Author Archives: Jennie

Unknown's avatar

About Jennie

I have been teaching preschool for over forty 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.

Milly the Quilter Story – Part 8

Posted on July 16, 2026 by Jennie

In Part 7, the God Bless America quilt was delivered to the Massachusetts Fisher House in Boston.  The plan was to have a grand event and send-off, but the Director asked if Boston could have the quilt.  Headquarters not only agreed, … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Community, Giving, Giving thanks, Heart, Inspiration, military, patriotism, Singing, Teaching young children, The Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 29 Comments

Blood Red Sun

Posted on July 14, 2026 by Jennie

I can’t recall when I’ve seen the sun so red. It was beautiful. Late afternoon today the sky was milky with far-away forest fires. No blue skies, no clouds. The blood red sun was the only beacon. Jennie

Posted in Mother Nature, Nature | Tagged | 39 Comments

Milly the Quilter Story – Part 7

Posted on July 13, 2026 by Jennie

In Part 6, the quilt, Milly, and the children were VIPs aboard the Intrepid Museum in NYC.  What an event!  The museum’s Curator called me to say the quilt was too large to hang at the museum.  Their Executive Board unanimously … Continue reading →

Posted in America, art, Community, Giving, Inspiration, military, patriotism, quilting, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 35 Comments

Milly the Quilter Story – Part 6

Posted on July 9, 2026 by Jennie

In Part 5, the children were over the moon singing “God Bless America” at every opportunity.  We sang for soldiers, and made our own God Bless America book for families, writing and illustrating all the words to the song.  Children still … Continue reading →

Posted in America, art, Community, Giving, Giving thanks, history, Inspiration, military, museums, patriotism, quilting, Singing, The Arts | Tagged , , , , | 51 Comments

My Christmas in July

Posted on July 8, 2026 by Jennie

The past two weeks have been busy with doctor’s appointments and surgery for Hubby. That means a lot of waiting, and for me reading D.L. Finn’s Miracles and Ghosts: A Christmas Collection.  This is the best Christmas in July, ever! … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Review, books, Death and dying, Imagination, Inspiration, reading | Tagged , , | 62 Comments

Milly the Quilter Story – Part 5

Posted on July 6, 2026 by Jennie

In Part 4 the Peace Quilt became part of the permanent collection at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, and Milly became an important part of my classroom.  Children adored her.  She loved singing, and Milly’s favorite song was our favorite … Continue reading →

Posted in America, art, children's books, Inspiration, literacy, museums, patriotism | Tagged , , | 37 Comments

Happy Birthday, America 🇺🇸 Now and Then

Posted on July 4, 2026 by Jennie

Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🇺🇸  Hubby and I celebrated America’s 200th birthday – 50 years ago. Jennie

Posted in America | Tagged , , | 44 Comments

Surviving the New England Heatwave

Posted on July 2, 2026 by Jennie

England, we are feeling your heatwave pain.  We’re at 100, which is rare, and many of us don’t have air conditioning, like you.  We have a pool, thank goodness, but it has been too hot to go outside and take … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 37 Comments

Milly the Quilter Story – Part 4

Posted on July 2, 2026 by Jennie

In Part 3, Milly brought in beautiful fabrics and placed them on the sketch of the Peace Quilt spread out across a big table.  Children came to her like moths to a candle, picking out just the right fabrics.  At … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Community, Expressing words and feelings, Heart, Imagination, Inspiration, museums, Peace, quilting | Tagged , , , | 36 Comments

Milly the Quilter Story – Part 3

Posted on June 29, 2026 by Jennie

In Part 2, Milly came onto the scene, meeting the children and Gloria.  She accepted the “challenge” – as she called it – of quilting a mural which would become a Peace Quilt.  Gloria started the ball rolling with her own … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Community, Gloria, Imagination, Inspiration, Peace, Poetry, quilting, Teaching young children, The Arts | Tagged , , , | 54 Comments