A Simple Woman's Daybook-Week of June 1

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Simplewomandaybooksmall_2~ 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 ... there are sweet little tomato plants enjoying their very first morning near the goldfinch feeder.
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I am thinking ... about how in the world I'm going to manage the incredibly busy week ahead.
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I am thankful for ... my friend Leah, who came to visit on Saturday morning right after she left the strawberry fields. She brought a basketful of the most amazing strawberries and stayed to help me make jam.
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From the kitchen ... Reading one of the meditations in The Mom Walk has given me a hankering for apple-pecan pancakes. So I think it's an experiment for breakfast this morning. I'll play with an oat pancake recipe I have. We'll have grilled herb chicken for dinner, with lemon asparagus and mashed potatoes.
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I am wearing ... a khaki skirt and denim shirt, bare feet and a ponytail.
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I am creating ...  a spreadsheet of activities and obligations for the week. We have a flurry of rehearsals before the dance recitals this weekend, the final week of the NCSL soccer season, a midwife appointment, a haircut appointment, a gala at church, and my husband tells me that the Knights of Columbus are shooting a television commercial in my house. That would be the house that looks like I've done nothing but hang out on the couch for twelve weeks. A spreadsheet will at least give me the illusion of control for about five minutes.
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I am going ... to have to break down and buy some new maternity clothes this week. Nothing to wear to the aforementioned gala.
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I am reading ... all the great posts in our first installment of the CM books study. And I'm so inspired and encouraged by these dear moms.
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I am hoping ... I feel exceptionally well this week. Seriously. I need a miracle. Prayers are very appreciated.
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I am hearing ... chirping birds and Karoline's gentle breathing as she hangs on to the last remnants of a good night's sleep.
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Around the house ... we are going to do some bigtime  major cleaning and shining!

One of my favorite things ... a weekend like the last one. Everyone one won his game and no one got hurt. The weather was perfect and we even got to enjoy a dinner at a friend's house. Remember Paddy's teammate whose father is a chef? Who knew that a backyard cookout could be such a 5 star meal? Amazing.

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: In addition to the things I've mentioned, we're going to do a little unit on China with Gracie, whose mommy is in China this week. And we're going to do three Green Hour challenges because we haven yet done last week's pansies (drawing and pressing) and we are going to do this week's sunflowers (ours are already nice-sized sprouts).
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Here is a picture thought I am sharing ...
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Mama's summer quiet time reading, from the good folks at Whole Heart Ministries.

Last Saturday in May and the Feast of the Visitation

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May_2008_009Eternal Father, you inspired the Virgin Mary, mother of your Son, to visit Elizabeth and assist her in her need. Keep us open to the working of your Spirit, and with Mary may we praise you for ever. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Today is Mary Beth's name day. When I was very sick and undergoing radiation treatments, there was just enough time alone on the table to say three Hail Marys and then to beg the intercession of St. Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. I asked her to please pray that God would make me, too, a "joyful mother of children." And in that brief time, I promised to name my first daughter for the Blessed Mother and St. Elizabeth. This is such a beautiful feast: a celebration of expectant motherhood and an exhortation to ministry. And my daughter, who is named for this special friendship, is the embodiment of those virtues of gentle nurturing and selfless charity. She is an answer to my most fervent prayers and a true joy! Do read Caryll Houselander's meditation on the Visitation.