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linking up with Wordless Wednesday & The Jenny Evolution

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . November 19, 2013

Outside my window . . . I see blue sky and wispy, white clouds. The trees are looking more and more bare. 

I am thinking . . . that I am glad to feel some better this morning. I got hit with a stomach bug early Monday morning. It was the worst I've felt in a very long time. Kudos to Alan and Claire for taking such good care of me.

I am thankful . . . for intellectual growth. I never want to stop learning, and I always want to be open to new ideas and concepts.

In the kitchen . . . lots of saltines and ginger-ale.

I am wearing . . . my Chinese lantern pants, a white t-shirt, and my FIL's denim shirt.

I am creating . . . not sure right now. Yesterday I didn't feel like doing anything. I'd like to finish my Danish shawl, and then look over some other ideas, now that Presents with a Purpose is behind us.

I am going . . . nowhere today!

I am wondering . . . how much I'll feel like doing today.

I am reading . . . well re-reading Alias Grace, but I checked out 2 other books from the library as well -- The Golden Notebook and Still Midnight. Not much reading going on right now as it was hard to concentrate. I have a ridiculously large stack of books I want to read, but I've been a bit ADD about it, skipping from one to the new without completing anything.

I am looking forward to . . . feeling better today. 

I am hearing . . . absolutely nothing, but the hum of electricity.

Around the house . . . it's pretty chaotic. It's amazing how quickly things fall into disarray when I'm not feeling well. I don't really think I do that much, but based on a day and a half of sickness and the current condition of the house, I must do more than I think.

I am praying . . . for more and more people. I just found out last night about a 40 year old husband and father who died from a heart attack on Sunday. I am so grateful for all I have, and yet so overwhelmed with sadness for the suffering I see around me.

One of my favorite things . . . is feeling well. I know it sounds a bit silly, but it's so easy to take for granted. A day or two of feeling really sick certainly puts things in perspective!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . everything's on hold until I see how long it takes to bounce back from this crud. 

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . .

part of our display at Presents with a Purpose

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . November 5, 2013

Outside my window . . . . the sky is part fluffy white and gray clouds and part blue. It's 48 degrees and a plane just flew over. There are pine needles all over the yard from a recent storm.

I am thinking . . . I should dust more often! The house looks so much better after dusting that it's ridiculous.

I am thankful . . . for better moods around the house.

In the kitchen . . . beans and rice and chicken last night. This week I'll be making Teddy Bear Mix, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin rice krispie treats for a weekend gathering.

I am wearing . . . my red cotton gown and my plaid flannel robe along with my knock-off blue Crocs. I keep telling you I'm the style guru to watch :)

I am creating . . . lots of goodies for Presents with a Purpose

I am going . . . to work on more goodies for Presents with a Purpose today with my bestie, LBB.

I am wondering . . . about the holidays this year. Since FIL passed in the spring this will be our first holiday season without him. There are many changes as holidays were usually celebrated at his house.

I am reading . . . A Fatal Grace (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #2) by Louise Penny.

I am looking forward to . . . our annual family trip to Pickett Park/Big South Fork. Each year we rent a few cabins and go spend a weekend hiking, talking, working puzzles, playing games, and eating. There is a lot of prep work this week for the weekend, but it's all worth it.

I am hearing . . . silence.

Around the house . . . dd and I worked on the bonus room yesterday. We WORKED. It looks so much better. We've just about gotten all the remaining odds and ends from FIL's house taken care of, and I must say it's nice to have the space looking like home again.

I am praying . . . for several friends suffering from serious illnesses -- Trish, Patti, and Anna in particular.

One of my favorite things . . . creating crocheted mandalas. I just started my first one a few months ago, and now I'm working on my 3rd.

all of these are made with Premier Serenity Garden yarn in Gem

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . working on goodies for the sale, preparing for our weekend of fun, and the usual suspects. I need to get the oil changed, get a haircut, a pedicure, and buy some new walking shoes, but I don't then there are that many hours in the days.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . .

pine needles everywhere!

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

Presents with a Purpose

Each year my home congregation, Otter Creek Church, holds a sale in November to raise money for various charities and benevolent programs. This year the sale will be November 16th at The Well, so I've been feverishly crocheting to help support Youthreach International. Here are a few of my projects with links to patterns. If you're in the Nashville area on the 16th I encourage you to come by and shop. It's a great way to do some Christmas shopping, and each gift you buy will serve a dual purpose.

These are infinity cowls. I used this pattern as a jumping off place, but used smaller yarn and hook, and I made them a bit longer.

Of course I had to make a shawl, because I am crazy about them! I used the half granny square shawl pattern for this one. I'm not sure I want this one to sell!

This is a double infinity scarf. It is supposed to be made in wool, but as I am allergic to wool (can't breathe), I made it up in acrylic. Here's the pattern.

I have 2 more projects in process: another shawl and a mandala. Hopefully I'll have those ready for next week, along with a few other non-crochet items. Stop by the sale from 9 to 2 on November 16th if you can. You won't be sorry!

linking up with Made by You Monday

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . November 8, 2011

Outside my window . . . at 6:40 this morning the sun was shining. This is the upside of the time change. It is so much easier to get up and going with the sun burnishing my windows. I saw a sweet little birdie at my feeder this morning, and I have no idea what it was nor did I get a photo.

I am thinking . . . about how easily I can become frustrated.

I am thankful . . . for new lessons learned. I have been consciously focusing on learning to enjoy the process. I realized that I have a tendency to rush through everything just to get to the end result. I have been working recently on learning to enjoy the process of cooking, crocheting, eating, showering -- so many things bring joy when I slow down and "live" the process.

From the learning rooms . . . I'm not hearing much about school work these days. Ds's focus is all on the wrestling. I am so proud of him for how he is approaching the process -- practice, eating, drinking, even washing his own practice clothes! Just hope his grades aren't suffering!

In the kitchen . . . last night was beef stew and fresh bread. I'm not sure about tonight as we are supposed to have another day in the 70's and I'm still not feeling up to par. We will see what the day brings! (And I made the first batch of Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix yesterday.)

I am wearing . . . my pink Just Love Coffee t-shirt and my summer weight robe.

I am creating . . . another shawl from the Autumnal Shawl pattern. This time I am using Naturally Caron Spa yarn in rose bisque.

I am going . . . . to run a quick errand and then stay home doing laundry, paying bills, and crocheting.

I am wondering . . . why I can't remember to return my HORRIBLY overdue library books!?! What's that about?

I am reading . . . Wicked by Gregory Maguire. I read this years ago when it first came out. The kids and I went to see the show last week and it got me wondering about how the novel and musical differ. I have an affinity for this story as I played the Wicked Witch of the West in our high school production of "The Wizard of Oz".

I am hoping . . . for a good turn out for our Presents with a Purpose sale at church this weekend.

I am looking forward to . . . my confined water scuba classes this weekend. I have 2 more of these and then 3 more open water dives to complete my training. Dh and I have planned a trip to Cozumel for my open water dives!

I am hearing . . . quiet as dd just left for school.

Around the house . . . I'm thinking about holiday decorations. I enjoy having the house decorated, but not the process so much! I think part of that is feeling as if my home needs to look like a Macy's display, so this year I'm planning on toning it down a lot!

I am pondering . . . . the benefits of looking for a part time job.

One of my favorite things . . . is feeling useful and productive.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . keeping it quiet and hoping to throw this infection once and for all.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . . 

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Batch #1

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook