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Simple Woman’s Daybook

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

For Today…March 6, 2010

Outside my Window…Though it’s a chilly 36 degrees outside, I see a cheery robin hopping about, looking for his breakfast. There’s a gentle breeze trembling the new leaves of the wild plum bushes, and, best of all, BLUE SKIES!

I am thinking…that it’s much easier to compose a blog post in Word, but I will have to wait for one of my computer-savvy sons to set this up for me again. We had to reinstall Word, and now I’m quite inconvenienced. 😛

From the learning rooms…I have been learning more about the life and times of William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, who successfully claimed the English throne in 1066.

I am thankful for…Such a beautiful day, and a little extra time off from school for the children (and me, too!). Our high school sent both boys’ and girls’ basketball teams to the State competition, so all students had Thursday and Friday off to accommodate all the families who attend the State competition.

From the kitchen…I won’t be cooking dinner tonight, since we plan to go out to one of our favorite restaurants tonight, the North Fork Brewery. Those who stay home will have leftover Tortilla Casserole. I prepared both ground beef and vegetarian versions of that dish last night.

I am wearing…jammies (lazy morning).

I am reading…The Conqueror by Georgette Heyer. What kind of woman was a perfect match for such an indomitable man? Read this interesting, fast-paced and historically accurate novel to find out.

I am hoping…that grandchildren Diederick, Carly and Koen are getting over their bad colds, and that their mommy Laura is feeling better, too.

I am creating… this blog post.

I am hearing…Seth and Debra watching an old episode of Chuck on the computer. I enjoy watching the show as well, which is a sort of combination of Get Smart and Mission Impossible.

Around the house…Daughter Rebecca and I did some weeding, and Seth pruned the apple trees, so the yard is looking better. It is high time for the first lawn mowing of the year to happen, but the mower hasn’t had its cleaning and tune-up yet.

One of my favorite things…is a quiet morning at home.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…Since I’m posting this on Saturday, what can I say except I’m looking forward to Sunday School and church on Sunday, and to seeing daughter Lydia, who has been at State with friend Courtney and her family.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

This photo of Lydia and Seth is fairly recent. This past Monday, Seth turned 14; Happy Birthday, Seth! 🙂

This photo of Seth was taken 13 years ago. As you can see, his computer literacy began at a young age.

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!

Posted in Books, Education, Family, Favorite Photos, Gardening, Things for Which I am Thankful | 6 Comments »

Simple Womanâ€™s Daybook

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Hosted by Peggy

For Today…January 11, 2010

Outside my Window…It’s soggy. We are currently on Flood Watch due to the heavy rains which are expected to continue for the next few days. This uber wet weather is typical winter weather for us in the Pacific Northwest, but the warm temps (currently 48 degrees this evening) contribute to the snow melt which adds to the river water volume.

I am thinking…of going to bed as soon as this post is finished.

From the learning rooms…It was lovely to hear how well two sixth grade clarinet players did on their duet today. They’ve just started learning the piece for Junior Solo and Ensemble.

I am thankful for…our cozy home, and health and well-being for loved ones.

From the kitchen…Due to the crazy schedule this afternoon and evening, we just had sandwiches for dinner.

I am wearing…comfortable clothing. I especially like long sleeves that are long enough to cover my wrists. I just feel warmer that way.

I am reading…Madensky Square by Eva Ibbotson. I don’t enjoy her quite so much as Georgette Heyer, but this book has snagged my interest, so I plan to keep reading, even though the book I requested by Heyer is in at the library!

I am hoping…my elderly mother receives the financial aid she will need very soon. I plan to turn in the paperwork this week.

I am creating…this blog post.

I am hearing…the old doggie going upstairs. She believes it is time for bed, so will no longer lie by me here in the study.

Around the house…all the children have gone to bed. Smart kids!

One of my favorite things…is playing the spelling game Lexulous on Facebook. This is one reason I am up so late.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…Our youngest son has lots of basketball practice sessions this week, and then a tournament in Seattle on Saturday and Monday. Excitement!

Our daughter who is doing Medical Tech Prep finds out if she is accepted for the second semester, which involves “externships”, this week. This would be a wonderful opportunity to begin working in medical settings in the community.

Here are some picture thoughts I am sharing with you…

Grandson Diederick and granddaughter Carly are having a splashing-good time in this photo snapped by their mommy.

