Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... June 30, 2009

Outside my window... glorious, blessed, soaking rains!

I am thinking... how thankful I am to be home to care for my family

From the learning rooms... eldest is doing math on the computer, older son is designing a new train layout, youngest son is reading about amphibians, and baby is napping

I am thankful for... these long-awaited, sorely needed rains

From the kitchen... garden-fresh squash, okra, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and oodles of peppers

I am wearing... shorts and a black t-shirt with a smudge of baby food apricots on the shoulder where sweetie pie wiped her mouth after breakfast

I am reading... The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

I am hoping... to be all packed and ready for our little family trip when my dear husband wraps things up at work

I am creating... a menu system for meal planning and new lapbook designs for some unit studies

I am praying... for wisdom in parenting

Around the house... golden lantana in riotous bloom, big front porch needing a broom, blackberries ripening, various sizes of muddy boots piled up on the back porch

One of my favorite things... rocking my baby

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

I'm Gonna Miss It

I'm going to miss it when my boys figure out that I can't really suck their Thomas trains up in the vacuum cleaner.

Precious Dolls

I've been searching for months for a soft, loveable African American baby doll in the stores. No luck. But, I finally located a great website and ordered her very first baby dolls a few weeks ago from The Pattycake Doll Company. I love them!

They are adorable and so soft and snuggly. Plus, they are washable and the Velour Lovey Doll and the Lil Hugs Doll are just the perfect small size for my little doll baby to love and hug. Wanted to pass along the link in case other moms are searching for that perfect doll.

Happy Father's Day

My Daddy gave me the blessing of a wonderful childhood; he made me feel safe, secure, happy, and content. He showed this country girl how to be still and listen and look and learn ~ to notice all the amazing things in God's creation. And he showed me how to work hard, to sing with joy, and to cherish family. Because of the way he loved my mother and our family, I knew just what sort of man I should seek to marry. I love you Daddy, and I thank God he gave you to me.

To celebrate Father's Day with my dear husband, the children gave him a sweet card and best of all ~ a nap after Sunday lunch. For the adults at Pecan Bluff, a nap is the best gift ever, and I know he appreciated it.

My dearest, you are an amazing father to our 4 ~ so patient, caring, kind, playful, funny, and wise. You work hard for us and you love learning new things! Our children are truly blessed to call you Daddy. I loved you with all my heart even before you were a Daddy. I love you even more now. Happy Father's Day!

Happy Birthday to My Big Boy!

We have a big 7 year old in our family now!

Happy Birthday to you, joyful boy!

We had a little party here on the big day, then we went to Aunt A and Uncle D's for a big Bday Bash. Lots of family and loot and great burgers and cake and ice cream.

Happy Birthday to Daddy!

The gang with the best Daddy in the world!

Eldest made this special cake for her Daddy,

complete with chocolate decorations she piped.

Eating Fresh

For his birthday, the kids and I made dear husband a special meal with some new recipes. We started around 3pm and had everything ready in time for our usual 6:30 supper. Whew. I couldn't have done it without Eldest working with me, side by side. I just love that.

After we pushed back our chairs from the table and declared the meal delicious, I realized that most of the ingredients we used were super-fresh ~ homegrown by our family. Cool!

The Menu:

Fresh Herb Pork Tenderloin

Vegetable Medley

Scalloped Potatoes

Mint Tea

These items came from the grocery store:

Pork tenderloin

Olive Oil

Butter

Decaf Tea Bags

Milk

We grew all these ingredients ourselves:

Yellow squash

Bell peppers

Tomatoes

Potatoes

Onions (purple for the medley, white for the potato dish)

Garlic

Mint

Rosemary

Italian flat-leaf parsley

Basil

Oregano

Thyme

Eggs

Honey

Judging from the pile of fresh stuff on my porch right now, for tonight's supper I'd better work in lots of yellow squash, potatoes, onions, garlic, shallots, and herbs into the meal. I like a good challenge. We'll see how we do.