suzette roberts

// Developing Good Work Ethic Practices

Dedicated Educators actively in the business for 20 plus years or more can certainly relate-- just as we desired our dream Principal and Admin staff (and were blessed to have nailed it!) with entering into our profession in our very early twenties, now that we are working at an overseeing level, we look for new and even seasoned hires who come to the table and consistently demonstrate a strong work ethic: behaviours that emulate good self-discipline, self-management, self-drive, a serious commitment to the field/ 'job', the people we serve, and taking the overall performance to that next higher level. They always manage to get more done within the same 24-hour work day, while also maintaining a high(er) energy level that's focused and committed to the task at hand.

Last month's In-the-Classroom Webinar explored a few simple practices our polished and ethical dream bosses are often seeking during scheduled working hours, which also makes for an excellent Social Studies Lesson Planning Unit (Theme: Community and Citizenship) for our students at our Grade 3 level and upwards. Here are their top five...

// Spring Scents and Spontaneity

We made it to Friday! and I hope you had a decent week (at least), with an 'up' in the mix. To say we love our candles and evening lights-out candle moments doesn't even come close. We thrive on the simple tranquil blend of inviting scents, and softer transportive moods created by the luxury of pure and earthy seasonal notes each and every evening, and even throughout our weekend afternoons, as often as possible. To wrap up our work week, here are a few favourites and new blends we're looking forward to during spring... and of course there will be others found during those spontaneous browsing serendipity moments... It's been a full(!) week, but good news is good news. Thanks everybody, and have a very relaxing weekend. ~xx

 

Another ♫ mellow track from the work week...

Society - Commiserations (2016)

 

ONE: Sand + Fog Ocean Sea Salt - notes of the salty sea & air.

TWO: Diptyque's Muguet - wild carefree notes of lily of the valley. xo

THREE: Byredo's Loose Lips - notes of violet, morello cherry, & rose water.

FOUR: AERIN's L'Ansecoy Orange Blossom - orange blossom & cedar notes.

FIVE: Clean Home Fragrance (Rain) - notes of dewy melon, water lilies & daisies.

SIX: No.22's Lawn - fresh lawn-scented notes.

SEVEN: Craft + Foster Lost Coast - floral, plum & amber notes.

 

 

// Hello Spring(!)

{looking for tell-tale signs of promising possibilities-- little touches of green}

Hello to our first day of Spring 2019(!) at 5:58 pm today to be precise. We are still in the 'rough and rustic' this side and elsewhere, but quietly and prayerfully looking for little signs of hopeful new beginnings, freshness, and sunny lifts as we travel through the days, weeks, and months ahead... Have a lovely spring season that's full of happy life...  ~xx 

 

A loved soothing track from ♫ Thomas Lemmer ...

Thomas Lemmer Blissful Mind (Original Mix)

 

// Abigail Halpin: Finding Wild

'Swooning over this beautiful beautiful children's book: Finding Wild, by Megan Wagner Lloyd with colourful, nature bountiful illustrations by Abigail Halpin. Using bolder blues and greens with pops of sunshine garden colours, Abigail Halpin brings to blissful life, creative simplicity, quiet wildchild celebrations with Mother Nature, and the inspiring message of finding all things lovely as we immerse ourselves 'with the wild' far and near. A delightful read and keeper for both young children and grown-ups...

// Bye bye Winter, You've been Very Gracious. :)

{early edition spring bloom lily; she's a-coming}

Winter sure came (this side North), and even in our tropical Caribbean where many nights lighter blankets were layered on our beds, and usually fully open windows were half-way there or less to break most of the chill from our mountain breeze. We are indeed grateful with experiencing a healthy season, work we continue to enjoy that have also treated us well, and being able to catch up with family and close friends each week, in some way. Our sidewalks were always cleared, and shovelled walk paths created for easy access to board our trains and streetcars. It continues to take a caring hands-on village, and for that we have much to be thankful for... Wrapping up the last official weekend of winter with this lovely, and a few behind-the-scenes, after the jump... Thanks everybody, and have a soothing one. ~xx

// Conte's Gluten-Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli

Every now and again, we look forward to adding a little more variety to our menu while also eliminating (or at least majorly minimizing on most days) the grains that have no mercy in taking us under the table,-- and without even blinking an eye. Ravioli in all its cheesy and stuffed saucy glories was a loved staple back in those cheap and easy eats school years. After laying off the gluten-ful ravioli for almost two decades, in favour of simple gluten-free pasta on occasion, I was excited to try this new-to-me find: Conte's Gluten Free Spinach and Cheese Ravioli in the veggie freezer section at our local Whole Foods..., while looking for something entirely different a few weeks ago (funny how these meets happen?). We've enjoyed its wholesome all-natural deliciousness twice since, with and without a light sauce, and it's a definite must-try and keeper... Happy early weekend and have a fun and relaxing Mid-Winter Break(!) next week. Music and more after the jump...  ~xx