The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...
December 22, 2008

Outside my window...
it's very cold; 17 degrees with a windchill of 8. Probably the coldest weather this year and unusual for our area. The sun is trying to peek through some clouds. Maybe we'll make it to the predicted high of 29.

I am thinking...
about our friend Travis and his "home going" service today. This is a young man who taught me so much about grace and strength in the midst of your circumstances through the way he lived his short life. You can read more about his story at www.prayfortravis.com

I am thankful for...
the gift of our Savior; the gift shopping and grocery shopping being done; the gifts that are wrapped and under the tree; a childhood that included lots of Christmas traditions that I carry on with my own children today, especially when I am reminded that not everyone has those same kind of memories and traditions.

From the learning rooms...
Christmas Break!!!! Well other than some things that could be considered "Home Economics" - you know lots of help is needed and wanted in the kitchen.

From the kitchen...
This morning started with French toast for breakfast. We'll end the day with a pot of chili, which is perfect for this very cold day. For the rest of the week, we'll be working on some holiday food: cut-out and decorated sugar cookies, pralines, and orange balls (extras to share with friends), refrigerator roll recipe that will make cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning breakfast and dinner rolls for Christmas dinner, everybody's favorite finger foods for Christmas Eve dinner.
Christmas Day dinner is Chicken and Dressing Casserole, green beans, black olives, rolls, and fruit salad, and Jesus' birthday cake.

Aunt Vickie's Chicken Casserole

3 chicken breasts, cooked, boned and cut up
Mix 2 cans cream of chicken soup with one soup can of milk and one small container of sour cream. Spoon liquid over cooked chicken in a 9x13 pan. Mix 1 package Pepperidge Farm herb seasoned stuffing mix, 1 cup water, and 1 stick of melted butter. Spread on top of soup and chicken mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Orange Balls

1 stick of butter, softened
1 - 6 oz. can frozen orange juice, thawed
1 - 12 oz. box vanilla wafers, crushed
1 box powdered sugar
1 package coconut and or chopped pecans

Add sugar to softened butter and cream well. Add juice and mix well. Mix in crushed vanilla wafers. Roll into 1" balls and then roll in coconut or finely crushed pecans. Chill for 3 hours.

I am wearing...
still in my warm flannel pj's.

I am creating...
a to-do list

I am going...
as few places as possible this week

I am reading...
The Shack

I am hoping...
to end today with a very clean house, clean laundry and the baking started.

I am hearing...
Rachel cleaning the kitchen. She's an excellent kitchen cleaner!!! I am blessed.

Around the house...
Dusting, sweeping, moping, cleaning bathrooms, and laundry. I want to get it all done today so I can bake tomorrow and then enjoy the rest of the week with my family and very little to do except fun stuff!!

One of my favorite things...
Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service

A few plans for the rest of the week...
preparing our home for Christmas, spending time with Robert (who's on vacation after today), Candlelight Communion Service at church, probably board games and movies with the kids.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
The last daybook entry I shared a picture of Rachel's nativity set. This time, it is Allan's. He received the Fontanini "My First Creche" set as a gift at his baby shower (he is an early January baby) and we have added a piece to it for the past 18 years.

Merry Christmas to all and thank you to Peggy for hosting at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...
December 8, 2008

Outside my window...
it's gray and cool out this morning. Rain is expected later today.

I am thinking...
As I typed today's date I was reminded that it was 34 years ago today that my dad passed away. I was nine years old at the time. My mom was 35 years old and left to bring up 4 children ranging from 2 1/2 to 13 years old. She put her trust in the Lord to help her with the task and He was faithful to walk with her along the way. Thank you, Mom, for giving us that legacy. I love you!

I am thankful for...
a much needed good night's rest.

From the learning rooms...
The usual assignments this week. I want to look for some fun Christmas activities. Even though my student is in 9th grade, I think she would enjoy a fun Christmas art project : ) I regret not doing enough of those type things when the kids were younger. I can't have a do-over so I will just do what I can for today.

