best books of 2014

This year I read 30 books. That's about 20 fewer than last year. And while that bothered me at first, when I look back at my year I'm really okay with it. Here's some of what I read:

Really, really long fiction (600 pages or more):

A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin (~800 pages)

A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin (~800 pages)

A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin (~1200 pages)

A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin (~900 pages)

A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin (~1100 pages)

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss (~600 pages)

The Passion of Mary Magdalen by Elizabeth Cunningham (~600 pages)

The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk (~600 pages)

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice (~1200 pages)

Shorter fiction:
The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren
The Midwife's Tale by Sam Thomas
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Nonfiction:
How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming by Mike Brown
The Secret Life of Trees by Colin Tudge

Cookbooks:

Whole-Grain Mornings by Megan Gordon

The Oh She Glows Cookbook by Angela Liddon

Children's books:

Our Family Tree: An Evolution Story by Lisa Westberg Peters
Older than the Stars by Karen C. Fox
Flotsam by David Wiesner

Most of these books (all of the really long fiction, most of the shorter fiction, and some of the non-fiction) were read on my Kindle, which is why I didn't realize at first how long some of these books are. Some of them were re-reads (all the Game of Thrones books). Some of them were duds. But all in all I think it was a good year. I enjoyed immensely re-reading GoT, especially on the Kindle. Not only did I get to avoid lugging around such huge books, but it was very easy and efficient to highlight passages and add notations.

Reading Goals for 2015:

• 52 books - I can do it!
• finish the Divergent series
• read the Lord of the Rings trilogy (I can get past Tom Bombadil, I know I can!)

project 52: week 16

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

Putting together one of my presents!

Cookies and candy - mostly homemade, some from the store, all yummy and good.

Our newest decoration - a darling little crocheted tree!

What's New?
We celebrated the holidays very quietly around here. The decorations stayed pretty much in their box, there was minimal baking, and I didn't listen to too much Christmas music. Amidst all that there wasn't, I must admit that there was still happiness. I didn't, it turns out, ruin Christmas.

It's okay that we didn't make cut-out cookies - our friends Tony & Alex sent us some of theirs (and that adorable crocheted tree!).

It's okay that I didn't decorate our wreath with ornaments - Joe's Aunt Marya and Uncle Alex sent us a new one that we can put up next year.

It's okay that I didn't get the kids' presents in the mail on time - it turns out that they won't be all together until January after all.

It's okay that we didn't light candles.

It's okay that we didn't drive around and look at lights.

It's okay.

Sometimes I need to step back and remind myself that no one is keeping score.

Currently Reading

• A Field Guide to Now by Christina Rosalie
• Lasher by Anne Rice

On the Needles
Recently off the needles is a Habitat hat for my friend. This is the first hand-knit I've ever made her, and I can't wait to see her reaction. And on the needles is the third of my three fingering-weight shawls for this year. This last one is called geology and is knit up in brown. It works up to look like rock layers.

Looking Forward To

1. soaking up one last week of break!
2. Skyping with the kids

project 52: week 15

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
As you can see in the photo above, my kitties have greatly enjoyed the last few weeks since it has involved the heater turning on each morning. And that drying rack? That becomes a favorite spot, hiding under the tent of winter hats drying on a towel. I still need to send those hats off to their intended recipients, but I hit a bit of a wall. I was trying so very hard to get them in the mail by the 15th, and then I found out that they won't be opened until after Christmas (when the whole family will be able to gather). I sighed with relief and promptly took a break from all of the hurried tasks that still have to be done (I've only sewn two of the four gift bags). But now it's time to start up again and get those boxes in the mail.

Currently Reading
I'm making my way through the second Mayfair witch book, Lasher, by Anne Rice. My school librarian sent me home with a new dystopia book as well, but to be honest, I have quite a bit of writing I need to do for work so I may not get in as much reading as I'd hoped.

On the Needles
This past summer I bought three skeins of fancy fingering yarn as a treat for myself (kind of a "congratulations for surviving a very hard year" treat). All three were intended for shawls. I even had all three patterns picked out. But during the summer I ended up only knitting two of them, because I ran out of time. So, I picked up the third skein yesterday and started the third shawl.

Looking Forward To

1. two weeks off for winter break
2. holiday celebrations, big and small

project 52: week 14

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
The energy at school this past week has been very frantic, and very high. I'm a little apprehensive of how the kiddos will be next week. But this is not my first rodeo, as they say, and I know it'll all turn out. The kids are just as excited about winter break as I am.

