Photo Saturday

thinking of one of my favorite places in the world, the family cabin in Vermont today.

Happy Birthday Jon...we miss you.

did you ever notice...

weird little things or rituals that you do...nothing crazy...I mean, I can openly admit that I definitely have a few OCD tendencies...like twisting the doorknob 10 times to make sure it's locked...

but something that I recently noticed about myself is that I always put my left shoe/sock/flip flop/slipper on before the right...

does anyone else have weird little quirks like that?


HAPPY FRIDAY!! :D

DIY Wednesday - Candy Dot Flags

Happy July 4th Everyone!!!

Since it is a Wednesday, there aren't really any big plans we have for the day...off to the gym, probably some laundry after our quick trip to Boston, and before our next trip to North Carolina...here is a cute, and patriotic candy dot tutorial...enjoy!

images and tutorial from Sweet Sugar Belle

A big day for Birthdays!

Not only is today my Dad's 60th birthday, but it is my best friend Bonnie's 30th!  Two of my very favorite people in the world, and today is their day!!

happy happy birthday!!!!!

Recipe Box - Sweet & Sour Chicken

More new recipes here!  This recipe came from the blog Life as a Lofthouse via Pinterest (surprised, aren't you?)

I took a stab at Sweet & Sour Chicken that you bake in the oven...and I was pretty excited about it...and am happy to report it was just as good as it looked!  And another plus it was really easy!  The only thing that I thought would annoy me, was that during the hour you bake the chicken you flip it (in my case I just sort of stirred it) every 15 minutes...and it honestly kept me on my toes to prepare the fried rice that went with it.

I followed the recipe exactly and it came out great!  Another one to add to the rotation!

Secret's Out!

phew!  planning and executing a surprise party is no easy task!  photos to come...but here is a sneak preview of the logo I designed for our t-shirts...because no birthday surprise is complete without custom t-shirts ;)

Photo Saturday

view from the water taxi in the Baltimore Harbor during Sailabration weekend...which celebrated the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

only the good...

it's so hard not to feel like a little kid when I use this phrase...but really what it comes down to is that it's just not fair...on Tuesday, one of the most wonderful people in the world that I've had the pleasure to know, and in this case, call family, passed away...

Jon was B's cousin, but to me he was more than that...even though we only spent a few days each year with them, he was not just family, but a friend...a snowboard instructor, a great team mate for family game nights, an amazing husband and father, and he had a great relationship with his sister and parents...and he was nowhere done living...

I only hope he knows just how much we all loved him, and that we will never forget him...

Thursday's Shoe Story

It's such a strange transition that my closet has taken...from tons of heels that were way too high and way too skinny, to sensible, comfortable flats that I can wear teaching, or just out running errands.

slowly packing up the bags of donations to goodwill, and replacing (of course...can't let the supply get too low!) I came across these, super comfy and I think super cute shoes at Target...oh Target, the store I need to stay far, far away from!

They are a good option when closed-toed shoes are necessary, and their neutral color makes them match just about everything :)  although, realizing that this is not the best photo...since they pretty much blend into the carpet...oh well!

DIY Wednesday - Glitter Keys

One of my (many) goals for the summer, along with taking time to do art of my own, getting my house in some kind of order, trying out new recipes, and above all relaxing...I wanted to try out some fun and easy DIY projects that I've seen on Pinterest and other blogs I frequent.

So the first project I decided to tackle was glitter-fying my keys...since we all know what a huge fan of glitter I am, so I thought it would be a great place to start!

I had seen this pin on Pinterest a few months back, which lead me to an adorable blog My oh My written by a fellow Art Teacher, CMae.  You can see her original post here, and I suggest you poke around on her blog if you like art, books, crafts, or just a good read!


First I chose a color from my extensive glitter collection, found some glue in my basket of adhesives, and I put down some wax paper, to contain the mess.

One layer of glue and glitter, left to dry for an hour, and then repeat on the next side.

Then to keep all that glitter from flaking off into my purse, car and everywhere else...of course let's face it...it's everywhere in my house anyway...a layer of clear nail polish on each side.

And voila!  Glitter keys...DIY project #1 of the summer complete :)

Recipe Box - Baked Ham & Egg cups

I always have said that I wasn't a breakfast person- when I was younger at home with my parents, my Dad would always have his breakfast plates all set up the night before, and I would always sit in the morning and the usual "I don't know" would be my answer to the question of what I wanted for breakfast...

