For Today...October 26, 2009

Outside my Window...very dark, pouring rain and very windy. My little maple tree is starting to really turn color.

I thankful for...my dear lovely friend at church who gave me a gift certificate for my favorite tea (I haven't had any for a very long time). What a sweetie she is!!

I am Remembering...the lovely Autumn themed tea party my friends (and sister) gave myself and another friend for our birthdays at our homeschool co-op!! Such fun!!

I am Creating...More Christmas gifts

I am going...to grab a few things at the grocery store - I don't really want to go out - it's so stormy but we need a few things.

I am reading...My Utmost for His Highest

I am hoping...the cars get fixed soon - and that my husband doesn't get too overwhelmed in the process!!

On my Mind...Some projects for our new units in Science and History

From the Learning rooms...setting up time lines today - I think we will line the hallway with them

I am Noticing...how much colder it is - winter is right around the corner

I am pondering these Words..."What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith, but has no deeds?" James 2:14

From the Kitchen...Spaghetti and french bread tonight for dinner, hot dogs and red peppers for lunch.

Around the house...Oh!! I really need to sweep - fireplace fires and lots of extra teenagers in our home for the weekend got lots and lots of stuff on the floor!! I did get all the dust bunnies (monsters - really) swept out from under my bed this weekend. I know they couldn't be seen but it was nice to sleep knowing under the bed was all clean :0)

One of my favorite things...baby kisses!!! (and Eggnog!! - I found some in the store already - shoot - the diet is really down the drain now!!!)

A few plans for the Rest of the Week...not much - the cars are all sick - so we aren't going anywhere except very close to home.

A Picture I am Sharing...Rainy day, playdough fun:

Have a wonderful Monday!!

For more Simple Woman inspiration go to http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Strong Tower

Strong Tower - Newsboys

strong and mighty

strong to save us

like a fortress never failing

strong in battle

strong in kindness

when we stray, Lord

You're strong to find us

when the winds come hard against us

You are steadfast,

You are true

when the ground beneath us trembles

Your foundation never moves

Chorus

strong tower

high and glorious

strong tower

mighty in love

our refuge our defender

strong tower

Lord above

strong to lead us

through the shadows

strong to carry

all our sorrows

when the enemy surrounds us

closing in as darkness falls

though his armies rage against us

they can never scale these walls

You are my shelter, my shield

You are the home

I could never deserve

here I will serve,

ever under Your gaze

here I will serve,

ever singing Your praise -

Cozy Dinner

Yesterday it was a dark as can be all day long. Rain poured and a stiff breeze blew leaves all around. When the weather is like that I like to make meals like this:

Chicken stock on the stove (I use leftover roasted chicken frame that I always put in the freezer for days like this).

After taking the chicken off the frame I saute leeks celery and garlic (in last of course) in a little sesame and olive oil - mmm smells so good!!!

Soften up some carrots and cabbage in the same pan and then throw in any other veggies that need to be eaten up - sometimes it's broccoli, zucchini or cauliflower.

Toss in some pasta - what ever I have on hand and season to taste with sea salt and pepper and then add a healthy dollop of soy sauce.

Serve with a crusty loaf of French bread - I have to make two batches because there is always someone hovering around needing to "taste test" the bread when it comes out of the oven (usually that person is my husband although if he's not around then one of the boys seems to magically appear when they hear the timer go off!!)

Dinner time!!

Finish up with warm baked apples drenched with a spicy brown sugar and cinnamon sauce

A warm cozy dinner for a cold blustery evening!! To me this is art!! I love to stay home and create yummy, healthy wholesome meals for my family to come and gather around the table at the end of a stormy day.

Cake

Today I got the privilege of having my lovely daughter - who is taking cake decorating classes - make my birthday cake!! What a delightful thing to have - a yummy cake made by such a beautiful young lady!!!

She planned the whole thing: Yellow cake (my favorite) with chocolate filling - of course (what mommy doesn't like chocolate?!!)

Yellow frosting - my favorite color.

With the decorations there were three different kinds of frostings!!!

Concentrating!!

What a yummy cake and a wonderful evening given to me by my family!!! I am truly blessed!

Relying on God

We have lots to be thankful for in our home!! I am amazed how much we have that I forget to be thankful for - until it's gone. Maybe that's what's going on in our home right now. Maybe we are being taught to be thankful again - the hard way - but still being taught. I don't know for sure but somethin' is going on!!

Right now it seems like there is not much more that can break around here.

The dishwasher gave up the ghost a couple of weeks ago - the parts to fix it cost almost the price of a new one. We're washing by hand. And you know what - I must admit - I'm learning to be more efficient - making less of a mess when I'm cooking because I'm thinking more about the cleanup!!

The washing machine is on it's last legs - I have to manually turn the dial to get it to move to the next cycle - the new part my husband put in over the weekend didn't fix it - soo we have laid hands on it and prayed :0)!! The other part that now we know needs replaced costs well over the amount we should put into a ten year old machine. I hope we don't have to wash our clothes on rocks in the nearby stream!!! I'm keeping well up on the laundry just in case it dies - we won't be out of clothes :0)!!

My hubby's commuter car had a little accident with a curb when my teenage boy was driving the other day (no he wasn't speeding or fooling around - he got the quiz from me and passed!!) and it is sidelined. His back-up pickup (the 50 year old one used for hauling fertilizer and dirt for my garden) had it's water pump go out on it's first day pressed into service as a commuter car.

And yesterday - believe it or not - our family van developed a major leak - I have been instructed to leave it in the driveway. Shucks - no more gallivanting around town while my kids are doing their math!! (You know I do that all the time - hee hee hee)

I'm not listing these things to whine (although there is part of me that wants to). I am trying to see some light. I am thankful my oldest son had enough money to purchase his first car a couple of weeks ago. He can still get to school and work. I am thankful that the ancient $400 car that my hubs bought for the kids to drive still works and he hasn't called me to pick him up from the side of the road (not that I can now anyway!!).

I am thankful every time I pull a load of clean clothes out of the washer!!! I am thankful every time my children wash the dishes without complaining - and they do (not complain - that is)!!! And I'm thinking that this might be a super great time to be stuck at home - the flu seems to be swirling around everywhere!!! So I am truly not complaining!!

I just am remembering to be thankful for all I have - which is so much more than I deserve. God is a good God and all of this is temporary. Sometimes a nuisance and maybe even troublesome but I know He can and will provide for our needs. It will be miraculous when all these things are fixed!! We right now can not possibly do this ourselves - there is simply no way. Which leaves it all up to God. It's really nice place to be when you think about it - relying on God!

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...October 19, 2009

Outside my Window...little Chickadees peeping and playing in my little maple tree, very cloudy - it's been raining tons- now that the rainy season finally arrived!!

I am Thankful for...my husband covering for me this morning - kinda taking over making breakfast for the kids because I accidentally slept in!!

I am Creating...of course, crocheting Christmas gifts - but I'm also contemplating making up some new valances for my kitchen - I found some really cute material that I bought years ago and forgot about - It would look cute in my kitchen!!!

I am going...to the grocery store later - don't need lots just a few basics

I am reading... Hebrews and Sister Chicks Go Brit! by Robin Jones Gunn

I am Hoping...the words that my pastor spoke yesterday keep ringing in my head ALL week!!! A convicting sermon that made me want to make some changes!!

On my Mind...not a ton - thankfully - some about our finances. Also, wondering where my parents are on their road trip.

From the Learning Rooms...a regular school day and week!

I am noticing...that Esther has not crawled in many days - it's official she's moving to the toddler stage - although she's still a baby in my mind :0)

Pondering these Words...from John 4:49,50 The royal official said,"Sir come down before my child dies." Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed. (do I have that kind of faith in my Savior?)

From the Kitchen...Chicken Soup - it's good for what ails ya!!!

Around the house...Laundry, a good sweeping and I need to clean up the front porch

One of my Favorite things...Watching the Chickadees play outside my window - they are sooo cute. They come up right close to the window so I can see details of their sweet little faces. Love those birdies!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week...Not much, my birthday is this week so hopefully, people are making plans for me :0) (I'm a cheap date so someone giving me a break from cooking dinner one night this week is all the plans I need!!)

A Picture I am sharing with you: A friend took this picture - isn't it just so cute? This Mama sure thinks so - but I may be biased.

Have a wonderful Monday!!
For more Simple Woman inspiration go to http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

What A Friend We Have in Jesus

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?

Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!

In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear

May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.

Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer

Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there

Rainy Days

What to do when the weather looks like this?:

Why snuggle up close to this:
With this:

And this (a lovely, warm piece of pumpkin bread):
Which, of course, I did - for about five minutes - then reality struck and it was back to this:
And this:

And this!:
There is lots more rain in the forecast so hopefully I'll get back to that cozy fire sometime soon :)!! Wishing you a snugly Friday!!

Applesauce!!

Along with Autumn comes pumpkins, squash and APPLES!! We had an applesauce making day at our home this week. Everyone had a job:

Our apple carrier:

Cooking down the apples (some of the batches included some rhubarb from my freezer that we weren't eating up) :

Putting the apples through the Foley Food Mill is sticky work!!

Milling makes for tired shoulders so we had several shifts:

The sauce sweetener and spicer (and I think - unofficial taster - since I saw her licking her fingers several times!!)

Putting it up in jars:
Now the canner pot goes to work:

Done!! Thirty three quarts of yummy sauce:

All tucked away in the pantry under the stairs to wait for a cold winter morning or a rainy night to put over gingerbread cake:

And what did little Miss do while we were all busy bees? She found some kitchen entertainment as well - ahem - who was supposed to be watching that child - I need to talk to her mother!!!

Well, she had fun and was quiet !!

Applesauce in the winter is well worth the bit of mess!!!

Monday Morning

For Today...October 12, 2009

Outside my Window...The sky is just getting light - the darkness is being chased away by brilliant color!!

I am Thankful for...God's grace!! Where would I be without it?!!! I am clinging to Him!! And so thankful He wants me too!!

I am Remembering...the wonderful sermon on Peace we had yesterday - it always amazes me that God always gives me words of encouragement right when I need them

I am Creating...Christmas gifts - I finally got the color situation worked out (thanks to my creative daughter) I changed the pattern I was doing and now am very happy with my project. I got a good amount done!!

I am Going...No where!!! We've ALL got colds and we are staying home!!!

I am Reading...Hebrews and an Agatha Christie

I am Hoping...that today is productive in spite of my cold - I've got tons to do!!

On my Mind...More than there ever should be - our limping appliances, our broken car and my children and how God is working in their lives (not in that order :0)!!)

From the learning rooms...I have so much preserving to do - apples, zucchini, tomatoes - it will be a home econ day today!!

I am noticing that...it is COLD out!!!

Pondering these words... (still) Be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. " Hebrews 13:5

From the Kitchen...Buttermilk pancakes for breakfast, left over roast and potatoes made into a pie for dinner.

Around the house...a quick tidy then taking care of all the produce

One of my Favorite things...crisp cold mornings!!

A few plans for the rest of the week...I not making many plans until these colds are better - everyone in the house at the same time!! Usually we do it in small groups - at least it will be done faster!!!

A picture I'm sharing with you...How I plan to preserve the zucchini - in loaves of bread for the freezer - can't beat taking a loaf out in January for breakfast or a snack!!

Have a wonderful Monday!!

For more Simple Woman inspiration go to http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

It is Well!

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot,

Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, with my soul,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet,

though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross,

and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound,

and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

Words: Horatio G. Spafford, 1873.