I pushed myself to ride the bus all week so that I could get some much-needed knitting done, and also to help preserve my sanity. No matter how strange or obnoxious the other bus riders are, it's still so much easier on my tired brain than driving in rush-hour traffic. Since I rode all five days this past week, I treated myself to a Starbucks holiday latte Friday morning on my walk from the bus stop to my school. I'm going to try to ride the bus all of next week, too. I think buying a skein of yarn from the local yarn store near my school would be good motivation to ride all five days.

I've been trying to be very mindful of my surroundings these days. I know it's easy to get consumed by responsibilities, projects, work, and well... stress. But there's something magical in the changing of the seasons, and all the cultural accompaniments that they entail. Lately that's manifested in paying close attention to all the twinkly lights going up around town. I notice them as I drive, and much more as I walk. The third picture is an early-morning attempt to photograph a house I pass by each morning on my way to work. Apparently I moved the camera before it was finished capturing the image, but I think it still looks interesting.

Currently Reading
I'm at 96% in my book... I just need more time to read. I might not finish before winter break. Things are just getting too hectic right now.

On the Needles
Finishing up the last two hats for my nephews. I started the last two and have been saving the double-point needle part for this weekend. It's just too hard to do that on the bus, at least to do it well.

Looking Forward To

1. winter break

project 52: week 13

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

Winter gifts for my niece and nephews.

Afternoon sunlight in my science classroom (we're learning how to make microscope slides).

What's New?
This past week has been rough. I've been burning the candle at both ends - spending too much time at work (both with meetings and general prepping), along with an increasing sense of frustration at the terrible events happening around the country. Amid all the negative, unproductive, victim-blaming, and generally unhelpful dialogue on the internet I came across this article that deals with the science of how our brains perceive race. The scientist in me finds it fascinating, of course, but more importantly the article sheds light on what to do about unintentional racism in our brains. I'm willing to admit that I have unintentional racism (I think we all do, to be quite honest), as long as there exists strategies to combat it. Otherwise it's just too depressing and overwhelming.

With all that's been going on, I'm especially looking forward to spending time with dear friends today at the Urban Craft Uprising. We're meeting for brunch and then spending some time browsing for gifts. I love seeing what creative people come up with, and using my few precious dollars to support crafty individuals instead of mega-corporations. It'll be a great time, I'm sure.

Currently Reading
Still working my way through Anne Rice's The Witching Hour. The only time I have for reading is right before bed, so it's taking me much longer than usual.

On the Needles
Working on hat #3 out of 4. My goal is to get them packaged and shipped (with the pj pants) by next weekend. Last year I waited much too long to send gifts and I ran into predictably long lines and higher prices at the post office.

Looking Forward To

1. my friends' yearly Swedish Christmas party

project 52: week 12

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

Flannel fabric and library movies.

Friday was filled with ironing, pinning and cutting.

I tried to make my pie look pretty with tiny leaf cookie cutters. I'll try again next year.

What's New?
After a low-key Thanksgiving dinner with my husband and in-laws, I started on my sewing projects for this year's holiday gifting. I set out to make pajama pants for all four kiddos this year. So while Joe was at work Friday I put on Lee Daniel's The Butler (excellent movie!) and starting ironing, measuring, pinning, and cutting. By the time I went to bed I was probably only halfway finished. I decided to use some coordinating solid flannel for the cuffs, so Saturday morning I headed back to the fabric store. I hope to finish sewing this weekend before heading back to work.

Currently Reading
I'm almost three-quarters of the way through Anne Rice's The Witching Hour.

On the Needles
I finished the second of four holiday hats for the kids. Now I need to decide on colors for the next one so I can cast on and get started. I think I'm going to continue the trend and knit all four hats from the same pattern.

Looking Forward To

1. Urban Craft Uprising

project 52: week 11

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

What's New?
This past week we geared up for student conferences at the same time we geared down for Thanksgiving break. It's an odd feeling - of being pulled and pushed at the same time. Saturday morning I arrived at school for conferences just as the sun was rising, but there were so many clouds it was hard to tell. I decided to walk around Green Lake since I was so early, and during my walk I was gradually able to see more as the light changed. There were large groups of mallards rooting around the grass, noisy crows in the trees, and more humans than I expected that early on a Saturday. I saw quite a few fisherman (including one who had just caught a fish), large groups of joggers that looked like they were part of a Meetup, and quite a few solitary walkers.

