daybook 02/14/2014 <3

 

Castle Garden in Keswick, U.K. (Photo by Tiffanny Miller) – with thanks to AccuWeather <3

 

For today, Friday, February 14, 2014

Outside my window... quite a bit of new snow!  And cold.  But what’s new?  We did have a brief warm-up yesterday… and spring will come eventually.  Because God said so. :-)

Hearing... the Cowgirl at the piano.  Playing some of the classics my older girls used to play.  Love this!

Pondering... how to deactivate my Facebook account.  Maybe a blogger friend will remind me since my ‘friends’ on fb refuse??

Praying... much for Denise.  It’s been a very difficult week for her with round 3 of chemo.  Transfusion several days after she really needed it (imo) – now an infection or two that prompted antibiotics via IV and promise of a hospital stay if her body can’t overcome it soon. 

And for Eleanor, a sweet lady who is dreading her driver’s license renewal because last year they required her to drive for them.  She will be 92yo this spring.  Praying for God’s will – as well as His peace to rule in her life.

For Kim – She was doing so well, then caught a flu bug.  Thankfully a short 24-hour type, but I wonder if she will be allowed her weekend at home?

For our college kiddos – Daniel had more snow in N.C. this week, but he doesn’t have to drive in it.  And it should melt quickly when their normal weather returns.  His two professors who had a heart attack/mild stroke are both recovering well – the second was back in the class room the same week!   Abby was sick last Sunday, but must be recovered with just the usual level of fatigue.  She had some awesome English and speech class grades to report this week – Yay!  And Kate has made her decision on summer ministry – We are very excited for her to enjoy and grow through her time working in the office at Camp Joy.

Thankful... for my own sweet hubby, for our kiddos at home and away who chose to make my birthday such a nice celebration.

  

  

  

Creating... determination to finish this wall… so I finally bought cheap lightweight woodsy frames yesterday.  But I might tweak them a bit with some paint?  The second photo is how the wall has looked for the past four weeks:  photos held up by painter’s tape.  (Have I told you all how much I love painter’s tape??)   A friend suggested I remove or reduce the hanging wire on the ‘Farmhouse’ sign and move it below the photos.  I like that idea; it will just be tricky since the wire comes out holes in the front of the sign into curly cues – maybe if you click and enlarge, you can see?  It’s also authentically rusty re-purposed wire…  Maybe I just have to find some strong needle-nose pliers (and wrists) and pull the wire through the front farther, cut the wire shorter, and add the twist?  hmmm.

    

And, because you undoubtedly want to know,

the frames I bought look like these with the hay bales and steer… 

My friend suggested I add some of our wall paint to white wash them a bit.  (aha!)  I had also looked at rusty orange and turquoise frames with longing (but they were beyond my –zero- budget and too heavy for this hollow wall) –  So I looked at spray paint, but ‘pumpkin orange’ is not where I’m hoping to go with this… someday.  Soon.

Going... to a  bridal shower tomorrow at church.  {Must remember! I’m becoming quite content and habitual with my Saturdays at home…}

Reading... To the Golden Shore.  Slowly but surely (it’s over 500 pages). 

It gives me pause when I want to murmur or complain.  Amazing what they willingly endured.  While I am such a selfish, whining wimp!

Looking forward to... watching an ISU Cyclone basketball game, live and in person, for the first time in 25 years or so?!    The name Terry Woods comes to mind as my favorite point guard in those days – but I could be wrong about the name.  Long long time ago. {oh, isn’t google fun?  I found him on the 1986-87  roster!}

In the kitchen... menu options this month since I haven’t posted a daybook in several weeks—turkey ‘roast’, spaghetti, broccoli cheese soup, chimichangas, calzones, pepper steak, potato-ham casserole, tacos, pancakes, beef roast, turkey packets, chili, maid rites, Madison Co. chicken, turkey taquitos, and pizza-pizza-pizza!

In honor of my birthday, the kids volunteered to (pre)cook Sunday dinner (on Saturday night)… calzones and French silk pie {Better than Perkins}.  Yes, it was delish!   And we had enough leftovers that I didn’t have to cook on Monday either!  :-)

 

 

   

   

In the learning rooms... the Cattleman just handed me his DVDs and said he is finished watching everything for this (school)year! 

 

Around the house... someone sure needs to clean! 

But on the bright side, look at the lovely flowers from my sweetheart <3

 

The Mother Load... the laundry is in process; a newly revised recipe book is ready to assemble before tomorrow’s shower (!); school papers are waiting for my red pen; and then there’s tax return prep… “$5 off thru 2/14/14” … sounds like that will be ‘next’ on my list for TODAY.

Noticing that... the sunshiney days are longer

A favorite quote for today... 

Eliya: "Mommy"
Me: "Yes, Eliya."
Eliya: "I really, really love you!"
Me: "I really, really love you, too!"
Eliya: "Caleb"
Caleb: "Yes, Eliya."
Eliya: "I really, really, really love you!"
Caleb: "I will kill all your bad guys and keep you safe!"

 

One of my favorite things... chocolate.  {surprise!}

Okay, how about a juicy rib-eye with a Caesar salad and baked sweet potato on the side?

It was mighty fine.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... Bridal shower tomorrow.  Bridal shower tomorrow.  Bridal shower tomorrow.  Bridal shower tomorrow. 


A peek into my world... through the camera on Kate’s phone.  As my mom might say, The girls were ‘pleased as punch’ with their Valentine’s Day care package <3

Their ‘conversation’ heart cookies remained wordless, but I did decorate the inside of the shipping box with pretty scrapbook papers <3  It’s the little things, ya know?

~.~.~

Still hoping and praying Daniel’s box arrives in North Carolina… soon.  It departed Des Moines on Wednesday morning.  And remains “in transit” according to USPS tracking.  

btw, I did not use cute scrapbook paper to decorate his box.  I’m smarter/kinder than that.

~.~.~.~.~

Giving credit where credit is due:

While I am not linking up with anyone, you could read more weekly news posts at other blogs by following any of these links:

• Peggy at the Simple Woman’s Daybook

• Julie for adapting this daybook version as her own ‘Grasshopper Days’ ~ Perhaps I could call it the GHV Daybook. :)

• You can also find a similar weekly meme in Happy Homemaker Monday at Sandra’s

~.~.~.~.~

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17

pinterest inspiration <3

 

“Conversation Hearts” for our college kids

 

Now to DO something about it…

Washington’s birthday party February 6, 2014

 

Unplanned by us two-legged folks.  But apparently something happened last spring when the flooded creek washed out fencing between the bull and the rest of the herd, including young Hallelujah, the Popper’s Jersey heifer.

So in the last week or two Tim and the kids noticed Hallelujah wasn’t just a barrel belly, she also showed signs of impending motherhood.  Oh dear.

Yesterday was the day.  With a high of 8F.  But at least the sun was shining.

You would have to zoom in to see Hallelujah laying on this side of the hay bales in the middle of the above photo.  Binoculars worked well for observing from the house…

The Popper stayed home from piano lessons to mind her new little man while he dried off inside the garage.  Good pictures of black cattle are not my forte.

Later Tim decided he would have to feed Washington via a bottle.  Perhaps brown cows really do give chocolate milk?  Look how dark this colostrum is!

Today they are getting along just fine without a bottle… If you enlarge this you can see the little guy in his blue calf blanket.

 

Welcome to the world, Washington!

Friday updates :-)

 

First, more good news from Sharon on Kim…

January 31, 2014

Posted 1 hour ago

Dr. Baskaya's words yesterday: "Kim, you are a miracle. I saw you when you first came to the hospital and know how severely your brain was injured. You should have died in the accident. You should have died before I could do your surgery. You should not be walking yet. You should not be able to see." Kim's answer: "If I'm doing so good, why can't I be home?" Then he gave her a motivational speech: "Don't give up now when you have come so far. You need to be at Clearview so you progress farther and faster than you would at home. When I see you in 2 months, I will see even more healing results."

At her appointment, a "drain test" was done. I and the staff at Clearview have been concerned with the amount of tissues she goes through because she is constantly wiping her nose. This could be a sign that she is leaking CSF (brain fluid). Dr. Baskaya did a simple test. Kim held her head down for 5 minutes. No drainage showed that fluid was not leaking and the brain surgery was successful. We were very happy with that diagnosis!

I was hoping Dr. Baskaya would be able to start taking Kim off the anti-seizure medication she is on as it has side effects that she continues to struggle with - depression and lack of appetite. But, due to the severity of her brain injuries, she has to stay on the medication for another 2 months. At her next appointment with him, she will have a brain scan and EEG to see if she is past the danger of seizures. Then he will gradually wean her off that medication.

She is eating better than she was but is still losing weight. At yesterday's appointment she was under 98 pounds. The tube feedings may have to start again if we can't get more calories in her. Her taste is starting to return and the ever-present threat of tube feedings will hopefully be enough to get her to eat more. She will be coming home for the weekend again, so I will make all her favorites and add all the fattening calories I can.

We give all glory to God for what He has done in Kim's life. We have no doubt God has something special planned for her.

 

2.   No pizza tonight due to circumstances beyond my control… and compliance with my husband’s leadership :-)

 

3.  One of my current projects…

A new cookbook for our kitchen.  Which also had room for our collection of “international” dishes --  since the youth group meal is usually in January, that works for me instead of spread out in every other cookbook binder.

