The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, February 5, 2013...

Outside my window...the day started off chilly but it has warmed up quite a bit.  Not overly hot, though.  It's a beautiful day.

I am thinking...about 1 Corinthians chapter 15, the chapter we're studying in our Sunday school class.

I am thankful for...our new pastor, Pastor Matt, whose sermon's are refreshing as much as convicting.

I am going...to rest a bit.  I'm not feeling my best.

I am wearing...a mint green top, blue skirt, and ankle socks.  It's 76 degrees out but it feels colder inside the house, and my feet are cold.

I am noticing...my greys peeking out.  Time for me to color my roots.

In the kitchen...easy chicken and stuffing in the crock pot.  I love my crock pot so much!

I am reading...the Widow of Larkspur Inn, but I got a good amount of reading this morning.  I think I'm on chapter 13 now.

I am hoping...I feel better for Awana tomorrow.

I am looking forward to...our church's carnival in a couple of weeks.

I am hearing...a House Hunter's marathon.  I'm lying in bed and there's nothing else good on TV.  Maybe I'll just get my book.

Around the house...anything that needs to get done can either get done by my kids or wait.  I'm taking the day off.

A favorite quote of the day..."Cleverness is cheap. It is faith that He praises." - George Macdonald.

One of my favorite things...spending time with my kids.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Awana tomorrow, church on Sunday, nothing else planned yet.

Wanna join in the fun?  Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook.  God bless.

Monday Quiz About Me

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered!


Here are this week's Questions:

1. Are you good about going to the doctor?
No, I'm not.  I really should be more conscientious about it, but I hate sitting in the doctor's office for what seems like an eternity for something minor.  I have to be really sick to drag myself to the doctor's office.

2. What do you think about the practice of restaurants adding automatic tips for large groups or specific events?
It was always my understanding that a tip was given based on the service provided.  For excellent service, a waiter/waitress could expect an excellent tip; for lousy service, a lousy or no tip.  It seems to me that adding the tip automatically isn't much of an incentive for a service provider to provide the best service possible.

3. When was the last time you went out for dinner?
It was in December, for my birthday.  We typically don't go out for dinner; when we do go out it's for lunch, since lunch menus tend to be cheaper.

4. What is your best budget saving tip for recovering from an unexpected expense or planning for one?
Before spending money on something, ask yourself:  is this a need, or a want?  Stick to buying only what you need.  There will be time later on for the wants.

And now my question:

5.  Did you watch any part of the Super Bowl last night?
I watched absolutely zero.  Nothing.  Nada.  I didn't even find out who won till this morning.  And what's more, I don't feel like I missed out.

Move It Mondays

Happy Monday to all!  I'm feeling kind of lazy today, probably because I woke up at 4:20am and tossed and turned till 6:20 when I had to get up :P.  I've had that happen lately, where I wake up an hour or two before I need to and can't fall back asleep.  I hate when that happens.

I had a breakfast of waffles and bacon this morning.  After taking my son to school on this cold, crisp Monday (it was 55 degrees out, and in South Florida that is considered really cold) I went to the bank to make a quick deposit.  All the way I noticed the light on my car:  low tire pressure.  The same thing happened to my daughter the other day and she took care of it herself with a small generator her dad bought her while she was away at school.  I would fill up the tires myself, but she has gone to work at the church office and of course the generator is in her car.  I guess it'll have to wait till she gets back.

We're having steak today.  With rice and beans and tater tots and salad.  A nice well balanced meal.  Yum.

I'm also working on our taxes today.  Not quite as fun, but it needs to be done.

I'm hoping y'all have a blessed Monday.  Rejoice!  I say again, Rejoice!

Recipe Time: Slow Cooker Jambalaya

I got a request the other day for my Slow Cooker Jambalaya recipe.  Here you go, with my compliments.  Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Slow Cooker Jambalaya

1 pound chicken breast or breast tenders, cubed
1 polish kielbasa link, sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes (I like the petite diced)
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (I use Tony Cachere's)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound peeled, veined shrimp
Hot cooked rice

In sprayed slow cooker, combine all ingredients except shrimp and rice.  Cover and cook on low for 6 - 8 hours or on high for 3 -4 hours.  Stir in shrimp and cook on low for an additional 1 hour.  Serve over hot cooked rice.  Serves 6.

Observing My Senses

For Today, February 2, 2013...

I am seeing...a bright beautiful morning outside, floors full of dog hair inside.  That needs to be remedied.

I am feeling...the cool, crisp breeze coming in through the window.  I love it when it's cool enough to open windows.

I am hearing...a bird chirping outside, thanks to open windows. :)

I am tasting...my morning breakfast:  a leftover buttermilk pancake (made a batch yesterday), one sausage and coffee.

I am smelling...the clean fresh air coming in from, that's right, my open window.

It just takes a moment to observe your surroundings.  Won't you join me?

Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun

Good Friday morning, the first for February!  It's Follow Friday Four Fill-in time (this blog post is brought to you by the letter F).  Thanks to Hilary at Feeling Beachie for hosting this fun blog hop.


This week’s statements:
1. I was probably the only kid in the world who ____
I was probably the only kid in the world who never learned to ride a bike.

2. ____ is my favorite juice
Passionfruit is my favorite juice, followed closely by tamarind.  My grandmother would make them from fruits in her backyard - oh my goodness, so delicious!

3. I never thought I would____until I___
I never thought I would enjoy playing Just Dance until I gave it a try.  Now I'm hooked.

4. I have always wanted to_____ but_____
I have always wanted to write a book but my mind gets distracted too easily.

Five Question Friday

It's another Teacher's Planning Day, so my son is off from school, making this feel more like a Saturday than a Friday.  Thank goodness for Mama M and my Five Question Friday post to remind me what day it is!  Visit My Little Life to answer your five questions too.


1. What is your favorite book to read with your kids?
Since my youngest is now 13 and can read all by himself, we typically read the Bible together and any book that he gets from school for his reading class to review for tests.  The last book we read together for school was The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

2. After having kids, what body part has changed the most?
Duh.  My waistline.  It isn't what it used to be.  It's almost non-existent actually.

3. Would you ever go back to college? What would you study?
I might study interior design since it's a topic that interests me.  Or I could go to Bible college and have a  more in depth study of Scripture.  But then, there's a 99.9% chance I would not go back to school.  I consider myself done in that respect.

4. How do you close a phone call? Bye, bye bye or other?
If it's a business call, I end with, "Thank you, goodbye."  If it's a close friend or family member, then I say, "Love you, bye."

5. What is the one food that will always be your "cheat food" on a diet?
Chips.  Especially with like, chunky salsa.  That is my weakness.