Blueberry

*Images via Gilt Group

This dress went on sale and I second guessed myself and then it was out of stock.  I then promptly kicked myself and went on the wait list with the hopes that I might just get lucky.  You see, I already had another option hanging in my closet to wear in an upcoming wedding and I wasn't totally sold on it.  When I got the e-mail that this dress was available I jumped on it, now I'm so glad I did because not only does it fit, quite frankly, I love it.  A little more sophisticated and you can't beat the fact that the dress has pockets!  The color is blueberry and the line running through my head is "Violet, you're turning violet!"  Ahhh, blueberry pie for dessert.  Now all I need are some shoes.  What do you think of this blueberry dress?

Parade

*Image by Doug Matthews

A day off from school for a parade?  I'm in.  No, I didn't go to the parade.  I'm taking full advantage of today to catch up on laundry and dishes and other mundane chores.  The kids said the parade was worth it, but I'm inclined to say that sleeping in was the perfect way to start my morning.  How is your fiesta Friday?

Terrarium

*Image & terrarium by Teresa's Plants & More Store

I'm pleased by how our new little garden is growing.  Now I'd like to bring more green inside.  The cat likes to nibble on plant leaves so some of our greenery needs to be out of the way.  This terrarium would be perfect.  I love the vibrant color and textures of the moss.  Growing up my mom had a terrarium and I was always fascinated by it.  This might be my next small house project.  Now I've just got to find a good spot to hang something like this.  Where would you hang a terrarium in your home?

Bird

*Image & print by Raceytay

So far our hummingbird count is still at one.  I wonder how long it will take for this bird to tell his little friends about our feeder?  At my mom's house she used to have one fat little hummingbird who was a bit of a bully.  He would bomb around any other little birds who tried to come to the feeder to hog all of the sugar water for himself.  It was quite funny to watch.  I still have my eyes peeled for more backyard visitors.  Do you have any wildlife visitors in your yard?

Oh brother!

*Image & print by Fit To Print Designs

Right behind my desk at school I keep a bunch of items and pictures that inspire me while I sit and crunch away at the computer. One is a sticker from my brother that says EARTH, but with the ART featured in red letters flanked by a white E and H.  I heard that this was even the slogan for the California Council of the Arts on Sunday.  Not too bad.  How are you inspired at work?

Daily

*Image & t-shirt by Jimmy Strong

Why not? After a week-long hiatus I have decided to get back into the swing of things by celebrating Earth day for the rest of the week.  It's been nice here in TX and we've been spending plenty of time outside.  Having a yard we want to spend time in was one of the goals we set for this spring.  The evenings are nice and warm and the bugs haven't been too bad.  Now that our little yard is coming together evenings outside.  I think this will become a nice ritual.  How do you wind down your days?

Earth Day

*Image & print by happydeliveries

This week has been relaxing, but productive. The finishing touches mean that there is one little Roma tomato that still needs to be planted before we can officially call our garden project planted. I'll have pictures up as soon as the sun moves and there is less of a shadow.  My husband put in a full day of yard work yesterday, but it really paid off.  Our yard is now far from the crunchy dead lawn we had at the beginning of spring.  Our outdoor space is now thriving and I have a great place to relax on the back porch and admire the growing plants in our garden beds.  Quite a lovely coincidence that it all came together on Earth day.  How are you celebrating our planet?

Pooped

*Image by Shtterography

My husband's sister came to town and it was awesome.  She and her husband are great to hang out with.  Too bad that it happened to be on the same weekend I had a stack of tests to grade before my Monday deadline.  I entertained and graded, I didn't think a weekend could get that full.  Now, I'm ready to crash.  How was your weekend?

Librarian

*Image by **Kel-Z**

You probably didn't know it, but this is library week.  I work in a school so I have regular and personal contact with a librarian who is awesome.  Seriously though, what English teacher wouldn't like a person who orders them books by simple request and then lets them get first dibs and no late returns?  If you know an awesome librarian thank them this week, and check out a book while you're at it.  What was your favorite memory of the library?  What is the latest book on your shelf?

Basil

*Image by Louise Denton

Our garden has five kinds of basil, one of our beds is predominately basil!  We'll have pesto coming out of our ears this summer.  We have: sweet, Thai, Cuban, amethyst, and purple ruffles.  We made sure to put the basil close to the tomatoes so that the fruit will pick up a nice full flavor.  I can't wait to start eating food spiced with the herbs from the backyard garden.  Do you have any great recipes that feature basil to pass along?

Shell

*Image & eggs by my mom

I think that this was the very first Easter that I did not eat any hard boiled eggs.  What a strange realization.  I did eat my fair share of bacon buns.  In my house it's first come first served, and I will not be the disappointed person looking at the empty bag.  Maybe next year I'll have my egg, and maybe next year it will be beautiful.  For now, I'll just feast my eyes on my mother's creativity.  How was your Easter?

Good

*Image & egg by Paloma's Nest

Happy Friday, good Friday if you're so inclined.  Have a fun and relaxing weekend.

91st

*Image by texas freckles

Today my grandfather turned 91, wow!  His doctor checked his pacemaker and gave him the thumbs up.  When  I called he was enjoying the Chicago Blackhawks game and getting ready for dessert.  I would be so lucky to reach 91 myself and am glad to have my grandfather around.

Alarm

*Image by sarahinbrunswick 

Sound the alarm.  I put in my transfer request and have my fingers crossed that I get an offer to work in a high school next year.  I was really nervous about putting my name on the list because I don't want to rock the boat at my current campus in case for some reason I get zero offers or am not really eligible to transfer.  I'm really trying not to get my hopes up, but it's tough.  I'm in this strange state of lingering anticipation mixed with anxiety.  Have you ever had to make a tough work decision?

Garden

*Image & Garden Markers by simplyprettyprints

We finally bit the bullet and decided to try to garden in this godforsaken state of TX.  Yes, you can grow things here - but you have to fight to keep them alive in the summer.  Yesterday we cleared a spot in the yard to put in some raised beds.  My mom sent me the Square Foot Gardening book for Christmas and we're going to put it to the Texas test.  It got up to 86 degrees yesterday and with the humidity and hard labor it was a scorcher.  I even have the sunburn to prove it.  This will hopefully be a fruitful project at the house - as soon as we get some seeds and plants in the ground.  What yard projects are you undertaking?