Really Cute Aprons

Want to enter a giveaway for a really cute apron? This blue chocolate one is my favorite. Check out Sarah Mae's blog for the details here.

Theresa's Fourth Simple Woman Entry

FOR TODAY January 25, 2010

Outside my window...it is rainy and very windy

I am thinking...it is a great day for taking it easy, especially since the kids are not feeling well

I am thankful for... a warm house

I am wearing...my periwinkle PJ's and brown moccasin slippers (yes...still!)

I am remembering...what needs to be done today

I am going... to be staying home today

I am currently reading...a chapter in Genesis, Ezra, Matthew and Acts each day as part of a reading throught the bible in a year plan

I am hoping... my kids feel better real soon

On my mind... wondering if my husband will be going away this weekend

Noticing that...it is fun being a homemaker when your attitude is right

Pondering these words... "Water is hot at 211 degrees, but it boils at 212 degrees."

From the kitchen... homemade chicken soup and fresh bread leftover from the weekend

Around the house... figuring out what to put in my vase since I took out the cinnamon pine cones

One of my favorite things~ napping on a rainy day

From my picture journal...
Any ideas for the vase? Besides fresh flowers?

Join Peggy and The Simple Woman's Daybook here.

Thyroid and Women

If you are anything like me, you have been hearing a lot lately about women and the function of the thyroid. I have low thyroid symptoms with "in range" labs. My thyroid antibodies were elevated on my last bloodwork, so I was told I have the beginnings of Hashimotos. Basically, that is it. I have to wait for my levels to get out of range and then go on medication for it. Sound good? Not to me! Some people think I ask too many questions. Others say I am not a doctor so should leave that to the experts. Others that I am a hypocondriac. Me? I say I will do the best I can to make sense of it all, despite what everyone else thinks. I have had many symptoms over the past few years that I have done lots of reading and research on. The biggest being dizziness and poor balance. I discovered this article from a chiropractic neurologist in Dallas and it was quite interesting. I thought I would share it here.

I would love to hear any thoughts on this.

Theresa's Fourth Simple Woman Entry

FOR TODAY
January 18, 2010
Outside my window...it is cool and cloudy
I am thinking...time to get moving
I am thankful for...a day off from homeschooling
From the learning rooms...taking the day off for MLK Day
From the kitchen...still have some fresh baked bread left
I am wearing...cozy fleece pajamas
I am creating...?
I am going...to work around the house today
I am reading...Small Changes for a Better Life by Elizabeth George
I am hoping...to get all the laundry done today
I am hearing...the air purifier running
Around the house...the kids are eating, laundry needs to get started
One of my favorite things...the start of a new week
A few plans for the rest of the week: Homeschooling, buying some new things for my bread making, organizing some things
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...


Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook.

Bread Baking

Well, I finally gave it a try. I have been so intimidated by the whole idea of baking my own bread, that I was afraid to try. I received a bread maker for my bridal shower, over 8 years ago, but have never used it. I don't have much counter space so it is a project to find room for it. I found a couple of recipes and read that I could use the dough hook on my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer to knead the dough. I love my Kitchen Aid, so I thought I would see what I could do. It was so easy. The most difficult part was waiting for the dough to rise. I did get discouraged at one point and think... oh all of that and now the dough isn't rising enough. It is going to end up in the trash. My husband encouraged me and I was happily surprised that the loaf did rise more in the oven. It popped out of the pan so easily it startled me. My husband and kids were standing around waiting to taste it, so I started slicing it. Everyone loves it. It is delicious if I do say so myself. You can find the recipe by searching for homemade wheat bread here.



I also made some wheat rolls. This recipe was in my Kitchen Aid book. It was for smaller rolls, but I made them big like hamburger rolls. The kids and I tasted one with butter tonight for snack and they are also delicious. Now no one wants store bought bread. That is a good thing, I keep reminding myself. Next I will need to get some more loaf pans and get a system down. I will be reading through some blogs to see if I can find some suggestions. If anyone here has any suggestions, please share. Thanks.

Theresa's Third Simple Woman Entry

FOR TODAY
January 11, 2010
Outside my window...it is very dark out
I am thinking...it is almost bedtime
I am thankful for...a productive day
From the learning rooms...started cursive handwriting today
From the kitchen...the dishes are all done
I am wearing...yoga pants and a pale turquoise ribbed shirt
I am creating...?
I am going...to bed soon
I am reading...Small Changes for a Better Life by Elizabeth George
I am hoping...my friend gets the job she applied for
I am hearing...The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Around the house...lots of laundry to be done
One of my favorite things...my new steam mop
A few plans for the rest of the week: Catching up on laundry, homeschooling, exercising, getting together with some ladies for a book club
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...



Join Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook here.

My Christmas Present

Well the Christmas decorations are down, the tree is at the curb and the cookies are all gone. I am sure I will be finding pine needles here and there for the next couple of weeks. They seem to turn up everywhere. I received lots of great presents for Christmas and used some of the money I received to buy a Bissell Steam Mop. I think I got a deal because I purchased it from Kohl's and was able to use my $30 in Kohl's cash. I called at least five stores to see if they had it in stock and none of them did. So my husband called customer service and they gave us the sale price, free shipping, and allowed us to use the Kohl's cash (usually you can only use it in store). That's what I call a D E A L! It really is as easy as it looks. You fill up the water tank, plug it in, wait a few seconds for the light to go on and viola. It is lightweight, has a long cord and works well. Did I mention the kids keep asking to use it? I used it on my hallway floor and it was shining. Usually when I get it to shine like that you better be careful because it is so slippery. Not with this. It is not slippery at all. Another benefit is not having to keep buying those expensive Swifter sheets or dump a nasty mop bucket. You still have to sweep or vacuum first, but it is a breeze. The floor drys quickly and no stinky, toxic chemicals. It is nice to start the year off with clean floors.

Theresa's Simple Woman Entry

FOR TODAY
January 4, 2010
Outside my window...the sun is shining, it is bitterly cold
I am thinking...I have so much to do today
I am thankful for...the beginning of another week
From the learning rooms...trying to get back on track today after Christmas vacation
From the kitchen...hot oatmeal and farina planned for breakfast-oops...switched to cold cereal as we were running behind schedule
I am wearing...a big comfy light blue robe and my Lands End slippers
I am creating...?
I am going...to the chiropractor today (SMILE)
I am reading...Proverbs 4 this morning
I am hoping...to get caught up with laundry today
I am hearing...the oil burner kicking on, the clock ticking
Around the house...Christmas decorations are still up
One of my favorite things...the quietness of the morning while everyone is still asleep
A few plans for the rest of the week:Take down the Christmas decorations later this week
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...thinking of hot summer days!


Join Peggy and the Simple Woman's Daybook here.