Bottling Up Perfection (30 Day Blogging Challenge #27)

Today's Prompt:  Nov 27 

If you could bottle up the perfect day, what would it look like?

As luck would have it today has been a perfect day, wrapped in gratitude and punctuated with a mid-day nap.

It looked like family gathered around a bountiful table, with a view of a snow-filled meadow.  

It smelled like baked turkey, gravy, and bourbon sweet potatoes, and it tasted like red wine, pumpkin pie, and whipped cream.  

It sounded like laughter and felt as cozy and comforting as the heat emanating from a wood burning stove.

Family Traditions (30 Day Blogging Challenge #22)

Nov. 22's (belated) prompt:

What are the family traditions you are most grateful for?

At this time of year, I am reminded of how much I love sharing a meal with my extended family on Thanksgiving. 

Before the guests arrive, my husband, daughter, and I all pitch in to help.  We start by doing a thorough cleaning of our house (many hands make light work), and then we each contribute something to the meal.

Aside from the pleasure of eating baked turkey, and watching my husband roll out the crust for his famous pumpkin pie, my favorite family tradition is making homemade dinner rolls with my daughter (the way that my mother used to do with me).

Today, I am grateful for family, food, and the opportunity to pause and take notice of the snowflakes that are starting to fall outside of my window.  With the snow comes yet another family tradition:  getting a Christmas tree.

Thanks! (30 Day Blogging Challenge #19)

Nov. 19's (belated) prompt:

Tell someone you know how grateful you are for the work they do.  Share your story here.

   by  hellojenuine. 

When pondering this prompt, I instantly had several ideas come to mind, but then I started over-thinking it.  As a result, I've decided to to briefly thank two people rather than share an elaborate story.  

I am grateful for the work that +Lucie deLaBruere does to bring a variety of different people together to learn in a collaborative, inspiring way.  Lucy, I admire you for the way that you work to provide opportunities for others.  The positive energy that you share, and the way that you give so much of yourself for the benefit of educators and students, impacts so many lives.  I am inspired by your leadership.

I am grateful for the work that +Joyce Babbitt does to bring creativity and a passion for reading to students.   Joyce, I admire you for making things happen (and for making it look so easy).  

Change is Good (30 Day Blogging Challenge #17)

Today's prompt:

One thing that is different from a year ago that I am grateful for...

Last year at this time, I learned that my long-term subbing job at a local middle school was turning into a one-year position.  While I'd been grateful for the opportunity to work in that school for any length of time (it was a welcoming place with great people), I was delighted to learn that I'd been asked to stay for the entire year.  Although that year went by much too quickly, I am grateful for the unexpected creative outlets that have since come my way, allowing me to teach and learn from different audiences this year.

In October, after some encouragement from +Lucie deLaBruere , I taught a "Spooky Circuit Box" workshop at our local Tech Jam at the Generator.  This January I will be partnering with her to teach a bookbinding/ circuitry workshop geared toward getting more girls excited about technology!  I am thrilled to be doing this, because it will allow me to purposefully merge my passions and interests while working alongside someone I deeply respect and admire.

Another inspiring change that has come my way this year was an invitation to create animated seasonal station IDs for RETN, our local television network. While my work is still in draft form, the process of making revisions and receiving feedback from experts has been a fun and rewarding (with a steep learning curve).  I am also excited to be teaching a class there in either January or February.  Partnering with RETN is helping me build new skills while providing a creative focus.  I am grateful to +Doug Dunbebin  for providing me with a unique opportunity to share my dorky love of Do Ink apps with adults!

This is a sneak peak at one of the video shorts that I've been working on.

Gratitude Photo Collage (30 Day Blogging Challenge #12)

Today's prompt:

Share a photo - or photos - of things / people you are grateful for.

I loved assembling this collage of some of the people and things that I am grateful for.  

"Gratitude improves relationships." (30 Day Blogging Challenge #9)

Today's prompt:

What is one way you could develop an Attitude of Gratitude in your classroom or school? 

In the article, 11 Tips for Instilling True Gratitude in Your Kids, readers are reminded that "Gratitude improves relationships."  Having experienced this first-hand, I'd like to share small ways that one school is doing just that.

In the middle school where I most recently worked under a one-year contract, faculty and staff were encouraged to post weekly updates to a shared Google Doc, identifying ways that students, faculty, and staff had exemplified caring, assertion, respect, empathy, and self-control  (CARES) at school and during extra-curricular activities. The weekly shout-outs were then projected onto a television screen in the hallway outside of the main office, sent home in a weekly parent newsletter, and shared via Google+.  Students in the building really appreciated this gesture and would be delighted to see their names flash across the screen.  

The administrators at this school also encouraged teachers to send home "CARES" postcards, addressed to individual students, letting them know that something they had done had been recognized and was appreciated.  Designed by a student, these blank postcards were located in the office, making it easy to send home notes of gratitude.

Another thing that was done that significantly contributed to the positive climate in the building was that all faculty meetings started with teachers and administrators taking time out to recognize and show appreciation to one another.  Anyone could stand up and offer a shout-out, and the words of affirmation were specific and heart-felt.  

Although my time at Browns River Middle School was short, I remain grateful for the time I was part of their close-knit team.

Grateful for the Daily Grind (30 Day Blogging Challenge #2)

Today's prompt:

What is one small delight in the day that you always look forward to?

One thing that has remained constant throughout my career, whether I've been working full time or doing freelance work, is my morning cup of coffee. I can't remember when it first started, but, for as long as I can remember, my husband has been getting up before me to prepare it.  For years, this gesture has set the tone for my days, filling me with gratitude in the hours before even seeing my first students.  

It begins with an evening ritual. 

Nearly every night, just before he lets the dog out one last time, he pads down to the kitchen in his pajamas to grind coffee, fill a pot with water, and set the automatic timer.  

While he's working, I hear him rhythmically pounding the grinder on the counter (it almost always gets stuck).  Occasionally, he sings or entertains himself with a broad range of nonsensical mumbling-- comforting sounds that help lull me to sleep.

Because I tend to be on the clumsy side in the morning, with a propensity for dribbling on my clothes if allowed to carelessly overfill my own cup, he usually invites me to sit down with my iPad before personally handing me my mug.  

My weekday mug is chipped, but I love it. It was painted by my daughter eleven years ago, when she was only four.

On weekends, the ritual changes.  My weekend mug is broad, green, and filled with homemade cappuccino.  Saturday mornings are flavored with a hint of maple syrup and sprinkled with freshly grated chocolate flakes.  

While I suspect that I am not alone in embracing my first cup of coffee each morning, I feel grateful that my husband takes the time and effort to nurture me with this daily gift. 

This is true whether I am working full-time or merely subbing, as is currently the case.  I am grateful that this writing prompt came on a Saturday and that I was reminded to tell my husband how much I appreciate him.