Why I’m Not Here

Our house has been hit by a wide spread cold/flu type bug for the last week and so I have been a little busier than usual. Everyone in the house has now had it to some degree except Matthew, who is usually at school or work, so has not had as much exposure. David held out until today amazingly, but woke up with a fever,sore throat, and cough, so we’re not quite done yet. There are still a number of people with a lingering cough (myself included). Sarah wrote the above note on the refrigerator when she was feeling really tired of being sick – she was one of the ones who had it the worst. The next day she woke up feeling much better, so her misery didn’t last too long.

I’ll be back as soon as I am able ~

Blessings,
Nancy

The Simple Woman’s Daybook ~ January 17

Here is my Daybook entry for today ~

Outside my window. . .chilly and damp today – a good day to be inside. All of the snow from last week has finally melted and the yard is quite wet and muddy.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am thinking. . .about plans for the rest of the school year.
~~~~~~~~~~
From the learning room. . .no school today – tomorrow we’ll be easing back into our studies.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am thankful for. . .Tommy passing his ice skating test this morning.
~~~~~~~~~~
From the kitchen. . .something with chicken – either Chicken Pot Pies or Hot Chicken Salad Casserole.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am wearing. . .navy sweater, white shirt, dark blue denim jeans.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am creating. . .working on the February mini quilt, and Blue and White quilt.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am going. . .to try to run by the Primitive store soon and spend my Christmas gift certificate.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am reading. . .just school books this week.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am hoping. . .that Anna will feel better soon – she woke up running a fever today.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am hearing. . .wind blowing outside, children talking, Cars “Mater” game on the Wii, and I think I’m hearing a dog snoring, too.
~~~~~~~~~~
Around the house. . .two boxes left of Christmas things to put away (mostly kitchen items), blankets laying around on all of the chairs and couches, a bit of laundry to do, and a new bookshelf in the bedroom to fill with school books.
~~~~~~~~~~
One of my favorite things. . .my new iPhone that my son, Robert, gave me for Christmas – love it!
~~~~~~~~~~
A few plans for the rest of the week. . .ballet, ice skating, basketball and cheerleading, sewing, and cleaning & organizing the house.
~~~~~~~~~~
Here is a picture thought I am sharing. . .

Macey enjoying the warm flannel sheets.

~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks to Peggy at The Simple Woman’s Daybook for this wonderful meme. Visit Peggy to find the January list of participants in The Simple Woman’s Daybook.

Have a lovely day!

Blessings,
Nancy

Crunchy Onion Potato Bake

I got this recipe from the 2010 Betty Crocker “Let’s Bake a Moment” calendar. They are super easy to make and amazingly delicious. The recipe calls for adding a can of corn to the potatoes, which I left out – I thought these potatoes could stand on their own – and they did! I can see how the corn might add some texture, although the French-fried onions do this nicely too, so maybe I’ll try it with the corn added sometime. These potatoes would be especially good with steak or roast beef, and a tossed salad on the side. Here is the recipe ~

Crunchy Onion Potato Bake

2 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup butter
1 box (7.2 oz.) Betty Crocker homestyle creamy butter or roasted garlic mashed potatoes
1 can (15.25 oz.) Green Giant whole kernel corn, drained
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz.)
1 can (2.8 oz.) French-fried onions

~ Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13 x 9 inch (3 qt.) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 3 qt. saucepan, heat milk, water, and butter to boiling. Stir in contents of both pouches of potatoes (from potatoes box) just until moistened; let stand 1 minute. Stir with fork until smooth. Stir in corn.

~ Spoon half of potato mixture into dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 each of the cheese and onions. Top with remaining potatoes; sprinkle with remaining cheese and onions.

~ Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and onions are golden.

If you prefer, add sour cream and chives for even more flavor. Maybe even some bacon or different types of cheeses – oh, the possibilities . . .

Have a nice day!

Blessings,
Nancy

Winter Nature Walk

On Monday I took a walk with the kids around the property to see what we could find. The snow had stopped falling and the air was cold and still. We ventured farther than the day before when snowball fights and snowman building was the priority of the day. As we walked, I was amazed to find treasures in the winter landscape that would have gone unnoticed had I not ventured out – I was so glad that I did!

I love the look of snow on trees and so I took a few pictures of them, although the pictures never do the real thing justice. The red berries on the tree above really popped in the white snow – truly beautiful!

