The Lovely Iris

“Flowers… are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1844

Blessings,
Nancy

The Simple Woman’s Daybook ~ March 30

Here is my Daybook entry for today ~

Outside my window. . .new leaves are popping out on many of the trees, my irises are blooming, and a mama bird is sitting on her nest on my front porch.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am thinking. . .how nice it would be to spend the week on the porch – it rained so much last week that I didn’t get any porch time and I missed it!
~~~~~~~~~~
From the learning room. . .our spring nature study will focus on eggs and nests this week. We have some great living examples at work on the back patio, as our yearly barn swallows are building their yearly nest, and as we watch the mama bird on the front porch, who is ahead of the game since she moved into a nest that was left over from last year.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am thankful for. . .these words from Scripture ~ “For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have already appeared in the land; the time has arrived for pruning the vines, and the voice of the turtledove has been heard in the land.” ~ Song of Solomon 2:11-12
~~~~~~~~~~
From the kitchen. . .I will be boiling two chickens today, freezing some of the meat for future casseroles, and then using the rest to make Chicken Spaghetti for dinner, with homemade bread.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am wearing. . .pink polo shirt and jeans.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am creating. . .working on the July block of my quilt ~ “Be Honest”.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am going. . .to be visiting Home Depot for seeds, plants, and flowers to plant this weekend.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am reading. . .gardening books and the next chapter of my Bible Study book for class this week.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am hoping. . .to get the garden planted next weekend – much to do to prepare this week.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am hearing. . .the wind blowing outside, children laughing, “I Love Lucy” on the tv.
~~~~~~~~~~
Around the house. . .balloons laying around the floor – left over from Sarah’s birthday celebration on Saturday, still all of the craft supplies out on the table from last week’s journal-making spree, a clean floor under our couches – as Jeff got brave over the weekend and decided to clean out all of the “debris” that had made its way under there (toys, popcorn, more toys, more popcorn. . .)
~~~~~~~~~~
One of my favorite things. . .picking out seeds for a new spring garden – so much promise!
~~~~~~~~~~
A few plans for the rest of the week. . .shopping, Ladies Bible Study, celebrating David’s 3rd birthday, preparing the garden to plant, and maybe some of that porch time somewhere in there.
~~~~~~~~~~
Here is a picture thought I am sharing. . .

my new Spring candle on my kitchen island ~ it smells so wonderful!

~~~~~~~~~~
To read more Daybook entries, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman’s Daybook, and have a lovely day!

Blessings,
Nancy

Prayer/Personal Journals

Tuesday night was our monthly Keepers of the Faith club meeting. It was my month to teach and our topic was prayer and personal journaling. I thought it would be fun to decorate our own journals, and we decided to include the boys (Contenders of the Faith club) as well.

Jeff did a talk on prayer and then I did one on journaling, after which we all dug into the craft supplies and started creating. It was so much fun to see the different ideas that all of the children came up with for their journals. The children made smaller journals than the one pictured above (which was beautifully made by Laura yesterday). Here are some of the samples that I made to show at the club meeting -

This one is a girly one, simple but frilly -

And one for the boys – I love this paper with the vintage cowboys on it! -

On this one, the notebook was already so decorative, that I had Sarah just add ribbons – it turned out great and made this one the easiest one to make!

I take that back – this was the easiest to make. I took a ready made journal that I found on the clearance rack at Michael’s for 50 cents -added a ribbon and pencil, and a sticker on the front to cover up a “T” initial (which would only work for Tommy around here, and he wasn’t too keen about the pink color!) -

Here is one that Laura made as another sample. She added a ribbon bookmark to hers -

Laura also made this one using a blank assignment book -

Tommy created this one using two different scrapbook papers, stickers, ribbon and a leather cord -

Our basic plan was to cover a small notebook with scrapbook paper and then embellish it with ribbon or twine and stickers. My stamp club leader showed me how to do this, so that I could share it with the children. Thanks Michele! Want to try it yourself? Here are the steps:

- Separate the cover from the rest of the notebook by either: removing the spiral wire by rotating it around and around until it is removed – or by sliding it off of the spiral (if it is designed this way). It just depends on the design of the spiral.

- Lay the cover on the back of the chosen scrapbook paper and trace around it, also tracing the spiral holes on the edge.

- Cut out the paper on the traced lines and then punch out the holes along the edge. You need to try to carefully match the size of the holes with your punch. I ended up using my eyelet hole punch with a hammer, as it was just the right size – just experiment until you find one that matches your spiral. I think that the boys probably enjoyed using the hammer and it made this craft a bit more to their liking!

- Glue the paper to the cover, being careful to line the spiral holes and edges up well.

- Reassemble the notebook with the spiral wire.

- Embellish as desired. To get the ribbon effect along the edge, we simply tied a length (about 4 1/2″) of ribbon onto each wire in alternating patterns all the way across (or down) the notebook. Most of the boys used twine or leather cording to attach a pencil or to make a hanger across the top. Many of the children added ribbon across the front of the notebook for decoration.

All of the children really enjoyed making these and my own came home so excited that they spent most of yesterday making more. In fact, I hear them hammering in the other room now – so someone is working on one as I write. (either that or they’re taking the house apart – maybe I’d better go check – ok, everything’s fine.) Here are some of the notebooks that my kiddos created -

Sarah made these two at the club meeting -

And then she made this one at home yesterday -

Michael made this one, which he is hanging beside his bed. It has a list of people in it that he is praying for each night -

Tommy has made many (I’ve lost count!) in the last few days. Here are a few of his -

Even Anna made one too, with a little help!

This craft isn’t too challenging (kind of depends on the type of rings on the spiral), but is very rewarding, and creates a useful, personal notebook that can be used in many different ways. Laura has already started filling the one at the top with drawings of wolves!

Let me know if you try it!

Blessings,
Nancy

What Part of Spring Are You?

I saw this fun quiz over at Dawn’s By Sun and Candlelight. The first time that I took it, the results didn’t seem quite right, so I tweaked it a little the second time, and the new results describe me to a “T”.
(what exactly does that mean, anyway?)

You Are Baseball Games

You like old fashioned things. You’re one of those people who values tradition. You enjoy a slow pace of life. You believe that life is all about enjoying every moment. You love the changing of the seasons, and you look forward to what each season brings. You are smart and a bit obsessive. You become very immersed in your interests.

What Part of Spring Are You?

So, you’re wondering what my first results were?

You Are Kids Playing

You are a free spirited soul. More than anything else, you are often just happy to be alive. You are always laid back and cheerful. You enjoy whatever happens to come your way. You are spontaneous and zany. You’re the kind of adult who still runs through the sprinklers. You don’t take life too seriously. You try to have fun at all times, even when you’re working.

What Part of Spring Are You?

While some of this is true about me, I am not very laid back and not always cheerful, and I don’t always enjoy what happens to come my way (ask my kids!) – although I do generally adapt to whatever it is. And while I do enjoy having fun with my children, I would rather soak in the pool than run through the sprinkler, and I’m afraid that I do take life too seriously and would never describe myself as “zany”! So, you see why I retook the test!

Hope you have fun with this!

I’m working on the journal pictures and hope to have them up by tomorrow.

Blessings,
Nancy

Spring Cleaning . . .

Everyone knows that princess high heels are required equipment for mowing the lawn.

Blessings,
Nancy

The Simple Woman’s Daybook ~ March 23

Good Morning! I hope that you are doing well today. Here is my Daybook entry for today ~

Outside my window. . .cloudy and breezy, with green bursting out all over the trees.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am thinking. . .about a presentation I am doing for our Keepers of the Faith club this week on journaling and prayer.
~~~~~~~~~~
From the learning room. . .we are beginning our spring nature study this week with storybooks about spring, signs of spring, and lots of time outdoors observing the blossoming world around us.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am thankful for. . .the wonderful spring break we had last week – just spending time together, playing and enjoying the beautiful weather.
~~~~~~~~~~
From the kitchen. . .dinner tonight will be Baked Spaghetti, Tossed Salad, and Garlic Bread.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am wearing. . .lavender polo shirt and jeans.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am creating. . .little journals covered in scrapbook paper with ribbons tied all along the spiral wire as samples for my presentation at Keepers. The children will all be making these at the meeting.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am going. . .to have to get in gear with my garden. Definite plans need to be made, seeds and plants need to be purchased, tilling needs to be started (the tiller is newly repaired and just needs to be picked up at the shop!).
~~~~~~~~~~
I am reading. . .“Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety” by Elyse Fitzpatrick (for our Ladies Study) – the last chapter on perfectionism was life-changing for me, and a new gardening book that looks like a wonderful resource – “The Garden Primer” by Barbara Damrosch (You might want to check this one out, Kathy!)
~~~~~~~~~~
I am hoping. . .that the barn cats haven’t scared off many of our feeder birds. They caught one last week, and the feeders have been very quiet ever since.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am hearing. . .children waking up, birds calling to each other out in the yard somewhere, the ceiling fan running.
~~~~~~~~~~
Around the house. . .the smell of bacon still lingering from last night’s “breakfast” dinner, open windows bringing the fresh air inside, some straightening, dishes, and laundry to be done.
~~~~~~~~~~
One of my favorite things. . .the way the trees look when they are wearing tiny baby leaves on them just after budding.
~~~~~~~~~~
A few plans for the rest of the week. . .prepare presentation, Keepers Club, meal for a friend, and celebrating Sarah’s 11th birthday!
~~~~~~~~~~
Here is a picture thought I am sharing. . .

~~~~~~~~~~
To read more Daybook entries, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman’s Daybook, and have a lovely spring day!

Blessings,
Nancy

Spring Break

(photo courtesy of Corbis)

I’m sorry to be missing in action this week, but we are on Spring Break from our formal studies, and I have been feeling the need for a Spring Break of my own. I have been just taking things easy – reading, quilting, and enjoying the beautiful warm spring weather with my children.

I’ll be back soon – there are quite a few posts swirling around in my head. Enjoy this day with someone you love.

Blessings,
Nancy

Happy Birthday Tommy!

Last week was our son Tommy’s 12th birthday. It was such a busy week, that I decided to write a post after the fact about how we spent the day. Then my computer went down . . . so now I am finally getting around to writing about it.

The day started out with balloons and confetti – all over the living room!

We’re still finding it in various places a week later!

Tommy decided that rather than going out to dinner, he wanted to go to the ice rink for the afternoon and then have his favorite meal cooked at home. So, he, Sarah, Matthew and I headed to the mall, where we met Jeff, who took the second half of the day off. We ate lunch at the food court, made a quick trip into the candy store and then it was to the rink!

Here are a few of the pictures that I took throughout the afternoon -

Sarah -

Matthew didn’t skate this day, but spent his time going back and forth between the rink and the mall. Finally, after several hours of chilly fun, it was a tired birthday boy who removed his skates to head home -

When we got home I prepared Tommy’s dinner choice of Homemade Macaroni and Cheese, Caeser Salad, and Applesauce – I will be posting the Mac and Cheese recipe soon!

Dinner was topped off with Chocolate Meringue pies, also the request of the birthday boy -

It looks like he can’t believe how many candles there are, just like his mama! (or maybe he’s just tired from all that skating!) -

After dinner, we sent Tommy on a treasure hunt for his presents. Here he is reading one of the clues -

He found a few!

It was a good day, and a good celebration. I can hardly believe it’s been 12 years since Tommy was born! He is such a blessing in our family.

Stay tuned for more birthday fun as there are two more birthdays coming up in our family in the next few weeks!

Have a nice day!

Blessings,
Nancy

National Mario Day

Yesterday was National Mario Day – a silly but fun reason to celebrate, as Mario ranks pretty high around here. So, I made some Italian pizza pies for dinner and the children decorated one of them, as you can see in the picture above.

I thought about organizing a Mario Kart tournament or playing Mario Party together, but this just didn’t work into the day, so we just celebrated with dinner.

We did make some of these for dessert, though -

Yummy Snickerdoodles!

Blessings,
Nancy

“Exploring” the Yard

Last week we read the book “Henry the Castaway” by Mark Taylor. In this story, Henry and his dog, Laird Angus McAngus (Angus for short), went off on an exploration to find the uncharted seas. They had quite an adventure along the way, using their imagination and survival skills to complete their journey.

As a fitting conclusion to our week, we went exploring around the yard, in areas that we don’t frequent very often. Our mission – to seek out signs of Spring (and anything else interesting). Our main destination was the penisula out at the back of our property that is surrounded on three sides by a creek, followed by the “meadow” area of the yard, and finally the pond area. Here are some pictures of what we found -

A beautiful Redbud tree in full bloom -

This interesting cocoon was hanging from one of the branches -

Sarah climbed this very old tree to get a better view -

This lovely tree was at the back of the penisula overlooking the creek. I haven’t been able to identify it yet -

The flowers were beautiful and quite fragrant -

We looked down into the creek, which is not very full at the moment, discussing currents and sources -

We made note of the different layers of soil packed together along the opposite bank of the creek -

We peeked into this animal hole – we think that it is probably the home of racoons that have been previously spotted around the creek -

On to the “meadow” – really just a large grassy area in our side yard – wildflowers are beginning to pop up there. We blew a few of these -

We found this green mossy grass growing in one section of the yard – close to a broken sprinkler head that is leaking, causing the damp environment -

We also discovered patches of clover coming out, just in time for St. Patrick’s day -

At the pond, we were intrigued by this dead vine on the side of a tree (you can also see the grass greening up in the background) -

Sarah waded down into the pond to look for frog’s eggs or tadpoles, but didn’t see anything. I didn’t go down due to the presence of mud, which I didn’t want all over my shoes , but we’ll check again in a few weeks.

Up by the house, I found flower buds on the Iris plants, so we should be enjoying their purple beauty before too long -

The last thing that I explored was my rocking chair on the front porch, while the kids played and hunted for rocks to add to their collection (Anna is the driving force behind the rock collecting) -

I took some close-ups of that old kitchen hutch on the front porch that I’ll post soon, since this one is getting way too long!

Have a wonderful day!

Blessings,
Nancy