{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 07/06/2026 }

 

 

Good morning friends, welcome back.  

 

I hope you are all doing well after this beautiful birthday weekend.  Did you do anything fun?

 

My family and I actually went to Dallas for a Portugal fan meet up, it was so much fun.  It took place at a local sports bar, we took over the rooftop and just had an amazing time with all the Portuguese fans.  Makes me think that we need to do more fun things like this in the future. 

 

However, I am not used to drinking anymore, not since I went healthy two years ago, and after just one beer and one cocktail, I am sorely paying for it today.  Oh well.

 

I hope you all have a blessed week, try to stay cool if you are in an area much like mine that is already into the triple digits and high humidity.

 

Sandra

xoxoxoxo 

 

 

*** The Weather *** 

Hot, already very hot and humid.  

  

Monday - Mostly sunny, 97 

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, 99  

Wednesday - Sunny, 102

Thursday - Mosty sunny, 103 

Friday - Sunny, 101 

Saturday - Partly cloudy, 98 

Sunday - Thunderstorms, 96

 

 

*** Right now I am *** 

Just had two pieces of toast to calm my stomach.  I am now trying to get this post up as quick as I can because I feel so nauseous.   

 

 

*** Thinking and pondering *** 

On how we take life for granted, we can often go years where all we do is work, work and work without doing anything fun.  Yesterday reminded me that we need to take more time to spend with family, to have fun, to go do unplanned things.  

 

 

*** How I am feeling ***

Sick, have spent all night in the bathroom.  The alcohol just destroyed my stomach.  Lesson learned.      

 

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

Just two pieces of toast.  

 

 

*** On the lunch plate ***

Not sure I'll be able to eat anything, but I do want to boil some chicken to make some chicken soup for me, so may have that for lunch.   

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

We had a barbecue on Saturday and have a ton of leftovers, so that's what we will have today.  I will probably make some sort of side, but there are plenty of hamburgers and hotdogs, bratwurst and even some pork chops. 

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

 

Monday - Leftover barbecue  

 

 

 

Tuesday -  Creamy Oregano Chicken, Egg Noodles, Salad

 

 

 

Wednesday - Hot Sesame Pork, Rice, Egg Rolls

 

 

 

Thursday -  Turkey Meatballs, Spaghetti, Garlic Bread and Salad

 

Friday - Homemade Pizza

 

 

 

Saturday - Fend for yourself

 

Sunday -  Islak Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries

 

 

 

 

*** What I am wearing *** 

Grey summer nightie, will pop on a summer dress later. 

 

 

*** On my reading pile *** 

I am now in Judges in the Bible. 

 

I'm a mood reader so sometimes I will pick a book that I think I want to read and then set it aside, that is what happened with Kristin Lavransdatter by Singrid Undset.   It is a mammoth of a book and I really don't want to get into it right now.  It's too hot for that.  Does that even make sense?

 

Anyway, I ended up reading The hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham and loved it.  Read it in a day.  I love her easy writing style and the story was so sweet.  I need to get more by this author. 

 

Next I will be starting Heart of Stone ( Irish Angel series book 1) by Jill Marie Landis.   

 

 

 

*** On my TV this week *** 

YouTube:

Homemaking 

Christian book vloggers 

Quiet and simple living 

Homemakers in Brazil, Portugal and Mexico  

 

World Cup:

Portugal play today against Spain, if they lose the go home, so it's a big match for us.  USA also play today against Belgium and the same thing for them, if they lose they are out of the World Cup.  However if both USA and Portugal win their matches, they will be facing off against each other.  Oh boy, that's going to be hard for me to watch LOL 

 

Turkish series:

Doganin Kanunu 

Muhtemel Ask

Older series that I have not watched yet

 

Netflix:

Homicide Squad New Orleans

 

 

*** Looking around the house *** 

I do need to give it the usual Monday morning clean, but with the way I am feeling today, I am not sure how much I'll get to.  I may just do the absolute minimum necessary, or I may do what I need to but do it slowly.  

 

I have zero patience for being sick of any kind, it frustrates me so much. 

 

 

*** To do list *** 

Water inside plants 

Water plants and veggies outside on the patio 

Daily bible reading and devotional/bible study 

Daily 15k steps

Homemaking chores  

 

This week: 

Gave the entryway a first coat, but need to do the second coat this week. 

Paint hallway 

 

 

*** What I am creating ***

Finished all the flowers and am now starting the lacey part of the pattern.  

 

 

*** From the camera *** 

Had to snap a picture with Ronaldo.  By the way, these cutouts are their actual size, he is quite tall.   

 

 

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

My prayers are going up for all the victims in the Venezuela Earthquakes.  I am in awe of God's miracles as we continue to see people being pulled alive from the rubble.

 

{ Happy 250th Birthday America ♥ }

To the country that took me in, gave me love and a home and continues to be one of the strongest, most powerful beautiful free nations in the world.

 

There are no words to describe the love I have for America.  Being Portuguese and having lived in other countries, I wish people would understand just how lucky and blessed they are to have been born in this beautiful land.  The opportunities, the freedom, the quality of life, it's not something we see very often in other countries.

 

The same God that brought the US through trials and tribulations 250 years ago, is still presently guiding and bringing us through the current adversities we face today.

 

Land of the free, home of the brave indeed! 

 

At 250 years old, the United States remains a tapestry woven from millions of diverse stories, struggles, and triumphs. Today is a day to celebrate the progress made, honor the generations that built the foundation, and look forward to the next chapter of the American dream. 

 

Happy 250th, America! 

 

 

 

 

 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 06/29/2026 }

 

 

Good morning friends, welcome back to my little corner.  How are you all doing this beautiful Monday?    

 

It is just gone 7:15 AM and it's so hot already.  We have been in the triple digits the past week and I am ready for it to end.  I don't know if you all feel the same, but when summer rolls around instead of going out and doing all the things, I tend to hibernate and become a recluse indoors, hiding in the darkness.  Hahahah   No but really, I spend a lot of time inside and away from the heat.

 

Anyway, let's get on with our post, we are at the last post of June 2026.  Insane!

 

Let's see what is going on around our homes, oh and I am also adding a new category for Weekly testimonies.  At least for me, God shows up every week, sometimes in small ways and sometimes in huge ways, and I think it's important to talk about and share those.    

 

Have a blessed week,

 

Sandra

xoxoxoxo 

 

 

*** The Weather *** 

Gross, that's the only word I can think of.  Gross!!!

  

Monday - Mostly sunny, 101 

Tuesday - Sunny, 100  

Wednesday - Sunny, 99 

Thursday - Partly cloudy, 100 

Friday - Partly cloudy, 101 

Saturday - Partly cloudy, 102 

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 99

 

 

*** Right now I am *** 

At my desk, I just ate my breakfast and I'm working on this post, or at least trying to work on it real quick because my neck is absolutely killing me, and it's uncomfortable even just sitting. 

 

 

*** Thinking and pondering *** 

About how absolutely amazing God is, the way He shows up for us and continues to show up.  

 

It always makes me sad when I remember that there are people out there who don't know Christ, and live a life without Him.  I don't know how to do that, and when I see the things he does for us all the time, I want that for others too.  

 

 

*** How I am feeling ***

Tired and my neck is really sore.  Curt and I have been back and forth helping Jasmine, building furniture and moving things, and we're not young children anymore, so by the time Monday rolls around we are feeling it.      

 

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

I had a cup of coffee with sugar free Butterbeer Creamer, and a bowl of oatmeal with shredded coconut, brown sugar and dates.  I always put a little drizzle of heavy cream on top to make it creamer.  

 

 

*** On the lunch plate ***

Tuna salad.   

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

Rotisserie Chicken Quarters, Smashed Potatoes, Sauteed Honey Chili Cabbage.  

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

Working on the new meal plan today, as always there are meals planned until Wednesday when I will get the groceries and the new menu kicks in.

 

Monday - Rotisserie Chicken Quarters, Smashed Potatoes, Sauteed Honey Chili Cabbage  

Tuesday -  Smothered Pork Chops, Buttered Rice, Roast Vegetables

Wednesday -

Thursday - 

Friday - 

Saturday - 

Sunday -  Islak Burgers, Sweet Potato Fries

 

 

*** What I am wearing *** 

Grey summer nightie, with pink lace trim.  Will put on a dress later.  

 

 

*** On my reading pile *** 

I am now in Judges in the Bible. 

 

Finished all my fiction reading, both the Tessa Afshar and the Lynn Austin Wonderland Creek book, and have started a beast of a book that I have been wanting to read but have put off because of it's size.

 

Kristin Lavransdatter by Singrid Undset.   

 

 

Set in 14th-century Norway, it follows the tumultuous life of a headstrong noblewoman from childhood through motherhood to her death, exploring heavy themes of passion, faith, sin, and redemption.

