A Daybook on the Last Day of Summer

For Today... 

a Daybook seems a lovely way to get back to writing.

Outside my window...

the sun shines brightly; the dogs laze on the porch; 

another hot day begins. 

I am thinking...

about my son's driving test this afternoon.

I am thankful...

for my job, caring for a sweet baby girl!

I am wearing...

nightclothes, still; waiting to get dressed until i have to go out.

I am creating...

an itinerary for my trip.

I am going...

to  B O S T O N  in 11 days!
to take my son for his driving test this afternoon.

I am wondering... 
if i will ever manage to get my house decluttered and organized.

I am reading...

Esther and 2 Corinthians in my daily prayer time;

The Art of Neighboring with my church group;

Robinson Crusoe with my children;

A Dublin Student Doctor and Inkdeath for pleasure.

I am hoping...
we have all of our paperwork in order, and my son passes his test.

I am learning...

how to quilt.

In my kitchen...

potatoes, sausage, and kale are on the menu for supper.

pretty sweet potato shoots are growing on the windowsill.

In the homeschool room...

we are studying Early American History, 

using Ambleside Online's Year 9 as a rough guide.

A favorite quote for today...

“There is no peace that cannot be found in the present moment.”

 ~Tasha Tudor

A peek into one of my days...

this is my "substitute grandbaby" 

she is 3 weeks older than my grandson, but her mama has to work; 

so i am blessed to be able to care for her

One of my favorite things...

A U T U M N !

Day after Thanksgiving Daybook

Outside my window...
it is cold and frosty ~ a rarity here in Central Texas.

I am thinking...
about Advent.

I am thankful...
for a wonderful day spent with all of my children yesterday.

In the kitchen...
are dirty dishes and leftovers ~ signs of abundance.

I am wearing...
longhorn tee, orange pajama pants, a brown cardigan, and socks.

I am creating...
space for Advent: in my home, my life, and my heart.

I am going...
for a morning walk with my 17 year-old daughter; otherwise, today is definitely a stay-at-home day for me. 

I am wondering...
why anyone would ever want to participate in the day-after-thanksgiving-shopping-craziness!  I am not judging; i just really do not understand it.

I am reading... 
Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home in very small pieces in the evenings.
An Irish Country Christmas on my nook.
Little Town on the Prairie and One Thousand and One Arabian Nights with my kids.

I am hoping...
to get the house tidied up and ready for Advent.

I am looking forward to...
my older son's birthday!

I am learning...
to be grateful.  (At least, i am trying to.)

A favorite quote for today...

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” 

~Melody Beattie

One of my favorite things...
pumpkin!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

• Saturday: Joshua's 16th birthday
• Sunday: 1st Sunday of Advent
• Friday: Saint Nicholas Day

A peek into my day...
I want to enjoy my husband being home, eat leftovers, and watch The Bells of Saint Mary's later today on the movie channel.

A Daybook for the final week of Advent

This morning i am...

seeing ~ 

bare fruit trees silhouetted against the fainest tinges of colour in the eastern sky

hearing ~ 

"instrumental Christmas music" radio on Spotify

smelling ~ 

the slight lavender and citrus scent of the left-over wedding candles i am using in the Advent wreath this year

tasting ~ 

tea with milk & sugar and a toasted english muffin

This week i am...

decorating ~

Mary and Joseph are anticipating the arrival of the infant Christ

the angel choir are waiting in the wings

the shepherds will come out on Christmas Eve

the Wise Men will begin following the star Christmas night

the Advent wreath will move to the front door on Christmas morning

the tree will go up on the 23rd or 24th

we haven't yet put up an outside lights, and i don't know if we will; oh, well

giving ~

The Storehouse Food Pantry ~ take a box tomorrow

Pregnancy Aid ~ take a box tomorrow

trying to figure out what to give my wonderful husband for our anniversary

listening ~

Messiah

Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Christmas in the Northwest

reading~

A Christmas Carol  ~ aloud

St. Nicholas: A Closer Look at Christmas  ~ which i bought myself at Half Price Books!

The Indescribable Gift  ~ ditto!

planning ~ 

a little get away for my husband & i to celebrate our 23rd anniversary

Christmas Eve & Day menus

ideas to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas and Epiphany (Three Kings)

pondering ~  

this post

praying ~ 

the O Antiphons & Magnificat with my prayer beads during my morning quiet time

for a peaceful week, focusing on The Greatest Gift Ever Given

picture source

November Daybook

For Today...

outside my window it is still dark ~ and cold: 37

around the house ugh ~ it has been busy the past couple of weeks and it shows; this weekend will be a good opportunity to work around the house

from the kitchen we are still enjoying last weekend's pumpkin butter

from the learning rooms we are reading Rasco and the Rats of NIMH and Little House in the Big Woods; we are declining Latin nouns; we are enjoying How It's Made; 

i am creating gift lists ~ two boys' birthdays and then Saint Nicholas Day are looming

i am listening to John Michael Talbot Radio on Pandora

i am planning a lesson on Mary Cassatt and American Impressionism for class on Monday

i am pondering this post by Elizabeth

i am praying for my daughter and son-in-law, who are driving home from New Mexico ~ and for rain

i am reading Psalm 19 this week; The Innocence of Father Brown on my nook

i am thankful for so much; for this time of year, a time devoted and ideally suited to giving thanks

one of my favourite things is the end of daylight savings time this weekend

click to visit the home of The Simple Woman's Daybook

July Daybook

today i am...

seeing

many new blossoms on one of my African Violets

finches in the peach tree

hearing

the dryer

mourning doves

smelling

candles left from my daughter's wedding

tasting

Constant Commet tea

wheat bagel with apple butter

feeling

water & sun at the pool later this morning

planning

for my elementary class at History Quest

pondering

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, 

but worldly sorrow brings death." ~ 2 Corinthians 7:10

praying

for Addison, a friend's 4yo daughter who was badly burned earlier this month

for rain and a break in the heat

Birthday Daybook

outside my window...it is dark & still; another 100 degree day predicted

i am hearing...the hums of the computer & water cooler

i am wearing...navy blue shorts & a green tank top, a ponytail

i am grateful...that God know my needs even before i do & always provides; thank You, Jehovah~Jireh


i am planning...two weeks with #4 daughter's friend from the Seattle area visiting, so my daughter is making most of the plans

i am pondering...life, home, legacy

i am praying...for the family, especially the parents, of my dear friend who died two weeks ago; they had two daughters who are both gone now; oh, how their hearts must ache


i am reading...Psalm 119, slowly, one section (8 verses) a day


i am creating...a tidier, more organized home


from my kitchen...my traditional birthday dessert: strawberry shortcake


from my teacher's desk...a light week as we try to ease along after #2 daughter's wedding last week: math, copywork, and reading each day for the younger 3; i hope to get back into Morning Time & Latin after our friend leaves


a picture thought to share:

7 + 1!

Join Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

February Daybook

Outside my window...

it is a dark and very windy; an arctic front is blowing in

I am:

• hearing...

the wind, and rain, and the vaporizer

• wearing...

my nightgown and cozy robe

• reading...

Sabbath,  

Devotional Classics, 

Psalms ~ one each day, 

Matthew ~ one chapter each day beginning today

• planning...

 a birthday celebration with my fourth daughter ~ who will be 15! tomorrow

• pondering...

family monasticism, 

snow?

• praying...

the Daily Office here, 

for my husband's work, 

for my children's health, 

for the church

• grateful...

for my job ~ i get to help a friend homeschool her special needs child, help my family financially, and bring my daughter along with me

a picture thought:

Tomorrow Feb 2	Thursday Feb 3	Friday Feb 4
Mostly Cloudy	Snow	Mostly Sunny
Hi: 33° Lo: 14°	Hi: 32° Lo: 20°	Hi: 38° Lo: 28°

 

A New Year Daybook

today i am . . .

seeing

the twinkle of the christmas tree lights

  

hearing

a solo cello CD given me by my 18year-old daughter, Abi

conversation between 11year-old son and husband

wearing

nightgown and terrycloth robe

praying

for healing for my three asthmatic children and husband

pondering

2 Corinthians 9:6-11

  

planning

personal goals for the new year

a rhythm and routine for housework & lessons

thankful for

twenty-two years of marriage to the perfect man for me

international flights that bring missionary daughters home

a husband that gets into the car at 9:30 at night for a 7-hour round trip at a moment's notice when 18year-old daughter's flight from chicago to austin is cancelled and she calls tearfully saying they can put her on a flight to houston, but she can't fly out of there until the next morning, and she just wants to come HOME

asthma meds

 one last week of some "down time"

thinking of

my daddy who died in 2002 and my mama who lives almost 2000 miles away and has advanced alzheimer's and how much i miss them both

a picture thought

gingerbread graham cracker houses on christmas eve

inspired by Peggy at the simple woman's daybook

please visit her and read others

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
28 September, 2009...

Outside my window...
a bright, sunny start to another hot day

I am thinking...
how much I enjoyed the cool days last week and how I look forward to the lower temperatures returning and how I am hoping for a nice cool fall after a long, extremely hot Texas summer

I am thankful...
that Frap is coming home tonight ~ she has been in Colorado for two weeks and I miss her

From the learning rooms...
a light load this week as we are winding down our year ~ Morning Time, some spelling, and a few silent readings

From the kitchen...
the smell cinnamon toast

I am wearing...
denim shorts and a navy blue tee

I am creating...
lists and plans for Autumn, Advent, and Christmas

I am going...
nowhere until I leave for the airport tonight

I am reading...
Hind's Feet on High Places
The Magician's Nephew
Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I am hoping...
to smile and hug more than I grumble and yell

I am hearing...
Lulapalooza and Toodles singing made-up nonsense songs

Around the house...
we are having a lazy morning, but all but O Special One are up and at 'em now ~ the main part of the house is fairly tidy (for us) ~ the younger ones are finishing up their morning things, and then we will gather for our Morning Time readings

One of my favorite things...
days at home

A few plans for the rest of the week:
a 50c. movie for dad and kids at the discount theatre tonight
coffee with a friend on Tuesday
go with O Special One to check out a riding stable for jumping lessons Tuesday evening
introduce Eugene Field & Grandma Moses
finish decluttering & organizing the downstairs kitchen~living spaces
a special autumn craft and treat on Friday
a special TeaTime with Frap

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
I found this photo at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
we do not get much autumn colour around here

The Simple Woman's Daybook

 to read more or join in please visit Peggy

FOR TODAY 

 ~ Monday, 11 August, 2008 ~

 Outside My Window...the sun is breaking through the clouds 

I am thinking...about how great my kids are and what wonderful relationships i have with them

I am thankful for...an a.c. repair company that can get out here this morning, and for clouds and a bit of a breeze this morning

From the kitchen...not sure at this point

I am wearing...my hair up in loose bun, brown v-neck t-shirt, denim shorts, bare feet

I am creating...computer files

I am going...nowhere yet, because i am waiting for the repairman

I am reading...Sabbath by Wayne Muller found at Half Price Books for $1

I am hoping...praying, actually, that the air conditioner can be fixed quickly and inexpensively

I am hearing...the dishwasher and Lulapalooza's Lego Star Wars video game

Around the house...lots of fans are going

One of my favorite things...naps

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  

watching the Olympics  ~ a trip to the new local Salvation Army thrift store for 50% off Wednesday to look for some skirts ~ adults only dinner with friends Thursday night ~ a special teatime with Toodles

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

I found this photo at  stock.xchng

The Simple Woman's Daybook

 read more or join in here

FOR TODAY 

 ~ Monday, 28 July, 2008 ~

 Outside My Window...sunrise

I am thinking...what can i give my oldest for her 18th birthday next week?

I am thankful for...God's mercies, which are new every morning

From the kitchen...fresh bread for snack this afternoon

I am wearing...my pj's and robe

I am creating...a shopping list

I am going...grocery shopping

I am reading...The Voyage of the Dawn Treader aloud to my children

I am hoping...for at least one day this week when i will not have to go anywhere

I am hearing...the hum of the air conditioner

Around the house...the weekend mess awaits our attention

One of my favorite things...two this week ~ getting caught in a rainstorm with my three younger children & IKEA dream~shopping with two of my girls

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  

cleaning focus: kitchen ~ decluttering focus: laundry ~ a special teatime with Frap

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

I found this photo at  stock.xchng

The Simple Woman's Daybook

learn more here

FOR TODAY 

 ~ Monday, 14 July, 2008 ~

 

 Outside My Window...windy and grey skies

I am thinking...about an unfortunate situation i find myself in the middle of at the moment

I am thankful for...my godly mama and daddy

From the kitchen...whole wheat pasta with white beans and fire roasted tomatoes for supper

I am wearing...shorts ~ t-shirt ~ barefeet

I am creating...study notebooks

I am going...nowhere else today

I am reading...rockin' granola my latest found blog

I am hoping...that the aforementioned unfortunate situation will be resolved soon and without any more hurt feelings

I am hearing...children's conversation and my windchimes

Around the house...sigh; don't ask

One of my favorite things...watching toodles ice skate last saturday

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  

two business meetings ~ a trip to the dmv for photo id cards for 3bkids going to mexico on a mission trip ~ a breakfast meeting with a friend or two ~ special teatime with Sergeant Elf

The Simple Woman's Daybook

learn more here

FOR TODAY 

 ~ Monday, 7 July, 2008 ~

 Outside My Window...the peach and plum trees are bright green in the morning sunlight

I am thinking...i need to make dentist appointments

I am thankful for...my children

From the kitchen...nothing yet

I am wearing...shorts ~ t-shirt ~ ponytail ~ barefeet

I am creating...menu plans

I am going...shopping for dance shoes for Sergeant Elf and Toodles

I am reading...e-mails and blogs

I am hoping...to have a productive week

I am hearing...J~Man fixing his breakfast and Frap starting her laundry

Around the house...the rest of the tribe is still asleep so it is still fairly quiet

One of my favorite things...the silence of sunrise

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  

finish cleaning the kitchen ~ puppies to the vet for shots ~ new homeschool dance classes for Sergeant Elf and Toodles ~ a special teatime with J~Man

The Simple Woman's Daybook

 learn more here

FOR TODAY ~ Monday, 30 June, 2008...

Outside My Window...it is cloudy and the dogs are lazing on the back patio

I am thinking...but trying not to ~ about Tibby turning 18 and going away

I am thankful for...my wonderful, generous, loving husband

From the kitchen...a lovely cup of tea is steeping

I am wearing...denim shorts and a scrubs shirt bought at a yard sale

I am creating...lesson plans

I am going...nowhere today i hope, but i will probably need to run to the store

I am reading...a book found on the library sale table the title of which escapes me, h.p. four, and cc curriculum guides

I am hoping...it will rain

I am hearing...jackson browne ~ "your bright baby blues"

Around the house...there is too much clutter, but it is better than it was last week

One of my favorite things...my new laptop given to me by my darling husband for my birthday on friday

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  ongoing decluttering and cleaning ~ a special teatime with Lulapalooza