{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 11/04/2024 }

Good morning from a very wet and rainy Texas.  This is the part where I would go into how much I love this weather and so forth, but if you know me, you know how I feel about rainy weather.  I don't think I need to say it 🩷

 

I've had a wonderful rainy weekend, filled with warm drinks, books, naps, pitter patter of raindrops constantly hitting the roof of the house, and the beginning of Christmas decorations starting to emerge.

 

It is without a doubt, my favorite time of the year.  The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I can't wait.

 

I hope you've all had a weekend as wonderful as mine, and I wish you a blessed week ahead.  We are in for some craziness starting tomorrow, aren't we?  But let's keep our eyes on God, and focus on our families and our homes.  While craziness rages outside our walls, let's exude peace, calm and joy into the atmosphere.  That's what I plan to do!

 

Now, let's get going with our post for today.

 

 

 

*** The weather in my neck of the woods*** 

We are fully into the cozy days of Autumn and Winter.  The shift seems to have happened this weekend, the temperatures dropped, the days have been rainy and dark, and there is the unmatchable scent of cooler days in the air. 

 

Monday - Thunderstorms, 72

Tuesday - Sunny, 64

Wednesday - Sunny, 72

Thursday - Rain, 67

Friday - Rain, 60

Saturday - Sunny, 65 

Sunday - Sunny, 69

 

 

 *** Things that make me happy ***

Homemade things, crafts, crochet, cooking, whatever it may be.  I love seen a home that is filled with items created by the owners hands.  Little bits and bobs that showcase the person's creativity and love for life.  

 

 

*** Book I'm reading *** 

As the month of October drew to an end, I realized that I had read 7 books in that month.  That is an incredible success for me, seeing that I hadn't been reading much, if anything at all, for years.  So happy to have that love for reading back, it transports me to different places, to excitement, romance, adventure.  

 

I'm already planning my November book pile, and am hoping to not only match the amount of books read for this month, but maybe even surpass it, even if just by one book.  

 

At the moment, I am still in the book of Romans, in the Bible.  

 

For a physical book, I am reading Gwenhwyfar by Mercedes Lackey.

 

And in my Kindle, I am still reading  A Light in the Window by Marion Kummerow. 

 

 

*** What's on my tv today *** 

YouTube

Vlogtober is over, much to my chagrin, but I guess I have Vlogmas to look forward to, right?

I will continue watching homemaking videos, calm and slow videos, book hauls, reviews and TBRs.

Ambience videos - Woodsy cabins, rain, snow 

 

Netflix 

The Great British Baking Show

I am a Killer

Christmas movies 

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

Hubby and I love the Peppermint Mocha creamer, but we stopped using creamers months ago.  However during this time of the year, we really enjoy that creamer in our morning coffee.  Yesterday I bought the zero sugar peppermint mocha creamer.  It will literally be a small splash into our morning coffee, just to give it that peppermint taste.  That's what we had this morning and it was glorious.  I also had a bowl of Banana Nut Crunch Cereal.  

 

 

*** On the lunch plate *** 

Last night for dinner, I made a Portuguese pork roast with roast white and sweet potatoes, and roasted vegetables on the side.  For lunch, I will be having the leftover vegetables. 

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan, Egg Noodles, Salad. 

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

Time to plan the next two weeks again, so meals for this week, are just until Wednesday.  However, for Tuesday, I need to see what is in my freezer, because I somehow ended up with two pasta dishes back to back, Monday and Tuesday, and that is definitely not going to happen.  I need to switch something around.

Monday

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan and Egg Noodles, Salad

Tuesday 

 

Wednesday 

Beef Curry and Rice

 

*** On my to do list *** 

Monday home reset - laundry, changing bed linens, vacuum, carpet cleaning, dusting, window cleaning

Bible reading, devotional. 

Nordic Crochet Blanket.

Finish second crochet cowl.

Meal planning.

 

*** New Recipe I tried or want to try *** 

I have a lot of recipes bookmarked for Thanksgiving, I will be making the Traditional Thanksgiving meal, but I will also include some low carb, low sugar dishes for me to enjoy.  

 

 

*** What I am creating ***

Nordic Winter Afghan. 

