Emptyknitster

I just can't believe that another year has gone by and our Chloe is having a birthday today! We love you sweetie. Your smile (sparkly now with the braces) makes us happy!

“’If I should die,” said I to myself, ‘I have left no immortal work behind me – nothing to make my friends proud of my memory – but I have lov’d the principle of beauty in all things, and if I had had time I would have made myself remember’d’” – John Keats Every morning I wake up and look over at a favorite painting that my mother did years ago, before arthritis took control of her hands. I love this painting with its calming powers over me but also because my mother painted it. I think she had a real talent and Mom had wished that she had started painting earlier in her life – I do too. I will remember her always for many reasons, not for just how much she loved and accepted us, or for the fact that she saw beauty and goodness in everyone and everything around her. I don’t paint, nor do I pretend to have any artistic talent. But the Yarn Harlot recently wrote in her daily calendar that: “Nonknitters can think what they will about the value of knitting on the earth, but know this: No k...

Twenty years ago today, November 9, 1989, The Berlin Wall came down. At the time I was teaching in Shepard with my first class of students. The grandmother of one of my students was visiting Germany and in Berlin on this historic occasion. I mentioned that I hoped her grandmother would bring home a piece for her. A few weeks later, at parent teacher conferences, I received a piece of The Wall! Not only had the grandmother brought bits of The Berlin Wall home for her grandchildren but she had brought a piece of The Wall for me! The black and white photo is one that she took to remember exactly where she picked up the pieces. I treasure this piece of history.

I found this recipe for Blondies recently on Ravelry and fell in love with them! The regular recipe is delicious but the Whiskey Blondies are outstanding!!! Blondies - Adapted from How to Cook Everything 8 tablespoons butter, melted 1 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract Pinch salt 1 cup all-purpose flour 1. Butter an 8x8 pan 2. Mix melted butter with brown sugar , beat until smooth. Beat in egg and then vanilla. 3. Add salt, stir in flour. Mix in any additions (below). 4. Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 350F 20-25 minutes, or until set in the middle. I always err on the side of caution with baking times , nobody ever complained about a gooey-middled cookie. Cool on rack before cutting them. Further additions, use one or a combination of: * 1/2 to 1 cup chopped nuts, toasting them first for even better flavor * 1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips * 1/2 teaspoon mint extract...

Yesterday, my third graders had a group of student nurses come into the classroom and talk to them about the benefits of proper tooth brushing. GREAT timing, as it was the week after Halloween. The students did an outstanding job and the kiddos were very well behaved. As the nursing students were preparing to leave one of the young ladies came over and said. " I was in your second grade class in Shepard." WOW, a blast from the past! Emily Barnes was a student in the first class that I ever taught! I was so tickled that I introduced her to my class and explained exactly who she was - then another little nursing student, Aimee Percell, came over and said that she had been in one of my sixth grade math classes. Now this makes teaching rewarding!

I was heading down the driveway and into the garage when I looked over and saw the "Big Boys" in the yard. This is why hubby and I live in the country! These Boys are a four point and four by five. The Boys are not to happy with each other, they were both looking for favors from the ladies!

Isn't it strange...I had exactly the same number of ghosts and goblins as last year AND the year before - well, for that matter I had the same amount as I've had ALL the years we've lived in this house!! But just had to share these spooky little goblins. I'd give them all my candy ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!!