Monday, September 30, 2013

The Simple Woman's Daybook - 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 jalapeƱos that I am planning to turn into apple jalapeƱo 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. :-)

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Menu Plan

Supper Menus
September 29th - October 5th

Sunday
tortilla soup

Monday
sliders, french fries

Tuesday
leftover tortilla soup

Wednesday
homemade pizza

Friday
out for supper

Saturday
birthday dinner

*I don't know if anyone noticed that Thursday was not listed on my menu plan this week.  I got a good laugh about it.  I woke up Thursday morning and couldn't for the life of me remember what was planned for supper that evening.  I headed to work thinking, oh well, it's planned and I'll worry about it when I get home.  I got home and checked the menu and realized, duh!, I had completely skipped Thursday.  Haha! :-)  I ended up picking up salads from Chick-Fil-A when I dropped my daughter off at work!  Maybe I should skip planning Thursday more often. ;-)

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Maple Oat Scones with Maple Cinnamon Glaze


Maple Oat Scones with Maple Cinnamon Glaze
8 servings

for scones
1 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 egg, beaten

for glaze
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon maple extract
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons milk 
1 cup powdered sugar


Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Cut in butter.  Add milk, syrup, and egg.  Mix until just combined.  Pat out dough into a circle and cut into 8 wedges.  Separate wedges and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake at 425° for 18 minutes.  Let scones cool completely.  Combine cinnamon, extract, syrup, milk, and powdered sugar.  Dip scones in glaze, pour a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy!


I can never wait long enough to let a scone cool before I dunk it in the glaze. ;-)




You can find more scone recipes here!

From The Farm Blog Hop

More the Merrier Monday

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Happy first day of fall!


It has certainly felt like fall this weekend at my house!

Yesterday we awoke to some lingering rain from the day before
and news that my son's out of town soccer game had been canceled.
I immediately put on a pot of hazelnut coffee,
lit my pumpkin spice candle and settled in for an
un-rushed Saturday morning.  

The first one since mid August.

I did a little pinning to my 
fall inspiration Pinterest board -


sipped my coffee and listened to the rain on the roof.


Breakfast was compliments of 
Carrie Underwood ;-)


and Pillsbury. :-)


As soon as I finished up the breakfast dishes,
 I emptied out the hutch of all the summertime things,


and got started on decorating for fall!


I only got a little bit done because family came in to town for the Aggie game
and we did some tailgating on campus with them.
Then we came home to watch the game on television.
Except for my son who lucked into a ticket the second week in row!

While I was at Wal-Mart this afternoon with my daughter 
she mentioned how much she loves all the fall colors and decorations.
I was so surprised.  
She's a teenager and I didn't think she even noticed when I put out the fall things.  
But I guess she does and now I have all the motivation I need to finish up! :-)


Autumn's Appeal

Swirling leaves of gold and crimson
Drifting on a chilly wind
Slowly settle in the meadow,
Heralding the summer’s end.

Sunlight fades a little faster
With the passing of each day,
Crops wait ready to be gathered –
Nature’s bounty on display.

Evening’s song grows ever softer
As birds start their southern flight,
While the first fire in the fireplace
Warms a cold and frosty night.

Autumn days bring sweet contentment,
Time to slow life’s hectic pace;
Time to linger in the beauty
Of fall’s majesty and grace.


~Ruth Fiori Poynor


More fall inspiration...


From The Farm Blog Hop

More the Merrier Monday

Menu Plan

Supper Menus
September 22nd-28th

Sunday
leftovers

Monday
meatballs
mashed potatoes
brocoli with cheese sauce

Tuesday
chicken and dumplings

Wednesday
pot roast
rustic bread

Thursday
homemade pizza

Friday
out for supper

Saturday
leftovers

Thursday, September 19, 2013

My Dolly


Four weeks ago tomorrow I lost my best girl.
Mr. H. had to tell me when I got home from work
that a neighbor's dog killed my Dolly.

She was, and always will be, my favorite hen. 
She was 3 years and 2 months old.
I will miss you my sweet Dolly.
You will never be replaced.


~sometimes you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory~

From The Farm Blog Hop

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Menu Plan

Supper Menus
September 15th-21st

Monday
out to eat

Tuesday
mexican frito salad

Wednesday
teriyaki chicken and noodle bowls

Thursday
lasagna, caesar salad, french bread

Friday
out to eat

Saturday
cheese enchiladas, rice, beans, tortilla chips, jalapeƱo ranch

Saturday, September 14, 2013

~Chicken Chatter~


Have you ever stopped to considered how many
of our common sayings are about chickens??
I thought it would be neat to compile a list. :-)

Here's my start so far...


mad as on old wet hen
don't get your feather's ruffled
pecking order
hen party
don't count your chickens before they hatch
don't put all your eggs in one basket


nest egg
feather your nest
chicken feed
hen house
mother hen
hen pecked


flew the coop
up with the chickens
walking on egg shells
like a chicken with it's head cut off
chicken out
no spring chicken


egg on your face
rule the roost
something to crow about
chicken scratch
stick your neck out
something stuck in your craw


Sunday, September 8, 2013

Menu Plan

Supper Menus
September 8th-14th

Sunday
leftovers

Monday
angel hair pasta with tomato sauce, caesar salad, rosemary bread

Tuesday
red beans and rice, jalapeƱo cheese cornbread

























Wednesday


















Thursday

























Friday
out for supper

Saturday
leftovers

Monday, September 2, 2013

Corn Fritters


makes 10-12 small fritters

1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup corn meal
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
 1 can corn, drained
1 tablespoon buter

Combine flour, corn meal, salt and baking powder.
Stir in milk and egg.
Fold in corn.

Melt butter on a griddle heated to medium low.
Spoon batter onto griddle by spoonfuls.
Cook three minutes on both sides.
Serve warm and enjoy!

From The Farm Blog Hop

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Menu Plan

Supper Menus
September 1st -7th

Sunday

red beans and rice



Monday












































Tuesday

fried chicken
mashed potatoes and gravy
fried okra


















Wednesday










































broccoli 

Thursday
soft tacos
spanish rice
refried beans

Friday
out for supper

Saturday
game snacks - haven't decided yet which ones! :-)

Linked to Menu Plan Monday.