For Today

My two favorite cowboys

THINKING ABOUT...the Connie Schultz article I read in Parade on Sunday.  Every time I read one of her pieces, I find myself smiling--sometimes even chuckling, too.  Connie is a Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist who crafts columns that are inspiring, funny, and insightful.  Click here to check out Connie's  essays.
 
THANKFUL FOR...my sweet husband who likes to cook.  On Monday, before he left for work, Brian made a batch of raviolis for me, so I would have dinner while he was gone.  So, so thoughtful.  

INSPIRED BY...Bumbo's commitment to the people of South Africa.  Nearly 100% of the profits from the sale of Bumbos go to support South Africans in need.  Kudos to Johan Buitendach, the inventor of Bumbo, for his generous spirit. 

WRITING...a children's article about how to create a scrapbook layout.  It's not coming together as easily as I thought it would...and it's due on Friday--eek!  Could be because I am just a wee-bit distracted by an adorable almost seven-week-old named Noah.  Oh, and let's be real: I'm a procrastinator by nature.           

LOVING...the beautiful daffodils on the windowsill in our dining room.  (Thanks, Aunt Susie!)


JUST FINISHED...reading Heaven is for Real.  It's a quick read, but definitely worth checking out.

READING...I Don't Know How to Cook and Marriage Rules.  I'm enjoying both so far!
 
LOOKING FORWARD...to spending time with my niece, McKayla at the end of March. 

PERUSING...Scrapbooks Etc. April 2012 issue.  Excited to see a Baby Love album in the magazine; I think I might be able to create something similar for Noah.

WATCHING...The Voice for the first time.  I'm amazed by the talent of the singers (unlike some of the contestants on American Idol), and the interaction between the judges is fun to watch.  Adam and Blake are my favorites. 

BAKING...Easy Coffee Cake (from I Don't Know How to Cook).  It must be pretty delicious--Brian had two pieces!

ENJOYING...Noah's smiles.

Hope you are having a great week!

J

For Today

Happy New Year!

So far, 2012 is off to a great start.   

Here's what is happening around here.

Today...

I am thinking about...what might be in store for me this year.  I'm not planning to write down any formal resolutions.  Sure, I have a few goals in my mind, but by and large, I'm just going to embrace whatever comes along.  

I am thankful for...time with my husband.  Last night, he treated me to a delicious dinner: homemade crab bisque, grilled steak, Caesar salad, and garlic bread.  Oh, and cookie dough ice cream for dessert. 

I am working on...several upcoming blog posts.  Stay tuned!

I am creating...my 2012 Project Life binder.  I ordered the Clementine Edition binder and core kit, as well as photo pocket pages (Design A and Design C) and big envelope pages.  I'm EXCITED to continue using Project Life to document what's happening in our lives.  

I am watching...the movie, Something Borrowed, and really liking it.  I see a lot of myself in the character, Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin).  Have any of you read the book?  Was it better than the movie?

I am loving...vacation time.  Time to reflect, to plan, to sleep, to organize, to play, to dream.   

I am reading...Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life Is Your Hidden Strength.  Being an introvert myself, I can definitely relate to many of the author's thoughts and experiences.         

I am hoping...to finish up my 2011 Project Life binder this week.  Just need to print out a a handful of photos and slip them into the pocket pages.  

A few pictures to share:

2012 Project Life binder: Clementine Edition

 

First Page (Cards are from the Core Kit.)

Last Page

Big Envelope Page (perfect for memorabilia)

For Today: May 22, 2011

FOR TODAY, I am...

Thinking about...all that I need to accomplish this coming week at school. I know it will get done bit-by-bit and I'm reminding myself to keep my eyes on the finish line!

Thankful for...time to play games like Upwords and Bananagrams at a reading conference. I'd heard good things about both of these games, but never tried them myself until yesterday. Both are quite fun!

Working on...31 report cards, while burning a DVD-R with pictures from this year for each of my students. (A generous parent donated the DVDs!)

Inspired by...Pinterest.

Creating...a Day in the Life layout. I'm almost finished--just need to sew around the photo and text blocks. Will share pics here soon!

Loving...Postcards From Far Away, a beautiful classical piano piece by Coldplay. (Just wish it were a bit longer!)

Reading...Boys Adrift. After setting this book aside for awhile, I'm giving it a second chance. I picked it up again for the very same reason I first selected it at the library: So many of my male students are unmotivated in the classroom. I want to find out why, and what I can do as an educator to help them achieve their potential.

Hoping...to do a bit of vacation planning.

A picture to share...

During spring break, while exploring our property, I snapped this picture using the fancy-shmancy lens Brian rented for me. Then, I cropped it and adjusted the coloring in PSE.

Hope you had a wonderful Sunday!

J

For Today: February 10, 2011

FOR TODAY

Thinking about...how I'd love to devour a donut from Voodoo Doughnut right now. (I know it seems like such a random thought considering I live nowhere near Portland, Oregon, but I just finished watching an episode of No Reservations where Anthony Bourdain visited Portland and Seattle.)

Thankful for...my mom who volunteered two hours of her time this week to administer fluency assessments in my classroom.

Inspired by...Costco's International Photo Contest winners. My favorite photo: Bedtime Stories.

Creating...a layout with six mini-stories from my childhood. As memories flood my mind, I'm filled with gratitude for being blessed with such a happy childhood. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!)

Loving...the Create-a-Face Pancake (pictured above) that Brian and I spotted in an IHOP menu last weekend.

Reading...No Need for Speed by John Bingham and Sabbath by Wayne Muller.

Hoping...to feast on a Rubio's fish taco (okay, make that two!) tomorrow night with my hubby.

Packing...for our upcoming Marriage Encounter weekend, and looking forward to spending quality time with Brian.

Perusing...this post on the Ordinary Courage blog. (Love that it discusses faith, which is my One Little Word, and lists a handful of recommended books.)

A picture to share...

The "Cousins" at Grandpa Harless's Celebration of Life

Enjoy your weekend!

J

For Today: January 17, 2011

I love this simple documentation idea from The Simple Woman's Daybook via Ali Edwards' blog:

FOR TODAY
January 17, 2011

Outside my workshop window...the sun is shining! Brian just called and said it's overcast in the valley, which reminds me of a license plate frame I saw the other day: "Colfax--above the fog, below the snow."

I am thinking...about how I want to display my photos + text in a San Diego layout I'm working on. The year of the trip: 2000!

I am thankful for...all of the ephemera (ticket stubs, maps, parking passes, journaling) that I collected during our 2000 trip to San Diego. Sure makes putting together a layout--nearly 11 years later--infinitely easier.

I am inspired by...this layout by Stephanie Howell. It's so visually stunning. Stephanie has a gift for pulling together product + photos + stories into impressive scrapbook layouts.

I am wearing...my favorite Gap jeans! I love, love, love denim.

I am creating...my intro page for AE's Yesterday and Today class.

We are going...to see my parents, sister and niece next weekend. :-)

I am loving...my new necklace from Etsy's Polka Dot Boutique. The word "faith" is stamped on my necklace.

I am reading...Scott Kelby's Digital Photography book, Volume 1. I can't wait to also read Volumes 2 + 3.

I am hoping...that we will be able to order the travertine tile for our bathroom this week.

I am hearing...Hello World by Lady Antebellum. My favorite line from the song: "Maybe talk to God like he is there, oh I know he's there, yeah, I know he's there..."

Around the house...I'm enjoying "playing" in my workshop on this no school/no work day. Happy birthday to Martin Luther King, Jr.!

One of my favorite things...is writing in my teacher journal on Monday afternoons. (Many thanks to the Karreman family!)

A few plans for the rest of the week...sub days on Wednesday and Friday (reading training and academic conferencing), running, scrapbooking, and spending time with Brian.

A picture to share...

The "Laundry Today or Naked Tomorrow" sign was a Christmas gift from my Aunt Sherrity. Every time I do a load of laundry, I see it and smile.

Hope you have a great week!

J