As I write this, we are two weeks away from the start of my twentieth year in education. It doesn't seem possible. Still, the beginning of a new year brings excitement, anticipation, and eagerness. I have missed my kids so much and cannot wait to see how they have grown.
The first weeks of school are always about routines - establishing and practicing. Theoretically, all basic skills and procedures should be mastered during this time so that the "real learning" can begin to take place. We practice walking in the hall, raising our hands, heading our papers - basic things that we will do many times each day. Piece of cake? No. There will always be a special few continuing to do the Electric Slide on the way to lunch rather than walk down the hall single file or yell out the answer in the middle of a test. However, most will catch on quickly so we progress.
As we progress, some lessons prove harder than others. In second grade, regrouping was always a challenge. Drawing pictures, using manipulatives and repeated practice were helpful, but they were hard lessons. As a dyslexia therapist, I work each day with extremely bright children who struggle to read. They often come to me defeated and lacking confidence. As we go through the years, I can see pride and confidence ooze from them as they beg to read. Success comes even when lessons are hard.
Students aren't the only one learning hard lessons. Teachers face them too. Although they don't involve regrouping or reading, some things are just a bit much to wrap your head around (even with a college degree or two!) We can't understand how some in the world view education by numbers while we see education as faces. We can't understand how not everyone loves our children as much as we do. Children should be treasured, not abused or forgotten. Yes, even as grown ups, there are hard lessons.
Tomorrow, there will be a memorial service for a former student. He was the brightest of the bunch and his smile lit up our classroom. His family loved him and his siblings and they were very involved in our school. He went on to achieve academic and athletic greatness in high school. He volunteered and helped others as a coach and a mentor. Bad things like this should not happen to good kids. I guess that it's just another one of those hard lessons.
When the bell rings on August 26, I will be ready. Ready to see my kiddos again. Ready to start a new year off. Some of the lessons will be easy, some won't be. But one thing is certain, I will hug my students a little tighter, listen to them a little longer, and try my best to help them through the hard lessons.
Love and blessings!
Puddin'
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Sweet Sweet Summertime
August snuck in on me this week. I knew that it would - just didn't expect it so quickly. August is the month that I buckle down and try to get all of my summer to dos done. As I sat and thought about all that I still needed to do before the school bell rings, it dawned on me that this will be the first summer that I didn't spend with my grandmother.
Growing up in the country, spending summers with Grandmother and Granddaddy were always a big treat. It meant going to the big city and all that Arlington, Texas had to offer...McDonald's, Six Flags, and air conditioning. That's right, I said air conditioning. Our big farm house had no AC and mama thought window units were tacky. When I arrived at Grandmother's I was prepared for Artic glory! Many summers, I packed sweatshirts because it was so cold in that house. Grandmother would tell me that I had better soak it all up before I had to go home.
Those weeks were so special to me. I had my grandmother's undivided attention and she taught me so many things. We would shell peas and make hot sauce. Under her tutelage, I learned to bake bread, cinnamon rolls and dressing. She would teach me hymns as we sat on the swing - we didn't always have the words right but that didn't matter. "Bringing in the sheets" was a perfectly good hymn. Grandmother taught me to do needlework and to crochet, things that I still enjoy today. These were the things that kept me still as I would also have to endure hours under her hair dryer as Grandmother was determined to put curls in my waist length hair.
Grandmother never drove a car, so going anywhere was extra special. One day each summer, Granddaddy would drop us off at Six Flags on his way to work at General Motors. We spent the entire day riding the train, the log ride, and the merry-go-round. We were not dare devils. The most fun for us were the shows - the Crazy Horse Saloon and the Six Flags Review. Grandmother always thought that I would star in one of those shows when I grew older.
Six Flags wasn't our only summertime adventure. Grandmother and Granddaddy would load my cousin and I up in the car and off we drove to Ft. Worth. On the way, we would roll down the windows to smell the air as we drove past the Mrs. Baird's bakery. Our destination was the Fort Worth Zoo. Once there, we rode the train and ate snow cones before heading home. It was years before I learned that there were actual animals at the zoo! You see, it was so hot and the animals were smelly that Grandmother thought it best not to mention that there were animals to be seen.
As I grew older, summers became busier but I always found my way to Arlington. Grandmother's house never lost its allure. We still shelled peas and crocheted. Once I married, those weeks-long visits became day trips but they were just as special as ever. Over the last few years, Grandmother's visits were bittersweet. She was never the same after we lost my Granddaddy. Her mind and body became weak but her smile, while rare, was still a treasure.
Grandmother was called home last December and I haven't been to Arlington since. I count my many memories and our times spent together as precious. So this afternoon, before the craziness of back to school sets in, I will visit Grandmother again. I'll turn the AC down to freezing, throw on a sweatshirt and flip through the photo albums one more time. I may even make something special for supper as I sing "Bringing in the Sheets!"
Like me, Grandmother only had summers off. She was a cook at Hill Elementary School for many years. She loved the kids and the teachers and they loved her in return. She was called the Cookie Lady as she did all of the baking. (Yes, there used to be real cooking happening in school cafeterias) One of the favorites were her Coconut Oatmeal Cookies. I just may be bringing these to my teaching family this year. Grandmother would like that.
J.L. Hill Coconut-Oatmeal Cookies
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 Crisco
1 egg
1 C flour
1/2 t salt
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1 C rolled oats
1/2 C shredded coconut
1/2 chopped pecans
1 t vanilla
Cream sugars and Crisco. Add the egg. Shift flour, soda, salt, and baking powder together and add to sugar mixture. Add oats, coconut, nuts, and vanilla. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a cookie sheet and flatten slightly with your finger. Bake at 325 for 15 minutes.
Love & Blessings,
Puddin'
Growing up in the country, spending summers with Grandmother and Granddaddy were always a big treat. It meant going to the big city and all that Arlington, Texas had to offer...McDonald's, Six Flags, and air conditioning. That's right, I said air conditioning. Our big farm house had no AC and mama thought window units were tacky. When I arrived at Grandmother's I was prepared for Artic glory! Many summers, I packed sweatshirts because it was so cold in that house. Grandmother would tell me that I had better soak it all up before I had to go home.
Those weeks were so special to me. I had my grandmother's undivided attention and she taught me so many things. We would shell peas and make hot sauce. Under her tutelage, I learned to bake bread, cinnamon rolls and dressing. She would teach me hymns as we sat on the swing - we didn't always have the words right but that didn't matter. "Bringing in the sheets" was a perfectly good hymn. Grandmother taught me to do needlework and to crochet, things that I still enjoy today. These were the things that kept me still as I would also have to endure hours under her hair dryer as Grandmother was determined to put curls in my waist length hair.
Even as a baby I'm afraid to move or I'll lose the curl!
Grandmother never drove a car, so going anywhere was extra special. One day each summer, Granddaddy would drop us off at Six Flags on his way to work at General Motors. We spent the entire day riding the train, the log ride, and the merry-go-round. We were not dare devils. The most fun for us were the shows - the Crazy Horse Saloon and the Six Flags Review. Grandmother always thought that I would star in one of those shows when I grew older.
Six Flags wasn't our only summertime adventure. Grandmother and Granddaddy would load my cousin and I up in the car and off we drove to Ft. Worth. On the way, we would roll down the windows to smell the air as we drove past the Mrs. Baird's bakery. Our destination was the Fort Worth Zoo. Once there, we rode the train and ate snow cones before heading home. It was years before I learned that there were actual animals at the zoo! You see, it was so hot and the animals were smelly that Grandmother thought it best not to mention that there were animals to be seen.
As I grew older, summers became busier but I always found my way to Arlington. Grandmother's house never lost its allure. We still shelled peas and crocheted. Once I married, those weeks-long visits became day trips but they were just as special as ever. Over the last few years, Grandmother's visits were bittersweet. She was never the same after we lost my Granddaddy. Her mind and body became weak but her smile, while rare, was still a treasure.
Bobby & me with my grandparents on our wedding day
Grandmother was called home last December and I haven't been to Arlington since. I count my many memories and our times spent together as precious. So this afternoon, before the craziness of back to school sets in, I will visit Grandmother again. I'll turn the AC down to freezing, throw on a sweatshirt and flip through the photo albums one more time. I may even make something special for supper as I sing "Bringing in the Sheets!"
Like me, Grandmother only had summers off. She was a cook at Hill Elementary School for many years. She loved the kids and the teachers and they loved her in return. She was called the Cookie Lady as she did all of the baking. (Yes, there used to be real cooking happening in school cafeterias) One of the favorites were her Coconut Oatmeal Cookies. I just may be bringing these to my teaching family this year. Grandmother would like that.
J.L. Hill Coconut-Oatmeal Cookies
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 Crisco
1 egg
1 C flour
1/2 t salt
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1 C rolled oats
1/2 C shredded coconut
1/2 chopped pecans
1 t vanilla
Cream sugars and Crisco. Add the egg. Shift flour, soda, salt, and baking powder together and add to sugar mixture. Add oats, coconut, nuts, and vanilla. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a cookie sheet and flatten slightly with your finger. Bake at 325 for 15 minutes.
Love & Blessings,
Puddin'
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Be Careful Little Eyes...
I feel like I need a I bumper sticker that reads, "I survived VBS".
Yes, another Vacation Bible School is in the books - and it was wonderful. I cannot wait to see my babies show the congregation their songs, moves, and memory verses during services tonight.
This year, a few things were changed - and change is good. Our VBS was held Friday night and Saturday morning/afternoon. This worked really well even with the big storm that blew in during Friday's activities-bounce houses can go airborne. I usually work with the music - it's my love and I feel comfortable there. However, this year I was assigned memory verses - yes, God got a good giggle from that I'm sure.
Our main verse was Mark 12:30 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." Not only was it important for the kids to learn this verse, but I wanted them to know what is meaning is in our world today. We did an activity called Name 5. We sat in a circle while the person in the mush pot closed their eyes and gave the start and stop commands as those in the circle passed around a tennis ball. Whoever had the ball when the stop command was given had to name 5. For our group, we had the kiddos complete the following: Name 5 ways we can love the Lord in school, at home, at church, at the store, and at the ball field. I was amazed at their responses. I was also convicted to make sure that I followed their suggestions. Be careful little eyes.
This reminded me of something that happened many years ago when I was a real teacher (aka before I became a dyslexia therapist). I have never been one of those teachers who raised my voice to get attention, silence speaks louder than words don't you know. It was during one of these moments that I heard one of my students say to the class, "Y'all be quiet, Mrs. Hendrik is praying for us again!" Kids may not always know what is in their lesson, but they will always know what's in your heart. I guess what I'm trying to say is build those relationships and walk the walk. From these simple gestures, great lessons will be taught.
As the final weeks of summer approach, I cannot wait to build new relationships. While technology is amazing and oh so important, nothing can match what the human heart can accomplish.
Love & Blessings,
Puddin'
BTW...
The Name 5 Game can easily be incorporated into many subjects and levels. It makes an awesome way to close a lesson or review for a test! I like it because they have to have five answers instead of one - promoting deeper understanding!
Homework:
How do you build relationships with your classes? Please share your thoughts in the comment section :)
Speaking of relationships, I could not do what I do without my team! Your teammates are your support system. I tell these ladies that no one else speaks our language. I love them so :)
Yes, another Vacation Bible School is in the books - and it was wonderful. I cannot wait to see my babies show the congregation their songs, moves, and memory verses during services tonight.
This year, a few things were changed - and change is good. Our VBS was held Friday night and Saturday morning/afternoon. This worked really well even with the big storm that blew in during Friday's activities-bounce houses can go airborne. I usually work with the music - it's my love and I feel comfortable there. However, this year I was assigned memory verses - yes, God got a good giggle from that I'm sure.
