{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 08/24/2026 }

Good morning sweet friends, and welcome back to my blog and to the last Happy Homemaker Monday of August.  I am so happy to be saying those words, specifically the last one of August, because it means August is at an end and with it the unwanted and not needed ridiculous temperatures.  

 

We had a little bit of rain this weekend and it was glorious, but we need more as we've been in a horrible severe drought and 30 days of triple digit extreme heat.  I'm so done, I think today I may pull out Fall decorations and just say that's it, I've had it.  Hahaha  

 

Anyway, I have a very busy week ahead, I have new couches coming at the end of the week, long overdue because our current ones we've had since 2007, and they are old folks.  

 

I also have to get ready for my stepmom's arrival next week, from South Africa.  So lots to do and prepare for.

 

I hope you all have a fantastic blessed week ahead.  Now let's go see what is happening around our homes. 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥
Disgustingly hot.  I've been struggling to keep our chickens alive during the hot afternoons.  We have fans and misters and cold water but it's been tough for them.  I'm so done.  

Monday - Mostly sunny, 112
Tuesday - Mostly sunny, 109
Wednesday - Mostly cloudy, 99
Thursday - Partly cloudy, 99
Friday - Sunny, 101
Saturday - Sunny, 103
Sunday - Sunny, 105


♥♥ As I look outside my window ♥♥
it's a bit cloudy at the moment which makes me happy, but I know soon it will clear completely and we will have bright blue skies with not a cloudy in sight, and horrible high temps.  

♥♥ Right now I am ♥♥
At my desk, working on this post and writing a list of everything I need to do this week.  I am also listening to the news in Portugal on live tv. 

 

♥♥ Thinking and pondering ♥♥
On a lot of things, but mainly the visit next week, all I need to do, menu plan which I need to start today, grocery list, bills and getting ready for new couches etc. 


♥♥ How am I feeling ♥♥
I am doing well, I did over eat this weekend, as I've mentioned before I give my self free reign to eat whatever on the weekends but then pay for it on Monday.  I am back on the healthy train again, until next week weekend that is hahahah  

 

Also feeling very excited for my stepmom's visit. 


♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥
I had a cup of coffee with cinnamon and 2% milk, and a bowl of oatmeal with two small chopped dates, some cinnamon and some shredded coconut.  


♥♥ On the lunch plate ♥♥
I'll be having some scrambled eggs with spinach and tomato, a slice of my homemade sourdough bread, toasted.  


♥♥ On the dinner plate ♥♥
Meatballs and Spaghetti, Garlic Bread and Salad.  For me I'll be omitting the spaghetti and having the meatballs with sauteed kabocha squash and zucchini, will also omit the garlic bread and have just the salad. 


♥♥ What I'm wearing ♥♥
Still in my nightgown, it's only 745am.


♥♥ On my reading pile ♥♥
I am finishing off 1 Samuel in the Bible. 

 

Started Henrietta by Sophie Irwin and am really enjoying it so far.   I got it through Blackwells which is a UK book store that I love buying books through.  They have free shipping to the USA and you can find amazing books that may be hard to find here in the States.

 

 

Also have a few non fiction Christian books headed to me, from the publisher.  The first one has arrived and I am starting it today.  It is called A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving: 30 Days of rejoicing in God's goodness by Wendy Speake. 

 

♥♥ On my TV this week ♥♥
Homemaking and book vlogs

The First 48 on Netflix

♥♥ On the menu ♥♥
Starting to work on the new menu today.

 

Monday - Meatballs and Spaghetti, Garlic Bread and Salad 

Tuesday - Moussaka, Roast Veggies
Wednesday - Slow Cooker White Beans and Sausage, Salad
Thursday - 

Friday - 
Saturday - 
Sunday - 


♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥
I need to do a bit more painting and decorating.  I'm basically just finishing off the living room and dining room.  I do plan to bring out my fall decorations and put them up, if summer is going to fight me on this, I am going to force it to leave, at least inside the house.  

 

I am loving my home lately, I've never been one to live in a museum like house.  My house needs to be lived in and look lived in, and that's what I am always striving for.  I want whoever walks in to feel like they can just nap on the couch with a comfy blanket, or read a book in a poofy chair.  


♥♥ To Do List for the week ♥♥
- Carpet Clean, dust, vacuum

- Wash and change out the shower curtains and mats (I do this every week)

- Change bedding

- Clean turtle tank

- Grocery shop on Wednesday 

♥♥ What I am creating ♥♥

Still working on the blanket.  Want to get done with Part 6 this week, if I have time.

♥♥ Something fun to share ♥♥
Here is a fun website for background noise.  Sometimes I want to work on the computer but have just relaxing sounds.  This website lets you choose from a bunch of different sounds to listen to.

 

A Soft Murmur

 

♥♥ From the camera ♥♥

Pumpkin Spice Apple Butter. I had apples to use up, so made another batch of the apple butter, it gave me 2 jars, and a little bit left that I have in the fridge. 

 

♥♥ Devotional ♥♥ 

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. — Galatians 6:7

 

{ New bible studies from Dailygrace }

As a Christian, I have to be brutally honest, and admit that sometimes I don't feel like reading my Bible, or doing any Bible studies.  I hate even admitting this to myself, but it's the truth.  I don't think God gets upset with these kind of things, He better than anyone knows our hearts and who and what we are. 

 

He doesn't take these things as an insult, obviously I am sure He may feel disappointed, especially considering that we spend so much time on other things in life, and when it comes to the spiritual journey we often fall short.  I've often wondered why, it's not that I don't like it, or find it interesting, but for some reason reading and studying the Bible takes a lot out of me mentally.

 

I've also realized that it depends on the time of year, and summer, more specifically July and August are so off.  The heat takes all my energy and motivation, it sucks it right out of me and I am often left feeling like these two months are wasted.  

 

As the month starts winding down, the yearning for more time with God kicks in.  That's when I usually begin to look for more Christian content, more non fiction, more Bible reading and more studies.

 

One of my favorite resources for devotionals and bible studies, is The Daily Grace. I love all of their studies, I love the way they are set up, easy to understand and they keep me interested.

 

I don't know about you guys, but I've had it happen many times with other studies, where I go in and find them confusing, the questions stump me at times and frustrate me and I often end up just walking away.   I haven't had that issue with the ones from The Daily Grace.

 

Here are the three I picked up, and one was free, don't remember why, but I know I paid nothing for it. 

 

Abide -  

Discover the secret to a joyful, sustaining daily intimacy with Jesus.

Do you have a deep desire for a daily, intimate connection with Jesus? 

It’s possible. The way is summed up in one powerful word: Abide.

Abide | Growing Closer to Christ Every Day reveals that abiding in Christ is simple: enjoy, rely, and obey. However, getting there is not without opposition. Discover over the course of 4 weeks the beauty of Jesus and the profound mystery of deep intimacy that he has revealed and made available to you.

This powerful study unpacks John 15 and 1 John, gently guiding you to understand the joyful, intimate relationship that results when Christ abides in you, and you abide in Him.

When Fear Meets Faith -   Are you afraid of what others might think of you? Is it difficult for you to trust others? Do you find yourself crippled by the idea of being harmed? Life in a sinful world provides many reasons to feel afraid. From fearing the approval of man to fearing physical harm, we all experience fear in some way. Fear reminds us of our limitations and illuminates our desire for protection. But how are Christians called to deal with the reality of their fears? 

 

Stand Firm -  Have you ever wondered what it means that Christians are engaged in a spiritual battle? Do you wonder how you are supposed to fight against sin and spiritual darkness in your everyday life? 

 

I will be starting the Abide one next week, and the others probably in September depending on how long I take to get through the first one.

 

If you've done any of these or are currently working on one of them, I would love to hear from you. 

Blessings,
♥ Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

{ Cooking Thursday - Turkish Pasta }

The recipe I'm sharing today, is for a Turkish pasta that my family and I have been loving.  It is simple to make but tastes so good, and it's a nice twist on the usual Pasta dishes we're used to.

 

Hope you enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Turkish Pasta 

Source: This Healthy Table 

Ingredients

• 1 pound Farfalle pasta
• 1 pound ground beef or lamb
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• Optional - 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta in boiling water according to package directions. 
2. While the pasta is cooking, add the ground beef to a hot pan over medium-high heat. Break the meat up with the back of a spoon. Then, add the onion powder, paprika, black pepper, curry powder, and salt. Stir to combine. Then add the onion and stir again. Cook for 10 minutes or until the meat has browned and crispy. 
3. Add the yogurt, salt, and garlic in a bowl. Stir till fully combined.
4. Add the butter to a small pot over medium heat. Once melted, add the paprika and if using, the Aleppo pepper and cumin. Whisk to combine and remove from the heat.
5. To assemble the dish, add some pasta to a bowl or plate, then top with some cooked meat, yogurt sauce, butter sauce, and sprinkle on parsley and tomatoes. 

{ Wordless Wednesday }

{ Tuesday - a day of crocheting and reading }

I like to take a day a week, where I set aside the usual day to day hum drums, and concentrate on the hobbies that I love.  Today, it was reading and crocheting.

 

My morning started very early, and with a cup of coffee in hand, I settled in bed with my current read.  There is something about early morning reading, while the world is still asleep, and the only noise in the background is that of birds chirping outside. 

After reading for about an hour, I moved to the living room and worked on my crochet blanket.  The dreaded blanket that has had me stumped, has had me frogging and ripping and remaking the same row after row.

 

I wanted to give it up, set it aside and forget about it, and I even debated just leaving it as is, a small round lap blanket, but I was determined that I wouldn't let a crochet project defeat me.

 

After much frustration I got past the lace part of the project and finally moved onto the next.  I would love to tell you that the next few rows were so simple and it flowed right on, but alas, I guess I have a love hate with this blanket, because I ended up having to pull apart another 2 rows and make them again.  This blanket and I are at a love hate point, it's a fight for control, and we have yet to see who the winner will be. 

After ripping two rows, I had to take a step back, and some early morning air is the best thing for clearing the head.  

So let me show you this brat of a blanket.  The Universe in Bloom by Dedri Huys at Look At What I Made.  I absolutely adore all her projects but boy does Dedri push me as a crocheter.  I guess I actually admire that in her, because I don't ever want to stall or become stagnant when it comes to crocheting.  

 

I want to learn new stitches and new ways of crocheting and she definitely brings that forth for us. 

She is beautiful and I'm quite enjoying the new color palette I have going.  Not my usual colors at all, as you may know if you've followed me for a while.  However, I wanted to try something new and step out a little.

And below the dratted lace part of the pattern that had me losing my mind.  It's not that it's difficult, but I just didn't realize that one misplaced stitch or miscounted stitch would cause so many issues.  I tried so hard to stay on track, but my brain was just not wanting to cooperate.

What matters is that after a month apart, we came together and worked it out.  So far, at least for now, we will see how the rest goes.  I am now at the stage where I'll be making some flowers, wish me luck.