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.

Menu Plan

Supper Menus

January 5th-11th

Sunday dinner

meatballs, mashed potatoes, green beans, macaroni and cheese, dinner rolls

Monday

baked potato soup, biscuits

Tuesday

chicken and dumplings

Wednesday

lasagna, ceasar salad, garlic breadsticks

Thursday

leftovers

Friday

out for supper

Saturday
leftovers

New Year's Cinnamon Rolls

It's become a sweet tradition of mine to make

The Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls

for  the New Year.

This year we were traveling over New Years, but I made them 

as soon as we were home and all unpacked. ;-)

I  make the dough the night before.

The next morning all I have to do is roll out the dough, fill it, 

and then let the rolls rise by the fire.

The recipe makes six pans,

so I always give a few pans away.

If you've never tried this recipe...

I highly recommend it!

It is probably the Pioneer Woman's

 most famous recipe.

And for good reason. :-)

Happy New Year!

Margaret Mitchell House

The hotel we stayed at while in Georgia was directly across the street from one of Atlanta's historic sites.

The Margaret Mitchell House.

This is where the author lived while she wrote the Pulitzer-Prize winning novel

Gone with the Wind. 

I wasn't able to tour the house during our brief stay in Atlanta,

but since we've been home I have found myself wanting to 

read the book and watch the movie for the umpteenth time.  :-)

in front of the Margaret Mitchell house

January 1, 2014 

midtown Atlanta, Georgia

Chick-Fil-A Bowl!

My family got to take a very quick trip to Georgia on New Year's Eve this year

for the Chick-Fi-A Bowl at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta!

We took the subway over early in the afternoon to go to the

Chick-Fil-A Bowl Fan Fest.

There was food and games and entertainment.

And about three hours before the game started, the team marched through.

There he is.  Our #2 Johnny Manziel.

AKA Johnny Football! :-)

The first half of the game was atrocious to put it mildly. ;-)

I was pretty much wishing we had just stayed home…

But then, in the second half, A&M came back for the most amazing, exciting, incredible victory

I've ever experienced from home OR in the stands.

Final score 

Texas A&M 52

Duke 48

Gig'em! :-)

December Babies

A week or two ago Mr. H. told me that he had spotted 

some new baby calves born to the longhorns that live across the road. 

Since then I have seen them a few times from our bedroom window,

but hadn't had a chance to walk over and take a peek at them until today.

There are three babies.

One is all black, one is all white,

and one is black with a white under belly, white spots on it's back hoofs,

and a white heart on his forehead! :-)

Isn't that the sweetest thing?!

Christmasy Oreo Truffles

Oreo truffles

with Christmas sprinkles!

My daughter's idea. :-)

Yum!

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake

I wanted to make a "big girl cheesecake" for Christmas this year.

In other words, I wanted to use my spring form pan and not my usual simple cheesecake in a pie tin. ;-)

The recipe I decided to try was from Sugar and Spice by Celeste. 

It was very rich.  My son took one bite and said, "no thanks" 

but the rest of us had no problem with it. :-)

My mom and I thought it got better each day it was refrigerated!

The only thing I did different than what the recipe said

was to double the crust ingredient amounts. 

I also used the microwave for everything the recipe said to use the stovetop and a saucepan.

It was definitely triple chocolate yum!

Homemade Pecan Praline Sauce

you will need -

1 1/4 cups chopped pecans

7 tablespoons butter, divided

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

3/4 cup light corn syrup

3 tablespoons flour

2/3 cup evaporated milk

Place pecans and 3 tablespoons butter in a glass bowl.

Microwave 3 minutes, stirring after each minute.

In another glass bowl melt 4 tablespoons butter.

Add brown sugar, corn syrup, and flour.

Stir until combined.

Microwave 3-4 minutes or until sugar is completely dissolved, 

stirring after each minute.

Add pecans and evaporated milk.

Stir well and pour into jars.

Store sauce in refridgerator. 

Will keep three weeks after opening.

Makes approximately 24 ounces of sauce.

Pasta Fagioli Soup Mix

Soup Mix in a Jar!

A favorite homespun holiday gift.

For Pasta Fagioli Soup -

Place 1 cup small pasta shells in the bottom of a large mason jar.

Add a layer of 3/4 cup red beans.

Add a layer of 3/4 cup great northern beans.

And a layer of 1 cup pinto beans. 

Combine spices and place into a small bag.

3 tablespoons dried parsley

1 teaspoon dried oregano 

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried minced onion

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion salt

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 bay leaf

Fold over bag and staple. 

Carefully place bag on top of beans.

And top with lid.

Add a piece of fabric or ribbon and attach the following recipe to prepare soup.

Additional ingredients needed -

1 can diced tomatoes

1 teaspoon salt

fresh grated parmesan cheese, optional

Carefully remove seasoning packet from jar and set aside.

Remove beans; sort and rinse.

Set pasta aside.

Place beans in a large pot and add 6 cups of water.

Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes.  

Remove from heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour.

Drain and discard liquid.

Return beans to the pot.

Add contents of seasoning packet and 8 cups of water.

Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour or until beans are tender.

Add tomatoes and salt; cover and simmer 30 minutes longer, stirring occasionally.

Stir in pasta; cover and simmer for 10 minutes longer or until pasta is tender.

Remove bay leaf before serving.

Top with parmesan cheese if desired and enjoy!

Makes 14 servings.

Menu Plan

Supper Menus

December 22nd-29th

Sunday

leftovers

Monday

bbq sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans

Tuesday

Christmas Eve supper - toscana soup, olive garden salad, garlic breadsticks, christmas cake mix cookies, triple chocolate cheesecake 

Wednesday
Christmas breakfast - sausage balls, butter braid, cinnamon rolls, cranberry scones, coffee, juices, and chocolate milk

Christmas dinner with Mr. H.'s family - taking mashed potatoes, rio grande dandy green bean salad, tea

Thursday

Christmas lunch with my family - cheddar cheese enchiladas, green chili enchiladas, taco bar, spanish rice, refried beans, black beans, tortilla chips, picante sauce, guacamole, pico di gallo, fudge, chocolate billionaires, oreo truffles,  M&M cookies, hot cocoa bar

Friday 

leftovers 

Saturday

pasta fagioli soup

Menu Plan Monday

Mrs. Meyer's Seasonal Scents

I was so happy to find the holiday line of Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day products at Target

right before Thanksgiving.

I enjoyed using the orange clove scent during the last few weeks of fall.

Right now I'm using the Iowa Pine scent.

I am saving the Cranberry scent to use in January and February.

Then I'll switch back to Lemon Verbena or Basil for the springtime!

www.mrsmeyers.com

~Chocolate Dipped Spoons~

Mmmm!  Chocolate dipped spoons!

Such a fun, quick and easy Christmas time craft.

Easy for kiddos to do and such pretty results. :-)

A package of chocolate candy coating and a jar of sprinkles makes 4 dozen spoons.

Gift them as a bouquet. :-)

So festive.

Tie them onto a gift!

They pair wonderfully with homemade

mocha hot cocoa.

Dip these spoons in any hot beverage -

coffee, cocoa, tea.

Nibble the melting chocolate off the spoon or completely stir it into your drink.

There is no wrong way to consume these tasty treats.

Enjoy! :-)