Crazy Busy

There is still much to be done, but progress is being made. I've been crazy busy - working like a mad woman trying to get everything finished. If I can get the kitchen and hall ceilings painted today, everything else will be a cake-walk!

Busy As a Bee

I have finally painted the ceiling in the living room and hall. All that is left to do is the kitchen ceiling - which I'll be working on today - then I can start painting walls. I've been working like mad the past few days trying to get this done - hopefully before my Mama comes down to visit. I have 6 days to get it done.

Alfred installed a ceiling fan with a light kit in the living room yesterday. It really does help keep the room cooler with the air circulating! Eventually all of the bedrooms will have a fan. I also have new light fixtures to be installed in the kitchen once the ceiling is done.

I've got a few new tools, too. A laser level, which will come in handy when I get ready to rehang my pictures, and a palm sander. I'll be able to use both of these on future projects.

Yesterday we watched Thomas (the wild orange cat) almost catch a squirrel! Oh he was so close! He ran after the squirrel, caught him and they both went rolling head over heels, and then the squirrel got loose and ran up a tree to safety. Lucky squirrel...

This morning I saw a baby mockingbird for the first time. Mama and Daddy mockingbird stay close by - so I won't attempt to get a picture. You can hear him squawking to be fed as he tries to keep his balance. He is cute and fat. :)

We have no big plans for Memorial Day here. Alfred is working today and on Monday. I'll be busy anyway working on the house, but I wish you all a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!

Be Blessed!

Nature Views

Lately I have seen a lot of Chimney Swifts around our little homestead. I'm glad of it, because they feed only on insects. They fly really fast and turn so sharply. It is neat to watch. They also have a high-pitched "twitter" call.


This little cutie is a male House Finch. We've just begun to see this species around our homestead. I've seen them eating at the bird feeder. They are small birds... and I love the rosy color on his head and chest.


We also have the pleasure of seeing and hearing the Canadian Geese as they fly overhead. You can usually hear them coming and we always rush to the window to catch a peek as they pass by.

Fudge Cookies

Mix together:
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs

Then add:
3/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix well; chill for 1 hour.

Use teaspoon for cookie dough; roll into a ball and drop in sugar. Make a criss-cross pattern with a fork.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Enjoy!

Note: Use a tablespoon if you want bigger cookies.

Things I Love...

Home-baked goods...homemade yeast rolls and fudge cookies - yum!

Thrift store treasures...I paid $2.50 for these lovelies and $3.00 for Trivial Pursuit DVD Pop Culture 2 game for the kids.

Baby faces...my niece, Alyssa. :)


Flowers...the morning glories have bloomed at last!


Thomas, the wild orange cat, peeking from behind the tree at me...


Young explorers & nature lovers...Kenzie & Kayla.

Am I Rich?

A lot of people assume we are rich because I do not have to work outside the home. My husband works hard to provide for our family and I manage our finances as best I can while keeping the home fires burning. How am I able to do this?

I clip coupons and search for sales to stockpile food and non-perishables. I am moving more towards simple, natural foods and away from processed junk. I cook and bake more from scratch and continually seek to improve my cooking skills. I am growing tomato plants this year and hope to increase my garden each year as I learn more. I buy farm fresh eggs for $1.50 per dozen from a lady up the road.

I shop at thrift shops and dollar stores for clothes, housewares, puzzles, games, books, accessories, and gifts. I use free local resources - library, bike trails, parks, community events. I never turn down any free plants or flowers. I learn how to do things myself rather than pay others to do them for me.

I stay home as much as I can. I spend a lot of time outdoors puttering around the garden, weeding flower beds, and observing nature. I read, write, cross-stitch, draw, surf the web for needed info, go for walks, work on home improvements and more in my free time.

So am I rich?

Yes!

Not necessarily in material goods, but in the things that matter most.

I laugh more. I have time to ponder and dream. I pray and count my blessings. I work hard and make time for rest. I love much. I am happier than I've ever been.

Life is good!

This and That

Last night Alfred went running with a friend. The kids and I tagged along so we could walk the same trail. We did a 2 mile brisk walk. There were a lot of people out running/walking/biking last night. I'm hoping to go at least two more times this week.

The weather was great this weekend, though hot. We spent most of our time out of doors working in the yard: weed-eating, mowing, weeding flower beds. I also planted 13 more tomato plants that we picked up for free along side the road. Now I have 19 tomato plants: Celebrity, Brandywine, and a few different Heirloom varieties.

Today I plan to start painting ceilings in the living room/kitchen/hall. There is also laundry to catch up on and weight training to do. What are you doing today?

The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 19th

FOR TODAY

Outside my Window...are blue skies and birds chasing insects.

I am thinking...that I have a lot to get done before my Mama comes down from Iowa to visit.

I am thankful for...for the work Alfred did on the yard this weekend. It looks so much better!

From the kitchen...BLT sandwiches that tasted so good.

I am creating...lean muscle through regular exercise.

I am going...to be home painting and cleaning all week.

I am wearing...blue jean shorts, a blue v-neck tee, and blue crocs.

I am reading...Voluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin and The Creative Family by Amanda Blake Soule!

I am hoping...for abundant energy to get this painting done...

I am hearing...Zoey 101 on tv.

Around the house...painting, cleaning, organizing, watering flowers, weeding flower beds...

One of my favorite things...BLT sandwiches. I think I am hooked on them now. :)


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...go walking 3 times this week.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Please visit Peggy's blog to read more Daybooks or create one of your own.

Butterfly

(Alfred holding a butterfly...cool! :)

You can chase a butterfly all over the field and never catch it. But if you sit quietly in the grass it will come and sit on your shoulder.
Author Unknown