The Simple Woman's Day book

FOR TODAY, May 11th, 2011...

Outside My Window...
The sun is shining and the birds are singing. I am listening to a cd some very good friends gave me last year for my Birthday. It's called Heavensong, music of contemplation and light by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It is my favourite cd, very beautiful and uplifting.

I am thinking...
I am thinking about how good our Heavenly Father is and how very much He loves each of us. When I was a little girl I loved the hymn God sees the Little Sparrow Fall. I still do. It is a beautiful reminder to me of how important even the plain simple things are to Him, and how He has a tender heart for each one of us.

I am thankful for...
I will always be grateful that I had a seeking heart, and that I was finally able to embrace the faith that had been the song of my heart for 26 years. I wish I had done it sooner, but then again . . . there is a time and purpose for all things.

From the kitchen...
I have a plate of chocolate cherry squares waiting to be taken over to a friend. We had the missionaries over for their tea last night and I had made them some for dessert. I don't dare keep the leftovers around here. Todd hates chocolate and I don't want to eat any of them myself. I'm sure my friend and her caregiver will get a lot of joy out of them!

I am wearing...
Pink Jim Jams and my slippers. It has been a bit chilly evenings, but I don't mind that so much. I would rather have it cool for sleeping. I don't like it when it is hot and sticky at night. It is difficult to get any rest when it is.

I am creating...
I just have a few revisions left to do on my stamps. If you would like to see the ones that are already available you can check them out here. Next will be Christmas ones. I am going to enjoy doing them. The other ones were on QVC last week, but unfortunately I wasn't told they were going to be on and so I missed them.




I also did this little painting the other afternoon. I love the way she turned out. I also love the sentiment behind it. As always this is available as a print or greeting card. Just message me to find out how it can be yours.

I am going...
We are taking Mitzie to the Vet this afternoon for her monthly checkup and flea treatment, and then tonight I have a Presidency meeting, which I have to prepare a spiritual thought for. And then tomorrow I am having my ears syringed. Not my favourite thing to do, but I guess it is necessary! It always throws my balance off and I feel quite ill for several hours afterwards. Friday I have the Step Program, and that's my week. Other than these set in stone things I will be enjoying time with my Todd and Mitzie, of course!

I am reading...




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

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!

I am hoping...
That the person who keeps leaving me nasty comments tires of the game soon. It only shows them up in a bad light. I know who it is, or at least I have a pretty good idea, and have clocked their ip address. If it persists I will be reporting it, so consider yourself warned. Cyber bullying is against the law, and I think YOU are the one who is mentally ill and needs help.

I was so happy to be able to talk with Lura the other day after her return home. I just know that she will heal by leaps and bounds now that she is in the safety and security of her loving home. I know that John and her California family are really relieved and pleased to have her home as well. Please do continue to keep her in your heart and prayers. If you would like to give her a message of encouragement and hope, you can leave one for her HERE.

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, 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. It is when I am at my sharpest and my best. I am a morning person!

Around the house...
Not a lot. I am still working on my craft room/library. I've put it on hold until I finish up these last few designs and then will really crack on with it. The hard part will be deciding what to get rid of. I love all of my books. It will not be easy to give any up!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
A bit of work, a bit of play and everything in between! Sounds like a good week to me!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...






I have long admire the artwork of Marjolein Bastin. This is one of her characters she does called Vera, the mouse. It has such a happy feel to it. I cannot get her cards over here, but whenever I go to Canada I always pick up a few of them to enjoy. I think they are just lovely. I think she is from Holland, a country I hope to visit one day soon.

And just as a closing thought for today . . .

"In His will is our peace."

There is a lot of food for thought in those few words, don't you think??

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!

They say that mini pies are going to be the new cupcakes! I don't know about that, but I do love pie!



*Mini Blueberry Pies*
Makes 8
Printable Recipe

Delicious little blueberry pies, each just the perfect size for one. If there are only two of you like there are in my house, you can freeze them and then only take out as needed.


Your favourite pastry recipe for a two crust pie
(Or can use already prepared pastry)
1 3/4 cups fresh blueberries
4 TBS sugar
1 TBS cornstarch
1/3 cup flour
1/4 cup Angelflake coconut
3 TBS butter, softened

To glaze:
1/2 cup of sifted icing sugar
1 TBS milk (enough to make a drizzable consistency)

Preheat oven to 220*C.425*F. gas mark 7. Make yoru pastry and then roll your pastry out on a lightly floured surface. Cut out 8 rounds using a 4 1/2-inch round pastry cutter. Fit rounds into 8 ungreased regular-size muffin cups, gently pressing in bottoms and up sides, pinching top edges to form rim.

Toss the blueberries with 2 tablespoons of the sugar and the cornstarch in a small bowl. Divide the berry mixture among pastry-lined muffin cups.

Mix the flour, coconut, butter and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with fork or pastry blender in another bowl until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over blueberries.

Bake for 23 to 25 minutes or until the fruit just begins to bubble. Cool 5 minutes in the pan and then remove from muffin cups to a cooling rack to finish cooling completely.

Whisk together the icing sugar and milk to a drizzle and then drizzle it over the pies.

Note - If you are going to freeze the pies, don't drizzle until you are ready to serve them. They can be taken out and thawed at room temperature for several hours before serving.



Cooking over in The English Kitchen today, some delicious Butter Baked Cod.