A Simple Woman's Daybook~June 15

~ 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 ... five goldfinches enjoy a breakfast feast.

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I am thinking ...about how much fun I had with Maryan's boys on Friday .

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I am thankful for ... a chance to begin anew every day.  

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From the kitchen ... pumpkin pudding for breakfast. Stephen will be so pleased.

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I am wearing ... I white eyelet skirt and a floral top. The skirt was absolutely the only skirt in the maternity store that wasn't ridiculous. Everything was too short (do you really want to see that much leg of a 42-year-old mother of eight-becoming-nine?) or too narrow (c'mon a pencil skirt?). Of course, white eyelet is sort of ridiculous in my world, too. I bought a new box of Oxy Clean on my way home from the store.

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I am creating ...lesson plans and booklists--lots of them!.

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I am going ...to begin to institute the summer routine again today: gardening in the very early morning, some studies after breakfast, lunch, quiet time and then the pool. Last week didn't go so well--it's time to get back on track.

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I am reading ...  Great Yarns. I don't knit, so it's rather interesting that I'm reading a knitting book, but this was my one impulse buy at last week's conference and Mary Beth keeps bringing me pages to read. She's determined to undertake these projects. She'd be even more determined if she'd seen the darling Pinocchio and scrumptious mittens I saw at the Hillside table when I bought the book. Go ahead, click. Mary will make knitters of us all yet.

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I am hoping ...to get my laundry caught up and return to the peace of laundry well-done . Still. I know this was the hope for last week. You should see my house. No, actually, you shouldn't.

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I am hearing ... Nicholas watching highlights of last night's game on SportsCenter. I really think it's better that the Celtics are going to win the whole thing at home, anyway.

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Around the house ... we are going to focus on routines and habits. Really we are. This week I mean it. Please, God, let me feel well enough to get back on track.

One of my favorite things ...falling asleep at night physically tired and mentally at peace after a day well lived.

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A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: to pull the pansies and plant petunias; to work on some writing projects when the children are sleeping or outside; to meet friends at Bull Run; to nap every single day.

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Here is a picture thought I am sharing~
Miss Karoline Sunshine greets the day!

Summertime Inspiration!

The July/August issue of Faith & Family magazine is now available. Mary Ellen's infamous  "It's a trip, not a vacation!" has been much expanded to make it one you will clip and save and hand on to your daughters when they first venture to take a "family vacation" as mothers.  And there's a summer grilling guide which features my friend Barbara's amazing grilled chicken and her fresh berry pie (here's Barbara's food blog). There's also  Cajun grilled fish from my favorite Cajun grill experts. But most of all, there are three fabulous food photographs--Michael's first foray into professional published photography. I'm pretty excited about this issue! Subscribe today!

Take Cate to Mass this Morning

Sweet Friends~

Please keep praying for Baby Cate.  She will be back in surgery this morning from 8-12 to try taking her off life support.  You can read the rest of the story at the blog, including a beautiful story of God affirming Ali’s prayers yesterday in a precious way.

www.catecantrell.blogspot.com

I'm remembering another baby, another June, another miracle. I know the power of prayer. I've seen the mercy of God. Please pray!

Sunday Morning

A rare moment of quiet for Mama

Now Playing at Serendipity...

The "P" post is up. Actually, it's been up awhile and I'd planned a full-blown nature study post on our pansy adventures here, but I'm having a bout of blog ambivalence lately. So, pardon me please and go instead to see how pretty "p" can be.