The Simple Woman's Daybook 3/16/15 with NEW Prompts!

For Today... March 16, 2015

Outside my window... Sunshine and warm temperatures have created mud season in Ohio!

I am thinking...about boosting my immune system naturally and creating better health.

I am thankful...for the kind of husband who offers to help before I ask even when it means taking on a very "mom" kind of job, like taking our daughter for her ballet photos.

I am wearing... an old pink and white peasant blouse with gray yoga pants.

I am creating...cleaner, organized, more colorful spaces that speak of "us."

I am going...to help my husband make plans for a beautiful Good Friday service and resurrection celebration weekend!

I am wondering...how to encourage change while honoring the past, how to hold onto tradition while engaging today's culture, all while remembering that it is the difference in our church culture that draws people to Jesus. Authenticity doesn't always look like the culture, but authenticity is attractive.

I am reading...continuing The Bronze Bow with my son, starting On the Shores of Silver Lake with my daughter, reading and studying the book of Acts on my own.

I am hoping...to get the house thoroughly organized, painted, and decorated in the next month.

I am learning...to better understand the evidence for and against macroevolution and how to better defend my point-of-view. Teaching my son's biology course has been very good for me!

In my garden...I'm planning to visit my local greenhouse soon to decide what will go into our front flower bed. Having a garden that only gets morning sun is new for me. Planning herbs for the back patio, and possibly putting tomato plants and sunflowers along the side of the house. It's too early to plant in Ohio, but plans are being made!

In my kitchen...

Italian sausage, sauteed yellow squash, and parsnips cooked in unrefined coconut oil and seasoned with salt, pepper and a little nutmeg.

In the homeschool room...I'm evaluating where we stand on our end of the year goals. I've planned when the end of the school year will be, and today I realized that my daughter is 15 lessons away from completing a year's worth of Intermediate Language Lessons, which means she'll be at least 1/4 of the way through next year's material by the end of May! She's doing so very well with this program!

A favorite quote for today..."The word of God spread like ripples on a pond where, from a single center, each wave touches the next, spreading wider and farther." footnote on Acts 6:7 in my Life Application Bible.

A peek into one of my days...I'm not an artist by any stretch, but I love the creative process. I spent quite a bit of time playing around with this.

One of my favorite things...children hysterically laughing, shouting, chasing, falling in mud, drinking lemonade, and thoroughly exhausting themselves in the outdoors!

From the board room...I'm thinking about making something like this cute wreathe for my front door:

You can also buy one at  

Polkadotafternoon's Etsy shop.

 She has a bunch of beautiful wreathes to choose from

Post Script...I enjoy these Simple Woman posts so much because they require me to think in depth about my week's goals, happenings, progress, and events, which brings me to the point of better planning for our home. If you wish to participate in this simple but powerful weekly blog hop, check out The Simple Woman's Blog. I know you'll be blessed!

The Simple Woman's Daybook 3/5/15

Outside my window...a murder of crows seems to be considering my bird feeder.

Praising God...for abundant, unexpected, overwhelming passion.
In prayer for...our current blessed chapter of our family adventure.

I am thinking...about children who are hurting, who need safe homes and loving families.

I am thankful...to have grown-up in a safe, loving family in which I was rather spoiled and given a multitude of opportunities.

In the kitchen...smothered chicken, chili, roasted turkey breast this week.

I am wearing... gray, cozy yoga pants (again)and an old purple top.
I am creating...an art journal that may not be filled with skillful drawings, but it is overflowing with therapeutic scribbles!
I am going...to have a little time to myself this evening, probably at a local McDonalds with a cup of coffee while Eric is in a meeting, and the kids are at youth group/kids club.

I am wondering...how to create the ideal vision and linear purpose in our ministry.
  I am reading...Continuing to read On the Banks of Plum Creek with my daughter (almost finished!), and I started The Bronze Bow with my son this week.

I am hoping...that necessary details come together very quickly.

I am looking forward to...completion.

I am learning...that I have been given a greater measure of passion for children than even I realized.
  Around the house...still preparing to paint. We actually looked at paint chips and settled on a dining room color, but we haven't nailed down the perfect living room color.

   I am pondering...the universal church's lack of passion and desire to aid the helpless, lonely, and hurting. When did the church decide that it was okay to let the government take care of people? Is the church partially at fault for the government's socialist programs? I mean, doesn't someone have to help these people?

One of my favorite things...homeschooling my kids allows me the opportunity to know my kids so much better because I get to spend so much more time with them, and the time I spend with them is one of my favorite things, but my children themselves are pretty cool people, and they are two of my three favorite people (how is that for a run-on sentence?). Guess who the third is?

 

A few plans...archery class for the kids, 4H meeting, getting the dining room ready to paint.
A word from the Lord: "He sets the lonely in families." Psalm 68:6

A favorite quote... “I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. If you believe there is a heaven and hell and that people could be going to hell … and you don’t think it's worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward – then how much do you have to hate someone to not proselytize them? How much do you have to hate someone to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?” ...Penn Jillette, known atheist
A photo to share:

This boy makes my days so much better just by being who he is.

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The Simple Woman's Daybook February 9 Edition

Outside my window...cold, quiet surrounds the house.

Praising God...for the many ways He provides us with connection.

In prayer for...a friend who is trying to sort out health issues.

I am thinking...about my 16th birthday roses that my daddy sent to school for me. Twice.

I am thankful...for a father who always made sure I knew I was special to him.

In the kitchen... sauteed boneless, skinless chicken thighs, mixed green and wax beans with carrots, and spinach and strawberry salad.

I am wearing... gray, cozy yoga pants and an old green top that is so large it's bordering on annoying instead of comfortable.

I am creating...a craving for fitness.

I am going...on many upcoming adventures.

I am wondering...why so many parents miss the joy in this season of parenting.
 
I am reading...On the Banks of Plum Creek with my dear daughter, magazines for myself. Everyday with Rachael Ray came with a copy of Family Circle and Good Housekeeping this month. I need a new, grand book to read.

I am hoping...for expediency on certain things.

I am looking forward to...more people.

I am learning...from my children. Every.single.day.
 
Around the house...we are preparing to paint (as soon as I have time to go to the store and nail down the exact colors). 

  
I am pondering...the lack of understanding most of us have on topics such as domestic violence, drug abuse, and child endangerment.

One of my favorite things...being thought of by others. Dear husband brought me my favorite coffee this evening.

A few plans...celebrating my birthday with dinner out, revamping the household systems, a Valentine party/book club, taking the kids to join a new 4H club, taking myself to a couple seminars, and, somewhere in there, decorating a birthday cake.

A word from the Lord:"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

A favorite quote...“God works through different men/women in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all” (1 Cor.12:6). God uses all types to type his message. Logical thinkers. Emotional worshippers. Dynamic leaders. Docile followers. The visionaries who lead, the studious who ponder, the generous who pay the bills. Action-packed verbs. Rock-solid nouns. Enigmatic question marks. Alone, we are meaningless symbols on a page. But collectively, we inspire. “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a separate and necessary part of it” (1Cor 12:27).-Max Lucado

A photo to share: 

We attended a field trip on Monday to our local county courthouse. The former jail use fire-proof, so they use it to store documents. We got to go inside!

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Four Seasons: 30 Days, Autumn #30

My mom collected teapots, and I kept just a few of them after she passed away. I switch them out seasonally. This is the one I chose to keep and display during fall, and it is one of my favorites. It is not only beautiful and satisfies my love for displaying all things antique in my home, but it is a subtle reminder of my mama and who she was. It may not make sense (at least it doesn't make sense to me, but few parts of how I have grieved have left me feeling sane), but November is a hard month for me. It is the month I realized she was slipping away, and it was the month she eventually chose to end her treatments. Sure, December brings the day of her passing and the day of Dad's passing 2 weeks later; but, somehow, by the grace of God, I still love December and Christmas, or at least I was able to enjoy it more than I expected last year. I anticipate decorating this year, and I am looking forward to showering my children with love and my time and special memory making during the Advent season. I will mourn Mom's loss on December 12th, and I will mourn Dad's loss on December 29th, but the joy of Christmas and who Jesus is will not be lost in my heart. But November? It holds those hard memories. Last trip to the cancer treatment center. Last time I thought she might be here for Christmas, birthdays, special occasions. Last hospitalization.

It doesn't make a lot of sense, does it?  December should be when I feel this way, and maybe I'm wrong. Honestly, I didn't expect to feel this so strongly this year. I don't know what is normal or what is okay. I might be certifiably insane.
 
As an added note about the photo itself (all that was bonus, or something), the grape shade is one that I purchased years ago when my kitchen was decorated in a grape motif. I still love it, and I thought it spoke of Autumn as well.

The 30 day challenge is done, and I think I will miss it. How much fun it was!

Four Seasons: 30 Days, #29

 

This is what a cozy, fall school afternoon looks like at our house. Reading Little House on the Prairie while snuggled with a kitten on the couch. :)

Four Seasons: 30 Days, Autumn #28

Lighting wasn't the best, but isn't this what fall looks like?

Four Seasons: 30 Days, Autumn #27

 

Chilly night family fun in the cozy house!

Four Seasons: 30 Days, Autumn #26

 

We had a special family night tonight and made gluten-free, pumpkin doughnut holes. They are amazingly tasty!

Four Seasons: 30 Days, Autumn #25

Our little church alight with the late afternoon autumn sunshine

Four Seasons: 30 Days, Autumn #24

Nothing says "rainy fall day" quite like an indoor fort.

This is actually measured to be the size of a Conestoga wagon and filled with items representing sacks of corn meal, flour, potatoes, luggage, cooking items, etc... We're on our way to Indian territory with Laura Ingalls and her family.

Four Seasons: 30 Days, Autumn #23

 

Handsome husband of mine. :)

Four Seasons: 30 Days, Autumn #22

Looking across the Scioto River in the Columbus, Ohio area.

Four Seasons: 30 Days, Autumn #21

Lunch with these two favorite people of mine on our first ever fall break mini-vacation.

Four Seasons: 30 Days, Autumn #20

 

Peeking through the woods.

Four Seasons: 30 Days, #19

Found this lovely spot when I was out driving.

Four Seasons: 30 Days, Autumn #18

 

Fungi :)

Four Seasons: 30 Days, Autumn #17

Don't you want to explore this lovely lane?

Four Seasons: 30 Days, Autumn #16

 

Favorite people enjoying few moments at a state park on a lovely autumn afternoon.

Four Seasons: 30 Days, Autumn #15

Harvest

Four Seasons: 30 Days, Autumn #14

 

Saturday family brunch. Pumpkin oat pancakes, coffee, and a handsome husband.