The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Saturday, November 23, 2013

Outside my window...

 

I am thinking... That I hope I feel better soon as there is so much to do before the holidays.

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

From the kitchen...
~Sunday: Roast Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Buns, Broccoli w/Cheese Sauce, Corn, Tossed Salad, Jelly Roll
~Monday: Spicy Beef & Vegetable Stir-Fry, Oven Baked Zucchini, Asian Salad, Chocolate Cupcakes
~Tuesday: Oregano Chicken w/Sweet Peppers, Rice, Peas & Carrots, Tossed Salad, Marble Cake
~Wednesday: Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garlic Bread, Baked Zucchini, Ceasar Salad, Jelly Roll
~Thursday: Mushroom Pork Chops, Perogies, Green Beans, Turnip, Tossed Salad, Chocolate Cupcakes
~Friday:  Parmesean Fish, Rice, Carrots, Broccoli, Tossed Salad, Marble Cake
~Saturday: Leftover Smorg

~Chocolate Marble Cake~

I am wearing...

I am creating... This week my goals are:-
~Do my Christmas Cards
~Finish the letter "G" 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... Good health.

Pondering these words...

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

Mother Teresa

 

I am still hoping... To finish some projects before Christmas.

I am hearing... The radio playing.

Around the house... Mess before beauty - Christmas decorating is in progress.

One of my favorite things... Christmas music.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
~Monday:  Horticultural Society Meeting
~Tuesday: Christmas Baking
~Wednesday: Housecleaning Day
~Thursday: Office Work, Errands & Grocery Shopping
~Friday: More Christmas Baking
~Saturday: In-laws 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

Here is a picture thought I am sharing... 



~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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

Frugal Friday - How I Saved This Week!

Prices seem to go up every year for just the basics.

Unfortunately, our income often doesn't match the pace

of the increase for costs of goods.

"A penny saved is a penny earned"

is something I heard very often while growing up.

So, here are a few of the ways I saved some of our pennies this week,

which in turn allows us to live comfortably on less.

 

 

Using coupons and shopping the sale items

I saved $23.69 this week.

 

Buying in bulk and packaging meat into smaller meal size portions

cuts down on the cost of meat.

 

 

Shut the doors and keep the lights off!

Our porch is cool and keeping the doors shut

keeps us from heating this part of the house that doesn't need heating.

I also make it a point to keep lights off as long as possible

and then only use the lights that are needed in the evening.

 

I love those little magnetic list pads you can get from the Dollarstore.

When I finish up a notepad I take the magnet off the back

and add it into my crafting supplies.

 

 

How did you save money this week?

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



Butterscotchy Almond Bars

 

This is my daughter's favorite Christmas treat.

It is one of the first things I make

and include a few in her last parcel before Christmas.

 

 

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 cup butter

2 cups packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1-1/2 tsp. vanilla

 

Nutty Topping

1/4 cup butter

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup corn syrup

2 Tbsp. water

1/4 tsp. salt

1-1/2 cups sliced almonds

 

Combine flour and baking powder; set aside.

Melt butter in large saucepan.

Remove from heat; blend in sugar.

Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Stir in flour mixture.

Spread batter in a greased 13x9-inch pan.

Bake in 350F oven for 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and prepare Nutty Topping.

 

Nutty Topping

Melt 1/4 cup butter in small saucepan.

Add and mix in sugar, corn syrup, water and salt.

Bring mixture to boil; boil 4 minutes; stirring constantly.

Pour over base and sprinkle sliced almonds over top.

Bake 15 minutes longer.

 

 

Cool 30 minutes and then drizzle melted chocolate over top.

Slice while still warm.

(This makes it easier to get out of the pan) 

 

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am joining...

Rattlebridge Farms for Foodie Friday

David Thompson Highway and Crimson Lake

 

Heading homewards from our holidays

we took the David Thompson Highway.

 

 

This highway just continues with the breathtaking views.

 

 

It was probably a good thing that there weren't a lot of places to pull over and stop

or we may have never reached our destination!

 

The stunning mountains, lakes and forests

kept my camera clicking.

 

It was such a beautiful day to take this drive

with clear blue skies and not a whisper of wind.

 

Our poor pup got so tired he fell asleep looking out the window! lol :D

 

Once we reached Crimson Lake Provincial Park

we unloaded our kayaks.

 

It was such a beautiful evening.

 

And the lake was just the right size to kayak around.

 

Lilypads and loons!

The call of the loon is so hauntingly beautiful.

 

Such a peaceful way to end our holiday.

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am joining...

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Tablescaper for Oh, the Places I've Been

Anniversary Card

 

My parents celebrated their 45th Wedding Anniversary this month.

 

 

Since my dad's health issues we don't take any holiday or occasion or granted

but take the time to celebrate together as a family.

 

An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today,

the memories of yesterday,

and the hopes of tomorrow. 

~Author Unknown~

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Crockpot Orange Chicken

 

When my friend Dianna from Cooking with the Mrs.

posted this recipe for Crockpot Orange Chicken

I immediately went to the kitchen and changed my menu plan for the day

and I am so glad I did.

 

 

This is one of the simplest crockpot recipes I have ever made

that only takes a few ingredients

and the flavor is absolutely amazing!

 

This recipe has been added to my regular recipes.

To check out the recipe click [here]

and scroll down to the Crockpot Orange Chicken recipe.

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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

 
 

Another snow storm and once again family members travelling.

I am thankful once again for safe travel.

 

A hubby who notices and takes care of the little things.

He noticed that outside back door wasn't sealing 100%

and got busy and fixed it right away.
 

 

 

I am thankful for quiet days working around the home.

 

I am thankful we were able to find a trustworthy mechanic
that our daughter could take her car to.

 

 

I am thankful that the mechanic was able to find the problem

and fix it and that the bill wasn't too high.

 

I am thankful hubby was called in to work.

The unexpected overtime pay will cover the car repair cost.

God provided before we even knew our need.

 

 What are you thankful for this week?

 

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



I am joining...

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays
The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday
Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home