Happy Homemaker Monday - 03/31/2025

 

 

Good morning friends!  

Welcome back to another Happy Homemaker Monday!  

 

I am so tired this morning, didn't sleep well at all last night, so I'm hoping I may be able to get a 10 to 15 minute nap sometime this afternoon.  Although, it may not happen because I have a lot to do, it's going to be a busy day.

 

Anyway, I am running a little late this morning, so let's get right on with it. 

 

The weather in my neck of the woods:::

It's been so nice, the temperatures have stayed in the 70s and 80s.  I wish it could be like this all year long.  This week we have quite a bit of rain in the forecast, and I am here for it.  Love rainy weather.

Monday - Sunny to partly cloudy, 69

Tuesday - Mostly cloudy, 83

Wednesday - Partly cloudy, 80

Thursday - Showers, 65

Friday - Rain, 61

Saturday - Showers, 55

Sunday - Sunny, 57

As I look outside my window:::
Beautiful spring day, the sun is shining and the birds are singing.  

   

Right now I am:::
Working on this post to quickly get it up, so that I can get my day started.    

 

 

Something fun to share (a blog, a video, a tip):::

Here's a sweet cottage ambience video.  Hope you enjoy it. 

 

 

 

Thinking and pondering:::
Have a lot I need to get done this week, between spring cleaning, gardening, some sewing for my Jasmine and so forth.    I also need to finish my current read today, before the month of April begins and my TBR kicks in.        

 

On my bedside table:::
Empty cup of coffee, vase with flowers, my book and my phone. 

On my tv:::
Homemaking vlogs

Book vlogs

SIC Portuguese channel

Sangue Oculto Portuguese Soap

Listening to:::

A Promessa on the tv. 

Jets from the base flying above our house.

On the menu for this week:::

Monday - Italian baked chicken legs, Olive oil and garlic Spaghetti, Salad
Tuesday - Fish Fillets in Tomato Sauce, Parley Potatoes, Sauteed Cabbage and Kale    

Wednesday - Greek Beef Stew, Rice for the boys, Polenta for me, Broccoli Cauliflower

Thursday - Baked Thighs with potatoes, Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Friday - Oklahoma Fried Burgers, Fries
Saturday - Pork Shnitzel, Tomato Rice, Salad

Sunday - Scacciata with Sausage and Potatoes

On my to do list:::
Change Bed linens

Water plants

Daily Bible reading and daily decree

Crochet 

Sewing

Spring Cleaning 

 
What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Finishing off Part 6 on the Cosmic CAL.     

My simple pleasure:::
Letting myself be taken away into a wonderful cozy book ♥      

Looking around the house:::
The usual Monday morning.  There are blankets on the couches, Wii remotes laying around, and the usual tidying up to be done.     

 

 
From the camera:::
Corners of my kitchen which make me smile.    

 

 

Bible verse, Devotional::: 

For it is God who works in you to will and act in order to fulfill his good purpose - Phillipians 2:13 NIV 

Local Library Book Sale

 If there is one thing that I love, is books.  Anytime I see a book sale, it makes me incredibly happy, so every year, I anxiously await our local library book sale.  

 

They do this flash sale, where you can purchase a box for $5 and then fill it with as many books as you want.  There's nothing more exciting than that, to know that you can just fill that box to your hearts content, and not just random books thrown in, but hand picked by you.

 

That's exactly what I did.  So let me show you what I got. 

I actually lucked out and found books 2 and 3 in the series that I am reading.  I didn't even know I could find them at the library, so when I saw them I jumped for joy.  

Bloodroot by Susan Wittig Albert

Wayward Winds by Michael Phillips - Book #2 in the Secrets of Heathersleigh Hall

Heathersleigh Homecoming by Michael Phillips - Book #3 in the Secrets of Heathersleigh Hall 

Heaven is Real by Todd Burpo

Heaven Changes Everything by Todd Burpo

Mezze Modern - a cookbook with Mediterranean appetizers, which is perfect for my diet.

To Green Angel Tower by Tad Williams

 

The Great Alone by Janet Dailey

 

In This Mountain by Jan Karon

 

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

Darwinia by Robert Charles Wilson

 

Domino by Phyllis A. Whitney

The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson

 

Claim by Lisa T. Bergren

Return to the Misty Shore by Bonnie Leon

 

 

The Solitary Envoy by T. Davis Bunn and Isabella Bunn

Blake's Reach by Catherine Gaskin

 

Frontiers by Colleen L. Reece

A Falcon for a Queen by Catherine Gaskin

 

 

Unto the Hills by Billy Graham

Friday's Letters

Dear Friday...I love you, and am so glad to see you arrive.  Although it means that another week has quickly ended and we are close to April already.  Oh well!

Dear Food....I wish I could say that you don't have a hold on me, but you do.  I don't know why, or how, or if I'll ever stop loving you as much as I do.  But, the truth is that I adore you, I adore everything about you and you make me very happy.  

 

Dear Gym....You have become one of my favorite places to hang out on the weekends.  What a joy you bring to my soul.  You used to intimidate me, if I am to be honest, but I have learned that you are actually one of my safe places, I feel relaxed when I'm there.  Thank you for that!

 

Dear 50 year old body....I am so proud of you, soooooo proud of you.  You don't understand just how powerful and amazing you are.  The way you have changed over the past year, you've gotten stronger, healthier and lighter.  What a blessing!

Cooking Thursday - Barb's Breakfast Burritos

 

Barb's Burritos

1 lb maple sausage
1 small can of diced green chilies
1 bag of Potatoes O' Brien
Scrambled eggs.....depending on how much you're making either a dozen or half a dozen


In a skillet brown the sausage,



then drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.  Fry the potatoes, add the can of chilies to the meat, add the potatoes to the chilies and sausage.



In a skillet scramble the eggs then add them to the rest of the mixture, mix everything well.

Spoon the filling into the middle of the tortilla and roll up burrito style. (BTW, the original recipe doesn't call for it, but I like to add cheese to mine too)



I use the little ziploc bags to keep mine in, but you can also wrap them in foil.



Once you're done, just pop them in the freezer, they keep really good for 3 weeks or so. To heat them up just place them in the microwave for about 2 minutes.

Wordless Wednesday

Musical Throwback Tuesday

Anne Murray is still one of my favorite voices.  She first released this song in 1978, I was a 4 year toddler, but I first heard it when I was around 8 and just loved it. 

 

It's one of those ballads that hits you right in the gut and brings tears to your eyes with the hauntingly melodic lyrics and music.  Not sure if any of you remember this one, but it's a classic.

Happy Homemaker Monday - 03/24/2025

 

 

Good morning friends!  

It is a chilly Monday morning, and even though we seem to finally be free of the constant cold, there are still a few mornings that bring a chill to the bone feeling.  Today is one of those, it is currently 37 degrees.  Brrr!

 

Anyway, good morning my friends, I hope you are all well.  Thank you again for being here and for always joining in each Monday, I do appreciate it very much.  

 

I have a busy week ahead.  I want to start my spring cleaning, also have grocery shopping this week, so will be juggling those.  

 

Wishing you all a very blessed and productive week ahead.  Hope your area is welcoming spring like ours is. 

 

Now, let's get on with our Happy Homemaker Monday!

 

The weather in my neck of the woods:::

We still have some days with crazy winds, but it seems to be worldwide.  I've seen some incredibly destructive winds in Portugal and South Africa too.  Crazy!

 

Thankfully, we have a very nice week ahead with wonderful warm temperatures.   

Monday - Abundant sunshine, 81

Tuesday - Sunny, 90

Wednesday - Rain, 78

Thursday - Mostly cloudy, 77

Friday - AM showers, 73

Saturday - Partly cloudy, 89

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 66

As I look outside my window:::
The sun has just started to come up.  I can see the clearing sky beyond the trees and it always makes me smile.  It's hard to put into words just how beautiful the sky is early morning. 

   

Right now I am:::
Sitting in bed and typing up this post.  I had to turn the small heater on in here because it's quite chilly.  Elliott and Kaia are both laying under their blankets and taking their morning nap.  On the tv, I am watching A Promessa, which is a Portuguese soap opera.  

 

 

Something fun to share (a blog, a video, a tip):::

Today I thought I would share my week's workout.  I have been using Lucy's workouts for the past year and they are perfect for me and have kept me healthy, and trim.  Every week she puts out a new video to follow, and this is the newest one, which I'll be doing Monday to Friday.  

 

I thought I would share it, if any of you want to join in.  

 

 

 

Thinking and pondering:::
About spring cleaning.  I need to sit down and write up a plan to tackle each room daily, with a list of must dos.  I have far too much in my head to remember, so need to get it on paper. 

 

It's funny, when I was younger I had no problem keeping everything in my mind and not having to draw up lists, but as I get older, and nearer to Menopause, my brain has become so scattered at times.  I know it's normal, but it's bothers me at times, that I need to constantly remind myself with notes, so that I don't forget something.        

 

On my bedside table:::
My empty cup of coffee.  A bottle of water, my lotion and my book.       

On my tv:::
Homemaking vlogs

Book vlogs

SIC Portuguese channel

Foundation on Apple TV

Listening to:::

A Promessa on the tv. 

My youngest rooster crowing out back.

On the menu for this week:::

Not entirely sure, I need to work on the new meal plan before grocery shopping on Wednesday.

Monday - Roast chicken thighs with peppers, roast sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables
Tuesday - Lebanese Kofta, Quinoa, Salad    

Wednesday - 

Thursday - 

Friday -
Saturday - 

Sunday - 

On my to do list:::
Change Bed linens

Water plants

Daily Bible reading and daily decree

Crochet 

Meal plan and grocery list

Spring cleaning list

 

 
What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Finishing off Part 6 on the Cosmic CAL.     

My simple pleasure:::
A cup of tea with milk and some cookies ♥      

Looking around the house:::
The usual Monday morning.  There are blankets on the couches, Wii remotes laying around, and the usual tidying up to be done.     

 

 
From the camera:::
Corners of my kitchen which make me smile.    

 

 

Bible verse, Devotional::: 

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15

A busy Sunday

There are Sundays that are quiet, relaxed, restful.

 

Then there are Sundays that I hit the ground running and don't stop until I lay my head on the pillow.  This Sunday was one of those.

 

Got up early, went to the gym, rushed back home for a quick shower and change, went to church, went by the gaming store to pick up a Wii remote to replace the one that stopped working.  Rushed back home, changed into comfortable clothes, started laundry, cleaned the house, then it was time to get dinner ready for the family.

 

After dinner and dishes and tidying up, I finally got another shower in, and made it to bed at 9pm.  Exhausted, but content.  It was busy but it was productive.

 

But, I will say, I much prefer the days where I don't have to be rushing around like crazy.

A quick trip to the butcher

I have been wanting to make the switch to Beef Tallow for a while, and was so thrilled when I found that my local butcher is now selling it.  It's not exactly cheap, but it's well worth it for the benefits and will last me a while.

 

When we found out they had the tallow, we made a quick trip to the butcher.

While also being there, we got some fresh bratwurst for dinner.  They do a ton of different flavors, and this time we picked the Korean Beef.  They are so good, sooooo good.  And you can taste the difference from butcher meat and sausages to what you get at the grocery store.

 

Yes they tend to be a little more expensive than the store, but well worth it, in my opinion.

I also got 2 pounds of ground beef.  I didn't get anything else, because I don't like just buying without having a plan.  I prefer to have a meal plan on hand.  

Do you shop at a local butcher too?

 

And have you used beef tallow in the past, do you use it now?

It's the simple things

“It's the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary.”

―Paulo Coelho

 

Life is made of ups and downs, serious and light moments, impactful days and boring mundane moments.  But in the midst of it all, it's the simple things that are the most extraordinary.  Exactly how Paulo Coelho says it.  And when we accept that, and start to follow it, everything we encounter and are forced to deal with, become much easier to accept. 

 

I've talked about the simplicity of life, my journey to find it and how much I enjoy living life in the simplest of ways.  I hold on to days gone by, to the way things used to be done.  My great grandmother Ema very often comes to my mind and I feel this overwhelming sense of love and peace.  I remember the things she did, the way she lived each moment, and I want so much to do the same.

 

Living simply or rather, enjoying the simple moments, doesn't have to be complicated.  Our joy isn't measured by the big events, the earth shattering happenings, but rather in the every day things that surround us.  In those things that we often overlook because they seem to blend into our surroundings.  So I want to show you the things that bring me the most joy, the simple things that I'm referring to, encourage you to look around your own home and life and start taking notice.  You'll be surprised how it will start changing your mood and shifting your mind from negative to positive.

 

Sometimes it's the snippets of prettiness even in your kitchen.  Yes I have real plants everywhere in my home, but I also have artificial popped in random places here in there.  I don't mind using something that is not real.

 

If you were to ask me what the theme is in my house, I would tell you that I don't have one.  I just keep things that I like.  I am more of a color theme rather than a specific genre kind of girl.  So you won't see Farmhouse, French, Americana or whatever, I tend to see a color and try to go with that for the rest of the room.

 

Sometimes the simple things are just brewing coffee the old fashioned way, the way I would sometimes see my great grandma and grandma, make.  The whole process is very simple and yet calming and beautiful.

Little pops of color here and there.  White, blue, green, plants and flowers and pretty little dishcloths hanging ever so precariously on a cabinet.

An inexpensive but yet sweet egg holder for the refrigerator.  It's simple, it's cute, it's functional and again, it makes me smile and brings me joy.

Sometimes it's in the simple candle burning on a bookshelf, nestled into a gorgeous book.  A candle that is themed after one of your absolute favorite Jane Austen characters, Mr. Darcy, of course.

 

I will never understand how a candle can bring so much coziness and contentment to my life.  It's a glass container with wonderful scented wax.  To the naked eye or the technical mind, it is nothing to get excited about, but my goodness, does it make me smile.

Often times the simplicity of crochet is enough to bring warm feelings of happiness.  I have always found crochet to be very calming.  If I'm having a difficult time, I will grab my hook and yarn, work on a row or two of my current blanket and it immediately puts my mind at ease.

 

Of course, the beauty of the blanket itself is simple yet impactful.

Blooms in spring, reminding us that new life is emerging.  Reminding us to step outside, to breathe in the sweet scent from the peach tree, and the plum tree.  Something so simple, it's just a pop of green, a little leaf turned into a tiny flower bursting with color.  Yet, again, the simplicity of it is what makes a difference.

And sometimes it's a corner in your house.  An entryway shelf, with random bits and bobs, but yet it brings your eye to the beauty of the plant, the deer print, the cute candle and the hyacinths starting to bloom.

Or the little pretty flower garland, careless strung above the curtain rod.  Nothing extravagant, nothing expensive, nothing wow inducing, yet for me, the colors, the mixtures of textures, the whole thing together make this window one of my favorite places in the house.

 

You don't need to live in an expensive home, you don't need to live in a museum, you don't need to remove all the things that signify coziness and simple.  It's a home, it's where you live, where you seek shelter and sustenance, where you rest your weary body, share moments with your family, raise your children, eat a heartwarming meal.  Allow your home to love you, as you love it.  

 

It doesn't mean a messy, unorganized place, but it also doesn't mean you need to remove everything in sight.

 

I think this is where I struggle with the modern definition of simplicity.  It's become synonymous with getting rid of everything, going down to the bare minimum, and creating a place that feels so unwelcoming not only to guests but to those who live within those walls.  They think cozy means clutter, and that's not true at all.

 

Anyway, this is what I think simplicity means for me.  What does it mean for you?  Do you also live a simple cozy life?