Update Number 2

In November & December a friend and I took a baking class. What fun! Every Tuesday for several weeks we scurried away from school and hopped a ferry to Port Townsend. The days were still longer and we enjoyed the views as we crossed to the Olympic Penninsula.

Because of the timing of the ferries we usually had about 45 minutes before our class started and that meant a quick dinner. Did you know there is one of the best pizza places ever in Port Townsend? It sells pizza by the slice. We loved it so much the first day, that we kept going back. OMG the pizza routine was a must..Original combinations, rich flavors and lots of vegetarian options which we both liked. Then we giggled our way to class. The class ended at 8:30 but that's when the ferry left, so we tip toed out a bit early each week. Darn! We missed the tasting time!!!!

That's OK though, because we've been baking up our own treats since then and have lots of tasting at home. We learned to make fabulous cinnamon rolls, ganache and chocolatte mousse, Christmas cookies and a variety of cakes. It was a huge success. I learned to use my mixer better and why the parts of recipes I always skipped were actually important.

Come by some time and I'll bake you a sample!!!

January and earlier

September meant the beginning of the school year and apparently a lost ability on my part to type and communicate. Half of the school calendar has gone by and the first month of 2012 is ending today. WOW. Are you ready for an update? Let's see if I can manage one.

School is going fine. I'd much rather be home retired with my books and my cat (and Warren), but that having been said...I'm having a good year. My kiddos are learning and they are just quirky enough to be a lot of fun! My new colleagues are very nice and so hard working. If people only knew how much teachers do for their kids they would be amazed. And my room (as you saw) is fabulous. Sunlight and views. We had snow all day long in December and it was unbelievably wonderful. All 25 kids pulled up a chair to one of the windows and watched. They were lost in joy.

End of September part 2

The third week-end of September brings my Zanika reunion. It was terrific.

Left right after school and drove into the Cascade mountains. Made to one of my alternate homes, Camp Zanika. For the last five miles I drove with the windows wide open (despite a light rain) and took in the smell of pine trees, a lighter drier eastern washington air, and views of the lake.

Parked and headed for the second lodge (the dining hall) and was greeted with more hugs and laughter than many people see in a year. The room was full of women I've known since I was a kid. We've grown up together and are growing older together. What a rich reality. The week-end was full of stories, and family tales. Reports on fundraisers, the current camp and camp fire,the general health of our group and each other. Food, song, laughter, hikes, kayaks, guitars, crafts, more food and more laughter. An all around success.

This year I made the camp quilt. It will be raffled next fall. I"m including a photo. You saw its bits and pieces in earlier blogs. It turned out well and will hopefully generate a bit of money for our next project: remodeling and updating the camp kitchen.

Enjoy the photo. Camp is such a great place. Meg

End of September

It's been just over three weeks since my last blog and so much has happened. It's amazing how much life can pack itself into a day!

School started and I've met my kiddos. What a great group. The room looked good when I stood with my boxes and bags and looked around. It looked happy once it was unpacked and welcome signs were hung. But it looks positively exciting filled with fourth graders. Each is eager to learn in his or her own way. Some plunge right in, others are more cautious, not wanting to repeat unsettling experiences from the past. So far, we've managed to cover a lot of territory and generate a ton of smiles as well.

Having walls and a door makes such a HUGE difference. When I read aloud I can add sound effects and change voices. When they laugh out loud it is OK. When we work in groups a comfortable buzz is actually comfortable. Last year it was an open space class and we had to constantly whisper and shush because of the other 5 classes in the same space!

Much more joy will be had this year! Meg

September

We are safely home and have been for just over two weeks now. The days have zipped past as only time can.

Our trip was such fun! We collected memories to keep us cozy over many wintry days.
I'll update the blog with a few of the better photos we took soon.

We've spent some time with family and friends since getting back. And we took out the kayaks. Paddling across the water and enjoying the gorgeous sights and wildlife near Deception Pass is an amazing experience.

The other activity that has gobbled up time is school. I've changed locations again and came home to see that my boxes of materials had been moved. It has taken many days to open all of the boxes and find a place for everything. Classroom library books, paper supplies, decorations and items for bulletin boards, files, a professional library, etc...all needed to be set up and ready for use. Tomorrow I'll hook up the computers, printers, and electronic equipment. Then I'll think about activities for the first days. Lots is done and more remains.

My new room is quite large and very sunny. Have a look at the picture or better yet, come for a visit.

Love, Meg

London

Have enjoyed our time in London. The entire world in a few city blocks. Once you've reviewed a bit of history you look at these buildings and monuments with completely new eyes. Amazing. Not only the current world but the past as well.

We've been to Avebury and walked the circumference of a stone circle, walked along roman roads and under roman arches, seen signs of Queen Victoria, Napoleon,and even Ben Franklin. We've watched a memorial to the dead of many wars and read about the current ones including new and strong protests. Fashion alive and very dead. Food to be remembered and food to leave ulcers in its tracks!

To the prime meridian and back again. An amazing time and now we've run out. Less than 24 hours to home. See you all soon. Bringing hugs and smiles and stories and songs.

Love, meg

Still in Love

Unlike any other trip I've ever taken, I was a bit homesick as this one began. I think that's good actually. It means I've put down roots and home is truly home. Good friends, a satisfying job and family not too far away.

That having been said, I forgot everything as I stood on the edge of the sea for a week in Boscastle. The raw power and beauty of the ocean flows through my body when I'm there and there is room for nothing else. Pure joy.

We did have some sun and when swimming up the road in Crackington Haven. The waves pounded us and we laughed out loud. Most were in wet suits and on surf or boogie boards. Warren and I just went in. We both love the sea and in we went. Big cresting waves to wash over us, high swells to dive into, splash and jump and swim and tumble. Sea and salt and sun. It was fabulous.

We ended our stay in Boscastle with two unbelievable nights with the locals.Our landlord told us about the snug up the hill where a group of locals meet to sing once a week. We went and were invited to join in . It was like an "evening fire" at Zanika, just in Cornwall. The next night was instruments and singers alike. We met some truly lovely people and I suspect we'll return again. There's more, but I'll save it for another entry.

We're in London now. Headed for the Thames and a play sometime tonight. More soon. In a few days we'll be home to enjoy each of you in person.

Love you. Meg