A new pool fence.
Today we started the work to hang fish and plant flowers.
Thank goodness we took the time to look up.
Clouds were putting on a show.
They were saying hello,
and thank you for being outside.
We waved and smiled.
Lots of work to do, and we’ll be back outside tomorrow.
Nope, I never want to go inside.
Home is where the heart is.
Tomorrow is another beautiful day.
Jennie
About Jennie
I have been teaching preschool for over thirty-five years. This is my passion. I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It's the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That's what I write about.
I was a live guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show. I am highlighted in the seventh edition of Jim Trelease's million-copy bestselling book, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital, and the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
A Teacher's Reflections 
Your property is absolutely beautiful! What a nice reflection.
Thank you so much!
What did you mean by “hang fish”?
I knew I should have explained that. We have a multitude of fish decor (that’s an understatement 🙂) , from large panels of metal fish to individual fish that hang on the fence posts and panels. Some are jeweled, some are windsocks, some are plates, and some are wood. No two are alike. It’s like an artisan’s shop. Today was arrange and plan and begin. Much more over the next few days. We call our pool, in such a lovely setting, our vacation home. Thank you for asking, Anneli!
Ohhhhh! Okay. I was wondering if you had a cod fish flake and were hanging the fillets to dry. 🙂
I can see how you would wonder that! So funny. 🙂
This sounds so wonderful, Jennie! A really nice property, but a lot of work too. Michael
Thanks, Michael. We’re the little house with the big yard, where most everyone else is the opposite. Suits us fine, with much beauty to see. Hubby loves to mow with a riding mower, so the work is fun.
With a big yard such a mower is best. I am mowing our smaller garden with a traditional skythe. Our neighbour – a really German 😉 – needs the fear in her eyes. Lol
😀
good one…
Thank you!
I can understand why your heart is there, Jennie so beautiful and tranquil 🙂
Thank you, Carol! 🙂
You have a wonderful outlook. Enjoy your summer days, you’ve earned it.
Thank you, Steve!
As always, Jennie, you have brightened another day with your presence and sharing. We so need this today not just in little places, but through the world. I hope it is contagious! Wouldn’t that be wonderful? I wonder if we could send “We Care,” or “We Love You” papers through the world? I think there was something like that with paper clips, though I cannot remember what it was. Maybe someone else remembers. It is something that school children could definitely do. I wonder if there would be a way for children in the U.S. could send notes and drawings to children in other countries. Wouldn’t it be fun for the children to collect what they get back and put them up on the board or display them for everyone to see and learn about that country? Children are the future.
You have some excellent ideas, Anne. And of course I love your thinking. Pen Pals. That’s what we called it way back when. My class has had a soldier Pen Pal. It was wonderful. We also had a school in Romania Pen Pal. It was wonderful. There’s no reason for children not to reach out and write letters back and forth. It sends the message of love and caring. Best to you, Anne.
I might have imagined that you would be out front leading the way to such good things for the children to learn. Growing up, I had a pen pal in Yugoslavia, and it was fun to learn about the good things there and how the people were at the time. That was long before they had some of the present day issues, so it was still I think a good time to be a pen pal. Yes, that is wonderful for the children; it helps them to grow in so many different ways. If I were teaching today, I would do that too. Thank you kindly, Jennie.
We have lost the art of putting our words from thought to pen to paper. This is especially important for children as they develop language and reading skills, and also critical thinking. Stay tuned for my next blog post on exactly this. How wonderful to have had a pen pal from Yugoslavia! Best to you, Anne.
Beautiful place Jennie 👍👍👍👍
Thank you!
Welcome.
So beautiful, Jennie 💜
Thank you, Ritu.❤️
Glorious days, Jennie. Enjoy!
Thank you, Norah. I’m looking forward to many ahead. 🙂
Wonderful!
🙂
It looks like a beautiful house Jennie!! What heinous crimes had the fish committed?
Haha! I should have explained. The fish are art, really. Each one is different. Some are large metal panels, some are jeweled, some are hand painted, and so forth. They hang on the fence panels and on top of the posts. It’s very cool! It takes a few days to do the hanging, and this year with a new fence we’re starting from scratch. Fun!
Your home is picture perfect, Jennie. I hope you enjoy your school holidays, by spending more time around the house. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Pete. We love our back yard. Interestingly, our neighbors all have new huge homes on small lots. We have the opposite, a small older home on a big lot. Wouldn’t want it any other way! Best to you.
I was also in a “never want to go inside” frame of mind yesterday. I was back in Vermont visiting my cousin, with the sun and the mountains and the flowers in all their splendor.
I can picture it now! Vermont is gorgeous. I’d never want to leave, either. Western Massachusetts is pretty close to being like Vermont. I go out to the Eric Carle Museum as often as I can, and I ‘take it all in’.
I hadn’t heard of the Eric Carle Museum, so I took a peek online. Makes me wish I had a grandchild or two to take over there.
The museum is dedicated to the art of illustrators. My first visit I saw the original illustration of Ezra Jack Keats book, The Snowy Day. I was shocked to learn it was made from cut linoleum. The museum has displayed the original Make Way For Ducklings illustrations. Seeing Madeline up close with every brush stroke was moving for me. Poor hubby gave me the ‘please don’t cry’ whisper through clenched teeth. 🙂 For me, a reader-aloud of children’s books, and a lover of art and museums, I get to see the real deal. Apologies for such a long response, Liz.
No need to apologize, Jennie. I read your response with interest and appreciation.
😀
I am glad to see you enjoying your holiday, Jennie.
Thank you, Robbie.
Very pretty, Jennie. I can see why you don’t want to go inside. Enjoy your summer!
Thank you, Dan. It’s popular here to have a huge house and small yard. We’re glad to have the opposite.
Wonderful 💥💥💙
Thank you!
A fabulous setting. I can’t wait to see it after the fish are hung.
Thanks, Darlene!
I think I’d like that room under the slanted roof.
It’s actually the back end of the garage, a storage area. 🙂
You have a beautiful property, Jennie. 🙂
Thank you, Magarisa. 🙂
My pleasure, Jennie.
🙂
What a lovely house – and a super garden! I love the stand of lovely bright yellow flowers… what are they?
They’re called sun drops. Just before they bloom the bud looks red. They really exploded this year. 🙂 Thank you, Sarah!
They look amazing…
Thank you. 🙂
Jennie, this is beautiful!
Thank you, Charles!
I thought that’s what you meant. 🙂 Your place looks so peaceful. Have fun with the fish. ;0
Thanks, Marlene. 🙂
Beautiful Jennie. Time for you to enjoy your home til next school year. And those clouds – there’s a whole story or two there! 🙂 xx
Thank you, Debby. Yes, I think there’s plenty of stories in those clouds. When they roll by it is rather humbling. I feel lucky to see their show.
Stay blessed 🙂
😍
You have such a beautiful place, Jennie. Our house was that same colour when we bought it and I’m keeping it like that.
Ours was this color when we bought it, too. It’s a good color, a ‘feel good’ color 🙂. Best to you, Jean.
This soothed my troubled soul.
Thanks, Jennie.
I’m so glad, Hook. Thank you! 🙂
lovely house and landscapes around.
Thank you!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying summer, Jennie. Your home is purely lovely — and that cloudscape is glorious! Hugs.
Thanks, Teagan. Hugs! ❤️
How lovely it all looks. The view from the pool is fabulous. I wouldn’t want to go inside either!
Today the clouds were lovely. Many were heart shaped. ❤️
Thank you! We feel it is paradise, and stay outside as long as we can. You saw heart shaped clouds? That is wonderful!
What a lovely home!
Thank you!
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Thank you! Lovely blog. 🙂
Gorgeous house! Enjoy your summer!
Thank you, Kally!
Beautiful home, really beautifulhttp://havenreverie.wordpress.com
Thank you.
I have honestly been so horrified that many if not most of our schools today no longer teach cursive writing, let alone letter writing. It really was a joy and a treasure to get a letter in the mail. So much more excitement and something wonderful to hold onto than just most e-mail, which comes in sort of lacking in color and expectation. I am not saying I don’t enjoy hearing from people, but it really isn’t and to me, never will be as wonderful as writing a real letter. Thank you always, Jennie.
You are so right, Anne. The ease of technology has left handwriting and letter writing in the dust. Very sad. Many children will never know that thrill of getting a letter in the mail, or of writing one. Many thanks.