The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

 ~January 7, 2014~

Outside my window…it is dark.  The animals have been fed, the heat lamps are on, and all is quiet.

Praising God…for the life of a sweet child at my school and the courage and calmness a co-worker displayed today in a time of panic.

In prayer for…the family of a dear friend of mine that passed away last month.

I am thinking…about spring!

I am thankful…for each new day.

In the kitchen…I'm making wintertime comfort food.

I am wearing…my flannel owl pjs.

I am creating…knit boot cuffs that are suddenly all the rage. :-)

I am going…to bed early tonight.

I am wondering…how many more students I will register tomorrow at work?  This first week back after the break has been very busy.

I am reading…not much right now.  Not a lot of extra time. 

I am hoping…to be in bed before nine tonight.  I am tired!

I am looking forward to…the weekend.  Of course. ;-)

I am learning…to persevere when my heart is heavy.

Around the house…it's not as picked up as usual because I tend to be a little on the lazy side when Mr. H. is out of town. 

I am pondering…this new year.

A favorite quote for today…"Everyone smiles in the same language."  I want to get this printed for my office at work.  I often register foreign students and I try to remember that even if they don't understand me, they will understand a smile. :-)

One of my favorite things…is life!  Everyday, no matter good or bad, is a blessing. 

A few plans for the rest of the week…are to pick up the house ;-) and make it till Friday!

A peek into my day…the view from my computer desk.

This was my Christmas present this year. 

The "unique" people that built this house 

put in a fireplace...

without a chimney.  

 Yep.

So we couldn't burn real logs...without a chimney,

and when we used the ceramic logs that were in the fireplace

with our propane (no natural gas line out here) 

it would make us sick within 10 minutes... 

without a chimney.

So, Mr. H. got me this electric fireplace insert.

Now don't judge! ;-)

It's warm.  It's pretty.  You turn it on with remote control for pete's sake! Ha!

And I have LOVED it!

Hey, you do what ya gotta do. :-)

You can read other day books here.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - September

September

FOR TODAY
Monday September 30, 2013

Outside my window...
are lots of huge mushrooms that popped up after the wonderful rain we got over the weekend.  HOW do they just grow overnight like that??  One day they're not there, the next day they are.  Amazing.

I am thinking...
that I certainly waited until the last minute to do this month's daybook. ;-)

I am thankful...
for the rain, my crazy kids, a husband that always knows just what to do and say to keep me happy, and a job I love.

In the kitchen...
I made maple scones over the weekend and I have a bag of granny smith apples and some jalapeños that I am planning to turn into apple jalapeño jam sometime this week.

I am wearing...
what I wore to work today - white blouse, denim jacket, brown skirt and brown flip flops.

I am creating...
a knitted baby blanket and trying my hand at some knitted baby booties.

I am going...
to our ranch this weekend!  Yay!

I am wondering...
how in the world my baby is turning 14 this week?

I am reading...
my daughter's FFA magazine and catalogs.

I am hoping...
that Loretta will sit on her fertilized eggs long enough to hatch one!

I am looking forward to...
celebrating my son's birthday this weekend at the ranch.

I am learning...
more about how to do my new job efficiently.

Around the house...
my son is working on his homework, my daughter is in the shower, my husband is exercising, and I am counting the minutes until bedtime.  It was a long Monday!

I am pondering...
if 8:30 is too early for bed? ;-)

A favorite quote for today...
"Everyone smiles in the same language."

One of my favorite things...
is a cool, crisp autumn morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
To do my best. :-)

A peek into my day...

Chupa seconds before she fell backwards off this stool.

It was funny and she somehow landed on her feet. :-)

August Daybook

FOR TODAY

August 3, 2013

Outside my window...

it's HOT!  Hot, hot, hot.  The kind of hot where when you go outside, 

you instantly break a sweat,  you do only what absolutely has to be done 
and then you decide that everything else can wait until the sun starts to set. :-)

I am thinking...

about back to school.  As soon as the calendar page changed to August 

I had to accept the fact that summer is winding down. ;-)  

I have two weeks left before I start back to work 

and the kids have three weeks.  

I am thankful...

that we've had such a nice summer - full to the brim

with family, friends, fun busy days, and lazy relaxing days. :-)

In the kitchen...

I've cooked and baked to my heart's content while I've had the time.

I am wearing...

a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flips

I am creating...

a calendar/schedule/plan for the school year.

I am going...

to Six Flags next weekend!  Woohoo!

I am wondering...

what the school year will hold.

I am reading...

Chicken and Egg - a memoir of suburban homesteading by Janice Cole

Hidden Places by Lynn Austin

Wagons West Independence! by Dana Fuller Ross

Thinking in Pictures - My Life with Autism by Temple Grandin

I am hoping...

to do a better job of being organized and staying on top of

my work at home than I did last school year.

I am looking forward to...

spending the afternoon doing some shopping

with my girl when she gets off of work.

I am learning...

more about working with special needs children.

Around the house...

I'm washing sheets and towels.

My daughter is at work.

And Mr. H., my son, and some of his friends are out working

in our shop that they are turning into a hangout/game room.  

I am pondering...

whether or not to clip the chickens wings again.

I love for them to free range,

but they have started to become a nuisance 

getting in the garden and eating tomatoes

and thinking the only place to poop is on our back porch!

A favorite quote for today...

"Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always  been
the two most beautiful words in the English language."
Henry James

One of my favorite things...

right now are snow cones with cream added at

Bahama Bucks!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

spend as much time in the pool as possible ;-)

hopefully get to a few more little projects around the house

probably do some back to school shopping

maybe one last trip to the library and farm patch 

A peek into my day...

"Chupa"

August Edition

July Daybook

FOR TODAY

July 1, 2013

Outside my window...

are dogs, a cat, kittens, chickens and a pig

 who never cease to entertain us :-)

I am thinking...

about the cool front that blew in last night 

and how very nice the weather has been today

I am thankful...

for food grown in our backyard

In the kitchen...

I made strawberry banana pops this afternoon

I am wearing...

an Aggie t-shirt and running shorts

I am creating...

more organized, streamlined areas of my home

in hopes that when I go back to work in the fall

homekeeping will be easier 

I am going...

to the beach in two weeks! :-)

I am reading...

"Thinking in Pictures - My Life with Autism" by Temple Grandin

and I just finished "Muscle and a Shovel" by Michael Shank

I highly recommend both! 

I am hoping...

to read several more books this summer 

I am learning...

to be better at recycling

Around the house...

I'm cleaning and organizing room by room

I am pondering...

what I want to can this summer

A favorite quote...

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have,

but rather recognizing and appreciating what we do have." ~ Frederick Keonig

One of my favorite things...

butterflies

A few plans:

to have some friends over for the 4th of July

A peek into my day... 

treating the chickens to some lettuce

Linked to The Simple Woman's Daybook - July Edition

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I use to participate in the Daybook link up several years ago, but then I think the lady that did it stopped hosting it.  I stumbled up it again today and decided to link up with her "June Kind of Daybook."  You can find other entries and/or link up yourself at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...the sun is shining brightly.

I am thinking...about my yummy lunch I'm eating right now.  Potatoes and cherry tomatoes from the garden and leftover green beans from last night's supper.  I was planning to have a leftover roll, too, but the boys got them first. 

I am thankful...to be feeling better after running a high fever for almost the entire first week of summer.

In the kitchen...there are still a few leftover doughnuts from yesterday's National Doughnut Day celebration.

I am wearing...my Glow Run 5K t-shirt, hot pink running shorts, and hot pink running shoes (but I haven't been on a run in months ;-)

I am creating...a knitted cap.

I am going...to take Mr. H. back to the rental car place for the second time today to pick up the other rental vehicle that will be taking kids to camp tomorrow.

I am wondering...if we've packed everything the kids need for camp.

I am reading...about how to make homemade soap.

I am hoping...to go to the library and the farm patch next week.

I am looking forward to...a date night or two with Mr. H. while the kids are at camp.

I am learning...to be a better gardener.

Around the house...there is plenty to do and I can't wait to get at it!

I am pondering...getting a good summer schedule put in place.

A favorite quote for today..."It was June, and the world smelled of roses.  The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside." ~ Maud Hart Lovelace, Betsy-Tacy and Tib 1941

One of my favorite things...is definitely summertime!

A few plans for the rest of the week...are to keep myself very busy while my  babies are at camp and I'm missing them. 

A peek into my day...

The Simple Woman's Daybook

~for today~

February 2, 2009

Outside my window...it is cold and clear.

I am thinking...about my plans for the day.

I am thankful for...my home.

From the learning room...we have daily lessons and a lot of reading to do.

From the kitchen...we had morning glory muffins for breakfast.
our supper menu ~ Heritage Schoolhouse Supper Menus ~

I am creating...Valentine's Day decorations.

I am going...nowhere today! Yay!

I am reading...picture books for co-op History class.

I am hoping...to finish knitting my son's camo scarf soon, so I can start a new project.

I am hearing...the washing machine, pencils on paper, and dogs barking outside.

Around the house...I will be working on some small daily organizing projects.

One of my favorite things...is cozy evenings spent at home.

A few plans for the rest of the week...include hosting a cub scout den meeting this evening, home school classes on Tuesday, co-op on Friday, and planning some Valentine's Day activities.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...of cub scouts learning boy things. ;-)

You can enjoy more daybooks at The Simple Woman's Blog.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

~for today~
November 10, 2008

Outside my window...
the sun is rising behind lots of clouds.

I am thinking...
about plans for the day.

I am thankful for...
an unchanging God.

From the learning room...
we'll be starting the chapter on plants in our Science curriculum and reading about the pilgrims.

From the kitchen...
Starbucks Thanksgiving Blend coffee this morning! :-)

And our menu -

heritage schoolhouse supper menu

I am wearing...
my pajamas and favorite pink robe.

I am creating...
a paper Mayflower replica with my son (hopefully!)

I am going...
to the grocery store, Wal-Mart and a 4H meeting today.

I am reading...
cookbooks (as always!)

I am hoping...
it rains all day!

I am hearing...
the clock ticking and that is all!

Around the house...
I'll be putting away summer clothes and getting out winter things.

One of my favorite things...
Thanksgiving!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
include the last week of soccer practices and games, some shopping, and Thanksgiving planning.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Please visit The Simple Womans Daybook!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

~for today~

September 8, 2008

Outside my window...

my husband is cleaning out our pool

to take down and store until next summer.

I am thinking...

about what a hard worker he is.

From the learning room...

Bible, spelling, vocabulary, language arts, geography, math

and yeah! science today - I am loving our new science curriculum.

I am thankful for...

the opportunity to teach my children.

From the kitchen...

Heritage Schoolhouse Supper Menus

I am wearing...

black t-shirt, army green capris, black flip-flops.

I am creating...

lesson plans.

I am going...

to the grocery store this morning.

I am reading...

teacher's manuals.

I am hoping...

to work on our history time-line.

I am hearing...

the washing machine.

Around the house...

school, daily chores, 4H meeting this evening.

One of my favorite things...

AUTUMN! :-)

A few plans for the rest of the week:

starting all of our outside the home classes.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

a delicious cappuccino that my husband just made for me.

He's better than Starbucks! ;-)

Please visit The Simple Woman to read more Daybooks.

~for today~

Monday, August 18th

outside my window...

is the lovely state of Wisconsin.

I am thinking...

about breakfast!

I am thankful for...

my husband who always protects and provides

...and keeps me in stitches! :-)

From the kitchen...

nothing until I get home.

I love to travel, but I do miss cooking so much!

I am wearing...

my favorite pink with white polka dots "1950's pajama party" pjs.

I am creating...

a home away from home.

I am going...

to Chicago today.

I am reading...

"Little House Country" by William Anderson.

I am hoping...

we don't miss the hotel free breakfast. ;-)

I am hearing...

my family sleeping.

Around the "house"...

suitcases, wet swimsuits, travel brochures.

One of my favorite things...

seeing our beautiful country.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

enjoy the time of travel and vacation with my family.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Please visit The Simple Woman to read more daybooks!

~for today~July 28, 2008

Outside my window...there's lots of sunshine, lots of heat, and lots of summer. :-)

I am thinking...about how I want to organize our home school for the coming year.

I am thankful for...
the Bible.

From the kitchen...mexican pizza for supper.

I am wearing...a white eyelet baby doll top, army green capris, and brown beaded flip flops.

I am creating...a knitted camouflage hunting scarf for my son.

I am going...
to a dentist appointment this morning and to a home school co-op meeting this evening.

I am reading...
Escape from the Kitchen by Deniece Schofield.

I am hoping...to put the finished knitted pieces of my poncho together soon.

I am hearing...the children watching the Brady Bunch on television.

Around the house...
I'm sorting through old home school supplies and curriculum to make room for the new and helping my daughter with her first cross stitching project.

One of my favorite things...daisies.

A few plans for the rest of the week...accomplish as much as I can!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...a rose on my kitchen windowsill.

Please visit The Simple Woman to read more daybooks.

~for today~

Monday, July 21, 2008

Outside my window...the sun is shining.

I am thinking...about my plans for this afternoon.

I am thankful for...a slow week ahead.

From the kitchen...Heritage Schoolhouse Supper Menus

I am creating...home school plans for the fall.

I am going...to work on the rest of my home school curriculum order.

I am wearing...a pink t-shirt, black capris and black flip flops.

I am reading..."The One Minute Home Organizer" by Emilie Barnes.

I am hoping...to do some knitting before bed tonight.

I am hearing...my children playing.

Around the house...I'm unpacking from a weekend trip.

One of my favorite things...family road trips.

A few plans for the rest of the week...continue to work on fall home school plans.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...a bridge at the park.

Please visit The Simple Woman to enjoy reading other dayboks.

~ for today ~
Monday July 13, 2008

Outside my window...it's raining!

I am thinking...about how much we need rain.

I am thankful for...the rain. :-)

From the kitchen...heritage schoolhouse supper menus.

I am creating...a knitted poncho.

I am going...to run some errands soon.

I am wearing...a pink t-shirt, black capris, and black flip flops.

I am reading...homeschool curriculum catalogs.
I am hoping...to make some curriculum decisions soon.

I am hearing...the dishwasher and my husband's ham radio.

Around the house...I'm doing laundry and paperwork.

One of my favorite things...Bath and Body Works honeysuckle lotion.
A few plans for the rest of the week...cousins spending the night, planning next year's homeschool, maybe some thrift shopping?

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...daisies on the back window.

Please visit The Simple Woman to read more daybooks.

I am participating in The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Please visit The Simple Woman for more Daybooks.

~ for today ~

Monday July 7th, 2008

Outside my window...

is a sunny summer day.

I am thinking...
about how blessed I am to live in America.

I am thankful for...
my husband being home this week since his business trip was postponed.

From the kitchen...
homemade pizza for supper.

I am creating...
a "bola" scarf to wear this winter. Instructions coming soon to Heritage Schoolhouse. :-)

I am going...
to the grocery store this afternoon.

I am wearing...
a white t-shirt, a denim skirt, and hot pink flip flops (those wal-mart ones that are now on for $1 a pair - between the two of us, I think my daughter and I have every color!)

I am reading...
favorite blogs.

I am hoping...
to tackle "my pile" that is waiting patiently for me in the garage to sort - "to store" / "to give away" / "to throw away".

I am hearing...
the washing machine.

Around the house...
my husband is working in his office, the children are playing, and Daisy is sleeping.

One of my favorite things...
is homemade cinnamon rolls. :-)

A few plans for the rest of the week...
the children have chess club at the library tomorrow afternoon and other than that I'll just be piddling around the house...and tackling that pile in the garage. :-)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
a frame on my kitchen windowsill.

I am participating in "The Simple Woman's Daybook" -
please visit www.thesimplewoman.blogspot.com to join in the fun!


~for today~
Monday, June 23rd, 2008

Outside my window...it's 96 degrees!

I am thinking...it's only June!

I am thankful for...air conditioning! :-)

From the kitchen...my daughter requested chinese food for supper.

I am going...to the grocery store today.

I am wearing...a pink t-shirt, denim skirt, and flip flops.

I am reading...my new Rainbow Resource home school supply catalog.

I am creating...a list of things to do this week.

I am hoping...it might rain soon.

I am hearing...the children picking up their rooms.

Around the house...it's been a quite day.

One of my favorite things...is to organize a drawer or cabinet. ;-)

A few plans for the rest of the week...stay home (it's too hot to go anywhere!)
and get to a few little projects.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing for you...strawberries on the hutch.

I am participating in "The Simple Woman's Daybook" -
please visit The Simple Woman Blog to join in the fun!

~for today~

Monday, June 9th, 2008

Outside my window...

a little swimming pool is calling my name. :-)

I am thinking...

about going outside!

I am thankful for...

each new day.

From the kitchen...

we're having quesadillas for lunch.

I am creating...

a packing list.

I am going...

to the beach soon!

I am wearing...

a baby doll top, a denim skirt and flip flops.

I am reading...

the mail.

I am hoping...

to go to bed early tonight!

I am hearing...

the children chasing the dog.

Around the house...

I'm planning, organizing, cleaning, and playing.

One of my favorite things...

is iced tea with lemon in a big mason jar.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

finish up swimming lessons, do a little shopping.

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

a rainbow from this weekend. :-)

I am participating in "The Simple Woman's Daybook" -
please visit The Simple Woman Blogspot to join in the fun!

~for today~
Monday, June 2, 2008

Outside my window...
there are blue skies, white puffy clouds, and lots of sunshine!

I am thinking...
about my husband.

I am thankful for...
good health to enjoy the day.

From the kitchen...
I'll be making Italian food for supper.

I am creating...
a summer schedule.

I am going...
to the grocery store.

I am wearing...
a pink t-shirt, blue jean capris, and flip flops.

I am reading...
homeschooling curriculum catalogs.

I am hoping...
to be productive today.

I am hearing...
the hum of the computer and the ticking of the clock. (The children are reading!)

Around the house...
there's Monday's laundry to do.

One of my favorite things...
long summer evenings.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
swimming lessons and finishing up the details of my daughter's birthday party.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing for you...
the summer sky from my back window.

I am participating in "The Simple Woman's Daybook" -

please visit The Simple Woman Blogspot to join in the fun!

~ for today ~

Monday, May 19th 2008

Outside my window...

I see sunshine and a cloudless, beautiful blue sky.

I am thinking...

about summer!

I am thankful for...

my family.

From the kitchen...

it will be bagel pizzas for lunch.

I am wearing...

capris and a baby doll top.

I am creating...

our last two weeks of lesson plans.

I am going...

to my son's end-of-season soccer party this evening.

I am reading...

Where Two Ways Met by Grace Livingston Hill.

I am hoping...

to go for a walk this afternoon.

I am hearing...

the birds outside, the dryer and the children's voices.

Around the house...

I am doing Monday's laundry, homeschooling,

and tidying the house after a busy weekend.

One of my favorite things...

to do is to plan and host a party.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

finishing up last lessons in school books, having company on Wednesday evening, planning Memorial Day activities, planning my daughter's birthday party, taking a trip to the library.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

of my sweet little Daisy girl.