{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 03/09/2026 }

 

 

 

Good morning sweet ladies, welcome back.

 

First I need to apologize for putting this post up so late, but this time change is really confusing me.  I am so tired and so out of it.  I'm sure I'm not the only one, but anyway, let's just get going.

 

I hope you are all doing well, and I wish you a very blessed week ahead.

  

Sandra

♥♥♥♥

 

 

 *** The Weather *** 

Confusing.  90 degrees one day, and the next morning 30.  I gave up trying to understand it.  We have also headed straight into Tornado season and had some tornado watches over the weekend.  I'm praying for a calmer, warmer week. 

 

Monday - Partly cloudy, 89

Tuesday - Thunderstorms, 85

Wednesday - Partly cloudy, 67

Thursday - Sunny, 69

Friday - Sunny, 85

Saturday - Sunny, 90

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 79

 

 

*** Right now I am *** 

Trying to get this post up as quick as I can, while listening to worship music.  

 

 

*** Thinking and pondering *** 

Normal day to day stuff, meal planning and house cleaning, bills, but also really wanting to get this blog taken care of.  I am finally 100% better and feel like I can finally move on with my days. 

 

 

*** How I am feeling ***

Good physically, and blessed.  Listening to worship music always reminds just how blessed I am.  I will say, I am one of those people that just cries her eyes out while listening to worship, I just can't help it.   

 

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

Just had a toasted ciabatta roll with some Irish butter, and two scrambled eggs.  I've also had my two cups of coffee already, seems to be a daily thing lately.   

 

*** On the lunch plate *** 

I am not hungry at all, my breakfast filled me up, but if I get peckish I do have a vegetable tray in the fridge and will nibble on that.      

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

Roast Pork with roast potatoes, salad.    

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

It is again time to work on the new meal plan.  As always I will have meals just until Tuesday, then the new menu kicks in.

 

Monday - Roast Pork with roast potatoes, salad

Tuesday -  Panda Express Chow Mein with Pork (will use the leftover pork from the roast), Steamed Broccoli

Wednesday - Chicken Bake with peppers and olives, Quinoa, Chickpea salad

Thursday -  

Friday - 

Saturday -   

Sunday - 

 

*** What I am wearing *** 

A summer dress, it will be quite hot today and it's my rest day from working out.    

 

 

*** On my reading pile *** 

I finished the whole Medieval Christian Fiction trilogy by Carrie Cotten, and really, really enjoyed it.  Also finished a new book called Lisbon, and have started on Martha by Diana Wallis Taylor which is a biblical fiction. 

In the Bible I am reading through Genesis.  At church we are reading through Ecclesiastes for our sermon series called The World is Not Enough. 

 

 

 

*** On my TV this week *** 

Turkish shows:

Guller Ve Gunahlar

Ayni Yagmur Altinda

Sevdigim Sensin

Yeralti

Abi

 

YouTube homemaking and book videos

 

*** Looking around the house *** 

I gave the house a good clean yesterday, so aside from just the daily tasks of maintaining the home.  

 

 

*** To do list for today*** 

Water inside plants 

Daily bible reading and devotional/bible study

Get at least 10k steps in

New meal plan and grocery list 

 

*** What I am creating *** 

Nothing, I still need to finish the Lego flower and haven't yet picked up my crochet blanket at all.  The past 2 months have been so crazy and have gone so quickly, I feel like I haven't had a chance to breathe.      

 

 

*** From the camera *** 

I just adore books and when I see a stack like this, I can't help but smile. 

 

 

 

 

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

Still praying over so many things, my list is never ending.

 

I wanted to share a song with you today, it's my absolute favorite at the moment, and when we sing it at church it just penetrates my heart like nothing else.  

{ All I read in February }

I do believe February was the month I have read the most books, ever.  I try to read, but I do go through some phases where I don't pick up a book, or I struggle to get through a single one in months.  Then there are times when I can't seem to get enough of reading, and I zip through the books as quick as I can read them.

 

February was such a month for me. 

 

I stepped away from social media, and just focused on living my life in the reality around me, which is something I do most of the time anyway, but even I get sucked into the doom scrolling on Instagram and other social media outlets.  It's never a good thing, and when I step away from it, I feel so much better.

