Saturday 27 February 2010

seeking colour


We've been playing hide-and-seek with the sun today.
At a grey moment, I found myself craving for colour ~
I mean really noticing colour.
Here's what I captured:

Do you want to see where these details come from?

Here, take a look:











...and here's a snapshot of the hide-and-seek with the sun.



Have a great weekend!
xxx
edit to add: I see you like the quote I have in the frame a lot, so I must tell you that it's something I read on a blog and found to be me through and through; unfortunately, I don't remember where I saw it. sorry!


Thursday 25 February 2010

The Simple Things - School Project

( if you aren't familiar with 'the simple things idea'
you may read this and this and this if you like.)
~~~~~~
Oooh! I'm so excited! Totally over the moon.
About a month ago when Christina organised another 'simple things' day
I pondered about it a little:
"finding happiness and beauty in the little things
is actually huge; being grateful for what you have,
not taking anything for granted,
learning to appreciate whatever surrounds you,
makes you a better person.
These are values I'd like my students to have.
In a time and era that they have everything they want,
I want them to be able to look around and find joy
in the little things."

So I asked Christina if it was ok with her to use her idea with my classes
and of course she said yes.
At first they were a bit numb.
"what's our new grammar and vocabulary?
will we be tested on this material?"
"No,no,no. Now we're talking about you.
We're using this foreign language we've been learning
on a real-life project"

And then they got it.
We talked about it as a class -there was a handout with ideas to get them started;
then they made their personal lists,
and finally, working in groups, they made posters with a couple of ideas from each student.
I brought this idea to four of my classes-
students aged from 10 to 12, third and fourth year of studying English.
They loved it!!!!
They were so enthusiastic about it and so proud of their final lists!!!
and they made me happy oh so happy.
There were 'computer games' and 'TV' of course
but there were also things like
'helping friends' and 'a warm hug' and 'books' and 'a colourful picture'...
And can you see the little drawings? Aren't they cute?
I'm telling you, they loved it!












I love every single idea they wrote,
the colourful posters they created,
all the fun they had...
But most of all I love that I got them thinking about what really matters.
I bet they all were a little more grateful for the lunch they ate with their families
when they went home after that.




xxx



Tuesday 23 February 2010

while waiting...

When a new season is around the corner,
I like browsing through old magazines-
cooking, decoration, parenting ones-
to warm up
and find inspiration.

I know we still have a full month of winter ahead,

but there will be days with sunshine,

and besides, the first signs of spring have already made their appearance

(see a couple of posts below).

These images are from a Greek magazine on parenting~
I liked the flowery fabrics in the first photo
and all the vibrant colours in the second.
edit to add: it goes without saying that the little girl
is adorable; I've recently waved goodbye to my lifelong dream
of having a daughter one day.
~~~~~~~
This award was passed on to me by Lucy.
Thank you for always being here.

~~~~~~~~
PS. Thanks so much for the encouraging comments on my first crochet project!
~~~~~~~~
Have a lovely week!
xxx

Sunday 21 February 2010

You're full of flaws, but I love you!








As machines become more and more efficient and perfect, so it will become clear that imperfection is the greatness of man.

Ernst Fischer
(1899-1972, Austrian editor, poet, critic)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~
My first ever crochet project (Lucy and Nina -inspired)!
xxx

Wednesday 17 February 2010

Monday 15 February 2010

words


"I can only be what I am, Acsah!"
Tears ran down her cheeks.
" I can only live the best way I know how."
~~~~~~~~
this spoke right to my heart
(image: view from my kitchen window)

Friday 12 February 2010

Carnival, Valentine's and an Award

Friday afternoon -
my favourite time of the week,
especially if little one is napping.
Time for relaxation.
~~~~~~~~
There's a long weekend ahead;
Carnival Sunday - we'll take our little Peter Pan
to see a carnival parade
(my poor treasure has been ill at home all week);
Shrove Monday - kite flying is scheduled...
~~~~~~~~
No special celebrations for Valentine's here-
unless hubby surprises me (ha!);
'we celebrate love every day'
~~~~~~~~
A couple of weeks ago
sweet Jane at Marigold Jam
awarded me with the Sunshine Award;
thank you Jane for all the support.



~~~~~~~~
I'm off to finish my cuppa
with this book;

~~~~~~~~
Happy Weekend!
xox

Wednesday 3 February 2010

February

While looking for ideas
for a handmade gift
for a special friend,
I came across this site;
I spent quite some time there
'aaahing' and 'ooohing'
-as some of you would say-
and then bookmarked the page.
Lots of lovely ideas
if you like crafts,
and lots of eye-candy
if you just like beautiful things.
*~*~*~*~*
Happy February everyone!
xxx