Good Things #1

Is this oatmeal? Why yes, yes it is.

I'm having trouble coming up with a list of fantastic finds every week, and truth be told, I'm so exhausted by Friday afternoon at this time of year that blogging Friday evening just isn't in the cards for me. So since it's the new year, I am changing the title to "Good Things" and I'll be posting from time to time, but not every week necessarily.

Here's what I've been into lately:

• If you're bored of your regular oatmeal, try this baked oatmeal. It's delicious, and despite the blogger joking around about it being cookie-like, it is not too cookie-like to be considered breakfast. I made mine with 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup applesauce to make it a little healthier, and the fruit mixture I used was 1/2 cup dried cranberries and 1/4 cup golden raisins.
• Design Seeds is the perfect place to visit if you are thinking about redecorating or painting a room. Much color inspiration here.
• Former student and gymnastics world champion Jordyn Wieber was on the Ellen DeGeneres show this week. This girl's drive continues to amaze me!
• Shawn Cornally has the right idea about education, and several of my colleagues agree with me. Perhaps we need to start a counter-reform movement.
• This lined drawstring bag tutorial makes me want a sewing machine.
• I've been listening to Professor Joanne B. Freeman's lectures on the American Revolution through Open Yale. If you're a history buff or history teacher and want a refresher on the founding of our nation, check them out. She sprinkles in so many anecdotes, quotes, and diary passages not only from our founders but from also from the common man that I could listen to her talk all day.
• The 2012 Declutter Calendar has inspired me to make my own declutter calendar specific to my own home.
• Before buying gas lately, I've been consulting Gas Buddy. Just insert your zip code and you'll get a list of area gas stations with price per gallon in order from lowest to highest. While I won't drive across town or wait in line for a half hour to buy cheap gas, it has helped me find a nearby station on the lower end of the spectrum.
• Wool People 2 came out this week. Love.
• Amid all the crazy Christmas crafting, I read The History of the World According to Facebook. Hilarious!