 

So that's what I did, and I ended up reading 7 books.  I don't think there was a single book on that pile that I didn't enjoy or struggled getting through.  They were all Christian fiction which means very minimal nonsense and when I say nonsense I mean things that I don't want to read anymore.

 

As I have progressed in my Christian journey and have gotten closer to God, there are a lot of things that he convicts me to do, and things to avoid.  I used to love romance books, books with spice and smut and all that other stuff.  Now, I can't read them at all, they make me very uncomfortable and quite honestly, I don't think they add anything to the story itself.  But that is my personal opinion.  Instead, I have been nudged to read more Christian fiction, and I am loving it.

 

If that's a genre you are looking into reading, then here are some books that I think you will enjoy.

 

 

The Huntress by Carrie Cotten - #1 in the Medieval Christian Fiction

 

 Betrayed by their allies, the last of the Picts have escaped to the innermost part of an endless, dark forest, content to remain hidden there forever. Made queen at just a child, Cyrene has given all of her life and heart to the task of making sure her people are never terrorized again.

When a handsome stranger from the kingdom that betrayed them falls injured at the boundary of her village, she’s forced to choose between mercy and duty.

The second son of a ruling monarch, Duncan would never be considered for the throne, neither did he wish to be. But when a plague sweeps through the land, he is the only one of royal blood left standing. Returning to the tower that holds too many dark memories, the truth of his father’s tangled reign begins to unravel and Duncan is once again forced into a role he never wanted.

 

 

The Viking by Carrie Cotten - #2 in the Medieval Christian Fiction

 

Will the loyalty that saved their kingdom destroy their hearts?

As a girl, Astrid washed up on the shores of the Picts, haunting memories of her homeland locked deep inside. She began a new life serving Queen Cyrene, ultimately becoming her dearest friend and the captain of her army. But when Cyrene’s unexpected marriage unites her people with the enemy realm of Tràigh, only Astrid’s dedication to the crown can help her battle her mistrust of these rival forces, especially their maddening captain, Eowin.

Trusted as a brother, Eowin can imagine no life other than serving his king. As Tràigh struggles to hold its place amid tumult, a mysterious Viking warrior and his men sail in with a claim that will change everything. Sent to far lands on an impossible mission, Eowin finds his courage, integrity, and wisdom stretched to the limits.

Will he sacrifice everything for this warrior maiden he can never have? 

 

 

The Raven by Carrie Cotten - #3 in the Medieval Christian Fiction 

 

Will the darkness that hides her finally destroy her?

Revna has spent her whole life thirsting for justice. When the chance to avenge her murdered mother and enslaved sister is denied her, she finds an even greater cause in gathering her people from their Norse captors and sending them home. Using threats and violence as her shield, she has built a seemingly invincible and invisible persona of terror. Then the drunken son of a chieftain discovers that the much-feared “Raven” is really just a slight teenage girl.

Unable to please his angry father or protect his villagers from extortion and need, Aksel turns to endless mugs of mead to drown his despair. But a fierce little bird turns all that upside down. With her unequivocal purpose and unparalleled bravery, Revna rescues him from his meaningless existence but at a staggering cost neither of them expects.

Revna and Aksel will sacrifice everything to free the slaves, but who will free them from the bondage of their pasts and the truth behind their disguises?

 

 

Spark of the Revolution by Megan Soja - #1 in the Harbor of Spies Series

 

Contrary to her name, Patience Abbott has long felt unsettled and anxious to leave behind her painful memories in England for a fresh start in America. But her new life isn’t quite what she expected, and as tension grows in her new home of Boston, so does the distance between Patience and her estranged father. So when Josiah Wagner walks into her life, it finally feels like she’s not alone. If only his patriotic leanings didn’t put him at odds with her father’s loyalties.

Josiah Wagner has spent his life yearning for a true home and family, something he works toward each day, forging tools as a blacksmith, and each night, forging plans with the Sons of Liberty. But when the destruction of tea in Boston Harbor lights the spark of the Revolution, Josiah finds himself drawn into its tumultuous wake, pulling the woman he loves along with him.

As tensions mount, will their search for belonging lead to each other, or will the obstacles between them be too great to overcome? In a land on the brink of war, can they find the home they seek in the One who calls them His own?

