Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Simple Woman's Daybook . . .


FOR TODAY February 15, 2011

Outside my window... The sun is finally shining - and it's semi-warm outside!  The last time I looked the outside temperature was 40 degrees!  Spring is on it's way - hope it doesn't get lost!

I am thinking... About all of the things I need to get done before my girls start having babies!  Isn't it funny how the moms worry as much as the mom-to-be?  I just want them to be comfortable, and not have to worry about anything when they bring their babies home.  I was never that fortunate.  I did not have a doting mother.  She worked full-time and had other things going on, so she didn't really dote on me much, not that I expected it, but, It's something I like to do for my daughters. 

I am thankful for... A Heavenly Father who loves us, cares for us, knows each of us better than we know ourselves, and wants us to be happy.  I'm also thankful for the knowledge that I have, that I can live with Him once again, this life is not the end.  Last week, my step-sister passed away very suddenly.  She was only 62 years old.  Her funeral was yesterday, a very fitting day to have a funeral as she was very loved!  One of the speakers at her funeral said that he didn't know anyone better prepared to meet her Father in  Heaven - what a wonderful compliment!  She will be greatly missed by all who loved her and knew her, and I know that she had a wonderful reunion with those who love her and have missed her on the other side.

From the learning rooms...   I decided that I would pick one trait that I would like to improve on  each month.  This month, I am going to work on character.  
"Good habits are not acquired simply by making good resolves, though the thought must precede the action. Good habits are developed in the workshop of our daily lives. It is not in the great moments of test and trial that character is built. That is only when it is displayed. The habits that direct our lives and form our character are fashioned in the often uneventful, commonplace routine of life. They are acquired by practice."
~Delbert L. Stapley~

From the kitchen...


For Jess's baby shower, I made these wonderful cookies - they make a huge batch, and are perfect for freezing.  Divide dough into 4 pieces.  Shape each piece into an 8 to 10 inch roll.  Wrap rolls in wax paper or plastic wrap.  Place in a plastic freezer container with a tight-fitting lid, or wrap airtight in a piece of heavy-duty foil.  Store them in the freezer and use within 6 months.  Makes 4 rolls of dough or about 12 doz. cookies.

Slice and Bake Chocolate-Chip Cookies

2 cups butter
1-1/3 cups granulated sugar
1- 2/3 cups brown sugar, packed
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
4 eggs
5- 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cup chocolate chips (I use 1 cup chocolate and 1 cup butterscotch)
1 cup nuts (optional)

In a large bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar.  Beat in vanilla and eggs until light and fluffy.  Sift together, flour, salt and baking soda.  Stir flour mixture into egg mixture until blended.  Add chips and nuts.

Pre-heat oven to 350F (175C).  Drop cookies by tablespoon full on an un-greased cookie sheet about 1-1/2 inches apart.  Bake 10 minutes until browned around the edges.  Remove and cool.   

I am wearing... Off white pants, a brown long-sleeved t-shirt, with a rust colored plaid shirt over it.

I am creating... Today, I'm going to start working on my genealogy.  Just putting some names and faces on my family tree!  

I am going... Nowhere, I'm staying home today!

I am reading... I'm just starting, "The Long Walk", a history of the Navajo wars 1846-68.  

I am hoping... That Spring hurries - I'm tired of Winter!

I am hearing... The sound of wind blowing through my pine trees and soft music playing on my computer.

Around the house... I have a little laundry that needs to be done,  the bathrooms need to be cleaned, and then I'm going to be a little lazy . . .  :0)

One of my favorite things... Sweet love notes from my grandkids!

A few plans for the rest of the week: 
Today - Putter around the house, work on genealogy.
Tomorrow - Meeting at the library.
Thursday - Spend the afternoon helping my daughter with a project she's working on.
Friday - Who knows?!
Saturday - Work on things around the house with my husband.
Sunday - Church.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...  Just a few pictures from our day trip on Friday - it was so beautiful!  If you look closely on the river (click on the picture to make it big) you can see little white specs . . . they are swans!


"The mountains are calling and I must go. "

~John Muir~



Hugs,




Go here to start your own daybook and meet wonderful people!  http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

14 comments:

Shug said...

Oh Barb, I am so sorry about the loss of your loved one...Will be praying for your comfort and peace.
What a wonderful post...I had been wandering about your day trip...Oh my, gorgeous! and I did see the swans. The cookies look delicious. I am wanting to get back in the kitchen and cook something as soon as my hands will let me...Enjoy all the sunshine you can get and I hope that your day is Blessed way beyond measure. Makes my day when I am able to visit with my blogging friends.
See ya tomorrow!
Sunshine Hugs today!
Shug

Vickie said...

Barb, I'm sorry to hear about your step-sister. I think that there must be some in heaven that longed for her to be there. She sounds like she WAS ready to go on. What a wonderful tribute to her!

I grabbed your cookie recipe - I never thought of putting butterscotch bits in there, too. Sounds good!

