The Simple Woman's Day book

FOR TODAY, February 1st, 2011...

Outside My Window...
It's cold, wet and still. We left the heat on low over night so that the pipes wouldn't freeze, but it feels like it may have gotten a bit milder through the night, so that is good. I am about done with winter now. Roll on spring.


I am thinking...
About the fragility of life, my tests yesterday, etc. I was told that I am too fat to operate on. I have to lose weight. I have a torn miniscus and of course the degeneration of the cartilage in my knee to almost nothing. I am to go back the first week of March to get a cortizone shot in my knee. This has me down a bit. I knew I needed to lose weight. It has been a 20 year battle for me. I have tried every diet under the sun and then some, each one only making me fatter and fatter. I did very well on hypnotherapy last year and lost 3 stone (42 pounds to you North Americans) I was so proud of myself. When we lost the job and had to move I had to stop the theraphy. It was not something I could afford any longer. The weight has slowly crept back on. I am ashamed of myself.

I am thankful for...
My Heavenly Father's love. No matter how many times I may fail, I know he loves me still.

From the kitchen...
There is nothing much. I haven't cooked or baked. I doubt that I will now, not after yesterday. I need to rethink a few things.

I am wearing...
A nightie, some jim jam bottoms, my robe. Layering to keep warm.

I am creating...
Still working on new designs and waiting to get started on the dollshouse. I may even do a bit on that today.

I am going...
I have a Primary Presidency meeting tomorrow night. Thursday morning I am going to the Doctors to talk about my weight and then Friday I have a ladies luncheon to attend. It's potluck so I will have to think about what I am going to bring. It should be fun.

I am reading...



The Weight of Silence, by Heather Gudenkauf
A tense tale following the disappearance of two seven-year-old girls from a small town in Iowa, the storytelling is brilliant and easy to read. In short it is a can't put it down kind of book! Very engaging and wonderfully written. If you like books by Jodi Picoult you will love this novel. Spread over a 16 hour period of time it follows the disappearance of two 7 year old girls who disappear from their homes on the same night without a trace. Written a chapter at a time by a different narrator each time, (individual characters in the book) it is a real page turner!

(Yes, I am still on this book. I am about two thirds of the way through it now. It's taken a wicked twist and I can't wait to see what happens next!!

I am hoping...
Not sure what to hope for at this moment. I feel a bit down actually, which is not like me really. It's been a bad week I think. I am missing Angie so very much . . .

I am hearing...
Early morning sounds . . . the house cracking and snapping as it comes alive. Clocks ticking. Walls creaking . . . cars passing on the wet roadway . . . the honk of the taxi's horn. It's really wierd. The woman across the road leaves every morning in a taxi, and then comes back later in her car. I can't figure it out.

Around the house...
There is a HUGE pile of ironing to do, as always. I pretty much keep on top of everything else. I remember when my children were growing up I was always running behind on everything. My goodness the laundry that used to appear every day was unreal. With five children, I needed a laundry basket just for the socks. I never did ironing at all. I just tried to fold everything as soon as it came out of the drier or buy clothes that didn't need ironing.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
Not a lot really. Quiet week, I guess. I don't get around much these days.


Here is picture thought I am sharing...



I love this sunny country kitchen, with it's whitewashed cupboards and huge butler's sink. It's the kind of kitchen I would love to have. One has to have a dream do they not?


And just as a closing thought for today . . .

When trouble comes, as it does to us all
God is so great and we are so small . . .
But there is nothing that we need to know
If we have faith that wherever we go
God will be watching to help us bear
Our pain and sorrow, our suffering and care . . .
For no pain or suffering is ever too much
To yield itself to God's merciful touch!
~Helen Steiner Rice

A thought to inspire for today. Sometimes it seems that we feel very far away from God, that is when we need Him the most, and . . . I have found . . . that is when He is the closest to us. I am grateful for that.


And there you have it . . . my day book for this week. 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!

I didn't do a lot of cooking yesterday. We actually had scrambled eggs on toast for our tea last night. This is a casserole dish though that is a real favourite of ours. It's a store cupboard favourite as I always have the ingredients for it in the larder and I keep packages of loosely frozen extra lean ground beef in the freezer. You can just shake out as much as you need to use. Sometimes if I don't have any tortilla chips in the house I just use crackers. It's very tasty no matter what!



(Photo courtesy of Land o Lakes)

*Barbequed Beef and Beans Casserole*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Economical, easy and best of all, delicious!

1/2 pound extra lean ground beef

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 slices bacon, chopped

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup ketcup

1 tablespoon prepared mustard

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 (16-ounce) can baked beans

1 (8-ounce) can cut green beans, drained

3/4 cup crushed corn chips

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Combine the ground beef, onion and bacon in large skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until ground beef is thoroughly browned. Drain off and discard any fat that may have accumulted.

Stir together ground beef mixture and all remaining ingredients, with the exception of the corn chips and cheese in an ungreased 3-quart casserole dish. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until heated through, and bubbly around edge. Top with crushed corn chips and cheese. Continue to bake for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and let sit for a few minutes before serving on heated plates.



In The English Kitchen today, Pundit Pudding.