Teaching Moments

“I guess you could call it a "failure", but I prefer the term "learning experience".” 

― Andy Weir, The Martian

Are we truly nearing the middle of March?

I get a little fickled this time of year.  I'm not quite ready for winter to end, but at the same time I love seeing all the spring blossoms.

No matter the season, I've been buried under my "weekend project" which has become a two week marathon.   I underestimated the time, and possibly my ability.  I think most guessed my mystery project as curtains.  Yes, I am making the curtains for my grand-daughter's nursery.   We couldn't find ready-made curtains exactly as desired, so of course, I quickly said I can easily 

make something.   

I spent most of the first days of this project measuring, measuring and measuring again.  Once I have a vision I am not one to spend a lot of time planning; however,  I believe in measuring.   So yes, I measured not twice, but three times.   When I was satisfied everything was the length needed, I pulled the welt thread to make sure my cut would be straight and on grain.  Well, it didn't end up how I expected.

I moved from table to floor, back to the table and back to the floor.  (This was much easier the last time I made curtains....possibly 20 years ago.)  No matter where I laid the fabric the lines were not straight.  Finally with the help of my husband I squared everything and one 60" x 102" panel was constructed.

I spent last weekend with my daughter, and had hoped to take two sets of  finished curtains with me.  I had planned to hang, photograph and post my fabulous success.  It didn't happen.

I'll have another chance to deliver the finished curtains in a couple weeks.

My fingers are crossed.

I'm not certain there is a moral to this story other than measure, measure, measure when necessary... if things don't work out, step back, rethink and try again.   Perhaps purchasing a L square might be a good idea as well.

It has been raining here most of the week.  While I find a rainy day perfect for settling in, at home, with a good book, four consecutive days in the classroom without playground time is not fun.  Midweek I finally gave up and took my children outside to play under the covered walkway.  I gave them perimeters and told them to run and yell.  When I opened the flood gate they rushed out screaming, only to quieten when they found hundreds of worms stranded on the cement trying to escape the saturated ground.   While a few children continued to run and jump, most wanted to pick-up and save the worms.  We talked about earthworms and why they were on the sidewalk.   We observed and measured.  By the time we were ready to line up to go in and wash hands, most of the worms were nothing more than a smashed mush.  I think a few (worms) may have posthumously been given names.   

Every day we are given amazing opportunities to discover and learn.  We need only to slow down,  open our eyes, our minds, and stop, observe and listen.  Yes, even those moments when we have deadlines or think we are about to lose our ever lovin' minds.

Project Weekend

The weekend is here, 

and none too soon.

It has not been one of my better weeks...

I've piled a lot on my plate...

(my mantra)

It will all get done...

It always does.

In the meantime...

I'm starting a new project.

Yikes! Go figure!

I am always up for a DIY project.  Yes, I'm the one, hand raised, 

saying, "I can do that".  Oh, how that little sentence gets me in so much trouble.

Actually, I enjoy a project that uses both the brain and hands.  And, I get so much satisfaction when it is finished.  

Actually, this one has been on my list for a while, and

the sand in this hour glass is quickly disappearing.

The table is now clear and the leaves

added.  I'll need a lot of space.

Everything is ready to go.

Have you guessed?

(I love a mystery)

I'll share my progress.

Are you a DIYer?

Do you have projects for the weekend?

I would love to see them.

You encourage and inspire me daily!

Whatever you have planned,

Enjoy, and Be Safe!

Hugs!

Cleaning Out and a Cake

Yes, the ugly continues.

The stack of magazines was only the tip of the iceberg.   I have declared this the year to declutter, clean out and reorganize.  I have lived in this house longer than any other; a lot can get shuffled, stored, stuffed in twenty years.   I frequently take on organizing projects, but am guilty of keeping a lot of "stuff" for sentimental reasons.   "No more!", she screams.

I am committing to 52 weeks of decluttering.  Well, maybe not a straight 52 weeks.  I will be taking a break this spring to welcome our second grand baby.   All the more reason to simplify and get this home in order now.

I really thought I could get the laundry/pantry area cleared out and reassembled over the weekend.  I wanted to have it finished before my husband returned from New Zealand.  And, I wanted to share my success with you.  My husband returned mid-mess, but rolled up his sleeves and helped install new shelves in the laundry room.   I'm almost there...  I'm pacing myself....

I've taken a little time to write, to read, and yes, I had to make the
Meyer Lemon Buttermilk Pudding cake.  And it was divine!

I would love to hear your tales and/or woes of organizing.

I hope your week is going well.  Hugs!

January Projects

January is the perfect time to purge and organize;
and, of this ( below) I am not proud!

One of my to do projects this past weekend was to clear out...

reorganize the not too big, laundry room.

I recently (two weeks ago) was forced to purchase a new washer and dryer.  I had spent the afternoon "doing" laundry and dried one too many loads.  It started with a low bump.. bump.. bump rhythm, then escalated to the machine jitterbugging across the floor to an ear piercing thumpty thump thump thump.  Thankfully the load in the dryer was very close to being dry.  By the time I demonstrated the dryer's new act to R., the dogs were begging to visit the vet, and...
the towels were fully dry.

I really didn't need a new washer.  Honestly, I was fully prepared to have a, oh my gosh,  non-matching  set.  We all know a good salesman can sell you what you don't need, while making you think you made that decision all on your own.  I ask all the right questions, like... will this model still be available in six months?   And,  he answered with the always predictable and solemn, "I can't promise".  So, of course, we purchased the matching washer.  I suppose it was a good thing, as the washer stopped washing mid-cycle the next day.  Can you imagine the state I would be in had I not succumbed to the pressure and passed on the washing machine?

I promise, it would not have been pretty. 

The point of this digression is, washers and dryers are much larger than they were ten or so years ago.  Meaning,  some things in the laundry room needed to be sorted, rearranged and cast out.  Phew!

Yes, I am not proud I had a shelf stacked with magazines.
   Seriously, there are magazines in that collection dating to the turn of the century....
the 21st century.

I know I'm not alone.  You get it,
don't you?

  

There's always a beautiful cover.

 Bon Appetite always has a recipe or two begging to be saved

for the right occasion.  One day,

I'll pull it out and make that amazing cake.

And, I'll remember exactly the issue it is in.

Right!

And seriously, does anyone throw away their Food & Wines?

And, I haven't even begun going through the Thanksgiving and Christmas issues or the Oxford Americans and Garden and Gun.  They are on another shelf.

Okay, I'm not really going to go through them. 

 I'm boxing them up; not looking at them.  

Yes, they're all boxed up and off to the recycle bin.

 But wait, Ohhhh, didn't that meyer lemon cake look yummy?

Please tell me it isn't in the bottom of the box.

Ahhh, there it is.

Maybe I should just keep this one.

I have a freshly emptied shelf.

What do you think?

I still have a few lemons waiting to be picked.....

I will share....

Okay, I heard you.

I'm making a copy.

And...

I have the perfect spot for it. 

Please, help me remember, 

I'm putting it just inside that big over-stuffed folder of recipes.

The one on the bottom shelf in the laundry room.

Do you save magazines, or do you throw them away after you've looked at them?

I really need someone to tell me I am not in this alone.

Seriously, this is my year to throw out,  

and nothing is sacred.

Hugs!

Inquiring Minds Asked

Many ask about the concoction I used on the oven door;  I am more than happy to share.

The solution was simply 1/3 cup baking soda and enough warm water to make a "runny" paste.   The directions were to spread it on and leave for 15 to 30 minutes.  I left it on for an hour.  It worked okay, but as I said it took some scrubbing.  

The second site suggested, after slathering the baking soda paste on the glass, spraying it with vinegar.   This was actually a little fun.  It was like making a homemade volcano on the oven door.  When the vinegar hits the baking soda it bubbles up.   I'm not for sure there was a clear winner in this contest.

Here is my warning....before cleaning the door cover the vents.  Yes, a trickle of water splashed into one of the vents (okay, I may have added a little too much vinegar)  and slipped down the backside of the glass (meaning between the two glass panes...meaning I can't wipe it clean).  It is not harmful to the oven or the door, but you know it is really bugging me.  Please, learn from my "oops" moments. 

My next project to tackle?  

Cleaning and repainting the adirondack chairs....maybe come spring.
Or... maybe I'll just sit back with a beverage and supervise.

Do you have projects calling your name?   

A Little Bit of Tongue in Cheek

Do you search blogs and pinterest for DIY ideas or instructions?  I'll read it if it pops up.   If it sounds useful I will repin; I might even try it.  

Several weeks ago I saw instructions for an easy clean solution for the glass on the oven door.   I have a wonderful self-cleaning oven.  All I need to do is push a button, the door locks and the cleaning begins.  When the timer dings I merely open the door and occasionally wipe up a bit of dust.  HOWEVER, the glass in the door is never clean.  In fact since the oven cleans at such a high temperature the grease, and/or whatever it is, seems to be baked on as surely as if it was fired in a kiln. 

I have tried everything; nothing has worked to my liking.
 With a day out of school, I thought I might should take on some of the less savory tasks.  Those things that really bother me, but I never have time to tackle.

Seriously?  I would rather be reading.

The instructions I found used baking soda and water.  It showed the nasty before and the after sparkling clean glass.  I made my solution and spread it over the glass.   Set the timer for 30 minutes...okay I set it for 60 minutes.   After the holidays, it was in need of a really good cleaning.

If you are at the point wondering what the quotations have to do with my chosen task of the day... I will tell you...absolutely nothing.   I  found these on pinterest while waiting for the baking soda and water to preform it's magic.  I thought it would be nicer to share some inspiration rather than a picture of my oven door.  I've never been one to expose all my dirty little secrets.

Did it work?  Well...  

The door is much cleaner.

Did it work in a snap?
No!

Like most things in life it took time and elbow grease.
I'm okay with that.

The other recipe I found included white vinegar.  Like Mother Hubbard my cupboard was bare...well of white vinegar.

Roger is bringing a bottle home this afternoon, and more baking soda
Yes,  I'm afraid my OCD is showing a bit.

I've earned some reading time.

Enjoy your afternoon!

Winter Book Talk

The last workman left my house Friday afternoon.  The floors are now finished.  

It is hard to believe the "water" saga began before Labor Day and the final curtain 

fell less than a week before Thanksgiving.  

Saturday, after moving the furniture back into the den,
arranging and rearranging, shifting lamps from table to table,
room to room, removing blinds and hanging curtains, I needed a bit of recreation.

What might I do for fun late on a Saturday afternoon?

via flicker

Browse a bookstore, of course.

I'm putting together my winter reading list.

"It is the early 1950s. A nameless man is found on the steps of the hospital in Iasi, Romania. He is deaf and mute, but a young nurse named Safta recognizes him from the past and brings him paper and pencils so that he might draw. Gradually, memories appear on the page: the man is Augustin, the cook's son at the manor house at Poiana, where Safta was the privileged daughter. Born six months apart, they had a connection that bypassed words, but while Augustin's world stayed the same size, Safta's expanded to embrace languages, society, and a fleeting love one long, hot summer. But then came war, and in its wake a brutal Stalinist regime, and nothing would remain the same."

"The year is 1921. Three women set out on the impressive Paris ocean liner on a journey from Paris to New York. Julie Vernet is a young French woman from a working class family who has just gotten her first job as a crew worker on the ship. Escaping her small town and the memory of war,
 she longs for adventure on the high seas...
Constance Stone is a young American wife and mother who has traveled to Paris to rescue her bohemian sister, Faith, who steadfastly refuses to return to America and settle down. Constance returns home to New York, having failed at the duty her father asked of her...
Vera Sinclair, a rich, ex-patriate American is leaving France after thirty-one years to live out her remaining time home in America. Over the course of the transatlantic voyage, she reflects on her colorful life and looks forward to a quiet retirement. While each of these women come from different walks of life, their paths cross while at sea in a series of chance encounters. The powerful impact these disparate lives have on one another make for a magnificent and unforgettable read."

Both of the above sound sound wonderful to me, but this is the one I wish
I had brought home with me.  First published in 1934 it sounds
lighthearted and deliciously funny.
Exactly what I need right now.

"Barbara Buncle is in a bind.  Times are harsh, and Barbara's bank account has seen better days.  Maybe she could sell a novel...if she knew any stories.  Stumped for ideas, Barbara draws inspiration from her fellow residents of Silverstream, the little English village she knows inside and out.

To her surprise, the novel is a smash.  It's a good thing she wrote under a pseudonym, because the folks of Silverstream are in an uproar.  But what really turns Miss Buncle's world around is this:  what happens to the characters in her book starts happening to their real-life counterparts."

Do any of these appeal to you?
I am certain all three will be making the short journey to my bookshelf.
Have you put together your winter reading list?

Between finishing Waldi's sweater and preparing for Thanksgiving I'm reading

.

It has been on my to read shelf for awhile.
I must admit I am a book addict.

via

Have a wonderful Monday!

book synopsis via Goodreads 
and Barnes and Noble.
Pictures taken  by me unless noted.

Building a List

Yesterday was officially my last day of school.  I say officially because in reality I have a week off before returning for our month long summer program.  While I will look forward to it ending I have little reason to complain.  It is only three days a week, unstructured, and actually, I will be in San Francisco during one of the weeks.  It is really more of a camp than school; I will have the luxury to do some of the things I had to place on the shelf during the busy month of May.

one of the latest portraits of me

I have visions...

 ...of spending hours digging in the dirt and putting the finishing touches to my lavishly planted gardens.   You can rest assured when I am finished the colors, the textures and movement will be "Home and Garden" perfect.

When the heat has overtaken me I shall return inside to cut out and stitch up a tablecloth (maybe two)  to replace the quilt I've thrown over the table in the sunroom.  If there is time I will most certainly be sewing the curtain panels I have been needing to soften the angles in the bedroom.  And, there are new pillows and chair covers needed as well.

When my fingers are bleeding and sufficiently pricked, and I can no longer push a needle through the fabric (we know I will be sewing totally by hand)  I will retreat to my very long "to-read" list.  A list I have built by reading too many book reviews and book blogs and talking to too many people.   A list that does actually include War and Peace (I'm not kidding) thanks to Mr. Conroy.  

I will put my book down each afternoon only long enough to retreat to the kitchen to prepare a gourmet dinner to be served with a perfectly paired bottle of wine. George, (you do remember George?)  will obviously do all the shopping and cleaning for I will be far too busy.

Have I entertained you?

  Actually, Memorial Day weekend is when I do my final push to complete all my planting in my extremely modest and eclectic garden which is already leggy, 

dehydrating and struggling.    I am afraid gardening publications will not be seeking me out anytime soon.  

I was told the temperatures will be nearing 100 degrees this next week.  If this is true I will be retreating indoors rather early each day.  The sewing projects actually are on my project list (although I am really not partial to drapes), however, I believe I will forget them on the shelf for a few extra weeks.  And be assured none of the above mentioned projects will be sewn by hand.  

I will however be reading.  My list is extensive for all the above mentioned reasons.  And, yes War and Peace is on the list.  I should mention it has enjoyed a permanent spot on "the list" for years.  I wish I could finish a stack of books in just a week, or even the one,  Mr. Tolstoy's masterpiece; I am not an exceptionally fast reader.  I enjoy spending time with a good book, marking pages and returning to favorite passages to taste and digest once again.  My point being I may finish one or two books during my week of idleness.  And, I am sure my list will continue to grow faster than I can possibly remove the titles.  

Oh, I must give credit where credit is due,  the dish in my fantasy was created by my wonderful husband while I was hidden under photographs,  construction paper and glue.   During the summer months I prefer to make simple dishes.

chicken ginger noodle bowl

...on the subject of building my book list

A few weeks ago while sitting in the St. Louis airport waiting for my flight home, a delightful woman sat next to me and began chatting.  We discovered we had several things in common...the love of art, music, architecture.  I was returning home after celebrating my son (in-law)'s law school graduation.  She was traveling to celebrate her son's medical school graduation.   We were both proud Mothers. 

 I was sitting with the latest copy of "The New Yorker" in my lap prompting the conversation toward reading and books.  She began telling me about how excited she was to have just joined a book group at the Art Museum in St. Louis.   She told be about the book they had  just finished, giving me a brief synopsis.  She had enjoyed it very much.   I quickly pulled out my iPhone and added the title to the ever growing list.

While almost everyone I know is currently involved with the "Shades of Grey" series.  (At a luncheon yesterday the series was the talk at my end of the table.   Alas, no one was interested in my newest acquisition.)   I will be reading "The Paper Garden".   Yes, I think I've pretty much sealed my place in the "not-so-in" group.

I would love to know how you build your reading list?   Do you select from the top or within your list, or do you choose from to the bottom?

If you are celebrating Memorial Day...Enjoy!

Have a terrific weekend wherever you find yourself.  

And please, read whatever makes you happy!

(all  images, the good, the bad and the ugly, are mine)

I'm Thinking!

Did I mention I might need to add a new bookshelf somewhere?  I'm thinking I need a room designated for books.....a home library.  I've often thought of moving things around and making my seldom used dining room a library.  I found a few designs I might consider. 

I don't know.  It might be a bit too much?

I have the dark brown leather sofa.

Love the black and white.


This might be my favorite spot.
I could see myself curled up here with a book,
 or sitting at the writing table jotting a quick note to a favorite friend.

Do you have a favorite?

Just some Monday night dreaming!

images: house beautiful

 and pinterest  

Another Project Complete

Two closets emptied.

Boxes and bags filled and dropped off at Goodwill.

One very large trash bag.

A trip to the Container Store.

 Two closets organized.

From infant to bride

Heather's closet holds twenty seven year

of memories. 

My workroom closet is filled

with all of my sewing, knitting, 

card making,and photography 

supplies.  And, boxes and boxes

of photographs.

I will be using the top of the chest

for gift wrapping.  It is the perfect height.

My daughter attached the Gone With The Wind pictures

to the closet wall.  I left them as a reminder 

of how much we enjoy 

watching the movie together.

Organizing is not something I enjoy doing, 

but I love being organized.

It is not a task I can plan; I become overwhelmed.

It is something I just have to jump into

and complete.
 

I wouldn't have been able to finish this project today
without Roger.  He keeps me focused.
I enjoy rummaging through boxes,
finding things that make me stop

 and take a moment (or two) to reminisce.
He is also pretty handy with

taking down heavy book boxes.

 

One glass of champagne!

Oh Happy Day!

I truly had my doubts!  Yes there were evenings I considered throwing up my hands and admitting it was all a mistake.  There were many nights I ask, "What were we thinking?" 

 When Roger returns home this evening he will find everything finished!

There is some tweaking to be done.   Several of the stones pop up when you walk on them; I've been assured with time this will correct itself .  Probably another layer of sand needs to be spread on the walkway.  I suspect Roger will choose to do this himself. 

The mulch was unloaded and spread in the backyard beds and paths yesterday as well.

Some plants were damaged.    Some I saved, brought inside and placed around the house.

I need to finish uncovering many of the ferns, huechera and the sweet woodruff; the wild violets were spared, amazing.   The beds look clean and finished.

Willie has spent the morning looking for his friends

Pinkie

(someone paint it's shell pink)

and 

Old Man.

 

I always recognize him by the bite marks on the back of his shell.  He has been a resident of our backyard for as long as I can remember, fifteen years maybe.

We have a new fellow this year we named Junior.   I've only seen him once.

 

I hope they can move around in the mulch and/or dig themselves out  if they were buried.

Maybe the turtles will be easier to find than the mysteriously missing water valve.

Oh Happy Day!