The Simple Woman's Day Book

 

FOR TODAY, October 28th, 2014

Outside my window ...
It's dark, dark, dark . . . and very quiet.  I can't believe that this is my last daybook entry for October!

I am thinking ...
Music gives a soul to the universe
Wings to the mind
Flight to the imagination
and life to everything.
~Plato
  
I LOVE music.  I surround myself with it.  My life has a sound track.  And it's beautiful.

I am thankful ...
For good morning puppy dog kisses.  They help to start my day off right.

In the Kitchen ...

 

Creamy Chicken, Broccoli and Cheese Soup.   Nice and warming for these cooling days.

On my "To Cook" list ...

These Coffee Cake Cookies from Cookies & Cups are looking mighty tasty!  I haven't baked any cookies in a couple of weeks now! 

 I am creating  ...



I did this yesterday.   It's a bit different than what I usually do.  It sold right away.  Pleased about that.  It took me forever to do the background.   That's like three layers of blue there.  It takes a lot to make it look solid.

I love these paper/button/spool flowers.   They're so cute.   From Urban Comforts.

I love these little stone houses.   I think one would be great in our garden.   FInding the stones is the hard part.   From Stonework by Stephens.

I love LOVE this paper bird.   From Manu Scrapper.

 I adore these paper clip/button bookmarks.   Such a simple idea.   From Ritzy Ragz & Thingz.

I am going  ...
Into town this morning.  I need to replenish my makeup case.  I've made most of it stretch to a year this time around!  Mascara, foundation, etc.

I am reading ...


A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey, by Jessica Fellowes

It's 1924 and there have been many changes at Downton Abbey since the family and their servants first welcomed us there twelve years ago. A generation of men has been tragically lost at the front; children are once again breathing new life into the great house; a chauffeur now sits at the Grantham dinner table; and skirt hems continue to rise.

Still, in the midst of all this upheaval, many things at Downton remain largely unchanged. Nanny still holds sway in the nursery, and there are still summer fetes to be organized, menus to be planned, and farms to be run.

This gorgeous book explores the seasonal events and celebrations of the great estate—including house parties, debutantes, the London Season, yearly trips to Scotland, the sporting season, and, of course, the cherished rituals of Christmas. Jessica Fellowes and the creative team behind Downton Abbey invite us to peer through the prism of the house as we learn more about the lives of our favorite characters, the actors who play them, and those who bring this exquisite world to real life.

A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey is packed full of exclusive new photographs, with a delicious array of traditional British recipes adapted for modern kitchens: kedgeree, orange marmalade, asparagus tarts, cream of watercress soup, Irish stew, lemon barley water, meringues with red berries, parmesan straws, Christmas pudding with brandy butter and more. From the moment when the servants light the fires against the chill of January, through the last family game of charades and the servants' Christmas ball, this magnificent book invites us to take part in twelve months in the life of Downton Abbey.

It's an easy and entertaining read.  If you are a fan of Downtown, I highly recommend!  Enjoying every page! I will be sorry to finish it!

I am hoping ...
That it isn't a rainy day today ...

Makes me smile ...



Halloween Pirates.   A har maties!  Tie that scurvy dog to the mainsail!
(I think my family has a thing for pirates!)

I am learning ...
That the more I think I know and understand, the more I don't.   It's a good thing.  We should always be stretching outside our comfort zones and exploring and learning.

Around the house ... 

 






 



I love that articles of interest have been added to this bookcase . . .  it makes it intriguing.

On the whole a bit too frou frou for me, but I think this is an interesting concept in window covering.

As much as this would be a complete and total nightmare to dust and keep clean, I find it oddly attractive.  A bit too busy perhaps, but I love the chairs flanking the fireplace.

Now this is a really novel idea of presenting your flat screen telly.  I wonder where all the wires are hidden?  I really like this. 

 














An old table turned upside down, painted etc.  It's a dog bed.    Now that's different!
Found on Rosebud's Cottage.   Not sure I could live with this though.  It looks like it would take up a lot of space.

I am pondering ...
I want to eat more vegetables and fruit.  They are just so expensive.  How to do it on our budget and not have it be boring . . .

A favourite quote for the day  ...
 

`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ..
(¯`v´¯)
 `*.¸.*´Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
  ¸.•´¸.•~♥♥♥~•.~      
ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ.
(¸.❀⁀⋱‿✿“   

"The power of finding beauty in the humblest things 
makes home happy and life lovely."
~Louisa May Alcott  

One of my favourite things ...

 




















I love big old Victorian houses.  I would love to be able to refurbish one and live in it.   It won't happen here in my lifetime though . . .

A Peek into my day ... 

 




















I spend time every day doing this.  I love writing.   Journals.  Poetry.   This blog.  
I just love writing and I do it every day.

And that's my day book for this week!
  
⋱ ⋮ ⋰
   ⋯ ◯ ⋯ 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 ═══════════ 

The Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY, January 22nd, 2013...

Outside My Window...
The sky is still quite dark and it's very quiet. There is still some snow laying on the ground, but no more has fallen.  It is very, very cold though.

I am thinking...
When you judge someone, you don't define them, you define yourself.
~Dr Wayne Dyer

I am reminded of a great talk given by Elder Jose L Reina when he spoke at one of our Stake Conferences last year.   He talked about judging others and how wrong it was and how we needed to stop doing it.   It's so easy to look at someone else and make a judgement on their appearance, or what they are doing, how they are living . . . but there is an old Indian saying which says that you should never judge another person unless you have first walked a mile in their moccasins.  It's just plain wrong.  We cannot know what lays in another's heart or mind.   Only our Father in heaven knows.    We need to learn to give others the benefit of the doubt and to look at them with the eyes and the heart of the Saviour.   It is something that I work at all the time, and sometimes I fail at it.  Thank goodness for repentance!

I am thankful for...

See above!   Repentance, which allows me to begin again . . . frequently!

From the kitchen... 
There is some cake and one mince pie left from Christmas.   I have been thinking of baking some bran muffins.  I do so love a good bran muffin.  When I had my canteen I used to bake lots of muffins every day . . . bran, carrot, banana, morning glory.   They all sold out every day.
 
I am wearing...  
A blue nightie with white polka dots that Todd gave me for Christmas and slippers, a robe, etc.  Soft and warm.

I am creating...  

Source: blackbird-designs.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

This ruffled edge on this quilt is so adorable.   I have a lap quilt which I started over a year ago which is just sitting up in my craft room waiting for me to finish it off.  This would be perfect.

Source: sltrib.com via Julie on Pinterest

Isn't this a fabulous little sewing kit?   I love it, but then . . . I do love buttons very, very much.   This would be so easy to do.   I just have to find an old mason jar!

Source: etsy.com via Marie on Pinterest

Loving these little origami butterflies.  I could see a flock of these flying on the wall over our bed. These are on Etsy, but there must be instructions on how to make your own somewhere.

Source: creativityinprogress.com via Marie on Pinterest

I just love this little paper tea party.   Is it not just the cutest thing?   I think it would be very easy to make as well.

I am going... 
My mother will be in Halifax at the hospital today for her needle biopsy.   Please keep her in your prayers.   She has to be there by 7:30 am Atlantic Time.  It is quite a lengthy process.   It's also quite a journey to take on winter roads, as the hospital is about an hour and a half away.

I won't be telephoning her today so Todd and I are going to go and see Les Miserables at the movies.   We have been waiting for this to come to the UK, so it will be great!   We saw it on the West End down in London when we lived down South and it was fabulous.   Looking forward to seeing the film today.    We don't often go to the movies.   More than not we wait until the come to the telly or out on dvd.  There are some though that you just want to experience on the big screen.  This is one of them.

Thursday evening is our January Women's RS Additional Meeting.  The theme is Fresh Starts and New Beginnings this time.   I hope we have a nice turnout.  It would be nice to see some of the Sisters out who don't normally make it.

I am reading...

Source: eating-for-england.com via Sara on Pinterest

My Berlin Kitchen, by Luisa Weiss.
Along the way to adulthood, I acquired one six-inch chef’s knife, a dark-green glazed cast-iron pot, and the growing realization that baking and cooking were not just a sure way to end up with a pan of warm brownies or a kitchen full of the fragrance of beef stew.  Busying myself in the kitchen was how I conjured the people and places I loved the most in the steam rising off the pots on the stove.  And when I came down with a rare and chronic illness known as perpetual homesickness, I knew the kitchen would be my remedy.

I am in love with this book. How could you not be.  It's an autobiography but with food and recipes.  I am totally smitten with it.  I do so love this type of book.  I am halfway through it.   It's fabulous"

Reading Little Women by Louisa M Alcott on my Kindle.  Revisiting an old favourite.  I don't think you can ever be too old to enjoy the classics!



Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman.   This, too, is on my Kindle.   It's a historical autobiography.  I did see the film with Kiera Knightly a few years back, which was quite good.   Georgiana Cavendish, the Duchess of Devonshire was what you might call the first "IT" girl and lived over 200 years ago.   She was born into the Spencer family at the family seat of Althorp, which means she was an ancestor of Princess Diana.   There were a lot of parallels in their lives which I find absolutely fascinating.  It's a long book, but I am looking forward to reading it.

 I am hoping...
I am hoping and praying that my mother's day goes well today.   It is a horrendous experience to go through and I wish that I could be there now to hold her hand, but she wants me there later during her treatment, and she is right, that is the best time for me to be there.

I am hearing... 
Ordinary morning sounds.   My play list, Mitzie snoring . . . the clock ticking.  My fingers clicking on the keys.  Nothing changes . . .

Around the house...

Source: bhg.com via Buttercream Bakehouse on Pinterest

There are some fabulous ideas here on bathroom storage.   I need help with that.   It's so easy to let your bathroom get jumbled up with lots of tat . . . not that any of it is stuff you don't need, but it would be so nice to be able to store it all a bit tidier!  I am loving this.  I just have to find an old cabinet that I can paint and re-purpose for this use.

Source: postteenageliving.com via Victoria on Pinterest

I just adore the simplicity of this kitchen.  The stone floor, the white cupboard with the wooden knobs, the wood look countertop, the butchers sink, the smeg fridge, the open shelf above the sink.  I Love it all!  A gal can dream!

Source: kandeelandkandeeland.blogspot.com via Victoria on Pinterest

I don't have any children, but I have fallen in love with this bed!   I can only imagine how much fun it would have been to have a bed like this when I was a little girl.   Heaven!   I think it's just wonderful.   It's probably a pain to make though . . . hmmm . . .

One of my favourite things . . .  

Source: tpettit.best.vwh.net via Marie on Pinterest

Paper Dolls.   When I was a little girl I had lots of paper dolls and I probably played with them far more than I played with real dolls.   I just adored them.  It was a way of having more dolls, but not having to spend a fortune to get them.   I used to save up my allowance to buy them, and a lot of the fun I got from them was in making new clothes for them.   I spent hours with my paper dolls.   I wish I still had them.

Something new about me ...

Source: google.co.uk via Marie on Pinterest

I have a thing for pigs, or should I say Piglets.   I think they are so cute.   Todd bought me a pig figurine a few years back and it is one of my favourite things.   Pigs are such intelligent animals and not as dirty as some people think they are.  They are really quite clean.   I was fortunate enough to be able to visit Jimmy's Farm down near Ipswich a few summers ago and I really enjoyed seeing all of his pigs.  One of the highlights of my past couple of years!

One of my guilty pleasures ...

Source: cupcakeproject.com via Suzy on Pinterest

I just love, LOVE Ritz crackers.   These are homemade ones which I am going to have to try to make.   I especially love Ritz crackers spread with cheese spread or with peanut butter.  

Pet Peeves...    

The small print on packages, bottles, cans, etc.   I just can't read it.  I think I will have to finally invest in a magnifying glass.   I must be getting old.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Source: redbubble.com via Bonnie on Pinterest

“God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons we could not learn in any other way."  C S Lewis

When I think back on my life I can clearly see that the  most profound lessons I have learned I have learned through my deepest trials.   These are the lessons which stick with you.   I guess I am a person who has always had to learn things the hard way.

As a closing thought I would like to leave you with this:

The test of thankfulness is now what you have to be thankful for, but whether anyone else has reason to be thankful you are here." ~author unknown

And there you have it . . . my day book for this week. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!  

 



Cooking in The English Kitchen today . . . Roast Chicken with a Lemon Herb Stuffing.  Something to think about for the weekend!

Happy Day all!

The Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY, April 27th, 2010...

Outside My Window...
The sun is up, the birds are singing, and it looks to be another fine day. We have been so lucky with the weather this past week. Most days there has hardly been a cloud in the sky. One wonders when this lucky run is going to end! It can't last forever unfortunately.

I am thinking...
How very fragile things can be. When I first came back online after having been away for those two weeks, I had over a thousand e-mails waiting in my in box. It took me hours and hours to wade my way through them, over a period of days. I did not want to miss anything important. Unfortunately one important e-mail got misplaced and yesterday I got another e-mail from a very upset person who could not understand why I had not replied to their first e-mail. I immediately wrote them back and apologized, but I fear it was too late. There has been no reply back. I am quite upset that it got overlooked. I am not that kind of person and it makes me feel really bad that someone now thinks that I am so full of myself that I could not take the time to reply to their very heartfelt e-mail. I suppose that I should have replied to it right away. I had put it aside so that I could attend to it at a later hour when I was not so swamped . . . unfortunately it got lost in the mire that is my e-mail box at times.

