A Couple of Things

Thank you for all those sweet comments yesterday! I was blessed by your kind words...and, yes, that is our home with all that snow! That picture was taken in December, right before Christmas, when we received 24.5 inches of the white stuff!! In late January and early February, during a two week period, we got four snow storms, and about three feet of snow total! In my area, things kind of shut down when we get a few inches...the federal government was off for 4 straight days, and all the local school systems were off for 7 or 8 school days...but the snow sure was pretty!

Just a quick update on the things that I wrote about yesterday~

The ladies' meeting went well. We're planning our mother/daughter banquet for this year. The theme is "His Eye is on the Sparrow"~thinking about how God cares about the little details in our life...anyway, I think we had a good planning session, but we still have lots of work to do...

The chocolate cake was good. I took several pictures of it and will post those next week along with the recipe. My kids loved it..."This is the best chocolate cake ever!" (The name of the cake was Best Chocolate Cake Ever!)

I hope you all have a great weekend, and are able to spend some time with the special people in your life!

Home, Sweet Home

Home~what a wonderful place to be! Oh, the joys of walking through the front door, of "going home" after a semester in college, of seeing all the special people that live at home. Today, I am thankful for the actual building that my family calls "home".

Hubbie and I have lived in our home for the last 7 1/2 years. During that time, we have painted all but two rooms, added trimwork, hung blinds, laid new carpet and wood floors, hung new curtains, changed out old appliances with new, energy-efficient ones, put pictures on the walls...but does all this work make our house a home?

It definitely adds to the comfort level and the beauty of our home, and I love all the changes we have made...but I think the spirit of our home is more important than anything else. Do we use our home to show God's love to other people? Do folks feel welcomed and loved when they come through the front door? I certainly hope they do, but these are just some thoughts going through my head this morning and I am being challenged to evaluate my hospitality...

I have a ladies meeting tonight, so I'm off to get schooling done and to bake a chocolate cake for the meeting (what's a meeting without a few snacks, right?) :)

Learning

The Christian walk is a journey...and I am always learning something. I ran across this poem in one of the second grade readers that are on my shelf. It blessed my heart and reminded me that "it's not all about me." I hope you have a great day...

The Bird's Lesson

by George Macdonald

A little bird, with feathers brown,

Sat singing on a tree;

That song was very soft and low,

But sweet as it could be.

And all the people passing by,

Looked up to see the bird,

Whose singing was the sweetest

That ever they had heard.

But all the bright eyes looked in vain,

For birdie was so small;

And with a modest dark brown coat,

He made no show at all.

"Papa, dear," little Gracie said,

"Where can this birdie be?

If I could only sing like that

I'd sit where folks could see."

"I hope my little girl will learn

A lesson from that bird,

And try to do what good she can~

Not to be seen or heard.

"This birdie is content to sit

Unnoticed by the way;

And sweetly sing his Maker's praise,

From dawn to close of day.

"So live, my child, to do some good,

Let life be short or long:

Though others may forget your looks

They'll not forget your song."

Daybook~2/23

For today, Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Outside my window~cloudy, 39 degrees, grass can now be seen in several spots in the yard

I am thinking~about my uncle who probably has lung cancer (90% sure)~but he knows Jesus

I am thankful~ for this season of my life...I know I will enter other seasons faster than I ever thought...

I am wearing~warm clothes

I am hearing~military helicopters from the nearby Marine Corps base, and now that they are gone, I can hear the birds singing their beautiful songs...

From the learning rooms~Oldest daughter is learning to use cancellation with fractions; Son is reading one vowel words really well; Youngest daughter is so close to walking

From the kitchen~marinated NY strip steak, salad, broccoli, and scalloped potatoes

I am creating~some organized storage for clothes that no longer fit a family member

I am praying~for my family, especially my sweet Hubbie, who is in class all day today

I am going~to get the laundry caught up today (hopefully!)

I am hoping~that our plans for the weekend will come together

One of my favorite things~bubble baths and candlelight ;)

Around the house~is the desk that so desperately needs better organization

I am pondering these words~Does Jesus care? OH, YES, HE CARES! I KNOW HE CARES...I love this hymn!

A few plans for the rest of the week~church on Wednesday, ladies meeting on Thursday night, visiting a family member (hopefully) on Friday, basketball league on Saturday

A picture for thought that I am sharing~

Ahhh! warm weather...

I hope you have a great day! Please visit Peggy if you would like to read other Daybooks!

It's Finished!!!

Hubbie and I recently finished updating our kitchen. We had painted the plain, white walls a delicious green (Benjamin Moore~Louisburg Green). Oh, I just love coming into the kitchen...it makes me smile! The trim work was done in Benjamin Moore~Monterey White.

New light fixtures are up, new knobs are on the cabinets, (I wrote about the knobs here) and the project is complete! Here are a few pictures of our new curtains. In the first picture, you can see one of the new lights...The other lights in the kitchen are of similar design. Now, if I could just get inspired with my cooking... :)

The new look above the kitchen sink...

Above the patio doors...

Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!

One of My Blessings

One of my goals for this blog is to count my blessings. The following post is just one of many blessings the Lord Jesus has given me. I am not a superb writer, but what I do write comes from my heart. I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!

When I was growing up, I went to a Christian school. I am so thankful for the foundation that was laid during those years. I was influenced at school to go to a Christian college (which I did), and I had so many great teachers! They inspired me to become a teacher myself. One of my favorite teachers was my third grade teacher, Mrs. Meyers. Such a sweet lady and I have such good memories of her. I wish I knew where she was now.

When I was a junior or senior, my principal encouraged me to major in education when I went to college. I started out as a History Education major with an English Education minor. I did not enjoy it at all so I changed majors to Elementary Education, with a History minor. I loved it!

I graduated from college in May, 1996, and in the fall, I began teaching second grade. I taught second grade for four years, took a year off for the birth of our oldest daughter, then went back to teaching. I taught third grade for three years~I think third graders are wonderful! They are independent enough to not need you to tie their shoes, wipe their noses, etc., but they still love to give and receive hugs!

After those teaching years, I stayed home with our children. It never crossed my mind during those years of being a schoolteacher that I would ever homeschool, but that is what I find myself doing...and I wouldn't trade these days for a million dollars! (maybe two million...just kidding!) Yes, there are "those days", but the joys of having the children at home far outweigh the "days" when I struggle...

We have plenty to keep us busy~home school group, church, library, family night~and plenty of opportunities for the ever popular argument of "socializing".

So, for this Thankful Thursday, I am thankful that God has given Hubbie a good job so that I do not have to work outside our home. Which, in turn, allows us the opportunity to school our children at home. I do not know how long we will homeschool, but I treasure the time I have...

Valentine's Weekend

What a precious, memorable weekend our family had! Even though the majority of the family was sick, we still had a good time together.

After the kids went to bed on Saturday night, the kitchen table was changed! A Valentine tablecloth, new placemats~flower ones for the girls and a dump truck for the young man~Valentine glasses, plates, and napkins. What a surprise for them when they came downstairs on Sunday morning! We made them a heart cake with their first initial on it. You can see the R, D, and S. They loved it!

Hubbie cooked dinner~was it ever delicious!?! (I LOVE when he cooks!)

Here was the menu:

NY strip (marinated two ways)

Chicken lump cakes (similar to a crabcake)~delicious!

Succotash

Twice-baked potatoes

Yeast rolls

Iced Tea

Me and my Sweetheart!


These beautiful tulips were my gift on Friday night...


When I went downstairs on Saturday morning, a dozen "Fire & Ice" roses were sitting on the coffee table in the living room...aren't they beautiful? We then had breakfast out~one of my favorite things to do~at Bob Evans.

We're not done yet!!!

When I was finished getting ready for church on Sunday morning, this beautiful, long-stemmed red rose was laying on my side of the bed, along with a huge bag of Bath & Body lotions, spray, bubble bath, and shower gel! Let me tell you~

I. was. spoiled. (And I loved every minute of it!)

I have had a lot of fun looking at these pictures. I just love the last one~you can actually "see" the velvety-ness of the petals...I hope you've enjoyed your visit here today.

