Pizazz

 I have "walked" out of these shoes for the last time. They are moving on!

Book Talks this week call for some extra pizazz in the dressing department...

 And today Marina would not be left out. So enough she deserves to be a star!

 A little uncomfortable with the pattern mixing today but I could not resist, the colors just went together...

I'm off to Chicago this weekend to visit a coworker who moved on. I'm not sure what I am more excited about Chicago or the car ride there with a good friend I don't get to talk with enough. She has that quality that is so absent in people today. She listens and she talks. Refreshing. 

I finished up book talks today with the Freshman. I started with the Junior class and they were receptive. Then the Seniors who are a hoot. Then the Sophomores. Depressing little class. No interaction. Not a lot of readers. And then today, believe it or not, the Freshman were my favorites. They were talkative, friendly, open and- READERS. Ahh. I am so excited that this class will be the Juniors in our building when Bub is a Freshman. It's gonna be a good year. Yes it is. 

I finished The Magicians by Lev Grossman. Ok. I enjoyed it. I admit it. It's an edgy grown up Harry Potter. HOWEVER I am in a conundrum when it comes to recommending. There is not one person I could give this book to. Pooh. Next on the list is Jazz Bird for the staff book club. 

via Free People

Source: blog.freepeople.com via DaShannon on Pinterest

Source: blog.freepeople.com via DaShannon on Pinterest

Source: blog.freepeople.com via DaShannon on Pinterest

Source: blog.freepeople.com via DaShannon on Pinterest

It's Official

I am addicted to Pinterest. Seriously. Addicted. I'm trying to figure out how to manage my online, social media, image domineering life! Save! But where... Share! Which one... conundrum.

I am also addicted to summer's bounty and am nervous of when it runs out and I must go back to bland food. For the last month or more I have eaten a tomato, a cucumber and a pepper daily.

I'm reading The Magicians by Lev Grossman. Riding the fence on this one. I like it but am confused about whether or not it belongs in my high school library. We'll see.

One morning before work I looked out the back door to see this gorgeousness.

 A perfect time to photo my latest bird's nest find...

 Some OOTDs.

Love the artistic repurposing of books

How cool is this? Via LuLu's Mike Stilkey's art with books.

Your friendly librarian

It's always so comforting to get all the books back at the end of the year and line them on the shelves in perfect order... Now tomorrow they will all start going back out some to never return. I have to say i'm a little sad. (and disturbed I know). Bless them each and every one. And if you don't love them I'll track you down. Your friendly librarian.

 Second hand sweethearts...

 My attempt to layer over a dress. Did it work? 

 Bub blanked at his state fishing tourny. Not a solace that lots of others did too. (Insert comforting words here.) 

Ya think this cuke was trying to escape the fence or... ?

 My new necklace with bub and pup's name stamped on it. I've worn it everyday since getting it. I luf it.

And we're off...

To another school year. Two work days under our belt and today students show up. We'll have at least two weeks of them dressing up and being a little too nervous to cause a ruckus but then we'll all settle in and see how it's all going to work out. This year's sophomores will be seniors when bub comes to the high school and this year's freshman will be juniors so I'm especially excited to see what that brings.

and so it begins...

We had two teacher work days and then this was my back to school with the students outfit. Lots of complements on the skirt from goodwill.

 Second day outfit of the day... seems the skirts are the only things that can handle those summer pounds, time to work on that.

 Transitioning from work day to open house...

 Wow did you see that quilt? I love that quilt even if it did come from another family. I really can't believe people sell their family heirlooms.  And did you notice I got my hair whacked? Inches. Multiple inches. But much more school/work appropriate.

A new member of the family

 Well it is better than the 4 wheeler but...

 I've got to stop telling this kid if you can buy it on his own he can have it. Did it with a 4 wheeler and not this. I've learned my lesson.

 He took me for ride down the back lane then acted like we ran out of gas. Wierdo.

Book Club? Here? When?

I host the book club at my house about every other year. Hub's hates it. Well I do understand why but still. I see so many things that need to be done and upgraded and cooked and.... well you can see how this is not his favorite activity. So we were supposed to host in February and he begged another member to save him pleading mercy because he was down with the Achilles injury. So she did. And then our August place fell through so...

The day before the event he went to get a bucket truck and started cutting down trees.

 I was worried. I mean when I said, "Could you tidy up outside?" This is not what I meant. I called the neighbor who came over and "helped" with his one arm. I took photos in case he tried to argue in court. He looks willing doesn't he?

 Then as if that wasn't enough. They set fire to my backyard. Yeah. The day before. Brush pile - he said. Bull hockey- I said.

Well he did finish one gate on the fence. 

So on to the actual show...

 Sweet corn, tomato and cilantro salad

 Zucchini Risotto. my first try at risotto

 Fellow teachers did not appreciate my countdown

 We discussed Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Some inspiration photos helped me with special touches...(again I have to find a way to track where they are from when I'm on the iPad... suggestions?)