Thursday, March 05, 2015

March: Spring is in Sight

It's been a busy, busy week here at Willow's Cottage.  Another week has slipped past and I didn't post a single picture or write a single sentence.  However, I must hit pause and post my blessings.  It's a tradition which I think is important for me--focusing on what I am thankful for.  The link up for Friday Fave Fives is at Living to Tell the Story.

1.  So, how many times and how many ways can I say that I love my TA?  Today--hand delivered Americano with soy milk and a maple scone.  And she taught half of one class as she is 'interning' under me.

2.  I am thankful for notepads.  Let me explain.  I write myself notes All. The. Time.  If I write it, I won't forget it, right?  I make notes about meetings and appointments.  Two doctor appointments this week.  One meet up for lunch.  One meet up at 'big box yarn and craft store' to choose yarn for a prayer shawl project.  I know it's a small and somewhat silly thing, but notepads make my life easier and I'm thankful for that.

3.  I have a special small notebook for class reminders.  I call it "My Brains".  The class helpers/TAs know if I say, "Put that in my brains, please", they should make a notation so I will remember to do something.  "Send MO vocabulary words because he lost his."  Check.  "Post information sheet about a special writing technique the students learned, so the parents will know what their kids are talking about."  [What's a 3SSS???]  Check.  "Send quiz to SB since she missed taking it when she was in Hawaii!" Check.  I love that little notebook--it came in a clear plastic zippered case AND it has a matching pencil.

4.  You know those days when you just don't feel like cooking?  What's your go to place to grab some food?  We like Sharky's!  This Mexican Grill has the Best Food!  We buy a burrito each and get four meals.  My favorite?  AJ Burrito--black beans, brown rice, avocado, and broccoli all wrapped up in a whole wheat tortilla.  Add cilantro, salsa verde, and lime.  Yum!

5.  Monday afternoons are often reserved for spending a few hours with my artists group.  We're a tiny group, but we're passionate about expressing ourselves in our respective art forms.  I'm not a painter.  I don't do watercolors.  But in watching my friends and listening to them discuss forms and techniques, etc etc etc, I am slowing learning a little.  Happily and contentedly I sit and knit, and we drink tea and love each moment.  I treasure those Monday afternoon hours.  I'd show you a photo of the other shawl I'm working on (not the prayer shawl), but at this point, it's still a boring, crumpled ball of silk and llama.  Once it's finished and blocked it will be fun to photograph.

And, here's a bit of color for friends in snow bound lands.  Take heart.  Spring is coming!



16 comments:

Gattina said...

I never feel like cooking ! I loved to cook in the past, but now I make it simple. Your Monday afternoon group sounds good, I love my painting class on Thursdays, painting and lots of chatting !

Tracy said...

LOL... I'm with you, Willow--gotta have a note pad, Post-It notes, something handy to write things down. If I don't write it down, it gets forgotten! I've tried doing digital--Evernote, etc.--but paper & pen still does it for me. ;o) LOVE your "My Brains" notebook!! Oh, I wish we had a Sharky's here! I miss really good Mexican-inspired food in a hurry! Thank you for the HAPPY flowers--JOY to see! We actually have snowdrops coming into bloom--earliest ever for here! :o) Happy Weekend ((HUGS))

Mereknits said...

I am a list maker myself and have them all over. I would be lost without them.
Hugs,
Meredith

Faith said...

I love the flower pics!! we are slowwlllyyy warming up out here in NYS. I love notepads too. I keep one on the fridge for the food shopping and have trained my family to add to it as needed. it really helps! yay for great TAs!!!! I had a fantastic one when I was teaching full time.....loved that woman!! enjoy your weekend!

Monica said...

I know what you mean! I have to write things down. If I forget the list at home I can most of the time remember everything I wrote on it!
Crazy!
Beautiful flowers! I cannot wait for spring! This has been a long cold winter here in Missouri.

Susan said...

My go-to restaurant is the grocery store where can get a rotisseries=e chicken and a bag of salad. I am still learning which restaurant meals are blood sugar friendly. . . . Your burrito sounds awesome. Hurray for avocado and cilantro.

I need to be more regular about writing things down. My problem is that I tend to lose the notebooks. That is funny how you call it your brains.

How fun that your artist group is open to having the participants engage in the art of their choice. someday I hope to make time to find and participate in a similar group.

Thanks for sharing your spring flower photos. They made me smile.

Barbara H. said...

I use a lot of notepads, too. It took me a while to use the Notes and Reminders app on my phone, but once I got used to it, I loved it. A bonus is that since I have it with me most of the time, if I am out and need something from a note, I have it with me instead of having to keep track of where the paper is. I am still drawn to pretty notepads, though, and keep one on my desk and one on the refrigerator.

I have not heard of Sharky's - sounds very good!

The artist's group sound wonderful. I don't paint, either, but I love hearing about the principles involved.

ellen b said...

I think I can see Sharky's in my mind. Yummy. I'm glad you have such a good TA! Have a wonderful weekend.

Deb J. in Utah said...

I love the flowers. Yes, spring is here in California and Arizona! Wow - that artists group you are part of sounds like an amazing group. So glad you have a good TA. A good TA can make all the difference. Enjoy your weekend.

Susanne said...

I so get the note pad thing! I love note pads, it's just not the same with putting things in the phone. Love those cheery flowers. They always bring a smile!

Karen said...

Thank you for the photos of Spring! Such beautiful flowers and in my favorite color.

I smiled at #2! I love notepads, too, and especially love collecting them. Such a simple pleasure, but certainly a blessing.

Your Monday group sounds lovely.

snoopydogknits said...

Beautiful Spring flowers! I love notepads too. I just have to remember to look at the list once I've written it! ;-) Ros

nikkipolani said...

So nice that you have a handy restaurant for those no-cook nights. And your artist group sounds like such a haven for you.

Ever since I started using the Notes app on my phone, it's been "my brains" too. Used to be little diminutive notebooks. We need all the memory aids we can get!

I always wish spring would arrive with less haste here in SoCal. Colors and flowers, yes! 80F in March, too soon!

Gracie Saylor said...

I'm so glad you have a wonderful TA, Linda. Being a TA in an elementary school in NY for 7 years was fun...just the work I felt God had prepared me to do. I tend to forget to consult the notes I have written myself, but I keep writing notes anyway and I am sure they help me stay on track better than if I never wrote them. Your Spring flowers are so pretty. I just posted photos of some of ours, photos of Mt. Hood, and of the hat I am knitting using your pattern. I wish I could be part of your "art" group :-) xx

HappinessSavouredHot (Julie Saint-Mleux) said...

I take notes all the time too! I try to put as much directly in the computer right away, otherwise I tend to toss the papers away or feel too lazy to copy from my notebooks. I probably have 3-4 entire novels written on post-its. LOL

Anonymous said...

I love reading your fave fives! It's a wonderful discipline.

Your burrito sounds scrumptious! (except for the cilantro).