Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY (April 20, 2009)...

Outside my window... A clear sky! Thank you Lord, it has rained ALL weekend!

I am thinking... of what to give to my supervisor - she just became Gramma this week!

I am thankful for... the fact that we had business at our garage sale this weekend - Rained all day and there were 97 other garage sales in town the same day.

From the learning rooms...studying up on roses and begin cutting out a new apron.

From the kitchen... Dark chocolate cherry muffins, chicken enchilada bake.

I am wearing...yellow shorts, gray t-shirt (my night clothes)

I am creating...surprise bags for the ladies I am traveling with later this week!

I am going... to go to a Ladie's Retreat on Thursday - Can't Wait for Floodgates!

I am reading... The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry.

I am hoping...that the weather will be nice this coming weekend.

I am hearing...the dishwasher, my little ceramic heater taking the chill off, Honey running water in the bathroom.

Around the house...Vacuuming, ironing, just a little general straightening.

One of my favorite things... is raspberry jam!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Tonight straighten up house. Tomorrow take boxes of left-over garage sale items to the Samaritan Center. Thursday - off to the Ladie's Retreat!

Here is picture thought I am sharing..

Aren't they beautiful - precious sisters in the Lord praying for one another!

Got daybook? If not - go get it!

Hope that you all had a good week last week - mine was pretty consumed with the garage sale and we had inspection at work. Also, our cat was diagnosed with diabetes and was quite sick all last weekend. He is much better now, but we are having to give him insulin injections twice a day. Anywhoo - we are back on track now, weather is gorgeous today. We have planted 2 rose bushes - a Charlotte Armstrong and a Touch of Class. We also planted a Japanese cherry tree - a gift to me from Honey for our 6-month anniversary!

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

This is the dessert that I made for Easter - very rich!

1 1/2 cups Oreo cookie crumbs (or chocolate wafer crumbs)
3 tablespoons melted butter

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk (such as Eaglebrand)
3 eggs
2 tablespoons vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1 teaspoon flour

Mix oreo crumbs and butter in a bowl. Press firmly into a 9-inch springform pan on the bottom.

Heat oven to 300F.

In a bowl mix cream cheese, milk, eggs and vanilla. In a small bowl, toss 1/2 cup chocolate chips with flour. Stir into cheese mixture. Pour into springform pan. Top with remaining chocolate chips.

Bake for 1 hour (i had to make mine a bit longer, maybe 10 minutes or so)

Cool and chill overnight before serving.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY (April 6, 2009)...

Outside my window... BRRRRR! Chilly winds, gray skies and the threat of snow! Winter is throwing us a last hurrah!

I am thinking...of how Great and Wonderful of a Savior I serve.

I am thankful for...a supportive husband.

From the learning rooms...putting together a new apron.

From the kitchen...Chicken Tortilla Soup, Honey White Bread, Parmesan-Garlic crackers, Cheddar Crust Apple Pie, Dark Chocolate Cherry Muffins - can you tell I am in a baking mood? Later this week Smokey Corn Chowder.

I am wearing... a yellow nightgown and my old fuzzy, warm plaid houserobe.

I am creating...a surprise "just because" package for a friend.

I am going...to venture out to the stores after a bit, must have some fresh cilantro.

I am reading...the book of Job. The Hidden Art of Homemaking. Bedford Square.

I am hoping...that I can get everything done for my garage sale on the 18th.

I am hearing...my little ceramic heater givin' me some love!

Around the house...laundry, clean the bathroom.

One of my favorite things... is to get up early, before Honey, and just meditate on the Lord as I do my early morning tasks. Just to feel that closeness and peace!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Today I am off, so baking extravaganza. Tomorrow thru Friday - work. Then Saturday we are having our Easter dinner as everyone is otherwise occupied Sunday, so I will be making chocolate chip cheesecake, coconut creme pie, deviled eggs and probably broccoli-rice casserole. Squeeze in a library run and I will also be working on tagging things in the garage.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... Some more pretty flowers from last year





Got Daybook?

Ok, here is a recipe for all of you bakers out there.

Honey White Bread

This is a soft, delicious loaf that keeps well.

1-1/4 cups warm milk - I test mine on my wrist, it needs to be at or just below body temperature
1-1/2 tablespoons honey
1-1/2 tablespoons butter flavor Crisco
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
3 cups bread flour
1-1/2 teaspoons dry yeast

Place ingredients in breadmaker in the order specified by your machine. Push start button. Wait about 3 hours and voila - fresh bread! I usually just use my dough cycle and then take it out, put in a greased bread pan, let rise a bit longer and pop it in a 350 degree oven and bake it. I'll post a picture later!