{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 09/14/2026 }

Good morning my friends, welcome back to my blog :) .

 

First I would like to start by thanking you for all the prayers for my brother Paul, and give you a quick update as well.  As a family we are absolutely stunned at his recovery so far, the doctors are stunned and so happy too.  But as Christians and a God loving and fearing family, we are overjoyed and thrilled to see God moving in the way that He has.

 

Paul had open heart surgery and triple bypass, last week Thursday.  Today is he is sitting on a chair, walking on his own, drinking and eating on his own, his drains have been removed, all the tubes and lines have been removed, and he is off the morphine drip.  It is an incredible recovery after such a serious operation.  Praise God and thank you all so much for the prayers, we have felt them 💓

 

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

 

God bless,

Sandra

xoxoxo 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥
Still ridiculously hot, we are still having temperatures of 107 and 108 in the middle of September.    

 

Monday - Mostly Sunny, 103
Tuesday - Sunny, 103
Wednesday - Mostly Sunny, 102
Thursday - Mostly Sunny, 100
Friday - Mostly Sunny, 99
Saturday - Partly cloudy, 98
Sunday - Partly cloudy, 96


♥♥ As I look outside my window ♥♥
I am sitting in my den/dining room, on the couch near the big window.  Outside I have 4 stray cats currently eating their breakfast, and a raccoon as well running around.  It's so strange how they all sit together and eat together like they're the best of friends.  

 

 
♥♥ Right now I am ♥♥
Just fed the stray cats and got my coffee, I'm working on this post and watching a YouTube video.      

 

♥♥ Thinking and pondering ♥♥
God's amazing grace, kindness and love, and how He has lifted my brother and the entire family through this horrible journey.  It's been so hard.  

 

♥♥ How am I feeling ♥♥
I am feeling blessed and so happy at the moment.  I actually got to speak to my brother today, he got his phone back and being able to speak directly to him, not through someone else was such a huge relief.  

 

♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥
I'm having a cup of coffee, haven't had any breakfast yet as it's not even 6am.  I'm not sure what I'll have this morning, because I'm not particularly hungry or craving anything.  

 

♥♥ On the lunch plate ♥♥
No clue, might just do Greek Honey Vanilla Yogurt with a little granola and frozen blueberries.   However, my sweet daughter Jasmine came over Saturday for dinner, and decided to cook us all a roast which turned out phenomenal.  We have leftover roast and garlic mashed potatoes in the fridge that need to be used up, so may have that. 

 

♥♥ On the dinner plate ♥♥
Roast chicken, marry me butter beans, garlic spaghetti and a salad.      


♥♥ What I'm wearing ♥♥
Summer pajamas, pants and top, grey with tiny pink flowers and a lace edging.  Will change into a dress later.   

 

♥♥ On my reading pile ♥♥
Still in 1 Samuel in the Bible. 

 

Still reading A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham.  Haven't done much reading this month yet with everything going on.  I have been reading two devotionals for review though. 

♥♥ On my TV this week ♥♥
Been watching some Portuguese soaps with my stepmom but other than that, I am so behind on my YouTube videos.  

♥♥ On the menu ♥♥

 

Monday - Roast chicken, marry me butter beans, garlic spaghetti and a salad  

Tuesday - Beef Stew, Sauteed Kabocha Squash 
Wednesday - Chicken Curry and Rice, Homemade Garlic Naan
Thursday - Beef Enchiladas, Leftover Rice, Beans

Friday - Lasagna, Garlic Bread, Salad
Saturday - Spending the day in Oklahoma
Sunday - Leftovers, Sandwiches

♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥
It is very quiet right now, everyone is still asleep.  I love being up early before everyone else, it gives me a chance to pray in silence, to do what I want to do, or try to catch up on some videos etc.    

♥♥ To Do List for the week ♥♥
- Usual homemaking chores 

♥♥ What I am creating ♥♥

This one won't be changing for a while, specially through the month of September while my stepmom is visiting.  

♥♥ Something fun to share ♥♥
I recently found Literature Map which is a website that allows you to put in your favorite book author and it creates a cloud of authors that are similar in style.  It's a great way to find new book authors to read.   

 

Literature Map   

 

♥♥ From the camera ♥♥

My amazing brother Paul.  Please continue to keep him in your prayers ♥ 

 

 

♥♥ Prayers, Devotional ♥♥ 

For my brother and his continued recovery.  

 

There are so many on my prayer list, I can't even list everyone and everything that I'm praying for.   If you yourself need prayers, please leave them down below and I'll be sure to add you to my Prayer List.   

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 09/07/2026 }

Good morning everyone, 

 

I am not going to take much time today, my brain is just not right at the moment.  Last week my stepmom arrived, and the very next day, my older brother asked to do a video call with me, our other brother and my stepmom.   He informed us that he had a mild heart attack and that after he was rushed to the hospital and they did an angiogram, he is going for a triple bypass on Thursday.  Unfortunately, with the emotion of having to tell us what was happening and the fear of it all, he passed out on camera.  We got the fright of our lives.  

