Spring Break

My first spring break as a teacher (ok, student teacher) is coming to a close. It started off rough, but now in the end I feel refreshed and ready to get back to work. I have worked various jobs for years before going back to school, so I forgot not only the anticipation one feels right before a big vacation, and the renewal you feel once it is over.

At the first of the week I was so sick with what has to be the worst cold I have had in two years. What started as a cold morphed into a nasty sinus infection which could only be cured by a long drawn out trip to the doctor. While the infection has certainly dissipated, like most in my locale I am still trying to handle my allergies. After the cold had passed, I made a huge list of things I wanted to accomplish during my week off. I had a plan each day for what I wanted to get done, and for the most part I stuck with it. I even had the chance to catch up on my recorded tv shows, and become totally immersed in Downton Abbey. I actually upgraded my Netflix subscription so I could get more episodes at a time! I wont bore you with my love for this show. Just know that once you are hooked, your life will feel far inferior to that of the never boring Crawley family.

What I am most satisfied with is my garden. It is nearly entirely ready for the upcoming spring. The front porch is full of petunias, herbs, and strawberries. Dead plants and weeds have been pulled, the flowers are in bloom, my bees are back, and I recently added some friendly ladybugs to the garden after discovering several infestations of aphids around the yard.

Grape Hyacinth being tended by a local bee.

Blue bonnets to show my Texas pride.

Not quite sure why I couldn't take a straight photo of the porch...

A woodpecker who lives in the neighboring tree.

Also, I can now unveil the Christmas gift I sent to one of my pen pals this year.

Around the Maypole.

I always stitch my initials on my finished pieces.

All in all I would say this has been a most excellent vacation. But, like all good things, this too must come to an end.

Good Tidings

Ms. Annie missed you too.

Hello readers! I've been out of the loop for a while here at Pershing Cottage as lots of change has been happening here.

First, I started a new student teaching job this past January. I like it, but as with any new job, it takes some time to get your bearings and settle into the swing of things. Having come from a position I had held for over three years, it's hard to start all over again and find the balance necessary to making your life as easy and comfortable as possible. Every day I am learning, and slowly but surely settling into this new life I have been working towards for almost four years. Even though it is vastly different from what I thought it would be I am pleased with the work that I do and feel that I am good at it.

As you may have expected, cross stitching has been on the back burner for a while as well. I did finish a little project fairly recently. The pattern was "Garden Girl" by County Cottage Needleworks. I'll be posting the finished picture with my next post. Now mostly I have been focusing on the project for my new niece which I hope to give to her before her baptism this year. However, it is a slow process and I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't have it finished until this coming Christmas. Either way, it will be done when it is done. There are tons of color changes in it, and most all of the colors are slightly varying shades making it all the more difficult to stitch. However, the parts I have completed are fabulous and that gives me the motivation to stitch on.

Finally, the plans have been confirmed and I can now say that Mom, Dad and I will be traveling to England and France this coming summer as a "Completion of the Masters Degree Extravaganza" celebration. I haven't gotten all the details worked out on it yet, but the tickets have been purchased and I am so looking forward to what I'm sure will be the most wonderful vacation with my family.

I know this has been a short post, but please forgive me. It is, after all, a school night.