This really wasn't supposed to be a teaching blog, but since a huge portion of my life revolves around my profession I'm gonna blog it from time to time. Since the beginning of January my grade 1-2's have been studying Vincent Van Gogh in art. I was pleasantly surprised to find out they are totally into it and have taken a huge interest in Mr. Van Gogh. At least twice a week I hear about a Van Gogh sighting...at Costco...on the news...on a calendar at a relative's house. I love all the Van Gogh inspired art we've been doing and how fabulously they turned out so I just had to share. I am so proud of my little 6-8 year olds! We started with Van Gogh's sunflowers and have just completed Starry Night. I have two more projects to do, Van Gogh's room and Van Gogh inspired self portraits.
My little Van Gogh's:
Sunflower Cooperative Art
Our Flower Vases
Our Starry Nights
My classroom is looking extra spiffy these days and I don't want to take this art down ever! I suppose I'll let it go home and spruce up a few refrigerators!
For Christmas my boyfriend got me a calendar to replace the 2012 Dirty Dancing one I had hung in my kitchen. Since he is well aware of my penchant for all things vintage he got me one with classic movies. These movies have a range of release dates from the 30's to the 90's (omg...that's vintage?!) and our plan is to watch each movie as it pops up on the calendar. For January we watched The Women. Released in 1939, The Women is a unique film as it does not have a single male in it's cast...not even as a background actor or extra. The film stars Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford and Rosalind Russell. While admitedly I fell asleep watching this, it was a cute movie. The acting was totally over the top and the characters were ridiculous but it was neat to watch a movie that is 74 years old. The plot goes something like this:
"The Women follows the lives of Manhattan women, focusing in particular on Mary Haines the cheerful, contented wife of Stephen and mother of Little Mary. After a bit of gossip flies around the salon these wealthy women visit, Mary's cousin Sylvia Fowler learns from a manicurist that Mary's husband has been having an affair with a predatory perfume counter girl named Crystal Allen . A notorious gossip, Sylvia delights in sharing the news with Mary's friends; she sets up Mary with an appointment with the same manicurist so that she hears the rumor about Stephen's infidelity." (via Wikipedia)
The movie is shot in black and white except for the fasion show scene which is set in technicolor. I really enjoyed this scene and the gorgeous and sometimes outrageous dresses and fashions it featured.
(I am not sure what's up with the song featured in this video, but it was the only clip I could find that showed the fashion show)
I found the ending a bit ridiculous. It all wrapped up a little too neatly and quickly in my opinion. However, all in all it was an interesting glimpse into the lives of upper class women of that time and I certainly enjoyed that.
2012 was quite the year! It was a year of new love, fresh starts, glorious sunshine, creativity and overall positivity.
I opened my mind and heart to the possibility of finding love and it came to me in a way I have never experienced before. For the first time in my life I truly know what it is like to have a partner. I have found a little more stability on the career front and am so happy I stuck with it and worked so hard to achieve my goals. People close to me have welcomed little ones into their lives or have discovered they have little ones on the way. Optimism is abundant as 2012 brought changes that mean much anticipated health, freedom and peace of mind to some of those who are very close to me.
In many ways it seems as though it may be impossible to top 2012, but I have high hopes for 2013!
Okay, so it has been like forever since I've last posted. Lot's has happened over the last almost three months. I figured I'd better update the world on my life before it ends apocalyptically on Friday.
In October after much praying and pleading to the teaching gods I got a job teaching grade 1-2 at the same school I worked at last year. This is my first honest to goodness term since I left my position in another school board three years ago. This is the main reason I have not been posting so much. I love teaching but it is pretty much all consuming. My spare time is spent lesson planning and pinteresting teaching ideas. I love my class, they are cute as heck but grade one is new to me and I find teaching a combined class pretty challenging. I hope this will give me a baby toe in the door of the teaching profession, where jobs are scarce and almost impossible to obtain.
Meeting Place
Christmas Time in grade 1-2
In November I sold some of my stuff at a Christmas show in Lunenburg. Overall it was a smashing success. I made a little bit of Christmas shopping cash, spent some time with my BFF and got rid of some of the millions of crafts I had stored in my house.
A very brave little knucklehead I love spent three months in another province undergoing a bone marrow transplant. I missed him and his mommy very much but am happy to report that all things went according to plan and they are home recovering in the comfort of their own home.
Also at the beginning of this month my sweetie and I shacked up. He pulled the old bait and switch on me, after claiming he was only bringing his clothes and like three other items our place was filled with stuff. We've managed to get somewhat organized and weed through some of our junk and now things are looking a little better. I am looking forward to this new adventure together.
The Christmas spirit is in full effect here. We've got a beautiful tree, a gorgeous wreath and lots of retro-y Christmas ornaments and lights. My shopping is almost done...school is almost out...the girls are all in town...let the holiday festivities begin!
Over the past two months I have taken two Wilton cake decorating classes (Decorating Basics and Flowers and Cake Design). Humidity, icing complications and the constant ramming of Wilton products down your throat made it hard for me to say that I totally enjoyed the classes but I did learn quite a bit. As somone with a little bit of baking experience (mostly winging it and google/you-tubing techniques) I found the first few classes a little dull but did pick up a few neat tips and tricks. Course 1 also had a lot of baking which is not exactly what one wants to do in the heat we had this August. Course 2 is where I really picked up a lot of new techniques and learned how to make several types flowers. Once I got rid of my crappy meringue powder and had some icing success I really enjoyed this course. My absolute favorite flower I learned to make was the daffodil. Ever since I was a little girl they have been a favorite of mine. I went a little daffodill crazy with my final cake! I am looking forward to courses 3 and 4.
Dimensional decorating using buttercream.
A little 80's style swag.
Ribbon roses made from buttercream.
Leafs and fleurs.
Royal icing flowers.
My daffodilly flower cake.
Basketweave.
Next up I will learn a bit more about working with fondant and gum paste which is a little more current then some of these buttercream techniques but honestly not near as yummy. Looking forward to making some more fun cakes!
I've got two new boyfriends. Don't worry. They're totally cool with it. Why? Because they are both totally badass and that's how they roll. Maybe it's because the first half of season 5 of Breaking Bad is now done and that I am almost through season 4 of Sons of Anarchy but I just can't get these two out of my mind and couldn't possibly pick between them.
They are both blonde headed bad boys with blue eyes and big hearts. Sure one is in a biker gang and the other is a recovering addict/meth cook but they both do it for me. If you've watched these shows surely you'll understand. If not I'll just let the pictures do the talking.
Charlie Hunnam aka Jackson "Jax" Teller:
Aaron Paul aka Jesse Pinkman:
Need I say more?
P.S.-Back off bitches. I got both Gemma and Walt in my corner...you know they'll fuck you up!!!
As I was sitting eating my lunch I thought about just how much I love my little yellow kitchen. Perhaps this renewed love and appreciation was spurred on my the little 70's-ish shelf I hung yesterday to display my little collection of salt and pepper shakers. I am so happy that this Value Village find can showcase my kitschy shakers and also that it clears up some clutter from the little area above my sink.
Here are some photos (in no particular order because I can't seem to move them around via my iPhone):
Collection of tacky magnets from my travels and those of loved ones.
My Dirty Dancing calendar and view of craft nook plate wall.
One of the best Christmas gifts I've ever received. Thanks Mom!
My Scottie dog magnets that live on my range hood.
Everyday shakers.
Sink area, dishes and all.
Retro flower embroidery.
Shelf and shakers up close.
I am thankful to have such a cheery little place to cook and entertain. Come on over I'll make you something yummy...or at the very least drink some wine with you:)
