The Simple Woman's Daybook . . .

FOR TODAY, February 8th, 2010...

Outside My Window...
All is dark and a mixture of rain and sleet is falling. Yep, it's back to winter again! I know, I know . . . it's February, what do we really expect??? Seven years ago, Todd and I had an unexpected vacation in March to the South of France with some friends and the apple trees were in bloom, amazingly enough. No matter is is cold and sleeting here . . . I know that somewhere in the world a tree blooms, and that is enough . . . the thought of it makes me smile.

I am thinking...
About how much I missed being able to go to church again yesterday. Two weeks in a row now I have missed, the most ever. With the dregs of this cold hanging on I couldn't risk going and infecting anyone with my germs. There are a few people in our church Ward with compromised immune systems and I would just feel awful if they ended up sick because of me. With them it is life or death, and so . . . I stayed home. I did listen to some lovely gospel music though . . . which was really nice, and Todd did get a proper Sunday lunch for a change. ☺

I am thankful for...
I am so very thankful for the Gospel in my life, a husband who loves and understands me, and my family and friends. These are the most important things in my life and I am so grateful for each and every one of them. There is nothing else that is near as meaningful to me. Oh, my job is important to be sure . . . but if that were to go I could get another one. My home, important as well, but also replaceable. A man who loves me the way Todd does? Irreplaceable. Likewise my family and friends. And the Gospel?? Well, all that I am hinges on that. It is the cornerstone of my life.

From the kitchen...
There's cupcakes and some lovely jam shortbreads, plus the rest of that blueberry lemon cake. I did send half of it to church with Todd yesterday for a friend. I don't really need too much of that stuff hanging around, and . . . neither does Todd. His pants are becoming hard to fasten!! I know . . . ASTONISHING!! ☺

I am wearing...
I am back in my red and white flannel nightie this week! Oh, I do love it so. It's so warm and cozy. I think the best thing about it though . . . is it was a gift given with love. Love wrapped around you . . . what could be better than that!!!


I am creating...



I finished a doll yesterday. It is for a little girl named Avery in America. I think she turned out quite sweet. I still have a few more dolls to make on my list of to-do's. I did some more painting yesterday as well, which I'll show you a bit later on. I bought some wool felt several weeks back and I hope to make a penny rug at some point. I haven't done anything like that in a long time. I saw a beautiful one the other day with bluebirds on it and it has whetted my desire to have one just like it!



In the meantime, do you think Avery will like her doll???? I sure hope so!!!

I am going...
I have the usual this week . . . a bit of work, a bit of play . . . seminary. The usual is not so bad is it really??? The unusual can be pretty exciting at times, but it can also be a bit scary. I think I choose the usual!

I am reading...




The Art of Mending, by Elizabeth Berg

Returning home for a family reunion, Laura Bartone and her brother, Steve, are stunned by their sister’s allegations of shocking behavior on the part of their mother, and must come to terms with the truth and lies within their family.

It begins with the sudden revelation of astonishing secrets . . . secrets that have shaped the personalities and fates of three siblings, and now threaten to tear them apart. In renowned author Elizabeth Berg’s moving new novel, unearthed truths force one seemingly ordinary family to reexamine their disparate lives and to ask themselves: Is it too late to mend the hurts of the past?

I have been reading a lot of Elizabeth Berg lately. I really enjoy her books. They read just like a conversation with a good friend. Tis like you are listening to a person relate things to you . . . they have a really personal feeling about them. I highly recommend!!

I am hoping...
That the last vestiges of this cold will up and aboot! Vamoose! Disappear! I think I've had quite enough of it!

I am hearing...
It is silent in here, save the ticking of the clock and the tap tapping of my fingers on the keyboard. The birds outside are awakening as well, so they are making their getting up noises. I miss that in the winter. This is proof that spring cannot be too far away . . . as the mornings are getting lighter sooner now!

Around the house...
All is normal. The table is a bit cluttered with a few of my paints where I was finishing up that doll last evening. I must get them put away today or Todd will be annoyed with me! We can't have that!

One of my favorite things...
Is texting with the people I care about. I often get spur of the moment texts from my eldest son. They are such lovely surprises. Or, I will be at work and one will come through from Angie. They brighten my day, they really do! I am a bit of a slow texter though. I know that predictable text is a bit quicker, but I just can't get the hang of it, and I am such a stickler for spelling as well . . . I have to force myself to shorten words. I alwys fel lk I'm dng somink wrng!! (see what I mean!!)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
Work, Seminary, cooking and baking. Would be nice to find a little play in there as well. Here's hoping!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



My latest painting. I just fell in love with this sketch and could not wait to colour her. She's a bit older than my usual girls I think. She's more like a lady!



I gave her a little mole on her cheek and some sweet cherry pompoms on her sweater. What do you think? Will she do? It is for a card contest on Hallmark. They hold one every month. We shall see . . .

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 are some lovely raspberry shortbreads that I made for Todd at the weekend. Oh my but they are scrummy! We are great lovers of anything with jam in it in this house! These are delicious!



*Raspberry Shortbread*
Makes about 20 servings, depending on how large you cut them
Printable Recipe

This is a delicious recipe that I got from an old friend a long time ago. Crisp shortbread base, topped with sweet raspberry jam and a lovely coconut macaroon topping!

For the base:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups self raising flour
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
pinch of salt

raspberry jam, about 4 dessertspoons

For the topping:
1 1/2 cups dessicated coconut
1 cup sugar
1 large egg



Preheat the oven to 150*C/300*F. LIne a baking dish, about 9 inches by 13 inches with some tinfoil, leaving an overhang so that you can lift the squares out with ease as soon as you take them from the oven. Set aside.

Cream together the butter and the sugar for the base. Beat in the egg. Stir in the flour and salt. Mix in well. Knead for a few minutes, and then press this mixture into the prepared pan, pressing it in evenly throughout.

Drop the raspberry jam over top of the base, and spread it out thinly with the back of a spoon to cover.

Mix together all the ingredients for the topping and spoon this overtop of the jam, making sure it is spread evenly as well.

Bake in the heated oven for about 30 minutes. The bottom should be beginning to brown nicely and the coconut topping should be nicely browned as well. Remove from the oven and immediately lift out of the pan and onto the counter. Score with a sharp knife into squares. Allow to set and cool before cutting apart and storing in a airtight container. Delicious!!



I made some Sweetheart Cherry Cupcakes for my sweetheart ♥ yesterday. You can check the recipe out over on The English Kitchen!