Thursday, June 2, 2011

Simple Woman's Daybook . . .



FOR TODAY - June 2, 2011

Outside my window... It's cold today, only in the 50's!  Yesterday was a beautiful day, a little windy, but absolutely gorgeous, almost 80 degrees!!  I love the warm weather, but, like so many others around the country, we are having some real problems with flooding here in Idaho.  Our snow-pack was very high last winter, and warming up too quick spells disaster for so many in my area. 

I am thinking... The thinking part of my brain has been a little fuzzy, I just got over the gunk a few weeks ago and now I've got something else . . . cough, cough, sniff, sniff . . .  :0( 

I am thankful for... Birthdays!  Everyone was very willing to help blow out the candles on Grandpa's birthday cake!


From the learning rooms...  Our little Averi is learning so many lessons this year!  Not only is she learning to dress herself, she is learning to eat by herself and hold babies!

Averi eating her breakfast . . . by herself!
Averi holding Nathan - he's almost as big as she is!

Averi cuddling with Clara!

Emily has also been learning this year - in fact she graduated from pre-school, and will be going to kindergarten next year!  Hooray Emily, we are so proud of her!!

From the kitchen... Not much happening in my kitchen!  I made a wonderful chocolate cake a few weeks ago - here's the recipe, it's my favorite - always turns out great! 


Chocolate Buttermilk Cake

2 c. sugar
1 c. oil
3 eggs
1/2 c. cocoa
1 c. buttermilk*
2 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. boiling water
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix it all up in a big bowl and pour into a greased and floured 9 x 13  baking pan.  Bake at        350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Frost with your favorite frosting!

*  To make buttermilk, fill a 1 cup measure to within 1/2 inch of top with milk; fill rest of the way with vinegar and let set 3 minutes before using.

This is the only chocolate cake I make  -  it's so good!

I am wearing... Black PJ's and a fuzzy pink housecoat . 

I am creating... Creativity?

I am going... Nowhere - no one wants what I have!

I am reading...  "An Afternoon Walk", by Dorothy Eden. 

I am hoping... That I feel better by the week-end. 

I am hearing... Silence . . . I love it! They have finally finished the stretch of road construction past my house, and it feels so good not hearing all the heavy equipment going by. I'm also hearing wind - it never quits blowing in Idaho!

Around the house... I finally got my garden planted! 



 One of my favorite things...  Cute pictures of my grandbabies!

Move over Elvis, cuteness has entered the room!

Ditto!  Isn't Christian handsome?!
I thought I would share this cute video that Chris and Diana sent to me of Clara's newborn pictures - she is adorable!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Thursday - finish laundry and get some work done outside, if I feel well enough... :0)
Saturday - make a menu and go grocery shopping.
Sunday - Church.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...



"Flowers are those little colorful beacons of the sun from which we get sunshine when dark, somber skies blanket our thoughts."
  ~Dodinsky~

Hugs,

3 comments:

The WIlloughby Family said...

I loved this post!!!!!! One of my favorite things I loved was the picture of your garden, seeing your backyard and garden makes me want to come visit you!!! I also LOVE the pictures of my babies and of the other grandkids. We had fun on Dad's birthday, he is a wonderful DADDY!

Susan B said...

Hi Barb,
I'm sorry that you have been sick...I hope you are feeling much better this week. Take care, don't overdo, and rest as much as you can.

Your grandchildren are adorable. I watched the video of Clara...she is so precious!

Thank you for sharing your cake
recipe...sounds delicious! William would love it, he LOVES chocolate!! :)

Have a great week!

Just Ramblin' said...

Sorry to read that you have not been feeling well. There is nothing worse than feeling under the weather. Hope you are doing better now. Loved all your pictures of the grandchildren and especially seeing Averi. You have some very special grandchildren and how fun that they had to help grandpa with all the candles. Such treasured memories. I'm jealous that you have your garden in. I'm still adding things here and there and wondering if I will harvest anything later in the summer. Can't wait to try your chocolate cake. Maybe I'll make it for our family picnic this Saturday (if all goes well that is). I've missed reading your blog. Haven't been following, reading or even writing blogs lately. Too much going on.
Take care, Nola

Finally April~

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