Clotheslines

Oh, how I love a clothesline! I adore them. They bring back such pleasant memories. When I was small and living in Virginia, my mother used a long clothesline. I use to love to accompany her as she hung out the wash. It was such fun running in between rows of sheets that were flapping in the breeze. My sister and I would hide behind them and run laughing through them. They were wet and cool against my skin in the warm weather. I loved being with Mama and I loved hanging out the wash. What a precious memory.

Even now, more often than not, I dry my clothes over the railing of our backyard deck. I like how crisp it leaves our clothes with little need for ironing. It also saves a lot on our gas bill - tons, in fact.

How about you? Do you use a clothesline? Did you have one when you were growing up?
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Now, for Cats on Tuesday...Here is a tired cat, caught mid-yawn by my daughter, Sarah.
When Sarah was a baby, she called all cats "Mows" (rhymes with "cows"). So, this is a sleepy "mow".

For more Cats on Tuesday, please visit Gattina's blog HERE.

Have a great one!

(And a shout out to my special son, Robert, who turns 13 today!)
Elizabeth

Menu Planning Monday, August 30th

Hello, lovely Friends!

I hope this day finds everyone well and happy.

Guess what? Yesterday, as I sat outside observing my daughter's soccer game, I felt a gentle something small fall on me. I looked down on my lap and guess what I found?...A small, yellowed leaf from the tree above. It was an autumn leaf, because that tree is green and goes yellow in the Fall. No, I am not kidding. I looked at that leaf and could hardly believe my eyes. It was a lone yellow leaf, but I know that it is a sign at the end of what was a milder Summer than usual. It means that lovely Fall is on it's way in the not too distant future..,

THIS WEEK'S MENU:

Monday - Quiche and Tossed Salad

Tuesday - Shrimp Linguine, Cucumber Avocado Salad

Wednesday - Crockpot Beans and Rice (using dried beans and brown rice)

Thursday - Fish Sandwiches, California Cole Slaw

Friday -

Saturday - Pizza, Salad

Sunday - Tuna Patties, Mashed potatoes and cauliflower, Salad

For lunches...

I'm thinking of sandwiches, tortilla roll-ups, rice and beans, cheese sticks, pasta salad.

For more menus, please visit Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie.

Have a great one!
Elizabeth

ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz

"My get up and go, got up and went!"
~ Unknown

Okay, I admit it. I'm plum tuckered out! I don't know how or why, I just know that my caboose is worn out and I can't get it going.

Have you ever been what my mother use to call "bone weary"? I'm not just talking sleepy, I mean where you feel exhaustion way down deep in your marrow? Well, that's me and I don't know why. Perhaps it's the push to have everything ready for the beginning of school or the push to charge ahead with housework and cover a lot of lost ground. Whatever it is, I am plum pooped!

"Fatigue makes the best pillow."
~ Benjamin Franklin

Yup! It also wastes a perfectly good day.

So, I engage in several activities that help me get through a fatigue dampened day...I will share a few of these with you...

Listen to energetic music...As some of you already know, I love fiddle music and nothing picks me up better than a heel kickin', joyous round of fiddle music, but I realize not everyone has the same tastes. So, put on music that makes you feel joyous - pop music, choir music, gospel, whatever. Put it on and CRANK IT UP!!

Peppermint is very stimulating...Aromatherapy says that peppermint lifts the spirits. I do find that a little bit on the temples is very invigorating. (Don't EVER get this stuff in your eyes or you will be bawling for a long time. Whoowee! I did this once by accident)

Engage in aerobic activity...Look, I fully realize that when one is tired the LAST thing one wants is to be moving around a whole lot. HOWEVER, I have found that getting the legs moving can get the heart moving and bring on a period of higher energy.

Upper body weight training...Don't ask me why, but this works even more for me than aerobic activity. It's not fun to begin when all you feel like doing is laying down and taking a nap, but it can get the old heart pumping and make you feel better.

Lie down and take a nap! Okay, when all else fails, turn off the phone and catch some zzzzzzzz's. I don't know that this is particularly invigorating, but it does keep me from killing people if I have to drive anywhere on a day I'm falling over with exhaustion. Just sleep. Okay, we are all conscientious people. We feel we should be working and not losing time by drifting off to dreamland, but that is what couches are for, folks. They are for naps.

Be gentle with yourself. Okay, I'm not one to let myself off the hook for everything, but once in awhile, I just have to slow down and that's the way it is. I tell myself that I am better for my family if I don't try to KILL MYSELF with activity when I am not up to it. So, I am nice to myself and, if I can, I take breaks and do whatever I have to in order to feel better.

Okay, now it's your turn! What do you do for a pick me up when you are ready to fall down? I'd love to hear your ideas.

Otherwise, have a lovely and energetic day!
Elizabeth

Hello, One and All!

It is the first real day of school today. Both of my children are now in Middle School (unbelieveable!). My son, Robert, was very nervous this morning to attend the 7th Grade for the first time, especially because he missed orientation day last Friday due to his pneumonia.

So, how do I feel about having the children gone from home again?...I am excited for them that they are beginning a new school year. I miss them. I am excited to use the extra time on my hands to do a better job at homemaking and to get back into my interests, including blogging.
I love the whole feel of back-to-school, excitement over new backpacks, school clothes shopping (thank you, family!) and buying school supplies. I was keeping myself busy yesterday by getting my son's backpack ready and one of the things I did was to sharpen all of his new pencils. I know he could do this himself - duh - I just wanted to do it. Oh, how I love new pencils, unopened packages of college-ruled paper, new spiral-bound notebooks in which nothing yet has been written. Everything is fresh, clean and full of promise. I pray for that promise to be realized in the school lives of my beautiful children.

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I have embarked on a few new things, myself. First, I have begun a new diet, which is high on protein and low (nil) on carbs. I have only been on it for about 5 days and have already lost 3 pounds, plus I feel better. I think that carbs weigh me down and make me tired. Anyway, I'm not hungry and I am energized by all the fruit, veggies and protein I have been eating.

I am also excited to begin Fall cleaning...Do you do Fall cleaning and, if so, when do you start it and what all do you do?

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Finally, I have no menu plan this week, just food in the fridge and ideas in my head. However, here is a recipe my daughter made up yesterday that turned out wonderful...

Creamy, Vegetable Soup

6 cups of water
2 1/2 tablespoons of Beef Bouillon (wet or 2 cubes of dry)
One head of romaine lettuce, shredded (or you could use spinach)
8-10 baby carrots, cut in 1/4's
1/3 package of spaghetti
3 tablespoons of diced onions
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
3 tablespoons of sour cream
1 teaspoon of soy sauce
salt and pepper to taste (we use lots of pepper!)

This would be great with meat, too. Give it a try, The base is delectable!

Have a great one!
Elizabeth

Hello, Friends and Visitors!

Well, today is the beginning of the last week of Summer Vacation here. My 7th Grader son begins Middle School this Friday and one week from today, both my children will be in school again. The thought is bittersweet. I will miss having their company. I love to putter around the house and just feel the presence of my two sweet ones near me. However, I also get much more accomplished when I am on my own so at least I will be more industrious while they aer away from me.

So, for this week, I want to really enjoy having the children home. I want their last week of fun and relaxation to be sweet.

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This Week's Dinner Menu

Monday - BLT Salad

Tuesday - No Fuss Meatloaf

Wednesday - Enchiladas

Thursday - BBQ Ribs, potato salad and Fruit

Friday - Veggie Pizza, using Easy Pizza Dough I, Salad

Saturday - Leftovers

Sunday - Steak, Potatoes and Salad

If you would like to see more Menu Planning Monday posts, please visit Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie!

Have a great Monday!
Elizabeth

Sunday -

A Simple Womans Daybook, August 12th

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...it is bright and sunny, warm. There is a breeze that stirs things up a bit and keeps the sun from feeling too hot. It is lovely, perfect weather.
I am thinking...of how grateful I am for beautiful music to listen to in my home. It is such a miracle to have something so wonderful be so readily available.
I am thankful for...this question always stumps me because I am thankful for so many things that it is really hard to narrow it down. I am thankful for life, for love, for relative health and youth to enjoy this world. I am grateful for being needed and that in a small way everyday I can make a difference in the lives of my family and in those around me. I am grateful for miracles, the evidence of which I see everyday. I am thankful for hope, change and opportunity.
From the kitchen...I just made omelets stuffed to the brim with fresh garden veggies - tomatoes, onion, pepper and then also avadado and artichoke heart, with melted cheese. Aaah, the goodness of fresh ingredients.
I am wearing...well, my terribly sore back has me in the most comfy clothes I can come up with which are my workout clothes. So, I am ultra casual, however, I did put on makeup and fix my hair, which I haven't been up to recently. Life is looking up! :)
I am creating...plans in my mind and heart for some upcoming Fall Nesting. Yes, dear friends, Fall is on it's way soon. I had already begun Fall cleaning the week last when my back went out. I have so many more plans for clearing, cleaning, and decorating once I am feeling better.
I am going...to enjoy the day, bad back and all. It is too beautiful and my lovely daughter is at home alone with me while her brother is off to Scout Camp. It is girls all day together and I will drink deeply!
I am reading...The Power of Premonitions, by Larry Dossey. It is about how so many people are warned in their lives of coming difficulties and what happens when they pay attention and when they don't. The book treats this subject like it's revolutionary, but I believe God warns his children all of the time. To me, it is perfectly normal... and wonderful.
I am hoping...to be up and going soon so that I can be of better service to those around me That is what life is all about!
I am hearing...fiddle music that is driving my daughter absolutely crazy. I'm sorry, but I love old time fiddle music. I'm a hick. Some of the music also has banjos and yodeling and my daughter is shaking her head in wonderment that her hayseed mama is really listening to this stuff, but it fills my soul and makes me want to dance.
Around the house...it is unusually quiet, despite the fiddles, because my son is gone. I am resting on my back with periods of activity when I try to do laundry and cooking. I am reading a lot and being a little gentle with myself so I can be back up soon.
One of my favorite things...just hanging with my daughter.
A few plans for the rest of the week: I will enjoy having my daughter to myself for awhile, work around the house as my back permits and enjoy the last of Summer break before their school starts. Nothing spectacular, just lots of simple livin'!
A Picture to share...from the garden, a butternut squash.
For more daybooks, please visit A Simple Womans Daybook blog
Have a great day!
Elizabeth

A Simple Womans Daybook, August 3rd

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...it is partly cloudy and warm. This Summer has been milder than most Utah Summers I've experienced over the past 12 years. Winter lasted longer and we haven't had much super hot weather. Later in the week, temperatures are suppose to go down into the 80's.
I am thinking...about a lot of things...Mary Jane's death and the profound effect it has had on my husband and his sons...how from one year to the next you really never know what is going to happen... my North Carolina high school reunion this week and how much I would have liked to attended it...I am wondering about the future and what it holds for my family.
I am thankful for...the opportunity for positive change that each new day brings...for healing..for forgiveness
From the kitchen...I confess a mess. After cleaning everything up, I will be baking bread and preparing some food for a Mother/Daughter church activity tonight.
I am wearing...Oh, no..my pajamas.
I am creating...well, I'm planning on creating some Fall projects..decorative items
I am going...to ..work hard in the house today..........
I am reading...I am trying to get into a first-hand account of Iwo Jima. Just finished "The Lovely Bones." Excellent.
I am hoping...that everything will somehow work out for everyone's good. Just let it all work out..
I am hearing...my daughter tell my pussycat that he must be brushed. Stay. You must be brushed. He doesn't like being brushed.
Around the house...It's quiet. My husband is brushing his teeth before going to work. My son is at the neighbors. My daughter is talking to the cat. And I am trying to motivate myself to do more than I did yesterday, a very blue day.
One of my favorite things...stretching in the morning, undoing all the knots that tie up in my body during the night. I also like writing down a list and ticking things off as I accomplish the tasks. At the end of a day, seeing everything checked off makes me happy.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Tonight is Mother/Daughters cook-out. Tomorrow, I need to gets some things accomplished for school that begin in about two weeks. Saturday is my daughter Sarah's 15th birthday! I can hardly believe that I'm saying it...15th!
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My daughter has asked me to advertise her blog, Flower of the River. Would you please stop by and leave her a comment?

Have a great day!
Elizabeth

Monday Planning Monday

"People are like Stained Glass Windows...
They glow and sparkle when it's sunny and bright
But, when the sun goes down their true beauty is
revealed only if there is a light from within..."
~~Unknown

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Well, I am back up and feeling like blogging again. Hope that you are all well and enjoying your Summer.

This week, in an order to be determined later, we will be having the following suppers:

Chicken Enchiladas with homemade tortillas, salad

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and steamed veggies

Cornmeal Dusted Fried Fish, Unfried Fries and Slaw

Shanghia Pasta with Shrimp, Fruit Smoothies

Southern Beans, Greens and Cornbread

And that's all I have right now. I think I'll post recipes as I go, because I'm just not up to it.

For more Menu Planning Monday, please visit Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie.
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How is everyone's gardens doing? I have a lot of watermelons growing. About five pumpkins so far, but recent rains after my own watering has endangered some of those plants. Cukes, tomatoes, corn and peppers are gearing up. Oh boy, I see canning, canning and more canning in my future.

I would appreciated your prayers for my dear husband, right now. The passing of his ex-wife has deeply affected him, as well as his sons and her husband. It's a very tender time.

Have a wonderful day!
Elizabeth