Apr. 20, 2009 - The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today...April 20th, 2009

Outside my window...the sun is shining,the wind is blowing, blue skies and threatening clouds are battling for control of the sky.

I am thinking...I need to go check on the taco soup we are having for supper tonight.

I am thankful for...the beautiful weather we had last Thursday , Friday, and Saturday, which allowed me to work outside. I got alot of work done in my garden beds and flower beds.

From the kitchen...taco soup, cornbread, lemon cheesecake with strawberry puree for dessert.

I am wearing...denim capri pants, a light turquoise short-sleeve shirt, white socks.

I am creating... a photo tour of our house for this blog. Stay tuned!

I am going... to start packing the camper for our trip this weekend.

I am reading... the Twilight series of books. Not at all what I thought they were. I think they are very well written. A great appropriate love story for teenage girls. The books are all about sacrifical love. I will have to do a review on them.

I am hoping... to get all of my flowers I bought on Saturday set out before we go camping.

I am hearing... the air condition running. It is on the humid side and with the on and off again rain opening the windows is not an option.

Around the house... no major cleaning will get done this week. I will do maintenance chores only; picking up, sweeping, laundry, cooking, washing dishes, etc. Focus will be on getting ready to go camping and gardening chores.

One of my favorite things... this annual spring time camping trip we go on. It is our relaxing, laying around watching tv, doing nothing, and eating weekend. Love it!

A few plans for the rest of the week...harvesting the first of our spring lettuce, sowing more radishes and spinach, setting out flowers, washing all of the animals food and water bowls.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

The simple pleasure of hanging clothes out on the line on a beautiful spring morning.

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Apr. 6, 2009 - The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... April 6th, 2009

Outside My Window... The sun is shining. White fluffy clouds are racing across a pale blue sky, as the wind blows in cooler temps. We are expecting a low of 26° on Wednesday morning.

I am thinkning... how productive my morning has been alreday. The house is straightened up. All the clothes I had to wash today are washed. One load is in the drier, another out on the line, and another waiting to be dried. I have already completed paperwork I needed to take care of.

I am thankful for... the relaxing afternoon we had yesterday as we piddled outside doing a little yardwork. We took our time, didn't work to hard, talked as we worked and enjoyed the beautiful spring day. It was a very nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon together.

From the kitchen... I will be putting a pork roast in the crock pot shortly. We will have it with homemade Shake-N-Bake potatoes (The S-n-B is homemade. I got the recipe from the Family Homestead.) We will have a vegetable salad to go with it which hopefully will include fresh radishes from the garden.

I am wearing... a denim ankle-length skirt, a red short-sleeve shirt, and white socks. I never wear shoes inside my house. I really don't like shoes.

I am creating... Nothing. The creative juices aren't flowing right now.

I am going... to do my ironing and clean the laundry room. These are my schedule Monday chores.

I am reading... the 3rd in a series of Amish fiction books by Cindy Woodsmall called When The Soul Mends.

I am hoping... to get outside to enjoy the sunshine this afternoon.

I am hearing... the drier running, the computer humming, and DD making a racket in the kitchen as she makes her lunch.

Around the house... the usual chores; cleaning, cooking, and laundry.

One of my favorite things... the season of Spring, with all its blooming flowers and trees and gentle warm breezes. The earth renewing itself, beautiful!

A few plans for the rest of the week... We will start preparing for Resurrection Sunday and the family dinners it will bring. On Saturday, DD will have a friend over all afternoon. I need to make plans for that. I have a check-up appointment at the doctor, fun! I need to sow more lettuce and start the spinach. I also need to get herbs started in pots. I plan on enjoy the beautiful spring days as much as possible.

For more Simple Woman posts, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook blog. 

Mar. 30, 2009 - The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... March 30, 2009

Outside My Window...The sun is shining through a milky sky. The rain and warmer temps have turned the grass a brillant green. The Irish in me loves the Emerald look to the grass.

I am thinking...my nose is itching. DH is mowing grass as I type. Allergy season has arrived.

I am thankful for...4 straight days of rain.

From the kitchen...pork chops marinating in a Southwest inspired marinate. We will grill them. I am serving them with sour cream mashed potatoes and a vegetable salad.  

I am wearing...denim capris, with a blue plaid long-sleeved shirts (sleeves are rolled up), and white ankle socks.

I am creating...a menu of snacks and desserts for card night Saturday night. We are the hosts this month.

I am going...to finish up with all of  the laundry today. Yeah!

I am hoping...to get the kitchen and living room cleaned tomorrow as well as several outside chores done.

I am hearing...the push mower as DH mows part of our yard and the drier drying one of th elast loads of clothes for today.

Around the house...I cleaned the laundry room today. I did my ironing. I boiled 2 dozen eggs for DD and I to dye tomorrow.

One of my favorite things...You Tube. Hear me out first, before you roll your eyes. You can watch alot of old classic movies on there. I set up the laptop in the kitchen and watch old movies while I cook or bake.

A few plans for the rest of the week...I plan on getting our house in tip-top shape for our guests Saturday night. I will have baking to do. I plan on making a batch of chili to freeze in small portions. I need to get adjusted again. I have an appointment to get blood drawn for routine blood work up. I have straightening up to do outside around the house. I could go on but I don't want to bore you.

For more Simple Woman's Daybook posts visit the Daybook's blog.  

Mar. 23, 2009 - The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... March 23, 2009

Outside My Window... The golden sunshine is finally breaking through the thin layer of grey clouds that had been trying to block its rays. I see the pear tree in the middle of the pasture with its white blooms and budding green leaves. Sring has sprung.

I am thinking... how beautiful the spring season is with all the trees bursting forth with blooms. Flowers showing off their glorious beauty. Birds coming back from their winter vacation to once again to bless us with their song.

I am thankful for...the earthworms that are busy going about their work in my garden beds; fertilizing and tilling up the soil.

From the kitchen... I am going to make a batch of strawberry muffins to put up in the freezer so DH will have a nutritious, frugal snack to take to work in the weeks to come. I am also going to bake an Angel Food cake to use up the plentiful eggs our 9 hens are providing us with.

I am wearing... blue denim capri pants, a green plaid short-sleeve shirt, white socks, and my cream-colored cardigan sweater. I am a little chilly as I sit here and type.

I am creating... an apron. I have it all cut out. I just need to pick out the thread to match the fabric and I can start snowing. I am stilling working on embroidering snowflakes onto a scarf.

I am going... to clean the laundry room, the kitchen, do my baking, as well as wash clothes and do my ironing today.

I am hearing... DD pecking away at her computer as she work on her college classes over the internet.

One of my favorite things... the firepit I gave DH as a present for Christmas. We built a fire in it Saturday night. We sat around it for an hour or more talking. Next time, I need to remember the marshmallows.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... I am going to go pick up free fertilizer out of the pasture to spread around our wild blackberry vines we are trying to baby. Of course, there is the housework and laundry to be done. I have a family reunion this Saturday I need to plan a dessert for.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... My farewell to a wonderfully cold winter and the beauty of a snow covered world. 

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Mar. 2, 2009 - The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... March 2nd, 2009

Outside My WIndow... the sun is shining in another bitterly cold winter day, but with an added surprise this time.

I am thinking...about the wonderful surprise the Lord blessed us with yesterday and last night.

I am thankful for... the abundant amount of rain we received this weekend.

From the kitchen... a cherry yum-yum is in the frig waiting to be devoured for dessert.  We are having Asian Beef & Broccoli w/ noodles tonight for supper. Along with a crusty Italian Bread.

I am wearing... a pair of gray sweatpants with a long sleeves button up shirt with a white sweatshirt over it and 2 pairs of socks. I did mention it was bitterly cold didn't I.

