Today was a good work day. They are few and far between, but today was one of the good ones.
Today I heard not one but two (that's right, two!) stories about meaningful differences that teachers have had in the lives of students. I hate sappy teacher stories. They embarrass me. I'm so not an "I touch lives I teach" kind of teacher. But, these stories reminded me that there is a reason we do what we do. There is a reason we put up with the crap.
Today I participated in one of the very best professional conversations I've had the pleasure of being part of in a very long time. When we know better we do better, and this conversation was all about admitting what we don't know and the ways we can do better. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.
Tonight I read 13 reflection papers from a class I taught over the summer. In these 13 papers, 13 of my colleagues talked about what happened during the first weeks of their school year. I loved seeing the similarities and the excitement and the struggle.
Oh, and I got to go out for lunch.
Today was one of the good ones.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Kitchen Dreams
I love being in the kitchen. It's probably my favorite place in the house. Someday I will have a beautiful kitchen - something big enough for me to cook while friends and family visit. I will confess to you that I don't have that kind of kitchen now. I have the kind of kitchen that once made me sob at Home Depot. Right after we bought our house I walked through all the kitchen at Home Depot and cried and cried and cried because my kitchen wasn't nearly as nice as any of them.
Maybe my kitchen will someday be something like this. . .
Or like this. . .
Or maybe like this. . .
I already have enough to fill any of those kitchens (which means that what I have is currently over-flowing in my tiny, little kitchen). But, I would need to buy some new things for the dream kitchen.
I'd need these for sure. They are so much cuter than the Ziploc plastic containers I use now.
I've been spying on these memo dishes for ages. Adorable.
I'd need this turkey platter from Pottery Barn because the turkey platter I have now is just plain red; it doesn't have a giant picture of a turkey on it.
I would definitely need these stemless wine glasses because the ones I have now (hand-painted from our wedding centerpieces) just wouldn't go in the new kitchen.
I'd need this table because I've always loved it. Every time a new Pottery Barn catalog comes I look for this table and think about how I'd look drinking coffee, eating cereal, and checking my email at it each morning. (It's on sale right now.)
We still have the same silverware we had when we moved in together 10 years ago. The new kitchen would need new silverware. Maybe something like this?
And, I would, of course, need new pots and pants. I think I want stainless but am not entirely sure. I might need to supplement the set with a few nonstick frying pans and some Le Creuset.
I already have a red mixer, but this red mixer is so much nicer than the one I have. It has a clear bowl and is a much cooler color than mine. Must have. Now.
And these? These are adorable. I would use them to serve individual chilis or little chicken pot pies or mini apple crisps. People would be begging to come to dinner.
Knives. Don't get me started about the knives. We didn't get the set we registered for. Instead, a wedding guest bought us an inexpensive set. We've had them for five years. They make me nuts. I need new knives. This might also be purchased before the dream kitchen.
I have a small food processor now. I've been known to process things in batches because the one I have is so small. New, bigger kitchen would require new, bigger food processor. Obviously.
The new cutting boards might not be able to wait for the dream kitchen. I might need to buy these now.
I've been spying on these baking bowls for quite some time. I would have bought them, except they match. I have tons of Fiesta dishes now in every color. I just can't bring myself to buy a matching set of mixing bowls. I would actually need to buy three sets in three different colors and mix and match. Then I would have nine bowls which is way more than any cook needs.
ETA. So. It's possible that in all this searching around to find what I wanted to fill my kitchen with I had to actually purchase something. I filled up a cart at Fish Eddy with the flowered glass bowls, matching juice glasses, and "B" coffee mug.
ETA. The mixing bowls are on sale at Macy's! BOGO. That's right. They were way on sale (40% off, I think) and BOGO. Plus, I had a coupon. So, I had to buy some. And, I had to call Josie right away so she could buy some, too. Soon I will have a mixed and matched set of three for super cheap. Can't pass that up!
ETA. I went to Williams Sonoma to buy new rubber gloves and found myself face to face with lots and lots of Shun knives. I was forced to buy one. And. . . drum roll, please. . . I love it!
