Daybook

FOR TODAY, Monday, December 27, 2010

Outside my window... once again, the flurries that the weatherman forecasted are rather large and significant in number...

I am thinking...about God's grace

I am thankful for... catching the "Christmas spirit" on Christmas day, free shipping with my free Amazon Prime membership

From the kitchen... I managed to get all of my food presents finished, hallelujah! I'm currently enjoying a cup of hot tea. We'll just have leftovers for lunch and dinner as we're heading out of town again tomorrow.

I am wearing...really comfy pajama pants and a t-shirt.

I am creating... finishing up Christmas presents for my family. We'll celebrate on Wednesday.

I am reading... my mom sent a pile of Debbie Macomber books home with me

I am praying... 

      -for my dad (He is feeling better and getting more of an appetite-- we pray that the appetite continues to increase. Wednesday morning is the next appointment with the oncologist and I'll be able to go along.)

      -for my mom (strength during this frustrating cancer journey-- she is the one who takes care of all scheduling/phone calls/appointments/prescriptions/etc for my dad)

      -for Lisa & Bob, good friends of my family (Bob was diagnosed with stomach and liver cancer approx 3 weeks before my dad's diagnosis. Bob is feeling pretty well these days. Lisa just started a new job; please pray for her as she learns the ropes and adjusts to being back in the work force.)

      -for safe travel as we go back to visit my parents tomorrow

      -for wisdom for my family and my husband's family as they run their businesses during the next few "slow" months

I am hearing... the furnace is running. It's so quiet around here when Matt is napping. I should be taking advantage of his nap to fold laundry instead of being on the computer.

Around the house... Attempting to organize, fold laundry, finish wrapping gifts and get packed.

One of my favorite things... holidays with the extended family-- I love big, loud, funny get-togethers.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... Today: Hoping to get to the Gap Outlet to use my BOGO Free Coupon, hopefully picking up my new glasses which should've been in last week, catching some after-Christmas bargains, grocery shopping and packing. Tomorrow and the rest of the week: traveling and spending time with my family.

A picture thought I'm sharing... Merry Christmas from Us!

And Matt with his cousins, Reece & Conner on Conner's new sled. Reece was excited because he loves "his babies," Conner was more interested in chewing on Reece's sweater, and Matt was clueless about what was going on. Reece & Conner's moms are my cousins; we're less than 2 years apart in age, and the same with our sons. 

 

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Daybook

FOR TODAY, Thursday, December 23, 2010

Outside my window... the flurries that the weatherman forecasted are rather large and significant in number...

I am thinking...about everything I haven't done to prepare for Christmas

I am thankful for... time to spend with family, safe travels, a patient husband, a baby who likes to sleep in the car, and caring friends

From the kitchen... I pulled some sort of frozen pasta casserole out of the freezer. Every time I do that I remember why I should've taken the time initially to label it. We're having salad with that. I also want to mix up and freeze cookies (frozen cookie dough for presents), make cinnamon-sugar pretzels (new recipe), and make fruit baskets for gifts. My brother-in-law just dropped off a ham! He got it for a Christmas gift from work, and gave it to us.

I am wearing...really comfy Gap jeans that my parents gave me for my birthday, and a hooded sweatshirt.

I am creating... lists to finish (start) shopping tonight or tomorrow

I am reading... books that I can't ever remember the names of. I like the books, but my attention span is short. But even better, reading Christmas cards and letters from friends-- I really enjoy the tradition of sending and receiving cards.

I am praying... 

      -for my dad (currently recovering from a stomach bug that landed him in the hospital for 3 days-- he is dehydrated-- much harder for him to "kick" these things because of the cancer/chemo. Praying for an increased appetite which should in turn give him more strength. He has lost so much weight.)

      -for my mom (strength during this frustrating cancer journey-- she is the one who takes care of all scheduling/phone calls/appointments/prescriptions/etc for my dad)

      -for Lisa & Bob, good friends of my family (Bob was diagnosed with stomach and liver cancer approx 3 weeks before my dad's diagnosis)

      -for safe travel as we go back to visit my parents next week (we just got home last night after being there 5 [unplanned] days w/ dad's hospital stay)   

     -for my husband who is cutting firewood to make some extra money this winter

I am hearing... the furnace is running 

Around the house... Christmas prep. I am usually done by now, but this year I've barely even started. Trying to muster up some Christmas spirit, as I can't seem to grasp that today is the 23rd. I'd much prefer to curl up on the couch and watch a movie than to go shopping, wrapping, and baking.

One of my favorite things... picking up a shift or two at my family's restaurant, and falling right back into place, like I never left

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... Ha! Christmas shopping either tonight or tomorrow, getting my rear in gear to celebrate, hoping that I don't have any meltdowns the next few days, Christmas eve service at church, getting ready for another trip to PA

A picture thought I'm sharing... tummy time!

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Daybook

FOR TODAY, Monday, December 13, 2010

Outside my window... a winter wonderland! We have about 5 inches of snow, but apparently this is just the beginning of this snow storm, which is to continue until sometime tomorrow. It sure is pretty, especially considering I am sitting inside.

I am thinking...about my dad, who called in sick today for the first time ever

I am thankful for... a warm house, and for Saturday AND Sunday's "date nights"-- movies and take-out

From the kitchen... I haven't thought that far... something warm.

I am wearing... pajamas

I am creating... Christmas cards... addressing them

I am reading... finally made it to the library, but can't think of any of the titles I picked up. Just finished a Debbie Macomber book.

I am hoping... my dad feels better. The cold (both the disease and the outside temperature) are wearing him out.

I am hearing... the silence of snow, occasionally interrupted by the snow plow

Around the house... laundry, laundry, laundry

One of my favorite things... relaxing while watching movies, curled up in a blanket with Matt

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... Matt's 2 month check-up, appointment for an oil change today, Ornament exchange and dinner with the girls from church, Christmas play at church

A picture thought I'm sharing... 

Visit Peggy and enjoy more Simple Woman's Daybooks: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Ice Cream Cake

My brother-in-law's favorite cake is ice cream cake. Then again, I don't think there is a cake that he doesn't like...


My MIL asked me to make his ice cream cake this year, as she was running short on time. I had never made one before, so I called my SIL and asked for the recipe.

She laughed at me.

There is no recipe or rhyme or reason to this ice cream cake.


Simply let the ice cream and whipped topping soften, crush the cookies, and then layer however you desire. You can also add chocolate syrup, sprinkles, nuts, candy, whatever! Be creative!


I do think if you had plenty of time (and patience) that it might help to freeze each layer as you go, but I opted to just keep layering and then freeze all at once.

 Of course, freeze after you have it all assembled. When you're ready to serve, get it out, let it sit for a few minutes, then cut and enjoy. :)

*I used 2 boxes of ice cream, one package of cookies and two containers of whipped topping.

December Snow

There is something magical about December snow. 

Maybe it's the anticipation of the first snowfall of the season. Or the anticipation of a White Christmas and all of the nostalgia that goes along with that. Perhaps it is the idea of being curled up inside with a warm cup of cocoa and a soft blanket, watching Christmas specials on TV. It could be that we see the beauty of the snow on tree branches.



Or maybe it's just because we haven't been inundated with months of snowfalls, shoveling, plowing, scraping, and salting.

Whatever it is, I like it.

Daybook

FOR TODAY, Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Outside my window... big, beautiful snowflakes falling gracefully

I am thinking...about Christmas presents

I am thankful for... my husband and son who made my birthday special

From the kitchen... Leftover meatloaf & cheesy potatoes from last night, soups, fresh bread or rolls, taco casserole

I am wearing... sweats, t-shirt, sweatshirt. Not very creative here! And we're having trouble with the thermostat, so the temp is fluctuating.

I am creating... a cozy home

I am reading... children's books, decorating magazines

I am hoping... my dad's appetite improves so that he can gain weight and strength, and that the chemo is effective in reducing the tumor

I am hearing... the hum of the computer, the occasional car driving by

Around the house... It is decorated for Christmas! A few more touches and then we'll call it done. And, best of all, a "new" kitchen island for my birthday present. It isn't quite finished (needs sanded, painted, and bead board), but its functional and I love it!

One of my favorite things... relaxing while watching Christmas movies, curled up in a blanket

 

A few plans for the rest of the week... Staying home and staying warm, then my BIL's birthday party this weekend

A picture thought I'm sharing... my new island and my cute baby

Visit Peggy and enjoy more Simple Woman's Daybooks: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas!

Wonder Of Wonders Christmas Card

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This is the card we finally decided on... there were literally hundreds of options to choose from! Thank you, Shutterfly, for the 50 free cards! 

Photo Shoot