20 Ways to Refresh with Color

Good morning dear friends!!! I woke up this morning with a million decorating ideas on my mind. I always enjoy waking up with a mind filled with inspiration. This has not been the case lately as I have been having some pretty wierd dreams at night. Nothing really bad or horribly dark, just WEIRD. For example, night before last I dreamed that some of our friends were excited because they had a new pet ELEPHANT....see, I told you, WIERD! Anyway, it was a very nice change to wake up toughts of beautiful color schemes, pretty patterns and ideas for fresh new rooms dancing in my head! Well imagine how excited I was when I opened the email newsletter from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine to see this idea filled article:

20 Ways to Refresh with Color

I simply fell in LOVE with the rooms featured there!!! Makes me want to get out the old sketch book and see what I can come up with!!! Hmmmm.....

Hope that you are feeling refreshed and inspired as well.

Until later, Stay Cozy,
Charlotte

All in a Day's Work

Hello to all of you and I hope you are having a sweet day! We have been busy with our deep spring cleaning around the old Cozy Home. My hubby and I got an industrious notion to take down everything in the bathroom yesterday and scrub the walls. My sweet hubs filled up a bucket with good warm soapy water with vinegar added to it, grabbed the scrub brush and got busy scrubbing away! God has blessed me with an awesome man!!! I took the shower curtain, window curtains, rug and decorative towel sets to be washed, wiped down the pictures and dusted off the little silk arrangements. Before we finished yesterday I had scrubbed down the tub and the surround as well as the sink and the "water closet" and gave the floor a good mopping. We were really tired when the evening came around. My feet were swollen and my shoulders ached, but it felt nice to know we had accomplished the task. We had a wonderful supper of homemade beef and veggie soup that we had put on earlier in the day just before we started our "clean fest". We just put everything in the bath back together this morning and it feels so good and fresh in there. I almost don't want to leave the room. I can't wait to finish cleaning all of our rooms this way!

Today we have been working on some other every day cleaning that needed tending. The sweeper, more laundry, etc. I was just about TWITTERY when our mail ran today and I found a copy of the NEW Celebrating Home Summer Catalog there! OH, MY GOODNESS!!!! There are so many new and wonderful items and collections added!!! We are getting an AWESOME garden cloche with an optional stand so that it can be used as a candle centerpiece, a new GORGEOUS collection designed by Pamela Scurry , as well as a great collection of nature and bird inspired accessories called th  "Nature's Song" collection!!! I think this is our prettiest catalog EVER! I can't wait 'til they post some photos of the newest items on the web site so that I can share them with you all! They will be available to purchase starting April 15th.

Before I end my post today, I wanted to share a couple of recipes that I have tried out lately. One is for a casserole and one is for a salad, they are BOTH just yummy! First the casserole:

Chicken and Vegetables Au Gratin

6-8 pieces of chicken (thighs or breast meat)
1 large package frozen California Mix vegetables (broccoli, califlower and carrots)
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1 jar Ragu Cheese Sauce

In a skillet with a bit of oil, brown the chicken pieces on both sides. When brown, place the chicken in your slow cooker or Bean Pot and season to taste with Seasoned Salt, pepper, onion powder and powdered chicken bullion. Open the package of frozen vegetables and pour them over the chicken. In a separate bowl, mix together the chicken soup and the cheese sauce stirring until well blended and pour the mixture over the vegetables and chicken in the Bean Pot. Cover with the lid and place into an oven warmed to 325 degrees for aprox. 2 hours. Serve with a salad and dessert!

We had this for dinner Saturday and there wasn't a bite left! MMMmmm, GOOD! The salad recipe is one that I had last week with a group of friends. Here it is:

Carol's Berry Good Salad

1 package Mixed Spring Greens salad mix
2 cups sliced Strawberries
2 cups blueberries
1 can Mandarin Orange slices, drained
2 cups Feta Cheese
1 can Butter Toffee Pecan peices (I believe she used Planters Brand)
1 jar Marzetti's Poppy Seed dressing

Wash the salad greens and the fruit and allow to air dry. In a 9x13 Casserole Dish, place the salad greens first and then layer with the Strawberries, Orange Slices, Blueberries, Pecans and top with Feta Cheese. Allow guests to spoon the dressing over their individual servings. This salad can be served alone or as a side dish. Simply wonderful!!!

It feels so good to be back to posting. I enjoy reading your wonderful blogs and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Until later, Stay Cozy,
Charlotte

This Week's Simple Woman's Daybook Entry

FOR TODAY, March 22, 2011


Outside my window...

The sun is just starting to come up and light the day. The sky is a beautiful shade of azure blue.

I am thinking...

That I am a VERY blessed woman, indeed!

I am thankful for...

The arrival of SPRING!!!!! I am also very thankful for every good BLESSING that God has given me in my life!

From the learning rooms...

Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction) This little phrase is helping us to remember the order of operation for solving algebraic equations. Thank goodnes for mneumonics! Sometimes we need all the help we can get.

From the kitchen...

Fixing a BIG pot of Chili to take to my weekly women's Bible study.

I am wearing...

My favorite blue toile printed tee shirt and jeans. I have had this tee forever and it is still my very favorite. The pattern includes cornflowers and little hearts and butterflies, so pretty!

I am creating...

A home, a place for my family and friends to gather and create sweet memories.

I am going...

To a Civil War reenactment with a group of homeschool friends this coming Friday! I love going on homeschool field trips.

I am reading...

Lots of poetry this week and lots of blogs along with the books that I mentioned in last week's post (I am a s-l-o-w reader and mull the books over while I am reading them).

I am hoping...

To get my spring cleaning and "shoveling out" done soon! I have our local Union Mission charity coming to pick up the usable items in good condition on Thursday. I pray they will be a blessing to someone.

I am hearing...

The sweet birdsongs that come with this spring season! We have been seeing a good many Robins this week.

Around the house...

Spring Cleaning!!! Emptying closets and drawers, washing down walls and woodwork, cleaning windows, washing curtains!!! It hasn't been that long ago that I did some of these cleaning tasks, but somehow now that SPRING is here it just seems right to do them again!

One of my favorite things...

The first pink blooms on the Weeping Cherry trees around our little town. I am still waiting for the Redbud trees to burst forth in their beautious blooms!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Cleaning, Bible study, school, field trip and anything else that might present an oportunity.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

I am having a bit of trouble posting pictures on blogger lately for some reason. Maybe next time.

I hope you have enjoyed my humble weekly Daybook post. I do enjoy taking time to set down and get my thoughts together like this every Tuesday. If you would like to participate in the Simple Woman's Daybook then visit sweet Peggy's blog to learn how to get started. Once again, my thanks to Peggy for hosting the Daybook.

Springtime HUGS and Stay Cozy,
Charlotte

Spring Thoughts and a Chicken Recipe

HAPPY SATURDAY, Blog friends!!!

This is a real quick post. I am tooling around on my FaceBook page and just having a lazy last-day-of-winter Saturday. This morning I looked out my window to be thrilled with the first really noticeable haze of soft green on the mountain-side across from my little house in the valley. Last night I heard the song of spring peepers for the first time this year! SPRING is indeed here at long-last!!! (Well, tomorrow is the official first day, but who is counting~lol!) I wanted to share a recipe for Honey Ginger Chicken Stir Fry that someone had posted over at FaceBook. It is from the Recipe Goldmine website! They have some pretty great recipes over there! I love anything with ginger! Here is the link:

honey ginger chicken stir-fry recipe

Hope you are having a BEAUTIFUL day!!! See you again on Monday!!!
(or over at FaceBook :-)

Stay Cozy,
Charlotte

The Simple Woman's Daybook (03-15-2011)

FOR TODAY


Outside my window...
Even though it is now 7:00 AM, the sky is still dark and all is quiet in my little corner of the world. This is the result of turning the clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time this past week-end. I am OK with the change, it just means that SPRING is that much closer~(aaahhhh)!

I am thinking...
That it feels very good to once again have the desire to write. My dry season seems to have ended, at last! Praising God for His wisdom and His goodness in bringing me through that season.

I am thankful for...
The blessings of home and family. Blessings that are so dear and fragile at the same time. I just can't imagine how very different life would be without either of them. I am praying for those affected by all of the earthquakes and floods that we have seen this past few weeks. I am also praying for those in Japan who are suffering devastating loss from the recent tsunami.

From the learning rooms...
I am starting the process of assembling Caleb's portfolio for the year. We are doing some last minute projects that reflect what we have been studying the past few months.

From the kitchen...
I am sipping my morning cup of peach tea and having toast with blackberry jam for my early morning breakfast (mmm). My husband and son will be having waffles with maple syrup when they wake up. I am thinking about making pork barbeque for dinner this evening and fixing home fries and peas with carrots to go with it.

I am wearing...
my good old slacks and a tee shirt.

I am creating...
No crafts going right now.

I am going...
to the Women's Bible study group at our church this morning. We are studying the book of 2 Corinthians.

I am reading...
Laugh Again by Charles Swindoll, 15 Minutes Alone With God by Emilie Barns and the book of Ecclesiastes from the Bible.

I am hoping...
to finish sorting and filling a Celebrating Home fundraiser order this afternoon and to finish a few more entries into my son's homeschool portfolio later today.

I am hearing...
the sounds of the busy world waking up outside. The cars on the road that runs by our home carrying people to their jobs and children to school. I hear the birds softly singing and a soft breeze is blowing. Another day is dawning.

Around the house...
I need to vaccuum the floors, the laundry needs to be carried upstairs to be placed into drawers and closets, we will be cooking and doing dishes as we do each day.

One of my favorite things...
I have so many favorite blessings in life that it is hard to choose just one. This morning I am choosing to mention the way that my tea tastes in the morning! My sweet husband bought Bigelow peach flavored green tea at the store this week and it is just WONDERFUL!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
I am going to attend a Celebrating Home meeting with my Unit Director on Thursday evening and will be delivering items sold for the fundraiser that morning. I am talking with a new client about decorating her living room and we will be having our school lessons each day. I hope to make it to my mom's sometime this week for a visit, as well.

I want to thank our dear blog host Peggy for hosting The Simple Woman's Daybook each week.

Hugs to all and Stay Cozy,
Charlotte

My Official Return :-)

Good morning to ALL!!!

I have resolved to return to the world of Blogging! It has been a very l-o-n-g winter and I have had a lot of personal life changes to work through (as stated in a previous post). I have taken time off to pray, reflect and come to terms with this season of my life and now, I am happy to announce, I am ready to get back on track with this favorite old blog. I have missed posting.

Well, today is Monday, so the BEST place to start is by offering a recipe. This past week-end, my FB friend, Shannon (better known as Epic Gifted Academy) posted some WONDERFUL Mexican recipes! Though they all sound so very tempting, my very favorite had to be the one for Sopes! I had never heard of these delicious little corn-based shells! She states that, " Kids love sopes because they can fill them with any ingredients they want".  Without any further delay, here is the recipe:

Sopes are made from corn (just like a corn tortilla) but are thicker and can be filled up with your favorite ingredients.


Ingredients:

3 cups of Masa Harina (I use the brand Maseca)
2 cups of warm water
1 tbsp salt
Corn oil (for frying)
Toppings

Prep:

Mix your Maseca, water and salt until you get a soft (Playdough-like) dough. I usually have to add more water to get the consistency I want if the masa is too dry. If you get it too moist, you can always add back in a little more masa. Once you're done kneeding out all the dough, let it sit for about 10 mintues. This usually gives me time to clean up and get the rest of the ingredients I need out and on the table.

Make small balls out of the dough (I usually have them fit in my hand, about 2 inches unless I'm making mini-sopes for appetizers). I have a tortilla press but if you don't have a tortilla press, you can lay the ball on a flat surface, put plastic wrap on the bottom and on the top, then press firmly with something flat. You don't want it flat as a tortilla (or pancake) but rather, relatively flat and thick.

Once you have all your sope balls flattened out, get ready to fry them. I do not use a lot of oil but these do require oil to cook (you can always dab them afterwards and absorb much of the oil).

I put a small layer of oil in the pan just so it's entirely coated (about 1/4). You do need to submerge them a little so they cook evenly.

Once you're done frying the sopes, which should not be overcooked or undercooked. You can tell when you look at them. They look like thicker cooked fresh tortillas.

Take them out to cool a little. When they've cooled just enough that you can actually handle them without getting burned, poke your finger or a knife toward the rim of the sope and follow it around (like you're opening a can of soup). Cut with your finger or knife a ridge that leaves a wall on the outside of the sope. The rest you will push in. It ends up looking like a little boat that you can fill. You're going to want to fill the sopes with refried beans (traditional recipe) and you don't want the beans falling out.

Once you have your sopes made, fill them with refried beans (will post another recipe for homemade refried beans so NO ONE buys them in a can, yuck!) and serve them on a platter on the table.

There are many things you can fill your sope with... traditionally speaking, they are filled with cheese (oaxaca or queso fresco - fresh cheese), cream, sliced avocados, diced tomatoes, grated cabbage (not lettuce like they serve stateside), red or green salsa, or meat products (tinga, chile con carne, chicharron)...

Buen provecho!

Thank you, Shannon! These are WONDERFUL!!!

I will see you all tomorrow with my weekly entry in the Simple Woman's Daybook!!!

For now, Stay Cozy!!!
Charlotte

A Re-Post

Good morning Friends,

I was over at my old Cozy Home Journal blog re-reading old posts and I ran across this one. I haven't posted here for a while so I thought I would "recycle" this little post from back in 2008. The recipe that I have listed here is one that we use often in the spring and summer months. I LOVE potato salad, but I don't always have fresh 'taters on hand. This is a QUICK alternative! Hope you are having a sweet Sunday!!! Enjoy the post:

Of Tea and Laundry….


Filed under: My Recipes — Char5 at 11:04 am on Monday, June 9, 2008

I am sitting at my little computer listening to the hum and the swish of the washing machine and the dryer hard at work. I am contemplating on what type of tea I would like while enjoying this quiet time before the dryer stops, forcing me to get up and fold those towels. I love a good cup of tea no matter what I am doing during the day. One of my favorite suppliers for bulk tea can be found here: Atlantic Spice Company at http://www.atlanticspice.com/. They have a WIDE variety of teas and spices to enhance all of your favorite recipes.

I also had a new little recipe that I wanted to post that is a bit unusual, but, if you are a potato salad nut like me, you may appreciate it greatly. I discovered it on a week-end when I was out of fresh potatoes and was really "jonesin’" for some yummy ‘tater salad to go with my famous ‘tater chip chicken. I decided to try using whole canned potatoes instead and was really surprised at the result. I love it when a plan (no matter how kooky) comes together. Here is the recipe:


Charlotte’s In-A-Pinch Potato Salad

2 15oz cans cubed potatoes
1/2 medium onion chopped

1 stalk celery chopped

1/2 C Mayonnaise

1Tblsp Mustard

1-2 Boiled Eggs

Ground pepper, season salt, Mrs Dash to taste

Combine all of the above ingredients in a pretty serving dish and chill for at least one hour.


Take it to your next picnic or church dinner and just see if anyone can tell the difference.


You will be amazed. Enjoy!!!

Stay Cozy!!!
Charlotte

How to Make a Flower Press | eHow.com

As so many of us are experiencing the heavy rain, snows and ice of the most recent winter storm, it is hard to believe that we are just a scant 48 days away from that most blessed season of SPRING!!! I find my mind is turning toward the return of sweet sunny mornings, birds building their nests, that soft green haze of new foliage on the trees of our dear WV mountains and, of course, that miraculous blaze of deep pink on the Redbud trees~ahhh, such sweet thoughts. This year I think that I will try my hand at pressing a few spring flowers to frame and give as gifts to my friends when they need a little "reminder of spring" lift next winter. I did a search to find instructions for making an easy flower press. Here is what I found:

How to Make a Flower Press | eHow.com



I can't wait to get started. Bring on the SPRING flowers!!!!

Hope you are staying warm and COZY,
Charlotte

Return to My Cozy Posts: What's Cookin' Monday!

Good morning to all of my dear friends in the "Land of Blog"! I am going to try my level BEST to return to my regular posts here. I truly do miss getting on here and posting, I am still kind of having a bit of trouble getting words to come. I am afraid part of me is still clinging to my little "safe~shell" but I trying to bust out of there and get back to my normal writing activities. I think my blogging will do me a world of good! I miss posting recipes and decorating ideas and such. I thought I would start with my easiest post of the week: What's Cookin' Monday! I thought and thought and then I remembered a really YUMMY recipe that I had posted about this time last year over on my former Cozy Home Journal blog. It was a really easy crock pot version of one of my favorite Chinese dishes. I don't know if you could cook it in your Celebrating Home Bean Pot, but it would be worth a try! Just remember, in your Bean Pot, you will just need to layer ALL of the ingredients before baking and you will not need to stop cooking to stir. Set the oven to 325 degrees and bake for 3 hours. You can bake your frozen eggrolls in the oven right along with your Bean Pot dish during the last half-hour of baking. Either way, Bean Pot or Crock Pot, this is a really tasty dinner!


What's Cookin' Monday!

Crock Pot Chicken Chow Mein

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

1 Large Onion sliced in thin wedges

2Tbs Oil (your favorite) though peanut or

sesame are the traditional asian favorites

2 Cups chicken broth

2Tbs Soy Sauce

1 Rounded Tbs Corn Starch

1 12 oz Package Frozen Stir Fry Vegetables

1 can Sliced Mushrooms

1 can Sliced Water Chestnuts

First, cut the chicken breasts into thin slices and the onions into thin wedges and place both in the crock pot with the oil. Season to taste with ground pepper and garlic powder (or you can use minced garlic, if you prefer. Cook the ingredients on the highest setting for about an hour or until the chicken is cooked through. You will want to stir them at least once during their cooking. Next, pour the mixture of the chicken broth, soy sauce and corn starch over the chicken and onions and stir. Add the bag of frozen veggies, water chestnuts and the mushrooms and stir them together. Cover the crock pot and reduce to the medium setting and cook until the sauce thickens and is clear (about 2-3 hours). Serve with rice and frozen egg rolls if you wish.

I would love to see "What’s Cookin’" at your house, too. Hope this inspires you!!!

Big ((HUGS)) and Stay Cozy,
Charlotte

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY: January 12, 2011

Outside my window...
Snow is falling. It looks like our town is being sprinkled with powdered sugar.
I am thinking...
Of all that has changed in my life over the past few months. My sweet kitty, Zoot, became ill in late October and we finally had to say good-bye to her the second week of November. She was 10 years old. My dear cousin lost her husband in November, he was a very dear part of our family. My sweet daddy passed on to be with the Lord on December the 8th after coming to our house with Hospice Care just one week before. We had many wonderful conversations during that week and family members were in and out visiting with him here. He said it was so peaceful at my house. God bless him. I miss my daddy. My brother lost a son and a daughter due to Mitochondrial complications, one in July and one just this past week. His son was 19 and his daughter was 24. It has been a very trying time for us. I have complete faith that each of these dear ones has gone home to be with our Lord, but we are missing them being here with us. I am praying that the coming year will be blessed with good health for all of my family members. I am praising my Lord for his tender mercies and for staying closer than a brother to us all during this season!!!
I am thankful for...
My Lord and Savior who lifts me up when I would surely fall without Him! I am thankful for my dear husband and my family which are gifts from God around me! I am thankful for my warm, cozy, sweet home and all of the bountiful blessings my Father in Heaven bestows upon me each and every day!!!
from the learning rooms...We are studying WV History, reading October Sky, polishing our algebra skills and enjoying Art Day on Fridays. We have been working on a new schedule and I am really pleased with the way it is working for us. I will be blogging more about our Homeschool Days over at my HS blog: Cozy Home Academy
from the kitchen...
Breakfast: Cream of Wheat
Lunch: Tomato soup and sandwiches
Supper: Pork Roast with Veggies
I am wearing...
Pretty new pajamas that my mom bought me for my birthday (December 14th)
I am creating...
A home filled with love and joy; a place where my friends and family love to gather in.
I am going...
to stay here where it is warm today and try to make it out to mid-week service at our church this evening.
I am reading...
The book of 2 Peter in the Bible, Lord Let Me Love, a collection of poems and prose by Marjorie Holmes (1978 Doubleday) and Home Education by Charlotte M. Mason. I just love to read it again, every now and then, in case I forgot something important.
I am hoping...
to start back to my regular blog posts this week and I am praying for my decorating business and online business to increase this coming year. We are in such bad need of a new van or car. Our good old girl (1998 Ford Windstar) is really starting to show her age. I am also hoping to lose some weight this coming year so that I can have more energy. My goal is to lose 50 pounds. I know that is a lot, but if you are going to dream, dream BIG.
I am hearing...
the sweet soft sounds of morning: traffic up on the interstate, our warm furnace kicking on, my good old computer humming away~all so sweet to my ears.
Around the house...
my husband and dear son are beginning to stir upstairs. The house will soon be alive with our busy scuffling about in the kitchen as we begin our day.
One of my favorite things...
A warm cup of good tea on a cold winter's day!
A few plans for the rest of the week:
Housework, cleaning out the upstairs bedrooms (they have become clutter collectors~oops), creating a new wreath for our front door, blog on my Homeschool blog.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My sweet hubby and son having some fun in the snow!

