Tuesday 15 April 2014

The Simple Woman's Day Book

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 FOR TODAY April 15th, 2014

Outside my window...
It's looking like it's going to be another fine day.   Sun is shining.  Now, if only we could get rid of that cold wind!

I am thinking...
`•.¸.•´¸¸.¸.☆¨"Today's Complexity demands greater Simplicity."
~L. Tom Perry

Trying hard to simplify my life.

I am thankful...
I am thankful for my oldest son, whom I know that I can call on for support or help any time I need it.  He never lets me down.  Everyone needs an Anthony in their lives I think!  ☺  

In the kitchen...   


Souvlaki in a Pita!  A little taste of Greece without leaving the comforts of home.

On my "To Cook" list...  

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Parmesan Slider Buns from Confections of a Foodie Bride.  These look sooooo tasty!

I am creating...  



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I have just finished my sixth Illustrated Cookbooklet.  I only finished it yesterday.  I'll be putting it up for sale later today at the same price as the others.  This one has no less than a dozen pages that are suitable for printing and framing to place in the Kitchen as Wall Art Recipes, not to mention 35 pages of recipes that are not only fresh and new, but delicious too!

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How to build a magazine rack from This Old House.  This looks simple enough and is functionally decorative too!

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Washi Tape wrapped pencils.  Why didn't I think of that???   From Nyla's Crafty Teaching.

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Cute, cute, CUTE bookmarks!  Embroidered.   Sweet!  I am going to be making some of these for sure.   From Heather Hales Designs.

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Paper quilt from During Quiet Time.  Isn't this pretty?   Simple too.

I am going...
I have a Pot Luck Lunch to go to at a friend's house tomorrow.  This one is including the husbands.  Yay!  I also am having my hair cut tomorrow morning, plus on Thursday I have the dreaded Pap Smear. (Have always hated those things.   They are necessary evils however.)  That's pretty much the set in stone plans for my week.

I am wondering...  
Not an awful lot at the moment.  I am sure I will have something to wonder about soon though.  My brain never stays quiet for long!  

I am reading...    
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The Midwife's Confession, by Diane Chamberlain
I finished Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain and I enjoyed it so very much I looked for another one of her books to read.  I settled on this one.  I downloaded a try me first section and I was hooked and so I had to go for the whole book.  It's very, very good. 

Dear Anna, 
What I have to tell you is difficult to write, but I know it will be far more difficult for you to hear, and I'm so sorry- 

 The unfinished letter is the only clue Tara and Emerson have to the reason behind their close friend Noelle's suicide. Everything they knew about Noelle - her calling as a midwife, her passion for causes, her love for her friends and family - described a woman who embraced life. Yet there was so much they didn't know. With the discovery of the letter and its heartbreaking secret, Noelle's friends begin to uncover the truth about this complex woman who touched each of their lives - and the life of a desperate stranger - with love and betrayal, compassion and deceit. 

This is a nail biter for sure!  Another can't put me down book!  So happy to have discovered this author!  Amost finished this one and looking for a new read.  Any suggestions?

I am hoping...  
Week two without sugar, coca cola and chocolate.   I am hoping I can keep this up.   I did have a terrible headache for most of last week.  But this week thankfully it's gone away for the most part.

Makes me Smile...  
"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
~Isaiah 40:31  


I am learning...  
That just because someone has given me something that doesn't mean I have to keep it.   Getting rid of some tat and simplifying.  

Around the House ...    


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I love the cushions on this sofa and the Ottoman.  Our sofa is this colour.  I need to go through my fabric stash and make some pillows like this.  Pillow Cover tutorials from the Crafty Teacher Lady.  

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No source, but I love the bright colours and cosy cottage look of this spot.   Perfectly delightful.

I am pondering... 
(¯`•♥•´¯)☆
*`•.¸(¯`•♥•´¯)¸.•♥♥•
 ☆ º ` `•.¸.•´ ` º ☆.¸.☆¸.•♥♥•¸.•♥♥•¸.•♥♥•

I have learned now that while those who speak about ones miseries usually hurt, those who keep silence . . .  hurt more."
~C.S. Lewis.

Trying to share more of my hearts hurts openly.

A favorite quote for today...   

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`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ..
(¯`v´¯)
 `*.¸.*´Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
  ¸.•´¸.•~♥♥♥~•.~  

"Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life."
~Brian Andreas

One of my favorite things...     



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Yes, I freely admit.  I love Cheetos.   Can't get them over here.   More's the pity.   I will have to wait until I go to Canada again to indulge, which is probably not an altogether bad thing.

I've always wanted to ...
I've always wanted to walk on the Great Wall of China.  I don't know why and I probably never will, but it's just always been something I've fancied doing.

You couldn't pay me enough to ...
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Not in a million years!!

A peek into my day...    

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I am awake so early in the morning that by the time evening around, this is what I look like.  I never remember any of what we watch on the telly after 8 o'clock at night.  I spend the whole time nodding off.   I wish I could find it in myself to stay in bed longer, but it's just not in me!!