Your mountains and snow are beautiful - I know ya'll had a good trip. Guess you better take those little trips now before the babies come! It might be awhile before you get to slip away! Bless you my friend! Vickie

LeAnn said...

I loved the soft beautiful music playing as I read your blog. I feel sad about your Sister-in-law. What a wonderful thought about her being ready to meet her Heavenly Father. Just yesterday I was going through some files and found my Grandmother's funeral. She passed away when I was twelve. I loved her so much. She had been a nurse and assisted in delivering 500 babies and many other things. She was an awesome example and was the reason I wanted to be a nurse. I like your idea to develop one trait a month;I may try that. Will you unfreeze some cookies when I come for a visit? I can't make anything with chocolate chips are the chips won't make it into the cookies. Your thoughts on your were very sweet. I loved the pictures. Roger and I need to take a daytrip; it sounds so fun. Have a wonderful time helping those dear daughters with their coming babies.
Love and hugs to you! LeAnn

Kimmie said...

So sorry about your sad loss. Those choccie biccies look lick ya lips delish! Your days are always full of love!

Just Ramblin' said...

Barb, so sorry to read about your step-sister passing away so suddenly. It is always hard to say goodbye to loved ones here. And yet on the other side there is so much rejoicing and happiness taking place. What a wonderful compliment given to her during the funeral. My sympathy goes out to you and your family. I find it interesting that we feel the loss of one yet rejoice in the arrival of sweet little babies. They bring such joy into our lives with the sweet and perfect little spirits. I was thinking how blessed your girls are to have you nearby. Like you, my mother could not help out a lot with my boys, but was divorced by the time our daughter came and we so enjoyed having her near by and seeing the joy that she felt as she helped with this little granddaughter. What a blessing! We all must be bitten by the genealogy bug as I've started back to working on my history. Can't wait to try your cookies recipe. They look so tempting! Love the idea of selecting a trait to work on each month and the quote from Elder Stapley. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures from your day trip. I did enlarge the picture for the swans and it certainly gives us hope that spring can't be too far away.
Thanks for another delightful and uplifting post. Nola

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear about your step sister. We never know do we. We might be getting some rain/snow mix in the next week or so. It's been raining a lot. I enjoy being home in the rain. Have a good week. Linda

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Barb, I'm very sorry to hear of your step sister's passing. And what a wonderful compliment from the pastor! She sounds like a special person and I know you will miss her.

You are a very special mother! I am sure your entire family just adores you as you are so loving and caring. They are very lucky to have you! But, I bet they know that...:D

Thanks for the cookie recipe, sounds yummy. I need to look up your bread recipe soon as I plan to try it out in the next few days. I bought the yeast today just for that purpose.

You had some gorgeous scenery to look at on your day trip. Great photos! Hope it was a wonderful day for you. Take care! Hugs, Cheryl

Ladybug said...

Hi Barb..
So sorry about the lost of your Step-Sister
what a wonderful compliment from the Pastor

What a special caring Mother you are ..they
are so blessed to have you... and I'm sure
they know it too...

Awesome thoughts about working on character
I been working on "Wisdom"
Have you every done a Word Study on the word
character, interesting how it opens your eyes
I have notebooks filled with Word Studies..
We would do these in the Women Bible Study..
Each week we dicuss how we apply it in our
daily lifes..

Love the cookies...will have to try those...
TFS
Blessings
Trish

Julie Harward said...

Sorry about your sis, thats hard. I enjoyed your thoughts here today and the cookies and the beautiful mountains! :D

Susan B said...

Dear Barb,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your step-sister. My heart goes out to you and your family. I pray the Lord will comfort you all in your sorrow. I like the quote you used by Delbert L. Stapley. Thank you for sharing your cookie recipe...they look delicious! The photos from your day trip are gorgeous. Thank you for sharing them. Enjoy the rest of your week! :)

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Just beautiful photos!

Did you once mention that making pics the size you want, with Blogger, was eluding you? It's really easy to do, with New Editor.

I know that many people prefer to post small pics, and let people click on them, to see them larger. But, there is the other side of that...

That bloggers are so busy, reading many blogs, that they are more likely to not click, to enlarge pics. So, since with New Blogger, we can make our pics all different sizes, why not do so? Naturally, I'm of the last view. :-)

"Olden Auntie A."

The Stewart said...

How fun!! I know I say this like every time, but I love reading these! Those cookies look perfect! I'm going to be taking that recipe and using it!! Thanks!! Love you!

Lynn said...

What a nice post, Barb, from the cookies to the quote on character to the lovely music. I'm so sorry to hear about your step-sister. That is such a nice compliment that she got. May our Lord comfort you as you grieve your loss.

Sue said...

Hi Barb, I am sorry to hear about your loss.
This is such a sweet post You are a wonderful mother, and yes we do worry about the new mothers to be.
And one of my favorite things is to get cards from the grandchildren!
As always I enjoy reading your daybook.
The photos are priceless!!
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs, Sue

Happy Spring!

  Outside my window . . .  Two weeks ago this is what it looked like.  We had a  huge winter storm, and got 12 inches of new snow!  It was c...