  

 

Secrets of the Revolution by Megan Soja - #2 in the Harbor of Spies Series

 

Hannah Pierce is determined to keep her father‘s apothecary shop running, despite his failing health, the heavy burden of her mother’s recent death, and the mysterious disappearance of her brother. She’ll do whatever it takes to preserve her family’s legacy, including joining a dangerous ring of patriot spies...and falling for a revolutionary printer with a brave heart.

William Abbott always keeps his promises. He vowed long ago to never abandon those in need like his father did. So when new British acts of Parliament threaten Boston and endanger his family, he throws himself into serving the Patriot cause, using his position at the printing office to gather and spread intelligence. But when his clandestine role in the newly formed spy ring causes him to cross paths with the apothecary’s beautiful daughter, he may find himself fighting for more than the cause.

As tensions in Boston reach a breaking point, Will and Hannah find their bond deepening even as the noose tightens around the spy ring. When promises and determination are not enough to protect the ones they love, they’ll need to trust God if they are to survive what is to come. 

 

 

Scars of the Revolution by Megan Soja - #3 in the Harbor of Spies Series

 

Libby Caldwell has been in love with Isaac Harrison for years, ever since her late father befriended him. While her head knows there is no hope of sharing her life with a British soldier, her heart is much more difficult to convince, especially now that he is quartering in her home. With Boston under siege and battle looming, each day together forces her to recognize how deep her feelings truly are…and how forbidden.

Bound by duty to both his family and country, Isaac is determined to serve honorably in the King’s army, despite never wishing to be a soldier. But quartering with the widow and daughter of his old friend places another obligation on his shoulders—that of their well-being. The more time he spends with Miss Caldwell, the more that duty begins to feel like something personal, something he cannot allow.

As the siege of Boston tightens, Libby finds herself drawn into a dangerous game of espionage that could save the Patriot cause—and destroy any chance of a future with the man she’s growing to love. 

 

Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar

 

Before Christ called her daughter . . .

Before she stole healing by touching the hem of his garment . . .

Elianna is a young girl crushed by guilt. After her only brother is killed while in her care, Elianna tries to earn forgiveness by working for her father's textile trade and caring for her family. When another tragedy places Elianna in sole charge of the business, her talent for design brings enormous success, but never the absolution she longs for. As her world unravels, she breaks off her betrothal to the only man she will ever love. Then illness strikes, isolating Elianna from everyone, stripping everything she has left.

No physician can cure her. No end is in sight. Until she hears whispers of a man whose mere touch can heal. After so many years of suffering and disappointment, is it possible that one man could redeem the wounds of body . . . and soul?

 

 

 

{ Big local book sale and what I got }

Once a year, our local town has a huge book sale, I mean thousands of books lined up across tables, the perfect place to get lost in and just browse.

 

We don't go every year, but on Saturday, we did.  One thing Curt and I do, is that once a month, we go out with the kids, just the kids, not any boyfriends/girlfriends etc., just us and our children.  We go downtown, we go shopping, we have lunch and we spend the day together.  It's something we started doing this year, and it's been wonderful to have that time as a family. 

 

So off to the book sale we went.  When I tell you that there were thousands of books, in a myriad of genres, something for everyone, even homeschooling materials, which I would have loved back in the day when I was a homeschooling mama.  If you know me, you know I love books.

 

 

I did go through a phase where I wasn't reading, but the past year I have gotten back into devouring books and it's been wonderful.

 

I will show you tomorrow what I read in February, which was 6 or 7 books.  I am starting March with one of the books I picked up at this sale, and so far, I am really enjoying it.

 

But, let's stop talking and let's start seeing the haul. 

 

 

I have heard of Victoria Holt for a long time but didn't have any of her books, and hadn't ready any of her work, so when I spotted two books of hers, I immediately grabbed them.

 

Victoria Holt was born in 1906 and died in 1993 at 86 years old.  She wrote mainly historical fiction (one of favorite genres), gothic fiction and romantic fiction.

 

The two books I got were:

 

My Enemy the Queen - It was Lettice who married the Earl of Leicester, whom Elizabeth I loved. And it was Lettice who was the mother of the Queen's beloved Earl of Essex. That young earl would one day break the Queen's heart.

