Sweetness and Light

October Daybook

 

Outside my window- It's a mild day, a little breezy, but nice and sunny.

I am hearing- Legos being built in the boys room, yes they have been resurrected after months of dormancy...does that happen at your house too?? Also the trains have come back out, most likely because I mentioned I am going to try and sell the whole lot :)

I am wearing- Black leggings, an orange ribbed knit tee and a soft grey wrap cardigan much like this one  pictured in the top middle.

I am pondering- How it's possible that I have a 16 year old, a 14 year old, a 10 year old and a 7 year old....what happened to my babies???? I guess the recent birthday of a certain boy now 14 has made me a little nostalgic for those littler kid days...There's never been a nicer 14 year old boy though, I'm just sayin' ;-)

I am reading-  A new novel by Jane Gardam, well it's not new, but new to me - Crusoe's Daughter. It's starting out fine...we'll see how it goes. Also perusing several bread baking books as I so enjoy the art of bread baking :)

From the kitchen- Day 2 on my three day bread that I have been doing for the past month or so. You do an easy yeast starter on day 1, add whole wheat flour and salt and oil on day two and day 3 you shape and bake. We prefer long loaves as opposed to boules. It's absolutley delish, especially toasted!! It's called Ed Behr's Country Loaf taken from one of my old standby cookbooks - The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook. Such a great book!

Living a lifestyle of learning- Listening to lots of Haydn for music study right now, mostly in the mornings as we are doing something else, but especially if we are learning about a new piece we really enjoy these radio shows from Classics for Kids.

Living the Liturgical Year- Celebrating the month of the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary with as many daily/evening rosaries as we can fit. We have been so blessed by having a devotion to Our Lady in the rosary. We pray that God will continue to bless our family through this ancient devotion.

Around the house- Keeping in place our afternoon quick tidy!! This goes a long way for my sanity when it gets hectic and busy during the week. Everyone does a little something for about ten minutes or so, and voila, tidy house for the evening :)

What we are creating- Lots of watercolor pictures, seasonal drawings and photography.

A few plans for the rest of the week- Beginning to work up end of term exams as we are nearing the completion of Term 1 around the end of the month. I am looking forward to doing these as in the past we have not done any "official" exams, but I have always liked the Charlotte Mason exams, so here we go!

A picture thought I am sharing-

Our beautiful Violet after a very busy performance weekend, including her first Solo of Paquita!!

Many blessings in your week ahead!

Mid-January Daybook

I was recalling this post  from two years ago and noting the surprising difference in our weather patterns here in 2012, considering our latest snow activity, it was clearly a different year in the making! Our New year started off very well despite a few sniffles and sore throats which seem to be lingering even still, but we are all well-settled into our new home and enjoyed a lovely Christmas season with many friends and family.

Outside my window- It's freezing rain, and very cold.

I am hearing- The sounds of my darling boys making a news cast film upstairs.

I am wearing-LLBean fleece-lined running pants (mind you I don't run) and three layers on top, a black ribbed tank, a red long-sleeved tee, and my mother's Obermeyer multi-stripe ski sweater from the 1970's (it's SO warm!!)

I am thinking about-This blog, do I or don't I????? Been pondering this for a while...

I am reading- *On the Kindle: The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn (along with Matthias) for his online class with Homeschool Connections, Middlemarch, and from the library Brideshead Revisted (as recommended by our new assistant priest) and lastly, for our mother-daughter bookclub, Life in a Jar with Violet. 

From the kitchen- Two kinds of cookies, crepes for breakfast, lots of cocoa being consumed and hot tea! I've also got some yummy left-over minestrone soup for lunch.

Living a lifestyle of learning- We're exploring things with our microscope today, perusing our rock collection and enjoying this great Amazon Prime Instant video about Yellowstone in Winter!!

Living the Liturgical Year-Enjoying the season of Epiphany in the Traditional calendar and my boys are still serving masses on fridays as well as holy days and sundays.  

Around the house- Taking down the Christmas tree. All but the creche is to be put away until Candlemas day.

What we are creating-Knitting my third Fisherman, this time for Seamus. He'll be 10 in March, yikes and hope to finish it well before then for him to wear while it's still cold. Also working on creating special little prayerful corners in the new house, a work in progress... 

A few plans for the rest of the week- Staying cozy while it's so nasty outside!

One of my favorite things-Working out with my husband first thing in the morning before anyone is stirring. We've got a really good program going and as fitness and well-being has always been a priority for our family, it's nice that we can share that time together.

