The 40s

So now that I've had over a year of being forty, I have come to some conclusions.

First, I don't feel any different than I did when I was 39, or 35 for that matter.  I get a little stiff easier, that's it.  Being 40 is pretty good.  I'm just about comfortable in my skin.  The most I've ever been.

Second, life is short.  There are things that I've said I've wanted to try, and I just hadn't got around to it.  Saying you want to do it and doing it are two very different things.  Well, I've knocked out two of them.  Last year for my fortieth, I bought my dear ukulele.  I can play a few chords and pick a few notes, as long as I have the TAB for it.  Very fun, but I wish I could play it more.  That's a goal for the year.  And, I've always wanted to try archery.  Not to hunt, just to shoot at the target.  This year my sweet Husband bought me a recurve bow.  It has been fun!  I didn't have a clue how to shoot, so I've done some reading and some practicing, after I got a target.  I found that a bracer (arm guard) is a must--I had a two-inch bruise on my arm where the bowstring popped it. Ouch!! There is something graceful yet strong about pulling up a bow and launching an arrow at a high velocity.  It's very fun.  Here is my best shot today:

Third, I have a greater love for my life at home.  For a long time I loved being at home, and I loved being at school.  I just loved where I was all the time.  It's the truth!  The past few years, I still love being at school and what I do and who I work with.  I love being at home so much more.  The time with my family is so very precious, and I cherish it more everyday.

Family is the most important.

Just Because...it's true.

Pug Time!!

I haven't put any pics of Hagrid and Penny lately.  Here is the cuteness!!

Penny on watch.

Hagrid on Mount Scott

 Penny on her birthday.

Hagrid thought about playing the ukulele.

Cuteness is Coming to the Classroom

During the summer I catch up on all those little things in the class to make it cute and homey.  A few years ago I found some floral fabric I absolutely loved at Hobby Lobby.  Originally I bought it for my kitchen curtains, but I really didn't like it in there, so I didn't make them.  I just held onto it until I thought of a good place to use it.  The opportunity came--my classroom!  The past few years I've used the Poppin' Patterns calendar set, borders, the whole shebang.

I love it, and so I added my fabric for different things, like my Ribbon board and countdown board (I remade it as the year went on). I also made curtains from ones I had for another classroom.  They happen to match wonderfully!

This year I am putting my whole morning meeting on the SMART board.  I am so excited!  So all of the things on the chalkboard will be digital, mostly.  I am keeping the fabric things I've made because they are too cute.  I made a 100 day count too.

The 1 is somewhere in my classroom--I'll find it when I get back to school.  I love how it turned it out.  So, now I think I am going to try to make borders out of the fabric for the bulletin boards, a little lamp shade, and maybe a calendar.  We'll see about that.  When I figure out the borders I'll show you how!

Meatloaf

Since I am staying home this summer, I actually have time to cook.  I've been pulling out favorites that I haven't made in a while, and I'm finding new ones.  It's been fun to take the time in the kitchen.  I hope that I can make this carry over into the school year.  Anyway, I decided to pull out my mom's meatloaf recipe.  As some of you know, my mom was an excellent cook.  She made it quite often because my dad loved it.  I think I got tired of it when I was a kid, because I wasn't too fond of it.  Now, oh man! I know why Dad loved it so.  (He's in Heaven right now saying, "No kidding, Shell!" haha)

The reason I'm posting it is because my youngest is a very picky eater.  If she had her way she would eat ramen noodles, corn dogs, mac & cheese, cheeseburgers and apples the rest of her life.  When I made this, I also made mashed potatoes and corn to go with it.  Usually she devours the taters first, then picks at everything else.  NOT this time!  She exclaimed after supper that she ate the meatloaf first then the taters.  She said she loved it, even more than the potatoes.  Success!!

I was talking to my sister the other day and her oldest is the same.  She begged for Fridays to be meatloaf days.  I think my mom would be very pleased that her granddaughters love her cooking.  It's one of the ways we keep them real and alive for our girls.

Here's the recipe:

1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef

3/4 c. uncooked oats
1/4 c. chopped onion (I usually use a sprinkle of onion flakes)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. ketchup
1 egg, beaten (I just throw it in)

Combine all ingredients thoroughly with fingers--press firmly into ungreased loaf pan.  Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 min.

Enjoy!