Maybe my kitchen will someday be something like this. . .
Or like this. . .
Or maybe like this. . .
I already have enough to fill any of those kitchens (which means that what I have is currently over-flowing in my tiny, little kitchen). But, I would need to buy some new things for the dream kitchen.
I'd need these for sure. They are so much cuter than the Ziploc plastic containers I use now.
I've been spying on these memo dishes for ages. Adorable.
I'd need this turkey platter from Pottery Barn because the turkey platter I have now is just plain red; it doesn't have a giant picture of a turkey on it.
I would definitely need these stemless wine glasses because the ones I have now (hand-painted from our wedding centerpieces) just wouldn't go in the new kitchen.
I'd need this table because I've always loved it. Every time a new Pottery Barn catalog comes I look for this table and think about how I'd look drinking coffee, eating cereal, and checking my email at it each morning. (It's on sale right now.)
We still have the same silverware we had when we moved in together 10 years ago. The new kitchen would need new silverware. Maybe something like this?
And, I would, of course, need new pots and pants. I think I want stainless but am not entirely sure. I might need to supplement the set with a few nonstick frying pans and some Le Creuset.
I already have a red mixer, but this red mixer is so much nicer than the one I have. It has a clear bowl and is a much cooler color than mine. Must have. Now.
And these? These are adorable. I would use them to serve individual chilis or little chicken pot pies or mini apple crisps. People would be begging to come to dinner.
Knives. Don't get me started about the knives. We didn't get the set we registered for. Instead, a wedding guest bought us an inexpensive set. We've had them for five years. They make me nuts. I need new knives. This might also be purchased before the dream kitchen.
I have a small food processor now. I've been known to process things in batches because the one I have is so small. New, bigger kitchen would require new, bigger food processor. Obviously.
The new cutting boards might not be able to wait for the dream kitchen. I might need to buy these now.
I've been spying on these baking bowls for quite some time. I would have bought them, except they match. I have tons of Fiesta dishes now in every color. I just can't bring myself to buy a matching set of mixing bowls. I would actually need to buy three sets in three different colors and mix and match. Then I would have nine bowls which is way more than any cook needs.
ETA. So. It's possible that in all this searching around to find what I wanted to fill my kitchen with I had to actually purchase something. I filled up a cart at Fish Eddy with the flowered glass bowls, matching juice glasses, and "B" coffee mug.
ETA. The mixing bowls are on sale at Macy's! BOGO. That's right. They were way on sale (40% off, I think) and BOGO. Plus, I had a coupon. So, I had to buy some. And, I had to call Josie right away so she could buy some, too. Soon I will have a mixed and matched set of three for super cheap. Can't pass that up!
ETA. I went to Williams Sonoma to buy new rubber gloves and found myself face to face with lots and lots of Shun knives. I was forced to buy one. And. . . drum roll, please. . . I love it!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Fall(ing)
I was rushing out to the car--coffee in one hand, toaster waffle in another, and about a million bags on my shoulder--when a leaf caught my attention. Somehow it managed to get stuck in what must have been a spiderweb. Except the spiderweb went all the way across my yard making the leaf look like it was suspended in mid-air.
A cool little detail on the first day of fall.
September 22: Take time to notice the details - they won't last forever.
A cool little detail on the first day of fall.
September 22: Take time to notice the details - they won't last forever.
Monday, September 21, 2009
The One Where She Ate
Remember the Friends Thanksgiving episode where Joey wears Rachel's (or maybe it was Phoebe's) maternity pants just to stay comfortable after he ate tons and tons?
Yeah.
I need to wear someone's maternity pants after this weekend.
Em had a birthday party, and we ate a lot.
The entire party was inspired by a fruit-soda rainbow. It led to a fair theme - complete with fair food, games, and a photo booth.
All fairs have feature food on a stick. Em put pickles (and corn) on sticks.
The over-all scene. Check out the cool things in the tree!
There was dessert--s'mores cupcakes (made by Em), caramel apples, and red velvet cupcakes (made by me.)