Currently Reading
Still working my way through Anne Rice's The Witching Hour, and still loving it.

On the Needles
I finished a hat for my niece! Now I only have three more to go. A coworker of mine gave me some yarn she no longer wanted (something about cleaning out her stash... probably a good thing for most knitters to do occasionally), and in those bags of yarn I've found excellent choices for hats. I may get away with knitting all four hats without a visit to the yarn store. Pretty frugal, environmental, and exciting if you ask me.

Looking Forward To

1. holiday cooking & baking

project 52: week 10

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

First weekday morning frost. The light shining through the window is from a security light, not the sun.

 What's New?
It's beginning to feel a lot like... deep autumn. We reached freezing temperatures at night this week, with daytime highs in the 40's. We're down to nine and a quarter hours of daylight (our shortest is about eight and a half). Our space-heaters are getting a workout. I set up our tiny crock pot for hot beverages (we alternate between spiced apple cider and mulled wine). All the blankets are on the bed. Cats are becoming more interested in laps and snuggles. Soup is becoming a prominent weekly meal.

Currently Reading
Still making my way through Anne Rice's The Witching Hour. I swear if I had a day off I would just sit and read until my eyes hurt! I'm about halfway through at this point, and I blame this book on my lack of sleep. My habit is to read in bed every night, even if it's just a paragraph. But since I started this book I read for hours before finally realizing that my wake-up time is drawing dangerously near. Still, it's a good problem to have.

On the Needles
I've picked up my Hue Shift Afghan again and am nearly finished with the second of four panels. It's a comforting knit, easy on the brain, perfect for television viewing.

This weekend I'm picking up some yarn for niece and nephew holiday hats, although I haven't decided on patterns yet. Here are some possibilities. I've knit both the Hurricane Hat, and the Barley before, and I really like both patterns. I think the Ear Flap Hat would be cute for my youngest nephew.

Clockwise from upper left (Hurricane Hat, Declan's Hat, Garter Ear Flap Hat, Barley). Photos from Ravelry.com

I'm also going flannel shopping this weekend so I can sew up some pajama pants for my niece and nephews. I started doing this almost yearly when my oldest nephew was young. Now I have four kiddos to sew and knit for (and soon to be five!).

Looking Forward To

1. getting started on holiday projects
2. a week off from school

project 52: week 9

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

Beautiful and cold Friday. There were no pictures on Thursday, because weather.

What's New?
I made it back from outdoor school in one piece. We had some pretty intense weather this trip. High winds, rain falling sideways, white caps on the lake, falling trees and branches in the forest, closed highway (due to falling trees). And then Friday, our departure day, was a cold but beautiful sunny day.

Currently Reading
Anne Rice has me in her spell again. I've pretty much abandoned my other reads (although I know I'll pick them up again later). There is something about the way she writes that just sucks me in completely.

• The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
• The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk

• Rare Encounters with Ordinary Birds by Lyanda Lynn Haupt

On the Needles
I started and finished another Hurricane Hat while at outdoor school this week, using some of my leftover green Cascade 220. This one was another practice hat in anticipation of holiday knitting. I hope to find out colors and sizes soon for the little people in my life. Otherwise they'll get my best guess.

I also started some mason jar cozies. Some will be for me, and some for gifting. I think a mason jar, a cozy, and a cuppow would make a great gift.

Looking Forward To

1. using up some of the eleventy-billion apples I have in storage (I'm thinking of apple pie filling, apple crisp, and maybe some more applesauce)

project 52: week 8

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

Pretty much every day this week.

What's New?
This past week has been filled with rain, yarn, and sickness. The bug I caught at the end of last week has held on, despite my best efforts. I took two days off work this week, which pretty much never happens. I made and ate chicken noodle soup, drank copious amounts of tea, took over the counter medication, rested every chance I got, and even ventured into herbal remedies. Still, it hangs on. I lost my voice completely for three days!

I'm gearing up to return to outdoor school, this time with my 6th graders. There is no tent camping on the menu for this trip, just warm cabins. I think I can do it, but I'd sure like to be well. We'll see.

