Monday's Simple Woman's Daybook

Read other Simple Women Daybooks at Peggy's site: The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today - August 17th 2009 -

Outside my window...the rain is pouring down. Thunderstorm just rolled in from the west. I love the sound of it pelting against the glass door. Good day for a nap.

I am thinking...about my to-do list, and how close I am to being done. Whoo hoo

From the learning rooms...the public schools around here all start this week. But we will wait til after Labor Day. With upcoming baby arrival, Ashleigh's birthday, and out-of-state family visiting, seems wise to wait til it calms down some.

I am thankful for...some down time this afternoon to put my swollen feet up.

From the kitchen...we were going to grill hamburgers tonight, but may fix meatloaf instead if the rain keeps up.

I am wearing...comfy, stretchy shorts & t shirt.

I am reading...Nicholas Spark's new paperback "The Lucky One". I have been waiting for it to come out, so was super-excited when I saw it the other day. Thought it would be a good read for my upcoming hospital stay....(like I'm going to have time to read!)

I am hoping...

I am creating...a clean and organized house!

I am praying...for God to open the doors for my family that lead to His will and not my own.

Around the house...toys have been sorted and re-organized, my desk is cleared & papers filed, washing machine is doing yet another load,

One of my favorite things...the smell of fresh rain in the country.

A few plans for the rest of the week...savoring the moments and making memories with my precious kids, while there are still just two. We'll to a Haiku Art Party tomorrow morning. A Go Fish concert friday night. As well, as our homeschool co-op classes start this week.

I also have our first fall MOPS steering team meeting, my last OB appt before the c-section next week, and my in-laws arrive this weekend from Texas.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... I actually dont have a picture!! aacckkk

Monday's Simple Woman's Daybook

Read other Simple Women Daybooks at Peggy's site: The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today -August 3rd, 2009 -

Outside my window...a nice sunny summer day. We have been blessed with mild temps the past couple of weeks. Really helps since I am 36 weeks pregnant!

I am thinking...about which classes we should enroll in at our homeschool group's co-op.
Ashleigh is very interested in nature studies, art & music.

From the learning rooms...I am beginning to organize and set-up a curriculum plan for the fall.

I am thankful for...naptime :) Wonder how much our schedule will change when the 3rd one arrives?!

From the kitchen...getting ready to start a roast in the dutch oven. With potatoes, carrots, gravy, & rolls for dinner tonight.

I am wearing...jean shorts, and a really large t-shirt.

I am reading...thru emails.

I am hoping...that this teething spell that Logan seems to be going through, is over soon.

I am creating...a baby sling pattern. Need to look at material next trip to the city.

I am praying...for God to open the doors for my family that lead to His will and not my own.

Around the house...bathrooms are scrubbed, kitchen spotless, our bedroom almost organized.

One of my favorite things...violin music. Wish I knew how to play. Ashleigh is thinking she would like to learn.

A few plans for the rest of the week...get MOPS creative activities shopping done before baby comes, drop off un-needed baby clothes at the pregnancy center,

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

"the belly"

Rutledge Wilson Farm

An old-fashioned, family-friendly experience!

How Does Our Garden Grow?

Farm animal meet and greets

Playing on the farm-themed playground

Monday's Simple Woman's Daybook on Tuesday

Read other Simple Women Daybooks at its temporary summer location: Grandmother Wren's blog

For Today -July 28th, 2009 - I somehow completely missed that yesterday was Monday!!

Outside my window...everything is dripping from the evening thunderstorm that just rolled through. The yard was mowed this morning, so the world looks fresh & clean.

I am thinking...of how much I have left to try and get done before this new baby comes. 4 weeks til due date, but expecting her any time.

From the learning rooms... we spent today on a field-trip at a farm.

I am thankful for...sweet friends who loaned us a darling antique bassinette/cradle. I have been looking at garage sales all summer, and even at Walmart...but was secretly wanting a real, wooden, brown one.

From the kitchen...trying to work up a new menu plan for the month of August. Tonight was "breakfast for dinner" night. Sausage gravy & biscuits with eggs.

I am wearing...khaki shorts, dark purple v-neck shirt, and flip-flops.

I am reading...some blogs that I enjoy. And some internet research stuff for a book idea I am praying about starting.

I am hoping...for some ache-free days.

I am creating...a bumper for the bassinette and since I hadnt made my boppy cover yet, will be able to make a matching one.

I am praying...and believing for God's provision in all areas of my life.

Around the house...clutter, laundry needing put away, ....ugh

One of my favorite things...meadowlarks.

A few plans for the rest of the week...cleaning house, sewing,...

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

"Two Tired Children"

My new Nursing Cover

Here is a picture of the nursing cover I made this week. If you've never seen one before, it's a sort-of apron or cape that you lay across your chest & nursing baby for privacy. The best thing about it, is the awesome strap that you put over your neck, holding the cover in place. Perfect for when that wee one gets big enough to start pulling and tugging on while nursing! The strap is adjustable.
It was very simple to make...and the tutorial I found at Little Birdie Secret's explains it step by step.
I love it and can hardly wait to use it!

Monday's Simple Woman's Daybook

Read other Simple Women Daybooks at its temporary summer location: Grandmother Wren's blog

For Today -July 20th, 2009 -

Outside my window...clouds are starting to roll in and cover up the noon-day sun. Supposed to get a summer rain storm this evening.

I am thinking...about how difficult it is to become more organized. Is it just the stage of family life we are currently in, with a 5 yr old, 2 yr old, and baby coming soon? Or is it just me and something I have to work to push through?

From the learning rooms... Ashleigh is working on the days of the week and how to tie her shoes.

I am thankful for... for all that we were able to accomplish last week. Got the tub of baby blankets dug out of the storage closet. Kids game/activity closet is organzied and labeled. Took a bunch of publicity shots for my author friend. Made & delivered fresh blueberry muffins for a bake sale.

From the kitchen...grilled chicken & zuchinni, and garlic mashed potatoes, with iced tea.

I am wearing...gray shorts with a big t-shirt that has little strawberry fingerprints on it.

I am reading...some Kraft & old Taste of Home cooking magazines. Trying to get motivated and find some easy meal ideas. As my due date gets closer, I feel less and less like being on my feet & working.

I am hoping... I am creating...a new cover for my old boppy pillow.

I am praying...and believing for God's provision in all areas of my life.

Around the house...Ashleigh & Logan are finishing up their lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese nips, and berries, before taking afternoon naps, so that Mom can put her feet up for a bit!

One of my favorite things...hammocks swaying in a gentle breeze.

A few plans for the rest of the week...enjoy a restful summer week with my kids, maybe play at the pool some; read books together; have a tea party or two; as well as finish washing, folding, and sorting thru baby clothes; find a bassinet, and keep the house clean-ish ;)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Me, between a couple of sweet friends at our church. You can't see my big belly. LOL

Blueberry Ice Cream

Blueberry Ice Cream

3 cups frsh or frozen unsweetened blueberries

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons finely shredded orange peel

1/3 cup orange juice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup whipping cream

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 tablespoons flour

4 cups milk

4 egg yolks, beaten

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon ground cardamon or cinnamon

2 cups whipping cream

2 cups walnuts, toasted (optional)

1. Combine blueberries, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp orange peel, orange juice, and salt in medium saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, mashing berries and stirring with a fork; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Stir in 1 cup cream. Cover; refridgerate mixture for 4 to 24 hours

2. Meanwhile, combine the 1 1/2 cups sugar and flour in a large saucepan. Gradually stir in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until slightly thickened and bubbly. Cook for 1 minute more. Stir about 1 cup of the hot mixyure into beaten egg yolks; return all of yolk mixture to saucepan. Cok and stir until mixture returns to boiling. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and cardamon. Cool slightly. Cover with plastuc wrap; refridgerate for 4 to 24 hours.

3. Whisk together the 2 cups whipping cream, chilled blueberry mixture, and chilled milk mixture in a large bowl. Freeze mixture in a 4-5 quart ice cream freezer according to maunfacturer's directions. (the can should be no more than two-thirds full.) Using a sturdy rubber spatula, fold in the remaining orange peel and walnuts until just combined. Transfer to a freezer container. Cover and freeze in regular freezer until firm. Makes 2 1/4 quarts. (18 servings)

Monday's Simple Woman's Daybook

Read other Simple Women Daybooks at its temporary summer location: Grandmother Wren's blog

For Today -July 13th, 2009 -

Outside my window...

it is a rainy gray day.

I am thinking...

how nice a nap sounds right about now!

From the learning rooms...

we are still on summer vacation.

I am thankful for...

those little glimpses of hope from our children, when we actually see some results from all the disciplining and know that they "really got it" !!

From the kitchen...

fresh-sliced peaches

I am wearing...

blue capris and a gray maternity shirt. barefoot of course.

I am reading...

a new novel from Lisa T Bergren called "Breathe". About a girl suffering with consupmtion in the mid 1800's and her life of recovery in the Rocky Mtns. Also reading Lisa Whelchel's "Taking Care of the Me in Mommy"

I am hoping...

that there is at least a little bit of sunshine interspersed in this gray week.

I am creating...

have been working on scrapbooking one of my old wooden window frames that I found at a garage sale awhile back. I havent decided if I will place photos on it or just the paper.

I am praying...

that the last 6 weeks of this pregnancy go by as quickly and smoothly as the rest of it has. Seems like everywhere I turn lately, someone has lost a baby. Makes me very sad.

Around the house...

lots of laundry from kids wetting the beds :( And having to use several big towels to mop up all the water that Logan sprayed on the kitchen floor.

One of my favorite things...

hearing Logan get excited about having a "boot beer float". He always knows how to make me smile.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

a quick over-night visit from the in-laws; an ob appt; sorting thru & re-doing the kids game/art closet; still hoping to pick more blueberries; a Wonders of Wildlife fieldtrip at the library.

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

Breakfast in the Backyard

Nature-find

Ashleigh recently discovered baby Praying Mantis' on our front walk. How she spotted them...so tiny and camoflauged! She didnt remember seeing a grown one before, so didnt know what they were. But she looked them up in a cool little insect guide that I had just found her at a garage sale. She was amazed at how large they can grow to be!!

I shared with her my experience with baby mantis'. I was around 10 yrs old. And just like Ashleigh, loved nature & science, and was very observant. My parents were always amazed at how we could all be walking somewhere and I would look down and spot a fossel or something.

We had found a praying mantis egg sac on a stick...and thinking it was an old, dried-out one, we placed it in our bug catcher to study and add to our collection. I don't remember how long we had that thing, but one day we discovered hundreds of baby mantis' all over our sunporch. Their tiny bodies we able to fit thru the holes of the bug catcher. It was a crazy experience, one that I never forgot. And I'm sure Ashleigh won't either :)