The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today.....Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Outside my window.....the day is very overcast and rainy.  There is a possible chance thunderstorms.  The current temperature is 45 degrees.  I'm thankful to be snug and dry inside today! 

I am thinking.....I'm going to take a blog break for awhile.  I've been blogging for 4 ½ years now, and I just don't know what to blog about anymore.  I will continue to visit with everyone, so I will still be around.

I am thankful....for the lovely friends I've met while blogging!  You have all been a blessing to me, and an encouragement.  I appreciate all of you so much!  Thank you for your friendships. :)

In the kitchen.....Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup and a green salad for dinner.  The soup is a new recipe that I haven't tried before,  so I hope that we will like it!   Someone requested the recipe for Salsa Chicken...so here it is.   It's a quick and easy recipe!

Salsa Chicken 

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 16 oz jar  of the salsa of your choice 

1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup of corn  (I use frozen corn)

Place chicken in the crock pot, mix other ingredients together and pour over chicken.  (I don't season the chicken  with anything other than the salsa because that is enough heat for us.)  Cover and cook on low for five hours, or until chicken is tender.  Once the chicken is tender, I cut up it up and serve it over rice.  I accompany it  with a green salad or a vegetable.   Enjoy!

I am wearing.....blue jeans, tan colored long sleeved shirt, and a dark blue vest.

I am going.....nowhere until Thursday morning Bible study.

I am reading.....I'm in between books right now, so I'm not sure what I want to read next.

I am looking forward to.....Bible study on Thursday morning.  I've had to miss the last couple of weeks, and I miss seeing my friends.  There isn't enough time to visit on Sunday mornings.

Around the house.....Parker's toys are scattered everywhere today!  :)

A favorite quote for today.....'God's peace is joy resting.  His joy is peace dancing.' ~F.F. Bruce~

One of my favorite things.....spending time alone with my sweet husband!  ♥

A few plans for the rest of the week....nothing until Bible study Thursday morning, a church meeting Thursday evening, church on Sunday.

A peek into my day.....Parker coloring, and his first big boy hair cut!  :)

Please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook to read more daybooks.

A Home...

Lilac Cottage, by Thomas Kinkade

Nothing on earth is so divine as a home. 
It is four walls and a roof, with windows to let in the sunshine, 
and a door to bar against the outer word, and to open to one's friends. 
It is a nest full of sweetness and peace. 
It is an asylum and a refuge and a shelter 
and a place of withdrawal from storm and tempest. 
It is a place of dignity and repose.

~Margaret E. Sangster~

Image courtesy of Google Images

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today.....Wednesday, February 13, 2013


Outside my window.....the sun is setting low in the west.  Today was another gorgeous day, with beautiful blue skies and lots of sunshine!  We have been blessed with many lovely days lately.

I am thinking.....yesterday William, Parker and I met his other grandparents (Ann and Lou) in the park across the street from their apartment.  Ann used to share in caring for Parker, but has been experiencing some health problems lately.  She misses taking care of Parker, so William thought it would be fun for her and Lou to visit Parker at the park.  We visited for about an hour and watched Parker play!   It was a very enjoyable time.  We decided that we would try to do it more often since the weather has been so lovely.  I'm thankful Parker got to spend some time with his Grammy and Papa.   :)

I am thankful.....for my sweet valentine, my husband William.  ♥


In the kitchen.....we are having Salsa Chicken, rice and green salad for dinner tonight.


I am wearing.....blue jeans, lavender short sleeve shirt, and a warm gray sweater.


I am creating.....Valentine gifts for William and Michelle for tomorrow.   :)


I am going.....nowhere until Friday evening.


I am reading.....I just started reading Like Gold Refined, by Janette Oke.


I am looking forward to.....the marriage seminar my church is holding this weekend!


Around the house.....getting caught up on laundry!  I've let it get way behind this week.

A favorite quote for today.....'Everything around me may change, but our God is changeless!' ~Carol Kent~

One of my favorite things.....the smell of dinner cooking!    :)

A few plans for the rest of the week....celebrating Valentine's day, marriage seminar Friday night and all day Saturday, church on Sunday.

A peek into my day.....Happy Valentine's Day!!

Please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook to read more daybooks.

The Touch Of The Master’s Hand

I read this poem a long time ago, and was touched by what it said. I came across it again recently, and thought I would share...

The Touch Of The Master's Hand

Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer

Thought it sacredly worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin,

But held it up with a smile:

“What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried,

“Who’ll start the bidding for me?”

“A dollar, a dollar”; then “Two!” “Only two?

Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?

Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;

Going for three…..” But no,

From the back of the room, a gray-haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,

And tightening the loose string

He played a melody pure and sweet

As a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,

With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said: “What am I bid for the old violin?”

And he held it up with the bow.

“A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two?

Two thousand! And who’ll make it three?

Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice,

And going, and gone,” said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,

"We do not quite understand

What changed its worth.” Swift came the reply:

“The touch of a master’s hand.”

And many a man with life out of tune,

And battered and scarred with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,

Much like the old violin.

A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine;

A game–and he travels on.

He is “going" once, and “going” twice,

He’s “going” and almost “gone.”

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd

Never can quite understand

The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought

By the touch of the Master’s hand.

~Myra Brooks Welch~

 Image courtesy of Google Images

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today.....Thursday, February 7, 2013

Outside my window.....it's dark out right now.  The current temperature is 50 degrees.  It rained a little bit this morning, though the weather cleared this afternoon, with lots of sunshine and blue skies.  Tomorrow is supposed to be clear.

I am thinking.....Megan had a doctor's appointment a couple of days ago.  She is almost six months along now.  (I told her this pregnancy seems to be going by fast!)  She and the baby are doing fine. :)  I don't think I've mentioned before that the new little one is a boy!  We are very excited about having another grandson!! 

I am thankful....for the fact that we always have food to eat, and a warm place to sleep.

In the kitchen.....I fixed Black Bean Chili, and a green salad for dinner tonight.  The chili tasted really good!  :)

I am wearing.....blue jeans, a long sleeve grayish blue shirt, and a gray hoodie sweatshirt.

I am going.....nowhere until church on Sunday.

I am reading.....Taking Up Your Cross, by Tricia McCary Rhodes 

I am looking forward to.....William and I are going to a marriage seminar next weekend that is sponsored by our church.  It should be fun, and a good time to learn!  

Around the house...house cleaning and laundry.  Still trying to figure out what kind of cleaning schedule will work best for me right now.

A favorite quote for today.....God's touch...lights the world with color and renews our hearts with life.  ~Janet L. Weaver~

One of my favorite things.....watching tv with my sweet William. ♥

A few plans for the rest of the week:...I really don't have any plans for the rest of this week.  William is going fishing with my brother Steve on Saturday.  I have a free day, but don't know what I want to do yet.  Church is on Sunday.

A peek into my day...Parker having fun reading books.  :)

Please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook to read more daybooks.

The Beauty Of The House

Sunday Tea Time, by Stephen Darbishire

The beauty of the house is order, 

The blessing of the house is contentment,

The glory of the house is hospitality, 

The crown of the house is godliness.

 ~author unknown~

Happy Sunday...wishing everyone a blessed week.  :)





Image courtesy of Google Images