Saturday Morning

Saturday morning at my house . . . 

Well it depends on the season. 

Right now it goes something like this:

Hubby gets up at 5:30 and does a little computer stuff -- Facebook, emails, checking the news. After that he heads off to the YMCA for a swim. 

I snuggle in under the covers after he pats or kisses me goodbye.

Later (maybe 7:30 or 8:30) I cat-stretch my way out of bed, and head to the kitchen to make some tea. Hubby wanders in and makes himself some eggs. He offers me some. I decline. I always decline, but he always offers.

I putter on the computer. He putters on the computer. I eat some yogurt or cereal or toast or oatmeal. He gets a little snack.

We talk about plans for the day. This used to bother me -- as if I were supposed to have all kinds of monumental plans for amazing things -- but now I understand he's just curious. Will there be time for us during this Saturday? Will we get to do something together?

Later . . .  much later, our 2 college aged kids will stumble from their rooms. Hubby will comment on how they can sleep half the day away. They will respond with grunts and defensiveness. When they've had time to wake up in their own individual ways (daughter with her computer; son by brushing his teeth) we will all chat about what we want to do. What could do. What ought to get done. 

And then someone will say, "What's for lunch?" And I will realize I'm still in my jammies.

linking up to Writer's Workshop

Wordless Wednesday . . . Sort of

linking up with Wordless Wednesday
[photo by Alan Pennington]

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . December 11, 2012

Outside my window . . . it is cloudy and COLD! "They" are predicting sun by lunch time. Fingers crossed!

I am thinking . . . about yoga class. I'm finally getting back to my Tuesday morning class today. I haven't been in I can't remember when.

I am thankful . . . to have the house full again and to have everyone getting along (so far!)

In the kitchen . . . last night was apple chicken sausages, black eye peas, and a new spinach souffle. I'm not sure about tonight, as I'm going to the grocery today.

I am wearing . . . yoga pants, yoga shirts, Crocs, and a sweatshirt.

I am creating . . . afghans and afghans and afghans. I really need to start something else more fun, but after vacation last week, I'm still trying to get things pulled together.

I am going . . . to take ds looking for some running shoes later today. Don't know that we'll buy anything, but I promised to let him go try some new ones on.

I am wondering . . . about this "new" computer I'm using. Yesterday my little Acer netbook gave up the ghost. Dh is loaning me his laptop to use until we figure out what to do. I've done all my writing for the past 2 years on the Acer. I'm really going to miss it, but mostly I hope we can retrieve the data that wasn't backed up from it.

I am reading . . . I'm kind of in between things right now. I'm thinking I need a run to the library to correct this situation!

I am looking forward to . . . Saturday. Four of us are getting together for brunch. We have been friends since high school, but haven't all been together in a couple of years.

I am hearing . . . Yaya whining, because she wants me to sit on the couch with her.

Around the house . . . we're still recovering from vacation, and still looking at boxes that Christmas decorations were in. If I don't get them put away soon, it won't be worth the trouble!

I am pondering . . . a comment our minister made on Sunday -- "Advent is a time of deep waiting". I really like that. You can listen to the entire sermon here.

One of my favorite things . . . is vacationing with just dh. We went to Florida last week and swam with the manatees, went scuba diving in the springs, and went for an air boat ride. So much fun, and just wonderful to have so much uninterrupted time together!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . a massage this afternoon, appointment in the morning, lunch with my bestie, maybe a haircut, and then brunch on Saturday.

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

this juvenile male manatee kept rolling

over so we'd scratch his belly!

[photo by Alan Pennington]

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

:: right now ::

Right now I am . . . 

:: seeing the rain and clouds lingered from overnight.

:: remembering the sun on my face as we rode the air-boat across the clear water.

:: smiling at the joy my husband found while we were in Florida.

:: marveling at the wonder, awe, and majesty of God's creations.

:: laughing as I remember finding this book in an antique store, especially the page headed "Everyday Errors in Room Arrangement" from 1933.

:: happy to be back home with my tree and both kids home from college.

:: looking forward to using my new sewing/crafting basket from SERRV.

:: relishing these oranges bought to support a local school. So delicious, and a nice reminder of Florida, and holidays from my childhood.

:: focusing on some good thoughts I've read/heard lately:

There's no reason to race. In fact, there's every reason not to. -- SouleMama

. . . so much of it is just noise and all that really counts are relationships. Finding your own truth. Putting your hand on your heart and following it. Life's short. And chaotic and blissful and changeable and inspiring and too much fun to miss. Hand on heart. Follow it. -- inner pickle

Advent is the season of deep waiting. -- Josh Graves

MIA

Just a quick "hello" this morning to let you know I haven't fallen off the planet.

Alan and I went on vacation last week, and were supposed to have wi-fi, but alas, we did not.

Here's a teaser for upcoming posts:

Cranberry Apple Skillet Pie

A few weeks ago, I saw this post and was immediately intrigued by the recipe. For one thing, I love any excuse to bake/cook with cranberries. Secondly, apples and cranberries are second only to oranges and cranberries in favorite flavor combinations. And finally, it's all made in an iron skillet, which is just about as happy as it gets. That being said, I made a few variations in the recipe and served it last week to rave reviews. Whether you slice it like a pie, or serve it like a cobbler, it tastes fabulous, and is just a lovely winter dessert.

I have a well-seasoned iron skillet that I use for a variety of purposes, so I would encourage you to use the same. If you are new to ironware cooking check out this site for seasoning directions.

6 cored, peeled and chopped apples (I used galas)

12 oz. bag of fresh cranberries

2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
3/4 brown sugar (next time I'm going to try demerara sugar)
1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 Tablespoon of lemon juice (you could probably omit this given the tart flavor of fresh cranberries)

2 pie crusts (I used Publix Ready to Use crusts)

2 Tablespoons of unsalted butter

Preheat oven to 350*.
Mix apples and cranberries with flour until all the fruit is covered. Stir in sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until well mixed. Line skillet with one pie crust. Pour in fruit mixture, and dot with cold butter. Cover with remaining pie crusts, crimping or sealing edges to bottom crust.
Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until crust is a nice golden brown. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Enjoy!

linking up with Made by You Monday

{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.