Tuesday 1 February 2011

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.



12 comments:

  1. My dear Marie,
    sorry you didn't get the reply we were hoping for yesterday.. So it is back to the loosing weight drawing board..You really did so well last time and although I know it has been a hard year inbetween I am sure you will have enough courage to start again..
    Love Sybil xx

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  2. Oh, Marie... I was sorry to hear how your results went yesterday. But like Sybil, said, and I quite agree, you've lot the weight before--and a lot of it!--you can do it again. I know it is not easy, and that to start from scratch again is hard. But I know with your strong character and faith you can do it again! And we'll be here to cheer you on! Be kind to yourself... :o) LOVE YOU LOTS ((BIG HUGS))

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  3. That is a strange prognosis. I know that weight does make it harder on your knees but never heard that it made surgery impossible. Don't get discouraged. I know that with your gift of cooking you'll be thinking up some wonderful low calorie dishes to cook. Sharing them with the rest of us would be nice too. It's a very slick start to the day here. Snow and ice making the roads dangerous and schools are closed. Take care and hang in there. Lots of Love and Hugs!

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  4. Marie, I do know how you feel; food is such a comfort, and, when the going gets rough, on go the pounds. These two months have been very trying, weatherwise, and with all the bugs around.
    I long to start digging when the ground has some give in it. Today is much warmer. the sun has some power, so let's hope winter's losing its grip.

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  5. Hi Marie:
    I'm so sorry you are having such a hard time, but I think I can understand. Weight has been a struggle in my life as well, and with all my illnesses it seems like a losing battle. Please know that my heart goes out to you regarding the loss of your friend Angie. I know your heart must be breaking. Can you feel Heavenly Father's arms around you? He's there! Take in His comfort. You're in my prayers!
    Sending you hugs and prayers,
    Jan

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  6. I just found your blog. Im happy to be here.New and exciting recipes and words of inspiration cant beat it!

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  7. I'm so sorry to hear about your health problems. Have they done any thyroid tests on you?

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  8. As you know, I have a decent bit of extra weight on me as well. Last time I was at my rheumatologist for my knees, he told me I should lose 50 lbs.

    *blink* lemme get right on that. *sigh* our problem is that we show our love through food.

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  9. So sorry things are going bad right now for you. You are a strong woman and your faith will see you through.

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  10. I'm so sorry for your bad news. I'm finding that each year the weight gets harder to deal with. I'm late in getting around to thanking those who commented last week. I always enjoy your sweet comments and inspiring posts.

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  11. Oh Marie, I am so sorry to hear your spirits are down. I got the very same news last July when I tore my meniscus (while haveing fun I must add) and the cartilage is almost bone on bone. I guess we both have lived and worked hard and our knees are just giving out. I hope the cortisone shots helps you ...IT DID me. Since I broke my back I am packing 40lbs more which is such a BIG discouragement but I am bound to do everything I can to wal this summer (IBUPROFeN) to lose it again.
    Even when you are down Marie, you always seem to inspire me to be and do better in my life. There never is an end of things that can get us down, but then when you list them next to the blessings there is so MUCH to be grateful for.
    Bless your heart sweet friend I will put your name in the temple temple:)

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  12. Marie I'm so sorry about the words you got from the doctor - hard to hear and hard to do something about. I know because I've been down that road too many times to count. I'm praying that you will have the will power to win the battle this time. Thanks for the recommendation of the book - I've reserved it at our public library. blessings, marlene

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Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!