Daybook Entry

For a while a couple of years ago, I did a “daybook” entry once a week. It’s a good exercise…. makes you think about what you are doing, where your time and thoughts are going.

FOR TODAY -

Outside my window... is the morning darkness but I can just see the green leaves from the window boxes Mary and I planted this summer bumping against the glass.

I am thinking...of how much I love the change of seasons from summer to fall, of how the trees will soon be changing colors and shedding themselves of their leaves, of how I feel a little bit in that season, too…. It seems I’m in some kind of transition, some kind of changing… I feel that I’m letting loose of old, tired things and getting down to what’s underneath.

I am thankful... that The Boy has been offered a very promising job and will begin a new adventure with The Girl in Savannah soon.

In the kitchen... Mary and I plan to make cheddar cheese soup today as part of her learning how to prepare a five course meal.

I am wearing... my Frosty Frog Café t-shirt, long coveted and stolen from buddy M. The perfect and most comfy sleeping shirt!

I am creating... a cross-stitch sampler….. one of about four incomplete cross-stitch projects I found way back in the Dark Depths when cleaning out my closet this summer. It’s been ages since I’ve stitched and I’ve forgotten how I enjoy the monotony of it and how your mind becomes free to wander with your hands busy pushing the needle in and out, in and out.

I am going... to work this morning and then spend the day with Mary.

I am wondering... How hard it will be when The Boy moves…. another parenting milestone, I suppose – having a grown child move away from you, begin a life in a town in which you’ve never lived.

I am reading... Ah – as usual a smattering of things. A commentary on James to go along with the Beth Moore study I’ve started attending with the women at our church on Wednesday nights, a novel (A Parchment of Leaves), a short story collection (The House on Belle Isle), a non-fiction book on a subject I’ve long been interested in (The Jesus Prayer), and a poetry chapbook (Logophilia) I picked up this weekend at the NC Poetry Society meeting. I’ve just come to accept this is where I am in my reading life right now (see “I am thinking… above) – sporadic, incomplete, jerky, nibbly. Perhaps one day I will get my focus back.

I am listening to… The Kitchen House and oh-my-it-is-good.

I am hoping... to spend some time with an old and dear and wise friend at her lake house this weekend.

I am looking forward to... a friend coming by this afternoon for a nice long cup of coffee on the porch.

I am learning… how to do this home school thing with Mary – How not to plan more than a week ahead, how to be flexible, how to look for learning opportunities in less formal ways than I usually consider – How to be patient with her and myself, how to not crave perfection from either of us, how to live life together in a new way. God is working on me, I pray chiseling away more of me and revealing more of Him.

Around the house...we have begun work on updating our kitchen! (Not by our own will, but by that of the stopped up drain in the bathroom above.) Yes, folks the floral wallpaper and orange formica is on it’s way out. Current activity: Pulling off wallpaper – which I find oddly relaxing and an opportunity for prayer. Weird, huh? In true Furby form, I’m fully content to expect this to be at least a six month project!

I am pondering... how to fit some art-time/writing-time back into my life. It seems to have slipped away from me over the past months. (And this would include blog-writing time!) 

One of my favorite things... the gift of time that my 30 minute drive to and from work gives me: time to listen to books or sermons, time to catch up with my grown kids on the phone, time to pray, time to process the day, time to just ponder and think. 

A few plans for the rest of the week… just continuing to figure out this new rhythm of life that includes home schooling a middle-school child.

A peek into my day...  Some lovely flowers I picked up over a week ago from the grocery store (just 8 bucks!) and which are now in full bloom on the dining room table. I love having flowers in the house…. they offer me a tiny sip of simple joy each time I pass by.  

For more daybook entries visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook here. Blessings on your week, bloggy friend.

 

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For Today…

Last year I made “Daybook” entries quite a bit. Thought it would be fun to give it a go again!

Outside my window... it’s dark and quite at about 5:30am on the Sabbath. I love this day and I love this time. Everyone – kids, hubby, dogs – are sleeping and all seems right with the world.

I am thinking... of all the things needed to be done to prepare to homeschool Mary next year. Yep, there, I’ve said it! We have decided to keep her home next  year and try something different. Very exciting. A little afraid. Mostly just blessed to be able to even give it a try.

I am thankful... for my beautiful daughter-in-law who celebrated her birthday this week and who we are having lunch with today!

In the kitchen... I made some yummy cranberry cookies for a dessert to bring to our neighborhood dinner this past Thursday. Recipe here.

I am wearing... my favorite slouchy, super comfy, wear-all-day-around-the-house pj bottoms and T-shirt.

I am creating... not sure yet… as soon as I’m done with this post I’m going to slather some paint on a little canvas and see what happens!

I am going... to work on my writing class today! (See below.)

I am wondering... how time passes so quickly and Easter is almost here!?
 
I am reading... Margaret Atwood’s The Robber Bride.

I am hoping... to paint our front door this weekend, changing from a deep red to a happy spring yellow!

I am looking forward to... an online fiction writing class I’m taking with a friend through our local community college. Lessons one and two posted out of 12.

I am learning… about plot vs. story!

Around the house... I’ve painted a well-used chifforobe we’ve had for years and used in the both the girl’s nurseries. It was red (for E) then a multicolor pastel (for Mary). Now it’s two shades of yellow with fabulous mix-matched knobs from Anthropolgie. It’s found a new home in the art room where Mary and I plan to use it to store our school materials. Pictures soon!

I am pondering… God’s faithfulness even when we are unfaithful…

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~Lamentations 3:22-23

A favorite quote for today... “I wish you all the joy that you can wish.” William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice, Act 3, Scene II, found on the birthday card we gave our daughter-in-law this week. 

One of my favorite things... old hat boxes purchased at a neighborhood garage sale yesterday! They’ve found a home in the art room on top of the newly painted chifforobe.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Ah, well, I’ll be heading to Atlanta on Monday and fly back on Wednesday. Hopefully I’ll have dinner with E in Raleigh before driving home and the rest of my week will be slow and quiet until we ease into the weekend.

A peek into my day... The pollen has really dropped here over the past week or so. I think it’s the worst ever. But with it comes the flowers. Here’s a shot of the lovely dogwoods blooming in front of our house. I’ve always loved this tree.

For more Daybook entries, click over to the Simple Woman’s Daybook.

CONTINUE READING...

Simple

FOR TODAY
Tuesday
August 17, 2010

Outside my window... MUGGY: (adj) muggy, steamy, sticky (hot or warm and humid) "muggy weather"; "the steamy tropics"; "sticky weather"

I am thinking... about what to cook for dinner. Hamburgers and onion gravy or cheeseburgers?

I am thankful for... children. And that they do actually grow up one day! :-)

I am wearing... a white t-shirt and jeans, a favorite chunky heart necklace, and my favorite Fossil bracelet (a Christmas gift from my sister years ago.)

I am creating... insects! From Drawing Lab's Unit 6 - Inspiration from Nature. And thinking of what I'll do for the new weekWORD: "Nostalgic" from Christine.

I am going... to work today and spend the whole morning on a technical writing project, then lunch with a friend, then maybe a quiet hour at the library reading and doing some prep for the Bible Study coming up soon that I'll be leading.

I am reading... 2 Chronicles and 2 Timothy, Life as a Vapor, Drawing Lab, various commentaries on Ephesians, and The Hobbit. (I struggle with fantasy, but really, I should be able to read this one, right? Not getting into it yet, though!) Oh, and I picked this up at the mall this weekend. (A friend asked me a few days ago, "What makes a writer a writer?" Before I could answer she said, "She writes!" Ah - I thought it was just someone who bought books about writing!)

I am pondering... these words this morning from 2 Chronicles 20:12b:

" We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
(2 Chronicles 20:12b ESV)

Having my eyes on the Lord... Yes and Amen.

I am hoping... The Boy does well at Jet School.... He's in the simulator this afternoon for the first time and I'm praying things will go smoothly for him. He's got a very full plate right now: job, wedding, remodeling house, full-time college class load, and learning to fly a JET! =:-O

I am hearing... three snoring doggies... one at my feet, once at my side, and the other across the room propped up on pillows. :-)

Around the house... projects, proJECTS, PROJECTS! Projects that are almost finished. Projects that are half-way finished. Projects that need to be started. And very little time OR money to sink into them right now. Sigh.

One of my favorite things... alright... confession time. I really like to watch Wife-Swap. I wasted about an hour-and-a-half watching it with E yesterday afternoon. It does make me laugh, though. E was pondering what type of wife I'd get swapped out with... hmmm...

A few plans for the rest of the week... work, of course. A potluck dinner with a few neighbors, a dinner for a new friend's granddaughter who is in from out of town, early breakfast with another friend, supper club with our church group...mmmm.... an artsy night/day with CD this weekend.... mmmm.... I promised myself two visits to the gym this week....

For more SIMPLE entries, simply go here!

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Simple

For today...
Tuesday, August 10, 2010

It's been some weeks since I've done a "Simple" entry. I suppose life has been too busy to be considered simple around here.

Outside my window... condensation. The air is so full of water outside it's gathering on the windows just begging to be let in.

I am thinking... of the things that need to be done to get our web ministry team kicked off at church. Our website is here! Take a look...input appreciated...

From the learning rooms... Mary is back in school and things seem to be going well there. Getting back into the school rhythms is always a little difficult, but ultimately good for the whole family. The Boy is away at jet school in Texas starting today. And E still has a few weeks before beginning her final year of high school. Hard to believe.

I am wearing... white cotton pants and a black shirt. I never used to wear black when I was younger. As a matter of fact, I hated it. Now I find myself wearing it more and more. Hmmm...

I am creating... nothing really at the moment. I'm starting Unit 5 Drawing Lab. The topic is "imagination." And I'm rolling around the weekWORD from Elisabeth. Hop over and leave a comment to play along with us.

I am reading... 2 Timothy, Chronicles, The Hobbit, Life as a Vapor, and various commentaries on Ephesians.

I am praying for... the women's Bible study on Ephesians I'm leading beginning in September. It's been some time since I've done anything like this and the first time at this particular church. Excited... nervous... apprehensive... willing... feeling unworthy... lots of different things going on in my mind.

Words I am pondering... as I am preparing to teach...

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. (1 Timothy 1:3-7)

From the kitchen... not much happening there. I made yummy chicken pot pie last night.

I am hearing... dogs whining to be let in, dog paws click-clacking across the hardwood, dogs lapping up water and munching on food. Dogs, dogs, dogs! Yes, we still have The Boy and The Girl's BIG puppy still living with us. He's a great, great doggie and we love him. It's just that THREE dogs are ALOT all in one house! :-)

Around the house... cleaning out closets and the laundry room.... carting off bags and boxes to Good Will. Feels good to de-clutter, but there's much left to be done!

Here is a picture I am sharing... my sister's baby donkey and the mommy in Alabama. In addition to these cuties she has another donkey, a stocked pond, ducks, three dogs, various cats, a rabbit, and a miniature hamster. And I complain about three dogs... ? :-)

For more simple entries, go here. Have a simply lovely day, bloggy friends!

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Simple

For Tuesday
July 13, 2010

Ah...Tuesday afternoon with a cup of coffee and my doggies asleep beside me!

Outside my window.... a hot muggy afternoon which makes me super thankful for air conditioning.

I am praying... for friends and family, for me, for our church, for our community, and our country.

I am thankful for... a God who saves. This morning I read: He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. Psalm 18:16 Yes, He did.

From the kitchen... I have two little girls (er, they wouldn't like that...three pre-teen girls, I mean!) over for a "cooking workshop" with M. They shopped for and have prepared the meal so far with little help from me. It's gone surprisingly well! (On the menu: Baked Chicken Breasts, Broccoli and Rice Casserole, Caesar Salad, Cantaloupe slices, Garlic Bread, and Banana Pudding.) I think I've lost them to playing school for the moment, though... Oh, to be in that place where you can flit from being a little girl to a grown up in a moment's notice.

I am creating... well, nothing this very minute! Lots running around in my head, though. I just got in this book and have joined an online group of gals who are working through it together. (I found out about the group via Stephanie and her blog. The Internet is a wonderful thing! CD, you need to take a look at this, too.) The weekWORD is "nUmBeR" and you can join in by commenting on this post at Peggy's place. Oh - and I heard from my artist friend that he's just about ready to start a drawing workshop for wanna-be's like me!! Exciting times! :-)

I am going... home to Louisiana on Thursday. Well, I think. I'm pretty sure. The drive seems a bit daunting right now, but I'm looking forward to listening to books on tape with Mary and having a few age-appropriate conversations about the birds-and-you-know-who!

I am reading... the Bible: 1 Kings, Psalms, and 1 Timothy, Beautiful Girls, and a smattering of commentaries on Ephesians (this and this and this and this and this). Quite a smattering, huh? :-)

I am hoping... M and I finish this project before leaving for Louisiana. We only have the night cap, slippers, and teddy bear left to go.

I am listening to... these incredible sermons by Tim Keller at Redeemer Church in NYC on Ephesians. He preached these in 1992 and I just realized that is EIGHTEEN years ago. How is that possible!? 1992 just happened, didn't it? I was pregnant for most of it with E....

One of my favorite things... afternoons at home after a productive day at work in the morning!

A photo to share with you... the cooking girls!

For more simplicity, go to the Simple Woman's Daybook.

Simple blessings to you this afternoon, bloggy friends.

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Simple

For Tuesday
June 29, 2010

Outside my window.... a hot and humid morning with air as thick as potato soup. The sky is holding in a lot of water and I think it's supposed to let it all out sometime today. Hopefully, that will cool things off!

I am praying... for a friend whose mother was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I'm praying for her mother, too, but I know she is exhausted from the care she just gave to our friend who went home to the Lord two weeks ago. Now she's looking at the care of her own mother with the same dreaded disease.

I am thankful for... a wonderful day back at work yesterday and then a great afternoon and evening at home with family and friends.

From the kitchen... E shopped for and cooked an entire meal last night! All at her own initiative. How nice was that?! She made baked spaghetti, sweet peas, Caesar salad, rolls, and Brownie Goody Bars. Good job, E!

I am creating... nothing. Really. That's the weekWORD this week from Hannah. I'm a bit stumped on this one and am looking for inspiration. Any ideas out there? "Nothing".... Hmmm....
If you want to play along, just leave a comment with Hannah. The more the merrier!!

I am going... to work this morning, pick up M from drama practice, take her to Michael's to spend her saved up allowance, then home for housework and maybe watch Alice in Wonderland with M. Oh, and I promised to teach her how to play rummy, too!

I am reading... the Bible: Proverbs (hard for me... they seem disconnected... I would much rather read a story than a list of sayings, but I'm sure there's something for me to learn in there!), Colossians, and Romans. I'm casting about for the next novel to read. And waiting patiently for two commentaries (this and this) to come in from Amazon any day now!

I am hoping... our downstairs air conditioner only needs to be topped off with freon and isn't on its last gasp of life! Argh.

I am listening to... All Aunt Hagar's Children. I just started it and am on the first short story. Pretty good so far.

One of my favorite things... connecting up with other creative gals via the Internet, especially when they are fellow Christians. My friend CD told me about this group and I joined it yesterday.

A photo to share with you... the beginnings of a mind map I'm working on for a short story idea at bubbl.us. Pretty cool tool.

Have a simply wonderful week, bloggy friends! For more simple entries, visit the Simple Woman's Daybook here.

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Simple

For Tuesday

June 22, 2010

Yes, I'm alive! Sorry for the long, unexplained blogging break... but I think I'm back~

Outside my window.... a golf course, a marsh, and the ocean. I'm sitting on a breezy screened porch at Bald Head Island for our family's beach vacation.

I am praying... gosh... for so much, a friend who is feeling lonely, a family who has just lost their wife/mother/grandmother, my very own little family and all our own individual needs. My heart is full and I am thankful to be at the beach where the ocean seems to bring me so much closer to God. I know He is always there, but there's something special about this place to me.

I am thankful for... the life of my friend who left us Tuesday to go home to be with the Lord. I will miss her terribly, but my soul has peace that I will see her again.

From the kitchen... Matt and his buddy M are grilling vegetable and shrimp skewers, hamburgers, and chicken. Oh - and a marvelous looking green salad appears to be shaping up nicely. Matt has been treating me like a princess here at that beach. I love him.

I am creating... nothing at all. I missed out on the weekWORD dream, but you can drop by Elisabeth's and see the links to all who participated. Also, this week's word is non-attachment and is being hosted by Sara. You can leave a comment on her blog if you'd like to play.

I am going... to sit on the beach and read, read and sit on the beach... take a nap... then sit on the beach and read, read and sit on the beach... maybe eat some ice cream... maybe go for a walk... maybe play in the waves with Mary. That's about it. :-)

I am reading... the Bible (Proverbs, Romans, and Ephesians right now.) I'm almost finished with A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller which is absolutely wonderful. Also, I'm just getting into That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis. It's the last book in his space trilogy. I loved the first two and I'm sure I'll love this one just as much. It's been on my TBR Fiction-I-Own list for a long while.

I am hoping... The Boy and The Girl will join us here at the beach on Thursday. I'm looking forward to spending more time with The Girl. I like The Boy and all...

I am listening to... crickets chirping and frogs croaking in the creek just below the balcony.

One of my favorite things... the ocean, the ocean, the ocean! I love the smell of it, I love watching the waves roll in, I love looking for shells, and I love feeling the warmth of the sun on my shoulders. I even love the sand!

A photo to share with you... Mary and our puppy Sadie at the beach on Sunday! :->

Have a simple, restful, ocean-breezy rest of the week, bloggy friends! For more simple entries, visit the Simple Woman's Daybook here.

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Simple

For Tuesday
June 8, 2010

Outside my window.... a cool-ish June morning with a delightfully pink sunrise.

I am praying... for a very sick friend... for peace and rest and an easy home-going.

I am thankful for... a wonderful conversation with Mary yesterday about death and heaven and our hope in Jesus.

From the kitchen... a pitifully empty refrigerator!

I am creating... the letter 'M' for my letterPLAYGROUND collection and thinking about what I'll do for the weekWORD "transparent." (Go to just a humble bee if you'd like to play along this week! The more the merrier!)

I am going... to have a long day at work today. Ugh. I love my job, but have really gotten used to only working in the mornings. Today is an all-dayer. :-/

I am reading... the Bible. And that's all. Can you imagine? I'm in Romans, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Psalms. I'm in a reading slump just now. :-)

I am hoping... to take Mary to buy her first pair of "heels" this week and a new dress. Plus maybe a bowling trip and a visit to the Library.

I am listening to... The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It's great!

Around the house... a pitifully large mound of dirty clothes. (This seems to be a reoccurring theme for these "Simple" posts, huh? I am an amazingly inept housekeeper!)

One of my favorite things... driving by Starbucks this morning at 5:05am and realizing, "Yes, by gosh, they ARE open!" Skinny Latte and one *tiny* vanilla bean scone.

A few plans for the rest of the week... things are all up in the air... Matt's traveling for work, we're supposed to be going to a beach retreat with our church... but nothing is certain right now.

Have a simply wonderful rest of the week, bloggy friends! For more simple entries, visit the Simple Woman's Daybook here.

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Simple

For Tuesday
June 1, 2010

Outside my window.... a drippy, rainy, cloudy morning.

I am thinking... about these verses:

You will not fear m the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
Psalms 91:5,6

I am thankful for... a God Who is near, husband, children, friends, church, home, job, and health. Truly, I am blessed. Lord, forgive me when I forget or when I take these blessings for granted... Help me to see them as what they are - gifts from Your Hands.

From the kitchen... today's summer project for Mary and friends: a chocolate cake with purple icing. ;-)

I am wearing... favorite jeans, favorite T-shirt, a summer cardigan, and my (new) favorite flip-flops.

I am creating... in my mind something for the new weekWORD hosted by Hannah this week. The word is *NOW* which is a great choice. Pop over there, leave a comment, and join the fun. It's been a wonderful exercise for me. For my recent doodles, go here. :-)

I am going... to be in meetings all morning. Ack!

I am reading... Lettering & Type (allllmost finished!) and the Bible (1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, 1 Thessalonians, and Psalms). Really, that's about it. I'm in a reading funk.

I am hoping... to walk, walk, walk this week! My walking buddy and I are signing up for this half marathon and Matt is planning to run the full shebang. I've made a plan... there are 26 weeks to get ready. Anybody out there want to join in? Let me know and I'll email you the training/walking plan I've put together.

I am listening to... The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I've read a lot of hubbub about it and wanted to give it a try. So far, it's quite got my attention! Anybody else read it out there?

Around the house... laundry, laundry, and more laundry. I did manage to get the yard looking fairly decent this weekend, so that's a positive. Matt's spending most of his spare time at Sean's house, so most of our projects are on hold. ;-P

One of my favourite things... laughing with Mary. I love the way her eyes twinkle when she laughs... and that they perfectly match her freckles and hair!

A few plans for the rest of the week... a lot going on at work this week to get ready for a workshop I'm responsible for on Friday... after which, I'm hoping to slip away to the beach for the weekend. June is going to be (hopefully) a month full of sand, sea, and sun!

A video I'm sharing... I saw this at Nicole's lovely blog and thought it was inspiring.

Hope your week has lots of color in it! For more simplicity, click over to The Simple Woman's Daybook.

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Simple

For today...
Tuesday, May 25, 2010.

Outside my window... it's just barely Tuesday, May 25th. Up too early and not feeling well. Blah.

I am thinking... of my sticky-note to-do list for home and work.

I am thankful for... my Keurig coffee maker and extra-bold coffee and warm milk. :-)

From the learning rooms... the girls are wrapping up their school years. Mary is in her last week and E has just a few more. And The Boy decided to push through and take more classes this summer with the hopes of finishing up next May. He had an awesome last semester. So very proud of him!

I am wearing... pj's, of course... What I almost am always wearing when I write these posts!

I am creating... something for this week's weekWORD - balance. (Come join the fun!) And maybe a new letter for letterPLAYGROUND.

I am going... to make a cup of creamy coffee and prop my feet up and spend some time reading the Bible for a while before getting up and going for the day. I am still so far behind in this year's reading plan!

I am reading... 2 Samuel, Matthew, 1 Chronicles... Psalms... A Thomas Jefferson Education, Crazy Love, Family Bible, and Lettering & Type.

I am praying for... friends who are sick, struggling, and discouraged.

From the kitchen... a yummy chef salad with lots of options for individualization last night.... ham, cranberries, cucumbers, peppers, olives, onions, diced boiled eggs, avocado slices... I love having salads for dinner during the summer.

I am hoping... for a productive, encouraging day.

I am hearing... silence.

Words I am pondering... "Not being able to fully understand God is frustrating, but it is ridiculous for us to thing we have the right to limit God to something we are capable of comprehending. What a stunted, insignificant god that would be! If my mind is the size of a soda can and God is the size of all the oceans, it would be stupid for me to say He is only the small amount of water I can scoop into my little can. God is so much bigger, so far beyond our time-encased, air/food/sleep-dependent lives." Francis Chan in Crazy Love, pp. 31-32

Around the house... echoes of small group we held at our house Sunday night. It was good to host again... laughter, good discussion, and prayers.... wonderful to be with God's people.

One of my favorite things... evenings spent sitting on the porch, watching the rain.

A few plans for the rest of the week DAY... an hour of reading with two cups of coffee, a half-hour of cleaning up the house, off to work from 6 until noon (where I'll get to see hubby, too!), lunch with friends, an errand or two, pick up Mary from school, make a special birthday dessert for a friend, nap(!), dinner with family, walk (if the rain holds out), then to bed early. Another beautiful day in North Carolina!

Here is a picture I am sharing... my trusty sidekicks, Molly and Sadie.



For more simplicity, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook.

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Simple

For Today
May 18, 2010

Outside my window: a black pre-dawn sky.

I am thinking: of all the things I need to get done this morning (at home and work!) before starting to make my way down, down, down to Alabama to go to my nephew's high school graduation.

I am thankful for: cell phones! I couldn't imagine driving eight hours alone without being in touch with those I'm leaving and those I'm coming to!

From the kitchen: made a yummy pot of easy-peasy chicken noodle soup last night... ultimate comfort food.

I am wearing: my favorite nightshirt - a garish turquoise with little embroidered orange and green palm trees all over it. :-)

I am creating: not much... playing with the weekword - "hiding" - being hosted by Linda Sue. Pop over there and leave a comment if you'd like to participate this week.

I am reading: A Thomas Jefferson Education, A Matrix of Meanings, 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, and the Gospel of Matthew. Oh, and some Psalms, of course!

I am listening to: The Swan Thieves

I am hoping: to get out of work as early as possible to get on the road today. An eight-hour drive! Ugh. But at least I have plenty of audio books to keep me company!

I am hearing: my puppy Molly scratching, scratching, scratching... she's long overdue for a bath, poor girl.

One of my favorite things: my puppy Sadie wedging herself between me and the arm of my chair while I type.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Just diving down to Alabama and then popping back up by Friday night. Then, hopefully a quiet weekend at home before another Monday rolls around!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing: I pray for The Girl's patience daily!

For more simply simple entries, see The Simple Woman's Daybook.

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Simple

For Today
May 11, 2010

Outside my window... a deep black morning sky. It's SUPER early!

I am thinking... about the class I'm responsible for at work in just a few hours and all the tiny details of getting it going.

I am thankful for... God's never-ending patience with me, a sinner.

I am wearing... the night's sleep... It's still draped around my shoulders and buttoned up under my chin.

I am remembering... I need to send The Girl some addresses for their cute, cute Save-the-Date cards. See their sweet wedding website here. I made it through one page and I'm already tearing up. Good grief!

I am creating... something for wordweek. Jump over to Aris' blog to see this week's word and to participate if you'd like! I had a fun time with last week's word: story.

I am going... to a local coffee spot, sit out on the deck, and sip a latte with a friend later today.

I am reading... A Homemade Life, The Lies Women Believe, and A Thomas Jefferson Education... Mary really wants me to read The Mysterious Benedict Society so I think I'll start it today. In Bible reading, I'm on 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, the Gospel of Matthew, and (of course) Psalms.

I am listening to... Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova who wrote the immensely popular The Historian. So far I'm very intrigued with the story.

In the kitchen... thinking that this, this, and this sound fabulous from Orangette!

One of my favorite things... an afghan my maternal grandmother crotcheted. She died when I was ten or so and I don't really remember her much. But she has quite a story and I think she must have been pretty plucky. I keep the afghan on the foot of my bed and most nights throw it over the top of the bedspread because we sleep very, very cold.

Here is picture for thought... who wouldn't want to work everyday with their husband when you can look across the desk at a face like this? Yep. Always good for a laugh!

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Simple

For Today,
May 4th, 2010

Outside my window ... a very humid and overcast day. The rain seems to be seeping from the clouds instead of falling this morning. Reminds me of home - Louisiana.

I am wearing ... jeans, a white shirt, and my favorite black sandals.

I am thankful for... The Girl being finished with school and coming home today! WeDDiNG BeLLs will soon be ringing!

I am thinking... about how happy I am The Boy has found his helpmate... the one God has made to complete him.... But how this happiness can coexist quite comfortably in my mother's heart with a touch of sadness, too, because my Boy will be leaving.

I am wondering... how in the world I will make it through the wedding ceremony without out-and-out sobbing? I am such a blubber-baby. :-O

I am going... to have a quiet lunch with a sweet friend today.

I am reading ... Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis.

On my mind... The bleeding woman in Matthew 9... I imagine how she had carried around her suffering... her burden... her sickness... for 12 years and decided finally to immerse herself in the crowd that followed Jesus, thinking that here was the answer to her pain. It must have been a stinking, noisy, dusty crowd full of lepers and cripples, full of people calling out to Jesus, begging for His help, yelping for His mercy. I imagine her creeping up behind Him, being pushed and shoved by the crowd, maybe falling down at His feet and stretching out to touch the fringe on His hem before he moved out of reach. And then He turned, and saw her, really saw her... her burden, her physical sickness, her soul sickness... and proclaimed her well.

I am listening to ... The Condition. Almoooost finished... and I have to say I'll be glad.

I am creating ... mmm... not sure what you would call these. Backgrounds, I guess. I smeared around some water colors yesterday and then cut them up into 5x7 pieces. I plan to draw/paint on them eventually. I've got a nice pile of scraps to practice on first, though.

One of my favorite things... coasting into Friday afternoons with a totally unplanned weekend!

A photo to share with you... as I've found myself interested these past few months in typography and hand lettering, I came across this Typography Woman by Rafael Zoccoler and thought I'd share her with you for inspiration.





For more Simple entries, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook. Have a 'simple' day, bloggy friends~

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Simple

For Today,
April 27th, 2010

Outside my window ... green pine needles glowing in the sunshine and dancing in the wind!

I am wearing ... my new favorite pair of blue jeans! Gosh, did I need another pair!

I am going... to do a major clean-out of my closet. A friend I bumped into this weekend said she got rid of all those too-small clothes she had been hanging on to. She said they were hanging there mocking her. I liked that. Yes, they're mocking me and OUT they are going!

I am reading ... A Homemade Life, Red Bird (poems), Lies Women Believe, and The Great Gatsby. Bible Reading- Oh, man, why do I do this? Somehow I've drifted from my reading plan and can't seem to get it back going. How does this happen? Lord, I'm so prone to wander... so easily side-tracked, so easily too "busy." But I grabbed my Bible on the way out the door this morning and hope to find a quiet hour or two somewhere (NOT at home where I'm too tempted to do other things!) and get caught up. So, I'm still in 1 Samuel, 1 Chronicles and Matthew.

I am listening to ... The Condition by Jennifer Haigh. It's ok. I've been tempted to turn it off a few times, but feel like I've got too much time invested in it now. We shall see...

I am creating ... hand-lettering. I've spent a little time perusing some typography blogs and am dying to put together some words of my own.

Around the house ... lucky thing yesterday was the first day of spring! NOW I can do some badly needed spring cleaning... Whew! Didn't want to get started too early! ;-p

A few plans for the rest of the week ... not much...and hoping for a very quiet and stay-at-home weekend!

A photo to share with you... I came across this bookshelf and had to share it with you. As a math person and a book-lover, I find it perrrrfect. The idea is to prioritize your bookshelf with the most important item in the inner parenthesis. So, my question to you: If your life were an equation bookshelf, what is in your parenthesis? Hmmm.... (Designed by estudio breder.)


For more Simple entries, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook. Blessings, bloggy friends~

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Simple

For Today,
April 20th, 2010

Outside my window ... a cold, black, spring morning sky.

I am wearing ... my favorite pj's and wishing I could stay in them all day. But, alas, it's not to be!

I am going... to have a super busy day today: take M to school, a morning chock-full at work, back to M's school, then a meeting at the church for follow-up with our web team. Sigh. Hope to get a walk in this evening.

I am reading ... A Homemade Life (yep, still reading a chapter here and there), Reaching Out without Dumbing Down, Red Bird (poems), and Lies Women Believe. Bible Reading- falling behind for the first time this year!! Ack! But promising myself to get caught back up - still in 1 Samuel and added 1 Chronicles and Matthew.

I am listening to ... Strength in What Remains: A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness by Tracy Kidder. Oh, so good! Almost finished with it so more on that with a review later.

I am creating ... still nothing, notta, zippo. Although I slipped an hour in yesterday on the deck of the local coffee house with my sketch book and did some scribble-scrabble.

Words that I am pondering ... From Mary Oliver's poem "Red Bird":

Still, for whatever reason -
perhaps because the winter is so long
and the sky so black-blue,

or perhaps because the heart narrows
as often as it opens -
I am grateful

From the learning rooms ... I'm meeting with the teacher M's slated to have next year for 6th grade. It's the first time in her little life that she'll have a teacher I either wasn't involved in hiring or was good friends with beforehand. I'm looking forward to sitting in on her class and getting to know her. I've heard she's a wonderful teacher.

From the kitchen ... found a yummy coffee cake and an assortment of cookies on my counter yesterday. The Baking Fairy struck again! She seems to always show up just when The Boy gets back from Lynchberg.... Hmmm....

Around the house ... the yard is in bad need of some work. I had it in pretty good shape three weeks ago and it needs a day's worth of attention again, I'm afraid. Those dog-gone pine cones just won't stay up in the trees!

A few plans for the rest of the week ... order this book. A friend has asked me to join her in a Classical Conversations book club this summer (yes, another one!) and I think I'll give it a try. The other three books for the summer are this (the geek in me can't wait on this one!) and this (curious choice, but looks super good to me!) and this (a fav that it's time to reread!)

One of my favorite things ... coffee. And chocolate. Coffe AND chocolate together! :-)

A photo to share with you... Molly Pockets got a hair cut! :-)

For more Simple entries, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook. Blessings, bloggy friends~

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Simple

Outside my window ... a light blue morning sky that promises to deepen to a brilliant Carolina blue.

I am wearing ... my hot pink sandals today. Makes me smile!

I am going ... to go through my poetry and hopefully submit some poems here by the 15th. Maybe.

I am reading ... Lies Women Believe, A Homemade Life, Word Painting. In the Bible, 1 Samuel and 2 Corinthians.

I am listening to ... Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson. I remember reading Along Came a Spider by him years ago and it scared me half to death and I said I wasn't go to read anything else by him. But I picked Sundays up at the library yesterday because it seemed to be totally different. A little too different, though. I'm going to finish out the first CD, but if it doesn't get better I'll have to ditch it.

I am creating ... nothing, notta, zippo. But I'm thinking about it! Time to pull out paper and pen and doodle away!

I am remembering ... the wonderful time we had this weekend in D.C. with E.

Counting my blessings ... for a body that *pretty much* cooperates. I went walking yesterday at lunch with work friends for a brisk 2 miles and then again yesterday evening at home with a friend for a more leisurely 2 miles. I'm sore this morning, but overall feel pretty good.

Words that I am pondering ... these words from Lies Women Believe on lie #8: I Need to Learn to Love Myself:

"We are constantly looking out for ourselves, deeply sensitive to our own feelings and needs, always conscious of how things and people affect us. The reason some of us get hurt so easily is not because we hate ourselves but because we love ourselves! We want to be accepted, cherished, and treated well. If we did not care so much about ourselves, we would not be so concerned about being rejected, neglected, or mistreated.

The fact is, we do not hate ourselves, nor do we need to learn to love ourselves. We need to learn how to deny ourselves, so we can do that which does not come naturally - to truly love God and others. Our malady is not "low self-esteem," nor is it how we view ourselves; rather it is our low view of God. Our problem isn't so much a "poor self-image" as it is a "poor God-image." Our need is not to love ourselves more but to receive His incredible love for us and to accept His design and purpose for our lives.

Once we have received His love, we will not have to compare ourselves to others; we will not focus on "self" at all. Instead, we will become channels of His love to others."

Ouch.

From the learning rooms ... working with M on FRACTIONS! Ugh.

From the kitchen ... nothing too exciting, but I'm thinking of making my mom's shepard's pie recipe tonight:

1 to 2 pounds ground meat
1 onion, diced
2 to 3 cans diced tomatoes, pre-seasoned
1 can green beans, drained
7 to 8 potatoes, peeled, boiled, mashed with milk, salt, and plenty of butter
Salt, pepper, oregano, any other seasonings you'd like to throw in
Cheddar cheese

Brown ground meat with onion. Drain. Add tomatoes...3 cans is you like your pie runny, two if not. Add drained green beans. Let simmer for 10 minutes or so. Place in casserole dish. Top with mashed potatoes and cheese. Pop in oven at 350 F and cook for 25 minutes. Serve with salad.

Yum! The real-deal Comfort Food!

Around the house ... the pollen seems to have subsided after a good rain so it's time to clean off the porch yet again, I think.

A few plans for the rest of the week ... today I'm going to a reading by this author at our local indie book store, Wednesday night Bible Study, Thursday night is book club meeting to discuss this book (really liked it!), maybe dinner with friends on Saturday night, and church on Sunday. Work, house cleaning and laundry all in between, of course!

One of my favorite things ... playing online Scrabble with my Dad way down in Louisiana. We probably go back and forth with at least six or seven plays a day. He's pretty good. :-)

A photo to share with you... me and Matt at Bald Head Island about five years ago. :-) Heading back that way in June and can't wait!!

For more Simple entries, visit the Simple Woman's Daybook here.

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Simple

For Today,
April 6th, 2010

Outside my window... billowy, graceful, yellow clouds of... POLLEN!! Yikes. It amazes me every year when this happens here in the Sandhills even though this has been home for over 16 years! Overnight there are incredible amounts of pollen. Everywhere. I mean everywhere.

I am pondering... Psalm 50:23:

"The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!”

What does it mean for one to "order his way rightly?" Hmmm...

I am thankful for... Christ, our risen Lord!

From the learning rooms... a friend asked me yesterday what we were going to do with our kids when they hit 9th grade. The classical Christian school they attend now will most likely not have a high school by the time our kids get to that age. Granted, they are only in the 5th grade now, but it's never too early to plan! She thought we would have enough parents to put together a pretty good home school co-op and plus, we live in the same town as the headquarters of Classical Conversations. With that resource and all the parents chipping in with their areas of expertise, we might just be able to put something together. Hmmmm....

From the kitchen... Well, the tuna corks (Bouchon au Thons) were a great hit at Easter. A definite do-again. The new potato salad recipe using ranch dressing went over well, but I made waaay too much of it. (Can you freeze potato salad?) Alas, I was disappointed in the Blueberry Raspberry Pound Cake. I think I tried to take it out of the cake pan too soon and it fell apart. Or maybe I didn't cook it enough. Dunno. Tasted ok, but was a super ugly mess. I didn't get around to making the chocolate cupcakes, but hope to try them out this coming weekend.

I am wearing... my favorite jeans (aka, the only ones that fit!) and my favorite black t-shirt. I never wore black when I was younger. Hated the color as a matter of fact. Now I would be happy to wear it everyday.

I am creating... well, Mary and I made our coffee filter flowers and today we're going to make rose petal perfume from this book. I'll let you know how it goes. Love my crafty girl!

I am going... to DC this weekend with Matt and E to visit the city and walk around some campuses of schools she might be interested in. Nothing too serious, just some time away looking around.

I am reading... World Magazine, April 10, 2010 edition. A friend got a subscription as a birthday present for E. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy it. Also - A Homemade Life, Lies Women Believe (for a weekly Bible study I've joined), and Story: Recapturing the Mystery. In my Bible reading I'm in 2 Corinthians and Ruth and of course, the Psalms.

I am hoping... for a peaceful, productive, spirit-filled, healthy week!

I am hearing... really cool jazzy music from Walter Jr's new CD, Standing on the Word. Think I'll have to order this. Oh my goodness, I like this! Read the review from World Magazine.

Around the house... Matt painted three ceilings downstairs that were in terrible shape. They look so very clean and white! I've finally got the hardware issues with my kitchen drawers figured out and bought four different knobs from Anthropologie last week.

One of my favorite things... sweet iced tea. I never make it except for holidays because even the smell of it makes Matt sick. But I brewed some up for Easter Sunday and sipped on the remnants all day yesterday.

Realizing that... I have completely lost the ability to do the big-mall-shopping-thing anymore. I took M shopping a couple of weeks ago for badly needed spring clothes and was ASTOUNDED by the prices. I mean, really. Come on. A pair of shorts (and I do use "shorts" in every sense of the word) at Gap.... $59.50!?! Sigh.

A few plans for the rest of the week: walk, walk, and then walk some more! Gotta get that habit going again. It's amazing the difference in how I feel when I'm not walking.

For more "Simple" entries, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook. Have a simply wonderful day, bloggy friends!

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Simple

For Tuesday
March 30, 2010

Outside my window... the promise of a beautiful North Carolina spring day!

I am thankful for... a husband who makes me laugh... even when he's grumpy from taking steroids for his back!

I am wearing... my favorite black t-shirt that I bought at a Goodwill in Louisiana two years ago! :-)

I am remembering... Easters past when I would one of those pink candy Robin Eggs and rub it on my lips for lipstick. :-)

I am going... to try to visit our local Catholic church Friday and go through the Stations of the Cross with them... My previously Catholic husband's recommendation.

I am reading... Judges and I Corinthians and Psalms; A Homemade Life and Story: Recapturing the Mystery.

From the kitchen... I made this yummy white chili last night, a modified version of this:

1 roasted chicken deboned
1 large can of chicken broth (32 oz)
2 onions, diced
2 gloves of garlic, diced
olive oil
2 cans of green chillies (4.2 oz)
3 cans of great Northern beans, preferably seasoned, undrained
1 can of butter beans, preferably seasoned, undrained
1 can of white corn, undrained
salt, pepper, oregano

Saute the onions and garlic in oil until transparent and just starting to brown a little. Add broth, chicken, beans, and corn. Season to taste. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. I served it over rice with mozzarella cheese and a dollop of sour cream on top with a side muffin of sweet cornbread (aka, Jiffy!) Very yummy.

I am creating... cross doodles as I go through the Stations of the Cross:

Pondering these words... Our pastor preached on praise and worship this past Sunday and one of his points made me dig up this quote from C.S. Lewis in his book Reflections on the Psalms. It's long, but worth the time to read:

"But the most obvious fact about praise - whether of God or anything - strangely escaped me. I thought of it in terms of compliment, approval, or the giving of honor. I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise unless shyness or the fear of boring others is deliberately brought in to check it. The world rings with praise - lovers praising their mistresses, readers their favorite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favorite game - praise of weather, wines, dishes, actors, motors, horses, colleges, countries, historical personages, children, flowers, mountains, rare stamps, rare beetles, even sometimes politicians of scholars.

I had not noticed how the humblest, and at the same time most balanced and capacious, minds praised most, while the cranks, misfits and malcontents praised least...I had not noticed either that just as men spontaneously praise whatever they value, so they spontaneously urge us to join them in praising it: "Isn't she lovely? Wasn't it glorious? Don't you think that magnificent?" The Psalmists in telling everyone to praise God are doing what all men do when they speak of what they care about. My whole, more general, difficulty about the praise of God depended on my absurdly denying to us, as regards the supremely Valuable, what we delight to do, what indeed we can't help doing, about everything else we value.

I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed."

From the learning rooms... Mary's class is beginning a study on pirates and each child was assigned a pirate to research. Mary's is Mary Read. Pretty interesting story. There's a novel that portrays her life... hmm...

One of my favorite things... well, writing on this blog, of course... It's one of the few things I've done fairly consistently in my life. :-)

From my picture journal... an old "spring" photo of Mary! She was about two, I think, and was very busy watering flowers at a friend's house. Note the belly button! :-)

For more "Simple" entries, visit The Simple Woman's Daybook! Have a simply wonderful day, bloggy friends!

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Simple

For Tuesday
March 23, 2010

Outside my window... big stringy clouds that look like huge white prehistoric birds hovering in the sky.

I am thankful for... a flexible job that lets me be home easily with a sick little girl.

I am wearing... flannel pj's. Can you believe it's gotten cold again here?!

I am remembering... that April 1st begins the Poetry Challenge over at Poetic Asides. A prompt a day, a poem a day. I did it the whole month last year... and some of you, my bloggy friends, suffered through some pretty bad poetry posted on my blog... but it was good for me and I'd like to try it again this year. I think I at least got one or two keepers out of the month. Anyone else game?

I am going... to call the gal over our women's ministry and talk to her about going to the women's study that starts tomorrow night. They're doing Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

I am reading... Joshua and I Corinthians and Psalms; The History of Love for fun (loving it!), and Story: Recapture the Mystery for Easter devotion.

I am praying... that Mary feels better. She was up pretty much all night with a fever and sore throat. Poor girlie.

I am creating... a drawing for each Station of the Cross as I go through Everyone's Way of the Cross until Easter. (Day 1 - Obey Those Over You; Day 2 - Humble Yourself)

Noticing that... I'm not taking pictures lately. Hmm... need to get that going again.

Pondering these words... a quote from Charles Spurgeon our pastor used in his sermon on intercessory prayer this past Sunday:

"Prayer pulls the rope below and the great bell rings above in the ears of God. Some scarcely stir the bell, for they pray so languidly. Others give but an occasional pluck at the rope. But he who wins with heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continuously, with all his might."

One of my favorite things... reading. Anything. But I guess you already figured that out.

From my picture journal... The Girl came over last week with these cupcakes to ask Mary and Ellen to be her bridesmaids. Pretty sweet, huh? Of course they said "yes!"

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