Thursday, January 8, 2009
Wonderful Opportunity for Writers!
Since I was a child, I have loved creative writing. This makes the project I've been working on the past few months even more exciting for me. I'm so pleased to be able to share it with you now.
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine is now accepting submissions for its second Storytime Writing Contest! We have two creative fiction categories: adults (16 and up 2,500 words or less) and children (15 and below 1,500 words or less).
The deadline to enter is midnight March 16, 2009.
Grand prize winners in both the adult and child categories will receive prize packages valued at over $1,000, publication in the Summer 2009 issue of TOS, and publication in the Storytime 2009 Compilation E-Book. Eleven Honorable Mentions from each category will also be included in the E-Book in addition to receiving gifts from top homeschool companies.
There is no limit for submissions, but there is a $7.95 fee per entry. For a detailed list of prizes, official contest rules, to meet the judges, and to upload your story, please visit:
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com/Short_Story_Contest.php
We can't wait to read those entries!
Need help teaching writing? We have over 200 writing products in the Schoolhouse Store!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Winter Wonderland
Much to the delight of a certain seven year old that I know...it snowed! There's a blanket of fresh clean snow here in the woods. It looks just like a fairyland. Of course, he has been distracted all day, waiting for the school day to end. When "the bell rang" he was out the door! I've been making a list of things that I want to accomplish this winter. These snowy "home days" will soon be here and gone and I'll be putting on boots, grabbing gloves and heading out into the soggy spring land. In the last several months there were some projects left undone, letters left unwritten, clothes that need mending, and things that I just haven't felt well enough to do. These things need to be done now. I'm not sure why I have this surge of energy, but I'm just going to just embrace it. :-)
I have decided to get back into making soap. If I am to have any for Farmers Market in spring and summer (or for our own use and gifts for that matter) I need to get busy now. I've also been daydreaming about our raspberries. I'm sure that this stack of seed catalogs here on the table isn't helping my spring fever much, but, I do want to enjoy each season to its fullest. And I do love snow, too. Probably not enough to brave the cold to sled in it tonight as the boys are doing, but I think it's really lovely. Besides, my job is to see to it that they warm back up. I'll stay indoors, put some wood in the fire, a pot of hot soup on the stove and warm some biscuits in the oven for when they come back in. Oh, and maybe dream a little more of spring.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
A Winter Birthday
It's early here on our farm and still quite dark and still. My feet were warm until they hit the cool wood floor, so instead of just staying under the covers (as I considered) I put on a thick pair of wool socks and loaded the stove with wood. The house will be toasty when the boys wake. I pulled back the curtains and peeked out the windows. We're expecting some very nasty weather today and from what I can see, it's already starting. Ice and snow are on the agenda. I'm not surprised; today is my middle son's birthday and he almost never has nice weather for it.
Bless his heart, he was born in a blizzard thirteen years ago! Getting to the hospital during a Level 3 Snow Emergency (and being pulled over and quickly let go by a police officer) makes for a very interesting birth story, don't you think? That being said, he was my easiest delivery. I barely felt a pain or broke a sweat. In the words of my great-aunt, "It was so easy I wondered if I deserved him." :-) That tiny baby with thick black hair and huge dark eyes now towers over me and is still growing!
Because of the weather, our celebration with family and friends will have to wait, but I'm still baking the cake he requested, a Raspberry Lemon Cake. (Yes, much more suited for an Easter dinner, but it's his favorite nonetheless.) Let's just pray that the power stays on so it can bake! Our newest teen wants/needs a new pair of insulated Carhartt overalls for his birthday, so we'll go shopping later this week when the road clears. We'll just spend the day where it's warm and plan a BIG birthday celebration for him... in July!
Monday, January 5, 2009
A Simple Woman's Daybook
For Today
Monday, January 5,2008
Outside my Window...it's a gray, chilly day with little sunshine. A very typical winter day for our State.
