The Simple Woman's Day Book . . .

FOR TODAY, June 1st, 2010...

Outside My Window...
The sun is up. It looks like it is going to be a very dull day today. Yesterday was beautiful and that cold wind finally calmed down. Not quite shirt sleeves weather, but a vast improvement on the past week. Now today . . . back to rain! Oh well, it's the rain that makes this such a beautifully green and lush country to live in!


I am thinking...
My ex husband's wife just won a Caribbean Cruise for two. Is there any justice in this world? Sometimes I think not!

I am thankful for...
Seriously though, I am thankful for the many, many blessings I do enjoy in my life. There may not be any Caribbean Cruises but there was a lovely trip to Utah and Idaho last year that I am still cherishing in my heart. When we lost our home just recently, it was quickly replaced with something just as nice, cept in a different way. Jess got sick before we had to travel up here. The trip up would have been so very difficult for her, and I cannot imagine how it would have been with her being ill in the car . . . No job . . . but then again, I am fortunate enough to live in a country where that is no great hardship. We have sufficient for our needs and we have each other. We have our faith, and the Gospel in our lives. What more can a body ask for? Not much I don't think!

From the kitchen...
I need to bake. I've been trying to keep it down a bit with Todd's cholesterol and all. We sent away for some fruit trees yesterday. An eating apple, a pear and a plum tree. All dwarf trees and self fertilizing. It may be several years by the time we get any fruit from them, but we thought in the meantime they will give the birds in the garden something to perch on, and us something to look forward to in the future!

I am wearing...
Black and white pajamas and my robe. One day I may surprise the heck out of you and be dressed in my clothes!!

I am creating...
I am halfway through a little mouse doll. Oh, this one is going to be very pretty. With lace on her dress and a bustle and everything. Perhaps I'll make her a partner in tie and tails. We shall just have to wait and see!

I am going...
We don't have a lot of plans for the week. Tomorrow is our day off so we may head up to the Delamere Forest and take a nice long walk if it's not raining. We often used to take Jess up there for walks when we lived up here before.

I am reading...



Emma and Joseph, their divine mission by Gracia N Jones

This is a careful, sensitive history of this couple, describing the powerful and sustaining relationship that they shared with each other and their tremendous mutual loyalty throughout the seventeen years of their marriage.

From the author: There is no doubt that Emma put her whole soul into the effort of helping to lay the foundation of the kingdom of God. her faith in the truthfulness of Joseph's mission caused Emma to turn her back on parents, social position, security and all things a girl holds dear, to share a beggar's life with her prophet husband, whose entire energy was directed toward fulfilling God's commandment to take the message of the Restoration to the whole world. Joseph's devotion to Emma shines through his numerous letters to her.

Of Emma Joseph wrote, "She that was my wife, even the wife of my youth and the choice of my heart . . . Again she is here, even in the seventh trouble . . . undaunted, firms and unwavering . . . unchangeable, affectionate Emma!"

In sharing her very personal study of Joseph and Emma, including letters not published elsewhere, Gracia offers readers new understanding into these two very important figures in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the various events that shaped their lives. A cracking good read!

I am hoping...
That I soon start losing weight again. It seems to have stalled. I haven't gained, but I haven't lost either. I cannot believe that I am meant to be the weight that I am. Surely I must be meant to weigh less. We walk every day. I had hoped that when I visited my family in July that I would have been down a lot more than I am now. Oh well, they will just have to take me as I am!

I am hearing...
A ticking clock, the tapping of my fingertips on the computer keys, birds singing in the garden . . . the fridge humming in the kitchen. Normal sounds. House sounds. Not much changes . . .

Around the house...
I managed to get all the ironing done Sunday evening. I know I shouldn't be doing things like that on Sundays . . . but I did. There was three baskets of it! Hard to believe that two people can create so much, but we do! Today I am going to hoover and dust and wash the kitchen and bathroom floors. I just love house puttering.

One of my favorite things...
Is daydreaming. Oh the places I go and the things that I see . . . I have always been a dreamer. Sometimes it gets me into hot water . . . but most of the time no harm comes from it . . .

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
Not a lot planned this week. It is a quiet week. Quiet weeks are good sometimes. They help you catch your breath and rest up for the not so quiet weeks!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



I just love this painting of dandelions. I love dandelions. Oh, the many bouquets I have picked through the years and that I have been presented . . . lots of lovely memories there. There is so much promise in a Dandelion . . . inside each flower are potentially hundreds of new flowers . . . and wishes. Who hasn't wished upon the fluffy head of a dandelion gone to seed . . . and then the magic of blowing on that seed head and watching all the seeds sail away . . . isn't nature just wonderful???

And there you have it . . . my day book for the first week in June. 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 simple salad to enjoy on warmer days. I am being optimistic here. I am hoping that June is a lovely and warm month. Seriously though, this is a delicious salad and you can eat it warm as well as at room temperature. I just love potatoes. They are so very versatile!




*New Potato Salad with an Herby Dressing*
Serves 4 to 6
Printable Recipe

This lovely salad has a delicious lemony herb olive oil dressing that you pour onto the vegetables while they are still fairly warm. That way all those delicious flavours are absorbed right into the vegetables.

2 pounds new potatoes, scrubbed but not peeled
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into 2 inch lengths

Dressing:
3 TBS extra virgin olive oil
the grated zest and juice of one small lemon
2 TBS chopped fresh mint leaves
1 TBs chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
1 TBS chopped fresh chives
2 spring onions, chopped, both the white and the green parts
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Place the potatoes into a pan of salted water to cover and bring to the boil. Cook for 8 minutes and then drop in the beans and cook for a further 4 to 5 minutes, just until both the potatoes and the beans are tender.

While the vegetables are cooking make the dressing by whisking all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Taste and season well.

Drain the vegetables well. Cut the potatoes in half and drop both the hot potatoes and beans into the bowl with the dressing, tossing to coat them well with it. Cover ald chill until you are ready to serve, allowing the salad to come to room temperature before serving, and giving it a good toss.



It's my one year bloggiversary over on The English Kitchen today. I'm serving up Banoffee Pie and giving away a tasty cookbook, so hop on over to get in on the all the fun!!