Icicles on the barn ~

We found a number of pretty evergreens blanketed in snow back by the creek ~

One of the kids had walked around in circles the day before and we came upon their tracks ~

And then we came across these tracks – behind the barn and leading down the peninsula and then down to the creek. We think it is probably from a deer ~

We spent alot of time inspecting these tracks and the creek at the back of our lot. My camera battery started to die and so I didn’t get as many pictures as I would like. I was able to squeeze out a couple more before we went back inside. We think that these little tracks were probably made by a squirrel. ~

Snowy nature walks are extra special around here, because we only get to take them once or twice a year. This was our first chance this year ~ we’ll see if we get another one in the next month or so.

Stay warm and have a wonderful day!

Blessings,
Nancy

The Simple Woman’s Daybook ~ January 11

Here is my Daybook entry for today ~

Outside my window. . .Below freezing temperatures and still much snow all over the yard, but the sun is shining which makes for a lovely day. The birds are flitting around the feeders getting what’s left there – mostly suet.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am thinking. . .about all that I have to do today.
~~~~~~~~~~
From the learning room. . .Snowflakes and William Bentley – nice to have the real thing on the ground for our study!
~~~~~~~~~~
I am thankful for. . .my son, Matthew, who celebrated his 20th birthday yesterday – I can hardly believe it.
~~~~~~~~~~
From the kitchen. . .I am making dinner for a family at church with a new baby – not sure what we will have – maybe takeout.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am wearing. . .navy shirt, gray cardigan sweater, jeans.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am creating. . .working on lots of different quilt projects – my blue and white quilt, monthly mini quilt, a little bit on my Hobo quilt, and getting ready to start a Pony Express quilt – will post photo updates soon.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am going. . .to Stamp Club this weekend! I missed the last one and so I am eager to enjoy some time crafting with friends again.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am reading. . .“Simplify”, a quilt book by Camille Roskelley.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am hoping. . .to get the Christmas decorations put away sometime soon – I’m still not really ready to yet, though.
~~~~~~~~~~
I am hearing. . .Buzz Lightyear toy talking – “Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue!”; heater running; music playing in the living room.
~~~~~~~~~~
Around the house. . .snow gear, Christmas decorations, toys, children on various electronic gadgets.
~~~~~~~~~~
One of my favorite things. . .the way the pond looks surrounded by snow and with the sun shining on it.
~~~~~~~~~~
A few plans for the rest of the week. . .library, ballet, ice skating, basketball and cheerleading, Stamp Club, and a wedding for two special people at church.
~~~~~~~~~~
Here is a picture thought I am sharing. . .

~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks to Peggy at The Simple Woman’s Daybook for this wonderful meme. Visit Peggy to find the January list of participants in The Simple Woman’s Daybook.

Have a nice day!

Blessings,
Nancy

A Fun Snowy Day

Yesterday we were blessed with a fun and beautiful snowy day around our part of the world. The snow started to fall late morning and it came down hard ~

Most of the kids and I stayed home from church due to the wintry mix that was falling preceding the snow. I don’t like to be out and about in that stuff at all. We were all pretty excited to see those large flakes falling from the sky, but David was extra excited and kept reporting on everything that was being covered by it -”Your car is all covered in snow, Mom!” and “The pool toys are covered with snow, Mom!” and “The front part that’s not the sidewalk that’s by the sidewalk is covered up in snow, Mom!”

Even Macey was fascinated by the changing world outside ~

And Jack got to spend a warm and cozy day inside ~

About the time Jeff arrived home from church I determined that enough snow had fallen to make it worthwhile to send them all out in it to play. . . so out came the winter hat, scarf, and mitten box, and on went the warm clothes, shoes, coats and hats.

They headed out the front door all ready for fun in the snow ~

The snowball fights commenced quickly and children (and their father) were running all around the house and yard blasting each other ~

I went out to snap some pictures, but spent most of the day inside peering out the windows – after all, someone had to make the hot chocolate for the cold and weary snowpeople, right?

And I made some of these for everyone, too ~

Sarah stayed out the longest, since she was the only one who decided to build a snowman and she worked on it for quite awhile ~

After about an hour or so, most of the children were back inside to warm up and drink hot chocolate and warm cookies and watch “White Christmas” (yet again – I told you before it’s one of our favorites this year!)

I spent some time finishing up this little mini quilt ~ it is the first in a year long series. There will be a different mini quilt for each month that I can display on this pretty metal stand ~

After the movie was over the kids bundled up again and went out for another play in the snow before it got dark. I took a few more pictures ~

Laura took Jack out for a romp in the snow, which he thoroughly enjoyed ~

By bedtime there were wet coats, mittens, hats, scarfs, socks, shoes, and clothes laying around drying; and lots of tired, but satisfied children laying around also ~ they slept well indeed.

Blessings,
Nancy

Chicken Tetrazzini

This is a delicious, warm, comfort casserole for those chilly winter nights. I make this year round, but it is especially good at this time of year. I have been making Chicken Tetrazzini for my entire married life, but a few years back my brother-in-law and sister-in-law brought this to us for dinner (I think after David was born) and it was so creamy and wonderful I asked them for the recipe. It turns out that the recipe came from Southern Living magazine, and it is the recipe that I have used for Chicken Tetrazzini ever since. It is simple, easy and did I mention delicious?

Chicken Tetrazzini

1 (16 oz.) package vermicelli (I just use regular spaghetti)
1/2 cup chicken broth
4 cups chopped cooked chicken breasts
1 (10 3/4 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
1 (10 3/4 oz.) can cream of chicken soup
1 (10 3/4 oz.) can cream of celery soup
1 (8 oz.) container sour cream
1 (6 oz.) jar sliced mushrooms, drained (I leave these out)
1/2 cup (2 oz.) shredded Parmesan cheese (I think I usually use a bit more) – this is not the grated cheese in the jar, but the shredded found in bags in the cheese section of the grocery store.
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded Cheddar cheese

- Cook vermicelli according to package directions; drain. Return to pot and toss with chicken broth.

- Stir together chicken and next 8 ingredients, add vermicelli, and toss well. Spoon mixture into 2 lightly greased 11 x 7 inch baking dishes (I use one 13 x 9 dish). Sprinkle evenly with cheddar cheese.

- Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes; uncover and bake 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Makes 12 servings.

This casserole is great with a tossed salad, rolls and something chocolatey for dessert. Enjoy!

Blessings,
Nancy

A few December pictures ~

Before it gets too far away, I have a few December pictures to share, of the few times during the month that I thought to take out the camera and take pictures (although this wasn’t really very often!) Most are of scenery or food, but there are a few of the family as well. Just a sampling of our month ~

Back in the early part of December, all of the girls attended our annual Ladies Christmas Tea at church – it was lovely as always ~

Our family Christmas tree day was full of decorating and snacks ~

We went to a beautiful wedding shower for a sweet couple from church ~

Sarah put together a little tea party for she and Anna (and David, who wouldn’t be left out) one day ~

We did some baking ~

And some wrapping ~

And watched this movie a lot (do you all know what it is?) ~

We also received this movie in the mail and watched it a number of times ~

Before we knew it, it was Christmas Eve – my favorite day of all. The kitchen went into full swing as Santa cookies were baked in preparation of the big night ~

My kitchen tree ~

The living room tree was in full splendor as it filled up with gifts ~

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care ~

And small children eagerly put on their pajamas to go to bed ~

I love the beauty of Christmas Eve – the lights and the hushed reverence of the night – the holiest night of the year ~

Believe it or not, I didn’t take another picture until New Year’s Eve, a week later! And then I only took pictures of the food ~

So there you have a little taste of our busy December – kind of a turbo post of the whole month!

I still haven’t taken down any of the Christmas decorations – I’m just enjoying looking at them for a little while longer.

Blessings,
Nancy

Goals for the new year . . .

The beginning of a new year always gets me excited. The new year seems like a fresh, clean slate just ready for changes and improvements and growth. Maybe, too, the end of the busy month of December with all of it’s activities and “to-do’ lists gives me a feeling that I can tackle some of those important things that have slipped to the back burner.

So – every year around this time my thoughts usually turn to what I want to do next – what priorities need to be rearranged and how to go about doing so. I can usually be seen scribbling things in my notebook (my constant companion) – new lists, thoughts, and goals. While I am still tweaking these things, some of my main goals for the new year have been thought through and recorded in my notebook to keep in front of me. Here are some of the things that I want to accomplish this year, in no particular order ~

~ Lose some weight (is this at the top of everyone’s list?), which I hope to accomplish by healthier food choices and eating more meals at home.

~ Pare down possessions – an ongoing process.

~ Spend more consistent daily time studying and reading my Bible.

~ Trust God more.

~ Live thankfully, joyfully, and peacefully as a pattern of life.

~ Incorporate more quilting time into my days (so maybe I can actually finish some of these projects!)

~ Read more with the children.

~ Share my thoughts more with my husband.

~ Focus more on glorifying God and serving others than on pleasing myself.

Well, that’s a good start – I am excited about tackling these goals and look forward to enjoying the fruit that will follow. Have you made any goals for the new year yet?

Blessings,
Nancy

A Fresh New Year ~

Well, with all my good intentions, blogging just didn’t happen last month, but now that the busyness of the Christmas season is past I should be able to spend more time here. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are ready to face the new year with the anticipation of seeing what wonders the Lord has in store for us. I have been thinking about a few things that I hope to share in the near future, and am excited about starting a fresh new year.

I’ll be back soon with updates on our family and a list of my goals for the coming year.

Blessings,
Nancy