A Simple Woman's Daybook-Week of May 18th

~ Do stop by Peggy's for all the links entered in this week's Simple Woman's Daybook ~

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Outside My Window ... the peonies are blooming! (Hmmm...and the garden needs weeding. Rain makes all things grow, doesn't it?)

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I am thinking ... about revising my garden plans for the summer. I had grand plans but I can see that simpler will be what actually happens.

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I am thankful for ... an honest, diligent washing machine repairman who comes to visit every six months or so. He always tells me I have the machine with the best service record. I just use it more than the average bear.

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From the kitchen ... Patrick will cook something new tonight with a pork roast. This seems kind of autumn-like, but we have all the ingredients on hand (we'll substitute craisins for the sauce and add more liquid). It's rather cool and breezy today, anyway. Regardless of the season, I'm not inclined to eat any of the old standbys.

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I am wearing ... a flannel nightgown.

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I am creating ... a "reader" for myself for the summer, downloading and printing like crazy from Simply Charlotte Mason. It's so nice sometimes to sit down with an old friend and remember why you loved her so much in the first place. Charlotte seems even wiser to me now than she did eleven years ago when first we were introduced.

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I am going ... absolutely no where today. Much too much to do here.

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I am reading ... A Civilization of Love (still--I got sidetracked with the CM stuff)

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I am hoping ... to be self-disciplined enough to help my children learn some new habits this summer.

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I am hearing ... Nothing at all. I love the silence of the early morning.

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Around the house ... I am opening windows to greet the sun!

One of my favorite things ... Watching Karoline delight in calling "Yellow!" to the goldfinches at the kitchen feeder.

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: I'm still hoping to plant tomatoes. Peppers probably aren't going to happen this year. I'd like to meet my friend Leah this week at a wonderful herb farm nearby. I do so want to plant and grow this summer! The weekend will hold a tournament at my favorite venue. We get to take the ferry across the Potomac to get there and it should be absolutely glorious at that hour of the morning;-)!

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Here is a picture thought I am sharing ...

The fruit of Christian's labors.

It's a Saturday in May!

On the day of the week traditionally devoted to Mary, in the month of the year traditionally devoted to Mary, Sarah has given us a most beautiful gift. She has lovingly arranged a bouquet of posts dedicated to the rosary for Our Lady--and for us. This is not a simple fair. It is a rich, complex and exquisitely crafted fair. It's not a one cup of tea fair. No, I do think it might just be fodder for morning devotions for the rest of the month. So many people have written inspiring, compelling posts about one of the Church's most beautiful devotions: the rosary. So, bookmark this post and join me there every glorious spring morning in May as we pray together and get to know Our Mother just a little better.

Thank God

Warning: Suzanne, read no further.

Thank God the basement flooded and we had to rent an industrial strength carpet cleaner yesterday. Thank God the woman who rented it to Michael talked him into chipping in an extra two dollars for the upholstery hose attachment because "you never know when you're going to need it until you need it." Thank God that after we got the basement under control, I figured we better bring the big  machine upstairs and do those carpets, too. Might as well get our money's worth. Thank God that carpet cleaner with the hose attachment was sitting right there when Stephen threw up all over the couch.  The "only" things in his stomach? Popcorn, Skittles, and Sprite happily consumed at Prince Caspian earlier in the day. But that industrial cleaning machine? It made cleanup so much easier and more efficient and probably saved the couch from eternal demise. Thank God. He knew.

Big Wide Grin

Go tell Kim how beautiful her baby is!

The creek did rise and then some

The creek was flooded and the moms wisely decided to go to theplayground. The playground was flooded too, but we had our lunch with us and we did need to eat it. So we got out--just to eat--and sat at the picnic tables near the playground. It was just my seven and her seven. Funny thing, no one else was at the usually crowded playground. And then, the VWs arrived. And well, somehow, we always end up in the mud when we're under their influence;-). What is it about boys and mud? Did I mention how enticing the pond puddle was under the swing? How about the one at the end of the slide? I don't think Maryan will ever let me plan an outing again. What with two strikes and all...
But, about that tick we found crawling on a little boy: here's a local education.  Next week I'm sure the mosquitoes will be out in full force.