From the kitchen...
I am ever so thankful for freezer meals this week!!!! Tonight will be my only night at home until Sunday so most days I will cook a meal at noon and that way the guys have a nice supper to just heat and eat each night.

Monday... hamburgers
Tuesday... jambalaya (from the freezer)
Wednesday...stew (I will make a big batch and freeze 1/2)
Thursday... Crockpot scalloped potatoes with ham
Friday...spaghetti (sauce from the freezer)

I am wearing...
jeans, long sleeved Nutcracker 2007 tee shirt, tennis shoes, gray hoodie

I am creating...
with Rachel's help - Nutcracker gifts - jars of homemade cocoa mix. I might re-do my blog if I find the time this week. I'm not really happy with the font colors - some of it isn't easy on the eyes.

I am going...
nowhere today unless it's to the post office to mail Christmas packages!

I am reading...
the Matthew and Luke accounts of the birth of Christ

I am hoping...
to finish decorating my Christmas tree today; to put away all the light and decoration boxes that are scattered around my house; to start cleaning for the weekend.

I am hearing...
nothing expect the ticking of the clock and the clicking of the keyboard

Around the house...
lots of cleaning needs to be done in preparation for a visit from the in-laws for Nutcracker this weekend! I'm hoping to have time to do a little baking this week. I also have to make a dessert for an after-Nutcracker party - Anyone want to share an idea for a holiday dessert???? Feel free to leave your ideas in the comments!

One of my favorite things...
the smell of a freshly cut Virginia Pine Christmas tree standing in my living room after a trip to the Christmas tree farm.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Nutcracker, Nutcracker, Nutcracker!! You think I'm kidding?? I just spent my Saturday and all day and evening Sunday (after church) working at rehearsal and picture day. I'll spend Tuesday through Friday nights at the convention center volunteering at the security/check-in desk. I'll be there again during the Saturday morning performance and then I'll actually attend the night time performance and after-Nutcracker party. It will be a FULL week and despite the complaining I might do about all the time it takes, I really do LOVE it!!!! I am a little bit partial to the dancer who is dancing the parts of Spirit of Christmas, Snowflake, and Flower, just in case you wondered. Oh, and I do have a non-Nutcracker activity this week - it's book day on Thursday! We'll be discussing the book "Shopping for Time". I am excited about it - that was a very timely read for me and I look forward to hearing what others thought about the book as well.

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

Rachel's nativity set.

To read more "The Simple Woman's Daybook" entries, visit Peggy here.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...December 1, 2008

Outside my window...This is a late Monday post - it's dark, COLD, and I see the pretty Christmas lights my son put up yesterday.

I am thinking...about how much I need to do in so little time.

I am thankful for...my husband, my son, my daughter, my warm home, hubby's job, health and happiness.

From the learning room...trying to get lots of work done this week since next week will be a week of long, late night rehearsals for Nutcracker. I usually assign an easier workload the week of Nutcracker.

From the kitchen...Tonight's dinner was meatloaf (from the freezer - YA! for freezer meals), macaroni and cheese, broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. Most of the rest of the week is unplanned for the most part. I'll be using some freezer meals and things from the pantry. Robert's on vacation this week so I am trying to be a bit flexible ; )

I am wearing...jeans, gray, burgandy and black turtleneck

I am creating...worked on Christmas cards today

I am going...to do some Christmas shopping tomorrow afternoon.

I am reading...re-reading Shopping for Time.

I am hoping...to find a good deal on a dress for Rachel for an after-Nutcracker party.

I am hearing...the t.v. and Robert on the phone

Around the house...Christmas decoration boxes are everywhere, waiting to be put away or used; the laundry pile from our Thanksgiving trip is significantly smaller than it was this morning.

One of my favorite things...shopping and lunch with my big sis last week.

A few plans for the rest of the week...hopefully a trip to the Christmas tree farm on Saturday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...
(I'll have to try to add one later - we had to change printers this morning and the one that's currently connected doesn't have a picture card slot)

Thanks to Peggy for hosting The Simple Woman's Daybook.