He's home!

He is home and I am thrilled!

Classes ended a few weeks ago but, he stayed down in the Carolina's

to do a little golfing, and spend some time with family before heading back "up north"

for the summer.

This may sound odd, but life is right again ~ my balance has been resumed.

I'm looking forward to summer and spending long lazy {humor me} days relaxing and just enjoying my time with my children.

His first words to me were ~ man it's cold here! Thanks Nick, I missed you too! :)

It's not the greatest picture of either one of us ~ Nicholas had been driving all day and I had just gotten home from school and changed into my bummy clothes

Nonetheless, I'm ecstatic to see my baby boy!

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What are you up to?

What is a gal to do when her husband is about to leave for a few months, she is in over her head with end of the year school projects {in a non air conditioned classroom I might add}, the "to do" list is so long she can't find the end, the laundry has become a full time job and no one else seems to be qualified except her and the organized piles are beginning to take on a personality of their own?

The answer is ...

build a squash and pumpkin patch in your backyard, of course!

Yep, that's what I've been working on this weekend. It's actually larger than it looks {believe me, my arms and legs have been expressing their excitement over my fabulous weekend project} and I'm looking forward to my fall goodies.

Hope you are all having a relaxing and enjoyable

Memorial Day!

~ Jo

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Brimfield

I'm trying to play catch up this weekend in all areas of my life ~ I think I'm going to need more than just a three day weekend!

Last Saturday my husband I headed for the Brimfield Antique Show in Massachusetts. It's a about an hour and a half from our home. The drive was relaxing since we were going through the country side and everything is turning green and beginning to bloom. Not to mention the fact that I had some one on one time with my husband.

I look forward to visiting this booth each time I go. It is filled to the brim with lovely vintage and reproduction ribbons, buttons and other wonderful finds ~ I could spend hours perusing all the various colors, textures and patterns. My husband was sweet enough to meander around the field and let me take my time. I departed with an overflowing bag and a huge smile on my face!

Not only were the wares fabulous in this booth but, the way she displayed her items was equally wonderful.

I have been eyeing wrought iron arbors for our back yard. I want to plant some type of flowering vine to grow on it. I have the perfect place for it ~ where the yard transitions into the wooded area of our property.

I finally convinced my husband of my landscape idea and we come home with one of these guys! He was nice enough to put if up for me when we returned home late that evening.

The only thing I didn't find that I was looking for was a tall boy for our master. I know exactly what I want ~ now I just need to find it!

The weather was perfect ~ not too hot, a gentle breeze and the sun peeked out every now and then. I had just made the above comment to my husband when all of a sudden the sky opened up and it down poured! We quickly ducked into a booth and waited it out. The sun popped back out and we enjoyed the rest of the day.

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It's me ... remember me?

It's so nice to see you again!

How is it that one day turns into a week and before you know it, two weeks have passed and you have barely noticed because you're running around like a crazy women?

The month of May has always been an insanely busy month for my household. There are always endless school projects, performances, and end of the year celebration. I just double that since I'm a teacher.

I feel like I've been MIA for my family and personal interests. When I spoke with my son this evening he mentioned that I didn't seem like "I was really there" the past couple of times I've spoken with him on the phone. Note to self ~ remember who and what is time worthy and important in your life.

I do have some exciting news to share. I've begun a new adventure in my life and I'm off to a running a start! I'll share more with you later in the week and it includes a *giveaway* ~ I thought that might get your attention! :)

Until then, I'm off to catch up with all of you ~ I'm sure I've missed some exciting news, new projects, great crafts, heartfelt moments and, beautiful photographs!

I've really missed "checking in" the past few {too many} days!

Jo

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April showers ...

...bring May flowers!

Don't these just scream spring?!

Even on a rainy day these cuties will bring a smile to your face. I wore one on my jacket and got so many compliments. Being the nice person I am ;), I sent one to my sister in law and I'm going to surprise a friend of mine with one this week.

They are so darn cute that I had to have more, more, more. Poor Rachel had to scramble to come up with fall colors ~ I'm thinking ahead!

We quickly realized that we *needed* to talk in person. I'm telling you she is fabulous! This wonder woman can carry on a business call (that quickly turned into girl friends chatting) and still focus on her children and their busy schedules (there is a time difference between our home states) without missing a beat. Oh how I wish she lived closer. By the end of our conversation one would have thought we were childhood friends just catching up!

Okay ~ if (and I truly suggest) you feel like you need a little pep in your spring wardrobe, head over to Rachel's. I promise you'll be delighted.

Enjoy!

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Fieldtrip Fun!

On Thursday I took my students to Project Oceanology. We have been working with them all year. In our classroom, in their labs and on their classroom boats. The children love it! We work with another classroom from a school in a neighboring district.
This is an amazing opportunity for the children (and adults). My own (biological) children have experienced this trip as well and thoroughly enjoyed it at a high school level.

We couldn't have asked for a better day {albeit a little chilly}. The sun was out, and the waters were calm. When we pulled our nets in they were full of fabulous ocean "loot" ~ as you can see. I so wish I could show you my really good shots of our day on the high seas {ok, not really} but, due to the fact that my student's cute faces are in the pose, I must leave them out. I wouldn't feel comfortable exposing them when I don't have permission from their parents.

One fun find was our little jelly ~ found on the blue glove. A little interesting fact was that fluke is really a summer flounder. If you visit the shoreline this summer and go for the infamous fish and chips you'll be sampling our catch of the day! The spider crabs are always a hit. I was rather excited when we pulled up the lobster. Unfortunately, he wasn't dinner size :)
We were able to take a few (small) finds back to our classroom tank ~ Project O has come in and set them up for us as part of the year long project.

We were also treated to the passing of a submarine. Surprisingly, many of the children on the boat had never seen one in the water!

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Weekend Review

This is the finished product of our weekend. The mulch is down, new areas of the yard are in the process of being developed, and I even found time for a quick trip to the gardening center to pick up a few of my favorite herbs.
I added a fresh coat of black paint to my "find" (thought of you Lisa while I was spraying away) and they are ready for their new home in my herb garden. While roaming our front beds, I found this nest. Over spring break I saw a very busy bird working hard to build a home for her babies. She flew back and forth with goodies she found and created this ~ I'm amazed at the details and workmanship of this nest. I guess I never put much thought into the construction of a nest. How do they know to create a rounded opening that gradually gets smaller towards the bottom with sides that fit so well between branches with a support system? I must admit that I was very impressed as I took in all the details of this little home ~ perhaps the heat from our 86 degree day is getting to me and I'm slightly dehydrated or even delirious! :)

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