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The Simple Woman's Daybook
FOR TODAY, Monday, July 14th 2008
Outside My Window...it is foggy and cool
I am thinking...I need to make a menu for grocery shopping tomorrow
I am thankful for...being able to go grocery shopping
From the kitchen...dried cranberry and chocolate chip muffins
I am wearing...black capri's and a purple top, bare feet
I am creating...a menu for healthier lunches for myself and my family
I am going...to pick up my boys from jujitsu camp later, and then to take my middle son to Boy Scouts
I am reading...Lord of the Rings, and A French Woman for All Seasons
I am hoping...to get some of the things done this week that have been left un-done for too long
I am hearing...our pug dog snoring at my feet
Around the house...a lot of yard work to be done....the weeds are taking over!
One of my favorite things...is the satisfaction of a job completed
A Few Plans For This Week: swimming at the river, rodeo weekend
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
09:05 - Monday, July 14, 2008 - comments {1} - post commentThe Simple Woman's Daybook
FOR TODAY, Friday, July 11th 2008
Outside My Window...I see an orange haze
I am thinking...I will catch up on the laundry today
I am thankful for...the Lord continuing to provide and for keeping us healthy and safe
From the kitchen...I am making a peach amaretto cheese pie
I am wearing...light blue pj bottoms and a red t-shirt
I am creating...a clean house for the weekend
I am going...absolutely nowhere today
I am reading...Lord of the Rings
I am hoping...the local fires are put out soon
I am hearing...the sound of a forest service helicopter
Around the house...my husband has finished the bottom floor of the new garage
One of my favorite things... are days that I do not have to go anywhere
A Few Plans For This Weekend: oldest son is going on a hiking trip with friends, a day of swimming at the river, going to the town's chili cook-off on Monday
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Picture taken by my oldest son on a hiking trip in the Trinity Mountains
 09:26 - Friday, July 11, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentThe Simple Woman's Daybook
FOR TODAY, Monday, June 30th 2008
Outside My Window...I see my chickens foraging in the grass
I am thinking...I need to get off the computer soon
I am thankful for...my husband who works so hard to provide for his family
From the kitchen...Tonight for husbands birthday I am making tamal de cazuela con puerco and enchiladas rojas
I am wearing...black capris and a black top
I am creating...
I am going...to work at our church's fireworks booth today
I am reading...Lord of the Rings
I am hoping...there are enough hours to get everything done today
I am hearing...the music of Enya
Around the house...there are a lot of chores to be done
One of my favorite things...is fellowshipping with good friends
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: celebrating my husbands birthday, working in the fireworks booth, BBQing with friends on Friday
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
The Lost Coast (picture by my middle son)
 07:56 - Monday, June 30, 2008 - comments {2} - post commentMy Daybook
FOR TODAY, Tuesday, June 24th 2008
Outside My Window...a plum tree moving in the breeze
I am thinking...I should go do my work-out
I am thankful for...my friends who encourage me
From the kitchen...I think I will make some Snickerdoodles today
I am wearing...my pj's!
I am creating...a nice clean room for my son when he gets back from camp
I am going...to take my youngest son to jujitsu later today
I am reading...Mathew chapter 22 & 23
I am hoping...I can get all the cleaning done that I need to
I am hearing...our pug, Bandit, snoring on the couch next to me
Around the house...too many things are un-done...this would be a good Anti-Procrastination Day
One of my favorite things...hearing the birds chirping early in the morning
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: continued house de-cluttering while getting a little mom-time
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
My middle son taking a ride in the back yard
 09:22 - Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentThe Simple Woman's DaybookI am joining Peggy and her Simple Woman's Daybook meme. Her blog is found here:
FOR TODAY, Monday, June 23rd 2008
Outside My Window...a foggy morning
I am thinking...I need to go get dressed!
