ODE TO THE DOUGHNUT

Doughnut, oh, Doughnut
You're wonderful stuff
I love you, oh, Doughnut
I can't get enough. 

You start out as dough
Then you're deep fried in grease 
at this point, my yearning
will only increase.
you're covered with frosting
and sprinkles galore
you're sugar encrusted
I must have some more!

Doughnut, oh, Doughnut
there on my plate
you ease all my sorrows
I think I'll eat eight.
Hang on a minute, 
What's that you say?
my dear friend, the pastry
will only betray?

Doughnut, oh, Doughnut
you've broken my heart
I thought you would love me 
'til death do us part
Alas, you have tricked me,
the results appear grim
Never mind, doughnut...
I'm going to the gym.

--Rachel Ashmore

The result of Andrew leaving town for a week?

Rachel spends her evenings writing love poems to fried, ring-shaped sweets. And speaking in the the third person.

Thank goodness he'll be back tonight.

"SYNONYM" ROLLS

We discussed synonyms in class. Using an idea I found HERE, I introduced the idea of "synonym rolls." I drew outlines of cinnamon rolls freehand with a marker, copied enough for everyone, and the kids listed as many synonyms for assigned words as they could throughout the spirals. 

The finished products were turned in to cookie sheets for "baking."

Lots of comments on this fun, easy bulletin.

IT IS BETTER TO LOOK UP

"At the end of a particularly tiring day toward the end of my first week as a General Authority, my briefcase was overloaded and my mind was preoccupied with the question “How can I possibly do this?” I left the office of the Seventy and entered the elevator of the Church Administration Building. As the elevator descended, my head was down and I stared blankly at the floor.

The door opened and someone entered, but I didn’t look up. As the door closed, I heard someone ask, “What are you looking at down there?” I recognized that voice—it was President Thomas S. Monson.

I quickly looked up and responded, “Oh, nothing.” (I’m sure that clever response inspired confidence in my abilities!)

But he had seen my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, “It is better to look up!” As we traveled down one more level, he cheerfully explained that he was on his way to the temple. When he bid me farewell, his parting glance spoke again to my heart, “Now, remember, it is better to look up.”

As we parted, the words of a scripture came to mind: “Believe in God; believe that he is … ; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth.” As I thought of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s power, my heart found the comfort I had sought in vain from the floor of that descending elevator..."

--Carl B. Cook

A woman from church dropped by last week with THIS printed talk and a helium balloon (you have to read the whole talk to entirely understand the balloon idea ). 

She is not my visiting teacher and I never considered us especially close friends...but she was there, I am convinced, as an answer to prayer. My heart needed the message, and it provided strength to do hard things.


My favorite passage:

"President Monson’s encouragement to look up is a metaphor for remembering Christ. As we remember Him and trust in His power, we receive strength through His Atonement. It is the means whereby we can be relieved of our anxieties, our burdens, and our suffering. It is the means whereby we can receive the faith and strength to endure all things."

And I love my happy, yellow balloon. :) Isn't that a cute idea?

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

 MVI_2071 a video by hibbard_ashmore430 on Flickr.

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I went to our house (the one we're building) last week to take pictures of the progress. Andrew was nowhere to be seen...but I could hear a hammer pounding and music floating up from the crawl space underneath my feet.

Maybe I'm the only one who finds this heartwarming, but I wanted to capture what I found below: my husband all by himself, busy doing something manly with tools, with bright and happy Christmas music blaring on the radio.  

I just love that guy.

P.S. Click on the movie to make it bigger.  

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READ-ALOUD BULLETIN BOARDS

Our read-aloud book last month was "Frindle" by Andrew Clements. It is such a fun read, and I love that it goes over definitions and dictionaries. We spend so much time on dictionary skills in 3rd grade that it fits perfectly with the curriculum.

This focus bulletin was easy: colored print-out of the book cover, an enlarged dictionary definition for the word frindle, and a giant butcher paper pen...er...I mean, frindle. I tried to give the cap dimension with white chalk highlights and by curling the paper slightly to look round. 

In October, our read-aloud book was the hilarious, adorable "Bunnicula" by Deborah and James Howe. I wanted to help my kiddos keep the characters straight, so I made this bulletin. I added white vegetables and my favorite quote from the story for good measure. 

Any of you teachers have favorite read-alouds to recommend? Do share!

OLD, VINTAGE-Y WINDOWS

Andrew grabbed a few old windows for me from THIS house he is remodeling. I begged him to with all energy of heart. I couldn't stand to see them go in the trash.

And I had a vision.


Check out the inspiration I've found for using such windows...

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Put fabric or scrapbook paper behind the glass...

Source: thediyshowoff.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Use it as a dry-erase board...

Source: poodlepoddles.blogspot.com via Lori on Pinterest

Spray chalkboard paint right over the glass...

Source: thrifttown.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Use them as picture frames for small pictures...

Source: weddings.theknot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Connect several together with hinges and display on a table, dresser, or mantel...

Source: 3meadowlakecottage.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Replace the glass with a mirror...

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Hang on the wall with a wreath...

Source: robomargo.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Build a flower box to hang under the window and fill with faux plants. 

Source: theoldpaintedcottage.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Display over the fireplace as a mirror...

Source: ouradventuresinhomeimprovement.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Place on a shelf with a wreath and other decor...

Source: recyclart.org via Rachel on Pinterest

Build shutters to display on either side...

Source: hammersandhighheels.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Use as a picture frame for a large picture...

Source: amy-showalter.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Hang a mossy monogram in front...

Source: bhg.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Hang stars in front...

Source: Uploaded by user via Rachel on Pinterest

Use to frame smaller pictures...

Source: iheartnaptime.net via Rachel on Pinterest

Use as a coat rack (love the bunting too!)...

Source: Uploaded by user via Rachel on Pinterest

Build a coffee table...

Source: bhg.com via Rachel on Pinterest

And hang two and use as a headboard.

Phew...lots of ideas! I can't wait to move in to our new house and put some of these great ideas in to action. I'll be sure to show you the finished products!

OLD, VINTAGE DOOR

Andrew's been working to remodel this old house. As a result, I have been the lucky recipient of some of the old things being torn out and thrown away. 
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First, Andrew brought me home this door.

I was excited because, I bought this random thrifty item a long time ago, and wanted something to do with the old, vintage door knob. It fits perfectly on the door and will give it an even cooler old-fashioned look. 
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As for what to do with the door...I have a few ideas:

I can replace the glass with a mirror and add hooks...

Source: howdoesshe.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I can spray paint it a fun, bright color and sand it down a bit for display...

Source: aimee-weaver.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I'd like Andrew to add wooden strips to make panes. Do you think it's too weird to just lean up against a wall in the front room?

Source: prettypetals.typepad.com via Rachel on Pinterest

It might look cool as the front on a bookcase or cabinet...

Source: bystephanielynn.com via Rachel on Pinterest

We could build a hall tree out of it for the front entryway...

Source: howdoesshe.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Or it could decoration over/behind a desk. Anything is prettier with a wreath hanging on the front, don't you think? 

You'll have to tell me what you think. I've even seen people hang them sideways over beds or couches. Hhmmm.