One of the fair entrees was fried chicken. It was served with corn dogs, french fries, and soft pretzels (with cheese).
Even Miri got in on the eating.
And, in case you were worried there was only eating. . . a picture to prove there was also gift opening. That's cardio, right?
We went shopping on Sunday, and we ate a lot. Oddly enough the whole shopping trip was to go to Sur la Table - a kitchen store. It really was a food-themed day.
The eating started with lunch at Lou Malnati's.
There was round 1 of dessert when we happened upon a cupcake shop. Despite the fact that Em and I had cupcakes for breakfast, we still had to stop. Both of our choices contained fruit, though. She went with chocolate with raspberry frosting, and I picked banana with chocolate frosting.
There was a second round of dessert - gelato at Gelati.
And, in case you were wondering where Mirielle was during all the eating. . . you will be relieved to know she was well taken care of (and way jealous that she can't partake yet!).
Thanks, Em, for a great weekend. Happiest of birthdays to a great friend!
Yeah.
I need to wear someone's maternity pants after this weekend.
Em had a birthday party, and we ate a lot.
The entire party was inspired by a fruit-soda rainbow. It led to a fair theme - complete with fair food, games, and a photo booth.
All fairs have feature food on a stick. Em put pickles (and corn) on sticks.
The over-all scene. Check out the cool things in the tree!
There was dessert--s'mores cupcakes (made by Em), caramel apples, and red velvet cupcakes (made by me.)
One of the fair entrees was fried chicken. It was served with corn dogs, french fries, and soft pretzels (with cheese).
Even Miri got in on the eating.
And, in case you were worried there was only eating. . . a picture to prove there was also gift opening. That's cardio, right?
We went shopping on Sunday, and we ate a lot. Oddly enough the whole shopping trip was to go to Sur la Table - a kitchen store. It really was a food-themed day.
The eating started with lunch at Lou Malnati's.
There was round 1 of dessert when we happened upon a cupcake shop. Despite the fact that Em and I had cupcakes for breakfast, we still had to stop. Both of our choices contained fruit, though. She went with chocolate with raspberry frosting, and I picked banana with chocolate frosting.
There was a second round of dessert - gelato at Gelati.
And, in case you were wondering where Mirielle was during all the eating. . . you will be relieved to know she was well taken care of (and way jealous that she can't partake yet!).
Thanks, Em, for a great weekend. Happiest of birthdays to a great friend!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
More Lessons Learned
I've been doing pretty well with the daily pictures - really well actually. I just haven't done so great getting here to post them.
September 11 (Friday)
I love these two.
Brad left for the Wolfman today, so I shared dinner with Nicky, Natalie, and Katelyn. Katelyn is working on potty-training and spends some time sitting on the potty every night before bed. Natalie has started reading Katelyn stories to pass the potty time. It's beyond adorable.
September 12 (Saturday)
Some days are too busy for a good picture.
Had a WSRA meeting this morning, shopped for clothes, hit the grocery store, packed my bags, and made dinner. The only photo captured was dinner, and it wasn't even very good.
September 13 (Sunday)
Gonna go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight.
We topped off a day in Chicago with Justin, Em, and Miri with a U2 concert at Soldier Field (my third and Brad's fifth). Loved the combination of new songs and old favorites and a strange space-age theme.
September 14 (Monday)
Sometimes you just need to sleep.
I fell asleep pretty much right after this picture was taken. Well, I managed to walk back to the car from Navy Pier, but then I was out. I slept all the way home, got out of the car, went to bed, got woken up to eat, and went back to bed (after some swigs of Nyquil). Being sick stinks.
September 15 (Tuesday)
He really does love me.
I still felt awful today. So, Brad did the dishes (and mowed the lawn and helped make dinner). He even wore my pink gloves to make me smile.
Other things I still need to tell you about:
Renegade Craft Fair
A book I just finished (After Tupac and D. Foster by Jacqueline Woodson)
"Bloom" - the class I took with Donna Downey
My meal plan for this week
More about the U2 concert
September 11 (Friday)
I love these two.
Brad left for the Wolfman today, so I shared dinner with Nicky, Natalie, and Katelyn. Katelyn is working on potty-training and spends some time sitting on the potty every night before bed. Natalie has started reading Katelyn stories to pass the potty time. It's beyond adorable.
September 12 (Saturday)
Some days are too busy for a good picture.
Had a WSRA meeting this morning, shopped for clothes, hit the grocery store, packed my bags, and made dinner. The only photo captured was dinner, and it wasn't even very good.
September 13 (Sunday)
Gonna go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight.
We topped off a day in Chicago with Justin, Em, and Miri with a U2 concert at Soldier Field (my third and Brad's fifth). Loved the combination of new songs and old favorites and a strange space-age theme.
September 14 (Monday)
Sometimes you just need to sleep.
I fell asleep pretty much right after this picture was taken. Well, I managed to walk back to the car from Navy Pier, but then I was out. I slept all the way home, got out of the car, went to bed, got woken up to eat, and went back to bed (after some swigs of Nyquil). Being sick stinks.
September 15 (Tuesday)
He really does love me.
I still felt awful today. So, Brad did the dishes (and mowed the lawn and helped make dinner). He even wore my pink gloves to make me smile.
Other things I still need to tell you about:
Renegade Craft Fair
A book I just finished (After Tupac and D. Foster by Jacqueline Woodson)
"Bloom" - the class I took with Donna Downey
My meal plan for this week
More about the U2 concert
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
A Bunch of Lessons
September 3:
Don't try to make sense of something that just doesn't make sense.
I cried the ugly cry at a big meeting at work today. I was angry about a decision with big implications. The decision made no sense, but my reaction made even less sense. Even after a few hours of thinking and writing and talking I still haven't made sense of what happened.
September 4:
Glue and paper and fabric are therapeutic.
Had a great time tonight at Donna Downey's class. Plenty of visiting (with Aunt Amy and "new" Studio Calico friends, Ann and Taylor). It was exciting to understand how to add fabric - a classic favorite of mine - to paper.
September 5:
It's easy to waste time.
I needed to use today to set myself up for an "easy" week. That should have meant grocery list, shopping, laundry, and paying bills. I got as far as the grocery list and then ended up organizing the craft room. Then, we hit the road for the long weekend.
September 6:
Old friends know you best.
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Spent most of the day celebrating John's wedding. My favorite part? Seeing Brad re-connect with some of his bestest high school friends. After being part of his life for 10 years I'm still surprised by stories I've never heard.
September 7:
Healthy doesn't have to be boring.
We stopped at Trader Joe's on Sunday in Minnesota. I have no idea why we don't have one here. It was fun to unpack the new goodies when we finally got home after five hours of driving! Today was sort of all about the food. We stopped twice for food on the way home - Great Dane in Wausau and Belt's in Stevens Point. Plus, I went to the grocery store.
September 8:
Babies are tough to impress.
Share dinner and dessert with AJ and Stephanie tonight. Steph made chicken breast stuffed with spinach, onions, and feta. I made a chocolate cake with Nutella mousse. AJ wasn't impressed by any of it. The kid didn't crack a smile the entire night! But, look at the fun, wild, new hairs he's gotten.
September 9:
Never, ever skip breakfast.
I ran out of allergy pills this and had a few crazy sneezing fits. I needed to build a stop at Walgreen's into my morning routine, which meant I had to take my breakfast to go. I enjoyed it at my desk while checking email.
Don't try to make sense of something that just doesn't make sense.
I cried the ugly cry at a big meeting at work today. I was angry about a decision with big implications. The decision made no sense, but my reaction made even less sense. Even after a few hours of thinking and writing and talking I still haven't made sense of what happened.
September 4:
Glue and paper and fabric are therapeutic.
Had a great time tonight at Donna Downey's class. Plenty of visiting (with Aunt Amy and "new" Studio Calico friends, Ann and Taylor). It was exciting to understand how to add fabric - a classic favorite of mine - to paper.
