Wednesday, December 26, 2012

A Simple Woman's Daybook



FOR TODAY...Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Outside my window...38°F3°C,overcast and wet with snow flurries predicted....supposed to reach 43 with little or no accumulation....windy and a good day to stay inside

I am thinking..."Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house.....

I am thankful...for the day spent with my daughter and grandchildren yesterday....I missed those  who weren't here but it was a blessed day anyway...lots of delicious food...my grands would rather eat my Dressing than dessert ( what a compliment)...I'm thankful both Honey Bear and I are healthy and feeling well....and for a warm home to live in during these cold days....for the greatest gift of all at Christmas, Jesus......for the other gifts I received...

From the kitchen...leftovers and lots of goodies still to eat...

I am wearing...pajamas and a warm red robe, thinking about putting on some sweats to lounge around in today after I do a little straightening up in the house.

I am creating...pleasant rooms out of chaos (switching my studio to what was the study, a smaller room so it requires some adjustments of furniture.......more stitches on my cross stitch project....plans for 2013...and finishing my 2012 journal.

I am going...to stay home the next few days....

One year ago today...the weather was much like today...I was reading Wings of the Morning...planning some new projects.....working on the SAL quilt squares....learning to needle turn applique and finding I liked it....enjoying the gifts of the season and all my blessings

I am wondering...if the SAL group will continue in the new year and if so what project we'll be doing...

These days I'm reading...The Christmas Promise, a gift from a friend in 2007 that I found on my bookshelf and realized I had never read.....

I am praying...for my sister's job (slow time), my friend's tests (good results)....Val's Mom....Cee Kay....Denise.....Rick....Honey Bear

I remember when...Santa left a few gifts, unwrapped, under the tree for my sister and me...we'd wake up before daylight, the Christmas tree lights would still be on, we'd sneak into the room to see if Santa had been and spying our dolls, we'd grab them and hurry back to bed...our gifts were few but so appreciated....

I am looking forward to...going for a walk as soon as it dries some and the temperatures get above 50 degrees.....so happy I don't live where there have been blizzards this week

A verse for today...Psalm 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning

Discovering that....Joy is in the small things of life....

I am hearing...water dripping off the house.....the refrigerator doing its thing....silence

Around the house...some tidying to do....sheets to launder and place back on the bed...presents to put away....

Song that stays on my Mind...


A favorite quote for today...
"I still think the greatest suffering is being lonely, feeling unloved, just having no one...that is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience." Mother Teresa

One of my favorite things...watching the birds come to the feeder in the winter....

A few plans for the rest of the week: getting the house back in order....a planning meeting on Friday...

From my photo file....

Thursday, December 20, 2012

A Simple Woman's Daybook



From Mama Bear's Journal

FOR TODAY...Wednesday, December 19, 2012
speaking of Journaling, I've been lax about recording thoughts, events, etc. in my paper journal...my last entry was November 3 so I'll be needing to catch up on that in order to finish out the year and begin a new one. This being my 2nd journal book for the year, I'll be starting 2013 in the same book for a change.

Outside my window...it is raining heavily...56°F,13°C, a dark and dreary day...I am tucked inside with the Christmas lights on, Christmas music playing on the radio. 

I am thinking...I might move some of my 'stuff' from the studio to the new area...I'm moving from the dining room to Honey Bear's study which he doesn't use....making the dining room a dining room again.

I am thankful...for the greatest gift of all (Jesus).....that I don't have to go out today in this weather.....for all of you and your wonderful wishes for the Holiday.....for our health

From the kitchen...I'm still deciding what I'll make for dinner tonight...we've cleared out most of our leftovers from the fridge...there are lots of goodies: I'm trying to stay away from them....

I am wearing...still in my pjs


I am creating...

still working on this....I've finished the first quilt hanging over the rail....the second one has given me fits....lots of redoing on it which I hate....I'll post a new photo of it next time.

I am going...to stay home today

One year ago today...I was reading "Children of the Mist"....making menus, wrapping gifts and enjoying a day at home with warm temperatures outside....we were well and looking forward to fellowship with family on Christmas Day

I am wondering...what you're doing today...

