Simple Woman's Daybook - 10/12

FOR TODAY October 13, 2008...

Outside My Window...
The sun is shining and it is going to be a beautiful day.

I am thinking...
It is a good thing I haven't gotten all of the summer clothes put away yet.
From the learning rooms...
Isabelle is now in week 5 of 4th grade and she has a few tests to take this week. I am so impressed with how much Latin she has already learned this year. Alex and Olivia will be making some fall crafts as part of their schooling this week.

I am thankful for...
The wonderful weekend our family just had. It is so nice to be able to revel in such simple pleasures. We went to a rummage sale on Saturday and I was able to get a bag of clothes for myself (4 outfits in all) for just $2!

From the kitchen...
There are sausage, egg & cheese biscuits in the oven for breakfast. I am also going to make some apple muffins and apple leather today. Dinner will be Polish sausage & cabbage soup. I'll use some of the cabbage to make vegetarian stuffed cabbage to put in the freezer.

I am wearing...
My "new" denim skirt and a pale pink t-shirt.

I am creating...
Some leaf outlines for Alex and Olivia to cut out today.

I am going...
We are not going anywhere today! It was a busy weekend so it will feel good to stay home and get caught up.

I am reading...
Back When We Were Grown-Ups by Anne Tyler and The English Major by Jim Harrison.

I am hoping...
To finish off the last of our apples. I'm also hoping we get to play outside for a few hours today.

I am hearing...
All 4 kids are working to unload the dishwasher together.

Around the house...
Catch-up day: laundry, vacuuming, cooking.

One of my favorite things...
The smells of a fall kitchen...apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, soups.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Library books need to be taken back on Tuesday. I need to de-clutter my computer desk. I need to organize the kids clothes and find the bag of hand-me-down shoes from our attic.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
At the cider mill - drinking cider slushies and eating fresh, hot cider donuts.

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The Simple Woman's Daybook 9/22

FOR TODAY: September 22, 2008...

Outside My Window...
There are summer toys that we need to start thinking about putting away.

I am thinking...
It feels good to begin our second week of school and a new schedule.

I am thankful for...
Children that love learning and reading as much as I do.

From the kitchen...
Not much today. There are chocolate chip muffins baking in the oven. Because of our different schedule, I'm going to rely on a meat lasagna that I made earlier this month from the freezer for dinner. I'll probably make breadsticks to go along with it.

I am wearing...
A tan skirt and a black t-shirt

I am creating...
A list of apple recipes and a library list.

I am going...
Gracie has her 18 month check-up today. We also need to go to the library either today or tomorrow.

I am reading...
Having A Mary Spirit by Joanna Weaver and At Home In Mitford by Jan Karon for the Happy To Be At Home virtual book club. I need some new library books too.

I am hoping...
Our wait is not too long at the doctor's.

I am hearing...
The older three are making their beds and Gracie is pulling plastic dishes out of the kid's drawer for breakfast.

Around the house...
Today I have laundry catch-up to get to, and some basic weekly cleaning. We also have some fun plans for school work.

One of my favorite things...
Watching all of the fall colors emerge, fall walks in crisp weather, and crunching leaves under our feet.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
We went apple picking yesterday so I have lots of apples to take care of. I'd like to make applesauce, cinnamon apples for the freezer, an apple pie, and some apple dessert fillings for the freezer.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...I'm not sure what my favorite part of this picture is. I guess it's a toss-up between the mismatched shoes, the self-drawn purple marker tattoos on his leg, the swimsuit to play in the "pretend pool", or the tough guy stance and face. Whichever one, I think one thing is clear - do not mess with my boy!

For more Simple Woman's Daybooks, make sure you stop by Peggy's blog.

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Simple Woman's Daybook 9/15

FOR TODAY September 15, 2008...

Outside My Window...
Rain, rain, and more rain.

I am thinking...
There is nothing better than a cozy home on a rainy day. I'm also thinking that we have a full and exciting day ahead of us.
From the learning rooms...
We are officially starting our full school schedule this week. I'm looking forward to seeing how Alex and Olivia react to the preschool work I have planned for them. They have been begging to do school and are so excited to begin doing "pre-sook" work.

I am thankful for...
My full and happy life. My husband and children are amazing blessings and I'm glad I don't ever feel the need to stir up drama. My home and family are my life. That is where I find my importance.

From the kitchen...
I am making granola bars today for snacks this week. Otherwise, I'll pretty much be taking advantage of all my work for the freezer so that we can really focus on school and adjusting to our new schedule.

I am wearing...
Gingham capris (probably for the last time this year), matching t-shirt, and a cardigan (it's still chilly)

I am creating...
Not much this week, except maybe the love of learning in my younger children.

