the Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY, Monday 29th March...

Outside my window... it is raining. It has been raining all day and it is now 6:30pm and still raining.

I am thinking... about some ideas I came up with this morning about things I need to do that scare me and take me out of comfort zone, but are SO God.

I am thankful for... the new kidney my friend Becky got yesterday.

From the learning rooms... I am still learning new things to do with the bread dough from the Artisan bread in 5 minutes a day book. Last week I made their brioche dough and made cinnamon swirl brioches as well as freshly fried doughnuts.

From the kitchen... today I used the basic white dough from the Artisan bread to make a pesto cheese loaf, YUM! I rolled the dough out, spread some pesto across it, sprinkled it with grated parmesan, then rolled it up and tucked the ends underneath to make a loaf shape and continued as normal.

I am wearing... jeans and a beaded brown top. With my walking shoes.

I am creating... on Friday I made two pieces of jewellery as gifts for friends. One had her birthday a couple of weeks ago but her party was on Saturday and the other had her birthday on Sunday.

I am going... to a friends house tomorrow afternoon while my son goes to his Spanish class. I go every week. It's good to just sit and chill and chat with no pressure.

I am remembering.... how uncomfortable I am doing stuff in secondary schools but I went and told God I wanted OUT of my comfort zones. Well, if we stay in our comfort zones how will we ever know it truly was HIM doing the thing and not us doing it in our own strength? I want to do BIG things for God, and I want to KNOW that it was him doing them through me, not me trying to earn and achieve his favour by my own efforts, because that is pointless! It's ALL Grace!

I am reading... My bible and various cookbooks! I did get myself a copy of an awesome book that I read while I was in America but I haven't restarted it yet.
The cookbooks are the Artisan Bread one and a Hairy Bikers cookbook - the Mums Know Best one.

I am hoping... that the weather improves later this week so I can get my new tubs filled with compost and ready for planting.

I am praying.... for my friend Becky who had a kidney transplant yesterday that her new kidney would WAKE UP and start doing what Kidneys are meant to do!
Also for another friend whose daughter lost a baby last week after fighting hard to stay pregnant and thinking they had won.

I am hearing... not a lot, which is unusual for a house with two teenagers and an adult male in the evening.

Around the house... I did half of my Tuesday chores today in addition to my Monday chores and will try and do all the Wednesday chores tomorrow in addition to the rest of the Tuesday chores. This frees up Wednesday as a day with no major chores.

One of my favourite things... at the moment is bread. bread, bread, bread, bread, bread, bread, bread, bread, BREAD!

A few plans for the rest of the week... small group at our house tomorrow evening, coffee with friends on Wednesday, Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford Upon Avon on Saturday. YES, I am going to the regions biggest tourist hot spot on their busiest weekend of the Spring season. WHY? Because when I booked the tickets I truly had not noticed it was Easter Saturday that day!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...


SO, if you want to read more daybook entries or you would like to take part yourself. Click on the image at the top of this post and check it all out.

Read More

1000 Gifts

:

68. challenges and "out of comfort zone" thinking that came from a meeting this morning.

69. fantastic baptism at church yesterday and the possibility of more next week.

70. opportunity to be part of the Easter Sunday service in a drama sketch. (must learn lines).

71. the rain, while preventing me getting stuff done outside is providing much needed water to our gardens and reservoirs.

72. The fantastic news that a dear friend had a possible kidney waiting for her and she was heading to the hospital for the tests prior to transplant surgery.

73. The even better news that she got the kidney and surgery went well and she is now recovering.

74. Opportunity to start the 90 days through the bible programme and share it with the rest of the church.

75. Phone messages that mean a possible opportunity to do some outreach at a local community event.

76. the joy of sharing the things we have been trying in the kitchen and watching others catch the bug of baking bread in just 5 minutes a day.

77. being part of a church community that believes God still speaks today and willingly, shares what they hear him speak.

78. Trip to the theatre coming up this Saturday as part of my 15 year old's Christmas gift. I am taking him to Stratford upon Avon to see the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Romeo and Juliet.

79. coffee with a friend last week and hopefully with two friends this week.

80. Tuesday afternoons with a friend, while 15 year old is at Spanish class.

If you wish to participate in blogging about your list of 1000 gifts, head on over to a holy experience, by clicking on the banner at the top of this post.

Read More

Perfect Shag Hairstyles For Girl Pictures

Perfect Shag Hairstyles For Girl Picture 1

Perfect Shag Hairstyles For Girl Picture 2

Perfect Shag Hairstyles For Girl Picture 3

Perfect Shag Hairstyles For Girl Picture 4

Perfect Shag Hairstyles For Girl Picture 5

Perfect Shag Hairstyles For Girl Picture 6

Read More

Friday Felicities

Years ago, our dear friend Natalie started Friday Felicities. I say “our” because she was a friend to so many women online.
Natalie passed away on June 7, 2007 after a sudden illness. Becky took over hosting Friday Felicities and those of us who participate now consider her the host.
What are felicities you ask? Why they are things that make you happy! So, this is not a hard meme at all! Becky gives permission to use the graphic in this post but please load it to your own site. List your happies and please go over to Becky's to sign the Mr. Linky if she posts and link up with other Friday Felicities participants.
So, my Friday Felicities for Friday 26th March are:

• New cook books in the mail, even if it was strictly speaking bought for my 15 year old.
  
• Friends who are determined to work past their hurts and love each other.
• Memories of my trip to America.
• hubby already planning OUR next trip to America, even if it will be a couple of years away.
• my phone with full qwerty keyboard, makes texting and stuff so much easier.
• fresh bread, still warm from the oven.
• sleep
• it's time for veggie gardening again.
• aprons, especially my mini mouse one.
  

Read More