A Damsel's Daybook XIX

~Hosted by Autumn @ Storygirl~

Outside my window....... The edge of a thunderstorm.

I am thinking about......... How I need to get back into blogging!

From the kitchen.......... Grace is starting to get dinner ready.

I am creating......... Err, a blog post!

I am reading......... Just finished "I Will Repay", the second in the Scarlet Pimpernel series. Read my review here.

I am hearing....... Siblings watching "Over the Hedge". Silly movie. :P

I am hoping......... That I would be able to grow a little and contribute a little over the coming week.

I am planning.......... To finish Anna Karenina. . . eventually. . .

I am wearing............ Denim skirt, black top.

Around the house.......... My brother's new laptop has just arrived! They're in the process of unpacking it as I type.

My wish of the week......... That Australia will win the World Cup (that's the CRICKET World Cup! :-)

A Damsel's Daybook XVIII

~Hosted by Autumn @ Storygirl~

Outside my window....... A cool (for summer, anyway), rainy day.

I am thinking about......... Lots of things. . .

From the kitchen.......... I'm going to make a cake for my sister. We had a rather discouraging clothes shopping outing this afternoon. It's so tough trying to find clothes when you're that age (11-14). . . I remember. :-(

I am creating......... Nothing at the moment, I'm afraid. I'd like to do some more crochet or knitting sometime. If only good quality yarn wasn't so darned expensive!

I am reading......... The Scarlet Pimpernel, Anna Karenina, The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass aged 37 3/4. Also started reading my first Father Brown mystery yesterday, but I'm trying to restrain myself, and wait until I've finished SP and AK.

I am hearing....... Siblings playing!

I am hoping......... That I can cheer my sister up!

I am planning.......... To buy a new guitar. . . soon. . .

I am wearing............ Denim skirt, black top.

Around the house.......... We're having our upstairs toilet replaced tomorrow. We won't be able to use it for 24 hours afterwards, to let the cement set. Thank goodness we have a toilet in the laundry downstairs!!

My wish of the week......... That the new Jane Eyre will be good. . . In case you're wondering why I haven't been posting any of the newly-released clips - I haven't watched any of them. I don't want to spoil anything, beyond watching the trailer! Only a couple of months left now. . .

A Damsel's Daybook XVII

Time for a long overdue return to blogging! Sorry I've been away for so long.

~Hosted by Autumn @ Storygirl~

Outside my window....... A pleasant, if overcast day. Such a nice change from the 35C heat we've had for the past week.

I am thinking about......... Anna Karenina. I started it yesterday.

From the kitchen.......... I'm making chocolate slice and ginger crunch slice.

I am creating......... Not much right now. I need to get back into sewing.

I am reading......... Anna K., also re-reading P&P (yes, again!!).

I am hearing....... Relatively quiet right now!

I am hoping......... To have a quiet, productive week.

I am planning.......... To finish Anna Karenina within one month.

I am wearing............ Nothing interesting, LOL.

Around the house.......... General tidying up this morning. 1 neat and organised mother + 8 messy children = some interesting situations sometimes. :P But mum managed to get us (and the house) into quite a clean and organised state over the course of the morning. What an amazing, patient mother I have! :-)

My wish of the week......... That the crazy weather we've had across this country over the last few weeks would settle down, so that people can begin to rebuild their lives. No more flooding or bushfires or cyclones, please!! Having said that, I am very grateful to God for keeping the people of Queensland safe during Cyclone Yasi. Only one death reported - truly a miracle!!

A Damsel's Daybook XVI

~Hosted by Autumn @ Storygirl~

Outside my window....... A hot, steamy summer day.

I am thinking about......... Miss Wade. :-/ Trying to dissect and understand her character. Also about a couple of movies I recently watched (thanks, Rebecca!).

From the kitchen.......... Nothing right now. . .

I am creating......... Again, nothing at the moment!

I am reading......... Little Dorrit.

I am hearing....... How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack. :-D As currently featured on my playlist.

I am hoping......... That Australia's cricket team can pull their act together for the third test. . .

I am planning.......... To read and read and read over the summer holidays!

I am wearing............ Denim skirt, blue t-shirt. . .

Around the house.......... We recently set up the Christmas tree. . . we also had new blinds put in our main living area.

My wish of the week......... That I could continue to build stronger friendships with all of my siblings.

A Damsel's Daybook XV

~Hosted by Autumn @ Storygirl~

Outside my window....... Sunshine, for the first time in about a week. We've just had one of the wettest Springs on record.

I am thinking about......... Lots of things.

From the kitchen.......... I made a double batch of Anzac biscuits today. On my mum's suggestions, I made them with freshly ground flour from our wheat grinder for the first time. Normally I dislike the results when I try substituting wholemeal flour for white flour, but the Anzacs turned out quite well.

I am creating ......... Planning on crocheting some snowflakes sometime soon. We'll be setting up our Christmas tree soon!

I am reading......... Getting back into Little Dorrit! I am making some progress at last - nearly 3/4 of the way through now. I also recently read this book. And this one.

I am hearing....... Siblings. A crow outside. Blue wrens. Sparrows.

I am hoping......... That I don't have to speak at the Church Ladies Breakfast in a few weeks time. I can think of few things I dread and dislike more than public speaking.

I am planning.......... To get organised and intentional and active! Inspired by this article.

I am wearing............ Denim skirt, blue cotton tunic top thingummy. Can you tell I'm not into fashion that much? I always have a hard time describing what I'm wearing.

Around the house.......... Lots of bustle and activity. We have guests staying with us at the moment - they have 6 young children! That makes 14 children in the house altogether.

My wish of the week......... That Voyage of the Dawn Treader will be as good as I'm hoping it will be. . .

A Damsel's Daybook XIV

Hosted by Autumn @ Storygirl

A day or two late this time, but I thought I'd do it anyway - to help get me back into blogging mode, I guess. :-)

Outside my window....... A warm, humid day, after yesterday's rain.

I am thinking about.........Books; and how wonderful it is to have good friends.

From the kitchen..........Nothing right now.

I am creating .........I recently knitted a couple of dishcloths.

I am reading.........See my Goodreads page. :D

I am hearing.......The Washing Machine. Noisy ol' thing. Funny thing is, it isn't old at all, it's almost brand new - but contrary to the normal order of things, it's a good deal noisier than our old one was.

I am hoping.........That the guitar lesson I'm going to give someone this afternoon will go well.

I am planning..........To start blogging regularly again.

I am wearing............Blue top, denim skirt. . . 

Around the house.........There is a desperate hunt going on for a missing library book. Mummy has put up a $1 reward for the person who finds it.

My wish of the week .........That I might visit Ireland one day. And Scotland. And England. Okay, that's three wishes. . . guess I've used up three weeks' worth of wishes in one go. 

A Damsel's Daybook XII

~A Damsel's Daybook - hosted by Autumn~

Outside my window.......... a warm, humid spring day. Too warm. I miss winter!! I wanna move to Tasmania! Or England! Or somewhere!

I am thinking about......... a friend.

From the kitchen.......... breakfast dishes waiting to be stowed away in the dishwasher. 

I am creating ......... nothing at the moment. I need to find something to do with my hands - I don't feel like crocheting or knitting just now.

I am reading......... Sprig Muslin by Georgette Heyer; and North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell.
 
I am hearing....... Siblings, Rainbow Lorikeets, blue wrens.

I am hoping......... that the grand final replay ends in a result! 

I am planning.......... to enjoy these school holidays - doing stuff with siblings and learning to sew (hopefully)!

I am wearing............ greeny-blue top and black tiered skirt. 

Around the house.......... not much at the moment.

My wish of the week ......... that the two people in family who are having birthdays soon would both have very special days.

A Damsel's Daybook XI

~A Damsel's Daybook~

Outside my window. . . it is dark and chilly, but still a beautiful night. The breeze is rustling the palm tree leaves in our neighbours' backyard.

I am thinking about. . . corsets, of all things!

From the kitchen. . . everything is clean and orderly. . . I think. If anything is out of place, it's my fault, because it was my night for dinner cleanup tonight!

I am reading. . . I am thoroughly engrossed in Little Dorrit! It is almost threatening to topple Our Mutual Friend as my No 1. all-time favourite Dickens novel. ;-) I am also re-reading bits of So Much More.

I am hearing. . . some of my siblings watching Man vs. Wild on TV. Bear Grylls is in Turkey tonight. :-)

I am hoping. . . to some day be charming, intelligent, well-informed, capable, wise, beautiful, charming, intelligent. . . LOL. . .

I am planning. . . to read a little less Dickens and Austen and a little more serious - non-fiction - stuff. Biographies, theology, history. . .

I am wearing. . . clothes!

Around the house. . . all is blissfully quiet.

My wish of the week. . . see "I am hoping", above.

A Damsel's Daybook X

A Damsel's Daybook

Outside my window. . . a typical hot, humid, summer morning. At least there is some cloud cover, so the sun is not so brutal as it sometimes is.

I am thinking about. . . Oliver Twist! I have finally reached the climax of the book. . . Bill Sykes is now dead, Monks is caught, and Fagin is about to be hanged. . . what a dark, violent book! As with all Dickens, however, there is always a glimmer of light in the midst of the darkness.

From the kitchen. . . nothing right now.

I am creating. . . a weird, totally useless crocheted thingummy out of  hideously-coloured cotton. Because I felt like crocheting something. . . 

I am reading. . . just finishing Oliver Twist, then I have 5 days in which to re-read Jane Eyre before book club on Saturday. AAAHHH!!

I am hearing. . . siblings playing outside, sparrows chirping their little heads off, cicadas ZZIZIZZZZing.

I am hoping. . . as I said above, to read Jane Eyre in 5 days.

I am planning. . . nothing. . .

I am wearing. . . one of my new tiered skirts, and a brown top. . .

Around the house. . . typical [home]school day - schoolwork, playing, talking. . .

My wish of the week. . . that I would grow as a person. How much can your character 'grow' in one week? One millimetre? How do you measure character, anyway?

A Damsel's Daybook IX

A Damsel's Daybook

Outside my window. . . a grey, slightly tempestuous, but beautiful evening.

I am thinking about. . . how many more words I need to write today for Nanowrimo. . .  and how cool it was that Stan Walker - an 18-year-old Christian guy from the Gold Coast - won Australian Idol last night!!

From the kitchen. . . dinner cleanup!

I am creating. . . a novel! A really lame one. . . 

I am reading. . . Asterix comics - some light reading in between fits of novel-writing.

I am hearing. . . rainbow lorikeets screeching. Two or three siblings playing cricket outside.

I am hoping. . . that I win Nanowrimo! I've come too far to lose now!!!

I am planning. . . to write 1000 more words in the next two hours.

Around the house. . . several people watching a Little House on the Prairie DVD.

My wish of the week. . . that my novel won't end up being complete and utter rubbish.

A Damsel's Daybook VIII

A Damsel's Daybook

Outside my window. . . morning. School buses, birds, sunlight.

I am thinking about. . . what I'm going to be doing this morning. I'm playing a song at a memorial service at church, and I'm just a tiny bit nervous about it - don't know why.

From the kitchen. . . people getting their breakfasts.

I am creating. . . a crocheted blanket for my little sister's doll.

I am reading. . . Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte - plus various art books. (Must get back into my Australian artists series. . . )

I am hearing. . . younger siblings talking and playing.

I am hoping. . . that all will go well this morning.

I am planning. . . to get my schoolwork done this afternoon. To write another blog post or two today. . . 

I am wearing. . . green 3/4 sleeve top, black skirt.

Around the house. . . not much right now.

My wish of the week. . . that I would get into a routine with my schoolwork that works well.

A Damsel's Daybook VII

Outside my window. . . a typical hot, sunny day. Sometimes I wish I lived in England, or Ireland, or anywhere where there's less hot sunshine and more rain.

I am thinking about. . . what books to put on our list for book club next year.

From the kitchen. . . paint, dropsheets, children splattered in paint. (We're currently painting our kitchen/living area).

I am creating. . . nothing right now.

I am reading. . . Emma.

I am hearing. . . sparrows chatting their heads off like their life depended on it.

I am hoping. . . that someone will upload episode 2 of Emma soon. . . 

I am planning. . . to bring in the washing, maybe make dinner, sweep the floor, read more of Emma. . . 

I am wearing. . . light blue t-shirt with beads and sequins on it. . . which may sound really over-the-top and not "me", but at least it's cool in this weather. And a black tiered skirt.

Around the house. . . like I said, most of today's action has revolved around paint.

My wish of the week. . . dunno. . . guess I'm in a grumpy mood, not a wishful mood. Okay, my wish is that I would spend less time being moody and more time being contented. 

A Damsel's Daybook VI

A Damsel's Daybook

Outside my window. . . it's nighttime; crickets are singing.

I am thinking about. . . the weekend we're going to have at the beach. . . starting Thursday afternoon!

From the kitchen. . . nothing. We've all finished dinner. Oh, my mum's been experimenting with making our own yogurt. When it's freshly made, it's still warm. Warm yogurt actually tastes pretty good. 

I am creating. . . still stitching away at my lute-playing angel.

I am reading. . . I'm in a difficult situation as far as reading is concerned. I'm starting to really enjoy Great Expectations - about halfway through, now - but I'm probably going to have to stop, and read my book club book before the next meeting on Oct. 10, and I am also very keen to re-read Emma before the first the episode of Emma 2009 goes to air on Oct. 14. Hm. 

I am hearing. . . a Little House on the Prairie DVD on TV. My family are all addicted to the 1970s TV version of Little House on the Prairie. I'm the only one in my family who isn't a massive fan, LOL. I don't mind it, but. . . it's not quite my cup of tea.

I am hoping. . . that tomorrow will go smoothly and won't be too busy or stressful. Not that there's any reason why it should be busy, apart from some preparations for our weekend away. I just hate busyness and stress. 

I am planning. . . to do lots of baking tomorrow. . . two birthday cakes, and some biscuits/cookies. I am also planning what to pack for the weekend. All day, I've been mentally evaluating which books I should take, and which ones I should leave behind.

I am wearing. . . a greyish skirt which used to be black denim. A cotton top in a pretty print. 

My wish of the week. . . hmm. Now that the footy season is over, and my team lost, I've run out of wishes. Okay: wish of the week - that I'll grow less self-focussed, and that I'll be able to pray BRAVELY. Have you ever been guilty of praying like this (I have): "God, build my my character. - Uh, but please don't put me through too much pain or too many trials. I hate pain. Actually, I don't know if I can pray this prayer at all. 'Build my character' - I'm really asking for it there, aren't I, Lord. . ." etc, etc.

EDIT: Yikes, I've just found out that the first episode of Emma airs on Oct 4th, not the 14th. That leaves me even less time to read all those books. . . I'll start Emma tonight, and aim to finish it within the next few days. That will leave me about a week to read the book club book. . . yep, I should be all right. Then after that, I'll read the rest of Great Expectations. Then after that. . . any one of the dozens of books on my to-read pile. :P

A Damsel's Daybook V

A Damsel's Daybook

Outside my window. . . beautiful rain! I love the smell of rain, and the soft atmosphere it adds to the landscape. Believe me, when you have the harsh Australian sun beating down on you 90% of the time, you learn to appreciate a soft, refreshing rain shower. Of course, the frequent storms we get are a different story altogether. . . not that I don't like storms; I just wouldn't describe use words like "soft" to describe them.

I am thinking about. . . nothing in particular right now. I think my brain's in bit of a muddle this afternoon.

From the kitchen. . . nothing really, except for the frypan from lunch that I need to wash up.

I am creating. . . an angel in cross-stitch.

I am reading. . . Great Expectations, and a massive stack of library books - mostly art books.

I am hearing. . . raindrops, and rainbow lorikeets squawking.

I am hoping. . . that the rest of this week won't be as warm and humid as today. . .

I am planning. . . to bake something, sometime, not sure what. I feel like something chocolatey.

I am wearing. . . black tiered skirt, red top.

My wish of the week. . . that St Kilda will win the Grand Final on Saturday. Now that my beloved Bulldogs are out, I'm going for the Saints.

A Damsel's Daybook IV

A Damsel's Daybook

Outside my window. . . a beautiful morning.

I am thinking about. . . what I am going to do with my day.

From the kitchen. . . people getting their breakfasts.

I am creating. . . well, I'm thinking about knitting some dishcloths with some of the cotton yarn I've amassed.

I am reading. . . I'm back to Great Expectations, after finishing Persuasion.

I am hearing. . . birds singing, a crow "arrk"ing, quiet noises inside the house.

I am hoping. . . that today will be a purposeful day, that God would use every minute of my day for good.

I am planning. . . I'm not really planning anything. . .

I am wearing. . . denim skirt, bright blue t-shirt, and an oriental-style coat on top - it's been cool this morning.

My wish of the week. . . that the Bulldogs will win their preliminary final against St Kilda. BTW, is it okay to pray for your footy team to win? What are your thoughts on the matter?

A Damsel's Daybook III

Oh, man. . . *headhitskeyboard*. . . why do I ALWAYS forget to do this on Mondays? Oh well - now you all know how bad my memory is. How do my poor family put up with me?

Well - better late than never, I guess.

A Damsel's Daybook

Outside my window. . . lots of golden early-morning sunlight. 

I am thinking about. . . the bookmooch book that I've got to send to someone in America, some biscuits that I'd like to (maybe) make today, the bookshelf that we really need but don't have. Must go bookshelf-shopping sometime. . . we have about 8 bookshelves/bookcases in our house, but we're starting to run out of room for new books (again). Perhaps we could put a shelf next to the toilet - er - ahem - lavatory. Then whenever you go to the loo, you can just reach up and pick whatever reading material takes your fancy! Good idea? Mmmm, maybe not. . .

From the kitchen. . . not much. Maybe some leftover porridge - all cold and gloopy by this time (yuck!).

I am creating. . . hmm, not a lot. I am starting to get the knitting itch again, though.

I am reading. . . Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens!

I am hearing. . . brothers and sisters talking and playing, quietly. The garbage truck outside. . .

I am hoping. . . that the Bulldogs win against Geelong this weekend! (The AFL finals are about to start, so you'll have to excuse me if I go a little bit crazy over the next few weeks.)

I am planning. . . hmm, not a lot. I'm not much of a planner, to be honest. Okay - I am planning to be better at planning and organising.

I am wearing. . . long cotton skirt, dark purple. A little black top, and a pink chenille jumper/sweater (it's still a bit cool this early in the morning).

My wish of the week. . . that the Doggies will win the premiership! Yes, it's wishful thinking - but that's the whole point, remember!

A Damsel's Daybook II

For whatever reason, I forgot and/or haven't time to do this these last couple of weeks. But I'm doing it this week!

A Damsel's Daybook

Outside my window. . . it is dark! We've had an extremely hot winter's day - 36 degrees C. It's been the hottest August days on record. Remember, it's supposed to be the middle of winter here! Anyways - so even though the sun was beating down today, because it's winter it still got dark very quickly.

I am thinking about. . . hmmm, what have I had on my mind lately? Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, India, different cultures, different personalities, the beauty of the world, the awesomeness of God. 

From the kitchen. . . we've just had bacon and eggs for dinner, so the kitchen smells like B&E. Earlier today I made some delicious gingerbread. . . yum.

I am creating. . . err. . . this blog post! LOL. Nothing very craft-y these last few weeks.

I am reading. . . Persuasion by Jane Austen. *Sighs* My all-time favourite Austen novel. What a treat. :-) It's our book club book this month.

I am hearing. . . Daddy talking with our guests in the dining room, crickets outside, baby whimpering a little (she's very tired).

I am hoping. . . that tomorrow will be cooler, that the Holy Spirit will continue to move in a mighty in our lives and our church, that Australia will win the next Ashes series 5-0.

I am planning. . . to do dinner cleanup. It's my night this week. Greasy dishes and pans from bacon and eggs. 

I am wearing. . . long navy blue skirt, short-sleeve button-up top in a dainty green-and-cream stripe.

My wish of the week. . . hmm. . . wasn't this kind of covered in "I am hoping. . ."? Okay, my wish is that it will be a blessed week, and that I will grow closer to God.

Must go now and do dinner cleanup. Plus Naomi is waiting to use the laptop!

A Damsel's Daybook I

Autumn has started "A Damsel's Daybook" at her blog. It's basically the "Simple Woman's Daybook" for young women. Click here for more info. It will be happening every Monday, but I just couldn't resist posting my first one now, even though it's Tuesday. 

Outside my window. . . lots of green, and a tablecloth drying on the washing line.

I am thinking about. . . how I wish library books didn't have to be returned. :P I guess I'll just have to buy my own copies of the library books that I particularly love.

From the kitchen. . . my sister Grace and myself have just finished making two fruit cakes and a double batch of banana and chocolate chip slice. They're in the oven now!

I am creating. . . another pair of socks and numerous knitted lace edgings.

I am reading. . . Mansfield Park by Jane Austen and Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens.

I am hearing. . . turtledoves cuckooing and numerous other birds singing, baby sister chatting away, chairs and feet thudding on the floorboards above me.

I am hoping. . . that my banana slice isn't going to be a total disaster. It's a new recipe, and I'm not quite sure how it's going to turn out. . .

I am planning. . . what do with the rest of the afternoon. 

I am wearing. . . teehee! this is fun! :-) Ahem, yes, I am wearing rather boring clothes - blue skivvy, long denim skirt.

Around the house. . . activity! Little people moving, playing, doing stuff. . .

My wish of the week. . . that I was capable of reading 6 books at once. And that I had time to re-read The Lord of the Rings. Okay, that's two wishes - I'm cheating! Better stop now. . .

Current Mood: Bouncy