It's been a while...

For Today...

Outside my window... Above are bright blue skies; below are blowing banks of white flower petals from the orchard across the road

I am thinking...that our town must have a bull’s-eye hanging over it; we have had more than our share of trauma and tragedy lately- the infamous imprisonment & torture of a teenage boy, the death of another service man- the eighth soldier in less than seven years- followed 2 weeks later by the murder of Sgt Dunakin & his fellow officers, and now there is a missing 8-year old girl, last seen Friday night.

I am thankful... that Chris is back to regular hours at work (for the time being) & still has work to do at the ranch for KJ- extra is always good

From the kitchen...your guess is as good as mine; I made a trip to Costco last night, so there are plenty of supplies, just little inspiration

I am wearing...my cool weather work uniform- grey slacks, black knit top, black loafers, & long grey/green cardigan

I am reading... Lumby Bounty by Gail Fraser, The Marquis’s Secret by George MacDonald, & Miss Silver Comes to Stay by Patricia Wentworth

I am hoping...that the authorities find the missing girl soon- alive and unharmed.

I am creating...project samples for a knitting class I’ve been asked to teach- I sure hope they know what they’re getting into

I am hearing...Classical music on the radio, and a crop dusters buzzing the fields up the road

Around the house...we are all suffering from spring allergies- even the cats are sneezing; new plants are starting to gather on the potting bench again, awaiting their bed assignments; I finally have a new shower faucet- the old one has been dripping for over a year- & my beloved Pfaff sewing machine made it back from the repair shop after a month.

One of my favorite things... a leisurely walk at twilight with Chris- last night we saw several owls

A few plans for the rest of the week...start addressing graduation invites and announcements- only 9 weeks left!; haircut on Wednesday- this warmer weather makes it grow twice as fast; Saturday, I’ll have to work in the morning, then a group of us is off to visit a new yarn shop in Modesto

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

one of many memorials along the highway on Friday- Chris took this driving into work just before the processions started.

An Autumn Daybook

 

FOR TODAY October 6th...

 

Outside My Window...

A line of finches perched on a long cane of our Banksian rose bush, silhouetted against a clear, bright blue sky

 

I am thinking...

Work stuff- another deadline looming

 

I am thankful for...

Paid sick leave; while contemplating possible surgery, it’s a wonderful feeling to not worry about losing income while I recover

 

From the kitchen...

Meatloaf, grilled mushrooms & zucchini, & homemade cornbread

 

I am wearing...

A dark green sweater, black slacks, & black loafers

 

I am creating...

A page for my Sketchbook- “Starry Night”- & my third scarf for the Special Olympics Project.

 

I am going...

To have a long weekend; next Monday is Columbus Day, which is a paid holiday for us

 

I am reading...

Stealing Lumby by Gail Fraser; The Art of Beatrix Potter & At Home with Beatrix Potter for some inspiration.

 

I am hoping...

That the stretching exercises I was given this morning will help relieve the pain & stiffness in my arm

 

I am hearing...

Laughter coming from the break room, while my coworker watches the Vicar of Dibley DVD I brought from home

 

Around the house...

Lots of yard work looms- the cantaloupe, grapes, & cherry tomatoes are done, the roses need to be cut back, & I need to dig in plenty of compost into the large bed- think I’m going let that one go fallow this winter.

  

One of my favorite things...

My collection of full-length aprons; they are pretty, practical, & make me feel like I’m ready for any home challenge

 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Wednesday is the monthly Garden Club meeting; I hope to make it over to knitting group on Friday- I haven’t been by in over a month; Chris has to take some vacation time, so we both have a three-day weekend- we’re hoping to go to see the Da Vinci exhibit at the Tech Museum in San Jose.

 

Here is picture thought I am sharing.

 

I ordered these adorable pincushions from Esty- they were made by one of my blogging friends, Cindy at Superior Living

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 Drop by Peggy's place, The Simple Woman, to visit the other Daybooks being shared this week.

 

Autumn Pages

 

 

FOR TODAY September 15, 2008...

 

Outside My Window...

Acrid smoke from a nearby grass fire has cloaked everything in a fog-like haze; I also see dozens of “paratrooper spiders” (aka- black widows sailing on web strings) looking for new homes  

 

I am thinking...

“What a dope!”- I forgot to mail in Chris’ car registration, which needed to be postmarked by Sept 14^th, so now I have to pay the penalty; it’s only $17.00, but I’m aggravated because it’s been sitting in front of me for 4 weeks & I had it in my hand Friday evening.

 

I am thankful for...

a couple upcoming long weekends- just for me!

 

From the kitchen...

It’s been a while since I’ve made meatloaf, so I’ll try that, along with some rice & stir-fried veggies.

 

I am wearing...

A patterned skirt in autumn colors, ivory short-sleeved cotton top, & brown slides

 

I am creating...

A Beatrix Potter inspired sketchbook, along with my friend Mrs. Stagg in Merryville; I have the cover art nearly completed & my first pages planned, but not executed.

 

I am going...

to be signing up for some classes at the upcoming Stitches West Convention in February; the class schedule was released this weekend & we had a the best time pouring over the 14 pages of class selections at knitting group. I’m really intrigued by “Fair Isle Tams”, “Celtic Cables”, “Intro to Entrelac”,  “Switch to Continental Knitting”, & “Complete from the Top Down”

 

I am reading...

At Home with Beatrix Potter, a lovely photo book with some biography woven in; Masterpiece of Murder by Mary Kruger; & Stealing Lumby by Gail Fraser- the second in a series that I’ve really been looking forward to reading.

 

I am hoping...

Chris’ work schedule lightens up soon; I had three people come up to me at church yesterday, asking if everything was all right between us L While I assured the nosy Parkers that (A) yes, he really is working that much- it is the busy season after all, (B) no, he has not taken up with some hussy, & (C) no, I have not fed him rat poison & buried him in the zucchini patch, I could still see a flicker of doubt.

 

I am hearing...

Strains of Quando m’en vo’ from Puccini’s La Bohème, & my boss instructing her husband what to put in the macaroni salad.

 

Around the house...

It is fall planting time again- must dig in some compost to get ready for lettuce, carrots, radishes, & peas; the sofa table & desk are piling up with paper again- must address that this week; the cooler temperatures mean we can start opening up the house at night.

 

One of my favorite things...

Pumpkin pie spice- I use in all sorts of things, like oatmeal, peach cobbler, even pancake batter.

 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

I have a long-overdue haircut appointment Wednesday, work on my sketchbook & Chris’ vest (which I’ve brought out of hibernation), supervise the Church Quilt silent auction Sunday morning, & possibly meet up with a blogging friend in the afternoon.

 

Here is picture thought I am sharing.

 

Chris meets a friend at Lake Tahoe

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Please stop by Peggy’s place “The Simple Woman” to view other Daybooks form around the world- maybe you would like to join us!

 

 

A page from my day

 

 

FOR TODAY August 25...

 

Outside My Window...

Treetops bending in the strong wind, silhouetted against a clear blue sky

 

I am thinking...

about the best way  to juggle things so we can pay for Sam’s wisdom teeth removal- the *%&$#@! insurance company denied the authorization as “not covered”

 

I am thankful for...

the provision of my Heavenly  Father; we have two substantial checks coming in the next couple of weeks, which will go towards one need, one indulgence, &  one hope

 

From the kitchen...

Pork loin roast leftovers, asparagus, maybe some mashed potatoes (it’s been awhile- I wonder if I have any), & some of the best Clementines I’ve had in a long time

 

I am wearing...

Blue patterned skirt, green short-sleeved sweater, & blue loafers

 

I am creating...

Now that Ravelympics is over, I must spend time with my neglected sewing machine- I’m working on a tabard apron & matching potholder for the Fall Apron Swap (due to mail out on Friday), piecing the last 8 blocks for this year’s church quilt, & putting the final five rows together before sending it to my partner for the final stitching.

 

I am going...

to miss watching the Olympics every evening (though it will be good to get to bed at an earlier time); I’m not a sports fan by nature, but I was mesmerized by the excitement & talent that flowed across the screen every night- I often found myself cheering out loud for people I’ll never meet. 

 

I am reading...

I’m still working on The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs, & Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell

 

I am hoping...

to taste my own cantaloupes before winter- I found three melons this weekend & we should still have hot weather for at least another month.

 

I am hearing...

The Humming Chorus from Puccini’s Madame Butterfly

 

Around the house...

The sewing machine & paraphernalia has again taken over the dining room; I saw an awful lot of dust clinging to the ceiling fan this morning (Oh, Saaam!); the lawn is in need of trimming & the grass should be cleared from around the sprinkler heads

 

One of my favorite things...

hot, buttered popcorn- sometimes, this is all I’ll eat for supper J

 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Now that I’m done with choir (Sunday was my last day), my evenings stretch out free of commitments; the fridge & cupboards are looking a bit sparse, so some grocery shopping is in order; some raking & flowerbed clear-up needs doing; then this weekend, we are headed off to the Caledonian Club Of San Francisco 143rd Annual Scottish Highland Games being held in Pleasanton.

 

Here is picture thought I am sharing.

 

Ever hear of a self-service cat?

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Please drop by Peggy's page, The Simple Woman, to read entries from other Daybooks around the world.

 

Pen in hand

FOR TODAY July 28...

Outside My Window...

Blessed bright blue skies after weeks of hazy yellow (though there are now fires in Yosemite, 75 miles to the east)

I am thinking...

my weight (up), my daughter (silent), my son (sick), my bank account (gaunt), my hopes (glimmering)

I am thankful for...

my dear Chris- husband, lover, friend, partner, ally, & support; our life would be dark & hard without him

From the kitchen...

there is lots of experimenting going on with the goodies we brought back from Oregon- we found the best (& biggest) Asian market ever, so we are fully stocked on sauces, seasonings, rice, & noodles to try out.

I am wearing...

A red & brown floral skirt, red knit top, brown leather slides, & a bright green sweater- it is very cold in here!

I am creating...

a new skirt, since my favorite one has developed an inconveniently placed hole that isn’t repairable.

I am going...

to meet with a new group of knitters tonight, one that was formed on Ravelry & is meeting in the next town over.

I am reading...

Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen, Corpse Pose by Diana Killian (who also happens to be in one of my favorite singing groups, The Browne Sisters), & The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

I am hoping...

to get caught up on the pile of backed-up work- the first of the month is just around the corner.

I am hearing...

David Russell playing Peschatore che va cantando by Pietro Paolo Borrono; a crop duster working the nearby fields; my boss banging around her file cabinets

Around the house...

daddy-long-legs have proliferated into every corner of every room; it’s time for a good turn-out of all the kitchen cupboards; the garden isn’t as prolific as I would like- I have no carrots or lettuce this summer & the cucumbers are coming on slowly- but I do think the lemon tree has finally set some fruit

One of my favorite things...

a new treat- Ice Breakers Restore Mints, Pomegranate Lemon-Aid (I’ve only found them at Target so far)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Dentist appointment Tuesday for Sam, senior portraits on Wednesday, back to choir practice on Thursday, Chris’ birthday on Saturday

Here is picture thought I am sharing.

Here is where I was wandering this time last year- a view thru the Rose Arbor at Butchart Gardens, British Colombia

As the month ends...

 

For Today, June 30, 2008...

Outside My Window...

 

I can see patches of blue sky pushing their way through the layers of smoke haze that have blanketed the Valley & glimpses of the hills to the West for the first time in nearly two weeks.

 

I am thinking...

 

about my presentation for Garden Club next week; my theme is “Home Composting” & I’m trying to decide on either a general overview of options, or an in depth focus on one type (my new research has been on vermicompost- aka, Worm Farming)

 

I am thankful for...

 

meg’s garden, my little corner of this cyber neighborhood. For two years as of today, I have been given the privilege of glimpsing into the lives of creative, generous, caring, & inspiring people, while sharing the things that are important in my world. I can only hope that I have been able to give back a portion of what I have received to those kind enough to visit & encourage me.

 

From the kitchen...

 

I’m trying something new- a Moroccan dinner of spiced chicken, couscous, & grilled zucchini

 

I am wearing...

 

A brown short-sleeved tunic, a patterned skirt in red, peach, & brown, & brown leather slides

 

I am creating...

