The Simple Woman's Daybook - October

Outside My Window: Barnaby has run down to the field shelter, which I can see clearly from my kitchen window.  He is standing there sniggering.  I am so curious that I go outside to see what's going on.   Simon is whinnying madly, wondering where Barnaby has gone.  Zak is only four feet behind him, but Simon doesn't care.  In the end Zak can't stand it and, rolling his eyes in disbelief, walks up to Simon, and takes him down to where Barnaby has been hiding. Silly horse.

I am thinking:  I must make a hair appointment for December 15th.  I am out to a Christmas lunch and an evening party on the same day.

I am thankful for: John's new job.  So far, so good.  And that the new liveries have settled in really well and seem really happy.

I am wearing: navy blue jods and a dark green Joules top.  Whenever I write this I am in jods.  It's not a coincidence, is it?

I am reading: 'The Red Queen' by Philippa Gregory.  I have already read The White Queen this year, and was thrilled to find The Red Queen existed.  It's about Margaret Stanley, who was the mother of the man who eventually becomes Henry VII.  It is gripping.  In fact, both books are.  More than that, I am thrilled that I own both books and can take my time as I don't have to get them back to the library. 

I am hoping/praying:  This is a bit difficult.  The woman who runs our craft group is lovely.  She is married.  Her husband went down to his daughter's house a few weeks ago.  They are building a house.  Her husband fell out of a second storey window into a well.  I am praying for him every day but we haven't had any more news, which I think is a bad sign.  I just hope to goodness he's okay.  She said he was conscious and hadn't broken anything, so I am hoping for the best, but who knows?

On my mind: Winter.  And snow.  Please could it not, just for one winter.  Please.

From the kitchen: I realised when we dieted this year that I really missed baking.  I didn't realise that I enjoy it so much.  This week I'm going to make a lemon drizzle cake.  Mmmm.

I am creating: lots of Christmas cards, but I'm stuck on one at the moment.  I am also back into cross stitch and really enjoying it.  I've just bought a new one so I can carry on during our get-togethers in the village on Thursday mornings.

I am hearing: 'You've Got Mail.'  Such a sweet film.

Around The House: I went on a bus trip to Derby a few week's ago and had a bit of a spree.  But ages ago one of my favourite shops, 'Past Times' closed down in Chesterfield.  I was very upset about it and thought they'd closed down everywhere, so I was delighted to see a shop open in Derby.  I've wanted one of these for so long, and knew they sold them in PT, so went in and grabbed one in seconds.  I came home a very happy bunny:

I got one, I got one!

One of my favourite things: has to be this beautiful lavender filled heart -

It hangs in my window with the cup and a few other things in red and black.  It's not my normal display for this time of year, but I really like it.

A Scripture Thought: 'Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  Matthew 19:26  (For a friend I am praying for that has cancer right now).

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Mucking out, mostly, as the horses are in at night now.  Pongo and Missis have a firework party next weekend.  I am dreading it, as they let off fireworks pretty close to the stables.  They have said it'll be the last time they'll do it, though, thank goodness.

A picture thought: 'Does my bum look big in this?'

There is a drainage ditch in the field and Barnaby spent a lot of time in it this summer.  Every time I passed the field, this is what I saw.  He's going in for the Rear of the Year award. 

Have a great week, everyone!
Jane