Friday Tired: Day 15

It's been a long, long week. Next week will likely not let up. But...after four more work days, I'll be on spring break. I'm so grateful for the weekend. 

This week brought:

Students in crisis 

Lots of staff out

Several sick kids

in

and 

out

Time change burnout

Low energy

High ENERGY

Teachers feeling feelings

Budgets due--today

Leadership planning

Behavior plan changes

One after school parent meeting

One planning time parent meeting

Concerned emails

Phone calls with concerned parents

One staff meeting

Two days of after school help

A dehumidifier malfunction

A huge loud fan in my room all day

Snacks given

Mints given

Tissues given

Card game fun

Laughing

Hugging

Smiles on the way out

When Friday finally finished. 

Pizza Pie Day: Day 14

Order and watch

The tracking begins. 

Prep, bake, check

Then the driver

drives

my pies

perfect pie

perfect end

to pie day

Isn't it crazy that I can track my pizzas' progress? It's one of those things, and since I can, I will. 

           

I couldn't wait. 

Snowdrops: Day 13

Each March, I have my favorite signs of spring, and they are always slice-worthy. One of my favorite signs each year is the snowdrops that pop up in bunches. I trek out to the far back woods behind my house, walk the trail a short way, and start to look. 

These delicate flowers are so simple. Like little bells, they hang with just a few little white petals. The green leaves spring out of the ground like a nest. They are so soft and flowy. In the wind, the blooms bob while the leaves sway. So much movement as light flickers through them. 

I'm always worried I'll miss them. Last year, I only saw a few of the last flowers. Lucky me, this time, I saw several bunches. 

Seeing these flowers brings me a burst of happiness.

Slice-peration: Day 12

Today was a day not to even be discussed; just let go and move on. 

I knew I would need to replenish myself in some way. 

Dinner helped. 

A walk in the woods helped more. 

I gathered *slice-peration while I walked, dodging the uneven ground riddled with leaves, sticks, and moss. I saw many signs of spring. I heard the wind, birds, dogs in the distance and trees creaking as they talked to the sky. It was cool but warm at the same time—a perfect moment for a healing walk and many of my favorite things. 

Afterward, I felt my shoulders sitting lower and my breathing flowing easier. I'm always grateful for the peace I get when I'm outside. 

*Taking photos for potential slices later this month when I need some inspiration. 

Salad-Palooza: Day 11

I am a mostly plant-based eater. One way I care for myself is by making wonderful, full-of-flavor food that is mostly for just me. Over the weekend, I had three salads I really wanted to make. My FYP (for you page) has been full of great dinner-worthy salads. I couldn't decide on just one, so I prepped as much as possible over the weekend, hoping to pull it all off by Monday. 

After a long day, I threw in the sweet potato and carrot mixture I'd seasoned up yesterday. Then, I worked on shredding a bunch of brussel sprouts and some red cabbage. Gotta love my food processor, the true MVP. I already had some dressing mixed up; yummy tahini, date, and orange juice blend of ingredients. I also already had the grains and lentils ready, so it would all come together quickly. 

In no particular order:

Cumin Roasted Carrot and Brussel Sprout Salad

Parsley Chickpea Veggie Salad

Southwest Bean and Quinoa Salad

This was dinner and will be my lunch all week long. The bean salad is fantastic with chips. The brussel sprout salad would be amazing in a wrap. The parsley chickpea salad is just so fresh and full of texture; it's a winner. I love eating a plate of salad with a variety of flavors. Each one was so unique and filling. 

Recipes are linked in the captions for each photo. I'm not 100% sure the links will work, but I thought it was worth a shot. 

Couch Cuddles: Day 10

Willow and Walnut

We were fortunate to welcome two new puppies into our home in late November. They are King Charles Cavaliers, and they are such a pair. Willow is a mixture of grey, black, tan, and white, while Walnut is almost entirely ruby brown, aside from some white patches here and there. Both are cuddly and sweet. They are true lap dogs when they aren't running full tilt through the backyard or tearing around the couch in circles chasing each other. Just like siblings, when one has something, the other wants it, and half the time, we are trying to figure out what they have. Both love to find a good stick or piece of bark to taunt each other with. I love their silly personalities and enjoyed several couch cuddles today between busy Sunday responsibilities. 

PT from Home: Day 9

I recently finished a round of physical therapy for a shoulder injury. My "at home" exercises were minimal, but we came up with a few more in my last two visits to beef up my ability to strengthen while I await an MRI. I have a couple of stretchy bands, but I wanted to set up a space for myself to work specifically on my shoulder strength. So, I dusted off the old Total Gym we bought about five years ago and made a small area for myself. 

It was a productive day, cleaning up this corner in preparation for some shoulder and back strengthening. I'm hoping I can use this space every day!