A picture thought I am sharing-

Remembering one of our favorites scones from the Christmas season, Violet's Chocolate-Peppermint Scones with Crushed Candy-Cane drizzle, oh yeah!
Enjoy the rest of your week friends, hope to be back sooner than later this next time. Many blessings to you and your family! 

Month of May ~ Daybook

 
 
 For Today ~ May 10, 2010

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Outside my window ~

Rainy this morning, but clearing off nicely now and it's warm, that's the blessing :) Why is there such a big difference between a cold rain and a warm one in terms of mood setting??? 

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I am listening to ~

 

The boys playing Oceanopoly together. It's possible that Sean-Paul has claimed banker status which may or may not be a good idea ;-)

 

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Finding Holiness in the everyday ~

 

We are observing the Rogation Days before Ascension Thursday. There is some beautiful meaning attached to these days prior to the Ascension which help to put Our Lord's saving grace into perspective.  The boys are excited to be serving three Masses this week!

 

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I am thankful for ~

 

Special little people and my very dear husband who made my Mother's Day celebration extra extra grand. We were blessed with a luxurious sunshiny day as well, so I was extremely thankful for that!
***

 

From the kitchen ~

 

Just had a request for my homemade Piroshky's. I tried these a couple of weeks ago and they turned out quite well, very yummy and because I do the dough in the bread machine, it's super fast and easy clean-up. We need that as our evening will be busy.

 

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I am wearing ~

 Jeans and a white tee shirt with a green v-neck pullover. My nine west sheepskinned lined clogs with socks (hey, it's not THAT warm) ;-)

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I am creating ~

High School lesson plans, aack!!! We are going to use MODG 9th grade curriculum as a spine for Violet next year, so I'm filling in the gaps and adding some things of interest to her. Hope to have it mostly fleshed out and can share it here pretty soon. If anyone has the 9th grade Faith & Morality Syllabus they'd like to sell for $20 or less I am interested :) The cheapest I can find it on amazon is for $23.80. Ditto on the 9th grade Earth Science Syllabus. Please Email me if you have one to sell.

 

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In the learning room this week ~

 

Pretty much winding down. We're still waiting to see if we are going to be moving to a different house or not. Will know soon, but limbo is our current state. Kids are enjoying getting things finished and organizing.

 

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I am reading  ~

Howard's End and just picked up Understood Betsy at the library!

 

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One of my favorite things ~

 

Impromptu Home concerts! 

 

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ~

Enjoying Spring and all it's beauty. Baseball, Ballet, Mass, and general organizing.

 

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A Picture thought I'm sharing ~

Please ignore the grass, or lack there of in certain spots :)

 

Thanks for stopping by today, for more Daybook inspiration please visit Peggy.

 

Late January Daybook ~ Where's Winter?

For Today ~ 

January 21, 2010 (Feast of St. Agnes)

also, the Betrothal of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Joseph

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Outside my window ~

It's incredibly mild and (dare I say) Spring-like! Yikes, what's this going to mean for the rest of Winter??? The dear children would really LOVE a good snowstorm, but unlike our old Idaho digs, we certainly won't see much white here in the Pacific Northwest this year I'm afraid.

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I am listening to ~

  

Three of the children already upstairs in the schoolroom (yeah, I started this post early this morning before breakfast)! Matthias and Seamus are creating a new Lego movie, they have quite a few logged already and are hoping to send some off to Lego for some challenge or contest I think.

 

***

 

Finding Holiness in the everyday ~

 

We'll be celebrating the Feast of St. Agnes and talking about Mary's betrothal to St. Jospeh, we really enjoy the reading in Mary, the Mother of Jesus by Tomie de Paola. I'm envisioning lots of cotton balls and glue for Sean-Paul's lamb craft :)

 

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I am thankful for ~

 

A husband who is always willing to run an errand for me or listen when I just need to think out loud :)

***

 

From the kitchen ~

 

Fresh-baked bread and I'm not sure for dinner yet, lunch is still looming...Violet will probably whip up a tea cake for our celebrations later.

 

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I am wearing ~

 A pale pink rib-knit turtleneck sweater, black yoga pants and my favorite full circle wrap-around red apron. It's my mother's made by my paternal grandmother and gifted to me :) It has the most darling little yellow and white six-point star flowers and a lacy folksy black leaf print all over, makes me smile just to put it on!!

 

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I am creating ~

Another Tasha Tudor shawl in a lovely pale grey wool (thanks to a JoAnn's yarn sale recently) an airy Tropical breezes wrap courtesy of Lion Brand Yarn's free patterns, also some pure white cotton Waffle weave washcloths (I LOVE these) I'll try and pop some pictures up over the weekend :)

 

***

 

In the learning room this week ~

 

Clearing out and cleaning up, a constant de-cluttering agenda I have. We've had lots of good discussions and discovery going on, hope to get a post up soon. Violet has done lots of great work on her Marine Biology and I'm doing a nice Human Body study with the middle boys for a change of science pace for the Winter Term.  More to come....

 

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I am reading  ~

Villette by Charlotte Bronte, very good start, beautiful writing style. I also have Strangers and Sojourners in the queue, I actually started it, but also started Villete at the same time and opted for it first. Am also browsing and pondering over Handmade Home by Amanda Soule. Lots of nice ideas in this second book of hers.

 

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One of my favorite things ~

 

How close we live to a beach and great walking trails!

 

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ~

A votive Latin Mass for the unborn for the anniversary of Roe v. Wade tomorrow. A final basketball game for Matthias (maybe) and a cello recital for Seamus over the weekend. Tidy up the learning room...(read, purge, purge purge!!!) Incidentally, I do believe it is time for me to part with several Montessori materials that are just not in use any further. If you are at all interested in a list of items I have available and would like to purchase any of them, please let me know. I will probably post them to the 4Real forums trading post in the next few weeks, but would like to offer them here first :) Most of the items will be for the 3 -6 year old category. 

 

***

 

A Picture thought I'm sharing ~

 

 

 For more Daybook entries, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman this week!

 

Many blessings in your end of week activities and a great weekend to you all!

Late Autumn Daybook ~ November Begins

For Today ~ November 5th, 2009

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Outside my window ~ It is dark already...such is daylight savings time, sigh. (Yes, I started this post yesterday afternoon and was never able to return to it). Now it is a lovely Fall morning, a bit over cast, but warm and no rain looming, I hope...AND now it's raining, no, it's pouring, oh well, grass will be greener :)

***

 

I am listening to...
Alot of Vivaldi and Sacred Arias, Mozart's Requiem... I LOVE my playlist!

 

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Finding Holiness in the everyday...

Diligently sticking to my morning prayer routine. I've been enjoying the beauiful morning and evening prayers in my Latin Missal, there are also some beautiful Votive Collects for the faithfully departed that I am reading for this month of the Holy Souls.

 

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I am thankful for ...
So many things, but specifically for today, no activities during our school day, just an easy ballet tonight for Violet.

  
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From the kitchen ...
Leftover Pumpkin Pie, probably a Beef Stew for dinner...

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I am wearing ...
 Black lyrca long pants, a striped t-shirt under a light-weight grey knit sweater, a pink gingham apron with nice big pockets, and my slippers...

 

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I am creating ...
Some toasty fingerless gloves, a pale blue lace scarf, clutter-free spaces throughout the house (a constant chore) ...

 

***

 

In the learning room this week...
Lots of good stuff going on! Violet has completed our version (Download Sunflower Basket - Violet) of the Sunflower Basket and we're moving on to our Ivy work. She has really enjoyed the beauty and rhythm of these Literature selections, many were re-reads for her, but oh so good!

In other school related plans, some things always need a bit of tweaking, but that's just the natural consequence of home education and keeping the "plans" flexible ;-)

 

***

 

I am reading  ...
The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge! Such a sweet and delicious story by an all-time favorite author! I'm also working on Kilmeny of the Orchard by LM Montgomery (a totally unknown book before last week, gasp!)

 

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One of my favorite things ...

How everyday without fail Sean-Paul will ask me what my favorite sport is and we have this great discussion back and forth about that particular sport (whichever one I decide to choose for that day) and he always says that his favorite sport is soccer, but not the baby-ish soccer, real soccer mommy ;-)

 

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ...

First Friday Mass and some social time with friends to finish out the week!! Looking forward to doing some more knitting, sewing and baking. We're also hosting our dear priest for dinner on Saturday, so am cooking up something special for him. Violet will probably do the dessert as he loves her baking as much as we all do!

 

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A Picture thought I'm sharing ...

 

 

Fleeting autumn, oh, don't leave us yet....For more Daybook entries, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman anytime!

Spring Daybook :: Post Birthdays Edition

 

 

Outside My Window ...
I am listening to the little sparrows that are nesting in our gutters above the patio. They are so sweet to hear in the early morning. 

 

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I am listening to...
My dh on the phone in his office downstairs and happy that our school room is two floors away :)

 

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Holiness in the everyday...
Trying to take all my worries and cares to Our Lady and excitedly thinking about her special month fast approaching.  There is no coincidence that my book is finally ready just in time for her crowning in May! (Now I just pray that it arrives in time for the NW Catholic Family Education Conference this coming  Friday, May 1st)

 

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I am thankful for ...
a break from birthday celebrations this week, as lovely as they all were...
 
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From the kitchen ...
Scottish oatmeal and cantelope for breakfast, my latte of course...

 

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I am wearing ...
 Black yoga pants and a long-sleeved light blue tee shirt, and my slippers...

 

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I am creating ...
My Liturgical Year conference talk, ideas for Margaret's baby quilt for the VQB, new ideas for next year in the school room...

 

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In the learning room this week...
Clearly we need to do some tidying up and clearing out as it's a disaster up there at the current moment, not how I like to start a Monday morning, oh well, off we go!

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Home Comforts ...

My best efforts always come from the kitchen, now to just keep the house clean and tidy, I think it's time for a visit from the Flylady ;-)

 

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I am reading  ...
Betsy and the Great World, the last chapter of this delightful book, hope to steal a cup of tea and the rest of it this afternoon!!

 

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One of my favorite things ...

Doing math with Seamus, he loves math and that's a good thing :)

 

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ...

Nothing out of the ordinary, just a calm, easy week, at least that's the plan ;-)

 

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A Picture thought I'm sharing ...

My beautiful birthday girl, doing something she loves best, reading!!!

 
 

 

Thanks so much for visiting today, many blessings in your day!

 

Be sure to visit Peggy for all the Daybook entries!!

Christmas Week Daybook :: 12.30.08

For Today.....

Outside my window. . . the rain and snow are gone for the time being, might even get some sunshine today, here's hoping...

I am thinking. . . that I really need to clear off my pseudo-desk area so I can actually work and plan...

I am thankful for. . . no sounds of anyone coughing in the house...

From the schoolroom. . . putting away Advent books, filling baskets with new books, cleaning up from Christmas crafts, and general planning for the new year ahead...

From the kitchen. . . waffles with Marionberry jam, YUM...

I am wearing. . . black yoga pants and a pink ribbed turtleneck, slippers and no make-up yet...

I am creating. . . to-do lists, re-vamping my chore binder since I just downloaded my 2009 Motivated Moms Chore Planner, yippee!!

I am going. . . no place so far, we'll see what the day holds...

I am reading. . . The Creative Family, wow, am loving this one...

I am hoping. . . to spend some time with my husband planning the new year and maybe a little overnight trip somewhere...

I am hearing. . . sweet boys oohing and aahing over their new lego creations...

Around the house. . .  too many dishes, not much laundry thankfully, cleaning out the fridge if I can muster it...

One of my favorite things. . . Scrabble with Violet and Matthias, what a blast!!

A few plans for the rest of the week. . . rest and catch up, maybe some visits with friends, and a library day... 

Here is picture thought I am sharing. . . 

For more daybook entries, please visit Peggy!

Advent Daybook :: Keeping it Simple :: 12.15.08

FOR TODAY . . .

Outside my window. . . Very cold, with only a trace of yesterday's snow left, but plenty of sunshine which is always a welcome sight.

I am thinking. . . about how very fast this Advent season is moving for me and my family this year, whew!

I am thankful for. . . my dh's ability to know when to order take out :)

From the schoolroom. . . lots of read alouds, knitting, drawing, building and creating, listening to Christmas Cd's.

From the kitchen. . . finishing the massive St. Lucia braided bread wreath we enjoyed on Saturday with hot cocoa and lattes.

I am wearing. . . a pair of navy lycra cropped leggings, light pink t-neck and a cabled black v-neck pullover and slippers. My hair is in it's usual clip partially pulled back and no make-up yet today...

I am creating. . . Christmas gifts mostly from the kitchen today, but am intermittently knitting on a little surprise for my mother in a luscious lavendar alpaca.

I am going. . . to drive for ballet this afternoon and hope we can all make it to the Advent penance service as a family tonight.

I am reading. . . Cookbooks and blogs for gift ideas, also have The Enchanted April in my bedside basket, although I didn't get much reading in over the weekend.

I am hoping. . . that I can get everything done that I have planned for today and that we can make it through the day without any explosions from Sean-Paul, the terrible three year old kind...

I am hearing. . . basketballs bouncing in the garage and Matthias doing scales on the piano.

Around the house. . .  tyding up after the weekend, laundry, lunch clean-up, general busyness, music.

One of my favorite things. . . the children working on their various gift projects in secret mostly and homemade bread :) 

A few plans for the rest of the week. . . lots of Nutcracker this week, in fact we only have Tuesday off, more get-togethers with friends and family...

Here is picture thought I am sharing. . .(this one's for Alice:)

 

For more daybook entries, please visit Peggy!

