….from a different grade 3 class
I love how unique each piece is. This class started this assignment when I was away. The concept of creating a cityscape of buildings clearly wasn’t on the radar for some of these students but I can’t fault them when I wasn’t there to give them the instructions. Some of them also created more of a fantasy land with flying turtles and smiling buildings but I love that too.
…..this week’s theme for WordPress’ weekly photo challenge is Path
“A path is a prior interpretation of the best way to traverse a landscape.”
― Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A History of Walking
….decorations that is
Over the years I have collected hundreds of Christmas ornaments and decorations. Some were gifted to me, many were handmade by my friends, my students, my children and by me. Every year I usually purchase one special ornament that catches my eye.
As my children grew up, moved out and started their own Christmas traditions I gave them some of my ornaments that had special meanings for them. I still have more decorations than I can possibly put on the tree, especially now as I buy smaller trees. This year I carefully chose ornaments that brought back wonderful memories.
Here are a few of my favourites:
….greets me every morning as I come down the stairs
…thanks Becca for hosting Sunday Trees
This year I didn’t start decorating my tree until Christmas Eve and thankfully my daughters helped me begin the process. I love doing the tree but I don’t like doing it on my own. With my husband being so sick the last few weeks I never found the time or energy to start hauling out the lights and the decorations. Earlier in the week I did bring the tree inside, sawed off bottom, trimmed the lower branches and placed it in the tree stand. That night I didn’t get to bed till 2:30. Not a good thing, especially on a school night.
Once the decorating process started it was enjoyable and I continued putting on a few more decorations the next day. Each year my tree gets smaller and the need for a lot of ornaments also gets smaller. Sometimes I think less is more. Here is the finished product.
These whimsical Santa trees were made by me many years ago but they continue to be some of my favourite decorations. Do you have a favourite in your home?
I’m sitting here, alone, in my living room reading a few emails before I need to seriously finish decorating the tree, wrap a few more presents and fill the stockings. Tonight we will be celebrating Christmas at my daughter’s house. It will be the first time in 30 years that we haven’t celebrated in our home. I feeling somewhat nostalgic about that but with time things change.
Before I continue with my chores I wanted to send all my loyal followers and new bloggers who are just visiting for the first time a special holiday greeting. I wish for love, good health, joy and peace for all. May 2017 bring you all these things and more. For me the simple things in life bring me much pleasure and spending time with family and friends is more important than the number of gifts under the Christmas tree. I think that’s why I always have such a hard time asking for things I’d like for Christmas or my birthday.
This photo, taken two days ago embodies the joy I get from being with my loved ones. 
….it started as an art project with the kindergarteners
November was Aboriginal Month for our school board. I introduced my kindergarten class to Canadian First Nations artist Norval Morrisseau. He was sometimes referred to as the Picasso of the North. His art is characterized by the use of heavy black lines and bright vibrant colours.
I found a couple of images on the web that were reproducible and I drew a couple more free hand. I gave the children some bright acrylic paints and cotton swabs and taught them how to create dots with the Q-tips. Some of the children used the tool like a paint brush and didn’t really get the concept of creating dots but in the end they all cooked very nice.
I used the same sheets with my grade three students but it was suppose to be an extra project for the students who finished their other art project before the end of the class. In the end they all wanted to fill in one of the four images.
The first set were done by the kindergarten class.
This set was done by the grade 3s.
…thanks to Jennifer Nichole Wells for this week’s photo challenge and the word dog
Frances and Lucy always make great subjects for photos. Frances is our dog and Lucy belongs to our daughter’s family.
….thanks to Becca Givens for hosting Sunday Trees
These beautiful trees belong to our daughters. Ours is still wrapped in its netting and leaning against the wall in the hallway.
….thanks Becca for hosting Sunday Trees
