Thankful Thursday

I am counting my blessings and thanking the Lord on this Thankful Thursday. . .

• the additional views to my mammogram all came back clear
• spending the afternoon in the car today meant enjoying the beautiful sunshine which reflected on the colorful fall trees.  Exquisite!
• this new antibiotic has me feeling sooooo much better!
• A beautiful family needed a picture and I am always looking for “guinea pigs” to help me learn more about photography. . . Perfect!  They were so patient and after taking more than 350 photos I caught a few favorite poses. . .

We had a fun time. 

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful. . .” Pr15:13

Happy Thursday,

Heather

 

Simple Woman’s Daybook

 

FOR TODAY...September 28th 

Outside my window...gusty winds, grey skies, falling rain

I am thinking...about our neighbor who passed away last week.  His funeral is today.

I am thankful for...digital photography.

I am wearing...black pants, brown top

I am remembering...a warmer yesterday as the temps have now dropped 30 degrees!

I am going...to be cleaning a cluttered, messy house since I had fun “playing” this weekend.

I am reading...Take Two from the new Karen Kingsbury series.  A birthday gift from my sister.  It’s a good one!

I am hoping...this lingering head cold/cough disappears this week.

On my mind...I better finish this daybook quickly. The kids are anxious for lunch.(12:36pm)

From the learning rooms...the kids began their day with Frosted Flakes and Apple Jacks. Note to my dear husband who went grocery shopping. . . DO NOT buy sugar cereal no matter how cheap or how loudly the kids beg! 

Noticing that... There is a negative reaction in the kids behavior when they are given sugar cereal for breakfast.  AAARGH! Someone come rescue me!!

Pondering these words..."It’s better to be polite than right.”

From the kitchen...chicken noodle soup.  Mmm Mmm good!

Around the house... You don’t even want to know!!

One of my favorite things~ is taking pictures. :)

From my picture journal...

A recent favorite picture of J-man. . .

Enjoy reading other Daybooks or creating one of your own by going Here.

I hope you have a marvelous Monday!

Heather

 

Friday fanfare

First year for the statewide mentored hunting program. . .

First night for Mr. Z to sit in a tree stand. . . waiting for that deer.

The deer shied away this evening. . . hope prevails for the next time.

 

At this point, I think his affection is more for his bow than his cat.

But he did appease me with a camera pose with Miss Lucy.

 

On a health note. . .I was encouraged by a phone call from my brother-in-law who is a radiologist and who looked at my mammo films. . .he believes there is a very good chance that the “extra views” on Wednesday will show no need for concern or further treatment. . . ::exhale::

It is a blessing to have a doctor in the family.  We are thankful for Uncle Steve who always graciously and caringly goes out of his way to walk alongside during those times of medical concern and “tells it like it is” in language we can understand.

The beautiful fall fanfare of color has begun and is the backdrop for Friday backyard football before the predicted rain of the weekend descends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you had a happy Friday!

Heather

 

::thud::

Hello. . . “Mrs. E. we need to have you come back for additional views to your mammogram.” 

::sigh::. . .  Darn-it!!. . . ::thud::

With the amount of breast cancer history in my family this is not what I wanted to hear.

BUT. . .these additional views may well turn out absolutely fine.  It happens frequently.  This is not necessarily bad news.

But Still. . . ::THUD:: ::sigh:: and Darn-it!!

Following the phone call. . . encouraging scripture reading this morning in Daniel 10:19 regarding Daniel’s vision. . .

“Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed,” he said.   “Peace!  Be strong now; be strong.”

Meanwhile, I love learning about photography and was inspired this afternoon from Miz Booshay at Pioneer Woman talking about bokeh.  So, I took her challenge and tried to achieve this “quality blur”. 

The last of my summer geraniums still add a bit of fall color.

Be strong.

Happy Thursday!

Heather

Love these picture books!

I’ve awakened. . .

Awakened after 12 years of intermittent pregnancy, exhaustion, nausea, labor, breast feeding, and sleepless nights. . . to possess a rekindled love for books. 

(As well as a realization that I’m pre-menopausal. . .  but that’s another story!)

I love to hear of books others have enjoyed.

Heidi over at Mt. Hope Chronicles has a wonderful ongoing list of literary recommendations.