September 5:
It's easy to waste time.
I needed to use today to set myself up for an "easy" week. That should have meant grocery list, shopping, laundry, and paying bills. I got as far as the grocery list and then ended up organizing the craft room. Then, we hit the road for the long weekend.
September 6:
Old friends know you best.
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Spent most of the day celebrating John's wedding. My favorite part? Seeing Brad re-connect with some of his bestest high school friends. After being part of his life for 10 years I'm still surprised by stories I've never heard.
September 7:
Healthy doesn't have to be boring.
We stopped at Trader Joe's on Sunday in Minnesota. I have no idea why we don't have one here. It was fun to unpack the new goodies when we finally got home after five hours of driving! Today was sort of all about the food. We stopped twice for food on the way home - Great Dane in Wausau and Belt's in Stevens Point. Plus, I went to the grocery store.
September 8:
Babies are tough to impress.
Share dinner and dessert with AJ and Stephanie tonight. Steph made chicken breast stuffed with spinach, onions, and feta. I made a chocolate cake with Nutella mousse. AJ wasn't impressed by any of it. The kid didn't crack a smile the entire night! But, look at the fun, wild, new hairs he's gotten.
September 9:
Never, ever skip breakfast.
I ran out of allergy pills this and had a few crazy sneezing fits. I needed to build a stop at Walgreen's into my morning routine, which meant I had to take my breakfast to go. I enjoyed it at my desk while checking email.
Monday, September 07, 2009
What to Eat?
I made a shopping list and a menu on Saturday morning and totally meant to go grocery shopping. I ended up in the scrap room sorting through mounds of unused paper instead. So, I hauled my tired self to the grocery tonight after a weekend away.
Here's what on the menu for the week.
Monday--Whole Wheat Hawaiian Pizza
I definitely didn't impress Martha with this one - a pre-made crust and a jar of sauce topped with cheese, Canadian bacon, and pineapple.
Tuesday--Dinner At Stephanie's
My contribution is dessert-Chocolate Torte with Nutella Mousse and Raspberries
Wednesday--Spaghetti with Chicken
Another meal that Martha would frown upon. . . a jar of spaghetti sauce, chicken breast, and whole wheat noodles. Prepare to be wowed.
Thursday--Creamy Rice with Roasted Shrimp
This month's Real Simple features an entire month of dinner recipes. This one includes shrimp and risotto. Can't go wrong with either!
Friday--Ravioli with Apples and Walnuts
Another recipe from the Real Simple monthly menu.
Saturday--No menu
I'm flying solos, so I'll either scavenge the left-overs or pick up some Chinese.
Here's what on the menu for the week.
Monday--Whole Wheat Hawaiian Pizza
I definitely didn't impress Martha with this one - a pre-made crust and a jar of sauce topped with cheese, Canadian bacon, and pineapple.
Tuesday--Dinner At Stephanie's
My contribution is dessert-Chocolate Torte with Nutella Mousse and Raspberries
Wednesday--Spaghetti with Chicken
Another meal that Martha would frown upon. . . a jar of spaghetti sauce, chicken breast, and whole wheat noodles. Prepare to be wowed.
Thursday--Creamy Rice with Roasted Shrimp
This month's Real Simple features an entire month of dinner recipes. This one includes shrimp and risotto. Can't go wrong with either!
Friday--Ravioli with Apples and Walnuts
Another recipe from the Real Simple monthly menu.
Saturday--No menu
I'm flying solos, so I'll either scavenge the left-overs or pick up some Chinese.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Day 2 Lesson
Day 2 Lesson
Share with your friends.
Today was my first new recipe for Cook. Eat. Repeat? I love cooking for just Brad and me, but tonight we shared with Natalie and Katelyn. It was fun - but exhausting - for all of us to be together.
Share with your friends.
Today was my first new recipe for Cook. Eat. Repeat? I love cooking for just Brad and me, but tonight we shared with Natalie and Katelyn. It was fun - but exhausting - for all of us to be together.
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