Teacher Gifts

Ok, so it is that time again and I don't want to sound like an ungrateful teacher but I might lose it if I get another mug and/or tote bag.  I know that it can be hard to come up with teacher gifts so I am going to give you a few do's and don'ts for the best teacher gifts.  Well in my humble opinion, anyway.

1. Don't give mugs or tote bags.  You may think they are cute and that we can use them.  We use the numerous mugs to hold pencils, markers, paintbrushes, etc.  There are only so many you can use.  The same with the totes, unless they are like the Envirosax in my earlier posts please think again.

2. Don't give flavored coffee, regular coffee or tea unless you know what the person drinks.  I am a tea drinker only and when I get coffee I have to re-gift it.  Even coffee can be an issue, if it is ground it might not be right for the teacher's machine at home.  Whole bean could be problematic if they don't have a grinder.  Do give a gift card to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, you can always find something with those.

3. Don't give perfume or heavily scented body products, unless you know the teacher's signature scent.  I have two perfumes I have never used.  Do give lightly scented hand sanitizers and hand creams.

4. Don't give bank gift cards.   Believe it or not if you do not use the entire amount the first time, you may not be able to use the rest unless you contact the company.  You always have to know exactly what is on it.  You can give cash.

5. Don't give chocolates unless you know the teacher is a chocoholic.  We get so many boxes that we would go into sugar shock if we attempted to eat them all.  Not to mention if the teacher is diabetic they can't even partake.

That sounds like a lot of don'ts but, I promise there are some good do's coming up.

1. Do give stationary.  We go through so much stationary.  Thank yous and blank cards are perfect.  If you can get the stationary personalized even better.  I love the personalized stationary I have, and use it all the time

2. Do give monogrammed post-its.  We use post-its on everything.  Post-it makes letter stationary in various different sizes.

3. Do give gifts cards.

• Target is always a winner since you can get anything.
• Barnes & Noble carries books, dvds and cds
• Teacher stores (find them locally)
• Scholastic gift cards
• Staples are always useful when we run out of classroom supplies and are purchasing out of our pockets.
• Local restaurants the teachers frequent.
• Shops you know they frequent.  Two parents were very in tune with my clothes and accessories and got me gift cards to my favorite stores.  If you are very attentive you can make a teacher's day by getting that thoughtful gift card.

4. Do give cash, it is always good.

5. Do make sure to include a thoughtful card or letter explaining your appreciation and/or the growth you have seen in your child.  Those are the things we keep and cherish.

The best and most inexpensive gift you can give a teacher is a letter to their principal or district explaining what a great job they are doing.  Those letters actually get put in a file and are considered for tenure and teacher of the year awards.  Make sure you send the teacher a copy.  These mean the world to us.

Teaching is all about giving everything to the children you are teaching, so above all make sure the teacher knows you appreciate them.  

Small Business Saturday

If you are braving the shopping world today and have an Amex you should really sign up for small business Saturday.  When you spend $25 or more at a registered small business you get $25 back from Amex.  It is a win- win, the small business will make money back too.

So before you sent foot in a big box store, think again and make some money back.  You can like the this on facebook or go directly to the American Express site.

Happy Shopping!

Holiday Cookies

As the holiday season approaches many of us will be looking for cookie recipes.  This recipe is simple and you can make it however you wish.  You can even freeze them for later use.  The cookies come out delicious, just ask anyone who works with me. They were snatched up in an instant and requests for the recipe came flying in.  

Icebox Shortbread

Prep – 25 minutes (1 – 1 1/2 hour refrigerated time)

Cooking Time – 15-20 minutes

Servings – 36 cookies

•       1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
•       1 cup confectioners’ sugar
•       1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•       1/2 teaspoon salt
•       2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling
•       mix-ins and coatings (see below)

1.    With an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, vanilla and salt until smooth.

2.   With mixer on low speed, add flour, mixing until a dough forms.

3.   Stir in desired mix-ins

4.   Divide dough in half; place half on a piece of floured waxed or parchment paper.

5.   With floured hands gently roll each half into 1 1/2 inch diameter log

6.   If using a coating, roll the coating on the outside here

7.   Wrap logs tightly in paper and refrigerate until firm, 1 to 1 1/2 hours

8.   Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

9.   Unwrap log; slice dough 1/2 thick. Arrange slices 1 inch apart on baking sheet.

10.  Bake until lightly golden around edges, 15-20 minutes.

11.  Cool on baking sheet 1-2 minutes, transfer to wire rack to cool completely

Mix Ins

• Grated zest of 2 oranges & 1/2 cup of dried cranberries
• Grated zest of 2 lemons & coat with 1/4 cup poppy seeds
• Grated zest of 2 lemons & 1/2 cup of dried blueberries
• Grated zest of 2 limes & coat with  1/4 cup of cornmeal
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots & coat with 1/2 cup finely chopped pistachios
• 1/4 cup finely chopped candied ginger & coat with 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots & 1/2 cup of rough chopped cashews
• 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips or peanut butter chips.  For combination add a 1/4 of each.

Play with the mix-ins and enjoy!  I would have a picture to post but they don't even last long enough for me to grab the camera.

Sherlock

I am clamoring for the next season, of Masterpiece Mystery's Sherlock.  I was flipping channels one night and trying to avoid more reality dreck, when I came upon this modern Sherlock Holmes.  I went so far as to donate to PBS so I can have the episodes to watch at my will.  I LOVE IT!

This modern version features Benedict Cumberbatch, as Sherlock.  It does not shy away from technology, but embraces it, making Sherlock an avid texter and blogger.  He is an absolutely perfect Sherlock, arrogant yet lovable.

 Watson also blogs which gets the team in a little bit of trouble.  Watson is played by Martin Freeman who you might recognize from the remake of The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy.    Watson is not the bumbling idiot which many versions make him out to be. He is the straight man to Sherlock's dry humor.

Unfortunately, there are only 3 episodes in season 1.  There are an hour and a half long, so they are really like mini movies.  Each episode makes you want to know each character more and more.  I can't wait for the next season.  Please give it a try and I swear you will be waiting with baited breath too.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/sherlock/index.html

Netflix

I don't know why I haven't reviewed this before, since I have been addicted since I gave it to my brother as a gift last christmas.  Netflix is amazing!!!

I purchased the two disc at a time program and cannot be happier.  By having the two disc option you can always have a disc if you time your returns right.  When I am done the new disc usually arrives in two days. If you ever encounter a scratched or skipping disc you report it online and a new disc will be mailed instantly, without the original needing to arrive first.

I will admit the discs are not what makes me love netflix.

Instant play is the best decision ever made.  I bought a Roku which streams the video into  my HD tv.  Instant play has allowed me to catch up on tv that I have missed and see movies on a whim.  It is perfect for people with ADD.  You know the "Did you see ...., lets see if its on instant play?"

The price seems high but if you use the system the way we do it is totally worth it.  Everyday my netflix account is used.

If you are a movie lover you need to try this. http://www.netflix.com/FreeTrialInfo

Rosemary's Baby

After watching this horror/thriller classic I am left wanting.

The plot features a married couple who move into a new apartment with a shared wall.  On the other side of the wall is a meddling elderly couple.  The husband embraces the next door neighbors while Rosemary is not so sure.

Early on Rosemary gets pregnant, after experiencing an odd dream.  For the majority of the pregnancy she is sick.  The film takes a while to get moving and when it does you know what is coming.   I wasn't even sure I wanted to help Rosemary since she was not thinking for herself.

It is not scary and not thrilling.  I am glad I watched the well known film but will probably not watch it again.

The best part, "He has his father's eyes."

Smashburger

So we decided to try this new place, and I was so disappointed.  The sign looks exactly like a game stop sign, that should have been a clue.

You order at the entrance closest to the parking lot.   I will admit that the cashier got a Louis C.K. reference which we thought was a good omen.   Unfortunately we were wrong.  After ordering you take your number to a very uncomfortable booth and wait for your food to be delivered.

We ordered a cheddar bacon bbq burger, a chili cheese dog, haystack onions, smash fries and fried pickles.

When you order a burger they don't ask you how you want it cooked.  If you build a burger because you don't like the choices (which are few) everything costs extra. The burger is smashed which makes it look like a Sysco burger, then again it just might be.  My burger was overcooked by my standards.  I am a medium rare girl.

The chili cheese dog is cut in half and cooked on the grill.  The hot dog was not crispy enough for a snap, boo!  The bun was so overpowering that I couldn't really taste more than egg bun.

The haystack onions were super greasy.  The fries are flavored with garlic, thyme and rosemary, which I have had in other places and loved.  However, in other places the garlic, thyme and rosemary are fresh.  Smashburger's was dried not acceptable.

The only thing worth eating were the fried pickles.

I will never enter this establishment again unless I need fried pickles and I doubt that will happen for a long time.

True Blood vs. Sookie Stackhouse Novels

I will admit I was one of the many that was drawn into Charlaine Harris's books through the first season of True Blood.  I was an avid watcher until last Sunday.  I think I might actually be giving the show up, yes that's right  my guilty pleasure is no longer.

If you like the show and are slightly (or more so) confused by the story line, please pick up the books.  Charlaine Harris has written 10 books in the series.  At first the show was following the series, the first season was based on the first book.  Which made me totally love the series and the books.  I read every book I could get my hands on and then pre-ordered the rest.

Then season 2 happened.  I am not really sure where that came from and I am beginning to think that the director has only read the dust jacket and looked at the pretty sparkly pictures on the covers of each book, before writing the season.  The show has added story lines that are not needed (and quite frankly were just terrible), killed characters that are needed for later in the story arch, disregarded important relationships and expanded characters that are not needed.

Basically if you love the show, try the books and you will be hooked on these beach reads.  They are just a guilty pleasure featuring lots of intimate relationships with the supernatural and fights with the same.

Machete

I love over the top action flicks.  Machete is absolutely that kind of film.  Severed heads and blood everywhere.  This film is not for the faint of heart.  Danny Trejo is amazing as an ex-Federale who after immigrating to the United States seeks revenge against those who destroyed his family.

Just in case you don't know the background, this movie was created by Robert Rodriguez, who wrote Grindhouse.  In the movie Grindhouse a trailer for Machete is shown.  Fans of Grindhouse were clamoring for the movie Machete to actually be made, and well it is here in all its B-movie glory.

Even though this movie has a slightly political agenda you needs to leave your brain at the door to enjoy it. There is blood and guts in almost every scene, as well as a star studded cast.  Danny Trejo is my hero!

If you love a manly, bloody, often funny movie go for it.  and remember "Machete doesn't text!"

Jenny Jump State Forest

Myself, my brother and a group of friends decided to camp locally over the weekend.  We choose Jenny Jump State Forest.  This state park is approximately 2 hours from Manhattan.  It features panoramic views of the Highlands and the Kittatinny Mountains atop Jenny Jump mountain.  The park has eleven miles of hiking trails.

The campgrounds come in two sizes, family (6 people, 2 cars, $20 a night) and group (20-45 people, $25 a night).  You can camp from April 1st till October 31st.  Each site is within walking distance of composting toilets and showers.  There are also fire rings and picnic tables at each site.  If you are a fisherman you can fish in your choice of two lakes and a brook.

The drawbacks to this park are few.  Alcohol is prohibited since it is a state park, so if you like a frosty beverage in your hand while tending the fire think again.  Pet are also prohibited in overnight stays so leave the pup at home.  The quiet hours start at 10 and sound travels far, therefore make sure you are quiet before then otherwise you will be visited by a park ranger.

