Ringing In The New Year!!! 2016 Resolutions

Where in the world has 2015 gone??  I swear time flies by TWICE as fast when you have kiddos running around the house.  :)  Exciting, but way too fast.  

I love starting a new year, though.  Time to clean, rearrange, repaint the kitchen (not the smartest choice before Christmas, but it is done), and think about what I need to improve on.  I love this linky because I really want to focus on my school life improvements.  And I love my ladies at the Primary Punchbowl and others I follow on social media because I KNOW  I can be a better teacher with their help! :)  

After looking over reading scores before break, I've decided to incorporate some chapter books into my high reading groups.  I usually try to do the the last nine weeks, but I have some super duper readers this year!  And they are flying through the Journeys stories with ease.  I use my close reading units I make for TPT with our themes of the month, but I might bring more of those out, too.  I guess this is a good problem to have?? :)

My next resolution is to surround myself with positive co-workers.  It's hard to avoid those Debbie Downers (you know who they are...)  but if they ruin a good mood, turn around!

I think everyone knows how drained they are after school.  I look at the treadmill like it's the devil in disguise. Hahaha, and even if I had energy, I still have to make dinner and go through my daughter's homework, etc.  BUT, there is a BUT, I know that I will feel better after I make myself get on that thing.  Three times a week!  I can do this!!


The last one, and very important one, STOP stressing over TPT stuff!! If I'm on a roll, I create a mindset that I cannot stop working on it.  If I don't have anyone share my pin, I get bummed out.  And don't even mention getting a lower than 4.0 score on a product....STOP THE MADNESS!!!  

I need to learn to take a deep breath and know that THIS part of my life is not my profession, it is merely a hobby.  I cannot let it stress me out more than I already am.  It is a BLESSING that I am grateful to be able to do, I don't want to ruin the moments... :)

Happy 2016 everyone!!!

One week of school left, less than two weeks until Christmas....how in the holly berry did this happen???? :)  Every year it sneaks up on me, but this time I'm ahead of the game when it comes to gift giving!!!

I'm so excited to share this recipe with you today.  It's literally the EASIEST candy recipe EVER!!  I've never had much luck with fudge and this recipe is definitely a keeper.  Three ingredients, jelly jars, twine, and cute appetizer spoons = gifts that anyone will love!

Let's start with our ingredients:

One bag of Milk Chocolate Chips ( I use Toll House, but I bet Hersheys would be yummy too)

I can of sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon of vanilla

Packing materials:

glass jelly jars (Walmart)

bakers twine (Target)

plastic appetizer spoons (Walmart) 

gift tags (Target or any you choose)

Directions:

Pour the bag of chips and condensed milk into a glass bowl.  Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir.  Microwave for 15 seconds, then stir.  If needed, microwave for ten second intervals and stir until smooth.  Add a teaspoon of vanilla and mix well.  Have jelly jars clean and ready to fill.  Pour the fudge into the jars and let set up.  After a few hours, put the lids on the jars and decorate!  If you use bakers twine or jute rope, I would tie a knot before you tie the bow.  :)  Just a tip!  Add those super cute spoons and now you have the sweetest gift!!

Happy Holidays from Mrs. Baker's Dozen!!!