Currently Reading
Even as I'm technically in the middle of three books, the reality is that I've been solely reading one in particular this past week. The world of Anne Rice is just so enticing, especially now that I've actually been to New Orleans. I completely understand the allure and magic of that place. It's just so other-worldly. The gas lamps, the Spanish moss, the crypts, the colonial architecture, the towering trees...

• The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk

• Rare Encounters with Ordinary Birds by Lyanda Lynn Haupt

• The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

On the Needles
It's hat-making time. Sometimes I just get a hankering to knit a particular thing, regardless of whatever projects are currently on the needles. So while I await instructions from family about color and size preference for my niece and nephews, I'm busy turning leftover balls of yarn into a variety of hats. So far I've knit a hat for myself with leftover yarn from my fingerless gloves, and another with leftover yarn from a sleep sack I made for baby Mason.

Looking Forward To

1. being well
2. visiting the rain-forest again

project 52: week 7

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

 What's New?
This week was HARD! So much to do to get caught up from being gone the previous week. So many meetings, emails, notebooks that needed grading, etc. It's no surprise to me that by Friday I was feeling sick. I left school at the same time the kids did (I never do that), went home, took medicine and slept for 12 hours straight. I fear this sickness will linger for a few more days at least.

Amidst all the hard, though, there were bright spots. I took my 6th graders to nearby Green Lake to collect water samples. My cats spent every morning cuddled on the bed, cute as buttons. We got some much-needed rain. The trees continue their slow progression to red, orange and yellow. I chatted with my cousin on the phone (a rare treat from 3,000 miles and a few time-zones away).

Currently Reading

• The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk

• Rare Encounters with Ordinary Birds by Lyanda Lynn Haupt

• The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

On the Needles
Working on a Hurricane Hat that I started while at Nature Bridge with my 8th graders. I'm dreaming of more hats for my niece and nephews for the winter holidays.

Looking Forward To

1. spending time with friends
2. picking up more apples from the farm for eating and saucing.

project 52: week 6

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

On the shore of Lake Crescent near Port Angeles.

The stretch of the Elwha just across the road from our campsite.

This used to be a lake.

That tree was cut down over 100 years ago before the dam was built.

At the mouth of the Elwha looking out towards the western tip of Washington State.

What's New?
I made it back from my week-long excursion into the Olympic Peninsula with my 8th grade students in one piece! It rained, but not too much. There were some bumps in the plan, but not too many. My students had the opportunity to study the Elwha river up close, including areas that were previously under water due to the dams. They visited an area that used to be a lake, and followed the river to the mouth at the Strait of Juan de Fuca. They also experienced tent camping, pit toilets, and (for some) using the "facilitrees." The whole trip was definitely a life-learning event.

Currently Reading

• The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk

• Rare Encounters with Ordinary Birds by Lyanda Lynn Haupt
• The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

On the Needles
I've put my Wood Hollow vest on hold, at least until I have the energy to take out a few rows. I missed a cable and didn't realize for awhile. Sometimes when I make a mistake I let it go, but often it bugs me enough that I have to go back and fix it. This is definitely the latter.

So instead, I picked up my Hue Shift Afghan that I started back in November of last year. It consists of four panels that later get seamed together and then a boarder is knit around the whole thing. I have one panel complete, and I'm 80% done with the second panel. It's a good TV knit, but not a good bus knit (too big of a project).

Looking Forward To

1. getting back into my routine

project 52: week 5

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

Sunshine & kitties

What's New?
Well, I didn't make it to the Northwest Tea Festival. But I did find time to read this article about tea & science. My favorite part:

As an aside, having been to America and sampling the weak tea made there, it must be stressed that the teabag should either be in a pot or the mug itself; it is not sufficient just for it to be in the same room.

It's all about whether or not you should add milk first, or last. According to the article, not adding milk is not an option.

I'm heading into the Olympic Peninsula next week for outdoor school with my 8th graders, and I've already packed many bags of tea. It's going to be rainy and cold, for sure, as autumn has finally arrived to Western Washington. So this weekend I'm heading to Goodwill to see what kind of warm clothing I can find for cheap.

Currently Reading
I finished The Midwife's Tale and The Origin of Satan late last week, and I've been spending most of my reading time in The Fifth Sacred Thing. I imagine that next week while I'm in the woods I'll lean more towards Rare Encounters with Ordinary Birds.

• The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk

• Rare Encounters with Ordinary Birds by Lyanda Lynn Haupt

On the Needles
I finished my legwarmers! Last night they came off the needles. I still need to weave in ends before I pack them in my bag for this week's outdoor adventure. They fit perfectly from my ankles to my knees, so I anticipate having warm legs (at least the lower portion).