These days I'm reading...One Thousand White Women.....next up is Time is a River by Mary Alice Monroe or maybe another Christmas book. I just finished Dashing Through The Snow.

I am praying...for Rick as he has his Chemo and that the spot shown on his recent pet scan isn't anything serious when he has his next CT in January........the cousin of Mom's cousin who passed away during the night......for Rene, my friend, who had day surgery on Monday....for the families who are grieving this Christmas....and for you, my blogging friends.

I remember when...the first year we were married, we spent Christmas Eve at my parents house, slept in the living room and had to be quiet when Santa came by with gifts for my younger brother and sister....Rudolf sure enjoyed those raisins that were left out for him.....Honey Bear gave me a hair dryer for Christmas and I gave him a sweater (I had put it on lay-away and paid for it each week with a little of my grocery allowance)....

I am looking forward to...seeing the faces of loved ones when they open gifts from me....

A verse for today...Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Discovering that....Golden Years really are Golden

I am hearing...Christmas music and rain falling on the porch

Around the house...I need to hop up and vacuum the floor, put in a load of laundry, make the bed and then do a little more moving of my studio 'stuff' to the study....

Song that stays on my Mind...




A favorite quote for today...“We'll be Friends Forever, won't we, Pooh?' asked Piglet.
Even longer,' Pooh answered.” 
― A.A. MilneWinnie-the-Pooh
One of my favorite things...Listening to Christmas music on a dark and gloomy day like today.

A few plans for the rest of the week: No plans until church on Sunday, then Family dinner on Christmas Day...

From my photo file....
 table favors we made for our county Christmas luncheon

my tree last year....


Monday, December 10, 2012

A Simple Woman's Daybook



From Mama Bear's Journal

FOR TODAY...Monday, December 10, 2012

Outside my window...dark, raining and cooler at 58°F, 14°C...today's high is supposed to be 67, the temperature is supposed to reach a low before tomorrow morning of 30....we've had a touch of Spring but it is all over now.

I am thinking...about the shopping and baking I need to be doing but on a day like today, I don't want to do anything...

I am thankful...for Honey Bear, a snug cozy house on a rainy day, that I don't have to get out and drive in it.......for the phone call from my son and two of my nieces yesterday, nice to catch up......that we're both healthy

From the kitchen...not much.....I'm thinking of making some potato salad, ham and Lima beans for dinner...or maybe grilled ham & cheese sandwiches with chips.....or maybe its going to be a chili night.....there's leftover pizza for lunch

I am wearing...a red fleece robe

I am creating...this cross stitch piece (hard to see, its so wrinkled)


and these little storage/shopping bags
as well as a few more dish cloths
I am going...to stay home today....we were supposed to pick up trash on our adopted mile but alas, the rain....

One year ago today...on 12/13 it was 47 degrees and supposed to reach the sixties....I was planning to bake cookies....reading Redfield Farm....I still had to prepare cards for mailing but I was finished with shopping and gift wrapping...

I am wondering...if maybe I'll should try to bake at least one kind of cookie today to get a head start.....still lack a few ingredients for three kinds but could maybe do two others...

These days I'm reading...Stone Heart by Luanne Rice....my books in waiting stack is getting small and I am wondering what I'll read next...I have a couple of Christmas books I could read...

I am praying...that Wonder Boy doesn't have Celiac's Disease....for my X son in law as he has chemo....for Cee Kay and Shorty Bear and Jennifer...

I remember when...Mama and we girls would do the Christmas baking....my Mama was a good cook and she loved nothing more than feeding her family and guests......some of the cakes I remember her baking were: The Lane Cake (with frosting of cherries and coconut and a touch of spirits, A German Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Pound Cake, and Fresh Coconut Layer Cake (which required peeling and grating a coconut.

