Busy could be an understatement...

Over the past 3 months my life has changed dramatically. I am officially a "real" teacher, teaching second grade at a school in Flagstaff. These last three months have been quite the whirlwind between becoming acclimated as a new teacher, setting routines and procedures in my classroom, constantly researching and planning engaging activities for my kiddos, answering 28 little bodies all day long, and still trying to have a personal life. The first few months were a bit rough...12 hour work days, feeling like I was barely keeping my head above water, etc, but I am feeling more settled into this crazy career of mine every day. I adore my kiddos and am doing anything in my power to let them have a successful and fun year in second grade. With that being said, I have found myself back to the blogging world where I hope to share some of the fun things going on in my classroom, some of the ways I take time for myself, and various thoughts throughout the year. I hope to use this as a writing outlet for my friends and family to read. Here are some pictures of the fun things that have been going on so far in second grade:

Classroom all set up at the beginning of the year!

First bulletin board welcoming the kids!

Exploring the skeletal system!

Sushi Date

Sushi, my absolute favorite ethnic food. Now don't get me wrong, I love living in Flgstaff...but sometimes finding good ehtnic food here can be quite challenging. I grew up in California where there is a surplus of great Sushi restaurants, Mexican food, etc. Although we have a great sushi restaurant we go to here in Flag, I thought of a great idea while strolling through World Market one day. I came across a sushi making kit that was fairly inexpensive and seemed like it wouuld be a fun idea for a stay at home date night. The kit had the rice, rolling mat, rice vinegar, wassabi, soy sauce, nori, and seemed like a pretty fool proof way to make sushi yourself. After purchasing the kit, I thought about what ingredients might be easy and yummy to put in the sushi rolls. I ended up getting shrimp, imitation crab, avocado, cream cheese, and cucumber (I figured this would be a safe first go at sushi).

With all of the supplies in place, Wes and I decided when to embark on our sushi adventure. The kit was very easy to follow- microwave the rice, pat on nori (seaweed), add ingredients, roll. Now our rolls definitely got better each time. We figured out how many ingredients we could add without it being too full, how to roll it tightly, and how to cut it nicely. I would say that our third roll looked very similiar to the rolls you get at a sushi restaurant. When it was finally time to eat the rolls we made, we were pretty impressed with ourselves, as the rolls were actually quite delicious. It was a very messy dinner, but it was also very fun. I think we will definitely be doing this again in the near future...give it a try, it's pretty neat!

-M

Homemade Eggplant Parmigiana

Although the last few weeks have been busy subbing in various classrooms, I have found time to cook some yummy dinners for my wonderful boyfriend and myself. One of my favorite recipes is my Nana's eggplant parmigiana recipe. My mom has made it several times, but I had yet to attempt it. It seemed awfully complicated and time consuming. A recent grocery shopping trip inspired me to try this recipe when eggplant was on sale for under a dollar. It didn't hurt that my mom was grocery shopping with me and explained to me how easy it was. I was able to make this on a school night, after a long day of work, fairly easily and quickly. It turned out DELICIOUS, probably one of my favorite recipes I have every made. In fact Wes, my boyfriend, said it tasted "just like a restaurant". I have to agree...it was pretty darn good and tasted just like an Italian meal served at a five star restaurant. Below is the recipe with a picture of the finished product. Enjoy the recipe and make this for dinner sometime...I promise it will be one of the best home-cooked meals you have ever had!


Ingredients:

1. 1-2 Eggplants
2. Salt
3. Breadcrumbs
4. Eggs
5. Milk
6. Oil for frying
7. Pasta Sauce
8. Mozzarella Cheese


Directions:

1. Wash, peel, and slice ends off of eggplant
2. Cut eggplant into pieces, 1 inch thick
3. Lay on paper towels, salt on both sides and let the pieces sit until water droplets form (about 30 minutes)
4. Meanwhile, beat a couple of eggs with milk
5. When eggplant is done sitting, rinse and pat dry
6. Heat skillet on medium high with oil until hot
7. Dip pieces of eggplant in egg mixture, then in breadcrumbs
8. Fry breaded pieces, turning once to brown
9. Drain pieces on paper towel while frying others
10. In a rectangular or square glass pan, layer eggplant pieces with pasta sauce
11. Bake in oven for 20-30 minutes (depending on amount of eggplant)
12. Put mozzarella cheese on top for last 5 minutes of baking
13. Serve and enjoy with a side of pasta

NOTE: It is VERY important to salt the eggplant pieces and let them sit. This step brings out the bitterness in the eggplant and severely impacts the taste of the final product.

-M

Moving can actually be quite pinteresting...

The last few weeks of my life have been consumed by moving, moving, and more moving. Although I absolutely loathe the idea of packing everything I own and transporting it to a new location, this move has been rather pleasant. Maybe it's due to the fact that it was a close move, or that the house we moved into is amazing in every way...or perhaps it's because it has given me even more of an excuse to craft. I'm guessing it's a combination of the three, but I thought I would share with everyone what crafts I have been up to. Now I cannot say that I deserve credit for the ideas of the crafts...that I owe to my wonderful dear friend Pinterest. It has become a slight addiction of mine but I think it's a healthy addiction (if that is even possible). Below are some of the crafts I have created along with material lists and directions.