Jenny Jump Information

Flip Camera

My mother decided to buy the Flip Camera for my brother's trip to the Dominican Republic.  He and I used it on our vacations.  The Flip Camera is easy to use and produces amazing HD video.  I will admit I was a little quick with the panning and my brother was a little jumpy.  I think that all cameras take some getting used to, but the results are amazing.

You can check it out on their home page.

My only complaints are that the camera only charges through your laptop.   As well as every time you erase what is in the camera it starts naming the videos with 00001 again.  Therefore as soon as you download the videos you must name them, otherwise they will be replaced by the new one each time.

Colosseum & Roman Forum

At the bottom of the pic you can see the line.

When visiting Rome of course you want to see everything there is to see.  However the long lines might deter you from entering, or they may make you miss something that you also wanted to see.  Here is a quick tip that can save you from hours standing on line.

The Colosseum and the Roman Forum are right next to each other.  The line of the Colosseum is normally wrapped around the colonnade and out in the blistering sun.  However the entrance to the forum seems to be a little less crazy.  Go and buy your ticket at the Forum!  The tickets are good for two days and include the Forum, Palatine Hill and the Colosseum.







The only thing that is a little confusing is how to use that pre-purchased ticket to by pass the line at the Colosseum.  The line you see is to buy the tickets.  Take your ticket and walk on the left side of the line. This is where the pre-purchased and Roma Ticket holders go.

You completely skip the line and get to enjoy the ruins without ruining your day.

Back to School

So I am back from Italy and have much to share, but all that is on my mind is SCHOOL.  

What most people don't know is teachers are just as nervous as the children.  We start thinking about classroom set-up, supplies and the kids in the first week in August.  No matter when we can start setting up, we never feel that there is enough time.  There is always some sort of work that is done over the summer and we start almost from scratch every year.

We don't say I have work tomorrow, we say I have school tomorrow.  Therefore we suffer from the first day jitters every year.  Imagine having new co-workers (parents) and clients (the students) every year, and you might begin to see where the stress comes from.

So. . . . .If you know a teacher offer to give them a hand in anyway you can.  It will be appreciated as more than you can imagine.

Italia

I'll be traveling in Italy collecting lots of stuff to review.  So until then watch Monster Squad.

Monster Squad

The love affair with Monster Squad is over 20 years old.  This much beloved movie has been watched by my family more times than we can count, well that was until it was taped over.  My Grandfather taped a copy off of cable and it accidently was destroyed.  From that moment on we searched for over a decade for a new copy.  Even Farmer Wade got in on helping find it, that meant most of the East Coast was covered in this search.  Library sales, garage sales and video rental sales were all searched.  You may wonder why not just buy a new copy.  The short of it is the rights to the movie were in legal limbo.  So the only available copies were VHS released once in 1988.

I know what your thinking why care so much for a silly horror (not even close)/comedy.  It is a piece of my childhood which of course holds a special place, but it is brilliant in a campy way.  My family still quotes the film. Monster Squad is as if the Little Rascals meet monsters who are trying to take over the world. The original Preview can be seen at this link.

Sean who is the leader of the monster squad ( a group of kids who love monsters)  gets Van Helsing's diary from a garage sale. Unfortunately, the diary is in German, so he goes to "Scary German Guy's" house to have it translated.  During the translation the squad finds out that there needs to be a balance between good and evil.  That balance is controlled by an all  goodencompassing  amulet.  Of course the monsters lead by Dracula want the amulet so that they can have the world ruled by evil.

The rest of the movie is how the children of the monster squad save the world from Dracula, Wolfman, Mummy, Gilman (creature from the black lagoon look alike), Frankenstein and of course EVIL.  I won't ruin it for you but you have to see it.  It is hysterically funny and I promise you will want to have a copy of your own, which is so much easier now.  The film was re-released for its 20th anniversary in 2007.  We literally raced to the store and did a dance in the parking lot.

"Wolfman's got NARDS!"

J2 Jewelry

I am in love with J2 Jewelry, I have purchased two necklaces for myself and one as a gift.  I was playing on Etsy one day when I can across a honeycomb necklace.  I thought about it and searched for it months later.  The honey omb necklace was being made by J2 Jewelry.  I only wear silver and almost all of the products are silver.  Items are made to order and can be customized.

Here are the items that I have ordered:

Podling

The podling is about the size of a dime and sits in the perfect spot on your neck.  It is wonderfully sparkling on the inside and gives a little hint  fun.

Button

The button is just as tiny but with amazing detail.  It has been cast from an antique button the artist found.

Honeycomb

The necklace that started it all is the honeycomb.  It is big enough to make an impact and intrigues others to look at the intricate details.

Every time I have ordered I have received the jewelry in 3 days.  They come in a cute little box with an adorable handmade tag.  The artist always writes a little note that gives you a connection J2 and their jewelry.

Please check out her home page on Etsy and look at these wonderful little treasures.J2 Jewelry

The Poisoner's Handbook

Summer is the time for book reading for most people, especially me.  The Poisoner's Handbook by Pulitzer Prize winning Deborah Blum is amazing on so many fronts.  Now the title may sound scary, it is about poison, but not about how to use it.  It is how to catch those people who do use poison, the old fashioned way.  Forensics as we know them have only really been around since prohibition and this is their story.

Modern forensics owe a lot to two men from New York, first chief medical examiner Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler, toxicologist.  Before Norris medical examiners could be anyone doctors, funeral directors, musicians.  There was no standard until Norris sunk his own money into the examiner's office as well as Bellevue hospital.  This dynamic team solved so many murders and accidents because of their desire to continue against all odds.

The chapters are set up by poison. Each chapter shows how Norris and Gettler managed to find a definitive way to prove the specific poison caused the death.  It also contains the fight against city hall for keeping the office running.  Even Laguardia took away their clocks to save money.

If you love the history of Prohibition, this is the book for you.  It maps the rise of rail liquor in New York City and the results of drinking this liquor.  During prohibition there were more alcohol related deaths than before its inception.  Norris & Gettler found a way to prove prohibition was killing us and that stiff drinks were making us stiffs.

If you like history, forensics, prohibition or New York pick up this unassuming book.

Nasty Bits & Medium Raw

For years my family and I have been huge fans of Anthony Bourdain.  We have watched every episode of a Cook's Tour and No Reservations, and even have it on our instant play when we feel the urge for some snarky banter.  Our addiction all started with a book called, Kitchen Confidential, you may have heard of it.

Kitchen Confidential hurled Bourdain from chef to writer/tv personality.  Nasty Bits is everything that didn't make it into No Reservations as well as some background on what has happened since he became a celebrity.  His voice is unmistakable in his writing, you can actually hear his voice while you read it.  Nasty Bits also contains an addendum to perviously written works, which lend a little more clarity to what we already know.

Medium Raw is Bourdain's newest book, and it does not fail to please.  He explains why he loves some chefs and can't stand others.  He has even changed his view on Rocco and Emeril.  Bourdain also explains how his life has changed since his daughter and all the traveling.

If you love Bourdain you have to read these books and gain greater insight into the man we love to watch eat God knows what in places we would all love to see.

Yelp

Ever looking for somewhere to eat or shop and you want something new.  I always turn to yelp, www.yelp.com

Yelp is basically a blogger reviewers page.  Each review is kept listed and is averaged for stars.  I like this method, better than the other old fashioned style books or newspaper reviews since there are way more people's opinions.  Even better if you find someone whose reviews are to your liking you can become a follower.

I use yelp mostly for food, but you can find just about anything.  Its also a good way to keep a food diary of places you loved or worse hated.  I you are interested in my reviews check out copious424.yelp.com

Once you try yelp you will become a yelper yourself, most people do.

Skippyjon Jones

As some of you may know I teach, young children to be exact.  If you are looking for a series that children love you need to take a look at Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner.

http://www.skippyjonjones.com/

It is all about a Siamese cat that has a wild imagination.  Every time he gets in trouble an adventure ensues when he enters his closet.  He transforms from a Siamese cat to a Chihuahua, because "his ears are to big for his head."

The children laugh uproariously at all the Spanish words used by the Los Chimichangos.  They are the group of spanish speaking dogs, Skippy is always saving.  He encounters a giant bumblebee, dinosaurs, mummies and even travels to mars.

Lost in Spice comes with a CD reading from the author.  My class always choose this book over all the other books on CD when it is there turn.

Skippy lets children use their imaginations.  My class choose Skippy as our favorite character for Read Across America Week.  Each child wrote their own Skippyjon Jones stories, some examples they came up with were Skippyjon Jones in Candyland, in the World Cup and many others.  This is a great way to get your child writing in an imaginative way.

Give this series a try and the children in your life will be hooked.

Sopa de Tortilla

I was obsessed with this soup about ten years ago, to the point where the family banned it from the menu.  It is a super simple soup which is really the answer to left overs.  You can put anything in this base soup such as chicken or beans.

You need a few key ingredients that can be found in any well stocked pantry

• 2 tomatoes, broiled
• 2 T corn oil
• 2 med onions, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 2 pasilla or ancho chilis, chopped 
• cilantro (to taste)
• 12 cups of broth
• oregano (to taste)

 You will first need to place the dried peppers in boiling water so they are ready when you need them.

Broil the tomatoes, this can be done in the oven, toaster oven or even over a gas burner in a pinch. After the tomatoes have been broiled to the point the skin is coming off by itself, peel and place in food processor or blender.  Blend until smooth.

While the tomatoes are broiling, heat oil and onions until they are transparent.  When transparent add garlic, salt and pepper, heat until fragrant.  At the point the mixture is heated through add to the blender and blend until lumps are gone.

Place the blended mixture in the pan and heat on medium until it is thicker and darker in color.

 When darker add broth, cilantro, oregano and pepper (I have been know to use any pepper, fresh or

dried.  If it is fresh broil it with the tomatoes). 

I like to blend the pepper with a cup of broth to make sure it is chopped well

Simply simmer partially covered for 30 minutes.  Add whatever you want for protein to the soup.

The soup can be topped with cheese, sour cream, cilantro, oregano, crisped tortilla slivers or tortilla chips.

The soup is simple and tasty.  You can make it anyway you want it a little taste of Mexico from your pantry.  Just don't make it too often or too might be banned from making it.

Envirosax

I don't proclaim to be the greenest person, but there are things that I do that are green.  I have many different reusable bags, ones that stand on their own but can't be rolled up. Bags that are kept in pouches when not in use, that always have shoulder straps that seem long enough until filled with groceries. They each have their flaws. I LOVE envirosax. www.envirosax.com

I cannot find one flaw with the envirosax bags. The bag rolls up to about 4 inches by 1.5 inches.

 

When open it is 19.5 x 16.5 inches. Believe it or not this bag can hold 44 lbs and only weighs 1.4 oz.

 I have tested it over the past three years and it has never failed. I have carried anything from groceries to library books. They are completely washable!!!

The best part about these bags is you can have a collection in your purse at all times. Which means you never forget to bring them. I usually have three on me at all times. That 5 additional ounces is never noticed in the purse. So whether you know you are going to need them, or you just happen to need one you are always ready.

They come in all sorts of colors and patterns. There are collections but I purchased all of mine at different times so they don't match. There are bags for kids too, even Sesame Street themed.

Give these bags a try and you will never go back.

New Addiction

For days I have been thinking about starting a blog. I love to try new things and love to share them with others. What better way than to start a blog. I will write reviews about books, food, restaurants, products and awesome things I find along the way. I might every once in a while add a rant or opinion. So stay posted and see what comes up.