FOR TODAY - December 8, 2010
Outside my window... We have been socked in with fog! Today, it seems like it has dissipated some, but still very hazy and frozen. It was a very cool 24 degrees when I got up this morning, but should warm up to about 35 degrees today - then usher in another storm!
I am thinking... About two new grandchildren that will be making an appearance this Spring!! Jessica, my daughter, will be having a bouncing baby boy, and Diana, my daughter-in-love, will be having a sweet baby girl! We could not be more excited! They will only be about a month apart, so I really have my work cut out for me! Pink and blue!! Between my sister's children and my children, we are expecting 5 new babies!
I am thankful for... A mother who taught me that homemaking skills were important! My mother always worked full-time, but still made sure that I recognized the importance of cooking, cleaning, sewing, gardening, and just plain hard work. Yesterday, I decided that I would finally cut out and sew myself a nightgown. I have had the fabric since last summer and it was about time I did something with it!! It actually turned out pretty good - given the fact that I have not sewn for myself for many years! Thank you mom and Karen (she walked me through the yoke... ;0) )
From the learning rooms...
"You and I are here on the earth to prepare for eternity, to learn how to learn, to learn things that are temporally important and eternally essential, and to assist others in learning wisdom and truth. Understanding who we are, where we came from, and why we are on the earth places upon each of us a great responsibility both to learn how to learn and to learn to love learning."
~David A. Bednar~
From the kitchen... Yesterday I made bread, and this is always my "go to" recipe when I just want a beautiful loaf of white bread. I call it my, every day bread, because it has a sturdy, but soft texture it is just a very good bread to use for about anything you would need a good white bread for. I love it for sandwiches, french toast, bread crumbs, croutons . . . just a really yummy bread. I sometimes make one loaf of bread and use the other half for pizza or rolls or even cinnamon rolls!
Every Day White Bread
(Makes 2 loafs)
Mix together: 2 1/2 cups warm water
3 Tbls. sugar
1 Tbls. salt
1 full tablespoon yeast
Mix well and let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes.s.
Add: 2 Tbls. oil (I use olive oil)
7 to 7 1/2 cups flour
Knead well until you have a soft dough - one that is still easy to knead, but does not stick to your hands. My grandmother always said that bread should be sticky enough to stick a little, but not leave any dough on your hands. She also said it should be as soft as a baby's bottom!
Let raise until double in a warm place; punch down and put in pans. Let raise and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Turn oven down to 350 degrees and bake about 25 minutes more, or until nice and golden brown. It should sound hollow when tapped.
For a nice sweet dough, add 1 egg and 1/2 cup sugar and leave out a little flour for a looser dough.
I am wearing... Jeans and a purple sweater - shoes and socks!
I am creating... Crocheted hats for my grandkids!
I am going... My sister and I are going to go to my mother's and help her get her tree up and decorated. Hopefully, a few of our daughters and their children will come and have some fun with us!
I am hoping... That is does not snow this afternoon, I hate slick roads! I am also hoping that they get done really soon with the road construction in front of my house!! What a muddy mess!
I am hearing... listening to a track-hoe beeping and moving huge pipes and Christmas music - what a great combination!
Around the house... Not much today - tomorrow I will finish the laundry, maybe wrap a couple of presents, make a menu for the week and finish up some cleaning that I started and did not finish . . . :0)
One of my favorite things... I love to sit with the lights out and just soak in the Christmas tree loveliness - it's even better if I can convince my sweet husband to sit with me - he just doesn't enjoy this as much as I do! Maybe if I put on my flannel nightgown and flirt a little he will be . . . . tempted?????
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Today - Hang out with mom, sis and kids.
Tomorrow - Cleaning, laundry and puttering
Friday - Community Christmas party.
Saturday - Hummmmmm, I don't know!
Sunday - Church
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time."
~Laura Ingalls Wilder~
Warm hugs,
Go here to find other wonderful daybooks http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
6 comments:
I love your new nightgown. It looks warm and comfy. I, too, love sitting in the dark enjoying the tree lights. There is something magical about the lights and soft Christmas music. Your loaves of bread make my mouth water. I can just picture a nice warm sliced piece dripping with butter and honey or even butter and a slice of cheese. Do you have a good pattern for the hats? I am in the process of knitting hats. Am going to crochet a flower for Hailey's and the boys (if I can do it) will have a long tail. I have seen darling beanies at the mall that are crocheted that are to die for. Don't you just love David Bednar? That is such a wonderful quote. Kerri thought so much of him when she was at Ricks. So excited for you to be adding some new little grandchildren. What a wonderful blessing. Sorry you are dealing with the fog. Today has been cold and somewhat cloudy. Think maybe the inversion is trying to come back.
Great post once again! Nola
Oh Barb how could your husband resist your flirtatious overtures with you dressed in your new nightgown and the added ambience of the twinkling Christmas lights :]
Your family are EVER so lucky to have you, but I am certain that they already know that!
Squishy hugs
Kimmie
xxx
Hi Barb,
Congratulations! Two babies a comin'....one of each! I know you are very thrilled. As always, we'll be watching for news of the arrival and photos!
We do indeed think alike! I've been thinking about dusting off the ole sewing machine...which I haven't used for years...and making some new nightgowns that I like and can't find anymore. I love the soft satiny material in a sort of caftan style, v-neck and no shoulder seam and the sleeves are short. It should be easy to do, it's just making myself get started! Your nightgown looks great!
Your bread recipe looks good. I may have to try it. Have probably mentioned this before, but I don't usually have much luck with yeast breads. Maybe this one will turn out good!
Thanks for your sweet comments over at my blog. You are a dear friend that I'm glad to have met in blogland!
Hope your fog lifts and that your roads don't get too bad. Have fun this week with your family and getting ready for Christmas!
Hugs,
Cheryl
Oops...I forgot to mention that I loved the quote by Laura Ingalls Wilder! Loved her books.
Also, hope you do the Christmas meme! ~Cheryl
Hi Barb,
I enjoyed reading your daybook. Congratulations on the two new grandchildren!! How exciting for your family! :) Your new nightgown is very pretty, and looks like it will keep you warm at cozy at night. I hope you had fun helping your mother with her Christmas decorations. We just put our tree up last night. I'm going to put out the rest of the decorations today. I enjoy looking at the Christmas tree lights too...my husband will sometimes sit with me too.
Love the image you used, and the LIW quote. Enjoy the rest of your week! Hugs~ :)
Oh you are going to have so much fun with all those babies. We probably won't be seeing babies for some time. Good job making the nighty. I haven't had the nerve yet to try and make myself clothing. I commented on your last post but I couldn't tell if it went through. I enjoyed what you had to say.
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