Seeing Red

I've been learning about my digital camera (okay, "fiddling with it" might be a better choice of words) this year as a stay-at-home-mommy...three years after my darling husband gave it to me.

With thanks to Artsy Mama for sharing the link, I think I'll participate in Sadie Olive's upcoming photo inspiration project:



Care to participate? Check out the link.

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Sweet Paul had no problem catching my attention with "Breakfast Polenta with Pear, Blueberries and Honey," (May 2008) and "Snowglobe Cookies" in the December 2007 archives. If I were a dog person, I'd certainly make his Parsley Breath-Bits! Oooh...more Christmas Cookies! I know, I know, it's still only May! Sigh.

How I love the internet.

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Mr. Three-Year-Old chose this worm/water/squirty/attatch-it-to-the-hose-thingie with his G.G.'s birthday money (he also picked out some new books, but thankfully he doesn't try to combine the two):



This...is...THE...life.

Fantastic Friday

Let's just jump right in, shall we?

I found out my job placement for the fall:



Whoo hoo! Yipee! Cool beans!

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Shannon sent us goodies as well~ look at the pillowcase and toy bags she made for the toddler:





She said the patch was from JodieFlowers Shop on Etsy.

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Finally...you KNOW you're a military family when the entire neighborhood is FULL of these:





No silly, not lamp posts! MOVING TRUCKS AND VANS! Our move in late June will be our fourth move in five years. It's gotten a little...old...but such is the Army life.

Packing up the household and making the drive is made easier with the knowledge that friends and a kindergarten classroom are waiting for us back in Oz!

Comic

Can you tell? It's me!

Thanks to Kevin for the link to MakeBeliefsComix.com!

Links~So SEW!

It's been busy around here! The daily blog has been put on the back burner for a bit- have you missed me?

I've managed to get caught up on reading and thought I'd share some links with you:

Recipes:

Penne Rigate with Spinach and Garlic Cream Sauce from Posy Gets Cozy

Pistachio and Lemon Bites shared by Cream Puffs in Venice

The Pioneer Woman Cooks Pots de Creme

Gruyère-Stuffed Crusty Loaves from Laura Rebecca's Kitchen

Photography:

Di at Designer's Block shares Fairy Tale photography by Eugenio Recuenco

Terry photo-documents the importance of first impressions at Bent Objects

I may just have to learn Photoshop now! PhotoJojo has provided a link for Mac keyboard "skins" (covers) that show keyboard shortcuts to make things easier...

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Thanks to coupons at Michael's, Hobby Lobby and Joann's, I've made some affordable and oh-what-a-treat purchases this week to see me through the rest of the summer and into the beginning of the school year. I found Amy Karol's (find her at Angry Chicken) "Bend-the-Rules Sewing" book...aprons, coasters, purses, and lap quilts, here I come!



I also picked up Therese Laskey's "Softies" so I can make some cool characters for my toddler and my students (I love the robot and ice cream sandwich!)...





Some edge punches by Martha:



And a much-needed desk caddy (on a lazy Susan):



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I hope you all enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend as much as we did!

We Remember

Who Needs a Fairy Godmother...

... when you have Dillard's, Monet, Sam and Libby, a set of Swarovski Crossed Pistols, and a handsome Sergeant Major to escort you to the Graduation Ball?

The dress, not a meringue in sight:



The bracelet and earrings (sparkly marcasite):



Did you think I was kidding when I mentioned pistols?



A black lace shawl, though none was needed since the temperature was in the TRIPLE DIGITS yesterday:



My new, most comfortable shoes by Sam and Libby:



Me and my dear husband, who graduates Thursday from the Sergeants' Major Academy!

It's a S-T-R-E-T-C-H

Don't worry Mom, it's just that twenty-plus year old jewelry elastic gives up the ghost, in this case, after nineteen years.

It's mastodon ivory. Pretty, earthy, Eskimo stuff. Look at this sad face:



Time for new stretchy stuff:



Threading clear elastic through hand-drilled holes isn't easy...



but with patience, I managed.





Finally, wearable again!





It's good to know that there are simple and relatively quick fixes for my favorite jewelry!

(I purchased the elastic at Michael's)

Boot to the Head on Monday

Thanks to Paulette for sending me the link (we've been trading "Boot to the Head" with one another now) and thanks to Shannon for originally sharing the audio with me!

I think it's a "grown up" routine, so watch it first before sharing it with kiddos.

Just being responsible! :)

Sometimes There's Just No Point in Dusting

...especially during the Bordertown's extended "windy season:"

No, that's not rain or a storm moving in. That's a wall of dirt. It took one minute to take the following photos. Then I ran inside because enduring a heavy duty exfoliation was NOT on my to-do list.

...For I Am the Binder Queen!

It was rainy and windy yesterday, so I took the hint and decided to update our family info binder. As we've moved from military post to post, we've driven, and have needed to carry our important papers and documentation with us. A binder with page protectors, page dividers and pencil bags has served us well- go figure!

Just call me the Binder Queen. (Recipe Binder, Inspiration Binder, Lesson Plan Binder)

My first attempt at decorating our Family Binder entailed finding colorful paper, cutting it to size, and slipping it into the cover's sleeves. That's it.



Fast forward three years, and I've built up quite a stash:



And enjoy using ribbons and brads:



Three years ago I wouldn't have thought to put a photo of our family on the book:



(I couldn't get the taupey-glittered "family" stickers to show up due to the cloudy day, apologies)

This update is a bit more femme than the last one...



...but we can't miss it, which is important when it's time to pack up the vehicles and return to Oz this summer!



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*Doug is adding to my summer reading list...

*Vicki shares an altered photo idea that I'm inspired to modify for my students in August...

*Hostess With the Mostess posts a Mississippi Mud Recipe!

*As soon as I get some quiet, self-reflection time (and I'm AWAKE during it), I'm going to write my personal mission statement, suggested by WishStudio Blogzine.

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I updated the blogroll yesterday- but am still on the lookout for new blogs and links to add! If you've clicked on the links, you'll know I enjoy foodie blogs, crafting blogs, home decor and fashion blogs... and teacher and early childhood education blogs of course! Comment or email me with suggestions as I'm ready to do a bit more blog exploration as summer begins! Thanks!

Smile...and Say "CHEESE!"

So I'm dating myself. But these cheeseball commercials still make me smile!

Show and Share Thursday: School on the Brain

While most teachers and students are ready for the school year to come to a close, I'm busy "getting my craft on" in the form of preparing my school binder for August. I've visited Office Depot, purchased my binder, page dividers, and page protectors. Hobby Lobby and Michael's lured me in with various coupons (it was a conspiracy I tell you) and conveniently enough, school-themed scrapbooking paper was on clearance. A sign, obviously.

The pile:



My paper selection for the front cover:



Adding some ribbon and doo-dahs (er, "embellishments"):



Papers for divider pages, title blocks of polka dotted paper framed with photo corners:













The spine:



...and the finished binder!



I *really* need to get back to teaching!



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*I've discovered another awesome FOODIE BLOG! The Pioneer Woman Cooks is my new favorite diet destroyer- go, go go! Perfectly detailed photography and directions for recipes- hey, I said "go, go go!"

*The Graphics Fairy shares some wonderful ephemera- I can't wait to sort through the pages from her Victorian Alphabet Book to make one of my own!

*Laurie at Laurie's Charming Designs has miraculously erased my aversion to chalk (heh heh heh, I know, that was bad) with her beautifully painted plates, trays, etc. Of course I'm also a fan of her pincushions and am sorely tempted to ask if she'd transform my lidless sugarbowl into a pincushion for my future craft area...

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An offering for Q and A...you ask me questions, I'll answer. Pretty simple. Keep it clean or I'll put you in Time Out. Either comment here or email me: michaelek1(at)yahoo(dot)com