8 PAY CHECKS LEFT UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Oh my, only 8 paydays until Christmas for us.

Never too early to start looking at the books!

After Week off....

We had a nice week off.

I know I pretty much did as I pleased. A little organizing, kiltzed a room that was pepto pink, and spent lots of time (when it wasn't raining) on my deck with my feet up. How's that for a week off!!!

BUT, Today is Monday and I am as ready as my kiddo's to start school!!! So we will be back at it shortly.

Hopefully I will post pictures of things that I did accomplish later this week!!!

Have a great Monday!

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

Please visit Leslie's Blog to see everyone participating in Whatcha Working on Wednesday and check out what Leslie has done this week.

I wanted to share how I change this piece of wood I found at goodwill a couple of weeks ago.

It started like this,


and then after a couple coats of paint, a stencil, and some sandpaper I got this...

sorry for the glare I sealed it with a flat finish, but it kept catching the flash.

Anywho, I loved using a stencil and had never put to use any of the ones I bought off ebay months ago. Since it was so easy I quickly (like less than 5 min) placed this one above the door leading from the kitchen into the dining room.

I really enjoy baking and my goal is to make my own bread someday, but I just have not gotten the nerve up to do it yet, but while I was looking for bread recipes I came across Tammy's Chocolate Chip Muffins. Whipped them up fairly quickly and my family is really enjoying them. Please visit Tammy's blog and check out all the many delicious recipes she has.

Thats all I have this week...hope everyone else is having a wonderful week!!!

Pictures of the day

Just a couple more pictures I wanted to share.

First Jack in his cleaning apron, can not dust and tidy up with out it. All 3 of my kiddo's jumping on the trampoline in the rain. Since Lindsey has started college and is working we rarely get to enjoy all three kiddos together and smiling :O). They had a great time playing in the rain and it was a true downpour!!! Apparently the trampoline becomes slick and they turned it into a slip and slide!!!

Picture of the Day

Best Laundry Helpers Ever!!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY : Monday, August 24, 2009

Outside my window...sun glorious sunshine!!

I am thankful for...my family.

From the learning rooms..this is our first break after six weeks of school ... so we are off this week!! woowhoo

From the kitchen...I have a lot of cooking today...just did my monthly grocery shopping so got to get busy.

I am wearing...long denim skirt and navy blue t-shirt...no shoes!

I am creating...not too much this week...I would like to paint the storage room this week!!

I am reading... Looking for a Miracle by Wanda Brunstetter

I am hoping...the sunshine stays.

I am hearing...all is quiet, kiddos are still snoozing

Around the house...Laundry needs to be done, clean the kitchen, kiltz the storage room.

One of my favorite things...Warm sunshine on my face.

A few plans for the rest of the week: hopefully a hike, a trip to the library, and lots of baking.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...A boy and his trains!!

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

Please hop on over to Leslie's Blog for Whatcha Working on Wednesday and see what everyone else is doing!!!

I have finished my snowmen that I was working last week. I just need to get a wreath to attach them too. (mental note ... trip to hobby lobby needed!!!!)

Now I am working on my GW find. I am going to paint this today then sand it a bit and add a stencil design I bought ages ago on ebay.

Next I have to frame the snowmen stitchery that I finished. I have stained it and wrinkled it for the old look now I just have to find a frame for it and get it done and off my kitchen counter.

This is a stitchery saying that I just printed out and copied onto my muslin. I almost got it all done yesterday and plan on finishing it up today also. I think I will eventually make this in to a small pillow to add to my bed. It is in the deep red color that my bedroom is painted.

Finally I wanted to share a link I found to some free stitchery patterns. Please go check it out The Crosseyed Crow - check out what patterns Tammy & Dianne have all for free!!! Have a blessed Wednesday!

Picture of the day - Chef Jack

Jack has been playing chef/cooker all day. He sets his table and we all have to come and eat. Now I just need to work on that felt food that I have the patterns and felt already to make :O) Maybe a chef's hat also.

Not Back-to-School - School Room

In our short time of doing homeschool. We have tried different areas in our home. Most of last year and so far this year we have been using the downstairs family room as our school room. It works best for us. The room is really a big room. It doesn't look like it, but if you think about all we have in there it really is a large room. Jack has his own toy box and book shelf in the room so that he can be occupied when he is not interested in school, or he can head out to the fenced in backyard to play!!

In this shot you can see our big table that we "do" most of our school, crafts, play dough on. We have out bookshelves....these have the books we are currently using, or that I would like to get to using this year!! Our other books are kept in the office closet/bookshelf. You can also see a desk I use for my laptop when in the classroom. Of course Allison did not mind posing for a quick picture!!!

Jonathan (my wonderful husband)put me up a white board wall this summer so I have a 4x8 ft area of nothing but whiteboard, and it works great for us. Also on this wall below my white board is a small white board Jack can do his writing on when he needs too.

This is our comfy reading couch. The ends recline, and makes for comfy cozy reading, maybe even a nap or two if needed.

This is our cork board, and so far this year we have been using it to display Jack's work on. He is so proud of all that he makes he has to show Dad as soon as he gets home!!

That pretty much wraps up our tour of our homeschool school room!!! Thanks for stopping by...Head on over to Darcy's blog to see the other's participants

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY : Monday, August 10, 2009

Outside my window...Clear blue skies

I am thinking...I need to get started gathering things for our yard sale this weekend.

I am thankful for...my husband, my family, and that I can stay home with my children.

From the learning rooms...Jack - moving on to the letter B working on writing the number 1 & 2 and lots of arts and crafts. Allison - catch up on SOS science and history - I should say make up. I did not back up last week and my computer died this weekend and we lost last week's work so we need to do over.

From the kitchen....hmmm?!?!?

I am wearing...Denim capri's, blue t-shirt, and no shoes

I am creating... working on my stitchery

I am going...to the library with the kids later this week.

I am reading...Nothing at the moment ... just finished the Abram Daughter's series by Beverly Lewis

I am hoping...that is will be sunny this weekend for the yard sale

I am hearing...Micky Mouse talk on the TV, Dolly barking outside.

Around the house...is a mess...I was not feeling well this weekend and when mom is sick nothing gets done.

One of my favorite things...Warm Towels

A few plans for the rest of the week:Clean, Sort, Tag, Stitch, Stain, Paint ... lots of things in the work.

Here is picture thought I am sharing: Some Goodwill Finds ...stay tuned for their updated looks soon...

Taste good in the Summer heat

There is just something about an orange after working outside in the heat all morning.

Just hits the spot you know? But my shrubs look a hundred percent better!!

Homeschool - You Tube Video

I absolutly love this~~~~

Whatch Working on Wednesday

OOH!! I just love this idea. I ran across Leslie's blog a few days ago and love all the ideas she shares for crafts & decorating. So run over there and see what she and everyone else is up too!!!


For me this week my items are all Christmas themed. I usually start working on Christmas stuff in July in honor of Christmas in July, but we had one heck of a month so I am starting later.


First of all I just finished my santa stitchery. This is only the 3rd one I have done and did not realize till about half way through and some internet research that things would go better if I only used 2-3 strands for the stitching. So this one looks a little bold. I probably will not stain this one, but I will be turning him into an ornament soon for the tree.

Next can you guess what these are?
They are the start of some salt dough snowmen. Another great blogger that I found through Leslie's blog was Colleen @ And Baby Makes Five...she gives a great tutorial on how to make these. Mine are still drying so you will have to wait until next week to see the finished product. ~~Click here to go to Colleen's tutorial ~~http://andbabymakesfive-colleen.blogspot.com/2008/12/whatcha-working-on-wednesday_10.html




Finally this is my stitchery in progress. This is a free pattern I picked up at Twiggs. I am about half way through with this one. The white does not show up to well....anywho from the pattern you can see what it should look like. This one I plan to stain and frame I think ... maybe a pillow we will see.





Anyway that's what I am working on this week!!!

New Layout

I love all the blog layouts at Cutest Blog on the Block. Please check out everything that is available through that site.

I know fall is a month away - at least I start decorating September 1st even though it will not feel like fall until late October. But since I love the colors of fall I am changing my blog early.

Maybe this will make it feel cooler sooner?

The Simple Woman's Daybook

***Blogger is driving me crazy been trying to post this all day ... urgh!!!

FOR TODAY : Monday, August 3, 2009

Outside my window...the fog is lifting and it appears that the sun might burn the haze off and we will have a sunny and humid day.

I am thankful for...the fact that my daddy is out of the hospital, my husband, my children, and this wonderful day.

From the learning rooms...jumping into week 3 of homeschool for us. We almost have our patterns down. We do need to work on a schedule we tend to start whenever and I think it will work better if we plan our time a little better.

From the kitchen...I can still smell the dough from yesterday's pizza pockets. Bread dough makes the entire house smell good.

I am wearing...no shoes, green shorts and orange hard rock t-shirt.

I am creating...a few stitchery's...I will share later this week.

I am reading... The Revelation by Beverly Lewis.

I am hoping...we have a good week here and that cooler weather finds us soon!

I am hearing...Scooby Doo from the Tv in the livingroom.

Around the house...I need to get started on the laundry and pick up from the weekend.

One of my favorite things... Reading bedtime stories with Jack.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I am sure this will includes a couple dozen rounds of Candy Land with Jack. A trip to the library and probably Walmart as well!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...Jack and Dad