Crochet cowls - if you read my previous Wednesday post, I shared a cowl that I wanted to try.  It was so quick and easy to make, that I made one, and am halfway through another.

 

*** No words needed (favorite photo or picture) *** 

This beautiful mourning dove that I photographed last week.     

 

  

 

*** Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses *** 

Thank you all for the prayers for my sister in law Nadine.  She was able to go home last week.  They did an endoscopy and turned out that she had a huge infection in her intestines, but she is fine now.  Thank God!

 

This week, I encourage you to pray for our beautiful country and the elections.  No matter the outcome, stay focused on God and His will and His plan for our nation and the world.  Pray for each other, pray for the end to violence, to anger, to division. 

{ 31 Days of Prayer for my Husband - Day 31 }

 

 

Day 31

Pray that your husband will recognize the lies of the Enemy in his life. Pray that his attitudes and actions will be guided by the truth as he brings his thoughts into captivity to the Word of God. (John 8:44; 2 Cor. 10:4-5)

John 8:44 (King James Version)

⁴⁴Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (King James Version)

⁴(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
⁵Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

{ Want to try that Wednesday }

 

 

A couple years ago, I did this Wednesday feature, where I would list a couple of things that I found online, or in a book or whatever the case may be, that I wanted to try.

They ranged in everything from recipes, to books, to a movie or show, a place to visit, a craft etc.

I don't know why this specific post popped into my mind again, but I have been saving a ton of things that I want to try lately, especially with the holidays coming up, and thought, why not?  Let's do this again.

I hope you enjoy it and maybe get some ideas for yourself as well.

 

I made a crochet cowl many years ago, but I've been wanting to try another and I have seen quite a few interesting ones online.  I've bookmarked them and will probably start on one very soon.  I think I will first make The Montero Cozy Cowl.

 

 

 

Since being on this health journey, I have tried and continue to look for many healthier recipes that I can enjoy, without giving up my sweet cravings completely.  With Thanksgiving coming up, I went on the look for Keto Low Carb Desserts, and came upon this yummy looking Keto Pumpkin Roll.  Will be making it this holiday.

 

 

 

 

I've been reading so much lately, and really loving grabbing all the books on my bookshelf, and trying to make a dent in that huge To Be Read pile.  I'm already thinking of what to read in November, and want to find some cozy reads, but not spooky.  I know a lot of people are into the spooky books for this time of year, but I would rather steer clear of those.  I have chosen to reread one of my favorites, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.  

 

 

 

 

A couple of years ago, I made book cozies.  I loved them so much, but just realized the other day, that not only do I not know where my previous ones went, but I also couldn't remember where I had gotten the pattern from.  While browsing through my blog earlier, I found the pattern I had used and now I'm so eager to make a few more of these cozies.

 

{ 31 Days of Prayer for my Husband - Day 30 }

 

 

 

Day 30
Pray that your husband will serve God and others with pure motives. Pray that he will obey the Lord from his heart, and glorify Him in everything. (1 Cor. 10:13; John 7:17-18; Col. 3:23-24)

1 Corinthians 10:13

¹³ No temptation^[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted^[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,^[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

John 7:17-18

¹⁷ Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. ¹⁸ Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.

Colossians 3:23-24

²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
 

{ Autumn around here }

 

It is a beautiful Autumn morning, except for the unwanted wind which has been at it since Sunday afternoon.  My allergies are awful, and I don't say that lightly.  At this point, if I could scratch out my eyes and nose, I would.  It doesn't help that I really dislike taking allergy meds because of the drowsiness they give me, so I try to suffer it out, but honestly?  I can't wait for this wind to disappear, which seems to be happening only tomorrow.  *sigh*

I haven't done many update daily, life posts.  This month has been mainly filled with the Husband prayers, but since it's winding down and getting ready to end, I thought it was time to start bringing in the usual day in the life, what am I doing, kind of posts.

Just finished going by to visit all the Happy Homemaker Monday participants, and leaving some comments.  I love interacting with you all but don't always have the time.  

 

 

Autumn is finally starting to show it's full face.  It's been slow going, and up until what seems like overnight, it didn't seem like the leaves and the trees were going to change at all.  But, there's definite signs now, thank goodness.