 

Anyway, it's been extremely difficult to deal with this with us being here in the States and him being in South Africa in ICU.  I am all over the place, I am stressed and sad and scared and all the feelings.  Please pray for my brother's surgery and for all of us who are just basically on automatic, not knowing what to do or how to get through this.

 

Ok, let's get this post up, I've been sitting here for two hours staring at the screen and not being able to form a cohesive thought.  

 

I hope you are all doing well and having a wonderful Labor Day weekend.  

 

God bless,

Sandra

xoxoxo 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥
Still hot but starting to cool down, thankfully.  

 

Monday - Mostly Sunny, 104
Tuesday - Mostly Sunny, 104
Wednesday - Mostly Sunny, 104
Thursday - Partly cloudy, 99
Friday - Mostly Sunny, 103
Saturday - Partly cloudy, 103
Sunday - Mostly Sunny, 101


♥♥ As I look outside my window ♥♥
It is sunny outside, and at this moment I am sitting at the living room couch and from my window I can see deer in my front yard, just walking around.  

 

 
♥♥ Right now I am ♥♥
Sitting on the couch, chatting with my brother while he's in hospital, and trying to get this post up.    

 

♥♥ Thinking and pondering ♥♥
My brother's surgery on Thursday.  It is the only thing on my mind, and his well being until then.   

 

♥♥ How am I feeling ♥♥
I'm not well, and to be perfectly honest, I am struggling, a lot.  I feel like I am out of sorts, I don't know how to explain it.  Maybe one of you will understand, but physically I am ok, and spiritually I am ok, I feel peace and am not outwardly stressed, but I can tell that I am stressed and emotional and my family can tell that I am not well.  I can't seem to focus, I can't think straight, I say stupid things and do stupid things, and lose focus and it's really hard right now.  

 

♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥
I've just had two cups of coffee, some eggs and a piece of toast.  

 

♥♥ On the lunch plate ♥♥
Not sure, I haven't been very hungry. 

 

♥♥ On the dinner plate ♥♥
We had a barbecue with the family yesterday and have a lot of leftovers so will be eating that.   


♥♥ What I'm wearing ♥♥
Almost 9am and I am still in my nightgown.  I do need to go change soon and will definitely be putting on a very comfy dress.  

 

♥♥ On my reading pile ♥♥
Finishing off 1 Samuel in the Bible. 

 

A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham. 

 

 

A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving: 30 Days of rejoicing in God's goodness by Wendy Speake,   

 

♥♥ On my TV this week ♥♥
Haven't watched anything in days, not sure if I will today either, just don't feel like it. 

♥♥ On the menu ♥♥

 

Monday - Leftover barbecue  

Tuesday - Chicken Strogonoff, Mashed Potatoes, Roast Vegetables 
Wednesday - Pork Cebolada, Rice, Salad
Thursday - Beef Enchiladas, Leftover Rice, Beans, Sauteed Greens

Friday - Leftover Night or homemade pizzaDinosaur Museum so will eat out
Saturday - Lasagna, Garlic Bread, Salad
Sunday - 

♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥
I have to give it a good clean today, and we're staying home today to rest, so it will be good to have a full day of calm homemaking.  I need it.   

♥♥ To Do List for the week ♥♥
- Grocery shopping on Wednesday 

- Carpet clean, vacuum, dust

- Normal daily cleaning, kitchen, bathroom, living spaces

♥♥ What I am creating ♥♥

Still working on the Universe in Bloom Blanket, I may need to grab it this week to keep calm during my brother's open heart surgery.   

♥♥ Something fun to share ♥♥
I honestly have nothing to share today, I apologize.    

 

♥♥ From the camera ♥♥

Didn't take any new photos, so apologies as well.  

 

♥♥ Prayers, Devotional ♥♥ 

My prayers are for many, but right now I am in full focus mode with my brother Paul.

 

If you remember me mentioning my brother was here in December of last year, with my sister in law and niece.  

 

On Thursday, he will be having open heart surgery for a triple bypass.  Please keep him in your prayers, and also the rest of the family.  This is so difficult to go through and deal with.  We are all struggling, all just here not really living but on automatic.  I know that God has this, I know that God will see us all through, I know that God will be present during the surgery and that it will go well.  But the flesh tends to take over the spirit and push in that fear and worry.  I refuse to let it in, but it's a daily, minute to minute, hour to hour battle, and that is what I need prayer for.

 

 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 08/31/2026 }

Good morning sweet ladies, and a happy Monday to you all.

 

Come on in and sit with me a little.  First, I have to apologize for my mistake last week, when I happily stated that it was the last Happy Homemaker Monday of August 🤣

 

In my eagerness to end the month, which coincidentally is my birthday month which you would think I would love, and I do obviously, but the heat is unbearable and I always feel like it's a month that forcibly holds us hostage before the wonderful Fall and BER months begin.

 

But, as I was saying, in my eagerness to put it aside, I claimed it was the last post of the month, and then was very kindly reminded by one of you in the comments, that it was not so.  I got a good chuckle out of it 😂

 

Anyway, today IS the last post of the month, so happy to say that.

 

Let's get right on with this post because I have a busy day and quite busy week ahead of me.  I will be taking you along as I prepare and finish some projects around the house before my stepmom arrives Wednesday morning.

 

So, without any more delay let's just get this going.

 

Have a wonderful blessed week my friends.

 

Sandra

xoxoxo 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥
Sigh, just a deep disappointed sigh.  The heat has been relentless.  

 

Monday - Sunny, 101
Tuesday - Sunny, 101
Wednesday - Sunny, 100
Thursday - Sunny, 101
Friday - Sunny, 101
Saturday - Mostly Sunny, 100
Sunday - Mostly Sunny, 99


♥♥ As I look outside my window ♥♥
From my bedroom window I can see the trees in my backyard, as the morning sun shines brightly on their leaves, they give off the most beautiful magical golden hue.  I love morning sunlight.  

♥♥ Right now I am ♥♥
At my desk, I am typing up this post, and I just finished watching a documentary on Netflix that made me so angry, ugh.  

 

♥♥ Thinking and pondering ♥♥
On everything I need to do this week, before and after my stepmom arrives.   I better get it all on paper or I am going to forget something. 

 

♥♥ How am I feeling ♥♥
I am doing well, though a bit sad that we couldn't make it to gym or church this weekend, due to the Hotter than Hell annual bike ride that practically closes down our whole town. 

 

♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥
I have had a cup of coffee, two scrambled eggs with some cottage cheese for extra protein, and a piece of oat nut toasted bread.   I will be having my second cup of coffee in about an hour.

 

♥♥ On the lunch plate ♥♥
Lunch will be some honey vanilla greek yogurt with granola and frozen blueberries. 

 

♥♥ On the dinner plate ♥♥
Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers, Potato skins, Salad.   


♥♥ What I'm wearing ♥♥
I'm in my nightgown and will change into some comfy shorts and a tshirt later.  

 

♥♥ On my reading pile ♥♥
Finishing off 1 Samuel in the Bible. 

 

I read and finished Henrietta by Sophie Irwin and really enjoyed it, although it very much reminded me of Summerhaven by Tiffany Odekirk.  It was a fun read nonetheless.  

I also started A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham. 

 

 

Starting A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving: 30 Days of rejoicing in God's goodness by Wendy Speake, this morning as my non fiction read.   

 

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

I just watched The Death of a Pastor's Wife on Netflix.  Have never been more infuriated and frustrated, and angry at a Pastor as I have watching this documentary.  This whole story is horrific.  

♥♥ On the menu ♥♥

 

Monday - Oklahoma Fried Onion Burgers, Potato skins, Roasted Broccoli and Cauli 

Tuesday - Clam Pasta, Salad, Greek Salad 
Wednesday - Family coming over to see stepmom, having pizza for everyone
Thursday - Greek Chicken, Rice, Veggies

Friday - Dinosaur Museum so will eat out
Saturday - Lasagna, Garlic Bread, Salad
Sunday - Labor Day BBQ (Burgers, Brats, BLT pasta salad, Potato Salad, Deviled Eggs, Texas Sheet Cake


♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥
I've been organizing and fixing and moving things around.  The new couches arrived on Thursday of last week, but I still had the old couches here which made everything extremely crowded, but thankfully the old couches are being picked up this morning.

 

I need to do the usual Monday pick up around the house and reset for the week.  

♥♥ To Do List for the week ♥♥
- Paint entryway closet and put together new console table

- Carpet clean, vacuum, dust

- Normal daily cleaning, kitchen, bathroom, living spaces

- Clear out turtle tank and put in the new basking platform

- Pick up stepmom on Wednesday morning, family get together Wednesday night

- Dinosaur Museum on Friday

- Labor Day BBQ Sunday  

♥♥ What I am creating ♥♥

Been slowly working on the Universe in Bloom Blanket, but will probably set it aside while my stepmom visits. 

 

 

♥♥ Something fun to share ♥♥
When planning visits for family members, you don't have to spend a lot of money to entertain them.  There are always local free museums, historic place markers, wonderful trails or parks, and there is always the choice to play games at home, watch a movie and just spend time together.

 

I am not one who believes that the visiting family needs to be taken everywhere and be out every day.  I often find that when that happens, you both end up exhausted and at the end of the vacation, you haven't really spent time together.  

 

So look for fun things to do around your immediate area, and at home.  

 

♥♥ From the camera ♥♥

Turkish Pasta is such an easy meal to put together, and such a great twist on the traditional spaghetti meal.  I'll be putting up the recipe on my food blog Full Bellies, Happy Kids, either this afternoon or tomorrow. 

 

♥♥ Devotional ♥♥ 

I thought that since I am beginning A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving today, I would share one of my favorite Psalms, that I feel speak to being grateful and thankful.   

 

 

 

Blessings,
♥ Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

{ 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