A Simple Woman's Daybook ~ November 16 ~

For Today
Monday, November 16
Outside My Window ....
crunchy oak leaves are covering the ground and obscuring the drive that leads to the road.
One glimpse out the window and I feel I've traveled back in time to an isolated little cabin in the woods all cozy and safe.
And amidst all the autumn wonders, my pineapple sage is blooming profusely, covered with bright red stalks. It's amazing!

I am thinking....
of Christmas!
I really want to make this a homemade Christmas and I have so many wonderful projects in mind.

I am thankful for....
unexpected blessings!

From the kitchen....
fresh strawberry cheesecake ~ mmmmm ~ I found a wonderful new recipe and I just smother it with fresh strawberries trying to convince myself that its really healthy for me! LOL
Of course, I do have a pot of homemade chicken soup simmering on the stove to help make up for my indulgence.

I am wearing....
a comfy flannel dress with thigh high socks.
I've just discovered those long, wonderful socks and am lovin' them!

I am creating....
I am restoring an vintage rag doll for a new friend.
She is getting a fresh stuffing, new hair and a lacey white apron. She has the most wonderfully unique design, and I'm hoping to recreate one just like her for me (in pink) sometime after Christmas.

I am going....
staying warm at home. There is too much do here to go anywhere else.

I am reading....
the Gooseberry Christmas Book 4 to get me all inspired for decorating the house this weekend.

I am hoping....
to take a nice autumn walk through the woods before the rains come.

I am hearing....
the pecking sound of the keyboard as Luke writes a school paper on the laptop.

Around the house...
Thanksgiving and Christmas preparations, making lists of all the things I hope to accomplish, getting out the winter wardrobes and filling the big crock at the front door with lots of knit caps, scarves and mittens!

One of my favorite things....
dancing while I work when no one is watching.

A scripture thought....
Psalm 91: 11
"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all they ways."
Don't you just love that?!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....
Christmas decorating, a Thanksgiving feast with our homeschool group, a volunteer lunch with our hippotherapy friends ... so many good things!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
My Pineapple sage ~ isn't it gorgeous?
It's my first year to have one in my garden but I will always have one now. Its so pretty and the leaves really do smell like pineapple!

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

Attention Annie Lovers ~ Giveaway!

I just love old fashioned Annie dolls. I'm working on three little dolls right now for a very special set of triplets. Though at this moment they are but a small pile of stuffed parts on my sewing table, by next week their freckled faces will be ready for some lovin'!




Well one of my favorite places to visit is Bowls-N-Annies, especially because it is De's wonderful FREE tutorial where I learned to make my own Annie dolls and begin this fun hobby.

And today, De has opened a new blog called See De Sew with lots of tips to make your Annies extra special ~ AND she is hosting a giveaway to celebrate. So stop by for a visit and leave her a comment to win one of her new Annie-style clutches. It is simply charming. I think if I won, I would use it to carry a small sewing project since I take one with me wherever I go.



Drawing will be held on Monday August 3rd!

Best wishes!
Lea

A Simple Woman's Daybook ~ Day 31

For Today
Monday, July 27
Outside My Window ....
it is so very still and quiet. I love hearing the rooster from the neighboring farm as his crow echoes through the woods.

I am thinking....
of how to spend this last "free" week of summer before we begin our new school year.

I am thankful for....
encouragement that comes right when I need it most.

From the kitchen....
fried green tomatoes and fresh corn from the farmer's market! This corn is soooo good that you don't even need butter or salt. It's delightful right off the cob!

I am wearing....
a comfy old cotton dress of blue.

I am creating....
still working on my Sunbonnet Sue blocks, but also trying to finish up 3 raggedy dolls for my friends' 5 year old triplets. And then on to a new pattern for old-fashioned church dolls ~ I love sorting through the old scrap bag for the perfect little bits to make them special!

I am going....
to take Luke for a haircut today. When the hair barely touches his ears, it makes him crazy. Of course, a stop at Goodwill to hunt for old linens and aprons is a must!

I am reading....
Gone with the Wind. You know, Scarlett is much nastier in the book than the movie even portrays. I love the words the author uses, but Scarlett's deceit and meanness leaves me feeling uncomfortable, not to mention the unrealistic "fairytale" version of slavery that is portrayed. I honestly don't think I'll read this one again.

I am hoping....
to make today count!

I am hearing....
only the sounds of birdsong and my rooster as he answers the call of "Webster" through the woods.

Around the house...
freshen up the house, lots of laundry, and as much sewing as I can possibly squeeze in!

One of my favorite things....
playing games with my boys.

A scripture thought....
I Corinthians 2:9
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. ."

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week....
lunch with my niece & four darling great-nieces ~ its so fun to have some female companionship, a trip to an orthopedic surgeon for Colton (no fun), and a trip to the Creation Museum! We've been saving our loose change in a jar for 2 years to make that little trip! The boys are so very excited!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
My husband surprised me with this yard sale find! Only $2 for this hand-pieced, hand-quilted vintage quilt. What a treat!

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

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,
Lea

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