Our main verse was Mark 12:30 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." Not only was it important for the kids to learn this verse, but I wanted them to know what is meaning is in our world today. We did an activity called Name 5. We sat in a circle while the person in the mush pot closed their eyes and gave the start and stop commands as those in the circle passed around a tennis ball. Whoever had the ball when the stop command was given had to name 5. For our group, we had the kiddos complete the following: Name 5 ways we can love the Lord in school, at home, at church, at the store, and at the ball field. I was amazed at their responses. I was also convicted to make sure that I followed their suggestions. Be careful little eyes.
This reminded me of something that happened many years ago when I was a real teacher (aka before I became a dyslexia therapist). I have never been one of those teachers who raised my voice to get attention, silence speaks louder than words don't you know. It was during one of these moments that I heard one of my students say to the class, "Y'all be quiet, Mrs. Hendrik is praying for us again!" Kids may not always know what is in their lesson, but they will always know what's in your heart. I guess what I'm trying to say is build those relationships and walk the walk. From these simple gestures, great lessons will be taught.
As the final weeks of summer approach, I cannot wait to build new relationships. While technology is amazing and oh so important, nothing can match what the human heart can accomplish.
Love & Blessings,
Puddin'
BTW...
The Name 5 Game can easily be incorporated into many subjects and levels. It makes an awesome way to close a lesson or review for a test! I like it because they have to have five answers instead of one - promoting deeper understanding!
Homework:
How do you build relationships with your classes? Please share your thoughts in the comment section :)
Speaking of relationships, I could not do what I do without my team! Your teammates are your support system. I tell these ladies that no one else speaks our language. I love them so :)
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Super Summer
Happy Sunday All!
Hopefully you are having a Super _________ (day, week, snack, you choose!)
Super can describe so many things that the word may even lose some of its super powers - but I hope not. The idea for this post was born while on a hot date with the hubs!
We had gone to see the movie Superman Man of Steel. (sidebar #1- I highly recommend this movie for several reasons: very exciting to watch, wonderful story line, no profanity or visual obscenities, & good overcomes evil. sidebar #2 You know you are aging when your teenage matinee heartthrob is now playing the father of Superman!)
The moral of the movie was driven home again and again. We are all put here for a reason - find yours.
One of my favorite sayings is "I teach. What's your superpower?" If you are involved in education in any form-classroom or behind the scenes-you are a superhero! I began to ponder what exactly my super power would be. I automatically thought that my love for children was a superpower - but that's a given. Anyone in education needs to love children or they should find another career. So I thought a while longer and decided that organization and planning were my super powers.
When it comes to organization, you just need to find what works for you and stick with it. One of the best organizational tools that I have is the SUPER binder. Years ago when I was a "real teacher" (aka second grade teacher), I found that if I took all of the important documents, notes, memos, plans, and the like and kept them in one central location, I was more apt to #1 know where they were and #2 put the information to use. Thus, the SUPER Binder was born!
Over the years, my binder has gone through many incarnations, and summer is the time of year when I usually begin putting my new binder together. I will take you through how I create mine and feel free to use these ideas and by all means tweak them to fit your needs. You can also find many binder packages for sale online. These are amazing and oh so cute, but I prefer to create my own.
I begin by purchasing what I have found to be essential in binder building:
*a 2" binder (Just like Goldilocks, I have found that 1" are too small and bursting at the seams by December while the 3" are too cumbersome)
*pretty stationary - these can be purchased to go along with your classroom theme
* sheet protectors
*post it filing tabs
*optional: label maker, pencil pouch, stickers and other accouterments.
Next, decide on what you feel would be the most important things to keep in your binder and create areas for these. The following are the tabs I will use to keep mine organized this year: lesson plans, calendar, student information, 504 data, IEP info., Team Meetings, Staff/Faculty Meetings, Parent Communication, Important E-Mails, Schedules & Rosters, and Master Copies. I will make a header page using my stationary and then load it into a page protector. Then, I will create a corresponding tab to place on the outside of the page protector so that the information can be located easily. I have found that this works better than using regular dividers as the dividers tend to get lost in some the things I keep in page protectors.
Once your binder is created, file things as they come in. Don't let things pile up or you will never find it and will be doomed before you start.
Keep your binders from year to year for reference. I generally label the spine with the school year so that information is easily assessable.
I also keep a household super binder where I file bills, receipts, insurance and IRS information.
Another "SOUPER" idea for the summer is Fruit Soup!
If you have found that the wonderful fruits of the season often begin to spoil before you and your family have eaten them all, this is the perfect way to use that yummy produce. Simply take whatever fruits that you have and blend them with a little fruit juice and voila - fruit soup! This week I blended honey dew melon and fresh pineapple with a little lime juice. The result was so cool and refreshing - perfect for breakfast, dessert, or just a little afternoon treat on a hot summer day.
Praying that you have a Super Week!
Love & Blessings,
Puddin'
Homework: What is your teaching super power? (please leave your answers in the comment section)
Hopefully you are having a Super _________ (day, week, snack, you choose!)
Super can describe so many things that the word may even lose some of its super powers - but I hope not. The idea for this post was born while on a hot date with the hubs!
We had gone to see the movie Superman Man of Steel. (sidebar #1- I highly recommend this movie for several reasons: very exciting to watch, wonderful story line, no profanity or visual obscenities, & good overcomes evil. sidebar #2 You know you are aging when your teenage matinee heartthrob is now playing the father of Superman!)
The moral of the movie was driven home again and again. We are all put here for a reason - find yours.
One of my favorite sayings is "I teach. What's your superpower?" If you are involved in education in any form-classroom or behind the scenes-you are a superhero! I began to ponder what exactly my super power would be. I automatically thought that my love for children was a superpower - but that's a given. Anyone in education needs to love children or they should find another career. So I thought a while longer and decided that organization and planning were my super powers.
When it comes to organization, you just need to find what works for you and stick with it. One of the best organizational tools that I have is the SUPER binder. Years ago when I was a "real teacher" (aka second grade teacher), I found that if I took all of the important documents, notes, memos, plans, and the like and kept them in one central location, I was more apt to #1 know where they were and #2 put the information to use. Thus, the SUPER Binder was born!
Over the years, my binder has gone through many incarnations, and summer is the time of year when I usually begin putting my new binder together. I will take you through how I create mine and feel free to use these ideas and by all means tweak them to fit your needs. You can also find many binder packages for sale online. These are amazing and oh so cute, but I prefer to create my own.
I begin by purchasing what I have found to be essential in binder building:
*a 2" binder (Just like Goldilocks, I have found that 1" are too small and bursting at the seams by December while the 3" are too cumbersome)
*pretty stationary - these can be purchased to go along with your classroom theme
* sheet protectors
*post it filing tabs
*optional: label maker, pencil pouch, stickers and other accouterments.
Next, decide on what you feel would be the most important things to keep in your binder and create areas for these. The following are the tabs I will use to keep mine organized this year: lesson plans, calendar, student information, 504 data, IEP info., Team Meetings, Staff/Faculty Meetings, Parent Communication, Important E-Mails, Schedules & Rosters, and Master Copies. I will make a header page using my stationary and then load it into a page protector. Then, I will create a corresponding tab to place on the outside of the page protector so that the information can be located easily. I have found that this works better than using regular dividers as the dividers tend to get lost in some the things I keep in page protectors.
Once your binder is created, file things as they come in. Don't let things pile up or you will never find it and will be doomed before you start.
Keep your binders from year to year for reference. I generally label the spine with the school year so that information is easily assessable.
I also keep a household super binder where I file bills, receipts, insurance and IRS information.
Another "SOUPER" idea for the summer is Fruit Soup!
If you have found that the wonderful fruits of the season often begin to spoil before you and your family have eaten them all, this is the perfect way to use that yummy produce. Simply take whatever fruits that you have and blend them with a little fruit juice and voila - fruit soup! This week I blended honey dew melon and fresh pineapple with a little lime juice. The result was so cool and refreshing - perfect for breakfast, dessert, or just a little afternoon treat on a hot summer day.