I am looking forward to...a sunny day

A verse for today...In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 1 Peter 5:10

Discovering that....I can say "no" to some things...I don't have to do it all

I am hearing...the washing machine (I'm on my 3rd load of the day) wind chimes on the back porch

Around the house...cards need mailing as well as  other paper work to do.....I need to put away the decorations I've dragged out...vacuum the floor....make the bed, unload the dishwasher,finish putting away items in the studio,  and take a shower

Song that stays on my Mind..."I Heard the Bells"

A favorite quote for today..."How did it get so late, so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late, so soon?" Doctor Seuss

One of my favorite things...dressing up for a Christmas party...............seeing other bloggers' decorations

A few plans for the rest of the week: shopping for groceries and presents for the adopted family.....baking cookies.....luncheon on Wednesday.....Christmas party on Thursday night....Book Club on Friday....Cookie Swap on Saturday

From my photo file....

Friday, December 7, 2012

Making a List

....and checking it twice...
Are you a list maker? I make lists for everything and still I forget things I mean to do or buy or think about or pray about...
I wanted to share with you a couple of things.....

I didn't do as much decorating this year as I usually do.....I didn't put out this Nativity...
I bought it a few years ago and I really like it but...it's big,has many pieces and is breakable. I'm always concerned about where to put it to keep it from being broken. Last year I put it in this hutch in the kitchen. It was a good place for it, out of the traffic.

This year, I did put this little one on the mantle...

and 
I got to thinking about it's history. 
Shortly after our marriage, I received it as a gift. Not a personal gift, at one of those
parties where you're asked to bring a gift to exchange. At the time,
I had already bought a similar one.
I decided to give that one to my parents.
I can't remember exactly the year this all took place. I do
remember taking the figures loose from the stable. They were glued down and I decided to let my wee daughter play with
them as I told her the story of Jesus' birth. We decided the
baby was cold and I made him a little blue 
blanket.
The figures are made of plastic and each year, I let the children
place them in the stable.

 In 2007 when we were going through Mama and Daddy's
house and out buildings, getting ready to sale their
property to my niece, I found a few of the figures from
her Nativity in the dirt of Daddy's shop floor. I took them
and added them to my own scene. So, I have an extra shepherd
and cow.


You can't see the little lamb on the left, there was
once two of them.


I've decided that, although this was a cheap Nativity at the time, I'm very happy for the years it has been a part of our Christmas decorations and the memories it brings to mind.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

A Simple Woman's Daybook



From Mama Bear's Journal.....
FOR TODAY...Sunday, December 2, 2012

Outside my window...it's 53°F, 12°C, and partly cloudy with a predicted high today of 71....wonderful weather....the birds are eating the pears from the Bradford trees, the Carolina Wrens are eating the suet, all is calm...

I am thinking...two weeks have gone by since last I blogged....sorry about that....I don't know where all that time has gone

I am thankful...for so many blessings.....we spent Thanksgiving Day with Honey Bear's Brother's family at our niece's house.....then on Sunday we attended the funeral of his Aunt where we saw most of the rest of his family...his Aunt never married but had lots of nieces and nephews which were like her own children...

From the kitchen...I made a pot of Chicken Tortilla Soup for dinner last night....haven't decided on tonight's meal

I am wearing...pink pajamas

I am creating...more stitches on that cross stitch I've had in the works for months (have used up my supply of needle threaders, so frustrating), crocheting little bags for gifts....
finished this quilt, finally...

and made this mini quilt wall hanging 
from a kit I won here


I am going...to stay home today....

One year ago today...I was decorating for Christmas....listening to Christmas music, getting ready to bake cookies.....I was reading Far Away Home.....and looking forward to our club's party...I had just begun the applique for the quilt shown above...

I am wondering...if I should decorate any today or just spend the day in meditation and contemplation...

These days I'm reading...Shepherd's Abiding.....I read this several years ago but it was chosen as December's book in my book club so I'm reading it again...

I am praying...for my grandson who has been having lots of tests since October when he fainted at dinner one night......my x son-in-law....my sister, whose Birthday is today (must remember to call her later).....for strength and lots of energy to accomplish the items on my to-do list......for will power in my weight loss struggle....for all of my friends and followers

I remember when...as a child, my Daddy would buy a crate of apples (red delicious) at Christmas time, store them in one of the unheated bedrooms, how wonderful they smelled.....it was the only time of year we had store-bought apples....