It was always Lettice, the constant spoiler in the triangle of love surrounding Elizabeth...

 

Secret for a Nightingale -  With the outbreak of the Crimean War, Susanna Pleydell journeys to the Middle East to work as a nurse with the legendary Florence Nightingale, but is haunted by a dark secret from her past.

 

I also have heard a lot about Mary Stewart, and also found two of her books.  She was a British writer who mainly wrote romantic mysteries.  I don't usually like mysteries but I'm trying to expand my reading genre a bit.

 

Thornyhold - The rambling house called Thornyhold is like something out of a fairy tale.

Left to Gilly Ramsey by the cousin whose occasional visits brightened her childhood, the cottage, set deep in a wild wood, has come just in time to save her from a bleak future.

With its reputation for magic and its resident black cat, Thornyhold offers Gilly more than just a new home. It offers her a chance to start over... 

 

The Hollow Hills - Keeping watch over the young Arthur Pendragon, the prince and prophet Merlin Ambrosius is haunted by dreams of the magical sword Caliburn, which has been hidden for centuries. When Uther Pendragon is killed in battle, the time of destiny is at hand, and Arthur must claim the fabled sword to become the true High King of Britain.  

 

Hollow Hills is book #2 in the Arthurian Saga, and I won't read it until I get book #1 from Thriftbooks first, which is already on the way.  

 

Also got:

 

The Virgin's Daughter by Jeane Westin

Lisbon by Valerie Sherwood (this is the one I actually started today) 

Queen by Right by Anne Easter Smith 

Prince of Time by Glenna McReynolds

 

 

Next, I got some good ones, Lynn Austin is a favorite, so is Catherine Cookson and Georgette Heyer, so I was thrilled to find some of theirs.  I also have always wanted to read a Daphne du Maurier book so grabbed one.

 

Gods and Kings by Lynn Austin

Once there was a Farm by Virginia Bell 

The Lady and Doc Holliday by Preston Lewis 

Miss Martha Mary Crawford by Catherine Marchant (Catherine Cookson)

April Lady by Georgette Heyer 

Sylvester or the Wicked Uncle by Georgette Heyer

The House on the Strand by Daphne du Maurier

The Scandalous Mrs. Blackford by Harnett Kane 

Martha by Diana Wallis Taylor  

 

 

The last ones I got were:

 

Spoonhandle by Ruth Moore 

The Hollow Hills by Mary Steward (already mentioned above)

A Lady of Hidden Intent by Tracie Peterson (book #2 in the Ladies of Liberty series)

A Lady of Secret Devotion by Tracie Peterson (book #3 in the Ladies of Liberty series)

 

I do have the first book on the way from Thriftbooks as well.  I just love that I can find the missing books in my series, for super cheap on this website.  Thriftbooks is by far, my most used website on the internet. 

 

Have you read any of these books?  I would love to know if you did and what you thought. 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 03/02/2026 }

 

 

Good morning and welcome back to my blog :)

 

I am so glad to be coming to you this morning, feeling almost 100% better.  This cold that we got hit with has been ongoing for 2 weeks, but we are right at the end of it, just have a bit of a cough lingering and some congestion.  It's going around, everyone seems to be down with it and we just pray for healing for not only ourselves but everyone else.

 

Today, I want to start this post by praying for our military, for our fallen soldiers and their families.  As a former military wife, and the wife of a Veteran, my heart is always with our men and women and their safety.  I pray the Lord protect them, and keep them safe.

 

I hope you are all doing well, I thank you for the prayers and for the well wishes, and for always being here even if I step away for a little as has been the case the past two weeks.  I have more posts this week, and another recipe to share on the food blog, so I'm grateful to be able to get back to business, so to speak.

 

Now, enough rambling, I pray you all have a blessed week, and let's get on with our Happy Homemaker Monday post.  

Sandra

♥♥♥♥

 

 

 *** The Weather *** 

It's been so beautiful and warm, although this morning we are sitting at 30 degrees and cold.  I really wish the weather would decide what it's doing, and get it done.  We have some rain this coming week, and the beginning of our Tornado season as well, with some severe weather on the horizon.  Welcome to Texas Spring. 

