Sustainable Me - Space for Creativity and Backyard Bunnies

I think it is fairly ironic that I am in a graduate program at TTU for an MAAE, and have reached a point in my teaching career that needs a boost before I completely burn out!   I totally love my graduate program!  It is certainly the right program for me, and I'm so thankful to be a part of it. The program has revitalized me as an artist, and it has been a huge motivation for me.  I love reading the books, creating art, and interacting online and in person with fellow students and my professors. I have taught art for many years both privately and in the public school setting.  I began teaching art in Gilmer, when my second child, Jennifer, was just a baby.  I had a private art studio that I began in my kitchen and then later built on to the house to accommodate more students.  Infant Jennifer was even my inspiration for my art logo for the private studio at the time.  I taught privately for about 20 years all together.  And was privilege...

I left my heart in Scotland - and I cannot wait to return again.  I have made two life changing trips to Scotland in the past five years.  One in July 2013, and one this past Christmas break of 2017 and into the New Year of 2018.  I have been fully certified as a teacher by the General Teaching Council of Scotland, and my certificate qualifies me to teach Secondary Art and Design.  Attaining this certificate was a two year process - and I was more than thrilled when I received my certificate this past November of 2017.  I also received a provisional certificate for teaching Primary - all subjects - if I wish to pursue that.  It has been uppermost in my mind - when do I try to go to Scotland?  When is the best time?  I will be taking two members of my family with me - so it is a decision that affects all of us.   I really didn't know if I wanted to pursue this project of an art studio and garden in light of leaving it in the somewhat...

I walked out into the backyard last night to check on the Mission Fig Tree, and was super excited to see this growth!  It might be a couple of years before we have figs again - but this little tree is going to make it - even after being transplanted!  It seems happy in its new spot and I can't wait to see how tall it is at the end of the growing season.  I'm so glad I brought it with me, even though it was pretty risky.  The tree has gone through a lot of change with the transplant, but is looking hardy and healthy.  

Our baby Mission Fig tree.  Bought at an Austin Farmer's Market while visiting friends in 2014.  We were living in our "industrial area" duplex, and I was trying to bring life to the backyard that we had at that time.  I have very fond memories of fig trees and childhood.  My Nannie had a fig tree in her luscious back yard in San Antonio.  She had a gorgeous garden and beautiful roses too.  But I loved her figs and fig preserves.  I cannot remember eating a breakfast at her home without a jar of fig preserves on the table.  And I loved them and it was such a treat to have on toast, served up with her love.  I can also remember eating them right off the tree, and it was like a "candy tree" to me.  So I wanted my son Michael to experience some of this with a mission fig tree of our own.  Over the years it grew to be a large and fruitful tree, and yes, I did make preserves.  I made the decision to move it with us and try to tra...