Simple Womans Daybook

For Today...

Outside my window... Lots of green, . . . grass, bushes, trees all in progress of becoming more green.Bright brillant yellow Forseythia

I am thinking...About all the things I have to do today, prioritize, A,B,C thinking about the world and where I am , How I as one make a difference.

I am hearing . . . .background music, dog tags jingling,quiet

I am thankful for...health, home, birds singing,

From the kitchen...cookies soon, Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

I am wearing...off white turtleneck, Denim overalls, red Crocs

I am reading... just finished Twilight, about to start the Shack and reading Summers World.

I am hoping...to get my house in some assemblence of order. Looks like it has been vandalized
.
I am creating...Table runner, small pillow, Card swaps and Mama day cards

Around the house... total Chaos

One of my favorite things... a walk in the woods

A few plans for the rest of the week...Baseball Games, First Friday, House clean up!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Horse Chestnut

Field Trip Friday

These are from the Erie Zoo in Erie PA. we visited on Monday. Today's Field Trip is to the Seneca Park ZOO.
Zoo's - why do we like them? They show us things we could not otherwise see. They tweak our imagination for places to travel, what life must be like in other parts of the world and climates. they teach us about conservation. They teach us that there is more to this big wonderful Planet than just us. They teach us to appreciate this great Earth and creator. so much beauty and engineering in each of these creatures. We were at the Erie zoo in the cold and rain most of the time by ourselves. The Gorilla and Orangutan were very interactive with us. What were they thinking about as they observed us?

Thoughtful Thursday

Gettysburg Battlefield 4/21/09

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
Helen Keller

The end of a 10 mile Hike, the beginning of wonderment as we ponder on how the many soldiers felt so many years ago on hot July Days as they fought for freedom and the American spirit. What Character development happened on this 4 day scout trip with adverse weather conditions and lots of hiking every day? It is truly adversity that builds strength. May we rest knowing we are building stronger boys.

Seaway Adventures

So on Sunny Sunday the 19 we set off on Lake Ontario Parkway for a Seaway Adventure . . . . . . . The Seaway runs from the Hudson River all along Lake Ontario and Lake Erie
On this first picture you are looking at
Lake Ontario not the Ocean.


















Starting out on Sunday the weather was Stellar!! It deteriorated as the day went on. next is the Lighthouse at Golden Hills State Park Barker NY
This is part of a State park that has Camping right on the Lakeshore.

Apparently you can rent out the Lighthouse Cottage as well.
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=111 will link you there.












So when you drive the lake parkway and then Rte 18 west you end at Old Fort Niagara / Robert Moses Parkway
There is a light house there as well. We had plans to go to the Fort but in order to get to the Aquarium quicker we skipped it. We did however stop at the Whirlpool State park which is the topic of the third Photo. You can even hike down into the Gorge. We are just fine at the Rim. Lots of ground bees observed near the Whirlpool park.








last photo is of the Lighthouse at the harbor at Westfield. It is so old looking and Yoda's favorite.

Springtime Adventures

Here are my sweet violets- can't get enough of them as they are only here a short time. We have a lot this year. hard to get close ups of them. They smell so good. Always remember little hands bringing in small stems of them when they first come out.
Flowergirl and Yoda took a trip to the creek and junk graveyard. Flowergirl reports that Skunk cabbage, Trout lily's and Bloodroot are up and blooming. They saw a Great Blue Heron and Mallrd ducks on their grand adventure out into the Green world. They rescued a bit of this and that that they plan to re-purpose.
Off for 2 days for some more spring break adventures lots to share then!

Frantic Friday

One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.

-A. A. Milne

I think me's desk needs some de-cluttering! Put it on the weekend list.

Simple Pleasures

The smell of freshly baked cookies
Green grass after a long winter
Sweet Violets growing in the grass
Sunshine on a spring day
Fresh Lemonade
New books
Letters in the mail
Smiling kids
Laughter
Dishwasher running
Kids in bed
Homework done
Full tank of Gas
No lunches to make
Rain on the rooftop
The first Dandelion
Last day of school
First Ice Cream Cone of the season

New Life More Flowers

Blue Starlets

Sweet Violets

Bloodroot

These are what are new in the garden. Our yard is covered with these Sweet sweet Violets. They really do smell ever so sweet and I love to see them all over the yard. Obviously our lawn is Chemical free thus there is more than just grass in it. The Blue starlets are a fall bulb that look so lovely beaming from around the garden and Bloodroot is a wonderful woods wild flower. It gets it name from the red fluid in its stem. I grew up near a large patch and we had great fun painting our faces like Indians. It is protected now so it cannot be a part of my kids life. It is a bit like a windflower. I love spring because it is so full of new Life, so many things making a come back after a long winter underground. Mother Nature says wake Up and go show your self to the world. So much beauty- get out there and find it and enjoy it!!

Egg Hunt 2009

Before it all gets started the eggs must be filled and hidden in every nook and cranny. Spread them out all over the yard. I learned several years back, that I cannot hide them the night before as the creatures of the night help themselves. Last night was wonderful moonglow so it would have been perfect. the moon was a gorgeous Humongous Orange color as it rose.

What is the best hiding place? Hard to say. Favorites are in Tree nook and crannies. In the Jungle Gym and wedged between rocks in the Rock wall. We have still found the come July some years.

The bounty - they each collected about 40 -50 eggs. Bubblegum, milkyways, now and laters, Jaw breakers, Twix, reeses eggs .. . all yummy!

The egg hunting is followed by Brunch and munch.
We have been doing this for 15 years, imagine that. There is something calming about repeating things over and over again.
Tradition defined as:
An inherited pattern or thought or action.
A custom: a specific practice of long standing.

Wordless Wednesday

April Showers More Spring Flowers

Blue Star Flowers

Lenten Rose
These are Helleborous by their Latin name and they are right on time with Holy week.
More than a month ago they were just green shoots in the garden.
Spring changes everything, all that was sleeping
is now alive! Alleluia!!

Super Saturday

Scenes From 2008 Amish Country
Just love the Peace of there Simple Life
Beautiful Rolling country sides and Roadside Stands

Field Trip Friday

Field Trip To Quilters Heritage Quilt Show
Lancaster, PA
April1-5,2009
This photo is from 2008
An award winning entry!
Love to come here every year that we can.
Love the quiet peace of the Amish Country side.
Love all the inspiration of the Quilt artists.
Love spending time with mom.
Love the B&B we stay in and the balance of a busy life that is restored.

Thoughtful Thursday

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
Helen Keller

Spring Peepers

Spring Peepers

Here at Chestnut Hill it is not really Spring until the Peepers start peeping. That usually happens when we finally have some warm days. More information On Spring peepers can be found here There are many vernal ponds in our area. Spring peepers are hard to ever see but easy to hear. I made these cookies a few weeks back trying to coax them out for a spin but still had to wait almost 2 more weeks.
Well right now due to technical issue I cannot upload any pictures so the Peeper cookies will have to wait.
It is nice to see a bit more green, a few early maples having there buds swell.
We are ready to be outside more even if it means more mud and dirt. Time to shake off the winter coats. time to enjoy the spring!