Images by JEJ

While I stayed inside today getting out the fall decor, canning dill pickles, and baking zucchini cake and pumpkin bread JEJ had fun with his camera. Between dividing irises and stacking a wood pile he caught some new images with his camera. He kept a fire going in the gazebo in case he needed to stop and warm up. Often we don't get this blaze of color from our Virginia Creepers because they die out from the summer heat. I also love the contrast of colors as he captured the berries in this photo. This is a view we don't often take from the back of the gazebo looking toward the house. This photo shows the beautiful rock work JEJ has done with the path, the borders, the fireplace, and the wall behind the pond. If you are new to this blog, he also build the furniture in the gazebo and the gazebo itself. He thinks he can wrap it this winter so we can enjoy a fire in the gazebo even when the weather is really cold.

Misty Morning in October

Autumn is Ripeness and Color

"Autumn is the eternal corrective. It is ripeness and color and a time of maturity;
but it is also breadth, and depth, and distance. What person can stand with autumn
on a hilltop and fail to see the span of his or her world and the meaning of the rolling
hills that reach to the far horizon?" Hal Borland

As I continued to practice my newly learned skills with the camera while the sky was cloudy and it was nearing dusk ( a good photo time says Scott Kelby) I was drawn to the bright reds and yellows that stood out in the lingering light. The small crab apples appeared like small frozen cherries after the rain.Annie and Shelby waited in the gazebo by the fire on this cool, rainy day instead of following me around for the photo shoot. As I felt the dampness seeping through my socks I decided they are pretty smart dogs!

Digging Deeper into Teaching and Learning

During this school year I am working toward reaching National Board Certification as a teacher in the area of Early Adolescence/ English/Language Arts. By the time I submit my Portfolio in late March I will have videotaped my classroom discussions, reflected on my teaching, analyzed student work, and written about how I have improved myself as a teacher leader and a partner with parents. An exam comes later in the spring. This is a rigorous program which caused me to miss most of our last beautiful week-end of September while I was focused on work in my study. I really love it though. I love digging deeper into my teaching of reading, literature, and writing and researching best practices. My students have been cooperative so far when I have questioned them about how they learn and prodded them about their multiple intelligences. We'll see how all of us do the first time we videotape. One student predicted either he would start laughing or I would trip and fall. I can only hope his first prediction is more accurate! Stay tuned.

Autumn Has Arrived

"The season for enjoying the fullness of life --
partaking of the harvest, sharing the harvest
with others, and reinvesting and saving portions
of the harvest for yet another season of growth."
Denis Waitley

We thought frost was going to arrive later in the week so JEJ began the autumn ritual of moving the plants in the greenhouse today. It is always difficult to decide what comes in and what has to suffer from the frost. The greenhouse just won't hold all the geraniums, spider plants, petunias, wandering jew,and begonias. When I arrived home JEJ was carrying the aroma of scented geraniums on his shirt. I knew the move had taken place. As I moved through the greenhouse I inhaled the earthy aromas of the summer plants. Yes, autumn has arrived! Sweet William was thrilled to have his favorite resting spot restored for winter.

Gathering Around the Table Peruvian Style

When I was in Moscow last week-end another special dinner was held on Saturday evening. Mercedes and Gloria, two teacher leaders from our Northwest Inland Writing Project last summer, wanted to treat the facilitators to a Peruvian feast. We arrived at Mercedes' house after a meeting all day and what a feast we had. Unfortunately I was so busy taking foodie pictures, eating, and conversing I forgot to write down the names of these wonderful dishes. I will just describe them here. The gathering started out with chips and spicy salsas and a most delicious sangria.The soup was a combination of shrimp, rice, peas, and other goodies with a sauce that could be added on top. This is a delightfully fresh drink made with Peruvian rum. It looks so pretty also! I really need the recipe. Actually, I need all the recipes.The vegetable side dish was a combination of cold potatoes, olives, hard boiled egg and a hot cheese sauce in a bed of lettuce. A basil and garlic enhanced pasta with a spicy pork chop was next on the menu. Then of course was an amazing dessert. Mercedes prepared a crepe that was filled with cinnamon infused coffee ice cream, then topped with a pear sauce. The hot crepe melted the ice cream just enough to blend all the flavors. The evening continued with strong coffee , sharing of writing, and conversation.We met and worked with Mercedes and Gloria because of our friend Bev above. Thanks Bev for introducing us to these two amazing women. We learned so much about their lives in Peru through their writing in the summer institute, but enjoying the flavors and traditions of their native country at this special gathering.
Thanks again Mercedes and Gloria! Now I will get the names of those dishes and the recipes! April, my co-facilitator, was taking in the whole experience across the table from me.