The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 9.27.12

I have so many things I want and need to blog about...today, to get me back into the groove, a little  Simple Woman's Daybook. 

Outside my window...

all wet from overnight storms, but sunshine now. I love how the trees are just starting to turn orange in a few spots on the edges. Looking forward to seeing our neighborhood turn brilliant colors over the next several weeks. 

I am thinking...

that I really need to do some journaling after I finish this blog post. A big jumble of thoughts running through my head this morning that won't get sorted out until I verbally process. 

I am thankful for...

the opportunity to speak to a group of moms and daughters this past Monday. My mentor, Diane, is part of a "Keepers at Home" group, and this year, their theme is gratitude (they're reading through Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts). Diane asked me to come do their kickoff meeting, and it was a gift to be able to share my heart with the women and girls. 

From the kitchen...

after being gone the last few days, our fridge is pretty bare! I made sausage gravy last night and pulled some Smitten Kitchen biscuits out of the freezer (can I just say, I am so sad that she is not coming to Nashville for her cookbook release tour?!). Lunch was SK's zucchini bread pancakes, since I had milk and zucchini to use up and no leftovers to serve the boys for lunch anyway. (For topping, we used an adapted version of the fabulous cream cheese topping from her carrot cake pancakes, which are also delicious.) And dinner will be white chicken chili, also from the freezer. I need to make a new meal plan...but we needed to be using meals from the freezer anyway. Have I mentioned how much I love freezer cooking?? SO BRILLIANT.   

I am wearing...

a white skirt (gasp! after Labor Day! it didn't occur to me until after I'd already put it on), a purple shirt (the one from the photo in the top right corner, incidentally), and black and white flip-flops. 

I am creating...

a travelogue from my recent NYC trip...or at least, I'm *going* to be creating one, soon...

I am going...

to my alma mater for homecoming this year--to sing in the alumni chorale with the Gaither Vocal Band! SO EXCITED!

I am reading...

I just joined Goodreads, and it struck me earlier this morning that my "currently reading" list is unusually reflective of my life and interests right now. It's not always so balanced and diverse, but at the moment, it says a lot: American Metropolis: A History of New York City (picked up at the Strand when I was in NYC, reflective of my love for the city); Washington Square (an 1800s novel set in NYC), The Invisible Line: Three American Families and the Secret Journey from Black to White (an audiobook reflecting my growing interest in reading history books); Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline (I must admit I'm not *actively* reading this one for several weeks--but I have every intention of coming back to it); The Explicit Gospel and Mockingjay. Fiction and nonfiction, contemporary and old, gospel, history, and parenting. Nice. 

For my Bible reading, I'm in Matthew and Psalms. My reading plan continues to be critical for keeping me on track. 

I am hoping...

to go to Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God concert this December. I so love that album but have never made it to the live performance--have heard it is just amazing. 

I am hearing...

the white noise from Jude's monitor, and the clinking sounds of Lego construction from Elijah at the dining room table. Also trying out The Decemberists for the first time on Spotify. I don't usually listen to music while I'm sitting here, but a friend recommended them on Facebook the other day so I finally remembered to give them a listen. 

Around the house...

I still haven't completely unpacked from our trip. Laundry is piled up waiting to be done. The kitchen is piled with last night's dishes because I helped Steve bottle his latest batch of wine instead of cleaning up after supper. And yet I sit here blogging...

One of my favorite things...

black and white damask. 

A few plans for the rest of the week...

Soccer practice tonight, and then a nice low-key evening at home tomorrow after what has felt like several chaotic weeks. We'll make up for it on Saturday. I'm hitting my favorite annual used-book sale in the morning, meeting a friend for coffee afterward, and then taking the boys to Cowboy Town as a belated birthday gift to Elijah. 

A picture thought I am sharing...

Diane and me at her house earlier this week, after the Keepers meeting. LOVE HER!