Oh hey there.

Yes, I'm still alive. No, I haven't forgotten about this blog. Yes, I check out all my favorite blogs every day on Blogger & feel real guilty that I've neglected my own.

Have I answered your questions? No. Well... I tried.

Any who. My excuses for no posting are the following:

Since my last post I have graduated college & moved 1200 miles from home to accept a teaching job in Arkansas.. yes Arkansas. I am teaching 5th & 6th grade art, as well as 1 kindergarten art class per day. More about my classroom, lessons, etc. later. For now, I shall tell you about other crazy life happenings... Mr. H & I have been wedding planning like chickens with our heads cut off. (Picture it.. you know you wanna.) We adopted a crazy little puppy & never fully unpacked from when we moved into our rental house.

Here's the little rascal.

Emerson - Named after the one and only Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of n\Mr. H's favorite writer.

Things are mad here every second of the day, but hey... I'd rather be overwhelmed then underwhelmed. I don't do well with boredom, it usually results in weird food concoctions & sewing mishaps.

So, lets talk teaching. Middle school kids are nuts! If I had a nickel for every student who told me their sick of going through puberty I'd be rich. I can't tell you how true Bill Cosby was with, "Kids Say the Darndest Things." Also, Kindergarteners have no filter.

Ex. "Hi, my name is Ms. Gladd and I'm going to be your art teacher. I come aaaaaall the way from Pennsylvania." A teenie tiny hand shoots up into the air, "YOU'RE FROM TRANSYLVANIA!" "No, I'm from Pennsylvania." "Did you get bit by a vampire on your face?", another Kindergartener asks. "Actually no, those are pimples... You'll know what those are in the future," I said. "Well, if you're from Transylvania than you're a vampire." Aaaand... I lost em, there was no coming back from that. All they wanted to do was ask THE most insane combinations of questions. There's no coming back from a vampire accusation.. Le sigh.

My first 2 quarters were pretty rough whilst I tried to get used to my room, the travel to the Kindergarten building, and living in extremely high temps. I'm finally getting the hang of everything and am pretty well adjusted to the weather. Of course, school is out in less than a month and I'll be happily back in Pennsylvania to marry the wonderful Mr. H & enjoy being around family.

Next year I will be moving up to 7th & 8th grade art. I will get a new, bigger room. This one even has a sink & storage!!! Seems crazy that I'm this excited... but my room is the size of a coat closet and I have no sink at all!

This is the water I fill up and use for projects:

It's a sad excuse for an art room, but this is my only option.

I just keep repeating, "I will have a sink next year. I will have a sink next year."

I will attempt to post more frequently, although the school year and my energy are dwindling at lightning speed.

Thanks for reading!

-Jane Gladys

New Journey, New Responsibilities

Tomorrow begins my student teaching journey. I am nervous, but excited. I have never taught 9-12th grade students but I'm ready for something new! I'm most nervous about living smack dab in the middle of the snow belt and having to drive everyday. But, I know that it will be a rewarding experience and that it will be totally worth it in the long run!

I just need to perfect my teaching wardrobe now! I just bought two new pairs of shoes, because I have high heels, boots, and moccasins - no nice flats or comfortable lower heels. (Props to all the teachers who can do it, but I can't do heels all day!) It was Sunday that I decided I needed  new shoes. We were at Mr. H's mom's house when my decision was made, it was 2pm, and Mr. H panicked. How could I forget about football??? I promised that I would speed shop for shoes and we'd be done. He went on about how I'm never speedy when shopping, but after reassuring him I could and would do it this time, he agreed to stop at Payless (only sacrificing the first quarter)! It only took me 10-15 minutes and I found:

this pair of beige/gold flats for $6.00

&


this pair of black wedges for $11.00

I spent a total of $14 because Payless is having their BOGO sale! Both shoes are incredibly comfortable and will work great for student teaching!

I'm also worrying constantly on how I'm going to pay for gas to drive back and forth to my placements because I am out of work until March 1st, and I've been applying at jobs around my apartment, and haven't heard anything back. I can't wait to not have to worry all the time!!! But, on the bright side Mr. H finally found a full-time job! YIPPEE! That helps me to worry a little less, which is always a good thing.

Well, I should be heading off to bed now, I have a 5:30 am alarm headed my way. Boo hiss to growing up..

Goodnight loves,
Amanda Jane

I am crafty, I'm feeling glad I got sunshine, in a bag.

Hey there!!! Only 17 days in between posts... Not too shabby.. Alright, I admit it, I'm atrocious at this. And to top it all off I have no good excuse. I haven't worked since before New Years, but I have been crafting quite a bit. So maybe there is an excuse tucked in there. Here's a preview of some of the stuff I've been working on:

First, I made owl hats for all my little newborn friends.

Second, I started crocheting this bedspread (fits a full-size bed) - I love the color combo!

Third, I added some studs to the neckline of this thrifted dress.

Close-up detail of the pyramid studs (they're plastic and are sewn on).

I saw this headed band and wanted to diy it - via shopolivine.com

I had some vinyl leftover from my Jewelry Casting class - I think I might spray paint them Gold.

catsup

   I knew I said I'd get better at this... and I will, I hope!!! Especially now that I'm out of work for the next 2 months! My job closes to the public December 31st, and reopens March 1st. The full-time associates clean, inventory, and restock the store; while the part-timers are left to fend for themselves. I am not able to collect unemployment because I only work 24 hours a week, because I am in college and cannot work full-time. So, you better believe I'm crocheting, crafting, and sewing up a storm in order to make some money on the side to be able to support myself!

   This semester is going to be a tough one because I am student teaching and will be driving everyday to a High School 22.5 miles from my apartment starting January 24th and ending March 16th. This means I have to get up earlier, never wear sweats, and drive in the snow... Initiate panic attack!!! First of all, I'm terrible at waking up before noon, sweatpants are my favorite, and driving in the snow is my enemy... FAIL! And this would be why I am moving far out of the Snow Belt ASAP. On a better note my second placement is only 0.3 miles from my apartment, which I am soooo happy about and it's an Elementary School, which means they start later than High Schools do. I just keep telling myself that I have to make it through my first placement and then I'll be in the clear.

   Like I said I have been crocheting and crafting like a nut!
Here is a list of what I made so far:

• 1 crochet cowl for one of my boyfriend's sister
• 1 crochet scarf for my dad
• 3 crochet owl hats for two newborns in my family and my bf's neice
• 1 sewn ipad cover for my older sister
• 1 mason jar - reclaimed wooden wall vase for my twin sister and her husband
• 1 driftwood sign for my dad
• 1 set of MR & MRS reclaimed wooden signs for my older sister and her fiance
• 4 sewn pairs of upcycled sweater mittens for myself, one for my friend, and two to sell
• 3 mason jars full of homemade dog treats for all the puppies in my life
• 1 sewn learning book including a snap closure,  pocket, and button closure for bf's neice
• I also gave alot of the pottery I made last semester in my Ceramics class as gifts
• and many other things that are currently slipping my mind.

  I also had a wonderful Christmas! I worked December 23rd 9-5, went to Mr. H's mom's house, worked Christmas Eve, drove to my parent's house & opened presents with my twin, her husband, and my parents, we woke up Christmas Day & ate a big breakfast, then drove back home to see Mr. H's dad and step-mom. We ended the day by taking our annual trip to the bar for some Christmas brews rimmed with brown sugar and cinnamon! YUM!

   I got everything I wanted including:

• black skinny dress pants
• winter jacket
• a sewing book
• slippers
• a fleece blanket
• paula deen cookware
• a box of medicine/bandaids/etc from my parents
• a scarf
• undies
• incense
• 2 journals
• gloves
• & lots of other goodies!

    Mr. H and I then hosted a Christmas Hangover/New Years Pre-game extravaganza on the 30th at our apartment. We had all of our guests bring a $5 gift for our White Elephant gift exchange that got ridiculous of course... but I won the best gift; Nutella and Animal Crackers!!! I will be savoring those suckers for sure!

   Ps. I'm trying to get outfit posts and such, hopefully once I get my apartment cleaned & organized & have a place to take photos!

good luck gal

oh hi there!

yes, i know i promised to get better at this.. and well i haven't. but i'm working on it!

finals week is next week. i put on an art show for the 6-8th graders i help teach art to for an afterschool program and i have to help put on another one tonight, i have a portfolio due tomorrow for my art education class (that is barely started), i have final projects due monday and tuesday for my ceramics and metal casting classes, and a final thursday for my business class. oh, and did i mention i'm in a craft show saturday, for which i have lots and lots of work to do.

to say i am overwhelmed is a complete understatement.

on a better note i won something recently. yes, me.. the girl who never wins anything and has terrible luck! i'm the person who buys 20 lottery tickets (and wins $0.00), right before the person who buys one ticket and hits the jackpot, you're welcome! i won a gift card to Poshlocket and am now the proud owner of these two sets of gorgeous earrings:

Regina Shell Texture Earrings in Gold

Toni Icicle Earrings in Silver

i am super excited to get these babies in the mail! i hope you're all having just as much good luck as me.. if not more! i probably won't be back until after finals week so i'll see you in a week and a half!

-Amanda Jane

on graduation and moving

   hello there lovelies! i promise i'll get better at writing everyday, classes are just getting overwhelming right now, mixed in with christmas coming up, and working on weekends, oh yea and the fact that i student teach next semester and then graduate! talk about stress! but, i'm trying to not let these things bug me, which is difficult at times. i've been in school for 4.5 years now.. i'm just ready to be done. even after i'm done, the stress doesn't end because then it's off into the real world to find a "grown-up" job. sigh. ok let's not talk about it anymore before i break down.

   ok.. so this pennsylvania weather is awful! one day it's 60 degrees and the next its snowing.. um hello mr. winter and mrs. fall, stop fighting let mr. winter win for once. i'm sick of the bickering and confusion. i love when it starts to get colder because i get to pack on more and more covers, more and more layers of clothing, and nala and mr. h like to get even cuddlier. it's my favorite! also, i get to drink more tea and coffee, and i get in the mood to bake lots too.

   something uber exciting is that mr. h is graduating in december at the end of the semester and he went yesterday to pick up his cap and gown and he looks adorable in it! i'm such a sap i teared up when he tried it on because i'm so so so proud of him and how hard he has been working. he had a permanent smile on his face as well because he couldn't believe he is almost done and graduating in a month. he's already applying for jobs in schools in pennsylvania and pretty much anywhere in the US. mr. h eventually wants to move to san francisco, ca but i'm not completely sold on that move yet. i've never been there and my view of california is not one i am fond of; a ridiculous amount of people everywhere... all the time, terrible traffic, long commutes, too close for comfort housing, and a super high cost of living. i know these all come from things i've heard and i need to do research before i believe them completely.

   i guess i have such a hard time thinking about moving to a big city is because i grew up in the woods. i was raised in a place where the forest was my playground, catching tadpoles, fish and bugs was a daily occurrence, and eating fruits and veggies right off the vine/tree/bush was normal. when i have children i want to raise them like i was raised. they'll learn about the natural environment by being in the middle of it, by experiencing what mud feels like between their toes, and what a bee sting feels like (no i will not chase my children around with a bee to make sure they know.. it will inevitably happen), and i want to be able to lay in our yard at night and teach them about the stars and the lighting bugs. these are the things i knew as a child, and i will always remember these things. i don't want to have to drive to a park to teach my children about trees, and grass, and bugs... these are things that should be available to them at all times. growing up tv was only an option when it was raining, or way too hot or cold to be outside.. we were allowed to get completely messy and we fell down and got hurt a lot.. but i was ok. my parents were always there to tell us we were fine and to get right back on our bikes and keep going... or take us to the hospital. haha i guess that's why i'm so tough when it comes to pain.. it doesn't hurt so much when you were raised to think it doesn't. i am so thankful my parents raised me the way they did. i know i wouldn't be as intelligent and outgoing if they had raised me another way. thanks mom and dad.. seriously you two are THE best parents a girl could as for. i will never forget my childhood and the smell of the kitchen while helping make apple pies from the apples off the apple tree in our backyard, or how i helped to build the porch with you, or all the little things you've both taught me throughout the years. i am truly grateful for you both.

   sorry for the sudden turn to sappy-ness, i've been in a sappy funk lately.. haha here's something to brighten your day -

my super cute cat, nala who turns 3 on monday!

hope you're having a great week!
   love, amanda jane

baking up a storm

oh hi there,

   sorry i missed you yesterday but i was cooking and baking up a storm! i mixed up some applesauce granola, artisan bread, and my own simpler version of these creamy chicken taquitos . am i insane? yes! was a hungry? very!

   i've been searching for cheap and yummy granola for a while and found the recipe for the applesauce granola and fell in love. it's cheap, tastes amazing, and is good for Mr. H and i! we've been munching on it ever since it came out of the oven!

this was right before it went into the oven, i may or may not (i did) have added the raisins prematurely but they turned out just fine!

 while my granola was toasting i moved onto dinner aka creamy chicken taquitos. except that my version had one can of chicken mixed with half a packet of taco seasoning, homemade flour tortillas, cream cheese, and jalapeno slices. i rolled a decent amount of the taco chicken, one jalapeno slice, and a chunk of cream cheese into the tortilla, placed them into a baking pan and sprinkled cheese on top. when Mr. H and i ate them we use salsa to top them and had rice on the side.. YUM! they were so much better than the boxed freezer kind and so much cheaper. the tortillas take a little more time to make but were so worth it!

  my last idea of the night was to make this artisan bread. i left it overnight and baked it tonight and man is it good. it was crunchy on the outside and nice and warm and soft on the inside!

  i keep realizing that making things like bread, granola, and tortillas is really going to save me money in the long run and everything tastes so much better homemade. i already have people asking me for the granola recipe! thanks to everyone who experimented in finding the best way to make these foods and sitting down and writing the recipes. i am very grateful!

  enough about BAKING... so,  things are going well here at the HAN (Mr. H, myself [amanda], and Nala [zee kitty cat]) household. i think i'm done being sick, nala is gearing up for winter (and eating triple the food she normally does), and i think Mr. H is a little less stressed about student teaching and working at the same time. we're warm, happy, and content in our little apartment waiting for winter to attack us like we know it will.

  i'll leave you with a few photographs of Nala bear, last winter's wrath, and other such nonsense.

last winter 2010, and it happened overnight with no warning

this past friday, i went glow-bowling.. and it was AWESOME!

meet Nala bear.. the cutest, furriest, cuddliest cat you'll ever meet.

 good night friends.. see you soon. -amanda jane