Here is Carly snuggling little brother Koen.

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!

Posted in Books, Education, Family, Favorite Photos, The Simple Woman's Daybook, Things for Which I am Thankful | 7 Comments »

Local Beauty

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Some friends of ours who live just south of us in Langley, WA, sent me the link to this fantastic video. Isn’t the Pacific Northwest a gorgeous place?

Posted in Favorite Photos, From a friend's blog, Things for Which I am Thankful | 5 Comments »

Simple Womanâ€™s Daybook

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Hosted by Peggy

For Today…November 2, 2009

Outside my Window…When I stepped outside this evening, I noticed I can see my breath. Crisp autumn weather is here.

I am thinking…wondering: Why am I staying up late to do this post? Answer: I feel guilty about my posts being so few and far between.

From the learning rooms…In seventh grade math, we have been doing charts, graphs and equations. Today the students were introduced to the TI-83 graphing calculator, and were quite impressed with it.

I am thankful for…the health and strength to keep busy doing useful things.

From the kitchen…Tonight two of the girls and I had a late errand to run in town, so Taco Bell did the cooking tonight. I enjoy their beef taco salad with zesty ranch dressing.

I am wearing…a red sweater hoodie and soft black pants.

I am reading…I just finished reading Charity Girl by Georgette Heyer. In this book, the author especially looks at father/son and mother/daughter relationships, both good and bad. As always, she has a great deal of fun with her characters.

I am hoping…daughter Laura feels stronger soon, after giving birth to child number three last Monday. She is doing just fine, but it takes a while to get one’s strength back.

I am creating…this blog post.

I am hearing…a train whistle blowing, off in the distance.

Around the house…I noticed the pear tree is bare of leaves, but the fruit is still clinging to the branches. I think I’ll bake a pear torte or crisp tomorrow.

One of my favorite things…is working hard all day, and then relaxing at the end of the day.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…My younger sister is coming for a visit! The girls and I need to get the guest room all fresh and clean in anticipation of her arrival on Wednesday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

carly and koen

My daughter Laura took this picture of her daughter Carly holding newborn brother Koen. She is so thrilled with him. When she wants to hold him, she says, “I need it!”

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!

Posted in Books, Education, Family, Favorite Photos, The Simple Woman's Daybook, Things for Which I am Thankful | 4 Comments »

Simple Womanâ€™s Daybook

Monday, September 28th, 2009

Hosted by Peggy

For Today…September 28, 2009

Outside my Window…It’s raining! There’s nothing so cozy as an evening rain, and the woodstove cheerily blazing.

I am thinking…that soon it will be time for daughter Laura’s baby to be born. She has invited a couple of her sisters and me to be with her during this birth.

From the learning rooms…I am getting a lot of practice with solving the equation y=mx + b, where x and y are points on a graph, b is the y intercept, and m is the slope, or rise/run. This is in 8^th grade math. In 7^th grade math, we are doing stem and leaf plots to compare data.

I am thankful for…the truth expressed in James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

From the kitchen…Tonight we had Roasted Red Potatoes, steamed broccoli, hard cooked eggs, with Ranch dressing, catsup and shredded cheddar cheese on the side. So delicious!

I am wearing…black skirt, white blouse, and a soft red and black patterned sweater jacket.

I am reading…Impossible by Nancy Werlin. I set this aside for a week because it saddened me so much, but my girls assure me that it is a good book with a satisfying ending, so I plan to continue reading it tonight.

I am hoping…my back continues to get better so that I can be a more useful person.

I am creating…this blog post.

I am hearing…the automatic pencil sharpener as the kiddos settle in to doing their homework.

Around the house…The wind was really blowing today. I enjoy our invigorating autumn winds. Thankfully it will be a while yet before all the leaves are gone.

One of my favorite things…is hearing from our kids. Our oldest son just called, and we are passing the phone around. Now, we just need our two big boys to visit.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…I just want to keep up with cooking good meals this week.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

Photo-0163

Daughter Kayla enjoys sailing in her dad’s little Pelican sailboat.

Kayla in the Pelican

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!

Posted in Bible Thoughts, Books, Education, Family, Favorite Photos, Homemaking, The Simple Woman's Daybook | 6 Comments »

Miscellany

Friday, September 4th, 2009

Hello, Friends! I was doing so well with blog posting while we were on vacation, but now that we’re home, I am happily busy with back-to-school business, plus helping my elderly mom.

The good news concerning my mom is that the nurse at the assisted living facility where my mom is currently living has helped me to locate a truly lovely adult family home. This is situated near where she currently lives. My mom will still have her own large, light bedroom with her own possessions. She will have three other ladies with whom to socialize who are also still in their right minds. (I visited another place which was equally lovely, but all the residents were ‘not there’, mentally. I think that would be so lonely for a right-minded older person to live there.) There will be daily opportunities to soak up the sunshine outside, and enjoy home-cooked meals. A truly wonderful benefit for me is that they will assist with transportation to appointments, which has been so hard on my back.

It’s time for me to put the finishing touches on our dinner, so I will leave you with a picture which is totally unrelated to what I just said! This is one of the chipmunks which is Grampa Taron’s wild ‘pet’. It comes to be fed on his back deck, and remains to feed with everyone out there talking and visiting.

chippy

Posted in Family, Favorite Photos | 4 Comments »

Home Again!

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

I was so thankful to make it home from our vacation in California in time for daughter Lydia’s momentous 16^th birthday. Happy Birthday, Lydia!
Here is a cute birthday photo our daughter Laura took of Lydia:

Lydia's sweet 16

Lydia, Rebecca and Seth took great care of everything (including themselves) while we were gone. One of the first things I noticed upon entering the kitchen was this list on the refrigerator:

Before Mama and Daddy get backâ€¦

Really good vacuuming
Clean all bathrooms
Fold laundry
Bake pie!
Empty all garbages
Exterminate fruit flies
Generally straighten up house
Seth: Clean up computer corner
Revive plants!!
Buy goat to mow lawn

Posted in Family, Favorite Photos, Things for Which I am Thankful | 8 Comments »

Inverness Photos

Saturday, August 29th, 2009

Our visit with Rick’s dad and mom in Inverness is drawing to a close. Thanks, Dad and Mom Taron, for your hospitality! I’ve enjoyed this special time, but am so looking forward to seeing our children at home!

As you know from prior posts, Rick has been doing some repair work here for his folks. Here are some photos of the work:

repairs underway

In this photo you see work underway to repair the deck stairs and railings.

stair repairs underway

new railing

New stair railing and no more wobbly treads

new gate

A new gate at the landing, self-closing, no less! (Do you see the bungee cord?)

shell beach

There has been time for fun, too. A couple days ago Rick, Debra and I went to Shell Beach, which is quite close to here.

on the trail at shell beach

Here are Debra and Rick on the trail from the parking area to the beach.

trees at shell beach

This is the lovely forested area through which we walked down to the beach.

driftwood at shell beach

Driftwood at Shell Beach

tomales bay from a distance

Shell Beach is one of the swimming areas along Tomales Bay. This is a view of the Bay from a distance.

bishop pines

These are some Bishop Pine trees which grow in this area.

deb's new hat

Debra’s souvenir from this trip is a new hat, which has come in handy with the outings.

Posted in Family, Favorite Photos | 2 Comments »

Wednesday Vacation Pics

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Today we stayed close to home during this vacation in Inverness, California. Therefore, the pictures for today are taken right in the Inverness/Point Reyes neighborhood.

Rick was busy most of the day doing carpentry work on his parents’ deck. I don’t have a close up of the work he’s doing but here is a view of the backyard, highlighting a carving done by Grampa Taron:

grampas back yard

This is another backyard shot, looking up to the deck and the back of the house:

back yard

This is the rooftop of one of the neighborhood homes that Debra and I passed on our morning walk. Notice the solar panels and the wildflowers!

wildflower rooftop

I went with Rick into Point Reyes to purchase a little more lumber. We stopped to take some shots of this old wrecked fishing boat or tug boat:

pt reyes wreck

the ship and the captain

Posted in Family, Favorite Photos | 4 Comments »

McClures Beach Outing

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009

As I sit at the computer this afternoon, the fog is rolling in here in Inverness. I love the fog! It is so cozy. Soon it will be time to lend a hand with dinner preparations, but I’m taking a quick minute to post some photos from our trip to McClures Beach. This was only my second trip to McClures. The first trip was during our honeymoon, 27 years ago.

on the dune