The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today, December 28, 2008

Outside me window...twilight lingers.

I am thinking...that I need to buy the book, "Boundaries" before next Christmas. I have been meaning to read that book for years but have never gotten around to it. After stretching myself so thin this Christmas that I am quite sure I failed everyone, the revelation hit me that it might be time to pick up a copy.

I am hoping...that this week is quiet, uneventful, and restoring.

I am wearing...pink sweat pants and a green sweater.

I am thankful for...being off duty for a week now that we are home from the Christmas rush.

From the kitchen...cereal for dinner. I NEVER do that but Mark won't be home until late and friends stopped by about the time I had planned to begin cooking. Oh, darn. No mess in the kitchen tonight.

I am creating... absolutely nothing praise the Lord! And I hope I do not have to use my brain for the remainder of my week. Are you sensing my burn out here?

I am reading...the 4th book from the Twilight series. Yes, more vampires. Gotta love mind numbing fiction.

I am hearing...Star Wars playing in the living room. As most of you know, Savannah is obsessed with robots and has been begging for a year for me to let her watch Star Wars. She's 3 years old! That movie is like a drug. We finally gave in a few months ago but I still fast forward a few parts. Earlier today, over lunch she announced she wanted a Star Wars birthday party. I'll have to consult Marcia for tips. I think she threw Star Wars birthday parties for 3 years straight. It could be worse.

Around the house...Christmas is still around. I have no desire to take it down at this point. No known chores are lingering. Rest people. Nothing but rest at the Peteet household.

One of my favorite things...rest. Just kidding. I actually don't "rest" much. It stresses me not to be accomplishing things. That's why I have driven myself to burnout. Anyway, one of my favorite things is my new "little black dress" that's not actually black, that my amazing husband gave me for Christmas. It had been hanging in a boutique on the square, calling my name for sometime. My husband took note and surprised me with it. How insightful!

A few plans for the rest of the week...do I really need to type the word again?

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Christmas Day 2008 at my aunt's house.

The Peteets need some rest.

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Savannah's first dance recital.

I could not keep her off the stage before the Christmas recital started.

Here she is playing hide and go seek with other little dancers.

Her cohorts are hiding behind the stage.

Savannah's class.



Away in a Manger




Rocking baby Jesus

Savannah said this is the tricky part.

In dance class and around the house she sings Away in the Manger at the tops of her lungs. Sometimes she sings more than she dances.

I was very surprised this did not happen on stage.

But, she did great!

Savannah took a bow at the end.

At the end of the show they all got out on the floor and did their parade routine.

She had so much fun she asked if the could perform another dance. She LOVED the stage.

She is such a little Mark.

Retro Wednesday

Christmas Eve 2007

Dallas, TX

Savannah kept watch for Santa

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today, Monday, December 15, 2008



Outside my window...chilly 39 degree weather accompanied by grey, oh-so-not-uplifting rain.

I am thinking...why do I have so much running around to do today of all days? In and out of a car, in the rain with a car seat bound preschooler can be a daunting task. Sometimes after about the 4th destination, I give up.

I am thankful for...this giant fluffy cat named Cocoa sitting in my lap right now. She is a huge ball of snugly, fluffy mush and you can't imagine how warm and cozy it is to have her purring on my lap. Actually, she doesn't fit on my lap. It's more like she is wrapped around my lap and body.

From my kitchen...we will have my favorite pumpkin soup tonight paired with sandwiches. It's suppose to get down to 31 tonight so I hope a fire in the hearth sets the stage for our meal.

For your pleasure and per many requests here is the recipe:

Pumpkin Soup

1 tablespoon butter
1 cup chopped onion
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon curry
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 cup (1/2 inch) cubed peeled sweet potato
¼ teaspoon salt
2 (14 ounce) cans fat free, low sodium chicken broth
1 (15ounce) can pumpkin
1 cup low fat milk
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (optional)

Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and sauté 3 minutes. Stir in flour and next 4 ingredients, sauté 1 minute. Add sweet potato, salt, broth, and pumpkin, bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, partially covered, 20 minutes or until potato is tender. Stir occasionally. Remove from heat, cool 10 minutes.

Place pumpkin mixture in a blender or food processor, process until smooth. Return soup to pan and add milk. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes stirring frequently (do not boil). Remove from heat, stir in juice and garnish with chives.



I am wearing...chocolate brown stretchy running pants adorned with a matching jacket. The outfit is completed by my running shoes which I will need for running around in the rain today.

I am creating...a menu and decor for Amanda and Justin's wedding shower that is next Monday.

I am going...with my Sunday school girls to shop for our angel tree child today when they get out of school. They are always lots of fun so, I'm excited about that.

I am reading...a little of this and a little of that. I am hoping to get a good piece of escapism fiction today at the library. My goal is not to learn or think for a while which is very odd for a knowledge addict like me. What can I say? My brain is tired.

I am hoping...that Mark and I squeeze a date night in this week but it has been hard to find a sitter. I am also hoping to find time to take Savannah ice skating on the square. Maybe this rain will pass soon.

I am hearing...rain. Cold, wet, rain. And Savannah singing in the bathroom.

Around the house...the first of many loads of laundry is going and Savannah is relaxing after a very busy weekend.

One of my favorite things...teaching Sunday school to the 11th and 12 th grade girls. Most weeks we spend only 15 minutes on the lesson because their thirst for truth and genuine questions take us all over the place. They are revitalizing.

A few plans for the rest of the week...well, it has stopped raining but it looks like we have already reached our high for the day. The temperature has now dropped to 37 degrees. So, we will bundle up for our errands. This week we will work some, wrap presents, participate in lots of Christmas activities, begin unwrapping presents this weekend and host a Christmas slumber party for our high school youth girls.


Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Merry Christmas from the Peteets!

More Than Tea

Light

Refreshment

Warmth



Beauty

Laughter

Fellowship

I've Been Tagged...and Your Next!

Kathy tagged me a few days ago but I have been slow to respond. Where have the last three weeks gone? They are a blur!

Two Names You Go By: Mom and Aunt Beana


Things You Are Wearing Right Now: Chocolate brown corduroy jeans, an orangish brown button down, and big danglie rust gold ear rings..


Two Things You Want Very Badly At The Moment: my to do list to be done and an orphan from Russia.


Two people who you look up to: Paula Burks and Jeanne Damoff.


Two things you did last night: had a breakdown in walmart after waiting in line THREE times around 7pm and then later wrapped presents.


Two things you ate yesterday: whole wheat waffle with peanut butter and a little Canadian maple syrup and Taco Beuno believe it or not. Mandy is such a bad influence.


Two people you last talked to: My mom and Mark.

Two Things you're doing tomorrow: teaching Sunday school and going to Savannah's Christmas dance recital.

Two longest car rides: Texas to North Lake Tahoe and Texas to Jackson Hole (I think those are the longest. Mom will correct me if I am wrong.)

Favorite Holidays : Christmas and Thanksgiving

Favorite Vacations : Chartering a sailboat and sailing around the British Virgin Islands (both times) and experiencing Disney World with Savannah (and the Flannerys).

Last trip: Aspen, the week before Thanksgiving.

Two favorite beverages: low fat-decaf-cafe-mocha (and this time of year make it a peppermint) and hot tea of any kind. I also love chai lattes and just about any hot beverage you can come up with. Even in the summer.

I'm tagging:

Allison

Rachel

Both are bad about only blogging monthly so it will be fun to see if they notice and participate ;)

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today, Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Outside my window...grey coldness teases us with the possibility of snow over the next couple of days.

I am thinking...of all the ways Jesus fills the season and how I can share that with Savannah. So far her favorite is the shepherds hook candy cane that when turned upside down is a "J" for Jesus.

I am thankful for...Savannah's vivid imagination. This morning she awoke to ask me where Tinkerbell had gone. I had no idea where she was going with this but while I pondered what she was thinking, she said, "I thought you gave me the real Tinkerbell?" She's never had a Tinker bell doll or toy so at this point I was totally confused. "Mommy, remember? She sprinkled pixie dust on me and we flew around?" "You flew around your room?" I asked now suspecting it was a dream. "No, mom. We flew in the sun room and then in the laundry room. Remember, over the washing machine? When is she coming back mom?" There is no convincing her it was a dream!

From the kitchen...breakfast has been completed. With the emanate 29 degree weather, Mark is set on making chili and I am determined to make veggie chili. It's funny, Mark does not like veggies in his chili but to me, without them, it's just a bowl of meat. Again, to me, that's not very appetizing and almost a little odd. But veggie chili on the other hand that has no meat just beans and veggies, he is OK with that (perhaps he thinks of it more as a veggie soup). I guess it is because we have not desecrated the traditional chili in any way since the vegetables did not come in contact with meat. If we were normal people, we would combine both and have a meal of meat and veggies. What a novel idea!

I am wearing...red and pink plaid pajama sweats and a sweat shirt. I do plan on getting out of my pajamas soon...into sweats! Come on people, it's 29 degrees outside with an overcast grey sky. Give me a little slack.

I am going...perhaps to the library to check out some Christmas books. We bought a beautifully illustrated Nutcracker book at a children's boutique on the square yesterday but we are craving more Christmas. Savannah and I can't get enough.

I am hearing...a Curious George cartoon in the background. If we go to the library today, we will probably end up with one of his books as well. We always do.

I am creating...nothing! Yea! I hosted the Christmas tea last weekend which was lots of fun (pictures to come). Yesterday I had a public speaking engagement and spoke on the "Essentials to Easy Entertaining" and that went very well. Man, I wish I could do that everyday! I love public speaking. So, now I am free to bask in the glory of Jesus the rest of the season!

I am reading...over the weekend I read Jeanne's book, "Parting the Waters" and what can I say other than "wow?" Although I have heard her tell her story before it's like a book vs. the movie version. Written accounts relay an infinite amount of details that paint a portrait complete with passionate emotions and the visible brush strokes of divine intervention. I continue to pray over what I have read and for God's use of the book it's self and everyone it reaches. Whew! OK, now I must find some hardcore fiction. More vampires anyone? Just kidding. No, next on the list for me are the 8 books my faithful friend/cousin Allison has brought me. I have already read one and like "Parting the Waters" I am praying over what I have read fervently with hope and a broken heart.

I am hoping...to head up to the square for hot chocolate, ice skating, carriage rides, carolers, Christmas lights and all the other festivities soon! We normally are up there several times during December but we have not been up there once this year. Well, Savannah has with Lee Ann. By the way, check out Lee Ann's blog to see Savannah's blogging debut.

Around the house...laundry needs to be put away, presents need to be wrapped, a child needs to be dressed, and we are all happy to let them be undone!

One of my favorite things...our hearth. Once temperatures fall below 50 I am worthless. Like a family cat (or in our case with the family cats) I curl up in front of the warmth unable to draw myself away from it to accomplish anything. I devour book after book reading to my self or with Savannah or we all watch Emeril. Can you believe that is Savannah's favorite new show? She will watch a 1 hour episode of him cooking! It doesn't even hold my attention. I read through it. Look out Bobby Flay! A new chef is on the rise.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Thursday I will finish up my work for the month and complete my Christmas shopping. Christmas cards will probably get addressed tonight while I lounge in front of the fire. Pump it up on Friday with friends. Savannah will be in the Christmas parade of lights this weekend along with a Christmas dance recital. And hopefully we can pull off dinner with the Lessards as well.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you (it also counts for my retro Wednesday pic)...

December 2006

Savannah's Christmas program at the dayschool.

She is the one in pink pants and the white shirt front row.

You will notice other familiar faces like Lani, Ryan, Katie and Audra among others.

Wow, they looked like mere babes back then...I guess they were.