Simple Woman's Daybook Dec. 29, 2008

FOR TODAY Monday, December 29, 2008...

Outside my window... dark, cold and windy. The sun has set and the temperature has dropped.

I am thinking... that I need to drink more water, but ice cold milk and something chocolate sounds more appetizing. Both will give me heartburn, so why not live a little? ;o)

I am thankful for... my wonderful husband who drives us all over town on shopping day (today) even when I can't find half of what I am looking for at the stores.

From the learning rooms... we start week 15 tomorrow!

From the kitchen... we just bought some ingredients for yummy desserts and treats for Epiphany. Andrew wants to make something called "Eve's Apple Crumble" from his Kids' Bible Cookbook for fun, and we are making a couple of chess pies to serve with freshly whipped cream and berries on Epiphany, and also some cookies shaped like the 3 kings that the kids will paint with food coloring.

I am wearing... maternity khaki pants, a black tank top with red button-up shirt over it, and a gold sweater.

I am creating... in my mind, a sewing corner that will hopefully take flesh next Christmas!

I am going... to bed early tonight. I am exhausted!

I am reading... Bernina sewing machine brochures and Koala Cabinet brochures. Sigh. We went to the High Country Quilts shop next to Ian's store and I just loved it. They have all kinds of fabrics for quilting and heirloom sewing, they offer wonderful classes, and they have all the Bernina sewing machines right there to try out and drool over. And then all the accessories, notions, embelishments, threads, colors... If I had 5 lifetimes I could not do all the kinds of sewing crafts that they can teach you how to do here. It is incredible. I'll be back.

I am hoping... that I can get a little more energy before the baby is born to get some things done.

I am hearing... Andrew changing the pages of his Boy's Life Magazine. The dish washer humming. The furnace turning on. Sounds of a home winding down for the night.

Around the house... The 4 youngest are in bed and quiet, so I hope some of them are sleeping. The 3 older ones are reading in the living room until their bed time, and Ian is working on his computer in the other room. I am reclined on the sofa with my laptop.

One of my favorite things... being home with everyone peacefully settled, with my feet up and nobody needing anything more.

A few plans for the rest of the week: school, playdate, Mass on Thursday, New Year's dinner at Mom's, the girls start up Irish dancing lessons again, Mass on Sunday, and Epiphany dinner.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
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New Business

I have been drinking teas from Let's Do Tea for 4 years, and finally decided to sell them myself! I am now officially an Independent Tea Consultant, and I have a new web site where you can buy tea and tea accessories, or even sign up to be a consultant yourself!

http://kitty.letsdotea.org

If you live in the Colorado Springs area, I can do a tea party for you and your friends at your house!

If you really love tea, I would suggest you order before Dec. 31, because the prices are going up on January 1!

Simple Woman's Daybook Dec. 26, 2008

FOR TODAY DECEMBER 26, 2008

Outside my window... snow again.

I am thinking...that I should be lying down while the littles are taking a nap.

I am thankful for... a warm house, a loving husband, and helpful children, and that I have wonderful In-Laws that live only about 20 minutes away.

From the learning rooms...we are on Christmas break from school right now. We'll start up week 15 next week.

From the kitchen...had family over for turkey dinner last night. Mom brought a lovely red velvet cake for Baby Jesus. Yummy. I am making a BIG pot of turkey broth for making soups in the weeks to come. Gotta start stocking the freezer before baby is born!

I am wearing...khaki maternity pants, a navy tank top and a black sweater.

I am creating... we just decorated the Christmas tree with white lights and some of our family ornaments. The kids had fun doing that while Ian & I got Christmas dinner ready yesterday.

I am going...to lie down as soon as I finish this post!

I am reading... The Search for Shakespeare still, although I haven't picked it up since my last post. This week has been too busy to take the tine to read anything much.

I am hoping... that all those who are traveling get to where they're going safely!

I am hearing... Andrew digging through the Lego box in the "back room," Lucy, Margaret & Annie cutting and sewing fabric in the dining room, and the silence of Susan, Maria & Peter SLEEPING!!

Around the house... poinsettias and paperwhites blooming, the Christmas tree in the front window, Lincoln Logs in a big popcorn tin waiting for nap time to be over, Ian working on his computer, and me getting ready to take a nap.

One of my favorite things... the quiet of snow falling past the window, and a soft pillow to lay my head on.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Keep sewing on that project I talked about last time, Mass on Sunday, Holy Family Ball that night.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...ok, I almost have the photo thing figured out. I will post a picture next time.

Visit the Simple Woman herself here: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Dec. 16, 2008

FOR TODAY, December 16, 2008

Outside my window... snow, snow, snow. It is a bright, sunny day, but barely below freezing, and more snow expected today and tonight.

I am thinking... about my newest baby, due in February.

I am thankful for... my Mom's recent visit, and how nice it was to have her here, even though it wasn't long enough and she did a lion's share of the work around here! My husband who works so hard, for all of our children, and for good health.

From the kitchen... We made a St. Lucy Crown for St. Lucy Day last weekend, rumdy balls (I didn't have enough rum or brandy, so I used both), and Scottish shortbread! We also made a whole wheat sourdough bread loaf. Today all I have actually made is oatmeal for breakfast, but I need to make another sourdough loaf or two.

I am wearing...maternity jeans, a gray 3/4 sleeve top, socks and slippers.

I am creating... Christmas gifts! I am making a dollhouse-scale doll out of muslin. I can't say how it will be dressed, because the recipient might read this and know it's for him or her!

I am going... on a birthday date tonight with my husband!

I am reading... the latest issue of Victoria Magazine, The Search for Shakespeare by Joseph Pearce, and a book on fairies from the library that I want to ok before letting my kids read it.

I am hoping... the weather doesn't cause us to cancel our date tonight.

I am hearing... Margaret playing the piano and Maria, Annie, Peter & Lucy singing, and Andrew and Peter playing with Lego.

Around the house... All the kids playing peacefully together! The house is a little messy, but it is joyful today, despite the snow.

One of my favorite things... Quiet snow and a cup of tea.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Put up the Christmas tree and put lights on it, but we won't turn it on or decorate until Christmas! Talent show/pot luck at my Sister-In-Law's house. Schedule one tea party for my new business.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... well, my camera and computer are not speaking to each other, so I will not be posting a picture until I can find some software that works.

Please pop by Peggy’s and see the other entries for this week’s Simple Woman’s Daybook.

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Have a blessed Advent!