Happy New Year!

We are off to the woods for a time of rest, reflection, fishing, family, games, food, campfire, music and anything else that sounds fun.
Hope you ring in the new year with those you love.
May God bless the year to come for His glory and our growth.
Blessings, Lisa

Simple Woman's Daybook

Please note: Peggy is not posting a Simple Woman's Daybook for today.

I had mine completed before I realized this. If I were to remove this post it would create a problem through out my entire blog.

Because of this I am publicly apologizing to Peggy and leaving this post.

FOR TODAY December 29, 2008...

Outside my window...the sky is very blue and the weather is too warm for Christmas.

I am thinking...of and praying for a young lady we go to church with that was in an accident and needs healing.

I am thankful for...God's protection for this young lady, it could have been much worse.

From the learning rooms...Christmas break.

From the kitchen...leftovers.

I am wearing...capri-pants and a t-shirt, it would be nice to need my winter clothes.

I am creating...a scarf (for someone who lives in a colder place?), a quilt and lounge pants.

I am going...to lake camping later this week.

I am reading...The Shack.

I am hoping...the camper repairs we made this week are a huge success

I am hearing...only the hum of the computer, all children that are here are very quiet.

Around the house...the continued feeling of Christmas and the peace and joy that come with the season.

One of my favorite things...conquering a mountain. (camper repair)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Camping and extended family for New Year's.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...camper repair!

To participate in The Simple Woman's Daybook visit Peggy at http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/.

wrapped in love

Luke 2:10-12
“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Merry Christmas to each of you!
May God's gift of love affect every part of your life in this season and the coming year!

gingerbread coop

This is our chicken coop all dressed up and it has to be one of only a few though out all the land.

I did not have the ambition to deck the house in lights this year and so the children were disappointed. When they came to ask could they do the coop instead I eagerly replied, "yes!".

I must tell you just how nice it has been to look out the back windows and see this every night.

I would not have seen lights on our house one tenth of the nights I have enjoyed them here.

A new tradition? We'll see.

Goodnight Ladies, lights out.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 22, 2008...

Outside my window...it is very windy and the clothes on the line are drying quickly.

I am thinking...how thankful I am for the true girft of Christmas ~ JESUS!

I am thankful for...the work we have, others around us are struggling.

From the learning rooms...the sewing machine is working and nothing else.

From the kitchen...peanut butter fudge, peanut butter fudge, peanut bitter fudge!

I am wearing...warm up pants and shirt.

I am creating...a quilt and scarf.

I am going...no where and it is wonderful.

I am reading...At the Manger~aloud to our family.

I am hoping...that Jesus will return soon.

I am hearing...quite, the girls are away and the boys are outside.

Around the house...all is ready for Christmas but the wrapping.

One of my favorite things...Christmas music.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Dad is not working, children are home and playing....It is Christmas!

Here is a picture thought I am sharring...

Merry Christmas!

If you would like to participate in this sweet reminder of the simple things in life, visit Peggy here http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ for all the details.

progressing

It is very exciting to finally learn how to undo a stitch or two or rows and rows of stitches. My children have stopped asking, "Mom why are you undoing the whole thing?"

I will not give up and I can not wait to finish this first project. A scarf, selfishly kept for myself. If anyone is dreaming of knitting - hurry up and get to it. Be encouraged, I'm willing to cheer you on.

triple lutz?

Three girls on skates a week before Christmas, who could be happier?

Checking into some instruction and wishing it was just not quite so far.

We will definitely do this more often.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 15, 2208...

Outside my window...it is cloudy, and the chicken coop is decorated in lights, it looks like a gingerbread house.

I am thinking...I need a little more time today.

I am thankful for...the wonderful season of Christmas, which brings around family and friends.

From the learning rooms...a snow globe, sewing and scrapbooks.

From the kitchen...a gingerbread house, fudge, cookies and a dinner for friends that just brought home a new little brother.

I am wearing...my jamies ~ still.

I am creating...a cozy Christmas home.

I am going...to an Orchestra Concert tonight.

I am reading...At the Manger as a read aloud.

I am hoping...to have all my Christmas shopping complete by December 25th.

I am hearing...a child repeat she is hungry.

Around the house...several lists are reminding me of things that need to be done.

One of my favorite things...is movie night for the whole family.

A few plans for the rest of the week: more movie and game nights. A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

If you would like to participate in The Simple Woman's Daybook visit Peggy here:

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

another birthday

Today this boy turns thirteen.

That's right, I am officially now the mother of three teenage boys.

I knew this day would come and yet it does not seem real.

Caleb, you are a boy, or is it man, full of life.

You live every day to it's fullest and then some.

On many days this is a blessing and on others you manage to stay in trouble.

You are a hard worker and most times prefer to be the Foreman.

One of my favorite things to watch you do is teach.

You are a good instructor and then allow your student to try without becoming impatient with them.

It is fun to see you eager to lean anything that you can do with your hands.

You will never be bored because you love to learn and do.

Play all of your music for His glory, just remember I love listening too.

It has been a joy to watch you grow, it has required me to do a lot of growing as well.

I am praying you will listen to the voice of God and that you will walk the path that He calls you to.

happy birthday Mom

What's fun to do on a Thursday night in December?

A birthday surprise for Nana was our outing tonight.

They had no idea we were coming or that we were bringing dinner, dessert,(birthday cake of course), and presents.

We arrived with Aunt Karen, rang the doorbell and sang Happy Birthday!

A very fun time was had by all.

"romantic" anniversary

A funny little thing happened at the end of our anniversary celebration.
After our wonderful dinner we decided to go to the coffee house. (we had never been there before.)

We walked in, and much to my amazement, right there before my very eyes, was a knitting club. Now what you may not realize is that I have been wanting to learn how to knit since FOREVER! I could not help myself, once my wonderful husband had purchased my coffee, I was eagerly asking what I had to do to participate in this little group.

Did I mention it was our anniversary?

Well, before I had a chance to remember it was my anniversary, I was after all suffering from knitting hyper ventilation, I had lovely wooden needles in hand and not one, but two separate yarns I was knitting together.

The girl leading the group, OK - my guess is she was younger than me, so girl it is, said, "We meet every Tuesday night, you must buy a cup of coffee, please come join us."

Please, tell me tomorrow is Tuesday.

Oh, did I mention it was my anniversary?

Yes, we were there 54 minutes (which was 54 minutes after closing, we had no idea the closed when we walked in) and my husband did not mind a bit. We had a good laugh and he could not have given me a better gift if he had tried.

So if you call and I do not answer, if you drop by and the laundry is blocking the hallway, you will know why.

In the middle of the summer,when I am wearing an ocean blue colored scarf, maybe we can go for another cup of coffee and a new knitting project.

Photo by Seth

wedded bliss

Once upon a time...

December 9, 1989, a Nor'easter was blowing in, the temperature was 32 degrees and the ceremony would go on - horse and buggy ride included.

Flash forward 19 years, the high today will be 80 degrees and we will go to dinner at the beach, maybe stop for a cup of coffee or go for a walk.

Thanks for all the children and memories. It is a huge blessing to say I have a happy life.

May the next 19 years be even more sweeter than the first! I love you!

...And they lived happily ever after.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 8, 2008...

Outside my window...clothes are dancing on the clothesline, cool and sunny.

I am thinking...I need it to be two hours earlier than what it is. (my sweet husband offered to turn the clocks back for me)

I am thankful for...a loving marriage.

From the learning rooms...all is quiet.

From the kitchen...popcorn and cranberry garland.

I am wearing...jeans and a very sweet old fashioned looking shirt.

I am creating...a dishcloth during string lessons today.

I am going...out for seafood tomorrow night.

I am reading...and advent devotional.

I am hoping...a simple Christmas will long be remembered.

I am hearing...the piano being tuned. Yeah!

Around the house...decorations are almost complete, only the tree left to decorate, it looks festive and smells of the season.

One of my favorite things...Christmas music played by my children.

A few plans for the rest of the week: family time, healing for sick people, soup on the table ~ all of the above with love.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...family trip to Disney 2006 (Caleb's at football paractice)

If you would like to share in this reflective activity visit the Simple Woman at the following link... http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

let the decorating begin

We have begun decorating for Christmas.

It seems a labored activity and yet when completed brings warmth to our home.

Hoping you are spending family time praying, playing board games, playing card games, drinking cocoa, watching seasonal movies, reading aloud a great Christmas story, singing and playing songs, and treasuring all things Christmas.

Shalom

thrifting

I have an affection for junk store finds.

Unfortunately, I do not live where there are an abundance of there little places.

Fortunately there is a wonderful thrift store right down the road and it is a rare occasion I come away without a gem.

Toady's blessing was an ornament with a violin on it, a puzzle, a game for the children, a craft for Hannah, soap dishes for the girls bathroom, a cute little butter spreader and a model care for Caleb. He already had it put together before the picture was taken.

The rest of the day was given to picking up a Christmas tree and football game.

Our house is full of sick people from the stomach bug, to cold, to Dad's 3 week old cough.

Praying for healing here!

spreading a little Christmas cheer

Much of this week was spent preparing a musical set that would serve as a backdrop to a large church activity.

This was a good opportunity for some stage time and experience without the pressure of a large audience expecting some great performance.

We did overcome a few obstacles that were out of our control.

With only a small area, how would the set up of chairs and instruments come together?

What adjustments need to be made because the string players are struggling to hear each other?

What happens when the piano drowns out the stings and the musician there can not hear any strings.

In the end the ~ musicians had a great time, were thankful for the opportunity and hopefully the
people who allowed them to perform were pleased.

I am thankful for the willingness of the children to give a little Merry Christmas!!

making a joyful noise

In spite of illness and all the pressing things that need to be accomplished --
Christmas Concert rehearsal is at the top of the list today.
The children, and good friend Nathan, will perform a thirty minute block of time at a local church.
What a joy to watch them give of their talents to the community at Christmas time.

The house has been filled with all things Christmas hymns and what a glorious sound that is.

Check back for pictures within the next couple of days.
Goodnight!

rambling

Oh my! How does this happen? I am trying to figure out how to make posting a habit. I know, they say you must do something for twenty one days for it to become a habit.
I decided it is a new month, no football, no educational co-ops, most activities slowed due to the wonderful season we are beginning, surely I will have time to visit this little space and leave a sweet remembrance of what is happening on our journey.

Ugh! I already messed up and it was only day TWO.
Remembering my original goal of documenting, for my children, in word and picture the ordinary happenings of life, it is comforting to know they will not be bothered by this mishap.

So, I would like to cash in my new mercy for today and carry on.

Today is cold, inside the house and out. It has been many years since we have had such a cold beginning to winter (or is it end to fall?). Be careful what you wish for.

A couple of us have had the stomach bug and several of us have colds.
Bring on the garlic and chicken soup. Dad has assured me we will not have a problem with vampires.

In the kitchen...a large pot of spaghetti and fresh bread.
Talk of Christmas cookies has begun.

Catching up on laundry after Thanksgiving travel.

Until tomorrow.....yes tomorrow!

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY December 1, 2008...
Outside My Window...it is dark and the air is chilly.
I am thinking...I wish I had gone to get a Christmas tree today.
I am thankful for...family and time spent laughing and playing together.
From the learning rooms...we are correcting much work neglected from a very busy fall season.
From the kitchen...not much is happening...some of us have had the stomach flu.
I am wearing...jeans and very comfy shirt.
I am creating...a quilt!
I am going...to stay home~after two trips, of significant distance, in November.
I am reading...Message in a Bottle
I am hoping...for a relaxing and home bound December.
I am hearing...a lot of Christmas piano and string music.
Around the house...things are messy due to traveling over Thanksgiving.
One of my favorite things...is our bed. Our children commented recently, "You are addicted to your bed.", Yes we are!
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

rehearsal, rehearsal, rehearsal...we have a Christmas performance coming up,

quilting, quilting and more quilting~I do not do much else when I am working on a quilt,

Here is picture thought I am sharing...Our Thanksgiving Dinner

Go here to read more Simple Woman Day Books or to create one of your own http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/