 

An apron for a summer swap, a pair of toe-up socks for my MIL (Christmas is coming), & my first attempt at recreating my favorite slip.

 

I am going...

 

to replant my “Salad Bed” this week~ the lettuce, radishes, & carrots never took. We’ve tilled up the smaller raised planter, added a bag of chicken manure & some fresh soil, & hung some shade cloth, so I’m going to reseed with leaf lettuce, spinach, radishes, green onions, & carrots.

 

I am reading...

 

Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility for the Ravelry read & knit along, Slay Bells by Kate Kingsbury (an Edwardian mystery), & Moving On by Sarah Ban Breathnach

 

I am hoping...

 

the temperatures stay reasonable for the Holiday~ last year, it was over 105°, which discouraged all of us from doing anything beyond sitting inside all day

 

I am hearing...

 

David Russell’s Renaissance Favorites for Guitar, the laser printer cranking out month-end reports, & my boss chatting with her daughter for the 6th time this morning

 

Around the house...

 

The house is rather tidy, since Sam hasn’t gotten around to finding a job this summer; my portable sewing machine has taken up residence on the kitchen table- I believe it’s time to rearrange the study so I feel more comfortable working up there; I was excited to “find” two forgotten sprinklers in the front lawn- the guys have put in new pop-up heads, so now maybe my ferns won’t need hand watering.

 

One of my favorite things...

 

The smell of alfalfa- fresh or dried, it doesn’t matter

 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

 

A mercifully quiet week ahead- no meetings, no classes, no appointments; I need to have my car smogged so I can send off the registration; I was considering spending the Fourth in San Francisco- we haven’t been in 2 or 3 years & it appears we will all have the weekend off.

 

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

 

 

This is what the morning skies have looked like for the past couple weeks; fortunately, the air is beginning to clear as the winds change & the fires are being controlled.

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Please drop by The Simple Woman blog, to visit other ladies sharing a glimpse of their day- maybe you could even join us!

Pen in hand...

 

 

 

Outside My Window...

I see more than a dozen bunches of grapes slowly forming on the vines, my potted hydrangea blooming in vibrant pink, & the lemon cucumber plant climbing toward the sun.

 

I am thinking...

About ways to swing the cost of a road trip up to Oregon next month & a possible stay-over at Crater Lake

 

I am thankful for...

A whole month off from choir commitments- I’m beginning to feel burned out & unmotivated to practice

 

From the kitchen...

Homemade spaghetti sauce with lots of veggies, grilled zucchini, & fresh fruit for dessert

 

I am wearing...

Navy knit capris & a sleeveless white shirt- just got back from a walk

 

I am creating...

More blocks for the Church quilt & working on Chris’ pullover vest

 

I am going...

To try making some new slips- it is getting harder & harder to find the kind I like (split skirt, like culottes, with no lace)

 

I am reading...

Still working through Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber & Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskill

 

I am hoping...

To be caught up on my backed up work at the job & back on schedule by this weekend

 

I am hearing...

The guys discussing seasoning for the sauce, Modern Marvels on the television & the floor fan humming

 

Around the house...

It is pleasantly cool inside after a hot day; Dahlia is napping atop the newspaper stack & chasing ghost birds; there are entirely too many bags sitting by the front door (& only half of them are mine)

 

One of my favorite things...

Classical Guitar music, especially Baroque

 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Haircut on Wednesday (my stylist finally sent me a postcard announcing her new place); at least two visits to the gym (must get back up to 5-6 days a week); lots of carting Sam around to classes & lessons; & another dentist appointment to cement in a new crown & start the replacement on another

 

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

 

Lavender Hollow Farm

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Please drop by The Simple Woman blog, to visit other ladies sharing a glimpse of their day- maybe you could even join us!

 

Looking forward, not back...

 

 

FOR TODAY June 2nd...

 

Outside My Window...

Blue skies, bright sun, and Old Glory flying proudly in the wind

 

I am thinking...

about ways to cut our fuel expenses; Chris commutes to work everyday & with gasoline topping $4.00 a gallon, we’re looking at a $600-$700 monthly gas bill

 

I am thankful for...

my husband’s willingness to trust my judgment, & the regional transit district that provides a (relatively) convenient commuter bus for only $112 a month!

 

From the kitchen...

hamburgers, green beans, & some homemade ice cream.

 

I am wearing...

navy slacks, royal blue knit top, & navy loafers

 

I am creating...

the Notting Hill Vest for Chris, since I haven’t bought replacement yarn for his kilt hose.

 

I am going...

put in for a few days vacation in July- not only am I ready for a break, I think it’s time to take a road trip up to Oregon to visit the in-laws

 

I am reading...

Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber, Murder on the Mauritania by Conrad Allen, & All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew

 

I am hoping...

to finish up these reports for work, so I can have my Saturdays free again.

 

I am hearing...

the sound of the laser printer kicking out pages of month end reports, the fax machine ringing, & J.S. Bach’s Suite in C Major

 

Around the house...

I’ve been sorting through the magazines & stacked papers on the desk; Sam is doing his semi-annual room rearrangement, clearing out the end-of-school debris; & the growing pile of shoes by the front door need to be addressed

 

 

One of my favorite things...

Kettle Brand Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper Chips- yum! (Plus, it gets us to drink plenty of water J)

 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Sam starts a second weekly tennis lesson (Tues & Fri) & a four-week golf clinic on Saturday; I have a dentist appointment to have a crown replaced; working on the new church quilt & mending a cut in the living room curtains (someone was practicing with his new sword L)

 

Here is picture thought I am sharing.

 

 

 

 

this is the new quilt I’m working on; it’s called “Almost Cathedral Windows” & is pieced & quilted at the same time!

 

Please drop by The Simple Woman blog, to visit other ladies sharing a glimpse of their day- maybe you could even join us!

 

Another page in my life...

 

  FOR TODAY May 19th...

 

Outside My Window...

A lawn in desperate need of mowing, lots of droopy plants begging for water & deadheading after the extreme heat this past weekend, & several wasps buzzing around the front door- time to call the bug guy.

 

I am thinking...

how incredible that we are beginning the last two weeks of school~ & that come August, my baby boy will be a high school Senior.

 

I am thankful for...

the comfort of central air conditioning & the return of cooler temperatures

 

From the kitchen...

I think it will be a good evening for salads & maybe a little grilled chicken.

 

I am wearing...

a dark blue skirt, a medium blue knit top, & navy loafers

 

I am creating...

Excel worksheets that will help greatly reduce the amount of time I spend reconciling general ledger accounts each month~ less time spent at work is always good!

 

I am going...

to take Sam to the movies this week (maybe tonight)~ he had the opportunity to see Prince Caspian yesterday with his friends & turned it down so we could see it together

 

I am reading...

Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskill (I really enjoyed the PBS series, & found a copy on my bookshelf while looking for something else) & Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach

 

I am hoping...

that Chris’ case of the “Grummpies” is very short-lived. He has been rather harsh with Sam &, while I make a point trying not to correct & micro-manage his parenting style, I’m concerned about damage it could do to their relationship.

 

I am hearing...

someone rattling the front door of the office & cursing; even though we have always been closed on Monday & Wednesday, and put a large “Sorry, We’re Closed Today” sign on the door, they still get angry when I won’t jump up to let them in.

 

Around the house...

I still haven’t gotten to those curtains, so tonight they come down & into the washer; I must set out some ant traps~ the heat & lack of rain has driven the legions into the house in search of water; & the electric mower needs to be repaired or replaced~ I’m seriously considering an old fashioned rotary push mower, then there would be no excuse for the mess out back J

 

One of my favorite things...

the scent of spearmint, especially in my iced tea

 

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Finish the reusable shopping bag for the Ravelry swap; mail off some t-shirts to Africankelli for her trips to Nicaragua & Mozambique; & get Sam registered for a learn-to-golf clinic in June (his request) & another evening of tennis lessons to revamp his game (his coach’s request)

 

Here is picture thought I am sharing.

 

 

 

The last of my Red California Poppies~ hiding a little surprise…

 

 

A little Dahlia hidden underneath,

 

 

watching the bird feeder J

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 Please drop by Peggy’s blog, “The Simple Woman”, to join (or just read along) the other ladies as they take a snapshot of their day & focus on the simple things.