Fast forward to college, and I would roll out of bed with just enough time to get dressed and grab my books for class, so lunch was usually the first meal of the day (unless you count coffee, which I totally do)...

And then the real world, where long days sitting in a cubicle made me feel even hungrier then usual...probably because I found most of those experiences to be boring and un-fulfilling...and eating just was a way to pass the time...so I found my way back to breakfast after all these years...but working breakfasts meant bagels, which are fine...but not every day...

So now that I have the honor of teaching Art to the youth of Baltimore City...I get to take my time having breakfast for the next few weeks while I'm on summer vacation...so new breakfast ideas..GO! 


I bring to you...yet another Pinterest find...baked ham and egg breakfast cups...which came from the blog Simple Delights...I only had sliced cheese, so I substituted that...but these are delish!  I have made them pretty regularly for the past two weeks and the best part- each is just 100 calories!  Full of protein...a great way to start your day :)

squeeeeeeeeee!!!

yup...exciting things are happening in my business-world...the business I have sorely neglected for oh, the past 12 months while I was completely consumed by being a first year teacher...now it's time to recharge my batteries and get some work done that is my own...and I just had a lovely phone call with someone who is going to help me get those dreams under way...

SOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!  you'll just have to stay tuned until I have stuff to show you..ahh anticipation :D

holy $#!?...last day of school is tomorrow?

I can NOT believe it...180 days of school...well 179,  and tomorrow is the last day of my first year of teaching.  I know that teaching is what I am meant to do, and even through all the ups and downs (and to be honest, more of the downs) I really feel like I've found my calling, what I've always been meant to do...

and now I get a nice few months of summer to reflect on the year...but mostly RELAX :)



ready for some of this white strawberry-lemon sangria...perfect for sitting by the pool :)

found on Pinterest, of course...you can get the recipe here, on the Kitchen Treaty blog


bottoms up!

one of those days...

I am knee-deep in my portfolio, which is due on Sunday, by 9pm...but I saw this, and it can not be more true at this point.  10 school days...14 calendar days from today it will be glorious, summer vacation, and I don't believe I've ever deserved time off from work more!

to all those teachers out there...we can do it...hang in there!!

Happy Memorial Day!

more than just an extra day off from school...today is a day to say thank you to all of those who have served our country, so we can be free to do what we do...I really hope that you all stop to realize how lucky you are to live in America :)

I am proud of both my Grandfathers who served in the military...and countless friends that I have who are so much braver than I am :)




thank you for all that you do for our country that allows us to be free!

we really are special...

just a quick rant...because it's almost the end of the year and while I have had really great experiences...I had a thought, that kind of made me a little irritated...when I was in Elementary school- maybe even Middle school...we called our classes like Art, Music, Home Ec (do they still have that any more?) and Gym- Specials...because that was how they were treated...special times to get out of your regular classroom, and learn something different, new and something that would make you a well-rounded individual...

now they call them (at least in Baltimore City) Resources...doesn't have quite the magical ring to it that Specials has...maybe that's why the kids take it so much for granted...

I know I can be a bit of an overachiever...wish I could instill that quality in a few more of my students...




sigh...at least it's Friday and a long weekend!  hooray!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

In an effort to be more social in the blogosphere...I'm joining a few "link-ups" that I've seen on a few blogs I really like reading!  So here goes my first round of...

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

so even though the game is in process as we speak, I am really loving being able to watch hockey pretty much every night!  and especially loving that my hometown team, the NJ Devils are still in it!  a fierce rivalry for all New Yorkers and New Jerseyans...it would be awesome to see the Devils in the Stanley Cup! 

I am also loving that we have 14...yes count them 14 days of school left until summer vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 


you can link up to What I'm Loving Wednesday too - just click here!

By Jove!

One of the members of my Etsy team, Kelly of Kelly's Keychains has an awesome Kickstarter project and she has almost reached her funding goal! 

If you want to support her and her quest to make adorable plushies like this octopus...click here and donate!!

Happy Mother's Day!

I was lucky to get to see my Mom on Saturday unexpectedly :)  We had seen each other the weekend before when they were doing their trek from SC back to NJ...but because of the surprise party, we got to stop by...it was officially to trade out the cars, but a very nice surprise also :)

here are the awesome flowers we sent from ProFlowers - 100 blooms!  and she's worth every one :)  plus many more!!


Love you Mom! 

A hot pink treasury!

I have been sorely neglecting my business, both in production as well as the Etsy side since school started in August...but I am thrilled to have some of my delightful hot pink earrings in this treasury featuring lots of my BEST friends :)