Simple Woman's Daybook

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For Today...Monday June 29, 2009
Here in Kentucky...

Outside my window...clothes blowing around on the clothesline, the trees in the woods are swaying so nicely, we're having a beautiful, windy not too hot day...what a treat!

I am thinking...how wonderful it is to have all three of my grown children with me today, it truly is the simple things that make this girl happy!

I am thankful for...the life of Dh's uncle, he passed away this weekend so we'll be attending another funeral tomorrow, within a stones throw from fil's grave.

From the kitchen...oldest son Tommy brought Chinese food for us, he said it was my birthday meal, although my birthday was June 16th it was the day fil passed away so there was no time or want for a celebration that day.

I am reading...ESV Bible currently reading Proverbs, The Mother at Home

I am hoping...to accomplish all I want to this week, we have a mandatory week of staying home since our extra car is being used by a visiting relative, I don't mind at all because it makes me be organized with my time.

I am creating...a nicely de-cluttered home, summertime is when everything needs to be light and airy so I always like to put away any clutter.

I am praying...for dh's extended family

Around the house...my two boys are playing a video game (this is unusual for us...especially since oldest son moved out on his own), Katie is making our afternoon pot of tea

One of my favorite things...a nice quiet peaceful home

A few plans for the rest of the week...funeral tomorrow then staying home with only a couple of runs to the grocery

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
GOD BLESS THE USA!

Sweet, Sweet Simplicity

Life and love in it's purest form! That's what is so wonderful about living the simple life isn't it? You need nothing but the very, very basics. Family, home, warmth, food, drink...yes that's what life is all about! I found that even in our homeschooling days things did not have to be complicated, truly the best book you could ever teach from or learn from is the Holy Bible, every answer we ever need is right inside! Of course we loved our books and all of us are still avid readers and we spent many a day just reading in our quiet little places or spending the afternoon at the library, coming home with arms overflowing with our treasures!
Whenever I hear of anyone wondering if they could or should homeschool I want to just scream...YES!...with the Bible, internet and library you have such a vast wealth of information, truly it's information overload! There are so many websites now that have free resources for homeschooling and you can of course even do an online school so there should never be a doubt as to whether you could, of course you can and basically free of charge if you do enough online searching.
I find that I complicate my life sometimes by wanting to do everything from scratch right now, I forget that things have to be done a step at a time because I so overwhelmingly want to do it all now!!! But life does not have to be that way, learning along the way gives us such a wonderful outlook on tomorrow, I believe learning should never end and we should never be stagnant, new adventures, experiences and joys are just one step away! It's taking that first step that hinders so many of us...let's vow to take the first step right now to doing something we've always wanted to do!

Sweet, Sweet Simplicity

It's an interesting thing that I've spent most of my 49 years here on earth thinking that having more things will simplify my life. I guess it was simply our generation, I've lived through the times of having 3 TV channels on our black and white TV as a child(most of the time there was more snow than picture), to at the age of 24 getting cable TV which consisted of approximately 30 stations to now having almost 1000 stations on our digital cable box. Technology is booming and we're being forced to go right along with it, well maybe forced is not the correct word but Dan loves having every cable channel available and lately he's gotten in the habit of watching TV while at the same time playing with his Nintendo DS, he's really into noise and technology!
I'm finding that more things in our home means more noise, chaos, confusion, mindless busyness, clutter and most of all it means less time just sitting down and talking as a family. The white noise from it all keeps you from communicating and actually I find that it keeps me from being able to truly think clearly or being able to focus on prayer time or reading the Scriptures. I have diagnosed myself with ADD and find that all of these things are making it even worse, I know that the confusion in life and boom in noise and technology have taken a big toll on our ability to focus on the task at hand. In light of this, is it any wonder that so many children and now adults are on medications for ADD in all forms and we're finding that the folks going into their 20's and 30's are needing more and more medications to function correctly in our society?
Even in my own home right now, Katie is doing dishes with music playing. Chris has been working on the kitchen faucet which requires a bit of noise, Dan is cutting the grass with his gas powered mower which is so very noisy, cars are going up and down our street, our central air unit is roaring, the ceiling fan is spinning, even my fingers going over the keys are clicking and adding to the noise...wow...I'm finding that it's difficult to remember the next sentence I wanted to type, it's all just so very chaotic.
I remember as a child our home was very quiet, of course we were usually outside playing because there was nothing to do inside, there were no shows on for kids until about 4pm when the local kids shows came on and they only lasted for about an hour, then it was back outside to find something to do. Even my mother making a meal was fairly quiet, there was the sizzle of chicken frying in the pan and maybe some water boiling for potatoes but she mashed the potatoes with a hand masher and we had no noisy appliances. We might make a bit of noise making kool-aid, just by stirring it in the glass pitcher with a metal spoon, we didn't have plastic utensils, and of course our meal was served on glass dishes, these were the days before everything was plastic and we certainly didn't even consider using paper products because wasting money or anything else was unheard of in our home. After supper we'd usually sit outside in the summer and after dark we'd chase lightening bugs or the boys would try to catch some worms for fishing the next morning, and then it was early to bed. Going to bed also did not mean turning on the TV, there wasn't anything on that we wanted to watch. Sometimes my mom would turn the radio on real low, I remember many a night going to sleep while listening to Petula Clark singing Downtown or Don't sleep in the Subway or the Mamas & the Papas singing California Dreaming or Monday, Monday. Of course the radio only stayed on for about 1/2 hour or so and then it was listening to the crickets and other night critters that put you to sleep...those were the days!
Well, enough of my visit back to the 60's, I have plenty to do and sadly most of it involves making noise and even running errands in the car....oh the beauty of staying home all day because there was no vehicle to take us anywhere, now that was a time for much creativity and true fun!...well, that's another post all unto itself!

