Monday, January 26, 2009
A Brief Brag
I just have to stop and point out the amazing photos to the right of this post. Can you believe what gorgeous shots those are? My DH, LK, is a shutterbug. He is growing a tripod from his wrist from which to permanently attach his camera. If you want to see his shots in more stunning detail, click on the slide show. That will link you to his Flikr site and you can see them all. It's worth the trip!
Something in the water...
What a day! There must have been something in the water over the weekend. I can't remember that last time my class was that off-road. It was a good day to get to 3:30!
Fiona had her first skating session tonight after supper. Can you believe that we actually have a 'hockey bag' in our house? My little girl has a hockey helmet. Not that she is playing hockey, but she is learning to skate. Tonight saw a successful lesson in falling and getting up. She was incredibly chipper about tackling this challenge and I was very proud of her; no tears, no asking to quit! We were on the ice for about 40 minutes and she only spent about half of it on her bum.
Mondays are starting to be very busy; school, dinner, skating, and next week I start my online AQ course through Queens. Whoo! What a start to the week. Thankfully the rest of the week slows down a little each day.
Fiona had her first skating session tonight after supper. Can you believe that we actually have a 'hockey bag' in our house? My little girl has a hockey helmet. Not that she is playing hockey, but she is learning to skate. Tonight saw a successful lesson in falling and getting up. She was incredibly chipper about tackling this challenge and I was very proud of her; no tears, no asking to quit! We were on the ice for about 40 minutes and she only spent about half of it on her bum.
Mondays are starting to be very busy; school, dinner, skating, and next week I start my online AQ course through Queens. Whoo! What a start to the week. Thankfully the rest of the week slows down a little each day.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Extra-Curricular Activities
For a teacher the words "Extra-Curricular" can elicit many responses running the gamut from joy to horror. The response depends on the teacher, school, students, season, etc. For me music has been my 'thing' forever. Mostly this was great as I love music and enjoy making it. Sometimes though, a change is good.
This year music was just not happening. There was absolutely no student interest in a choir. So, for the first time I am making the foray into supervising an E-C that is athletic (I know- a bit of a stretch for me.) Since yoga would be my first choice, but I am not sure it would have much more response than choir, I have joined D. in leading a group of students in cross country skiing every Tuesday after school.
I am really enjoying myself. I will repeat that for my family who may have fallen out of their chairs, I am really enjoying myself. In fact, I am officially putting boots and skis of my own on my wish list. It also seems that I have been volunteered to 'coach' the ski team for the Winter Games that happen in March. Who'd a thunk it?
Life is full of surprises.
This year music was just not happening. There was absolutely no student interest in a choir. So, for the first time I am making the foray into supervising an E-C that is athletic (I know- a bit of a stretch for me.) Since yoga would be my first choice, but I am not sure it would have much more response than choir, I have joined D. in leading a group of students in cross country skiing every Tuesday after school.
I am really enjoying myself. I will repeat that for my family who may have fallen out of their chairs, I am really enjoying myself. In fact, I am officially putting boots and skis of my own on my wish list. It also seems that I have been volunteered to 'coach' the ski team for the Winter Games that happen in March. Who'd a thunk it?
Life is full of surprises.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Rollercoaster January
Ah the rollercoaster of January...
Ups include a great start back to school. I am so proud of the growth my students have shown. Many of them are really digging into learning and take strides forward. What a delight to be a part of that. I am also feeling like a valuable part of the teaching staff. It is incredibly encouraging to have your administer drop to let you know you are doing a good job. I have to remember that a few words of praise go a very long way.
Today was a great 'up' in feeling the peace of being where we ought to in God's plan. Not that my plan is quite the same, but we are where we should be. And we are learning lots. We had a wonderfully encouraging service in Grassy this morning with an amazingly talented family leading worship. Father, mother and son playing and singing with incredible skill. They had a time of testimony and several to the people sharing their faith journey sang in response to God's work in their lives; while they were often taking lots of interpretive prerogative with the music, the 'band' was very adept at following the changing pace of each singer through their piece. And they can do country, blues, and contemporary worship styles! Then we came home and A. stayed after lunch for a jam session of our own. It made me remember times of singing with Arjenna after school to let out the crankies after a rough day. What power to calm the savage breast there is in music! (I think I get Saul in a new way).
Downs include temperatures which dropped into the -40s during the day last week. Everyone was inside all week, and cabin fever was just starting when the temps. rose and are hovering around 0 today! It looks to be a balmy -9 tomorrow! What a treat. I am excited to be able to walk to school again. LK and Jo are making plans to play outside tomorrow afternoon.