My eldest is almost 12 and I know these books are a bit juvenile for him BUT even I loved reading these over and over.

The author is Amy Krouse Rosenthal.  Here are a few of her picture books that we thoroughly enjoyed. . .

 

Check them out!  Literally. . . at the library.  You and your little ones (& big ones) will love ‘em!

And that soon to be 12 year old?  He said, “They’re totally reversed. . . read and find out.” (He’s referring to Little Oink, Little Pea & Little Hoot)

Anyway. . . Z-man has his mind on more exciting, upcoming events in his life.  He’ll be 12 in November which means he can bow hunt for the first time this year!  A tree stand was even set up in the backyard and practice has begun. . . .

Beautiful fall days filled with reading, writing, arithmetic and shooting!  That’s our simply grand central life in the woods.

Happy Wednesday,

Heather

 

Completely Candid

Little A. . . so enamored with the cell phones.  She gets one of her own for her 2nd birthday last month.

With 2 minutes to spare I will enter this Completely Candid photo.

Go here to see other Candid photos.

Heather

Crock Pot Meat Loaf

On a good day. . .  I love to have dinner in the crock pot by noon.

Today at lunchtime,  I knew I was runnin’ out of steam and it would be best to get dinner going soon.  Thankfully, I had thawed ground beef & ground venison in the refrigerator and I decided to look on line for a meat loaf recipe to make in the crock pot.  Sure enough. . . I found one.

Here it is:

1 1/2 pds lean ground beef

1 egg

1C finely chopped onion

1 C softly torn bread crumbs

*(I used dried bread crumbs and would use the soft bread next time)

2 tsp. prepared mustard

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp dried parsley flakes

1 C ketchup, divided

Spray crockpot with cooking spray.  In a large bowl, combine ground beef, onion, egg, mustard, bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, and 1/2C ketchup.

 

Shape mixture into a ball and place in slow cooker.  Spread remaining ketchup over top of loaf.  Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.

Serves 6. . . I doubled it for our family.

Deeelicious!. . . served with potatoes and carrots from the garden. We love this time of year and the many fresh veges to choose from.

Even this 8 year old liked it!  But hey, it didn’t contain tomatoes or mushrooms so I was off to a good start.

And there’s our blue eyed Bengal, Lucy.

We’ve been enjoying our new pet. . .yes, even me :)

I snapped these photos today with the front door open. . . natural light. . .no flash needed.  Edited with Picnik.

(I actually got a shot of Little A smiling. . .not so easy to do.  Too bad it’s out of focus.)

Happy Tuesday!

Heather

P.S.  I had my yearly mammogram today.  Have you had yours?  If not, just do it.  It’s painless, simple &fast.

Simple Woman’s Daybook

FOR TODAY
September 21, 2009

Outside my window...the sun is shining and we’re ready for another beautiful fall day.

I am thinking...of how blessed I am as I celebrate 43 years today.

I am thankful for...a good night’s sleep after dealing with a continually bad cough.

From the learning rooms…we’re in a nice fall routine but this warm weather is definitely drawing the kids outside.

From the kitchen...Steaks on the grill tonight.  Mama’s choice :)

I am wearing...my pajamas.

I am creating...CD’s of photos to give to my sister from our summer family fun.

I am going...for a mammogram tomorrow.

I am reading...Woman’s Day magazines from my mother-in-law and tearing out recipes to try.

I am hoping...to start a fall walking routine.

I am hearing...someone taking a shower downstairs, a noisy crow outside. . . and just now, Little A calling for me.

Around the house...two bathrooms to clean today. . . on second thought, it is my birthday. I think that can wait till’ tomorrow.

One of my favorite things...is waking up to a clean kitchen.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Soccer, football and the unexpected to be sure.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

A beautiful picture of a double rainbow taken by my mother-in-law.

Remembering. . . God’s promises.

Create a Daybook of your own, or read others at: 

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Happy Monday,

Heather

Pork Chops & Applesauce

I’m thinking about the TV shows I watched as a kid:

“Emergency 51”:  Loved this Friday night show.  I remember my mom and dad telling the babysitter we had to go to bed after Emergency 51.  Funny what you remember, huh?

Little House on the Prairie

I’d like to get this series on DVD for my kids to watch.

C.H.I.P.S.:  Loved this show!

 

The Donny and Marie Show:  I even had their lunch box,

along with posters and record albums!

And then there was an all-time classic favorite. . .

Happy Days!

So why am I sharing with you my favorite past-time shows?

Because it was a line in this show which reminded me of a recipe I made this week and I wanted to share with you. Funny. . .YouTube even had a recording. . .

Does anyone else remember?

Remember The Brady Bunch?

PORKCHOPS & APPLESAUCE

This is an easy, no fail recipe:

Fill bottom of 9x13 pan with apples which have been cored and sliced.  Or a more simple option?  Fill bottom of pan with applesauce.

Dot with butter.

Sprinkle with brown sugar.

Place pork chops (the boneless, thin sliced, are my favorite) on top.

Cover with foil.

Bake at 225 degrees for 4-5 hours.

That’s it!  You’ll love it!

HAPPY SaturDAYS!!!

Heather

cool cats

(This is for you, Mom). . .

Listen while you look. .

Do you remember “Pink Cadillac”?

Grandpa has always had an affinity for classic cars.

Grandma?  Not as much.

UNTIL. . . She laid her eyes on this beauty!

 

“Now that classic car would be fun to own”, she commented.

And that was all Grandpa needed to hear.

Done deal! 

The 1958 Pink Cadillac is SOLD to the happy couple celebrating 46 years next month!

It is a very classic, head turner of a car.

And heavy!

The pretty thing weighs in at 4,700 lbs.!

(We’re talkin’ fuel economy!)

They sure don’t make ‘em like they used to, huh?!

Take a look. . .

 

 

 

A fun new toy for two fun “cool cats”. . . Grandpa and Grandma!

 And you thought this “cool cat” post would be about our new addition, Lucy? I’d snap a photo . . . but Lucy’s too busy bouncing off the walls, scaling my new bedroom drapes, eating birthday cake off the counter, and soaring heights which even make daddy drop his jaw!  Yet she’s docile enough to let Little A pick her up and carry her around.  “No, no, no. . . not by the TAIL Little A. . . you must be gentle with kitty!!” Oh yeah. . . we’re havin’ fun ‘round here.

Happy Monday!

Heather

A what party?

A potty party!

I have a great friend. . .

Not only does she know how to be a great friend. . .

She knows how to throw a great party!

She loves tradition and we are thrilled to be welcomed in her yearly celebrations which include an Easter brunch, a girls Valentine’s tea, and a fall harvest bonfire.

Monday was a “right of passage” party for her son who needs diapers no more!

Everyone was handed a diaper and we threw them into the fire!

Then this proud boy received his digger which had been his “carrot” at the end of this toilet training road.

And of course, there is a potty cake!

My kids are so glad to “ride on the skirt tails” of this fun mom.

Mrs. Reimer, you rock!

Happy Wednesday!

Heather

 

Strawberry Cake

Our family birthday tradition includes picking out the type of cake you’d like to make and then decorating it.

Last week H-man chose strawberry cake.

I looked on-line and found a recipe which sounded interesting.

I received such raves that I thought I’d share it with you.

My pictures are a far cry from Bakerella's but here’s a glance at the birthday cake. 

And here is the recipe:

STRAWBERRY JELLO CAKE

1 pkg white cake mix

1 (3oz) pkg strawberry gelatin

3 T flour

1/4 t salt

1C oil

1/2 C water

4 eggs

1 (10oz)pkg frozen strawberries

Preheat oven to 350.  In a large bowl, sift the cake mix, flour, gelatin mix and salt together.  Stir in the oil and water.  Beat well.  Add in the eggs, one at a time; mix well. 

In a medium bowl, mash up the entire bag of strawberries.  Stir half of the strawberries (5oz) into the cake batter.  Pour cake into 2-layer cake pans and bake for 30 minutes.  (I used a 9x13 and simply baked longer). Let cake cool and spread strawberry icing on top.

STRAWBERRY ICING:

1 stick butter

1 box confectioners’ sugar, sifted

Cream butter.  Gradually add in the sugar and remaining mashed strawberries.  Mix until icing is a smooth, creamy texture.

Happy Tuesday,

Heather