The Simple Woman's Daybook...April 20, 2009

FOR TODAY ... April 20, 2009

Outside my window... it is dusty...the sun is trying to come out from some grayish clouds ...(or maybe that's just dust clouds).

I am thinking... about the demo (small class) that I am giving tonight at my quilt guild. It is such fun to share with them.

I am thankful for... the blessing of health that I have. Even though my allergies have been bothering me a lot lately...I am still healthy..

From the learning rooms... learning how to say "no" to things that I really don't feel like I want to do...or that no longer hold an interest.

From the kitchen... this week's menu

Tonight: light dinner out on the way to quilt guild.
Tuesday: Chef's salad
Wednesday: Pork chops, potatoes au gratin, and corn
Thursday: Liver and Onions, some type of veggie, and rice
Friday: Dinner out at Scoop City!
Saturday: Stuffed Pepper Casserole (make an extra for Sunday's pot luck at church)

I am wearing... light lavender sweat suit and beige socks

I am creating... a new pair of socks

I am going... to learn how to applique this week. The challenge quilt I am working on has some applique. I've done a little before - but this is a new way that someone showed me and it is worth a try...especially with circles!

I am reading... 1st to Die by James Patterson. It is the first of a series. One of the things I tend to do is not read a series unless I have all the books! Finally got the first 7 - and now the 8th one will be out in a few weeks!

I am hoping... that spring will soon appear here. My friends in Massachusetts have lovely flowers blooming already and we still have nothing. It is amazing what a few hours north can have on when spring arrives.

I am hearing... the sounds of heavy machinery outside as they are tearing up the road and re-doing it. The noise is pretty loud and it shakes my building.

Around the house... the windows are closed because of all the dust the heavy machines are throwing around. I miss not having them open but don't want to have to redo my Spring Cleaning.

One of my favorite things... was this awesome banana bread with raspberries that I made this week. It is so good. (One of my quilting friends has been making it with blueberries and bringing it to guild)...well, I accidentally opened frozen raspberries instead of blueberries. So, I used them and it turned out so good.

A few plans for the rest of the week: set up my new bed; wash the living room window where a certain little cat has put a zillion nose prints; and clear off my desk.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is the banana-raspberry bread I made the other night just coming out of the oven. Was having dinner with friends...so my table was all dressed up...

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The Simple Woman's Daybook: April 13, 2009

For Today: April 13, 2009

Outside my window... the weather is trying to make up its mind as to whether remain winter or allow spring to come on down!

I am thinking... how fortunate I am to have so many friends that care about me. A lot of people don't have that.

I am thankful for... the interests I have that keep me going and keep me feeling alive!

From the kitchen...

Monday night - Dinner out on the way to quilting - maybe BBQ (been trying to get there for three weeks now).

Tuesday: Liver and Onions, baked potato, and corn

Wednesday: Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Thursday: Ham Steak, sweet potatoes, asparagus

Friday: Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato sandwich, homemade french fries

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Salad

I am wearing... jeans, dog tee-shirt, and no shoes or socks.

I am creating... a project for a giveaway...

I am going... to my quilt guild meeting tonight. It is always such fun to be with people that I like. It is a small guild and we really care about each other.

I am reading... The Friday Night Knitting Club: Knit Two by Kate Jacobs

I am hoping... for spring to arrive full blast. This winter has been a long hard one...and I am ready to see some of the earth's beauty popping up.

I am hearing... Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits in the background. It's wonderful to be able to listen to music that you know all the words to. Guess that's why my cd collection is mostly Oldies and Country. But, not the new country - I don't care for some of the young girls that are performing now.

Around the house... it is still spring cleaning. And, organizing - I just want to be able to put my hands on things when I want them...

One of my favorite things... is cuddling with a book on a gloomy day. Almost spent yesterday reading - but, I was good and did other things.

A few plans for the rest of the week: finishing up my spring cleaning; having Scarlett and Elizabeth over for dinner on Friday night (they like BLT's and the thought of homemade french fries was the kicker!); knit and quilt.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Aren't they adorable? I was taking a photo of the two alpacas when the one by the door stuck his head out to see what was happening. It was just too cute. I really have grown fond of alpacas.

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The Simple Woman's Daybook...

FOR TODAY April 6, 2009

Outside my window...raining. It has been raining all day and the wind is brutal. It's not a very pretty day.

I am thinking... how wonderful it is to be with like-minded people. I so enjoyed my week-end with people who knit and spin...

I am thankful for... family and friends. It was good to hear from my daughter today. And, it felt wonderful knowing I could go away for a week-end and my cat would be well taken care of by my friends.

From the kitchen... Tonight's dinner will be black tipped shark steak broiled with lemon, salt and pepper, some small baked potatoes, and some sort of veggie...probably corn.

I am wearing... turquoise sweat pants, a tee shirt and no shoes or socks. The pants are warm and take the chill off.

I am creating... a quilt - still working on the challenge quilt. But, am also knitting some nice socks.

I am going... to accept that my mother is really happy at the nursing home. It has been difficult with her not recognizing me. The nurses say she is always happy and smiling and even though she doesn't recognize them by name she still enjoys being with those who care for her

I am reading... All the Pretty Girls by J.T. Ellison. It is a murder mystery and pretty good.

I am hoping...that this rain does not cause any flooding in our area. The last several years have brought floods in which people lost homes and lives...and it always seems to be in April or early May.

I am hearing... the refrigerator running...other than that it is absolutely quiet here.

Around the house... plan to hang a bunch of photos and pictures this week. I am trying to make my home more of a home.

One of my favorite things... is going for a short walk each day. Can't wait for nicer weather so that I can enjoy all of it.

A few plans for the rest of the week: paying bills, catching up on my filing, and giving the house a nice spring cleaning...

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Some lovely flowers on my dining room table. I love fresh flowers - so, I usually treat myself at the grocery store.

This is a tablecloth I embroidered a long time ago. It has been sitting in a box with my linens - along with a couple other table clothes that I have done. I think it is time to use them!

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The Simple Woman's Daybook...

FOR TODAY March 30, 2009

Outside my window... the sky is very gray and it is raining. There isn't much light coming in my big living room window. But, I noticed that the trees outside have these neat drops of water just hanging on them. It was so pretty.

I am thinking... that I want to cut back on some of the quilting groups that I attend and make the ones I do more meaningful.

I am thankful for... the fact that I am feeling much, much better. I don't think I want to go through that again.

From the kitchen... Today is the last day of mushing the ingredients before baking the Amish Friendship Bread. I know it will be really good.

I am wearing... a purple top, blue lounge pants with moons and stars on them, and pink socks.

I am creating... my challenge quilt. The fabrics are so pretty!

I am going... to pay a couple of bills and write some thank you notes today.

I am reading... Dewey - The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter.

I am hoping... for a nice week-end. Want to go be with friends and spend some time knitting.

I am hearing... The Grateful Dead singing on The View. I was never a fan of theirs. But, then I wasn't a real fan of the Beatles until I was older...

Around the house... the floors still need vacuuming and there are quite a few pictures that need to be hung on the walls.

One of my favorite things... is the rice pudding in my refrigerator. It tastes so good!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Since the 1st of the month falls on Wednesday, I need to pay my monthly bills; bake the Amish Friendship bread, re-arrange the freezer, and getting my knitting together for Saturday so I can get help with one of my patterns.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
This is a friend of mine's cat - his name is Murderface...and for some reason he just has wormed his way into my heart just from the blog posts his mom posts and the great photos she takes of him.

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This is something new to me - but, it gives me a chance to reflect on things and to share a little more of myself with you. Let me know what you think...