I spent some of the weekend cleaning out the pantry cupboard. We live in a rather tiny, but just the right size for us, flat. We have just one cabinet for storing everyday foods. It’s tight and it can be frustrating at times when looking for just the right thing. I find keeping it well organized very helpful. Also, it settles my soul to see things so neat and tidy.
It’s been quite cold here of late. It’s not been as beastly cold as some places but even still it’s rather uncomfortable for getting out of doors. Over the weekend I had to run and get a present for my granddaughter, Natalies’s 3rd birthday party and I also needed to get some marketing done. Other than that I stayed cozy and warm inside. I love to watch the morning or late afternoon sun come through the windows and shine in little patches in my living room. This old bureau was a gift from a friend of my husband’s and the chair used to be my mothers. Everything has a story. It’s rare that I buy new furniture.
I made the most delicious pizza the other night. I bought whole wheat pizza dough from the market added pesto, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and a little chopped kale. I sprinkled a small amount of plant based mozzarella over it and baked it at 425 for about 20 minutes. It wasn’t completely plant based/vegan because there is parmesan cheese in the pesto but you could buy vegan pesto if you want to…or if you can find it.
Happy third birthday to my beautiful and sassy granddaughter, Natalie! Love her more than words can say!
From sundown on the 24th till sundown on the 25th was a Jewish holiday calledTu B’Shavat…loosely translated as the birthday of the trees.A day to celebrate the trees and in Israel, plant trees.The holiday isn’t always on the same day as it is based on the Jewish calendar.It is nowhere near tree planting weather where I am so to celebrate with my class full of toddlers I brought in a large branch that the wind had recently blown down. It was covered inlichen and very pretty. The children have been finger painting every day so I cut some of their pictures up into leaf shapes and we hung them on the branches at circle time. One of my students brought in a book titled Tu B’Shavat and we read that as well. We talked about things that the trees give us such as apples, oranges, mangoes and bananas. We talked about who lives in trees such as monkeys, squirrels, and birds. Then we sang Happy Birthday to the trees and we placed the branch on top of a shelf in our classroom so that we could see it all the time. It really does look pretty there.
I noticed a few comments in my spam folder which I have approved. Maybe that is all it will take to make commenting right again.
I have been having trouble with blogger so I decided to move over to my wordpress blog. I am trying to figure out commenting. I wasn’t able to comment on wordpress blog when I was using blogger but when I am using wordpress I am not able to comment on blogger blogs. When I have some time this weekend I am going to try to figure it all out.
a spirit of simplicity 
I had to sign up for an account (free) to comment on wordpress.
LOVE the idea you did for your toddler classroom regarding the Jewish holiday. and I learned something new!! Didn’t know they had that tree holiday. so cool!!
LOVE the look of your granddaughter in that pic. what a cutie!! She looks like she’s full of spunk.
My vegan daughter and I found vegan pesto only once….in the Asian section of our local grocery store (hannaford) and haven’t seen it ANYWHERE since. Not even Whole Foods!! Your pizza looks amazing!!
Have a wonderfully relaxing weekend.
I too live in a small space so I have to be creative with my food storage. I did just what you did last week and threw out some things in back that had long expired.
The pizza looks amazing! I love pizza and am trying to find a recipe for the crust that is not so carb heavy.
I have occasional problems with Blogger and considered moving my blog to my wordpress account but I’m holding off for now. I do put my comments on moderation though which I really don’t like but I’ve gotten some strange comments appear otherwise. At least I can “head them off at the pass” before they appear on the blog.
I enjoyed learning something new about another Jewish celebration. Are you a preschool teacher? Happy birthday to your granddaughter!
First, I love the soft color of your throw. And the photo of Natalie is so cute and full of joy. She is so adorable. I did not know about this Jewish holiday. You think up the most awesome things to teach your students, and make learning so much fun. I wish I had been in a class like yours growing up.
Ginny here. The anonymous comment is me, don’t know why it did not say my name!!
Happy Birthday Natalie. You sure look cute in that hat! I noticed your attractive bureau right away, and your mother’s chair is so special. It’s nice that you have that. Your pantry looks nice and organized. It’s been very cold here too…..and rainy.
Have a pleasant weekend doing the things you love.
~Sheri
Happy birthday to Natalie! She looks like such fun!
I like to mostly stay in this time of year as well. I love homes where so much of the furnishings or decorations has a story.
We have a big pantry, but it’s still easy to fill up with old stuff, especially with just the two of us. My son and d-i-l generously bring over things they think we’d like, but we may need to ask them to hold off, as we can’t always use everything in good time. I agree about it being settling to have things organized and not cluttered.
I did not know there was a Jewish holiday concerning trees! Interesting! I love the activities you did with your class.
I can comment on most blogs, WP or Blogger, except a couple that only allow for comments from Google accounts. Even though I am logged in, those blogs won’t let me comment for some reason. Frustrating. I also have my comments set so that it’s supposed to only require a name and email to comment, but sometimes people still have trouble.
I like a nice neat and tidy pantry too.
Happy Birthday to Natalie.
https://gattinawritercamps.blogspot.coM
To comment becomes a university study ! I don’t know what happens, I always try the same when it is not Blogger but even then I have difficulties, I don’t know why they change simple things into difficulties, I mean we are not politicians and have nothing to hide, as for example your yummy looking Pizza ! I love the idea to celebrate trees we should introduce that everywhere.
When I comment on wordpress, I show up as willowknits and it seems that I can’t change that.
I absolutely love that pizza! I am vegan (99%) so it really appeals to me. I make my own vegan pesto, so I could use that on the pizza. Hmmm, I may try it.
Happy Birthday to Natalie! She is adorable (and I love the unicorn on her shirt).
Enjoy your week!
Willow
I think you need a PhD to work out how to comment on all the different types of blog lol and as for working out replies….
Your pantry looks great and your Granddaughter looks full of fun. I hope she had a lovely birthday.
Interesting to learn about the Jewish holiday. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
I like hearing about the celebration of trees and how you involved your class. Such a beautiful idea.
Your granddaughter is adorable.
For a long time, I wasn’t able to comment on your blog, but I always enjoy reading it. I’ll try again, and hope this goes through!
Karen @ Over the Backyard Fence