For Monday, November 3, 2008
Outside My Window ... it's shockingly bright and sunny after last week's storms. In the front yard, asparagus ferns and gently curved shrubs are springtime green, reflecting the sun. A pair of doves are grazing on the winter rye seed washed loose by the rains, amidst the newly sprouted grass.
I am thinking ... about family and holidays, and about lingering over a stack of new magazines and cool iced tea. I'm in the mood for planning, dreaming, and reminiscing, looking forward and looking back, and sitting still in the moment.
I am thankful for ... life and it's blessings, good health and good friends, and not being allergic to dust.
From the kitchen ... Ray baked his first Rosemary Foccacia yesterday, and it was truly the best bread he has ever baked: marvelous texture, not too heavy and not too light, fresh rosemary from our garden mixed into the dough, rosemary and olive oil brushed on top -- before and after baking -- and a sprinkling of coarse sea salt on top. Straight from the oven, each bite was pure melt-in-your-mouth Heaven. We had some leftover roasted garlic in the fridge: warmed in the microwave and tossed with additional olive oil and balsamic vinegar, it was perfect for dipping the warm bread. We really shouldn't have cooked an actual dinner last night, since the four of us gorged ourselves on the bread. Ray and I are the quintessential "a loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou" couple ... fresh homemade bread, a few assorted olives, some cheese, and an everyday cabernet or merlot, and we're good to go. Add sliced salami or parma ham, some hearty pesto, and a pound of large chilled shrimp, and you have a finger food feast to share with friends, or an hours-long supper for an evening of conversation, reading, or watching a favorite film.
I am wearing ... comfy denim leggings and a black tank top.
I am creating ... quiet spaces in my days, and plans for a new garden.
I am going ... to miss my father-in-law forever.
I am hoping ... to always be where I am needed.
I am hearing ... the words I am typing, inside my head.
Around the house ... Mondays are so peaceful. Two windows are open, one in the kitchen and one in my bedroom, letting the warm autumn air move quietly through the house.
I am reading ... magazines, cookbooks, and wonderful blogs.
One of my favorite things ... lazy afternoons in used book stores.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: the same as last week, because so much of it didn't get done.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing ...
3 generations of Smith men ... Christmas 2006
Tyler (17), my father-in-law Rex (92), Ray, Ryan (20)
This is the last picture taken of the four of them together: the boys were showing off their new tuxedos for their respective choral groups, and a family photo was definitely in order. Rex quietly passed away at home 3 days ago, surrounded by loving family, at 94 years of age and after 66 years of marriage. His legacy is the number of lives he touched, the love he shared, the example he set for all of us, and the joyful memories we hold close to our hearts.
The Simple Woman's Daybook is hosted each Monday by
Peggy at http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/
Peggy at http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/