⋱ ⋮ ⋰
   ⋯ ◯ ⋯ Take time to enjoy the small*´¯`.¸¸.☆
   ⋰ ⋮ ⋱ blessings in life.*´¯`.¸¸.☆
   ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿ ✿¸.•*¨`*•..¸✿
   ╬♥═╬╬═♥=╬╬═♥╬╬═♥╬╬═♥=╬╬♥═╬
   ░░░░░░░░░░░░░ ░░░░░░░░░░░░░  


Wherever you go and whatever you do I hope there's a wonderful day planned for you!

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░L░O░V░E⊰✿⊰✿⊰✿⊰✿⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
 ═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ 

18 comments:

  1. I do so love your writings Marie..you have such a wonderful outlook on life. I am a bit like you at night after 8 or 9 at the latest I am done for !! Beautiful morning again down here..was a frost to strat was only 0c when I came through at 6.45am...but all gone now..Have a busy day ahead..going over to see Margaret, then to chucrh with some carrot soup I have made to share at the Lent Lunch we have arranged..then bible study in afternoon..will be meeting myself comming backwards LOL
    Hope you manage a wee sit out in the sun today xx

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  2. Sounds like you have a really busy day planned Sybil! I would be surprised if you didn't meet yourself coming backwards! Enjoy it! xxoo

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  3. "Everyone needs and Anthony in their life"--that is so sweet! :o) You know, I always thought an older brother would have been nice. But I'm so HAPPY I have my sister, my forever friend, so I can't "complain! ;o) LOVELY washi tape pencils--cute idea! And so is your lately cookbook. And LOVE that paper quilt! I've wanted to try Cathedral Windows pattern--but maybe in paper first is a good idea?! Happy Week, Marie! It is Holy Week, and we're getting ready to have family over at Easter this weekend. :o) ((LOVE & BIG HUGS))

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  4. Thanks Tracy! I hope you have a lovely time with the family this weekend! I can only wish! And I do . . . oh well, maybe some day! Love and hugs to you too!! xxoo

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  5. God bless your day Marie.

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  6. I am also an early bird, but I'm never online at that time. Instead Miss Sophie and I go out for a two hour walk in the woods or along the beach every morning. Then it's home to get breakfast for Mr Sleepyhead and start the daily routine. My computer time is relegated until around lunchtime if I'm home and possibly an hour in the early evening.

    I like the look of those buns - carbs and cheese are a marriage made in heaven. At first I thought they might be some kind of savoury take on a Hot Cross Bun when I saw the picture.

    I have an American friend in the UK and she says that "Wotsits" are the same as "Cheetos". I don't know either of them, so I can't say. But I know what you mean about longing to eat them - I miss Samboy Salt and Vinegar Chips and Twisties from Australia as well.

    Enjoy your lovely spring day.

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  7. Hi Marie, I want to thank you for sharing books on your blog. You posted last week this book also, and I got it at the library. I read it in 2 days :) It was soooo good! I am now reading another one by Diane Chamberlain. She's a great author. I, too, am an early bird, up by 3:30. I can't sleep in anymore if I tried. My light is out by 9pm at the latest. Have a great day!

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  8. More often than not I find myself catching a nap while watching the evening news. I'll then wake up and watch something on TV. I'm never able to stay up much past 10 o'clock though even with the nap. We had an April snow here overnight. Everything looks like a winter wonderland outside. I'm afraid that what blooms we had are frozen now. Hope you have a terrific Tuesday!

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  9. Marie, I know wotsits and they aren't like the crunchy cheetos. Those are nobbly and crunchy, which I kind of like a lot! Bad me! Probably triple fried or some such which makes them so crunchy!! I like Wotsits too however. Bad girl!

    Dorian, would love to know what you are reading now. I am looking at finding another one of her books to read. I quite like her style!

    Pam, what a shame about your flowers. Late snows are pretty, but can do a lot of damage. There is a saying over here, "Don't cast a clout til May is out!" I think that means not to plant in the garden until the end of May. Must mean up North though as it's usually pretty safe down South. xxoo

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  10. have fun tomorrow at the potluck..nice to get togetehr with people you enjoy..
    Your art work is a charming as ever..recipes sound delish..
    Yay on the 2 weeks Bravo!
    Wuthering Heights look outside this morning..Fog..

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  11. Thanks Monique! Wuthering Heights is one of my favourite books. Lovely Fog usually means a nice day is ahead, once it burns off at any rate!

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  12. Hello dear. It sounds like you have a lot to do this week. Have fun at the pot luck. I always love to go to pot lucks. It is fun to try other peoples dishes.
    Sorry about the pap smear...yucky but important.
    Other than that I hope you have a great week. Hugs, Lura

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  13. Thanks Lura, I hope that you have a good week too! I will be by to visit later today! xxoo

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  14. Marie, I just finished The Courage Tree. It was very good. I am looking forward to getting another book by Diane when I go back to the library. Have a great day.

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  15. Thanks Dorian. I will look for it! xx

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  16. Thanks so much for posting and liking the image of my living room and pillow cover tutorial link! Your blog is charming, by the way!

    Kelly-Anne
    Crafty Teacher Lady

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  17. Why thank you Crafty Teacher Lady! I think your living room is quite charming! I loved your pillow covers and plan on making some of my own! Happy Easter!

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Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!