plan monday ~ august 8

I went grocery shopping today, after I spent a few hours at school in what seemed like an unairconditioned room. I was hot and hungry by the time I got to the grocery store. That may have explained how the almond M&Ms ended up in the cart. And possibly how I let Heather talk me into the onion bagels with onion & chive cream cheese that weren't on the list. Dang!

In ended up going $22 over our grocery budget today. But while I was checking out the cashier asked if I'd do her grocery shopping cuz when she spends that much she only has three bags. I'll take that as a compliment.

Part of the reason I am able to stay anywhere near the grocery budget is the fact that I do have a list and a plan. I gave in to the bagels, but when Heather asked to have Chinese chicken salad for dinner this week I was strong and told her next week because I already have a plan.

This week we're having:

• orange crumbed baked chicken (new) with mashed potatoes & gravy
• chicken pot pie
• vegetable soup
• chicken quesadillas with corn salad
• sour cream chicken enchiladas
• pork chops & grilled corn 

What's on your menu? I'm linking up with orgjunkie.com. Head on over to see what everyone else is cooking this week.

Tomorrow, I'll have a recipe for you.

   

overheard conversations

Yesterday, I was reclining on the couch reading a book. The kids and their neighbor buddy were at the kitchen table having a snack when I hear these snippets of a conversation:

• She's always reading a book.
• She makes reading goals...and makes them.

Clearly, Austin asked about my reading habits and the girls were happy to supply him with information.

And I managed to completely avoid a h.u.g.e. project I'm working on by starting and finishing a book in a mere 20-hour period.

   

you know you're a teacher when...

You know you're a teacher when going to the teacher supply store and walking out with new bulletin board trim makes you feel a little giddy inside. 

How could this not be the start of a great year?

I've been to school twice this week ~ moving furniture and organizing my library. Moving grades and moving rooms this year means I have extra work to do. But really, there's something about that August 1st trigger that starts all the teachers thinking and itching. A little furniture shoving and bulletin board decorating is truly the only way to settle the nerves.

But I am conflicted because I'm not really ready for summer to be over. I'm enjoying the lazy days of sleeping in, hanging with the kids, dollar movies, and spontaneously visiting friends who've just had sweet babies who need a special Auntie cuddle.

Here's to just a little more summer!

 

you've got to read this!

I might have a little bit of a crush on this man!

Oh, it's okay. Greg knows all about it.

Plus, it's purely educational.

His previous two books are truly motivational and so quick to read.  This one is no exception. I saw The End of Molasses Classes on Amazon a few months ago and pre-ordered it right then and there.

This has been a perfect book to read just before the beginning of a new school year and the beginning of my new-again 4th grade experience. Even though the summer has done an amazing job of refreshing and reenergizing my spirit, reading a back-to-school book helped really get me in the mood for teaching. It reminded me of why I chose teaching as a profession in the first place ~ because let's be honest, it wasn't about the prestige and the money!

Ron Clark's approach to education is grounded, yet unconventional. He may bust a move on the tops of desks and have an amazing electric blue tube slide in the middle of his school, but he demands respect and hard work from his students. And they are glad to give it to him.

Teachers ~ I challenge you to get this book now and read it before school starts! Even if you come away with only one idea you can integrate into your classroom, it will have been worth the money for the book and the time to read it. You will not be sorry. I'm pretty certain, though, that you will come away with more than one idea.

Parents ~ This is a good book for you as well. Right in the middle, Ron Clark addresses some of your concerns and ways you can help your child be more successful in school.

I'm looking forward to more *Tales from the Schoolyard* posts, are you?

     

learn to sew

It's on the kids' summer list.

Two Christmases ago, we bought Stephanie and Heather this teeny sewing machine because I had the bright idea to teach them how to sew.

Then I got scared. There might be fighting. Crying. Not listening.

So the box sat under my sewing table. Until now.

Yesterday, I pulled up my big girl panties and got the machine out for them.

The air was electric and giddy as I set up the machine and figured out how this little guy worked. We started with a very simple project (tissue cozy) to get used to the idea of ironing, seam allowance, backstitching, etc.

They were both very patient as they waited their turn. Heather ironed first, so Stephanie sewed first.

When she finished the last stitch, Stephanie was pretty proud of herself.

They are learning that sewing takes patience, concentration, and good eye-hand coordination.

This machine is rinky dink, I tell you. I almost marched it right out to the trash can before we even started. It was difficult for me to work with. When I texted Greg with my frustrations, he might have called me a sewing machine snob. Hmpf!

So what if I am?

Since the kids have no prior experience on a machine, they did not find it as frustrating as I did, however. At one point Stephanie even said, "This is easy!" The little machine can stick around a little bit. Maybe they can work up to a more legit machine by Christmas.

Heather was very surprised at one point during her stitching.

And found herself introduced to the seam ripper. Twice.

And we have a finished product. They were so proud of their cozies and so was their mama. We had a great time getting to the finish!

When we were all done, Heather said, "What are we sewing tomorrow?"