I am thankful for...my husband's work schedule booked for the rest of the month
From the kitchen...I am making Yakisoba Chicken for dinner tonight
I am wearing...black capris and a taupe cotton shirt
I am creating...a huge pile of throw away stuff as I de-clutter
I am going...to visit with friends this morning for our 'healthy lifestyle' meeting
I am reading...The Simple Home by Sharon Hanby-Robie
I am hoping...I won't miss my two son's too much who are away at Scout Camp for the week
I am hearing...the peeping of 4 Black Australorp and 2 Light Brahma chicks in a tub on my dining room table
Around the house...major de-cluttering going on and over-due Spring cleaning
One of my favorite things...sitting outside in the evenings while it stays light until almost 10:00pm!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Major house cleaning, a lunch date with a friend and our 18th wedding anniversary!
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Chive flowers in my garden.
08:07 - Monday, June 23, 2008 - comments {1} - post commentSome Pictures to ShareHere is a picture taken off of our back deck on the morning of January 28. Our first 'real' snow that stuck around for a couple days. We are only 500 feet above sea level and only about 10 miles from the beach, so this is a rare occurance! We all really enjoyed it and had lots of fun!
This is a picture of our newest family member, Bandit! He is a little over a year old. We are all loving him!
09:49 - Monday, February 4, 2008 - comments {2} - post commentHappy New Year
HAPPY NEW YEAR! This year I am not really making any resolutions, although I do want to make an effort to be a better Christian, wife and mother, but we should always aspire to be that, not just at new years! I am going to try and read my whole Bible this year. I've always wanted to do that and never have. Our church has monthy book marks with all the daily readings, so I'll be following that. Of course there is always the goal of living healthier: body, mind and spirit. So I guess I do have resolutions. Today we are going to a friends from church for an open house to play games and fellowship. I am also going to start taking down all the Christmas decorations and work on organizing and early Spring cleaning. I wish everyone a blessed new year! 11:42 - Tuesday, January 1, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentPics from our last couple weeksGingerbread house building with my boys and my brother and his fiance.
Lots of fun with Wii Bowling!!! My hubby, 'Nice Throw!'
My youngest's 9th birthday, shared with family & friends.
We also enjoyed a Dunguness crab dinner, Christmas tree decorating, visiting the ancient Redwood forest, a Victorian village, and a cheese factory, and of course lots of shopping and eating!!! What a fun couple of weeks it was! 03:09 - Wednesday, December 5, 2007 - comments {2} - post commentUpdateI am happy to report we have all been happy and healthy, and I give thanks to God for all that He provides!
We have been having a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. My brother is here visiting all the way from France with his fiance. It has been so fun having them here, I will miss them when they go back this Sunday. :(
We are also getting ready for my youngest son's 9th birthday this weekend, I can't believe he is that old already!
Well, I need to get back to cleaning the house, and I need to decorate our Christmas tree. I wish everyone a wonderful day!
01:03 - Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - comments {0} - post commentHAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Let the Children Be
'Twas Halloween night and all through the sky, The clouds hid the moon as the bats glided by. I was dressed all in white in my mama's old sheet, Walking with friends down the ghost-haunted street.
All the kids were dressed in bright costumed array, While flashlights and street lights guided our way. We giggled and laughed as we hurried to each door, Ringing or knocking, then laughing some more.
There were pumpkins aglow and skeletons dangling, Scarecrows and shadows and silver chains clanging. Grownups in masked faces opened doors in greeting, As we stood with our bags and waited for treating.
Some people say that we should not have this night, That too many kids are harmed by the sights or the fright - But it's the one time a year when we can pretend to be Someone else for a while, not you - not even me. - Let them celebrate now, as the bats glide on by, For childhood is brief, like the blink of an eye. Listen to their laughter and let the children be Someone else for a while, not you and not even me.
A poem by I know not all celebrate this holiday and I respect your decision! I have always celebrated, as a kid I remember the thrill of taking our pillow cases and going Trick or Treating, the fun we had running through the neighborhood and gorging on candy! I have wonderful memories of this! I believe this holiday is what you make of it.....and for our family it is all about FUN! We are not celebrating evil, we are not a part of that world! We are celebrating a tradition of dressing up in costume, trick or treating and carving pumpkins! What it means to us is something totally different than what it might mean for someone else. God knows our hearts. So I hope everyone who does celebrate has a great time, and don't eat too much candy!!! 08:49 - Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - comments {0} - post commentDangers of BloggingI read this article from Focus on the Family that reflectionsofgrace posted on her site. I have removed all pics of my family, and most personal info. I always knew it wasn't wise, but didn't really follow what my conscience was telling me. Now I will be more careful. I encourage everyone else to do the same! http://www.family.org/entertainment/A000001019.cfm 07:58 - Friday, October 12, 2007 - comments {2} - post commentA Bay Cruise on a Historic FerryWe went on a wonderful bay cruise with some fellow homeschoolers. The weather was perfect and we had a very fun one hour cruise on the Madaket, the oldest vessel in continous service in the United States! Built in 1910! They were all told to make a funny face!
09:12 - Friday, October 5, 2007 - comments {1} - post commentFirst Day of SchoolWe had such a wonderful time camping under the Redwoods this past weekend. We were with other homeschooling families at Family Camp. The boys had a blast riding their bikes and playing games with their friends. My husband said he had a wonderful and relaxing time. I also had a ton of fun and we were all bummed when it had to end. Having the trailer made it a whole different experience, it was soooo nice!!!
Yesterday the kids swimming classes started up again and it was our official first day of school, although Tuesdays are our elective day with the younger doing swimming and jujitsu and my oldest having his guitar lesson and working on his homework during swimming. We also go grocery shopping so it is a LONG day.
My oldest son started at the community college, he is taking Survey of Wood Technology (woodworking), Astronomy, and Principles of Animation. He is not academically minded so we thought this would be a good start. He is enjoying it so far.
My two younger boys are in 6th and 4th grade this year. Along with their school they take swimming lessons once a week, and jujitsu twice a week. My eleven year old also has piano lessons. My plan is to do their academics on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. We may end up taking Mondays or Fridays off, but that would mean only 3 days of school. If I am being consistent than we might otherwise we will stick to the four days a week.
I need to get back into my FlyLady routines to make things go more smoothly. I don't like starting school with a messy house, so we will do household chores first thing....I think. I also need to get a load of laundry going first thing or I will never start it! I need routines.
I am going to get my Fall decorations out today, because I can feel the change in the air! I love fall! It is the start to the whole holiday season. I actually bought 3 Christmas presents yesterday, I am determined to get it all done early and without going broke, or in debt! I want to make it a fun time, and not stressful.
Well, I better get the kids going, it is 9:00 already and we haven't done anything!
08:56 - Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - comments {0} - post commentPic of New Family Toy & Labor Day Weekend Plans Due to my husband's hard work, we were able to buy a camping trailer! It is like new and we got a very good deal. This weekend we are going to our homescool groups family camp.
We are all excited about being able to use the trailer for the first time. My husband has been working really hard and he is stressed out from work. We haven't taken a vacation in three years. He is taking a four day weekend and I really want him to relax and enjoy himself, he is really looking forward to playing street hockey, riding bikes, playing games, and just relaxing with friends and not having to worry about work.
I also want to bless him by making a yummy menu of things he likes to eat. Here is what I plan on making:
Thankfully I will be able to bake a few things in out trailer oven.
