Fancy

My students know how I love to be fancy! Typically, they start to get into the fanciness, but none as much as L.
He came fancy!
From day one, L had a pink feathered plume that "helped" him with his reading (fanciness helps with everything). I had a pink feather boa to remind students not to talk to me while in reading groups with other students; however this brought on such additional conversation with L ("Where did you get that?" "When can I wear it?" "Can I just touch it?") that I had to stop using it as a do-not-disturb signal. L once drew a picture of me and used 5-7 colors for my hair alone, including high-lights and low-lights; the picture was so pretty I seriously considered bringing it to my hair dresser.
Well, fancy is as fancy does....and fancy eats!

"Self" filled cupcakes
Devils' Food Cake mix
Cream cheese block
Chocolate Chips
Sugar
Egg

1. Let cream cheese soften
2. Mix Devils' Food Cake as directed for cupcakes
3. In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese, 1 egg, 1 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup sugar
4. Spoon cream cheese mixture into each cupcake
5. Bake as indicated on the package

Creations

Every few years I will get a student that is certainly his/her "own creation." They are unique and rare, but always fun! This year is another lucky creation-year with G.
G is very shy, so does not often engage in conversation with teachers. He also has no filter, so everything that comes into his head comes out of his mouth. He also has no volume control, so his stream-of-consciousness comes out at top volume. All of this he is totally unaware of. Therefore, when I respond to any of G's comments/insights he is typically shocked into silence; his expression usually reading "how did she know I was thinking that?" Basically, he thinks I can read his mind. He also thinks he's my boyfriend (he brought me flowers for my birthday. Beautiful flower shop flowers...not just grocery store ones. My loving and wonderful husband has yet to do that. Maybe Jamie should feel a bit more threatened).
For G, a pasta creation I came up with tonight:
Angel hair pasta
Sliced shiitake mushrooms (so yummy...who knew!?)
Sliced cherry tomatoes
Brie (cut into little pieces; not an easy feat)
Italian parsley
Lemon zest (I forgot to add this, but intended to...so let me know how it goes for you)

1. Saute mushrooms in olive oil for a couple minutes. Add tomatoes and continue to saute for one more minute.
2. Mix with pasta.
3. Add Brie and parsley
4. Plate meal and zest lemon on top.
Enjoy!