TUSCANY (ITALY): Blueberries, Bruschetta, and Borgo San Lorenzo

      

     Life at Capitignano in a rural area near Borgo San Lorenzo is a dichotomy of the new and the old, blended together, co-existing in the 21st century.  One can use the Wi-Fi in the library, get up, walk 20 feet and take your laundry off the clothes lines, walking by the rabbit hutch where the evening meal might just possibly come from as you go.  On one hand life is very sophisticated-we’re using computers, taking graduate level courses. On the other, it is very primitive and reminds me very much of life at my granny’s house in Arkansas or my grandparent’s farm in Kansas when I was a kid. Whether I am sitting in an art history class learning about 12th-15th century Italian artwork or plein air painting outside with my easel and oil paints, this rural 13th century Italian estate (really just a working farm) has taught me many things this summer. One of these things is that life is to be lived, enjoyed, relished, and absorbed!

     Our world in the United States in 2012 is full of work, meetings, emails (home email, work email), voice mails, cell phone messages, Tweets, Facebook comments and messages, texting, laptops, desktops, and so much more. In between all those communication details that fill our day we also hop in our oversize vehicles like my Suburban (no Panda for me!) and drive hither and yon running errands, delivering things we could probably just keep, gathering things we could probably live without, and stopping for a $4.00 cup of coffee on the way. (Hey, don’t be messing with my Starbucks. Oh wait, that was me! Erase that!) But, when the suitcases are packed and we venture off to another spot on the globe we can often find a much different life. In fact, many of my ventures to places like Ecuador and Uganda, and other places, greatly (or gravely) reminds me that the American way of life is in many ways so wonderful; in other ways so excessive.

     This weekend in Italy I didn’t travel anywhere. Other weekends I have gone on great adventures riding trains, buses, boats, and with drivers to places like Seina, Arrezzo, Livorno, and Venice, Burano and Murano. But this weekend I wanted to just stay put and enjoy Capitignano and it’s simplistic beauty; knowing that our time will be ending soon. I volunteered to fix lunch for those of us who did not travel as the cook is given the weekends off.

     I moved the smaller patio table out under the giant shade trees on a ledge that overlooks the Mugello valley on both sides of where I positioned the table. The breeze was so refreshing and the view was stunning. I found a tablecloth in a drawer in the kitchen, ran down to my room and got a strawberry juice bottle I had been saving and picked some wildflowers on the way back for a centerpiece, quickly grabbed my camera so I could document our pretty lunch, and then, for a moment, I pretended I was Frances Mayes in Under the Tuscan Sun. I spent about an hour in the kitchen making a delicious salad full of local produce, a light vinegar and oil dressing, warmed up Maria’s delicious minestrone from the day before, and made my own bruschetta. I made a tomato bruschetta, the Tuscan way. The recipe is easy:

Chop tomatoes, add grated fresh Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh basil, some chopped bread crumbs from the heel and maybe another slice of a baguette, salt and pepper. Mix together well. Slice a baguette in angular pieces. Rub the bread with garlic, brush with olive oil. Place the tomato mixture on the slice, be generous, and bake in a warm oven, maybe 350, until nice and toasty.  The Italians are very frugal.  Using the heel ensures you use ALL the bread, but the bread crumbs also bind the tomatoes together so they don’t fall off the bruschetta. The other bruschetta was my own invention….quite excited about that….I used the same baguette bread, slathered it with herbed goat cheese, and placed fresh blueberries on it. Toasted it until nice an heated through; drizzled with peach honey with a bit of a pepper kick that I got at the Borgo County Fair our first weekend here.

      And, for the real treat, I gathered some tea bags kept for the morning hot tea drinkers, and made a delicious ICED TEA! Yes, first ice tea I have had since I left Texas on June 8th! We sat outside under this big, old beautiful tree, breeze blowing and keeping us cool, enjoying the view. While we didn’t say it, I think it was visible on all of our faces…we knew that moment was one to remember.  I found myself thinking I need to do this more when I get home. How can I squeeze in a lunch here and a supper there on the patio with friends who are caught up in the same life-is-too-busy-routine as I am? I don’t know, but I’m going to try. Don’t be surprised if you get an invitation! I can be pretty persistent! In Under the Tuscan Sun, Frances Mayes says, “There is no technique, there is just the way to do it. Now, are we going to measure, or are we going to cook?” Make some bruschetta today. Put your own favorite ingredients on it! Be inventive! And invite some friends over!

TUSCANY (ITALY): Beginning my summer of oil painting and art history at Capitignano.

Living with the Doors Open

     This morning the final leg of the journey to Capitignano began.  I woke up at 7:00 am and enjoyed a long, hot bubble bath in the Four Seasons’ extra large porcelain and granite bathtub…thinking to myself…a lover of long, leisurely, fragrant, and very hot baths…that this might be my last bath for awhile.  A day must begin with a nourishing and tasteful breakfast so after getting ready I sauntered downstairs and out to the restaurant patio where I indulged in homemade bread with fresh butter and peach jam, an omelet with fresh mozzarella cheese and grilled vegetables and two cups of delicious coffee.  I again felt my soul being nourished by the lush green gardens that had surrounded me the previous evening for dinner.  The gardens are adorned with curved and fluid sculpture and beautiful flowers.  I could smell honeysuckle and petunia’s so fragrant one thought it surely must be perfume.  The chorus of birds was there again. Birds of so many melodies that the whole sky seemed to sing.  Swallows dipped and soared all above the tree canopy expressing their love of this beautiful garden.  I closed my eyes and inhaled the air’s sweet perfume and listened to the harmony in the sky…and said…let it be well with my soul.  Thankful for the opportunity that lay in front of me, around me, and thanking God for his blessings.

     A driver took me to the airport.  His name was Alessandro.  I met the group at the airport and also Mark, the program director and one of the professors, who was there to pick us up.  We drove a beautiful, no….breath-taking, scenic drive to Borgo San Lorenzo.  The drive was lined with rolling hills, olive trees, vineyards, wildflowers, Tuscan villas with their earthy clay tile roofs, and farms.  We even saw a deer! The foliage was so green and lush.  Quaint farms….a mostly agrarian society north of Florence in the hills. And, everywhere, beautiful flowers…on porches, in windows boxes…everywhere.  We stopped at a grocery store, the Coop, and I bought a hair dryer, a fan, an iron, some crackers, and some flawless and perfect blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and apricots…which I feasted on later in the afternoon.  The produce here is so fresh and grown locally and looks  almost too perfect to be real. We stopped at a little yogurt shop in Borgo which Mark’s friend owns and I bought a bottled strawberry juice… I really wasn’t sure completely what is was.  But…it was literally strawberry juice! It was as if someone had mashed some strawberries, sieved the juice, and bottled it! Divine! (I think the brand name was Yogo.)

     We then went to the train station and picked up Sophie.  She is a delightful 20-ish year old girl from China.  She is a student at BU and has been in Italy for awhile visiting a friend and traveling around.  Her father is an art teacher in China.  Her personality is infectiously loving and happy! Also with us are Ashley from Maine, Alex from Massachusetts, and Victoria from Texas (St. Edwards University, Austin). A couple more arrive tonight.  The girls are all precious, all in their early 20’s, and I can tell I am already everyone’s “mother hen.” But, they are graciously looking out for me-helping me carry a few things as my knee has had a bit of an overload lately.

     The drive into Capitignano reminded me of the movie Gladiator when Russell Crowe remembers his house (villa) and farm.  The driveway was lined with tall evergreen trees, Cyprus trees I think, and a vineyard. It felt like driving into the Garden of Eden.  Where I sit now and write on the patio overlooking the Mugello Valley and Borgo San Lorenzo way down deep in the valley definitely feels like Eden.  Birds are singing to me from everywhere and the breeze gently blows.  I am surrounded by the prettiest shades of green that can possibly exist. 

     I walked Capitignano earlier, taking it’s beauty, and taking pictures.  There is no way that photos can capture the serenity and beauty here.  It’s as if you are living in a painting. They will serve as a reminder, but to fully grasp the beauty one must use all the senses-hear the breeze and the birds, smell the flowers, taste the fresh apricots and pasta, touch the 600 year old walls in the house, and see, really see, the depth of this place.  What a PERFECT place for an artist to paint.

