TGIF: Dream Weekend

TGIF! I feel like I can say that and really mean it today. I have offically started my school year with the Eau Claire Area School District. Next Tuesday I'll meet my students for the first time at their open house and the first normal school day is Wednesday. 

Before school starts, Greg and I are off to celebrate our 5th Anniversary at Woodland Trails Bed and Breakfast.

"Bed and Breakfast?" you ask. 
Yes, Bed and Breakfast.
"I've never been to one, aren't they for old people?"
 No they are not! In fact, we went to Woodland Trails on our honeymoon and again for our first anniversary. "Oh... maybe I'd like to check one out." 
You totally should!

Woodland Trails!

Driving around the trails at Woodland Trials. Yes, they have golf carts and miles of trails!

Traveling somewhere for the weekend? Consider a B &B. Want a weekend away without traveling far? Look for one close to your house. We've been to two B&B's. Woodland Trails. LOVED IT. The River Nest. LOVED IT.

At Woodland Trails there is an English Billards table.  We'll need to learn the rules again, but I know we'll spend plenty of time playing it. It's right outside the room we'll stay in again for the third time.

Enjoying the deck at The River Nest. Right next to the Mississippi River and the train tracks. With the windows shut, we didn't even hear the trains at night!

Our friends Jen and Dave have stayed at The Inn at Sacred Clay Farms near Lanesburo, MN. Right on the bike trail, it looks like one Greg and I could stay at and love! No frilly curtains nor lace and doilies.

Look at the scenery! The mid-western US is sure a beautiful place!

Another B&B that we haven't been to, but I think we'd like is Little House on the Farm near Postville, IA. It's owned by one of our friends parents. It looks so cute and inviting. 

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Have a great weekend!

Wednesday Wisdom

Wednesday Wisdom

In schools across Wisconsin this week teachers are preparing for the first day of school next week. I think this quote sums up all teachers' goals. I know it's mine. 

Menu Monday: 8/27-8/31

Menu Monday

Monday: Left over Avocado Mandarin Orange Salad with left over homemade pizza

Tuesday:  Out with friends

Wednesday: Chicken Red Curry

Thursday:  French Onion Soup

Friday: Head to Woodland Trails B&B and grill out steak with potatoes

I hope you had a great weekend! We had a fabulous weekend getting to know Casandra. She arrived from Malaysia (via Abu Dhabi, Dublin, and Chicago) 11pm Friday night. 

We kept her busy trying to fight through the jet lag. Although somehow I was yawning last night before she was....

You name it we tried to give her that experience: Farmer's market, touring around town, disc golfing, making homemade pizza, Wii playing, church, trying to figure out a cell phone, returning something at customer service, people watching at Wal-Mart, Boccee ball, tipping at a restaurant, foggy mornings, and cool weather! 

Lastly, this morning Greg and I had our first like parent moments when we dropped her off at her dorm on the UW Campus to begin her international student orientation. We are so proud!

Three suitcases and a backpack! Pretty easy moving in  compared to US students!

Moving Casandra in made Greg and I reminisce about moving into our dorms. Such an overwhelming experience! Think of doing this on your third day in a new country. 

It will be cozy! Her roommate, Paris, moves in on Thursday. 

Apple Chips

Are you at home for a weekend and want to make a yummy snack? You should make apple chips. So delicious and healthy. So easy. 

You'll find yourself saying, "Hey, I just ate a whole bag of apples!" It makes you feel a lot less guilty than saying, "Hey, I just ate a whole bag of potato chips!"

Apple Chips

* Source

*I've tried this with granny smith and gala apples. I bet any variety would be great.

*You can bake them for less time, they are just more chewy. 

Ingredients:

• Apples (how many your little heart desires, I usually use a bag)
• Cinnamon

Directions: 

1) Cut apples, discard any seeds

2) On parchment covered baking sheets, lay out apples

3) Sprinkle both sides of the apple with cinnamon

4) Put in oven at 275° for two hours. Flip apples half way through.

5) Cool on rack or paper towel. Store in a tight container.

A perfect afternoon snack, or breakfast!

Making apple chips make your house smell like fall! Enjoy!

TGIF: Dream Weekend

TGIF! Wait!? It's Friday?! Where has the week gone? I have so much to do!!! With the first day of school approaching quickly, it seems a bit overwhelming. I don't even know what kids I'm working with yet! At one of my schools I have a huge classroom, at the other no space at all. It will work out. It WILL work out.

One reason I am super-duper excited it is indeed Friday is because today we meet our "Host Student" from Malaysia. The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire has the awesome "Host Friend" program that pairs new international students with people (friends) in the community. Casandra will stay with us this weekend before moving into the dorms. Throughout the year, we'll be a community resource for her as needed... Dinner at our house here, maybe a trip down to the Mississippi there....We hope that we help her get a good idea of what the USA is all about! We pick her up at 11pm tonight from the airport just minutes from our house. It will be a her first time in the US. We even get to hold a sign with her name on it! Greg is excited for that part!

If we could take Casandra anywhere this weekend, maybe we would take here... Acadia National Park, Maine. Greg and I have never been. Isn't it beautiful?

On Monday we will take her here: Oak Ridge Dormitory on UWEC's campus. This will be Casandra's home this next year. Isn't it beautiful?

Wednesday Wisdom

Wednesday Wisdom

This week has been overwhelming. Between learning about new health insurance options, retirement planning, filling out forms, and the new Eau Claire Area School District's teacher handbook I've also been trying to get ready for the kids that I will be teaching and prepare the space in which that will happen. YIKES. Much easier said than done, I need to remember this verse.... Right now I'm not sure how all the pieces will fall into place, but I have faith that they will. 

*Source

Menu Monday

Monday: Chicken, Potato, Leek Pot Pie

Tuesday:  Avocado and Mandarin Orange Salad

Wednesday:  Rice Noodle Stir-Fry with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Thursday:  Northwoods Elementary Potluck! Applesauce/Fruit Jello Salad

Friday: Grill Out!

Saturday:  Being a Host Friend to Cassandra from Malaysia which means something vegetarian!

Do you ever feel like you deserve to pat yourself on the back? Well on Saturday I did and I'll tell you why. I love going to the EC's Downtown Farmer's Market, but we usually go before we plan our menu for the week. That means we pick up a few things here and there, but pass by so many beautiful looking veggies because we don't want to buy things we won't use.  After menu planning later that day or Sunday, then heading to store on Sunday or Monday, I feel bad about buying the same veggies from the produce department that I could have got from local farmers. Have you been there too?  This week though I sat down, decided on the above menu, looked at the recipes, then went to the market with list in hand. Look at what I got. I encourage you to do it for yourself! When you do, pat yourself on the back! Or buy yourself flowers...

$5 Bouquet of Flowers? Don't mind if I do!

My Loot (L to R): 2 Pints Blueberries (farmer said it was the last Saturday they were going to be there, so I got 2 instead of 1), Leeks, Cilantro, green beans, carrots, green peppers, green onions, salsa, red onions and broccoli. 

Here's my plan to have to use it all!

Blueberries: For snacking, Blueberry Bran Muffins for breakfasts this week and to freeze! 

Salsa: Snacking, Cook-Out on Friday

Carrots: Pot Pie and Noodle Stir-fry, tops for salad mix

Red Onion: Pot Pie, Salads, Stir-fry

Broccoli: Stir-fry

Leeks: Pot Pie

Green Onion: Pot Pie, Stir-Fry (tops for garnish, onion for stir-fry)

Green Beans: Pot Pie, Stir-Fry and Snacking!

Happy Eating!