Simple Woman's Daybook - February 10, 2018

For Today...

Looking out my window...it's still relatively dark since it's before the sunrise.

I am thinking...about the One Stop Donation Drop and Blood Drive that my daughter and I are coordinating that will be next month. The Leo Club (a teen club of the Lions) will be helping with it. There will be 26 non-profits that will benefit from this event which is exciting!

I am thankful...that the girls have compassionate hearts and a love for service. Last week, they knitted on round looms little hats for newborns. They will be donated to a local hospital.

The hats took a little over an hour to make and were easy to do.

Sophia and Olivia worked with the Leo Club that they are members of to create some hats so babies can stay warm after they are born.

We also did a soup-making session with some seniors at the nursing home. It was a good way for the seniors to cut vegetables and use their hand-eye coordination skills. Plus, they were able to have a bowl (or two) of soup when they were done.

While the soup was cooking, Olivia helped one of the seniors with a puzzle he was working on.

We've known him for many years now. Very smart and engaging man who always has something to share with us.

One of my favorite things...when we went to an open house at the White Bear Center for the Arts recently, there were snow forms on a pine tree.

It is fun to see snow being molded into intriguing shapes. There are a lot of ice and snow sculptures this year at different winter carnivals. It's cold enough for them to last this year compared to past year.

I am creating...spreads for my bullet journal. This is the first year that I have done bullet journaling and I'm enjoying it.

I am still using my calendar that I get from the bank each year since I haven't quite figured out a good layout for the bullet journal. Eventually I want to transition to using just one calendar each year.

The bullet journal gives me more flexibility to record goals and track progress on them which I like. I can keep notes in it about things I am doing - like listening to TED Talks each week, reflecting on what I am grateful for, and things that I want to remember about nature and the outdoors.

I am wearing...comfortable clothes since I'll be staying home today.

I am listening to...the fan blades and motor, Lucy (the cat) purring, and Cooper periodically whining as he wants to go outside to see the rabbit that's hopping around the yard.

I am hoping...that I don't come down with a cold or flu. I've been feeling a bit under the weather for the past few days. Dayquil and cough drops have been used daily to hopefully keep things under control.

I am learning...that my tolerance or ability to handle the cold is greatly diminishing as I get older. It seems like this year, in particular, the sub-zero temperatures feel more bitter and are significantly more difficult to deal with when I go outside.

Looked up to see possible reasons why this may be happening. There's a host of ideas: hypothyroidism, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and so forth. Then I found another reason that I found interesting on Turning it Around:

Skin, particularly the epidermis, the extreme outer layer, gets thinner as people get older. Why?

The extreme outer layer of skin is comprised mostly of dead skin cells. These tend to hang onto what is below better when people are younger because their skin is moister with oil (and water). Younger people have more oil in their skin than older people.

As skin dries out, the outer layer of dead cells tends to flake off, exposing the layers that are underneath. That means the nerves are closer to the surface. The nerves are what make people feel cold (gives the sensation of being cold).

That makes sense to me. I know my skin is different than it was 10, 20, or 30 years ago.

In my kitchen...I have been making food that fits the Whole30 guidelines. Although I technically completed Round 2 of the Whole30 on February 8th, I'm still going to cook meals that don't contain sugar, dairy, grains, corn, or beans for a while.

Everyone in the household has to eat at least one Whole30 meal a day (typically dinner) since I am only preparing one dinner for the entire family.

Chili that is Whole30 compliant.

No one is complaining about the dinners since they are flavorful and filling. The Whole30 as well as other recipes I've been adapting have plenty of good options without the ingredients that are troublesome - especially sugar.

In the school room...the girls are enjoying their second semester at the homeschool co-op where they take a variety of classes and music lessons (piano for both plus voice for Sophia).

We are going on college visits to give the girls some ideas about potential colleges that may be options for them in the future. Some of them Sophia just goes to since she is a junior; and others both Sophia and Olivia visit. It's good for them to see the next step in their education.

In my garden...everything is frozen. There's still a long time until the ground thaws and seeds are planted.

Board room...I created a board on Pinterest for dealing with the winter doldrums. One of the pins I found was for a 14-day hygge challenge.

