The Simple Woman's Daybook for September 20th

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... the cheerful September sun is on its morning trek, flooding the back yard with light on trees that are fading from green into yellows and reds.  The truly hot weather seems to be gone now, a pleasant relief to me.  I hear a siren from the nearby fire station – my personal call to whisper a brief prayer, “Lord, please help those who are in trouble, those who are going to help them, and those who are in the way.”  Yesterday we saw a woman make a left turn right in front of an oncoming fire truck.  Yes, ambulance drivers and those who are in the way all need prayer, as well as the one who called for the emergency help.

I am thinking... although this weekly post is titled, "The Simple Woman's Daybook", my days of late seem anything but simple.  We drove to the inner city yesterday for Beloved's knee replacement class at the hospital.  No less than three hospitals are clumped together with a maze of narrow streets separating them.  We avoided the freeway route but perhaps made no better time on the boulevards due to an awful lot of "infrastructure repairs" in progress.  

The parking garage was downright scary with cars vying with each other for parking spaces, but we found one for us in pretty short order.  We stepped out into the sunshine, headed for the appropriate building with the teaching class only to realize we had parked in a garage for the wrong hospital!  Well, no matter; it was free.  So we walked a little farther than would have been necessary otherwise.  No harm in that and we still arrived in plenty of time. The rest of the day had more of this along these lines: hurry, compete, practice patience, interruptions, and such.  

I am thankful... for health insurance (as it is now, not what it's proposed to be), for current medical technology that can remove arthritis from a knee and restore it to good health again.

In the kitchen...we had cereal for breakfast and for lunch, sandwiches and/or soup (from a can) are planned.  I don't intend to spend much time wearing an apron today.

I am wearing...blue jeans, a long-sleeved taupe crew neck Tee (yes, it's cool enough to wear long sleeves -- hooray!), a navy corderoy vest, navy Mary Jane shoes, and silver hoop earrings.  It's a good hair day, too (fluff and go).

I am going... to spend the day here at home here in the sewing room.  If what I make turns out well, I'll post pictures about it sometime.  Laundry needs to be folded, and before week's end I need to do some spackle and touch-up painting on molding nail heads.  That activity will require yours truly crawling on the floor.  I'll need to work a little on my mind to get that one done. (not today)

I am reading... Love Your Husband, Love Yourself by Jennifer Flanders.

I am looking forward to...getting started on my project today; getting Beloved's knee surgery out of the way; continued cooler weather and crunchy leaves underfoot.  I am sorry we are having to miss out on Pumpkin Festival in Small Town America this weekend.  My mother and sister will be busy enjoying a parade, craft sales and pumpkin pie.

I am hearing...the quiet ticking of clocks in this room, muffled traffic, not much else.  After this post is done, I will probably listen to harp music. I love to work quietly in my sewing room with gentle strains of pure harp (no "epic orchestra" in the background).  Like King Saul of the Old Testament, harp music soothes my soul and helps me to be a nicer person.

Around the house... Beloved is busy at work in his home office, two floors below me.  The bug man came yesterday for our periodic treatment, reminding us that this is the time of year mice try to make their way into people houses.  Try not to leave the garage door open, or any other door where they may run in and find a warm spot at your expense.

I am pondering... how to learn from hard times so that the experiences are not wasted.  Everything that comes our way is allowed by our loving God for a good purpose.  I hope that I am cooperating with His activity in my life, especially when the unexpected or unexplained occur.

One of my favorite things... is getting ready to sew for hours!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Beloved has his last office visit with his orthopedic surgeon before surgery and I've going with him, we have a birthday party to attend this weekend for a gentleman who will be 90 years old, and it's my turn to take goodies to our Sunday School class. 

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

One of the things that went right yesterday was when Girlfriend-Next-Door came over in the afternoon for a couple of hours.  We sat at my breakfast table designing bookmarks with the Printshop computer program to be given out at her church ladies' retreat next month.  After the hustle and bustle of the morning, this time spent with a friend was very calm and satisfying!

The Simple Woman’s Daybook is a weekly habit enjoyed by many bloggers.  It is a pleasant and effective way to bring more traffic to your blog.  For more information about the woman who came up with this idea, go to

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Simple Woman's Daybook for September 13

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... it is early evening and the crickets are singing to me.  The outdoor temperature is a comfortable 75 degrees, so I have brought my laptop out to the back deck to write to you.  

I am thinking... how last week when I was writing the post for Simple Woman's Daybook I was sitting on my sister's wraparound porch in Small Town America.  The City Mouse was visiting the Country Mouse.  By writing on my deck this evening I am duplicating the experience at Sister's home as much as I can. The houses here on Snow Bunny Blvd are much closer together, and there is definitely more traffic noise in my neighborhood.

I am thankful... to have had the opportunity to visit a lot of family this summer, in spite of the fact that we have to drive a minimum of 15 hours to see any of them (with the exception of two who live about an hour away).  

In the kitchen... the dishwasher servant girl is busy with our supper dishes.  We had hamburgers, oven fries, and a carrot-apple slaw salad.  

Do you make oven fries?  I didn't know about them when my children were growing up, but these days Beloved and I have them about once every week or two.  

For just the two of us, I wash one large baking potato and then cut it in half crosswise.  Then I cut each of the halves into thick slices.  In a large mixing bowl I combine the potato with some Lawry's Seasoned Salt and about 1 Tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Mix this up with a spoon (or your clean hands) so that the oil covers the potatoes.  Place the potatoes on a metal baking sheet, skin sides down.  Bake at 425 degrees for 25-30 minutes. I like this recipe because it tastes good and after it's in the oven, I can forget about it while tending to the hamburger patties.  One potato shared by two people is a size when we want to keep the carbs and calories at a minimum.

I am wearing... jeans(!), a pink-and-white plaid camp shirt, white enamel hoopy earrings, and sandals.  I love it when the high temperature is cool enough that I can wear long jeans with sandals.

I am creating... greeting cards with a pumpkin stamp and water colors purchased at Walmart.  I suppose my talent for painting within the lines came from Kindergarten.  It's relaxing.

I am wondering... why the cricket that is hiding somewhere on this deck is noisy for a few minutes and then grows silent.  It's like he's contemplating something.  What in the world would a cricket have to think about?! 

I am reading... The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace.  Not a novel, this book has been in my personal library for months, but I have yet to finish it.  It's got thought-provoking chapters that cause me to put the book down and just think about what I've read.  I'm getting ready to read Chapter Seventeen: "Conflict, Quietness of the Wife's Spirit."  The book is a helpful resource for Christian wives, but has good information for anybody who wants to live in submission to God's purposes for their life.

I am hoping... I have the enthusiasm and dexterity of physical body to do some baseboard painting tomorrow.  Crawling on the hard floor with a paint brush in hand is something I have to talk myself into doing.  If I don't do it now, the mood may leave and it won't get done until ???

I am looking forward to... getting the aforementioned job done and then going on to much easier pursuits (laundry, dusting, cleaning bathrooms -- just about anything besides painting).  Beloved's knee replacement surgery is scheduled for later this month, so this is a good time for me to do a thorough cleaning of the house.  

I am hearing... (besides the crickets and some traffic) the football game on TV.  Beloved has a ball cap he wears that has lights that flash on and off when our team makes a touchdown.  He's wearing the appropriate team shirt, too.  We never go to games in person, preferring the convenience of the kitchen and rest room over crowds and traffic.

Around the house... actually, outside of the house: The extensive street work ("infrastructure", I guess I should call it) in our immediate neighborhood appears to be finally finally finally over!  That has been going on for well over a month.  Yes, I am thankful for good roads and that people are getting paychecks for the work.  But avoiding the orange-and-white cones and barrels, not to mention the gigantic tractor equipment -- all that gets wearisome.... quickly.

One of my favorite things... is a simple daily schedule carried out with self-discipline, resulting in a clean house, laundered clothes, and uncomplicated food on the table.  

A few plans for the rest of the week: Today I had lunch with my cropping buddy (we made handmade greeting cards); there's that painting to do; lunch with Milk Maid; I'd love to get to sew on Thursday; grocery shopping on Friday and dinner with friends that evening; Saturday we intend to visit those family members who live an hour away; and church on Sunday.

Here is picture  I am sharing... (actually, 2 pictures)

This is what the deck looked like when I began this post
(about 45 minutes ago).
That's Silver Lace growing on the lattice on the right;
and Virginia Creeper is growing on the left.
The Virginia Creeper is doing a better job
of covering the lattice.

This is what the deck looks like now, after the sun has set.
I love the "magic" look of tiny white Christmas lights.
I think the people who jog and drive on the street
behind our house probably like the lights, too.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook is a weekly habit enjoyed by many bloggers.  It is a pleasant and effective way to bring more traffic to your blog.  For more information about the woman who came up with this idea, go to

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Simple Woman's Daybook for September 6

FOR TODAY

Outside the window... the late afternoon sun is headed west while clear blue skies remain above.  A pleasant breeze is causing the ferns outside to bob gently; and a light sweater feels good when walking outdoors.

I am thinking... about the joys and true simplicity of living in small town America, so different from suburbia.  Today the city mouse is visiting the country mouse.

I am thankful for... opportunities to sit in small town America for even a short time; to eat produce from the lush gardens, to hear the trains going by at 4:45am and again at 5:45am; to listen to conversations about corn, strawberries, and eat my sister's fried okra.

From the kitchen... at the moment, nobody is cooking.  But Sister and Beloved have been "in class" most of the day, with him teaching her the finer points of the Apple Mac computer.  Here, see them for yourself.

As I was snapping this picture, they were calling each other up on their computers and then proceeded to have a "face-to-face" conversation with each other via their computer screens, while sitting next to each other!  Due to the close proximity of their computers (what, maybe 12 inches?!), the conversation was brief because of the feedback noises they were getting.

I am wearing... gray jeans, a white-pink-gray-dark brown short sleeved T-shirt, black Sketchers (shoes), and my gray cardigan because I'm on the front porch as I type this.

I am creating... memories!

I am going... home -- very soon.

I am reading... to be honest, not much right now while we are visiting.  

I am hoping... the cooler weather we have here and the cooler weather reported to be at home -- both-- continue.  I rather like getting to wear my jeans and sweaters after such a long hot summer.

I am hearing... the marching band at the Small Town America High School.  They are only blocks away, practicing for the next football game.  Am I sitting in an old Disney movie???

Around the house... as mentioned above, Sister and Beloved are learning stuff on their computers, Brother-in-law is in his home office, making business calls, and my mother is taking a nap.

One of my favorite things... is.....

..... fresh tomatoes.  Sister and Brother-in-law invited us to take a bucket of their red globes home with us.

A few plans for the rest of the week: getting back into our usual daily routines, savoring pleasant memories of this visit.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing... actually I'm going to post here  a few photos I took this afternoon during a solitary walk through Small Town America.   I find them restful.  Maybe you will, too.

Sister harvests Ever-bearing Strawberries in her garden.

 Small Town America

a house in the neighborhood

The flowers are starting to fade but are still lovely

No Home Owners Association here -- but who needs it?!

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Simple Woman's Daybook for August 30

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... the heat of summer continues but the nights are getting cooler and the sun is taking longer to show up over the morning horizon.

I am thinking... of what to say in the next sentence.  Some days the words come more readily than others!

I am thankful for... the small fan blowing on my feet as I type.  But on a much larger scale, I am especially thankful that my family members who live very close to the Atlantic Ocean and were forced to evacuate this past weekend were spared any/all damage from Hurricane Irene.  This was a wonderful surprise and gift from our Heavenly Father.

From the kitchen... we are having pork chops and corn on the cob for dinner this evening.

I am wearing... black capris, a sleeveless shell striped with white, black, aqua and yellow, a short-sleeved black cardigan, black canvas "Grasshopper" sandals, black-and-silver bracelets and black and silver earrings.  Oh, and it's a good hair day!

I am creating... greeting cards this week for the September birthdays, anniversaries, and for whatever occasion that needs a card. You'll be seeing blog posts about them in the future.

I am going... to lunch today with DL, who has finally descended back into the lower 48 after a long visit with her grandson in Alaska.

I am reading... Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon.  My faithful readers may recall that last week at this time I was going through 40-some-odd boxes in my store room, looking for my copy of this book.  Alas, it never was found.  I guess that I did indeed give it away to Good Will some months ago -- but I didn't mean to!!!  So I bit the bullet and bought another copy.  For those of us who enjoy reading about nutrition and how it affects the human body, it's a fascinating read.

I am hoping... and praying that CB's cataract surgery goes well this morning, with no complications at all.  She is having both eyes done today.

I am hearing... that aforementioned fan blowing on my feet and not much else.

Around the house... most of the week's laundry got done yesterday and put away!!  Things are pretty much under control.  

One of my favorite things... crossing things off of my 'to do list' after they are accomplished!

A few plans for the rest of the week:  lunch with DL in an hour at a restaurant I've not visited before, some sewing if time allows, and just keeping myself in line by the help of the Holy Spirit!

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...

Vermont in October 2010

Last fall Beloved and I took a wonderful bus tour of New England to see the fall colors.  We started in Boston and ended in Boston, visiting western Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine in the days between.  The colors and charm were all I had hoped for.  We are saddened and surprised, as is much of our nation, at the destruction Vermont, in particular, is experiencing in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Who would have thought that a state with no ocean access would get hit so hard by a hurricane?

Watch therefore:

for ye know not what hour 

your Lord doth come.

Matthew 24:42

The Simple Woman's Daybook is a weekly habit enjoyed by many bloggers. It is a pleasant and effective way to bring more traffic to your blog. For more information about the woman who came up with this idea, go to

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Simple Woman's Daybook for August 23rd

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... Monday evening is settling in with some ominous-looking clouds to the West.  However, I don't think my neighborhood will get any rain out of them.

I am thinking... it feels really good to be sitting down after an afternoon of shopping at several stores.  Much of current fashion continues to irritate me.

I am thankful for... the mobility of my laptop computer.  Gone are the days when I had to sit at a desk to type on the computer.  I use my laptop in the kitchen and family room daily; and frequently take it upstairs to my study and sewing rooms, too.

From the kitchen...the dishwasher is busy with breakfast, lunch, and supper dishes.

I am wearing...a black-and-white gingham seersucker Camp shirt, black capris, sandals, and pearl earrings.

I am creating...this blog post for Tuesday.  The past 8 days have made for an   unusual week that I will be glad to see end. 

I am going... to my friend's memorial service tomorrow (Tuesday).  See last week's Simple Woman's Daybook about that. 

I am reading...The Mediterranean Diet, Raw Rood Made Easy, and Recipes for Diabetics as I prepare future menu plans.

I am hoping... we are able to stop the influx of bees into our master bathroom.  They show up dead or nearly dead every few days or so.  We have yet to figure out how they are getting into the house.  Even the Orkin man was clueless.

I am hearing... the Bears and Jets playing on Monday night football.

Around the house... sheets in the dryer await folding, I should hand-water the flowers outside tomorrow morning, Oh!  We just had a strong roll of thunder outside!  Maybe we will get some rain after all!

One of my favorite things... sitting here in my chair with Beloved sitting in his chair in the same room while a football game is on.  I don't understand much about the sport except for touchdowns and field goals, but it's just a nice time to spend with my husband. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Christmas shopping and wrapping (some in my family are getting a jump on the season this year), sewing a vest or doing some embroidery while listening to some MP3 downloads from Above Rubies...

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...

 As mentioned earlier, the football season has begun (well, the 'preseason' games), so it's time to think about snack food.  This evening for dinner we had Banquet Chicken Patties on Orowheat Sandwich Thins, a large veggie green salad, and chips with dips.  For Beloved it was a purchased nacho cheese dip, and for me it was my favorite Guacamole Dip.  The recipe follows.

Guacamole Dip
Yields 1/2 cup, 1-2 servings

1 ripe avocado, soft enough to easily scoop out of the peel with a spoon
1  1/2 teaspoons minced dried onion
1 teaspoon bottled lime juice
1 teaspoon minced garlic from a jar
Dash Tabasco sauce
Dash salt
Dash pepper

Place all ingredients into a food processor.  Process until smooth. Serve immediately. YUM!

The Simple Woman's Daybook is a weekly habit enjoyed by many bloggers. It is a pleasant and effective way to bring more traffic to your blog. For more information about the woman who came up with this idea, go to

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Simple Woman's Daybook for August 16th

FOR TODAY


Outside my window ... 
     Why does the sun go on shining
     Why does the sea rush to shore
     Don't they know it's the end of the world...


I am thinking ... one of my dear friends has quietly and unexpectedly been called into the Presence of God's throne, leaving her dear ones behind in shock.  Yet the road construction crews continue today with their loud trucks and jack hammers, radios blare lyrics, and the lunchtime crowd bustles in and out as if nothing sad has happened.


I am thankful for ... the firm assurance that 'Sam' knew Jesus Christ as her personal Savior; I will see her again, when I am someday called Home.


From the kitchen ...  we had our usual Tuesday breakfast of cereal and then I met one of my grieving friends for lunch.          


I am wearing ...  a black pair of capris, black sandals, a white camisole with a black overshirt, and a handmade yellow cotton flower.  Black for sorrow and the yellow flower to signify the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

I am creating ...  doll clothes; although I have put that aside for today.


I am going ...  no where for the rest of the day.  A nap may be required with my playlist of harp music in the background.


I am reading ... how to develop patience in the current series in the August 2011 In Touch Magazine by Dr. Charles Stanley.  Reading is one thing; the personal application is something else.


I am hoping ... the worst of this week is now behind me.


I am hearing ...  the air conditioning and the ticking of the mantel clock.        


Around the house ... everything is still clean.  We had a small dinner party here this past Friday night.


One of my favorite things ...  is sitting in my chocolate-colored wing back chair with my laptop, writing out my thoughts, which aids in making sense of all that is happening around me.  Journaling is good for my soul.


A few plans for the rest of this week ... getting ready for Christmas.  Some of our family members will be exchanging gifts with us sooner rather than later, to save the cost of postage.  We won't open the gifts until December 25th.


Here is a picture for thought I am sharing:

Although it was the weekend, so far it had not felt like a time of rest.  A broken tooth made it necessary to see the dentist mid-day.  A temporary fix was done and now she was home, looking forward to a more restful Saturday and then plans to meet friends at church the following morning.  Walking through the living room, she picked up the remote to turn on the television but before sitting down remembered there was something she had wanted to do on the back patio.  

Out in the warm sunshine that radiated back up at her from the concrete, she suddenly felt a bit weak.  Sitting down in a nearby patio chair, she slipped off the black stiletto heels that were sort of her personal trademark among friends.  In closing her eyes, however, she did not see the darkness of her eyelids, but instead a bright shining figure reaching out to her.  A pleasant revitalizing glow came over her such as she had never experienced before.

"Sandi, it's time to come Home."

___________________

Family and friends came looking for her.  In talking with each other they all realized no one had seen or spoken to her in two days.  When there was no answer at the front door, they walked around to the back.  There she sat, at peace. But she wasn't really there ...

The Simple Woman's Daybook is a weekly habit enjoyed by many bloggers. It is a pleasant and effective way to bring more traffic to your blog. For more information about the woman who came up with this idea, go to

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Simple Woman's Daybook for August 9th

FOR TODAY

Outside my window ... it is dusk.  The end of another beautiful day that presented us with clear blue skies, a few puffy white clouds, mid-90 temperatures, and just a good day to be alive!

I am thinking ... I am soooo thankful for our air conditioning this summer and that my neighborhood has not felt 100 degrees (yet).

I am thankful for ... this chocolate-brown wing back chair we bought a few weeks ago.  It fits my form perfectly for reading, watching TV, conversation and balancing my computer on my lap.

From the kitchen ... the dishwasher is busy with the day's plates and pots.  We had Chicken Fried Steak for dinner, along with mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, bread-and-butter, and orange segments.  

I am wearing ... khaki capris, a multi-colored red and beige striped button-up-the front short-sleeved blouse, my favorite sandals, and -- it's been a good hair day!

I am creating ... here; see for yourself!

Although my shoulder replacement (over 2 1/2 years ago) has made creating entire quilts a chore for me physically, I am gradually feeling better as time goes by and have been getting back into making small projects.  It's not just a matter of physical therapy with this shoulder -- I had some permanent damage in my accident, so I'm making do with what I've got left over, so to speak.  Sewing has been a passion of mine since I was a  little girl, so I find it impossible to leave it alone for very long.  

The orange-and-brown project on the right is an autumn table runner I finished last week for our family room coffee table.  The pattern is Minnesota Hot Dish. The green, red, and gold project is a table mat to put under a lamp in the living room.  When I finish typing this post, I intend to hand-sew the binding on the back side and it will be done.

I am going ... to the dentist tomorrow for my semi-annual teeth cleaning.  That's not my favorite thing to do, but I am thankful for the excellent care my dentist and his staff give me.  Like so many adults my age, I have gingivitis, but they've taught me how to keep it under control with a rigorous daily routine that is working well. Both morning and night: 

(1) use a tiny brush between the teeth
(2) use dental floss
(3) brush with a good-quality electric toothbrush (Sonicare)
(4) use a water pik to flush out whatever dares to still remain!

When I was first told I would need to do all of this twice a day, I was angry and frustrated.  However, I've been at it for four or more years and now I don't feel like I've got my mouth clean without it.  

I am reading ... out of In Touch Magazine, "Those who choose to believe what God says experience the peace and joy of knowing He has everything under His control.  Because they trust Him, fewer situations bother them." (Thursday August 4, 2011, page 36)  Good words for all of us as we watch the unfolding drama with our nation's financial woes.

I am hoping ... (still on the subject our our nation) that people will take to heart this quote my sister sent to us from Christian financial expert, Dave Ramsey:  

"If the US Government was a family, they would be making $58,000 a year, they spend $75,000 a year, & are $327,000 in credit card debt. They are currently proposing BIG spending cuts to reduce their spending to $72,000 a year. These are the actual proportions of the federal budget & debt, reduced to a level that we can understand." 

My husband has one thing more to add to the quote: "in 8 to 10 years."  The US Government proposes to reduce their spending to $72,000 a year in 8 to 10 years.  

How much good is that going to do us?!

I am hearing ... like you, a lot of disgruntlement about our government right now.  Are we praying for our leaders, even the ones we don't like?  That's what we need to be doing.  We are commanded to pray for those in authority over us.  

Around the house ... Beloved and I have a "date" with the big tall ladder so we can clean the entry hall chandelier.  We never did it last week since our dinner party was postponed to this weekend.  

One of my favorite things ... is having a clean house, but it's more work than it used to be!!

A few plans for the rest of the week: As mentioned above, we are hosting our Sunday School Supper Group this Friday night.  Normally there are four couples, but one of them has flown to the North Pole to visit their grandson.  Okay, they didn't go quite that far north, but they are very far away this week.  As a result of their absence, the rest of us will have a little more elbow room at the dining table.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing ...

I am trying to get into the habit of walking on the treadmill daily, about 45 minutes after we finish breakfast.  This picture illustrates the choice I must make when I first get out of bed in the morning.  Will I put on the socks and tennies or schulmp around in my slippers, putting off what I really should do?

The Simple Woman's Daybook is a weekly habit enjoyed by many bloggers.  It is a pleasant and effective way to bring more traffic to your bog.  For more information about the woman who came up with this idea, go to http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

If the link doesn't work for you, copy-and-paste it into your browser.