A Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Day 30

For Today
Monday, July 20
Outside My Window ....
the air has turned cool, and though I know that hot temperatures will be with us again soon, I am surely enjoying this little gift of "autumn" in the middle of summer. All the windows are full open filling the house with freshness. I just love that!

It's also perfect weather for blogging ~ I couldn't resist! Can someone say addicted? :0)

I am thinking....
We received our Angelfood this weekend complete with juicy steaks and baking potatoes. I think I'll set up the picnic table and surprise my husband with a little picnic this afternoon.

I am thankful for....
for old friends and new!

From the kitchen....
definately zucchini bread! I have a basket full of lovely, dark green zucchini just sitting here. And this morning, Luke was making them dance around the table singing "We want to be bread!" LOL Pretty big hint there!

I am wearing....
a beautiful vintage apron covered in yellow blossoms ~ I found it at the Goodwill for $1 and right now its my favorite. Everyone else is probably tired of seeing me wear it, but I'm not a bit tired of it!

I am creating....
a Sunbonnet Sue redwork wall quilt. Each block has Sue enjoying a pleasure for the month ~ I'm stitching on August's block right now and she is holding a slice of watermelon. It's a simple little project that I can take with me wherever I go.

I am going....
to town to take a test at the college. It's my first semester returning to school after a 20 year absence and this ole' brain is getting quite a workout.

I am reading....
The Mother At Home ~ a delightful book about motherhood, and I'm anxiously awaiting arrival of Rodale's Organic Gardening and The Kitchen Linens Book by EllynAnne Geisel.

I am hoping....
to enjoy some porch time today amidst all the busyness of today's schedule.

I am hearing....
the rise and fall of insect song throughout the forest. They're especially loud this morning ~ I think they're enjoying this cool break as well.

Around the house...
so many little things today ~ freshening up the house & porches, gathering the harvest from the garden, meal planning for the week and begin brainstorming for our upcoming homeschool year.

One of my favorite things....
colorful zinnias with their bright, happy faces!

A scripture thought....
Proverbs 31:27
"She looketh well to the ways of her household ..."

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....
hoping to have some friends over for lunch, cut & dry some herbs for tea, make 3 raggedy dolls that have been crying for my attention, take cowboy Colton to his 2nd session of horse therapy which he loves ... so many wonderful things.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Sunbonnet Sue watering her garden ~ May block ~ stem stitch in #8 Pearl Cotton

Please stop by and visit Peggy at The Simple Woman to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women" and read the guideline for creating your very own daybook.

Be blessed,
Leas

Hello friends!

Just me again ... last month I chose to close my blog. It really has been so bittersweet. Countless times, I've been tempted to "just write one more post". And of course, I have truly missed the sharing with all the sweet friends I've made here.

So many of your comments and emails have left me tearful. Thank you so much for your kindness and encouragement. And though I'm still resisting the temptation to post on a regular basis, I've received several kind notes requesting that I open my blog again so that they may wander back, use the craft links or just print the recipes. So I've done just that. (In fact, I often come back myself to view my own recipes. It's so much easier than hunting through that big unorganized cabinet of mine!)

Well with all that said, I hope you're all enjoying a very happy springtime. We have been blessed with an abundance of rain and the forest is more full and green than I ever recall it. As well, all the lilies that I planted last year are beginning to bloom ~ displaying all the colors of springtime. It's truly magical! Even my lavendar has already sent up it wands and I'm anxiously awaiting their fragrant blooms so I can bring some inside to tuck in my pillows. And this year, I've planted all sorts of flowers to "surprise" me next spring. That's the wonderful thing about having a short memory, every little thing just keeps bringing new joy!

Blessings,
Lea

Closing My Blog

To every thing there is a season ... and I have so enjoyed this wonderful time of sharing with each one who has stopped by to visit my journal. I have learned so much more than I have ever shared. But the seasons of life change and I find that there are some adjustments I need to make in order to maintain the lifestyle of simplicity that I'm striving to create for our family ~ so I have chosen to close my journal.

I know I'll continue to journal with pen in hand in a notebook that I can carry with me to the garden or the front porch swing. For as much as I've shared, I've also learned about myself in the process, and I want to continue that growth.

Thank you so much to everyone who has shared in this journey with me. It's been a blessing.

Love,
Lea

A Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Day 29

For Today
Monday, April 14
Outside My Window ....
the birds are softly singing outside my window, and a little wren has built her nest in a log cabin planter on my front porch. I think she has finally found her dream home, and she certainly is a welcome guest!

I am thinking....
of bugs. Isn't that an awful thing to have to think about this morning? But yesterday I spent the day battling an infestation of small black beetles on my lillies and other flowers. Honestly, it was a nightmare and I may have to call for backup support.

I am thankful for....
my boys who are so good to help me with all my "projects".

