Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Monday evening, July 29th, 2013

 Outside my window...  dark and quiet.  O.kay, not so quiet, we have a fox that makes its rounds every night and he is currently outside screaming his scary scream* 

 

I am hearing... One of the kittens meowing.

I am thankful for...

• The work of the Holy Spirit
• My husband
• A quiet week home with my oldest son while the other two boys were with Scott in the semi.
• All of the beautiful weather we've had over the last week. 
• The wonderful group of gals that met weekly at my home for Bible study.  Last week was our last week and we ended the study with a brunch.

Kitten Capades... There are still two kittens here - I remember thinking how hard it would be to let them go because they were so cute and we loved them but now they are so naughty and getting into so much trouble that I wish I could find homes for them!  O.kay, it isn't all bad.  On a cute note their motors started working and they purr like crazy when you cuddle them. 

In the kitchen...  I didn't go in it at all today.  Bad mommy...  Thankfully my boys can fend for themselves.  No worries about my children starving.  They even made food for their mom.  :o)

 

I am wearing... my nightgown

I am creating... lesson plans.  The first 11 weeks of school are all typed up and ready to be printed off.  I wanted to finish up week 12 and then work on getting copies made for geography.

I am going... to be wearing my knee brace for a few weeks.  I re-injured my knee twice this week and the doctor wants the brace on during waking and walking hours.  I'm not thrilled about it because it is tight and uncomfortable and makes me sweat but it sure beats dislocating it.  I'm still hoping to avoid surgery but as time passes and there isn't much improvement I wonder if it isn't in my future. 

I am thinking... that August will be here in a few short days! 

I am reading...  in the book of Acts with my son Jonathan and just started reading Tortured for Christ, which arrived in the mail today compliments of a friend.  Thanks, friend! <3

I am hoping...  that my allergies clear up.

In the Learning Room... A new storage cabinet to replace 3 Rubbermaid rolling drawer carts.  I've had my eye of this cabinet for about a month and was hoping that it would still be at the antique store when I was able to purchase it.

 

 

Around the house...  lots to do.  Enough said.

In the learning room...  All of the curriculum is ordered and has started arriving.  We are waiting for Jonathan's Teaching Textbook course and our Spanish program to arrive.  Everything else is in.  The mailman told Jonathan it's like Christmas around our house lately.  I LOVE this time of the year.

I am pondering... relationships (still)


A favorite blog post I read this last week... no new post this week.  I haven't had time to be reading online.

One of my favorite things...  a long hot bath in Epsom salts at the end of my day and the smell of my Lavender candle.
  
A few plans for the rest of the week:  Picnic lunch with a friend and her kids, Bible study, Chiropractor appointment and working on school prep.

A peek into my day...  a beautiful bouquet of flowers from one of the ladies in Bible study.

This post is linked at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Wednesday's Word

 

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  2 Timothy 2:15

Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Sunday evening, July 22, 2013

 Outside my window...  It is overcast with a slight breeze and a bit humid.  When I took the dogs out this morning it was a little wet and looks as though we had a little bit of rain but we still need more.  My grass is browning.  :(

I am hearing... The cats playing with Lizzy.  Other than that it is very quiet here  this morning.

I am thankful for...

• my husband who took 2 boys with him in the semi this week! 
• a quieter than normal week at home
• Running into friends at Walmart after church on most Sundays.  We always joke that we'll see them again next week. 
• The cardinal pair that has been visiting our feeders for the last 3 weeks or so.  They look to be young and I hope that they'll make our yard a permanent home.
• That my friend Beckie and her family purchased some land and ordered a home and will be setting down roots in Williston, ND.  They also visited a church there that they liked. 
• Puffs Plus tissues with lotion

Kitten Capades... Two of the kittens are still here (sigh!).  Charlotte is  super cute and equally annoying. She wants to be outside now quite often but Boo (formerly Sad Face) wants nothing to do with the big world beyond the front door.  I wish she would take an interest so that I could take them both to the farm of our nephew.

In the kitchen...  Lots of bright beautiful fruits and veggies this week!

