Simple Woman's Day Book - March 29th - March 31st, 2016

I'm participating in a Simple Woman's Day Book.

Outside my window...it is bright and sunny here in Maryland with a cool breeze blowing.  It looks like you can dress for summer but when you walk outside you immediately feel the coolness. I wrote this two days ago and it is still a little cool here in Maryland...in the 50's or so.  I'm posting it now because I couldn't before so you can see what my week is like here.  Today it is a little overcast.  Two days ago it was bright and sunny.

I am thinking...that I should have kept my sneakers on because they gave me more support.  My leg is hurting and I have to go to the doctor.  My daughter told me to change and I put jean capris and flip flops on.  She is on vacation and I'm taking her to look for prom dresses today.  As soon as I started walking in my flip flops, the pain in my leg got worse.  I walked all over the mall with the kids with a funky limp.  The things moms do for their kids.  Anyway, we bought her prom dress and now all we have to do is have a someone hem it soon.  The prom is on April 15th.

I am thankful...that my son can play with some of the neighborhood children today as they are on spring break too.  I hope he is not catching a cold as it looks very warm outside but the cool breeze can fool you...as mentioned previously.  The neighborhood kids are taking a camping trip later so they won't be around to play with all week.

In the kitchen...We will have chicken tonight.  We had a roast that my husband flavored nicely last night on the grill.  Also, the potatoes cooked very nice on the grill too.  They were so soft on the inside and it only took them about 30 minutes to cook.

I am wearing...a pair of jean capris a summer shirt and a spring jacket.  Today I am wearing warm ups and sneakers.  I learned from wearing my flip flops the other day walking in the mall...learning the hard way.  Although, my leg feels a bit better today.  I was able to walk on the treadmill slowly for 30 minutes.

I am creating...I am creating a craft for our NOL Journal Writing Class next month in April (http://www.meetup.com/nucleusoflife-com/events/229728469/) and some books and craft materials for a homeschool coop class I'm teaching next year.  I'm teaching a Dance and Movement class presently and should be able to jump, skip, and gallop.  It is not easy if my leg is bothering me.  Therefore, pray that it can be healed.

I am going... to the doctor and to look for a prom dress.  The doctor said I had shin splints and my daughters prom dress is midnight blue.  Today I was able to get my hair cut and highlighted.  It was badly needed as it was getting very long and dark.

I am wondering...how I'm going to get my dog updated on her vaccines so that we can look at a wonderful college for my daughter this weekend.  She needs her vaccines updated so that we can put the dog in the kennel while we are gone looking at the college for my daughter.  It worked out and tomorrow I bring Bella to the kennel.

I am looking forward to... Teaching my next journal writing class and going to our homeschool coop Spring Planning Meeting.  I'm also looking forward to getting something that supports my leg better.  I did end up getting a wrap for my leg which helps tremendously if it hurts.

I am hearing...my high school daughter listen to the ACT/SAT Training discs from the library.  Today my husband worked from home and I could hear him on the conference calls he has to make.

Around the house...It is a little messy.  I'm not in a good cleaning mode with my leg feeling achy like this.

I am praying...for two of my friends.  One whose husband just passed away and another who is having tests to see if she has breast cancer which runs in her family.  Please lift these two friends of mine up in prayer with me.  Their names are Zina and Simona.  They are both Lebanese and are beautiful people.

One of my favorite things...was teaching my homeschool NOL Journal Writing class.  We focus on virtues of characters in stories.  The last character had to change his ways so he wouldn't grow up to be a horrid man.  The whole moral was to start good habits when one is young.  The next lesson is on spending our time wisely even when we are being disciplined we can pray or read the Bible.

A few plans for the rest of the week...is to get my dog updated on her vaccines and schedule her to go into the kennel.

Here is a recent picture of Easter 2016:

Easter 2016

It was so nice to have the whole family together on Easter.  I know it is hard for everyone to get together as my older children are so busy with college life.  My oldest is trying to get his Ph.D. in engineering.  He is taking a three week trip out West tomorrow.  Yet he still managed to come and spend the day with us.  It warms my heart just to see him for a little while.  My other son has a beautiful girlfriend.  He is taking college courses in nursing.  I hope they can get married some day.  My daughter is also enrolled in nursing courses.  Both of my daughters will be lifeguards at a local pool this summer.  My two youngest will be on the swim team while my oldest daughter will be an assistant coach for the team.  After Easter dinner, we all came together to pray the rosary.  It is so wonderful to have one's family be united in the Lord!  We all played basketball outside in the cul-de-sac after prayers.  Only I had to watch because my goofy leg was hurting.  I will have to go to the doctor to find out why it has been hurting for over a week.  I teach a dance and movement class at our homeschool coop too.  I need to be able to jump and move good too.  I hope that all of you have had a blessed Easter!  Be thankful that He is Risen and we can join Him in heaven for eternity!

Thanksgiving 2015

If the only prayer you ever say in your life

 is thank you, it will be enough." - Meister Eckhart

Colleen's blog has a meme where you list five things you are thankful for each week.

1) I am grateful for the wonderful Thanksgiving feast we had this year.

2) I was so good to see my mother again.  Here is a picture of three generations of females in our family.

3) I'm grateful for my neighbors also in the pre-Thanksgiving festivities.

4) I'm thankful for my hubby...we've been married for 29 years.

5) I'm grateful for my oldest sons who are following the Lord and doing very well in college.

Celebration Potato Salad

2 lbs. red potatoes (6 med.) - cool

Mix:
2 hard boiled eggs (cool)
2 Green onions
1 - 2 ou. jar pimentos (drained)
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1/3 cup trappey's peppers

Mix
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
3 T. vinegar from peppers
1 T. prepared dijon mustard
1/2 t. salt

Corn and Black Bean Salad

1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
6 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped, optional
1 garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup Italian salad dressing
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/2 teaspoon chili powder

In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients.  In a small bowl, combine the salad dressing, cilantro, lime juice, hot pepper sauce, and chili powder.  Pour over corn mixture and toss to coat.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.  Serve with a slotted spoon.

6-8 servings

Spooky Witches' Fingers

This is a traditional Christmas cookie recipe.  Just the shape is changed. (It's a fat witch. I couldn't make them skinnier.)

1 cup butter softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup whole almonds
1 (.75 ounce) tube red decorating gel
Add all ingredients to list

1)  Combine the butter, sugar, eff, almond estract, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl.  Beat together with an electric mixer; gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt, continually beating; refrigerate 20 to 30 minutes.

2)  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheets.

3)  Remove dough from refrigerator in small amounts.  Scoop 1 heaping teaspoon at a time onto a piece of waxed papger.  Use the waxed paper to roll the dough into a thin finger-shaped cookie.  Press one almond into one end of each cookie to give the appearance of a long fingernail.  Squeeze cookie near the tip and again near the center of each to give the impression of knuckles.  You can also cut into the dough with a sharp knife at the same points to help give a more finger-like appearance.  Arrange the shaped cookies on the baking sheets.

4)  Bake in the preheated oven until the cookies are slightly golden in color, 20 to 25 minutes.

5)  Remove the almond from the end of each cookie, squeeze a small amount of red decorating gel into the cavity; replace the almond to cause the gel to ooze out around the tip ot the cookie.

Deo Gratias

"If the only prayer you ever say in your life is thank you, it will be enough." - Meister Eckhart

Colleen's blog has a meme where you list 5 things you are thankful for.

1)  I am thankful for the bible study my husband and I are involved in at our local parish.  It is so rewarding to participate in this worthwhile endeavor with my husband and faith community.

2)  I am thankful for making some jars with dry ingredients for my two neighbors to make Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Quick Bread in the fall.

3)  I am grateful for my two older sons that are in college but still like to spend time at home when they can occasionally.  My oldest is pursuing his Ph.D. in engineering and came to my youngest son's soccer game and spent the day with us this past weekend.  We also watched the Maryland game on the t.v.  They unfortunately lost by one point.  

4)  I am so grateful for our new neighbors with three beautiful little girls.  My son loves to play with them and they are tons of fun.  They are holding a halloween party before trick or treating in our court.  The kids will have a blast.

5)  I am thankful for the recipe of Spooky Witch's Fingers I will make for the halloween party.