Simple Woman's Daybook~February 15, 2010

I'm trying a different layout for my entry today, so we'll see how this goes...

For today, Monday, February 15, 2010~

Outside my window~36 degrees and snowing

I am thinking~that we have had a lot of snow this winter

I am thankful~for the antibiotics that are making Oldest Daughter's ears feel better

From the learning rooms~only a half day today :)

From the kitchen~brownie-strawberry trifle

I am wearing~warm socks, cream turtleneck, green sweater, and tan skirt

I am creating~the grocery list

I am going~to have Italian for supper :)

I am reading~the March/April issue of Taste of Home

I am hoping~that everyone in our house gets rid of this sick bug soon!

I am hearing~our furnace (we lost our heat last night, but, thankfully, our HVAC repairman was able to quickly fix the problem today) and Oldest Daughter is playing Trouble

Around the house~are the red and white tulips and the "Fire & Ice" roses that my sweet Hubbie gave me this weekend

One of my favorite things~my Hubbie's friendship and his kisses

A few plans for the rest of the week~schooling through Friday, church on Wednesday night, a trip to the library sometime this week

A picture for thought that I am sharing~will have to wait until tomorrow, once I get the pictures off the camera

Peggy hosts this daybook every week.

My Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day, to my Sweet Hubbie!

I love you!

Thank you for such a wonderful weekend!

(Even though you weren't feeling that great...)

Organizing

Do you have something that needs to be organized? I love having everything where it belongs, and when I don't (like right now because Hubbie and I are in the middle of several projects), I feel a little stressed. One of the things that needed some attention was my email account.

YIKES! I had over 3,000 emails in my account! They had all been read, but I decided a few weeks ago to start organizing them by category and getting rid of ones that I didn't need anymore (old sales, etc.).

In my organizing one day, I found the following link from my brother. I think you'll enjoy this one! What a beautiful country we live in!!

http://oldbluewebdesigns.com/mybeautifulamerica.htm

This Thankful Thursday, I am so thankful for my country! What about you?

Easy Peasy...

The snow is falling furiously, and the wind is blowing...which means drifting snow...but that's okay. Thank You, Lord, that everyone is safe and warm here at home.

Like many, being "snowed in" makes for lots of time in the kitchen. I love being able to use my Crock-Pot. One of my favorite recipes for the Crock-Pot comes from Fix-It and Forget-It~Feasting with your Slow Cooker. So easy peasy!

Easy Chili

~makes 10-12 servings

1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon chili powder
29 ounce can tomato sauce
3 16 ounce cans kidney beans, drained~I use dark beans
14 1/2 ounce can crushed or stewed tomatoes
6 ounce can tomato paste
2 cups grated cheddar cheese

• Brown meat in skillet. Add onion and green pepper halfway through browning process. Drain mixture. Pour into slow cooker.
• Stir in remaining ingredients except cheese.
• Cover. Cook on high for three hours, or on low for 7-8 hours.

We love to eat this chili with Jiffy cornbread, cheddar cheese, and sour cream.

I hope you are warm and safe wherever you are. We're in a blizzard warning for today, so I don't think we'll be going anywhere! ;)

Simple Woman's Daybook~February 8, 2010

For Monday, February 8, 2010~

Outside my window~
21 degrees, almost two feet of snow is on the ground

I am thinking about~
my little boy who is not feeling well

I am thankful for~
our electricity~we lost it for about seven hours Saturday night/Sunday morning~boy, it was cold when we woke up!

I am wearing~
my PJ's and warm socks

From the learning rooms~
about fifteen lessons left for the state notebook for Oldest Daughter :)
son will not be doing school today since he's not feeling well

From the kitchen~
thinking about what to fix for supper

I am praying~

for my church and its leaders

I am going~

to shovel some snow off our deck

I am hearing~

Thomas the Tank Engine movie

I am creating~

some handcrafted cards today

I am reading~

some of my old cooking magazines (hoping for some inspiration)

I am pondering these words~

Colossians 3:23~ "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."

One of my favorite things~

working with Hubbie on a project :)

A picture for thought that I am sharing~

a couple of my Valentine's Day decorations

Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow!

One of my all time favorite movies is "White Christmas" with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. One of my favorite songs that they sing (besides their rendition of "Sisters") is the song about snow~while they're on the train traveling to Vermont. Perfect song for today!

Weather forecasters in our area are calling for up to two feet of snow between now and tomorrow night. The snow has started to fall already, most of the schools are closed for today, the grocery stores are insanely busy, but we are nice and warm at home!

We did go out yesterday evening to Home Depot and the grocery store. There were lots of people in Home Depot asking for snow shovels and salt. No luck there! Many people (including us) were getting painting supplies...At the grocery store, the bread aisle was completely bare! But there was plenty of milk and other goodies at Wegman's. :) We will stay busy with all of our little projects.

Well, I'm off to enjoy another day with the family. Oldest Daughter is a little bummed because she still has school...I just keep telling her~"You'll be glad that you worked hard all winter when, in May, you are finished with school, but everyone else is still going..." (I don't think she's buying it.) ;)

Thankfully, Hubbie works from home today, so he doesn't have to travel. I hope you have a safe weekend!

A Night Away

On Monday, I posted some pictures at the end of my Daybook. Here is the story that goes with those pictures~and some more pictures, too!

Last Thursday, Hubbie and I stole away for the evening! We dropped off our children at Poppy and Nanny's house, and then headed for Harrisonburg. We had never been to a B&B, and we found this one online.

As you can see from the pictures, we went to By the Side of the Road. The owners had four rooms in the main house and then three cottages. We decided to go for Quill Cottage. What a wonderful, romantic, relaxing time we had! If the decision were up to me, I would go again tonight! :) However, our forecasters are calling for a major snow storm starting tomorrow morning and going through Saturday night. So, I think we better stay home. ;)

We had such a nice time away. Just spending time alone with each other was such a treat! Now, please, don't get me wrong. I love being able to take care of my children, but it is nice to have a little break every now and then. Mom had offered to keep the children for us, so we started making plans.

Our little cottage was very private, tastefully decorated, and oh, so cozy! Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy.

Did you see the "Circa 1790"?

Quill Cottage at dusk

Hubbie scattered rose petals on our bed...

and on the sink...


and on the 110 gallon Jacuzzi tub...

He even had champagne glasses filled with Diet Cherry 7-Up!

Warm and cozy bed

View from the front door

A little of this...

a little of this...


and a little of this...

makes for a memorable evening!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hot breakfast was delivered to our door Friday morning~
Herb souffle (delicious)
Sausage patty
Bread
Fresh fruit (orange slices and kiwi)
Orange Juice


By the Side of the Road Friday morning~absolutely beautiful!

Quill Cottage on Friday morning

Shenandoah Valley of Virginia

I hope you've enjoyed our pictures. Have a great Thursday!

Simple Woman's Daybook~February 1, 2010

~For today, February 1, 2010~

Outside my window~

partly sunny, 39 degrees, snow is melting

I am thinking about~

where we are going for dinner

I am thankful for~

newly hung curtains in the kitchen

Thank you, Hubbie!

I am wearing~

long sleeve cream turtleneck, tan skirt, socks

From the learning rooms~

oldest daughter is still working on her state notebook and working on fractions

son learned the "w" blend ladder today, and is reading short one vowel words and sentences

youngest daughter can say "please" in sign language

From the kitchen~

scrapple for everyone but me

bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits for everyone

I am creating~

still working on that laundry room

will soon be working on valentines

I am praying~

for my missionary brother and his family

I am going~

out for dinner tonight

I am hearing~

Legos and the whispers of my son using his imagination

I am hoping~

that we really do get some more snow this weekend

(please don't hate me if you do not like having snow...)

Around the house~

the 6 foot ladder in our kitchen...

Chutes and Ladders is on the family room floor

I am pondering these words~

"Tomorrow is fresh, with no mistakes in it."

Miss Stacey to Anne Shirley

A few pictures for thought that I am sharing~

More on these pictures later... ;)

I hope that you'll hop on over to see Peggy, the host of this Daybook!