The Simple Woman’s Daybook ~ October 12

Here is my Daybook entry for today ~

Outside my window. . .more rainy gray skies, but with a beautiful background of lovely golden trees.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am thinking. . .how fast the last year has gone by ~ it’s almost time for basketball sign-ups again, and it seems like we just finished the season. And the holiday season is just around the corner, as well.
~~~~~~~~~~
From the learning room. . .reading Christopher Columbus poetry today. A new math book for Michael (he’s so excited!), continuing our leaf and tree studies, Pocahontas, ABC’s, and starting a study on the planet Mercury.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am thankful for. . .my Dad, who would have celebrated his 78th birthday on Saturday – I’m glad that he was my Dad and I am thankful for all of the years of love he gave me.
~~~~~~~~~~
From the kitchen. . .Poppy Seed Chicken for dinner tonight with a green salad, and lemon cake for dessert.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am wearing. . .navy t-shirt and blue jeans.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am creating. . .working on my Be-Attitudes quilt.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am going. . .to try to look for the good in every situation this week, and not focus on the negative.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am reading. . .Philippians.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am hoping. . .for a couple of days of sunshine tucked into this rainy fall season.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am hearing. . .Cat bells, children talking, microwave beeping, “Donna Reed” dvd on the tv (it’s lunchtime!)
~~~~~~~~~~
Around the house. . .it’s chilly inside, Monopoly set up on the table, laundry and dishes await, school is almost finished for the day.
~~~~~~~~~~
One of my favorite things. . .folding clean laundry ~ really! And I get plenty of chances to do it around here!
~~~~~~~~~~
A few plans for the rest of the week. . .monthly shopping, dinner at KFC, and stamp club.
~~~~~~~~~~
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 wonderful day!

Blessings,
Nancy

Fried Apples

I grew up eating fried apples every visit to my grandparent’s home. Grandmama would always cook up dishes and dishes of fresh vegetables from their garden and fried apples were always included, although I believe she bought her apples at the store ~ I don’t remember any apple trees on the property. They were my favorite part of every meal at their house.

So, naturally when I grew up, I wanted to learn how to make them. I don’t know the recipe Grandmama used (if she used one), but when I was first married I found a recipe for Fried Apples in the local newspaper, and I have kept it and used it ever since. I haven’t really made them very often, usually opting for the ease of opening a jar of applesauce, but sometimes I just get a craving for them, and then I pull out this recipe and head to the store for some Granny Smiths. I double this recipe, but even then, they shrink down so much that I don’t get a huge bowl. I may triple it next time. Anyway, they’re pretty simple, if you follow the directions and don’t improvise too much ~ don’t ask me how I know this!

Ingredients
4 Granny Smith apples (or any tart green apple)
3 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons brown sugar

Begin by coring the apples and cutting them into wedges (about 8 pieces to an apple) ~

Bring a large saute pan to medium heat (I used my electric skillet).
Add butter, then apples. Saute until apples are beginning to caramelize (about 5 minutes) ~

Add brown sugar and completely caramelize (do not burn), until apples have a shiny candy appearance (10 minutes) ~

Here they are ready to eat, served in Grandmama’s old vegetable dish ~ sweet and delicious!

Blessings,
Nancy

The Simple Woman’s Daybook ~ October 5

Here is my Daybook entry for today ~

Outside my window. . .a gray, cloudy day (and week), leaves turning yellow and falling, a beautiful new pumpkin-colored Chrysanthemum on my front porch.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am thinking. . .about ways to balance our schooling with the rest of our life.
~~~~~~~~~~
From the learning room. . .we are beginning a two week study of leaves and trees for the youngers. In History we will all be in Jamestown with Pocahontas. Other topics for the week are the Sun (older kids this time), Bach, Monet, Nature stories, Little House, and our missionary study of Ida Scudder. And of course there’s always the basics of reading, writing and math, too!
~~~~~~~~~~
I am thankful for. . .a new week of lessons, life, and love.
~~~~~~~~~~
From the kitchen. . .well . . . dinner was going to be Smothered Chicken in the crockpot – I went to the store on Saturday and forgot to buy the chicken . . . went back on Sunday, and forgot that I didn’t have enough onions . . . so, I will be heading to the store again today for onions, but it will be too late to start the crockpot. Smothered Chicken has officially been moved to tomorrow night. Tonight we will have Stouffer’s Macaroni and Cheese, green beans and fried apples.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am wearing. . .white shirt and navy capris.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am creating. . .I’ve started back to work on my Be-attitudes quilt. I’m almost done with the September block ~ “Be Smart” ~ an adorable hoot owl perched on a branch with three leaves.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am going. . .to start a Thanksgiving journal, in which I can record something I am thankful for each day.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am reading. . .Philippians.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am hoping. . .to get an earlier start on our school days from now on, so that we can be finished with formal studies by lunchtime.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am hearing. . .Laura calling Edward (kitty), children talking, a few too many tantrums already this morning, kitty collar bell.
~~~~~~~~~~
Around the house. . .games and crayons, laundry (always), school books, and the ceiling fans are getting a long awaited break now that the weather is cooler – they usually run all summer without stopping.
~~~~~~~~~~
One of my favorite things. . .baking on a rainy Fall day.
~~~~~~~~~~
A few plans for the rest of the week. . .many leaf projects with the kids, Ladies Bible Study, working on a Cookie Baking badge with Sarah for Keepers, quilting.
~~~~~~~~~~
Here is a picture thought I am sharing. . .

Warm pumpkin bread fresh from the oven.

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

Blessings,
Nancy