The Simple Woman's Daybook, 10/5

My disclaimer continues….

First, let my say hi and welcome. Some of you are new and I am so glad to *see* you. However, I have been having trouble commenting on some of the blogs. I’ve narrowed the problem to two possibilities (our son, the ‘puter programmer laughs, because he knows his Mama is no “techie”). But I think it is either with Blogspot (as I am still having other issues) or I may need to load a different browser. I am trying to get this worked out. Please be patient. I’ll be by to leave comments on your blogs as soon as I can.

I really do intend to straighten this mess out. We are nearly finished with the garden (still have to dig sweet potatoes and put up the pears). Once that is behind me, I'll have more time to devote to working through the problems here.

Outside my window... ~ fall…wonderful, breathtaking fall. I love to watch the steam coming up off the pond while the sun’s rays are shinning through the trees.

I am thinking... ~ my toes are cold! It’s chilly.

I am thankful for... ~ the path God has chosen for me.

I am wearing... ~ my pajamas and I think I’ll wear them outside to have my coffee.

I am remembering... ~ the good times we had over this past weekend with all the grands!

I am praying for… ~ a number of people

I am going... ~ to be working on several projects. (It is that time of year!)

I am currently reading... ~ nothing other than my Bible. The months set aside for reading will be here soon. It is the rhythm of the seasons.

I am hoping... ~ to be a blessing to someone today

On my mind... ~ the remarkable lady of Proverbs 31 ~ how did she get it all done?

Noticing that... ~ I have lots to do!

Pondering these words... “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love, He will joy over thee with singing.” ~ Zephaniah 3:17 (I love this verse!)


From the kitchen... ~ beans are simmering and a fresh apple cake is in the oven, to go with ~ bar-b-q chicken, salad, and cornbread. Kraut sounds really good, but I don’t think I have everything I need.

(BTW, for those of you who asked, he picked the chicken and dressing. Always!)


Around the house... ~ slowly, I am beginning to get caught up. It will take a while, but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel now ~ even though it is still very dim. (From last week, but I seemed to have lost my focus, that happens with lots of grandkids around.)

I am creating… ~ a place of refuge (at least the grandkids seem to think so!)

One of my favorite things… ~ just living in the country!

From the Learning Room… ~ we are working mostly on reading this week, with some history mixed in.

Sharing this beautiful picture ~

I love this picture! It was taken by Linda over @ Prairie Flower Farm.

For more Daybook posts, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman’s Daybook!

Blessings,

Cheryl

It’s Fall, Ya’ll!

Is there anything better, than waking up to 67 degrees and bright sunshine? Whether it is fall or spring, sunshine and cool temperatures are a welcome respite, especially if you live in an area where summer temps can easily hit in the three digit range and winter temps, while not often, can land in the minus department!

Autumn is indeed a welcome sight! (As well as I am sure spring will be in a few months!)

You should have been here last night! We experienced one of the most awesome lightning shows I’ve seen. Bright streaks continually broke across the sky, leaving the night air super charged! It was amazing! (Fortunately, no cloud to ground strikes in our area.)

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*See, I was RIGHT (for a change)!*

There is nothing that can prompt a change in weather in Oklahoma, like a good ole county fair ~ everytime!

We have some friends who recently moved to OK from Illinois. And the August temps of 100+ have really been an adjustment for them. For three weeks, I have said….. “just wait, the first week of September (county fair time) and you will even need a jacket in the evenings (well, almost).” And TA – DA!!!

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There was an o.l.d. TV show (maybe the Lone Ranger….speaking of which, why did they call it the “Lone Ranger”? After all, wasn’t Tonto always around? This was definitely not a p.c. show!). I digress ~ sorry!

At the end of each episode, the line went something like this, “Come, Tonto. Our work here is done!”

My question is: Is your work ever done?

Because, I’m here to tell ya, it doesn’t seem like mine is ever done. Most of the time, I don’t even come close to “caught up.” (And I just spent most the summer on a vacation from Blogdom!) ~ I must be missing the mark here, someway!

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Speaking of which, while I have been “away”, many of you of updated your blogs, remodeled and have them looking quite spiffy! This is something I need to do, but where to start?

I have been having trouble with blogspot, but I am thinking my browser may need to be updated. Once I get “the nerve” to do that (last time, honey hunk thought I wiped out the music library!), some of my “problems” may be solved.

Just wanted to say, you guys are “LOOKING” great! I’m jealous!

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We are planning to celebrate the Biblical Feasts this year. I am beyond excited and this will be such a wonderful learning experience for all of us. Next week, the 9th & 10th, will be Rosh Hashanah (It is a new year, new beginnings!) I have already started planning our menu and working toward the early preps for the two day feast. I am trying to achieve two things. The first is to provide foods that will convey a feeling of festivity, but ones that can be prepared ahead of time. Secondly, trying to please everyone, while not copying our typical” fall holiday meal….Thanksgiving!

Last night, I made up the Sourdough bread starter! Today, I will finish planning the menu and make a shopping list. I welcome any and all suggestions!

Shabbat Shalom, everyone!

May your Labor Day Weekend restorative and refreshing, full of laughter and joy!

Blessings,

Cheryl

Some of My Favorite Things

Happy Thursday, everyone!

In surfing around the net ~

From Mama’s Losin’ It, prompts for a weekly blog post. Here they are, take your pick!!

The Prompts:

1.) If You Give A Mom A Moment...

2.) What's the message you would craft

3.) Your Fall favorites.

4.) If your pet could talk, what would you want to know?

5.)If you could only focus on three things in life and pursue them fully, leaving everything else, what would they be and why?


I could really run with a couple of these. Take #4 for instance ~ (does she realize how many pets are running around here? Duh! Nah, ‘cause she doesn’t know me.)

Like, why do you keep trying to escape? Bad baby! The boys can't play right now, they have school.

Then there is #5, but it is out as in O-U-T, because the kids are makin’ so much noise I can’t think! Doesn’t it say something in the Bible about being delivered from the “noisome pestilence”?

So, to be safe, I am going with door # 3. I love fall. I would probably love fall even more if I wasn’t homeschooling four boys! (That takes us back to the “noisome pestilence”.)

Some of my favorite things of autumn

*County Fairs

*Apples ~ apple pie, fresh apple cake, caramel apples

*The awesome fall colors

*Crisp cool mornings ~ haze coming up off the pond, dew drops sparkling in the bright morning sun

*Long, (dare I say “quiet”) walks in the woods

*The smell of wood fires

*The soothing taste of apple-cinnamon tea

*Chicken roasting in the oven

*Bonfires with friends

*The boys making homemade root beer

*Pouring candles in all the new fall fragrances for the holidays

*FAMILY

*Serving the family fresh cinnamon rolls, hot from the oven

Okay, now I am hungry! Why do I associate fall with so many food smells? Maybe, because I didn’t cook all summer? I did, but cooking in the summer is different than cooking in the fall. In the fall, we can use the oven and the heat actually feels good! We can make the switch from salads to simmering soups and once again enjoy fresh baked bread…okay, okay ~ I am thinking way too much about food! Anyone for a slice of rum cake? It’s still warm!

Thanks for the prompt(s). You rock Mama’s Losin’ It!

http://mamakatslosinit.blogspot.com/2009/09/writers-workshop-fall-favoritesa.html

May your day be filled with blessings!