Thursday, May 10, 2012

May Flowers

All those April Showers have brought May Flowers.

 And May Blessings.  Here are Five Faves for This Week.  Brought to you by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.

1. Ms. P is (one of) my teaching assistant in my composition classes.  Her main responsibilities are to collect, organize and begin to correct papers.  In addition, she is learning how to teach by observing.  I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to be a role model for her.  When we travel to and from our classes, we chat about whatever happens to be on our minds.  One day this week, we were discussing math.  Her comments about geometry (which she understand and enjoys tolerates) were hilarious.   She doesn't love algebra. She loves Comic-Con. She dyes her hair pink--just because. Maybe, she wants to be a teacher.  Certainly, she makes my workdays easier and fun.

2. This email from a student:  "Can you bring the checklist for Book Report week 1 to class for me? I don't dare ask my mom to, she already has printed it out twice."

3. During the time I was awol from cybersphere (tell me you missed me; tell me you noticed), I spent several days playing Meema to this Not So New Boy.


Visits to parks with the 'cousins'.  Blueberry picking at the ranch.  Train rides.  Hours spent reading and rereading Steven Kellogg's wonderful and enchanting picture books.


4. Brain dead knitting.  You know how sometimes you hit a wall of creativity?  You just don't have any more ideas or plans?  If you're not a knitter, you still know what I mean.  There's nothing in the brain; you don't feel like starting anything new and exciting.  It's a passing phase, fortunately.  Lately, I've been doing a lot of brain dead knitting.  The local hospital's newborn cap supply closet will benefit.  Making itty-bitty baby hats is so easy and allows me to enjoy the easiest of knitting techniques.  Knit. Knit. Knit.  Over and over and over again.  It's soothing and allows my knitting brain to rest until it's ready to be creative again.

5. Simple meals.  I guess I could call them brain dead dinners.  The Professor and I know how to cook. In fact, we're both quite good cooks.  But sometimes, we just want a simple easy week of meals.  Pasta and marinara.  Brown rice and black beans topped with green salsa and guacamole.  Generally, we prefer our meals simple and uncomplicated.  Several evenings this week, The Professor took over the 'meal assembling'. It's not really cooking because the cooking has already been done.  But it's not really leftovers either.  It's just--simple and nourishing.

How about you?  Anything catch your notice and remind you to be thankful?

16 comments:

Faith said...

Oh my goodness your 2nd fave is a hoot!! i LOVE it! lol....sounds like something my oldest would write to a teacher! lol....looks like you had a great week! i love simple meals too!! Enjoy the weekend and HAPPY MOTHER's DAY!!

Tracy said...

LOVELY blooms, Willow! My goodness how BIG your New Boy has grow! Easy meals... that's how it is around here too, and has been for a while--it has to be quick, easy and super-tasty. :o) Happy Mother's Day Weekend ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

Of course you were missed last week. Sounds like a wonderful week with NB. I am at that same knitting wall! Mary

Bethany said...

I WAS wondering where you were but figured you were just traveling or busy... next time I'll send an email! I hardly recognize your grandson anymore... he's growing so fast! I think you're an excellent role model for younger people... she's lucky to have you! Since I've had my nose in the books, my creativity has taken off again. It's funny how when you're focused on something completely different, it happens. I've just been working on a cross-stitch in the evenings but it's addictive! It's very soothing and very easy. I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day!!! love, Beth

Barbara H. said...

Ms. P sounds like a fun assistant. Hope she never teaches math, though. :-)

Love that student e-mail!

I felt that way between cross stitch projects -- just not ready to start a new project. But I found one this week I want to do.

I need to find some brain dead meals so I am not tempted to get something out when I feel that way.

Sharon Lynne said...

Those simple meals sound good. Not to complain, by I live with picky eaters..and 3 different tastes in foods. It's quite a challenge.

I think I'll try the brown rice and bean dish on them.

I have been immersed in 5th grade geometry. Getting the students ready for testing. I'm an aide...but I do love math!

Brenda said...

Sometimes brain dead knitting is therapeutic- I do brain dead crochet and make dozens of wash rags for friends-it helps me think.

My brain dead meal is a simple pot of beans. I do have to plan ahead, but I like to throw beans in the crock pot with onion and what ever little piece of meat I have in the freezer- then we have dinner for several days.

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

Fun with the grandson! Sounds great to me. I have brain dead activities, too, and you're right -- they do free up the creativity later!

Have a great week ahead.

Gattina said...

Sometimes when I want to start a new painting I sit there and look at the white canvas, just a black out in creativity !

snoopydogknits said...

Wow! Gorgeous flowers blooming. How lovely it is to spend time with special people. I hope this week is just as lovely. Ros

Mom24 said...

Fun with your grandson is priceless, I'm sure. I love "brain dead meals", sometimes that's just all there is.

Kathie said...

#2 is so funny!

Your grandboy is a handsome little guy and really getting big! Steven Kellogg is one of my favourite read-alouds. Looking forward to storytimes in the not too distant future.

Easy meals sound good - leftovers even better :) I plan for them and fortunately everyone loves them around here.

When you mentioned your lack of knitting ideas I immediately thought baby hats - and then you wrote about them. :) You know where my brain is these days! All things baby.

Happy week!

Marg said...

It looks like you had a great week, of this and that...but the best part was playing with that little one.
Brain Dead...that's how I have been feeling...what to write...but never brain dead with the little ones.
Soon your school projects will be finished.
I am finishing my work now in May..for good.

Mr. Puffy said...

A wonderful catch up post and enjoyable glimpse into your life! We also enjoy simple meals and if a recipe has more than 5 ingredients I start to glaze over ;) I re-energize my knitting/creativity by trying new things. I recently bought some self-striping sock yarn as I have never tried it!

nikkipolani said...

Such interesting details in your life in last week's fives (sorry I'm so late!). It's obvious you enjoy teaching and all the quirkiness of every day :-) I suppose you'll have to come up with a new name for that not-new-boy!

Julene said...

A bit busy at this end...but I always miss you!! As you were with "yours" we with "ours." Kiddos....that is!
Have another thankful week! I will too.