LK celebrated his birthday this weekend and was tickled to received lots of TLC from friends and family long distance. Thanks for your love, all. He often doesn't realize how special he is and your words this weekend were a great lift.
In honour of the birthday I tried to make a cake from scratch (not doctoring a mix- which is my usual method). I had a great chocolate cherry cake recipe and all was well until I discovered that the batter makes far more than a mix. I filled the cake pan 3/4 and then used the left-over better to make almost a dozen mini muffins. Unfortunately I didn't think clearly about baking them together in the oven and so was opening the oven to check on the muffins every 5 minutes. Our oven light only goes on when the door opens, so that it the only easy to check your baking.
After the first check all was fine. The second revealed that my batter was rising above the limits of the cake and muffins pans. So my solution was to put a cookie sheet on the lower rack to catch any drips (I didn't want a repeat of my angel cake disaster of several years ago). Multiple checks revealed no drips, but an odd gelatinous movement in the centre of the cake. Then an hour later muffins were out and the top of the cake was getting too brown, rather a bit black so I pulled it out. It was a bit fluid looking for my liking, but I could not think of a way to cook the inside more without blackening the top further. So I set it to cool on the counter with a lovely convex top.
In the morning I came down to a concave cake surface and was rather disappointed with myself. This was Saturday morning, there was no time (or ingredients) for another cake and I was ready to throw in the towel. Instead I decided to use the crater as a bowl for chocolate mousse and top the whole thing with a decadent icing of fresh whipped cream. While we were in town I also picked up some chocolate covered cherries that would tie in with the cherry pie filling in the cake. Brilliant, I thought, in fact (here goes my pride...), I have singly-handedly saved the cake.
After careful whipping and decorating the cake looked lovely. After dinner LK blew out the candles on the table, as mousse doesn't really hold candles well, and we cut into the cake. I could have cried. The center where the cake had fallen was still, somewhat, well, raw. It could have been interpreted as pudding cake in the middle.
My pride was in tatters and I was determined not to let anyone know what a disaster I was at this cake thing. However, that would leave 3/4 of a birthday cake in our fridge- too much temptation. Despite the blow to my pride we served the cake to our friends who were brave enough to eat it after the kids were in bed. We had a good laugh and Storm even had three pieces. It tasted pretty good, and I have a reason to try again. I am sure that fully cooked it will be positively scrumptious! Whose birthday is next?
Ups include a great start back to school. I am so proud of the growth my students have shown. Many of them are really digging into learning and take strides forward. What a delight to be a part of that. I am also feeling like a valuable part of the teaching staff. It is incredibly encouraging to have your administer drop to let you know you are doing a good job. I have to remember that a few words of praise go a very long way.
Today was a great 'up' in feeling the peace of being where we ought to in God's plan. Not that my plan is quite the same, but we are where we should be. And we are learning lots. We had a wonderfully encouraging service in Grassy this morning with an amazingly talented family leading worship. Father, mother and son playing and singing with incredible skill. They had a time of testimony and several to the people sharing their faith journey sang in response to God's work in their lives; while they were often taking lots of interpretive prerogative with the music, the 'band' was very adept at following the changing pace of each singer through their piece. And they can do country, blues, and contemporary worship styles! Then we came home and A. stayed after lunch for a jam session of our own. It made me remember times of singing with Arjenna after school to let out the crankies after a rough day. What power to calm the savage breast there is in music! (I think I get Saul in a new way).
Downs include temperatures which dropped into the -40s during the day last week. Everyone was inside all week, and cabin fever was just starting when the temps. rose and are hovering around 0 today! It looks to be a balmy -9 tomorrow! What a treat. I am excited to be able to walk to school again. LK and Jo are making plans to play outside tomorrow afternoon.
LK celebrated his birthday this weekend and was tickled to received lots of TLC from friends and family long distance. Thanks for your love, all. He often doesn't realize how special he is and your words this weekend were a great lift.
In honour of the birthday I tried to make a cake from scratch (not doctoring a mix- which is my usual method). I had a great chocolate cherry cake recipe and all was well until I discovered that the batter makes far more than a mix. I filled the cake pan 3/4 and then used the left-over better to make almost a dozen mini muffins. Unfortunately I didn't think clearly about baking them together in the oven and so was opening the oven to check on the muffins every 5 minutes. Our oven light only goes on when the door opens, so that it the only easy to check your baking.
After the first check all was fine. The second revealed that my batter was rising above the limits of the cake and muffins pans. So my solution was to put a cookie sheet on the lower rack to catch any drips (I didn't want a repeat of my angel cake disaster of several years ago). Multiple checks revealed no drips, but an odd gelatinous movement in the centre of the cake. Then an hour later muffins were out and the top of the cake was getting too brown, rather a bit black so I pulled it out. It was a bit fluid looking for my liking, but I could not think of a way to cook the inside more without blackening the top further. So I set it to cool on the counter with a lovely convex top.
In the morning I came down to a concave cake surface and was rather disappointed with myself. This was Saturday morning, there was no time (or ingredients) for another cake and I was ready to throw in the towel. Instead I decided to use the crater as a bowl for chocolate mousse and top the whole thing with a decadent icing of fresh whipped cream. While we were in town I also picked up some chocolate covered cherries that would tie in with the cherry pie filling in the cake. Brilliant, I thought, in fact (here goes my pride...), I have singly-handedly saved the cake.
After careful whipping and decorating the cake looked lovely. After dinner LK blew out the candles on the table, as mousse doesn't really hold candles well, and we cut into the cake. I could have cried. The center where the cake had fallen was still, somewhat, well, raw. It could have been interpreted as pudding cake in the middle.
My pride was in tatters and I was determined not to let anyone know what a disaster I was at this cake thing. However, that would leave 3/4 of a birthday cake in our fridge- too much temptation. Despite the blow to my pride we served the cake to our friends who were brave enough to eat it after the kids were in bed. We had a good laugh and Storm even had three pieces. It tasted pretty good, and I have a reason to try again. I am sure that fully cooked it will be positively scrumptious! Whose birthday is next?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Hidden Beauty
Part of being a teacher is participating in extra-curricular activities. Usually choir is my thing, although I was thinking this year that a change would be nice. It turns out that choir is just not happening at Grassy this year (2 students showed up once for practice), so I am stepping outside my box and helping D. with cross country skiing. Today was the first time I joined them. Wow, what a gorgeous place Grassy is when seen from skidoo trails on skis!
I was the newbie helper; going slow and supporting the new student, who was on skis for the first time. It was a great fit, as I haven't been on skis for probably 15 years (or more). Now I see why my parents and sisters are such fans. What a great sport! We only went out for half an hour, but I am looking forward to next Tuesday already.
On the weekend we got our first real dumping of snow (a foot in one fall). Grassy is now covered with powder that is knee deep everywhere. It is stunning. Today the temperatures in were in the mid-teens with a light wind chill, so it was great for being outside. All the coniferous trees have heavy coats of white in their branches that looks like it might slip off any moment. Since it is early January, by the time we were headed back to the school the sun was setting (4:20) and the sky was being swept with a wash of warm pastels.
What beauty can be found in the colour white. It has so many opportunities for reflection and shadow. I love the blue cast that the snow takes in the afternoon. I love the contrast with the warm light falling on trees and buildings.
I just hope the power doesn't go out, because we have no backup heat in our house. I wonder what the teachers will do if our power goes out? Hmmm...
I get to go out again tomorrow after school to help one of the high school teachers scope out a route for his outdoor ed. class.
I was the newbie helper; going slow and supporting the new student, who was on skis for the first time. It was a great fit, as I haven't been on skis for probably 15 years (or more). Now I see why my parents and sisters are such fans. What a great sport! We only went out for half an hour, but I am looking forward to next Tuesday already.
On the weekend we got our first real dumping of snow (a foot in one fall). Grassy is now covered with powder that is knee deep everywhere. It is stunning. Today the temperatures in were in the mid-teens with a light wind chill, so it was great for being outside. All the coniferous trees have heavy coats of white in their branches that looks like it might slip off any moment. Since it is early January, by the time we were headed back to the school the sun was setting (4:20) and the sky was being swept with a wash of warm pastels.
What beauty can be found in the colour white. It has so many opportunities for reflection and shadow. I love the blue cast that the snow takes in the afternoon. I love the contrast with the warm light falling on trees and buildings.
I just hope the power doesn't go out, because we have no backup heat in our house. I wonder what the teachers will do if our power goes out? Hmmm...
I get to go out again tomorrow after school to help one of the high school teachers scope out a route for his outdoor ed. class.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Net not Working!
We have been without Internet for a week. It just came back up this morning. What a relief! It is our main news resource for the rest of the world and we feel a bit out of touch when we are not online. But all is good again. We are headed into town this morning, but I will write a holiday update soon.
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