I am going... to work on laundry (the never ending task.) Today is our ironing day and it has piled up over the weekend. Then, there is the never ceasing to grow laundry pile to be washed. The battle of Mt. Washmore is currently being won by the laundry pile. I just can't seem to get the upper hand and I only have to wash clothes for 3 people. Imagine me with 8 people to wash for! Wait a minute, I don't want to go there!

I am hoping... to spend some time outside despite the cold to enjoy our surprise.

I am hearing... the heating running, my pecking away at the keyboard, and DH's hand as it slides across his notepad as he takes notes on a upcoming sermon series he is working on with our preacher on worldviews.. He is off from work today because of our surprise.

Around the house... I still have a few more small items to work on. I need to clean the laundry room which is very messy from all of the rain gear, mud,  and dirt drug in over the weekend.

One of my favorite things... a nice long nap on a  cold, rainy, raw afternoon, snuggled under the covers in a cocoon of warmth.

A few plans for the rest of the week... I still need to clean spring our office. I want to get back on my cleaning schedule. I need to get busy and inspired in my housekeeping duties again. And get on top of the laundry situation.

Here are several pictures thought I am sharing... these pictures involve our surprise. 

              WE GOT SNOW! IT SNOWED!

Isn't it beautiful! I love all the seasons and the beauty they bring. Spring with all of its budding trees and blooming flowers. Summer with its green lusciousness. Fall with its smoky smell and brillantly colored trees. However, I think there is nothing more beautiful than God's earth covered in a blanket of snow. I think it is the most beautiful time to me because it reminds me of how God washed away our sins with His blood and His love and made us as white as snow.

For more daybook entries, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook blog. 

Feb. 23, 2009 - The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...Feb. 23rd, 2009

Outside My Window...the sun is shining on a very cold and blustery day.

I am thinking...how excited I am for Candy from Keeping the Home. She and her family are now homesteading. However, I am very sad that she will no longer have the time to blog. Maybe once they get settled, she will have time. One can hope.

I am thankful for...my chickens which are now providing me with at least 3 eggs daily.

From the kitchen...Banana Pudding. I know it is usually a summertime dessert, but on occasion it is good in the winter, too.

I am wearing...something very warm, not very feminine; white sweatshirt and gray sweat pants. (I did say it was bitterly cold.)

I am creating...a egg chart to record the number of eggs I get from my chickens each day.

I am going...to do my ironing when I finish this post.

I am reading...alot of homesteading and agrarian blogs.

I am hoping...I am not getting sick. I woke up coughing last night and my chest feels tight this morning.

I am hearing...the TV show "The View". I don't even know why I listened. Those women are so liberal and clueless they drive me absolutely crazy. I ususally end up so angry by the time it is over, I really don't understand why I bother.  

Around the House...I finished the spring cleaning in our master bathroom this past Saturday. I want to spring clean the office, next. I would love to be outside sowing lettuce seeds, but it is still too cold.

One of my favorite things...a cup of hot chocolate on a bitterly cold morning.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...I hope to find the courage to cut out an aporn using a pattern by myself with out my mother's guidance. There is always, cleaning, cooking, and laundry t be done. I am looking forward to our supper Thursday night. We are ordering out from a resturant that makes the best homemade potato chips. YUM!

For more Simple Woman's posts, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook blog.

Feb. 9, 2009 - The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...Feb. 9, 2009

Outside My Window...the morning sun is beaming down on the brown hillside of the pasture. The cows are meandering about.

I am thinking...about what I need to do today.

I am thankful for...opportunity to stay at home to be a keeper of my home.

From the kitchen...a chocolate dump cake. I made a chocolate cake yesterday. It rose beautiful in my 9 by 13 inch pan. When I went to get it out of the pan, it fell apart. I finished getting the rest of it out and dumped it all into a lid of the container I was going to sit the cake on. It is still delicious, although not frosted. We just get a piece and top with how much icing we want.