My Simple Read - We Took to the Woods

well...I got myself re-interested and decided I wanted to finish it today so I did. It was an excellent read, the book was originally written in the 40's which is about the same time that they lived it.
I found it interesting that they sent their kids to school, the oldest daughter had to board miles away with friends to be close to the school and the youngest had yet to need school but they didn't even consider homeschooling. Actually she made the comment that they couldn't supply their kids with a good education at home, interesting to me because I would assume the way they lived would be very educational indeed and they read all the time and had most of the newer books that came out.
It was a good book and I'm glad I read it but some things were disappointing to me, faith or the Bible were not mentioned, I'm not sure where they stood on that but I would have like to have known. The true concept of their life was interesting but I would have loved to know the more day to day things to get an idea of how they really did things but that wasn't really addressed.
All in all Mrs. Rich tells a good story and I enjoyed what she chose to share but would have loved to know more.
Good book, I would give it 7 out of 10 stars.

My Simple Read - We Took to the Woods

I am a huge fan of going back to the basics, doing everything the old ways, etc. I love reading any type of book that can help me implement some of those ideas and ways into our lives and I really do learn so much from them.
This book however is not about how to do these things, it's about a family that literally left everything behind to go live way, way out in the woods. They build everything themselves and have very few neighbors. I really am enjoying reading their story, their can do/must do spirit is intriguing and as much as I've always loved the idea of chucking it all and starting from scratch with just the basics I am seeing how difficult it can be.
They do not garden for the joy of it or raise animals as pets, the things they do dictate whether they will be able to feed their family and live from year to year, and truly the work they put into it dictates how well they will be fed come winter.
I do see that their choices would not be my personal choices, I do not want to be out in the middle of nowhere with no neighbors and months and months of total solitude. The idea of that is certainly not conducive to being able to fellowship weekly and throughout the week with a church family and I appreciate the fact that we live close to our parents, we want to be available when needed and just love getting to talk to them on the phone everyday and visit as often as we choose.
I also see that there would certainly be a deliberateness to everything you do in such living conditions, walking on your land to do chores you really would have to be extra careful about safety as an injury could certainly be fatal if you were not able to get to a medical facility or help quick enough. These folks have quite a few months of being unable to travel or leave their land at all so you would have to have a very good supply and knowledge of medicines whether they be herbs or a supply of medicines from the apothecary shop.
I've only finished half of the book because the last week there has been no time for reading so I'm eager to get back to it. I ordered the book from Amazon but I'm sure there are libraries that have copies of it. It is a wonderful cuddle up with a cup of tea and read book, the writing I believe is excellent and I love hearing about the family's adventures and all of their 'neighbors' (who are too far away to be called neighbors).
I'm not sure I want to finish it as it's that enjoyable but when I do I'll share my thoughts on the book as a whole.

Simple Woman's Daybook

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For Today...Monday June 22, 2009
Here in Kentucky...

Outside my window...I see a sweet little robin picking for some worms, sadly the ground is a bit too dry for any good pickins! Very hot today and steamy, humidity is very high.

I am thinking...how nice it will be to have our new kitchen faucet on, no more drips or leaks!

I am thankful for...truly....everything!

