Highland Park Today

 I made myself walk around for 20 minutes, today. The lilacs are just starting. 

 The first lilacs were planted here in 1892. I like the double blossoms the best, it seems like they have to try harder. 

 Some of the bushes are enormous.

This redbud was on the way home.

I was very glad to get home and get the leg elevated and iced.

Spring in Anna's backyard

Mur is 4 months old

...and his weight has doubled in the last month. He's so fuzzy and cute. He can sit, shake, crawl, lie down, and heel. His favorite snack is apple pieces.

A student draws my portrait

Looks just like me!!

The winter storm brought me back to painting

I was staying at my friend Anna's because my electricity and heat were out. She has lots of colorful beautiful things to draw so I took advantage of my break from school and this is what happened. It felt great to be doing some art again, other than kid's stuff at school.

Ja, Sweden

I found this surprise on my desk this morning!

I have the best, kindest coworkers in the world.

Really.

Drummers and Dancers from Ghana came to School #4 Today

The SAAKUMU dance troup stopped by our school during their tour of the US. The kids were energized and had a great time. My friend Sarah was instrumental in getting this perfomance to happen here. Thank you, Sarah!

Happy Birthday

Pudding Parfaits in 8th grade yesterday

Potluck Dinner

 The nibbles are ready.

 The table is set.

 Jon made a delicious apple pie, I made the lasagna, Anna made a big green salad.

We had a good meal and a lovely time.

Yep.

Sixth Graders are studying the wild animals of New York

They're showing us their journal pages about bobcats.

A new friend

This is Mura, a Central Asian Shepherd, who belongs to my friends Liza and Ken. Mura is eight weeks old, and very friendly, I met him yesterday and we liked each other very much!

There is a new knitter in the universe!

 Anna came over this evening, and decided she wanted to learn to knit. She started on  a scarf.

She's a fast learner!!

Cranberry orange muffins fresh from the oven!

Pizza hat

This young man had the cutest hat of the week.

Bakers gonna bake

Before.

 After. Mini veggie muffins - fat free!

Before.

Mini pineapple upside down cakes.

Not shown: the PUD cakes that turned out to be a gooey mess.

Thought for the day

Happy new year!

We have five people from four different countries this evening. We played Pictionary and scattergories, and they left by 10:30. We decided we're all old. Good night, 2016.