 

Monday - Mix of clouds and sun, 65

Tuesday - Partly Cloudy, 83 

Wednesday - Cloudy, 65

Thursday - AM showers, 77

Friday - Scattered thunderstorms, 84

Saturday - Thunderstorms, 64

Sunday - Mostly cloudy, 71

 

 

*** Right now I am *** 

Just got on my computer to work on this post.  My cough was bugging me a bit this morning, so I took some syrup and stupidly didn't realize that I had grabbed the NyQuil.  The bottle is very similar to my normal Equate Walmart cough syrup.  Hahahah

 

Needless to say, at around 7:30 AM, I conked out on the bed, and just woke up wondering what on earth was going on and why my neck hurt.  Oh Sandra!  

 

 

*** Thinking and pondering *** 

On so much, just have a lot going on in my mind.  But I am choosing to be still, to lean into God and let the world deal with itself.  My prayers have been incessant the past 3 days, I feel like I can't think, breathe, or take a step without talking to God.  And if that is what needs to happen for the foreseeable future, then that is what I'll be doing.  Interceding!  

 

 

*** How I am feeling ***

As I said above, practically 100%, but the cough is still lingering, and we are at that stage where the body is trying to clear up all the mucus etc.  (I'm sorry that seems gross to talk about but you will know what I'm talking about). 

 

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

I had a cup of coffee with some Caramel Almond Creamer, and a bowl of Banana Nut Crunch cereal.  

 

*** On the lunch plate *** 

Not sure, I haven't been very hungry lately.  I won't know what I feel like until I actually am staring at the fridge later.    

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

Steaks with creamy oregano sauce, basmati rice (cauliflower rice for me), Green bean salad  

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

 

Monday - Steaks with creamy oregano sauce, basmati rice (cauliflower rice for me), Green bean salad

Tuesday -  Garlic Lemon Tilapia, Roast vegetables

Wednesday - Pork Roast with roast potatoes, Salad

Thursday -  Chicken Green Bean Stir Fry, Rice, Egg Rolls

Friday - BLT Sandwiches, Curly Fries

Saturday -  Renaissance Faire 

Sunday - Mediterranean Ground Beef Pita Pockets, Sweet Potato Fries, Chickpea Salad

 

*** What I am wearing *** 

Wearing a summer night gown right now, it's been quite hot with temps in the high 80s.  Will put on a summer dress soon, I am not working out today, it is my rest day so a dress will do.  

 

 

*** On my reading pile *** 

Trying to finish The Raven by Carrie Cotten.  I was hoping to have finished it before March, so that I could add it to my February books pile to share in a post tomorrow.  But that's ok, I'll finish it the next few days.

 

My next book will probably come from my new haul that I got on Saturday at our local book sale.  Can't wait to show you all.  

 

In the Bible I am reading through Genesis and doing a study as well.

 

 

 

*** On my TV this week *** 

Some Turkish shows

YouTube homemaking and book videos

 

*** Looking around the house *** 

The sun is already up and shining brightly through the house.  I have been doing a lot of organizing, decluttering and so on, so I have a few boxes that need to go to the thrift store this week.  

 

 

*** To do list for today*** 

Water inside plants 

Daily bible reading and devotional/bible study

Get at least 10k steps in 

Try to get my new birth control and calcium ordered.  My doctor didn't put them in until yesterday after my appointment on Friday. 

 

 

*** What I am creating *** 

I will be finishing my Lego Flower today and will show you.  I know one of you asked to see it, and I promise I will show you as soon as it's done, unfortunately being sick didn't give me the motivation or energy to do much of anything.    

 

 

*** From the camera *** 

Absolutely loving my new Bible, it is wonderful.     

 

 

 

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

Praying for our country and for our troops.

Praying for these colds to go away, not just for us but for anyone who is sick with it right now.

 

 

{ New Bible and Bible study resources }

I recently started reading the Bible from the beginning again.  It's something I've been wanting to do again and started just a few weeks ago, but this time I wanted to do a more in depth study of each book, have a way that captured my attention and a way to write down all those things that catch my eye.

 

As I've read the Bible fully through, a few years ago, I find that anytime I go back and read any part of it again, it's like reading it for the first time.  I either don't remember reading a certain verse, or I suddenly understand a passage that made no sense to me the last time I read it.  It's always a new experience and I love it, I guess that's why the Bible is often referred to as the Living Word.

 

 So I went looking for resources that I can use, something to help me.  I got just a few things and I wanted to share them with you, not just to have them here on the blog recorded, but in case it may motivate one of you to do the same.  Or you may see something you want for yourself.  I don't make any money from any of these recommendations, so don't think I'm trying to influence anyone to get anything in the hopes of some sort of kickback.  None of my links are affiliate links, or in any way provide me anything, other than just me wanting to share something I love with all my friends on here.

 

The first thing I got was a new Bible.  I can not get enough Bibles, I think because I also enjoy reading different versions and getting a sense of them all, some versions are easy to read, others *cough King James Version cough* are so difficult for me to understand.   Then I am also a simple shallow woman, I guess, who loves pretty bibles.  I already have 3, and they're all beautiful to me, but this new one is going to help me with a further in depth study, that is the main reason I got it.  It doesn't hurt that it's a beautiful leather olive green color either, but that's besides the point right? *wink*

 

Let me show you what I am going to use.

 

First, the new Bible.  It is a NLV version from Tyndale.  It is called the Every Woman's Bible, and as I mentioned above, I picked the Olive Green color.  This is not just a normal Bible, the reason I picked it is because of all the extra resources within it, that will help me do a deeper study into each book.   I also downloaded and printed the Bible Reading Worksheet from the website.  There is also a channel on YouTube where many contributors share how the Bible has changed their lives.

 

Ok now with that out of the way, let me finally show you.

 

Beautiful illustrations with so much information.  I am a very visual person, so these really help to understand.

 

 

It also includes a timeline, how long it will take to read that specific book and brings two attached ribbon bookmarks, one for the Old Testament and one for the New Testament.

 

 

As well as a One Year Reading plan, which I think is actually very helpful if you want to read the Bible in one year, instead of taking your time or do a deeper study.

 

Something else I found helpful and just wonderful to have, are the parables of Jesus in visual form, summarizing what each one is about and also pointing me to the specific verse in the Bible.

 

 

Now, the tabs I picked for this Bible are from Mr Pen.  I got them on Amazon for just $5.99, they're really good quality and quite thick which I like so they won't tear off or bend easily.  They also come with a tab guide to help you attach them easily.  I know it may seem like a useless thing, but I actually found it very helpful, they are spaced just right.

 

As for the highlighters, I love highlighting words or passages in the Bible but unfortunately any highlighter I have used in the past, has bled through to the opposite page and I really don't like how that looks.  I was looking for gel highlighters that wouldn't bleed and found these. 

 

They are the Blieve Bible Highlighters, Gel, no bleed and I've tried them out and they work perfectly for what I need.  Also very inexpensive at Amazon.  Just $7.99.

Finally, I also picked up this Spiral Bound Bible.  The reason as I explained above, is that I want to take notes but not necessarily scribble all over my actual Bible, not that there's anything wrong with that, but because I want to do a deeper dive, I want to have more room to write.

 

This one is from Pentateuch, and it includes the first 5 books of the Old Testament.  I will purchase the others as I go, but for now, this one will probably be more than enough for the next year or two, depending on how long I take with the book studies.

 

 

When I was in school, one of my favorite things to do was projects where I had to write things out or compose a journal or something visual.  I loved anytime we had printouts that we had to glue to the pages of our books, you know the ones where you fold back to see the text?

 

So it's something I always enjoyed doing and I thought, why can't I do that here too?  So that is my plan, to print out a few images to glue to the pages, things that will help me visualize the text, and then I can also write quotes, thoughts, whatever I am getting from the book.

 

 

The first thing I did was download and print out this wonderful image/diagram of the book of Genesis.  I got these from the Bible project website.  They have a full page of Old testament, New testament, Sermons, insights, videos whatever you need to help you study the word.

 

 

I know this all probably seems pointless to some of you, but I would rather spend my time doing this and studying God's word, than reaching for my phone or watching mindless videos on the televison for hours on end.  

