suzette roberts

// Hello December!: Maintaining Our Classroom Team Spirit

Hello December(!) and what a year it's been!!

First up, on a very happy and celebratory note, I have to share (if you are not already in the know)... our Official NORAD Santa Tracker is up and busy and yep our kids (and many of us teachers, shamelessly) are always in... :)

 

Wow! I don't think we can overdo our exclamation marks for the year that has just evolved with all of it's happenings, and well-needed changes along the way looking back on our last 12 months. Now that my work in Education has transitioned into webinars, compliance, and research, I still reflect quite often with a huge smile, much laughter, grace, and gratitude on those super-busy hands on years in the classroom, and with our various well-structured learning centers. If I were to choose just one word to describe what makes a classroom (or group) soar to incredible heights and goodness that transcends outwards into the larger world, it would be 'Respect'... respect for our individual selves, respect for those who we serve: our families, friends, business relations, and in general, each other. Once we are committed to this very wholesome and defining principle, the rest is easy, as it lends itself to kindness, doing the right thing, and living a life that we can look back on with appreciation, fulfillment, and feel that lightness, lift, and healthy inner elegance we are meant to have in our everyday lives...

// Fall Movie Night Homemade Pizza

Three things we look forward to as fall seriously sets in and we are buried in the full cozies of it all is i) our 30 minute evening walks around our neighbourhood to give our lungs some fresh air (+ stretch our aging muscles :)); can't believe I actually said 'aging' as I still feel like a five year old, but alas 'tis true, and our muscles love it, ii) more cuddled up movie nights (indoors of course, blankets included), and iii) new ways to try something new with something traditional and pretty routine. With (iii), it usually boils down to something in the 'eats' department, geared towards our warmer supper hour, with minimal time and fuss. Hello again to the easy homemade pizza toast where we can indulge in a loved seasonal seed bread, warm tomato sauce, cheeses as we fancy them, and toppings that float our boat into the very merry...

// Holiday Gift Ideas {for} Our Amazing Kids

They sure amaze us and oftentimes when we may least expect it... After so many decades being with them and around them, in and out of our many classrooms and learning centers, we're still inspired to be and to do the best we can in showing and sharing a world of kindness, goodness, and love for each other. A few holiday gift ideas for our wonderful kids... 

 

01. Create your own customized mini garden in a jar that glows at night.

02. Limited Too at-home cozy cotton tees.

03. The rave this year with girls: L.O.L Surprise! Tots Ball Doll assortment.

04. Sparkling Shamballa bracelets.

05. Boys' cotton-cashmere half-zip sweater from J. Crew.

06. Perfect for kids who love science: 4M Crystal Growing Experiment.

07. Sweet Orange Vanilla Foaming Bubble Bath indulgence.

08. Love this book: Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life.

09. Chalk Talk Toy: let's kids doodle, write and play tic-tac-toe.

10. Franklin NHL Mini Hockey Goal Set.

11. Automatic Magic Deck Trick Marked Cards for fun.

12. Petite Open Circle Peridot birthstone earrings (14k White Gold).

 

 

// Three Lovely Things

On this our beautiful no-blues Monday after a longer and very well-rested in clean air weekend (anymore and I'd probably be in a coma :)) thanks to our amazing family Doc, here are three lovelies from the wild (in some shape or form) I'm currently loving... First up, The Lion King Official Teaser Trailer from Walt Disney Studios which opens in theatres next year (July 19th), is out and I literally ran from the kitchen, hands wet from washing dishes when I heard the beautiful soundtrack beginnings on the tele a few days ago. The faraway music and precious animals take my breath away each and every time. More things to look forward to in 2019. :) And more lovelies after the jump...

// Flavour of the Month: Gianduja (Chocolate Hazelnut)

Right around this time last year as I totally, 110% relaxed on my sister's couch, watching a series (of course I can't remember what series it was now), while gingerly enjoying this irresistible holiday treat, each and every bite-sized moment of it, I casually thought about bringing to life its frozen counterpart. But, it was just a fleeting thought as the holiday flavour was already set, and on tight precision scheduled to go. Deviating from the plan or even the slightest addition to it would have created immense chaos and one thing I try to avoid these days is any FOMO when it comes to our holidays and chilled downtime. Valentines soon came around, and then Easter, and the thought lingered a tad longer than the last, but I wasn't 'there' yet...

As I peacefully settled into summer with feeling a needed calm, lift, and breath of fresh air, I felt ready to do the quiet research to create this desired frozen flavour which required more gentle attention and intricate balance. Good timing as it were, I am so happy to officially debut this month's holiday kickoff flavour: Gianduja (Chocolate Hazelnut)...

 

... with an emphasis on our hazelnuts.

// Gift Ideas {for} Our Host and Hostess

With our fresh pine trees and colourful lights having their way this year, early arrival and all, it's set the tone to dive right into our annual gift guides for our upcoming holiday season. First up... a simple collection of reasonably priced gift ideas for our many hosts and hostesses (family, friends, and new meets) that will be part of our next few weeks and more...

 

ONE - dreamy and nature-ful Vintage botanical magazine print, TWO - seasonal favourite: Chocolate Shop Chocolate Red Wine, THREE - casual gatherings, cheese, crackers and cold cuts: Torre & Tagus cheese board & serving utensils, FOUR -  Cuisinart mini-prep plus food processor, FIVE - Diptyque Amber scented candle, SIX - delicious balancing recipes for men and women: Cooking for Hormone Balance, SEVEN - mellow jazz: Paul Hardcastle VIII, EIGHT - RENPHO Hand held deep tissue massager, NINE - funny and pretty cool: RainBowl motion sensor toilet nightlight, TEN - Roast or ground 100% Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee for more indulgent mornings... 

 

More gift ideas right » here.

 

And a loved just-because-it's-Tuesday track from ♫ Paul Hardcastle...

Paul Hardcastle - Stay in the Moment THE SMOOTHJAZZ LOFT