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ July 15

Do stop by Peggy's for all the Daybook links this week. ~

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Outside My Window ... Another lovely sunny morning, not much wind this morning.  I'm hopeful it won't be too hot, as in at least under 90.

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I am thinking ... that I really need to clean the house, but will probably avoid it at all costs ;-)

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I am thankful for ... morning rosary and devotions with my chidlren.

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From the kitchen ... Crepes for breakfast with french vanilla yogurt and raspberry jam. Oh, and fresh blueberries!

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I am wearing ... a gauzy brown below the knee skirt and a maroon tee shirt, my slippers still.

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I am creating ... Montessori lesson sheets and a general plan and goals for the older children for August when we will likely resume our formal learning.

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I am going ... to the eye doctor with the kids, they all need new prescriptions.

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I am reading ... Mary's Flowers by Vincenzina Krymow.

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I am hoping ... to make bread this afternoon and maybe do some knitting.

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I am hearing ... Matthias play the piano and the little boys are shooting "scary guys" from behind my comforter which is lying on the floor of my bedroom, hmm...

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Around the house ... there is always something to do....I think I'll read and write instead! 

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One of my favorite things ... my husband.

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: ... putting the finishing touches on my conference talk, shopping for an outfit to wear for it and probably some more packing, yikes!

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Here is a picture thought I am sharing ...

Many blessings in your day!

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ July 9th

~ Do stop by Peggy's for all the Daybook links this week. ~

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Outside My Window ... It's a beautiful sunny morning, light breezes blowing which is a nice change from our usual prairie "winds."  Hay bales dot the field from last night's baling.

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I am thinking ... about our special visitors coming this afternoon, none other than sweet MaryM and her family ;-) It's been almost a year and half since we last saw her and her two younger children, so there will be lots of catching up!

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I am thankful for ... my quiet early morning chat time with my dh.

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From the kitchen ... homemade organic Cinnamon Raisin Swirl bread for our guests early morning departure tomorrow.

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I am wearing ... workout capris and a tee shirt, ready for morning cleaning.

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I am creating ... my Family-Centered Learning conference talk and handouts.

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I am going ... nowhere hopefully, except maybe a quick trip to the store for a few groceries.

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I am reading ... The Mitchell's Five for Victory aloud to the children at lunchtime, usually outside, pure heaven.  For myself, it's mostly my Vogue Knitting Book right now : )

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I am hoping ... to get a few boxes packed this morning as I "clean up" around all the others previously packed.

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I am hearing ... my six year old practicing spinning his toy pistol. I imagine he'll don his chaps and vest I made for him in a few minutes : )  He's getting pretty fast on the quick draw!

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Around the house ... there are boxes, sigh...are you bored yet? 

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One of my favorite things ... working on my book during the early morning when all are still snoozing and hearing my son play Moment Musicale just like it sounds on the Cd.

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: ... more packing, snore....a trip to the library, skateboard park, knitting store and maybe a wildflower hike if the temps aren't too high!!

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Here is a picture thought I am sharing ...

May God bless and keep you today!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For all of today's Daybook entries, please vist Peggy at The Simple Woman...

FOR TODAY June 23rd...

Outside My Window...It's windy but there is an incredible blue sky and it's warm already.

I am thinking...I really need to start some packing and weeding out the children's closets.

I am thankful for...my dear husband and how hard he works for our family and that he can always keep his sense of humor (especially when I can't).

From the kitchen...we just finished a yummy Whole Wheat Puffy Pancake for breakfast.

I am wearing...a light green tee shirt with a full circle tropical print skirt in greens, blues, black and brown.  There are sequins sewn on all the palm trees, green flip-flops.

I am creating...Montessori lesson plans for my six year old today.  I would really like to sew a laundry bag for my 3 year old as well, need to check fabric supply...

I am going...nowhere today, with any luck :)

I am reading...too many blog posts, but would really like to curl up with a re-read:  Montessori in the Classroom by Paula Polk Lillard.

I am hoping...to do some writing on my book at naptime.

I am hearing...the wheel line sprinklers in the field and my 3 year old playing in his car on the patio.

Around the house...there's always something.  Toilets today.

One of my favorite things...The smell of our last Lilac shrub blooming an illuminous sherbert pink!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:  More planning and organizing ideas for the older children.  Printing and laminating some card materials.  A nature walk at our favorite preserve maybe tomorrow, we'll check the weather first.  Some peaceful afternoons sewing and writing and reading. And most especially try to keep things Simple :)

Here is picture thought I am sharing..."The Art of Making Soup"

Many blessings in your week!