Haiku

Write a haiku about what you see out your window.

Warm sun streams through my window

Leaves barely hang on

Blown afar by freezing wind

linking up with Writer's Workshop

Late Autumn Flowers

linking up with Wordless Wednesday

{this moment}

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Welcoming Autumn

linking up with Wordless Wednesday & The Jenny Evolution

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . October 23, 2012

Outside my window . . . I see sugar maples turning orange and gold against a robin's egg blue sky. We are having a little "Indian summer" around with temps headed into the 80's today.

I am thinking . . . that going back to yoga last night was good, but my side is definitely noticing it this morning. Maybe I'll settle for a walk today.

I am thankful . . . to have a home. I think about all the homeless people this time of year. Each day must bring anxiety as the weather shifts to cold.

In the kitchen . . . dd made whole wheat/rice flour sourdough bread yesterday. Quite tasty!

I am wearing . . . a big t-shirt and my summer weight robe while I have my first cuppa this morning.

I am creating . . . still working on the afghan, but I started a scarf for a Christmas present last night.

I am going . . . to the dentist and to run a few errands. I'm wondering about early voting, but I here the lines have been awful, which I suppose is a good thing!

I am wondering . . . about trauma. The word covers the gamut of experiences. I am always telling people not to compare their trauma to someone else's, but I have a really difficult time with that myself. We had a speaker Sunday who talked about his experience of recovery after being hit by semi-truck, and I found myself thinking, "his experience is worse than mine". But based on what criteria? Trauma is trauma.

I am reading . . . A Murder of Crows by Jan Dunlap. Almost done. Not a great read, but relaxing, like a British cozy mystery.

I am looking forward to . . . our trip in December. Dh made the reservations, so it looks as if it will really happen : )

I am hearing . . . the dogs wandering around. They check out every nook and corner of the house after breakfast each morning before settling in for their morning naps.

Around the house . . . the usual picking up, and I need to finish up the laundry from yesterday. 

I am pondering . . . depression, and the way it comes and goes, plus how responsible I feel when I'm having a hard time. Trying to shake the responsibility aspect and place it firmly back in the abusers' court.

One of my favorite things . . . is sitting at my desk in the mornings watching the people in my neighborhood taking walks and getting ready for what their day will bring. Sometimes I feel a little like Alice Kravitz!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . trying to get back to a routine with my Bible study (man I am SOOOO behind!), some beading and crocheting, and then dh and I are headed to Pickett Park on Saturday.

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

new project

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

{this moment} -- day 20 of 31

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

{this moment}

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Saturday Poetry -- Autumn Fires

Autumn Fires

In the other gardens

And all up the vale,

From the autumn bonfires

See the smoke trail!

Pleasant summer over

And all the summer flowers,

The red fire blazes,

The grey smoke towers.

Sing a song of seasons!

Something bright in all!

Flowers in the summer,

Fires in the fall!

Robert Louis Stevenson -  1913

Wordless Wednesday -- This and That

for more photos visit Wordless Wednesday

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . November 1, 2011

Outside my window . . . it is 34 degrees outside with a light frost glistening on the grass. Autumn has definitely arrived!

I am thinking . . . about what truly needs to be done today. My goal is to focus on that and not worry so much about the rest.

I am thankful . . . for a good night's rest and beautiful sunshine this morning.

From the learning rooms . . . ds started wrestling practice yesterday. I've got to be sure there are plenty of healthy foods in the house for him.

In the kitchen . . . last night we had roasted pork tenderloin and succotash. Tonight I think we will have grilled steak and baked potatoes. I have some steaks in the freezer, so I need to get them out and into the marinade.

I am wearing . . . gray sweatpants, a long sleeved t-shirt, a sweater, socks and fuzzy boots. (I had to make an early morning run for dh, so I dressed warmly!)

I am creating . . . a pretty hand towel from green variegated cotton yarn. I really like the pattern.

I am going . . . . to the grocery store in a bit, and to run another errand for dh later.

I am wondering . . . why it has taken me nearly 50 years to figure out that everything changes -- constantly!

I am reading . . . One Was a Soldier (Rev. Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne Mystery #7) by Julia Spencer-Fleming

I am hoping . . . to get caught up on my Bible study by class time on Thursday.

I am looking forward to . . . dh completing the condo renovation. The renters move in on Friday, so we are almost there!

I am hearing . . . nothing but the hum of electronics which is surprisingly loud.

Around the house . . . more laundry today and putting away the Halloween decor.

I am pondering . . . . why I love crocheting so much now? I have known how to crochet for over 35 years, but it's only been in the last couple of years that I have really embraced it.

One of my favorite things . . . is learning a new crochet pattern. 

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . a doctor's appointment tomorrow, Bible study on Thursday, the dentist on Friday, dh and ds are going rock climbing on Saturday to celebrate the completion of the condo, so I'll be on my own.

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

seven baby loaves of pumpkin bread!

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . October 25, 2011

Outside my window . . . the sun is just coming up. It is clear and 42 degrees F. We may get up to 80 degrees today -- probably one of our last days to be that warm this year.

I am thinking . . . that antibiotics can be good, but I don't think I body appreciates them. I am always so tired when I take them. Thankfully my final dose was last night.

I am thankful . . . for an understanding husband!

From the learning rooms . . . we just finished fall break, so I expect the work will begin to pile up again.

In the kitchen . . . last night was bacon and cheese quiche. Ds and gf made red velvet cupcakes!

I am wearing . . . black yoga pants and a run for Mercy t-shirt.

I am creating . . . another Christmas present scarf and looking through patterns and yarn for the next project.

I am going . . . . to yoga and The Fresh Market, and then I hope to come home and get some stuff done around here.

I am wondering . . . if I'll ever catch up in my Bible study!

I am reading . . . One Was a Soldier (Rev. Clare Fergusson and Russ Van Alstyne Mystery #7) by Julia Spencer-Fleming

I am hoping . . . to break this cycle of fatigue and depression I have been dealing with lately. I'm not sure what's going on, but I hope most of it is related to infections and antibiotics!

I am looking forward to . . . talking with my therapist tomorrow about the depression and fatigue.

I am hearing . . . quiet, interspersed with dogs and electronics.

Around the house . . . the bonus room is beginning to improve as dh gets closer to completing the work on the condo.

I am pondering . . . . how I've let clutter and disorder become the norm around here for several months (at least). When I first married I was fairly neurotic about cleaning and picking up (and I had no children!). Over the years my neurosis has eased, but perhaps the pendulum has swung too far! Then again I'm not the only adult who lives in the house -- 3 others live here (and create mess) with me.

One of my favorite things . . . is a neat and orderly house. I don't want "House Beautiful", but I would like a place for everything and everything in its place.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . some writing, studying Daniel, talking with my therapist, striking some order (?), and whatever else pops up. Oh yeah, and seeing Wicked with dd on Sunday : )

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

my pretty autumn table

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

Made By You Monday -- Pumpkin Bread

Around my house, it's not officially autumn until pumpkin bread is baked. Well this week I baked pumpkin bread. I've been making this recipe since I was about 12 or 13 years old. I love it! The flavors and texture are just what I want in a sweet bread. Now I am a purest where pumpkin bread is concerned -- no nuts, no raisins, and certainly no chocolate chips! The point of pumpkin bread bread is the PUMPKIN and the SPICES. Nothing else should interfere with these flavors. So's here's my recipe. My kids demand mini loaves now, but when they were little they were all about the mini muffins. If you make full size loaves, cut them in half long ways to serve in smaller slices (this is accepted way to serve THIS bread! LOL!) Warning: We can knock back one whole loaf straight out of the oven!

Pumpkin Bread

4 eggs                                                       

3 cups sugar                                            

1 cup oil                                                    

½ cup water                                            

2 cups canned pumpkin

2 t. baking soda

1 ½ t. cinnamon

1 ½ t. nutmeg

1 ½ t. salt           

3 ½ cups flour

Spray 3 loaf pans or 5-6 mini-loaf pans. Preheat oven to 350°. Beat eggs in large in large mixing bowl with electric mixer until light. Add sugar gradually, beating all the time. Add oil, water and pumpkin. Mix well. In a separate bowl, mix all dry ingredients. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Divide batter among loaf pans, filling each 2/3 full. Bake on middle rack of oven for 45 minutes. Check for doneness by sticking a toothpick in the center. If not done, bake up to 15 additional minutes checking every 3-5 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Wrap in foil and store in refrigerator. May be frozen. Yield: 3 standard loaves; 5-6 mini-loaves.

(originally published here)

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