The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Sunday, September 30, 2012

Outside my window... It is still dark

I am thinking... What a busy week it has been full of new experiences.

I am thankful for... The fact that it seems like I have finally kicked the cold I have been fighting for the past few weeks.

From the kitchen...
~Today: Ham, Buns, Scalloped Potatoes, Corn, Broccoli, Salad, Chocolate Roll
~Monday: Tuscan Tilapia with Rice, Carrots, Tossed Salad, Chocolate Eclair Squares
~Tuesday: Baked Pork Chops, Italian Parmesean Potatoes, Green Beans, Tossed Salad, Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cake
~Wednesday: Chicken & Sweet Pepper Stir-Fry, Rice, Broccoli, Asian Salad, Chocolate Roll
~Thursday: Chili (crockpot), Buns, Tossed Salad, Chocolate Eclair Squares
~Friday: Out
~Saturday: Lasagna, Ceasar Salad, Garlic Bread, Brownies

I am wearing... Sweat pants and a sweat shirt - ready to head out for a morning walk before church.

I am creating... Jars of food for my pantry.

I am reading... People of Babel by Vaughn Heppner

I am praying for... Safe travels this week.

Pondering these words...  Joy can be real only if people look on their life as a service, and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happines.  ~Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy~

I am still hoping... For a long, beautiful fall.

I am hearing... The dishwasher and soft music playing the background.

Around the house... Preparing for my daughter to come home for the weekend, thanksgiving and birthdays!

One of my favorite things... My daughter coming home - even if it is a short visit!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
~Monday:  Fall Decorating & Office Work
~Tuesday:  Shopping & Errads
~Wednesday:  Cooking & Cleaning
~Thursday:  Any last minute things that need doing for the weekend.
~Friday:  Drive to pick up daughter from the airport
~Saturday:  Visiting & shopping
~Sunday:  Thanksgiving & Birthday Celebration!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

 

Garden Bounty!



~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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

Bridal Veil Falls

 

Another place we stopped to visit

was Bridal Veil Falls.

 

 

A short uphill walk through lush forest

takes you to the falls.

I enjoyed the forest walk

as much as I enjoyed the falls :)

 

 

Doesn't this look like a little fairy house?

 

 

The falls were beautiful depsite being late in the season

of a very dry year for the area.

I can't even imagine how spectacular they would be in the spring.

I am looking forward to visiting them again!

 

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



Westminster Abbey

 

While we were on holidays we stopped to visit

Westminster Abbey in Mission, British Columbia, Canada.

 

 

This is a Benedictine Monastery

that also houses a seminary.

 

 

This is a beautiful building on beautiful grounds.

Unfortunately, we were not allowed inside

because we were wearing shorts

but I hope to go back and get pictures

of the inside next time we visit.

 

 

We did, however, take time to stroll through the grounds.

 

 

Being from the prairies I am always

fascinated with the moss growing on things

when we visit the coast.

 

 

I also love the lush forested areas.

And they said it was a dry year!

 

 

There was also a stunning view of the river and valley.

 

 

How I wished for a wide angle lense to capture the view.

It was a beautiful and serene place to visit and spend an afternoon

and I look forward to visiting it again.

 

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



Friendship, Cookbook & Blueberry Muffins

 

Do you have a cookbook in your cupboard

that is well worn and well loved?

This Muffin Mania cookbook is just that in my cupboard.

 

 

This cookbook was given to me as a gift by a close friend

when me and my hubby got married.

Not only did she write a sweet little note in the front

but she also went through and put notes by some of the recipes.

 

 

Not only was that a great help to a new bride

who was just beginning to learn how to cook

but now, many years later, each little note is special.

There are a lot of good recipes in this little book

but one of my favorites is the Blueberry Muffin recipe.

 

 

Ingredients

1-3/4 cups flour

1/2 cup white sugar

3 tsp. baking powder

1 cup blueberries

1 cup milk

1/2 cup melted butter

1 egg

1/2 tsp. salt

 

 

Stir together dry ingredients and add blueberries.

 

 

Combine egg, milk and melted butter and stir into

flour and blueberry mixture, stirring just to moisten.

Do not beat.

 

 

Bake in 375F oven for 15-20 minutes.

 

 

Yields 10 large muffins.

These are delicious served warm from the oven.

 

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



Garden Bounty

 

I have been so blessed this year with a very bountiful garden.

I didn't quite realize just how bountiful it was

until I started harvesting.

 

 

All this from one acorn squash plant.

 

 

I have plenty of spaghetti squash to share with friends.

Again, all from one plant.

 

 

And onions to get us through the winter.

 

 

I spread them all out in the sun.

The onions to dry and the squash to harden off for storage.

 

 

Our one pumpkin plant produced 13 beautiful pumpkins

that were all a similar size.

 

 

Growing cantaloupes can be hit and miss in our zone

but this year was definately a hit.

 

 

It's color was vibrant

and it was so juicy and sweet.

 

 

Fall flowers are also beginning to bloom in the garden.

 

 

The cellulosa is vibrant in color.

 

 

And these fall daisies are just beginning to bloom.

 

 

And these little sunflowers add lots of color

and attract the bees to the garden.

 

 

I just love the colors and bounty of fall!

 

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



I am joining...

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Concrete Blocks to Planters

 

While removing an old dog run that was in our yard

we found a whole bunch of conrete blocks

underneath the gravel layer.

 

 

I immediately knew that they would be good for something.

 

 

They had obviously been used for other purposes before

as some had remains of white paint

while others had brown with turquoise peeking through.

 

 

So, the first step was to give them a fresh coat of paint.

I just used up some leftover paint we had kicking around.

I knew I wanted to make them into planters

and put them in front of the storage shed

that hubby had recently put up.

 

 

So I stacked them and filled the holes with dirt.

 

 

I then went hunting for some pansies

and finally found a few at a local greenhouse on clearance.

They were a little worse for wear but I figured

with a little TLC they would perk up.

 

 

And the little planters on each side of the door

just added that little extra touch it needed.

 

 

I do have some more plans for hubby's shed

but don't tell him that ;)

 

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



I am joining...

The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday
Something Swanky for Swanky Stuff Thursday
Rooted in Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays