Just got back from a lovely trip to Sacramento; now we are gearing up to hit Houston, TX! So excited; it is my first time!
Although it’s not my first rodeo flying during a pandemic, it is still pretty overwhelming. The masking and sanitizing are just part of our everyday lives so I don’t bat an eye over it. But, the testing prior to departure/arrival and the anxious wait for results is the worst part. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the importance of testing!
I figured I’d share a few of my favourite travel items that make my journey better.
I am looking forward to checking out the great food at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen and going to the Museum of Natural Science! Check back next month for my “Must See/Must Eat” feature!
Finally heading back to Sacramento, CA! There is a lot to see and do and great food too!
What to do/see… 1. Crocker Art Museum *It houses an incredible collection of Californian Art and is the OLDEST art museum west of the Mississippi.
2. Old Sacramento *Step back in time by touring this historic riverside area complete with cobblestone streets; it boasts a ton of attractions like the Schoolhouse Museum, the Automobile Museum; you can even take a tour underground and enjoy a carriage ride.
3. Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park *Built as a farming and trade colony by John Sutter in 1839; it draws visitors because of its connection to not only the founding of Sacramento but also the Donner Party and the California Gold Rush.
4. Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park *This beautiful home with its stunning grounds was finished in 1857 and was home to Stanford, the renowned railway founder and president who also went on to become the eighth governor of California.
Where to eat… 1. Bacon & Butter *Breakfast/Brunch Recommendation: Grilled Cheese Benedict & Prickly Pearmosa
1. Traditional *Having a paternal English grandmother meant that a trifle was always on the menu for dessert at family gatherings! I unfortunately never had a chance to get the recipe, however, this one from allrecipes.com, comes extremely close.
2. Taste of Home Trifle *Valerie Bertinelli isn’t the only one who LOVES lemon, I do too! This recipe has a bright, fresh springtime vibe.
3. Chocolate Lovers *Swapping sponge cake for brownies and fruit for candy bar bites makes this version oh so decadent!
This classy lady is known for her coat dresses, pussy bow blouses, wide leg trousers and beautiful gowns (to name a few of her signature fashion pieces). I am hard pressed to find an outfit of her’s that I don’t like. Her ensembles stand the test of time. Taking inspiration from the Duchess, I put together a look.
Being a teacher is challenging and amazing at the same time! I am sharing some teacher musings with you today.
Stuff My Students Say…
1. “I feel bad for your husband… you nag an awful lot!” (I asked him twice to put his phone away)
2. “You know, I think we should have another PD Day, who can I talk to about that?” (Sometimes you just need a four day week, right?)
3. S1: “So you’re telling me, that you had to write when you were in school –by like hand, with like paper and a pen??”
S2: “No, she had to use a stone tablet and chisel, like on the Flinstones!” (Partial commentary in class to my request to take out a pen and paper for the lesson because the chromebooks weren’t charged)
Hacks…
1. Dollar Store shower curtains (or table clothes) as bulletin board covers –>I love this because they are inexpensive so you can cover large areas and change them up frequently without depleting your classroom decor budget. Since plastic shower curtains/ tablecloths are more durable than paper lining they can be re-used and of course are so easy to wipe down when things get messy.
2. New Spin on Exit Slips –>Teenagers are tricky; communicating can be difficult. Typically “exit slips” have focused on lesson content, but this new version broadens the scope: “I WISH MY TEACHER KNEW…” Students can and will tell you so much –it is a great way for them to vent, ask questions, tell you information you need to know, ask for help, etc.
3. Chromebook Colour Coding –>Our chromebook cart can look like an octopus lives in it; the cords are EVERYWHERE; it’s annoying for kids and teachers. Putting a bit of coloured tape on the chromebook, slot and cord can ensure that the right cord goes to the right chromebook and that the right chromebook goes in the right spot. And let’s face it, life is better with colour! Latest TPT Buy… Colour Theory Collaborative Monet Inspired Mural *My students (junior & senior high) love colouring; it’s fun and relaxing; they enjoy putting the finished sheets together into the mural format to decorate our classroom. Rewarding Story… We did our Parent-Teacher Interviews (PTIs) by phone this year because of COVID. I had so many booked and I was just really exhausted; pandemic teaching is really tough! We seemed to be getting dealt a lot of blows; a lot of additional traumas leading up to the PTIs. Midway through the evening of making calls, I was really starting to feel like I just couldn’t do it any more –I just wanted to have a bit of a cry and take a nap. I pushed through because rescheduling the ones I had left would have taken me longer than just simply making the calls. I dialed the number of, let’s call her, Mrs. Smith….
Me: Hi Mrs. Smith, I’m calling from the school; you requested an interview with me. So I am just touching base with you.
Mrs. Smith: Hi! You’re on speaker by the way. I only requested this interview to tell you that I appreciate everything you are doing for the boys and to thank you for all your hard work –it hasn’t been easy but I see you, I see all the work you do. I hope you have a wonderful evening.
That phone call filled my “bucket” and allowed me to be a better teacher because I was renewed. I wasn’t expecting that. I also noticed that her kids were making an effort in class to “see” and acknowledge their peers; spreading kindness in the classroom.
We eat this at least once a month; and how could we not? The ingredients are always in our fridge/pantry, it’s super easy and incredibly tasty. This recipe is even husband approved. Simply add rice and broccoli as sides and dinner is DONE! I am not sure where this recipe came from, but thank you to the genius who created it!!
4 chicken breasts (skinless) 1/2 cup Kraft Bacon Ranch Dressing 1/2 cup Liberte Plain Greek Yogurt 1/2 cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce 1/3 cup breadcrumbs 3/4 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
Directions
1. Spray a casserole dish with PAM and place the chicken in the dish. 2. In a medium bowl mix the dressing, yogurt and hot sauce together. 3. Pour over the chicken. 4. In a separate bowl mix the breadcrumbs and cheese together. 5. Sprinkle over the chicken. 6. Bake for 35-40 minutes at 375F.
The pandemic had many people adopting dogs, baking bread and colouring. But it had me learning how to give myself shellac manicures. I got all my supplies from ABS Beauty Supply. Personally, I use CND shellac –I love the colours and it’s just a great product. The new colours I am most excited about for the New Year are…
Although this sandwich was invented in the mid 1960’s and made a major resurgence in 2020; I have ALWAYS been a fan –I grew up on tuna melts! Some people like to jazz it up with bacon, tomato and even avocado, but I am a purist!
1. Drain the tuna; then flake the fish into a bowl with a fork. 2. Add the Miracle Whip, onion and pickles and mix well. 3. “Butter” one side of the bread and place it margarine side down on a sheet pan; then top with half of the tuna mixture, spread/pack the mixture evenly. 4. Put half the shredded cheese on top of the tuna mixture. 5. Top with another slice of bread and “butter” the top. 6. Repeat steps 3-5. 7. Bake for 6 minutes at 400F
As a result of the pandemic; I had a lot of time on my hands during the school breaks since travel was non-existent and many professional development sessions/ conventions/ conferences were cancelled. Coursera really helped to bridge the gap. It allowed me to continue learning and took my mind off of the state of the world. This site was developed in 2012 by Stanford University professors. You can take courses for free, for certification as well as obtain degrees from a plethora of universities and other post-secondary institutions.
The courses I have enjoyed and highly recommend include…
1. Indigenous Canada, from the University of Alberta
“A 12-lesson course that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations. Topics covered are: the fur trade and other exchange relationships, land claims and environmental impacts, legal systems and rights, political conflicts and alliances, Indigenous political activism, and contemporary Indigenous life, art and its expressions,” (Coursera).
2. The Science of Well Being, from Yale University
“In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. As preparation for these tasks, Professor Laurie Santos reveals misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change. You will ultimately be prepared to successfully incorporate a specific wellness activity into your life,” (Coursera).
3. Big History — From the Big Bang until Today, from the University of Amsterdam
“After completing this course you will develop a better understanding of how you and everything around you became the way they are today. You will also have gained an understanding of the underlying mechanisms that have helped shape the history of everything and how they will help shape the future. Last but not least, you will have developed the skill to use this knowledge to put smaller subjects into a bigger perspective with the aid of the little big history approach,” (Coursera).
4. The Arctic Series from the University of Alberta This series includes: Introduction to the Arctic: Climate, Arctic Economy and Arctic Development.
The first; provides, “an overview of regional geography: the cryosphere (ice), the atmosphere and ocean. You will learn why the Arctic is cold and ice covered, and how that impacts its climate and ecosystems and how the Arctic is connected to the rest of the world. Finally, an examination of present day climate change, the processes driving it, and evidence for it in the Arctic as well as the implications of it,” (Coursera).
The second course teaches you that, “Arctic communities are facing new kinds of challenges to their survival as a result of globalization. You will investigate the challenges faced by Indigenous, North American, Russian and Nordic Arctic communities in a modern world and how those communities adjust to change while maintaining their ways of life, socio-economic histories, and cultural traditions,” (Coursera). In the third course; “you will investigate the role that natural resources play across the Indigenous, Nordic, Russian and North American Arctics, different strategies for resource management in different regions, and how these affect community planning and development efforts in an increasingly populated part of the world,” (Coursera).