I am thinking too, of my sweet dear friend June, who has had to say goodbye to her beloved far too soon . . . My heart and prayers are with her as are the heart and prayers of many. I know that they are very much appreciated by her, but then again . . . I also know that right now they are probably not enough, and I understand that . . .

I am thankful for...
Sunny days and a husband that loves me, even if I sometimes don't come up to all that I should be. I try my hardest and that is enough for him. I think it works both ways really, and I am glad for that! ☺

From the kitchen...
There is a loaf that I have not written about yet and a few of those rocky road squares left from the other day. I am trying to be a good girl!

I am wearing...
Blue pajamas and my blue terry robe. It's been a lot warmer these past few mornings. Not much of a chill in the air at all!

I am creating...



I made the cutest little mouse doll over the past couple of days. It was quite involved and had a lot of hand sewing. All her body parts are soft sculptured, and her clothing is mostly hand sewn and stuffed as body parts. I think I will be listing her later today at my Etsy Shop. I have not been able to get any painting done over this past week like I wanted to. I still need to organize my craft room better. It is still quite a tip. Perhaps I will get stuck into that chore later today. There seems to be so much to do still, and only so many hours to get it done in.


I am going...
We have a bed arriving for the spare bedroom on Friday, so I really need to get that room sorted along with the craft room, so that there is room to put the bed in there when it comes. We tried to get bunkbeds, but they were too expensive, and the ones at Ikea that we wanted could not be bought online, so we ended up just buying a single bed from Tesco. Should be fun putting that together!! Then we are just going to get a blow up mattress to use as an extra bed should we get company. There will be the spare bed and the mattress. We usually give any company our double bed anyways. It's a lot easier that way.


I am reading...




Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer, by Jane Brocket

I know it might seem a bit unusual to be reading a cookbook, coz that is what this is, and I have spoken of this book before, but I dug it out again a few nights ago and am really enjoying going through it again. As a child I devoured the books of Enid Blyton and the Famous Five and I loved reading Pippi Longstocking, and of course any other children's novel that I could get my hands on. I have always been a voracious reader. These children's books were filled with exotic sounding foods and this book is filled with little exerpts from the books and of course, the recipes. I am so enjoying this second trip down memory lane! Perhaps today I may even have a chance to bake some Strike Me Pink Raspberry Jam Cakes that Todd and I can wash down a bit later on with some Ginger Beer of course!!

I am hoping...
That this nuce sunny weather lasts for a few more days! I know it cannot last forever, but I am enjoying it so very much and would like a few more days of it. Greedy I know!

I am hearing...
A clicking clock, the tapping of my fingertips on the computer keys, birds singing in the garden. Yes . . . all seems right with the world. It is at times like this though that I really miss our Jess. She was my early morning companion. Always laying right next to me, her soft warm body against my feet . . . She was so loving and so dear. I miss her so very much.

Around the house...
Things are still looking quite settled despite the craft room that needs to be sorted and the spare room . . . Everything in the rest of the house is very organized. There is a routine that needs to be followed when one wants to use something and it must be put back as soon as we are finished with it as there is no room in this house for things to be out of order. As a bit of a clutter bug, this is a hard adjustment for me to be making, but I am trying really hard.

One of my favorite things...
is absolutely sharing my thoughts with you on here each morning. I am sorry if I sometimes disappoint. I really don't mean to do so . . .

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
I have a bit of work to do with Todd and of course dolls to finish and paintings to paint. I need to work some on the second cookbook I am writing. I am sending off a Book Proposal to a publisher this time, not trying to do it all on my own. I may get somewhere. I may get nowhere. I must remain positive about it, and never give up.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



This is a picture I took last spring of some of the blossom on the Estate down South. Oh I can imagine that it is an absolute riot of bloom and blossom at the moment . . . we were so very blessed in so many ways to have lived there for the seven years that we did. Nevermind . . . there are new blossoms here to discover and new adventures that are just waiting for us to experience them!

And there you have it, my Simple Woman's Day Book for today. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!)

My Todd is a pie man. There is nothing he loves more than a nice wedge of meat pie and a pile of mash, all smothered in Bisto Gravy of course!! He is not hard to please. I am thankful for that in so very many ways!



*Steak and Vegetable Pie*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

We are real pie people in this house. You could put pretty much anything between two crusts and we would love it. This is a particularly delicious steak pie. I suppose you could just stew the meat and add some frozen mixed veg if you wanted to, but I love the flavour of the swede and carrots when they have been stewed along with the steak. It's pretty yummy! (Plan ahead as it takes several hours to make)

1 1/2 pounds stewing steak, diced
1 TBS olive oil
1 clove of garlic, peeled and minced
2 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
1/4 of a large swede (rutabaga) peeled and cut into chunks
1 onion, peeled and diced
4 ounces button mushrooms, sliced (optional)
8 ounces (1/2 pound) shortcrust pastry
2 TBS flour
a 1/2 cups beef stock
a pinch of thyme
salt and pepper to taste
beaten egg to glaze

Mix the flour with some salt and pepper to taste and coat the pieces of meat in this mixture. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet that has a lid, and when hot, add the meat and brown it slowly on all sides. When it is nicely browned add the onions and garlic, and mushrooms if using. Cook for a few moments, and then stir in the carrots and swede. Cook and stir over medium heat until they begin to brown a bit and then add the stock and thyme. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and allow to simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the meat is quite tender. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

Preheat the oven to 220*C/425*F/gas mark 7. Divide the pastry into thirds and roll two thirds of it out, 1/4 inch thick, on a floured board, rolling it to a large enough piece to line a 2 pint pie dish, allowing for a bit of overhang. Strain the juices off of the meat and vegetables, reserving them. Spoon the meat and the veg into the lined pastry crust. Spoon a bit of the juice over top to moisten. You don't want it too sloppy, but you don't want it dry either. Save the rest to make a gravy with if desired. Roll out the remaining pastry to fit over top. Moisten the edges of the bottom crust and lay the top over the meat and veg. Seal and trim the edges. Flute as desired along the rim and then brush the top with a bit of beaten egg. Make a few slits to vent the steam.

Place on a baking tray and bake in the pre-heated oven on the middle shelf until the pie is bubbling and the pastry is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve hot, cut into slices with some nice vegetables, potatoes and gravy on the side.

Note - if you want to make a gravy with the meat juices that you have saved, shake a TBS of flour in a glass jar with some water and stir it into the reserved juices. Bring to the boil, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth and thick. Taste for seasoning and adjust as required. Serve hot, along with the pie.



There is a Hearty Country Style Tortilla over on The English Kitchen this morning. Quite, quite delicious!

The Simple Woman's Day book . . .

FOR TODAY, August 10th, 2009 ...

Outside My Window...
Things look very calm and quiet. The air is very still. That is the way it is when we get warmth and humidity. I can remember as a child the telephone wires would humm. We could hear the sound of them echoing through the air on a hot summer's afternoon. This is what we always called the "Dog Days" of August . . . lazy summer days when the heat and humidity sapped all of your strength and energy and you felt like doing what dog's do best . . . just lazing around and doing nothing.


I am thinking...
Late yesterday afternoon, the telephone rang and it was Terri. She was very upset. Nobody had been to see her this past week and she had been waiting for me. I felt really bad. Really, really bad. I had planned to go and see her this past weekend and had told her so when I spoke to her on the telephone this past week, but I had also told her I would call first. We ended up not getting home from church until very late yesterday afternoon, and then I called my mom as it was my week for calling her. I hate it when I let down a friend. I wanted to jump into the car and drive over right then and there, but she wouldn't hear of it. She said she was going to bed. I felt so awful. She has a hospital appointment today so today is not a good day, and I have to work anyways. The only chance I may have to go this week will be Thursday afternoon on my birthday and so I will go then. In the meantime I will try to send some baking and food over to her with one of the gardeners. I wanted to do that last week, but he didn't want to go . . . and so I didn't. She does live some distance away.

I am thankful for...
I am thankful for a caring heart, even if it sometimes pains me and makes me feel pretty bad. I would rather be a caring person, than someone who was hard and unfeeling.

From the kitchen...
There is a container filled with delicious cinnamon rolls, made just like my mom used to make them, and a plate of delicious squares, and of course the rest of that courgette loaf I made last week. I don't know why Todd is not the size of a barn . . . really.

I am wearing...
A white cotton nightie. Nothing is more cooling in the heat of the summer, than a white cotton nightie. I also love white cotton sheets on my bed. Come to think of it . . . all my towels are white as well, and so are my undies. I think I just have a thing for white!

