Things In My House Thursday ~Crazy Christmas Tree Lady ~I've Got Some Explaining To Do...

It was late summer when our oldest daughter said that she and her hubby might be able to come home for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. She asked me when her sister and her fiance might be free?

I told her that they would have to coordinate that.

But, I promised that if they could all be here at the same time for the holidays,

I would put a Christmas Tree in every room of the house.

So, I hope that explains my craziness?!

But a mother always keeps her promises.

These pencil trees are in the foyer.

In the family room, there was the family tree...

And the country tree.

There are two pencil trees in the girls' bathroom.

You remember the Amy tree...

...and the Emily Tree.

So, that's it for downstairs.

You've seen the tree in the living room.

These two are on my cookbook book shelf...

And these two are by the hutch.

My last addition was in my bathroom.

We found this pretty little tree that fits on the vanity.

I like that it serves as a little nightlight for the bathroom.

So now, Christmas is a sweet memory.

Epiphany was celebrated this Tuesday.

It will be time to think about taking down the trees,

In the same way that they went up...One by One.

It has been way too cold to go up to the attic and get the storage tubs and boxes.

So, for now, the cats and I are still enjoying the soft warm glow of the lights.

Take care,

~Natalie

What Perfect Attendance Looks Like...and Have a Safe Commute to School and Work Today

Check out my Classroom.

This was taken last term, in early December.

With a roster of 35 students,

I was impressed whenever we had perfect attendance!

A friend and co-teacher sent this to me one morning.

You remember my classroom set up...

Two semi-circles of desks. 

It is great for class discussions,

however, does nothing to discourage 'side conversations'.

It also is quite tempting to try to cheat off your neighbor's paper,

so while taking a test, I watch them like a hawk!

The large open area in the center is the 'fish bowl'.

(Was that a classroom management term from college in the 70s?)

I (and occasionally students) present in this area.

All students are either in the 1st or 2nd row...

no one is sleeping way in the back!

And the walk-way between the two circles makes it easy to move around

 to answer questions and to check student progress.

(Yes, always turn your phone on silent at the beginning of class!)

So, it's not as cold this morning as we were expecting!

The forecast was for wind chills of 35 to 40 below.

But only -28...and being the hardy folks that we are here in the midwest,

We are heading to school...students will have a two hour late start.

Teachers report at the usual time.

Today will be the coldest day of the week with a -3 for a high.

And then, our next issue will be the wind...

remember we got over 3 inches of that fluffy white stuff 

on Monday that is sure to blow around.

Don't forget to have your winter survival kit in your vehicle.

Stay safe and warm!

Take care,

~Natalie

Monday Mania ~It was Back to Reality for All

Christmas Vacation was nearly perfect this year...

if only it could have lasted forever?!

Thank you, everyone, for your sweet comments about our holiday activities.

After a week at home our family was on their way,

back to their own homes, work, and school.

One daughter and her fiance left by air...

It appears our airport is in the middle of nowhere, doesn't it?

And... I guess you could say it is!

One daughter and her husband left by land

to spend a week with his family in the cities.

Then, it was back to school for me.

New classes, new students, new schedule,

and a few surprises.

One was an early release because of weather.

It was not a very nice day!

And the rest of the week doesn't look much better.

"You're home early?!"

A bonus 90 minutes at home that I was not expecting!

Stay safe and warm.

Take care,

~Natalie

Saying Yes to the Dress ~And How Hubby Entertains the Guys

Since we see each other only once every 18 months,

we wanted to pack as much as we possibly could into our Holiday Week.

Emily and Jake's engagement was still "news" and it was a great opportunity for the bride to try on dresses with her sister, her mother and grandmother.

I can't show you much, as we don't want the groom to see his bride

in any wedding dress, what-so-ever.

I had asked Hubby if he could entertain the guys

while we girls went dress shopping...

"No problem", he said.

So, while we were pondering this...

The guys were pondering this.

While Emily found a dress that she loves...

(and NO, it is none of those pictured here)

The guys also enjoyed a successful afternoon.

Take care,

~Natalie

Fighting off the Flu Bug ~~and When Students are on Semester Break, Teachers... Are... Not...

Thank you, everyone, for your well wishes for hubby's recovery.

I'm not sure if it was my homemade noodle soup that was the cure,

but just in case, here is my recipe.

OK, I'm not complaining...I'm just saying...

If you think that teachers are spending their holiday break sitting on the couch, 

eating bon bons, watching soap operas, and shopping on-line...think again.

Remember, the school term ended on December 23rd.

 And in class, we were not all watching A Christmas Story.

We were finishing strong.

End of course exams were administered and final projects were due.

Most teachers spend the week between Christmas and New Years 

correcting all of those assignments.

Plus, not to mention all of the

"this assignment is missing,

can I still hand it in?" work that needs to be corrected.

Teachers across the country are figuring grades from the first semester...

and preparing lessons to meet a new group of students on Monday, January 5th.

But like I said, I am not complaining.

We all knew what we were signing up for when we took the job.

We teachers went into education because we love kids 

and we want to make a difference.

Take care,

~Natalie

p.s. I do not suggest making the comment 

"it must be nice to have the time off"

to a teacher. 

Their time has been more flexible,

but they haven't had it "off".

New Year's Celebration ~~Table for Two, Please

For the second New Year's Eve in a row,

Hubby and I spent the evening at home.

And, under very different circumstances, indeed.

Last year, we had just returned from a

fabulous trip to Boston.

On Christmas Eve, instead of Lutefisk, we had Lobsters!

Jake showed us how he can hypnotize a live lobster.

It was very serious business...

But a night we will certainly remember.

So, when we got home, we were all excited 

to share this experience with our friends.

But, as it turned out, our friends had made plans with their families,

so hubby and I had a little party of our own.

You can see our table is set for two.

The cats will have their treat at the counter.

Instead of the whole lobster, 

we purchased just the tails.

(After all, this is the Midwest, and seafood choices are limited)

We made the tails under the broiler.

Since then, hubby has mastered the Lobster Tail 

by steaming it with a little of his Home Brew.

That was last year.

This year is a completely different story.

There's a "bug" going around our community.

And, it has hit our household.

Hubby has been in bed for days.

Chicken Noodle Soup is on the menu this holiday.

However, we are looking forward to feeling better,

and enjoying some lobster this coming weekend!

I hope this finds you healthy and 

enjoying what's left of the holiday season.

Take care,

~Natalie

A New Year's Blessing to all Family and Friends

courtesy of vintage holiday crafts

May you always have 

enough happiness 

to keep you sweet;

enough trials 

to keep you strong;

enough success 

to keep you eager;

enough faith 

to give you courage;

enough determination 

to make each day a good day.

~Chinese Blessing


Take care,
~Natalie