    Lunch was served al fresco (on the patio) and was a delicious fresh pasta in fresh tomato and pecorino cheese sauce, a mozzarella and tomato salad, and a green salad, fresh apricots, and coffee for dessert.

     My walking journey around Capitignano included a visit to the rabbit house (yes we will be eating them), photographing a small army of fowl-ducks, chickens, and turkeys (yes, we will be eating them, too), walking through the olive orchard, and admiring the ages old architecture.  We also walked around with Mark who showed us the classroom and the painting studio.  After that I settled into my tiny little room-home for the next seven weeks and then found myself wandering out to the patio where I now sit writing.  I find myself thinking…how can this be…how is it that I am here…those questions have long, complicated answers…but I hear a voice….the voice says, “Let it be.” So here I shall be…for many weeks…a place that leaves the doors purposefully open on all the houses and buildings…as if to say…come in…you are welcome.  Francis Mayes said in Under the Tuscan Sun, “  Five tender apricots in a blue bowl, a brief and exact promise of things to come.”  I did that today too.  I found a blue and white bowl in our 600 year old farmhouse that is home for the next few weeks, I took it outside, and photographed it with fresh apricots (which are everywhere) sitting in it. And…I said to myself…I’m not sure what this journey will look like exactly…but let it be.  I know I will be a different person, artist, and teacher when it is finished. I know my own art making will grow in ways I can’t even begin to foresee and I know my students will benefit from this experience in exponential ways.  Let it be…..and let it be in a place where the doors are wide open. 

GLOBAL: Texas Art Education Association, November 2011

2011 Texas Art Education Association Convention

Presenting on Globally Inspired Art & Teaching Abroad. Love the Power Point on my clothes and face!

     I've spent a couple of days at the annual Texas Art Education Association Convention. This year the event was held in beautiful Galveston, Texas.  Artists know where to have conventions! My room has a beautiful view of the ocean.  Who couldn't get inspired?!
     Why do we need to have conventions for teachers?  I'll tell you why. We spend a few days immersed in our content area, sitting by and networking with fellow educators, gleaning ideas, getting free products, curriculum ideas, learning how to advocate for our field within the school system, and....rejuvenated as a teacher! I've gone for quite a few years to the annual convention and I wouldn't miss it for anything! I suppose there are some who come for purposes that aren't so professionally related, but I come to be immersed in what I do. You see, I want to be a teacher who is always challenging my students, always on the cutting edge of broader ideas, and growing myself.  You are never too old to learn!
     I've met some wonderful educators here from all over Texas. I've enjoyed meeting Faith and Susan from a school in Dallas and exchanging ideas with them.  I've enjoyed meeting members of the planning committee and assisting with set up for the convention.  And, I've enjoyed getting to see fairly new friends Nancy and Bill, incredible educators, who already seem like old friends I've known forever. I find that teachers have a way of encouraging each other.  At least, art teachers do. Art teachers are pretty good at positive emotion and transferring that to fellow teachers.  I've also enjoyed all the gallery shows from state students, the artisans market where fellow teachers set up their artwork to sell, and, of course, the commercial exhibits where I had a smile on my face as I was given bag after bag of new product to use and try and share with my students.
     My students are going to enjoy some of the things I've learned: Bookmaking, handmade papermaking, using a particular brand of self-drying clay from Texas soil, using an epoxy clay, making beautiful pottery using math tessellation's, using a new reusable acrylic paint, and some general teaching tips and master educator ideas.  We are going to be busy in the art room. I just mentioned a few things!
     I also presented at the convention. I've presented for many years at TETA and served on the planning committee and state board.  This was my first time to present at TAEA and I really enjoyed it. You see, I truly believe that a teacher, a true teacher, can teach a 2 year old or an 80 year old. It was really rewarding to "teach" my fellow educators.  I presented twice.  The first presentation was on Globally Inspired Art & Teaching Abroad.  The second presentation was on my recent trip to Cuba with the National Art Education Association.  The presentations were well-received, but even more importantly, they opened up a dialogue with a room full of teachers that was meaningful and relevant in our growing, shrinking world.
     I really love what I do. I get up each day going to a job that I truly love. Sometimes I wish I had more energy than I do, but...hey....that couldn't be because I just turned 50? No. Probably just didn't get the sleep I needed the night before.  I had some incredible teachers that invested their time and knowledge in me.  More than that....their love and concern....and a desire for me to learn and grow and have a meaningful life.  Some aren't with us anymore...and a bunch of them are my friends on Facebook! It is my desire that when my life is over that I can look back on it and know that somehow, in someway, large or small, that I made a difference in the life of a child. I think the world is getting a bit strange to live in and we need more educators who are teaching for "Passion" and not just a "Paycheck."
     The convention has been thought provoking and has given me so many ideas. Looking forward to getting back to the school to share with my students.

