Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks

Joyful June Daybook

This is my own Cajun Cottage version of the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my Window...

Morning coolness.

The remnants of weekend frontyard soccer/baseball games.

Uncoiled garden hoses. 

A couple of abandoned beach towels.

~ ~ ~ 

I am thinking. . . about keeping the summertime tranquil and unplanned.

~ ~ ~

I am thankful for. . .various family members who made it home safely from Colorado and cruise trips...and had a great time!!! 

~ ~ ~

From the schoolroom. . .Reading and Teaching Textbook Math continues through the summer. I had a few thoughts last night on some creative copywork...if I could only remember that brilliant idea this morning!

~ ~ ~

From the kitchen. . . planning some outside picnic suppers this week.

Tonight's menu:

• baked boudin
• BBQ spareribs in the slow cooker
• fresh cucumbers from the garden

There are plans to bake Daddy some fresh chocolate chip cookies today as well. He's had a hankering for some.

~ ~ ~

I am wearing. . . my royal blue nightgown...still honoring that first day of summer vacation.

~ ~ ~

I am creating... lots of Louisiana History plans for next year's co-op class. The children are excited. I'm excited.

~ ~ ~

I am going. . .to wash my hair as soon as I post this.

 .

~ ~ ~

I am reading. ..besides reading My GoogleReader this morning, I am reading Donna-Marie's new blog: View from the Domestic Church and the summertime sections from Susan Hill's The Magic Apple Tree: A Country Year 

~ ~ ~

I am hoping. . .to keep the summertime tranquil and unplanned while getting as much accomplished as possible. That's the plan anyway.

~ ~ ~

I am hearing. . . birds chirp and squirrels chatter outside my window. 

~ ~ ~

I am praying...for joy...always:

Fr. Alexander Schmemann wrote, “I think God will forgive everything except lack of joy; when we forget that God created the world and saved it. Joy is not one of the components of Christianity, it’s the tonality of Christianity that penetrates everything.”

~ ~ ~

Observing the Liturgical Calendar...Being lazy this month. There are plans for a VBS, if I get the information form and get the girls registered in time.

On a personal note, I still don't have my June Magnificat...haven't had time to get to the Catholic bookshop. So I've been praying chaplets in my spare time.

~ ~ ~

Around the house. . . lots of children at the house this weekend.

Got my tables and countertop cleared off. That's huge!

I'm thinking about cleaning out cabinets again because the result is so beautiful.

~ ~ ~

One of my favorite things. . .  Summertime Saturdays, beautiful, beautiful weekends spent at home with family, and lots of Sunday soccer games from dawn to dusk with a handful of players and only a handful of rules.

And my brother-in-law bringing us two or three fresh cucumbers from the garden every morning.

~ ~ ~

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .It's all about simple this summer. Things have slowed down. Joyfully so. This week we have dance lessons (prepping for end of month dance recital), babysitting class and baseball pizza party for Chelsea, and swimming...lots of swimming. My older three have full work schedules...which is not a bad thing in this economic day-and-age.

~ ~ ~

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

the newest little Gibson cousin you all prayed into being. She arrived very tiny but very healthy and very beautiful. Thank you!

This is my own Cajun Cottage version of the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my Window...

Morning coolness.

The remnants of weekend frontyard soccer/baseball games.

Uncoiled garden hoses. 

A couple of abandoned beach towels.

~ ~ ~ 

I am thinking. . . about keeping the summertime tranquil and unplanned.

~ ~ ~

I am thankful for. . .various family members who made it home safely from Colorado and cruise trips...and had a great time!!! 

~ ~ ~

From the schoolroom. . .Reading and Teaching Textbook Math continues through the summer. I had a few thoughts last night on some creative copywork...if I could only remember that brilliant idea this morning!

~ ~ ~

From the kitchen. . . planning some outside picnic suppers this week.

Tonight's menu:

I am wearing. . . my royal blue nightgown...still honoring that first day of summer vacation.

~ ~ ~

I am creating... lots of Louisiana History plans for next year's co-op class. The children are excited. I'm excited.