I am creating...
I have a few goodies in the pipeline that I can't show you just yet! You'll see soon enough though!

I am going...
Well, I guess I am going to visit Terri this week and of course I have work etc. I don't really have a lot planned. Our sister in law would like for us to come for dinner at the weekend, but I can't really plan that far ahead as I am never sure if I will have to work or not until closer to the day.

I am reading...



Women of the Old Testament by by Camille Fronk Olson and
Elspeth Young (Illustrator)

“Women were not invisible in those ancient days; it is time to bring them out of the shadows today.”—Camille Fronk Olson

It's very interesting to read about these inspiring women, who had struggles much like our own and how they were able to use their faith to deal with all the slings and arrows life would throw at them. Surprisingly the problems they had back then are quite similar to the problems many women face today. It's nice to see a book that speaks about all the inspiring women in the scriptures for a change.

I am hoping...
That I can make it up to Terri. I really hated seeing her so distressed. I learned an important lesson though. I need to really make it clear what I am going to do with her, so that I don't disappoint her like that again. Can you tell? It's really bothering me. I do so hate letting people down . . .

I am hearing...
It's very quiet in here this morning. Jess is snoring, the fridge is humming, the computer keys are tapping. I hear some crows in the trees outside the cottage. They can be quite noisy. We used to have lots of crows back home and they would all gather in the tree tops in the evening and call out to each other. It was really quite interesting. They are fascinating birds. They actually live in communities and when a crow mates, it mates for life . . .

Around the house...
I am working on decorating the small bathroom. We have but a limited budget and I don't want to spend a lot. If we ever leave this place it is doubtful that we will have two bathrooms in a council house. The truth is we will probably be in a council flat and we won't even have a shower. I dread ever leaving here. The hard reality is that this house we live in now is much larger and nicer than anything we would be able to afford on our own.

One of my favorite things...
Is blog hopping and reading. I have not had a lot of time for that lately. I don't know where the time keeps disappearing to??? Is anyone else experiencing this? The hours just seem to float away into nothingness. I am no sooner getting up, than it is late at night and I am getting ready to go to bed . . . the hours inbetween having disappeared into the ether . . . I think the scriptures do say that time will speed up in the end times.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
I don't have a lot planned this week. Work and puttering about here. My mom will be calling me on Thursday morning before I go to work, which will be nice. It just wouldn't seem like my birthday if I did not get to talk to her. I love my mom so very much and she is ever faithful in all that she does for me. I can rely on getting a handwritten letter from her every second week and a phone call on Christmas morning and on my birthday every year. Oh how I wish I could bottle them up and keep them safe so that I would never ever have to experience not having them . . .

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Some of the apples in one of the Orchards that surround us. They are so red and juicy looking! Can you believe that they have already set out the big boxes for apple picking. It seems ever so early this year and the hedge rows are already filled with ripening blackberries, alot of them ready to pick now. Why does winter always seem to last so long and summer disappears in a twinkling?

And there you have it, my Simple Woman's Day Book for today. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!)

I made these delicious squares last night for Todd to enjoy with his evening choccie. He likes a hot drink does my Todd. I, myself, have never really been in to hot drinks much, although once upon a time I did enjoy an occasional cup of hot tea. These are called Chinese Chews. I have no idea why. They are very tasty and there is not an ounce of butter or fat in them at all. Moist and sticky and yum, yumm . . . Yummy!!

*Chinese Chews*
Makes one 9 inch square pan
Printable Recipe

This is a tasty recipe from an old Purity Cookbook of mine. This was the first cookbook I acquired way back when I was first married, many moons ago. I am not sure why they call them Chinese Chews, as there is nothing remotely oriental about them. I do know, however, that they are quite delicious, and the perfect finger square for the tea table.

3/4 cup sifted flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chopped pitted dates
3/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts
2 large eggs
Fine granulated sugar for rolling



Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Butter a 9 inch square baking tin, and line it with parchment paper, leaving a bit of an overhang so that you can lift the squares out after to ease in cutting. Butter the paper. Set aside.

Stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in the walnuts and dates. Beat the eggs until light and then stir them into the mixture, combining well. Spread into the prepared pan. Bake for about 30 minutes until set. Do not overbake.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before lifting out. Cut into fingers while still warm and roll in the fine sugar. Store in a tight container.



For another tasty treat, why not pop on over to my OTHER place and check these tasty babies out!