Have the Courage to Ask for What You Want

Jump in and take a risk you are thinking about– even if it makes you quake in your boots. I love this quote from Oprah Winfrey: 

• “You get in life what you have the courage to ask for.” 

For example, yesterday a local flower shop was giving away roses to people named Mary (they pick a different name every Friday for free rose Friday.) I was making notecards at home, but when I saw that it was my name they picked, I had to decide if I wanted to drive ten minutes to receive a free rose. I pondered the situation and then decided to go for it! I walked into the shop, asked for a rose, and they let me have this beautiful peachy/maroon bloom.
I’m glad I took that little risk because I have a rose that smells like honey on my counter. 🌹 Take that risk today!

-Mary Hope

Copyright 2017

Be Bold Today!

I love taking photos of my work space as I’m cooking. This is how my workstation looked as I was cooking Thai Chicken Soup (see my recipes category for the recipe!)

Recently I’ve been reading an inspiring book, and here’s a quote from it that is very reassuring:

I am loving what @christybwright says: “Fear isn’t a sign that you’re doing something wrong. It is a sign that you are doing something new. It doesn’t mean you’re not capable, qualified, or ready. It just means you’re doing something that matters to you. And fear doesn’t mean you are doing something bad. It means you’re doing something bold.” -Christy Wright on page 14 of #businessboutique the book. 

Be bold today! 

#joy #treesoftransitionart 

Success

Maya Angelou said this amazing thought on success: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”

Have a great start to your week!

-Mary Hope

Copyright 2017

Catalpa Tree Blooms!

Driving to work yesterday I noticed this catalpa tree when I was waiting at a stoplight. Catalpa blooms look like little orchids with their cream background and maroon specks; they are one of my favorite blooms that come from a tree.

Happy Friday, Everyone!

-Mary Hope

Copyright 2017

Rhubarb Time

Rhubarb’s tang makes me feel like it is fully spring. I whipped up this pie last week and have been enjoying it ever since! I used strawberry jam in place of fresh strawberries, and that worked out just fine.

Happy Monday!

-Mary Hope

Copyright 2017

Savoring Having a Mom

Having a mother that is alive is such a gift. 🎁 My Mom has struggled with depression and over the last month has come out of a recent dark season–thanks to God, my aunt, medicine, and counseling. I’m thankful I could hang out with her yesterday and celebrate motherhood with her!

-Mary Hope

Copyright 2017

Spring Gray and Green

We have had long, cool, rainy seasons this spring in Chicagoland, and the green baby leaves against the misty sky have made me so happy!

Happy Thursday. ☔️ 

-Mary Hope

Copyright 2017

Gardening has Begun!

This is my first spring owning a house with my husband, and it is so fun gardening with my husband! My friend gave me the red begonias, and she inspired me to get some more and make a pot or two. Enjoy!

Happy Monday!

-Mary Hope
Copyright 2017

Compliments from Students?! Wow!!

“Your teaching is 3000 times better than our literature teacher last year!” One of my students said this to me this afternoon, and he explained that my way of teaching writing helped him feel confident for our ACT Aspire test that we did this week. His words made my heart happy!

Yesterday all of our students took a writing test that I had been working with them toward all year. I taught them brainstorming techniques, about thesis statements, and tips on time writing test, and yesterday was the day where they put it all together.
I saw six of my seventh graders using their brainstorming techniques, and I heard from a lot of the other teachers that my students used their brainstorming skills on the writing test! Several six grade girls let me knows that knowing how to write a thesis statement really helped them on this test. One of them started blushing, but I’m really glad she let me know.
To top it all off, the eighth graders, who have challenged me all year, admitted that what they had been learning really did help them on the test. One young man said, “what you taught us really helped me on the test! I brainstorm for about five minutes and then I took the rest of the time to write my essay.”

My response was, “Hearing this made my year!!!”
I had been hired with the goal in mind to help our students improve their writing, and hearing this feedback from the students helps me know that I have accomplished at least some of my goal. I am so thankful for my students and that they are learning!
-Mary Hope 
Copyright 2017

A Study of the Transitions of Blue

The sky’s shade of blue is always transitioning; when there are clouds, the blue is mixed with white. When the skies clear, the blue is so solid and majestic. My favorite time to enjoy a solid blue sky is in the middle of winter when the blue is so deep it is the color of light blueberries. 
Another kind of blue I love is when water reflects the sky. Especially if there is a wind, the water has much more flecked and textured shade of blue. The blue is a mixture of light and dark depending on how the wind is blowing. 
On my run this morning, I get to see both kinds of blue: the textured blue of the water and the white and blue mixture of sky, and it is transferring a lot of peace to my heart. Have a great day!
-Mary Hope
Copyright 2017