daybook

december 7

outside my window...

a brief respite from blizzards and a rise in temperature seeing a mix of rain and snow. Slush? Sleet? Not great snowman making weather, which, unfortunately was on the agenda at school today. Icicles haging of the roof of the school that look like they could kill a bear. Serious icicles. At least three feet long.

I am listening to...
the new song recorded by Roxie and Armin on this new CD...see tomorrow's post for a sneek peek.


I am wearing...
Brown pinstripe trousers, a dark aqua blue sweater, turquoise beads and brown pumps (as well as the ubiquitous and necessary snowboots)


I'm pondering..."That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn." Rabbi Hillel


I am reading...
"A Christmas Story" by Jean Shepherd. It is a collection of the short stories used to make the perennial favourite "A Christmas Story" the movie.


I am thinking...
about how to train and properly motivate the new teacher at school.


I am creating salvaging...
a relaxed, festive atmosphere at home after being thoroughly frustrated at work. Last night I was wallowing in self pity. But that isn't fair to my family nor myself. Rather just press on...nothing I can control anyway.


towards rhythm and beauty...
Turning on the Christmas lights, lighting a fire, lighting candles. Stopping our hectic schedule for a moment, a mere moment, to sit before the burning candles on the advent wreath, reading scripture, breathing a prayer and singing together, mixing our voices as one family who worships God together.


I am hoping...to help one of my students with his behaviour. Lord, please give me wisdom and patience. 


I am praying...
For this Advent season, that it is not just ritual, but within lies a desire to experience the living God and be forever changed by His son.


around the house...
Decorations complete save for the tree. This year we are buying a real tree as our 3 year-old pre-lit tree has died and so it will be displayed in my classroom covered by the kids' handmade ornaments. A real tree it is this year, only Czechs decorate their trees on Christmas Eve, so we must wait for the trees to go on sale. Next week maybe?
This Saturday...


from the kitchen... 
gingerbread men. A whole army of them. We found a great recipe, using ingredients we had and we found an awesome cookie cutter at Marks and Spencer. Sunday afternoon we turned on some music and began rolling out dough, punching out little cheerful man shapes and baking up a storm. After cooling in the snow (more like flash freezing) for a minute or so, they are ready to decorate. We made royal icing in three colors and set up an assembly line of sorts. Roxie on blue eyes, Dan on pink mouth and Krista on white buttons, hair and other details. Rebekah was in charge of decorating a few gingerbread men to resemble people from her class. They were delicious, really spicy and chewy. Man, they were good! Dan will take the bulk of them to his English classes in town for their Christmas parties. I took some in to give to my students during our Gingerbread unit this week and the rest ended up in our tummies.


one of my favorite things...

a surprise call from my husband at 6 pm while I am still at work wanting me to come pick him up from his work as it is too dangerous to ride his bike home on the ice. The offer of McDonald's for dinner makes the whole family happy.

a few plans for the rest of the week...
Bible Study group, a date on Saturday, and Saturday evening the Townshend School staff get together.

picture thoughts:

carcicle

Yesterday morning my car was encased in ice. Completely impenetrable. Scrapers just bounced off it. Knives...you're joking. Alas, de-icing spray, purchased by Dan, did the trick. Hurrah! Off to work I go!