Graphing names... working together... having fun...

Using letter cards, my students created a graph to find out who had the longest name and who had the shortest. Looking through baggies full of mixed alphabet cards was no easy feat. I smiled as I encouraged them to help each other and watched their cooperation. I sincerely have a lovely group of students this year.

Tomorrow is our Grandparents' Day celebration and I am happy to say my children know their song, have made a book, decorated a lovely card and even made yummy cupcakes. I'm off to write our weekly newsletter, turn painted coffee filters into flowers and other such fun... Tonight and always know that you are a gift from God to this world. You are a blessing. I wish you good things.. I wish you peace...

bitty wishes...

I made the garden last winter,
moving stones on a snowy day...
trying to deny how long it was until spring.

Finally the time came when I could fill the circle with soil and sit in the grass surrounded by packets of seeds.

With a smile on my face I envisioned the zinnias...
the cactus quills...
the heirloom candy cane ones...
the canary yellow that would shout happiness...

I picked a few seeds out of each envelop,
scattering them about the bed...


I waited...
I watched the first sprouts...
I transplanted those too close together...

God sent
rain...
sunshine...

flowers!

Pumpkin hats... I love Ohio!... You should too!

I live in the most wonderful state in our country. Yup, sorry to the other 49 lesser states. Though you hold beauty and I want to see you all, there is nothing quite like Ohio. From basket shaped buildings, to chocolate factories, amazing natural parks, wonderful zoos and pumpkins that weigh as much as a car... we have it all! Seriously, come and see for yourself if you are not a native, we love visitors. Now and always, may you be blessed with beautiful adventures. (And, if your adventures bring you to Ohio, even better!)

Conkles Hollow... Ash Cave

I started my morning making sandwiches in my best friend's kitchen. (My children are with their father for the weekend and I am visiting my "sis".)

About eleven o'clock last night, while reviewing the menu I was planning for my picnic today, I realized that it had escaped my notice to get some veggies for the sandwiches. Although I was completely aware that my companion would not complain, I really wanted the sandwiches to be good, not just serviceable. It mattered to me. So at about 6:30 this morning I was carrying on a conversation with one of the very nice women who work at my local Kroger store. Not eating fresh onions myself, I needed her advice as to which one would go well on a roast beef sandwich.

After securing my desired items, I went back to my sister's house and assembled the meal. Later after hiking the trails in the Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve, my hiking partner and I sat together at a picnic bench. I found myself waiting and watching. I felt a bit unsure. I am a good cook but the nice man I am seeing is honestly someone whose creativity in the kitchen could rival many supposed chefs. Just hearing my guy "talk food" makes me hungry. So, though I wanted to take a turn making lunch, I was nervous.

As someone who analyzes a great deal in life,
my new adventures sometimes make my shake my head in bemusement.

I am
more adventurous...
more emotional...
more questioning...
than I ever have been before.

Sometimes I feel...
exhilarated...
worried...
happy...
nervous...
hopeful...

As I listen to my Spanish CD's in the car.
As I think about my first camping trip in years...
As I do lesson plans and ponder my professional growth...
As I pack lunches for a very dear man...

I am learning,
I am living...

I hope that today's adventure has brought you to a place that rests easy on your mind. I pray that whatever you must face, you are given the strength to make it to the other side. ...and finally, that you are blessed with bitty mushrooms by your path, soft sand under your feet and fellow happy hikers who see your smile and know you are someone who will be happy to help make the journey a good one.

On top of the world

Bouncing from rock to rock.

Picnicking high above Lancaster.

Feeding fish.

Talking and laughing.

Playing.

Making memories.

Sigh...

I am so grateful to spend time with my family and those dear to my heart.
What a gift...
a treasure...
a blessing.

I love summer.

...happy days....

moments frozen in time...

May you be blessed with kind friends,
good family
and
beautiful adventures.

Tonight,
Tomorrow,
Always.

Tomato daydreams

The parking lot of my favorite grocery shares a common outlet with a Lowe's store.

This,

may not be temptation for some.

For me,

it is like a make out session is to a teenager.

It never surprises my children,

when I ease the car out of one parking spot

and slide it happily into another.

Like a kid in a video game store,

I stood in front of the display of tomatoes,

barely breathing.

Smiling

Daydreaming

I could almost taste the salads that will be made more perfect with the addition of sun ripened decadence.

I silently scooped up two plants recommended for containers

and traded my currency with deep satisfaction.

Back home,

they've been planted

and even photographed for you.

It makes me smile to see them.

I did have seeds.

I do every year.

The seeds,

comfort me in winter.

When I can't really plant a thing.

Somehow though,

warm days and clear nights

make me,

just a little more impatient than usual.

I think I'll just consider my packet of seeds,

winter "therapy"

and not count them a waste.

May you find happiness in what you love.

And,

if you embrace a little innocent temptation

...don't feel too guilty!

May you be blessed,

this evening and always.

Ode to fishing line

Oh fishing line so clear and strong...
I'll sing your praises all day long.

A swing is not much fun you see,
if its seat cannot hold three.

With a needle and some time,
you helped to make my small son shine.

Happy and bright his voice we hear
when on his swing he parks his rear.


Ha! ... I know, I'm over the top here.
But, I couldn't resist. I really did fix our yard swing this afternoon. My son really was overjoyed and I was extremely happy that all it took was about an hour and a half and fishing line I already possessed.

I sincerely admire people who

repair cars,

set bones,

build homes.

Their talent,
their art,
is so necessary.

What a blessing that there are people who can

cut hair,

shingle roofs

and lay down roads.

Where would we all be without them?

Whatever your talent,

be it small or large,

thank you for sharing it with world.

May you be blessed each day as you use what you've been given.

Summer Daydreams...

I am smiling as I happily listen to my itunes.

I find that the rhythm of my typing,

is seeming to fall in line with the beat of my music.

This weekend has been wonderful.

I have had so many adventures...

so many blessings...

so much happiness...

That I will be hard pressed to fall asleep tonight.

My mind is whirling.

...with happy thoughts...

possibilities

joyous musings...

...lovely discoveries

perfect moments...

I find myself daydreaming...

looking at my pictures...

smiling at my past adventures

with my children

chuckling at the new ones

that are just around the corner...

for my kiddos

and those just for me!

All on my own.

I know I'm gushing....

(looking slightly sheepish in Ohio)

I just want to share the fun with all of you!

We had so much fun!

Last week, in their homework folders, my students were asked what it was they'd like to study before the end of the year.

Today, in response to one young man's suggestion,

we learned about worms!

We read a book about worms.

Visited an amazing interactive website

all about the squirmy critters!

Watched a Max and Ruby cartoon entitled, "Worm Cake".

Made our own construction paper "friend".

and....

drum roll please!

We worked in pairs,

with metal spoons,

to dig for worms!

We found worms enough for everyone and brought them inside to examine them at length. We even put wet paper towels in the bottom of our collection container so they wouldn't dry out.

I'm not fibbing...

I had students' begging to take their worm home.

I told them I could make no promises about that.

That...gasp!... not everyone loved worms.

I reminded them about how I felt about wolf spiders.

(I hope only a few parents want to skin me alive for the new "pet".)

Days like today make me so glad to be a Kindergarten teacher.

Where else could I play in the dirt and be paid?

I hope that your evening,

your weekend,

is just as blessed as my day has been!

Enjoy the simple pleasures all around you!