 

I am wearing... capri's and an orange t-shirt

I am creating...  dishcloths.  I am knitting a few new ones for my kitchen.

I am going... to the chiropractor.  My knee is doing much better.  I seem to have some good days and then some days that are not so good but overall I am very pleased with how the therapy with Dr. Logan is going vs. having surgery.  I was even able to walk down the stairs normally one day this last week.  Yay!

I am thinking... that I spent more time letting dogs in and out and cats in and out this morning than I did actually having my quiet time.  We need a barn and to toss these animals outside!

I am reading...  Romans 12 is where I am reading and studying right now in my  quiet time.  I am also reading Sarah's Seasons: An Amish Dairy and Conversation, on my Nook.  I am just about finished with this book and am going to be reading Plain Wisdom when I finish the first book.

I am hoping...  for some rain.

I am learning...  to let things go.  Ten, fifteen, twenty or fifty years from now will it really matter? 

Around the house...  I currently have a box of Kleenex next to me and am dealing with some seasonal allergies.  The living room needs to be straightened up and I have lots of prep work in the kitchen to do. 

In the learning room...  Some of the curriculum that I ordered last week should be arriving and I hope to finish scheduling and making weekly plans for Christopher and Jonathan.  I still need to order Christopher's History text and Jonathan's Chemistry as well as a foreign language program.

I am pondering... relationships


A favorite blog post I read this last week... 25 Ways to Decrease Pressures in Life

One of my favorite things...  quiet early mornings before the kids wake up.
 
A few plans for the rest of the week:  Chiropractor appointments, a run to the bank, ordering the rest of our curriculum and working in the school room.  Maybe a visit with a friend.

A peek into my day...

My messy kitchen counters Saturday morning.  Throughout the day Friday I really over did it and wasn't doing very well by evening so the boys went up to get pizza and chips for supper and this was the mess I awoke too.  Grrr.

 

Ah, clean counters!! 

 

 


This post is linked at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Picture postcards were first printed back in the mid-1800's and deltiology is the official name for postcard collecting. When did you last send a postcard?  Receive one? Do you save postcards sent to you? Do you collect and/or send postcards when you travel? I can't remember the last time I sent a postcard.  I send little notes and cards often but not postcards.  As for receiving one, I received one last month from my friend, Beckie and her family who just moved to North Dakota.

2. What treat do you most like to indulge in while on vacation?

 I love stopping at little gift stores or truck stops that have little items in them.  As a little girl I remember getting these coloring books with a magic marker that would color in the picture when you colored over it with the marker.  I also loved getting little coin purses or trinkets while on vacation.

We also enjoy eating at local cafe's - not the normal drive thru food but the kind of place where the waitress calls you darlin' and the hamburger buns are buttered and fried.  Mmmm!!!!

3. Are you good at hiding your feelings?

 No, not at all.

4. Does your town/city/county still deliver telephone books to your home? Do you check the yellow pages when searching for a local business number or has the internet replaced the phone book in your home?

We still receive telephone books.  They come in the mail and yes we do still use the yellow pages although I would say we use the internet just as much. 

5. Would you rather be first or last?

If it's our annual 4th of July picnic at my mom's and  it's the line for food, I want to first or at least in front of my brother, Jason before he takes all of mom's potato salad.  Every year we have a fun little tiff over the potato salad although I don't know why, because mom always has a small container for each of us to take some home when we leave.  :) 

For other similar situations I would prefer to be somewhere in the middle.  If we are playing a card or board game I like to win although I am never boastful about it and often tell the boys, it doesn't matter who is first or last or who gets the blue or red game piece.  Be thankful that we are playing the game and spending time with your family or friend.

6. July is National Park and Recreation Month (in America, but everyone can still play along)...where and when were you last in a park?  Did you participate in any recreational activities while you were there?

The last I was in a park was last month when the kids and I walked from my parents house over to the park by the lake.  The kids played on the playground equipment and I chatted with my sister.

7.  What was one of your worst ideas?
Oh my!  I'm sure I've had many bad ideas over the years but my mind is drawing a blank at the moment.     

