Perhaps it's a sign. I've been looking around in my studio space since about Christmas and I keep telling myself, "I've really got to straighten up in here!" Somehow, I keep getting caught up in projects though! It hasn't really gotten worse, in fact, it got better as I was finishing my Folksy Flannel (pictures to come) quilt because I needed more floor space. Well, last night was it. It was the ultimate sign. I was trying to stitch up some pillow covers for our couch when I was stitching a few button holes. I went to switch stitches, and I heard it! Something snapped! I could no longer switch stitches! 15 years and never has this machine given me any problems. It's been my trusty dependable kenmore, and ironically, I was just saying so the other day! Ahh well...it's in for repair now. Hopefully they'll fix it fast!

Unfortunately, it's doing this out.



Of course, this makes me want to sew today! I've been trying to clean and straighten up there. I guess I'll do some more of that with the time I've been gifted today by the snow!

Happy crafting!

Reading

As Language Arts teachers, Joe and I have really built up quite a collection of books for Patrick. We keep adding to it too! There's been but one problem: Patrick has had no interest in any of them....that is, until recently. Sure, we've tried. It was easier when he was little, and even though we felt silly, we read to him! The last week or two has brought on some new interest in books. He's eager to listen to several books before bed. Of course, we are over the top about this. It's exciting to share with him many of the very favorites that we remember reading in our own childhood.

The Anatomy of a Saturday Morning

It's the time of the week to recover...

to refresh...

to play...

to slow down...

I hope your Saturday is just as relaxing!

Sew Liberated!

I'd been eyeing this book for quite some time along with a few others, so with giftcard in hand, I decided I needed to run out on my break today just to get this book! As I sat there in the book store panning through it, I ran across the camera bag pattern. Without a doubt I was walking out of the store with this book!

Recently, McMama offered up a giveaway for a really nice camera bag. Although it wasn't quite my style, it really hit me! I should make myself a camera bag! I went poking around on etsy and found a few super cute bags, but I knew I could make one myself. When I opened up Sew Liberated, there it was, like a beacon of light, a combination of all the right fabrics that I'd been considering, and it was the perfect size!

Guess what I'll be working on when I have time between toddler loving, school teaching, and being a wife! I'll keep you all updated!

A Week Ago

This is what the neighborhood looked like. It was cold and snowy and just absolutely breathtaking! Today, the sun is out..and hopefully melting some of this stuff! Is it Spring yet?

Scarf!

It's snowing...again...I'm starting to wonder if signs of spring will ever come to New Jersey! I swear, just before the last big storms, I was STARTING to see signs of new life in my garden! But now, I won't be seeing those for quite some time! Anyway, in the wake of all the cold and snow, I decided to bring some color by way of scarf into my life.



I started with some flannel scraps of the Folksy Flannel line from Anna Maria Horner left over from the great quilt project (that still isn't done!) and this is what I got!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I realized as I was about to post this that yesterday's post was my 400th post! Wow! So very cool. Anyway, the other day several students in my class brought in Valentines. Of course, it wouldn't be the big V Day if Sweetheart hearts didn't show up somewhere..



But this year..something was different...in addition to the usual Love Bug, Call me, Hug me, Kiss me business, there were a few new ones....Boy is the world changing!

All 50!!!!

One thing I really love is postcards! I think it comes from my loathing of my parents ability to have knick knacks from everywhere on God's green earth! Postcards are a lovely way to "visit" or "revisit" someplace in the world! So when I saw the postcard swap over at Adventures and Pursuits, I couldn't help but get excited! Aimee has started a second swap, so if you are interested, head on over! Hopefully, I can get Patrick to share in my love of Postcards too! I can't wait to get started!

The Sun!

It finally decided to show it's face yesterday...



So of course, we spent the day shoveling out, taking turns...while a certain someone spent the day inside playing..because he hates the snow...



But it was nice to see the sun again after this scene from just a day before...

Secret Kisses

With all the snow, there has been a lot going on in our kitchen! This week is Caring Week at school, and we have secret buddies. I decided to make some of these delicious cookies for my secret buddy...you know, so I didn't have to eat all the Hershey Kisses in the bag all by myself, or the cookies I made with them.



I tried to plan accordingly, but somehow I forgot the almonds the recipe calls for when we were at the store and the local pharmacy/liquor store just didn't have almonds for me! So I did without, and they actually came out really well!



I wonder how they'd be different if they had the almonds...perhaps enough to make them again soon!

Did you know I was born in a snowstorm?

Happy Birthday to me! Look at that! 34 and it's still snowing!

Tenure

When I walked out of my door this morning, I kept having premonitions that I would somehow get detoured on my way to work..a tree down..my car overheats..you know, something absurdly ridiculous that never happens to me on my way to work, but somehow today it was going to happen.

Of course it didn't. I made it to school just fine. And when I walked through the doors, it was a quiet little moment all by myself, but certainly not without a smile on my face.

Today is the day that I receive tenure. In the state of New Jersey, that means that I've pretty much got a job and can't be fired as long as I continue to do what I do - be a great teacher! Here in NJ, we get it after 3 years. For me, it's been much longer than that. I put in 3 years at a Catholic school, not to mention 3 other years here, where I took off some time to have my son. In total, I've really been in education for nearly 8 years without tenure. Today is the big day.

I feel like I can breathe now. It's a big relief really! But at the same time, so hard to let go of now that I've got it.

So alas, I'll continue teaching, and stay at home in the summer with my little man. Hey, at least I can be home and snuggle him by 3:30, right?