The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook is something fun and encouraging that my friend, Peggy, has been doing for awhile. I've decided to take part each Monday as I so enjoy reading other's Daybook entries of the things they're doing, reading, making and cooking. The idea is to post the Daybook entry each Monday - I know this is Thursday, but I'm going to try it out and see if I can get everything in place!

FOR TODAY - April 30, 2009

I am thinking . . . I hope I can get this to work!

I am thankful for . . . friends who encourage my heart.

From the learning rooms . . . all is quiet as we finished up last week. The boys are still reading their chapter books, and I'll be doing some "summer school" work with Eli.

From the kitchen . . . Chicken spaghetti, fresh asparagus, and peanut butter cookies

I am wearing . . . a black turtleneck and jeans (a huge change from shorts a few days ago!)

I am creating . . . several new additions to my blog.

I am going . . . nowhere today.

I am reading . . . "A Gown of Glory" by Agnes Sligh Turnbull which I started this morning.

I am hearing . . . Caleb mowing the lawn and the dehumidifier running.

Around the house . . . I am going to write up Ben's transcript and course outlines in a bit, bake some cookies and finish up the laundry.

One of my favorite things . . . watching my children's creativity emerge in a dozen ways throughout the day.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . early morning Bible study with a friend, a book sale and library trip tomorrow, our church retreat on Saturday, to finish up homeschool paperwork, pick asparagus every day.

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing of Pennsylvania's Little Grand Canyon that we visit occasionally when we're at the cabin:



If you want to participate in The Simple Woman's Daybook, visit Peggy here.

Menu Ideas

A friend suggested that I share menu ideas from recent meals we've had to provide some inspiration in meal making. You'll find a little list of these ideas on the right-hand side of the blog if you scroll down a bit. I know that I'm always looking for a little encouragement in what to make for meals, so I thought maybe this would be of encouragement to you!

Soup for Lunch

After spending a large part of the morning doing end-of-the-year homeschool paperwork (and I'm still not done!), I decided to take a break and try a new recipe for lunch. Nothing major, just a quick and simple throw-together soup from one of my old Betty Crocker cookbooks. It was a hit, so I'll definitely do it again. Here's the recipe from the book with my changes:

South-of-the-Border Supper Soup (though we had it for lunch!)

1 can (10 1/2 oz.) bean with bacon soup (used ham & bean soup)
1 can (10 1/2 oz.) tomato soup
1 can (10 1/2 oz.) chili without beans (my can was 11+ oz.)
1 soup can water
1/8 to 1/4 tsp. garlic powder, if desired (used 1/4 tsp.)
Corn chips (didn't have any so we just dipped Saltines in)

Combine soups and chili. Stir in water; blend in garlic powder. Heat to boil. Ladle into bowls. Top with corn chips.

Similar to chili but a bit more smooth with a fuller flavor -

Surveying the Gardens

Early this morning I surveyed the gardens' progress after being away for the weekend. So many things are popping with this warm (hot?!) weather. I can hardly believe the growth in my perennial beds as well as the green leaves on the trees along the creek. The asparagus is going crazy, some of the strawberries are in bloom, the potatoes and onions are up, and the raspberries are putting on a nice coat of greenery. And I harvested the first of the buttercrunch and leaf lettuce. Just enough for a nice big salad at lunchtime - boy, was it good.

Back From the Mountains

We spent a beautiful weekend at the cabin . . . lots of grilling, a visit to an old cemetary, some kayaking, plenty of front-porch sitting, s'more making, fellowship at our little mountain church, playing games, working around the cabin and lots of laughter.

Blogging Break

I'll be away from my computer for a few days - have a beautiful weekend!

Wednesday Teatime on Thursday

"She turned away from the window at last. On her writing-table lay the letters which had come for her that morning. A card for a dress-show; a shooting invitation for Clem; two dinner-parties; three sherry-parties; a highly aperitive notice of some chamber-music concerts; and a letter from Vin at school - would she please send on his umbrella, his camera, and his fountain-pen, which leaked rather? (But even that could not daunt her today.)

She rearranged the fire a little, mostly for the pleasure of handling the fluted steel poker, then sat down by it. Tea was already laid: there were honey sandwiches, brandy-snaps, and small ratafia biscuits; and there would, she knew, be crumpets. Three new library books lay virginally on the fender-stool, their bright paper wrappers unsullied by subscriber's hand. The clock on the mantelpiece chimed, very softly and precisely, five times. A tug hooted from the river. A sudden breeze brought the sharp tang of a bonfire in at the window. The jigsaw was almost complete, but there was still one piece missing. And then, from the other end of the square, came the familiar sound of the Wednesday barrel-organ, playing, with a hundred apocryphal trills and arpeggios, the "Blue Danube" waltz. And Mrs. Miniver, with a little sigh of contentment, rang for tea."

-- From "Mrs. Miniver" by Jan Struther

(The photo is of a teacup the boys gave me a few years with Country Peach Passion Tea by Celestial Seasonings. It's my new favorite and tastes like summer in a cup.)

The Shape of Mercy

"Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." -- Luke 6:36-37

I don't usually have a problem with putting down a book - I did with this one. "The Shape of Mercy" by Susan Meissner is the compelling story of two women - one young, one old - whose lives are profoundly touched by an old diary written by a young girl during the Salem witch trials. Susan Meissner is an excellent storyteller - drawing you in from the very beginning with rich, intriguing characters; a mysterious plot; and threads of wisdom running throughout the book. After finishing "The Shape of Mercy" last evening, I felt the need for a quiet walk to mull over some of my long-held definitions of things like mercy, judgment and sacrifice. An excellent thought-provoking story . . .

A Cowboy Bouquet

When E. came in yesterday afternoon from playing cowboy, he presented me with this unique bouquet . . .

Yellow Sunshine

"For his part, every beauty of art or nature made him thankful as well as happy, and that the pleasure to be had in listening to fine music, as in looking at the stars in the sky, or at a beautiful landscape or picture, was a benefit for which we might thank Heaven as sincerely as for any other worldly blessing."

-- William Makepeace Thackeray

Toads & The Handbook

Saturday afternoon, Eli and I trooped down through the muck to our little pond. Armed with the camera and our old nature study manual, we spent a good chunk of time observing the piles of American toads that were peeping their heads off. This is just one great shot that Eli got - click here to view more photos of the toads on his blog.

As he clicked away, I read to him from the article on common toads in Anna Comstock's "Handbook of Nature Study." This book has been re-printed from the original 1911 edition for the myriads of homeschoolers who have discovered its' incredible usefulness - lots of wonderful articles on common insects, reptiles, mammals, plants, trees, etc., along with photos and good questions to ask while you observe. The copy we own is actually an old edition from 1928 - thick, mossy green with the engraving of a spider web on the front, and written in fountain pen inside the front cover the original owner, Anna M. Johnson, April 1928. What a treasure it is! I found it years ago at a large book sale - for all of $3. When I realized what it was, I let out a squeal of delight. Who knows what the other shoppers around me thought?!

Brownie Sundaes & Books

I usually spend my Saturday mornings cleaning the house and preparing it for the upcoming week. But as we had planned to have old friends over last night, I did the lion's share of housework yesterday afternoon. That left the evening free for bocce ball until the warm sun went down, brownie sundaes & bottled root beer, and lots of good fellowship catching up and sharing the lessons God has been teaching each of us. Since I only had a bit of work to do this morning, I finished quickly and drove to a book sale that a local library hosts once a month in an old country club. As always, I found goodies to bring home:

* "Mac for Dummies" and "More Mac for Dummies" for Ben (though he's far from being a "dummy" about Macs, there's always more to learn!)
* "The First Book of Cowboys" for Eli (he's "into" cowboys right now due to his abiding love for the "Hank the Cowdog" series of books and tapes)
* "The I Hate Mathematics! Book" by Marilyn Burns for all of us! Actually I want to use the great math-related games and projects over the summer.
* "How to Prepare Exciting Holiday Menus" by Charlotte Adams (1964) - a little vintage booklet to inspire me
* "Thoughts for Festive Foods" (1964) - yet another vintage cookbook to browse through - listen to this yummy menu:

Noon Committee Meeting Luncheon
(Serves 8)

Blueberry Mold - Summer Fruit Platter
Nora's Honey Dressing
Crusty Deviled Ham Sandwiches
Cream Cheese Tarts
Chocolate Peek-a-Boos
Iced Tea
Hot Coffee

Don't you want to join the committee?!

Caring for Violets

A few years ago, Miss Betty, a dear little lady from our church, visited my home. She noticed that I had several houseplants in the living room but not one violet - her special love. She decided that I needed one and took it upon herself to deliver this lovely violet to me one evening. Besides delivering the plant, she also gave me several tips in caring for it - for which I was thankful as I had tried to grow violets before and failed. My violet has been growing well for a year or so now with Miss Betty's tips:

* Place violets in a southeast window for morning sun exposure - they don't like a lot of hot, direct sunshine nor too much shade.

* Miss Betty's secret violet food: weak tea. Mix up a batch of weakened tea every 2 to 3 weeks, pour it in a shallow bowl (about an inch worth) and set the pot in it to absorb from the bottom. Violets DO NOT like their leaves to get wet in the least. I lean towards watering (or rather, teaing!) every 3 weeks - violets much prefer dryness to wetness. Mark it on your calendar to remember. You won't need any extra violet food - whatever's in the tea is enough food and drink for the violet.

* Violets will periodically take a break from blooming. When the blooms are spent, snip them off and don't worry - they'll be back shortly!

Happy blooming . . .

Eggs!

It was requested that I share some ideas of how we use up our several dozen Easter eggs . . .

* The majority are served at the lunch table "as is" - peeled, washed, some salt applied and down they go. My husband enjoys finding them in his lunch box.

* I usually make deviled eggs with several of them. Cut in half and scoop out the yolk. Mash the yolks with a fork, add desired amounts of mustard and salad dressing (some use mayo instead), salt and pepper, and spoon back into the whites. My sister-in-law adds a little horseradish to her mixture for zip.

* Several get chopped and thrown at the last minute into a big pot of chicken corn soup. Eggs from our own chickens make the broth an especially lovely yellow color.

* Though I'm the only one to eat it, I usually mix up a batch of egg salad for sandwiches at lunchtime. Combine six chopped eggs, 1/2 C. mayo or salad dressing, 1 small stalk of celery chopped, 1 small onion chopped (or 1 tsp. onion powder), 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Combine and refrigerate.

More Blessed

"The true, ideal flower is the one that uses its gifts as means to an end; the brightness and sweetness are not for its own glory; they are but to attract the bees and butterflies that will fertilize and make it fruitful. All may go when the work is done - ""it is more blessed to give than to receive.""

More Books to Read

Just a note if you didn't notice:
I added a few more sections to the right-hand column of the blog - books that I'm reading to the boys and books that they're reading. Maybe you'll find something to pique your (or their) interest . . .

Scenes From Easter

A lovely weekend filled with memories of picnic tables full of teenagers painting eggs, lots of noise and laughter over the ham dinner, a lively game of kickball, gifts of hyacinths scenting the whole house, a walk with my sister-in-law, dipping strawberries in chocolate over the woodstove, banjo picking amidst rousing singing, enjoying baby antics,

egg rolling with our noses,



dozens of eggs to find,




and delicious and beautiful desserts.



God's blessings are so sweet . . .

Amazing Grace

""Erebus (Hell) is earned, Charis (Heaven) is not. You take for granted the King's love and are amazed at his wrath. Yet it is his wrath, not his love, which you deserve, every one of you." Marcus (an angel) paced and gestured furiously, speaking with an intensity that frightened me. "Do not wonder why he might despise you - he has every reason to. Wonder why he would love you. It is not his wrath that should amaze you, but his grace. It is not Erebus that should astound you, but Charis!""

-- From "Edge of Eternity" by Randy Alcorn

A Simple Centerpiece

Tete-a-tete daffodils and grape hyacinths arranged in baby food jars (or tiny vases) on a pretty glass plate make a lovely little spring centerpiece.

Unleavened Bread

Sometime during Easter week, I usually make a pan of unleavened bread. At the church M. grew up in, this recipe was a common staple at the once-a-year love feast service. It's, of course, very different from other breads since it contains no yeast - and I think it is a bit of an acquired taste, but we all love it. It's also much simpler to make than regular bread!

Unleavened Bread

5 C. flour
1/2 C. butter, softened
Approx. 1 C. milk

Mix flour and butter together. Gradually add and knead milk into dough until it sticks together and is somewhat sticky. Place dough in a 13x9" cake pan and spread to 1/4"-1/2" thickness. Using a fork, poke holes all over the dough. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes and brush butter over the dough. Bake 5-10 more minutes. Dough will look slightly raw on the inside. Cool and cut into strips. Makes eight 1 1/2" strips.

The Holy Spirit

"And I (Jesus) will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." -- John 14:16-17

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." -- John 14:26

As I read through the passage of John 14 this morning, I came across the above verses. I was struck anew with God's gracious provision of the Holy Spirit to us. How thankful I am to have this One who helps, comforts, teaches and guides. He is, indeed, faithful in all these things. Christ in us - what a reason to rejoice!

Eggs for Rolling

This evening the boys painted eggs in preparation for the egg-rolling contest this weekend. The five of us take turns racing across the floor on our hands and kness pushing our eggs with our noses - first one to the end of the living room is the winner. Ben and Eli did a practice run - E. lamented that he did as terrible as he usually does. I consoled him with the fact that he usually beats me!

The Life of Birds

Last evening while I worked on embroidering a pillowcase, the boys and I watched another segment from the DVD series called "The Life of Birds." The series is hosted by David Attenborough with the BBC and is almost 6 hours in length. The segments about various aspects of the lives of birds is truly amazing. The photography and film footage are gorgeous and the incredible diversity and abilities of the various birds mentioned will having you praising God for His creativity and sheer genius in His creation of these creatures. (Which, by the way, is the opposite response of the host - he quite often includes evolution mumbo-jumbo about this bird evolving into that, etc. We just shake our heads and continue to be amazed by God's handiwork.)

Palm Sunday

We spent a lovely afternoon at my sister's home yesterday - enjoying cake and ice cream for my nephew's birthday, cuddling the baby, discussing decorating ideas and recipes, and taking a walk around the neighborhood in our Sunday dresses. I never fail to take the camera when visiting there - her home is always full of wonderful vignettes to record on film.

Beauty At The Table

"Children growing up in an atmosphere where beauty is considered an important part of daily life cannot help being inspired to develop their own original ideas in these areas, nor can they help being prepared to live aesthetically themselves. There is a 'togetherness' in sharing a prepared table that even very small children feel, although they cannot express it verbally. Instead of saying, "Oh it doesn't matter, it's only the children," when you are alone with children for a meal, it is important to say the opposite to yourself. "I wonder what the children would enjoy the most? Being surprised by something special on the table - a mirror with that new toy duck on it, and some stones around the edge, so that it looks like a pond, lighted by candles in crystal candlesticks, or pewter candlesticks...something that will look like lamps near the pond? Or would they rather have a choice, since they are the ones to be considered tonight...shall we have the green cloth, or the pink with pink candles?" It can be something that takes very little time indeed, but when the children are alone, do not let that be the moment to sit down at a bare table, or not to bother sitting down at all. Even the little one in the high chair will like to smell a single rose and look at it for a few minutes. (Of course, he may pull it apart or throw it on the floor, but through learning what to do with a flower, real appreciation grows.) Imagination not only provides a background of beauty to daily life, but also a realization that love, thought and preparation has been given to that 'together' time of eating."

-- From "The Hidden Art of Homemaking" by Edith Schaeffer

An Easter Menu

I enjoy reading vintage cookbooks, especially ones that list menus. There's just something quaint and delicious about reading through an old menu and finding inspiration for my own breakfast, dinner or tea plans. I recently came across a menu for Easter dinner in an old party book and thought it would be fun to share here as Easter is almost upon us:

Easter Lunch for 8
1:00 to 3:30 p.m.

MENU

Spring Welcome Punch
Nut-Coated Chicken Breasts
Oriental Fruit Sauce
Fluffy Baked Rice
Creamy Tomato Aspic Louis
Prebaked packaged rolls
Daffodil Cake
Tea/Coffee
"Take home" treat for children:
Homemade Chocolate Easter Eggs

Doing More Spring Decorating

Tiger Lilies

The tiger lilies are working their way up on the bank of the pond . . .

Children

Quote pasted in the the front cover of Amy Carmichael's (missionary to India) Bible about the children of the orphanage in her care:

"These children are dear to Me. Be a mother to them, and more than a mother. Watch over them tenderly, be just and kind. If the heart is not large enough to embrace them, I will enlarge it after a pattern of My own. If these young children are docile and obedient, bless Me for it; if they are froward, call upon Me for help; if they weary thee, I will be thy consolation; if thou sink under thy burden, I will be thy Reward."

-- From "A Chance to Die - The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael" by Elisabeth Elliot

Garden Journal

We have found it very beneficial to keep a garden journal from year to year. Just a simple blank book in which we record a list of all the seeds and plants that we've bought for the garden, the amount and variety of each seed/plant, the date which we plant each batch of vegetables and fruits, the yield which each item gives, and notes about what to do and what not to do next year. We also draw a sketch of the garden in the journal - numbering the rows and what's planted in each. The journal goes along with us each spring when we head to the greenhouse or farm store - makes one feel very smart to know exactly what we need!

Decorating for Spring

"For lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of singing has come,
And the voice of the turtledove
Is heard in our land."
-- Song of Solomon 2:11-12