Photo by Angie Quantrell
winter lace
lacy swirls of cold
spires stretch long, fingers point
frozen work of art
by Angie Quantrell
Photo by Angie Quantrell
Winter Lace – a Haiku
Monthly Archives: February 2017
Visual Learner? That’s Me
It has recently come to my attention that I have strong tendencies towards being a visual learner. I think visually and that impacts the things I do and how I do them.
Take for instance, my desire to learn French. This is what initially made me consider my bent towards visual learning. I love the French language. I adore seeing text – signs, words, symbols, and books in French. But hearing is a part of language learning, and I realized I can’t really hear what is being said and understand the different words. I kept thinking to myself If only I could SEE the words, I’d be able to comprehend what was being said.
Visual learner, yes I am.
Another example that points towards my tendency to acquire knowledge through visual means or to impart something visually is the way I plan for teaching. In my classroom, my displays – bulletin boards, posters, learning centers, student work, general decor – are of the utmost importance. I can’t rest until the room is visually arranged and attractive.
Some other habits I’ve noticed:
~ In the teaching plans I write, I nearly always include suggestions for visual impact – displays, table decor, posters, signs, and room arrangement. Rarely do I include hearing-only activities. Good thing to notice right? Now I can make sure to suggest activities that lean towards the hearing and doing types of learning.
~ Photographs. I love taking photos of everything thing I do and every place I go. These photos become a visual diary of my pursuits.
~ Instagram. I love this app! Pictures and text inform and delight my visual brain.
~Pinterest. Same reason. Pictures and visual clues. I don’t often read the original post or seek out the origins of the image. I glean by reading the pictures, and my imagination goes from there.
~ Reading. I LOVE reading, and reading requires visual skills. I’d be happy if I could live in front of a fireplace sipping hot cocoa and reading a great book while snow piled up against the eaves.
The visual learning list goes on.
Do you think you are a visual learner? Check out this post I found that lists 10 Characteristics of Visual Learners here. I’d say I nailed it!
Of the learning styles, which are you? Visual, auditory, kinesthetic? I’d love to hear. I mean, see your name and comment in print. Wink, wink.
Hoping for spring flowers. But first, the snow must melt.
Coffee Like Papa
As I was recently pouring cream into my coffee, adding just enough until the creamy clouds billowed up to the top breaking the surface of enticing black, I remembered my Papa. He liked his coffee the same way, at least when I was serving. I realized that I had adopted the same habit and method of adding cream to my coffee.
“Just pour it in until it swirls back up,” he told me. For the coffee was always hot or brewing at Grandma and Papa’s, usually available with some choice of sweet dessert. And evaporated milk, punctured open and sitting beside the sugar bowl, was ever at the ready.
Now my personal choice is half and half. But back then, that little red and white can was perfectly fine. Because we were sipping our brew together and catching up on the news of the day.
Cone on over and we’ll have coffee. Just like Papa.
Throwback Thursday: Old Words
Note: I originally posted this long, long ago on February 24, 2016. Hah! I know. It was only last year. But I do so love old books, newspapers, and things, I deemed it worth bringing into the future. And now I remember how much I miss my claw foot bathtub.
I was preparing to take a relaxing bubble bath in my claw foot tub last night when I saw a wadded up log of newspaper on the floor.
The paper log was actually old newspaper. Old 1949 newspaper.
It was super dusty and fragile, so I didn’t undo it, but went ahead and enjoyed my bath, contemplating the sudden arrival of newspaper in the bedroom.
This morning, long after honey had gone to work, I noticed the newspaper had been carefully unrolled and somewhat flattened.
That was when I saw the date on the antique (or is it vintage?) Seattle Times. Sunday, March 27, 1949. Fascinating.
I do love looking at old newspapers, especially the ads. Odd, I realize, but the price comparisons between then and now are amusing and sad. The articles in this bundle also told tales of the times – fashions, comics, businesses, and even child rearing and feeding advice.
This was no ordinary newspaper. It was mystery newspaper that had been recycled to provide padding for an old wood and woven jute chair. We didn’t even know it was stuffed. Look at how creative folks were at repurposing way back before the word was even in use.
Now we know more about the chair (it is older than both of us) and the news of the day from several decades ago.
Words are valuable. No matter how old or in what format they are discovered.
What are some words that are valuable to you?
How to Simplify and Authentically Grow Your Blog Without Spending Money
Blogging is now a viable career option and there are endless examples of bloggers who have monetised their site to the point where they can quit their 9-5 job and live the dream. Consequently, the …
Source: How to Simplify and Authentically Grow Your Blog Without Spending Money
Hello, friends! This post is for those of you who are bloggers. Suzie has some great strategies. I love her low cost approach! Penny pincher, that’s me. 🙂
A Valentiny Story for You: Jello Did Not Like Valentine’s Day
Jello did not like Valentine’s Day.
True, the holiday was fine. For everyone else. But for Jello? No one ever remembered to deliver a valentine specific to his – ahem – tastes.
“Jello,” shouted Hatchback. “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Strawberries, a favorite of turtles. Disappointing. Putting on a smile, Jello croaked, “Thank you.”
“Hey, mellow Jello,” squawked Licorice. “Will you be my valentine?”
Corn, a crow’s go-to meal. No surprise. Jello belted out, “Thank you.”
“Ssssay, Jello, old buddy,” called Slinky. “Rosessss are red, berriessss are blue. You are my friend. Here, jusssst for you.”
Speckled eggs. Eww, shells. Pasting a pleased look on his face, Jello gulped, “Thank you.”
“Hi-de-ho, Jello,” chortled Twitch. “My heart belongs to you.”
Dandelions, and I’ve no rabbity teeth for gnawing. Jello grunted, “Thank you.”
“Sweet as honey, Jello,” roared Buzz. “BEE my valentine!”
Sticky honey. Ugh. It glued Jello’s mouth shut. Jello bellowed, “Thank you.”
No one indulged Jello with his favorite treat. Valentine’s Day was a bust.
“Jello-pie,” croaked Jiggle. “True love of mine, you’ve wiggled into my heart!”
Jello gasped! A valentine, just for him! Pink tasty worms. Perfect for his – ahem – tastes. Beaming, Jello barked, “Thank you!”
Maybe Valentine’s Day was not so bad after all. Jello shared his valentine treats with his friends.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Written by Angie Quantrell (214 words)
The Second Annual Valentiny Writing Contest: by Susanna Leonard Hill
The Contest: since writing for children is all about “big emotion for little people” (I forget who said that, but someone did so I put it in quotes!) and Valentines Day is all about emotion, write a Valentines story appropriate for children (children here defined as ages 12 and under) maximum 214 words in which someone is confused! Your story can be poetry or prose, sweet, funny, surprising or anything in between, but it will only count for the contest if it includes someone confused (can be the main character but doesn’t have to be) and is 214 words (get it? 2/14 for Valentines Day 
You can go under the word count but not over! (Title is not included in the word count.) If you are so inclined, you are welcome to submit more than one entry – just remember you’ll be competing against yourself No illustration notes please!
Love and Chocolate
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.
~ Charles M. Schulz
Love comes from many places: a spouse, parents, siblings, children, grands, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Don’t stop there. Call it what you will, but I know my cats give me love, dogs give love, and pets of all sorts show attachment to owners. Living, breathing people and animals give love. Love is not easy to understand, is sometimes challenging to offer, and this side of Heaven is totally imperfect. It can’t be forced but it can be reciprocated. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to love, as difficult and trying as it sometimes is. Just trying counts. Hoping tomorrow I can do my part in spreading the love. And some chocolate.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)
May your Valentine’s Day be filled with love and dark chocolate.
Picture Book Writers: Fun Contest for You!
(Hope everyone enjoys the blog title nod to Music & Lyric’s fictional band PoP 🙂 ) Roses are red Violets are blue Valentinies rock And so do YOU! Hang onto your chocolate everyone! It’s time for . . . The Second Annual Pretty Much World Famous Valentiny Writing Contest!!! Valen-tiny because the stories are not very […]
via PoP Goes My Heart! The Second Annual Valentiny Writing Contest Is Here!!! — Susanna Leonard Hill
Snow Cream
Today is it, folks. At least for the Yakima Valley. Maybe.
Time to get out there and grab a bowl full of clean fresh snow before the rains hit tomorrow. Let’s make snow cream!
Snow Cream
- Fill a cereal bowl with clean snow. If you are doing this with kids, give them each a bowl to fill.
- To each bowl add about: 1/2 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 tsp. sugar, and enough 1/2 & 1/2 or milk to desired consistency. Mix with a spoon. This is very light sugar, as I don’t care for syrupy sweet stuff, but you can add more sugar if you want. This would also be great with fresh fruit.
- Eat, enjoy, repeat.
My mom used to make snow cream for us when I was a kid. I think she used to add eggs. But I’m not a big fan of raw eggs, and I was a kid. I could be way off base. Either way, no eggs.
Brain freeze!
A Photo Becomes A Painting
A photo tells a story.
At the end of a recent vacation, I shot a selfie of the two of us, relaxed and replete after several days of downtime and fun. This picture is one of my favorites.
Factor in one of Kevin’s co-workers, Kathy Bensch. She wanted to do a painting of us for Kevin’s office. Just because. We gave her a copy of our favorite photo.
Et voila! There we are, in living water color. Thank you, Kathy! Perfect!
Not that the painting will ever make it to Kevin’s office…I do have some ideas on how to share.
But I think this painting looks great in the RV.
Love, Laughter, and Life 