My Heritage

N (on left) with his friend on a hayride
N being goofy and singing as loud as he can on a road trip

M's "pretty" picture. She enjoys taking glamour type pictures of herself for her facebook. This is her in uniform.

M and B being goofy as well. M is my stepdaughter but somehow looks just like me BUT not in this picture ;0)

Bry's "ain't I cute face". Sorry blurry from camera phone being dirty.

Bry dressed as an army soldier in Star Wars.

Don't you see that children are God's best gift?
the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior's fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don't stand a chance against you;
you'll sweep them right off your doorstep. -Psalm 127:3-5 (The Message)

A Happy Home

A woman's best qualities do not reside in her intellect but in her affections. She gives refreshment by her sympathies, rather than by her knowledge. It is this characteristic sympathy of woman which gives to home its charm, and to home and childhood reminiscences a sacredness which causes such songs as "Home Sweet Home" and "The Old Oaken Bucket" to be the favorites of all classes.

The true wife, he says, should possess such qualities as will tend to make home as much as may be a place of repose. To this end, she should have sense enough or worth enough to exempt her husband as much as possible from the troubles of family management, and more especially from all possibility of debt.

The true wife takes a sympathy in her husband's pursuits. She cheers him, encourages him, and helps him. She enjoys his successes and his pleasure, and makes a little as possible over his vexations. If a wife cannot make her home bright and happy, so that it shall be the cleanest, sweetest, cheerfulest place that her husband can find refuge in--a retreat from the toils and troubles of the outer world--the heaven help the poor man, for he is virtually homeless!

--Passage from "Happy Homes And The Hearts That Make Them"

Secrets of the cold-weather pantry

"The reassuring plenty in the pantry and the necessary philosophy of stocking up is never more important than in colder months when you can't just step out onto the stoop and pluck a tomato from your urban garden or head to the farmers' market to pick up armfuls of fresh basil. Until relatively recently, humans-women usually-had to work hard during the summer months to 'put up' for winter, whether in the root cellar, the larder, or the pantry. Today, for better or worse, refrigeration and shipping have transformed the way we eat. But we still need to keep to our mind on being prepared for any entertaining opporutnity that might come our way.

I'm happiest when it's at least down to 20 degrees outside, there's snow falling (the faster the better), and the hectic pace of life slows down just a little and we have to think a little more carefully about our food. What I find absolutely maddening is this irrational hording tendency that grips so many at the least whisper of a dusting and sends even McMansion denizens with deep freezers and survivalist-inspired walk-ins stocked with warehouse foods to rush to the grocery store and buy the last bottle of water, the last pint of skim milk, and the last loaf of preservative-laden bread. As if these three incredients alone are going to get you through a flurry, let alone a blizzard. But with a little sense and decorum and just a bit of planning ahead, we can avoid the insanity of those rushes and instead be prepared to throw together a wonderfully inventive meal when any waylaid soul or cabin-fevered friend may turn up on your doorstep in desperate need of a warm meal, a place by the fire, and a good winter's tale."

Food Items to be Stocked

apples and pears

beans and grains

braising cuts

canned tomatoes

charcuterie

cheese

chocolate

citrus

cranberries

crucifers

dried fruits

game

nuts

pickles

preserves

roots

spices

spirits

squash

more staples

-Eat Feed Autumn Winter: 30 ways to celebrate when the mercury drops by Anne Bramley

Daybook

Please visit Miss Peggy at www.thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com for more Daybooks!

Outside my window... the clouds are covering the sky, it looks as though it may rain, the leaves that are left are still yellow and red with a little orange and brown.

I am thinking...how I cannot believe I am still sick with bronchitis after nearly two weeks!

I am thankful for...my husband's strong arms holding me.

I am wearing...red and navy plaid bottoms and red tank. After my shower I will wear black knit skirt and kelly green short sleeved sweater. I am trying to dress up a bit more. After all of my French women reading I have found they dress up to do anything plus my husband likes me dressed up more. He wasn't too impressed with my mauve t-shirt and jeans over the weekend. So, why not dress up a bit even if you're just cleaning?

I am remembering...how financially poor we used to be. I really do not know how we made it for a few years. I'm so grateful that my husband has always provided for us and has a great job now.

I am going...to the dry cleaners and the school later but otherwise I will be home. Yippee! It's my favorite place in the world! Even if I am working.

I am reading...okay, let's say devouring and upset it's almost finished, What Would Jackie Do? by Shelly Branch and Sue Callaway. It's FABULOUS! I did my senior thesis on how fashion impacts politics and did a large study on Mrs. Onasis. So, this is way cool. I read that book at night. During the day I'm reading Autumn: From the Heart of the Home by Susan Branch. I saw this on www.sugarpiefarmhouse.com.

I am hoping... that the boys have good days. N had a headache this morning because he didn't sleep once again all weekend. B spilled his smoothie and kind of freaked out worrying he would get into trouble. N being a grump yelled at B not to mess up the bathroom as well so B wasn't feeling too well.

On my mind...weight loss.

From the learning rooms...even though I'm not a full-time home educator, B reads every day. Right now we are reading Hank Zipzer: How I Flunked My Field Trip by Henry Winkler (aka "Fonzie"). He is learning about France, which is right up my alley, as you all know!

Noticing that...we leave in less than two weeks to go to Ohio.

Pondering these words..."People have too many theories about rearing children. I believe simply in love, security, and discipline."- Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onasis

From the kitchen...breakfast was smoothies and oatmeal; lunch is turkey wraps and pears (beef jerkey for B as well); dinner will be salmon and stir fry veggies. I probably won't make a dessert though I got a recipe for Lemon Cream Cupcakes. I think everyone is in sugar overload still from the candy.

Around the house...change out some picture frames so that they are all the same color and shop for some posters and pictures for the boys room and bathroom. They are both into music so I that's what I'm focusing on.

One of my favorite things...the movie "Roman Holiday". Audrey Hepburn is another classy and beautiful woman.

From my picture journal... this is B dressed up for the Halloween costume contest at the apartment complex in which he won!

French Friday Part Huit (VIII) Fall exercise

"Fall is a good time to reacquaint yourself with moderate free weights, espically if you're over forty. A bit of extremely simple resistance training is a French woman's answer to the hours of working aerobic machines that many American women favor. The French author Colette, with her proto-Pilates contraptions, was the first modern woman to work out. As I've said, short but focused intervals of exertion several times a week are all you need to be physically healthy. (The rest we do for our head.) A little goes a long way, so don't let extremism overtake you. In the end, those who know how to stay fit while enjoying life come out ahead, mentally and physically.

Overall, a key to managing the uptick of seasonal stress is to increase your physical exertion indoors. Let's face it, the shorter the days, the less time you'll spend outside, where there is no couch or flat screen. I walk and cycle as much as I can. And take the stairs. But I also turn more regularly to yoga. I do more work around the house as well. Sometimes we must make do with short interior journey, such as focusing on a simple task-the French woman's zen. The smallest oases of serenity placed throughout the day can make all the difference to your heart and mental health."
-French Women For All Seasons by Mirielle Guiliano pages 146-147

God enter/devil leave

Something came over me yesterday morning. I told my cousin of some of our trials lately (we have had a good many this year from miscarriage, almost ending of our marriage due to my emotional affair, my husband's ex moving across the street, youngest son trying to push the boundaries, and evil coming into the soul of our oldest son). I told her the devil is in this house. She said I need to pray in each room. That was awhile ago and I never did it. I don't know why. I think I wasn't there enough spiritually. After getting so lost for about a year or so in many ways I was like a new Christian even though I became a Christian 20 years ago when I was ten years of age. There were major incidents with both boys and something my stepdaughter said to them over the weekend I started thinking about it. Then, some of my friends on Facebook put these scriptures on their status' that were so relevant to our family. I knew God was using them to talk to me. I'm so thankful to Him for placing it in their hearts to write these scriptures. After almost dying this past July I became so close to God and just recently both my husband and I are closer than ever marritally and spiritually. To God be the glory. Still, I didn't feel led to do as my cousin, dear Elizabeth, mentioned. Yesterday morning it was there. After the scriptures and a few major incidents it was there. I went into the boys room and prayed for each of them kneeling on their beds. I prayed in their bathroom looking into the same mirror as them when they get so concerned about their looks and valuing them above all else. I prayed in the kitchen for Him to guide me as I shop and prepare foods to do so in a way glorifying to Him and good for our bodies. My youngest and I have some weight to lose. In our bedroom I prayed for my husband and I marriage, our marrital bed, wisdom for my husband as he leads us, and for me to be a godly wife (helpmeet) and mother. As I did this I cried a big puddle and yet felt such a peace. Oh how I love my God! He forgives. He heals. He wraps his arms around you. He can take out the devil. Just ask.

Daybook

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Outside my window...BEAUTIFUL! Lovely blue skies, golden leaves, and a stillness.

I am thinking...that we need to spend time as an entire family this weekend. The children seem so far away from us and God.

I am thankful for...God providing everything we need.

From the kitchen...breakfast was oatmeal and bacon; lunch is chicken nuggets and pear; dinner is spaghetti and meatballs and broccoli (maybe some homemade garlic bread but we'll have to see how I'm feeling); dessert will be chocolate pudding with whipped cream.

I am wearing...army green pants with white dress shirt and gray cardigan

I am going...to Walmart, Payless (to get M's shoes she needs for school play), and Sports Authority.

I am reading..."On Rue Tatin" and Everyday Foods magazine.

I am hoping...that we all get over this terrible cold. The Mr. seems to be on the mend after nearly 2 weeks and B seems a tad better. N seems to be just now getting it. Unfortunately, mine has turned into bronchitis. My immune system is not good at all so when I get something I really get it.

I am hearing...my playlist

Around the house...very little other than what is necessary for I feel so bad.

One of my favorite things...my heating pad!

A few plans for the rest of the week...rest as much as possible. I have to get some groceries and such on Thursday. This week I am going to work with the boys on their cleaning responsibilities. They slack big time and it's my job to train them to do them on time and well.

Picture thought I'm sharing...this is a picture from Allposters called "The Cold" by Norman Rockwell. I thought it was fitting.