From the kitchen....
hot turkey burgers with melted cheese, mmmmmm

I am wearing....
a flowery spring dress that makes me feel so feminine and pretty.

I am creating....
a cozy reading nook in my bedroom by the window so I can enjoy a pretty view and nice breeze with my book.

I am going....
to enjoy a day of homeschooling with Luke and Colton, and then join Jase for an evening at The Reinbow Academy.

I am reading....
The Apron Book by EllenAnne Geisel and, of course, lots of gardening and homesteading books.

I am hoping....
to find a new home for all the plants and bushes that I received for my birthday. My sister and bil bought me a lovely peach colored rose bush. Jase & Luke gave me some hanging ferns for the front porch. Jeffrey let me choose lots of flower bulbs. Everything is going to be so colorful and pretty!

I am hearing....
that little wren who is not singing so quietly but rather loudly in my window.

Around the house...
lots of straightening up this morning and baking cookies for tonight.

One of my favorite things....
those small little wildflowers that seem to magically appear in the forest. They're little hidden surprises.

A scripture thought....
Psalm 101:3
"I will set no wicked thing before my eyes ..."

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....
I'm very excited to take Colton to his very first baseball game. A darling local mother has organized a team for special needs boys & girls. The team name is "The Warriors" and Colton's first meeting is on Saturday morning. He can't stop talking about it, and his enthusiasm is contagious!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
My sister came up with this fun sweet treat project for us to enjoy this weekend. They sure were yummy!.

Please stop by and visit Peggy at The Simple Woman to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women" and read the guideline for creating your very own daybook.

Be blessed,
Lea

Jesus Paid It All

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for paying it all. May all discover the blessings of Jesus this Resurrection Day!

Lea

What could be sweeter ...

... than a basket of kitties?



These little cuties are the newest additions to our homeplace. Aren't they precious?

Postscript: For those of you that expressed your concern, though we can't spray and neuter every stray cat that visits us for a while, this Mama Cat does have an appointment with the vet to be spayed after these little kitties are weaned. Looks like she is a keeper for sure! :)

Blessings,
Lea

From My Kitchen ~ Homemade Cloverleaf Rolls

I just love to make homemade bread. I love the way it fills our home with a delicious scent. I love kneading it by hand ~ it just plain ole' feels good! LOL And I really love the way my husband and boys make over me when I bake. I get lots of extra lovin' on bread baking day. :)



But most of all, I take great satisfaction in knowing that I am making something for my family that doesn't contain all the chemicals and preservatives that store bought breads contain.

It is one of my goals this year to create a routine for myself to bake enough bread each week to eliminate our reliance on store bought. And a secondary goal would be to replace some of my store bought ingredients with freshly, ground whole wheat.

Some time back, I purchased a very nice hand powered grain mill from Lehman's Non-Electric. Little did I realize that you must have an extremely solid surface in order to use it. I still giggle a little thinking of the first time I set it up and began to grind. Wheat nuts were flying all over the room and the table was slowly vibrating across the floor. Colton thought it was hilarious while I wanted to cry.



I've debated purchasing an electric mill, but I think I would prefer to keep my non-electric and invest in a solid oak table instead. Still thinking about that ....

Well I'm telling you that whole, long story just to tell you this ... I made some wonderful homemade cloverleaf rolls tonight!

I used a recipe from my dear friend, Mary of And Even If ... And they were wonderful! Mine don't look nearly as good as Mary's but they were so tasty. My family just raved about them. So I wanted to share Mary's recipe with you.



Mary's Homemade Texas Ranch Rolls
(Mary is a Texas girl and I couldn't resist embellishing the name just a bit.)

First, dissolve 2 packages of yeast in 2 cups of warm water.

Then in a large mixing bowl, place the following:
1 beaten egg
1/3 cup oil
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp salt

Mix egg mixture into the yeast water and stir well.

One cup at a time, add 5-6 cups of flour to the mixture. Knead by hand or use your mixer if you have a kneading attachment until the flour takes on a nice elastic feel.

Place large roll into a greased bowl - I prefer to use butter. Then cover and allow to rise in a warm place until it almost doubles in bulk. Depending on the temperature this may take about 30 minutes or more.

Get your muffin tin already by rubbing the cups with ... you guessed it ... more butter! (You can see why these rolls are so very tasty, can't you?)

Then pinch off walnut-sized pieces and roll them into balls. Place three dough balls into each cupcake cup. Allow these to rise in a nice warm spot until they rise just above the cup. Then they're ready to bake.



Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and .... brush with more butter!

This recipe makes about 30 absolutely beautiful rolls. I split the dough and made 18 rolls and one small loaf of bread for sandwiches for tomorrow's lunch.



Hope you enjoy Mary's recipe as much as we have!

Blessings,
Lea