Outside my window the sky is filled with huge clouds, mostly billowy white, and a few more ominous dark patches here and there. After a warm weekend more seasonal temperatures, still very pleasant, rolled in and brought some welcome rain. Soft rain, soaking into the ground and refreshing all the green and growing things, like the Columbines.
From my kitchen window I see the white and pale blue against the greens of hedge and hydrangea standing out like stars in the dusk. There are so many beautiful flowers that I find it impossible to choose a favourite. They all take the stage for a time and I admire and applaud them even as they move off to let another blossom have her day in the limelight.
I'm finding my days settling into a routine - in the morning I check to see if students have submitted any work. Teenagers are notorious for sleeping in and staying up late, and I can verify that by the time some of the assignments are handed in. It's long after I've drifted off to dreamland. Sometimes, students are barely awake for 11:00 am online sessions.
I worry about some of them. Little engagement. Careless work. I fear that they will lose this course. I contact parents to see what can be done, and sometimes hear nothing back. Principals and counselors get involved, but some students really struggle with the lack of personal engagement.
Throughout the week I work on assignments that will be posted on Monday morning at 8 am. We are running a mostly asynchronous schedule, so other than short online meets throughout the week (one or two per class), work is done independently.
A few years ago these yellow poppies strayed into my garden of pinks and blues. They keep to themselves mostly, in a small bed, so I've let them settle there and a few more bloom each year. They are such cheerful folks and nod their bright heads when I pass by.
I ordered a new cookbook for myself - Patisserie at Home by Will Torrent. I'd like to practice a little more finesse in my baking. This was my first project - a version of Gateau St. Honoré - baked over the weekend. Baking is a way to relax these days, that and working in the garden. I took this to our Mother's Day gathering and didn't bring any of it home. The little caramel hats on the profiteroles were the best part according to some tasters.
A tiny bouquet from my garden, for you. The teacup is Tranquility by Royal Albert, and reminds me of a dear high school friend who chose this pattern for her wedding. She passed away two years ago and I like to think of her when I use this teacup.
Time to think about making dinner. Baked turkey patties, I think, with some couscous, a green salad, and zucchini sauteed with onions and garlic.
What's happening in your world these days?
I was just speaking to someone about how haphazard work in school often carries on in later life. The current situation makes follow through really important. We all want students to succeed. I met a colleague today at the grocery store who is teaching elementary band online to 90 students. She's itinerant band online so she's not listening to them all at once. May is definitely the month of blue and violet flowers.
ReplyDeleteYour columbines make me swoon and especially that deeply gorgeous magenta one. Your dessert looks most inviting. What fun to try a new cookbook and practice finessing your skills. Oh what cheerful poppies bobbing in the wind. Poppies will always remind me of my grandma's garden and seeing poppies at Lake Louise when I was about six. The Tranquility china pattern was the one I picked for my set when I graduated from high school. I have always loved that pattern. Your own connection to the pattern is poignant, what a lovely way to remember your friend.
ReplyDeleteMy Gr 12 niece is quite enjoying her studies in isolation. She likes being in control of her schedule and assignments. She is, of course, sorry to miss her graduation celebrations, but she's taken it all in stride, and says, let's just get on with it. I am sorry for those students who do not find this season suited to their style or temperament. It can't be easy.
I'm sitting in my study on a Wednesday evening where the sun is peeking into my room with that calm evening feeling. Loving it.
Happy eve...
Brenda xox
Thank you for sharing the tea cup bouquet. It brightened my day with it's sweetness. Although it makes me sad to think of your friend passing away much too young.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching my son working with my first grade grandson on schoolwork, I did wonder what it looked like on the teacher's end. My hat is off to all of the teachers and parents who are trying to adjust to this new way of schooling. It has to be challenging.
I agree with you on baking and gardening being a relaxing pastime in these challenging times.
Although my baking has not produced anything as magnificent as your gateau. Lovely!
You have a lovely collection of columbines!
ReplyDeleteIt is worrisome, about the students' lack of diligence. And just when they need sleep so much, in those growing years, they go without. All these factors add up, and here I go, getting worried-er. :-(
Hi Lorrie,
ReplyDeleteOh, I absolutely LOVE your dainty columbines!!! They are so sweet -- I must check to see if they'll grow in our region. I can imagine why some of your students would suffer from being away from the classroom environment. There is so much to worry about now. My husband works for a company which is tied to the airlines, and they've already had to take a temporary (I hope it will be temporary) pay cut. Now it's being discussed that they may have to take unpaid leave of absence. Our son is also out of a job. I really worry about the people who are missing their cancer treatments and such; this lock down can't be allowed to go on indefinitely. Sorry, I digress.
Your cake looks marvelous! I would never be brave enough to try that for my first project. :D I could eat that cream all by itself -- Yum. That teacup posy is just lovely, Lorrie. I'm so sorry about your friend dying.
I enjoyed this post, and I hope you continue to do well, my friend.
Warm hugs,
Denise
Beautiful varieties of Columbines. Mine are popping up and will show their color soon. I admire your baking adventures. Looks delicious. I wonder, too, about kids who don't have safe homes and now have to be isolated there. That's a nice way to remember your friend. Hope the rest of your week is good!
ReplyDeleteLorrie - thank goodness you included those columbines so I would be distracted from the notion that students AND their parents are not engaged with school. What are they thinking? OK. Over that.
ReplyDeleteLovely flowers from your garden - mine is just getting green, so I was delighted to see your pictures to whet my appetite! We have also been cooking, but recently trying to stay away from sweet items since the doc is a teeny weeny bit worried about hubby's blood sugar … Enjoy the rest of your week!
A lovely post, thank you . I do feel for the students too particularly at the age yours are. Being a teenager is hard enough without the difficulties of home schooling. I bet you loved your family meet up and that cake looks delicious. Very cold here at the moment, we’re back to winter coats on walks outside brrrrr . B x
ReplyDeleteNothing much happening here but for that we must be grateful perhaps. I love that little posy my sort of flower arrangement much nice than formal large scale ones. The gateau looks lovely - don't think I would have the patience to try it though!! Again maybe just as well from the point of view of my waistline. We have lots of columbines growing in the garden but mainly the dark blue self seeded variety but pretty none the less. Hope your students will not suffer too much from finding working alone difficult and may perhaps find a way to catch up later. I know how difficult I would find it as I need to ask questions and often in the asking discover the answers for myself but that wouldn't hapen if I tried on line learning as I have discovered.
ReplyDeletey heart goes out to all those students struggling at home. My daughter is a maths teacher and is finding it hard to get some of the students on board with independent home learning. There home circumstances are not conducive to learning. I pray that this will not have adverse effects on them. On a lighter note I loved your little tea cup display, so very pretty. Take care and stay safe.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is finding similar problems with her Uni students on line. It is going to have far reaching effects I think.
ReplyDeleteColumbines are such sweet plants, and they have self seeded here to the point where I have had to pull some up. The colours seem to fade on the self seeded ones.
How brave to try a Gateau St Honore! I bet it tasted superbe!
Your flowers are so pretty. I can not imagine being a teacher or student during this craziness.
ReplyDeleteYou can come bake at my house any day! That Gateau St. Honore looks so divine.
ReplyDeleteFotoğraflar çok güzel:)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on baking such complicated patisserie, it looked amazing I'm not at all surprised that there wasn't any to take home afterwards. Yesterday the lockdown restrictions here in UK were relaxed slightly and we were able to head to the garden centre at last, such bliss! I hope that soon I'll to be able to shop a little further afield than just down in the village as baking supplies are very low and I'd like to bake something this weekend. I don't imagine it will be anything like as special as your gateau though!
ReplyDeleteI can empathize with both teachers and students in these challenging times. With so much uncertainty it must be difficult to focus on schoolwork. Everyone is in limbo and trying to keep positive. Hopefully some order and structure will return when school in the classrooms resumes.
ReplyDeleteYour wee post of flowers look so cheerful and I am most impressed by your baking skills! Tea time will be a real treat at your house!
Let's see, it's Thursday. I have seen no one and have had two phone calls. One from my sister and the other from my sister-in-law. Life is pitifully slow and I am lonely, but not alone. It's been too chilly and windy to work outside, but the sun is shining. Though I made Monkey bread yesterday, it is not wise for a person alone to bake. I have frozen most of it, okay, half of it.
ReplyDeleteYes, students are languishing. I fear for all of them, including my own grandsons. One does his work diligently; the other is giving his parents a rough time. 🤦🏻♀️
Your cookbook sounds adventuresome, but it looks like you are up to the challenge! I am sure that your family will be happy to taste test as you learn. As always, you have lovely things in your garden. The columbines are so pretty and delicate.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that it is difficult for some learners to adapt to a whole new way of learning. Especially, I pray for those who are in unhealthy home environments.
Dear Lorrie,
ReplyDeleteIt's the highlight of my morning when I see that you have written a new blog post. I feel sorry for your students and for you. It must be very hard to stay on track when not in a structured environment.
The cup bouquet is a lovely way to honor a friend.
ReplyDeleteThe profiteroles look scrumptious!
Container gardening here. I;m finding it sad there aren't more wood planters in the area at a decent price. For a hundred dollars I could make two of my own.
I used to have columbine in my garden at our previous house. I love that deep colored one! I may need to add columbine into this garden!
ReplyDeleteLorrie, as I look back through your posts in catching up, I am struck yet again at how consistently beautiful your posts are. We share so many of the same interests, I notice... flowers and gardening, baking, good books (noting the Susan Branch books... such an easy read and so interesting), I tend to make the same granola that you do (however, I have started leaving out the cinnamon, adding pecans, and using maple syrup in mine), education (although I am thankful to have completed my homeschooling career!), and more. May God continue to bless you!
ReplyDeleteThis post has been like a ray of sunshine on dreary, rainy day. Outside it is looking rather dull and it is to cold to be out there, but this post brought sunlight and warmth. Thank-you.
ReplyDeleteoh oh oh, I may have to get my sister that book!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove your pale columbine . Love all your photos.
I love that tea cup with pretty flowers in it. I should do that in my kitchen on the bar! Do you ever see something and wonder...why didn't I think of that! I've pulled out my old recipes to make favorites I haven't made in years. I love cookbooks! Enjoy your evening!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Lorrie! I so enjoy your beautiful photos and evocative prose. Like a balm in these oh-so-strange days.
ReplyDeleteYour baking game is already on top!, those look amazing and of course I have not idea how to pronounce them!
ReplyDeleteIt's sooo sad about the students. My girls are done now with even online classes and it's so sad. So many kids are so alone at home while parents worry and work about the world. I'm so very grateful I can be home with my kids for now.
So pleased you are enjoying your new cookery book. Will Torrent was at school with one of our sons, and I can remember he always had a love for cooking.
ReplyDeleteTalking of school, the grandchildren are doing well with their home schooling but they are getting a lot of encouragement from both school and parents, which I always think is so important. However, I really hope things can go back to a more normal situation soon.
Wishing you a happy weekend.
All the best Jan
I have been curious about how the teaching was going. Our town is trying to figure out how to have graduation. Our restrictions are loosening up. Take care! Kit
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to remember a friend. A truly lovely teacup bouquet. Your Gateau St. Honoré looks absolutely delicious. It is one of my favorite things to eat in France.
ReplyDeleteLorrie, what beautiful flowers, sadly I've never had success with columbines, like lupines and delphiniums, they don't do well in our climate.
ReplyDeleteYour baking certainly doesn't require improvement - it always looks so professional and I'm sure tastes amazing! A new cookbook is always fun though. Right now I'm putting baking anything on hold - the pounds have crept back with too much flour and sugar, so I need to get back on track or my summer will be uncomfortable. . . . . . . .in too snug linen pants, haha!!!!!!
Love the teacup garden. Oh you knew I would love that.
ReplyDeleteThe St. Honore is not something I have ever thought of making, but looks soooo delicious.
Love, love the yellow poppies! I would love them in my garden too.
I have been seeing quite a few columbine's in my neighborhood when I go walking, but have not grown any in our garden. I might need to try some, I do love them so.
Good luck finishing up school.
There's research on how circadian clocks shift during the hormonal teen years which causes teenagers to be more alert at night. Some schools have tried to schedule classes later in the morning to accommodate this.
ReplyDeleteSelf-directed virtual learning is definitely a challenge for students of all grades. I thought I read somewhere that B.C. may be re-opening the schools next month?
P.S. Forgot to mention that the cake looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming tiny bouquet you have placed in this beautiful teacup. Aquilegias are not yet in bloom here, nor these yellow poppies - Meconopsis cambrica. They selfseed eagerly in my garden and just where they want! These continue to be challenging times. Take care.
ReplyDelete