Hand made paper: Made from trash paper, chocolate kiss candy wrappers, botanicals, and other components, the Saxx representative teaches us how to make handmade paper. My 4th grade students are going to love doing this for January bookmaking project. I can't wait!

AFRICA: Art Inspired by Africa

Each week I teach art to about 700 elementary school students. We just completed our African Art Unit and nearly 1100 pieces of art is hanging around the school. Let's just say everyone is going on a safari each day as they walk through the building. As usual, I am THRILLED with the creativity that came from my students! We continue to develop our pieces until they reach that "aha" moment and then it gives me GREAT PLEASURE to hang them for all to see. Very soon I'll post a wonderful slide show that showcases our African inspired art. And, equally exciting to me, very soon I"ll post the African Art  book for teachers and art enthusiasts on my website. I can't wait to share it with art teachers all over the world! Next up, art reflecting the colorful part of the world known as Central and South America! I can't wait to have my students develop art reflecting the culture and creativity of Ecuador, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, and other Central and South American Countries. Viva! That's all I have to say about that! Stay tuned for the amazing African Art Show that will be posted on this blog! It's been a tad busy lately. My middle son got married last weekend and we are wrapping up all kinds of awesome things at school as this is our last week! Peacocks and Rainbows is going to take a giant leap forward this summer!

KENYA (AFRICA): The Beauty of the Masai

During the summer of 2010 I went to Uganda and Kenya on a mission trip and had the PLEASURE of teaching school to over 400 students. We spent most of our time in Uganda. The people we were with look pretty much just like you and me and dress just like you and me. Then, we went to Kenya. We were able to do some “tourist” types of things in Kenya including going on several safaris and visiting a Masai village. The Masai are a remarkable people. They have managed to maintain much of their custom in a modernizing world.  They are semi-nomadic people and reside in the game parks of East Africa. They are, many times, tri-lingual speaking Maa, Swahili and English. Wow! Amazing!  They are known for their bright red clothing, beautiful beaded jewelry, and for being terrific cattlemen. They drive large herds of cattle all over the Masai Mara and the Serengeti. And that drew me to them even more as I grew up a farm girl in western Kansas, driving cattle on my horse with my family. I fell in love with their beautiful beaded jewelry and accessories they make  In fact, the whole group was in the Land Rover ready to leave the village and I was still in the area they had set up for us to sell us their beautiful  beaded items. I showed my students one of the colorful necklaces I bought there on the first day of school. And, I have eagerly been awaiting the Africa unit all year at school. We are painting and drawing and sculpting so many “sights” from my trip to Africa……many of the gorgeous animals that graze on the Masai Mara plains where I was, but also the beauty of the Masai. They have got fashion design all figured out” And as a former fashion designer before I began teaching theatre and art, I just couldn’t wait to get my student’s paint brushes painting the beautiful Maasai!

JUST FOR FUN: Spring Break Spa

     Spring break is here and many are looking for economical, fun, family friendly things to do! Here is an idea to use to make some memories with your daughters….or to just have fun yourself. A little ART in the kitchen AND the bathroom, so to speak! 

