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VISION BOARD

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  With this new year holiday coming to an end - I begin working on my lessons for Tuesday. My students will be writing their own books. For young author week in March it takes time. Kindergarten kiddos a have short attention span - but when given a fun creative project that comes to life by their own creativity - it's priceless. Before my class of 19 begins their illustrations, writing a draft and designing their cover - they will begin with a Vision Board. Each student will be given poster board, magazines, old post cards, stickers and colored pencils for those who prefer to draw their visions. Once the vision boards are completed - we will hang them around our classroom. Vision boards work in so many positive ways. Vision boards can represent who you are. Motivate you. Bring clarity and focus. And set goals.  MY VISION BOARD *****APARTMENT BUILDING IN AVERIO****** *****CANAL IN AVERIO***** *****AVERIO APARTMENT BUILDING*****   [[I WANT TO LIVE THERE!]] *****CITY IN...
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  Love, laughter, traditions, foods, songs and a hint of sorrow. This is our first Christmas without my father. Each year since our move to the DC Metro area, we would drive to Pennsylvania to visit with him. Since my mother's passing - my father continued his weekly/daily schedule. Breakfast then to his local gym to spend a few hours talking and a good hour working out. Though he would tell me he spent two hours working out - and the rest of his time "educating" young beginners. My father's last Christmas was during his stay in a retirment home. Our youngest daughter invited her boyfriend to meet her grandfather. The young 19 year old played card games with my father and a few of his new "friends" for two hours! Love, laughter, traditions, food and songs.  As I shopped downtown at local businesses - my heart felt heavy seeing some of my father's favorite Italian pastries. I purchased a fresh Panettone and a dozen Pizzelles. I found myself smiling once a...
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  "Coffee is a liquid hug for your brain." - Unknown I begin my morning by brewing my favorite coffee - topping it off with steamed almond milk.  Right now, I want to embrace the moment.  The still of the morning. Our dogs have been given their breakfast - they return to their favorite spots.....one on the couch and the other curled up on a cozy oversized doggy pillow.  My mind rewinds - conversations I have had with teachers at school and parents. The students have been talking about Christmas, Santa and their personal Elf since the day after Halloween. Parents are already worn out. Teachers are anxiously waiting for the holiday break to arrive. Hang in there I say......only one more week.        I can [honestly] say I miss those days as a mom of three.  The Friday after Thanksgiving was huge.  And not for hitting the outlets. No, it was for bundling up and heading to the Christmas tree farm.  The smiles on their faces. The traditi...
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I Know Him!

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  Santa! I know him! I love Santa. But I haven’t [always] loved him. You won’t find any pictures of me with Santa as a child. As my mother would tell me I would close my eyes and walk towards the department store Santa throne with my eyes closed - only to be guided by my mother or one of my older siblings. Bears Department Store was a Christmas Palace. Beautiful bright twinkling white lights. Glittery stars danced in the department store window displays. And then there were Santa’s helpers - the sweet faced [adult] elves. I never questioned why they were tall. Or how one may have - or may not have been - one of my first grade teachers making extra holiday cash. It didn’t matter to me who or how these elves made their debut - I was there to [see] the one and only - Santa! So when I say I love Santa…..I think deep down inside of my young soul I did. I just couldn’t find the courage to walk up to Kris Kringle…..the Jolly O’l Man……Babbo Natale and hand deliver my Christmas list. So in ...
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Where has October gone? I mean.......4 days until Halloween!  Wanting to wait until it cooled down some here in the Low Country in order to keep my larger than life pumpkins from turning into smoothies. But there they sit - my larger than life - orange pumpkins with a few blemishes from squirrels and beetles. Squirrels and beetles waiting for their smoothies. Autumn here in the Low Country brings a different meaning to the season.  Live Oak trees that line the marshes and back roads grow new leaves as the old leaves fall to the ground. Oak trees are never bare.  Loblolly pine trees drop their prickly pine cones creating a carpet of brown throughout neighboring parks and trails. When I tell you the natural fragrance smells like the holidays - trust me - it does!  And the warmer the day the more Christmastime surrounds me.  Oh, autumn in the south!   After stopping by our favorite coffee shop - BICK KICK COFFEE - we took a stroll around the Battery. Char...
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Like A Hurricane

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  Another hurricane season. The future of Imelda is carefully monitored by meterologist around the low country. The latest trends are [hinting] that this storm will slow down and not make landfall before pushing East out to sea. We experienced our first hurricane season last year. We no sooner moved to South Carolina - waiting for our new furniture and items on a commercial moving truck to arrive when Hurricane Debby came to visit.  She was an unwelcomed guest to say the least. New roof shingles lifted and cracked. A backyard turned into a small retention pond. Flooded streets and plenty of palm tree debris collecting along the low country roads. I probably shouldn't complain, as downtown Charleston is vulnerable to storms. Flooding happens even without hurricanes.  Friday morning the news was moving rather quickly - we may not have school Monday!  Maybe even Tuesday! I certainly don't panic when natural events occur - but I am smart enough to be prepared. The hubs p...
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A Very Good Day In Charleston

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  It's always a good day downtown.  Coffee in hand - a beautiful blue sky - "tea cup" alligators and back home those odd shore birds who enjoy blocking the entrance to my driveway. A walk downtown Charleston is an experience you'll never forget. Historical buildings and homes. Rainbow Row is my favorite. Subtropical landscaping through the city is beautifully perfect.  Sit by the harbor and you are sure to spot dolphins leaping from the river. I swear I see them smiling! Living in the low country gives us opportunities to go to any of the local beaches within a 30 minute drive. Local sea food restaurants serving up the fresh catch of the day. Though I'm a veggie-tarian, my husband appreciates a good sea food meal.  One thing we both agree on ...... the coffee!   Big Kick Coffee is our favorite go-to coffee roaster on a Saturday morning.  Our favorite beach - Folly Beach.   Stay tuned for more.........  Enjoy a cup of coffee and take an a...
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