From the kitchen...spaghetti with meatballs, salad, garlic bread

I am reading...ESV Bible currently reading the Psalms, We Took to the Woods

I am hoping...for cooler temps. but according to the forecast the heat is here to stay for awhile.

I am creating...we made two new skirts on Thursday, hope to finish the other four this week, also some tops for both of us. We're also going to be creating some keychains with the spent cartridges from the 21 gun salute at dfil funeral, I never knew they gave them to you but we are going to make them for keepsakes for all the fellows in the family.

I am praying...for dh's family

Around the house...much tidying up and rearranging of some items, time for a change and a clear out. We have plants from the funeral to find homes for and lots of tools on our kitchen floor while Christopher fixes our sink and faucet for us!

One of my favorite things...being home

A few plans for the rest of the week...staying home with only a couple of runs to the grocery

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
This was the entrance to the cemetery on Friday, the day of FIL's funeral. We were escorted by 4 firetrucks and then this was what awaited at the entrance, truly an amazing thing that the firefighters do for their own. DFIL was fire chief many years ago, they truly never forget their mates.

Blessings in the Simple Life

Katie and Judy...Mommy and Daughter...best friends

A handmade gift, my favorite image...sketched by Katie

A precious little great-nephew

My sweet little mama...how I love her

Beauty of Nature

A sweet caring husband

Precious Mother & Father-In-Love

A beautiful Kentucky sky

My Hydrangea ready to bloom

I need nothing else....just family, nature, sweet gifts, friends...God is so Good!

Simple Woman's Daybook

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For Today...Monday June 15, 2009
Here in Kentucky...

Outside my window...it is so very green, the yard is looking beautiful and green and the woods behind our home are just green and plush, looks like a fairyland that we humans could never get through, so very thick

I am thinking...of the full list of daily must-do's I have facing me, some have already been finished

I am thankful for...today, for my nephew Michael who graduated from college this weekend, he's going on to law school...Michael's brother died in 2000 from a mixture of drugs/alcohol, we loved him dearly and tried to help him but he was unable to get out from under the hold they had on him. Michael chose to go a completely different route and we're so proud of him! I'm sure his brother is looking down from Heaven, rejoicing with us!

From the kitchen...Kale/Mustard Greens/Collard Greens soup with Katie's homemade wheat bread for Katie and I, the boys will have smoked sausage, roasted sweet potatoes and applesauce

I am reading...ESV Bible currently reading the Psalms, We Took to the Woods

I am hoping...to get my full must do list done today, lots of things on it but great weather for it

I am creating...we bought new fabric this weekend for 3 new skirts apiece for Katie and I and 2 tops for me and 1 for Katie

I am praying...for my cousins husband who just had surgery, my uncle who finally got home from the hospital and my sweet father in love that I love dearly

Around the house...just finished kefir smoothie glasses on the table, bottles soaking in hot sudsy water in the sink to be washed to bottle up our kombucha, laundry going, a desk to sand, prime and paint, two rockers to paint, windows that will get a good cleaning, library books to return, lots of greens to clean and cut up for the soup, wheat bread to make, yogurt to make, make buttermilk, vacuum car, dig holes for three new plants, wash all the new fabric to cut out for skirts and tops

One of my favorite things...knowing dh is getting off early today to we get to spend the afternoon and evening with him!

A few plans for the rest of the week...today; go to library, get gas in car, go to Ace hardware for plumbers tape an caulk to install the new kitchen faucet, go to Kroger to get smoked sausage, sweet taters and applesauce...tomorrow; take in laws to dr., not sure about the rest of the week

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
A very proud father (my brother, who at 55 (poor fellow...he's actually 53, not sure why I decided to age him!!!) is attending college full time!) and the graduate!

Simple Beauty of Nature

I bought this hanging petunia from a nursery and just love it, the colors of yellow, red and purple are just stunning together! This was my choice, Katie's is beautiful also, I'll post a photo of it next week!This hydrangea bush I purchased about 8 years ago and planted it in the ground next to our front porch. The sticker that was with it said that it was an annual so I assumed it would not come back the next year, well even in our cold snowy winters it has come back every single year and gets huge! The flowers are periwinkle and so very showy! I actually think that the foliage itself is showy enough even before the flowers blossom, it's just so green and bushy! Whenever I think of a hydrangea I think about the scene on It's a Wonderful Life where Mary loses her robe and has to hide in the hydrangea!!! Oh, how I love that movie!

Simple Woman's Daybook

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For Today...Monday June 8, 2009
Here in Kentucky....

Outside my window...Beautiful breezy, sunny day, the trees in the woods are swaying and everything is so very green.

I am thinking...of all the work in the garage we have facing us, but it must be done

I am thankful for...a hardworking husband that cares deeply about me being home to care for our family and home.

From the kitchen...lean pork chops, salad, Katie's homemade wheat bread and roasted potatoes

I am reading...ESV Bible..currently reading 1 Samuel, Feminine Appeal

I am hoping...for some quiet days, not restful because there is much to be done, but quiet as we contemplate some changes we are making.

I am creating...a much healthier kitchen than we've ever had before, now to get hubby on board with the healthy eating, he likes what he's always liked and doesn't appreciate change at all, but he needs the healthier foods also so I'm going to implement them slowly with him.

I am praying...for my father-in-love

Around the house...lots of business in the garage, Katie making her wheat bread, laundry to be finished and put on the line

One of my favorite things...business at home

A few plans for the rest of the week...nothing planned, life right now seems to be play it by ear

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

My dear sweet hubby, in much more carefree days. He's carrying such a burden for his sweet father right now. God is in control.

Simple Yummies...Kefir Smoothies...Watermelon...Natural Joys!

We finally got to make our yummy smoothies with our Kefir, sadly none of us could drink the Kefir alone so we added some blueberries, raw sugar and ice cubes to it in the blender and it is sooo yummy!

This is the kefir in a bowl all finished!

This would be our Maiden drinking the juice leftover from the watermelon she cut up for us....to her watermelon juice is the best drink in the world...yes, even better than Starbucks!

Here's her watermelon cut up, her smoothie is sitting next to it.


Her mug of juice!!!! Yummy!

This is her pouring her juice.

Yummy huge bowl of melon balls!

My smoothie...it didn't last long because it was soo good! That's the container of raw sugar sitting next to it.

My freshly poured smoothie...all foamy and ice cold! We not only decorate country style in our home, we also love drinking out of mason jars...years ago we drank out of them at my Grandma's house when there were a bunch of us there and not enough glasses to go around and to this day I'd rather drink out of a mason jar than anything else..except maybe the water dipper with ice cold water straight from the well!

Simple Joys - Kefir Grains

Well now how pretty is that?! LOL
If you can see those blobbies in there you're looking at our very
own kefir grains! We started a new batch yesterday and today
the grains had doubled! We'll be drinking our kefir tomorrow
after it's been able to cool in the fridge.
So, we now have kefir, kombucha, homemade buttermilk, homemade yogurt (we start tomorrow) and tomorrow we're also starting some sourdough
starter...it's so wonderful to have living, healthy items brewing in our
brewing cabinet! Life is good!

Simple Joys

Isn't it a beauty?!!! We're so very proud!!!LOL

Well, it's fun times here at our little homestead! We are officially parents of a 'scoby'!!! Joy, joy, joy! We have waited for so long to have a scoby and we finally ordered one from a very dear lady close to KY because our own little experiment with growing a scoby fizzled out on us!
Well, we now have our scoby in a strong batch of tea making us a nice, healthy batch of Kombucha! We will have seven days to wait but are so excited to finally be on our way with the wonderful world of Kombucha!
The same dear lady also had some Kefir grains for us so we have had some Kefir preparing in our brewing cupboard...we're going to go get that transferred over to start a new batch right now...can't wait!!!

Simple Woman's Daybook

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For Today...Monday June 1, 2009
Here in Kentucky....

Outside my window... bright sunshine, lots of green everywhere...the rain has made everything so very lush

I am thinking...how wonderful it is to be at home, I feel very blessed to be able to be here daily and care for my family.

I am thankful for... the beauty of nature, God's hand is everywhere and we so seldom take the time to enjoy it...we were on a drive yesterday and the smell of honeysuckle was just intoxicating and the trees and flowers simply beautiful!

From the kitchen... boneless pork chops, bread, salad, rhubarb pie

I am reading... Feminine Appeal

I am hoping... my toothache I had last week does not decide to come back

I am creating... cards (lots of birthdays in June!) and lots of sewing

I am praying... for some family members, lots of health issues in extended family

Around the house... lots of busy work outside!

One of my favorite things... being home with Puritan and Maiden...they are such fun!

A few plans for the rest of the week... just to the grocery as needed for fresh items

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
We had some tornadoes go through the area this weekend, Maiden took this picture of a cloud behind our back woods right before the storm, it was huge!