Little Scraps of Magic

Sunday Musings

Outside my window the afternoon sky is deepending into dusk.

I am thinking that October is a bit schizophrenic. She waffles between gorgeous sun kissed days punctuated with red and yellow...and snow!

I am thankful for the fact that we didn't get walloped by the snow and for my ever patient husband. You see, I get grumpy when forced to visit the big box stores...and today we visited 2 of them. UGH.

From the grill chicken is beginning to sizzle.

I am wearing jeans and a sweatshirt and some really crazy socks.

I am creating pages for a photography project, lovely old abandoned churches and Buddha serene in his garden.

I am going crosseyed entering grades.

I am reading the new issue of "Cloth, Paper, Scissors" and "Somerset."

I am hoping to remember to use what I learned about stress management on Friday and not just wig out this week as report cards get dealt with.

I am hearing Who-Dey's toenails clicking across the kitchen floor as he follows Phil and hopes that Phil drops something...anything!

Around the house summer clothes wait to be packed away and winter clothes hope that I'll finising placing them in their new home. Honestly, there are just piles of stuff waiting to be seen to!

One of my favorite things is steamed clams. I'd love a big plateful right now.

A few plans for the week:

 - answer some emails

 - get the photo pages in the mail

 - report cards

 - journal play

 - work on some photography lessons

A photo to share:

Yesterday's snow

Sunday Morning Musings

Outside my window cars speed by, some on their way to church, and others...well, who knows where?

I am thinking that weekends are far too short, and that I need more of them.

I am thankful for Autum Roast Coffee from Einstein Bagels...so good!

From the kitchen, well not much is happening. We seem to have survived on fast food and take out these past several days.

I am wearing a black flannel sort of nightgown, dotted here and there with leaves and berries in shades of pink and purple.

I am creating a "Ta Da" book, a collage or two, and many journal pages.

I am going into D.C. later on to see my sister finish the 60 mile Breast Cancer Walk.

I am reading a few second hand books - mysteries - by Lawrence Block. Phil and I bought these in a really neat little book shop in Purcellville a few weekends back.

I am hoping that it won't rain while I am on the grounds of the Washington Monument today! I've had quite enough of walking back and forth in the rain lately.

I am hearing our cats try to convince Phil that they haven't already been fed this morning.

Around the house, bodies are crashed in various places, and one or two is stirring. (And, if the don't start stirring here shortly, let's just say that I'll help them along!)

One of my favorite things is to take more camera and just go see what I can capture.

A few plans for this week: lesson plans to write and papers to correct, getting caught up with Lesley Riley's class, starting Kat's photography class, journaling, and some "Dancing With the Stars."

And a picture to share:

 

 
My grandparents went to Panera and all I got was this lousy bag!

Sunday Morning Musings

Outside my window, clouds blanket the sky and peeks of autumn are everywhere.

I am thinking a great deal about my father and just how hard yesterday was.

I am thankful for all the days I spent with him, loving him, and being loved back. I am really thankful that he said "I love you, too" aloud. My dad was of the generation where men didn't really ever say that aloud, and I can't tell you the last time I heard those words from him.

From the kitchen come the sounds of Phil cooking.

I am still wearing my nightgown. It's been hard getting started this morning.

I am creating pages full of color and thoughts in my journals.

I am going to be spending hours on schoolwork and at the computer.

I am reading and re-reading different publications and blogs, soaking up the eye candy and inspiration.

I am hoping that my computer gets hooked up this week and that my social studies books come in. Life will get much easier then!

I am hearing the sound of the keyboard, bacon or sausage sizzling, and traffic flowing by.

Around the house the cats and dog are hoping that something falls as Phil cooks. Various things from dad's house wait to be dealt with and the school bag mocks me. I want to curl up and read instead.

One of my favorite things is a glorious fall day ablaze with color with pumpkins everywhere.

A few plans for the week: schoolwork, "Back to School Night" on Tuesday, sorting through the button box found in the attic, and taking photos.

Here's a picture of a journal page I'd like to share!

 
Done in my "recylced pages" using dad's National Geographics, part of a bag from yesterday's breakfast, some new tape, and a painted over magazine image altered a bit!

 

Sunday Musings

Whew...quite a while since I've done this!

Outside my window night has fallen, crickets chirp, and traffice whizzes by. So many people going so many places.

I am thinking about the fact that I can't begin to put my classroom to rights until sometime Tuesday, and my students arrive early Thursday. Yikes!

From the kitchen comes the wonderful wondeful smells of homemade spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove. Phil will be canning it in a bit.

I am wearing yellow capris and a white t-shirt.

I am creating this post, and tons and tons of paperwork for school.

I am going slowly nuts thinking about all that I've got to get done. UGH!

I am reading all sorts of handouts from school...handbooks, policy sheets, sheets to be filled out. Paper upon paper upon paper. This too shall pass.

I am hoping to get through all this with as little fuss and anxiety as possible - to realize that I just need to do my best and people will understand.

I am hearing the sounds of a Scooby Doo movie from downstairs. Dom is enthralled, and so, life is good!

Around the house are bits and pieces of the kitchen waiting to be restored to order, and boxes of photos from my dad's home.

One of my favorite things this week was yesterday's trip to the farmers' market - tomatoes, corn on the cob, wildly colored peppers, and crunchy yummy apples. Toss in some peaches and nectarines...oh, my!

A few plans for the week...School stuff!

Some pictures to share:

 
Grandpa's Boys! Alex, at 8 months, is on the left. Dom, at 3 years, is on the right. Grandpa is in the middle...duh!

 
Just too darn cute, these grands of mine!

Sunday's Musings

Outside my window leafy green trees dance and sway with the breeze.

I am thinking about today's dinner - smoked chicken and farmers' market veggies. Yum.

I am thankful for a hairdresser who knows what to do with my hair and who loves to "play" and change up my look periodically!

I am wearing sage green capris and an old white tshirt....nothing that would suffer from an accidental splattering of hair dye.

I am going to give my house a good once over tomorrow morning.

I am currently reading The Sixth Wife.

I am hoping for a good night's sleep.

On my mind is getting rid of some of this "STUFF," and creating a sense of serenity.

From th kitchen come the sounds of Phil blanching corn on the cob...more farmer market goodness to be savored later.

Around the house rest boxes and boxes of stuff from my parents' home. Photos to be gone through and sorted out for my brother and sisters, as well as different odds and ends that need a new home.

One of my favorite things dark chocolate covered pretzels. Sweet and salty...oh, my, goodness!

I'm creating journal pages that make me smile.

A few plans for the rest of the week...get ready for Alex's christening, paint my toenails purple, and smile at the new goodies from Chico's in my closet.

From my lens...

 
Twilight over Oyster Bay, Assateague, VA

 

Sunday's Musings

Outside my window the stars have come out to play. Memories of a gorgeous blue sky dotted with white cumulus clouds linger still.

I am thinking that this weekend gave me just what I needed, time to putter, to read, to journal, and to play.

I am thankful for my upcoming break...long awaited and much needed!

From the kitchen lingering bits of grilled chicken scent the air.

I am wearing black and gray flannel men's pjs,a yellow tshirt with a picture of the old Chincoteague bridge, and sky blue socks with butterflies. Gorgeous, no?

I am creating soft watercolor backgrounds in a new journal and pages filled with just color play.

I am reading and rereading books on creating books. I don't need a new journal, but I am itching to make one.

I am hoping that my father will soon be settled in his new nursing home and that things go well.

I am hearing Dominic's voice as he chats with his grandpa.

Around the house toys lie scattered here, there, and everywhere, signs of an almost 3 year old busy at work.

One of my favorite things is the dogwood tree outside my front door. Its blooms are just beginning to open, and its the first thing I see when I leave my house each morning.

A few plans for the week are to settle on Easter's menu and table settings. Creating table landscapes make my heart sing!

A few pictures to share:

 

 
Two of my favorite murals from center city Philadelphia, taken from my car window as we drove to Thomas Jefferson Hospital to visit my dad. Young people caught spraying graffiti create these as part of their reparation to the city. Wow! Wow! Wow!

Sunday's Musings

Outside my window there's a beautiful blue sky. Pansies are appearing outside stores and are begging me to take them home.

I am thinking how very much I have to be grateful for, despite all the craziness and despair around me. I am thinking that I really need to hold onto all that is good.

I am thankful for lazy Sunday mornings with Phil and time to journal while waiting for my dye job to take.

From the kitchen fresh strawberries and blueberries await, along with a chicken to be roasted.

I am wearing a pair of Chico's clearance jeans ($9) and a yellow tshirt.

I am creating pages in my journals and am glad for the time to sort life out a bit.

I am going to be typing up a math practice test very shortly.

I am reading Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult...just beginning it, really.

I am hoping to get through this Daylight Savings Time bit without too many headaches.

I am hearing the steam cleaner from downstairs where Phil is doing the carpet.

Around the house all is clean and tidy. Phil, God bless him, cleaned while I had my hair done.

One of my favorite things is a trip to Anthropologie for some visual inspiration.

A few plans for the week: type and correct math tests, get some packages into the mail, and begin to clean out a closet or two.  Oh, and of course, make some art!

A picture I'd like to share...

 
Alex and Uncle Chris share a smile.

Sunday's Musings

Outside my window night has fallen.

I am thinking that tomorrow will be a hard day. Dad's dementia is progressing rapidly, and it is breaking my heart.

I am thankful for Phil who is willingly taking this on, and who has spent hours talking with doctors and contacting insurance folks.

From the kitchen the leftover steak is calling my name.

I am wearing jeans, a tshirt, and a wild pair of pink and black socks.

I am creating photo albums on Flickr and Snapfish.

I am going to go downstairs and spread carpet freshner shortly.

I am reading a series of lighthearted mysteries...the type that don't require much from you, but at the same time manage to distract you.

I am hoping that we can get through this series of decisions about dad with minimum heartache.

I am hearing traffic whiz by and wondering where they're all going.

Around the house all the critters are asleep.

One of my favorite things is my Canon Rebel XTI.

A few plans for the week are to pay some bills, work on the budget, and dream of buying spring clothes.

A picture I'd like to share:

 
Alex with one adorable pacifier! He also has one that reads "Mute Button."

Sunday's Musings

Outside my window this morning I watched 2 women and their dogs hiking up the hill.

I am thinking that I need to be out there walking as well.

I am thankful for the time this morning to edit a few photos, do some uploading, and a bit of journal play.

From the kitchen I grabbed some bananas and coffee.

I am wearing some men's flannel pj bottoms and an old gray tshirt.

I am creating a jounal from a recycled school directory and random bits and pieces found in the art room.

I am going to be working on some school stuff shorty.

I am reading "Greencraft" and "Artful Blogging" and enjoying the eye candy in each.

I am hoping for warmer weather and lots of sunshine.

I am hearing the vacuum cleaner downstairs.

Around the house the cats are napping and laundry is going.

One of my favorite things is putzing around time; I get so little of it.

A pic I'd like to share:

 
Phil feeding Alex yesterday afternoon.