I pray that each of you will have a Blessed week!!!! A special thank you to Peggy for hosting this Daybook!



Happy New Year, New Beginnings

Hello dear friends. I was just blog browsing and decided to stop by the old blog and put up a small post. I wanted to take time to wish everyone a Happy New Year (it is still early) and hope that all of you had a wonderful and blessed Christmas this past year. I am still not really ready to write a post about all of the changes that happened around the old Cozy Home in the past few months. I tend to grow quiet when I am faced with adversity and changes. Just one of my little character quirks, I guess. I am the kind of person that holds onto events in my heart and will mull things over until I am able to talk about them. I promise to write something soon as I am working on sorting all the events out in my mind. My dear hubby, our little Caleb and myself are all doing well and ready to begin a new year with our focus on finding God's direction for our days. I will try to post more in the next couple of days.

Hugs to all and Stay Cozy,
Charlotte 

Will Return Soon

Dearest friends,

I am taking an extended leave from my dear little blog. My dad is now with us at our home and is very weak. He has been in the hospital all of last week due to failing kidneys and some heart issues. Over the past couple of years he has had several trips to the ER and some long hospital stays with problems varying from blocked carotid arteries, replacement of his defibrilator unit, mini-strokes and a few falls at home that left him a bit bumped up. His appetite is almost gone and he can only swallow soft foods and liquids. He can no longer eat his favorite food, pizza. We have him on Ensure and any soup or juices that he wants. He can eat mashed potatoes and gravy, but that is about it. Sometimes he just takes one or two bites and says that is all he can handle. It is VERY hard for me to see my daddy withering~my big strong daddy....

He says that he is tired of hospitals and doctors and has opted to come here to finish out his life with us. At his request, we have Hospice Care helping us. I am heartsick over it all. He is saved and has been a wonderful witness for our Lord and Savior. He says that he is ready to go home and is just waiting for the Lord to take him there. My mom has her own health problems and just can't handle seeing daddy becoming weaker. She wants to help him, but she is also not as physically strong as she once was. Her wonderful neighbors have been most generous and kind hearted to help take her to doctor's appointments and lend a hand when needed. We are very blessed to know such fine folks! I know that our Lord is faithful and that He will be there with us every step of the way! I am still having some issues with my fibro, but praying that the Lord will sustain me and keep me strong through all of this. I hope to be back sometime in January and maybe put on an occasional quick post just to keep in touch. Keep us in your prayers.

God bless you all and keep cozy,
Charlotte

The Secret Storm...

Good morning dear friends. I am taking time to try and get a new post on my little blog today. I have not been on here for so long that I would bet that some of you thought I had vanished from the Land of Blog. I will assure you that I am still around and have been visiting your dear blog sites to read about what is new with you. So many pretty posts, I love all of those with fall foliage, pretty new household ideas and wonderful stories shared. You girls are all so talented.

It is very hard for me to write my post today. I am having some issues with muscle pain and a horrible headache. I probably should just forget about it and go lie down, but that is what I have done for the past couple of days. I had a really good morning on Tuesday, but then my energy just drained and I ended up taking it easy the rest of the day. I have so much that I would like to get done, so many projects started that are just waiting to be finished. I have been able to work with Caleb on his schooling, but not to the degree that I would have liked to work on things. This is not a new thing for me, but it is part of a larger condition that I rarely mention that has affected me in some degree or another over the past 6 years. I have my good days and then my very painful bad days (those are the ones that no one but very close family and friends ever hear about). Over time, the bad days have become more frequent and painful and I am now going to share that I have, do I dare say it, Fibromyalgia. There, it is out.

I have thought about posting this before, but have hesitated due to the reaction that some have toward the condition. I will tell you that my pain is VERY real and that I have chosen not to take Lyrica at this time. I have made several changes to my diet and would like to make even more. I am working on that. I have a real problem with "signing up" for activities or commitments only to later discover that they are all just too much for me. I would LOVE to do so much more than I am able to do. I have found, however, that when I fill my days with too many activities, I suffer painful retribution for 2-3 days afterward.

I am not meaning to sound negative and I am not hoping for an outpouring of sympathy here, dear friends. I am simply posting this to let you know that if you don't see me around for a while, this is probably the reason. My parents are both at home and doing somewhat better, but are still calling on us to help in taking them to appointments and running some errands. My dad has given up driving, this was very hard for him. I will try to get back to my regular recipe and decorating posts, soon. But for now, I am just hurting and it is hard to think when you hurt. For now I am sending you all hugs and hoping that you are all having a good day and week.

Stay Cozy,
Charlotte

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...
It is a perfectly wonderful chilly, rainy, overcast, October morning ( just the way it is supposed to be ;o)

I am thinking...
about fixing a big pot of chicken and dumplings. This type of day is just meant for chicken and dumplings~real comfort food weather. We had chili yesterday~YUM!

I am thankful for...
Peggy hosting this Daybook. I have not been able to blog very often, due to my dad being back and forth in the hospital and the Daybook makes it easy to take time, at least one day a week, to come to my blog and share some time with my sweet blog friends. God bless each of you, you have no idea what you all mean to me. I have found so many kindred spirits through your beautiful blogs.

From the learning rooms...
We are watching a lot of wonderful educational videos. Most of these were gifted to me by my dear and beautiful Mom-in-law. She is a retired educator and has given me so many excellent resources for our learning room. Over the last couple of week we have watched videos on the lives of diVinci, Galileo and Sir Isaac Newton and these have lead to some interesting and scholarly discussions. We are trying to watch one a week added to our regular lessons.
From the kitchen...
Fresh coffee smells are eminating and we will be having some pancakes for breakfast with WV apple butter to go on top. Then the chicken and dumplings for dinner.

I am wearing...
A warm robe over my favorite gown.

I am creating...
Looking into making some felt crafts. I would love to make a few penny rugs and eye-glass cases. I craft just for the fun of it and that is why I am always making something different. Sometimes we incorporate crafts into our school day and sometimes I revisit craft techniques that I used to love when I was younger. I had thought that I would start selling my handicrafts, but that took a little more discipline and time than I was willing to give the effort. I will just keep crafting for fun and gift-giving for now.

I am going...
to go to the hospital to visit my dad after we finish with our lessons. He has really had a rough couple of months. He had BOTH carotid arteries cleaned out within a month and is now facing the replacement of his defibrilator device. He has had his current device for a little over 5 years and it is just not working like it used to. The doctors say it is time for a new one. He is 88, please keep him, and my mother, in your prayers.

I am reading...
"When Will This Cruel War Be Over~The Civil War Diary of Emma Simpson" and "Folk Medicine" by D.C. Jarvis, M.D.
I tend to like older books and have, literally, stacks of them from which to choose. These are the ones that have my attention at this time. I have also pulled out the Autumn Ideals poetry magazines from the bookshelves to the coffee table for easy reading.

I am hoping...
that all goes well with my daddy and that he gets to come home, soon. I am hoping, too, that we have a sunny day this week so that Caleb, Robin and myself can take in a day at our local favorite park. I need a park day.

I am hearing...
the sounds of morning, my hands happily tapping on the keyboard and some peaceful and beautiful music on the radio.

Around the house...
much to be done, rooms to be cleaned, laundry (again~praise God for clothes to wash!), and life to be lived.

One of my favorite things...
Warm pumpkin bread and a hot cup of coffee on chilly Autumn mornings! I need to start some baking.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
taking life one day at a time, trusting the Lord and following His leading!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...


My Dad's family, Randolph County, NC circa 1948 or 49.
He is the second one from the left on the front row.
(What a handsome young man~look at those curls!)

I pray that you are all having a blessed, beautiful and productive week. Sending warm ((HUGS)) to each of you!
Stay Cozy and Warm,
Charlotte

What's Cookin' Monday!!!!!

     Good morning, dear blog friends!!! I am in an exceptionally good mood (especially for a Monday ;-) I think that the older I get, the more I have come to appreciate the sense of motivation that we feel on Mondays. It is that inner longing to get things back on track after spending time relaxing or enjoying favorite activities on the week-ends. I have also had week-ends in my life where I worked outside of my home, and then it was even more important to think of Monday as a chance for new beginnings and a springboard to re-organizing my world.
     This past week-end our family had a wonderful mini-trip to Ohio to visit my husband's beautiful family. His sweet momma will be having a birthday on the 30th of this month and my Sis-in-Law (the supreme planner of our family-Sis, you are AWESOME!) got together with their Ohio relatives to plan a wonderful surprise party for her! My Mom-in-Law was so very surprised and HAPPY!!!! We all enjoyed seeing everyone and having some time to visit and catch up with each other. You just can't beat time spent with family!!!
     So here I am on this first Monday of the fall season, rested, energized and ready to start a brand new week of work here at my dear Cozy Home. My little grandson, W, will be coming to spend the morning with us, Caleb and I will be having our homeschool lessons, I will be doing my usual cleaning and business activities and then our son and his family are coming over for dinner this evening. No wonder I am so "twittery"!!!
     I have a wonderful and tasty chicken recipe to share with you today. Easy to fix and yummy to eat!!! I use my good old Bean Pot when I fix this, you can use your Bean Pot, or, if you don't yet have one, you can use a large covered casserole, thought your outcome could be a bit different. I really do cook with my Bean Pots and highly recommend them. I would never recommend anything that I don't LOVE and use to my friends. Here is the recipe for today:

CHICKEN DIVINE

6 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 can Cream of Chicken soup
1can Cream of Mushroom soup
1/2 envelope Lipton's Onion Soup mix

Place the chicken breasts in the Bean Pot.
Add the cream of chicken soup, then the cream of mushroom soup
Sprinkle the Lipton's Onion Soup over the top.
Put the lid on your Bean Pot and bake the chicken at 250 degrees
for 6-8 hours. Serve with buttered egg noodles and your favorite
vegetables or tossed salad. DELISH!!!

