the hazel grove

I'm going to be having an incredibly busy week; ironically, that includes two days where I'll be able to accomplish nothing on my (extensive) list.

the hazelnut grove on the property where Ellie has ballet lessons

But I'll still be able to take photos.

playing with photos again...

I've been learning so much about photo-manipulation... and having so much fun!!! The textures that I used on this picture came from Shadowhouse Creations... he's got free textures, brushes and tutorials, and such amazingly lovely photos. I'm so inspired!!

daybook

TODAY

Outside my window... the weather doesn't know what to do with itself. Torrential rain this morning as I woke up, dying down to a mere drizzle by the time we hit the road to church, sunshine on the way home...

I am thankful for... my family. roses. pumpkin pie. feather duvets. comfortable shoes.

From the learning rooms... I don't know which book we'll be doing this week for FIAR... but there will be math, and writing, and reading. And I'm sure we'll have heaps of fun doing it!

From the kitchen... pies. Pumpkin pies. Three of them. And Hazelnut Pear cake, oh my!!!

I am wearing... jeans. my sleeveless brown floral shirt. the obligatory cardigan, this time in dusty turquoise. still no slippers... must. knit!

I am sewing... an apron. I felt so cranky yesterday that, as an attempt at an antidote, I cut out the pieces for a cheerful apron, from a bright yellow and orange and lime green floral vintage sheet. If that doesn't bring a little sunshine into my kitchen, I don't know what will.

I am going... round and round in circles in my mind. should I? shouldn't I? I really want to, but it probably won't solve anything, and will most likely cause more problems in the long run...

I am reading... GIMP tutorials. I've become a photo-processing fiend. I love textures!

I am hoping... for good news.

I am hearing... the hum of computers. the clack of keyboards. U2.

Around the house... a mess. I've been baking up a storm all weekend, and have not been home long enough to clean up properly.

One of my favorite things... the new texture pack I bought from Jessica Drossin.

A few plans for the rest of the week: not much out of the ordinary... besides the fact that Monday is a holiday.

Here is picture that I am sharing...

from our hike the other weekend... and processed using some of the new textures

More daybook pages can be found here.

just saying...

Port, cherry and cranberry sauce

adapted from the Gluten-Free Girl, who adapted it from Cooking Light, Nov 2005

1 cup of agave syrup
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup of port
1/4 teaspoon of ground allspice
1/2 cup of dried cherries
1 bag of fresh, organic cranberries (12 oz?)
1 teaspoon of grated orange rind
1 small capful of vanilla extract

Put the first four ingredients into a medium-sized saucepan, and bring to a boil, stirring, on high heat. Add the cherries and boil for one minute.

Pour in the cranberries and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for ten minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in orange rind and vanilla.

Pour into a container, cool, and refrigerate overnight.

Makes approximately 2 cups.

And it's sooooo good. You owe it to yourself to make some. I'm just sayin'.

daybook

A few days late, thanks to a dead hard drive... please, everyone, back up your data. Life is so much easier that way.

TODAY
Outside my window... the weather has changed. The sun still shone, and the sky was clear, but the air was decidedly cooler today.

I am thinking... of my high school years. Remembering people. Wondering if they have changed as much as I have. Wondering what it would be like to all be in the same room again. Wondering how life has been for the friends that I lost touch with.

I am thankful for... my husband's techie skills that allowed him to retrieve most of the data from my hard drive after it died. I'm so glad I didn't lose all my photos.

From the learning rooms... a week of Owl Moon with Ellie. Great Horned Owls, the phases of the moon, hyperbole and imagery, learning to be still and notice.

From the kitchen... searching for recipes for my first vegan Thanksgiving. Feeling slight yearnings for turkey and gravy and mashed potatoes. But only slight. I'm feeling so good these days that I don't want to go back.

I am wearing... my clothes a size smaller than a month ago. I'm still bemused by the fact that two months of running and eating all-raw netted me only a two pound weight loss, yet a month of almost non-existent running and eating vegan has done so much more.

I am creating... baby gifts. I love sewing for babies!

I am going... to keep smiling.

I am reading... Practicing the Presence of People by Mike Mason. "We are not born with love; it is something we must learn."

I am hoping... that something changes. It's got to happen. I refuse to feel hopeless.

I am hearing... the hum of an unfamiliar hard drive. The slam of the door as people arrive home. The faint rumble of the dryer in the laundry room. The gurgle of my stomach as it lets me know that I haven't eaten yet.

Around the house... not much has changed. I'm making plans, but I haven't done anything about them yet.

One of my favorite things... is the walking foot that I bought for my sewing machine. It's pure magic, I tell you!

A few plans for the rest of the week: 

• planning Thanksgiving dishes to bring to various family functions
• finishing up the gift for the baby shower I'll be attending
• sewing a purse

Here is picture that I am sharing...

This is my daughter sitting on a rock, high above

Lindeman Lake. We had an amazing hike on a perfect day,

and yes, it really was this beautiful.

More daybook pages can be found at the Simple Woman's Daybook.