Source

Thought that it might be good to try each of those activities over the next couple of weeks. Actually, #11 - riding a bike - might be difficult at this time of the year with ice and snow still on the roads. Perhaps simply getting out for a hike and enjoying nature might be a good substitute.

Post Script...I am grateful to be a part of the Lions Club; and serve as their membership chair and a board member for the foundation. Having just joined in July, it's been a year of learning about the organization, the valuable work it does locally and globally, and of using my skills and background to help the club.

A recent Lions meeting. There are two each month - a breakfast

on the 2nd Thursday and a dinner on the 4th Thursday.

Shared Quote...

Source

A moment from my day...a leaf frozen in ice.

That's how I'm feeling this year: cold and frozen each day that the temperature goes below zero.

Closing Notes...Yesterday I booked a two-night stay in camper cabins at Forestville State Park in May. We will be staying in two different ones (one each night) since the cabins are already filling up.

When we are there, we will see both Mystery Cave with the Blue Lake and Niagara Cave. The former one we have not seen before and the latter one we have. Also in that area are lots of Amish farms and businesses which we will visit. I like going to them and seeing what is available; and talking with the women there.

Olivia is very interested in the caves and Sophia wants to go to the Amish farms and businesses.

I'm looking forward to that trip. It will be a nice way to explore that area of the state at a time of the year we haven't seen it. Hopefully, we will be able to see some other state parks along the way.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - December 5, 2017

For Today...

Looking out my window...the trees and ground are covered with snow that fell last night. It's quite beautiful - almost like a painting.

I am thinking...about Sophia who is observing surgeries this morning. Her podiatrist/surgeon who did the two bunion surgeries on her is giving her the opportunity to watch several surgeries he's doing today - including a bunion surgery. This experience will be part of a 4-H project that she's doing on the surgical removal of bunions.

I am thankful...that my foot surgery went well a couple of weeks ago and that my foot is healing.

There's still some swelling on the top of the foot.

The titanium screws are holding the bones in place.

The joint capsule now is enclosed (it was leaking fluid before); and

the cartilage is repaired.

One of my favorite things...beautiful sunsets that color the entire sky. This is the view from the  upstairs bedroom window looking west.

I am creating...fleece-tied blankets. We are needing to tie six more blankets to put in the comfort bags this week so we can deliver them by Monday to the oncology unit at Children's Hospital.

I am wearing...my typical outfit - black shirt under a black cardigan, jeans, and black clogs. Actually, only one clog. The left foot is still in a surgical boot. Two socks that don't match - a black one to cover the binding on my left foot and a white one on the right foot.

I am listening to...songs that I've downloaded onto my computer. Have my headphones on so I'm in my own world.

I am hoping...that some of the ice melts on the roads so that it is easier doing errands today. Thankfully, we arrived safely at the hospital this morning after driving on the ice-covered roads.

I am learning...to slow down and try to do one thing at a time. I'm trying to be present with each thing that I'm doing - particularly with my family.

In my kitchen...we are doing some fun and new meals for Chalica (a Unitarian Universalist holiday that is the first week of December). Last night, the theme was "favorites" - each person had her/his favorite item represented in the meal. Olivia wanted Papa Murphy's pizza, Sophia wanted sparkling grape juice, Paige wanted bratwurst, and I wanted fresh fruit (blueberries and raspberries).

This week we'll be making some recipes that I've had in my "want to make" binder for years. One recipe I've held onto for 17 years. Finally will be making it this week!

In the school room...Olivia is making good progress on math this year (Pre-Algebra). She'll be starting Algebra next week. She's enjoying the classes she's taking at the homeschool co-op: photography, public speaking, critical thinking/study skills, and piano lessons.

Picture of a caterpillar that Olivia took in September.

We had never seen this type of caterpillar before.

It's an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar.

Sophia is wrapping up her first semester of PSEO courses. She's doing very well - 98% in Social Entrepreneurship and 95% in American Government. She's been able to do her other high school courses on top of the PSEO courses.

In my garden...everything is now covered by snow. I didn't put down straw this year yet on the roses or bulb gardens because it has been unseasonably warm. I should do that now that it is cold.

Board room...I found this pin on Pinterest that shows how to make a Saran Wrap ball for a game that we will be playing at Christmas. I was looking for different things to create fun memories and take the focus off of receiving presents, and came across this game.

I'm going to create two different ones - one for adults and one for kids.

Post Script...I've been getting orders for window stars and Sophia's harp CD in my Etsy shop. It's been fun making window stars for customers.

I'm going to make an Christmas tree shape out of window stars. I'm hoping it will work. Have seen it done with doilies and thought it would be interesting to see if it would work the various patterns of window stars.

Shared Quote...

A moment from my day...on Saturday Sophia hosted a blood drive and oversaw the creation of 30 comfort bags for children with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy and needing a blood transfusion (or multiple transfusions).

It was nice to see our family and friends support her; and to have children who were attending the homeschool holiday fair come to help fill the bags and tie fleece-tied blankets.

Sophia with Brenda. She used to be director of the humane society where we volunteer.

She helped match us with dogs and puppies that came the humane society.

She has become a good friend of the family.

Closing Notes...this picture was taken of Scooby last week. We took him by himself on a car ride. Initially, he seemed concerned and wasn't enjoying the ride. I think he thought something bad was going to happen to him.

When I dropped Sophia off for her harp lesson, I took him on a 20-minute walk to a lake where he put his paws in the water, ran happily down the road with me, and fetched a tennis ball. This is his expression when we got back into the car.

He was so happy after the walk and knew that the purpose of the car ride was something fun. He's such a good dog. He's ten years old and it's been close to a year that we've had him and his brother.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - August 10, 2017

For Today...

Looking out my window...it's overcast...perhaps another rainstorm is coming.

I am thinking...about my Mom. On August 15th, it will be two years since she died.

Mom with Jordan (nephew), Olivia, and Sophia.

(Taken on May 28, 2015.)

Two years ago today would have been the last time I saw her. We went to Fare for All to get some food and we were going to go grocery shopping to get items that her PCAs had suggested she get. She was angry about having to get items on the list because she was getting concerned about how much her medical care was costing.

Mom, Sophia, and Olivia at a church festival.

My mom loved attending festivals; and having a delicious meal.

(Taken on August 10, 2014.)

We ended up going back to her home and she suggested we have lunch together. I'm glad that we did. It ended up being a very nice lunch - both Sophia and Olivia were there - so they were, as well, able to see her the week that she died. Unfortunately, I didn't take a picture that day. (The last photo I have of my Mom was taken on May 28th.)

Interestingly, all her grandchildren and children saw her that week. That was highly unusual that she would have seen all of us in one week. We were all so grateful that we had that opportunity to see her.

I am thankful...for a free session on the Pilates Reformer. It was to give me a demonstration about how it worked and see if it might be a good fit for what I'm needing and looking for in a workout. It definitely is!

I used a Pilates Reformer similar to this one.

Source

It worked muscles that aren't normally worked, it was low-impact (good for degenerative disk disease in my lower spine and arthritis in my knees), and reminded me of when I used to dance (ballet and pointe lessons).

One of my favorite things...cool evenings and mornings which means I can keep my windows open at night now.

I am creating...I just finished a mug rug for the county fair. It is embroidered and made from wool felt. It ended up not being judged because apparently all mug rugs are sewn on the machine...or at least the ones that they wanted to judge. Nonetheless, it was from a pattern that I have had for many years. Finally got around to making it.

Also made a window star. It's a combination of three different window star patterns. Enjoyed making it and trying something new. It took 400 folds to make the window star.

I am wearing...khaki shorts and a black cardigan. It has become my "go to" outfit during the summer. It's been easier wearing the same outfit and not have to think about what to wear. I can focus on other things.

I am reading...curricula and getting the girls' homeschool classes set up. I'm done with Sophia's classes and am working on Olivia's now.

This is a very different year because both the girls are in high school - Olivia is in 9th grade and Sophia in 11th grade. The girls are getting a head start on some of their classes as a way to lighten their academic load during the year. With Sophia taking two PSEO courses, she'll be spending quite a bit of time on them.

I am hoping...that the impact of resigning from being the 4-H leader for the club I started and led for three years was the right one for the girls. I need to be able to focus more of my time in supporting them with their courses. I can't do that if I'm trying to do programming and run a club. It just took too much time away from homeschooling.

Sophia giving a demonstration about how to make donuts

at a 4-H meeting.

(March 2017.)

Yet, it did provide a wealth of experiences for them in such a variety of project areas, skill development, and leadership opportunities. I'm grateful for the three years they were able to fully experience 4-H.

I am learning...that I need to take care of myself better than what I have been doing over the past five years. A lot of grief and loss issues that definitely have affected me - not only the loss of both my parents, but the loss of some friendships...or at least what I thought were friendships.

In my kitchen...Sophia made blueberry muffins with fresh blueberries this morning. She also made lemon bread with fresh lemons. What a difference fresh fruit can make in baked goods (versus frozen fruit and lemon juice in a jar).

In the school room...I'm looking forward to this year because it is the first year - in many years - that I won't have the distraction of leading a 4-H club or I'm not caregiving for my parents.

The last time I was truly focused on homeschooling without a lot of obligations was probably in 2008.

Sophia making a book.
She's adding a piece of straw to the page about scarecrows.
(Taken on October 19, 2007.)

Olivia stopping on a nature walk to do some nature journaling.
(Taken on September 7, 2007.)

Wow...I didn't realize it was that long ago. Almost nine years. Sophia would have been almost 8 years old and Olivia would have been almost 6 years old.

My Dad just came back from an 11-day stay at a hospital.

Sophia was feeding him since he was having trouble feeding himself.

(Taken on November 4, 2011.)

Those nine years were filled - perhaps overfilled - with activities and life experiences.

A break from the day to read some of the books that came from Sonlight.

(Taken on April 22, 2010.)

It will be interesting to see how these next few years - two years of high school for Sophia and four years of high school for Olivia - will unfold.

In my garden...there's some vegetables and herbs that the rabbits haven't eaten! After losing all the onions, carrots, beets, cucumbers, and radishes to rabbits, we finally have some food to harvest.

It's not a lot compared to past years. However, it's delicious...organic...and flavorful!

Board room...on my Organization and Simplicity Pinterest board, I have a pin for a Konmari checklist. With less on my plate with overseeing a club, I'll have more time to focus on creating a more organized home. I've heard many good things about getting rid of things that no longer "spark joy" in one's life using this method. The list has a step-by-step checklist of the things to go through and simplify in the order recommended by Konmari method.

Shared Quote

Source

A moment from my day...we were at a capital campaign luncheon today and a couple of people at our table asked Sophia and Olivia about projects they were working on and if they were competing at the State Fair this year.

Olivia will be going in Video/Filmmaking for a video she made about how she envisions a better world. She focused on a local humane society; and hopes that one day all animals will be in loving homes. This is the video she made that she will be competing in at the State Fair; and that will be shown throughout the Fair in the 4-H Building: A Better World for Animals.

Sophia playing the harp for a cat waiting to be adopted.

(Taken on April 8, 2016.)

Sophia will be competing in the Computers project - about how she created a website for her new CD of harp music. She used SquareSpace as a platform and chose one of the templates. From there, she completely changed the look - from the photos, typeface, and content. It truly became her own website which was fun to see develop.

This is Sophia's CD of harp music.

Her website is at http://www.sophianienaber.com.

Closing Notes....thank you for coming by and visiting.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - May 11, 2017

For Today...

Quick note: I have two free Blue Apron deliveries for the first two people who contact me. Either two or three meals - with all the ingredients needed to make them - are included.

Email me at annmarierink (at) hotmail (dot) com (using the appropriate symbols and no spaces) if you'd like to receive a coupon for a free weekly delivery from Blue Apron.

Now...onto The Simple Woman's Daybook:

Looking out my window...there are some beautifully colored clouds as the sun is rising.

I am thinking...about spending time at the nursing home on Wednesday. The activities director ordered in Chinese food that eight of the residents wanted. So, we set up two tables for the residents (four people at each table) with white linen tablecloths and a plant in the center.

