Monday, November 29, 2010

The Simple Woman's Daybook


FOR TODAY, November 29, 2010


Outside my window...it is dark and pouring down rain. 

I am thinking...well, I thought all day that it was the 28th of November, so I think I lost a day somewhere. 

I am thankful for...the blessings of a wonderful Christian mother and father who taught me to love and fear the Lord. 

From the learning rooms...school work has been sporadic the last couple of weeks, but Tiny Love is reading and writing for fun, and Curlyjo is as well.  Between that and the multitudes of UNO games that have taken place in recent days, I figure we have several subjects covered ;)

From the kitchen...I served "That's Italian" soup and turtle bars from a Betty Crocker mix.  It was delicious and sweet enough to induce a raging sugar headache.  Thanks, Betty.

I am wearing...more skirts.  I get a lot of weird looks, but I feel feminine and modest, which pleases the Lord and keeps me from being hyper-focused on whether or not my jeans make my bottom look big.

I am creating...memories.

I am going...to start a Bible study with a sweet and wise friend tomorrow.  I am very excited!

I am reading..."Little Women."  I just love this book!  I am also reading the book of Isaiah.

I am hoping...in the Lord for deliverance from some bad habits and self-defeating thoughts.

I am hearing...my kids laughing at "America's Funniest Home Videos." 

Around the house...there is laundry, toys, coats, and books.  It is time for evening clean up!

One of my favorite things...hot tea, shared with a friend, on a rainy afternoon.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Women's Bible study here in my house, lunch with my siblings, Christmas shopping, and fitting in school!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing:  all I want for Christmas is this!


For more simple women, visit www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com.





Monday, November 22, 2010

Just In Case...

Just in case you wondered if you were loved...


you were.

Just in case you wondered if you were special...


you were.

Just in case you wondered if you would be missed...

\

you will.

Just in case you wondered if it was hard for me to hold your sweet head when you left me...


it was.

Goodbye, Mr. Chins Monroe. 

No need to wonder if you will be remembered...


you are.

To learn more about Chins' story, click here.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Slow Cooker Fancy Chicken

OK, I totally didn't remember to take a picture of this dinner, so you are just going to have to trust me...it is sooooo good!

Slow Cooker Fancy Chicken

3-4 Chicken breasts, thawed
1/2 c. chicken broth
1/2 c. white wine
8 oz. fresh sliced mushrooms (I used baby bellas)
1/2 a red onion, chopped
1 tbs. chopped garlic
1 tbs. dried parsley
1 1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 c. heavy cream
2 tsp. corn starch

Place all ingredients except the cream and cornstarch into the slow cooker.  I literally just piled it all in there, didn't even stir.  Cook on low for about 6-7 hours or high for about 4 hours. 
When the chicken is done pull it apart in the slow cooker with a fork.  Just stir it all up, making sure to leave the chicken chunky. If it isn't on low, turn it down now and leave the lid off for a few minutes.
Stir the corn starch into the cream.  Add the cream mixture and stir.  Let it cook on low for about 30 minutes.
Serve over brown rice. 

Oh, my.  This was wonderful.
My husband (who hates rice and barely tolerates chicken) loved this.  I fed it to four kids, and they all thought I was amazing. 
And I was.  Because I made three chicken breasts feed six people really well.
Look out.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

A Perfect Afternoon

Yesterday we had one of those peaceful afternoons that remind me why I love homeschooling.  Just living life, enjoying each other, and spending time learning together is what makes all the fights over math, struggles with spelling, and frustrations with sight words all worthwhile. 

It was cold and gray yesterday, a reminder that winter is on its way.  It was a perfect day for reading.  We made a trip to the library, then came home to prepare the perfect setting for spending the afternoon lost in our books.


Big, comfy pillows, snacks, hot tea, and good books.  Well, I don't know if Barbie's adventures qualify as intellectual prose, but we will go with it.
We took turns reading aloud parts of our books that were funny or interesting. 
Curlyjo gave us the low down on the trials of being a Pioneer.
I shared a wonderful prayer by St. Francis of Assisi.
Tiny Love flipped around all over the floor and ate copious amounts of grapes. 
It was wonderful.



Good for the mind, good for the soul.
I will depart for now, leaving you with a little inspiration.

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace!
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that
I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.

For

It is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Amen"

St. Francis of Assisi

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

A Whole Box of Gratitude

It seems to me that the Thanksgiving holiday has simply become a time to anticipate Christmas and begin crafting the list of things we want to receive this holiday season. I am just as guilty, as I have already received my Christmas present from the Husband, that sweet man:



While I am very grateful for the thoughtful gift, as I am a complete nerd and will be using it all of the time, I don't want to see this season as just another opportunity to add things to my house.  I want to use this season to add gratitude to my life.
So, in the spirit of not being totally materialistic this Thanksgiving, I have created a Gratitude Box. Oh, the things the we can do with shoe boxes.


The idea is that we will simply write things we are thankful for on a slip of paper and add them to the box in the days until Thanksgiving.
Then, on Thanksgiving day, we will open the box and read all the wonderful blessings we have recognized in our lives. 
Some of us are totally into it.


I wonder what hers will say, as she is just learning to write.  I am guessing "Mom" and "Dad" and "Curlyjo" will be easy enough, but whether or not she will stick to other short-vowel words remains to be seen. 
I know I am thankful for the privilege of being there to teach her those words and then watch her use them to thank the Lord.
What a blessing.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Hello!

So, I haven't posted because:
  • I have been really busy?
  • I don't have anything fun to talk about?
  • I haven't been taking any pictures?
  • I can't focus long enough to put together a coherent sentence?
  • I had a lull in creativity?
  • I have some weighty things on my mind?
Pretty much all of those apply.  But, I miss my little boggy, so I will try to show up on here as often as possible.  Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get my camera out and force my children and my pets to look adorable and engaging.  See you in the morning!