Looking Forward To

1. spending time outdoors next week with 3 awesome teachers and a whole bunch of 8th graders
2. coming home to my warm comfy bed at the end of the above-mentioned adventure

project 52: week 4

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.
 

Sit-spot at Green Lake.

Friday morning's sunrise. Sometimes running late has it's pleasures.

What's New?
Last weekend was rather similar to the one before, in that it entailed spending tons of quality time in the kitchen. I picked up eleventy-billion pounds of apples (granny smith and honeycrisp) from my favorite farmer for super cheap since they were 'seconds,' I turned them into a batch of applesauce, a batch of apple butter, and some apple pectin stock for next year's jams. I also made baked potato soup. Monday morning, as I dragged myself into the kitchen to make breakfast, I found myself admiring how well I cleaned up the kitchen after all that mess.

Work this past week, however, was quite opposite. There were many extra meeting this week, both before school and after school. Our evening parent night was this week, which always makes for a super long day for teachers. There were multiple interruptions and schedule changes. It was hectic and stressful, to say the least. The bright spot of my work-week was taking my two 6th grade classes outside on a short walking field trip to nearby Green Lake for a sit-spot. Thursday and Friday were beautiful days and the kids really enjoyed being outside, noticing nature as they made observations in their notebooks.

Currently Reading

• The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk
• The Midwife's Tale by Sam Thomas
• Rare Encounters with Ordinary Birds by Lyanda Lynn Haupt
• The Origin of Satan: How Christians Demonized Jews, Pagans and Heretics by Elaine Pagels

On the Needles
Realizing that in 2 weeks I'll spend a week at camp with my students (including two nights of actual camping in tents), I quickly cast on for some simple legwarmers. I set aside my Wood Hollow Vest and learned how to use the magic loop method to knit both legwarmers at once. The pattern is designed to use every last scrap of a skein of Cascade 220, so knitting them at once seemed wise. I've only knit about 5 inches so far (they'll be about 14 inches long when finished), but I'm making steady progress.

Looking Forward To

1. the Northwest Tea Festival
2. Joe's birthday brunch at Endolyne Joe's

project 52: week 3

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

Looking through my classroom window at the signs of autumn.

The final harvest of tomatoes from my garden.

 What's New?
This past weekend I was super productive at home, mainly in the kitchen. I picked all the remaining tomatoes off of my plants, roasted them, and then made tomato sauce. I ended up with two 16 oz freezer containers full. I cut back and composted my tomato plants, as well as much of the rest of my garden, because it has suffered from a white fly invasion this summer. I made boozy applesauce cake, breakfast muffins, chicken stock, butternut squash soup, washed all the dishes, then washed all the dishes again (funny how that works). I also put my clean clothes away (what!?!). Shocking, I know.

I try to do so much on the weekends because I'm basically useless during the week. I come home from teaching, eat dinner, take a shower, and then relax in my pjs in front of the TV with my knitting. Sometimes I cook dinner, but if I can get away with it I just eat leftovers. That's one of the beautiful things about cooking a recipe meant for 4-6 people when there are only 2 people living in your house.

Currently Reading
Yes, I am reading 4 books at once. What that really means is that I've started all four books, and I trade off which one I'm reading. Sometimes I read one consistently for many days in a row, and sometimes I read a different book each day. My mother (and many others) often seem confused by this approach, but I find it fulfilling. Think of it like watching a different show each night. You are still "caught up" on the story from each show. You never confuse Walking Dead with Orphan Black (those are completely different stories, of course). Likewise, I don't confuse the different books I'm reading.

• The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk
• The Midwife's Tale by Sam Thomas
• Rare Encounters with Ordinary Birds by Lyanda Lynn Haupt
• The Origin of Satan: How Christians Demonized Jews, Pagans and Heretics by Elaine Pagels

On the Needles
Progress on the Wood Hollow Vest is slow, for sure. I haven't knit very much since my last post (thanks to a sharp kitchen knife, a stubborn package of sausage, and my fingertip). But I have been making progress - one stitch, one row, at a time. Slowly, very slowly, I am turning yarn into a vest.

Looking Forward To

1. attending a Town Hall Event about climate change
2. picking up eleventy-billion pounds of apples for sauce and pie

project 52: week 2

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

My small haul two weeks ago. This weekend I'll have three times as many, or more!