I do love the changing colors, and maybe you're like me, and can smell the change in the air.  There is a specific change to the light of the day and the smell in the air.  It's pure bliss, to me at least.

 

I've been loving waking up each morning, opening the blinds and windows and just stretching and waking up to the crisp air.  Well except for days like these with wind, there's no way I'm taking in a whiff of that wind, not with my allergies like this.  Hahahah

 

I spend a little time with the babies too.  They give us unconditional love, all day long, and they don't ask for much at all, so I love showering them with love and attention.  They certainly appreciate it ♥

 

Books have been read, and when I say that, I mean quite a few.  I am back on my reading streak and have just been inhaling books, left, right and center.  I feel like I can't get enough.  It does help that I'm a fast reader, so if I have time, I will usually start and sometimes finish a book the same day or the very next morning.

I've started dedicating my Sunday's to book reading as well.  After getting home from church and gym, I will take my shower, have a quick lunch then get into bed with a warm blanket, a hot cup of milky tea and a book.  I then spend the next 3 hours or so, just reading, sometimes napping but mainly reading.  It's been a very welcome calming routine that I think helps end the weekend, and reset our bodies for the week ahead.

 

I've also been making it a priority to grab my camera more, and to take photos of life around me.  I've always enjoyed taking pictures of birds, so any chance I get, I take advantage.

This gorgeous mourning dove was perched on the tree right outside my bedroom window.  It sat there for a long time, just looking at me while I took photos.  How beautiful is it?

 

 

Life has been slowing down, but I know that here soon it will kick into high gear again with the holidays upon us.  I am already planning our Thanksgiving, Christmas Cards, Christmas shopping and so forth.

I love Christmas cards and I miss the days where sending out cards was a thing.  It feels like over the years people have gotten more comfortable with just sending an online card, or just wishing someone a Merry Christmas over a text or an impersonal post on social media.

But I love the exchange of actual cards and I really want to send more out this year.  I think we need to do that.  We need to make an effort to send out actual cards in the mail, and I would love to send some of you a card too, especially if you're one of my usual readers.  It would be quite fun to do a card exchange between us blog readers.

What do you think?  Let me know.

Right, it is almost 8:30am, and I'm still sitting in bed.  I need to do my prayers, read my devotional and my Bible and then get started with my day.

On the to do list for today:

Clean living room and dining room windows

Vacuum and dust

Pay bills

Start Thanksgiving Menu

Iron a pile of clothes

Workout and get my 10k steps in

Have a blessed Tuesday friends!

{ 31 Days of Prayer for my Husband - Day 29 }

 

 

Day 29

Pray that your husband will surrender his time and talents to the Lord. Pray that his spiritual gifts will be manifest in his career, at church, and in your home. (Eph. 5:15-16; 1 Cor. 12:4, 7)

Ephesians 5:15-16

 ¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

1 Corinthians 12:4

 ⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.

1 Corinthians 7

Concerning Married Life

⁷ I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 10/28/2024 }

Good morning sweet friends, and welcome back to my blog.  Can you believe this is the last Happy Homemaker Monday of October?  Where did this month go?

 

We are inching ever so closer to the last day of prayer for our husbands as well.  I know some of you don't like the overwhelming posts every day, but it's something I only do every few years, and it's important.  So, just 4 more days of praying for our husbands, then the blog will go back to normal.  Now that doesn't mean after these days we stop praying for them completely, we pray for them every day, of course.

 

Anyway, it's the start of a new week, and I wish you all a very blessed week ahead. 

 

 

 

 

*** The weather in my neck of the woods*** 

We're still seeing pretty warm days, it's just a weird October.  We do have a good week ahead, weather wise, so I'm going to enjoy it to the fullest, especially the rain in the forecast.  We also have 3 days of wind which I am dreading, because they make my allergies flare up something fierce.

 

Monday - Windy and partly cloudy, 93

Tuesday - Windy and partly cloudy, 89

Wednesday - Windy and partly cloudy, 89

Thursday - Sunny, 73

Friday - PM showers, 74

Saturday - Thunderstorms, 72 

Sunday - Thunderstorms, 77

 

 

 *** Things that make me happy ***

Rain, lots of rain.  Rainy days, cloudy days, pitter patter of rain while I sip a cup of tea and read a good book. 

 

 

*** Book I'm reading *** 

Book of Romans, in the Bible.  

 

I finished Woven in Moonlight and the second book after, Written in Starlight.  Loved both but I don't like the way Isabel Ibanez ends her books, I always feel like it's mid sentence and I'm left hanging, if that makes sense?  

 

Next book on the list is Gwenhwyfar by Mercedes Lackey.

 

Also finished  Beauty and the Beast (Faerie Tale Collection Book 1), on the Kindle.  It was a quick cute story based on the popular Beauty and the Beast story we all know.  I have now started a Historical Fiction called A Light in the Window by Marion Kummerow.  It is available for free on the Kindle!  

 

 

*** What's on my tv today *** 

Vlogtober Videos on YouTube, they're also coming to an end this week.

The Great British Baking Show on Netflix.

 

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

I had my usual cup of coffee.  Today's pick was Texas Pecan and it is delicious....with my 2% milk and Splenda.  I also had a bowl of Greek Honey Vanilla Yogurt with my homemade granola and a sliced banana.

 

 

*** On the lunch plate *** 

Probably a chickpea salad, as always.  On the weekends, hubby and I usually have our cheat days and eat things we don't usually eat.  I just had some KFC chicken tenders and a small fry, and let me tell you, my body did NOT like that.  I feel so yucky, my stomach felt heavy and so full after it.  Time to detox all that junk out of the system this week.

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

Sausage and Kale Stuffed Spaghetti Squash.

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

Monday

Fish Fillets in a creamy spinach sauce, Basmati rice (cauliflower rice for me), zucchini in tomato sauce

Tuesday 

Steak Pizzaiola, Mashed Potatoes, Salad

Wednesday 

Shrimp Fajitas, Beans, Cilantro Lime Rice

Thursday

Ham Alfredo, Salad, Focaccia

Friday

Homemade Pizza

Saturday

Fend for Yourself

Sunday

Beef Curry and Rice, Homemade Naan

 

*** On my to do list *** 

Monday home reset - laundry, changing bed linens, vacuum, carpet cleaning, dusting, window cleaning

Bible reading, devotional. 

Nordic Crochet Blanket.

 

*** New Recipe I tried or want to try *** 

Not a new recipe but something I've made only two times and really enjoy it.  I will make another this week and take some pics so I can post it on the blog.  Avocado Bread, which makes the best sandwich ever. 

 

 

*** What I am creating ***

Nordic Winter Afghan. 

 

*** No words needed (favorite photo or picture) *** 

I love my mornings with my babies.  They usually nap or sit and watch tv with me for a little, before we get up for the day.     

 

  

 

*** Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses *** 

Praying for my sister in law Nadine.  She celebrated her 50th birthday yesterday, and unfortunately spent the day in the hospital with horrible stomach pain.  They've run a bunch of tests and thought it might be her gallbladder, but that didn't show up on the ultrasounds, so they're doing more tests today.  Please keep her in your prayers.

{ 31 Days of Prayer for my Husband - Day 28 }

 

 

 

Day 28

Pray that your husband will be a man of prayer. Pray that he will seek and pursue God in purposeful quiet times. (1 Thess. 5:17; Luke 22:46; James 5:16)

1 Thessalonians 5:17

¹⁷ pray continually,

Luke 22:46

⁴⁶ “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

James 5:16

¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

 

{ 31 Days of Prayer for my Husband - Day 27 }

 

 

 Day 27

Pray that your husband will understand the importance of taking care of his body—the temple of the Holy Spirit—for the glory of God. Pray that he will practice self-control by making wise food choices, and get sufficient exercise to stay healthy. (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20, 9:27)

 

{ 31 Days of Prayer for my Husband - Day 26 }

 

 

Day 26

Pray that your husband will discover and live his God-given purpose. Pray that he will offer all his dreams to the Lord, and pursue only those goals that will bring God glory and count for eternity. (Jer. 29:11; 1 Cor. 10:31)