Fabric Covered Bulletin Board:

Materials:
Cork Board (I got this one at walmart for 9 dollars, frame and all)
Fabric (1 yard worked for this size bulletin board)
Staples
Scissors
Ruler

Directions:
1. Measure fabric according to the size of the board (Measure a tad bigger than the board)
2. Lay fabric on bulletin board
3. Start with one side, pulling fabric taught, stapling every few centimeters as close to the frame as possible
4. Continue until all sides are stapled down

Note: You could wrap the fabric if you wanted, but I liked doing it this way so I could easily change the fabric if I wanted to.


Yarn Wreath

Materials:
Foam wreath
yarn
felt
scissors
hot glue
Ribbon

Directions:
1. Tie a knot with the yarn around the wreath
2. Wrap the yarn around the wreath until the wreath is no longer visible (This doesn't need to look perfect...some bumps will be normal)
3. Tie the yarn off at the end (should be where you started)
4. Make rosettes out of yarn- cut circles, then cut circles into spirals. Then wind spirals and hot glue until they look like rosettes
5. Cut leaves out of felt
6. Glue flowers and leaves onto wreath
7. Tie ribbon on wreath and hang from wreath hook.

I hope these ideas inspire you to create something that you will benefit from and is beautiful. I can honestly say I use the bulletin board every day and think the wreath is one of the most beautiful things I have made. Be inspired.

-M

New Year, New Attitude

As I dragged my butt back to the gym for my first post holiday cookie binge workout, I cringed and dreaded every moment of it. I must say, however, now that I have endured the horrible first day back to the gym workout, I feel great...a body cleansed mentally and physically. While 2011 brought me many blessings, I cannot wait to take 2012 by its horns and show it what I am made of. While huffing and puffing during my workout, I was able to formulate some goals for myself for 2012 to help keep me on track and accomplish things that are important to me. I know, I know...New Years goals are corny, but hey they can't hurt right? So as I share with you some of my personal goals for this new year, I ask you to think of your own goals...and what it will take to turn them into actions, rather than just words.

Goals:

1. Land my own classroom for the 2012/2013 school year.

2. Live a healthy lifestyle that consists of working out throughout the week (No matter how tired or lazy I am feeling from teaching) and eating better foods for my body.

3. Start spending less and saving more.

4. Be more patient with those I love.

5. Enjoy the here and now, rather than being consumed by the future.

Have a happy new year...make it count.

-M

Reflecting on 2011

So as the holidays come close and 2011 comes to an end, I have realized how much life has taught me this year. Through the ups and downs, disappointments and successes, sadness and happiness I have finally come to a place where I am enjoying life and everything it has to offer. Student teaching, college graduation, and figuring out the "future" had left me confused and lost. With the help of my loved ones, I was able to see that life isn't about "figuring it all out", but simply enjoying where you are, with whoever you are, at any given time. This realization allowed me to have a completely new outlook on life and helped me understand happiness is not a destination, but a journey. During this holiday season I ask you to reflect on your own life and think about what makes you happy. We all face success and failures, but never lose sight of what really matters.

-M

Treats from Nana

As the holidays are quickly approaching, I have entered the world of aprons, flour in every crevice of my kitchen, and piles of dishes waiting to be washed; in other words: BAKING. Every year since I can remember my mom would bake all kinds of goodies from breads to cookies, and homemade chex mix to candies. There have always been traditional recipes that complete the holidays in our house. One of these recipes is my Nana's sugar cookies. They take some time and some love but are the best sugar cookies you will ever taste. My brother and I used to be solely in charge of cutting out the cookies, then frosting and decorating them. However, As I grow older, I have decided to take on the recipe in its entirety, and hand out these delicious cookies to neighbors and friends. Below is the recipe for you to make and create your own holiday tradition. Enjoy.


Nana’s Sugar Cookies


1 cup butter (2 sticks)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 ½ cups sugar
3 eggs
3 ½ cups flour
2 tsp. cream of tartar
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Cream softened butter and vanilla. Add sugar, gradually creaming until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each. Sift dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then gradually add to creamed mixture. Chill dough in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours. Roll out the dough on a well floured surface, 1/8 to ¼ inch thick. Cut into shapes. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets for 6-8 minutes or until slightly brown around the edges. Cool completely before icing.

Makes approx. 8 dozen cookies.


Sugar Cookie Icing


Warm a little milk and approx. 1 Tbls butter in a sauce pan on low. Add approx. 2 cups confectioner sugar and 1 capful of vanilla extract. Separate into small bowls and add food coloring. Make the icing thin enough to brush onto the cookies. You may need to add more milk to achieve the right consistency. Put colored sprinkles on as soon as you brush the icing on, while it’s still wet.


The finished product: