Monday 25 January 2010

The Simple Woman's Day Book . . .



FOR TODAY, January 25th, 2009 ...

Outside My Window...

All is dark, quiet and still. I slept last night, the whole night through without moving a muscle. That is the first night I have done that in a while. I think I was asleep by 9:30 and I didn't wake up until 4:30. I usually wake up at least twice during the night, so that was very good that I slept right through, quite un-disturbed.

I am thinking...
About the miracles we see coming out of Haiti daily . . . like the man they found alive just yesterday. So many day's after the earthquake . . . how very un-expected. And he praises God for his rescue, just as he should. I wonder . . . if more people were faced with "crisis" types of situations would they turn their hearts to God? Is that what it takes for a people to begin to rest in Him once more? Pity that, if it is so . . . I am thankful for a heart that seeks Him in both the good times and the bad.

I am thankful for...
We booked our plane tickets yesterday afternoon for our trip to Canada in July. I am so very thankful that we have been able to do that. It gives me something very sweet to look forward to in the coming months. We will leave here on July 1st and be away until the 23rd. I don't think I'll be able to set up blog posts for that whole time, but I may be able to set up a few surprises before I go. We shall see. In the meantime I am so very thankful that we now have firm plans to go to Canada and that I will be able to see my family, if only for a short time!

From the kitchen...
There's still some cranberry cake left from the other night. It just gets better and better. I am quite sure you could use blueberries instead, or even raspberries. Mmmm. . . . the thought of raspberries sounds so very good. There are some pains aux chocolate left as well. Other than that, not a lot in the way of baked goodies. I must be slipping!! ☺

I am wearing...
My red and white flannel Christmas Nightie. Oh, it is sooooo cosy and warm. I just love it!


I am creating...




Here is a little peak at what I did yesterday afternoon. Of course you can see the full one on Blossom Time Creations. I had done the sketch weeks ago and only just now got her painted. I also have a doll almost finished. Just the eyes, stockings and shoes left to do now, and she is ready for her trip to New York. I have orders for another 3 as well, so that will make my spare time fingers very busy over the coming next few weeks!

I am going...
I have not a lot planned this week. I've a very heavy week on at work, with several luncheons, dinner parties, a Christening luncheon and a special brunch. Most of my time will be spent on the shopping and preparations for those. I do have Seminary on Thursday evening, but that pretty much will be it!

I am reading...



The Recipe Club, by Andrea Israel & Nancy Garfinkel

A delightful novel about food and friendship which spans several decades in time. Valerie and Lily have been friends since childhood, when they created a very special club, with just two members, in which they exchange recipes . . . it is called The Recipe Club. As the book opens they have been estranged due to some mystery unknown to the reader (you). Valerie's mother has passed away and in going through her mother's papers she comes across the letters and recipes that she and Lily had exchanged as children. This prompts her to get in touch again and they begin a guarded, written conversation with each other once more.

I have only just begun this book, but it is delightfully written. You feel like you are reading someone's special diary as it is written almost completely via e-mails and recipes shared by these two wonderful characters. Very well written, it shows the spirit and character of these two special lives and the heart of their special friendship. There's also more than just a few recipes there as well!!!

I am hoping...
That I can get all the things that I need to get done, done this week, and that everything goes smoothly at work! Wish me luck!

I am hearing...
It is silent in here, save the ticking of the clock and the tap tapping of my fingers on the keyboard. I have the little heater on as well, so that is humming. It is a bit chilly in the mornings and it helps to take some of it away and warm things up.

Around the house...
All is normal. I tidied up the table on Saturday and it's cluttered again. Oh my, it doesn't take me long . . . .

One of my favorite things...
Is talking to people in my family! I got to speak to my sister via the telephone yesterday afternoon and it was soooo good. I had not talked to her in ages. It was nice to her her voice and words. We have always been very close but these past couple of years we have not spoken that much. We both lead such busy lives. At one time we spoke on the telephone each and every morning, for at least an hour. Ahh, those were special days. I treasure them in my heart. She told me the most peculiar story yesterday. She and I used to do a lot of craft sales together. We made dolls and teddies and other things to sell. One day recently she was in a Charity Shop and she spied a doll that she had made and sold! She knew it was hers as the tag was still on it! Of course she bought it, but how peculiar that you would come across something that you had created in a place like that and be able to by it back!


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
Work, Seminary, cooking and baking. Would be nice to find a little play in there as well. We'll just have to wait and see how it all turns out!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Snow drops from the garden. The perfect reminder that Spring is just around the corner. Tis really only weeks away . . . . or at least we can pretend that it is. We've only the rest of January to get through and the few weeks of February and then it truly will only be a few weeks away. Crocus, and primrose . . . daffodils . . . lilacs and the cherry blossom, the beautiful cherry blossom . . . Oh how very much we have to look forward to!!

And there you have it, my Simple Woman's Day Book for today. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!)

I made this simple, yet very tasty lemon dessert yesterday afternoon. Todd is not overly fond of lemon desserts, but he did like this. Me, I love lemon. I could eat it in any way shape or form! I loved this. It was rich and tasty and very quick and easy to do!




*Lemon Pudding*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

A delicious lemon pudding that is light and rich and topped by fluffy sweet meringue. Just perfect for when you want the flavours of lemon meringue, but without the hassle of baking a pie crust.

2 large eggs, separated
1/3 cup sugar
3 ounces cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1/2 cup double cream
1/3 tsp cream of tartar
2 TBS sugar



Beat the egg yolks in a mixing bowl. Whisk in the 1/3 cup of sugar, the cream cheese and the sour cream. Blend until smooth. Whisk in the lemon juice and the zest.

Place n the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Cook and stir until the mixture bubbles and thickens. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

Pre-heat the oven to 205*C/425*F. Whip the cream until thick. Fold this into the lemon mixture. Divide the lemon mixture between 6 custard cups or ramekins.

Beat the egg whites until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and the sugar and continue to beat until the mixture forms stiff peaks. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto the lemon pudding in the ramekins. Place the ramekins on a baking tray and then bake in the oven for about 6 minutes, until the meringue topping is lightly browned. Remove from the oven and cool completely before serving.



There's a deliciously Creamy Potato, Onion and Cheese Soup over on The English Kitchen today!

PS - today is the first day of the One World One Heart Giveaway blogging event. TO learn more hop on over to Blossom Time Creations where I am giving away a beautiful doll.

16 comments:

  1. Good Morning Marie I am so pleased to read you slept well. Enjoy your very busy week.

    I love the story about your sister finding her work. It happened to my mum too. She used to make clothing for a famous designer and one day we found a very worn coat that was definitely her work. The charity shop had an outrageous price on it and we could not afford to buy it back!

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  2. I HAVE NEVER SEEN SNOWDROPS, SO DAINTY AND PRETTY! THE BOOK LOOKS VERY INTERESTING, SOUNDS LIKE A FUN BOOK TO READ. HAVE A GREAT DAY! COME SAY HI :D

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  3. Good Morning dear,
    I am glad to see a new post tonight before I go to bed but you must be up very early because it is not even 11 p.m. here yet. I am still up because John and I have been sick and we have spent the past 3 days in bed. I am sick of being in bed but I really have no energy to be up doing anything of value. However, I have enjoyed getting to the computer again.

    I am so happy that you have booked tickets to see your family in July. How I wish that we lived close to Canada and we could visit too. Oh well, I am just so happy that you can see your mom and your children again. What a wonderful trip that will be for you.

    Good luck with your demanding week. I wish you well.

    I want to hop over and see your new creation. I know she will be just as darling as all the others.

    I wish I had some of that lemon pudding. I wanted pudding tonight and just wasn't up to fixing it. Yours looks yummy.

    Have a great day. Hugs, Lura

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  4. Hi Marie, you certainly do have a busy week ahead but I'm sure you'll cope wonderfully! It's great that you've got your tickets booked for Canada...you're halfway there! Also what a lovely surprise for your sister, that was meant to be. ~~~Love, Pat x

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  5. So happy for you Marie that you can fly out and see your family again.I know the feeling missing ones abroad,it makes your heart ache at times.You have so much work on I just don't know how you cope with it all,or is it me thats lazy,I often think when I read your blog.The snowdrops are devine tiny little heads bobbing about just so pretty arn't they?.I would love th elemon pudding too,I like yourself love anything lemon.I hope Todd is feeling better this week,and it's great isn't it when you get that odd full nights sleep Zzzzz i wake so many times and so early,it does catch you up at times.Loved the story of your sisiters work being found again in the charity shop.Have a lovely day.
    I am going tolook at the new artwork now.Take Care God Bless Kath xx

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  6. Great daybook, Marie! The snow drops are lovely, not sure we have any here. Great news about the airplane tickets, it will be loevely for you to see your family. Pudding and the soup look lovely, funny old world, I am making leek and potato soup today and a lemon pie for my Honey! Probably do a bit of other baking as well, I have the day off. Much love to you and yours - Raquel XO

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  7. I hope your Monday is a great one. It does sound busy with those special occasions going on. I think it's wonderful that most every week you have a new creation featured on your day book. I really need to get with some crafting here at my house. It is a fun and rewarding thing to do.

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  8. Glad that you had a good sleep. It is certainly a blessing to be able to sleep through the night.

    The snowdrops look beautiful. Blooms like this will surely make the day much more bearable.

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  9. Such a lovely start to the week, Marie! Those snowdrops are a sight for my winter-sore eyes! So many sweet tidbits here... So very happy you've got plans made for your summer trip to see your family--so thrilled for you! Your new illustration is WONDERFUL--she is the sweetest yet! And that lemon puddling... oh, *swoon*... I'll take anything lemon, you know. It was such great fun to get to chat with you finally last night. Like you, I miss you much when it gets busy and we don't get to chat as often. But joy when we do! Busy week on this end, and I may not be online as much--trying to make sense of the new computer and get it up and running. So will be here often as I can. Happy week, dear friend--LOVE YOU HEAPS! :o) ((BIG HUGS))

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  10. Hello Marie! your is always the most beautifully loaded daybook. Oh, how many time have I said that!

    I rejoice with you as you look forward to visit Canada again.

    Have a blessed week.

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  11. Hooray for plane tickets! I love having a plane ticket to anywhere, but to visit loved ones is an extra special excitement!

    Love your Ballerina- I've already emailed you with questions about her.

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  12. Wow thanks for the yummy looking recipe! Thanks for sharing about your day.

    Jocelyn
    http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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  13. You have made me so hungry and I'm just having a salad with chicken for supper. Your pictures are all beautiful. I hope to visit Canada on my way to Alaska next year when hubby retires. We want to take our time and drive so we can see everything. Doylene

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  14. My friend Marie:

    I adore your "Simple Woman's" posts. It always brings me to the important things in life. Reminds me of what's important. AND...it allows me a peek inside your life as well.

    Kim
    Gerushia's New World

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  15. Love your new picture! You are truly talented. Great recipe. Wish I was in my warm nightgown.

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  16. Ooooh. Your lemon pudding looks delicious dear Marie. I am praying so hard for those Haitian people. It breaks my heart.

    Love your new painting. So cute Marie! I hope you are having a good week!

    XOXO
    Jen

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Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!