The Simple Woman's Day Book . . .

FOR TODAY, February 2nd, 2009 ...

Outside My Window...
the world is wrapped in cotton wool. Yes, it has snowed and is still snowing. About two inches lies atop my car, and every bush and every blade of grass. It is quiet and still and magical.

I am thinking...
On Saturday evening I found out that the son of some old friends of mine had passed away from cancer. I am thinking he was far too young, only around 30 years of age or a bit older. He died after a long battle with cancer. I feel so badly for his parents, sweet, sweet people. They must be aching all over with sorrow, and yet at the same time, with relief at the end of his suffering. It's hard to understand I am sure . . . we are used to people dying when they get old, and while it still hurts, it's a bit easier to take . . . when one is so young, it comes unexpectedly and it hard to understand. Thank heavens for the Gospel which is a great comfort at a time like this.

I am thankful for...
I have much to be thankful for. My health, my home, my family, my friends . . . love surrounds me and I have my faith which upholds me, always.

From the kitchen...
There is a garlic bread sitting on the counter leftover from yesterday and a plastic container full of cookies not to mention some of that delicious dump cake leftover from the other day. Can you believe I have not had a dish full of it yet . . . although to confess the little teaspoons full I have tasted probably add up to a rather large bowl! *blush*

I am wearing...
Pajamas and my robe, and wishing I had a fleece blanket to wrap around my legs. I am freezing this morning. However am I going to cope with the cold of Idaho I am wondering . . . I hope Lura and I are blessed with warmth while we are there and that we don't feel the cold as much as we should. Maybe the warmth of adrenaline and excitement will wrap us up!

I am creating...
I am busy making cards. I have sold all the ones I made to take down to the post office and so I am making more! I had to order another one hundred blanks, which is exciting! I only have one left of the original first one hundred that I had bought. I know I used some of them for cards that I sent myself over Christmas, but still, even after taking off that amount, that is quite a few that I have managed to make and sell, and the feedback from them has been very good. People like them and that makes me feel very good. I have even had repeat orders now, which is quite positive. I never did get around to sending my portfolio to Hallmark over Christmas, but I am working towards getting it sent when I get back from America.

I am going...
umm . . . ahhh . . . errrr . . . dare I say it??? Oh what the heck! I'm going to America! I still can't believe it and I am black and blue from pinching myself! Only four more sleeps!

I am reading...



I'm still reading Ink Heart, but I have been reading another novel at the same time as well, called Beauty by Susan Wilson. It is one of my favourite novels and one that I have read several times, but I never tire of the story. It is a modern day telling of the Beauty and the Beast and I just love it.

I am hoping...
that I will be able to get everything done this week that I need to do before I leave on Friday, or at least the most important things! I am doing up a schedule for the girl that is replacing me at work with menus and recipes and such so that she will be ok and not have to worry about anything. I have a few things to pick up at the shops to take with me, and of course I have to make sure that Todd will be ok for eating and such while I am away. Seriously he doesn't eat unless I make something for him to eat, but perhaps that is just because I am here. I have loaded up the larder with tinned soups and such and I have some meals in the freezer for him that he can just pull out and defrost. I hope he won't be too lonely without me. I shall miss him, but I'm planning on taking lots of pictures to share with him and with you when I get back!

I am hearing...
does snow make a noise as it falls . . . I think not, but I like to imagine that it does and the air is filled with a million soft little tinkles, a melodic sound trickling down from the sky and wrapping us up in it's magic spell.

Around the house...
I got the larder sorted on Saturday and so now all we have to do is to tidy up the back room. I do need to put my art things away before I leave so that Todd is not having to deal with them. I couldn't bear for him to put them away as I wouldn't know where anything was so I had better do it myself!

One of my favorite things...
is sitting down here to write in the mornings. I really, really love it. It has become a major part of my day and I know I really miss it when I am not able to do it. When I am on holidays I write in a notebook, but it's not the same. That connection that I feel with each of you is not there when I am writing with a pen and paper. Sad, but true. When my fingers are tapping on the keyboard I feel as if each of you are right here in the room with me. Unfortunately, until you comment back, it is a bit like a one sided conversation . . .

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
I have to start sorting out what I am going to be taking with me and getting out my suitcase and carry on bag. I am a bit nervous about changing planes in Atlanta, but I keep telling myself that God hasn't brought me this far to abandon me in Atlanta!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

I know it's a bit irreverent, but it did make me giggle. With all the snow falling this morning I thought it was quite cute. I must remind myself not to do that on the way to work today!!! Falling snow always tastes a real treat doesn't it! All fresh like the outdoors and icy on your tongue!

This is what I made for Terry's visit yesterday. It's very easy and quick to do and quite tasty when it's done. You can add cooked ground beef and sausage to the sauce if you wish. I used a puttanesca sauce for an extra zip! It was delicious!



*One Step Lasagna*
Serves 8

Quick to do, easy and very, very good!

1 1/2 cups water
(if you are using the no cook lasagna noodles, omit this)
32 ounces good quality spaghetti sauce (jarred or homemade, with or without meat)
1 pound lasagna noodles, uncooked
1 pound ricotta cheese
1/2 pound mozzarella cheese, grated
4 ounces parmesan cheese, grated



Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Combine the water with the spaghetti sauce in a bowl. Lightly grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish.

Cover the bottom of the baking dish with 1 1/2 cups of the sauce mixture. Arrange a layer of uncooked noodles, slightly overlapping on top of the sauce.

Spread the uncooked noodles with half of the ricotta cheese and half of the mozzarella. Sprinkle with two tablespoons of the parmesan cheese. Add another layer of sauce. Repeat with another layer of noodles, the remaining ricotta and mozzarella and two more tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Top with a final layer of the noodles. Pour the remaining sauce over top and then sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese.

Cover loosely with foil and then bake for about 3/4 of an hour, remove the foil and bake for 15 minutes longer. Remove from the oven and let stand for about 10 minutes before serving.

I like to serve this with garlic bread and a tossed salad.

Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries!