Last Monday in November

For Today...November 30, 2009

Outside my Window...Dark grey skies, my little maple tree has only a couple of curled up leaves left - there are drops of water lining the twigs - very pretty.

I am Thankful for...my third born son who turns 16 tomorrow. I just can't believe sixteen years have gone by so fast.

I am remembering...the night Matthew was born - when I first laid eyes on my handsome boy - he looks so much like his Daddy!!! Remembering feeling overwhelmed at the idea of being the mother of three little ones - and low and behold, I am now the Mommy of eight!!! God does increase strength!!

I am creating...Christmas gifts (I've been saying that for a while :0)!!) I am so happy with how things are turning out. I promise to show pictures but it has to be after Christmas - too many people hang over my shoulder while on the computer - ;)

I am going...to the grocery store nearby that sells bulk foods to get my peanuts for homemade peanut brittle - my gift to our friends and neighbors this year.

I am reading...Furious Pursuit a book about why God will never leave you - very good so far!!!!

I am hoping...my new glasses come soon!! I really need them with all this handwork I'm doing!!!

On my mind...my Christmas menu - just thinking what might delicious and not too much drama for the cook :0)!!

From the learning rooms...several science experiments this week - need to get my stuff gathered!!

I am noticing...that as I sit here the sky is starting to lighten - the clouds are thinning - could we see some sunshine soon? My eyes would not know what to make of it if the sun did indeed appear!!!

I am pondering...the words of my pastor yesterday - about replacing our picture of our life with God's picture for us.

From the kitchen...working on leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner still - then I'm thinking a hearty beef stew is in order for later this week. Matt has ordered up Teriyaki Salmon for his birthday dinner tomorrow - I hope salmon is on sale!!!

Around the house...already tidied up and started laundry for today - I hope to put away Harvest decorations and begin Christmas decorations this week.

One of my favorite things...making gifts for people I love. I love to think about them and pray for them as I work on a special gift!

A few plans for the rest of the week....just a week to be as normal as possible after a long weekend of celebrating - resting up for the several weeks of building excitement for the big celebration of Christ's Birth!!!!

A picture to Share...Essie enjoying the second best thing to do with olives on Thanksgiving Day (the first would be eating them - of course!!!!)
For more Simple Woman inspiration go to http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Have a blessed Monday!!!

Thanksgiving Day

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
A. Lincoln

October 3, 1863

Happy Thanksgiving to all - may your day be blessed

Daybook Time

For Today...November 23, 2008

Outside my Window...dark grey skies, breezy and spitting rain. We've had so much rain lately!!!

I am Thankful for...this upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. What a wise thing our forefathers did instituting this day to encourage us to remember!!!

I am Remembering...last Thanksgiving Day spent with my parents on the wild and rocky Washington Coast.

I am creating...a Thanksgiving Day Feast.

I am going...to try on frames for my new glasses - hopefully today!!!!

I am reading...A Christian novel by Dee Henderson - pretty good and my Bible

I am Hoping...I can get a bunch done on the Christmas gifts I'm making this weekend!! And that I can find the one thing that the craft stores in the area seem to be out of so I can complete the job!!! (I may have family reading :) I can't put in too many details!!)

On my Mind...just my schedule for this week - must make some lists and write some things down!!!

From the Learning rooms...just two days of school this week - formal school that is - Wednesday will be a home ec day :0). Cleaning house and baking.

I am Noticing...Jacob's memory of last year...I love how at four years old he really understands that a holiday is coming. I love watching his excitement build!! On a different subject - I'm also noticing the lovely flock of Junco's that are hanging around our house - winter is here now that these birds are in the neighborhood!!!

I am Pondering these words...God is personal, specific and immediate. My pastor said those words yesterday. What an amazing God we have!!! He created this world and yet knows me!!!

From the Kitchen...Oh my goodness!!! Way too much to list...today I hope to get the rolls and pies made and in the freezer. Simple meals early this week and then Feasting!!!

Around the House...Cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning for my Mother-in-law and her husband and possibly other friends on Thursday. Creating small centerpieces for the table and getting out the china!! I can't set the table ahead of time because of...you know...monkey girl!! In fact I'm seriously considering NOT using the china this year.

One of my Favorite things...being hostess!! I love making people feel welcome and comfortable in my home!!

A few plans for the rest of the week...Thanksgiving blessings and then making fudge and Christmas candy with the kids on Friday. Christmas gift creating, playing, movie watching and popcorn eating. Lots of wonderful family time!!!!

A picture I am sharing...the last few red leaves clinging to my baby tree near my front door.

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

and have a wonderful day!!!

Get Down!!!!

