Friday, December 30, 2011

word of the week

Our Word of the Week


that I added to the fish bowl on my desk


is...



resolution
1. a promise to yourself that you will make a serious effort to do something that you should do  2. the point in a story at which the main conflict is solved or ended.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

ah ha!

Because of one very curious cat named Calvin (see previous post), I've been unable to put plants and/or flowers inside our home.  I've been wanting to add a little green in the corners of a few rooms and this might be the solution!


After stumbling across this "indoor herb garden"at Pinterest, I was inspired.  I figure Calvin can't nibble on the plants if they't too high for him to reach.  I also love the idea of hanging a few plants from the ceiling.


Photo #1 via Pinterest.  Photo #2 via gardening-experts.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

mohammad ali







Mohammad Ali's COLORSCOPE

YELLOW (leo): optimistic, expansive
BROWN (capricorn): capable, prosperous
DARK BLUE (aquarius): wise, sincere

Click here to read more about COLORSCOPE.
Click here to visit Alix's Blog.
Click here to discover your own three colors!
(Mine are bright blue, lavender, and light blue)

Sunday, December 25, 2011

a great letter



things i love about this letter
the writer (a boy) used a magenta colored pencil
he isn't afraid to ask for what he wants
the fancy "D" in his Dear 
an empathetic voice
and self awareness

(Image via Cup of Jo.)

Saturday, December 24, 2011

three thousand miles


my first christmas
without snow tingling air
and white clouds of breath
as soon as you step outside
my first christmas
without stockings in the new room
and obeying granny's morning rule
no presents before eight thirty!
my first christmas
without eggs benedict on an english muffin
sitting in grandaddy's study
playing backgammon with lucky dice


Poem by Alexandra Thayer Stewart
Image via fitsugar.com

Friday, December 23, 2011

word of the week

Our Word of the Week


that I added to the fish bowl on my desk


is...



blessing
1. thing conducive to happiness 2. grace said at a meal

Sunday, December 18, 2011

busted


i didn't do my homework
i'm done, i'm toast, it's true
i didn't do my homework
just X me out, i'm through
i didn't do my homework
a report on hester prynne
i didn't do my homework
i have nothing to turn in
i didn't do my homework
well, that's not exactly right
i did do all my homework
and stayed up late last night
my homework was completed
but still, i'm digging my grave
the essay, it was perfect
although i never hit save


Click here to read more poems inspired by pictures!

(Poem by Alexandra Thayer Stewart)
(Image via We Heart This)

Friday, December 16, 2011

word of the week

Our Word of the Week


that I added to the fishbowl on my desk 


is...



baguette
1. a long, thin loaf of French bread

One of my very favorite sandwiches is a warm baguette filled with brie cheese, cranberry chutney, and arugula.  Do you have a favorite sandwich?

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

ten days


I just love peeling back the days of an Advent calendar.  Only ten left!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

happy boy


happy boy
wears a bright red collar
that matches 
his smiling face
delighted by
fresh fallen 
snow
piled high
for the holidays

(Image via Pintrest)
(Poem by Alexandra Thayer Stewart)

Saturday, December 10, 2011

word of the week

Our Word of the Week


that I picked from the fish bowl on my desk


is...



tidings
1. a piece of news, usually used in plural (good tidings)


Saturday, December 3, 2011

no time for a title




i slug a gulp
of instant coffee
stirred with a pen
racing, rushing
go go go
get out the door
and think
who uses
blue ballpoints
with bent caps
instead of a spoon
go go go 
get out the door
shoving the pen
inside my pocket
it rips 
a hole
as an idea
peeks around
my pressed suit
like a little boy
with grass stained knees 
stopping me
still
at the kitchen counter
filling this blank page


Click here for more poems inspired by pictures.

(Image via 123rf.com)
(Poem by Alexandra Thayer Stewart)

Friday, December 2, 2011

word of the week

Our Word of the Week


that I added to the fish bowl on my desk


is...



smarmy
1. behaving in a way that seems polite, kind, or pleasing but is not genuine or believable

Thursday, December 1, 2011

ramona quimby, age 8


Synopsis from GoodreadsFrom the first day of third grade, when Ramona Quimby meets her eventual nemesis Yard Ape, life moves on at its usual wild pace--usual for the boisterous Ramona, that is. Soon she is accidentally squashing a raw egg into her hair at the school cafeteria, being forced to play Uncle Rat with her annoying young neighbor, and, worst of all, throwing up in her classroom. The responsibilities of an 8-year-old are sometimes daunting, especially in a family that is trying to squeak by while the father goes back to school. But Ramona is full of too much vim and vigor to ever be down for long.
In her second Newbery Honor Book about Ramona (the first was Ramona and Her Father), Beverly Cleary presents another slice of the Quimby family life. Author of more than two dozen children's books, Cleary has a true knack for understanding the tangle of thoughts and emotions in a child's mind and heart. Empathic, witty, and astute, she has earned many other awards, including the Newbery Medal for Dear Mr. Henshaw. Alan Tiegreen's clever line drawings have charmed countless readers of Cleary's books over the years, and his style is now inextricably tied to hers.
What I think: I adored all of the Ramona books when I was a kid, but "Ramona Quimby, Age 8" stands out most in my memory.  Probably because of the very funny egg scene when Ramona cracks what she thinks is a hard boil egg on her head.  I remember laughing out loud the first time I read that part.  Ramona is a rebellious, strong-willed, all-around fantastic character.  It's impossible not to love her.  
(If you haven't listened to the Ramona books on tape, they're terrific.  Stockard Channing reads aloud and gets the voice just right.)
Image via Goodreads