 

I believe the older I get the more I want to be mindful with my time and how I spend it.  This is a way for me to grow closer to God but also have fun.

 

I hope you enjoyed looking through my new Bible and resources, and if you have any ideas or suggestions about how you Bible study, please share them in the comment section, I am always open to suggestions.   

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 02/23/2026 }

 

 

Good morning everyone :)

 

Come on in out of the cold.  Yes, it's cold again, at least for the next few days, then thankfully warmer weather.  I am ready for Spring.  Our grass is starting to get green, the birds are all chirping and happy flying around and I am already envisioning my garden and beautiful plants all over.    

 

We are starting another week, still on the tail end of this cold.  It seems to be going around, everyone is sick, our Pastor, our worship leader has been sick for the past 3 weeks.  It's crazy, so I'm sending prayers and blessings to all of you who are currently in the same boat.

 

Now, let's get on with our post.  Have a blessed Monday friends. 

Sandra

♥♥♥♥

 

 

 *** The Weather *** 

Cold right now, and so uncertain, up and down, cold and hot.  Here is what our week ahead looks like:

 

Monday - Sunny, 61

Tuesday - Partly Cloudy, 80 

Wednesday - Partly cloudy, 79

Thursday - Sunny, 75

Friday - Sunny, 80

Saturday - Mostly Sunny, 84

Sunday - Mostly Sunny, 58

 

 

*** Right now I am *** 

Typing up this post at my desk, listening to a Christian video on the television, and was also just talking to Nick.  He caught what we have and is not feeling that great, so making sure he is starting on meds immediately. 

 

 

*** Thinking and pondering *** 

We have been on a mission to organize and clear out our home.  I am doing the kitchen and one of the big hallway closets this week.  Will be decluttering, putting away items that are not used daily or that are seasonal (Christmas), and giving away some that I won't be using anymore. 

 

 

*** How I am feeling ***

I will say that I am about 90% better, but it's the tail end cough that gets on my nerves.  It always lasts forever.  I was coughing so much this morning that I actually pulled a muscle on my chest wall and now every time I need to cough, it hurts like all heck.  But, it's just part of the process, I will be taking my cough syrup and meds soon and will just move on with my day.  My poor Curt is in the same boat, so I am praying fast healing for us as well as Nick. 

 

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

I have already had two cups of coffee before 8 AM.  Hahaha  Oh it's going to be one of those days.  I don't know what I'll be eating, not in the mood for anything in particular, so I may just have some toast.  

 

*** On the lunch plate *** 

Probably some yogurt with granola.   

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

Gnocchi Bolognese, Garlic Bread, Salad  

 

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

I need to get the new meal plan worked out, again.  I feel like I am constantly grocery shopping and meal planning, even though it's every two weeks.  Time needs to slow down.

 

Monday - Gnocchi Bolognese, Garlic Bread, Salad

Tuesday -  

Wednesday - 

Thursday -  

Friday - 

Saturday -  

Sunday - 

 

*** What I am wearing *** 

Still in my pajamas and also have a cardigan on because it is so cold this morning.   Will change into some sweat pants and a tank top later.

 

 

*** On my reading pile *** 

Currently reading The Raven by Carrie Cotten.  It is the last book in the Medieval ChristianTrilogy. 

 

In the Bible I am reading through Genesis still.

 

 

*** On my TV this week *** 

Some Turkish shows, some Hallmark movies and lots of book videos on YouTube.  

 

*** Looking around the house *** 

It is early, but the sun is shining so bright already, another sign that we are inching closer to Spring.  I gave the house a good cleaning and reset yesterday afternoon, so I don't have much house cleaning to do today, which means I can concentrate on the kitchen declutter. 

 

 

*** To do list for today*** 

Make new meal plan and grocery list and order groceries for pickup 

Water inside plants 

Daily bible reading and devotional/bible study

Get at least 10k steps in 

Declutter kitchen cabinets, pack unused items in plastic tubs, make a pile for donation 

 

 

*** What I am creating *** 

I started my last Lego flower bouquet yesterday, it's one of my Christmas gifts.  I want to finish it today.   

 

 

*** From the camera *** 

My week in one image.    

 

 

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

Praying for our colds to go away, and for Nick to not get as sick as we did.