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

It is going to be a scorcher here today and humid too!  I'm thankful for my air conditioning.  My thoughts this morning went to the Amish family we visited with on Monday.  I wonder how they beat the heat when its so hot and humid like this.

My plans for the day are indoors although my son Jonathan got called into work and will be working.  He'll be putting up fencing.  I sent him off this morning with lots of ice and water jugs and a container of watermelon.  They are going to eat lunch in town rather than brining their own so that they can escape the heat for a bit.

Confident Husbands

"Few things we can do in this world are so well worth doing as the making of a beautiful and happy home. (S)He who does this builds a sanctuary for God and opens a fountain of blessing for men. Far more than we know, do the strength and beauty of our lives depend upon the home in which we dwell. He who goes forth in the morning from a happy, loving, prayerful home, into the world’s strife, temptation, struggle, and duty, is strong – inspired for noble and victorious living."

 

-J.R. Miller, Secrets of Happy Home Life

 

 

This thought... "He who goes forth in the morning from a happy, loving, prayerful home, into the world’s strife, temptation, struggle, and duty, is strong – inspired for noble and victorious living."  challenges me.  Is my home one that my husband can confidently leave knowing that from within its walls things are well taken care of and that he has the full support and prayers of his wife?

 

 

The Secret of a Happy Home Life

"What are some of the secrets of happy home life? The answer might be given in one word – Christ. Christ at the marriage-altar; Christ on the bridal journey; Christ when the new home is set up; Christ when the baby is born; Christ when a child dies; Christ in the pinching times; Christ in the days of plenty; Christ in the nursery, in the kitchen, in the parlor; Christ in the toil and in the rest; Christ along all the years; Christ when the wedded pair walk toward the sunset gates; Christ in the sad hour when farewells are spoken, and one goes on before and the other stays, bearing the unshared grief. Christ is the secret of happy home life."  J.R. Miller, Secrets of Happy Home Life

Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Sunday evening, July 7th, 2013

 Outside my window...  It is partly cloudy and very humid!

I am hearing... The birds outside

I am thankful for...

• my husband and my marriage.  Tomorrow we will celebrate 20 years of marriage and today we celebrated 26 years of being together.
• the hand massage that Andrew gave me in church this morning.
• God's protection.  Last Monday evening on our drive home from baseball I hit a deer head on.  It was around 9:30 pm and I had just taken a drink of my smoothie and glanced down to put the cup in the cup holder.  When I looked up there was a deer directly in front of our car.  For just a moment time seemed to stand still - the deer was dead center with my car and looking straight into our windshield.  I hit it going 55 miles an hour and had no time to brake or swerve.  I'm thankful that we are all o.kay and that there was very minimal damage to our car and that we are still able to drive it.
• A Dairy Queen date with my husband last Wednesday evening.
• Two of our kittens went to a good home together.
• Spending time with our family on the evening of the 4th
• The beautiful breezy weather on the 4th of July compared to last year's very hot and humid 100 degrees.
• A very productive Saturday - every stitch of laundry in the house was done and even the sheets and comforters were washed and hung out to dry.

Kitten Capades... Two of the kittens went to their new homes this last Friday.   Our niece Shannon took them both!  Yay!

 

Andrew enjoying his last snuggle time with Emily.  She was thee sweetest cat of all four.  So beautiful and gentle.  She would sleep in your arms like a sweet babe.

 

 

 

Tootsie Roll and Emily on the car ride to their new home.  Emily meowed almost the entire hour ride.  Not Tootsie Roll though, She was much too interested in what or where she was going.

 

 

 

 Eventually Emily settled down and fell asleep in Christopher's arms.  Isn't she just the most precious kitten!! 

In the kitchen...  I need to go grocery shopping either tomorrow or Tuesday - I made a tri-colored veggie and pasta salad that will compliment a few meals this week.  I will make attempt sourdough bread again this week.  I tried last month and it was a failure because I forgot about it.  It takes so long to rise and it wasn't ready so my husband and I made a quick run to town with the intention of baking it when I got home.  I had it rising in my oven which was my problem.  Out of sight, out of mind.  We came home from our shopping and I completely forgot about the bread and found it the next morning.  Ugh!  I've been faithfully feeding and watering my starter all week and should be ready to bake on Tuesday. 