I’m also working on a book for my standard bridal shower gift.  Which is usually just a reprint of ones I’ve been doing for the past ten?! years or more.  Well, this week I’ve decided a cookbook called Family Favorites should really contain our *current* favorites instead of what I chose oh-so-many years ago plus all sorts of additions.  The shower is in two weeks, so I must keep this on my Priority List!  Wouldn’t want to cause a world crisis.  {eyes roll}

 

4.  But since I’m not cooking supper today, I shall make a test batch of these miniature cinnamon rolls – which are on the menu for yet another bridal shower in just four weeks!

Can I get a “YUM!”?  “Cinnabon clone” recipe linked HERE.

daybook 1/27/2014

 

For today, Monday, January 27, 2014

Outside my window... sundogs.  (A few hours ago at sunrise.)  Yes, it is COLD again.  Yesterday morning we had a brief taste of spring with 40F.  Followed by a blizzard warning for the afternoon/evening with potential for 50mph wind.  We were thankful to stay at home last night.   According to AccuWeather, it is currently –4F with a Real Feel of –36F.  But the wind is calming down gradually, and the sun is shining…  Local public schools had a two-hour delay while others are closed.

{At actual time of posting, it has warmed up to –1F with Real Feel of –26F!}

Hearing... not much.  The dryer has stopped, so I should be pulling the laundry out while it’s still warm, eh?

<ba-bing> Tim just texted to suggest I listen to Jan, so now I’m hearing the top-of-the-hour update on news and weather.. and commercials of course.   That’s why I prefer podcasts.

Aha, a conversation about the “First Church of the Wooden Spoon” – or teaching children to participate quietly in the worship services.  :-)

Pondering... making a beginning with tax return information.  Naaaah.

Praying...

Denise has round two of chemo, this time in pill form.  She was not feeling well this weekend, but still made it out for church yesterday. 

A young couple Gina & Peter who grieve the loss of their newborn son (stillborn) – while trusting in God’s perfect will.   Life on this earth is so hard!

Conny just shared with me that a professor/pastor out at Ambassador had a heart attack yesterday [Daniel says it was early this morning] and is in ICU. 

At last report Tim’s niece Kim is doing well at her new rehab center, where she moved to on Wednesday.  She ate well enough that they gave permission for her to spend the weekend at home. 

Victoria and Anahi, young girls in Mexico who received our gift bags at Christmas via the Lockwoods

Daniel, Abby & Kate ~ busy!

Thankful... that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think!  Ephes 3:20

Creating... Charlotte’s blanket is ready to deliver.  I think her big brother will like the goodies pictured on it.

Going... out tonight for another bridal shower planning meeting.  Trying to think positive about how much nicer the weather will be as the wind chill diminishes this evening.  Yeah, right.

Reading... To the Golden Shore by Courtney Anderson.

         

Last week I read a book Kate gave me for Christmas – More Precious than Gold by John & Brenda Vaughn.

Thinking my ‘troubles’ are not so difficult after all.

Looking forward to... springtime.

In the kitchen... Pierogis are a lot of work.  But not quite so frustrating when you use an abundance of flour.  Really glad I reduced the batch of dough!

     

   

Sorry, no pics of his finished product – but you can see that the Cattleman also helped with dishes!

The Cowgirl made “Italian Butterball Cookies” – tasty!

    

In the learning rooms... We finished reading Chapter 5: “The Development and Growth of the Colonies” from Carson’s Basic History of the US series, concluding with The Great Awakening of the 1730s.

Around the house... gerbera daisies have been blooming :-)

The Mother Load... Bake snickerdoodles for Saturday {dough is shaped and frozen}; commit to helping serve on Saturday {or just show up?}; continue the flannel blanket production; mending; plan menu; sort the give-away piles to select items for particular friends {Load and haul it ALL away… Yes, same piles have been accumulating since last fall.  Crazy.}

Noticing that... it is rather freeing to just. throw. something. unwanted. away.

Something fun to share... Are you familiar with the Erskine family?  They offer a weekly email newsletter with online freebies especially for home schooling families.  Click here to subscribe.  If/when you are signed up, you can download this week’s huge freebie: THE HOMESCHOOLER'S TIME MANAGEMENT TOOLKIT

A favorite quote for today...

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,

sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24

Always makes me think of Jodi & her Naomi <3

One of my favorite things... chickadees {and Abby’s artwork}

A few plans for the rest of the week... pressing on into February!

A peek into my world... Tim recently finished a Christmas gift for me too ~  More shelves for the china cabinet ~ Hurrah!

      

~.~.~.~.~

Giving credit where credit is due:

While I am not linking up with anyone, you could read more weekly news posts at other blogs by following any of these links:

• Peggy at the Simple Woman’s Daybook

• Julie for adapting this daybook version as her own ‘Grasshopper Days’ ~ Perhaps I could call it the GHV Daybook. :)

• You can also find a similar weekly meme in Happy Homemaker Monday at Sandra’s

~.~.~.~.~

Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord,

that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17

what's up with "common core"?

Watch this video to hear David Barton explain...