Happy Monday and Keep Cozy!!!
Charlotte

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY


Outside my window...
Sights and smells of a beautiful day on its way. You can now see the leaves clearly changing and, on more than one morning this month, smell the faint smoke from a neighbor's fireplace.

I am thinking...
that I love my simple little life in my small town.

I am thankful for...
the blessings of family and home! Thankful, too that both of my parents are home from their recent days in the hospital and that they are recieving some home health care assistance.  Thankful to neighbors and cousins who are helping out in getting them to and from Doctor appointments. I am also very thankful that they have wonderful neighbors that are always looking out for them, bringing them good things to eat and lending a hand with errands now and then. God bless them for their help!

From the learning rooms...website
Caleb started French language lessons on Live Mocha's website yesterday! Ooo-la-la :-)

From the kitchen...
We will be having Cream of Wheat cereal for breakfast this morning. I am going to make a crock pot full of  Broccoli and cheese soup served with hot rolls for our supper this evening.

I am wearing...
My favorite leaf print shirt for fall and blue jeans.

I am creating...
A new fall wreath for our front door.

I am going...
nowhere today, just enjoying being at home!

I am reading...
An old favorite: Taylor Caldwell's Ceremony of the Innocent, my poetry books, lots of magazines, several decorating books.

I am hoping...
that the next few months are filled with blissful, quiet days.

I am hearing...
the sound of my family stirring upstairs and the radio playing sweet music for the morning.

Around the house...
time to take down some curtains for a bath and time to clean those windows-yep.

One of my favorite things...
Cream of Wheat with brown sugar and cinnamon for breakfast on cool autumn mornings!

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Getting ready to start a little Fall Housecleaning around the old Cozy Home Cottage.
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...


Rooster on top of my china cabinet

Hope that everyone is having a beautiful week. A great BIG thank you to sweet Peggy for hosting this Daybook!

What's Cookin' Monday

Happy Monday, friends!!! I hope that you all had a wonderful week-end and are getting back into the swing of things in this brand-new week! Today's recipe is a real Spears' family favorite, especially during the fall and winter months. As you have surely guessed by now, I like recipes that are convenient and easy to fix. This one is really good served with a fresh green salad and some home-baked garlic bread or Texas toast. A real stick-to-your-ribs supper!!!

Mama Char’s Italian Casserole

1 pound ground beef (the leaner, the better)
1 small onion chopped
1 jar prepared spaghetti sauce (your family favorite, or home-canned)
1 can mushrooms (you can use fresh, sliced white mushrooms, if you prefer)
1 can tomatoes with basil and garlic
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp Ex-virg Olive Oil
8 oz package rotini pasta (cooked according to directions)
3 cups Colby-jack cheese shredded
½ cup shredded parmesan cheese

Brown the ground beef and the onions in a large dutch oven or skillet. Add the mushrooms, tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, sugar and olive oil and cook covered over low heat. Stir often and cook until the liquid reduces and it becomes thickened. In the mean time cook the pasta in a pan according to the directions on the package. When the pasta is done, drain it in a colander and set aside.

Assembling the casserole: Pour a thin layer of the finished sauce in the bottom of a 9 x 13 oven safe baking dish. (Of course, I would most highly recommend one of our Celebrating Home Casserole bakers ;-) Pour ½ of the pasta into the pan and top with ½ of the remaining sauce and ½ of the two cheeses. Repeat the layering, finishing with the parmesan cheese on top. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Serve with toasted garlic bread and a fresh salad.

Tuscan Home Casserole

Hope you enjoy today's recipe. Let me know what you think.

Hugs to all and Stay Cozy!
Charlotte

The Simple Woman's Daybook~September 8, 2010

FOR TODAY


Outside my window...
The sky is dotted with silver soft clouds that predict the possibility of a wet day to come.

I am thinking...
that life is a complicated experience. There are so many hills and valleys for each of us to travel and that I am so very glad that I have trusted Jesus, the good shepherd to lead me along the way. I watching my dear parents go through the valley of their golden years and many of the health problems that come with that time of life. They are steadfast Christians and have faith to see them through and good doctors, also, but it is never easy to watch people you love experience a decline in health.

I am thankful for...
each day that I have and the strength that God gives me to keep on going.

From the learning rooms...
we are getting ready to start back with our local Co-op this Friday and I have been working on the art lessons that I will be teaching to the children there.

From the kitchen...
fresh coffee is on and for this evening I am planning to fix pulled pork BB-Q, seasoned oven potatoes and green beans.

I am wearing...
a floral tee shirt, jeans and socks.

I am creating...
color wheel project kits for co-op on Friday.