~ ~ ~

I am going. . .to wash my hair as soon as I post this.

 .

~ ~ ~

I am reading. ..besides reading My GoogleReader this morning, I am reading Donna-Marie's new blog: View from the Domestic Church and the summertime sections from Susan Hill's The Magic Apple Tree: A Country Year 

~ ~ ~

I am hoping. . .to keep the summertime tranquil and unplanned while getting as much accomplished as possible. That's the plan anyway.

~ ~ ~

I am hearing. . . birds chirp and squirrels chatter outside my window. 

~ ~ ~

I am praying...for joy...always:

Fr. Alexander Schmemann wrote, “I think God will forgive everything except lack of joy; when we forget that God created the world and saved it. Joy is not one of the components of Christianity, it’s the tonality of Christianity that penetrates everything.”

~ ~ ~

Observing the Liturgical Calendar...Being lazy this month. There are plans for a VBS, if I get the information form and get the girls registered in time.

On a personal note, I still don't have my June Magnificat...haven't had time to get to the Catholic bookshop. So I've been praying chaplets in my spare time.

~ ~ ~

Around the house. . . lots of children at the house this weekend.

Got my tables and countertop cleared off. That's huge!

I'm thinking about cleaning out cabinets again because the result is so beautiful.

~ ~ ~

One of my favorite things. . .  Summertime Saturdays, beautiful, beautiful weekends spent at home with family, and lots of Sunday soccer games from dawn to dusk with a handful of players and only a handful of rules.

And my brother-in-law bringing us two or three fresh cucumbers from the garden every morning.

~ ~ ~

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .It's all about simple this summer. Things have slowed down. Joyfully so. This week we have dance lessons (prepping for end of month dance recital), babysitting class and baseball pizza party for Chelsea, and swimming...lots of swimming. My older three have full work schedules...which is not a bad thing in this economic day-and-age.

~ ~ ~

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

the newest little Gibson cousin you all prayed into being. She arrived very tiny but very healthy and very beautiful. Thank you!

Summertime Daybook Entry

This is my own Cajun Cottage version of the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my Window...still cool enough to open my window and let the breezes dance in.

My girls' little cajun cottage under the solemn oak trees sits rejected and forlorn. I think they need to hire a maid and a gardener.*

*I see no signs of them having hired the maid or the gardener.  At least they shut the door so I don't have to witness it.

~ ~ ~

I am thinking. . . about writing projects this summer.

~ ~ ~

I am thankful for. . .life and good health...and a very lovely birthday girl.

~ ~ ~

From the schoolroom. . .we didn't exactly "finish" every last plan or workbook page but we are finished enough to call it quits. The learning cabinet has been cleared out and cleaned out. Local used book sale is next week! Book baskets have been sorted through and re-organized.

Reading and Teaching Textbook Math continues through the summer.

~ ~ ~

From the kitchen. . .

• Breakfast: Red Gravy & Country Ham Grits
• Lunch: Mac and Cheese
• Supper: Taco Salad
• Dessert: Chocolate birthday cake still in the kitchen

I'm also planning a 2-week summertime menu rotation. I want cool, simple meals to fix this summer. So far I have:

• Supreme Taco Salad
• Ranch-Bacon Pasta Salad/Ham-Roast Po-Boy Sandwiches
• Chicken Salad & Tomato Florentine
• Chicken Monterey & German Potato Salad
• Tacos

I'm still coming up with some cool summertime meals and am open to any simple, simple, simple ideas.

Stay tuned for a complete menu rotation.

~ ~ ~

I am wearing. . . my royal blue nightgown...in honor of the first day of summer vacation.

~ ~ ~

I am creating... a Louisiana Passport site.

~ ~ ~

I am going. . .to write a bunch this summer.

~ ~ ~

I am reading. . .I have once again pulled out Bayou Farewell by Mike Tidwell.

~ ~ ~

I am hoping. . .to get much accomplished this summer. That's the plan anyway.

~ ~ ~

I am hearing. . . the lawnmower outside, the television playing and Annie playing with our Fontanini set inside. 

~ ~ ~

I am praying...my parents, brother and niece have a safe trip to and from Colorado and for my other niece who left yesterday on a cruise ship.

~ ~ ~

Observing the Liturgical Calendar...need to pull out June's calendar and look. I'm open for simple, simple, simple plans.

~ ~ ~

Around the house. . . With school being officially ended, I was able to sort, delete and refile our books.

I also took time this weekend to clean out the little girls' closet.

The house is looking much better.

~ ~ ~

One of my favorite things. . . Simple ideas, fresh mown lawns, Annie playing with our Fontanini set, and candles on birthday cakes.

~ ~ ~

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .It's all about simple this summer. Things have slowed down. Joyfully so. We have only one ballgame, two dance practices, and one evening of soccer practice this week.

~ ~ ~

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

(Kayleigh's 19th birthday cake and roses)

This is my own Cajun Cottage version of the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my Window...still cool enough to open my window and let the breezes dance in.

My girls' little cajun cottage under the solemn oak trees sits rejected and forlorn. I think they need to hire a maid and a gardener.*

*I see no signs of them having hired the maid or the gardener.  At least they shut the door so I don't have to witness it.

~ ~ ~

I am thinking. . . about writing projects this summer.

~ ~ ~

I am thankful for. . .life and good health...and a very lovely birthday girl.

~ ~ ~

From the schoolroom. . .we didn't exactly "finish" every last plan or workbook page but we are finished enough to call it quits. The learning cabinet has been cleared out and cleaned out. Local used book sale is next week! Book baskets have been sorted through and re-organized.

Reading and Teaching Textbook Math continues through the summer.

~ ~ ~

From the kitchen. . .

I am wearing. . . my royal blue nightgown...in honor of the first day of summer vacation.

~ ~ ~

I am creating... a Louisiana Passport site.

~ ~ ~

I am going. . .to write a bunch this summer.

~ ~ ~

I am reading. . .I have once again pulled out Bayou Farewell by Mike Tidwell.

~ ~ ~

I am hoping. . .to get much accomplished this summer. That's the plan anyway.

~ ~ ~

I am hearing. . . the lawnmower outside, the television playing and Annie playing with our Fontanini set inside. 

~ ~ ~

I am praying...my parents, brother and niece have a safe trip to and from Colorado and for my other niece who left yesterday on a cruise ship.

~ ~ ~

Observing the Liturgical Calendar...need to pull out June's calendar and look. I'm open for simple, simple, simple plans.

~ ~ ~

Around the house. . . With school being officially ended, I was able to sort, delete and refile our books.

I also took time this weekend to clean out the little girls' closet.

The house is looking much better.

~ ~ ~

One of my favorite things. . . Simple ideas, fresh mown lawns, Annie playing with our Fontanini set, and candles on birthday cakes.

~ ~ ~

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .It's all about simple this summer. Things have slowed down. Joyfully so. We have only one ballgame, two dance practices, and one evening of soccer practice this week.

~ ~ ~

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

(Kayleigh's 19th birthday cake and roses)

Busy Beehive Daybook

This is my own Cajun Cottage version of the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my Window...my girls' little cajun cottage under the solemn oak trees. I think they need to hire a maid and a gardener.

I am thinking. . . do I really want to go to Blue Bayou Waterpark tomorrow? Not really. Perhaps it'll rain.

I am thankful for. . .a husband who, on his day off, brings the computer to co-op and sets it up just so everyone can see our daughter's Louisiana History video presentation (which we were never able to transfer onto our laptops).

From the schoolroom. . .we were going to wrap up the school year this week and finish it all by Friday. Looking at my "few plans for the rest of the week", this will prove to be a miracle if it happens. Woe is me!

From the kitchen. . . shrimp fettucini, buttered corn, Texas toast, garden-fresh cucumbers/squash for 11 people. It's a lesson in portion-control for the four teenagers involved.

Dessert: Chocolate cake that Annie won in the Family Reunion Cake Walk 

I am wearing. . . white T-shirt w/ floral print & blue jeans

I am creating... a Louisiana Passport site.

I am going. . .to Adoration.

I am reading. . .lots of Great Depression picture books with my children. Check the left-hand sidebar for the listings.

I am hoping. . .the Bishop is able to help our Catholic hs group find a permanent facility to use for co-op next year.

I am hearing. . . I have seven children running around my house, eating in my kitchen, and film-making outside. Need I say more?

 I am praying...for Colleen and her new baby

...for Marilyn and her new baby

They will share a very special day tomorrow.

Observing the Liturgical Calendar... May is all about Mary. Plans are for:

• May altar
• May garden
• May crowning

I plan to share pictures. Soon.

Around the house. . . I'm too tired to look. One day it's clean. Another day it's cluttered. Let me just say...'tis lived in.*

* This has not changed since last week's daybook or the week before that or the week before that.

I really thought after April things would slow down. They haven't. If anything life has gotten busier. Yesterday I added five more things in my planner.

I have to remember what a good friend told me one day at co-op:

"We pick our own stresses in life."

I have to look at each "stress" I write in my planner (no one is forcing my hand) and count them all as blessings. It's a life full of planning and preparing, giving and receiving, loving and living, pruning and growing, learning and embracing.

It's all good! It's a marvelous thing called life!

One of my favorite things. . . full schedules and unfull schedules.

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .

• Monday: Last day of co-op for junior/senior high classes
• Tuesday: Blue Bayou waterpark w/ 4-H (incase of rain we'll just head to the movies)
• Wednesday: Marian Tea Party hosted by my good friend Grace
• Wednesday night: Mother's meeting to discuss elementary co-op plans for 2009-2010 school year
• Thursday: Keeper's Club Awards
• Friday: Roller Skating & Library Summer Kick-off
• Saturday: Kayleigh's birthday!!!
• Sunday: BBQ and pool party for friend's son's Confirmation

(baseball games and dance thrown in for good measure)

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

Summer! It's just around the corner!

This is my own Cajun Cottage version of the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my Window...my girls' little cajun cottage under the solemn oak trees. I think they need to hire a maid and a gardener.

I am thinking. . . do I really want to go to Blue Bayou Waterpark tomorrow? Not really. Perhaps it'll rain.

I am thankful for. . .a husband who, on his day off, brings the computer to co-op and sets it up just so everyone can see our daughter's Louisiana History video presentation (which we were never able to transfer onto our laptops).

From the kitchen. . . shrimp fettucini, buttered corn, Texas toast, garden-fresh cucumbers/squash for 11 people. It's a lesson in portion-control for the four teenagers involved.

Dessert: Chocolate cake that Annie won in the Family Reunion Cake Walk 

I am wearing. . . white T-shirt w/ floral print & blue jeans

I am creating... a Louisiana Passport site.

I am going. . .to Adoration.

I am reading. . .lots of Great Depression picture books with my children. Check the left-hand sidebar for the listings.

I am hoping. . .the Bishop is able to help our Catholic hs group find a permanent facility to use for co-op next year.

I am hearing. . . I have seven children running around my house, eating in my kitchen, and film-making outside. Need I say more?

 I am praying...for Colleen and her new baby

...for Marilyn and her new baby

They will share a very special day tomorrow.

Observing the Liturgical Calendar... May is all about Mary. Plans are for:

Late Night Issue Daybook

This is my own Cajun Cottage version of the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my Window...my white filagree bedroom curtains keep the darkness out of my home and hearth.

I am thinking. . . of plans our real-life co-op is forming for the new school year.

I am thankful for. . . abundant gardens.  Really and truly thankful!

The harvest is plentiful...

Stay tuned for pictures of the potato harvest.

From the schoolroom. . .my eleven-yr-old and I worked on a nice little English lesson today: the Figures of Speech. So much nicer than an evening of Math. In my book anyway.

From the kitchen. . . schoolbooks! lots of schoolbooks stewing on the table. We're trying to finish our work by the end of May. And we will!

I am wearing. . . navy blue nightgown

I am creating... something fun...fixing to be unveiled...soon.

I am going. . .to bed.

I am reading. . .lots of Great Depression picture books with my children. Check the left-hand sidebar for the listings.

I am hoping. . .the Bishop is able to help our Catholic hs group find a permanent facility to use for co-op.

I am hearing. . . the faint sound of a distant television. A door clicking closed. The hiss of the water filter. Dogs barking. Seems there are more sounds at night than in the morning. Odd.

 I am praying...for many online prayer intentions.

Observing the Liturgical Calendar... May is all about Mary. Plans are for:

• May altar
• May garden
• May crowning

Around the house. . . I'm too tired to look. One day it's clean. Another day it's cluttered. Let me just say...'tis lived in.*

* This has not changed since last week's daybook or the week before that.

I have cleaned out the schoolbooks and aligned the school books for next year but if you look around my sitting room you'll be fooled. Stacks of books are heaving and tumbling all over the place. They will be going into next month's used book sale. For now, they sit.

I cleaned out the bathroom drawers today and my youngest daughter set-up a spa in the living room while my oldest daughter decided to repaint and remodel her room this week. She shoveled all her stuff into the hallway. Combine that with the bathroom being remodeled. Step laddars and paint buckets and stacks of tile and buckets of grout threaten to trip-up my best intentions.

I'm pretty discouraged in this housekeeping department. Can. Not. Get. Ahead!

One of my favorite things. . . mimosa and magnolia trees in bloom.

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .senior supper tomorrow night (even though I don't have a senior this year) and graduation party for friend's son on Saturday

And Grace and her family coming to see my garden. :-)

And hopefully a frappuccino or mocha shared with my niece before she leaves on her cruise.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

The mimosa trees and magnolias have dressed up in their Sunday finest just in time for summer. :-)

Merry Month of May Simply Cottage Daybook

This is my own Cajun Cottage version of the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my Window...early summer storm threatens on the horizon.

I am thinking. . . of what I want to read in Adoration tonight.

I am thankful for. . . geeky computer friends who are so much geekier than I am...and actually understand all the geeky stuff that I only pretend to know...and can actually clean-up all the geeky messes I make on my computer.

From the schoolroom. . .today was 8AM-3 PM co-op day, so the children were a little taken aback when, upon getting home, I told them to do a lesson of math and some reading. Jaws unhinged, teeth unclinched, eyes popped out. Basically, they came unglued. Surely Mommy jests! I patiently (patiently!) explained that the end of May is but a breeze away. It's a case of learning discipline over our time, our matter, and our studies. It's a lesson in learning perserverance.

From the kitchen. . . It was fried frog legs in Louisiana History class today.

Supper was going to be leftovers but my husband just called me from the soccer field. The boys and coaches are all stopping for a bite to eat. He's going to bring me home a nice salad.

I need to plan our Great Depression meal for this Wednesday. I'm thinking the Poorman's Meal.

I'm also greatly enjoying my newish-old copy of The Butt'ry Shelf Cookbook by Mary Mason Campbell and Tasha Tudor. I LOVE this little book. It's currently out-of-print and used copies run for quite a buck. I was extremely lucky to find a good used copy for $8.99.

I am wearing. . . blue jeans and white-floral T-shirt.

I am creating... actually I've been enjoying the jewelry creations spun by Singing Ladybug Mama. So many lovely, summery, fanciful things that make thoughtful gift-giving even more thoughtful and creative. Go see her shop here:
Singing Ladybug Jewelry

I am going. . .to Adoration with my husband.

I am reading. . .My Heart Lies South by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino (I've been asked for my opinion on this book. Stay tuned for review later.)

I am hoping. . .all is quiet on the home front w/ my sister-in-law and niece. Thank you for all the prayers. So far they are doing much better.

I am hearing. . . the light pitter-patter of little raindrops on the roof.

I am praying...for my sister-in-law and niece.