Autumn Decorating

I thought I post some pictures of my Fall decorations - all my little tables in my home have a bit of Autumn on them - I'll sprinkle some pretty leaves around as we find them - the leaves haven't really started falling around here yet.

An antique canning jar found at a garage sale for a dollar - already filled with Fall potpourri and an enamel wear bread bowl (also found at a garage sale for 50 cents) filled with squash and gourds.

To be frugal some of my Fall decorations are edible!! :0)

I won my Mr. Fall Turkey at a Women's Ministry Brunch years ago and my kids always love it when I bring him out every October. I found that pretty candle at the local thrift store for a dollar - I can justify burning that!!

I have seen some pictures of beautiful Fall tables with lots of pretty decorations but since our table is used so very much for school and meals for ten people I don't put too much on it - I do love my table runner - made by my Hubby's Aunt - and my pretty pumpkin - a very inexpensive thrift store find.

And my front porch has some temporary signs of the season on it right now. I haven't formally decorated my porch yet, but these buckets of apples arrived yesterday and I thought they looked kinda Fallish sitting there. Can you guess what I'll be doing this weekend?

I love adding special touches to my home to make it a comfortable, inviting place!! I love the challenge of doing it on a shoestring budget - it makes every decoration extra special because the treasure hunt is so fun!!!

The Shower

My morning shower is like the morning cup of coffee is to others. I'm to the age where there is a slight creak to my bones when I get up. My nights are still not my own with many small children around - so the shower gets me going. Also, it is a place I can be alone - supposedly!!
This morning...
"Mommy my toe feels funny!""
"Mommy, ___ is bothering me!"
"Mommy,______took my batman!"
"Mommy what are we having for breakfast?"
"Mommy do you know where my sweatshirt is?"
and last "Mommy here's Esther - she wants to visit you."

My bathroom had a revolving door today!! And the last half of my morning routine was very speedy as my littlest tried to dismantle the bathroom.

I gave a gentle reminder later, "Unless your HAIR IS ON FIRE or a LIMB HAS FALLEN OFF don't bother Mommy while she's showering!"

I thought about suggesting they go tell the teenage boys their problems while I'm in the shower but decided that would be too mean - waking one of those early in the morning is like sending them into a den of bears!!

I think I'm switching to caffeinated coffee for the morning!!

Hope your morning is wonderful!! :0)

Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...October 5, 2009

Outside my Window...A very cold sunny morning, very, very fallish and pretty!!

I am Thankful for...Finally Gunnar has been released from the hospital and is getting better!! His tummy is still upset and he doesn't have a very big appetite yet but he's on the mend!! Cinnamon is very happy!!!

I am remembering...the great evening I had with my best friend-my husband-this weekend

I am Creating...Big pillows for our couch

I am going...grocery shopping this afternoon - praying over my list before I go!!!

I am Reading...Hebrews and a very funny novel by P.G. Wodehouse. A great 1920's author - one of my favorites!!

I am Hoping...that there are lots of sales at the grocery store!!!

On my mind...my worry wart mind is bugging me this morning - so the things on my mind are are worry wartish and not Godly - so I'm not writing them down!! :0)

From the learning rooms...continuing to review the Early American History - then we'll move on to the the Civil War. Getting started on Science for the year this week too.

Noticing that...my twelve year old daughter is having lots of mood swings lately - growing up!!!

Pondering these words..."Be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13: 5

From the kitchen...the menus are planned for the whole month!!! This morning - coffee cake and scrambled eggs, dinner - kielbasa and cabbage.

Around the house...general tidying, cleaning the kitchen, sometime this week I want to go through my buffet cupboards and clean them out and re-organize - things are getting messy in there!

One of my favorite things...the smell of applesauce cooking!! I made applesauce and canned it on Saturday - yummy!!

A few plans for the rest of the week...just a regular week - nothing out of the ordinary - I love regular weeks!!!

A Picture to share...it's apple season around here!!!

Have a wonderful Monday!!
For more Simple Woman inspiration go to http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/