Simple Woman's Daybook - July 13

For Today... July 13, 2009
Outside my window... a light breeze is ruffling the leaves on the tree outside the window. I can see three bikes - two are lying on their sides and 1 is upright using its kickstand (as it should be!). Sidewalk chalk drawings decorate the sidewalk.

I am thinking... about how best to help Bob prepare for his interview on Wednesday!

From the learning rooms... soccer camp for the little ones this week and a library program.

I am thankful for... the prayers of my faithful friends and family.

From the kitchen... Bacon and frozen waffles for lunch, sloppy joes and bagged salad for dinner

I am wearing... denim shorts, lilac shirt, barefeet, a light dusting of powder and eyeliner

I am reading... I'm still reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (for book club) and One Tough Mother by Julie Ann Barnhill. I'm also reading The Complete Book of Running and I am finally listening to The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon again. LOVE IT.

I've been watching... The Other Boleyn Girl, Northanger Abbey, and What Not to Wear on DVD. Saw The Proposal in the theater - very funny!

I am hoping... that God will grant my heart's desire which is to remain at home with my children again this coming school year.

I am creating... a list of co-op class descriptions and a coach list with uniform colors.

I am hearing... Kids across the street, a car driving by, the clock ticking.

Around the house... A sleeping bag that needs to be mended, laundry hanging on the line, a TON of library books, coupons that need to be cut out, and Bob is painting a metal thing that's going to be a BIKE RACK. We've needed THAT for about ten years!

One of my favorite things... Seeing a movie with friends and then hanging out afterwards.

A few plans for the rest of the week... I have two soccer meetings, the little ones have soccer camp, and the girls have a rustic campout this weekend and I am going along. Bob has an INTERVIEW!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.
My kids with my sister Denise's kids.

Unexpected Soccer

So, here's something unexpected. David is going to be playing soccer again this fall!

I've been encouraging him to play and he had three options - the AYSO U-19 division (he could play free, since I'm on the board now), a rigorous and well-established (but far away and fairly expensive) homeschool travel league, and a brand new homeschool team starting up (also a travel league but less expensive and based much closer to our home). He chose the new homeschool team.

I'm actually quite shocked he chose to play at all, although as I mentioned, I've been pushing it for a long time. He played soccer for eight years and then decided not to play last year, stating at the time that he'd never play again. Recently it seemed to me that he actually enjoyed soccer as a sport, but there was something about the last team he played on that didn't quite work for him. So, I'm glad to see him give it another go.

Simple Woman's Daybook - July 6

For Today... July 6, 2009

Outside my window... Leaves ruffled by a brisk breeze, a pale blue sky dappled with puffy white clouds, grass grown way too long, and a tent up at the neighbors

I am thinking... about spiritual disciplines after hearing Dr. Mark Weeter speak several times last week. I'd love to take his class at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, but for now I'll content myself with reading some of the books he recommended.

From the learning rooms... Double Suns this week for Math pages

I am thankful for... the excellent teaching we heard at Family Camp last week! Morning and evening rallies for kids and adults. Our family took full advantage of this resource!

From the kitchen... French toast for lunch, no idea for dinner. Really need to get to the store.

I am wearing... Khaki shorts, brown tee, bare feet, hair down, no makeup.

I am reading... Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich is waiting for me at the library! I'm reading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (for book club) and One Tough Mama by Julie Ann Barnhill. I also need to read Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange since it is overdue and I can't renew it!

I've been watching... just about nothing, since I've been camping for 9 nights. Last night when we came home, David and I watched 2 episodes of NCIS, but I'm still on Season 1 of that.

I am hoping... that I feel better tomorrow, since today I feel like ca-ca. Sniffles, coughs, headache.

I am creating... a grocery list and not much else.

I am hearing... Suzy whining about books (not being able to read them), a motorcycle on the main road one street over, birds chirping, and wind in the leaves.

Around the house... a LOT of laundry. Sleeping bags that need to be aired out and a camper to unpack. Bare cupboards (thus, the grocery list)

One of my favorite things... Family Camp!

A few plans for the rest of the week... grocery shopping, optometrist, editing, meetings, beach day, wedding shower, movie in the park.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.

James is holding.....

I never told you what James is holding, did I?















It's a Milky Way bar that he mashed up into a ball.

What? You never thought of doing that?

Your life has been boring, hasn't it?

Simple Woman's Daybook - June 29

I did this blog post before I left for camping and I THOUGHT I set it to post automatically. Apparently, I did not. So here it is. A week late. lol But now you get a photo from the week.

For Today... June 29, 2009

Outside my window... Campers and tents

I am thinking... about the week ahead at Family Camp and the ominous weather forecast.

From the learning rooms... Childrens and Teens programs at Family Camp

I am thankful for... the opportunity to attend Family Camp this year, after two years of working during the summer.

From the kitchen... A pre-planned menu of easy meals, as much pre-cooked as possible. Even using the slow cooker at our campsite!

I am wearing... Probably shorts and a short-sleeved top, flip-flops

I am reading... The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (actually a re-read).

I've been watching... Confessions of a Shopaholic

I am hoping... that I can jog my same routine at the campground this week - five 40-45 minute sessions during the 10 days. (NOTE: I managed three jogs. The weather was WET WET WET!)

I am creating... better relationships with family and friends

I am hearing... kids riding their bikes up and down the dirt lane

Around the camper... Probably a bunch of dirty laundry right about now. Planning a laundromat visit in another couple days.