Having Chinese take-out together.

The girls brought some of the items we bought for them in China and set up a display for the residents to see before the meal.

They had Chinese food, a beverage, and fortune cookie. After lunch, some went back to their room and some listened to Sophia play some songs on the piano.

This resident used to play the accordion, and

enjoyed listening to Sophia play a variety of songs.

It was a nice way to spend part of our day.

I am thankful...that I am able to volunteer and share my time with others who seem to enjoy talking with me. It makes me feel like I'm spending my time well and letting seniors know they are valued.

I'm also thankful that we received a grant so that we could do a project for the seniors on Monday. In conjunction with the Ladies Tea, we are getting 24 roses (12 red and 12 white) to put in vases and then bought items for filling 30 gift bags each with small five items. The girls assembled those yesterday.

Sophia and Olivia putting together some of the items

in the gift bags for the ladies at the nursing home.

They'll receive perfume or soap; something to decorate their room;

a room deodorizer, a floral sachet, and a small container of Kleenex.

One of my favorite things...listening to the variety of birds singing throughout the day. When we first moved here there weren't nearly as many birds - both in terms of number and diversity - than there is today.

Up at the top of the tree is a Brown Thrasher.

It has an unusual song that sounds like a mockingbird.

It will sing a phrase twice and then move onto another sound.

The song is so varied and unique.

It makes me so happy to see the birds sitting in the trees, finding food to eat here, and raising their families.

I am creating...nothing at the very moment. This weekend, though, I'll be learning how to do Saori weaving and making a Sami bracelet.

Source

I am wearing...a cardigan and pajama pants.

I am reading...Winsome Womanhood by Margaret E. Sangster. Even though this book was written in 1900, there is still sound advice on how to conduct one's life - from being a girl to senior woman.

I am hoping...that the geese and wood ducks that we saw on Tuesday evening come back to nest at our farm.

Look closely - two geese are taking off from the pond.

I am learning...about PSEO courses, helping plan my daughters' high school years, and preparing transcripts for them.

Sometimes I miss the easier days of preschool and early-elementary homeschool education. At ninth grade, things get a lot more serious and complicated in terms of planning for their future.

In my kitchen...we're still using up food so that there is more room for things I want to freeze starting in May and going through the Fall. It's a good feeling to be able to use up food and recycle the packaging...and then see the extra space in the freezer, refrigerator, and/or cupboard.

In the school room...we are trying to wrap up some subjects before the end of May. For some other ones, we'll be homeschooling throughout the summer. Some of the activities that I wanted to do this past year we never did. I may try to get those things done during the summer so we can start out fresh next year.

In my garden...I saw the first blossom on a strawberry plant.

Strawberry flower.

The rhubarb is growing. Even lettuce from last year regrew this year.

Lettuce.

I've never had that happen before, so it was a pleasant surprise.

Board room...this month I want to start making some memory gifts using the fabric from my parents' clothes. I have bags of clothing in my closet that is taking up space in my office that I'd like to use up. My goal is to transform the clothing into something useful for our family, my sister, and brother as well as nieces and nephews so they have something to remember their grandparents by.

Source

On Pinterest, I started a Memory Gift board with some ideas. I'm really struggling with this, though, because I have one chance to use the fabric and 13 gifts to make.

Shared Quote

A moment from my day...the crabapple tree is in full bloom now. The bees are visiting the blossoms and it sounds like the inside of a beehive as one walks under the tree.

The colors of the flowers and blossoms on the tree are so vivid against the green grass. It's such a beautiful time of the year.

Closing Notes....thank you for coming by and visiting.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - April 5, 2017

For Today...

Looking out my window...the sun is starting to come up. I can hear birds singing, but not see them yet.

The northern magnolia has buds on it.

Soon there will be fragrant white flowers.

I am thinking...about the weird noise in the pasture this morning around 4:50 a.m. as I was letting the dogs outside. I've never heard it before (it was from some type of wild animal).

Even though we have a fenced-in backyard, I put Scooby (who is only in the 35-pound range) on a leash. I would rather play it safe than deal with unknown wildlife in the dark.