I am going...
We'll be sticking pretty close to home this week as we adjust. We went to the library on Sunday and we also picked up a few necessary groceries. We have all kinds of plans for the upcoming weekend though - the Renaissance Festival & apple picking.

I am reading...
Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, and I'm re-reading At Home In Mitford by Jan Karon for The 3 Moms Book Nook, a virtual book club, over at Happy To Be At Home.

I am hoping...
We all enjoy our day, and celebrate our accomplishments tonight with a fun dessert.

I am hearing...
Coffee brewing and K-Love on the radio.

Around the house...
It's Monday, so in addition to our school plans, I have to get caught up on chores that I let slide over the weekend.

One of my favorite things...
Soup! Making it and eating it!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
I'm going to start going through and boxing up summer clothes, and washing the fall/winter clothes that are in the attic.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...You can find more Simple Woman's Daybook entries over at The Simple Woman.

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Simple Woman's Daybook - 9/1

FOR TODAY September 1, 2008...

Outside My Window...
It still looks like summer, but if I look really closely, the beginnings of fall are just starting to show.

I am thinking...
I'm ready for sweater weather!
From the learning rooms...
We are picking up our school books this week. Once we get them, I will spend lots of time getting our plans for the year on paper and writing out daily lessons for the first few weeks at least. We'll officially start school next Monday.

I am thankful for...
My husband getting an entire day off. This is the first day in over four months that he has not had to work at all. We are all really going to enjoy this little break.

From the kitchen...
There is nothing exciting going on in my kitchen today. I'm saving up all my energy for later in the week when I'll start doing some bulk freezer cooking.

I am wearing...
A denim skirt and a white tank top. (We'll see how long I manage to keep it white. Why a mom of small children thinks wearing a white shirt is ever a good idea is beyond me.)

I am creating...
A revised master menu plan (I have been working on this for almost a week and finally can say for sure that it will be done today.) and a revised master grocery list.

I am going...
We'll be taking a trip to the Salvation Army store today. We'll probably take the kids to the park as well.

I am reading...
Nothing right now! I am fresh out of books until we go to the library tomorrow. I finished my last new book on Saturday and have filled in the time re-reading some old cooking magazines. Any suggestions for books from the library?

I am hoping...
That we'll be able to take advantage of the awesome sales at Salvation Army today. We have a pretty good sized list of some things to look for and it would be nice to get some crossed off.

I am hearing...
Coffee brewing and the kids just beginning to stir.

Around the house...
It is going to be a busy week. Wednesday is our monthly grocery trip so I have to get prepared for that. After that I'll start freezer cooking. And I have to get all the schoolwork plans taken care of. I'm hopeful that I'll be as productive as I need to be.

One of my favorite things...
Watching my older three kids encourage my youngest with her newly-discovered walking skills.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
Planning, cooking, and more planning. And laundry catch-up, as always. We also need to go to the library and post office on Tuesday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Make sure you stop by Peggy's blog for more Simple Woman's Daybook entries.

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The Simple Woman's Daybook 8/18

FOR TODAY August 18th, 2008...

Outside My Window...
It is a sunny, peaceful morning. The grass is suffering from lack of rain.

I am thinking...
It's going to get really hot this afternoon, so I want to make sure we get outside to play before then.

I am thankful for...
The steps Gracie is beginning to take. Pretty soon she'll be running all over the house with her sisters and brother.

From the kitchen...
I have about 3 pounds of green beans that need to be cooked and frozen today. We are going to bake some cookies later on today but I'm still trying to decided what kind. I might pull out my pizelle maker and make some of those.

I am wearing...
My favorite dress. It is made by a wonderful company, Sacred Threads, and is probably the most comfortable thing I've ever worn.

I am creating...
A list of thank-you cards for Isabelle to make and send out. She has been having a lot of fun creating scrapbook pages with one of her birthday gifts (see below) and so now she is going to make her cards also.

I am going...
Depending on how the day goes, I'd like to take the kids to our local gourmet grocery store to get some more fresh produce and to see the peacocks that they have there.

I am reading...
A New Song by Jan Karon and The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs

I am hoping...
To have a productive and fun week. I hope to take the children out a few times this week to do some more fun things on our summer to-do list.

I am hearing...
The kids are playing school and Gracie is playing with her new baby doll on the floor at my feet.

Around the house...
We have the usual Monday laundry catch-up to tackle today. I also need to clean out the refrigerator.

One of my favorite things...
Watching the Olympics!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
We'll need to go to the grocery store, the library, and hopefully we'll make it to the park at some point.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Some of the scrapbook pages Isabelle made last week.