What's New?
I just got back from a whirlwind trip down to sunny California for my uncle's funeral. While the occasion wasn't very happy, it was immensely wonderful seeing family again. I got to meet some new people and see some faces I haven't seen in far too long. There were many hugs, laughs, and tears. There were children playing, asking questions, and telling strange stories as children do.

Currently Reading
I'm slowly working my way through these three books. It's slow-going not because I don't like them, but because I haven't had much time since school just started up.

The Secret Life of Trees by Colin Tudge

Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps by Kelly Williams Brown

The Origin of Satan: How Christians Demonized Jews, Pagans and Heretics by Elaine Pagels

On the Needles
Still working on my Wood Hollow Vest in the round. Lots of cables, and lots to remember, but going well so far.

Looking Forward To

1. roasting tomatoes from my garden
2. this autumn's first batch of butternut soup

project 52: week 1

What is Project 52? It's a little like Project 365, but instead of the goal of posting a photo each day, I'll post a photo or two each week along with a short update. Really I just need a little push to post something every week. Since I like to keep this space positive, posting every week forces me to look back and find something shiny to talk about (ten points if you get that reference). Some weeks that's a piece of cake. Other weeks it's more of a challenge, and those weeks give this task true meaning.

This crate has helped me stay organized so far. Each class has its own clipboard for seating charts, its own notebook, and a place for collected papers. I think this system is going to be one that I'll repeat every year.

 

While waiting for my second bus in the downtown tunnel, I spied this Link light rail train sporting an add for my college!

What's New?
I've just completed my first full week of the school year. So far I've ridden the bus 6 out of 8 days. My goal is to ride the bus as many days as possible. Partly for the environment, and partly for my afternoon sanity. While the morning commute is much faster by car, the evening commute is slow and aggravating. I've been able to listen to music, knit, and read blog posts on my phone. Next week I'll remember to bring my e-reader so I can finish a book. Last fall I read so many books thanks to the bus.

Currently Reading

• The Secret Life of Trees by Colin Tudge
• Adulting: How to Become a Grown-up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps by Kelly Williams Brown
• The Origin of Satan: How Christians Demonized Jews, Pagans and Heretics by Elaine Pagels

On the Needles
I've restarted my Wood Hollow Vest so that I could knit it in the round. I also wanted to fix the honeycomb cable part (I was using a short-cut to avoid the cable needle, but it didn't look great). It's always sad to rip out a project (I was 6" into the front piece when I decided to start over), but fixing mistakes and starting fresh is always worth it in my opinion.

Looking Forward To

1. going to the fair
2. celebrating Kristi's birthday
3. hugging Valerie

ready for autumn

The tree outside my classroom window is also ready for autumn.

I'm ready for autumn.

Summer is great. It really is. I'm a teacher and that means that summer is my time to garden, explore, and most importantly - to breathe.

But I'm not a summer person. I don't enjoy heat - I like rain and cool air. I don't know how to cook summer food - I'm a pro at soup and comfort food. And I don't know what to do with myself when I have no schedule. I know, cry me a river. There are worse problems to have. All I'm saying is that I eagerly welcome crisp air, rain, sweaters, hot soup, candles, watching the leaves turn, and everything else that speaks of autumn.

Of course, being a teacher, autumn also means the beginning of school. And while much of that is awesome (new beginnings, eager faces), I also struggle sometimes with the amount of stress that comes along with it.

So I'm going to take a page from my summer book and breathe. Just breathe.

so long summer

This summer I...

:: walked 30 miles with my friend Kristi

:: knit two shawls

:: went kayaking with Joe

:: made a ton of jam and a few shrubs (the drink, not the plant)

:: discovered a new farmer

:: drove myself to Eastern Montana and back again

:: learned how to be a paleontologist

:: unpacked my classroom

:: fought white flies in my garden

:: rented a carpet cleaner and cleaned all the carpet

setting up my new classroom (again)

At my first school I was in the same room for 6 years. When I moved in it wasn't my room - I shared it with another teacher (I also shared another room with two different teachers) since I was split between science and math. So I didn't get to start from scratch. The second year it really was my room, but I was too busy to do much in the way of purging and organizing. After 6 years in that room, circumstances dictated that I move into another room in the building. I LOVED my new room, and I relished the opportunity to start fresh. I spent much time that summer organizing my new classroom. It was perfect. By the end of the year, though, I found myself applying for a job at school #2. During the summer I went back to school, packed up all my things and drove them up to my new school with the help of three amazing friends.

