Outside my Window…It is very dark..not even the moon in the sky…officially it is Tuesday but since I haven’t gone to bed yet, lets just call it Monday, o.k.?

I am thinking…About how to organize my time better.

From the learning rooms…Matt is studying for finals in college…He has done well this first semester!

I am thankful for…A husband who doesn;t give up.

From the kitchen…Nothing right now…a little later I have a maple blondie that I want to try…

I am wearing…Jeans and a gold sweater, with a wool poncho over all..it is cold!

I am reading…Martha Stewart Dec. Magazine

I am hoping…We get Marc’s disability soon..still no word….still hoping a week later!

I am creating…a red knitted scarf for…..ME!  A purple scarf for Kyrie.

I am hearing…The hum of the computer

Around the house…cold and quiet.

One of my favorite things…Hot coffee

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…Take Marc to the VA on Thursday..then again on Monday next for a muscle biopsy.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

Gingerbread Latte form Starbucks…mmmmmm

image:marye audet

Post from: Blisstree

Simple Woman’s Daybook

For more daybooks or to do one yourself check out The Simple Woman

Outside my Window…Bright, sunshine…a warm autumn day, probably one of the last really warm ones.

I am thinking…of all of the changes that seem to be in the air this month.

From the learning rooms…New schedule is working great…Matt is done with driver’s ed…

I am thankful for… So much!  Sometimes stresses overwhelm me and I lose sight of those things for awhile but the Lord always draws me back…sometimes none to gently.

From the kitchen…Chocolate lava cakes for dessert…Recipe to be on Baking Delights later today or tomorrow.

I am wearing…Jeans, lime green thermal shirt, and a knitting needle poked through my hair holding it back …I couldn’t find a band this morning and my hair was bothering me

I am reading…a friend’s manuscript.  Good stuff!

I am hoping…The whirlwind settles down to some sort of predictability soon.

I am creating…a purple knitted scarf for Kyrie…slow going because I only have time to knit on monday nights while waiting for them to be done with missionettes and royal rangers.

I am hearing…Clifford theBig Red Dog on PBS, Shiloh hitting computer keys as she does school…

Around the house…Scheduling, clearing, and making ready for the holidays.

One of my favorite things…watching the leaves change colors

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…Groceries!!!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

The leaves have really changes this month!  Here are the other images for comparison…

images: maryeaudet

Post from: Blisstree

Simple Woman’s Daybook

We were bracing for the hurricane to hit on Saturday.  Here in the Dallas area it was forecast to be a category one storm with 75 mph and up winds.  Since our property has the propensity to flood we moved the bucks to a safer area, where they would be more sheltered.  They have igloo dog houses that they love but their pen is surrounded by big pecan trees and black walnuts…

Anyway…the storm completely disapated before it got here.  We got a couple of gusts and some gentle rain.  Spent the afternoon watching Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium and eating popcorn.  It was wonderful.

For Today…

Outside my Window…bright and sunny…very cool for September here in Texas.

I am thinking…Of how to fit more craft things into my schedule

From the learning rooms…Math is happening right now in the kitchen, JBQ practice in a bit.

I am thankful for…The Lord calming the hurricane

From the kitchen…Whole wheat biscuits for breakfast..and I put a crockpot roast together for dinner with organic carrots, baby pearl onions and cabbage…mmm

I am wearing…Jeans and a burgundy-brown henley top

I am reading… Two books that were sent to me by a publicist to review for Baking Delights

I am hoping…that the first half of the payment for my cookbook gets here this week.

I am creating…a joyful and thankful spirit

I am hearing…Nick looking for his handwriting book

Around the house…some rescheduling, wood to split,picking up to do.

One of my favorite things…Praise and worship at church on Sunday mornings

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…Taking Marc to the VA,  picking up 50 lbs of organic flour,  a visit with the nutritionist and a massage on Thursday…library at some point…

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

I took this on Saturday..this was about as bad as Ike got here.

For more Daybooks..head over to The Simple Woman.

Image:Marye Audet

Post from: Blisstree

Simple Woman’s Daybook

Can you believe that we are saying goodbye to summer, and beginning the third month of Simply Home Remedies? I can’t!  This summer has absolutely flown by.  There have been wonderful things and sad things, stresses and joys.  I think that combination is the mark of a full life.   Albert Einstein said, “True religion is real living; living with all one’s soul, with all one’s goodness and righteousness.”  I think that that can be called passionate living, something that we can lose track of in the midst of stress and busyness.

Here is my day book for today..for more day books check The Simple Woman

For Today…

Outside my Window..There is actually a cool breeze blowing.  The morning sun is slanting through the leaves of the trees making dancing patterns in the shawos below.  Because we have actually gotten rain the yard and pasture are green and lush..and I miss the horses all the more because it will have to be mowed!

I am thinking…of ways to get rid of the raccoons all around us.  We have them living in our walls and between floors, and because we live by a creek, of course in the creek.  They have been stealing eggs of late and killed a chicken yesterday.  That is two chickens they have killed thus far, and it isn’t happening at night but  in the day..Marc and Matthew have no shot them out of deference to my concern about baby raccoons…but I think that soon shooting them will be the only recourse..it is them or us.
From the learning rooms…Taking the day off for Labor Day… I want to try to fo dome planning later though.

I am thankful for…A church that preaches the word of God.

From the kitchen…WOndering what I am going to make to use up the vanilla pastry cream I made yesterday..I had made eclairs with espresso pastry cream for Daring Bakers but ran out of that cream and so filled a few with vanilla…I am wondering about make more eclairs or making it easy on myself and doing a Boston Cream Pie.

I am wearing…Jeans, barefeet, and an orange orgainc cotton long sleeve tee that is buttery  soft.  I love this tee shirt, because of it’s color (mottled orange/burnt orange) and the softness..but I will have to change once it warms up..I am sure.
I am reading…My Bible…I need to be more dedicated to longer reading times.

I am hoping…that someone will soon move into our rental home.

I am creating…a cookbook still! I am over 3/4 of the way done, nearly 500 pages and hopefully I will be sending it to the editor this week, long before my deadline in October!

I am hearing…A bird, the sounds of the kids picking up the house, and the dryer going.

Around the house…Planning for the next phase of restoration.

One of my favorite things....when my heart is peaceful and the stress and concern is sliding off me…I don;t achieve it everyday but some days I do.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week… A run to Teavana for some new teas to review, a stop by LUSH for some bath things for a dear friend.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

The eclairs I did for Daring Bakers and one of my vintage women’s magazines.

Image:Marye Audet

Post from: Blisstree

Simple Woman’s Daybook

Isn’t it strange to think that the summer is nearly over and soon autumn will be here?

It is a time of longing for me.  I have never gotten used to the lack of autumn in Texas and I miss the crisp days, the scent of leaves burning, the intense colors, and apple orchards of my childhood.

Here is my daybook entry for this week..for more head over to The Simple Woman 

Outside my Window…Everything is unusually green for August in Texas because of all of the rain we have gotten.  The chickens are strolling the yard looking for bugs and there is a light breeze.

I am thinking…That I am overwhelmed with my schedule and feel very much like a leaf spinning in the chilly autumn gusts.

From the learning rooms…My 16year old starts his first day of college this morning.  The others are self directed for the most part while I finish up the cookbook.  My 14 year old started a band, my 12 year old is writing a book…10 year old is lost in history and the 8 year old is struggling to learn to read.  The 5 year old is fascinated by the spelling of her name and I can hear her throughout the day spelling it in song.

I am thankful for…Being back at our home church, where we are with like-minded believers and are loved.

From the kitchen…Nothing happening there right now.

I am wearing…jeans, black tank top and a shawl because it is chilly to me.

I am reading…Just Do It,  a book the author sent me to review for Marriage Actually.

I am hoping…We can get someone in our rental house soon.  The last tenant trashed it and it is taking awhile to get it ready for someone else.

I am creating…new and better habits

I am hearing…ceiling fans, cars speeding by on the road to take children to school, the kids moving into their day.

Around the house...Absolute chaos.  Sigh.

One of my favorite things…Time with Marc

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…Work on 10 recipes a day for the cookbook, finish up other writing assignments to meet deadline…

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you..

This is a painting I did back in the day when I used to have time to paint and draw!

HAve a great week. 

Image:Simple Woman, used by permission

Image:MaryeAudet 

Post from: Blisstree

Simple Woman’s Daybook

Monday again! Time to consider life, and how I am living it. I appreciate these “daybook” days.  Taking a moment to stop and contemplate how I am spending my time is always eye-opening.

For more Daybook entries , and to register to make your own daybook,  check out The Simple Woman. 

For Today…

Outside my Window…Dim and cloudy, blessed rain in the forecast! It has cooled down quite a bit, odd for mid August in Texas but I am so glad! I even have to pull a shwl around my shoulders as I am writing. I love it.

I am thinking…How ready I am for September and the promise of a new season, both physically and spiritually.

I am thankful for…The cooler weather, and provision for every need.

From the kitchen…bare pantry and cupboards. I need to shop. God needs to provide the funds.

I am wearing…black workout pants and a tank top, bare feet, and reading glasses. Comfy but I am not going to win any beauty contests at the moment. Poor Marc!

I am reading…A book I was sent to review for Marriage Actually.  It is about a couple that decides to spice things up in their marriage. 

I am hoping… To get the book finished well before deadline. I just sent the first half to the editor. I am also hoping that the raccoon that has been stealing our eggs (also beheaded one of our chickens) will just decide that she would rather live somewhere else. I hate for Matt to have to shoot it but we can’t afford either the egg loss OR the chicken loss!

I am hearing…The sound of the printer next to me as Shiloh copies the science pages for herself, Sea, Nick, and Kyrie (she is my elementary science teacher for now!)
I am creating…besides the book? nothing at the moment. I miss my sewing and crafting!

Around the house…I need to clean my office

One of my favorite things…Autumn!!!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…Blogging as usual, and I have some articles to get caught up on.  I need to do some thinking about my schedule, and I plan to teach a friend to make scones.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

Isn’t it adorable? A vintage (1930s?) children’s  Milk cup that I saw while antiquing with Marc a few weeks ago.

Image: The Simple Woman, used by permission

Post from: Blisstree

Simple Woman’s DayBook

I am running really late today. I have been working on a new schedule and while it worked great as far as getting school done and the house cleaned it did not work so great as far as me getting MY work done!

Check out more daybooks at The Simple Woman.

For Today…

Outside my Window…It seems to be trying to rain! I hope so! We are so dry, have not had a real rain in weeks.
I am thinking…that I hope the new schedule works to keep us more organized. It is so hard to keep up with my writing/blogging, the kids lessons, and the cooking/cleaning that sometimes I want to sit in a corner and cry.

I am thankful for…an unexpected payment for something I wrote and forgot about.

From the kitchen…I have been making our big meal at lunch. Today we had a Summer squash casserole, banana muffins, marinated tomatoes and baby lettuces.

I am wearing…work out pants and a black tank top

I am reading…my Bible

I am hoping…That My 16 year old is able to enroll in dual credit program at the community college

I am hearing…the goats hollering for their dinner.

Around the house…The house is clean!

One of my favorite things..Monday nights when everyone goes to church except me

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…Writing and more writing. Have to take Marc to the VA on Friday…

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

This is one of our new cats, Chipotle

Image:Marye Audet

Post from: Blisstree

Simple Woman’s Daybook

I love Mondays! I love reading everyone’s daybook entries, and thinking about my own.

If you want to read more day book entries check out The Simple Woman’s Day Book.

For Today…

Outside my Window….The sun is shinging brightly but it is quiet..it is too hot even for the birds to do much other than try to find relief in the shade!

I am thinking…I need to overhaul my life and make some changes

I am thankful for…So thankful to be back at our home church.

From the kitchen…Canning stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce, have to finish the plum jam.

I am creating…planning a quilt to make with Shiloh.  Her first!

I am going…Maybe coffee with Marc later
I am wearing… Tan yoga pants and a red tank…barefoot as usual!

I am reading…The Fourth Dimension by Dr.Paul Cho
I am hoping…An item I am waiting for gets here soon.

I am hearing…Kids playing. My daughter, son in law, and grandkids will be moving to their own place soon..both a happy and sad thing!

Around the house…piles everywhere
One of my favorite things…Monday nights..everyone but me heads out to church activities!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…Woring on blogs, cleaning, praying thorugh some tough personal issues.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…an antique teacup I picked up antiquing last week.

Banner:The Simple Woman’s Daybook used with permission

Image:Marye Audet 

Post from: Blisstree

The Simple Woman’s Day Book:July 21