I am going...
to the hospital in a little while to take my mom home. She and dad were both in the hospital all of last week and she is ready to be released, dad will have to stay a bit longer. Please pray for them and for us.

I am reading...
only time for magazine articles right now, but I love my magazines.

I am hoping...
that the next few weeks will become less stressful.

I am hearing...
sweet Christian music from a local station.

Around the house...
the vaccuum needs to be done and laundry, always laundry ;-D

One of my favorite things...
time spent visiting with a good friend over a cup of tea.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
that all depends on what comes up with my parents.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My Sweet Mom and Dad

Sincere thanks to Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook for being such a dear hostess!

 

The Simple Woman's Daybook (August 31, 2010)

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...
I am looking at the sweet little fruit trees that have been planted by the railroad tracks that run in front of my house. They were planted about 15 years ago and never cease to bring me joy as the seasons change. In the spring they are bursting with pink and white blooms, in the late summer, they are often loaded with small apples, and in the fall they come into full color...just beautiful!

I am thinking...
of the friends that I have made in my lifetime and how the Lord has always surrounded me with dear and gentle people in my life.
I am thankful for...
My dear husband and family, our sweet home, my precious friends and most of all my Lord who is the provider of ALL in my life.

From the learning rooms...
We are reading The Book of Virtues and Boatsong,  brushing up on math skills, studying economics in Social Studies and many other interesting things, besides.

From the kitchen...
starting the day with a bowl of raisin bran cereal, not sure what I will be cooking for supper tonight. We might have chicken, we might have pork chops.

I am wearing...
my good old summertime gown with the little roses on it...loves my roses!

I am creating...
small collages with Bible verses written on them. Kind of a new little hobby for me.

I am going...
to visit my mom and dad later today.

I am reading...
my many poetry books and magazines.

I am hoping...
for prayers to be answered: for my mom and dad's health, for this country and our economy, for my children and their families' needs. We each have so many prayers that may or may not be shared here on our blogs. I am hoping that you will keep us in your prayers as you are each kept in ours.
I am hearing...
soft sounds of traffic outside, my morning music playing softly from my computer, morning sounds.

Around the house...
I am getting ready to get out the fall decorations. I am thinking of making a new wreath for our front door and changing out the table decor for the season. I love this time of year and look forward to the beautiful colors of the changing leaves and the cooler days!

One of my favorite things...
A great big cup of hot apple cider served with a huge slice of homebaked apple crisp!!! YUM! Apples and Autumn, what a wonderful combination :-D

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Decorating work for a couple of clients, articles to finish, housework to tend and a couple of outings with some homeschool friends later this week.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
 

One of the little fruit trees;

across the street, right in front of my house.

Thank you for stopping by and reading my entry for this week in The Simple Woman's Daybook. If you would like to join the fun and post your entry, then stop by and visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook for instructions to get started and to add your link. This post brought to you by:

What's Cookin' Monday

     Sometimes my life can seem so busy with my daily responsibilites; home schooling, home business, daily chores and such. I sometimes think that I am just going to collaps from it all. Those are the times that I step back and remind myself of just how much has changed over the last couple of years. It is hard to believe that I used to have to go to a job outside our home where I took care of up to 100 people per week, ordered furnishings for them and kept track of deliveries, went out on outside design calls, raced with other commuters to work, had only 1/2 hour for lunch and then raced again with even grumpier commuters back home from work. When I got home, I helped my dear hubby with our dinner, helped our very disgruntled little one with his homework, took care of evening chores and bathtime routines, prepared for the next day to do it all over again. At the same time I was also active in our church choir and helped with my parents as much as posible and managed to fit in some time for friends–WHEW! I realize as I reflect on these hectic days just how wonderfully simple my days have become. I LOVE working from home!!!!
     I have been thinking about returning to my weekly posts to Peggy’s The Simple Woman’s Daybook for some time now, but just have not taken the leap. I guess my greatest fear is that I will not keep up with the commitment to post every Tuesday. I have really been praying about it and have decided that I will do my best to stay dedicated and to join in on the fun. I truly miss taking time to examine my week and share the simple things that I am doing and that I am most thankful for in my life. I will start posting these again tomorrow.
     We have had a wonderful day together. Caleb and I are reading through the Book of Virtues together and love some of the poems that are included there. Caleb helped his dad make a simple vegetable soup for our lunch and then one of his little neighborhood friends stopped by after his school day to play for a while. I am getting ready to go in and make some homemade pizza for our dinner this evening. Nothing fancy, just packaged pizza crust mix and sauce from our local grocery store. We top our pizza with Mozerella cheese, pepperoni and mushrooms and whatever else we might have on hand that sounds yummy I love to cook them on my Baking Stones! They always turn out just right with tender crusts not burned on the bottom-MMMmmm! I am a self-confessed "Pizza-holic" ;-D We have pizza at our house at least 2-3 times a month!

     I am so glad that you stopped by today. I loved visiting many of the blogs that I follow this past week-end and am trying REAL hard to be better about posting a comment to let you know that I stopped by. Your blogs add so much joy to my days!!! I never tire of seeing what is new in your lives.

Until later, HUGS and Stay Cozy,
Charlotte