The Simple Woman's Day Book . . .

FOR TODAY, November 3, 2008 ...

Outside My Window...
All is dark and still. It is the wee hours of the morning. Some might think me crazy to be up at this time of day . . . but it is my favourite time of day. It's quiet and peaceful and I have the time and space to be with my thoughts and to pray without any interference from the busyness that surrounds me during the rest of the day. This is my quiet time. Everyone needs some quiet time.

I am thinking...
about Thanksgiving. I know the Canadian one has gone past but I had to work through that one so we didn't really do anything for it. The American one is coming up in just a couple of weeks now and we have been invited to share it with some American friends from church. Another couple will be there as well as the missionaries and I am very excited about it. I shall be doing the side dishes so will be pouring through my cookbooks these next couple weeks to find just the right things . . .

I am thankful for...
Yesterday was our Fast and Testimony meeting at church. The first Sunday of every month is Fast and Testimony. As members of my church we all fast for two meals of the day, usually breakfast and lunch, and we devote our prayers and thoughts on that day for a particular cause or person (s). Instead of having regular talks during the Sacrament Meeting, once the Sacrament has been passed we have an opportunity to go up to the front and bear our testimony. Of all the church meetings we may have during the month, Fast and Testimony is my favourite. I am always so thankful for this opportunity to bear my witness of my faith and also to hear others do the same. We share special thoughts about things that are going on in our lives and how the Lord has blessed us and also of our knowledge of the truth of the Gospel. I am always uplifted and blessed by the words and testimonies of others. It is just a really special service.

From the kitchen...
It's hard to believe but there's not an awful lot going on there this morning! Todd and I were so tired when we got back from church yesterday. I hadn't slept well the night before and I'm afraid I yawned my way through Sunday School yesterday! I even felt myself nodding off at one point, but shhh . . . I don't think anyone noticed so don't tell them! I didn't do any baking or cooking much at all yesterday, in fact for our supper we had some toast. Todd had his with some slices of cheese and I had mine with peanut butter. I have always loved peanut butter on toast. It's my only weakness as Dorcas would say. (from the book Larkhill to Candleford)

I am wearing...
This week I am wearing bright turquoise pajamas! I look like a circus clown! The top is quite dark turquoise and the bottoms pale turquoise with tiny dark turquoise hearts all over them. All I need is a ruby red nose and some over sized slippers and I'd truly look comical. My hair is probably standing up all over the place as well! I know . . . what am I like!

I am creating...
One thing I did yesterday was to put together a sampling of thumbnails and descriptions of all my artwork to send to a card publisher that I found who is soliciting new artists. Wish me luck! I have my Dorie Challenge to do this afternoon during my break time. Usually I get it done at the weekend, but you know . . . I was too tired. I'm looking forward to this one. It looks really delicious, well . . . they all do. Tune in tomorrow to see how I did!

I am going...
I have a very busy week this week. Tomorrow afternoon I have the Chiropodist and then on Wednesday I have the Dentist. Then I teach on Thursday evening and afterwards for the Young Women's activity we are going to see a musical. One of our girl's is appearing in it and so we are all going to go watch it and give her some support. It's Thoroughly Modern Millie, and I just know she will do a wonderful job. She's a very talented young lady that way!

I am reading...
I am a slow reader so I am really still reading the same books as I have been these past weeks. I only read for about 15 minutes in bed each night before I am falling asleep so that's about all the reading time I get in. When I was younger I used to read for hours in bed at night, but these days it just makes me very drowsy! (which is not entirely a bad thing I am thinking!)

I am hoping...
My brother leaves for India today for two weeks. It's all to do with his job. I am hoping and praying that he has a safe and fruitful journey and is able to return to his family at the end of it without any problems. I hope that he gets through the two weeks without having any health mishaps or a dodgy tummy. It should be an exciting time for him. I have heard that people fall in love with India . . . the colours, the excitement, the people . . . India gets into your blood they say. I wonder if he will get to ride on an elephant?

I am hearing...
I have my play list playing softly in the background this morning. I love my music. I know that it drives some people crazy when they come to my page and Michael Buble starts shouting at them as soon as they arrive, but I love it! It's all little bits and bobs of my favourite music . . . some of it happy, some restful, some inspiring and uplifting . . . it makes me feel all special inside when I listen to it. It's not every one's cup of tea I know, but it's mine!

Around the house...
we are getting ready to have some new kitchen units fitted this week. Things will be in a bit of a turmoil while it is happening, but the end result will be worth all the pain and uproar! The new cabinets are oak finish and look lovely, much nicer than what is in here now. The counter top will be white and the knobs on the cabinets are white also. I am going to have a few more cupboards to fill up as well as drawers that actually work! It's all very exciting!

One of my favorite things...
is the time I spend every second week talking to my mum on the telephone. Todd can't understand how we can talk for as long as we do or about all that we do. We always manage to cover just about everything under the sun! We laugh and we cry and most important of all we love. If, when I was a teenager and full of angst, anyone had told me that one day my mum would be my best friend I would never have believed them . . . but it's true . . . my mum IS my best friend and I love her dearly.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
I have some sketches ready to go and already transferred to my art paper so I am really hoping that I have a chance to get at least one painting done this week. Would that I could do it every day! We are going to Romford on Saturday to visit Todd's brother, which will be nice. We have not been there in quite a few months now. It will be so good to see them. We're both really quite excited about it!


Here is picture thought I am sharing...


This is a photo of my sister and I from a long way back. I think I was about six years old in the photo and she would have been about three. I love this picture. You can see we love each other and are very happy to be there together. I love my sister so very much. We fought as cats and dogs when we were teens, but as adults we have forged an easy and comfortable friendship. We used to talk every morning on the telephone before we both started working full time. Now, of course, we live so far apart that talking on the telephone is quite difficult most times because of the hours we work and the time difference. We rarely even find each other on the computer to chat with these days. I miss her . . .

This is one of my absolute favourite meals. Breaded Pork Tenderloin. Kind of like Schnitzel really. Pork tenderloin is very tender anyways, especially if you DON'T overcook it. I like to serve it with a wedge of lemon and some applesauce on the side.



*Breaded Pork Tenderloin*
Serves 4

Crisply crumbed, high in vitamins and tenderly delicious, this pork dish is a winner on all counts. It's not all that hard to put together and I just know it will become a tried and true family favourite! I use separate hands to dip the pieces of meat, first into the egg and then into the crumbs. That way they don't get all gummed up with crumbs!

3/4-1 lb pork tenderloin
1/4 cup flour
2 eggs, beaten
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
3/4 cup dried breadcrumbs (I use the Italian ones)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
To serve:
Wedges of fresh lemon
Applesauce

Cut the pork into 1 1/2 inch thick slices. Place it between two pieces of cling film and lightly pound it, being careful not to tear the meat, into flat discs about 1/4 of an inch thick. It should almost double in size. Season each piece well on both sides with some salt, pepper and garlic powder.

Place the flour on a shallow plate. Put the eggs into a shallow bowl and then the crumbs onto another plate. Line them up on the counter in that order. Take your meat and lightly coat it in flour, patting it in and shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the egg and coat it well, allowing any excess to drip off. Then roll it into the bread crumbs coating it well on each side. Place on a plate to dry somewhat while you coat the rest of the pork.

Place the vegetable oil in a heavy skillet and heat over medium high heat. Once it is heated enough, drop in the pieces of pork, trying not to crowd the pan, you should only do a few at a time. Cook until golden brown on each side, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Place in a warm oven to keep hot until all are done.

Serve immediately with wedges of lemon and some applesauce. Potatoes (mashed or baked), salad and a green vegetable are the perfect accompaniments.




PSSST!! Don't forget to hop on over to The Simple Woman to see all the other day book entries for today!