Chocolate…there really isn’t a more perfect food; it’s like gold, it has a universal appeal. Vosges, Fauchon, Maribelle, La Milka, Dove, Hershey’s, La Maison du Chocolat, Godiva, Lindt may come to mind when you think of sampling chocolate. Have you ever had a food-related expression of excitement like the one Meg Ryan had in When …
The difference between a need and a want
My second graders know the difference between a need and a want. If asked, “What is a need?”, they will respond, “Something you need to survive”…food, water, air, clothing, shelter, love…” This past Friday we had “mini-mall” where the kids got to satisfy their “wants” and go shopping! In social studies for the past three …
Out of the Mouth of Babes
Young children don’t “use” bad words, they say them. Think about the curse words you know; they are short and easy to pronounce, right? A word may well be classified as bad, but children have no idea what it means. They just hear the word and repeat it; it’s very innocent. Children don’t try …
The Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous
Marvelous Merilee Monroe, dragon loving, Pez dispenser collecting, thirteen-year-old who has Asperger’s Syndrome lives in Jumbo, Texas and is searching for her place in the world. As I read Suzanne Crowley’s book I was taken on a unique journey into the mind of Merilee and her Very Ordered Existence. Crowley’s book is full of colorful …
A touch of Italian seasoning can be good for a mom
When it comes to love… it’s always better to be Italian. An Italian woman, wow — she is a plethora of things. Listen to the passion that comes through the Italian language. When you hear an Italian woman speak, you know that she is confident, sexy, saucy, she can be stylish, she can smoke a …
A hand-written thank you note is a little treasure that won’t be forgotten
A letter in the mail is a gift! Thank you notes can be an art form. Consider the stationary, the penmanship (you can see personality in someone’s handwriting), the formulation of thoughtful words, even the choice of stamp is a special detail. A hand-written card is a little treasure and it is not forgotten. …
A hand-written thank you note is a little treasure that won’t be forgottenRead More
Knitting cookies, baking sweaters
The happiest people are those who do things for others. Just put a bit of yourself in a homemade gift. Making something, anything, is one of the very best ways to show your love for family and friends. Children love to do for others if given the opportunity. I don’t knit, but I appreciate …
The Glory of Love
You know the song, The Glory of Love ? Bette Midler sang it beautifully in the movie Beaches. It comes to mind now this season with the stress the holidays can bring. You’ve got to laugh a little, cry a little. Sometimes let your poor heart die a little. That’s the story of, and that’s the glory of love. …
Fröhliche Weihnachten, Buon Natale, Joyeux Noël, and Merry Christmas!
Have you ever had the feeling that you belong in a certain place? Well, for me that place is definitely Italy. More specifically, Florence; It is my favorite place on the planet! I dream of Italy and would love to go there for Christmas one day. I imagine it being magical! I picture an old …
Fröhliche Weihnachten, Buon Natale, Joyeux Noël, and Merry Christmas!Read More
This Thanksgiving Toast to Squanto with your family!
This is an exciting time of the year to be a teacher of young children because learning about the Pilgrims and Indians is a subject my second graders are always interested in. Squanto’s story is especially fascinating. He was such a survivor! Squanto was kidnapped from his home in America in 1605 by English …
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Let go my ego
Ego is an exaggerated sense of self-importance, a conceit. It is a force that causes us to care about being better than everyone else. Ego fuels our competitive nature. It can be a healthy driving force but our ego can also cause problems if we let it consume us. My ballet teacher said, “Let go …
A book that can be shared with women of all ages: The Sweetheart of Prosper County
I remember being 15. It was really hard! Austin Gray, the narrator and main character of The Sweetheart of Prosper County is a delight to get to know. It’s about the journey she goes on trying to become the Sweetheart of the FFA. Austin prospers in Prosper! This is a mature young adult book and …
A book that can be shared with women of all ages: The Sweetheart of Prosper CountyRead More