Archive for October, 2009

Simple Woman’s Daybook

Monday, October 19th, 2009

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Hosted by Peggy

For Today…October 19, 2009

Outside my Window…I’m blogging at the end of the day again, so it’s dark. It’s also a bit foggy, which is typical for Fall in our neck of the woods.


I am thinking…that a slow cooker is a handy appliance. We really enjoyed a Tex-Mex Beef Barbecue yesterday. I’ll give you the recipe in a moment.

From the learning rooms…Our seventh grade math class is beginning to learn about one-step equations. It’s fun to see the lights go on in kiddos’ minds as they engage with the problems.

I am thankful for…daughter Sarah and granddaughter Claire being well and safe after a fender-bender this past Thursday.

From the kitchen…Here’s that Tex-Mex Beef barbecue recipe:

This recipe is from the Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker cook book, and makes enough for a 5 ½ to 7 quart capacity slow cooker.

6 pounds brisket of beef

2 (18 oz) bottles hickory-smoked barbecue sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray’s Gourmet Sauce.)

2 (1.25 oz) envelopes chili seasoning

2 teaspoons chopped garlic

2 teaspoons lemon juice

2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 cup chopped onion

Combine all ingredients, except meat, in crock. Stir well. Add meat and stir well to coat. Cover and cook: Low for 10 hours OR high for 5 hours.

Remove the meat and shred. Return the meat to crock. Stir well. Serve on soft rolls.

Makes 16 servings.

I am wearing…a marled turquoise tones sweater over a long-sleeved turquoise top, and soft black pants.

I am reading…The Foundling by Georgette Heyer, one of my favorite “fun read” authors.

I am hoping…to stay well, and that family members get well.

I am creating…Well, I did bake brownies and an apple crisp this evening.


I am hearing…the hum of the computer fan.

Around the house…all the children are in bed. I need to head there, too.

One of my favorite things…is getting things done, as opposed to procrastinating.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…We hope to go out to one of our favorite restaurants for dinner this Friday, with some of our friends.

Our poor girls have three soccer games this week, on top of school responsibilities. Sigh!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

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Here is a pic of me holding granddaughter Claire, who is a little over two months old now.

Hostess Peggy says this about The Simple Woman’s Daybook:

Are you content to linger on the simple things of life…then join me in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those of us who are focusing on simplicity…the beauty of the everyday moments around us. That is my vision for this idea!

Simple Woman’s Daybook

Monday, October 5th, 2009

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Hosted by Peggy

For Today…October 5, 2009

Outside my Window…is a luminous full moon this chilly autumn eve. When I stepped outside for a bit I noticed there’s an earthy smell, reminiscent of spring time rather than fall. Maybe this is from fields being plowed for cover crops, now that the field corn is in.


I am thinking…it’s a good thing I enjoy running errands, since there always seem to be plenty to run with a busy family.

From the learning rooms…One of the teachers whom I assist at the middle school cited some interesting research which found that success in high school could be predicted in 6th grade. Some of the markers for success included: showing up to school, doing what the teacher said to do, and being polite to those in authority. There’s one more, but I forget it just now. Anyhow, all the markers must be present.

I am thankful for…more work for my husband.

From the kitchen…I made an apple pudding cake that was a big hit this past weekend. Tomorrow I would like to make split pea soup. This autumn weather seems to call for it.

I am wearing…black skirt and black/maroon/grey argyle sweater.

I am reading…I would like to read Gospel-Powered Parenting by Bill Farley, after reading a favorable review of the book on Challies.com.

I am hoping…daughter Sarah finds something to calm her newborn daughter’s tummy upset.


I am creating…a quick blog post before retiring for the night.

I am hearing…my eighth-grade son typing at his computer, playing his Scrabble moves. He won the last two games we played against one another!

Around the house…the flowers still in bloom are the chrysanthemums, the marigolds, and the cyclamen. So lovely!

One of my favorite things…is rest at the end of a busy day, with the children safely home.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…Well, it will be my turn to help prepare coffee-time refreshments for church this coming Sunday. I’m planning on making a bar cookie version of chocolate chip cookies.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

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Grandson Diederick enjoys reading with the girls’ friend Kelsey. This is on the window seat in the living room.

Hostess Peggy says this about The Simple Woman’s Daybook:

Are you content to linger on the simple things of life…then join me in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those of us who are focusing on simplicity…the beauty of the everyday moments around us. That is my vision for this idea!

Rhett and Link on YouTube

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

I really enjoy these nutty guys; hope you do, too.