Monday, November 24, 2008
My Artsy blog

I know most of you know that I have an artsy blog and I hope you will come by and visit. For those of you that don't I would like to share some of the things that I have been working on these past weeks. A while back I went to a watercolor class with my bestest friend from Florida ( you may remember me talking about it HERE. ) Well I have been working on my technique but on a much much much smaller scale. I went from painting on 12 X 18 canvas to 2.5 X 3.5 inch cards. Anyway, here is some of my latest works. To see more visit MY ARTSY BLOG

Thanks for coming by today and be sure to leave a comment.

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Monday, November 24, 2008
Simple Women's Daybook

Posted in Simple Womans Daybook

For Today…November 24th, 2008

Outside my Window…  The temp is a mere 31* , the sky is grey, the trees are bare and there is still a bit of snow on the ground. I don't see a bird in site, nor a dog or a horse. I think everyone is hiding somewhere keeping warm from the chilly chilly night we had.  

I am thinking…of catching up on laundry (gosh there has to be an end in there somewhere)

From the learning rooms…. lots of school lessons. I think we are going to start doing 'presentations' again. Seems the children can use some practice in that area. We will begin with researching an inventor, making a visual and then planning out the speach part of it. We are also starting a new Unit Study using the book "Number the Stars by Lois Lowry". We will learn more on the civil war and the areas in which it all took place. Should be an exciting week.

I am thankful for…  A healing Lord., ("Lord, heal this vessel of mine, take away the symptoms of this oncoming cold and open my airways so that I make breath easily and carry on making the improvements in our home. AMEN.)...  my husband, my children and my friends, my creative hands, my art. I am so thankful for my fully stocked pantry, meat in the freezer and the ability to learn to be more frugal.

From the kitchen… It is completely silent, no-one up yet to make any noise. I can smell the aroma of the pot of coffee my dear hubby started before leaving to get a load of hay. MMmm think I will go and grab a cup. :-)  

I am wearing…blue pajama leggings, an green over sized t-shirt. and thick warm comfy socks. I found these leggins at the thrift store the other day and oh how I wish I could find a dozen more. Seems these are perfect for me. My legs often hurt so much during the night (A combination of neuropothy and fibro) and with the way the hug the ankle they don't climb up exposing my ankles to the cool air. I have really got to hunt some down. :-)

I am reading…"Preparing My Heart for Advent: A Spiritual Pilgrimage for the Christmas Season"
by Ann Marie Stewart, My Bible, and Numbering the Stars.

I am hoping…that all my friends around the world and all of my extended family members are warm, fed, and blessed beyond belief.

I am creating…several new postcards and ATC's for swapping (you can see these HERE ) and lots of little Christmas tree ornaments. The children and I are working on making 200 so that we can bless the children's cancer center for Christmas.

I am hearing… the heat running,  the wind blowing and the clicking of the computer keyboard. Ahhhh quiet!

Around the house… not a creature is stiring., not even a mouse!

One of my favorite things is creating creating and receiving art work. Sharing the day with my family and spending time with hubby when he is off work. Hummmmm wonder what we will do today!

I am praying for…my families unity, a clean and organized house, all my friends hither and yon.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…finishing the organization of all the totes spread here and there and putting them down on the storage shelves, cleaning up the whole office so I can do something with these walls.

What I accomplished since last week…quite a few postcards and ATC's, crocheted a lot of dish cloths and pot holders, practiced my watercolor techniques. oh and lots and lots of school work!

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

 

Have a wonderful week everyone. If you would like to read more of the Simple women's daybook entries just visit HERE.

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Friday, November 21, 2008
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Oh my goodness. I woke this morning to find SNOW SNOW SNOW all over the place. I am just gathering the harvest for Thanksgiving and already we have snow. Geesh!

It is beautiful though, to look out at and see all the horse hoof prints and doggie prints all over. I bet if I looked close enough I would even find prints from lil mousies.  

I hated to have to go out in it but I did. I had groceries to get, things to take to the postoffice, and meds to pick up at the pharmacy. I am so proud of my grocery shopping today as I actually looked at the sales paper and with the help of coupons, a $25 gift certificate and a little planning, I was able to get $134.00 worth of groceries for $62.00. Now for some of you that may not be a big deal but for ME, the quick spender, it really is a mile stone. I am trying so hard to focus more and keep our grocery bill down to the minimun. Today, I DID GOOD!

