The Summer in Review

It's true what they say.  All good things must come to an end.  It's the eve of Back to school Monday!  This means summer is officially over!

It's been a great break - probably my best summer on record.  Would I change anything?  Probably not.  Just to remind myself that it really did happen, here's my summer in Review!

1)  TRAVEL

Cornwall was brilliant - just the feeling of packing a bag and going away makes everything seem a bit more exotic.  I loved returning to our old haunts as there's so much history and tradition there - in spite of our short history.

Next year?  We defiantly need to go away - but perhaps somewhere new?  I like the sound of our holiday away with the Guyatts!

2) NESPRESSO LOVE

I think my body is going to go into shock without my mid day iced coffee and reading in the garden.  I will need to bring one into work and refrigerate it until required!  Not really the same though...with that said - I heard a little rumour that Starbucks will be coming out with Pumpkin Spice Latte within the next few weeks.  Oh. My. Word.

Next year? ALWAYS This would go without saying.  However - there has been talk about adding a little McBerry to our family....so....no coffee next summer?  I think I'm willing to make that trade.

3)  BERRY PICKING

The Berrys love berry picking.  Strawberry, Raspberry or Blueberry.  The prices are ridiculous around here - it's foolish to by your own when you can pick your own for a fraction of the price!  Freshly picked berries  mean freshly baked berry pie!

Next year?  Of COURSE!  Cheap and tasty.  Sign me up.  We are expecting an email soon so we can go for a twilight blueberry pick to clean the place out.  Frozen berries?  Yes, please.

4)  PINSPIRATION IN THE KITCHEN

Having the time to actually think my way through dinners has meant B is eating VERY well.  I've been creative and actually made all of those recipes I've pinned.  It's been fun and it's been a nice change from the usual!

Next Year?   Carry on!  I think this could be a permanent commitment.  Back to work means back on the healthy eating and exercise!  I think variety is the spice of life.  Check out my recipe collection.

5) Starbucks Work Dates

I haven't really written about this as it's been the unexciting side of our lives.  B is revising for the USMLE - like - hardcore revising.  Every day.  We have gone to Starbucks (my favourite work hangout) most weeks this summer to get work done.  I've planned and resourced while B was revising. Good coffee and good company.

Next year?  No.  I'm going to put my foot down and say no to this one.  USMLE will be done by next summer and I want to go to Starbucks and enjoy it.  I work hard enough during the academic year (don't get me started on the time it takes for English teachers to mark while teaching a nearly full timetable while half running the department).  Dates.  No work dates.

6) Zoku making
I love my Zoku. B knows me so well - it was the best birthday present a girl could ask for!  We have experimented with loads of different recipes - and when I say recipe what I really mean is we throw stuff in the blender and see what happens!

Next year? Defiantly.  This was the easiest way to eat healthy, have a snack without really having a snack and it's a great way to entertain children.  Hopefully I can come up with seasonal uses and break this bad boy out all the time!

Looking back, it's been a great summer.  All of the BBQs and Smores making and treat baking and laughing....I could do it all again!  I loved spending time resting and relaxing.  I'm going to miss morning coffee, Pinterest and Made in Chelsea though.

A lot went on last academic year and an awful lot went on back home in Ohio.  I'm standing by my goal - being positive and looking at the good things in life.

xx

Finding the sunshine on a cloudy day

The release of GCSE results last week has rendered me speechless; hence my stunned silence.

I knew trouble was brewing the night before when the news articles claimed a drastic drop in results. I was naturally quite worried...but nothing prepared me for how bad it was.

I was already anxious about returning, but I still made the effort and marked and planned, preparing myself for my new classes in September.  Now, I'm just freaked out.

What do you do when you feel an absolute failure?  I'm sure most of my colleagues are in the same boat - wondering what we could have done differently and how we could have reached those kids who didn't do as well as expected.  We are not a school that gets 40%.

Today is the final day of the summer holidays, I am trying to find positivity and motivation.

I became a teacher because I wanted to make a difference. This year is going to be hard.  Whispers of Ofsted and Special Measures cloud the start of the new year.

When I started this blog I did so to reflect on the positive things and focus on the good in my life in spite of the stress work causes.  I think now, more than ever, I'm going to need to remember that.

Stay tuned.  Cloudy times are ahead.

xx

Summer's just around the corner!

Today I woke up to this *beautiful* sight!

It sometimes feel as though the sun is never shining in England, but this photo is living proof that the weather is changing and we really DO have a summer on the way!

All of this talk about summer leads me to think about the summer holidays and how I'm going to spend my days and evenings NOT doings this:

(Yes, that is a pile of Year 10 marking)

I had a few ideas.  Things I WILL look forward to this summer:

1.  Perfect chalkboard lettering.  Not bad for a first go, eh?  I really want to make a large chalkboard like this one on Little Baby Garvin, but I'm having a hard time finding a frame in the correct shape.  Stay tuned.  I'm sure I'll hunt one down somewhere.

2.  Getting my butt into the gym.  I love going, but I'm finding myself working until late in the evenings these days.  I've been living by my kettle bells doing squats and abs with these beauties.  I'm not sure how much this is working, but this link on YouTube is my next session to master.

3.  Better for me baking and cooking.  My Pinterest boards for food are obscene. Loads of good stuff - like - hundreds of links. But I never have the time to actually make anything that I pin.  Five weeks is awfully long time - I'm sure I'll be able to make something while I'm home.  I've got my eye on these Fruit Snacks.

4.  Read.  For an English teacher, I don't do nearly enough reading.  I'm fairly good at reading books that the kids are reading (loving the Carnegie Shortlist this year), but I'd like to get back into more tangible books.  The Richard and Judy book club always have a good selection.

5.  BBQ and Beer.  I love the idea of hosting dinners or parties, so hopefully with the warm weather approaching I can make the most of my free time and think about entertaining.  I hosted a donut party for the Macmillian Cancer Charity "Night In" a few weeks ago and would love to do something like that again.  Friends came to ours on a Friday night and put the money towards the cancer trust that they would have spent going out!  It was a great evening with good food and friends.  Perhaps at the next event we can actually use our back garden!

All plates Villeroy and Boch 'New Wave'

6.  Rest.  This sounds like a no brainer.  I'm constantly on the go while at work, so I am going to take a fair bit of time to make sure I'm recharged and refreshed, ready for a new school year in September.  I want to enjoy the sunshine and take the time to appreciate all of the good things in life.

What are your summer plans?  Anyone else planning to just rest?

xx