"Vivez, si vous me croyez, N'attendez a demain, Cuellez des aujourd'hui les roses de la vie." Ronsard


Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Girl Effect Blogging Campaign



Girl Effect is an organization with a real situation, girls!

I was first introduced to the Girl Effect through a group in Birmingham called Girlspring. Being a teacher who works with our youth, many of these issues effect my students and so are very important to me. However, they are also issues that I am sure pretty much every woman has dealt with by nature of being female. They are also not issues owned only by women.

Check out the video and join the movement today, http://www.girleffect.org/video

A simple message with a world-changing effect!!!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Monday, October 24, 2011

For NANOWRIMO participants this year, these ideas might get you going...

Nora Coon: Preparing for NaNoWriMo, Part One: If you've read Chris Baty's No Plot? No Problem! (the guide to NaNoWriMo, written by the creator of said event), you probably remember his ...

Friday, October 21, 2011

Max's Deli at the Colonnade



Here is another case of how HB56 is causing detrimental effects which are actually intended by lawmakers. Instead of ranting, I thought today's meal description would be one about eating at Max's.

I ate at Max's during a lunch break from the Samuel II: English Second Language conference at Rocky Ridge Elementary School last year. With Tarrant teachers, Mr. Bobba, Mr. Luster and Ms. Johnson we discussed many strategies for teaching English Learners through the SIOPS or sheltered instruction method.

I remember being impressed with the atmosphere of the restaurant immediately, the quality of service and the unique tastes that are unlike what many restaurants offer in Birmingham. I also remember a shared plate of pickled appetizers from green tomatoes to peppers which made for an immediately interesting conversation amongst four hungry, over-worked, but positive educators. I ordered the largest, most beautifully carved turkey sandwich I have ever eaten with plenty to carry on the tradition of making a plate for the next meal.

Naturally, I was shocked when I heard the troubles that HB56 is causing with the staff at Max's as well as for business. Especially as a result of comments made that defend legal immigrants, it's just not right.

So, I urge all readers and lovers of quality sandwiches, and more importantly, ethnic and cultural diversity, show your support for Max's Delicatessen! It's the right thing to do, and as Dr. King might have reminded us, "The time is always right to do what is right."

Read their story on the website
as well as their recent media coverage

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Today is the National Day on Writing... take time in your classrooms and/or offices to WRITE!!!


Barry Marks will be at Word Up this year, (April 1, 2012) and is a poet native to Alabama. Writing and poetry is everywhere, what it takes is the courage to put yourself out there.

Get ready for NANOWRIMO next month too, all of November, 30 days of novel writing!!!

National Day on Writing --------->http://www.ncte.org/dayonwriting
Adult NANOWRIMO------------->http://www.nanowrimo.org/
Young Writer's Program--------->http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/

Check out these ALL STARS (Ms. Sanders' Class at Tarrant)!!!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Kentuck and EcoFest


Cypress at Allen Acres

A few more meals I wished I took pictures of: Ecofest Committee Dinner and Kentuck Festival. Somehow the above picture says it all.

Kentuck is held in Tuscaloosa every year and showcases one of the largest groups of Alabama artists. This year I went with my sister, her husband, their two sons and daughter. What an incredible amount of art we have right here in Alabama!

Montgomery's Booker T. Washington Magnet School had an incredible photography exhibit of student's work. Another vendor I loved http://www.madebyonegirl.com, Lisa Norris makes all kinds of creations from stationary and fabrics which are transformed to framed pieces of art, notebooks, journals, and love notes. Topped off with indicatively festival food, my sister and her family shared with me a smoked drumstick, kebabs, fried crawfish, catfish, chips, doughnuts and an apple while listening to the ballads of Kate Campbell. A fine day in Alabama with the latest advice from my nephews, "Eat a doughnut."

Thank you to everyone who contributed as well as attended EcoFest this year. It was quite a success for the 13th annual event with a variety of guests, art, and food which made the night perfect. This week the committee had a wrap-up meeting with dinner at Roald's catered by Whole Foods. Big plans for the coming year, perhaps the 2nd Annual Watercress Darter Festival this Spring...

Join the Freshwater Land Trust this weekend at Turkey Creek for the Darter Dash! 5k and Fun Run :)

"There's no such thing as excess eating, only inadequate activity." ~Dorothy V. Harris


Sunday, October 9, 2011

Ten Ways to Make your Home Sustainable










Description of images:

1. Keep hope for the flowers, and respect all languages.
2. Take time to create something beautiful.
3. Use your resources.
4. Compost.
5. Hand wash what you can and let it dry.
6. Recycled bathroom tissue from Publix's Greenwise brand.
7. Wash clothes on cold.
8. Avoid paper towels, use re-usable napkins if possible, french press your coffee.
9. Be on time and with respect of innovation.
10. Unplug your charger, when needed.







Monday, October 3, 2011

Time flies :) A celebration ten years in the making...




In a three day hiatus from the poetry project, please excuse the three posted today in an attempt for time spent celebrating the marriage of Anne Trabue Watson to Austin Nelson.

Other news, another fabulous meal this time with entire family to celebrate my uncle, grandmother and my namesake and mom's birthday: Hampton's sushi-wrapped salmon with quinoa salad and eggplant, Caroline's Carrot Cake, Etc. and GH Mixed field green salad.

A recent NY Times magazine of note and conversation, "Why Does It Matter that Families Eat Together?"