It has been very difficult to blog lately. Time has been elusive!! I can't seem to find the time to visit my friends blogs for more that a couple of minutes let alone leave comments. I can hardly get my own chores done during the day. And this is the reason why:

My sweet daughter seems to think she is part monkey!!! I can't turn my back for an instant and she is climbing on something. Some people say she will learn if she falls - not true!! She has fallen so many times and still she climbs. We have taken down the baby gate because she climbs over it (which after seeing her balance on top - seemed far more scary than what the gate was guarding!!)

Not so scary - she's sitting down (for once)
Scary!!!

Sorry for the fuzzy picture - didn't have time to focus - she was just way to close to the edge!!
Way scary!!!!

So if I haven't been to your place for a while it's because I'm very, very busy!!! :) And needless to say - I fall into bed in the evening exhausted!! I have NEVER had a climber like this (she even moves chairs or anything else she can to find to get up high!!) . She is going to think her name is Esther-get-down!!! (still crazy about her though - just thinking it will be a miracle if we make it without a trip to the ER with this little one!!)

A Miracle (Almost)

All of my life I have be unable to get oatmeal down!! I am not a picky eater but oatmeal... it has... you know...things in it (shiver). Growing up my mom faithfully served nice warm oatmeal several times a week and several times a week I sat and stared at my bowl full of porridge and tried not to gag with every reluctant spoonful. As an adult I suffered guilt as I walked past the oatmeal section knowing I was missing all the fabulous health benefits of the mighty oat!! Being the good mommy that I am I faithfully serve oatmeal to my children and they love it but I still had to turn down their invitations "Have some with us Mommy!!"

One day my sister (who suffers with the same issues) and a friend were discussing this problem when she told us how she cooks oatmeal. One small but very important difference she makes in concocting this dish. Now maybe everyone knows this but I sure didn't and she promised it would make all the difference in my attitude about oatmeal - instead of putting the oats in boiling water like it says on the directions she puts them in cold water and slowly cooks them.


Well I tried it:

And added all the goodies (which, by the way - may have destroyed all the health benefits but makes it oh so yummy!!)

And low and behold...I LOVE it and I am now eating oatmeal several times a week!!

It's (almost) a miracle!! Just ask my mom!!!

Spoke to Soon!

When I said yesterday we had not succumbed to the flu I guess I spoke too soon!! We now have two down although one seems worse than the other.
Aww - so sad!!

But on the plus side my new maid with all these special features has something called a sanitize cycle!! I'd never seen anything like that before but now is my chance to try it out!

On the subject of laundry - I'm just curious - If you had a huge stack of laundry (and I know I can't be the only one :0)!!) and you could have help with only one part would you rather have help with:

1. The washing - sorting, loading up and starting the wash and getting it into the dryer and onto the couch all clean (there has to be more than one person who occasionally has clean laundry on the couch :0)!!! )

OR

2. The folding - all neatly folded and put away.

I am in the midst of a tiny laundry crisis (which is why I'm sitting at the computer - hahaha)! My husband helped me tons with the laundry this weekend (shiny new machine!!!) but now I have lots and lots to fold! I think I may have an opinion on my poll but I don't want to say for fear it sounds like complaining ;-) !!

Well, off to sanitize and fold :0) !!!!

Have a great say!!!

Back

Somehow I accidentally took a blogging break!! I have just been so busy and the days have just slipped by!! I was really kind of shocked when I visited my own blog and saw the date of my last post - October 26!! Wow!! So - we haven't fallen off the edge of the earth or succumbed to piggy flu - just got carried away with everyday life.

I've been madly creating for Christmas - with my current tool of choice - I will be switching for the sewing machine soon.
And I'd like to take a moment to introduce my new maids that recently joined the family - they specialize in laundry care:

Aren't they fancy?!!! My hubby was at our local hardware store and insisted that I come in and look at these beauties. After wiping the drool off my face I kindly mentioned to my sweetheart that there was NO WAY on God's beautiful green earth could these lovely machines be ours! Then he sweetly pointed out the clearance tag on ONLY these two floor models. They were greatly reduced and all the extra bells and whistles were free and our local power company gives a big rebate because they are efficient!! Wow!! So after a bit of talking and some quick prayer we decided we could swing it. And these lovely ladies came home with us!! Now, no more babysitting the washing machine - no more manually switching to a new cycle - no more worrying that I burned up the motor when I forgot!! I can set the machine and go to bed or leave the house or get involved in a task and know the wash is being washed!!! I can turn on the dryer and know it won't wake the baby with it's squeal or drown out out school time!! What a blessing these machines are to me!!! (And so darned fancy to boot!!!)

On another note: Almost all the car repairs are done!! The van - that fits all of us is fixed - yay!! Now I can actually leave my home to do things like go grocery shopping and go to the library! And our old truck got fixed in just the perfect time to fetch home our new maids!!

So God did provide our needs and I am so grateful!! In this season approaching the holiday set aside for that very purpose I am so thankful for these daily blessings of being able to do laundry and take my kids to the library!!