January 2017 Daybook

Outside my window... dark, cool and soon to be raining again

I am wearing... Jeans, a purple top, and red socks

I am thankful for... Everyone being well and contented, dinner with my family, no one particularly needing me at the moment.

I am thinking about... Not too much, and that is lovely.

Learning all the time... reading. My second grader and my kindergartener are learning to read. That is also lovely.

From the kitchen... Well, we ate out tonight, and we've been having leftovers that I put in the freezer after our kind friends brought meals a few weeks ago when Jenny Wren was in the hospital. I did make a delicious cranberry cake the other day, with the recipe shared by Matushka Emma. It was so yummy!

I am creating... slowly working away at an afghan I've been crocheting here and there for a couple of years. Also a little book to hold icons for my goddaughter. And coloring with Bluejay in his kestrel coloring book.

I am working on... peace and gentle discipline in the home. It's working!

I am going...  to help make piroshki at church tomorrow, maybe. 

I am hoping... for the peacefulness and routine to continue for a little while. It was a rough first few weeks of the year. For Jenny Wren to be excited about speech therapy. I think she's gonna love it.

I am reading... hmmm. I have my fingers in a number of books lately. Snuff by Terry Pratchett, God's Path to Sanity by Dee Pennock and rereading Green Dolphin Street by Elizabeth Goudge.

I am praying... daily prayers and scripture readings.

I am hearing... the children getting ready for bed; my husband requesting the occasional help as he tidies up the school/playroom/garage (it's all one room!).

One of my favorite things... daybooks :-) this makes me cheery.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Church, homeschooling, a dentist appointment for Bluejay and a visit to the orthopedic specialist for Bluejay as well. He took a fall on his bike and it turns out he broke a bone in his left arm near the wrist! So he's in a splint until we can get it appropriately treated, as early as possible next week. The doctor 

Some picture thought I am sharing with you...

  

Jenny Wren very very happy to be home after five days in the hospital!

Bluejay and Chickadee doing pull-ups. We did not know at the time he had a broken arm!

Waiting for the wrist/arm prognosis

This is probably a very poor quality video, but it shows our little cutie practicing her new, fabulous walking skills!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

December Daybook

Outside my window... it is sunny and beautiful and now that we've had a few heavy rains, everything is starting to look green again, after a very very brown drought year.

I am wearing... maternity skinny jeans (the only maternity jeans I've ever had that actually stay up!), a white shirt with pretty details around the neckline and my favorite boat shoe crocs.

I am thankful for... Lots of things:

1) A lovely weekend of Christmas joy for our family, especially the little ones. Yesterday night was the Nativity Play we've been rehearsing for the last five weeks, and it was delightful. The children were terrific, and I think, greatly satisfied with the whole event, even despite the significant delay between getting into costume and actually performing the play.

2) A wonderful, comforting visit with my midwife this past week. Not that there were any reasons I needed the comfort, it's been a good pregnancy, just that I always feel happy and good after visiting with my sweet midwife.

3) Squeezing in a few precious minutes to chat and connect with my husband during these busy days, when it seems everyone's conversations take precedence over ours!

I am thinking about... keeping a list of books I read this year.  This is an exact repeat of my daybook from last January. So I'm guessing I won't do it :-) Last year, I know that I read lots of PG Wodehouse, some Wendell Berry, Driftless (a wonderful book my sister-in-law recommended), and The Brothers Karamazov (a re-read, but from a beautiful new translation so it feels like new) - I'm just at the end of this one, but haven't quite finished yet.  On my wishlist for next year is Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry, and maybe some Anthony Trollope. I'm also thinking about homeschooling plans for the New Year (not the new school year).

Learning all the time... For my own learning, I think I'll probably stick with some serious classical literature (finishing The Brothers Karamazov for starters and probably starting something new along that line after a brief break) and hopefully some good spiritual reading. There is finally a women's retreat planned by our church coming up, and I'd like to go to that, if I can figure out childcare. There is a second one later in the year, but it's an overnight retreat and I'll have a newborn by then, so that seems unlikely.