Visit Peggy's blog for more Simple Woman Daybooks.

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Simple Woman's Daybook - 8/4

FOR TODAY August 4, 2008...

Outside My Window...
There are at least 50 birds pecking through the grass of our condominium's common area, which doubles as our wonderfully large backyard.

I am thinking...
It is going to be an interesting week with our oldest not home. I am going to miss my helper! But, I also plan on taking advantage of this opportunity to spend some wonderful quality time with the younger 3 children, and to get a better grasp on our lesson plans for school, which we'll be starting up after Labor Day.

I am thankful for...
My family, who have planned a marvelous, fun-filled week for Isabelle.

From the kitchen...
I am going to be making lemon bars today, and I hope to fit in a big baking session at some point this week. I'd love to get most of my baking for the month done so that I have more free time and so that we don't have to turn the oven so often.

I am wearing...
Tan cargo capris and a brown and tan t-shirt

I am creating...
A grocery list for the month and a list of fun activities to tackle with the kids throughout the month as part of the Happy To Be At Home August challenge: Face Time With The Kids.

I am going...
Hopefully we'll make it to the library for their used book sale today. We might go to the grocery today if I get my list finished, otherwise we'll wait until tomorrow. On Friday we are going to our town's annual summer art festival. We have been looking forward to this all year!

I am reading...
These High Green Hills by Jan Karon, Home Schooling From Scratch by Mary Potter Kenyon, and Finding Stephanie by Susan May Warren

I am hoping...
Isabelle has a wonderful trip and that the younger kids don't miss her too much.

I am hearing...
Nothing yet. The house is still quiet.

Around the house...
It's Monday, so there is laundry that needs to be caught up on. I need to wash the sheets on all of the kids beds. I also need to find a permanent home for the 20 notebooks we bought this weekend for $1.

One of my favorite things...
Walking around the art festival with my family and walking through the Civil War encampment along the banks of the Huron River. Enjoying our quaint downtown area and sitting down for a cup of coffee and people watching with my husband and children (who are learning to appreciate the art form that is people watching).
A few plans for the rest of the week...

We're going to have a busy but fun week. Hopefully we'll get our school books ordered and maybe even picked up this week.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
This is the painting that is being used on the Art Festival advertising. This is our Main Street.

You can find more daybooks over at Peggy's blog.

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The Simple Woman's Daybook #1

I am excited to write my first Simple Woman's Daybook post. I have really enjoyed reading many of these posts on others blogs for the past few weeks. I finally decided I wanted to join in on the fun too!

FOR TODAY: Monday, July 21, 2008

Outside My Window...

Everything is drying out after a rainy weekend. The children's toys are a bit messy and need to re-organized today. My basil plant needs to be trimmed before it starts flowering.

I am thinking...

This summer is just going by too fast and we've not done nearly as much as I hoped we would. I am excited for the beginning of a new week and the promise of productivity that comes with it.

I am thankful for...

We spent a wonderful family Sunday together. The day began with church, then brunch at home, swimming at the local high school and an early birthday dinner for our son who will be turning 4 on Tuesday. It was just one of those days when we all delighted in being together and having fun - my favorite kind of day!

From the kitchen...

There is leftover birthday cake to be finished. I made a homemade chocolate cake for the first time and it turned out perfectly.

After breakfast, I will start making lunch and dinner and should have them both completely done by 11:00 am.

I am wearing...

A long, plaid smocked sundress. It is so cool and comfortable.

I am creating...

Isabelle and I will be working on some collage pages for her home management binder this week.

I am going...

We will be going out for a walk after I finish making lunch and dinner. After lunch, we will head over to the library for a while.

I am reading...

At Home In Mitford by Jan Karon, Secrets from a Healthy Asian Kitchen by Ying Chang Compestine, and Can I Freeze It? by Susie Theodorou

I am hoping...

to get some of the things on our summer to-do list crossed off this week. I'd like to take the kids to the park at least this week also.

I am hearing...

The children are playing in their bedroom, waiting for Eric and I to get up. Otherwise, the house is quiet for a few more minutes.

Around the house...

Monday's are usually pretty hectic with catching-up on chores from the weekend. I have three loads of laundry that need to be folded and put away.

One of my favorite things...

Crawling into bed after a long day and reading for a while. I also love summertime because we sleep with our windows open a bit and a fan on, which lets us enjoy a nice breeze, and all the summertime smells and sounds.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...

We'll be spending a lot of time outside this week, weather permitting. I am going to start mapping out our school schedule for next year and order all of our supplies before the end of the month. We will also do something special on Tuesday for Alex's birthday, although I'm not sure what we'll do yet.
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

You can find more Simple Woman's Daybook here.

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