Simple Woman's Daybook for July 20th

Outside my window…61 degrees and the sun just breaking through the mist. We've had a lovely streak of unseasonably cool weather. This is the coolest weather we've had in this area since 1897 or something like that.

I am thinking…about a number of things, and trying to fight some anxiety. Every year I come up with a lesson plan, and it seems no matter how simple I try to keep it, it ends up being more than we can handle and we wind up doing just the core subjects, which is a bore for the kids. I am hoping to concentrate on living the liturgical year first and foremost and hoping that God will help me find the time and place for everything else. I look to the blogs of lovely ladies like Marilyn, Ruth and Allison for the inspiration and guidance I need.

I am thankful for…Gemma's birth. Last Monday I was told by my OB that I was still at 1.5 cm. and only 50% effaced. Bret canceled my 39 week appointment for this morning. I am also incredibly grateful for the care of my midwife, my family and all my lovely friends. And a decent night's sleep last night.

From the kitchen...blueberries with yogurt and granola.

I am creating…still working on the second wool soaker. I haven't found a way to knit with one hand yet, and I haven't made much use of the baby carrier either.

I am reading… Consecration to Mary according to Louis de Monfort and another old book on the Blessed Mother.

I am hoping…that the sudden descent of chaos in this house is merely "growing pains" and that everyone will adapt to "the New Normal" soon...

I am hearing…Gabriel making sound effects as he plays, Dominic shouting in the house somewhere, Una clanking about in the kitchen making hot cocoa (I told you it is cool here!)

A few plans for the rest of the week: I still have some beef to cook up from last week's freezer mishap; my basil is going to seed, so I really would love to make pesto--I've used up the last of last year's frozen stock of pesto, and I use it in so many things! And on Wednesday we are going to have Gemma baptized on the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen.

I am praying...for some calm in this house! And for more work for Bret so that he can remain close to home. And, in this period of re-consecration to Mary, for a deeper devotion to her and to her mother, St. Anne, whose novena I am praying.

A Picture Thought: Pooh and Owl are friends. Peggy is still on vacation apparently, but Grandmother Wren is filling in for her. Check out some of the other Simple Woman's Daybook entries.