This is one of my favorite posts of the week.  I look forward to it every time.  The best part about it is reading what others post (looking into everyone else's life) and seeing that there is encouragement, prayer needs, and love abounding! You too can take part of this special event over at Simple Woman's Daybook by going here and linking up!

FOR TODAY -

Outside my window...It is a cloudy day, very cold and blustery. The birds are fluttering around the feeders. Great day to be at home.

I am thinking...of the extremely nice visits we had with family members yesterday.

I am thankful...that we still get together for the holidays.

In the kitchen...leftovers!  There is so much in the refrigerator from yesterday it is unreal!

I am wearing...black yoga pants and a tank top.  It is very warm with the wood furnace going.

I am creating....A Christ centered home.

I am going...no where today!  I love being at home.

I am wondering...how much longer it is going to be before Granny can't stay home alone.  It seems like she is slipping mentally more all the time.

I am reading....Agenda 21 by Glenn Beck.

I am Praying...for Shepherd, his rib is still out, his job, our Lambs, that the Lord has led us to a place of worship that we can call home, various family members relationships, and salvation for many, a friend that just lost her mother and peace through the Christmas season, and our government leaders.

I am looking forward to...having my sister and her children at my house! 

I am learning...That as our children grow we go through things that make the seperations process of them moving on a little easier.

Around the house...some cleaning up after yesterdays activities!  Not too much of a mess.  Everyone was very good about helping out.

I am pondering....my Bible study plan for the New Year!

One of my favorite things...The sound of children laughing!

A few plans for the rest of the week...Today I am cleaning up a little and resting.  The next couple of days I have to work, Sister and her children coming in tomorrow, Christmas celebration at my other Grandmothers on Saturday, and Worship with the Saints on Sunday!

A peek into my day...

This is one of my favorite posts of the week.  I look forward to it every time.  The best part about it is reading what others post (looking into everyone else's life) and seeing that there is encouragement, prayer needs, and love abounding! You too can take part of this special event over at Simple Woman's Daybook by going here and linking up!

FOR TODAY - I was going to post my Daybook yesterday (17th) but when I got home from work our internet was down!

Outside my window...The weather is frightful!  It is 60 degrees and sunny!  How am I supposed to stay in the Christmas spirit when it won't even get cold!?

I am thinking...about a couple gifts for my twin nephews and a my little niece.

I am thankful...for a very productive weekend!

In the kitchen...tonight I am fixing oven BBQ pork steaks, baked beans, and baked potatoes.  I am done with cookies and candy for the year!

I am wearing...jeans, yellow tshirt, loafers.

I am creating....A Christ centered home.

I am going...to the airport on tomorrow to pick up my Granny and Dad.

I am wondering...if they had a great time!  I haven't called to check up on them so that I could see their faces when they describe their time to me.

I am reading....Fully Alive by Ken Davis.

I am Praying...for Shepherd he has a rib out, his job, our Lambs and school, that the Lord would lead us to a place of worship that we can call home, various family members relationships, and salvation for many, a friend that just lost her mother, safe journey for Granny, the families of the school shooting in CT, and finals for Sissy!

I am looking forward to...having my sister and her children at my house for Christmas! 

I am learning...that Asperbergers is a scary thing.  We have been dealing with it, knowingly, for about two months now.

Around the house... lots of cleaning in preparation for Christmas guests, some light farm work outside as the weather is extremely mild, regular meals, and some rest!

I am pondering....Luke 19:24-27

One of my favorite things...sitting in the family room with only the Christmas lights on with hot chocolate and the family.

A few plans for the rest of the week...clean the main level of the house (did the lower level over the weekend), get Granny from the airport, wrap up any last minutes stocking stuffers, shop for Christmas dinner menu, and try to get some rest!

A peek into my day...couldn't get a picture uploaded because our internet is

There have been a lot of changes in our family this year.  I have two living Grandmothers.  I know!  How blessed am I?!  One moved in with me and the other had to go to an assisted living home.  That is not the same as a nursing home.  Well, she is the one who used to make our Christmas's BIG!  And I mean HUGE!  It would take us hours and hours to open gifts, there was so much food that we were all miserable, and the candy could last all year.

Candy, what memories of all the wonderful stuff she made!  I have a sister in Utah who can not come home for Christmas due to her husbands work schedule and the expense of flying or driving four across the country in this economy.  Grandma never failed to include her in the holidays.  She would pack up a box of candy and gifts and mail them to her and her family.  This year though Grandma can't make candy.  So I have decided to pick up the baton and run with it.  Some traditions are just meant to be carried on.  After all I am the oldest grandchild (ha!  child, now that is funny!).  I love to bake and cook in general so this can't be too bad!

So the journey has begun.  First I started with peanut clusters because they are the easiest.  Bah-Bah helped a me get them spooned out on the wax paper before they began to set up.  Some are really big because she got carried away.  I spent an entire Saturday and most of Sunday making several variaties of cookies and candies.  I will be posting recipes and pictures soon.  Here are pictures of all that I completed. 

This is one of my favorite posts of the week.  I look forward to it every time.  The best part about it is reading what others post (looking into everyone else's life) and seeing that there is encouragement, prayer needs, and love abounding! You too can take part of this special event over at Simple Woman's Daybook by going here and linking up!

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...It very suddenly turned cold.  It was only 28 degrees when I left the house this morning.  It is only to warm to 34 today.  Starting to feel more like Christmas!

I am thinking...I am enjoying my free time in the kitchen!

I am thankful...the fireplace.

In the kitchen...oh lots!  I made some peanut clusters, and some other kind of nut and marshmellow cluster thing, four kinds of cookies, peanut brittle, and chocolate covered pretzels.  I have just really enjoyed being in my kitchen without interuption.  Tonight we are having chili because it goes with the very cold weather!

I am wearing...jeans, black slip on shoes, Christmas socks, and  grey sweater.

I am creating....A Christ centered home.

I am going...to mail my sisters Christmas box of goodies tomorrow.

I am wondering...If Grandma is enjoying herself at my sisters in Utah or if she is fretting over every little thing.

I am reading....Fully Alive by Ken Davis and several Christmas short stories.

I am Praying...for Shepherd and his job, our Lambs and school, that the Lord would lead us to a place of worship that we can call home, various family members relationships, and salvation for many.

I am looking forward to...Christmas. 

I am learning...to wait.

Around the house...Bah-Bah is very busy with band and Scholar Bowl.  She keeps us running 3 to 4 nights a week and every Saturday.  I have been doing laundry, baking, cooking and cleaning.  And enjoying every minute of it.

I am pondering...why it is so hard to incorporate another person into our home.  I love Granny to death but it is a lot of work having her here.  She is very active.  She won't let me do anything without hounding me about letting her help.  I LOVE to care for my home and I don't get to do it much now days.

One of my favorite things...being home.

A few plans for the rest of the week...we have only 1 basketball game to go to this week because Bah-Bah plays in the pep band, preparing for Christmas (finish shopping & menu planning), work at our jobs, and trying to rest some.

A peek into my day...actually it was yesterday!

It is the time of year when hens generally slow down their production of eggs.  Mine have not yet slowed down.  Could be because the weather here in the midwest is unseasonably warm.  So I am going to take the dozen or so eggs I get each day and perserve them.  This is easily done by getting a few large ice cube trays for the freezer.  Break one egg into each cube and freeze.  When they are frozen good and solid, pop them out of the tray and place in a ziploc bag.  Now when you are short of fresh eggs you can take out as many as you need at a time. 

As you can see from the picture I need to find ice cube trays that are bigger.  They just don't make them like they used to!  I will be shopping online trying to find just the right one.  But these will do in a pinch.  I just use two slots for one egg.  They