The Simple Woman's Daybook - March 20th Edition

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... First day of Spring and the Feast of St. Joseph!

Outside my window... sunny and beautiful, with so many birds chirping! 

I am thinking... when our sweet grand-daughter will be born (she is due 03/30).

I am thankful... for this beautiful weather.  I needed the sunshine.

I am wearing... denim shorts and a light green w/ polka-dots short-sleeved shirt.

I am creating... a new address book.  I hate that practically no one sends actual mail to friends and family anymore.  I want to change that.  

I am wondering... how long the bruising and pain from my fall will last.  Kneeling during Mass yesterday really hurt.

I am reading... sadly, nothing at the moment, but am hoping to change that very soon.

I am hoping... my Dad's treatment for prostate cancer goes well.  If you all could please pray for him, that all goes well, and also for my Mom, as she helps my Dad along this journey.  Please also pray for a dear friend of mine's mother, who is 91 and has Alzheimer's.  She fell and broke her femur, and as you can imagine, is in a lot of pain.  Pray while they try to make the best decisions for her care and recovery.

I am learning... let stressful things go (not to successful thus far).

Our 30th Anniversary...

We were given the gift of a dinner out to Fogo de Chão for our 30th Anniversary, and this was the dessert they brought out to us to celebrate.  

In my kitchen... I made an delicious dinner the other night, using a free jar of alfredo sauce I had received (and which my daughter said tasted horrible).  I didn't want to waste it, so I made a shrimp scampi sauce, with fresh garlic, shallots, and cultured butter.  I then combined it with the alfredo sauce, then added pasta.  It was amazing!

In the homeschool room... in our usual, busy routine now.

A favorite quote for today... Just be yourself.  Let people see the real, imperfect, flawed, quirky, weird, beautiful, magical person that you are.  ~Mandy Hale

A peek into one of my days... this week I will be going all day everyday, running teen son to all his commitments.  It's hectic, and tiring, but I know this season will soon end.

One of my favorite things... the return of so many birds, and flowers and trees trying to bloom.  I think we have left winter behind at this point.

Postscript...

Poetictouch

Love is a springtime plant that perfumes everything with its hope, even the ruins to which it clings.

~ Gustave Flaubert

The Simple Woman's Daybook - February 15th Edition

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... Wednesday, February 15

Outside my window... dark and cold. 

I am thinking... how much I miss seeing my family (parents, etc.).

I am thankful... being able to make a quick, one-day trip to see my parents, and them finally getting to meet their only great-grandchild.

I am wearing... denim shorts and a teal green shirt.

I am creating... I'm trying to create a more comfy, welcoming, less cluttered home.  

I am wondering... when true spring will get here.

I am reading... sadly, nothing at the moment.

I am hoping... my Dad's treatment for prostate cancer goes well.  If you all could please pray for him, that all goes well, and also for my Mom, as she helps my Dad along this journey.

I am learning... let stressful things go (not to successful thus far).

On our property...

I love this picture, taken several years ago, of part of our property.  So many things have changed, and so many of my beloved animals lost, but I do love it when it looks like this.

In my kitchen... hubby made sausage, mac n' cheese, and veggies for dinner when my son and I got home.

In the homeschool room... off to a slow, late winter start after the holidays.

A favorite quote for today... Peace begins with a smile. ~Saint Teresa of Calcutta

A peek into one of my days... today started with severe thunderstorms, and though the weather cleared-up, I was just plain tired all day and didn't feel all that great, but got all the errands and getting son to activities all taken care of.

One of my favorite things... the return of so many birds, and flowers and trees trying to bloom.  I just hope we don't get any hard winter at this point.

Postscript...

Poetictouch

What sweet delight a quiet life affords,
And what it is to be of bondage free,
Far from the maddening worldlings' hoarse discords;
Sweet flowery place, I first did learn of thee.

~ William Drummond of Hawthornden

The Simple Woman's Daybook - January 2, 2017 Edition

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... Monday, January 2nd

Outside my window... thunder, rain, and then finally a bit of sunshine. 

I am thinking... how badly I need to get back to exercising and eating right, after all the stress and bad eating over Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's.

I am thankful... for the time I got to spend with my immediate family.

I am wearing... denim shorts and a lime green shirt with green and black polka dots.

I am creating... a less cluttered home.  

I am wondering... if we will even have winter this year.

I am reading... sadly, nothing at the moment.

I am hoping... all my family and friends have a most blessed new year, full of love and beauty.  

I am learning... let stressful things go.

On our property...

In my kitchen... leftover ham, greens, and black-eyed peas.

In the homeschool room... about to get started again now that the holidays are over.

A favorite quote for today... Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. ~Saint Teresa of Calcutta

A peek into one of my days... a good number of my days are spending running errands and being a taxi.  It can be exhausting, but I know that one of these days, I won't be needed for those things, and I will miss that.  Or worse yet, I won't be able to do it.  So, I treasure it while I can.

One of my favorite things... watching the cardinals flit and fly around the yard.  They're so beautiful.

Postscript...

Poetictouch

True poesy is not in words,
But images that thoughts express,
By which the simplest hearts are stirred
To elevated happiness.


~ John Clare

The Simple Woman's Daybook - August 22nd Edition

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... Monday, August 22nd

Outside my window... thunder, rain, and then finally a bit of sunshine. 

I am thinking... how badly I need to get back to exercising and eating right.

I am thankful... I have my car back from being repaired.  I had taken it in to get new front tires and one of the workers apparently didn't have it on the jacks properly and it fell, severely damaging the door and frame of the driver's side.  Thankfully the employee wasn't in the way!

I am wearing... denim shorts and a lime green shirt with green and black polka dots.

I am creating... "catio" for a cat that was dumped on our property about a month ago.  I still haven't been able to make it a reality yet.  

I am wondering... how long it will be until the lovely days of Autumn appear.

I am reading... The Creed: Professing the Faith Through the Ages by Scott Hahn.

I am hoping... all this rain stops soon, especially for those in the areas affected by all the flooding.  

I am learning... to try and find the joy in each day.

On our property...

In my kitchen... soft tacos and black refried beans.

In the homeschool room... 16 year old son still working away on his high school subjects.  His favourites are History, Logic, and Religion.  He is attending a Bible Study, one night a week, and an Apologetics class one night a month.  He also goes to Eucharistic Adoration for an hour each week with other students in our Catholic homeschool group.  He is now also trained as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, in addition to being an Altar Server and Usher.  He is also involved with the Columbian Squires at our parish.

A favorite quote for today... Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament.  Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower , and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

A peek into one of my days... Today was an odd day.  It's my son's first day of his Junior year of high school.  He is feeling quite melancholy.  One of his dearest and closest friends has gone off to university this year.  I knew he was sad about it (though happy for his friend), but I had no idea how much it was affecting him.  Please pray for him.

One of my favorite things... being able to sit here and look out my window and watch the birds and animals, and see all the glory of each season.

Postscript...

Poetictouch
Now Nature hangs her mantle green
On every blooming tree,
And spreads her sheets o' daisies white
Out o'er the grassy lea.

~ Robert Burns

The Simple Woman's Daybook - August 1st Edition

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... Monday, August 1st

Outside my window... the sun beats down with an unmerciful heat 

I am thinking... how little summer is left, but how horrible hot it still is.

I am thankful... that I am being blessed with another grandchild, due March 2017.

I am wearing... denim shorts and a teal, short-sleeved knit shirt.

I am creating... "catio" for a cat that was dumped on our property about a month ago.  

I am wondering... how long it will be for my car to be repaired at the body shop.  It was not placed on the lift or jack correctly, as my front tires were being replaced, causing quite a bit of damage to the bottom of my driver's side door and undercarriage.

I am reading... See You in Heaven: A Short Biography and Writings of Rosie Gil, and Mother Angelica Her Grand Silence: The Last Years and Living Legacy.

I am hoping... Still hoping I can get back on track with my exercising and low carb, low sugar way of eating.  

I am learning... to try and find the joy in each day.

On our property...

In my kitchen... thin sliced all natural chicken breasts, pan fried in coconut oil and seasoned with Penzey's Fajita Seasoning.

In the homeschool room... 16 year old son still working away on his high school subjects.  His favourites are History, Logic, and Religion.  He is attending a Bible Study, one night a week, and an Apologetics class one night a month.  He also goes to Eucharistic Adoration for an hour each week with other students in our Catholic homeschool group.  He is now also trained as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, in addition to being an Altar Server and Usher.  He is also involved with the Columbian Squires at our parish.

A favorite quote for today... Criticism of others is thus an oblique form of self-commendation.  We think we make the picture hang straight on our wall by telling our neighbors that all his pictures are crooked. ~Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Seven Words of Jesus and Mary: Lessons from Cana and Calvary

A peek into one of my days... this past weekend my son participated in the Archdiocesan Youth Conference (AYC), and came away from it saying it was so amazing and that he felt so blessed to have been able to go.  Since we had to go downtown to pick him up from the conference, we attended Mass at Holy Rosary, which was beautiful as always.  Fr. Chris' Homily was very good.  I enjoy it anytime we can attend Mass there.

One of my favorite things... Seeing my daughter blossom as a wife and mother (expecting blessing #2 March 2017).

Postscript...

Poetictouch
To me how sweet the whispering winds,
The woods again how sweet,
To find the peace which freedom finds,
And from the world retreat.
~ John Clare

The Simple Woman's Daybook - April 25th Edition

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... Monday, April 25th

Outside my window... an absolutely gorgeous, sunny day! 

I am thinking... how sad I still am after one of my beloved Basset Hounds died this week, very unexpectedly.

I am thankful... all the horrible thunderstorms and flooding seem to be over.  Our house was not flooded, but so many people I know had their homes or cars flooded or damaged.

I am wearing... denim capri pants and a red short-sleeved knit shirt.

I am creating... a quiet, comfortable place to read.  

I am wondering... if this week is going to be as busy as it looks on the calendar.

I am reading... Praying with Mother Angelica: Meditations on the Rosary, the Way of the Cross, and Other Prayers.  I'm also doing a book study of Walking with Purpose online with some other Catholic ladies on Facebook.

I am hoping... I can get back on track with my exercising and low carb, low sugar way of eating.  

I am learning... to try not to stress about everything.

On our property... 

In my kitchen... The Rueben Enchiladas tasted delicious, but the presentation was horrible.  It seems the recommended 5-7 minutes of boiling the cabbage leaves was a bit too long.  I was left with drastically over-cooked cabbage leaves that were just disintegrating as I tried to roll the meat mixture in them.  It's definitely worth doing again, but I'll just barely boil the leaves next time.

In the homeschool room... 16 year old son still working away on his high school subjects.  His favourites are History, Logic, and Religion.   He is also keeping up with his Boy Scout Merit Badges for his Eagle Scout Bronze Palm.  He is trying to attend another Bible Study, when his Scout meetings don't interfere.  He also goes to Eucharistic Adoration for an hour each week with other students in our Catholic homeschool group.  He is also involved with the Columbian Squires at our parish.

A favorite quote for today... Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.  ~Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

A peek into one of my days... yesterday my hubby had a training session with his fellow Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion regarding a few changes that were made.  Our son had his last LifeTeen LifeNight for this school year.  It was a bittersweet time for him, as one of his best friends is graduating this year and going away to university.  Thankfully he'll only be 1 1/2 hours away, so he'll be home visiting fairly often. 

One of my favorite things... listening to the birds singing outside of my window.

From the board room...
Mother Angelica quote

Postscript...

Poetictouch

Talk what you please of future spring

And sun-warmed sweet tomorrow:

Stripped bare of hope and everything,

No more to laugh, no more to sing,

I sit alone with sorrow.

~ Christina Rossetti

     

The Simple Woman's Daybook - April 11th Edition

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... Monday, Monday...

Outside my window... the day started out with a light rain, then the sun came out and it was beautiful, then the sky darkened, the light rain came back and it cooled-off quit a bit.  I also heard some beautiful birdsong, which I always love.  

I am thinking... that I hope my recipe for Reuben Enchildas turns out as good as they looked on the recipe page.  It's tough to pull cabbage leaves apart without them tearing.

I am thankful... that the book I ordered, Walking with Purpose, finally arrived.  It seems the post office wanted to hang-on to it for a while.  My husband joked that they were reading it first.

I am wearing... denim shorts and a teal blouse.

I am creating... a more organized computer area and work space.  

