Cherry Tree Blossoms

linking up with Wordless Wednesday & The Jenny Evolution

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . April 1, 2014

Outside my window . . . the grass is suddenly green! And my cherry tree is just beginning to bloom. Blues skies. Sunshine. And already 61 degrees.

I am thinking . . . about my plan to make April my self-care month. I am focusing on myself for this month (which is very difficult for me!). Eating healthily. Getting regular, moderate exercise. Continue to speak kindly and respectfully to and about myself. And making time to do things I want to do.

I am thankful . . . for my weekend retreat to St. Joseph's Monastery. It was silent directed retreat, and was an honor and blessing to work with Gail Pitt from Dovehouse Ministries.

In the kitchen . . . my cupboard and refrigerator are bare! I am heading to the grocery store later today to stock up on healthy foods.

I am wearing . . .  a giant white t-shirt, my robe, and faux Crocs. (Always elegant!)

I am creating . . . a plan to create right now. I just haven't been feeling that creative mojo, so I'm making a list of projects to complete and things I just want to do.

I am going . . . to take a walk in just a bit with dd, and then an appointment and grocery shopping.

I am wondering . . . (perhaps contemplating is a better word) about this quote -- 

Dear God, I am so afraid to open my clenched fists! Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to? Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands? Please help me to gradually open my hands and to discover that I am not my own, but what you want to give me. -- Henri J. M. Nouwen The Only Necessary Thing: Living a Prayerful Life.

I am reading . . . really nothing right now. I finished These Granite Islands over the weekend but haven't had a chance to determine what is next. I find myself wanting to re-read In This House of Brede after my weekend at the monastery.

I am looking forward to . . . an upcoming weekend getaway with dh. We are going to Gatlinburg in 2 weeks for a bit of much needed R&R.

I am hearing . . . a little bit of traffic and the dogs doing there morning snuffling.

Around the house . . . there is much to be done! Laundry and general straightening up are priorities right now. And not becoming overwhelmed, but instead leaning into the housework as a form of service and meditation.

I am praying . . . the Ignatian Practices using a book available from Dovehouse Ministires, First We Were Loved. 

One of my favorite things . . . is springtime! It seems to have been a long time coming this year, but this week looks like it will be springtime all week long.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . nesting. Reclaiming my home and time from the winter blahs, and opening my house and me to the new season.

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

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook

Hurricane Oatmeal Cake . . . Again

{I'm reposting this recipe today at reader request. Enjoy!}

Dh asked me to make a treat for him to take to his grad class on Saturday. I love this cake, but have no self-control when it's in the house. It's best if I make it and send it away. I got one piece, which is plenty (even though I'd love to sit down with the whole cake and a fork!).

FYI, I have no idea how it got this name.

1 cup oatmeal
1 1/4 cups boiling water
2 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine oatmeal and boiling water; set aside. Beat together eggs, sugars and oil until blended. Add flour, soda, salt and cinnamon; add oatmeal mixture. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan and bake at 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.

Topping:
Mix together 1 cup coconut, 1 cup brown sugar, 6 tablespoons melted butter, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, and 1/4 cup evaporated milk until moist. Spread over cake; broil until topping is light brown and crunchy -- about 2 minutes.

Serves 20-24.

linking up with Made by You Monday

Mighty Mom to Save the Day

When I was a kid we watched "Mighty Mouse" on TV. I always loved the idea of this adorable, tiny creature with that high pitched voice suddenly breaking out into incredible feats of strength. Most of the time he was just this ordinary, kindhearted mouse, but when the need arose he became MIGHTY MOUSE.

I think that's what moms are. We go along all day doing our mom stuff. We wash clothes and buy groceries. We cook meals and wipe counters and snotty noses. We read books (over and over and over again), and sing endless rounds of "Baby Beluga" or whatever the current favorite is.

We are ordinary, kindhearted moms. Until. Until that need arises to become MIGHTY MOM. We race to the rescue. We save the day. We scoop up hurt kids, wiping away tears and blood and hurt. We do our best to save the day or at least the moment.

My kids are grown up now (well 23 and 20), and this is what I've learned. They will never stop needing MIGHTY MOM. The scrapes and hurts are different, but I'm always going to be there to do what I can to save the day or the moment. Because that's what mom's do.

linking up with Five Minute Friday

The Gift of Travel

When I married my husband I'd never been to a foreign country. Truthfully I'd barely been west of the Mississippi River. He on the other hand had been to Europe several times, not to mention a cruise, and a vacation to Grand Cayman where he'd learned to scuba dive. He was 20 when I met him.

Over the years one of the best things he's given me is the gift of travel. Our first year of marriage he took me to Disney World, and his business trips have taken us to lots of other fun spots in the U.S.

His mother died in 1988. She was born and raised in Austria and France. He still had family in Austria, so in the summer of 1989 his father and he went to Europe and traveled around a bit. Alan (my husband) stayed in Europe at an intensive 6 week German language course as part of his grieving and recovery from the loss. I flew to Germany and met him at the end of his course and we traveled for 10 days.

So the girl who had never left the country -- had never even been to either the east or west coasts of the U.S. -- flew to a foreign country BY HERSELF to reconnect with her husband who'd been gone for 6 weeks! I navigated flight changes and customs and crossing multiple time zones. 

He met me at the airport in Munich with a friend from his language program. I almost didn't recognize him -- he'd grown a beard. We took the train into Salzburg and went to his little room in the quaint B&B and "reconnected" with each other.

Once his classes finished, we traveled around Salzburg and visited with his relatives in Linz and Bad Ischl. We stayed with relatives and checked into B&Bs well off the beaten path. I learned to smile and nod a lot, and drink hot cocoa and eat semmel rolls with real butter and jam for breakfast.

It was a wonderful, terrifying, bonding experience for me with my husband. 

Over the years we've gone back once with our children. A lovely trip, marred by lost luggage and the early summer snows that we were unprepared for clothing-wise. He's taken me to Mexico several times and I've learned to scuba dive as well. But that first trip abroad with him, that's the stand out. Becoming an adult in a new and different way. Realizing in some way that this was my life and I'd better learn to enjoy it. That trip was the beginning.

linking up with Writer's Workshop

Wordless Wednesday

linking up with Wordless Wednesday & The Jenny Evolution

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . March 25, 2014

Outside my window . . . it's overcast and cold this morning. We've actually got snow flurries as well!

I am thinking . . . end of the semester school stress. Dh is in grad school and ds in college. Both of them are feeling the panic/excitement as this semester is winding down.

I am thankful . . . for prayer and scripture. The older I get (and hopefully the more spiritually mature I become) prayer and scripture mean more and more to me.

In the kitchen . . . last night was bean burritos. Tonight I may do one final batch of chili since the weather is cold and snowy here today.

I am wearing . . . my nightgown, robe, and slippers. 

I am creating . . . a change in my attitude. My Lent fast has been -- "fast from feeling guilty and angry at yourself for things you have done wrong, instead remember God's great love for you". I have leaned into this fast differently than traditional Lenten fasts. Instead of working at it, I have been (trying) letting God lead me into it.

I am going . . .  on a Silent Retreat this weekend. Sponsored by Dovehouse Ministries at St. Joseph's Monastery in Whitesville, KY.

I am wondering . . . about energy that expresses itself in anger. I see this frequently in young people and wonder how to harness that energy to greater benefit.

I am reading . . . These Granite Islands by Sarah Stonich.

I am looking forward to . . . my weekend retreat and a trip to Gatlinburg, TN that dh and I have planned for next month.

I am hearing . . . silence (except for Yaya's wheezing).

Around the house . . . LB and I worked in the kitchen yesterday. We sorted and got rid of things that just weren't getting used. I feel as if I have some breathing space now in my cabinets.

I am praying . . . for newborn twins and another newborn with an infection. For Ukraine and the ongoing unrest there. For the families and friends of those lost in the Malaysian plane disaster. And for personal spiritual issues within my family. 

One of my favorite things . . . is sitting outside on my swing. There won't be any of that today, but the other day I got to sit out there and do my devotional and a bit of crocheting. So lovely!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . counseling today, a haircut tomorrow, Bible study and then tea with my mother on Thursday, and then I'm heading to KY for my Silent Retreat weekend.

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

for more visit The Simple Woman's Daybook