I am home again and nice and warm, viewing the snow from my favorite place.... INSIDE!  I pray you are all warm too. Have a blessed day and drop a comment or two. heheee

 

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Monday, November 17, 2008
Simple Women's Daybook

Posted in Simple Womans Daybook

For Today…November 17th, 2008

Outside my Window… ohhh the view is breathtaking. There is a dark dark blue sky and just over the ridge there is a country blue lining with just a hint of pink and orange. Almost like a fire's glow. The trees are outlined silhouettes. The temp is a mere 27* , but from inside the house it is just perfect.  

I am thinking…of all the things I want to accomplish today. From school lessons, to art to housekeeping. Lord.... would you mind allowing us, ohhhhh, about six extra hours today, I just want to get it all done!

From the learning rooms…Today we have Bible, spelling, science, math and home ec scheduled. We may be adding a visit to the Dr office today to, if I can get M an appointment. She just hasn't been feeling well lately. Please pray for her.

I am thankful for…  A forgiving Lord, a chance to start a brand new day, my husband, my children and my friends, my art and my on line buddies. For all those that have shared in swaps and bringing a smile to my face. For all things new!

From the kitchen… It is completely silent, no-one up yet to make any noise. I can smell the aroma of my hot cocoa brewing, mmmm and cinnamon scones about to become breakfast.  

I am wearing…purple leggings, an over sized t-shirt. and thick warm comfy socks. Seems this is my winter attire for bed these days.

I am reading…"Preparing My Heart for Advent: A Spiritual Pilgrimage for the Christmas Season"
by Ann Marie Stewart

I am hoping…that all my friends and family a warm, fed, and blessed beyond belief.

I am creating…several new postcards and ATC's for swapping and lots of goodies for my Warm Fuzzies swap.

I am hearing… the birds screeching as they fly by, the sound of horses hooves and they walk past the office window, ... and the snoring of my wee lil pumpkin as she lays next to me in the office.

Around the house… there will laundry going, children reading, writing, and oh how I pray, Laughing... We will fill the air with a Harvest scent and Christian music to set the tone for a wonderful day. .

One of my favorite things is creating postcards and ATC's that those receiving them will enjoy. I love my Mice and acorns, mice and flowers, mice and more mice.

I am praying for…those who need warmth from the cold, my families unity, all my friends hither and yon.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…getting the car repairs finished, getting M's paperwork for Behind the wheel, creating some great art work and spending time with family and friends. 

What I accomplished since last week…quite a few postcards and ATC's, a jean purse with an awesome wiener dog on it, some crocheting and painting. Lots of school work!

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

 

Praying you all have a wonderful day, stay warm and accomplish much.

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Thursday, November 13, 2008
My Oh My, what a day it's been

Today has been one of those days where you wish you can hit the rewind key and earase the events and try again.

First off, my day started at 12:03 AM when I got a call from my daughter wanting me to pick her up from her friends house because she was feeling really sick. It is a 40 minute ride to where she was and I just couldn't get there fast enough. I arrived only to find her tossing her cookies in the drive way. She didn't want to wake anyone so decided to wait outside for me. (I... went in to tell her friend she was coming home and wasn't well). Praying all the way home that it was simply something she ate that didn't agree with her and that it wasn't the stomache bug, we got home around 1:25 AM. I got her settled in and then went to bed myself. THEN... I wake up 30 minutes later then what I wanted to only to find it had been raining for who knows how long and the car window was left open in the back seat. ARGH (Thanked God for Leather seats instead of fabric and carried on. I had to force the dogs outside to do their business cause none of them like the rain. Then wake all the children so we can do our morning chores and meet our friends at the library on time. We were going to meet for awhile there, go to Subway for lunch, and then go back to Deb's house to hang out until it was time for the boys to go to boy scouts. Wellllllll, before reaching Deb's house the Expo started to act really really strange. I heard a banging sound and then started to smell burnt rubber. Well we have been having a time trying to fix the emergancy break and had planned to drop it off at the garage on the way home from boy scouts. Well I guess something more went wrong and there I was in the middle of nowhere and SOMETHING was burning up. So I slowed down and tried to crawl to Deb's. There was a garage only 2 miles from her house and we made it there three minutes before they were supposed to close. I explained what I heard and smelt and the mechanic was able to smell it to. He advised me not to drive it home (55 Miles from where we were) so I called the hubby and decided to leave it at the garage. I went to Deb's we had dinner and then after talking about just spending the night and finding that we couldn't cause I didn't have any insulin with me (or my OTHER bucket of meds), we decided that I would just drive her car home and come back tomorrow after my car is repaired. Well, her car had a flat tire!!! So her hubby went out to fix it only to find three nails in one and a couple in another. It took him over an hour to plug all the holes. My hubby would have come to get us except he only has a pick up that will fit Three tightly squeezed. Well after about two hours we all piled in Deb's car and headed for home. 1/2 way there a light comes on in her car that says "Low tire pressure". OH GEEZZZZZZ!! Well we checked and it wasn't to low to drive on so we just came the rest of the way home. Now I know what tomorrow will bring first thing in the morning (Which mind you isn't but five hours away now) I will have to get up and get the air compressor, blow up the tire, head to town and stop at OUR garage and have them check the rest of the tires and plug away!!!   Isn't life just one happy adventure after another. ?????????

Well I guess I better get off to bed and prepare for a better tomorrow. Hope you all in bloggerville will say a quick prayer for us. Have a blessed day! NIGHT NIGHT!!

 

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Monday, November 10, 2008
A simple woman's daybook

Posted in Simple Womans Daybook

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Today…November 10th, 2008

Outside my Window… ’It is beautifully sunny outside but a bit on the cold side. The wind is blowing at a steady pace and the leaves are flying everywhere.

I am thinking…of all the people out there that have no shelter when it gets cold and praising God for the home I have.

From the learning rooms…Today we accomplished, math, spelling, horse training and grooming. Now I am tired and sore and need some resting time.

I am thankful for…The home we live in, the people in my life and the fact our God is a forgiving God.

From the kitchen… I can hear the pitter patter of pots and pans as the children prepare to make some cookies.

I am wearing…purple leggins, an oversized black long sleeve hently shirt. and thick warm comfy socks.

I am reading…"If it weren't for Eve I would be a perfect wife" by. Terri Camp as I await the delivery of "Preparing My Heart for Advent: A Spiritual Pilgrimage for the Christmas Season"
Ann Marie Stewart

I am hoping…the pain and ackiness will soon be gone and I can get back to normal again.

I am creating…a purse made from blue jeans and a shirt for a swap that I joined on Swap-bot

I am hearing… the screaching cries of a dog that is confined and doesn't want to be.

Around the house… there are many projects to be done. Starting in the master bedroom.

One of my favorite things Mice and acorns, mice and flowers, mice and more mice.

I am praying for…those who need warmth from the cold, my families unity, all my friends hither and yon.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…digging post holes for a dog lot, creating some great goards and spending time with family and friends. 

What I accomplished since last week…quite a few postcards and ATC's, some crocheting and painting. Lots of school work!

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

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Saturday, November 8, 2008
Yummy Blog Rolls

 Rachel fromA City on the Hill posted this on her blog and I just absolutely loved it. I am going to try them this evening after gathering all the ingrediants. Tell me how you like her Blog Rolls when you try them yourself.

Blog Rolls
3 1/3-3 3/4 cups of fun friends (flour)
1/4 cup sweet graphics (sugar)
1/4 cup bright colours (shortening or butter)
1 tsp. bit-of-know-how (salt)
1 pkg. of encouragement (yeast)
1/2 cup nice comments (lukewarm water)
1/2 cup good blog posts (very warm milk)
1 proof-reader (egg)

Now to make these delicious Blog Rolls, mix 2 cups of fun friends, the sweet graphics, the bright colours, bit-of-know-how, and the encouragement in a 2-1/2 quart bowl. Add in the nice comments, good blog posts, and proof-reader. Beat on low speed, scraping the bottom of the bowl constantly, 1 minute. Stir in enough remaining fun friends to make the dough easy to handle.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place in greased 2-1/2 quart bowl; turn greased side up. Cover and let rise in warm and cozy place until it’s double, about 1 hour. (The dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.) Punch down dough; make into 2-inch balls. Brush with a bit of bright colours. Cover and let rise until double, about 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 400*. Bake until golden brown, 12-18 minutes.

OH MY GOSH don't they sound good!

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Friday, November 7, 2008
Welcome to my kitchen

My dear friend LakeLady started this meme on her blog and so I thought I would join her...