I am wondering... if I can make it through my 2-mile aerobic walking DVD this week.  I've been consistently doing the 1-mile DVD, and know I need to do more, but I'm not sure I can do it yet.

I am reading... I just started Praying with Mother Angelica: Meditations on the Rosary, the Way of the Cross, and Other Prayers.  Walking with Purpose just arrived, and I'm looking forward to starting the book study on that.  I'm excited that I finally found the Facebook group that was doing it, thanks to another mom's help.

I am hoping... my son-in-love's dental appointment goes well tomorrow.  Please pray for him.  He is having four fillings done, and has so much more work to be done at future appointments.  

I am learning... how to find ways to eat low carb/low sugar and not be hungry all the time.

In my garden... no true garden, but I'm enjoying seeing flowers blooming around our property.  

In my kitchen... I have corned beef cooking in the crockpot, and once that's done it'll be turned into Rueben Enchiladas.

In the homeschool room... 16 year old son still working away on his high school subjects.  His favourites are History, Logic, and Religion.   He is also keeping up with his Boy Scout Merit Badges for his Eagle Scout Bronze Palm.

A favorite quote for today... The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a Mother.  ~St. Therese of Lisieux

A peek into one of my days... yesterday was a fairly quiet day.  We had a nice breakfast, went to Mass, then just relaxed. 

One of my favorite things... is listening to music.  I have very eclectic musical tastes.  You never know what you'll walk in and find me listening to.

From the board room...

Bates and Anna, Downton Abbey

Post Script

Poetictouch
O my lovely Mary Green
The richest flower o' May
On thy bonny face is seen
Which love winna take away.
~ John Clare

     

The Simple Woman's Daybook - April 4th Edition

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... a slow day today, as my hubby had the day off.

Outside my window... an absolutely gorgeous, warm sunny day.

I am thinking... how glad I am that the sun is shining and the pollen seems to be easing up, after the gloomy wet and cool weather.

I am thankful... my family, my home, and my slow and steady success in becoming more healthy and fit.

I am wearing... denim shorts, a green polka-dot short-sleeved shirt, and barefoot.

I am creating... trying to create a nice place to read.  I lost my recliner a few years ago, and I've never been able to find a comfortable spot to read ever since.  

I am wondering... if I'll ever be able to get a good night's sleep again.  I am up and down many times during the night, when I finally can go to bed (try not to keep hubby up, so I wait until I'm really tired feeling).  Seems 50 was a huge hit to my sleep habits.

I am reading... looking forward to reading two books I've ordered:  Praying with Mother Angelica and Walking with Purpose.  I order Walking with Purpose for a Catholic book study, but now I can't which Facebook page was doing the study, so if any of you know, please let me know.

I am hoping... my hubby's root canal goes well Wednesday.  Please pray that it does.  We've had some problems with the dental work he's had over the last year holding-up.  

I am learning... how important healthy eating and staying fit can affect how you feel and how your health is.  I especially found out how quickly sodas can affect the body.  I still slip-up occasionally, but I'm light years ahead of where I was.

In my garden... haven't had a garden in several years, but would love to start one.

In my kitchen... I have two recipes, with all the ingredients, that I need to do this week:  Reuben Enchiladas and Zucchini Tots (not in the same meal).

In the homeschool room... 16 year old son working away on his high school subjects.  His favourites are History, Logic, and Religion.   He is also keeping up with his Boy Scout Merit Badges for his Eagle Scout Bronze Palm.

A favorite quote for today... Show me your hands. Do they have scars from giving?  Show me your feet.  Are they wounded in service?  Show me your heart.  Have you left a place for Divine Love?  ~Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen

A peek into one of my days... yesterday, it was the Feast of Divine Mercy.  I slept-in late, ate breakfast that hubby had prepared, then off to the Feast of Divine Mercy celebration at 3:00pm.  We went to LifeTeen Mass afterwards.  We needed a couple of things from the store that couldn't wait, so we drove out to a new HEB (Texas grocery store) and took our time going through it.  We finally returned home around 11pm. 

One of my favorite things... sitting at my desk with the window open, listening to all the sounds of Spring.  There are so many birds chirping, and you can occasionally hear our neighbors cows or donkey.

From the board room..

.

Post Script

Poetictouch
Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light.
~ Theodore Roethke