Praying that you have a Super Week!
Love & Blessings,
Puddin'
Homework: What is your teaching super power? (please leave your answers in the comment section)
Sunday, July 14, 2013
You Need to Add a Little Spice
I LOVE lists. Some of my lists have lists. I will even do a rough draft of my grocery list and then revise by the layout of the store. I LOVE lists!
As a teacher, lists are a big part of what makes me productive - the more that I can check off, the more productive I am! In the summer my list making takes the month of June off (except for that grocery list), but with July upon us, the lists go into what my kids call BEASTMODE.
Side note... July is also the month that the school supplies begin appearing in the stores (July 5th to be exact). This is one of those days that I live for. You can keep your Black Friday shopping in November - I am happily at home for that- but give me school supplies in July! I went the other day and take a look I what I found...
I now have colored plastic folders in six different colors for my six groups (plastic may be bad for the environment, but it's a godsend for elementary folders). I also picked up a cute spiral for personal note taking (I still prefer to take notes the old fashioned way) and a purple 2" binder so I can begin building my 2013-14 Super Binder (more about the Super Binder in a future blog).
The spiral is where I take notes from inservices, workshops, faculty meetings, conferences, etc... I like to keep all of my notes in one place so that I will always know where to look. Each school year begins with a new spiral! The spiral begins its new life beside my bed. Let me explain, beginning around the end of June I begin having the school terrors that will wake me up in a cold, sweaty panic. They usually involve an idea or a list of something that I will need to do or want to try in the upcoming term. With my trusty spiral beside my bed, I can jot these things down and go back to sleep.
After 19 years, I still do this. Teaching must never become rote, so teachers must never become stagnate or believe that they don't have time to improve. I change something every year (often many things). Even after 2 years of indoctrination to become a language therapist where they tried to kill the teacher living in my heart by drilling that therapy is best when it's super structured and never changes. Don't tell the therapy gurus (love 'em), but my teacher's heart beats loud and true. I tweak my therapy classes a bit each year and in turn, each year is a little better than the last. It all starts in the spiral.
Don't be afraid to spice things up, make some changes, try something new. What's the worst that could happen? It might not be successful, but your kiddos get to see how well you respond to fooboos. That is a LIFE LESSON!
Go on now - grab a spiral, make some changes, spice it up!
Speaking of spice...
I have a recipe to share. These are the perfect little something when you are in need of a chocolate fix. Most of the ingredients are typical, but there are a few that I have marked with a * in case you want to spice it up. If you do, the changes are subtle but spectacular!
Brownie Cookies
1 box brownie mix ( I use dark chocolate)
1 1/4 C AP flour
1/4 C brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 C butter (melted)
2T water
1 C chocolate chips (any type, I use semi-sweet)
1T espresso powder* (intensifies the chocolate flavor)
1t vanilla*
1t cinnamon*
1/8-1/4 t cayenne pepper* (trust me)
combine all and cover and chill for 2 hours
preheat oven to 350 and drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined sheet pan
flatten slightly
bake 10-12 minutes
yield 60 cookies
Before you leave, here's a homework assignment:
How do you plan to spice up your class this year? please leave a comment
Love & Blessings!
Puddin'
As a teacher, lists are a big part of what makes me productive - the more that I can check off, the more productive I am! In the summer my list making takes the month of June off (except for that grocery list), but with July upon us, the lists go into what my kids call BEASTMODE.
Side note... July is also the month that the school supplies begin appearing in the stores (July 5th to be exact). This is one of those days that I live for. You can keep your Black Friday shopping in November - I am happily at home for that- but give me school supplies in July! I went the other day and take a look I what I found...
The spiral is where I take notes from inservices, workshops, faculty meetings, conferences, etc... I like to keep all of my notes in one place so that I will always know where to look. Each school year begins with a new spiral! The spiral begins its new life beside my bed. Let me explain, beginning around the end of June I begin having the school terrors that will wake me up in a cold, sweaty panic. They usually involve an idea or a list of something that I will need to do or want to try in the upcoming term. With my trusty spiral beside my bed, I can jot these things down and go back to sleep.
After 19 years, I still do this. Teaching must never become rote, so teachers must never become stagnate or believe that they don't have time to improve. I change something every year (often many things). Even after 2 years of indoctrination to become a language therapist where they tried to kill the teacher living in my heart by drilling that therapy is best when it's super structured and never changes. Don't tell the therapy gurus (love 'em), but my teacher's heart beats loud and true. I tweak my therapy classes a bit each year and in turn, each year is a little better than the last. It all starts in the spiral.
Don't be afraid to spice things up, make some changes, try something new. What's the worst that could happen? It might not be successful, but your kiddos get to see how well you respond to fooboos. That is a LIFE LESSON!
Go on now - grab a spiral, make some changes, spice it up!
Speaking of spice...
I have a recipe to share. These are the perfect little something when you are in need of a chocolate fix. Most of the ingredients are typical, but there are a few that I have marked with a * in case you want to spice it up. If you do, the changes are subtle but spectacular!
1 box brownie mix ( I use dark chocolate)
1 1/4 C AP flour
1/4 C brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 C butter (melted)
2T water
1 C chocolate chips (any type, I use semi-sweet)
1T espresso powder* (intensifies the chocolate flavor)
1t vanilla*
1t cinnamon*
1/8-1/4 t cayenne pepper* (trust me)
combine all and cover and chill for 2 hours
preheat oven to 350 and drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined sheet pan
flatten slightly
bake 10-12 minutes
yield 60 cookies
Before you leave, here's a homework assignment:
How do you plan to spice up your class this year? please leave a comment
Love & Blessings!
Puddin'
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Who Is Puddin?
Well, Puddin' is what my family and friends generally call me (unless I'm in trouble). I also go by the names GayLyn, Mrs. H, Hon, and in some cases "mama" (I teach elementary kiddos so that last one pops up every now and then. I know I'll hear granny one day. Prayers will be needed).
Other things you should know about me are:
1. I am an only child - Yep, I'm spoiled.
2. I am an only child that was raised on the family farm - I believe in working hard for the pleasure of a job well done.
3. My grandparents & great-grandparents were my daycare- learned far more than my ABCs.
4. I am married to my high school sweetheart - I am blessed
5. I am a teacher/Dyslexia Therapist - I am living my dream
6. I work for the same district where I attended grades 1-12 - I ride for the brand!
7. I am OCD - My Mama calls it being persnickety
8. I love to cook, craft, and decorate - Probably because I never got to take Home Economics in school.
9. Church is more than just a Sunday activity- I try to walk the talk
10. I love to laugh and try to keep a smile at all times- If you are as blessed as I am, your face had better show it!
Well, that pretty much covers it! I hope that you will drop in on this blog to see what I'm pondering on. I'll also be posting recipes, quotes, and other neat stuff!
Other things you should know about me are:
1. I am an only child - Yep, I'm spoiled.
2. I am an only child that was raised on the family farm - I believe in working hard for the pleasure of a job well done.
3. My grandparents & great-grandparents were my daycare- learned far more than my ABCs.
4. I am married to my high school sweetheart - I am blessed
5. I am a teacher/Dyslexia Therapist - I am living my dream
6. I work for the same district where I attended grades 1-12 - I ride for the brand!
7. I am OCD - My Mama calls it being persnickety
8. I love to cook, craft, and decorate - Probably because I never got to take Home Economics in school.
9. Church is more than just a Sunday activity- I try to walk the talk
10. I love to laugh and try to keep a smile at all times- If you are as blessed as I am, your face had better show it!
Well, that pretty much covers it! I hope that you will drop in on this blog to see what I'm pondering on. I'll also be posting recipes, quotes, and other neat stuff!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)