Plan a SPA day! And have it right at home! And, the best part is, with warm weather right around the corner these items will keep for awhile and you can keep refreshing your skin for the spring and summer outdoor activities! Add a yummy salad, a refreshing drink of juice and ginger ale, some fresh fruit for dessert...and enjoy lunch outside in the fresh spring air and your spring break spa day will be even more special. Don't rush thru "making" the spa items. You'll make great memories with your daughter while you enjoy creating spa memories in the kitchen. End the day or afternoon with a nice warm bath treat....or use the spa items another day. That's up to you!

And, make the project even more ARTFUL by making gifts packaged with beautiful homemade labels and ribbon to give to friends and family!

Sea Salt Scrub

½ cup sea salt

½ cup olive oil or almond oil

½ teaspoon orange zest

½ teaspoon lemon zest

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl that has no traces of water in it. This will dissolve the salt. Scoop mixture into jar or airtight plastic container and store in a cool dry place. Keep it by your shower or bathtub. Just before bathing, mix ingredients with your fingers. Rub with a light scrubbing motion on body as bath or shower ends. Rinse off completely.

Sugar Scrub

1 cup dark brown sugar

½ cup sweetened almond oil or extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon liquid vitamin E (You can also cut open a vitamin E gel cap.)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or your favorite essential oil (Citrus works nicely.)

1 tablespoon honey

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, except for the brown sugar. Mix well. Then add brown sugar and mix well again. Scoop mixture into jar or airtight plastic container and store in a cool dry place. Keep it by your shower or bathtub. Just before bathing, mix ingredients with your fingers. Rub with a light scrubbing motion on body as bath or shower ends. Rinse off completely.

Lime and Rose Milk Bath

     Roses smell wonderful and limes are great for oily skin. Lime also helps reduce acne breakouts on the skin and shrink pores so this is a great milk bath for teenage girls experiencing acne breakouts. Leave the lime out if you like. I'm not sure what girl, regardless of age, wouldn't like soaking in a tub of roses!

2 cups of powdered milk

2 cups of real rose petals

5 drops Rose Essential Oil

3 limes

3 drops of Lime Essential Oil

     Slice two of the limes and squeeze the juice into the bowl. Add the lime oil drops and rose oil drops. Add 1 cup of rose petals and powdered milk. Mix gently and pour into the bathtub. Slice the remaining lime and sprinkle it, plus the remaining cup of rose petals, onto the top of the bath water. Soak, smell and savor the moment!

Cleopatra’s Milk and Honey Bath

     The legendary and beautiful Queen of Egypt was known to take milk and honey baths every day. Since she has transcended history, it must have worked for her, so it will surely work for us! Your skin will feel so soft! Use this recipe often!

½ cup powdered milk

½ cup raw honey

Mix these two ingredients in a bowl and then place into the bath as it fills. Enjoy! (Also, adding a tiny bit of aloe vera gel to the water is good for wrinkles.)

Dry Milk Bath
     This is one of my favorites to make because it keeps well and makes a great gift! It's fun to decorate the jar. I often use those pretty canning jars that have the patterned glass. They can usually be obtained at Wal-Mart or the grocery store in boxes of 12. 

1 cup powdered milk bath

8 drops of essential oil in your choice of scent

Mix these two ingredients will and place in airtight jar or airtight plastic container. Makes a great gift!

Note: Do not use homemade bath products with oil such as perfume oil or essential oil in whirlpool bath tubs. Also, you can order essential oil from many online sources. I can also purchase it at my local large hobby and craft store as well as the whole foods grocey store.

Decorate your containers: Have fun using store bought labels, making your own fun homemade labels, pretty containers (The Container Store has amazing jars!), colorful ribbon, raffia, etc. to personalize jars and give as gifts. While many of these ingredients will keep for awhile, I think it is best to use fairly quickly. 

 Enjoy your spring break spa!

MY CAMPUS: Rock 'n Roll Line!

As an elementary school teacher there are many things that I do that could be lumped under the category of classroom management or school management. One of those things involves getting my students to clean up at the end of art class and then line up, either to walk down the hallway to P.E., or be picked up by their teacher to go back to class. While students are lined up, it can be one of those times when it gets noisy, when students will push and shove each other (Ok-let's be honest.....they DO that!), get upset because someone cut in front of them, etc. And, as the teacher, I might still be trying to finish up helping a straggler get cleaned up, etc.

Last week we did a Fun Friday Crazy Hair art project where the students learned about and drew the different types of lines. It is amazing how one creative moment can CREATE another creative moment. That simple, yet very fun, and informative lesson in lines led to a spontaneous moment a day or two later when I found myself with a couple extra minutes to wait for a teacher. Love it when a unique idea happens! Wanted to share this one!

While students were standing in line, I said in a very quick voice-so fast it startled them," Make a straight line." Well, the looks on their faces were kind of puzzled. They know me and know I don't get mad at them, but they hadn't heard me say line up quite like that before....so I had their full attention. They looked at me with lots of questions on their faces. Without missing a beat I said quickly, "Curvy line." The light bulbs began to go off and immediately the students stepped out of their straight line into a curvy line. Lots of spontaneity followed. Short line (down low to the ground), tall line, zig zag line, tall-short-tall-short line (every other student stood tall or short), random line (they could strike a pose), wiggly line (feet stood still, waved arms in the air), I even threw in a rock star line (took a big breath on that one-and yep-I was right-loud and guitars), then I said, "Straight line." And, then I said, or whispered almost, "Quiet line," with my pointer finger over my mouth. Well, I can assure you.....I was the coolest art teacher ever at that moment and maybe the coolest teacher of the day! And I had the quietest and most straight line of students ever waiting for their teacher. And, it was amazing how that spontaneous, simple game held their attention...and the best thing about it is now that they "know" it....I can freely move around the room while I play the game and help the stragglers clean up. I can also appoint one student to lead the line up game! Awesome day in the art room! I love it when unique ideas come just because a teacher tries to constantly make things better for their students!

(Note: As I did this with my other classes, periodically I would throw in "straight line" to just get them regrouped before another line was called.)

UGANDA (AFRICA): Bagala Beads

This past summer I went to Uganda on a mission trip! The colors of Africa are still with me every day. I crossed paths with a wonderful woman named Irene who makes beautiful jewelry and purchased as much as I could squeeze into my suitcase to bring home to my family and friends. I had crossed paths with this jewelry before, however, in all places but Dallas....where I'm from.

Bagala means "love." And, there is a company in the Dallas area called Bagala Beads & Baskets that was founded to help Ugandan mothers provide a better life for their families. Brett and Shauna Fuller, the founders, sponsored children in Uganda for three years before actually traveling to Africa to meet the people and visit school children. Their experience there is what prompted them to found this company. Uganda is full of wonderful people who are working hard to rise above the incredible hardships caused by a terrible dictator, war, and the tragedy of AIDS. The women who make these beads are able to provide a meager lifestyle for themselves and/or their family. The beads are made from recycled magazines, posters, paper or all kinds! And, they are COLORFUL and BEAUTIFUL!

Read more about them at: www.bagalabeads.com

JUST FOR FUN: Art in the Kitchen

  Well, we are having ANOTHER snow day and once again I find myself off from school. Last week we were off for four days from school due to ice, snow, and freezing temperatures. Who would have thought we'd have another day off this week? I enjoyed telling my art students on Monday and Tuesday to let me put this in "perspective" for them. First, I had to explain what the word perspective meant. Then, I told them that I am 49 years old and NEVER in my entire lifetime have I missed four days of school because of the weather. Sure, for holidays and summer break, but NEVER for snow and ice. It is quite unusual and, I must confess, the kid in me LOVES it! I'm not too old to ride a lake inner tube down a hill. LOVE IT! I might have a little more trouble walking the next day than I used to, but I still love playing in the snow!
     Playing in the kitchen is something I love too! And, the art teacher in me just couldn't resist the opportunity to turn something ordinary into something extraordinary. Last week we made snow ice cream and really enjoyed eating it! So refreshing! But for the last few days I've been thinking to myself.....if it snows again.....I'm going to make some snow ice cream that is fun and different. And, so, this morning I went out in the snow, scooped up some fresh flakes (maybe a piece of grass or two), and came in the kitchen and began creating a masterpiece. A little vanilla, a little milk (yes, you can use condensed milk if you have some), some red food coloring, a dash of peppermint flavoring (I LOVE PEPPERMINT ICE CREAM!), some red food glitter, spinkles, and pink sugar crystals......and, well, kitchen art that tasted delicious! Might even pass for homemade Valentine snow ice cream!
     Have fun with your kids! Look for new and different ways to do things. Ask them questions! Ask them, "What could we do to this snow ice cream to make it different?" See what they say! You might be surprised at the energy and ideas that come out of your little ones! I'm pretty sure my next bowl of snow ice cream will have some chocolate in it. And probably some Nutella! From my perspective, that's a pretty good idea too!

