Wordless Wednesday

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The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 9 , 2009

Outside my window... it's a little warmer

I am thinking... about buying a new alarm clock since my has failed me 3 times in the past two weeks.

I am thankful for...my family, and the opportunity to support my friends in their time of grief

From the learning rooms...preparations for next year's homeschooling

From the kitchen...Monday: Chicken noodle soup with yeast rolls
Tuesday: Meatball Stroganoff with noodles
Wednesday: Beef Enchiladas
Thursday: Country Fried Steak and gravy with Rice
Friday: Sloppy Joes

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

I am creating...a legacy for my children

I am going...nowhere today, I'm keeping my best friends' child while they attend a funeral

I am reading...Sense and Sensibility

I am hoping...that I can bless my house this morning

I am hearing... Night at the Museum playing in the den

Around the house...are the remnants of a weekend full of children

One of my favorite things...waking up late, yet being organized enough to still get everyone out the door on time...no tardies!

A few plans for the rest of the week: decluttering kitchen cabinets, Karate with the kids


Here is picture thought I am sharing...

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The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY February 2, 2009

Outside my window... the sun is shining and the temperature is warming up for a few days

I am thinking... about how much I have to do today

I am thankful for...the support of my family

From the learning rooms...preparations for next year's homeschooling

From the kitchen...Monday: Chicken quesadillas with guacamole
Tuesday: Burgers and fries
Wednesday: Ranch Chicken with rice
Thursday: Beef Stew
Friday: Spaghetti and salad with homemade rolls

I am wearing...jeans and a t-shirt, and slippers on my feet

I am creating...an idea for a quilt

I am going...nowhere today

I am reading...Sense and Sensibility

I am hoping...to have an appointment for my son by Wednesday

I am hearing... classical music on the phone as I wait on hold

Around the house...is weekend clutter, waiting to be picked up

One of my favorite things...reading while sipping my coffee

A few plans for the rest of the week: decluttering the house, filing taxes, paying bills

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
A horseshoe crab from our vacation at the beach last June. I can't wait to go back!

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Giveaway - Ideal Poultry

Get on over to Life in the Lost World, Jaydee's got a wonderful giveaway going on for an Ideal Poultry gift certificate! Check it out.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today, January 26, 2009

Outside my window...6 pine trees lay on the ground, cut into pieces

I am thinking...that God is good!

I am thankful for...my family, and for God's hand in everything we do

From the learning rooms...still preparing for homeschool next year

From the kitchen...dinner is in the fridge, chicken and rice I made last night

I am wearing...jeans and a t-shirt and nothing on my feet

I am creating...a comfortable home for my family by getting rid of clutter

I am going...nowhere until school gets out

I am reading...The Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd, and homeschool catalogs

I am hoping...that my step-mom hears good news from the doctor today

I am hearing...the hum of the computer

Around the house...I've accomplished much over the weekend

One of my favorite things...weekends with my mom

A few plans for the rest of the week: more decluttering and deep cleaning

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...




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The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today, January 19, 2009

Outside my window...the rain drips from the pines

I am thinking...that today is going to be a good one

I am thankful for...my family, and for this extra day with my children before they go back to school

From the learning rooms...we are planning for next school year, when we'll begin homeschooling

From the kitchen...coffee is waiting to be brewed

I am wearing...a gown and my soft, cozy robe

I am creating...a plan for my children's education

I am going...nowhere today, I'm content to stay warm inside with my babies

I am reading...homeschool catalogs

I am hoping...that #3 gets an appointment soon

I am hearing...#3 playing with our chihuahua

Around the house...weekend clutter is lying a bout waiting to be picked up

One of my favorite things...extra days off from school for my kids

A few plans for the rest of the week: decluttering and researching curricula

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

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Grandma Betty's English Trifle

This is a dessert that my English step-grandmother made when I was a child. It was my favorite, and she would make it for any occasion, even a simple weekend cookout. She passed away when I was 14, and I never had the chance to learn the recipe for myself, and of course, it wasn't written down anywhere. After some trial and error, I came up with this recipe on my own, and to everyone's delight, it tastes just like Grandma Betty's. I make it for special occasions and holidays.

Ingredients
Trifle custard (recipe below)
Pound cake, homemade if you have it, but frozen is fine
1 lb strawberries, rinsed and hulled
1/2 cup sliced almonds
Amaretto, brandy, or other liqueur, to taste
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar

Trifle Custard
2 cups milk
2/3 cup heavy cream
4 eggs
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Combine milk and heavy cream in saucepan; cook over low heat until warm.

2. Combine eggs and sugar in a mixing bowl;

whisk until combined well.

3. Slowly add about 1/4 of warm milk mixture
to eggs,whisking well.

4. Pour egg mixture into saucepan with
remaining milk, stir well

5. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until
mixture thickens and coats the back of the spoon.
Remove from heat, add vanilla, and cool to room
temperature.

While the custard cools, prep your other ingredients (or recruit a kid to do it for you, like I did)

Slice the pound cake...

and the strawberries...



and whip the heavy cream with the sugar until almost stiff.

Assembling the trifle

In a trifle bowl, layer pound cake and sprinkle it with liqueur...

then add 1/3 of the strawberries...

then 1/3 of the almonds..



and then 1/3 of the custard



Repeat layers twice more, and it should look like this:

Top it off with the sweetened whipped cream, and any leftover almonds, refrigerate for at least 4 hours, overnight if possible. Enjoy!