Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Simple Woman's Daybook . . .


FOR TODAY - October 5, 2011

Outside my window...  It's rainy, but I really do like the rain.  It's cold, but I am also enjoying the cooler temperatures.  I really love Fall, and it is typical Fall weather here in Idaho.  The leaves aren't changing very fast, but it will come.

I am thinking... About all of the"nesty" little projects I need to get done before winter.  We are having new rain gutter put on the house next week, and that makes me think about all of the little things that need to be done . . . inside and out!

I am thankful... For the change of seasons.  I've always enjoyed living in Idaho, because we have four very distinct seasons, and I really love that.

From the learning rooms... I want to learn how to knit.  I learned how when I was a girl, but I just can't seem to get the knack of it now - that's one of my goals for this winter!

In the kitchen...  I just have to share the most delightful recipe with you.  I've been making it for years, and I love it every time I make it.  It's comfort food, and perfect for a cozy Fall dinner!

Chili with a Difference 

1 1/2 lb. ground beef
2 onions, chopped
1 can kidney beans (or 3/4 c. beans soaked overnight)
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 Tbls. chili powder (more or less to taste)
1/2 c. vinegar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 can whole tomatoes
2 tsp. liquid smoke (optional)

Fry hamburger and onions then add to beans and rest of ingredients.  I usually add 3-5 cups of water along the way.  Cook on low boil until beans are done, 3-5 hours.

I love this recipe, but I can never tell which I like best, the taste or how good it make my house smell.

I am wearing... Denim capris and a brown t-shirt.

I am creating...  I made this cute afghan for my grand-daughters birthday!  Opps, her birthday isn't for a few days, so don't tell!  She told me that she really wanted a shawl for her bed, so I assumed she wanted an afghan (she's so cute!).   She just re-decorated her bedroom and these are her colors, I promise you , they are prettier in real life... :0)

A thought I'm sharing...

 "How beautifully leaves grow old.  How full of light and color are their last days."
  ~John Burroughs ~

I am reading... I'm just trying to keep up with the scriptures!

I am hoping... That Christian's football game does not get soaked tonight!  It has been raining all day, and I just know that it's going to rain all night. 

I am looking forward to... A good nights sleep . . . ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

I am hearing... Glen Campbell, singing his greatest hits - beautiful!

Around the house... I am slowly putting up my Fall decorations.

I am pondering... I ponder a lot - but today, I have been pondering on little things that need to be taken  care of around the house - you know how you just get kind of nesty this time of year?  I still have a bathroom that needs to be tiled and painted, a bedroom that needs new paint, and my storage room needs to be re-organized.

One of my favorite things... I just love to find a good bargain at a thrift store - look what I found a few months ago!

Who knows what these are?  The one on the left is an old laundry hamper, probably from the 1940's.  It will live in my bathroom downstairs.  The other one is a music box that holds bath powder!  My grandmother used to have one and I loved it.  You wind it up on the bottom, and when you take the lid off, it plays beautiful music!



 Eight dollars for both - what a deal!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Tomorrow I'm going to finish getting out my Fall decorations.

Friday I think I will try to get some painting done.

Saturday I hope to just catch up on some cleaning.

Sunday - church and a birthday party!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My husband just hates weeds!  I think that secretly, he's always happy to till the garden in the Fall . . . I kind of like it too!

Warm Hugs,


11 comments:

Ladybug said...

Oh Barb.. Love your treasure finds yes what a
deal, do'nt you just love it when you are blessed with treasures such as this..The
afghan is beautiful granddaugther will adore
it.Yes I also have projects outside weather
is cooling off being outside is enjoyable
once again.
Thanks for the wonderful expression of words and comment on my blog.. I sent you email how with some tips of how I did the old kettle
Warm Blessings

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

I'm with your husband, and his UGH-To-Weeds view. :-) Trouble here is, can't rototill our garden area, because it's still infested with Binder Vine. And Binder Vine loves to get cut up into little pieces, by a rototiller.... A new Vine grows from each of those cut up pieces! -SIGH-

You seem to be on a roll, with posting, my Dear. How nice to see. :-)

And you have a pretty new Autumn-y Blog Look too. 'Tis the nesting season, which has inspired you, perhaps. Whatever, it's great!

Gentle hugs,
"Auntie"
"The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.
The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on."

- Emily Dickinson

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Barb, first of all, thanks for your sweet comment at my blog. I'm feeling much better now and planning to go out later to do a bit of shopping. Not quite up to housework yet, maybe tomorrow. :D

I was nodding yes to so much of what I read here. I too am thankful for the 4 seasons. And I've been pondering a lot on the things that still need attention before hard winter sets in. We're both procrastinators here! But now that winter is on the horizon, it's time to jump in and get some things done. Trouble is that when the weather is nice, I just want soak in all the fall beauty and ignore work!

I think your thrift store finds are great finds! Don't you just love browsing around and looking at all the different things? I do!

I love your afghan you made for your g'daughter. The colors are so pretty! Good job!

Thanks for sharing the chili recipe. I will be trying that one. We love chili and eat a lot of it when the weather turns cooler.

Have a wonderful day!

The Stewart said...

What a beautiful afghan! You did great! I absolutely love reading these! We have to get our yard all winterized, but the weather isn't cooperating. Currently it is snowing and we still have to finish our garden and till it up! I am going to us that chili recipe, possibly tonight! That looks delicious! Love you!

LeAnn said...

I just can't believe how your posts always make me feel warm inside. I just Love the thoughts and your pictures are so sweet. I loved your thrift store bargains. I haven't went shopping at one for a long time; I think I will do that soon. If we lived in the same place we would have such fun doing this together. I am anxious to make your recipe; it does sound so yummy. Your afagan is beautiful and she will love it. Could you teach me how to do that pattern sometime. Starting next week I am going to do my deep cleaning for the fall; I missed the spring cleaning.
Love to you and I loved your Daybook Entry.

Marge said...

Hi Barb,
Your treasures are just beautiful and truly a bargain too! Lucky you! It's always such a pleasure to visit here. Thanks for sharing in the special way that only you can do! Hugz!

Julie Harward said...

What a lovely gift, beautiful afghan...love your new finds...love the quote too...I think you are just a lovely lady! ;D

Shug said...

Hi Barb...
You are one busy lady..Love the afghan...the colors are so very pretty...
That chili recipe sounds delicious....I sure wish we would get some rain here so I could cook a pot of chili...I guess I could cook anyways, but it sure taste a lot better with the right kind of weather.
Hope your day is fabulous...
Hugs
Shug

lesa said...

I love to ponder as well. I'm thinking of all the things I need to get done. I love to have little projects and then cross them off after I'm done.

Enjoy your weekend!

Packrat said...

Thanks for sharing the recipe. Seems like a good time to make chili. The afghan is really pretty. What a special present from Grandma!
Also, great thrift finds. :)

Linda said...

Very nice pattern on the afgan. I like the colors too. It looks perfect, your a good crocheter. My knitting is still basic. Your finds are wonderful and bargins too. It's very great here this morning. Happy nesting.

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