Simple Woman #101

Today . . .  November 17, 2010

Outside my window . . . snow coming down and wind blowing!  The first winter storm has progressively worsened today and the prediction is for more bad weather and poor driving conditions.  The temperature by morning is going to feel like -27 degrees C!

I am thankful . . .  for a solid house with a furnace that works!

And I also am thankful . . .   for a job that allows me to have occasional free days at home.

I am praying . . .    that we will know how to share the abundance we have with others who have much less. 

I am also praying . . .  for healing for a friend who recently had surgery.

I am thinking . . .   about Christmas gifts that I want to sew.

I am creating . . .   a nightgown for Meadow and a mini scrapbook album for a friend and her new baby. 

I am celebrating . . .  two dear friends who had birthdays yesterday!

From the kitchen . . . chicken stir-fry with broccoli and mushrooms over brown rice, fresh buns and banoffee muffins.

I am wearing . . .  black track pants, orange striped tshirt, fleece jacket and slippers - winter's here!

I am reading . . .  Acts 3 - v. 28 - "You have made known to me the paths of life;  you will fill me with joy in your presence."

                            The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall - It's 1928 in China and the Communists and Chiang Ki-shek's troops are about to clash.  Lydia and her mother, exiled Russians, live in the International Settlement but Lydia roams the city and falls in love with a Chinese  Communist youth.  Intrigue and ideals meet in this interesting novel.

I am hoping . . .  to get to a meeting in the city tomorrow night but the road conditions need to improve.  I don't like driving on icy roads!

I am hearing . . .  Dragon's Den (a show where entrepreneurs try to convince a panel of 5 investors to finance their newest ideas) on CBC TV. 

I am going . . . to cut into some lovely white material that's printed with little yellow and pink flowers.

Around the house and yard . . . snow covering most everything now.  Bob did get the garden rototilled on the weekend so everything is safely  put to bed and resting.

One of my favourite things . . . collecting items for our loved ones, to put in their Christmas stockings.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . another day of subbing, a health advisory council meeting, a day with Meadow and Blake, watching Meadow's first hockey game of the season, Bible study and friends for dinner on Sunday.  

A quote for today . . .  

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. ”
Michelangelo (1475-1564);
sculptor, painter, architect

Here is a picture thought I am sharing . . . visions of springtime! Please join us over at Peggy's if you'd like to participate!

Simple Woman #100

Wow!!!  I have followed this format and shared this type of posting 100 times!!!

For Today . . .  September 24, 2010

Outside my window . . . the window of the tractor, no less - a beautiful autumn day - a rare one around these parts!  It's +17 degrees C, the sun is shining, the leaves are all changing colors and I'm enjoying the view

I am thankful . . .  for good weather so that harvesting can begin in earnest. 

And I also am thankful . . .   that I have God's example and His teachings to guide me.  I've had to re-learn patience and quietness this week.

I am praying . . .   for our marriage, using Lysa's thoughts as my guide.   This time of year is tough when we battle the weather and spend long days trying to get so much done.  

I am also praying . . . for Jonathan, our son-in-law, as he heads to a new job on Monday.  He has been without work for 9 months now so we are thankful that he has a few opportunities coming together now.

I am thinking . . .   about a big sewing project - should I or shouldn't I?

I am creating . . .   a layout of Meadow at her birthday party, wearing her Snow White costume.  It's been on my table for awhile but I really need to find some patterned paper in the right colors.  

I am celebrating . . .  4 birthdays this weekend.  Bob's mom will be 84, my friends Sandra and Kendra all have their birthday tomorrow.  And on Sunday Bob's uncle will celebrate 85 years of living.  

From the kitchen . . . sandwiches, turnovers, tiny tomatoes, yogurt and apples in lunches for the field -  supper will be leftover borscht.

I am wearing . . .  black track pants, a green and pink flowered tshirt, an orange hoodie and my work runners.

I am reading . . . Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos  Ruiz Zafon - I had put this aside in order to read Late Nights on Air for book club and now I've come back to it.  I need to finish because the book is due at the library on Tuesday!

                      actually, listening to the book of Luke, using the Faith Comes by Hearing Bible stick.  Such a great way to hear the Word.

I am hoping . . .  to have time to put away some kernel corn and to cook more beets, for beet hummus, tomorrow.

I am hearing . . .  Michael W. Smith and the African Children's Choir singing "When I Think of You"

I am going . . . to be happy when this silage business if over.

Around the house and yard . . . our grass desperately needs mowing and the garden needs to be cleaned out.

One of my favourite things . . . salsa and cheese on nachos, melted in the oven - a great evening snack.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . 14 loads of silage to fill another bag tomorrow, garden lasagne to finish, apple muffins to bake, then 2 days of subbing, a day of sauerkraut making and a play date.

A quote for today . . .  

“Everybody laughs the same in every language because laughter is a universal connection. ”
Yakov Smirnoff (born 1951);
comedian, painter, teacher

Here is a picture thought I am sharing . . . the full moon on the day of the fall equinox.  Did you know that it will not fall on this day again until 2029?!!

Simple Woman #99

For Today . . .  September 3, 2010

Outside my window . . . a warm sunny day but autumn is definitely in the air.  Some leaves are changing color, the mountain ash berries are ripening, the air smells like harvest and the grain is turning gold.  I haven't seen any combines going yet but there's lot of haying and silaging happening in the country.

I am thankful . . .  for the bounty of our garden and crops this year.  

And I also am thankful . . .   that Heather and I were able to bring alor of  delicious fruit home this week.

I am praying . . .   for safety as our son and his wife headed out on holidays today.  I love traveling in the autumn and I know they are going to have a great vacation.

I am also praying . . . for safety as Melinda, Tyler and Samuel are leaving New York City tomorrow and returning to Nova Scotia.  Their time in the Big Apple is over and now Tyler will do some clerkships in Nova Scotia.  Hurricane Earl is scheduled to hit the Maritimes tomorrow so them driving with the van, towing a Uhaul trailer, is even more of a concern.  

I am thinking . . .   about making a few jars of dill pickles tomorrow and then tackling the tomatoes and peaches.  The next few days are going to be very busy!

I am creating . . .   a layout of Meadow at her birthday party, wearing her Snow White costume.  It's been on my table for awhile but I really need to find some patterned paper in the right colors.  

I am celebrating . . .  Silas' 2nd birthday tomorrow!  He is excited to have a cake and candles.  It will be fun to watch him open gifts - I don't think he realizes that part!

From the kitchen . . . French toast for breakfast, peanut butter and raspberry jam sandwiches for lunch, leftovers for supper and peaches and cream for dessert.   

I am wearing . . .  black track pants, a navy tank top, and runners - my field wear.

I am reading . . .  John 20 and 21 (to finish the book of John):  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

                             Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos  Ruiz Zafon - Carlos Ruiz Zafón has written a masterful novel of hope, mystery, and love. Originally written in Spanish, the story begins when young Daniel no longer remembers his mother's face, and his father takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. There he finds THE SHADOW OF THE WIND, a novel by Julian Carax. Enchanted by the book, Daniel embarks on a search for other works by Carax, and eventually for Carax himself. During his quest, Daniel becomes enveloped in murder, intrigue, and love.  (from amazon.com)

I am hoping . . .  for some warm days so that my corn ripens.  There are so many cobs on the plants and they just need a bit more time.  

I am hearing . . .  the CTV national news.

I am going . . . to have a shower.  It's been a long, dusty day. 

Around the house and yard . . . green, green grass, blooming flowers, lots of garden produce and boxes of fruit slowly ripening. 

One of my favourite things . . . hearing our grandchildren on the phone.  

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . pickles to make, a birthday to celebrate, fruit to can, a day with Meadow and Blake and my first 2 days of subbing this year!

A quote for today . . .  

“Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other people - your family, friends, and coworkers, and even strangers you meet along the way. ”

Barbara Bush (born 1925)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing . . . fresh from the orchards of the Okanagan Valley!

Simple Woman #98

For Today . . .  August 13, 2010

Outside my window . . . it's a cold and gloomy day with a cloudy sky and intermittent showers.   We've had more than 20" of rain this summer and it's too much already!  Even the zucchini isn't growing and needs sunshine!

I am thankful . . .  for time to reflect and watch the birds circling overhead. 

And I also am thankful . . .  for memories of my grandparents and summer weeks spent at their farm.  

I am praying . . .   for good weather so crops can be taken off the fields.

I am thinking . . .   about how different it was for my grandfather to harvest his crops.  I wonder what he would say if he could come out to our fields today.

I am creating . . .   some sewing projects to gift away.  I'll show you soon :) 

I am celebrating . . .  the daily provision of all that I need from my heavenly Father.  

From the kitchen . . .  Oatmeal with Walnuts and Bananas for breakfast, grilled jalapeno cheese sandwich for lunch and barbecued chicken breasts with new potatoes and fresh green beans for supper. 

I am wearing . . .  black track pants, long sleeved blue shirt and an orange sweatshirt.  Definitely a layers day or else I'll have to turn the furnace on. 

I am reading . . .  John 16 - "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart !  I have overcome the world."

                             World Without End by Ken Follett - It's been sitting on my bedside table, just waiting for me so I've started it.  It's just as good as I remember Pillars of the Earth being!  I'm on page 111 but there are 1014 pages so it will be awhile but that's okay because it means that there is more to enjoy :)

                             MIghty Mount Kilimanjaro in the Geronimo Stilton series for kids - a student loaned me her copy after we chatted about our trip to Africa.  She wanted me to read this favourite book of hers and see if  the parts about the mountain were true.  Of course I'm glad to share reading anytime with students.   

                           

I am hoping . . .  to get some raspberries picked after the rain dries a bit.  

I am hearing . . .  Michael W. Smith and his "A New Hallelujah" CD, specifically Prepare Ye The Way.

I am going . . .  to phone Melinda and Samuel in NYC - he should be up from his nap now.

Around the house and yard . . . long, wet grass, dripping peas, and raspberries all needing attention sometime soon.  

One of my favourite things . . . quiet afternoons spent by myself.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . more silage to cut, raspberry vinegar to make, more recipes to make from the challenge I've started  - maybe a banana cake next.  

A quote for today . . .  

Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone else's life.

-Unknown

Here is a picture thought I am sharing . . . Naomi gave Bob some heritage zucchini seeds and they have gigantic blossoms!  The fruits are growing but a bit too slowly for me.  I'm looking forward to zucchini chocolate cake and zucchini relish!