I am thankful...for warmer weather. Being able to have the windows open and hear the frogs singing in the pond is wonderful. The horses enjoy running and playing in this type of weather.

Bailey in the pasture.

One of my favorite things...at this time of the year - the birds migrating north. Heard the first loon coming back and flying overhead.

Saw this loon on June 5, 2013, in Grand Marais.

There was a large group of red-winged blackbirds in the east pasture sitting in the trees. By the sound of it, there had to be at least 50 birds.

I am creating...a Christmas table runner and flannel quilt.

Part of the Christmas table runner.

Just need to finish the blanket-stitched border on the table runner, hand sew the opening on the quilt (where the pins are in the picture below), and do the ties on the quilt.

Part of the flannel quilt.

Bought some brown yarn at the store yesterday. Normally I'm not a huge fan of the color brown, but this quilt is so comforting and warm. The quilt top was done by someone else. I bought it for a couple of dollars at a quilt show where people were getting rid of their unfinished projects they no longer wanted.

I am wearing...a fleece pullover, shorts, and socks.

I am reading...The Animal Dialogues still. Need to finish it this week and get it back to the library. Ordered some other books that have come in that I want to start reading:
=> Kitchen Table Wisdom
=> You're Fifty - Now What? (a finance book)
=> Home Grown - Adventures in Parenting off the Beaten Path
=> Mei Mei (has pictures of children in Chinese orphanages)

I am hoping...that I can keep pace with going through my homeschooling files this month as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  Each day I'm going through files that start with a different letter of the alphabet. I'm tossing what I no longer want or need and keeping what I do.

For the files I'm keeping, I'm creating a calendar on Blogger for looking at information at a later date and doing what's in them. In that way, once I'm done with a project and/or the photocopies, I can recycle more paper and create additional room in my home office.

I am learning...a lot about PSEO courses for juniors and seniors who are in high school; and how they can take college courses at no cost while getting both high school and college credit.

Listened to a presentation from Crown College on Tuesday morning that will be offering PSEO courses at the homeschool co-op that the girls attend. Sophia is thinking about taking two courses. She wanted to do three, but I think that's rather ambitious given her other commitments.

In my kitchen...we continue to use up things we have on hand and only purchase what we need. It's been so nice to get rid of containers of food and have more space in the cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer.

Taco Pockets that we I made last week.

Everyone liked them and wants to have them again.

In the school room...the girls continue to use the Heart of Dakota curriculum for several of their core courses. They also use Sonlight for its literature program since they enjoy the books and reading. We're using Math-U-See for Pre-Algebra and Algebra.

Sophia is doing Apologia's biology this year while Olivia finished its chemistry program. Sophia wants to continue with Apologia and Olivia wants to go back to Elemental Science.

So, it's kind of a hodge-podge of curriculum.

In my garden...things are starting to come up: strawberries, rhubarb, tulips, and lilies. We may get some of the root vegetables planted during the upcoming week - like carrots, beets, and onions.

The first rhubarb leaf of the season is emerging.

Board room...I can't believe that Easter is right around the corner. On my Pinterest board for Easter there are a lot of ideas I want to try at some point - crafts, food, and home décor mostly.

A long time ago, I pinned images of Easter angels.

Source

Sophia was playing the harp at the nursing home and they had referred to the event on their calendar as Angelic Harp music. It was right before Easter, so I looked for angels and Easter. Was surprised to see so many images.

Post Script...also on my Easter Pinterest board was the following image:

Source

I especially like the advice of being a good listener and spending time in nature.

Shared Quote...from my Words to Live By board on Pinterest:

Source

A moment from my day...I'm going through photos that belonged to my parents, and dividing them up for my sister, brother, and me. Came across this picture of my Dad with Sophia and Colton (my nephew) from probably more than a decade ago.

My Dad, Sophia, and Colton.

Those smiles and glazed eyes look like a couple of kids had a bit too much sugar! My Dad loved ice cream and ice cream sundaes. It's no surprise that the ice cream is right by him.

Closing Notes....thank you for coming by and visiting.