The Simple Woman's Day Book . . .

FOR TODAY, September 28th, 2009 ...

Outside My Window...
It is actually midnight, the night before. I can't sleep, which is really annoying. I am going to have to work all night tonight (Monday) and I need my sleep tonight more than ever . . . I hate it when that happens. So . . . outside my window, it is dark. Very, very dark.

I am thinking...
I'm actually wondering why it is you can be falling asleep in front of the telly and then when you get into bed . . . you wake right up. It just doesn't make sense.

I am thankful for...
I am so very thankful that this doesn't happen every night.

From the kitchen...
Hmmm . . . there's the muffins left over from yesterday, some crusty bread and a pile of cookbooks just sitting there waiting for me to pick something out of them to make. I think it's the old thing where you can't see the forest for the trees. I had found a delish looking recipe the other day for these cookies using meringue and saltines, but do you think I can find it now?

I am wearing...
Turquoise PJ's, with polka dot pants! Very comfy


I am creating...



I did something really cute earlier today. It's a Teddy Bear Angel. I will be listing her later on today in my Etsy Shop. She's just perfect for on the tree top, or even just standing still on your sideboard. I just adore her. What do you think of her?

I am going...
Well, all I have planned this week is Seminary on Thursday night. We have our Autumn General Conference this coming weekend. Because of the time difference we watch it either on a Satellite Broadcast at our Stake Centre, or as Todd and I do most often, on the computer in the comfort of our own home. I can't wait to see what our church leaders have to say to us.

I am reading...



I am reading The Last Concubine by Lesley Downer, and I am really enjoying it very much. It combines three of my loves . . . oriental history, mystery and romance. The Last Concubine is the story of a shogun, a princess and the three thousand women of the women’s palace - all of whom really existed - and of the civil war that brought their way of life to an end. Growing up deep in the mountains of rural Japan, Sachi has always felt different, her pale skin and fine features setting her apart from her friends and family. When at the age of eleven she is swept off to the women’s palace in the great city of Edo, her life changes forever, and when she is chosen as the young shogun’s concubine, it changes even more. But Black Ships have come from the west, bringing foreigners, and as civil war erupts, Sachi has to flee for her life. Rescued by a rebel warrior, she finds unknown feelings stirring within her, but before she dare dream of a life with him, she must unravel the mystery of her own origins - a mystery that encompasses a wrong so terrible it threatens to destroy her. I am only about 1/3 of the way through, so not much progress since last week really.

I am hoping...
That when I am finished here I will be able to go to bed and fall asleep. Do you think I might get lucky? I think it's all in my head. I started worrying that I wouldn't be able to sleep last week, when I found out I was going to have to pull an all nighter on Monday night . . .

I am hearing...
It's all very quiet . . . the clock is ticking. Jess is snoring. My keys are tapping . . .

Around the house...
Not too much going on really. Some weeks are just like that. I think it's a good thing to have a lazy week once in a while.


One of my favorite things...
is collecting cream and sugar dishes. I have a number of them. I've mostly picked them up at yard sales through the years. I doubt they are worth much, except to me. I just adore them. Kind of useless really though since I don't drink tea and coffee. They do make a nice decoration though . . .

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
Work, painting and cooking, Seminary and Conference. Todd and I thought as well if it was fine on Saturday we might drive down to Eastbourne and go for a long walk along the seafront, and maybe a treat of fish and chips!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Something yellow from the garden. It's mostly filled with dead heads and dry seed pods now. The Autumn is in full swing, but there are odd bits of colour here and there!!

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! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!)


Here's a tasty recipe your family will enjoy! Big and small kids alike!



*Bacon Cheeseburger Potato Pie*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

All the kids, both big and small will love this tasty dish which includes all the flavours of their favourite cheeseburger.

Meat Crust:
1 1/2 pound extra lean ground beef
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup tomato catsup
2 tsp yellow mustard
1/2 tsp dried parsley
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Topping:
2 large baking potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1 TBS grated onion
1 cup of grated strong cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste
a bit of warm milk
a knob of butter
To Garnish:
1/2 cup grated strong cheddar cheese
3 slices of streaky bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
2 spring onions, trimmed and sliced
1 medium tomato chopped
Sliced dill pickles (optional)



Pre-heat the oven to 190*C/375*F. Mix all the ingredients for the meat crust in a medium sized bowl, mixing well with your hands. Press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of an un-greased 9 inch glass pie plate.

Place into the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and drain off any drippings.



While the crust is baking place the potatoes into a pan of lightly salted water. Bring to the boil and cook until tender. Drain well. Mash with a potato masher until smooth. Stir in the cheese, grated onion, butter, salt, pepper and warm milk, until the cheese is completely melted. Spoon this mixture evenly into the meat crust. Rough up the top a little. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until the meat is thoroughly cooked and the potatoes are warm through and slightly browned. Top with the cheese and crumbled bacon. Bake for 5 minutes longer. Remove from the oven and top with the chopped tomatoes and spring onions. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into slices to serve.



For a simple, yet tasty way to cook pork chops, check out The English Kitchen today! These are sooooo scrummy!!!