Saturday, November 30, 2013

The Simple Woman's Daybook



For today... Saturday, November 30, 2013

Outside my window...
 
I am thinking... That I am so glad to finally be feeling better.

I am thankful for... Home, family and friends.

From the kitchen...
~Sunday: Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Buns, Broccoli, Corn, Salad, Cream Puffs
~Monday: Chicken-Vegetable Chow Mein, Baked Zucchini, Salad, Pudding Lust Cake
~Tuesday: Sweet & Sour Meatballs, Rice, Carrots, Broccoli, Salad, Chocolate Chip Cake
~Wednesday: Salmon with Lemon Dill Butter, Rice Pilaf, Peas, Cauliflower, Salad, Cream Puffs
~Thursday: Slow Cooker Asian Pork, Rice, Turnip, Green Beans,, Salad, Pudding Lust Cake
~Friday:  Oven Fried Chicken, Italian Bubble Loaf, Carrots, Broccoli, Salad, Chocolate Chip Cake
~Saturday: Leftover Smorg

~Italian Bubble Loaf~

I am wearing...


I am creating... This week my goals are:-
~Finish the letter "H" on my X-Stitch Sampler (I didn't finish this last week)
~Finish 8 more pages of scrapbooking
~Work on a beaded fridge magnet

I am reading... God Has A Dream for Your Life by Sheila Walsh

I am praying for... Family & friends.

Pondering these words... Give thanks for what you are now, and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow. ~Fernanda Miramontes-Landeros~
 
I am still hoping... To finish some projects before Christmas.

I am hearing... Silence.

Around the house... Cleaning and baking.

One of my favorite things... Evening tea with my hubby.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
~Monday:  Christmas Baking & Crafting
~Tuesday: Christmas Baking & Crafting
~Wednesday: Housecleaning Day
~Thursday: Office Work, Errands & Grocery Shopping
~Friday: Father-in-law's 74th Birthday
~Saturday: Girls Day Out

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... 

~X-stitch pictures my mom had framed this week~


~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!


I am joining...
Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Friday, November 29, 2013

Friday's Finds

 
I got some great bargains this week while I was out and about
visiting some of the local thrift stores.
 
 
These sweet little glasses look like new
and were 50% off so I ended up only paying
$2.50 for all six glasses.
They are the perfect little breakfast glass!

 
And this beautiful set of four napkin rings
was also 50% off
which meant I only paid $1.25
for the complete new set.

 
I love these little trays.
They are so handy for putting on Christmas treats.
The ones I had were beyond worn out
so when I found this set for $1.00
I couldn't pass it up.
I can't wait to put my new finds to use!

 
Did you find any sweet deals this week?
 
~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!


Thursday, November 28, 2013

Double Shot Rum Balls

 
Last year while watching a cooking show
I scribbled down this Rum Ball recipe
but didn't get a chance to try it until this year.
These are the best Rum Balls I have ever tasted
and so simple to make! 
 
 
Ingredients
3-oz. unsweetened chocolate
1 cup icing sugar
1 cup ground almonds
(should be the consistency of fresh bread crumbs)
1/4 cup dark rum
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Rum for dipping
Chocolate or colored sprinkles
 
 
Grate the chocolate.
Add the icing sugar and ground almonds.
Whisk together.
Add dark rum and vanilla extract.
Mix well and then pat into bottom of bowl.
Refrigerate for 15 minutes or until firm.
Remove from fridge and form into balls.
Dip balls in rum and then roll in sprinkles.
Let air dry 15-30 minutes and then place in small baking cups.
 
 
~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!

 
 
I am joining...
Call Me PMC for Marvelous Mondays
Flour Me With Love for Mix It Up Mondays

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Christmas in the Kitchen

 
Christmas decorating has begun around our home.
Gone are the days when I could get it done in one day.
 
 
Christmas Decorating Day was always a big deal
when the kids were younger.
They got a day off school
and Grandma came over and
everyone had their own special jobs to do.
Of course, there were also special treats too!
 
 
 
Now that the kids are no longer kids, but adults
it takes me a little longer than one day!
However, I do wait to decorate the family tree
until my daughter comes home and we do it together.

 
So, I started in the kitchen this year.
My kitchen window ledge always gets some seasonal décor!
 
 
An uncle-in-law made this beautiful cut glass candle holder
especially for me when he heard how I loved the one
he had made for his daughter.
 
 
One of my favorite little bears next to Frosty
puts a smile on my face!


While doing dishes the window ledge vignette
gives a warm and cozy feeling
even while looking out on a snowy landscape.
 
 
The other feature spot in my kitchen is the fridge top.
You see it from so many angles in our home.
 
 
This year I put up the x-stitched cardinal I did last year.
 
 
Along with this musical cardinal hubby found for me at a garage sale.

 
I have to admit that I love cardinals
and if something has a cardinal on it
I have a hard time passing it by.

 
Do you add Christmas touches to your kitchen? 
 

 ~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!

 
I am joining...
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
Our Delightful Home for Show Me What You Got
A Stroll Through Life for Inspire Me Tuesday

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Birthday Card

 
This month my dad celebrated his 69th birthday.
With his health issues we take every opportunity to celebrate.
 
 
I enjoyed putting together his birthday card.

 
The fun part about making cards is that I usually start with
a plan and end up with something different instead.

 
I love being creative as I go along.

 
I get as much pleasure from creating the card
as (I hope anyways) that the receiver gets from
a card specially made for them! 
 
 
~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Monday, November 25, 2013

Turkey Pie

 
If you have any leftover chicken or turkey
this is a super quick and simple meal to make.
I often use it for lunch but can also make for a quick dinner as well.
 
 
Ingredients
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
2 cups cubed, cooked chicken or turkey
1 cup frozen vegetable mixture - thawed
(I often use leftover veggies from the fridge)
1 cup frozen hashed browns
(Or leftover potatoes or stuffing)
2-9-inch pastry shell, frozen, uncooked
 
 
 
Mix soup, chicken, vegetables and potato;
spread in bottom pie shell.
Top with pastry shell, and press pastry against rim of plate.
Prick crust to allow steam to escape.
Bake in preheated 400F oven until pastry is deep, golden brown,
about 20-25 minutes.

 
~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!


I am joining...
Rattlebridge Farms for Foodie Friday
Miz Helen's Country Cottage for Full Plate Thursday

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Around Our Sunday Table


Thou hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, - a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days,
But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.
~George Herbert~
 
 
As we gather around our family table this week,
hubby, son and myself,
there are so many things to be thankful for.
 
 
Hubby's cousin who was in the area of the Phillipines
that was hit by the typhoon has finally been heard from and is fine.
 
 
Our daughter received a bursary this year.
All her hard work is paying off!
 
 
Our daughter's internship interview went very well
and they are proceeding with the paperwork
to make it official!
 
 
That I didn't have to go out anywhere
on the really cold days this week.

 
That my son's business is doing well
and he will be adding another full time staff member.

 
Family celebrations.
This month's celebrations include:-
My parent's 45th Wedding Anniversary
My dad's 69th Birthday
and my in-laws 50th Wedding Anniversary.
 
 
 What are you thankful for this week?
 
~Finding the amazing in the simple~
Thanks so much for stopping by!


I am joining...
Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday