{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.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . July 9, 2013

Outside my window . . . we have sunny blue skies with a temperature of 78 degrees. The humidity is already on the rise.

I am thinking . . . about this day 20 years ago. After spending nearly 3 weeks in the hospital, my son arrived at 5 am 5 weeks premature. He weighed in at 5 lbs. 13 oz. I was quite sick with pre-eclampsia and stayed in intensive care for a full day after he was born. Thankfully we both survived and fully recovered.

I am thankful . . . for my ds and all the joy he brings into my life. My dh wrote this about him today --

Today my little boy turns 20. He's not a rowing champion or a chess master nor did he win a decathlon. He's not a Rhode's scholar but I wouldn't trade all that for his heart of compassion, his gift of music and wonderful sense of humor (among other things). Per his teachers at graduation, the 3 words that best describe Sam are hilarious, visionary and spiritual. What an amazing person. Love you Sam and very proud of who you are. 

Happy bday!

In the kitchen . . . I'll be baking Bananas Foster Upside-Down Cake later today for his celebration this evening

I am wearing . . . my cotton batiste gown and an old denim shirt that belonged to my FIL.

I am creating . . . my first amigurumi. Still working on it. It's going to be bigger than the pattern but I figure I'm learning. (For some reason this type of crocheting is quite intimidating to me. It could be my perfectionist tendencies. I'm using this pattern so it's very simple.)

I am going . . . to meet my brother's new wife and children this morning. They live in New Mexico and are home for the first time since getting married in May. I have new nieces and another nephew.

I am wondering . . . about these words -- truth, integrity, peace, salvation, word of God.

I am reading . . . Joyland by Stephen King, and I'm listening to The Girl with No Shadow by Joanne Harris. It's the sequel to Chocolat, a personal favorite (along with the movie!).

I am looking forward to . . . an upcoming get-away with dh in August. Back to Cozumel!

I am hearing . . . peace and quiet.

Around the house . . . we are making good progress in getting my FIL's things assimilated into our home.

I am praying . . . for my children as they move into the next phase of their lives. Dd will finish college this summer. Ds is turning 20 which is a milestone in and of itself.

One of my favorite things . . . is my morning ritual of tea and computer time. I do my blog, check Facebook and emails, and then go to Feedly to see what's happening in the blogosphere.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . celebrating with ds tonight, getting back into an exercise routine, more home improvements, reading, crocheting, and sewing.

Here are pictures for thought I am sharing . . . 

happy 20th to my dear son!

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

Summertime Eating

linking up with Wordless Wednesday

and 

Two Peas in Pod Go Climbing

linking up with Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday -- Boy and Dog

for more images go to Wordless Wednesday

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. 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.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Thankful Thursday #32

Today we take our ds to college. I am excited for all of us. He is embarking on the next step in his life journey and we get to continue to be part of his growth and development.
It's a little cheesy, but I wanted to do something to honor him.

S is for his smile which makes me happy.
A is for his amusing personality.
M is for his musical ability. 
U is for his unique perspective on things.
E is for his empathetic heart.
L is for the laughter he brings to my life.

Today I am thankful for the past 19 years I've had living with Sam everyday. I know it will be a challenge letting him head out on his own, but I am proud of the man he is becoming and know that this is just a new path in our lives.

I love you, Sam.

Thank you, God, for the gift of my son.

linking up with Grace Alone

Wordless Wednesday -- Packing for College

for more images go to Wordless Wednesday

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . August 21, 2012

Outside my window . . . clear blue skies and temperature of 62 degrees. Winds from the north. It's a glorious morning -- so unusual for us in August!

I am thinking . . . that I just can't fix everything. The good part of this realization is that I'm not supposed to be able to fix everything. Struggles are how we learn, and if someone else solves all of your problems then you are learning. 

I am thankful . . . a good weekend. I haven't had a weekend that felt so positive and relaxed in a very long time. It was truly a blessing.

In the kitchen . . . last night we tried Chicken Caprese. It was quite tasty. Tonight we are going out to celebrate with ds as he gets ready to leave for college.

I am wearing . . . cotton pj pants (with pink elephants!), a big white t-shirt, and my sage bamboo shawl.

I am creating . . . afghans, afghans, and more afghans!

I am going . . . to do yoga. Then a little housework, followed by a trip to the mall with dd.

I am wondering . . . how hard it's going to be dropping ds off at college on Thursday. I have great faith in him, but am surprised by his uneasiness.

I am reading . . . Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. Quite interesting!

I am looking forward to . . . getting through this transition week and back into the school routine.

I am hearing . . . birds and cicadas.

Around the house . . . I'm catching up on odds and ends of stuff, but I still have a lot of order to workout.

I am pondering . . . why the tv show "The Mentalist" is so intriguing for me, but I just can't get into "Perception" the same way.

One of my favorite things . . . is laying by the pool. Those days are almost behind me for this summer. It's nice to look forward to next summer though.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . taking dh to college, the usual routine stuff, and getting acclimated to a house without ds.

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

dh sanded and repainted this set

that belonged to my mother

when she was a little girl.

Our kids played with it all through

their childhood, too.

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook