For Today (August 10, 2009)

Outside my window...
It's hot, hot, hot. No rain in that big blue sky.

I am thinking....
About fall clothes for myself and the girls.

I am thankful for...
Some days at home.

From the learning rooms....
It's read-aloud week! We're excited!

From the kitchen....
Abby's 7th birthday is this week. For her birthday lunch she's requested:
fish sticks, chicken nuggets, fried okra and grits. Odd combination, huh? lol

I am creating....
A new arrangement for the top of the TV cabinet: dried hydrangea blooms in a white pitcher, a butter-yellow platter which has purple grapes and red apples around the edges (looks sort of Italian), 3 dark red candles in brass candlesticks and 2 large bunches of purple grapes.

I am reading...
We're all avidly reading Earl Stanley Gardner books (Perry Mason mysteries). Can't get wait to start another one, but I really need to get some things done around the house before I let myself read!

I am hoping....
For a fairly quiet week.

I am hearing....
Rachel, washing the breakfast dishes. Emily, playing with the kitty outside. Abby and Carrie talking in the bedroom.

Around the house....
Just the usual chores. I have one broken washing machine (we have two) and I'm hoping it will get fixed this week so laundry takes less time. The garden has slowed down considerably, but I'll need to pick butterbeans tomorrow.

One of my favorite things....
To read aloud to my children. I love it, they love it; we learn so much together.

A few plans for the rest of the week....
Emily to the eye doctor for the third time, to see if we can get these glasses right at last. Company over the weekend. Abby's birthday in little bits over the whole weekend. Some prep to get ready for her birthday, a house to clean one morning, plus schoolwork every day.

Here is a picture I'm sharing....


Thomas, chopping rosemary for herb bread.