Christopher made a dessert to take to a 4thof July celebration.  I didn't help one bit - he made a yellow cake (from a box), homemade frosting and decorated it all on his own. 

I am wearing... a denim skirt and a silky white, cream, blue and tan dressy top.

I am creating...  lesson plans for Andrew.  I've gotten 7 weeks completed so far and am hoping to get the first 12 weeks planned and printed for him and then work on the older boys' plans.

I am going... to continue praying earnestly for my children and their salvation.  Here is a blast from the past picture of Jonathan who will be 18 next month!  Goodness he is such a cutie and yes, I had a thing for cows.  ;)

I am wishing... that my best friend wasn't so far away so that we could enjoy a cup of coffee and fellowship together. 

I am reading...  Sarah's Seasons: An Amish Dairy and Conversation, on my Nook.  I am enjoying it very much.  

I am hoping...  that the humidity drops off and that we can go back to the cooler temps from early last week.  I miss having my windows open and listening to the sounds outside.

I am learning...  to enjoy the little things - a game of Scrabble with my husband one night before bed, a flower (weed) that Andrew brought in and placed in a jar for me and laughter.  My husband is very witty and today he had all of us laughing so hard at a comment he made. Later when walking alone through the store I could hardly contain my smile and laughter as I recalled the incident. 

Around the house...  The kitchen and dining room really need to be swept but it is Jonathan's chore for tomorrow so I am trying to ignore all the stuff sticking to my feet when I walk through.  We need to do some serious weeding around the house too but I'm hoping for some cooler temps and for the bugs to buzz off.  :)

I am pondering... the wisdom of women who are ahead of me in certain stages of life and am very grateful for their friendship and encouragement.


A favorite blog post I am re-reading this last week... my friend Mindy's blog posts on Sourdough starter, Making Sourdough Bread, Sourdough Starter Tips, and More Fun with Sourdough Starter.

One of my favorite things...  Antiquing with my two older boys, which we are hoping to do this week.  I am looking for an old primitive looking corner shelf/cabinet similar to the one pictured below that I found online. 

 

I also like this one

 

 

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:  2 chiropractor appointments, football for the boys, a trip to the library.  Bible study with friends and a get together with a high school friend.

A peek into my day...

 

This is Sourdough Starter Saul, haha!  My husband saw the towel over the jar of sourdough starter and made me a little surprise from construction paper.  He didn't tell me but left it for me to find.  :)


This post is linked at The Simple Woman's Daybook

Colossians

 

A small group of women at my church and I are endeavoring to commit the book of Colossians to heart over the next year.  You are welcome to join us if you'd like. 

Our schedule has us memorizing 2 verses a week (3 verses on a few weeks) and I created two documents similar to the one that Ann Voskamp has offered on her blog only in KJV.  One is for use in a spiral bound index card book like the one pictured above and the other for a small Moleskine® book or one of similar size as pictured below.

I've used the cover from Ann's blog.  You can find the document for the cover and Ann's post about memorizing Colossians HERE.

 

I printed out two books for myself.  I keep the spiral bound book in the house.  It moves with me from room to room and stands nicely on the counter when I'm getting ready in the morning or on the counter in the kitchen when I'm cooking or washing dishes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Moleskine® book is kept in my purse and is formatted vertically (like a book) rather than horizontally like the spiral bound book.

If you are interested in either of the downloads to print off the KJV of Colossians, please e-mail me as I haven't figured out how to insert a link to the pdf on my blog.  everydaysacred @ hotmail . com (remove the spaces before the @ and .)

