Besties Cook: August 2012

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Goings on

It's been great running weather. I heart my teammates from 4 Seasons, free lattes from Panera and cooler temps!

School started on Tuesday. Things are running smoothly, and items on my checklist are getting accomplished. GREAT feeling!!

First American meal for Nate. No...not rice. Jimmy Johns, Reese's peanut butter cups and Coke.

Morning commute, stuck in Dayton Christian traffic. I've forgotten that I need to allow for an extra 10 minutes once school starts. My summer schedule was very relaxed and I'm getting back into the routine, just like the kids!

Portrait, compliments of my dear friend Tara's daughter!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Workshop

I had the privilege of teaching a summer institute workshop this week entitled, Best Instructional Practices. It was an eye opening experience, and I'm very thankful to work with such gracious teachers.
I realized a few things:

1. I had to spend 4-5 hours developing my outline and materials. It was much more time consuming than originally expected.
2. I'm not as clear as I thought! I would really like to develop the workshop and better set of assessments, goals, and expectations.
3. Teaching teachers is TERRIFYING, but I adjusted well after the first day.
4. One hour of teaching/speaking is incredibly draining.
5. One of my assessments was having the teachers prepare a lesson and teach to their peers. I was able to give input, and evaluate, and it was hilarious to see them SCARED of teaching content that is old stuff. I think it was a wonderful exercise and to see them appreciate the constructive input and see the pieces come together was so much fun!
6. Public speaking is nerve wracking, but practice really does make perfect!

Friday night out on the town!

Dewey's Pizza

Mad Frog froyo

Delish!

One of my favorite foods is pizza, and tonight Kevin, Kaitlyn, and I tried out Dewey's Pizza across from UD (University of Dayton). They've really built up the "college strip" (University Ave. for all you Aggie alum's) and Dewey's didn't disappoint. It's a local chain, great atmosphere and excellent food.
We split the house salad, which was amazing! Fresh baby romaine lettuce, warm goat cheese, dried cranberries, and a great balsamic vinaigrette. Our pizza was half white pizza with fresh vegetables, and the other half was a Hawaiian.
If you are in Dayton, it's definitely worth a visit!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Mentor dinner

I almost forgot to write about one new role I'm able to play; high school mentor to an incoming freshman. The city of Dayton selects a group of 50 students and arranges for a full high school tuition scholarship and a mostly full ride scholarship to local colleges/universities.
The College Promise program matches each student with a mentor who will meet with them on a weekly basis; ideally the same individual for the entirety of high school.

I volunteered to mentor one of our new students, Precious. I have the advantage of being an on-site mentor, so she can just pop into my office for our weekly meetings.

Although I'm feeling the crunch of a new year, I have so much to look forward to, and SO much to be thankful for!

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Pinterest loving

I'm starting my birthday promotions well in advance this year; starting with 30th birthday party ideas. Followed by; birthday wishlist. :)

http://pinterest.com/kathleencarl/30th-birthday-party-ideas/

http://pinterest.com/kathleencarl/christmas-wish-list/

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Saturday thoughts

Two of my favorite things. Maybe they should be switched to show the correct order. :) French press, and the book of Isaiah!

Prepping for a workshop that I'm presenting next week. If you remember, pray for me at 1:00pm! It will be an hour long session every day. The topic is Instructional Best Practices. My question is; "aren't I still playing school??" I don't feel old enough to be doing these things.

My Ladybug, or borrowed dog for the weekend. Kevin and Kaitlyn entrusted me with their sweet dog, and house while they're in North Carolina. Lady is my favorite running partner!

A snapshot from work. Small heart palpitations when I think about all that still needs to be completed.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Apple coffee cake

Part of my monthly schedule is attending "A Team" (Admin) meetings with all the building principals and our Academic Dean, Dr. Rough. His lovely wife Cathy always provides a meal. This made an appearance at our least meeting and I had to share!

Apple Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping

2 cups flour

1 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1 t. cinnamon

½ t. salt

1 cup sugar

½ cup packed brown sugar

Stir the above ingredients together in a large bowl. Then stir in the following:

1 stick melted butter*

½ cup applesauce*

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk (I substitute 1 cup milk with 1 T. cider vinegar stirred in)

1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and cut into small pieces

*recipe calls for 2 sticks of melted butter but I like this lower fat version better

Stir all ingredients together and pour into a greased 9” x 13” baking pan. Then in a small bowl stir together the following:

1 cup dry quick-cooking oats

1 t. cinnamon

½ cup packed brown sugar

¼ cup chopped nuts (I used pecans)

½ stick melted butter

Sprinkle over the batter. At this point you can cover the pan and refrigerate overnight. Next morning bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Best news of the summer

This shaggy haired hippie is coming home to live with me!

NYC Candids

I think I might be in NJ, take 1.

Discussing the finer points of a good pie. Pie meaning, pizza pie.

I might be in NJ, take 2.

Beautiful Manhattan! Soho, Tribeca, Greenwich Village, new Freedom Tower.

Hoboken Train terminal

A 3-story REI in the middle of Soho.

My favorite souvenir, plus life changing chocolate cupcakes from Amy's Bread on Bleecker Street.

I might be in NJ, part 3...yes, Manhattan skyline on my morning run.

Self portrait at Starbucks on Broadway. What a fun day!!!

Candids Part 2

Oh yea, I ran a 1/2 marathon in 2:27.

Canton Inaugural 1/2 Marathon, 2012

Chicago candids...

Michigan Ave with middle school girls. Yes, standing in front of the American Girl Doll store!

Girls trip! A week spent in Myrtle Beach is always a hardship...not!

Candids Part 1 and filling in between the pictures!

Wow! I feel like time is LITERALLY flying before my eyes. I have so much to be thankful for! This has been the best summer, and I'm grateful for all the Lord has done, and is continuing to do in my life.

Here are some candids from The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference in Orlando. What a BLESSING to have world class Bible teaching, a 5 star hotel, and a fun girls weekend!