For Today - Wednesday - November 2, 2011

Outside My Window. . .it is dark; there are freshly planted white pansies; a baby calf is bawling, desperately missing his mama.

I Am Thinking. . .that I need to get up and start making pear sauce. I'll use the method found here.

I Am Grateful. . . that I've run into my daughter twice in two days - all very serendipitous. She always brightens my day.

In The Kitchen . . . is a 5 gallon bucket of pears given to us. . . that's why I need to get busy making pear sauce and maybe a pear pie.

I Am Going. . .to upset the cat when I move her from my denim jacket, which is on the bed. She looks so cute and picturesque. If it were daylight in here, I'd be taking pix of her. . . all so cozy and snug on the denim jacket w/black collar. In spite of that she must move or I'll be wearing that jacket all covered w/fur!

I Am Reading . . .everything by Dr. Caroline Leaf about how the brain works and affects (effects?) our health. Fascinating stuff.

I Am Hoping . . .that my youngest son has a successful move. He and his wife are moving into a ginormous house in Norway. Moving is such a chore and they both have serious health issues.

I Am Hearing . . .the bawling calf. He is really missing his mama!

Around The House . . .of course those pears I've mentioned several times.

40 paperwhite bulbs, waiting for me to plant them.

A $1 bamboo steamer I bought at Goodwill

and gobs of other stuff.

I Am Wearing. . . an oversized man's blue shirt. Blue flannel pajama bottoms and bare feet. It's suppose to get chilly tonight and I want to go barefooted one more time before socks/shoes are necessary!

I Am Thinking. . . that I wish I'd been blogging more. I've been very negligent indeed.

I Am Wondering . . . if my van will need any serious repairs. The "check engine" light keeps coming on so we're taking it to our favorite mechanic in the morning.

One Of My Favorite Things. . . the sound of silence! Not all the time, of course; there is a time for everything. But sometimes at the end of the day it is nice to enjoy the quietness.

Something You May Not Know About Me. . . I wear jeggings! Yep - in my 60s and wearing jeggings!

About Today's Photo. . . it speaks for itself!

For Today - Wednesday - August 24, 2011

Outside My Window. . .it is 79 degrees with straight-line winds, rain and cloud to ground lightning.

I Am Thinking. . .I'll shouldn't have swept, vacuumed and mopped the floors today! I didn't get to finish vacuuming though; the belt broke and I don't have another one and WalMart doesn't have any either :(

I Am Grateful . . .that several years ago we bought a generator so we have electricity to operate some of the more necessary things!

And oh so grateful that the birth certificate finally arrived to my son in Norway.

In The Kitchen . . . are lots of lemons, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. Yep - I'm doing the Master Cleanse. I'm on day 3 of the 10 day cleanse/fast. So far I've felt great!

I Am Going. . .to take a shower. Hubby rigged up an utility light in the bathroom!

I Am Reading . . .everything I can get my hands on by Bob Burg.

I Am Hoping . . .that the electricity soon comes back on. There are thousands, in 9 counties in east TX, without electricity.

I Am Hearing . . .the generator roaring! It is a lovely sound. For real - I'm not being sarcastic.

And thunder.

Around The House . . .are lots and lots of electrical cords! And flashlights and lanterns!

I Am Wearing. . . white shorts and blue chambray shirt.

I Am Thinking. . . I need to get into the tub while there is still some warm water!

I Am Wondering . . . what the impact of Hurricane Irene will be. The east coast doesn't normally have to deal with hurricanes.

One Of My Favorite Things. . . having air conditioning.

Something You May Not Know About Me. . . I mop floors barefoot; never wearing shoes. How else can I tell if they're really clean? Bare feet don't lie!

About Today's Photo. . .I think there is no explanation necessary!

For Today - Monday - August 22, 2011

Outside My Window. . . It is 79 degrees and sunny. Today's forecast is the same as its been for over 50 days: Over 100 degrees and no rain. Texas is in the worst heatwave and drought in over 100 years.

I Am Thinking. . .that most people are hypocritical and judgmental. Sorry - that's just how it appears to me right now.

I Am Grateful. . . that Tim, of Tim and Christiy fame, helped my hubby get the HUGE branch off the roof. We had a freak little storm come through Friday with lots of wind and very little rain. For a while the strong winds came from one side of the house and then they came from the other side. Looking at the damage and stuff that got blown around in the area we're thinking it was a little twister, though thankfully not a full-blown tornado.

We have a metal roof and when that branch came down it made quite a lot of noise! The dog and cat got very nervous and I went outside to make sure it hadn't come down on a power line. It has been so very dry and I wanted to make sure there were no sparks. And blessedly nothing like that happened, although we were without electricity for about 3 hours.

I guess that's another thing I'm grateful for: the generator and hubby who hooked up so we could have cool air!!!!!

In The Kitchen . . . is a refrigerator full of produce and here I am - deciding to go on a fast. I hope hubby will eat a lot of it!

I Am Going. . . into town to check GS post office box for mail and make bank deposits. When I get home I'm going to tidy and clean house.

I Am Reading . . .The Master Cleanse by Tom Woloshyn

I Am Hoping . . . that my youngest son very soon receives the Birth Certificate I mailed him. He needs it very badly!

I Am Hearing . . .The water distiller and the A/C humming.

Around The House . . . is paperwork to file; and a tray full of red potatoes. Don't ask!

I Am Wearing. . .khaki shorts and a blue shirt and I'm wearing my walking shoes! It was only 79 degrees when I woke up so I was able to take a walk this morning.

I Am Thinking . . . that I get to spend most of the day at home.

I Am Wondering . . .that some people either think way too highly of themselves or else they don't think at all. Maybe at the same time?

One Of My Favorite Things. . .being listened to instead of being interrupted.

Something You May Not Know About Me. . . I have a hammer toe.

About Today's Photo. . . my hubby who never "needs" help. Don't ask if he needs help because the answer is always "no". Offer to help. Just pitch in and help. But never, ever ask if he needs help!

And a shot of the tree branch in the yard. . . I didn't take any of it while on the roof.

Tim and hubby making great progress in the heat of the day.

Hubby was done with the yard pickup by 11:30. . .

BUT never turns down an offer to help - even if in the heat of the day.

God bless them both!

Participating in The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today - Saturday - July 9, 2011

Outside My Window. . . The sun is going down and a squirrel is visiting the "water hole", a hollow in the tree that holds water.  Birds and squirrels have been visiting. . . . and God-made waterer/bird bath!

I Am Thinking. . . I need to charge my camera batter and tidy up dining room and bedroom

I Am Grateful. . . that my hubby got to visit his dearest of guy friends, Aqeel.  They don't get to visit with one another nearly often enough. . . 

In The Kitchen . . . there are LOTS of Zipper peas in the fridge.  Hubby picked a bushel full and BL shelled them for free!

I Am Creating. . . a real appetite for peas!  LOL

I Am Going. . . to tidy up and go to bed early.

I Am Reading . . . everything at Dr. McDougall's website.

I Am Hoping . . .  . to wake up early enough to paint my toenails before getting ready for church in the morning.

I Am Hearing . . .A fan humming; a clock ticking and a car driving by.

Around The House . . . is the aroma of Young Living Essential Oils. . . . especially oregano.  I gave my daughter a Raindrop, and oregano is the prevalent smell, undertones of peppermint and Wintergreen and seven other oils!

I Am Wearing. . .khaki shorts and a blue shirt.  

I Am Thinking . . . that hubby should be home before much longer.

I Am Wondering . . . what caused daughter's back to start acting up again?  :(

One Of My Favorite Things. . .Good health!  Mine, my husband's, my mom's, my children and my grandchildren!  

Something You May Not Know About Me. . .I don't have a dish washer.  We wash dishes by hand and it doesn't really bother me.  There's only the two of us and when we have company there is always someone who volunteers to help do dishes. . . . and once we're done - we're done!  

About Today's Photo... Dishes in the drainer!

Morning Dishes, originally uploaded by Vera*Smith.

For Today - Sunday - July 3, 2011

Outside My Window. . . It is hot and sunny. The new hydrangeas and double impatiens are doing well. They are in deep shade and are surviving the heat wave.

I Am Thinking. . .many folks don't understand the meaning of Independence Day. You can read the Declaration of Independence here http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html. . . . Powerful words. Even more powerful ideas!

I Am Grateful. . . that my 90 year old mama spent the night with us last night.

In The Kitchen . . . it's all neat and tidy after making a big breakfast this morning. Mom is used to big breakfasts. Hubby is not. He was glad she was here!

I Am Creating. . . nada. I'm not feeling creative at all. No current projects I'm working on.

I Am Going. . . to take a Sunday afternoon nap.

I Am Reading . . . everything at Dr. McDougall's website.

I Am Hoping . . . .to relax this afternoon.

I Am Hearing . . .A fan humming and the TV in the background.

Around The House . . . is a sense of orderliness. Yes, floors need mopping and furniture needs dusting. . . but all is n order.

I Am Wearing. . . white capri pants and a red v-neck tee shirt. And bare feet.

I Am Thinking . . . how much I enjoy serendipity. Hubby and I went to the movie yesterday. We hadn't been to a movie since Christmas Day. And we sat down right in front of old friends whom we later had dinner with! What joy!

I Am Wondering . . . what news youngest son will get when he goes for doctor follow-up this week.

One Of My Favorite Things. . .Quiet Sunday afternoons!

Something You May Not Know About Me. . .Aw - I don't think there is anything!

About Today's Photo... My90 year old mother's residence lost electricity yesterday. After 6 hours without air conditioning, hubby brought her home to spend the night with us. She did well. . . . considering we called her about 10 PM! She was already asleep, but was VERY hot. This is a picture of her loving on youngest son's cat. They really enjoyed each other's company.

photo take w/ce

ll phone, w/out flash

I Choose. . . . .

I Choose Love. . . No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I Choose Joy. . . I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical, the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I Choose Peace. . . I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I Choose Patience . . . I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I Choose Kindness . . . I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the right, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I Choose Goodness. . . I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse, I choose goodness.

I Choose Faithfulness . . . Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My husband will not question my love. And my children will not fear their Mother will not come home.

I Choose Gentleness . . . Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.

I Choose Self-Control . . .I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love,joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when the day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

Max Lucado from When God Whispers Your Name.

Please note. . . none of these are attributes I posses. . . but they are what I wish to choose. . .

For Today - Friday - July 1, 2011

Outside My Window. . . There are two new hydrangeas and a pink double impatien along the wooded edge. . . .

I Am Thinking. . .that since our County has issued a Fire Ban, it makes no sense to allow fireworks.

I Am Grateful. . . to have this day to piddle around the house.

In The Kitchen . . .3 quarts of fresh Purple Hull Peas simmering on the stove and new red potatoes waiting for me to do something with them. . . . hubby is hoping for hash browns. I'm leaning toward potato salad.

I Am Creating. . . a pretty photographic outdoor spot with the hydrangeas, impatiens, bench and "English Conservatory". I have no idea what it's called. . . but it's pretty. I guess I need to take photos!

I Am Going. . . to check on the hydrangeas and give them a good, long drink of water.

I Am Reading . . . everything at Dr. McDougall's website.

I Am Hoping . . . .to rewrite some notes, rearrange my tiny home office which is now in the Nature Room and edit some photos.

I Am Hearing . . .The air conditioner humming; the peas simmering; the clock ticking and a ceiling fan going around!

Around The House . . . there is lots of dog hairs. We dog-sat for dear daughter while she was on vacation. Our big Golden Retriever, plus hers and her Black Lab. They all shed. . . . it's a hot summer in TX, and I can't blame them!

I Am Wearing. . . white capri pants and a cantaloupe colored sleeveless Tee-shirt

I Am Thinking . . .my life is so very, very blessed.

I Am Wondering . . . if hubby and I will feel up to rearranging our bedroom this weekend.

One Of My Favorite Things. . . fresh fruit and veggies. Many recent suppers have consisted of Purple Hull Peas and FRESH corn on the cob! Very lip smacking good!

Something You May Not Know About Me. . .I've lost 8 pounds in 8 days, following Dr. John McDougall's plan!

About Today's Photo...This is a huge original painting that is one of many displayed on the courthouse square at Christmas! All are painted by inmates. . . .

Linking to The Simple Woman's Daybook. . .

Some Mornings. . . .

Some Mornings. . . ., originally uploaded by Vera*Smith.

The lighting is so vibrant and soft and dreamy all at the same time.

Always new.

Always illusive.

This is the most recent attempt to capture it. . . .

One day I will.

For Today - Monday - March 21, 2011

Outside My Window. . . There is the smell of smoke, from all the leaf burning on Saturday & Sunday. Redbud trees are blooming. Dogwoods are, too. Most of the trees have budded out. And the funny old oak trees are pushing out the last of their dried, brown leaves in preparation for the new buds!

I Am Thinking. . . How very much I love Spring! And how very much I love having the windows open. I wish east TX climate was such that we could keep them open year round.

I Am Grateful. . .that my husband is not suffering from allergies this Spring. He usually does a lot of sneezing, especially when the everything is covered in that yellow pine pollen. But not this year. We figured it's because he has a nightly ritual of rubbing therapeutic grade lavender in/around his nostrils every night to keep him from snoring. And it works like a charm - no more snoring!!!! We didn't realize, though, that one of the positive side effects would be no allergy symptoms! But since lavender is a natural anti-histamine, it makes perfect sense!

In The Kitchen . . .Fruit, veggies, a dishes in the sink, waiting to be washed. And within the hour my hubby. He gets to come home every day for lunch. Again - almost heaven!

I Am Creating. . . .a very aromatic home! Diffusing a blend which includes spearmint, sage, geranium, myrtle, chamomile, nutmeg, orange, tangerine, jasmine, ylang ylang, sandalwood, spruce, lemongrass and neroli. Fantastic! Great, great, uplifting aromas that also disinfect the air. . .

I Am Going. . . to check the load of jeans and wash a load of whites. Then I need to sweep/vacuum and mop the floors. It's a busy day of blessing my home!

I Am Reading . . . oh my. . . . several books. . . and too lazy to get up to get the correct titles!

I Am Hoping . . . .to get home blessing done and then play w/my camera.

I Am Hearing . . . Birds. Probably 8 -9 species of birds. A mild day in east TX w/the windows opened, birds calling, and sweet, sweet smell of natural fragrances in about as close to heaven as I can get.

Around The House . . . Yellow pine pollen and dog hair. Yep - the furniture needs dusting and the floors need cleaning!

And Shiloh needs a haircut!

I Am Wearing. . . plaid pajama pants, gray t-shirt & walking shoes! It's a comfy, stay-at-home look!

I Am Thinking . . .my life is so very, very blessed.

I Am Wondering . . . when we're REALLY going to start landscaping. We still don't have any ideas about this piece of land.

One Of My Favorite Things. . .not having to get dressed and leave the house!

Something You May Not Know About Me. . . my youngest son got married on March 14!

About Today's Photo...Youngest son & his bride, a few months before getting married.