Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Wacky Wednesday #62: Apples


On the off chance you’ve been holed up in a cave for the last month or more, let me update you: it’s back to school time. And (despite the 80-degree weather outside) almost autumn. So let’s jump right into school mode and solve this math word problem:

 
 
 
What do you get when you add one stampede of energetic students to a group of hard-working teachers, multiplied by a ton of tired parents, divided by a hint of fall, minus a summer that vanished in an instant?

(A) The first week of school.
(B) A headache coming on.
(C) An apple outfit.
(D) All of the above.


Extra credit if you post your answer in the comments section!
 

 

Here's my initial sketch.

And here's the finished product.

When did I come up with this idea, and how? I'm not sure, exactly. Could it have been inspired by a teacher I know, Mr. Brady? He has a wonderful apple shirt. I saw the shirt a year ago, but it only occurred to me a few weeks ago to make an apple outfit. Interesting how the seeds of an idea sometimes take a long time to grow. Yesterday I asked Mr. Brady if he’d wear the apple shirt today and he did. We’re twins!
 

 
Are you wondering why it’s a tradition to give a teacher an apple? I thought so. I poked around online and decided that Smithsonian Magazine’s website seemed a reliable source. Here’s what the site had to say about apples for teachers:
 
Long ago it was the common for students and their families to give teachers food (but never rotten apples, even after a bad grade!). On the frontier families housed and fed teachers. And eventually the apple became a symbol of teachers.
 
This blogger thinks a B-12 shot and a pot of strong coffee would be an even more helpful/relevant/accurate symbol of what teachers need, but hey—traditions can be hard to de-establish. And I have nothing against apples. I like them! They’re colorful and delicious and every Kindergarten and first grade classroom in America has a picture of an apple next to the Aa leading the alphabet around the top of the walls. So why mess with tradition?!

 
Total cost for this outfit:
 
Fabric and dye from stash                            $      0
Red, yellow, green felt                                 $ 1.20
Hot glue sticks                                                $   .60
Red fabric for apple hat                                $ 1.50
TOTAL                                                               $ 3.30
 
 

I made my dress from fabric I had, which I dyed red (which faded to pink once I rinsed the fabric the requisite million times). Then I painted apples on my dress and hot glued fabric apples onto it, too. My apple hat I made from fabric and felt, and it is filled with bubble wrap I already had.
 
Even if I’m not mentally ready to jump back into the school year, at least my outfit is. And regardless of whether I feel ready for school, I’m always ready to give a teacher a high five. They work so hard and give so much. Call me preachy, but I’m going to urge you to give a teacher a hug or a smile today. Teachers, you are amazing. Thank you for all that you do. Let’s give these teachers a bushel of apples. And a gold star!       
                                               
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

10 comments:

  1. Teaching is a breeze when you have exceptional kids like your littlest one.

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    1. Hi Jill, you are so sweet. But I still think teachers deserve appreciation every day. You shape the future in so many ways...

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  2. I'm so glad you had the time (or perhaps not the time--but the inspiration!) to create an outfit today. I'm sure you inspired a lot of smiles!

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    1. Hi Kim, thank you! Yep, I felt inspired to create something for the first full week of school. I'm not ready for the school year, but I am trying to get there...

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  3. So you were a Pink Lady vs a Red Delicious. :) Either way, super creative. Internet High Five!

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    1. Hi Mary, thanks, friend! Yep, I went for a variety of apples on my dress. Glad you liked it!

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  4. I love your apples that you so artistically provided for your dress. Beautiful, bright, fall colors, with great designs! Apples always make us think of Fall... with apple cider, caramel apples, apple crisp, apple pie, and other delicious apple treats. I remember more than one trip to an apple mill, in, I think- Apple Valley, Calif., where you could take a deep breath, in, of the aroma of apples, that you wish you could bottle up, and take home with you. It was heavenly! And you DID take it, home, in your mind, heart, and memory. Thanks, Sarah, for bringing that wonderful Fall memory back, to me. Such a treasure, and a great way to start this new Fall season. Love, Aunt Eileen

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  5. Thanks, Auntie! I love to know when something I've written brings up a happy memory for someone. Although it's still hot out, I know fall is coming because suddenly the outdoor spider population has begun constructing gigantic webs.

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  6. Super cute! I loved the dress in person! I just missed the hat. It really completes the whole outfit. Just loving the creativity vibe going on here!

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    1. Hi Adri, thanks! Yep, I believe fall is coming...

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