So, you can imagine my dismay when I learned that school #2 would be relocating at the end of the year to a temporary building, and then relocating permanently two years later. This means that I will have moved my classroom three years in a row!

I started packing up my room in March. It was hard to find things that I new for sure that I wouldn't need until next autumn. Luckily the district provided boxes, packing tape, box labels, and a wonderful moving coordinator. She suggested that we make an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of what is in each box (as well as labeling the boxes with numbers), and I am so glad that I took her advice. My TA's helped me pack and offered suggestions - I am always learning from my students!

This time I get to truly start from a blank slate. Our temporary building has been empty for some time, and was remodeled in order to be up to code for our two-year stay. I'm planning on taking advantage of this opportunity to start fresh with more intentional use of my new space.

Unpacking is challenging, to say the least. I arrived in my new room to find my boxes piled willy-nilly in the center of the room. Tables I requested from the old building were propped up on their ends. Boxes appeared to be missing. It was overwhelming.

After staring hopelessly at my things I finally convinced myself to start. But where to start? I decided to put my easel back together. It's the least important thing to do, but also the most obvious place to start since I knew where all of the pieces were and putting it together would allow me to move it out of the way more easily thanks to its wheels.

Student chairs were delivered while I was there, but so far no student desks yet. It makes my room look HUGE, but I know that as soon as those desks arrive it'll be a tight squeeze. My new room is long and narrow (like my old room was) but it's narrower by 2-3 feet.

I expect it'll take quite a bit more work to get my room student-ready. I'm planning on tackling it in small chunks so I don't get overwhelmed. Yesterday, my first unpacking day, I only spent three hours before going home. It wasn't very much time, but I feel pretty accomplished. Along with emptying 5 or 6 boxes, I moved furniture around and figured out how to open those huge, old windows.

the DIG Field School

I cross the Cascades and the Columbia.

Made a stop at Dry Falls.

And the Grand Coulee Dam.

Eventually I entered Tatooine (or Eastern Montana, close enough).

We camped next to Hell Creek and woke up before sunrise every day.

By 7am we had eaten breakfast, packed our bags with tons of water, and headed out to the field in SUV caravans.

Sometimes we couldn't get the SUVs very close to our site. This picture, and the following picture, are taking from roughly the same spot, just facing opposite directions, to show you how far we hiked from where the ferry SUVs were parked (many of the SUVs did not have enough clearance to go all the way out - the roads were very challenging).

This is what the hadrosaur site looked like when we arrived. While we were there we helped jacket three large bones so that they could be removed from the site.

A close-up of some of the hadrosaur bones.

I touched dinosaur bones!

This is what the site looked like after a few bones had been jacketed in plaster.

We visited a site called Nirvana where we saw, and touched, the K-Pg boundary (that's the layer that documents the asteroid impact, and the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs).

I saw many interesting rock formations.

I learned how to surface collect for micro fossils (croc scute, gar scales, bone fragments, turtle shells, etc) 

Someone in my group found a rib bone, which was jacketed in plaster for removal.

We brought back bags of in situ sediment, which were put into screen boxes and set up in the creek.

After soaking all night the screen boxes were brought out to dry in the sun.

And of course there were dino toys at dino camp.

On the way home I saw the wildfires.

All in all, I drove 941 miles each way. It was a long drive, but completely worth it.

One of the coolest things for me about this trip is that every piece of data we collected (sketches of sites, micro fossils, in situ sediments, measurements to determine how far above or below the K-Pg boundary, etc), every piece of data was useful for the DIG team. I helped collect real data that will be used by Greg Wilson and his team back at the UW and the Burke Museum in their research. How cool is that? As a middle school science teacher I don't get that opportunity very often. Most summer teacher programs focus on content and lessons, which are extremely useful, but this program focused first on doing real field work and secondly on lessons. I found it exhilarating. 

I also want to say that it was a pleasure to work with each and every one of the DIG team members. The team members ranged from PhDs, PhD candidates, graduate students, recent grads and undergrads. And everyone had something to bring to the table. And everyone was treated with respect and affection by Greg and co-director Lauren. That's the kind of team everyone strives to be a part of, and it was a treat to spend 4 days with them.