Friday:
Lunch- Gyros (seasoned lamb, tzatziki sauce, onion and tomato on pita bread)
Dinner- Enchiladas with sour cream & jalapeño pinto beans
Desert- Cream cheese blueberry pie
Saturday:
Breakfast- Blueberry pancakes (made with fresh blueberries) and sausages, OJ
Lunch- Ham and Swiss wraps, tortilla chips and homemade salsa
Dinner- family camp pot luck, we are BBQing boneless skinless chicken thighs marinated in Hoisen and honey BBQ sauce, and I am making a curried brown rice salad
Desert- S'mores made with fudge strip cookies and peanut butter fudge cookies
Sunday:
Breakfast- Farmer's Casserole (hashbrowns, eggs, pepperjack, ham, onions) OJ
Lunch- Grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches, humus and pita chips
Dinner- Grilled jalapeño poppers (jalapeños cut in half, filled with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon) marinated BBQ carne asada, tortillas, lime, queso fresco, home-made salsa
Desert- Chocolate chocolate chip cake with raspberry sauce
Monday:
Breakfast- Bacon and eggs, OJ
Lunch- Quesadillas
For snacks we have fresh fuit, granola bars, cookies, and dried fruit
For drinks we have OJ, hot chocolate, tea, coffee, green apple soda, fufu berry soda, Snapple peach iced tea, Lipton citrus green iced tea, and bottled water
01:46 - Thursday, August 30, 2007 - comments {2} - post commentfarmers market, a prize won, and hot rodsFriday I went to our homeschool farmers market. It was really small today but I managed to buy two large baskets of blackberries, some homemade soap, a loaf of bread, a bag of herb rolls, a couple scones, and a borage plant. I came home and made a blackberry pie. Yummy!
Then we headed over to our little country market, they built a new, larger store and they were having a grand opening. We entered to win a bunch of stuff they were giving away, and I won a basket full of coffee and chocolate! It had two bags of organic coffee, two flavored syrups, two organic chocolate bars, two bags of chocolate covered coffee beans, a travel mug, a tin of REAL hot chocolate (Dagoba), and a bunch of organic tea bags. The basket was valued at $65. I was very pleased! Of course my boys wanted to win the little four-wheeler ATV, but oh well! They also had a bunch a free samples and were giving away free popcorn and icees and $1 hot dog lunch with chips and a soda.
It was getting to be after 5:00pm and so I picked up a bottle of local made relish and a BBQ tri-tip to eat on the home-made herb rolls I bought at the farmers market. We took it all with us to downtown and ate out by our car waiting for the cruise. For the next 2 hours we watched as restored old cars and hot rods made their way through town in a huge loop. It was the weekend of the Auto Expo.
Saturday we went back and looked at all the cars (I actually just sat in the car and read while my husband took the boys), then we got a hamburger lunch and sat and ate at the park and then toured the little flea market, I bought a jar of Knapweed honey. We also walked over and looked at all the old tractors and old engines.
When 3:00 rolled around we went over to the car stereo store where my oldest son and my husband had entered their cars in the worst stereo contest. The winner got a $1500 stereo system! The odds were in our favor since there where only 7 contestants including my husband and son. I guess our stereo's weren't bad enough, because they didn't win. :( It was fun anyway.
Today is church and then we are going to pick up sandwiches at Subway and head out to the river. We are going to a place were they damn up the river into a little lake, and there is a nice lawn and trees to sit under. We were invited by some friends of ours to celebrate their sons birthday. It should be a nice relaxing day.
08:09 - Sunday, July 29, 2007 - comments {0} - post commentToday's To-Do ListToday's TO-DO List:
Clean out refrigerator
Clean out and organize pantry
Weed, water and pick some veggies in garden
Sweep and mop kitchen & dining room
If I get all this done I will feel very accomplished. I better get busy!
Have a wonderful day everyone.
08:13 - Thursday, July 26, 2007 - comments {0} - post commentWeather, Weekend, and a French AbbeyThe weather has been just beautiful this past week! It has been sunny and in the low to mid eighties and then a cooling off of fog in the evening. Yesterday someone said to me, "When do you think it will start cooling off?". I responded, "Enjoy it while it lasts, pretty soon it will be cold and rainy!"
This past weekend was fun, Saturday we went to the rodeo parade, had some BBQ beef sandwiches from the Cattlewomen's Association stand and then enjoyed watching the rodeo, except for the fact I forgot to bring sunscreen and got pretty sun-burned. We had some popsicles, ice cold water and some blended mocha's to cool us down. We came home and all sat outside in the shade, drinking water, cooling off. We spent the rest of the evening outside, it was really nice.
Sunday after church we went to the huge BBQ at the rodeo grounds, we sat and ate on the grass under some shade trees, and listened to the country western band, it is not my kind of music, but fit the atmosphere. Then we spent the rest of the day down at the river. The cool water felt so good! We all had fun swimming. Then we came home and made sandwiches from the left-over BBQ we brought home.
All in all it was a very satisfying weekend!
Monday I relaxed and did some laundry, and a bit of cleaning and de-cluttering. I am working on my kitchen, getting rid of all the stuff I don't use or need. If I haven't used it in over a year, why am I keeping it? Unless I love it, then I keep it.
Today we have a busy day of grocery shopping, guitar class for my oldest, and jujitsu class for my two youngest. I am going to try and clean my floors before we go to town, I have seen a few ants around! I sometimes drip sugar water on the floor when I am re-filling the hummingbird feeder, I think that is what they are after.
I am including some pictures of an abbey in France that my brother and his fiancé visited while house hunting in the town. My brother moved to France about 9 months or so ago. He is homesick, but at least he has beautiful things to look at!
Abbaye de Royaumont
  I would just love to sit here and just hang out!
08:40 - Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - comments {1} - post commentSaving MoneyIn a move towards simplifying, saving money and living better, I have cancelled our residential phone line. We have our business phone at our house, so why do I need two? I have also reduced the amount we pay out towards advertising in the phone book.. In two weeks we are going to cancel cable. I tried to cancel our cable internet and get DSL, but found out we can't get that where we live. So I am stuck with the cable internet for awhile. So with these changes I have saved us over $1,000 for the year!
Now I am going to research cheaper auto insurance. Since we added our 18 year old to our policy it has tripled our premium!
08:55 - Thursday, July 19, 2007 - comments {2} - post commentNew BooksYesterday I went a little book crazy and ordered a bunch of used books from Amazon. I felt a little guilty spending the money, but at least I know they will all go to good use!
Here is what I bought:
"A Well-Kept Home : Household Traditions and Simple Secrets from a French Grandmother" Laura Fronty
"Organizing Magic: 40 Days to a Well-Ordered Home and Life" Sandra Felton
"Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home" Martha Stewart
"Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House" Cheryl Mendelson
"Created to Be His Help Meet: Discover How God Can Make Your Marriage Glorious" Debi Pearl
"The Good Housekeeping Cookbook" Susan Westmoreland
"Home-Making" J. R. Miller
"Joie de Vivre: Simple French Style for Everyday Living" Robert Arbor
So after reading all of these I should have a clean and organized house, make some ymmy food, be an excellent wife, and do it all with French flare. LOL!!! :) I will have fun reading them anyway.
08:36 - Friday, July 13, 2007 - comments {2} - post commentHappy Fathers Day!HAPPY FATHERS DAY!
I wish all the Dad's out there a nice, relaxing day.
Today I am making my husband an omelet breakfast, then we are going to church, and he is going on a long bike ride with the boys afterward.
I bought some tri-tip to BBQ, along with some veggies and a Key lime pie for desert.
The boys and I ended up getting Dad a stand for his miter saw, new gloves, and some stuff for his BBQ. I think he will like the gifts.
He really makes out in June because Fathers Day, our anniversary and his birthday all fall in this month. I bought him a remote control airplane for his birthday, and I don't know what we are going to do for our anniversary yet.
I love to bless my husband, he is an awesome man, even with his faults. I am so thankful the Lord gave him to me.
07:52 - Sunday, June 17, 2007 - comments {0} - post comment
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