From the kitchen... planning our Christmas menu with my brother Gabe is on the to-do list for today. I know we are sticking with our traditional roast beef and yorkshire pudding (so yum!) but we need to discuss side dishes and dessert. Food is a (the?) KEY part of every holiday, on my side of the family. In the pre-Christmas fast period I've been more or less good at keeping home-cooked or partially homecooked food on the table... but fasting, nursing and pregnancy, and young people have been a bit challenging to navigate.

I am creating... not really anything at the moment. I was working on a craft for our sisterhood Christmas bazaar, which was a candy-cane with a mouse (a kit someone gave me) but Chickadee ripped one of the pieces and I haven't found time to get a replacement piece of fabric yet. Craftiness otherwise has been a batch or two of granola for our Christmas packages we recently mailed, and Christmas cookies with the kids which they decorated last night.

I am working on... not losing it. I think I had gotten in the habit of losing it lately, often because it has been extra hard to pick things up, my back has not been great this pregnancy, and I've gotten frustrated with the kids when things got crazy. But also because the huzz and I hadn't been making time to talk and connect when things got busy, and so I was holding everything in. Not a wise thing to do when the majority of your household and interactions are with the under 6 crowd.

I am going...  grocery shopping one more time before Christmas.  Then to Vespers for the Nativity and to Christmas liturgy on Christmas day in the morning!  I can hardly wait.

I am hoping... for a peaceful, joyous Christmas.

I am reading... The Brothers Karamazov. Such an amazing book. I almost never write in my books, I have a weird thing about it, but this time, I had my pencil at the ready. I'm at the very end of the trial, so almost done, but am taking it very slowly, as I want to be able to really grasp what is happening in one of the best novels ever written.

I am praying... prayers of praise and thanksgiving, I hope.

I am hearing... Sparrow getting frustrated with his backhoe/dump truck. It is not doing what he wants it to do. Chickadee is running another game in which Bluejay is her dog Patch, and Sparrow is her donkey Poula. Sweet Mr. Bluejay just fixed Sparrow's truck problem.

One of my favorite things... When these kids play together so nicely. How little Sparrow hardly needs me except for things like food and diaper changes, and important cuddle time when it's been a while.

A few plans for the rest of the week... My aunt arrives tomorrow, so dinner with her and my dad in the evening. Aaron is taking Christmas Eve off (hurray!) and two of my brothers (Gabe and family, and Marcus and his friend) arrive that day too. Then... Christmas! and Feasting! 

Some picture thought I am sharing with you...

  

The Shepherd (Bluejay) and the Innkeeper

The angels. That's Chickadee in the middle.

The boy and the cat.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

April Daybook

Outside my window... A sunny spring day.  Trees in bloom.  Birds chirping.  That kind of day.

I am wearing... A black and white polka dot knit shirt, a little gray cardigan, jeans and my favorite boat-shoe crocs.

I am thankful for... Those moments when I realize I need to take a break.  For real.  A physical, emotional, spiritual break from all the juggling I constantly think I "need" to do.

I am thinking about... Things I need to do.  See above.  It is a terrible rut I've dug!  I need to start smoothing that out.

Learning all the time... I think we'll revisit this another time.  Trust me when I say that it is, of course, happening.

From the kitchen... Homemade pizza.  Yum.  Shrimp curry, lentils and rice (mujadara).

I am creating... Order in my house.  Somewhat.

I am working on... Resting.

I am going... to my mom's house, once my rest is over for the day, to help create some order in her home.  

I am hoping... to feel the physical and mental effects of the rest I am trying to take.

I am reading... Still Wodehouse, albeit intermittently.  I got some new books for my birthday that I'm really looking forward to picking up (Wendell Berry and GK Chesterton).  In the effort to rest, I have found curling up with a good show has been a bit more in order than reading lately.

I am praying for... For my family (immediate and not-so-immediate), and for the poor efforts and the moments of peace of this Lent to work it's healing in our life.

I am hearing... The dryer.  And the birds outside.  Nothing else!  It's a rare quiet.

One of my favorite things... Made beds.  A kind husband.  A few minutes to make myself look nice in the morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week... It is the last week of Lent.  There are plans but I need to remember they are not as important, so they are not going to be written down.

A picture thought I am sharing with you... 

For whatever reason, this daybook did not capture much of my current thoughts, activities, emotions but I want to get a new post and new pictures up on the blog, so this will have to do for now.

   

The Simple Woman's Daybook

January Daybook

Outside my window... It is foggy!  I love the fog.  It reminds me that I am really home, the place where my roots were put down as a child.  Foggy, west coast, mist.

I am wearing... My pajamas.  The baby is still asleep and I am NOT about to go into the bedroom to get my clothes, put on my contacts, anything.

I am thankful for... A few moments to blog.  A very kind, respectful and helpful oldest son.  I've been marveling at how pleasant his personality is lately.  I will admit that he has a stubborn streak the size of a 12 lane LA freeway, however.

I am thinking about... Possibly keeping a list of books I read this year.  I have generally been bad at doing that.  It's like keeping a diary, a great idea but something I rarely manage with any consistency.  However, I've enjoyed reading people's "what I read this year" posts, so maybe I'll manage a little list.

Learning all the time... Ok people. It's time to get real with this.  I don't do New Year's Resolutions (I mean, not the real kind), but I did promise myself that after the holidays were over, I'd finally spend some focused time studying and thinking about what we will be doing with Mr. Bluejay, who will be five this summer (and by default, his younger siblings).  I'm leaning toward homeschooling until he is six.  I had a fortuitous run in with the teacher of a tiny Orthodox school, someone I've known since I was the student, at the grocery store this week.  My friend handed me her big book of homeschooling resources out of the blue when we stopped by the other day.  My sister-in-law sent me a link to a lovely kindergarten curriculum a month or two ago.  I feel like someone is tapping me on the shoulder saying "hey, time to pay attention".

From the kitchen... Cooking again!  Slowly.  Does anyone else find that all the staples are running low after Christmas?  We had some stomach bugs over the holidays and didn't eat much beyond yogurt, egg and rice bowls, and frozen pizza for the healthy ones.  Right now I have plans for some barbecue chicken (yes, I will light up the Webber in January, we live in Northern California) and artichokes, because Bluejay has been asking for artichokes and a fire.

I am creating... Still crocheting Sparrow's blanket.  It is my first time doing basketweave stitch.  I really like it.

I am working on... working.  I have several clients now.  It's a blessing to have work.  I'm enjoying doing it.  Aaron is working four ten hour days so that I can have one "full" work day each week.  And my dad has been terrific at helping me out lately.  I'm also going to be doing a child-care swap one day a week, a friend from church is also a work-at-home mama and will be bringing her adorable little girl over here so we can take turns shepherding the younglings and working.  I'm excited to see how it works out.

I am going... to the usual places only.  It's nice to have a routine again.  I need to have a place to "go" on Mondays.  I struggle with that first day alone with the children after having my husband home for three days.  

I am hoping... to get up north to visit my brother's family sometime in the next few months.

I am reading... P.G. Wodehouse.  I finished Leave it to Psmith and started on one of the Jeeves books: Joy in the Morning.  I do love old Pelham Grenville, and it turns out that I'm more of an Anglophile than I realized. I lived in the UK for 2+ years during high school.  I can't wait to travel there with my family when the kids are a little older.

I am praying for... The soul of my friend Alan, who died one year ago this coming Sunday.  My family.  All of the little children.

I am hearing... The "big" kids talking to little Sparrow, who just woke up.   Sparrow giggling.  I love how they can keep him happy for a bit now, so that I can finish something (like a blog post)!

One of my favorite things... New coffee cups we got for Christmas.  Hand-thrown and kilned (is that the terminology?) by Bluejay's preschool teacher's husband.  They are so nice to hold and look at.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Working. Preschool. Cooking. Cleaning, and most importantly, putting away all of the paraphernalia from Christmas.

A picture thought I am sharing with you... 

We all look so serious!  Eating is no time for joking around, people.

OH MY GOODNESS I JUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED AN ENTIRE BLOG POST!  YIPPEE!!

   

The Simple Woman's Daybook

September Daybook

Outside my window... It is warm and oddly muggy.  Late afternoon sun hits our backyard patio and makes me feel very lethargic if I sit there.      

I am wearing... A red knit shirt, a light brown skirt with green and peach flower pattern.  Bare feet.

I am thankful for... Confession.

I am thinking about... How hungry I am and how I am unmotivated to cook - related to the mugginess, I think.

Learning all the time... Bluejay is ready for some of the Thornton W. Burgess books.  I am so excited to start reading them to him.  We've just started with Bedtime Stories, but I need to get more Burgess books.  My mom has a quite large collection of first editions, but they're in line be given to my brother Gabe, as they were some of his absolute favorites, so I'll need to acquire my own.  If anyone ever visits Sandwich, Massachusetts, I highly recommend the Burgess museum there.  We visited it when I was nine years old, and if it's anything like it was almost 30 years ago, well, I can't recommend it enough.

From the kitchen... As previously mentioned... unmotivated today. So I'm heating up Coq au Vin from Trader Joe's and making mashed potatoes as a side dish.  I did make a delicious chicken tortilla soup earlier this week.

I am creating... I finished crocheting the blanket for Chickadee!  I'm using the leftover yarn to make a small matching blanket for her dolls.  I think she will love that. I just need to finish the edging but it's not easy to find time to work on it these days. I purposefully did not finish weaving in all the loose ends in Chickadee's blanket because I didn't want to be tempted to give it to her before I finished the doll blanket (or I would NEVER finish that one).

I am working on... having less stuff.  It is a big goal of my husband and I to decrease the things that we have, so that our life can be simpler.  I am not jumping on any minimalist bandwagon.  But, there are a lot of things in our house that are neither useful, beautiful or meaningful.  The children have too many toys to clutter up their space and minds.  Yesterday, I asked them to pick up the balls in the back yard.  They picked up two balls.  Therefore, I think two balls is all they need.  This is being largely driven by Aaron, but I am finally really on board.   

I am going... to preschool co-op three times a week with Bluejay.  To a feast-day party for our little goddaughter's first name day.  Hopefully nowhere else.  Trying to simplify our life too. There are too many things to do these days. And they're only babies!  I sometimes question preschool. But he does love it so much.  

I am hoping... to see as much of my family as possible and that all our visits are smooth, as they have been lately.

I am reading... The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.  Really enjoying it too.  I still need to pick up Everyday Saints and Other Stories.

I am praying for... My big boy going to preschool.  Some relatives.  My husband.

I am hearing... Pete Seeger singing the Tree in the Ground. Chickadee narrating her life to me.  Man can that girl talk.  She's gone through a phase of fake baby talk for the past month or so, which I find very annoying.  I try to ignore, I try.  But these last few days she's gone more and more back to her real voice, and that voice? is adorable.  Her speech is quite sophisticated too, as spoken through her raspy little two year old voice.  Everything has a "shh" sound in it.  Today we were looking at an animal book and there was a picture of a macaw. She has most of the animals memorized but when I asked her that one, rather than saying "I don't know" she said "It'sh boo (blue).  It hassh a back (black) beat (beak). And yewwow awound it'sh eyesh."

One (ok two) of my favorite things... Reading my favorite books to the kids and seeing them learn to love them too.  Seeing how delighted Sparrow is when he sees me.  He has a killer grin.

A few plans for the rest of the week... One of my brothers is coming over today to play with the kids.  Working from home tomorrow.  Bluejay's second day of preschool.

A few picture thoughts I am sharing with you... 

   

The Simple Woman's Daybook

New Baby Daybook!

Outside my window... The birds are coming to the three bird feeders we have set up, I enjoy watching them so much.  There are baby clothes drying in the sun on the makeshift line my husband rigged up for me.

I am wearing... First trimester maternity jeans, gentle on my no-longer-pregnant tummy, a brown and red peasant top and a grey sweatshirt.

I am thankful for... The amazing birth of this dear new baby, the moments of intensity and the memories of the support I had from my precious husband and dear midwives, right here in my own home and bedroom.

I am thinking about... Resting and going slow.

Learning all the time... I am learning to be a mother to three little ones and not physically over-do things at the same time (also known as obeying my husband, these days).