Welcome to My Kitchen

1.  Do you have magnets on your fridge?  oh yes, some photo's, some homemade, and some of the states we have visited

2. Do you have a calendar in the kitchen and if so, what is it's theme?  nope

3.  What is your favorite kitchen gadget or tool? I would have to say my Kitchen-Aid mixer and my pressure canner

4.  Are you lucky enough to have a pantry of some kind?  Yes!  and oh dear it's looking a little bare

5.  What is your favorite appliance?  The freezer, it holds my bag of ice that I HAVE to have at all times.

6.  Do you have an eat in kitchen?  Yes a simple table with five chairs.

7.  Do you have a bread box?  Yes. it is wicker with a flip top lid

8.  Do you have a picture of your kids on the fridge?  Of course!

9.  Do you ever cooked breakfast in your pjs?   every day! well unless it is one of the children's days to cook.

10.  Do you have a favorite cookbook?  Yes, my Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook and my divine desserts cookbook!

11.  Are you lucky enough to have recipes that were passed down from your mom and grandma?  Unfortunately no but we did find my dh's mothers recipe box and there was ONE original recipe in there of hers.... I just can't read it! :-(.

12.  What's your favorite food?  homecooked I would have to say Sloppy Joe's. Eat out is definately Chinese

13.  What's your favortie thing to cook?  Bread...buttermilk pie!

14.  Is your coffee pot electric or stove top?  Digital electric. :-)

15.  Do you make your own bread?  yes in a bread machine unless I want a different shape.

16.  Name one thing you have hanging on the wall in your kitchen.  A metal cow that has a welcome sign above it.

17.  Is there a clock in your kitchen?  two the microwave and the coffee pot

18.  Do you have a bowl of fruit on your table or counter?  Yes on top of the microwave but today... it's empty.

19.  What type of canisters do you have?  none!

20.  Does your kitchen have a theme?  yes, red pears and wicker

21.  What's for supper tonight?  meatball subs and salad.

22.  Do you have enough cabinet space?  I do for the most part but I will be loosing some soon to put in a dishwasher. 

23.  Does your family use paper plates?   yupper

24.  Do you have a good set of china packed up?  Nopper.

25.  Do you wear an apron to work in the kitchen?  When I remember to, but I keep my favorite apron in my studio to wear when painting.

26.  Name one thing you would change about your kitchen if you could.  I'd buy a new fridge with an ice maker in it.

Join us in sharing about your kitchen!

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Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Secret Sister's Holiday Swap details

Shhh it's a secret!!

Okay, everyone has been matched up and we can get started. You should have received an email with your Secret Sisters blog address so that you can start reading a little about her.

 I will need each of you to send me....your full name, your snail mail address, email address  RIGHT AWAY... brownstead@embarqmail.com  and be sure to see to it that your secret sister will have access to your blog and be able to email you. 

 DO NOT reveal yourself to them. Let's keep it a secret. You may contact your Sister by leaving annoymous comments on her blog, asking her questions, getting to know her, but do not tell her who you are.

All packages MUST BE MAILED BY DECEMBER 5th! Please make it a personal package, something your Sister likes. Keep the contents under $20 and PLEASE include something HANDMADE.

If for any reason you are unable to fullfil your obligation please contact me via email. brownstead@embarqmail.com I do hope we will all stick to our commitment and make this something special for everyone.

On your marks, Get set, GOooooooooo!

 

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Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Secret Sister Christmas Swap

THIS POST WILL BE HERE AT THE TOP OF MY BLOG UNTIL NOVEMBER 5TH SEE BELOW FOR ALL NEW POSTS.

Who would like to join me for a Secret Sister Christmas Swap? I would like to open it to the first 50 people that leave a comment here.

The swap will be open until I get 50 comments here or on November 5th which ever comes first. YOU MUST HAVE A BLOG so that your partner can contact you anonymously if they have questions. You will be notified who your partner is and their address and likes and dislikes. Then you will have until December 5th to mail the package out. PLEASE ONLY SIGN UP IF YOU PROMISE TO SEND!

I would like this to be something HAND MADE. (such as pillow, set of cards, scarf and mittens, anything you can make with your own hands and keep it to the Christmas theme) Any questions please fill free to ask.

In your comment please list your full name, your favorite things, and your complete email address. I will contact you to get your mailing addresses.

HURRY don't miss out. I am only running this for the Christmas holiday!

 

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