GERMANY: Great-Grandmothers Desk

     Today I moved my great-grandmothers desk in front of the fireplace and worked all day on art lesson plans for the last few weeks of school. What a joy that was! Dreaming of what creative things my students will do in the coming weeks just got me excited to do more and more and more! But, let's back up to that fireplace! We have had the coldest weather I can remember having in the 25 years I've lived in Dallas. (The entire country is frozen and cold!) The temperature has been in the low teens and the wind chill below zero. That's pretty cold for Dallas! The chatter about a snow day began early Monday night as we all hunkered down for a storm moving in of thunder, lightening, and ice. What a strange combination! Ice fell during the night and sounded much like rocks hitting the roof of the house and we awoke to a layer of ice over just about everything and a bit of snow. So Tuesday was a "Snow Day" and I cleaned house all day long. Then, the temperatures didn't come up, the roads did not thaw, and Wednesday became another "Snow Day." And I cleaned the house even more.  Then, the temperatures didn't come up, the roads did not thaw, and Thursday became another "Snow Day." But....ahhhhhhh!!!! The Thursday "Snow Day" was my favorite because my house was clean and everything was picked up. So, I fixed myself a cup of coffee, looked longingly at the fireplace and how I would love to sit in front of it and work, and then, it's as if my great-grandmother herself called out to me. "I'll move the desk! That's what I'll do!" A small writing desk would be easy to move. And, so, move it I did! With a desk that is about 150 years old and a Mac that is only a couple of months old, I perched in a cozy fashion in front of the fire, sipped my coffee, and created and dreamed with words on the screen, about art! What a wonderful combination! It took me all day to write the Marc Chagall lesson plans for the next art history subject, but my, oh my, how the students are going to love dreaming on paper! And, while I worked, old friends and new called or texted me. My son, who is in graduate school at the University of Kansas, called and said he had just seen my Blog and thought it was cool. That made my day! He is a big picture thinker and I think he suspected there was much more than a Blog going on. And I confirmed to him that, as usual, Mom was building something. But what exactly am I building? Hmmmmm. I'm building character in my students. I'm building a well-functioning art room. I'm building creative students who think outside the box. I'm building students that think critically. I'm building students who know how to express glee and joy! I'm building a place where students, all students, can come and know they have something worthwhile to contribute. I'm building respect in my students, for each other, for themselves, for me, and for our world. But, somewhere in the back of my mind, I'm building more. I'm not exactly sure what it is going to look like when it is finished. I'll let you know when I figure it out. It has something to do with passing onto others what was given to me. I've had some pretty incredible teachers and mentors in  my life. So very many. People that took time, real time, quality time, to invest in me. And, that's what I'm looking forward to. Investing time in my students. And, investing time in art teachers around the world who are looking for the next inspiring moment in their art rooms.  Can't think of a better place to work on it either than right in front of this fireplace at my Great-Grandmother Heim's desk. And, we have our fourth "Snow Day" tomorrow so looks like I'll be spending a little more time at that desk. Come to think of it, I may just leave it there for a really long time because, you see, it IS important to find some quiet time, amidst the clang and whistles of our day, to sit and think, and reflect, and plan, and CREATE......whether you are a teacher who has 750 students come thru your room a week or someone working in another field.  That is something we should ALL do. Find some quiet time! I have a hunch my great-grandmother might have done just that very thing.....at this desk! And as one of my little students would say, "Mrs. Peacock, That is ahhhhhhhhhsome!"