From the kitchen... Right now, this means: from our wonderful church family.  We have received meal after meal from our friends at church, who set up a meal train for us.  This has meant so much, especially after this birth, when Aaron has been taking care of us in every way, but has been relieved from having to cook, which isn't an area where he's particularly at home.  And the meals have been DELICIOUS. I can't say enough how grateful we are.

I am creating... Lots and lots of milk :-).  I also have a crocheted blanket almost done for Chickadee, but I haven't been able to pick it up since Sparrow was born.  Yes - I picked a name for him!  It was almost Robin, since he is so sweet and cozy and friendly, but Sparrow won out for me.

I am working on... Resting, reading, being peaceful.  I have only three more days with Aaron home full time, and need to treasure every moment of it.  I am also working on having faith that my three children and I will figure out how to manage each day, meals, nursing and everything else, when he does go back to work.   

I am going... Nowhere.  We plan to stay at home as much as possible throughout my forty days.  We only have two more days of preschool, and other than that, nothing planned until Sparrows baptism.

8 Day Naming Blessing - our wonderful priest came to our home to do this.

I am hoping... I feel like everything I've hoped for is here.  What else is there to hope for right now, with a new baby in my arms and such a sweet family taking care of me?

I am reading... I just finished Our Thoughts Determine Our Lives: The Life and Teachings of Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica.  Whew boy, I can't say enough good things about this book.  I will be picking it up again and again, if only I can stop lending it to people. :-)  I am also reading Fidelity: Five Stories by Wendell Berry.  He is a beautiful writer.  I loved the first story.  And, on my list of books to acquire: Everyday Saints and Other Stories.

I am praying for... Sweet little Sparrow.  My husband.  My extended family.  Matushka Anna.

I am hearing... Chickadee and Grandpa, playing with measuring spoons in the living room. 

One of my favorite things... Newborn babies!  And an amazing husband who does everything possible to take care of the rest of life's responsibilities for a few weeks.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Cuddling Sparrow, learning to keep the toddlers busy while nursing a baby. Last day of preschool for Bluejay.  My baby shower on Saturday (this is the first "after" baby shower I've had!  Kind of excited to bring the wee one with me).

A few more picture thoughts I am sharing with you... 

I wanted to add a few pictures of Aaron with his new son, he is always behind the camera, but I know we got a few good ones.  They must not be downloaded yet... next time.   

Join the fun at the Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

August Daybook

Outside my window... Quiet, pleasant evening.  I love this kind of weather.  

I am wearing... Green sweatpants and a plum colored striped shirt.  It's not pretty, but the day is over.

I am thankful for... Those moments when God grants me a little bit more patience, after I thought I was at the bottom of the patience barrel.

I am thinking about... The wisest ways to spend my very limited and precious alone time.

Learning all the time... I am learning to keep things going in a more minimal way, while I have little ones in the house.

From the kitchen... I made up a vegetarian(ish) version of stroganoff.  It wasn't entirely fasting, but everyone seemed happy with it. 

I am creating... a bag crocheted out of other plastic bags.  I got the idea from Matushka Anna.  It's fun and easy, the most time consuming part is making the plarn.

I am working on... Patience, as mentioned above, also acceptance of what I can and can't accomplish with little ones in the house. I've spent too much time already thinking that I just need to get the hang of this having toddlers thing and then I'll be able to do x, y or z on a regular basis (usually housekeeping items).   

I am going... To spend a little time working at my old office.  I think it will be good for me.

I am hoping... To have a little time by myself, and a little time with my husband to actually have a conversation.

I am reading... Nothing at the moment, but a friend just lent me a book, and I'm hopeful it will be good.  If it is, I'll post the title later.

I am praying for... The same intentions as last time: little Samuel in the NICU; my friend Alan who has brain cancer; my brother in Afghanistan. Also for my mother-in-law, and for acquiring a spirit of peace.

I am hearing... The sprinklers running in the yard, my husband putting away silverware and the children chattering away to him. 

One of my favorite things... Chats on the phone with my sister-in-law.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Heading into the office for a few hours on Thursday.  Not much else on the horizon this week.

A few picture thoughts I am sharing with you... Just for fun, here are a couple of pictures from 2005, when we were living in Michigan and were still newlyweds.

I miss these girls.  We worked hard together and managed to have fun doing it.

Awwww.  Look how young we are.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

June Daybook

Outside my window...  It is very warm.  And it is going to get hotter.  It's supposed to be 99°F tomorrow and 100°F on Saturday.  Ay yi yi.  I do not like it this hot.  We can keep the house cool by shutting all the shades and windows in the morning, but by 4:00 p.m. even that coolness is lost. Thank goodness for cool California evenings.  


I am wearing... a navy blue skirt and a cobalt blue shirt.  I feel like the water colors are helping me to be cooler.  This year I've decided I really just don't like shorts, and it is way too hot and uncomfortable for pants.  So, I have adopted skirts for my new play clothes / housework clothes / just about everything clothes.  And if there's one thing you can find in decent condition and not too weird fitting at a thrift store, it is skirts! 


I am thankful for... my husband and his new job.  It has really changed our life.  He works so hard, and yet is so cheery and helpful most of the time.  I really appreciate him.


I am thinking about... my son.  He is such a good boy.  I am making an effort to pay more attention to him, to always talk to him kindly, and to make sure he feels comfortable, relaxed and loved all of the time.


Learning all the time... we are not school age yet, so our learning is that which comes naturally with growing up.  Bluejay is very interested in numbers and counting.  His favorite numbers so far are fourteen and eleventeen.  Chickadee is so very verbal for her 15 months. It continually takes me by surprise when she says things and communicates so much by speaking. We did teach her a few signs, but she has moved on to words so quickly, it's keeping me on my toes. I have to pay careful attention to what she is talking about.  Aaron is very good at it. He just pointed out to me that she is now saying her big brother's name. In a very adorable, shortened way.


From the kitchen... hmmm, I've been a little challenged in regards to the kitchen.  We have gone out for hamburgers a bit too often lately.  Since the fast started, I did make a very yummy nicoise type salad, although I took a few liberties based on what was actually in my pantry and fridge.  I put in canned cannellini beans and Chickadee devoured them. 


I am creating... plans for creating things.  My brother's mother-in-law (got that?) made a beautiful raggedy quilt for Chickadee when she was born out of various gorgeous flannel prints.  Ever since then I've been wanting to make one, so I talked her in to teaching me.  She sent me some guidelines for figuring out my fabric needs.  However, I am an under-rested mom of two generally cosleeping toddlers and I was never any good at arithmetic in the first place.  So, I figured out how much fabric I needed in length only.  I did not take into account the width of a yard.  I was a bit shocked when I watched the woman at Joann's cut the fabric.  But because I am a chicken, I did not say "Stop!  Let me rethink this".  No, I bought a very expensive bundle of pretty flannel and then brought it home and agonized over it, since we do not have the budget for expensive projects right now.  After my kindly husband laughed at me and assured me that I could return it, even though they cut it for me, I called Joann's and they said that indeed they could, if I hadn't washed, cut or done anything to it.  So I returned the whole batch.  I'm still going to make the quilt.  But I need to take a deep breath and CALM DOWN first. :-)


I am working on... taking deep breathes and calming down! And also helping Bluejay to do that too.  I think he inherited my "swing first and think later" gene.  Sheesh.  


I am going... Nowhere!  We've decided that there will be no more plans for a while, we're going to stay put and just go slow with everything for a little while.


I am hoping... To get a little time to just cuddle my new nephew, hereafter known as the Wood Duckling, when he is down here for his baptism this coming weekend.


I am reading... O Pioneers! and really enjoying it. It is refreshing to read a novel that is really good.  I hope it stays that way.  I've never been disappointed in Willa Cather before.


I am praying for... Little Samuel, born at 26 weeks; my friend Alan who has late stage brain cancer (I am feeling very in denial over this), my little nephew soon to be baptized, and my brother in Afghanistan.


I am hearing... Thomas the Tank Engine theme music, and Chickadee saying "Tractor! Tractor!" 


One of my favorite things... Handwork projects in process


A few plans for the rest of the week... The Wood Duckling's baptism!  Some time with my family.


Here are a few picture thoughts I am sharing with you: (Please note, sometimes I use my pictures, and sometimes I use my husband's much more amazing photographs.  You'll just have to guess which are which).

The Simple Woman's Daybook