Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... March 1, 2011

Outside my window... it is raining. Washing away the thick yellow stuff that is causing much sneezing, coughing and stuffiness in my house. It feels refreshing that outside is getting a bath.

I am thinking... Christmas has come and gone, his birthday has come and gone, and a gift I so desperately want to give him is stuffed somewhere in the studio waiting for me to find time.

I am thankful... that my parents are close enough to come for an impromptu oyster roast.>

I am wearing... yoga pants, t-shirt and running shoes. I was dressed for an early morning walk before I knew it was raining.

I am remembering... a dear teacher, mentor and friend that has been gone a year this week;

I am going... to an Orchestra Performance tonight. Everyone is playing and I have not been in one rehearsal since the last concert so it will be all new, yeah.

I am currently reading... Once a Month Cooking, Girl Talk, and One Thousand Gifts sent to me by a sweet friend, and my Bible Study.

I am hoping...March will slow down, not our busyness, just the rapid passing of time. I can not believe how quickly this year is moving, I need it to slow down. I used to wish my weekends here, now I wish they would take a little longer to arrive.

On my mind...the family of a very sweet friend of mine who, on Sunday, at only 52, lost her battle with Scleroderma. I miss Sue terribly, she was in my knitting group.

Noticing that... the day feels lighter when supper is already figured out. No dreading of the 4:00 hour, no wishing someone else could cook supper, the freedom to ponder...flowers weeds for the table, perhaps a candle, maybe a tablecloth - now that I have one that actually fits this huge table. It only took about fifteen years for me to finally make one, it would be nice to have time to use it.

Pondering these words... "Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time.Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength." — Corrie Ten Boom

From the kitchen... menus and soap, I hope. Photo of homemade granola bars from last week. These are incredible. I have had this recipe for a couple of years and this is the first time I have made them. I do not know how often my children will get them because I lack the self control to refrain from eating them, oh my. Remember, I warned you:)

Chewy Granola Bars
1/2 cup butter, soft
1 cup brown sugar
2T honey
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 cup whole wheat flower
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup oats
1 cup rice cereal
1 cup nuts, chopped (I used almonds)
1 cup raisins (I used craisins)
1 cup shredded coconut (dried and unsweetened

1. cream butter, sugar, honey, vanilla and egg

2. combine all dry ingredients and add to cream mix
3. press into 9X13X2

4. bake @ 350 degrees for 28 minutes or until golden
5. cool then cut
6. Enjoy, they are easy and so delicious.

Around the house... I find contentment, safety, joy, and love.

It looks like this outside right now.

One of my favorite things ~ quiet, a candle, and instrumental music ~ all happening simultaneously.

From my picture journal... most of the time music practice looks like this at our house... ...but, sometimes it can look like this! What was she doing???

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