A Summery, Northwesty, Potterish Pause

Hello friends! I feel as if I've been away from you forever, even though it's really been only a week. I've been in a bit of a stupor since New Year's (can you believe we're already two weeks into the new year?), but it's been a busy kind of a stupor. I really could have completely crashed after the holidays, gone on vacation...or just laid low for a smidge...but the surprise that gets me every single year, got me again this year...I had to start planning my summer camps, ASAP...all five of them! Any little shred of creativity I had left in my system has been put into figuring them out (themes, dates etc.)...and I'm happy to say, I only have one deadline left to meet, but the bulk of it all *is* figured out now...so a big "whew" is in order, and I feel I can breath again!! Now I just have to actually create the projects.

I'm particularly excited about two of the camps, as they are going to be held at a local salmon hatchery that has great facilities, walking trails, owls, gardens, and a pheasant farm! My partner and I each taught a camp there last summer and we fell in love with it, so we've decided to devote our camps to what makes the hatchery and our area, the Pacific Northwest, so very special...the salmon and owls are going to be the stars, but they'll have some wonderful extras to share the spotlight with as well!

Now salmon aren't the prettiest fish in the sea (or river)...so coming up with a visually pleasing, artistic way to showcase them, is going to be interesting. I love the label at the top (actually, I'd like to have it framed!)...and the painting above, done by a local artist, is extremely fun and vibrant...and I could totally see the kids having a blast doing something along those lines, especially since it makes the salmon not look as scary as it usually does at the end of it's life (hooked face and all).

But then there are the versions depicted by the many Indian tribes that inhabited our state for centuries...I really love these and think the students would as well. The one above actually looks a bit like a Totem Pole salmon, which might be the way to go since...

We most definitely will be making and studying Totem Poles at camp!

Particularly the one that has been standing in Pioneer Square since 1899. It has an absolutely fascinating, if not somewhat sad history, which I think the kids will enjoy learning about...I know I have.

There isn't a salmon on it, but I believe there is an owl...which are after all, going to be featured in the camp as well. Speaking of owls...did you know that you can order owl 'droppings'...and then dissect them for little bones, and *THEN* piece together said bones to find out what the poor little creature was?? You Can! My partner told me about it...she's actually going to do it...sounds fascinating, doesn't it?!

Anyway...there's so much this area has to offer, I don't know how I'm ever going to be able to narrow the projects down to a manageable bundle...we might end up having to have a Northwest Wonders camp part two!

I know the kids don't drink coffee...but I bet their parents do, and besides...this *is* Seattle after all...how can we not pay tribute our most celebrated drink?!

So after all the planning (in which coffee did play a huge part), the lack of recovery time from all the wonderful holiday hoopla, not to mention a few very special family birthdays thrown in for good measure...I felt like one of the Puget Sound jellyfish, and have literally been in a fog for the last two weeks when I wasn't working...a Potter fog to be exact!

Do you see them...up in the top glass cupboard?

There they are...my magical diversions...in all their very heavy and thick, paperback glory.

It's hard to believe, but I had never read any of the Harry Potter books...and I thought it was high time I should, so I've been escaping to Hogwarts as often as I can, and hanging out with Harry, Ron, and Hermoine. I'm truly amazed it's taken me this long to get around to it...but I'm enjoying them immensely! I'm shocked how much more is in the books than the movies...very eye opening!
They've been the most perfect tales for a post holiday, summer camp planning jellyfish to escape into, although...they been the reason that I haven't' been visiting any of my dear blogland friends this past week...I've missed you!

I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone very much...I feel the clouds have lifted a bit with summer being taken care of (for now), it's time to see how the New Year has been treating you...I do hope it's been a marvelous, relaxing, and very happy two weeks for all!!

See you soon...♥

(images 1,3,4,5,8,9,10 here, image 2 here , image 7 here , all others personal)