The Simple Woman's Day Book . . .

FOR TODAY, March 2nd, 2009 ...

Outside My Window...
The sun is just beginning to peer above the horizon. All is still and quiet, except for a faint rustle in the undergrowth as the night creatures hurry back home to their dens . . . and the odd little twitter in the bush as the birds begin to stir and wake up. "Hurry, Hurry!!" . . . they seem to cry out . . . "The day is beginning, there is no time to waste!!"

I am thinking...
About all the lovely testimonies that were born in our Fast and Testimony meeting in church yesterday morning. The first Sunday of the month, we always give our main Sacrament meeting over to the bearing of Testimonies. People fast as well, most often for a particular reason. Prayer and fasting are a strong combination, when done together. Normally our fast means that we do without two meals during the day, and the money that we normally would have spent on those two meals goes into a fast offering, which is then used to help those who are needy. When you combine this with the bearing of your testimony, it is a truly wonderful experience. I was fasting for Gracie and her family yesterday. It just seemed the right thing to do. They need our prayers and support more than ever now . . .

I am thankful for...
Yesterday afternoon I discovered that I could watch THIS online. It's a film called, On The Lord's Errand, the life of President Thomas S Monson. President Monson is the president of our church now. He is a truly inspiring man, and I thoroughly enjoyed this film about him. While I was watching it, I thought to myself . . . . what a wonderful servant of the Lord he is. He makes me want to be a better me.

“I always want the Lord to know that if He needs an errand run, Tom Monson will run that errand for Him.” ~Thomas S Monson

I want the Lord to know that I will run errands for Him too. You know that still small voice that whispers to your soul, and beckons you to act??? Well . . . we must learn to listen to it and then do what it tells us to do. It could be something as simple as a prayer for another, or picking up the telephone to call someone and asking if they need help . . . We must be the Lord's hands and His angels here on earth. We must learn to listen to the promptings of our hearts.

From the kitchen...
I smell chocolate . . . 'nuff said. All will be revealed tomorrow.

I am wearing...
A blue nightie! I know, it makes a change doesn't it? I am normally wearing pajamas, but today I am being a bit more feminine . . .

I am creating...
My grandson's sock monkey is packed up in it's little box, and the box is all taped and waiting to be mailed out today. I do hope he gets it in time for his Birthday on the 7th. It is hard to imagine he will be 3 already. The time sure has gone by quickly!

I did a few sketches yesterday afternoon. I thought they were quite cute. We shall see how they transfer from my penciled imaginations into coloured pictures. That's the fun part!! I never know how they will end up . . . it's amazing to me, this process. First I have a thought and then a picture forms inside my mind and then it leaks out from the end of my pencil . . . and then I take it from there and make it real.

I am going...
I don't really have too many plans for this week, other than the usual work and grocery shopping. Quiet week, I guess, but sometimes that is a good thing . . .

I am reading...

I am still reading "The 19th Wife. " It is a real page turner. I think I read over 50 pages last night in bed! That is a lot for me. I am usually falling asleep before I get to 5! I end up reading the same page over and over again . . . and still not knowing what I have read as I am so tired. This book is gripping, to say the least!

I am hoping...
For a miracle for Gracie's family. It is so sad when a child is sick like that, and has gone through as much as Gracie has. It will be her first Birthday soon . . . When I think of all that her little body has gone through in this year it makes my heart ache. The tears come, and I want to ask . . . why? . . . and then, in the next breath, I think about all the lives and hearts she has touched in this past year and the wonderful example of hope, faith and courage her family has been for us all . . .

I am hearing...
the music on my play list, and the whisper of the electric fire. I added a few new songs yesterday. I love the music on my list. It cheers my heart and soul and inspires me. That is what good music should do . . . it should truly be food for the soul.

Around the house...
We had a big clear out on Saturday. I had been saving food magazines for about 6 years . . . I subscribe to about 3 different ones. I had been telling myself that I was going to go through each one and take out the recipes that I wanted to try and then put them into a binder . . . but alas, I procrastinated (one of my weaknesses I'm afraid) and then they became so overwhelming that even I had to finally admit I'd never get it done . . . they're gone now and I am starting from scratch. I really must make myself do it every month or I'll find myself in the same spot six years from now!! We really must try to learn from our mistakes.

One of my favorite things...
is laying in bed and thinking. I think about all sorts and have wonderful conversations with myself. My mind wanders here and there and all over . . . and then back again to where I began. Our brains and thoughts are truly amazing. How ever could we have happened by chance? I think not! I did not evolve from primordial slime . . . I was created in awe and wonder . . .

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
Well, there's work of course and all the challenges and satisfaction that I get from that, and then Seminary and Young Women's Mutual on Thursday evening. I have a few fingers in a few pies that I must bake. Each week is amazing to me and a wonderful gift. I never know where the week will end up!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Todd and Lamb Chop enjoying "Larkrise to Candleford" on the telly last night. Yes, my husband IS a saint! (but life for him is never dull, I promise!)


And that's 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! )

I made a delicious Blueberry Pie for the missionaries on Saturday night. They really enjoyed it. I miss the wild blueberries from back home, but I guess any blueberry is better than no blueberry at all . . . and I do love blueberries! (They've been on special at the grocery store this past couple of weeks)



*Blueberry Pie*
Serves 8

You just can't beat a fresh blueberry pie to tickle your taste buds! This version is one of the best!

5 cups fresh blueberries
1 TBS fresh lemon juice
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 TBS butter
enough pastry for a two crust pie
(your own or store bought)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tsp sugar

Pre-heat the oven to 200*C/400*F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and set it aside.

Place the blueberries in a bowl and sprinkle with the lemon juice. Set aside.

Prepare the pastry according to the package directions. Fit half of it into a 9 inch pie plate.

Stir the first amount of sugar and the flour , along with the salt, cinnamon and nutmeg, into the blueberries. Mix well. Pour into the pastry shell. Dot with the butter. Roll out the top crust and fit it over top of the blueberry mixture. Trim, seal and crimp the edges. Cut a few slashes in the top to vent for steam.

Brush the top of the pastry with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown and the berries are bubbling up and cooked. (Cover the edges with tinfoil if you think it is browning too quickly.)

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, if desired.