Greener Grass

Do you ever look at blogs or other websites late at night, when you can't sleep, and magically find exactly what you didn't know you needed?

I do. I'm going to share this thought – it's obviously a sentiment that has been expressed by many, but I am grateful to have stumbled upon it tonight.

"The grass isn't greener on the other side. The grass is greener where you water and fertilize it."

I hope your grass is green and healthy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! I have a good excuse for being a day late on this one. I hosted the family dinner.

That's right, you heard me.

It was the first time I had more than two people over for a meal. The first time my parents and my in-laws shared a holiday meal. The first time I made a turkey. The first time I bathed a baby in the kitchen sink (yes, really).

My lovely friend Andrea arrived on Sunday night from Victoria, on a whim, with her baby. I'm glad she did. There's something comforting about not knowing what you're doing when nobody else does either.

We set a table.

I think it turned out really well. The turkey was maybe just a little overdone, but at least it was cooked! My stuffing tasted like mom's which was the most important part. There were brussels sprouts, and we have tons of leftover everything (except stuffing). The baby was happy.

And there were turkey cookies. Yes.

Sunday's Simple Daybook

For today... Sunday, September 12, 2010

Outside my window... dark now, and has been pouring all day.

I am thinking... about many ides for the new church-school year.

I am thankful for... the impending fall. There is really nothing about fall that I don't love.

From the learning rooms... still need to get on my herbalism course. I will have a good report on this next week.

From the kitchen... embarrassingly, nothing today. It's time to use up leftovers and pantry items.

I am wearing... pajamas. It's only 8:30 but it feels like the right sort of thing tonight. I've also brought the slippers out to stay.

I am creating... a routine.

I am going... to order my wedding photos this week, for real.

I am reading... Women, Food, and God, as per last week. I do like it.

I am hoping... that the momentum I'm feeling around here really keeps up.

I am hearing... My favourite song this week, The Prayer (I like the version by Celtic Woman).

Around the house... I've put the heavy duvet on the bed. We have stacks of plastic bins that need to be dealt with this week – if they aren't filled for storage, they'll be going to my mom's for her use. 

One of my favorite things... my new Aroma Geni nebulizer from Saje Aromatherapy (a birthday gift). It's been going all evening with Love Potion #10 and it smells fantastic around here.

A few plans for the week...  Focus on unpacking boxes that are still hanging around, fix the china cabinet, send in a set of lessons (I know, I know), run.

Here is a picture for thought... this is the photo I've chosen as our wedding portrait.

Play along with the Simple Woman's Daybook!

Sunday's Simple Daybook

For today... Sunday, September 5, 2010

Outside my window... suddenly sunny after a very grey day!

I am thinking... about revamping our budget.

I am thankful for... having met my husband's gran in England. She is 98 years old and he hadn't seen her for 13 years. I am grateful that we had the opportunity to go, chat, and take photos.

From the learning rooms... need to get working (hard) on my herbalism course.

From the kitchen... Dinner Diva Detox from Leanne Ely at Saving Dinner. Time to get food in order.

I am wearing... Black yoga pants and a long-sleeved pink running room shirt. 


I am creating... a better me.

I am going... to my mom's this afternoon, to pick up some pantry items. She and I shop at Costco and split the bounty.

I am reading... Women, Food, and God by Geneen Roth. I'm not yet sure what I think of it.

I am hoping... that my husband gets lots of work in September.

I am hearing... the laundry going, going, going...

Around the house... busy unpacking from our recent trip to the UK!

One of my favorite things... sprouted grain bread with almond butter. Yummy.

A few plans for the week...  I need to see my grandparents, get ready for church to start up, order wedding photos, and mail in a set of correspondence lessons. 

Here is a picture for thought... Dan and I with his grandmother, Marion.

Play along with the Simple Woman's Daybook!

I'm a Terrible Blogger – Have a Cookie

I'm terrible at blogging when I say I will!

I'm back with a good cookie recipe though, so I'm sure you'll forgive me.

This is a single-serve oatmeal cookie. I recently bought some packs of plain instant oatmeal. I was really excited about them. I always find the packaged instant oatmeal to be too sweet, so I thought these would be great to have at work. They were salty. I couldn't eat them. But I COULD make one into a cookie! This made a moist, jumbo cookie – but only one, so I don't have to resist a whole bunch.

I ate this straight out of the oven for a sweet fix, but it was pretty filling. I could see making one up in the evening and taking it for an on-the-go breakfast.

Ingredients


One pack of instant oatmeal (any flavour - I used plain)
1 TBS. brown sugar - you wouldn't really need this if your oatmeal was sweetened.
1 TBS. whole-wheat flour.
2 TBS. unsweetened applesauce
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. vanilla
Additions (nuts, raisins, etc.) as desired.

Combine, mix well, form into a cookie, place on a greased baking sheet and bake at 350 for about 15 minutes (you'll know when it's done!)

Bricks of Bread

I've become interested in making bread lately, and have been dabbling with yeast-free breads for the last couple of weeks. I made an Irish soda bread, which was frankly awful. Tonight I made a loaf of rye bread from a mix I bought in the IKEA marketplace.

This was an interesting thing to make. The mix comes in a large container which looks like a milk carton. Basically, you add water, shake like crazy, and pour it into a loaf pan. It didn't rise much, and then it's baked for an hour.

I don't think I'll make it again because it's awkward to get out of the carton. It is very heavy, dense & thick – no kidding, it feels like a brick. But it was delicious warm with a little butter! We'll be using it this week with soups and such.

But, the plan is to give a yeast bread a try. This week I'm going to try out the basic recipe from the Hillbilly Housewife. Wish me luck! I'll let you know how it goes.