The Simple Woman's Day book

FOR TODAY, May 31st, 2011...

Outside My Window...
It appears to be dry this morning. We did have a lot of rain yesterday, which was a good thing! The plants in the garden perked right up! It doesn't seem to be windy this morning either, which is good. The wind gets on my nerves sometimes. I think of the dust bowl on the Canadian prairies back in the 1930's, and wonder why that infernal wind didn't drive people over the edge. (PS - the sun just appeared in all it's glory. It is going to be a beautiful day!)

I am thinking...
It has been five years since my Aunt Freda passed away. I know this intellectually, but my heart still aches when I think of her not being around. I was very close to her. She was one of those people that you could say anything to and you knew it would stay with her, that she would not pass it on. She was always so understanding, and compassionate. Whenever I went home to Canada . . . she was one of the first people I wanted to see and to talk to. I wish I had known that the last time I saw her would be the last time . . .

I am thankful for...
Unanswered prayers. Is there such a thing? I don't know . . . perhaps they are only prayers that the best answer is no answer??

From the kitchen...
There are cookies. Naughty, addictively tasty homemade cookies. Bad cookies. I hope I can stay away.

I am wearing...
Pink and black jim jams. Built for comfort. Pink slippers too. Pink fluffy ones. The kind Mitzie likes to nip at. She has a thing for feet.

I am creating...

I have been working on a few new designs for the stamp company, Christmas ones and I have been working on my line of Christmas Cards for this year. So far I have done two. I want to have five new ones for this year's holiday. I was going to base them all on two characters, a little girl named Imogene and her cat, named Puff.



This is the first one. I rather like it. It's funny how the snow doesn't show up that well on here. White and grey never scan well.



This is the second one that I did yesterday. I hope that people like them. I would value your honestt opinion on them very much, so don't hold back.

My art is a funny thing. I can never truly see it as other's do. It is a few days before I can look at something I have done and see any merit in it at all. I wonder if everyone is like that? It used to be the same way when I sewed my own clothes. I was always sick of whatever I was sewing by the time I finished it. It would take a few weeks before I fell in love with it.

I am going...
Not a lot on this week. I have the special evening that I have planned for the sisters in our Reliefe Society on Thursday evening. I hope it goes over well. Then on Saturday there will be a Baptism at our church. Todd has been asked to Baptise the lady. He has never Baptised anyone before, so I expect he is a bit nervous about it. It is quite an honour to be asked.

I am reading...




The Work and the Glory, Pillar of Light, by Gerald N Lund

Still reading and enjoying:
PILLAR OF LIGHT begins the saga of the Benjamin Steed family, who, in the fall of 1826, move from Vermont to Palmyra Township in upstate New York in search of better farmland. Almost immediately they meet a young man named Joseph Smith and are thrown into the maelstrom of controversy that swirls around him. Is he deluded farm boy or prophet of God? Does he commune with angels or consort with devils? The answers to those questions - intensely personal, bitterly divisive - will profoundly affect the lives of the Steeds and many others. From the frontiers of early America to the complexities of the last half of the twentieth century, THE WORK AND THE GLORY series chronicles the triumphs and tragedies of one family caught up in the events of the Restoration

There are nine books in the series and this is the third time I am reading them. I always really enjoy them. Gerald N Lund is a brilliant writer. If you are interested in history, and in particular the history of the LDS church, you would really enjoy these books. They are wonderfully written. I highly recommend!

But . . . I am ALSO reading:



A Course In Weight Loss, by Mirianne Williamson

It's early days yet, but I saw the book on Oprah's Favourite Things show. What can I say . . . I like Oprah and she has good taste in books.

Nobody can say it better than the author herself.



I am hoping...
That this extra meeting goes well on Thursday evening. I want the Sisters to enjoy themselves and yet at the same time, to come away feeling fed . . . spiritually, emotionally, physically, etc. I want them to have gotten something worthwhile from having attended it and for them to feel like they have taken something valuable away from it.

I am hearing...
Early morning sounds . . . the house cracking and snapping as it comes alive. The birds are chirping loudly in the back garden. The tip tapping of the computer keys, and the hum of the computer. The clock ticking on the mantle. Mitzie gently snuffling here next to me on the sofa. Early morning traffic. I love the early morning. It is my favourite time of the day. I have never been a sleep in kind of person. My father would never let us sleep in. Once he was up, he wanted everyone up. Then, I suppose having all those children meant that I had to be up as well. So through the years I have just been conditioned to getting up early. It is a way of life for me, but in truth . . . the morning is when I am in top form. It is the best time of my day. It is when I am the sharpest and the most capable! I am so NOT a night person!

Around the house...
Not a lot really. Just general tidying up. With only two of us, there is never much of a mess. I think the dog makes the most mess! She brings in little bits of stuff from out in the garden. She is a hunter/gatherer I think! As well as a digger! There is always her hair to hoover up from the carpet and little bits here and there. Muddy paw prints, from where she has been digging. Oh, but she is well worth it. We just adore her.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
A bit of work, a bit of play and everything in between! I like weeks like that. I am hoping to get in a bit more exercise as well!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Whenever we go out, we put Mitie's bed in the kitchen and put the baby gate across the doorway. Yesterday we were out for a bit in the afternoon and when we came back, there she was sitting up like a little person in the corner of her bed. We always give her a little treat when we come in. Nothing big, just a little tidbit. She is such a little dear. I think pets add such a wonderful dimension to our lives. I know they are a big responsability, and having one means you are tied down a bit, but they are worth all of it and more. I would never be without one.

And just as a closing thought for today . . .

I never see any home cooking. All I get is fancy stuff.
~Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh

I guess Elizabeth never learned to make cheese on toast! I cannot fathom never being able to do something so simple as making yourself a simple bowl of soup and a grilled cheese . . . there always being someone at your beck and call to cook something up for you . . . and the snobbery that must exist in thinking that they must always cook something fancy for you. If I cooked for them, I'd treat them to a simple dinner every once in a while, something like Beans, Spaghetti or Scrambled Eggs on Toast! I would, I really would!

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!

When we have company there is nothing easier to whip up than a delicious dip. Most people love them and they get people up and mingling with each other. This is one of my favourites, and it's so easy to make and quick too! Plus I always have all the ingredients on hand, so it's something I can always put together at the last minute.



*Layered Black Bean Dip*
Serves 32, (2 TBS each serving)
Printable Recipe

I love layered dips. They are quick and easy to prepare and always quite delicious!

1 (8-ounce) package of Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup of canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (10-ounce) tin of Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained
(can use an equivalent amount of tomato salsa if you would rather)
1/2 cup of grated Monterrey Jack cheese
1/2 cup of grated strong cheddar cheese
1/2 cup of grated spicy Mexican cheese
Tortilla chips for serving

Spread the cream cheese in the bottom of a shallow dish, or pie plate. Top with the drained black beans. Top these with the tomatoes or salsa and then finally sprinkle the top with the cheeses. Cover and chill until you are ready to serve. Serve with some Tortilla chips for dipping. Delicious!



There are some delicious Spicy Ginger Crackles baking in The English Kitchen today!