wandertag

It's time for my annual retreat/mini-break and in a few moments, I leave for Lost Maples.  Despite the predicted t-storms, I am looking forward to seeing some foliage and to having no alarm and NO STUDENTS.

spoiled

My marvelous Lower School music colleagues.

One of my best b-day gifts yet~Monsieur Le Chat, hogging the bed.  I s'pose, after 15 years, he'd earned his cosy spot.

Birthday breakfast.  Before.

 After.

Birthday lunch (provided by the above colleagues) before...

And after!

Flowers delivered to school.

 

Our lovely main admin (I call her Keeper of the Gates) insisted that I open the box, because she KNEW it was flowers.

As it reverted to Texas weather this week (i.e., it was in the 70s), I went for another exploratory walk of my hood and found a penny!

Came home to find more flowers on my doorstep!

Today's post brought marvelous original artwork from the Cali 'phews.

Fun mosiac in the parking lot along my walk.  The cards and wishes continue to pour in.  Feeling very wealthy at present.  Thanks to all of you!

regardless of the shell,

This is still how I feel inside.  Most days.

scenes from the new hood/lazy weekend

A California package arrived on my doorstep~complete with those delicious olives which my Dad cures.

So glad to see greenery out my windows again.

My little Italian coffee pot is ecstatic to have gas burners upon which to percolate.

Spanish coffee made in my Italian carafe, served with Texas cream and Greek baklava in my ceramics made in California~with Caribbean spices lurking on the candle holder.  All enjoyed without leaving my jammies or my cosy bed. 

Set out on a walking tour of my new hood and was amused by this tree art. 

end of the first trimester (no, not that kind~read my sister's blog for that)

Survived my first 12 weeks at this new gig.  To celebrate, my 6th grade planned a Swing Party.  The menu was heavy on the sugar, but they burned it off well.

Wish this had turned out as these little guys can cut quite the rug!

flashes of joy

A happy little cardinal chomping away at juniper berries outside my classroom window.  I truly do have the most gorgeous view from my desk.

It is SO much fun to unpack when you have room~haven't truly unpacked since my first apartment, so it was delightful to have all of my Grandma Dunston's dishes out again.  And of course, we're thrilled that pomegranates are in season.

a break from boxes and such

Rebelled at staying inside with cardboard and lists on such a gorgeous Sunday.  Went back to one of my favorite (do I say that a lot around here?) outdoor venues~Laguna Gloria for some fresh airs.

There was a groups of artists from LA doing some kind of....installation/sound art that was interesting.    Nothing really to photograph~just lots of sounds.  Not sure how to describe it~sometimes one just wants to experience something and not analyze it.  That was one of those times.

Then, off to the newly discovered Balcones Ridge Park for a picnic perched over the river.  (And as I'm typing this and it's 28 degrees, I am SO grateful that I went on this toasty warm day to be outside!)

after

 While this move took exactly two hours (!!), the unpacking is taking a bit longer. 

I liked my sister's suggestion that U-Haul have one of those frequent customer cards~am sure by now, I'd qualify for a free truck rental!

before

A few shots from the day I signed my new lease~I have FOUR closets~three of which are regular size and this above beauty.

 

Gorgeous Spanish tiles (although, with the temps dropping into the low 20s, some carpets need to be found!)

Such storage!

welcome, favored month

A proper breakfast is an important start to the day.

early thanks

On this All Hallow's Eve, I am grateful that in this creepy week of neighbors gone bad, that friends show up.  Both cyberly and with orange zest cookies dipped in dark chocolate.

Grateful for mild weather in which to pack and move.  Yes!  Again! 

Bring on the popcorn

LOVED this movie as a child and was happy to find it this week.  It will be the trimester final for the 5th graders~a nice tie-in to all the composers/geography/architecture we've been studying in our music history classes.   It also helps that my entire music class is also part of Choir 5. 

to sleep, perchance

SOOO glad that we're coming upon the weekend with the extra hour of slumber.