The Simple Woman's Day book

FOR TODAY, April 5th, 2011...

Outside My Window...
The sun is just coming up. The morning chorus of birds are singing their little hearts out. It is dry and cool. The excitement of the day lays just at the horizon, just like a clean page waiting for me to put my pencil to it and write the story of my life that will be today . . .

I am thinking...
Those e-mails started again last night. I am at my wit's end with them. I think I will have to change my e-mail provider. Not only that but this morning when I opened my e-mail I had one from AOL saying that I have violated their terms of service for sending out Spam and that they are going to shut me down. This, after I have been on the telephone to them all weekend, trying to get this problem sorted out. It's all so infuriating.

I am thankful for...
I spoke to Lura yesterday and she sounded so much weaker, like she has taken five steps backwards. She is still hanging on, but needs your prayers more than ever. I am thankful for the prayers you have given already, as I know she is too. Please keep them coming more than ever! You can read any updates on her condition or leave a message for her here.

From the kitchen...
There is still some of that lemon ricotta cake left, but that's about all. Trying to be good here.

I am wearing...
A blue nightie, white jim jam bottoms, my blue robe and my slippers. I know, an odd combination, but very comfy and so me!

I am creating...
I have been busy re-scanning all my work into the computer, which is attached to the printer. (Again) Last week, it mysteriously set itself back to the factory settings and so we lost everything we had stored on it, including the program which we paid for which was supposed to help prevent that from happening! This has sure been an annoying week as far as computers go!!! I also continue to work on designing new stamps. If you would like to see the ones that are already available you can check them out here.

I am going...
It's a very quiet week this week really. I have a dentist's appointment and we are taking Mitzie for her monthly vet appointment, but other than that not a lot on really. I like quiet weeks.

I am reading...




Tatty, by Christine Dwyer Hickey

I am still reading and still loving this book. As the story begins, we are in 1964, and Caroline, known as `Tatty' to her family, is 4 years old. Her nickname is a play on the words tell-tale-tattler - she earns it because she's unable to keep secrets. She lives near Dublin with her Mam and Dad and her sisters - Jeannie who is two years older than her and Deirdre who has learning difficulties - and her two younger brothers.

Tatty's parents are drunks who have a volatile relationship. Tatty is particularly close to her Dad, and at times her Mam is very jealous of this closeness. As her parents' relationship breaks down, her mother's drinking becomes steadily worse, and she becomes more aggressive towards her children as they witness their parents' unhappiness.

Warm, sweet, funny, sad and unsentimental. A great read thus far!

I am hoping...
My greatest hope at the moment is that Lura continues to improve and that John stays well, and that things get back to normal for them as soon as possible. I hate hearing the pain in Lura's voice and I wish that I could do more for her than I am able to.

I am hearing...
Early morning sounds . . . the house cracking and snapping as it comes alive. The birds are chirping loudly in the back garden. The tip tapping of the computer keys, Mitzie gently snuffling here next to me on the sofa. I think she is off on a journey somewhere as her feet are also twitching!

Around the house...
Ironing. Ironing . . . and even more Ironing. It seems we always have a basket of ironing waiting to be ironed!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
Not a lot really. It's a pretty quiet week. Something that I can use quite frankly!


Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Love the white on whites of this photo, with just the touch of yellow from the stames of the flowers. Our Daffodils are holding up very well despite the wind and rain we've had so far this spring. Last autumn we planted them all along the base of the hedge on one side of our back garden. This autumn we plan on doing the other side. They are so bright and beautiful and cheerful too! I love them!

And just as a closing thought for today . . .

"The unexpected pleasure sometimes gives more happiness . . . than those that we have planned for many a day. An unexpected bit of fun is like a sudden flash of sun . . . a burst of brightness breaking through the grey. ~Patience Strong

I just love the little surprises that break into my life every day and the unexpected joys that they bring. You may not think they are there and you might miss them if you are not fully living in your present, but they are there for each of us each day, if only we have eyes and hearts to seek them out!

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!

Here's a deliciously colourful spring vegetable dish to share with you this morning. I love it when all the fresh spring vegetables start showing up on our supermarket shelves, don't you???




*Spring Green Vegetables*
Serves 4 to 6 as a side dish
Printable Recipe

All the joys of springtime in a delightfully fresh and colourfully green side dish!

1/4 pound of string beans, trimmed
sea salt
1/4 pound of sugar snap peas, trimmed and strings removed
1/4 pound of asparagus, trimmed
1/3 pound of tender stem broccoli, trimmed
2 TBS unsalted butter
1 TBS good quality extra virgin olive oil
3 large shallots, peeled and sliced
1/2 tsp of freshly ground black pepper

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to the boil. Blanch the string beans in the boiling water for 1 minute only. Lift beans out of the water with a slotted spoon or sieve and immerse them in a bowl of ice water to stop them from cooking any further. Add the snap peas to the same boiling water and cook for 1 minute, until al dente, adding them to the ice water and beans. Cut asparagus in 2-inch lengths diagonally and cook this in the boiling water for 2 minutes, and then add them to ice water as well. Cut the tender stem broccoli in half, boil for 1 minute, and add to the ice water. When all the vegetables in the water are cold, drain well. Set aside until you are ready to serve them. When you are ready to serve them, heat the butter and oil in a very large sauté pan or large pot. Sauté the shallots over medium heat for 5 minutes, tossing them occasionally, until they are lightly browned. Add drained vegetables to shallots with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the freshly ground black pepper, tossing together well. Cook just until the vegetables are heated through. Serve hot.



I'm going crackers over in The English Kitchen this morning!!

God loves YOU

If God had a refrigerator,
your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet,
your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring
and a sunrise every morning.
Whenever you want to talk,
He'll listen.
He can live anywhere in the universe,
and He chose your heart.
What about the Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem;
not to mention that Friday at Calvary.
Face it, friend.
He's crazy about you.
-Max Lucado

If I was only ever allowed to say one more thing to you . . . one last message, in one sentence it would be this . . .

As you are, right now, warts and all, God loves you, and that is something that will never ever change.

It doesn't matter who you are, or what you have, or even how much or how little you have. It doesn't matter what you look like, or how smart you are. It doesn't matter what you do, or what you don't do. God loves you because of who HE is. Your character and actions do not impact on the character of God. You might be compelled to think that on your better days He is proud of you, and he probably is. You might also be compelled to think that on your worst days, He is a bit disappointed and loves you less. Disappointed . . . maybe . . . love you less???? NEVER. You cannot apply human logic to the heart of God, for you'll always come up short. There is a life changing truth in the message of these three little words.

GOD LOVES YOU.



And how do I know this? Because He told me so. And I always believe what He tells me.

"Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever" (Psalm 136:26).

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3).

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).

"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever." (Psalm 52:8).

"But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." (Psalm 86:15).

“I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen.” (1 Ne. 1:20.)

The ear marked and dog eared pages of my Scriptures are filled to overflowing with examples of His love for us. Time and time again I am able to go to my scriptures and find words that comfort, words that heal, words that uplift, words that encourage, words that enlighten . . . the scriptures are my users manual for this life that I live, and one great big Love Letter from my Heavenly Father.



If you don't believe me???? Read them for yourself. You will see that I am right!

Just my thoughts on this Monday morning. I think sometimes we need a little reminder of just how very important we are to our Heavenly Father. I know I do!



Please continue to remember our good friend Lura in your prayers. I am so grateful for her friend Sil keeping us up to date on Lura's progress. From her page:

Lura had a very difficult day Saturday. Another portion of her lungs collapsed, so she was on additional painkillers through her IV as well as the epidural. To counteract the collapse and to try to reinflate her lungs, she is on a BiPap breathing machine, which forces air into her lungs. But thanks to all your prayers in her behalf, her lungs are looking clearer, and also, her epidural continues to remain in her back as there is no infection or inflammation.

Please continue to uplift her in prayer and why not go on over to her page and tell her know you are holding her in your prayers. She reads every comment we leave for her and they mean so very much to her. Thank you all so very much. You can find her page HERE.

Here's a cute recipe I found on Taste of Home for some sweet little Easter Bunny Dinner Rolls! Aren't they adorable? I haven't made them myself, but I plan on making them. This particular recipe had some wonderful reviews and lots of stars, so it must be good!



(Picture from Taste of Home)

*Easter Bunny Rolls*
Makes 24
Printable Recipe

Cute little bunny shaped herbed rolls to serve for either an Easter Brunch or celebratory Easter Supper!

1 packet of active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
3/4 cup warm milk
2 TBS sugar
2 TBS shortening
1 free range egg, beaten
2 tsp of celery seed
1 tsp rubbed sage
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
3 to 3 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
melted butter

Place the warm water in a bowl and dissolve the yeast in it. Add the milk, sugar, shortening, beaten egg, shortening, celery seed, sage, salt, nutmeg and 2 cups of flour. Beat until smooth. Add enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured boad and knead for about 8 minutes or so until smooth and elastic. Place into a greased bowl, turning to grease the top of the dough. Cover with a tea towel and place somewhere that is warm and draft free to rise until doubled, which should take about an hour. At the end of the rising time, punch the dough down and allow to rest for 10 minutes.

Divide the dough into 24 pieces. For each bunny, roll one piece of dough into a 20 inch rope. Cut the rope into one 10 inch piece, one 5 inch piece, two 2 inch pieces and one 1 inch piece. Coil the 10 inch pice for the body and place onto a greased baking sheet. Coil the 5 inch piece for the head Place this next to the body. Shape ears from the 2 inh pieces and a tail from the 1 inch piece, adding each to the bunny. Pinch and seal the pieces together. Repeat with all the dough leaving 2 inches of space between each one on the baking sheet. Cover and let rise until doubled, some 25 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 190*C/375*F/ gas mark 5. Bake the rolls for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Brush with the melted butter and remove to wire racks to cool.



Over in The English Kitchen today, a delicious Lemon Ricotta Cake!

My Apologies

I would like to apologize to anyone whom I e-mail privately. It would appear that my personal e-mail account has been compromised. It all began two days ago and someone has hacked into it and stolen my contact list, so that anyone I have been in communication with privately is now getting spam from me. They are NOT viruses, nor are they phishing, or malware. I have been in contact with my Service Provider (AOL) 4 times now and all they keep telling me to do is to change my e-mail password. This has not stopped the problem. I have had my son, who is a computer technician at a large Canadian University and who maintains and services their computers, go over my computer remotely, and he assures me I have neither a virus, nor any malware on my computer. These are simply people who get a rise out of stealing people's e-mail addresses and spamming their contacts. My son even managed to send me an e-mail from myself which I had not sent. He says it is very easy to do. All I can do now is to change my e-mail address, which is a very involved process as I will also have to try to change all my contacts and business details which I do business with. However that will not stop you from getting these annoying e-mails as they will still continue to use my e-mail address. If you think it is annoying getting 2 or 3 bogus e-mails from me a day, just remember, I am getting hundreds of "failure to deliver" e-mails a day as these bogus e-mails bounce back from noreply e-mail addresses, for they are not only sending these out to my friends, but to every company, or person that has ever had occasion to e-mail me for any reason. I do want to apologize to all my readers and friends and to let you know that these are in no way attached to this blog, nor my other one. It is still safe to read A Year From Oak Cottage, and to comment. Just don't e-mail me, until I get this sorted. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Poetry Saturday, Falling Stars

How many stars have softly slipped
from Heaven's gentle knowing grasp
falling, landing, bodies tipped,
to slumber in the darkened grass?


(image courtesy of Sarah Summers Illustration)

How many stars have kissed the trees
with gold and diamond-spangled dust
as they tumbled through the leaves
in graceful arcs as all stars must?



I wonder when I wander there,
through timeless forests still and deep,
If I am walking unaware
upon the dreams of stars that sleep.
~Rachel Wallace-Oberle



Oh, I do love the thought of prancing upon dreaming slumbering stars . . . don't you? It is a sweet, sweet thought . . .

Specific prayers needed for Lura today. First that they will be able to keep infection away from her epidural. This is so important to her. It is the epidural that helps to keep the pain at bay, enough so that she can move about and keep her lungs working. Secondly that her body will be able to rid itself of the fluid that is still left in her lung and preventing her lung from inflating. Thirdly that her lung will re-inflate. I spoke to her yesterday and she does sound so much stronger and was able to laugh, but then I do believe that Lura would smile and laugh through anything. She is such a precious soul and does appreciate our prayers so very much. Do pop on over and give her some love. It truly blesses her days.

I was able to have my tooth fixed yesterday so that was an extra special blessing. I really was not looking foward to facing the whole weekend in pain, especially where it is Conference Weekend! I love listening to the talks from the leaders of our church and I wanted to be able to fully concentrate on them, not on my hurting mouth!

I also wanted to apologize to anyone who got some wonky e-mails from me yesterday. It seems someone had compromised my e-mail account and was using it to send out spam to everyone on my contact list. I was able to get it sorted and change my password via my server. Totally annoying that there are ruthless individuals out there that get a kick out of things like this. It was not a virus, just in case any of you are worried that it was. Just some idiot sending out spam. The only thing I can think that happened out of the ordinary was that I deleted some distasteful comments that some individual from India had left on my blog. I hate it when spammers do that, and so I have not changed it so that you need to put in a word verification to comment. I don't like doing that, but you have to do what you have to do and I am sorry for that. I always hate word verifications on blogs. I can't understand the letters on them half of the time!

A recipe today! A delicious potato and ham casserole that is rustic, hearty and comforting! We love this. Over here we can't get the cream of potato soup, so I just use cream of celery, or potato and leek is good too. Have a wonderful Saturday everyone!



*Scalloped Potatoes with Ham*
Serves 10
Printable Recipe

A deliciously comforting oven baked casserole that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

1 can of undiluted condensed cream of mushroom soup (10-3/4 ounces)
1 cup of milk
1 can of undiluted condensed cream of potato soup (10-3/4 ounces)
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup of butter, melted
1 clove of garlic, peeled and minced
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp of seasoned salt
8 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
3 cups of cubed cooked ham
1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 180*C//350*F/ gas mark 5. Butter a large deep casserole dish well. Set aside.

Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl, mixing together well. Pour into the prepared casserole dish. Smooth out the top. Place iinto the preheated oven and bake for about an hour and a half. Cover for the first 45 minutes, then remove the cover and finish baking until the top is lightly browned and the potatoes are tender. Remove from the oven and allow to stand for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. We like to have a tasty salad on the side with this. Delicious!



Over in The English Kitchen this morning a delicious Tortilla Soup.

Friday Mish Mash

Just one step can start a journey,
Just one step is all it takes,
Just one match can set a lantern
Burning bright till morning breaks.
Just one voice can launch an anthem,
Start a song that never ends,
Just one smile can bridge a silence,
Turning strangers into friends.
Just one deed of simple trusting
Sometimes very hard can seem,
Don't despair, for just one footstep,
Leads the way to find your dream.
~Margaret Ingall

And just one toffee bitten down on in the wrong way can take off the top of a molar!! I discovered that yesterday morning when we were sorting out the dining room/lounge! I had a couple of tins of chocolates in there and one was a bit of a mixture of all sorts of candies and I thought I would try this toffee out to see if they were fresh or needed throwing away. I bit down into it and when I lifted my mouth to chew it took the whole top off of a molar. Needless to say I am in need of Dental treatment now! We called and the earliest they could get me in was Monday morning, but when pressed they said to call back this morning at 8:45 and they might be able to fit me in as an emergency. I really hope that they can! It is not hurting at the moment, but I dread to think about how it will be feeling in a couple of days without at least a temporary filling to cover it up!

We did get this whole area done yesterday, not that there was a lot to do in here. This long room is pretty much kept under control anyways. I did find my missing Administering the Church manual though, which was good! In going through the buffet I also came up with a few things that had me scratching my head, pondering what I could have been thinking of when I bought them though . . . they will be dropped off at the local charity shop soon.





This is one of the items. You would be forgiven if you didn't know what it is. Can you guess??? It is a potato masher! I know! Whatever possessed me to buy it??? Difficult to store and I can't remember ever using it. I think I thought at the time it would be a unique way to mash my potatoes. However, knowing me . . . I should have known that I am an old dog that hates new tricks. I would never change my traditional way of mashing them . . . just like I can never shorten someone's name!



It seemed like a good idea at the time . . . but now it just makes me feel ill to look at it. I suppose I could use it as a planter, but it's rather ugly, so I won't! Todd calls it North American humour, and perhaps it is. I only know for sure, it's gone . . .



Fat Cat measuring cups. Cute yes, but they take up a lot of space and I have never used them. One of those impulse buys that you just fall in love with but that end up not being very practical. I like my old beat up metal ones, I'm afraid. I also have a set of melmac ones that I keep inside my canisters and a sweet set of honey bee ones my sister sent me. Those I am keeping.



This is a pickled onion grabber. We hardly ever have pickled onions and when we do, it's not a problem using a fork to get them out of the jar. Just another unsual piece of kitchen kit gathering dust in a drawer.



Nothing unusual here. It's an ice lolly set. What would be unusual would be me having enough room in my freezer to make ice lollies, or anyone to feed them to if I did. I'm sure some young mum will get a lot more use out of this, so out it goes too.



Cute . . . check. Colourful . . . check. Impossible to store . . . check. 'Nuff said.

There were a few other odds and sodds that are destined for the charity shop as well, but nothing worth noting. I thought you would enjoy seeing these few things though! They're sitting in a box waiting to go and I daren't look inside the box for fear I will change my mind! I have to be ruthless!

I begin the One Step Program later this morning. (As long as it doesn't interfere with any Dentist appointment I might get!) I am a bit nervous about that. I know I will have to be weighed, not a problem as I was weighed at the hospital on one of those horrible scales that make you break into a cold sweat and I got through that experience intact, even if my ego was terribly bruised, and we all know they weigh heavier than the ones at home do! There is no easy way to get around it . . . this losing weight business and I should know that more than anyone. I've done it so many times in the past which shows me that I am very good at taking it off . . . it's the keeping it off that I am really bad at!

Well, I guess I have bored you enough with all of this chat chat for today, so I will leave you with a special and profound thought . . .

"God has given us more than enough help to banish fear and give us courage, whatever we may face in life. As we reach out for His help, He can lift us toward that eternal life we seek."
~Henry B Eyring



When I read that I think of my dear friend Lura who is certainly facing a steep hill to climb at this point in her life. She is improving every day, and has already been through so very much. Please do keep her in your prayers as she still needs them. Do pop on over to her page as well and leave her a message of hope and cheer. Reading them really does help to uplift her in the small hours of the morning when she is in so much pain that she cannot sleep. You can go to see her HERE. I just know she would love a visit from you. You will be inspired by the tenacity and faith of this beautiful woman.



Over in The English Kitchen today . . . a delicious dish of Spaghetti with Butternut Squash, Onions and Cheese. Happy Friday everyone!