Monday, February 16, 2009

A Simple Woman's Daybook - February 16, 2009


MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2009

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW...
Oh, Sweet Sunshine! It is glorious and shining through the lace curtains of the bedroom. And blue skies, my favorite color...

I AM THINKING...
That spring surely can't be far away

I AM THANKFUL FOR...
My sweet old house, 140 years old this year.

FROM THE KITCHEN...
A pot roast with potatoes and carrots simmering in the crock pot

I AM WEARING...
Well, since I'm not working this Monday and I'm off to a late start...my pink gown, no kidding. Don't tell anyone how lazy I've been this morning! ;-)

I AM CREATING...
We've just had our hardwood floors refinished, so I will be "re" creating our room by loading the furniture back in. I'm so excited!!

I AM READING...
I've started two books: Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens for the online reading group in which I'm participating, and I am STILL on "The Ambassador's Son" by Homer Hickam! Seems like I'm not getting anywhere with that one! I've also been rereading some of Robert Browning & Elizabeth Barrett Browning's love poems, as my DH bought me a book of their poetry for Valentine's Day.

I AM HOPING...
that this week's weather will allow me to go out and work in the yard and garden a while. I need to do some pre-spring maintenance!

I AM HEARING...
the sound of birds singing outside in the trees. I love that sound! It looks like spring...it sounds like spring...so spring can't be far away, right?!?!

AROUND THE HOUSE...
I'm anxious to get our rooms back to normal with the finish of our floors. We've packed up several bags of goodies to take to Goodwill, and I expect to have more by the end of the week. Spring cleaning! I love it!

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...
dried hydrangea in a big dough bowl. I've so missed having a hydrangea plant since I moved from Kentucky to Tennessee. I had a beautiful yard FULL of hydrangea at my hillside home in Kentucky. This yard had none when I moved in. I've planted TWO since I've been here, and both died. I'm DESPERATE to grow hydrangea here, and I don't know what I'm doing wrong! Anyone have any suggestions to offer?!?!

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK...
Max is scheduled for a trip to the vet and a day at the groomers. Michael and I are both working all week (except I have today off), but I plan to sneak in a few trips to look for new spring and Easter items that are out on the store shelves, just waiting for me to find them and take them home!

MY PICTURE THOUGHT...
I love coming home in the evenings from work where I'm greeted by our two kitties...always. And if I don't get out of the car right away, they jump on the car and peer in the windows, as if to say, "Mama, what's taking so long? What are you doing in there?!" This photo was snapped one evening as the sun was setting. I had driven into the driveway, and Isabella was very anxious for me to get out of the car. I noticed her peering at me through the side window. Now, who wouldn't want to come home to such love and devotion?!?!
Have a wonderful week!

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

What? You mean you don't love Penelope? And Shafty? And Nick? At least Ready? Well, my Josh Thurlow novels are somewhat of an acquired taste, I guess. But please don't give up on me. Try my latest novel, Red Helmet. That one I bet you'll like.

Happy reading,

Homer Hickam

MaygreenFairies said...

Oh I am so glad I found your blog, I've really enjoyed visiting AND YOUR HOUSE WOW!!! it is stunning. I adore old houses, I live in a Victorian House in the UK and have always lived in old houses, I love the character of them. Mandy x

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog via the daybooks. I'm a Paula too! :)

I am loving your house, I'm so jealous. I'm going to add you to my blog reader.

The Rustic Victorian said...

Hi Paula,
A good day to have off,,sunshine! I do love the photo of your cat. I am missing haveing a cat, and alot of plants we had in Or.as well...like hydrangea,and lilac bushes and rhodendrons,I think they like a milder seasons. But there are wonders here,,,, I do love the crape myrtle,,they are my new favorite. Have you seen daffodils up,and the trees budding,,,I saw a group of pink flowering trees yesterday.I will blog it tomorrow.I have alot to learn about the plants of the south. I look forward to a yard to plant in. Take care!
Marcie

a quiet life said...

i love your daybook, the simple days thoughts captured so well, very inviting. and the kitty pic, oh be still my heart...

Unknown said...

Your Kitties are so adorable!!! What a sweet post.

Julie said...

I truly enjoyed discovering your blog today - through the Simple Woman's Daybook. I am anxious to read more. My dream is to someday have a bed & breakfast. :)

Paula said...

Hey, Homer Hickam (I have to wonder if this is REALLY a comment by THE Homer Hickam)...I didn't say I don't like the Ambassador's Son...I meant that I've just been too busy to read it over the last two weeks! I'm liking Nick, Josh, and Ready, even though war type of books are not normally my type of read. I picked this one up because I'm a huge Homer Hickam fan. Long story, but I used to buy one of his books for all my students. Anyway, I'm to the point where the plane is going down as they went back to pick up Josh. And after Kennedy and the boys nabbed the PT boat. I don't know who Penelope is yet...but I have something to look forward to, I see.

Janet said...

I love the picture of the cat in the rear view mirror!
As to hydrangeas, out of the 8 I've planted in the last 5 years, 2 of them have survived (and actually do bloom). Keep trying.

Tiffers said...

I enjoyed my visit to your blog! The blog design is BREATHTAKING! The house is GORGEOUS! The cat in the rearview mirror is HILARIOUS! Have a blessed week!

Anonymous said...

It is the real Homer Hickam. I have a clipping agency who looks across the web for my name on news and blogs, don't ask me why. I usually don't respond to them but I love B&B's and we actually live only about 30 miles apart (although we also have a home in the Virgin Islands). You're also pet people which makes us compatible. We are owned by four cats, two of which are 17 years old. So just thought I'd check in and see what was wrong with "Ambassador's." Glad it's a time issue rather than a reading thing. Penelope is, ahem, every man's fantasy, whether they'll confess to it or not. My wife gave me heck for writing about her, as you can imagine, but I had fun doing it.

Continued happy reading and glad ol' Josh is still welcome in your house.

Homer

Irene said...

What a funny picture! I enjoyed visiting your blog. It is beautiful.

The Victorian Parlor said...

What a fun post! Love the picture of the cat in the car mirror:) It is always so wonderful to have a happy cat awaiting your arrival home! BTW, love the Billie Holiday music playing on your blog-she is my favorite!!!

Mrs. E said...

Paula,
Your musings are always so lovely!!!:)
How neat that your home is 140 years old this year.....it must be sooo special to live in such an historic place!! Hope you are having a Great day, dear friend. :)

Love & Blessings,
Miss Jen

Paula said...

Mr. Hickam,

I am truly honored that you visited the blog and took the time to respond to my post! I will definitely continue to read "Ambassadors" and give Josh a chance at winning over my heart. ;-) Yes, we live quite close, and my husband grew up in Huntsville. We were headed to your book signing recently but sickness kept me away. Will you be doing another book signing in the Huntsville area again soon?

I became a fan of your book, "Rocket Boys," because of its parallels to my own life (I'm originally from Harlan, Kentucky and the grandaughter, gr. granddaughter, & gr. gr. granddaughter of coal miners). I also used it as a tool to motivate my students in the University of Kentucky's Robinson Scholars Program (a scholarship for students from the Appalachian region of the state), for which I was a coordinator. Your book spoke to their hearts...and to mine.

I must ask...did you watch the 20/20 special, Children of the Mountains, last Friday? If so, I would love to know your thoughts in regard to the report.

I am glad to know you like B&B's! If you are every considering a short weekend trip, please consider Fayetteville and The Little Young House (yes, a shamless plug)!

It's an honor and a pleasure. Thank you again for your response.

Paula

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

What a sweet post! (We're having potroast tomorrow!) =) I am so longing for Spring, too! The bluebirds paid a visit here but not for too long - it was just a little tease!

I had some spare time this evening so I started reading through some of your older posts... what a sweet, sweet blog you have! =) Have a wonderful evening! =)

Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn said...

I love your kitty picture!!! Hope your day off was wonderful..and yes, a little lazy!

The Victorian Parlor said...

Good morning Paula,

I just had to leave a quick message after reading your kind comment on my blog. I am so excited that you are reading Little Dorrit with us! I must confess that I have been a bit lazy with my reading this past week so I feel certain you will have no problem catching up:) Have a blessed day.

Sea Angels said...

What a lovely post, your home is nearly as old as ours...how lovely I would love to visit...I wanted to say thankyou for your get well wishes and kind words. xxx you really lifted my spirits and made me smile..and I did find a nice book
Hugs Lynn