 

 

*** On my TV this week *** 

YouTube:

Homemaking 

Christian book vloggers 

Quiet and simple living 

Homemakers in Brazil, Portugal and Mexico  

 

World Cup:

Continuing to enjoy the matches  

 

Turkish series:

Doganin Kanunu 

Muhtemel Ask

Older series that I have not watched yet

 

Netflix:

Missing Dead or Alive

Maternal Instincts - this one really got to me, what a horrible thing to do to someone you call a friend 

 

 

*** Looking around the house *** 

I need to give my house a good clean today as well as carpet clean both the living room and dining room.  Tomorrow I will do my bedroom and the office.

 

I feel like I haven't been able to focus on my house because we've been so busy helping Jasmine, but that is what being a parent is. 

 

 

*** To do list *** 

Water inside plants 

Water plants and veggies outside on the patio 

Daily bible reading and devotional/bible study 

Daily 15k steps

Homemaking chores  

 

This week: 

Meal planning and budget

Grocery shopping on Wednesday

Painting the entryway (was supposed to do it last week but I didn't realize I was out of roller replacements and brushes, but got those this weekend)

 

 

*** What I am creating ***

I have now gotten over the most frustrating and need a I say boring part of this blanket?  I know, it feels weird for me to say that, but I prefer projects that are a big one continuous thing, and this one has been compiled of different parts, so for each side (there's four sides), I have had to crochet separately over and over the same thing, which is the one thing about crocheting that I try to avoid because I get bored.

 

I am loving the blanket and how it is looking, but I am very happy to see that part behind, and we have now joined all four parts together and made the first continuous row.  Thank goodness.  I can't wait to show you the progress. 

 

 

*** From the camera *** 

I love this one, this sweet kitten which we've called Pepper, just loves hanging out on our patio furniture.  ♥

 

 

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

At church we just finished the series called Modern Family and yesterday's sermon was called Releasing Arrows.  It was about the way we raise our children and how we release them into the world, the things we equip them with or how we prepare them for the outside world when we are not around.

 

It was very good.  

{ The past week }

I am so glad to see Friday come around.  It's been one of those weeks that I have not enjoyed, but I will tell you more about it in a moment, along with a testimony that has left both Curt and I with open mouths. 

 

First though let me flood you with little snippets of my past few days.

 

We've had quite a few rainy days, with one specifically being so severe that it knocked out our power for 10 hours.  On days like that, there is not much I can do.  Everything is online, everything requires electricity or internet.  We have become so dependent on this that I wonder what we would do in the case that we ever lost power completely.  My word, can you imagine?

 

Thankfully for me, I love reading, so I took the day to catch up and finish the book I was on, and start the next one, which I have also finished.  I will show you below which one it was. 

 

We have a lot of stray cats on the property, that we feed.  One of the females had kittens a few weeks ago.  These sweet babies have decided to hang out on our front porch, and I couldn't be happier to see them laying there.  How adorable is this baby? 

 

One of the first things I do, is make my bed.  This sweet comforter set is one I got recently, for the summer season.  It's actually a duvet cover which I have started enjoying the past few years, because it makes doing the laundry much easier than having to lug huge comforters into the washer or the laundromat. 

 

I am a creature of habit, and I follow practically the same morning routine during the week.  Once the bed is made, I get ready for the day, then get started with all the homemaking chores.  

 

While I do this, I will turn on my audio Bible, it helps me to read the Bible every day and it makes it easier when I'm not having to find moments to sit with the physical book.  I am currently in Judges.  

 

I want to show you these two plants below and give you a tip that I recently learned, about 6 months ago and it's been life changing for me.

 

Anytime I try to grow anything in water, the water goes rancid and I'm constantly having to change it.  While watching a Mexican lady on Youtube one day, she showed how she keeps her water clear without having to constantly change it, and how the plants thrive as well.

 

I figured I would give it a try but honestly deep inside thinking, this is not going to work.  Well it did.  All you have to do is add about a 1/4 teaspoon of sugar and a splash of vinegar.  That's it.  Look how clear that water is, and this is 3 weeks down.  

 

Watering plants is a weekly chore, but in the summer months I do it twice a week, and I have a lot of plants growing now.  I'm quite the plant lady at this point, and very proud of it I must say.  hahaha

 

I also brought down all the curtains and washed them this week.  It's not a job I enjoy but it's so rewarding when it's done and looks and smells so fresh.  

 

I finished the Tessa Afshar book, then started and finished Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin.  I had heard great things about it, but it was just ok for me.  There was nothing spectacular or special about, and definitely not a book that will stay with me.  

 

That is how books go though, right?  You get some that stay with you forever, change you, you can't stop thinking about them.  Then there are some that get set aside because you can't get into them at all, and then there's others like this one, that were ok, a quick read but nothing memorable.  

 

My next one however is a monster of a book.  Huge chunker that I have been wanting to read for a long time, and think now is the time.  

 

Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset.  It was originally written and published between 1920 and 1922, in Norway has since been translated.

 

Overall, a normal week you would think but something happened that really upset Curt and I.  I actually cried when it happened because I was so angry and so frustrated, I could not believe it.

 

Back on Wednesday Curt noticed a pending charge on our account for $437 at Sam's Club.  Now we do have Sam's club but we don't go often, and it's always in store, matter of fact last time we were there was beginning of May.

 

He asked me if I had bought something and obviously I said no, but we immediately went to check our account, and the day before a transaction of $498 had gone out of Sam's club as well.  We were shocked.  Both transactions had been done using my bank account, which I always have with me.  I got on the phone with Sam's Club and they looked into it and assured me that there was no transaction made from our account, if something had been done using our card at Sam's, it was online and not through our account.  They even sent me an email to send to the bank as proof.

 

After sitting on the phone with the bank for a while, my card was cancelled and I have to wait for a new card to arrive in the mail.  We were told that we had to dispute those transactions but it can only be done after it's cleared the bank, so at that time, the one for 498 could be disputed for fraud, the other pending one we can't do anything until it clears.  So basically $1000 stolen from our account.

 

I won't even tell you how much I detest hackers and scammers and people who commit fraud.  It is the lowest kind of thing you can do to people, stealing their hard earned money.

 

Anyway, this was Wednesday around 5pm when we noticed all this.

 

Thursday morning, I went to our online bank account and disputed both transactions, because the pending one had cleared.  I was told by the bank that not only could they not tell us if this was done online, if it was the same state, or what or who, but that an investigation would be open with their fraud department but basically there is nothing we can do.  We were told it would most likely take months and there was no guarantee we would have those funds refunded.

 

I felt so deflated and so heartbroken over this.  Any money being stolen is horrible, but $1000 is a lot of money.  I put it in God's hands, prayed over it, and let it go, resigned to the fact that would be handled by God and determined that those funds would be returned to us, even if it took months.

 

So, money stolen Tuesday and Wednesday, disputes opened yesterday Thursday in the afternoon, and this morning, both transactions were fully refunded and returned to our account.  To say Curt and I are shocked is an understatement.

 

God has always provided and come through for us, through many difficult moments, but this is unheard of.  The bank itself was shocked that it was resolved that fast, because that is unheard of.

 

For us, it's just another testimony to add to the hundreds of others that God has given us through our lives.  

 

I needed to share that with you all, to give you hope, to serve as a testament of the power of God and what He does for his children.  We remain faithful to Him through all of our trials and He in turn continues to show up and show off.

 

What a mighty wonderful God we serve!!! 

 

 

 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 06/22/2026 }

 

 

Good morning everyone, and Happy Summer!  Yuck!!!  hahaha  

 

Not going to lie, I am not happy that summer is here, but I will just buckle in and ride this out until Fall.  welcome back to another Happy Homemaker Monday. 

 

Anyway, welcome, come on in and let's see what is happening around our homes this week.  

 

Sandra

xoxoxoxo 

 

 

*** The Weather *** 

Ugh, just Ugh!  Hot and crazy humidity.  We are supposed to get some rain this week, but I've realized that most of the time we get told we have rain coming, it never arrives.  So a forecast for a rainy week has instead been replaced by heat in the triple digits.  Lord help us!

 

Monday - Rain, 92 

Tuesday - Sunny, 88  

Wednesday - Sunny, 89 

Thursday - Sunny, 97 

Friday - Partly cloudy, 97 

Saturday - Sunny, 100 

Sunday - Sunny, 101

 

 

*** Right now I am *** 

Just made my breakfast and have sat down to work on this post.  

 

 

*** Thinking and pondering *** 

After four years of a relationship, Jasmine broke up with her boyfriend and told him to move out.  You know as our children get older and move out, we think they are settled and everything is good and then we start hearing and learning certain things.

 

She was in an abusive relationship, thankfully it didn't get to the physical part although he had started threatening it.  We also found out that the past 3 years she has paid all the bills on her own and he was just taking her bank card and using it for himself without her consent.  Curt and I are beyond upset.  So needless to say the past week has been stressful while we helped her get him out of her apartment, moved things around, helped her clean and get things back to sorts.  

 

I am stressed and tired and sore and frustrated and just absolutely sad for our daughter.  But it's ok, God has this and it will be ok.

 

All this just to say, speak to your children no matter how old they are.  You never know what is going on in the background, if I hadn't pushed her to tell me, she wouldn't have said anything because she didn't want to upset us as her parents.  

 

 

*** How I am feeling ***

Tired.  These past two days especially have been hard physically and emotionally for both Curt and I.     

 

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

On my second cup of coffee.  Also had my usual two scrambled eggs with half an avocado and a piece of toast.  

 

 

*** On the lunch plate ***

Salad.   

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

Fricassee Chicken, Pasta, Roast Veggies 

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

 

Monday - Fricassee Chicken, Pasta, Roast Veggies  

Tuesday -  Salmon, Curried Rice, Tomato and Cucumber Salad

Wednesday -Teriyaki Steak, Sesame Noodles, Kimchi

Thursday - Ground Beef with Cabbage, Broccoli and Cauliflower

Friday - Chicken Shawarma, Garlic Fries

Saturday - Fend for yourself, Leftovers

Sunday -  Turkish Gozleme

 

 

*** What I am wearing *** 

Still in my summer pajamas, pink with black polka dots. 

 

 

*** On my reading pile *** 

Joshua in the Bible. 

 

Have just a few pages left of The Peasant King by Tessa Afshar.  Will finish it today and move on to the next, which I actually don't know what it will be. 

 

 

*** On my TV this week *** 

 

YouTube:

Homemaking 

Christian book vloggers 

Quiet and simple living 

Homemakers in Brazil, Portugal and Mexico  

 

World Cup:

Lots of matches every day, and Portugal play on Tuesday as well  

 

Turkish series:

New summer series have begun, so watching, Doganin Kanunu and Muhtemel Ask. 

 

 

*** Looking around the house *** 

My house needs a good clean today, it's been a weekend of clothes from Jasmine and her belongings being moved back and forth from storage to the apartment etc.  She also bought a new couch and coffee table that were delivered here.

 

Needless to say I've been over at her place for days and I have neglected my own house, so a good clean is in order today. 

 

 

*** To do list *** 

Water inside plants 

Water plants and veggies outside on the patio 

Daily bible reading and devotional/bible study 

Daily 15k steps

Homemaking chores  

 

This week: 

Grocery shopping

Painting the entryway

 

 

*** What I am creating ***

Finished all the flowers on the crochet blanket and have now started the Hyacinths.  You don't see the Hyacinths in this picture because I took this right after I finished the tulip flowers. 

 

 

*** From the camera *** 

Rainy days will always be my favorite.

 

 

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

Praying for my daughter.  She is happy to be rid of her ex but it will take a bit of getting used to and she needs to heal.  

 

 

{ Shattered by Dr. David Jeremiah - TLC Book Tour }

 Shattered (The Vanished Series)

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication date: June 16, 2026

Print length: 368 pages

The Vanished series continues with Shattered: In a turbulent world reshaped by the Rapture, ancient prophecies stir as the ominous Antichrist rises.

In a world turned upside down by the cataclysmic events of the Rapture, the unraveling of divine prophecies stirs chaos and uncertainty. Saul Katz, a gifted scientist, finds his life irrevocably changed as he joins the 144,000 chosen evangelists.

In the shadows of Istanbul, John Haggerty embarks on his own perilous journey, driven by vengeance. He holds Matthias Vilks, the ominous face of the Antichrist, accountable for the collapse of America and his own heart-wrenching loss. But between the dangerous lures of power and the call to resist the satanic forces gathering, Haggs finds his choices shadowed by peril.

As darkness gathers and prophecy, betrayal, and redemption intertwine, faith and courage are the world’s final bastions of hope against impending doom.

About the Author

Dr. David Jeremiah is the founder of Turning Point Ministries, an international ministry committed to providing Christians with sound Bible teaching through radio and television, the internet, live events, and resource materials and books. He is the author of more than fifty books, including The Book of Signs, The Great Disappearance, Where Do We Go from Here? And The Promise of Heaven.

Dr. Jeremiah serves as the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California. He and his wife, Donna, have four children and twelve grandchildren.