Schools Out for Summer ...!

I know that my friends across the pond have a way to go yet, but over here the summer holidays are well and truly underway (much to the relief of a certain 14 year old boy in our household!)

Yesterday was the last day of term and the '8th Grade Promotion' ceremony at Ethan's school.  Essentially this means that providing their final grade average has met the required level (still no idea what that actually is!) they graduate from Middle School, ready to start High School at the start of the next school year in August (and unlike the UK, the system here can require students to repeat a year if they do not meet the grade averages required ... gulp).  Thankfully, this was not the case for anybody in Ethan's year and everybody received their 'certificate of promotion' at a school ceremony on Friday morning ... held outside on the sports field ... in the blazing sun ... and 90 degree heat ... **oh good**!  As we sat on the toasty metal bleachers **whose bloody idea was that?!** and after 20 minutes 'quite warm' was something of an understatement,  the 8th Grade finally filed out onto the field, all looking incredibly smart.  I have to say I did have considerably more sympathy for the boys who were instructed to wear 'dress pants, dress shirt and tie' (some even took it upon themselves to add a jacket - a decision which I expect they instantly regretted as soon as they stepped onto the field!).

Ethan even made it onto the Merit Roll, an achievement which he should be really proud of considering he was thrown into a completely new school system just 9 months ago, where he knew nobody and where classes and subject matter are completely different to those he was used to in the UK (including his 'American History' class where he and his tutor can often be found engaging in some good humored banter whenever battles against the British come up :D).  Great job Ethan!

After an hour of speeches and the presentation of all the certificates (thank goodness it is a small school as any longer and I think I would have spontaneously combusted) it was all over for the kids and school was out for the summer!  **that would make a good song title wouldn't it? Oh wait ...**  Of course, nobody was more pleased than Ethan who is looking forward to 10 weeks of lie-ins (as am I quite frankly) and generally doing not a lot until the middle of August when he will be a Freshman in High School **eek!  how did that happen?!**  He has a couple of weeks Summer Camp (where it will come as no surprise that he has chosen to do Media Arts again, lol) and we have a couple of weeks family vacation time over the next couple of months, but other than that he has it all stretched out in front of him!  What a wonderful feeling ...

Can you still remember that luscious feeling as you woke up on the first day of your school summer holidays at 14 (thankfully still being a year too young to qualify for a summer job)?  I can.  Mum and Dad both worked and so I had the house to myself.  I seem to recall spending large amounts of  time lounging on my bed (probably because it was raining) flicking through old copies of Look In (aargh! I've got that bloody "Look out for Look In!" jingle stuck in my head now) and Jackie and mooning over David Essex (I was never really into the other David [Cassidy] or Donny) and listening to my Hot Hits albums (purchased with saved up pocket money from Woolworths) on the portable record player I had in my bedroom and which I still have somewhere.  Kids TV was usually only on from 3pm - 6pm as a rule (who else remembers being off sick from school and having to watch the bloody races from Haydock because there was nothing else on?  Oh.  Just me then), but in the school holidays it was on from 9am!! The excitement! .... getting onboard with the Double Deckers ... "oh Donut!!"; singing along to the Banana Splits ... tra-la-la, tra-la-la-la, tra-la-la, tra-la-la-laaaa (your'e welome);  Dick Dastardly & Mutley still trying to 'catch that pigeon' and the Ant Hill Mob running like mad up that hill in Wacky Races.  "Size of an elephant!" ... no idea what show that was from, just remember shouting it at various intervals during the summer holidays! Lol.  Then of course there was Magpie with the lovely Mick Robertson and best of all Tiswas (technically a Saturday morning delight but often a 'Special' was a treat in the holidays!)

When it was not actually raining, my friends and I could usually be found hanging out by the roundabout down at the local park trying to tune our transistor radios in to Radio One so that we could listen to the Radio One Roadshow or going for long walks in the woods and fields where we lived (a small village in the Cheshire countryside ... or 'up North' as it is usually referred to!) with my friends, collecting blackberries from the hedgerows in washed out margarine tubs which would usually be turned into a Blackberry and Apple pie and eaten after dinner on Sunday (and for my Southern friends, yes, this was dinner at dinner time (usually 1pm and there was no Yorkshire Pudding unless it was beef!), followed by tea at tea time (hopefully while Song of Praise was still on so I didn't have to suffer that before The Good Life came on ... oooh, I did love a bit of Tom & Barbara ... and of course the formidable Margot :)

Oh I feel proper nostalgic now!  Might have to go and make myself a prawn cocktail followed by Steak Diane and a black forest gateau for pudding (no, not dessert ... pudding #youcantakeagirloutofthenorth).  Oh ... wait ... hang on ... according to the trusty Days of the Year site it's National Hamburger Day today  ... would you Adam and Eve it?!  Right, well, it would be rude not to wouldn't it?   "Mine's with cheese and grilled onions ...hold the pickle!"

TTFN
Bev x

Talking Heads and Fairy Tales ...!

Hi Folks! How was your week?

I have been hampered by a painful calf strain this week which I managed to do at this week's dance class on Monday, and so have mostly been hobbling around cursing and feeling cross with myself.  Actually, I did the same thing the week before on the same leg, but as it seemed to clear up in a few days I thought I would be OK for this week's class.  Clearly not as it has now been 5 days and it's still almost as painful as when I did it.  After a rotator cuff injury last year (which hasn't healed properly) and now this, I think my body is rebelling.  I can hear it now ... "for the love of God woman, what do you think you're doing?  What's wrong with knitting?!" I guess I won't be going to any more classes for a week or two.  Damn!  

As I couldn't get out and about as much this week, I used the time indoors to get crafty and made myself a couple of things to sparkle up my week. What do you think? Lol.

Oh, and also this happened ...

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from the Chairman of the school PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) which began "Congratulations!  You have been nominated for the following positions on the PTO board ..."  What?!  Oh God.

The fact that I had hitherto never expressed any interest in being part of the PTO board, seemed neither here nor there, my only crimes being an accomplice in the organization of the dreaded 'Mother's Tea' event last year (and only then because I was 'volunteered' by someone who could spot a British accent at a thousand paces and therefore I was deemed to be an 'expert') and attending the monthly PTO meeting.   Clearly out of the handful of parents that ever turned up I had a face that screamed "Pick Me! Pick Me!".  Of course, there was a Get Out of Jail Free card at the end of the email which asked you to confirm by return whether you were accepting or declining the nomination(s), but given that I don't work or have any other commitment that would prevent me from accepting (a fact clearly already noted by said Chairman),  it would have felt extremely awkward to decline all of the nominations #cornered!  Quite a clever approach really.

Fast forward to this week and the poison chalice was delivered ... "Congratulations!  Your nomination for Vice President has been successful. Welcome to the Board!"  ... **Noooooo!** (although it could have been worse as Secretary was the other position).  In reality, what this really means is that 'everybody else has already run a million miles in the opposite direction and you were the only one left that fell for it'.   Having attended a brief meeting this week though to 'Introduce the new Board members' (of which I was the only one that turned up ... see, I'm my own worse enemy, ), I have decided that in retrospect, it may actually be of mutually benefit.  For me, it might add a new focus and give me something to do and for them ... well, if that meeting was anything to go by hopefully I will be able to offer up some good old British common sense!  Let me explain ...

There has been a bit of a shake up this term in the Administration department, and a new Head of School has recently been recruited (I may have mentioned that the previous Head of School was 'let go' early after she applied for a new post in the British Virgin Islands and unbeknown to her, said school reached out to solicit feedback not only from parents but also to her boss, whom she had failed to notify of her intent to post  ... oh dear).  Anyway, the new Head arrived a couple of weeks go and has jumped right in, including attendance of his first PTO board meeting.   A promising start, I thought.   This quickly turned to despair though, as I listened to the existing members complain about the existing communication system (or lack of it) and how they were frustrated that time sensitive messages they needed to get out to parents about events and activities were left sitting on someone's desk until the last minute due to a reluctance to 'over communicate' and as there were two other emails being sent out to parents that week, it would have to wait until the following week.  Oh good grief.  As I sat there quietly, trying not to interfere (as I was technically not part of the circus until next term) listening to more complaints and for want of a better word, whining,  about the plethora of emails that were received from school in a week from various sources ... teachers, sports coaches, technology dept., reminders about events etc. as well as the weekly newsletter from each of the Heads,  and how many of them weren't relevant for their child etc. etc. (surely one click of a mouse on the trash can symbol resolves that doesn't it?) I could contain myself no longer.

"Erm ... just as a suggestion ... couldn't you just send out one consolidated weekly newsletter every Friday afternoon which includes all updates from the current week and then all the information parents need to know for the coming week, sports fixtures, reminders, upcoming events etc.?  Ethan's old school used to do this and as it was in PDF format, you could just use the bookmarks and skip over any sections that you weren't interested in or weren't applicable of your child.  Then you just need one person to collect and collate the copy each week and send it out?"    I looked around nervously thinking they must think I am completely stupid as clearly that approach was so obvious there must be some other reason why they didn't do that already (but buggered if I knew what). The new Head looked over at me nodding his head ...
"Ooh, now I like that idea ... a weekly newsletter ... yes, great idea".  Similar mumblings from the rest of the board.
Seriously people??! It's not rocket science surely?!!  If Americans did sarcasm, I would have taken his response as such, thinking he was about to offer up the reason that they couldn't do it this way because of ... whatever ... but he was deadly serious.  I was further gobsmacked when someone then added that the Communications person could be the point of contact and responsible for issuing maybe?  Whaaaaaat???!  They even have a Communications person and it's still a dog's breakfast?! (as an ex colleague in Australia would have said ;)

Sign me up, swear me in ... whatever you need to do ... I can't wait to get started.  Don't panic - the British are coming! (although on reflection that didn't go so well for us last time did it?).  Watch this space ... Curry and Quiz night will be the first item on the agenda (although it will probably end up being something like Tacos and Trivia here, lol .. )

Have a great week and thanks for dropping by,
TTFN
Bev x

10 Pin Scrolling ...!

Hi and welcome back!  I hope you are all enjoying a lovely weekend.   Here in Scottsdale things are heating up and today is our third day in a row of triple digit temperatures.  Phew!

So what do you do when it is hotter than hell outside?   Stay inside in the cool of the air conditioning and get busy with some indoor activities, for example tidying & sorting closets;  re-organising kitchen cupboards (so that I don't get attacked by kamikaze spice jars every time I open the door!); stitching up the hem on that pair of trousers that keeps getting caught in the back of my heel every time I wear them **makes cross face** ....

Well, that's what I should be doing, but who wants dull when they can have sparkle?  Any additional time I get to spend indoors means getting busy with sequins & glitter in the craft room replenishing my stash of greeting cards and catching up on my Project Life album or getting busy in the kitchen trying out all those recipes I keep saving from Pinterest!  Today, it was the latter.  Yes dear readers, today, whilst it was 101 degrees outside, I was busy making ..... ice cubes with leftover wine to add to casseroles and stews later?  (incidentally, the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of ... who has leftover wine?); fiddly houses made from some no bake rice krispie concoction, decorated with tiny sweets and immaculately piped icing?  No.  Today, on one of the hottest days of the year so far, I was making this ...... !

It is called 'Apple Pie Bake' from BuzzFeed, but is actually nothing at all like a pie and has never even been near a crumb of pastry, however it was absolutely scrumptious (even if we were all sweating by the time we had eaten it)!  It was the simplicity of the recipe and the short list of ingredients that appealed to me - largely cinnamon roll dough & caramelized apples - and once I had also watched the accompanying 1 minute video (click on the photo above if you also want to be drooling!) I was sold (plus as I also happened to have two packets of Cinnamon Roll dough in the fridge that needed using up it would have been rude not to!).  OMG, it was so good and got a thumbs up from everyone.

So this week I have another list for you ... some of my favorite things discovered on Pinterest (I have lost days surfing Pinterest!).  It was really hard trying to choose just 10 ... even the process of deciding which ones to include had me gambling off down tangent avenue, oooh-ing and aaah-ing over more discoveries!

10."Bug Off" in a jar!  Add floating candles, citronella oil, mint, lemon, lime & rosemary to some water in a glass jar.  Perfect for keeping the bugs away for a summertime party or BBQ.

I also found a Christmas version of this (without the citronella) using cranberries and christmas tree trimmings.  I made 3 and lined them up down the centre of my Christmas table :)

9. To avoid tangles in your necklaces when you travel, slip the chain through a drinking straw.  Genius! Mine were always getting in a knot which Mr B then very kindly had to untangle for me (impatient?  moi?!)

8. This was a revelation!  Weeds out the dross and finds what you are looking for faster.  (I had no idea what a 'tilde' was until I found this.  Who knew?!)

7. Carrot Cake.  I have made this several times and it truly is one of the best cakes I have ever made (and Mr B's favorite).  If you like carrot cake, it's a must!  You can find the recipe here

6. I try and remind myself of this every day :)

5. Travel Wall - Buy a map or postcard from each place you visit and frame it.   Love this idea!

4. And of course Pinterest is full of stunning photography.  Pansies were amongst my Mum's favorites and as today would have been her birthday, these are for you Mum x

3. How many times have you wanted to reuse a pretty jar or bottle and struggled to get the bloomin' label off?  This worked like a charm.  I made up a batch and keep it in the cupboard in a small glass jar so that it's there when I need it.  It also worked a treat in removing the residue from a stubborn price label helpfully stuck onto the front of a picture frame!

2.  if only ...

1.   Finally, this could have been written about me and makes me laugh every time I see it ... LOL!

If you haven't ventured onto Pinterest street yet, then I can heartily recommend it.  You can find ideas and inspiration for any subject you are interested in, although be warned .... you may become addicted!  If you want to take a look at all the other pins I have saved, then you can click the link to my Pinterest site on the right hand side of this blog page.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!

TTFN
Bev x

"I said a hip hop, the hippie, the hippie, to the hip, hip hop and youdon't stop ... "!

Phew, what a week! I don't know about you but I am exhausted!  Although to be fair I was exhausted by lunchtime on Monday.

 As I mentioned in a post a couple of weeks back, after deciding I really did need to do some form of regular exercise (in order to counteract all those Friday Happy Hours!) I have been trying out various classes offered at Eutopia a local dance & fitness studio.  After deciding that perhaps jazz hands and tap shoes are not really my thing, I have subsequently tried:

• Old School Dance Cardio with Oscar - fun choreographed routines to club classics from the likes of Janet Jackson, NSYNC and how could you miss Prince this week? (Let's go crazy ... **sad face**).  I haven't quite mastered the coordination required though to do the required 'opposite arm to leg' element though which for me is as hard as trying to rub your stomach whilst patting your head! By the end of the class I was definitely feeling the 'old' in Old School! (Note to self: maybe rethink the pink top next time as not a flattering combination with puce face). 
• Dance Fusion with Kristine - a fun, high energy class set to all the latest tunes - just like being down the club with your mates on a Saturday night really!  I loved it and am definitely planning on being a regular to this class!  
• Hip Hop Cardio with Jonathan  (much to the kid's amusement ... well not so much amusement to be fair, more complete mortification ...  Eldest's reaction was "Oh Jesus! and Youngest's "aargh!  my eyes are bleeding!'  Charming).   Jonathon, the instructor, is a lovely kid (well, I say 'kid' - he must be in his mid 20s lol) although I'm pretty sure having his street cred severely handicapped by a group of middle aged women is not the best start to his week.   Hip hop has always been one of my favorite genres of music though and so dancing round to cool tunes, old and new, for an hour on a Monday morning does not really feel like a chore.  Getting the nifty footwork right though is another matter entirely and as our Jonathan is a man of few words, you really just have to muddle along behind him trying not to fall over (I swear that boy has rubber ankles!)  Now and then, when he gets bored, he likes to throw in a few body popping moves to amuse himself and then snickers at the ensuing chaos behind him.  Cheers ... very funny.  Never mind The Real Housewives... look out for 'Gangsta Grannies - Coming soon!'  

In all seriousness though, finally a great workout that I actually look forward to doing, and at such a great friendly place - Huzzah!

Anyway, when I got back from class on Monday morning, I was hotter than Satan's house cat and had to hurl myself into the pool at once.  I swear you could hear the sizzle as I jumped in.  As much as I would have liked to lounge about on the sofa of the rest of the day sadly that was not an option.  Oh no.  In case you weren't aware, this week is Teacher Appreciation Week ... and yes, I did say week ... and so as well as the cards I had already made for each of Ethan's teachers, I had also volunteered to bake goodies to take in on a couple of days this week for said teachers as part of the daily themed events the PTO had organised.  

Today I had another Quiche to make - a special request from Ethan's Yearbook teacher.  You may recall I had recently made one for the Yearbook class lunch that the students gave to thank all the other teachers and staff who had helped/provided content for this year's yearbook.  Apparently it was a big success, not least with said Yearbook teacher who according to Ethan had been "banging on about it ever since".  Lol.  I don't really know why, it was nothing special -  just a bog standard Quiche Lorraine from a tried and trusted recipe I have always used, which I think was originally from Delia Smith (you can't go wrong with a Delia can you?).  She had even been to Whole Foods (think Marks & Spencer and Waitress combined) and bought one but apparently it was not at all the same.  She had been asking Ethan for the recipe, which I eventually got round to typing up last week, (all the while mumbling to myself "has she never heard of Google?' and "there's bloody hundreds of 'em on Pinterest") and emailed it over.  When I picked Ethan up after school the next day, he said she had told him that she collects recipes and is making them all to into a book to pass down to her daughters, **awwww!** so she was instantly forgiven - what a lovely idea.  Ethan then went on to advise that she had asked where the recipe came from (clue's in the name love) and a bit of background about where we came from in England so that she could add the details to the recipe. 

"Did you tell her it was from Delia Smith?" 

"Er ... not exactly ... she assumed it was some secret recipe handed down through the family for generations, so I couldn't just say it was Delia Smith!  I just said it was something your Mum used to make ..." which I suppose technically was not a lie, but still ... :/

I spent most of Tuesday morning baking cookies ready to drop off at school on Wednesday (in case you're wondering - Chewy Cranberry & White Chocolate - to die for! - from The Domestic Rebel - your welcome) followed by a quick trip to Costco to purchase a pair of Movie Ticket vouchers (also for Teacher Appreciation Week - to go in their Hollywood themed goody bags apparently!) before pick up.   I must say I liked the idea of making a contribution to an overall event (or series of events!) rather than having to come up with individual teacher gifts - made it way less stressful ... I think! 

Time for a quick drink and a snack ... oh look, one of these cookies is broken **stuffs in mouth whilst convincing self that as it was broken all the calories will have fallen out anyway**  ...before it was time to struggle into the spandex again for the next class!

On Wednesday (Star Wars Day!) after tackling the magic ironing mountain (friend of the magic washing basket), I decided a couple of hours of crafting therapy was very much needed and so I disappeared off into my craft room (which Mr B thinks is his office, bless) to have a go at a few projects I had seen and been itching to try.  I can't think of a better hobby to have - totally relaxing and a great way to switch off from everything else

Ta da!  This purse gift bag is made entirely of paper, plus a few blingy brads (split pins) on the trim.  So cute, and the possibilities are endless.   I think these may now be the latest obsession - I can't stop making them!

This one has a pocket on the front to fit a gift card ... squeak!

Finally to round off the week, tonight (Friday) is the 7th & 8th Grade Spring Formal Dance and Ethan informs me he has a date!  Whaaaaaat?  When did he get so grown up all of a sudden?!  I would so love to be a fly on the wall!  Although, they will probably all be sitting around with their heads in their phones talking to each other via Snapchat, lol!  

Hope you all have a lovely weekend and thanks for dropping by!

TTFN

Bev x