Observing the Liturgical Calendar... May is all about Mary. Plans are for:

• May altar
• May garden
• May crowning

Around the house. . . I'm too tired to look. One day it's clean. Another day it's cluttered. Let me just say...'tis lived in.*

* This has not changed since last week's daybook. Last night I was overwhelmed. Truly overwhelmed. There are too many remodeling jobs going on around here, school is finishing and the schoolroom desperately needs a decluttering maid, and I'm thinking we simply have too much furniture around here.

Without getting into details, the house was a disaster. I can hardly leave the house on Monday mornings if it is not at least picked-up with some semblance of order. I also never go to bed without a good swift pick-up/clean-up around the house. It's a habit and a good one. And that's what I did last night (Mother's Day Night) before going to bed at midnight. When it was finished, I slept very well.

The schoolroom and cabinets are on my hit-list next.

One of my favorite things. . . the smell of rain and listening to Annie read this library book over and over and over and over and...:

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont (Hat Tip to my picturebook-loving-buddy Joann for mentioning this fabulous book on her blog)---break out the fingerpaint and make sure your library allows you to keep this book a full two weeks months years. Your little reader will NOT want to part with it. Guaranteed delight! Makes a wonderful birthday gift complete with fingerpaints and paint brushes.

(Stay tuned for some whimsical artwork and face painting.)

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .a couple of ballgames. That's all. Lucky me!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Big sister braiding little sister's hair in the vehicle on our way to the Abbey.

 

My Simple Maytime Daybook

This is my own Cajun Cottage version of the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my Window...a beautiful spring day with a touch of June in the air.

I am thinking. . . how well our garden is doing. Yesterday my husband picked a bucketfull of bush beans.

I am thankful for. . . life, family and friends

From the schoolroom. . .the main computer has been fixed!!! Now to catch-up on our Teaching Textbooks lessons.  This will be a blessing to my un-mathematical daughter that her un-mathematical mother is no longer trying to explain mathematics to her.

From the kitchen. . . today was co-op day which makes for a long, tiring day. So Mondays are always slow-cooker or boxed meal suppers. Tonight it's 4-cheese lasagna w/ corn and baby lima benas.

I am wearing. . . a cream top and blue jeans.

I am creating... more Mosaics. I worked on three picture books today (inbetween the two co-op classes I teach).

I am going. . .to bed early.

I am reading. . .My Heart Lies South by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino

I am hoping. . .all is quiet on the home front w/ my sister-in-law and niece. Thank you for all the prayers. So far they are doing much better.

I am hearing. . . forks and plates in the kitchen.

I am praying...for my sister-in-law and niece.

Observing the Liturgical Calendar... May is all about Mary. Plans are for:

• May altar
• May garden
• May crowning

Around the house. . . I'm too tired to look. One day it's clean. Another day it's cluttered. Let me just say...'tis lived in.

One of my favorite things. . . books!

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .not much, not much at all.  A ballgame, dance lessons, and a Language Arts curriculum sharing at my friend Linda's house.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Child-labor! Poster Child

My Simple Easter Season Daybook

This is my own Cajun Cottage version of the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my Window...it's dark 

I am thinking. . . about my sister-in-law

I am thankful for. . . every day of my life and that of individual family members. Every. single. day.

From the schoolroom. . .I am waiting for my oldest son to bring me his critical analysis essay to proofread before he submits it tomorrow. He works all day so I'm use to late-night writing projects.

From the kitchen. . .because of nursing duties at the hospital, I haven't cooked at all this week...guess that's our Great Depression meal for the week.

I am wearing. . . red slacks, black slip-ons, floral shirt, no make-up 

I am creating... new mosaic study guides.

I am going. . .to bed in a little bit.

I am reading. . .The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila

I am praying...for my sister-in-law...still

I am hoping. . .my sister-in-law starts to recover soon. Please offer a prayer for her and strength for my brother-in-law.

I am hearing. . . the shower. Everyone is using the new shower.

Observing the Liturgical Calendar...just offering many prayers for my sister-in-law.

Around the house. . . bathroom remodeling. Here is a photo:

We have a shower again! Oh, happy day!

One of my favorite things. . .my new writing corner

 

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .

• Thursday: Dentist for children, Keeper's Club Meeting, and baseball game
• Friday: wedding
• Saturday: ARCH Conference in Houston, TX...I'm looking forward to seeing you there. :-)
• Sunday: working an area soccer tournament w/ our soccer team...Coach Larry had to leave for South Africia so Mark got put in charge.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

Our recent weekend trip to St. Joseph's Abbey in Covington, La.

My Holy Week Daybook

This is my own Cajun Cottage version of the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my Window...it's a beautiful spring day and I have a new window to look out of. My computer and I are no longer in the living area by the french patio doors. Over the weekend I swept, scrubbed, and sanctified my bedroom and made a new retreat place. Here is the new computer desk my oldest children (who have jobs) bought me and which was put together screw by screw by my middle child in place of his schoolwork last Thursday:

I am thinking. . . about projects...many, many projects

I am thankful for. . . every day of my life and that of individual family members. Every. single. day.

From the schoolroom. . .a new laptop computer (early birthday gift from my dear husband). I already have new school plans for next year stored away in the files.

From the kitchen. . .I gave my kitchen the day off today.

• Breakfast: microwavable oatmeal and cinnamon toast on our way out the door to co-op
• Lunch: picnic basket w/ peanut butter/jelly sandwiches, carrots and dressing, applesauce, and potato chips
• Supper: egg salad sandwiches

I am wearing. . . a white floral T-shirt, blue jeans, brown penny loafers, and a patchwork jacket (it's a cold spring day)

I am creating... a new garden and a remodeled bathroom and a goodie box for an online friend and a new prayer corner

I am going. . .to baseball practice.

I am reading. . .The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila

I am praying...for my sister-in-law who came home from the hospital today after a surprise two-week stay in the hospital and is still not 100% better. And for our pastor who went home last week from the hospital.

I am hoping. . .my sister-in-law doesn't have any more medical episodes. Please offer a prayer for her.

I am hearing. . . my dear husband grout the new shower.

 

Observing the Liturgical Calendar...

I will be observing the Holy Triduum this week as best I can. Family plans and obligations bid me to read and follow in secret submission the advice given by Elisabeth Leseur.

Taken from Pope Benedict XVI's letter to the General Audience 2008:

• Holy Thursday: the Church commemorates the Last Supper, during which the Lord instituted...the Sacrament of the Eucharist and that of the Priestly Ministry. That same night, Jesus bequeathed to us...the commandment of brotherly love.

• Good Friday is the day when the Passion, Crucifixion and death of Jesus are commemorated. On this day the liturgy of the Church does not provide for the celebration of Holy Mass, but the Christian assembly gathers to meditate on the great mystery of evil and sin which oppress humanity in order to retrace, in the light of God's Word and assisted by moving liturgical actions, the Lord's suffering that expiated this evil.

• Holy Saturday is marked by a profound silence. Churches are bare and no special liturgics are planned. While believers wait with expectation for the great event of the Resurrection, they persevere with Mary in prayer and meditation.

Around the house. . . bathroom remodeling. Here are a few photos:

 

We have water again! Oh, happy day!

 

View of countertop. I am very happy w/ the tile we chose.

One of my favorite things. . . Spring! I really, really LOVE Spring and the fact that my birthday is in spring!

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .

• Tuesday: Last 4-H meeting of the year
• Wednesday: CCD (oops! scratch that...we're done for the year! Happy feet!)
• Thursday: Washing and packing for spring camping trip

Here is picture thought I am sharing...her sister may have been reading the American Girl books at this age but she's still reading Dr. Seuss books and enjoying them very much. They give her a very real feeling of accomplishment that makes us all smile.

 

My Wednesday Daybook

This is my own Cajun Cottage version of the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my Window...it's too beautiful and tempting of a spring day to stay inside. After math and reading, we're headed outside. Perhaps a teatime picnic.

I am thinking. . . how blessed my life is.

I am thankful for. . . friends who call me from afar to share, discuss, counsel, and theorize why our teenagers do the things they do.

From the schoolroom. . .so we got the computer back from the repair guy only to have it work one hour and go back to the blue screen which really makes us blue. Our school work continues but we are sadly back to workbooks for our math lessons and puts us even further behind on our wonderful Teaching Textbooks lessons. That makes me even bluer. :o(

From the kitchen. . . this week we begin our Great Depression Cooking with Clara. Today's menu is Peppers and Eggs.

I am wearing. . . a pink top and blue jeans w/ brown penny-loafers

I am creating... a Mosaic-style book study to go with each of our Great Depression picture books and Stations of the Cross bags for CCD class.

I am going. . .to the library.

I am reading. . .The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila

I am hoping. . .my head stops spinning and my tooth problem is just a simple case of hidden swollen sinuses. Really need to get outside today.

I am hearing. . . girlish voices in the bedroom across from mine, a threatening cough, and the trash trucks picking up the weekly garbage.

I am praying...all the church parishioners I was made aware of last night upon visiting my sister-in-law in the hospital...taken from my prayer notebook:

• sister-in-law Jan (Annie's godmother) w/ double pneumonia
• Theresa R.'s son in hospital w/ heart condition
• Mr. T. in physical therapy for mini-stroke
• Mrs. A. in hospital w/ obstruction

Observing the Liturgical Calendar...Feast of the Annunciation today and presenting Stations of the Cross bags to my CCD class today.

Around the house. . . the bathroom remodeling is going slow...so slow, tables from yesterday's tea party are still in living area, heap of laundry to finish.

One of my favorite things. . . Spring! I really, really LOVE Spring and, being one of the lucky few who is not prone to allergies, I get to enjoy the loveliness without the crude.

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .

• Thursday: noon Mass and Mr. Gatti's w/ Catholic hs group followed by stations of the cross and playtime at friend's house
• Friday: basketball team over here to play in the afternoon
• Saturday: indoor swimming bday party, company Easter party
• Sunday: Garden Festival w/ 4-H, bridal shower

Here is picture thought I am sharing...table setting from yesterday's tea party, my cheerful yellow teapot given to me by this friend.

 

...and the lovely flowers brought to me by the beautiful daughters of this friend.

Daybooking from Missouri

For Today I'm Following my own Cajun Cottage version of the Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my Window...is the beautiful sunny city of Springfield, MO. We're here this week for this: National Christian Homeschool Basketball Tournament

I am thinking. . . of how to get rid of all this cake!

I am thankful for. . . real-life homeschooling groups who are dear friends as well.

From the schoolroom. . .Springfield MO is our classroom this week.

From the kitchen. . . what kitchen? I'm in a hotel room. Oh, you mean the ice chest in the corner? Well, there's a vegetable tray, bags of ice, grapes, water bottles, yogurt, and a honey-bun cake on top.

I am wearing. . . blue pajamas w/ yellow and white floral design

I am creating...lots of photo albums of our Nationals trip

I am going. . .to several basketball games this week. And let's not forget the poolside for little sisters who have to follow their brother's ball team around the country.

I am reading. . .a little of this and a little of that.

I am hoping. . .to sleep in tomorrow.

I am hearing. . . Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou on television

I am praying...especially for my son. This week was his 16th birthday...on the 16th...that makes it extra big and extra special.

Observing the Liturgical Calendar...St. Patrick's Feast Day and St. Joseph's Feast Day on the road. It's a stretch...

Around the house. . .  as long as my older children don't burn my house down or starve the house dogs, all is good.

One of my favorite things. . . not having to cook....well, no...I like to cook. It would have to be: not having to wash dishes for a whole week.

A few plans for the rest of the week. . .more basketball games, Sports Hall of Fame, Lambert's Cafe, and, hopefully, the Titanic Museum

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

 

 

We stopped at Laura Ingalls Wilder's house in Mansfield, MO today. Spacey-Me forgot the camera in the van and thought I had left it in the hotel room...only to find it in my book bag on the way to the Rock House which Laura's daughter Rose had built for her parents (they lived there 8 years). So I was able to take pictures outside the Rock House.