The Simple Woman's Day Book . . .

FOR TODAY, March 16th, 2009 ...

Outside My Window...
Although I could see a growing moon hanging in the sky as I came downstairs this morning, I could see that the sun was beginning to rise and I could hear the beginnings of the morning chorus. Birdsong is so very beautiful this time of year . . . when the birds are mating and nesting.

I am thinking...
The song "Angels" is playing on my play list and I am thinking about angels. I believe in angels, of course. I think they come in many shapes and sizes. They surround us all the time. We have guardian angels and angels that are just there to lend a helping hand if we need it. Sometimes angels come in the shape of a friend, or a loved one, someone who just happens to be where we need them at the right time. I don't believe they can interfere with God's will for us, by any means, but I do believe that they are here to help and guide us if we are willing to look out for them and to listen.

*When life dealt troubled times and had me down on my knees
There's always been someone there to come along and comfort me
A kind word from a stranger to lend a helping hand
A phone call from a friend just to say I understand
Ain't it kind of funny at the dark end of the road
Someone lights the way with just a single ray of hope*

I am thankful for...
All the many blessings in my life . . . love of family and goodly friends . . . a church that has shown me where I came from, why I'm here, where I need to go and how to get there . . . employment at a time when so many have none . . . a comfortable bed to sleep in, food in my belly and a roof over my head . . . my health . . . my various talents and strengths . . . my faith . . . my cup really does runneth over!

From the kitchen...
There's a delicious cake sitting on the counter beckoning to me this morning. (Cake for breakfast anyone?) I haven't actually done a lot of cooking this weekend. Saturday night I did some lovely chicken legs in an Asian flavoured sauce which I will be sharing a bit later on in the week, and then yesterday we just had a cold plate of sliced meats and different salads . . . oh, and sticky toffee pudding, mustn't forget that!! (Yes that is a link to my recipe)

I am wearing...
Pink jammies and my black slippers. I am soooo comfortable. I may never get dressed again . . . (How I wish!!!)

I am creating...
I didn't get any painting done this past weekend because we have had guests, but I was looking through all my sketches on Saturday morning (as my fingers itched to get out my paintbrushes) and I did several sketches while I was waiting for people to get up. I have loads of sketches waiting to go. I wish I had more hours in the day to get to them!!!

I am going...
It's going to be sad to have to say goodbye to Babs and June this morning. It's so nice to have some family around. Todd comes from a very small family and mine is so very far away. We have had a wonderful couple of days though and the sun has shone right through them, amazingly enough! We had a gorgeous day yesterday and drove over to Bateman's (The home of Rudyard Kipling.) All the trees are in bud and there were quite a few flowers blooming . . . anemones, daffodils, crocus and wild orchids to name but a few. It's back to work and reality for me today and then later in the week I have seminary and Young Women's of course!

I am reading...



Yesterday when we were at Bateman's we picked up this lovely book. Can you believe that neither Todd nor I have ever read the Jungle Book??? I know!!! What are we like!!! We have decided that we are going to read it together. The illustrations in this book are wonderful. We saw the originals in the house and they are so very beautiful . . . the book just comes to life with them. Of course I couldn't resist picking up this:

I can't wait to bake my way through it!!! Lucky me! Lucky Todd!!!


I am hoping...
That wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, you will take a few minutes to just stop and close your eyes and give thanks for your blessings today. We all have them . . . big and small. Just stop and think about them for a few moments, and then pause to give a few minutes of thanks. You'll feel wonderful, I guarantee.

I am hearing...
The birds are full awake now and chattering away. Such a beautiful noise. Jess is laying by my feet softly snoring and I can hear the tap, tap, tapping of my fingers on the keyboard. All is right in my world, all is well . . .

Around the house...
All is tidy, and everything is in it's place. My home surrounds me and draws me in with warm and loving arms. There is no place on earth that I would rather be than within these four walls . . . life has been so very kind to me thus far. God is good.

One of my favorite things...
is puttering about in the kitchen. I love to cook and there is nothing that gives me more pleasure than getting out my pots and pans and making something that I know someone else is going to enjoy. I enjoy every aspect of cooking, well . . . all except the cleaning up part that is! Thankfully I have a 70 year old dish washer that still works a charm! (and it gives hugs and kisses too!)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
I am hoping that at some point this week I will be able to pick up my paints and brushes and do a bit of painting. I have a ton of things to get done at work. I find that sometimes when you think of the whole picture, it can be a bit overwhelming when you think of all that you need to get done. Instead I try to think of it all one task at a time. It's much easier to bear that way!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



This is a picture I took out at Bateman's yesterday of some blossom on one of the apple trees. Spring was bursting out all over and the air was so warm, with only the hint of a gentle breeze. We truly did have a wonderful afternoon. I took a ton of pictures, which I will share with you all at one point for sure!

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! )

When I was over in American just recently my friend Lenis made me this lovely Dutch Pancake for breakfast on the day I was leaving to come back to England. It was delicious and she gave me the recipe. I made it yesterday morning for our guests and it went down a real treat! I served it with some frizzled ham and sliced peaches . . . Oh, and syrup of course! Thanks for a wonderful recipe Lenis and opening your lovely home to me!



*Lenis' Dutch Pancake*
Serves 6 (or if you are greedy like us, 4)

This is so easy to make and so delicious to eat! You can have it with syrup like we did, or with jam, which is also very tasty. I like to dust it with icing sugar for an attractive presentation. It is truly wonderful and I can't wait for strawberry season so that I can fill it with some lovely fresh berries!

1 cup milk
1 cup sifted flour
6 eggs
1/4 tsp salt
6 TBS butter (shh . . . we aren't going to think about that!)



Pre-heat the oven to 220*C/450*F. Place the butter into a 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Place in the oven to melt. In the meantime put all the remaining ingredients into a blender and give them a good blitz to combine. Take the pan of sizzling butter out of the oven and pour in the batter from the blender immediately. Bang right back into the oven and bake for approximately 20 to 25 minutes. It will puff up and look all light and airy.

Remove from the oven and serve immediately with some sliced fruit, syrup, or jam.