Happy Day and a Yummy Recipe!

Just loving everything Pumpkin right now....

...and enjoying afternoon walks through the Fall leaves.

How about you?

Here's one of my Fall Favorites:

A LIGHT RECIPE, RIGHT FROM OUR COOKBOOK, FOR YOU TO TRY.

With Smiles! Val

Aughhh....

The first rainy day of Fall....just makes everything feel so much better!

New slippers in the mail from my mom also keep my toes warm for a cozy afternoon of binding.

I have found teaching in a comprehensive distant model to be weirdly exhausting emotionally.

Zoom, Google Meets are common place forms of communication and teaching.

By the weekend, I'm just done. I hoping as the rain clears tomorrow to go for a long mountain hike to enjoy the fresh air, beautiful Fall leaves and rejuvenate my heart and head. How about you.? How do you keep yourself rejuvenated as we continue to find ourselves living a new normal?

With Smiles! Val

It's Monday! Today let's:

Here's a peek at Comprehensive Distance Learning from a teacher's point of view:

Our teachers are ROCKIN' IT!!!

Their dedication, creativity and hard work remind me to:
   Attack this day with enthusiasm.

                                                                            Stay Positive.
                                                                             Be thankful.
                                                            Replace "Have to" with "Get to."

        Be a blessing to others. 

With Smiles! Val

A New Baby Quilt!

Nothing like the anticipation of a new baby to get one's sewing mojo back!

Pattern used: Summer Song by Villa Rosa Designs.
Quilt measures 44"x55".

I love watching a fat quarter bundle turn into a wonderful quilt. 

For this one I used a Purples Bella Solid pack. 

I've never made a commissioned quilt. But this was for a work friend who wanted something special for her new little niece. She requested solid purples with grays. 

I don't think I've ever made a quilt from solids...and this one has quickly become a favorite!

I used my Beautiful, Colorful, Butterfly pantograph to add a girly touch.

I found a fun "Love You To The Moon and Back" gray backing...

...and I was sure to create a tag that our friend could personalize for her new niece.

I had some backing left over so made a matching receiving blanket too. 

I love the texture of the pom-pom trim, don't you?

I have more baby quilts to make before December and may use this pattern again??

Between the cooler Fall weather and the anticipation of babies, it feels good to be sewing again.

With smiles. Val

The last 100 Days of 2020!!!!

I'm back and as I return to blogging, I'm doing so to share my 100 day Challenge with you! 

What are you going to do with the LAST 100 days of 2020???

During a time when everything feels so out of control and the calendar continues to be a record of cancelled/postponed events. We isolate more and keep our social distance. 

Even upon the return to school/work...the new normal looks like this:

Chromebooks were distributed and teachers are the only humans in the school buildings as our students are taught virtually. I sit in a corner of my office area and meet with classes/teachers like this:

As I start my 33rd year of teaching, as you can imagine, this is all so unimaginable.

I feel even worse for our students and their families.

Six months into this pandemic, I find myself tired and unmotivated. 

But I'm tired of feeling blah. 

I've chosen to control THAT which I CAN and plan to share my journey here with you as this first, give me accountability and second, if I motivate just one other person to do the same...that makes my day. 

So HOW do we stay motivated?

HOW do we reach our goal?

1. CONSISTENCY

2. Your workouts should "pump" you up! 

3. Make it a habit of "showing up" for yourself.

4. Create healthy habits for yourself.

Mine include:

Fitness. I move everyday!!!

Committed to a nutrition program.

Committed to daily personal development.

Keeping an affirmation journal.

Tracking it all!

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How do you start?

1. COMMIT...this actually will give you a sense of control.

2. Identify your WHY! (More on this to come in future posts.)

3. MOVE...find an exercise outlet that your enjoy!

On top of my daily walks, I'm committing to:

4. READ NON-FICTION...get the positivity of others in your head.

5. WRITE...daily. I will be doing THAT right here on the blog.

6. TRACK IT ALL...I have my traveler's notebook for this and LOVE to track everything.

Okay....so here we go...take control of these last 100 days of 2020.

Set a goal for yourself and share it with us.

Because...

With SMILES. Val