Tranquil Nights

One of my very favorite things to do, is to gaze up at the sky. I look forward to the full moon, but I love the crescent moon, too. When I was a little girl, I thought I could watch the sky and see angels.

Many years ago, I was gazing at the moon while standing at the very western most part of Portugal. I was sending thoughts to my father across the globe, wondering all the while if he was looking at the sky at the very same time I was.

Now I look at the stars, and the moon with it's brilliant glow, and think that even though I am so small in comparison, I can feel its great strength. When I stop the craziness for just a few moments, and just look at that enormous beautiful night sky, I feel safe and happy. Maybe I do see angels, and I know that my dad is watching.

Amazing Autumn

Let's play: "What's your favorite part of fall?"

I tasted my very first fresh September apple today-dipped in caramel! yay!

I have always adored and collected acorns.

We make huge piles of leaves for the neighborhood kids to jump in!

I love sweatshirts, wool socks, pumpkins, and butternut squash soup. Mmmmmm!

What do you like best about this beautiful, colorful season? ~Kathy

Shop etsy top to bottom:

Sweet Acorn Silver Earrings from Miabeads

Cloud Nine Chocolate Caramels by haveitconfections

Little Acorn Fabric Magnets by PaperPumpkin

Leaves. Gift Set by PaperPumpkin

Art Journaling...

I have so much to tell you and so much to celebrate! More later...( I promise...soon) but for now, I want to share with you, my friends, that I signed up for Kelly Kilmer's online class: "A Prompt A Day" !

I am so excited to learn and to be inspired even more, each day. Who knows, I may even get up the nerve to share some of my own art journaling...maybe...!

Oooh, I wish I had 3 of me right now, to do all that I want to do. Ack!

Okay, I'll Share...

I want to keep these all to myself and continue admiring and playing with them, but I should share. These are some of the goodies that my daughter Michelle (Mia) brought back from the Chicago Renegade Fair for me last week. Our love of paper really shows, doesn't it?

Check out their etsy shops, too!

michellebrusegaard (flat poppies notecards, bottom left)
jillbliss (boxed journal notebooks, top left)
circlestreet (circle notecards)
cindytomczyk.com (mini magnets, bottom)

The Big Sneeze

It's only September, but I have my first back-to-school cold/flu. I held out hope that it was only a simple head cold, but I am home in my jammies with lemon flavored Thera-Flu , praying for a miracle. Tomorrow is our school's Open House Day. I have big plans. I don't have time to be sick.

This cheers me... Homemade peach pancakes and some good4you etsy items to soothe.

Wish You Were Here...

No, wait, "wish I was there..."!

I am now living this weekend vicariously through Mia who is right now at the Renegade Fair, Chicago. Aaah.

I Love Chicago

Is anybody else going there today? My PaperPumpkin daughter, Mia, is going to Chicago! Not only does she get to see Bono and U2 in concert in one of my favorite cities, but she also has perfect timing... and will attend the Renegade Craft Fair there too this weekend! Wow! Don't you just want every detail? I do...

Do you think Bono will be at Renegade too, Mia?

On our minds...

...in our hearts.
9-11

Happy Dance

Happy Birthday, Janell! I hope you dance!
DancingMooney.etsy

A Special Day...

by LANCERIKA

Happy Birthday my firefly friend! ♥

Labor Day Weekend...

What are you doing this holiday weekend? I hope you enjoy it! ~Kathy

1. Pinwheels by petitsmetier.etsy

2. Writing With Sunflowers by PaperPumpkin.etsy

3. Lemon Letters Journal cards by NuthatchNotes.etsy

4. Bunting Flags by giggleberry.etsy

Welcome to Our Room

My classroom theme this year is sea turtles. I have had some help from etsy creators. Here's how I started: BlossomStamps made me a custom sea turtle stamp! Now I can put a little sea friend at the top of corrected papers, and make all kinds of cool note papers, stickers, cards, etc. !

And WillyWaw silkscreened this sea turtle fabric and made this incredible tote! I bought a big one! I love it!

While on vacation, I bought a magnetic sea turtle that is now on my front board. He will make morning announcements from a conversation-bubble.

A giant fuzzy stuffed sea turtle is prepared to give a hug to anyone who's in need... and a more serious sea turtle on my computer desk is watching...!

Inspiration

People, like flowers, need to be appreciated when they are in full bloom.

At a conference today, to kick off a new year with students, we listened to a very inspirational speaker, Mary Montle Bacon, Ph.D. I feel even more motivated to reach the students that need me the most.

We need to be the change.