Everyday Sacred ~ Home

 

Kitchen at the Old King Street Bakery, Frederick McCubbin

 

"Home is among the holiest of words. A true home is one of the most sacred of places. It is a sanctuary into which men flee from the world’s perils and alarms. It is a resting-place to which at close of day the weary retire to gather new strength for the battle and toils of tomorrow. It is the place where love learns its lessons, where life is schooled into discipline and strength, where character is molded."  J.R. Miller Secrets of a Happy Home Life

Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ July 1st, 2013

 Outside my window...  The sun is shining and Andrew and I just heard the beautiful song of a Cardinal.  We got to window in time to see the male and female fly off.  I know I've mentioned this video on my blog before but if you or your children have an interest in birding Your Backyard Bird dvd will help you identify by sight and sound some of the common birds in your backyard.  Here is a trailer of the video.






 I am hearing... The beautiful song from the cardinals in the side yard.

I am thankful for...

• spending time with my parents and brother's family last night
• being an auntie!  I have 2 nieces and 2 nephews with two more due in the next year! 
• the ice pack which I have been using throughout the day to cut inflammation in my knee. 
• that hundreds of miles doesn't separate hearts
• Christopher the spider slayer! 

I am thankful... for my expanding family.  I'll be a new auntie in September when my brother and sister in love have their 3rd and just last night found out my sister is expecting in February, her and her husbands 3rd as well.  I LOVE being an auntie!!!!

In the kitchen...  I wish I could be out there doing more but I am trying to stay off my feet as much as possible and not aggravate my knee more than necessary.  I am going to assemble a quick meal for a family at church later today though

I am wearing... a new pair of capri's, a pretty white shirt with delicate pink flowers that is trimmed in lace. I haven't been wearing my skirts lately - especially on chiropractor appointment days, it just isn't practical.  I'm also currently wearing an ice pack on my knee

I am creating...  Scripture memorization books of the book of Colossians.  I created a document similar to the one from Ann Voskamp but in King James Version and used her cover.  There are 4 other ladies from church and myself that are going to work on memorizing the book over the next year.

 

I am going...  to the chiropractor this afternoon.

I am wondering... if I'm too old to take music lessons.  I would love to learn the piano and possibly re-learn the flute which I haven't played since highschool.

I am reading...  Psalm 25.  I also just finished the book The Warm and Welcome Home, which I borrowed from a friend.

I am hoping...  that the Lord will heal my knee and that surgery will not be necessary for a torn meniscus in my left knee.

I am learning...  to have my expectation ONLY in the Lord. 

Around the house...  Andrew has hundreds of football cards scattered around the living room floor and coffee table along with a price guide book from the library.  He is sorting and looking up how much the cards are worth.  He found one this morning that is priced at $8.00.  He was super excited about that. 

The kittens are running around and think that my living room and kitchen furniture and décor is their playground.  We've loved having them but they are 9 weeks old now and I'm ready for them to go to their new homes.

Tootsie Roll and Emily



Charlotte and Lizzy

Charlotte, Christopher and Tootsie Roll

Boo (formerly called Sad Face) sleeping like a baby in my arms one morning.

Monday is my wash day and I've started the first load of laundry.  I also have the bedrooms straightened up and beds made. 

I am pondering... "In every church service all are near to Christ, but all are not blessed. All press up against Christ, but some go away as they came, carrying with them sores unhealed, weakness unstrengthened, heart-hunger unfulfilled. Others, sitting close by, receive rich help. The first, though near, reach out no hand of faith, while the others touch the hem of Christ’s garment."  From the July 1st devotional Come Ye Apart


A favorite blog post I read this last week... Mom, Come Apart, So you Don't Come Apart

One of my favorite things...  finding and enjoying the little unexpected things that Andrew does.  He still enjoys playing with matchbox cars and castle and knight figures when he takes his bath.  He has a bin of them in the bathroom. The other morning (early morning) I found this guy sleeping in front of the toilet, complete with pillow and blanket.  Andrew must have done it in the middle of the night because it wasn't there when I went to bed and he was still sleeping when I found it.  :)  I know there will be a day when I wont be finding these unexpected surprises and so I am enjoying them when I do. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Two chiropractor appointments, baseball, homeschool park day and a fun fourth of July celebration with our small church group and fireworks later in the evening.

A peek into my day...

Andrew after riding through the mud puddles in the backyard

This post is linked at The Simple Woman's Daybook