The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...
February 9, 2009

Outside my window...
it's raining. I hated driving in it this morning when I had to take Rachel to the Performing Arts Center and I couldn't see the road but we really need the rain.

I am thinking...
about how strange it feels to be home alone on a weekday. Allan's gone to work and school. Rachel is performing with the Symphony today and had an 8:00 a.m. call time at the performing arts center. The symphony has a program "Earquake" that they perform for 6th graders from schools in the area. Our ballet company has been invited to perform with them for the past several years. Tomorrow they will travel for the first time to Bentonville and perform for the schools in the Bentonville/Rogers area. I'll be chaperoning and driving tomorrow so I hope we don't have the heavy rain until we are back home tomorrow afternoon!!

I am thankful for...
the laughter and fun I witnessed as some of the ballet company girls went out for dinner together last night after dress rehearsal. Let's just say, it was an answer to the prayers of a few of the Mom's. God is good!!!

From the learning rooms...
a short week due to Earquake.

From the kitchen...
Monday... Mexican Casserole, salad
Tuesday...leftovers
Wednesday...Blackened or baked salmon, baked potatoes, salad
Thursday...Pinto Beans, cole slaw & cornbread
Friday...Wendy's Chicken Strips, roasted red potatoes, green beans
Saturday...Valentine's Dinner - Lasagna, salad, French bread and for dessert - probably a heart shaped chocolate chip cookie cake
Sunday...Homemade Pizza (Sunday's are frequently our homemade pizza night lately)
I am also going to make homemade granola for the first time this week!

Mexican Casserole
Brown one pound of ground beef or turkey with onion and bell pepper. Layer in a 9" x 13" casserole dish: tortilla chips, meat mixture, 1 can ranch style or black beans, shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat the layers. Then, mix 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, and one can Rotel tomatoes. Pour on top of the layers then top with cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees till bubbly.

I am wearing...
jeans, black shirt, gray hoodie

I am creating...
working on getting photos sorted and into albums; hoping to get back to Rachel's ballet scrapbook. I keep putting it off because I haven't touched it in over a year and it's already about 4 years behind! Help!!!

I am reading...
When God Winks at You

I am hoping...
to get all the laundry done before I pick Rachel up this afternoon.

I am hearing...
quiet solitude : )

Around the house...
I see laundry that needs to be put away ; ) I really want to mop my floors today but I know it would be better to wait until Wednesday when the rain and humidity are gone!!

One of my favorite things...
A night out with my hubby! We don't go out alone very often. We are so busy during the week that by the weekend, we often just want to have NOWHERE to go!! We had a dinner date Saturday night - sweet!! This will be a big month - we'll have another date in a couple of weeks for our 24th anniversary : )

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Bentonville with the ballet company tomorrow; hoping to get a physical therapy appointment for later in the week as well.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
I'll share another photo from the ice storm. This picture is from one of the last days before the ice melted. The north side of the lake had a layer of ice!

To read more daybook entries, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.