January 21

Lazy shot, holding the books on my lap while taking the picture with my phone. It's what happens when it's late and I still want to get a picture. :)

Anyway...Pernille Ripp writes my new favorite blog. It's my first place to turn when I'm looking for a book recommendation. I've used it for finding books for signposts and this is what I have so far for theme, with more on the way. So far my favorite book in this pile is Chopsticks. It make me laugh out loud and I can't wait to share it with my fourth and fifth graders.

Jan 23 Giving Blood

I used to be a regular blood donor and then quit because my iron count was always a bit low. Today my son encouraged me to try again at the fire house in his village. And....success! Now to get back on track as a regular. 

January 20 Cardinal

This is the first time I've seen a bird eat the lilacs.

A few minutes later he moved farther away and there were 3 other birds in the tree.

Today as I went to shut doors around the house, to keep our dog out of them when we're not home, I saw this Cardinal sitting in the lilac tree right outside the window. I love cardinals and have such a hard time getting photos of them, they are so camera shy. I was ready to walk out the door but I set my school bags down and pulled out my phone and took a few shots. Considering they are from a distance and through a window I'm ok with the quality.

Yesterday I think I saw an eagle on my way to work. But it was on a road where there was no was place to pull over and watch. I will keep my eye open for another sighting. 

January 17-Macro Monday-Vegetables

Well, I'll be a little out of order. This was yesterday's shots for Macro Monday-Vegetables. I stopped by the grocery store on Sunday and picked up a few things just to photograph. Here's a link to the whole folder.
Here are the two shots I submitted-there were many submissions for garlic, peppers and mushrooms so I used a shot of a tomatillo and eggplant.

January 18-Snowy Day!

Winter arrived today with about 10 inches of snow! Here are a few pics from my phone of this beautiful day!

Gerite is not loving winter like she used to, poor baby.

Looks like about 9.5 inches and it was still coming down!

I don't take selfies very often but couldn't resist today. :)

The birds will be happy that the feeders are full.

Awesome present from my husband a couple years ago. I love my Tubbs.

January 16-315 Brewery

Today we headed out to an antique show in Syracuse, followed by lunch and then a stop at 315 Brewery in Warners. I love the beer there and it was great to see it busy although too busy for my taste. A few quick pictures from my phone while trying to stay out of the way of other people.

January 15-Old Shirts

Way back in the days of teaching first grade I had a 100 Book Club. If my students read 100 books (advanced readers could count each chapter as a book) they could draw a t-shirt design about reading. My husband would be the judge and then clean the design up good enough so he could screen print it for me. Parents would pay for the cheapest shirts I could find, I would help my husband with the screen printing, and students would receive their shirts the last week of school. I usually had about 99% participation rate. If students were close I'd fudge it so they got a shirt but there was usually one student that rarely read. I felt bad but that student didn't get the shirt. Anyway, my copy of the shirts have been sitting in a closet. I decided to hang them on the back of the chairs in in my classroom. I'm not sure how this will work but we'll give it a try. Now I'm contemplating letting my students design a shirt, I have some pretty artistic 3rd-5th graders, having my husband select a winner once again and printing shirts just to communicate a positive message about reading with no competition. I guess I better check with my husband first to see if he's interested in helping out again. :)

In hindsight I wish I had had the student with the winning design sign my shirt. These kids have all graduated from high school my now.