Monday, February 15, 2010

Tulips


Oh, don't you crave SPRING? I do. It's so cold outside that watching the bundled up dog walkers makes me want to take a hot bath!

I'm so thankful for my Valentine tulips. Every memory I have of tulips is a good memory! My mother put them in our bedroom and we spent our nap time tearing them apart and creating tulip petal boats for tiny, plastic dolls. My mother always praised the crocus, the daffodils, and the tulips when they arrived MUCH earlier than they do here. All the Dutch tulip growers in my home county were appreciated when the miles and miles of tulips bloomed in the spring. We used the cut-off tops for mosaics on the school lawn when we tried out for cheerleader. "VOTE for Karen" in varied tulip colors was an astounding campaign pitch! I always admire the creativity when a young man gives tulips instead of roses - gutsy, I think. Don't they look good enough to eat? They smell good enough to eat, too!


I ordered myself a book from my childhood recently. My own Edith book is around here somewhere (or maybe my mom has it) and even though her story made my little conflict- avoiding self feel unsettled, I looked at it over and over again. Now I love the bears as much as I loved Edith then. My dear neighbor Reve's first grade teacher handwriting reminds me that this IS a new year and NEW is good. April made the pretty Valentine cookies and I bought a Martha Stewart Living the other day simply for the elegant images. Sue's letter to me is a work of art - even computer whiz Jeff said so. Sue is a true artist.




We haven't eaten the cookies yet because they're so pretty! Even on Sundays, I am drawn to pink so I don't need a Pink Saturday to admire it, I guess!

Flavia and I have swapped some pictures and her little lolly pop bug delights me!

She also blessed me with a hyacinth from far off Rome. Oh, Flavia. You are so sweet. I'm going to put you in the Nice People Hall of Fame.
Real quick, one more thing. I read some blogs today about the pancake day for the beginning of Lent and it reminded me of a pancake story. On Susan Branch's web site I read a pancake story a few years ago and it inspired me to make pancakes for the kids at school. This particular year the administrators had decided to make the kids go to their home rooms so they wouldn't get into trouble around the school. This lasted just one year, but during that year I made pancakes on Thursdays. Now I don't quite know how I mustered up the "verve" for it, but I bought bags and bags of pancake mix, toted my skillet to school, tied my pink apron around my waist and started cooking. I made piles and piles of pancakes and the smell drew them into my classroom. Most of the kids were unfamiliar to me. They weren't in any of my classes but they LOVED those pancakes. They drizzled their cakes with syrup, drank a bit of orange juice, and went on their way. A few teachers popped in for a plate of pancakes, too. I hope that when they remember the pancake days, they are inspired to cook for others, to share a simple gift, to take care of the people in their lives. Elizabeth's French pancakes look delicious today and Angela's scones are lovely. My stomach is growling but I fear I'll be sorry if I give it pancakes. A boiled egg sounds better - I have a lot of grading to do.
Yahoo for the U.S. Presidents and a day off! I hope your Monday is sunny and happy and creative. I may knit a row or two.
(BIG hug and a smooch!)

18 comments:

Marcie said...

Happy Valentine's Day, Presidents Day, and Chinese New Year to you, dear friend. Pile on the holidays; the more the merrier! :)

I love Flavia's valetine bug. I may have to borrow that idea when I'm a teacher. It would be fun to give one to each child in my class.

I wish you a beautiful day.

Kari of Writing Up A Storm said...

Oh, I have always loved tulips, too. Someone showed me how to draw them, with three little peaks for petals, in second grade, and I was so proud of myself. I have never heard of that book, The Lonely Doll, but I am intrigued by the cover. I just put it on my library list. And pancakes for the whole world! That sounds just like you!! xo Kari

CC said...

I also would like to wish you a Happy Valentines Day..Presidents Day..and Happy Chinese New Year..I agree,the more holidays,the merrier.
I love,love your beautiful flowers and your sweet memories...and oooo,the hyacinth...it's my favorite flower,the smell of it is just magical..this was such a lovely post..oh hurry spring flowers.

GwendolynKay said...

Beautiful tulips! Sounds like you had a great day. I find my toe tapping to your music here. love it.
blessings!
Gwen

Gigi said...

My goodness -- pancakes and more pancakes! You are truly amazing, Pom! I bet all those recipients of all that pancake love still remember you with happy thoughts and smiles.
Blessings,
G
And enjoy your day off (I say this with great generosity of spirit as I'm NOT off today ;-).

ThriftyAnnabella said...

That little lollipop bug is so cute - thanks for sharing.

SuKnitWitty said...

"Remember that PancakeTeacher? She was the coolest of the Cool"! That's what I heard...yep it was the talk of Jr.Highs in three states! They are right!!! PancakePomPom....priceless!

Left-Handed Housewife said...

I love tulips, too, and I love that you made pancakes at school. I bet the kids will always remember that.

xofrances

Gumbo Lily said...

I just love tulips! I can hardly wait until May when they'll be popping up in my yard.

I love pancakes too. Especially with peanut butter and real maple syrup. YUM!

Happy President's Day.
Jody

Charlotte said...

Love your tulips, they are beautiful.

Spring is almost here now. I can see snowdrops out of my office window, and the birds are tweeting - I think they can sense the weather changing.

Love the heart cookies, and we are having pancakes tonight. Have bought a new pan and everything :-)

Love Charlotte
xxx

Vicki said...

Hello, PomPom,
I, too, love tulips, and yours are so bright and cheerful!! I am longing for spring. I even planted a few pots of flowers that I have to cover at night, but I don't care. I needed to see flowers! Thank you for all you do for your students! I know they must love coming to your class! The pancakes were a wonderful idea, and I am getting hungry just thinking about them! I hope you are having a lovely week! Vicki

Pom Pom said...

We all love tulips! Tulips all around! Thank you for all the good cheer, my lovely friends!

Kerri said...

A BIG hug and a smooch right back at ya!

Heart Felt said...

What stunning tulips, such bright colors. Spring hope! xx

Amelia said...

lovely and I adore tulips - one of my favourite types of flowers!

Amelia.x

GretchenJoanna said...

My children and I borrowed The Lonely Doll and another one about Edith many times from the library! Thanks for the reminder (sigh).

Anonymous said...

We had a sunny day today which was so nice. With all of the warmer weather we've had ~ we've heard that the tulips will be ready before the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival starts this year. Last year we went and the tulips were late ~ and we just saw daffodils!

Your tulips are beautiful, Pom Pom!

Blessings,
Sharon

The dB family said...

I'm sure that pancake day will be well remembered by students and teachers alike. Dearest Pom Pom, you have the kindest, most giving heart of anyone I know.

Love all the inspiring pink photos!

A big hug and a smooch to you too!!

Blessings!
Deborah

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