Doing Something Special

 Before Christmas I was focusing on doing something special for my hubby each day.  When I began I had my plan all laid out.  Day 1 I would do this, Day 2 I would do that, etc.  Each day I  would complete my "task",  check it off my list and move on with my day.  Then, one morning, I woke up and realized that I didn't have anything special on my list for hubby and I didn't want to just repeat what I had recently done.  That was the day I quit thinking and planning (a good thing in this case) and began listening.

Because I didn't have my plan and I still wanted to do something special for hubby I really began to listen to what he was saying and asking myself, "how can I help him?"  And, as I started to listen I found plenty of opportunities to do special things for him.  Taking a couple of minutes to sweep up the basement while he was trying to finish it up, making him a honey-lemon tea when he mentioned his throat was a little scratchy, making a fresh cake so it was still warm when he got home from work at 9 pm, and the list goes on and on.

As I began to listen I didn't stop after one thing in a day.  It became my own challenge to myself to see what else I could find as I listened - my own personal treasure hunt.

As I watched and listened I began to appreciate hubby so much more.  Instead of taking for granted the things he does I became more aware of all the little things he does for me and the family and I began to value him more.  So, what began as doing something nice for hubby so he'd appreciate me more became an eye-opener for me and changed my attitude toward him. 

"The best portion of a good man's life - his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love."

~William Woodsworth~

Hearts for Home

Today I am joining in with Gae from Cherished Hearts at Home . She has a weekly post called Hearts for Home which is open for others to link up with and share some thoughts on home-centred ways. She encourages us to think of 4-6 things to commit to each week to make homelife special and to bless us as keepers at home.

Here are a few things I would like to focus on this week.

1.  I need to get back into the routine of things.  Hubby has done his shifts for now and is back on a regular day schedule so that should help make things a bit easier.

2.  Deep clean the bathroom, kitchen and floors.

3.  Clean the fridge.

4.  Take my daughter Grad Dress shopping (I promised her I would take her first thing in the new year)

5.  Get back into regular meal preparation.  With being away and the special holiday food its been a little tough getting back into regular, healthier meals.

                                      ~Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, A dearer,

sweeter spot than all the rest~

                                                                                    (Maricar Macalincag)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Monday, January 3, 2011


Outside my window... The sun is shining brightly, the sky is clear and blue and it is hovering right around the freezing mark.


I am thinking...  Of how I need to tidy up the house and get some things put away, how glad I am that I am feeling better after being sick yesterday, how I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine after the holiday season.

I am thankful for... A wonderful Christmas season that we had as a family.

From the learning rooms... Back at it this week after a long break - finish up some English.

From the kitchen... Tonight will be roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, salad and I will probably bake a chocolate cake for dessert.


I am wearing... Still in my housecoat.

I am creating... Working on x-stitching some pillowcases.


I am going... To pay some bills and tidy up the house.

I am reading... The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

I am praying for... Our family in the new year as I know it will hold many challenges and changes.

Pondering these words... Discipline.


I am STILL hoping... A trip to the mountains???


I am hearing... My computer running and nothing else as everyone else is still sleeping.


Around the house... Getting back into routine.


One of my favorite things... Sitting around with the family at the end of the day chatting.


A few plans for the rest of the week...  Next few days focus on housework and some school, Thursday I will be out most of the day, Friday will be a full day of school and Saturday my daughter & I are going grad dress shopping.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

A winter view.

 

Thank you Peggy for the The Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Monday, December 6th, 2010

Outside my window... The sun is shining brightly, the sky is clear and blue and it is hovering right around the freezing mark - which is a nice relief after temperatures around 20 degrees below freezing.


I am thinking...  Of how I need to tidy up the house and get some things put away.  It always amazes me how cluttered things get over the weekend.  How I'm looking forward to having hubby home for the next few days.  How much I'm enjoying the sun shining through my window.  Of the people who are struggling this Christmas season.


I am thankful for... The warmer weather and better roads for driving.


From the learning rooms... Study, study, study as there will be final exams in Biology and English in the next few weeks.


From the kitchen... Tonight will be Sweet & Sour Meatballs, Rice, Green Beans, Salad and probably Chocolate Pie for dessert.

I am wearing... My comfy tan cargo pants and a pink layered shirt.


I am creating... Some new recipes.

I am going... To pay some bills, make some lunch and tidy up the house


I am reading... A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George.  This is an excellent book that I borrowed from the church library but I will want to add to my own collection of books.  A definate must have.


I am praying for... My sister-in-law who is going through a break-up and needs to find a place of her own.


Pondering these words... From yesterday's sermon, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."  (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV)

I am STILL hoping... A trip to the mountains????

I am hearing... The computers running.


Around the house... Christmas baking on the agenda for this week.  Yumm...


One of my favorite things... Seeing all the Christmas lights.


A few plans for the rest of the week...  This week is a quieter week for me and I am so looking forward to it.  Today we have a full day of school, then Tuesday & Wednesday will be housework, baking and date night with hubby :)), Thursday some school and probably more baking, and Friday & Saturday will be school and just relaxing.  Sunday is the children's program at church and I am looking foward to seeing that.


Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

My daughter took this picture last year.

Thank you Peggy for the The Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

Christmas Flower Pots

In the fall I made a little plant holder that I thought was so cute.

This week it received a Christmas make-over.  Just a quick change of the bow

and a Christmas poinsettia makes it ready for the holidays.

My hubby came up with the idea that we should make a winter version.

So, I  put together the pots and he painted it white for me.

We shopped together for the accessories and he insisted it have a carrot nose

which I think adds some personality.

So we now have a "Frosty" planter :)

I am joining in at

"The Shabby Chic Cottage" for Transformation Thursday

and at

 "My Romantic Home" for Show and Tell Friday 

Tablescape Thursday

I thought I would try something a little on the fun side this week.

I always like to have a picture of my starting place.  I have had this tablecloth for a few years and don't quite remember where I got it from.

The santa and train set was given to us as a gift a few years ago and I had it sitting on a back shelf.

This was the year to actually pull it out and use it.

I thought it was kind of cute.

These are views of either side of the train.

The snowman is part of my salt and pepper set and I added some tealights and a few wooden ornaments. 

The little candle tress were in a box of goodies I picked up at a garage sale.

Finally comes the dishes - simple white and green with a dash of gold.

The napkin rings were also in that box of goodies from the garage sale.

Each place setting had their own wooden ornament (I had a basket of them kicking around) and the little pinecones I picked up at Pier 1 Imports.

The table is set and ready to go!

Unfortunately my batteries died before I could get pictures of the food

but the tablescape and the food was enjoyed by all :)

I hope you enjoyed my tablescape as well.  I'm participating in Tablescape Thursdays at Between Naps on the Porch.  Go check it out to see some amazing and beautiful tablescapes.

Simple Christmas Tabletop

This week I have a very simple Christmas tabletop.

This vase I found at the Dollar Store a few years ago.

These little poinsettia napkin rings I got at a garage sale in a box full of odds 'n ends.

The glass tealight holders were actually used on the tables at our wedding, many years ago.

And this is one of my favorite Christmas pieces, a small runner I got from Laurie-Annes Lace & Linen.

And all put together gives me a simple Christmas tabletop for the week.

I am linking this to Tabletop Tuesday at a "Stroll Through Life".