I am thankful that...Spring is coming eventually and the sunshine will return
From the kitchen...Cinnamon Toast and Tea for Breakfast, Chicken Ranch Wraps for Lunch, Leftovers from the weekend for Supper
I am reading... the December-January issue of MaryJanesFarm.
I am hearing...Middle Son playing the guitar
I am going...to watch a "chick flick" this evening, probably Phantom of the Opera. (Or Phantom of the Opry as my youngest calls it! Hey, we're country folk!)
I am hoping...that the storm that's coming tomorrow won't bring much ice
One of my favorite things... lit birthday candles on a cake
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Middle Son's birthday celebration
A picture thought to share for the day...
Please stop by to visit Peggy to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women," and to read the guidelines for creating your own Daybook!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Year, New Beginnings
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
--Alfred Lord Tennyson
We had a wonderful time with my sister and her family ringing in the new year. The children were excited to see it come in. I was excited to hold my little niece! She is just precious and growing so much. She spends much more time awake and gazing into your eyes. I love talking to her and seeing her little smile.Tonight, I found a darling pattern for fabric Mary Janes that I'm going to make for her for the summer. (A pair in every color!)
We all managed to stay awake to see the ball drop and then we parted ways. The air was bitter cold, so I was happy to have a short drive home. Everyone celebrated today with pork and kraut. I love the first day of January. Everything seems fresh and new. I always wonder what the year will bring and there's always something to look forward to. For one thing, I know I will have a son who will be driving! (Should I look forward to that?)
No doubt, there will be many joys and trials. I remember saying the same thing on this day last year and by the end of the month, I was facing some very frightening symptoms. Those first few months were the absolute worst. It's hard for me to believe that it's nearly been a whole year of tests and procedures. I saw my neurologist last week and he agrees that my biopsy results are good news. However, he believes that I have MS. In my heart, I have felt this all along. I'll be going for a repeat MRI in a couple of months, but in the meantime, I am starting a medication to help control the symptoms. Maybe I should be fearful, but I'm really not. It has nothing to do with me...I mean, I am not especially strong or courageous. I just think the Lord has given me peace.
Anyway, we have a busy weekend to look forward to. On Saturday, all of our menfolk (my sister's family and my own) are spending the entire day in the woods dragging logs and cutting, splitting, and hauling the wood. From big to little, they'll all have a job. We're hoping to have enough to finish the winter and then some. While they're out working, my sister and I will prepare a nice noon meal for the "crew." It's supposed to be quite cold (which is good for operating the tractor on solid ground) so a nice hot lunch should help to warm them up a bit. I haven't decided on the menu yet, but that's a job for tomorrow.
For now, I am being called to read the very first bedtime story of the new year. :-)
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
A Simple Woman's Daybook
For Today
Tuesday,December 30, the last entry in the year 2008.
Outside my Window...it's dark and cold and the winds are howling. Night has settled in on our big woods.
I am thankful for...the freshness of a new year that's coming and for the heart to heart talk I had with Oldest Son. I love it that he still wants to confide in me and talk to me, even though he's almost grown up!
From the kitchen...nothing but some popcorn that was popped in the same pan that we used when I was a kid. (It belonged to my great -grandmother.)
I am reading... a recipe for spinach dip that I'm making tomorrow night.
I am hearing... the blower on the stove.
I am going...to tuck myself in bed, very soon!
I am hoping...that everyone stays safe tomorrow night. My husband will be working in the ER, so he'll see some dreadful things.
One of my favorite things... unique old bottles and jars
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... a New Year's Eve celebration with my sister and her family, science lab
A picture thought to share for the day...
Please stop by to visit Peggy to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women," and to read the guidelines for creating your own Daybook!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Where did winter go?
Our Christmas festivities are ending, but it was an enjoyable, peaceful time. We're still feasting on leftovers and have plenty of honey baked ham for the freezer. I feel a bit sad to see Christmas go. Still, we will look forward to the new year and all that it will bring. Unfortunately, two of the boys became ill yesterday, so we're just staying home and taking it easy. Our youngest spiked a fever over 104, so I stayed with him around the clock last night. Bless his heart, he looked up at me and said, "Thank you for taking such good care of me." What a little sweetie! He seems better today, but I will continue to watch him closely. At least he was able to enjoy his Christmas Day. He was up at 4:00 in the morning and ready to let the festivities begin! Oh, the excitement! The rest of us required a bit more sleep, so we were able to hold him off until 6:00.
The weather today has certainly been a surprise. The paper said it might reach 75! I don't think it did, but still, mid 60's with warm breezes leads into daydreams about gardening. It just can't be helped. Not to mention that we are all receiving seed catalogs in the mail. I got two of them just today. Oh, I'm sure that winter will return soon and we'll have plenty of snow to enjoy. The boys are counting on it. I suppose it's nice to have a little reminder now and again of what is to come.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
'Twas the night before Christmas...
Our Christmas Eve festivities have come to a close and not a creature is stirring in this little home in the woods. The stockings are hung, the sleepy heads are all tucked in, and the presents are tucked under the tree waiting for a very excited little boy to wake. Tomorrow, we will continue our celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Thank you to each and every one for your friendship and your prayers. Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas.
And to all, a good night!
Monday, December 22, 2008
A Simple Woman's Daybook
For Today
Monday,December 22, 2008
Outside my Window...we have a heat wave! It's ten degrees. We have a bit of sun that's shining like glitter on snow.
I am thankful for... this beautiful time of year, and thick woolen socks.
From the kitchen...sage sausage gravy and biscuits for breakfast, smoked turkey wraps for lunch. Supper is undetermined. :-)
I am reading... Keeping Holiday by Starr Meade
I am hearing... Silver Bells sung by Johnny Mathis
I am creating... toppers for the jars of jam that I'm giving away as gifts.
I am going...to the Post Office to mail a writer's agreement
I am hoping...for a white Christmas. It just makes everything seem so special.
Around the house... we're on Christmas break! We have carols playing and warm wonderful smells coming from the oven. We've been watching Christmas movies and enjoying our time together.
One of my favorite things... red ribbons
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... relaxing with our family, delivering Christmas goodies to neighbors and Christmas celebrations
A picture thought to share for the day...
Please stop by to visit Peggy to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women," and to read the guidelines for creating your own Daybook!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Winter Winds Blow
Temperatures plummeted today and are now below zero. We took extra care to make the animals warm and comfortable. As for us, our wood stove is working overtime to keep the house warm. Even so, we can't help but to want to wrap up in a quilt or two while listening to the winds howl. There's only a light dusting of snow from last night, but it's blowing across the roads. The lights have flickered a time or two, so we have the candles and lamps ready just in case we need their glow.
I've been working on some needlework and Youngest Son is reading to me. He is so excited that Christmas is nearly here! He's been counting down the days of course, and enjoying the Advent calendar that we picked up at the British shop in town. There are but a few chocolates left in it. It's so wonderful to see Christmas through his eyes and to share his excitement for all of the good things to come.
I've had the oven on today to help warm things up. I made a batch of these wonderful cookies, so I thought I would share them with you again this year. Hope you enjoy them!
White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped
- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup cold butter
- 12 ounces white chocolate baking squares with cocoa butter, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 drops red food coloring (optional)
- 2 teaspoons shortening
- White nonpareils and/or red sugar (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spread cherries on paper towels to drain well.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in drained cherries and 4 ounces (2/3 cup) of the chopped chocolate. Stir in almond extract and, if desired, food coloring. Knead mixture until it forms a smooth ball.
3. Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in sugar, flatten balls to 1-1/2-inch rounds.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until centers are set. Cool for 1 minute on cookie sheet. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.
5. In a small saucepan, combine remaining 8 ounces white chocolate and the shortening. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Dip half of each cookie into chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. If desired, roll dipped edge in nonpareils and/or sugar. Place cookies on waxed paper until chocolate is set. Makes about 60.
6. To Store: Layer cookies between waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