I am wearing...a pair of denim capri pants, a long-sleeve button down shirt, white socks, and a purple bandana on my head.

I am going...to do my ironing, work on paperwork, and plan my week.

I am hoping...to get outside and enjoy the mild weather we are having right now. Highs in th eupper 60's are expected. I have a few things to do before we start our garden.

I am hearing...(through the open window) a flock of birds chirping in some near by trees, crows cawing to one another, and cows rustling through the leaves,

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...I need to go to the chiropractor. I plan on shopping for seeds. I have a few other must need items to pick up. I want to spring clean the laundry room and start on spring cleaning the master bathroom. DH is taking me out to dinner Friday night. 

For more Daybook posts, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook blog.

Feb. 2, 2009 - The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today...Feb. 2, 2009

Outside My Window...a sky changing from sunny to cloudy as a cold front moves in.

I am thinking...of all the little projects I need to finish up.

I am thankful for...DH still has a job.

I am wearing...a pink sweatshirt, purple pants, white socks.

I am going...to make a broccoli casserole to go with our roast for supper tonight.

I am reading...White Christmas Pie by Wanda Brunstetter.

I am hoping...that the coldfront moving in will bring a few inches of snow.

I am hearing...the tv, the washing machine, and the dryer running.

One of my favorite things...a world covered in a blanket of white.

For more Daybook posts visit "The Simple Woman's Daybook" blog.

Dec. 8, 2008 - The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today...December 8th, 2008

Outside my window...a wintery, cloudy sky displaying icy blues, cotton candy pinks, glowing yellows and white as some sunlight  tries to filters through.

I am thinking...I need to go clean the laundry room.

I am thankful for...a wonderful relaxing Sunday afternoon spent with my DH and DD.

From the kitchen...nothing. I did all my cooking and baking this weekend getting ready for th efamily reunion we wnt to after chapel yesterday.

I am wearing...a white sweatshirt, denim capri pants, and white socks.

I am creating...a mess in the living room because I am wrapping Christmas presents.

I am going...to do my ironing this afternoon.

I am reading...the last book in the Elsie Dinsmore series.

I am hoping...to get most of the presents wrapped this week.

I am hearing...the tv that I didn't turn off when I came here to work on the computer.

Around the house...I did a little reddying up, washed one  load of clothes, when I got back from the dentist.

One of my favorite things...Christmas lights, decorations, greenery, and cookies.

A few plans for the rest of the week...I will be taking DD to the last of her classes and for her final exams this week.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

                             Jesus is the reason for the season!

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Nov. 17, 2008 - The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today...Monday, Nov. 17th, 2008

Outside my window...the sunsetting on a wonderfully cold day.

I am thinking...about the laundry I have left to do. That seems to be an ongoing theme at our house.

I am thankful for...food in our bellies, clothes on our backs, and a warm place to sleep.

From the kitchen...There is a pork roast in the crock pot. Homemade baked beans in the oven. All of this will be supper along with cream potatoes and biscuits.

I am wearing...a long-sleeve turtleneck shirt, a pair of fannel pajama bottoms, and a warm pair of scoks. (I did say it was a cold outside.)

I am creating...a mess in my kitchen. In addition to the food I am fixing for supper, I have been baking salt dough ornaments we made at KAH today and dried some leftover bread to make bread crumbs.

I am going...to fold up laundry. (I am so excited.)

I am reading...the Elsie Dinsmore sereies.

I am hearing...DD doing her ironing and DH walking through the door.

Around the house...I am slowly getting things ready to start decorating for Christmas.

One of my favorite things...decorating our house for Christmas.

A few plans for the rest of the week...DH and I will be celebrating our 21st wedding anniversary this Thursday. We are going antique shopping this weekend and I won't have to cook all weekend. (JUMPING UP & DOWN! RIGHT NOW!)

For more Daybook entries visit The Simple Woman's Daybook Blog.