One of my favorite things... Sitting around the campfire, sharing stories.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Enjoying the teaching and worship at Family Camp, as well as the lazy afternoons.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you:

Simple Woman's Daybook - June 22

For Today... June 22, 2009

Outside my window... Late afternoon sunshine, green grass, kids coloring with sidewalk chalk.

I am thinking... about kids growing up - three of Bob's nieces/nephews are engaged to be married (and maybe four?).

From the learning rooms... Library Summer Reading programs

I am thankful for... good family relationships.

From the kitchen... sandwich stuff and chips for lunch, taco fixings for dinner.

I am wearing... Khaki shorts, yellow tank top, black flip-flops, hair in a barrette, no makeup.

I am reading... The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich comes out this week! Hopefully I can obtain it before leaving for Family Camp! And I need to read Frankenstein....

I've been watching... Vantage Point (wow! Need to watch again, paying more attention), High School Musical 2, Just Friends (terrible!), NCIS Season 1 (still)

I am hoping... that I can jog my same routine at the campground next week.

I am creating... a menu (and grocery list) and packing list for camping

I am hearing... Kids talking quietly out on the front lawn, the fan humming in the window, someone starting a lawnmower

Around the house...WAY too many library books!

One of my favorite things... A nice day at the BEACH.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Work Tues-Thursday, meeting with Soccer registrar, Two of the kids are doing 3 days of VBS, my sister is coming with her 4 kids to spend a day, and we are getting ready for a trip.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.

Tell me what you think James is holding!

Working with Fondant Icing

Several people expressed interest in how it was to work with the fondant for Suzy's birthday cake. If that was you, you're in luck, since I had James take some photos of us creating the cake. Each [hoto has captions describing what we did.

The fondant was much easier to work with than I had anticipated. However, it was also more expensive than I anticipated. I bought a 2 lb. container for about $14.00. We only used about half of it though. What I bought was Satin Ice fondant. They had smaller packs of several colors of Wilson fondant, but it didn't fit what we needed. A brochure came along with it that helped me figure out what to do. As I said, it wasn't too intimidating.



The funny thing? Suzy didn't EAT any of the cake. She only wanted ice cream. Oh well! LOL

Simple Woman's Daybook - June 15

For Today... June 15, 2009

Outside my window... Sunshine! A cloudless blue sky! A carpet of green grass! A neighbor walking her dog. A shiny red pickup driving by.

I am thinking... about Blu-Ray and regular DVD. And what if a movie comes out as a "Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy combo package"? Does that mean I can play it in my regular DVD player??

From the learning rooms... Continuing with Sun & Fun. Each child has earned several suns so far, with James leading the pack.

I am thankful for... a great thought-provoking sermon yesterday. Thank you, Pastor Nathan!

From the kitchen... A few groceries I got this morning, and an empty menu planning sheet. I better get to that!

I am wearing... Jean capris, a lilac sparkly tee, and black sparkly flip-flops (Guess I AM sparkly!)

I am reading... I didn't read Perelandra yet, so maybe that will happen this week. Going to be starting Frankenstein soon for book club, although I have to say I am the least excited about that choice of any we've done so far. Would far rather read the new Jeffery Deaver I just got from the library, so maybe I'll be doing that instead! I have way too many choices for reading material actually, and not enough time to read.

I've been watching... The Librarian and the Quest for the Spear, NCIS Season 1, New in Town (Zellweger, Connick), The Importance of Being Earnest, Galaxy Quest (first time!)

I am hoping... David's camp week is both fun and spiritually challenging.

I am creating... Working on my queries and editing Mystery Valley Ranch

I am hearing... Birds chirping, kids talking outside

Around the house... Some neighbors moved out yesterday and passed a lot of stuff on to us, so I'm sorting through that. Painting commences this week!

One of my favorite things... Beach Days! They're awesome!!!

A few plans for the rest of the week... Work every day, pick strawberries, meeting with SOF Co-Leaders, David is at camp Mon-Fri, Our 21st anniversary on Thursday, Beach Day Friday, David has a car wash fundraiser on Sat, and we have an open house to go to over the weekend.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.
This is the pie I made for Bob's birthday at the end of May. It's a Strawberry Dream pie. This time I made it with a chocolate graham cracker crust (storebought), strawberry jello, and frozen whipped topping (and cream cheese). It can be made a lot of different ways, but strawberry is his favorite.

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

Omagles

A couple weeks ago, James got a set of large building toys at a garage sale for $5. When I looked on the internet, I found they are called Omagles and they were quite expensive new ($150 or $250, depending on which set you got.) They don't appear to be available anymore. Here are some of the things he's built.

Picasa slideshow. If you can't view it, click on it and it will take you to the web album (I hope).

Friday Fill-in #128

And...here we go!

1. I grew up thinking that every Christian ought to have the same opinions. (Yeah, I know. What was I thinking?)

2. Google Reader was the last website I was at before coming here. (or facebook, I clicked them both within moments of each other.)

3. Why don't you write a blog post right now? (What? You don't have a blog? Well, write me a comment then.)

4. The computer helps me relax.

5. Thanks for the comments (if you leave any) If you don't, why not?

6. I am working with someone who is very off-putting.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Suzy's party being DONE, tomorrow my plans include Field Maintenance Day (soccer) and BOOK CLUB and Sunday, I want to get David ready for camp!