I am looking forward to...a meeting on Thursday with a pot luck lunch...the theme is Nutcrackers Suite....my club made the table favors by using Mylar and net circles, filling them with candy and tying with ribbon, we have little nutcracker ornaments and a candy cane to lay beside them....

A verse for today...Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1

Discovering that....I don't have the energy or the inspiration to decorate or bake as I once did....I can be satisfied with less...

I am hearing...mostly silence.....I can hear traffic in the far distance....and the occasional birdsong.....

Around the house...there's clutter in the study from pulling out the decoration tubs....my studio is a mess (I'm considering switching my creative space to the study and turning the studio back into a dining room).....gifts and gift wrapping are part of the clutter....clothes in the basket from Friday's laundry which haven't been folded....I've put the lights on the porch, Honey Bear will do the ones on the shrubbery....I have cleared the mantle for decorating....I moved furniture around in our living room yesterday (do you do this? I get tired of it being the same way and need to switch it around...my Mother and we girls used to do this on a regular basis).....

Song that stays on my Mind...For a change, there isn't one at the moment

A favorite quote for today..."There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child." -- Erma Bombeck

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time." -- Laura Ingalls Wilder

One of my favorite things...finishing my Christmas shopping early

A few plans for the rest of the week:meetings on Monday and Thursday, hair appointment & lunch with friend on Wednesday, Making sure the Princess gets to her music program on time Tuesday, Decorating the mantle, putting the tree up and tidying the house....

From my photo file....

a couple of photos at sunset while we were in the mountains

Praying your week is filled with all the good things 
you hold dear....
Mama Bear

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

A Simple Woman's Daybook



From Mama Bear's Journal
FOR TODAY...Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Outside my window..34°F,1°C.,mostly sunny and expected to reach 55...the leaves are falling fast from our Maple tree...it has been a beautiful Fall....not much bird activity at the moment..

I am thinking...the holidays are approaching much to fast...

I am thankful...God paints our world in such beautiful colors for our enjoyment......for Honey Bear and our relationship.....for our health.....for the blessings of friends...the increase in SS

From the kitchen...cinnamon raisin toast and coffee

I am wearing...pajamas and a warm winter robe

I am creating...1.5x14 inch strips for a fabric wreath workshop tomorrow....quilting for "My Favorite Things" quilt...

I am going...to pick up the Princess after school

One year ago today...On November 22: the temperatures in the morning were warmer and the highs were also warmer......there was a threat of severe weather and the schools were dismissing at 11:30...I had lowered my cholesterol 37 points by exercise and diet(probably back up by now)...there was leftover potato soup in the fridge...I was working on the first section of "My Favorite Things"....putting puzzle together.....reading The Wedding Quilt...Honey Bear had just retired from his 'big' job and was getting ready to take state boards as a CNA...

I am wondering...if I can finish this, get dressed for the day and vacuum the floor before my 10:00 meeting

These days I'm reading...This Green Hell by Greg Beck....just finished The Giving Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.....next on my list is a re-read of Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon for December Book Club and the third Book in the Inn Boonsboro series by Nora Roberts

I am praying...for Rick...Destiny....Jordan....John.....Karlene

I remember when...my sister and I used to get together and wrap gifts for Christmas

I am looking forward to...having clean carpet....need to schedule a cleaning.....

A verse for today..."If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." —1 John 4:11

I am hearing...the furnace just clicked on...

Around the house...its quiet and peaceful and relatively clean

Song that stays on my Mind...Zac Brown Band's Highway 20 Ride

A favorite quote for today..."When life gives you lemons, Make lemonade"

One of my favorite things...buying gifts for other people

A few plans for the rest of the week:working on year-end paper work for the club....wreath workshop tomorrow....lunch with Daughter......meeting with Karlene....quilting.....quality time with Honey Bear

From my photo file....
This Maple is in the corner of a friend's yard where Book Club was held last Friday....I made the photo with my phone.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Life is Great.....

....just busy right now....I've been out and about tending to obligations and errands....catching up on laundry and quilting when I have a spare minute or two...so not much blogging.....stopping by to read your posts whenever I can....We're having such a beautiful Fall.
Mama Bear

Friday, November 2, 2012

Funny Friday


Good Friday Morning, all you beautiful bears and people
out there....
Wil here
How was your Halloween?
We had 7 little people come to the door 
to get Mama 's goodies

Some of us went to Pea's Halloween Bash
here is Mama in
the costume Pea chose for her

I think she's a dragon....

Mama and Papa Bear went to the mountains 
for a few days and
left all of us Bears
here with Smokey
He was not a happy cat
as he prowled around
making the most awful
racket...

She said to tell you, she'll hopefully
be back to blogging again soon...
however, that MY FAVORITE THINGS
quilt is on the sewing machine table
and it has top priority
for the next few days.....
HAPPY FRIDAY,
Wil

Monday, October 22, 2012

A Simple Woman's Daybook



From Mama Bear's Journal.....FOR TODAY...Monday, October 22, 2012, 7:45am

Outside my window...It's 56°F, 13°C, and cloudy, expected to reach 81 today....all this week is going to feel like Summer has returned...

I am thinking... about how long it has been since I wrote in my journal...

I am thankful...for the wonderful worship service yesterday....for a good night's sleep....for my wonderful Honey Bear

From the kitchen...Peas, Cornbread, Corned Beef Hash, and slaw for dinner tonight

I am wearing...pajamas and a robe

I am creating...a Christmas wall hanging.....quilting SKOW....working on the cross stitch project...

I am going...to spend the day on housework and hopefully get some sewing done this afternoon, also packing for the conference which is Tues-Thurs this week...

One year ago today....I was at Lake Eufaula State Park, attending our annual conference....the temperature was much the same....I was reading Love Transcends Time

I am wondering...if we will find any Fall color on our vacation next week...it seems to be earlier this year and since we're going further north, I'm afraid the leaves will all be on the ground

These days I'm reading...A Tennessee Journal.....takes place in 1913 and tells the story of sharecroppers and landowners...

I am praying...for sunny, Fall like days for our vacation....not too cold and not rainy.....we'd like to take some drives and maybe do a little walking...*for our upcoming election, *for my struggle with weight, *for my children & grandchildren, *for my Honey Bear

I remember when...I was about 8 years old and we lived in the "barn" house...we had chickens in the barn yard (not the barn house yard-there was actually another barn)...I used to go out to the barn and look for eggs...those chickens were cagey and would lay their eggs in the oddest places...it was like a real "Easter" egg hunt every day.....Now, Honey Bear is building a chicken tractor and planning to purchase chickens in the Spring...

I am looking forward to...the conference, although I've been stressing about certain aspects and losing sleep over it....this year our County is hosting and my club has many assignments to make the conference run smoothly...My Daughter was supposed to check in our County's Cultural Arts (first place winners) but she is going to be a hostess, meeting members from all over the state and helping them to find the right location, park their cars, etc. So checking in the crafts is going to be my job.....I am supposed to sale tickets for our fund raiser quilt drawing at the registration table after I get the crafts checked in....

A verse for today..."It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and possess much." Psalm 37:16

Discovering that....it is hard to become motivated on days when the sun is hiding...

I am hearing...Honey Bear's car as he leaves for work and the garage door closing....

Around the house...vacuuming.....bed linens to change.....tidying to do....

Song that stays on my Mind..."Days of Elijah" from Church yesterday....."Behold he comes, riding on the clouds, shining like the sun, at the trumpets' call"

A favorite quote for today...A smile is the light in your window, that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside...Denis Waitley

One of my favorite things...Quiet Monday mornings at home..

A few plans for the rest of the week:conference Tues-Thurs.....hair appointment Thursday afternoon....grocery shopping and bank on Friday....prepare for vacation


From my photo file....Wonder Boy and the Princess at Disney World early in October


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