{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 02/10/2025 }

 

 

 

Good morning everyone, welcome back on this beautiful Monday morning. 

 

It is the start of a new week and actually one of my most loved days.  I know you probably think I'm insane but I do love Mondays, I always have.  I get excited thinking about giving the house a good clean and getting things ready for the busy week ahead.  It's also grocery shopping week so I need to work on a new meal plan, which is something I also really enjoy doing.  At this point, if you want to just completely disown me, go ahead, I know i tend to love things that others may find crazy.  Hahaha 

Before I shock anyone else with more random facts about me, let's just get on with our post for today.

 

Have a blessed week my friends!

 

The weather in my neck of the woods:::

We're back down to cold weather, like really cold weather, and had some rain here and there the past few days.  This morning, we woke up to gray clouds and more rain.  Who's ready for spring?   

Monday - Rain showers, 40

Tuesday - Cloudy, 40

Wednesday - Morning ice, 32

Thursday - Partly cloudy, 36

Friday - Cloudy, 57

Saturday - Partly cloudy, 45

Sunday - Mostly sunny, 43

As I look outside my window:::
Dark skies, gloomy looking trees.  I can't wait for green and sun and spring to come along.  I don't get seasonal depression or sadness, but even I start to get sick of the gloomy winter weather after a while. 

  

Right now I am:::
Sitting on my bed.  I just finished my coffee and a cinnamon raising bagel with cream cheese (that is pretty much my bread carbs for this week).  As always my furry babies are asleep next to me, and on the TV I am watching the newest video from Royalty Now.  

 

 

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

As I mentioned above, I am watching a video by Royalty Now.  If you don't know this channel on YouTube you are missing out.  The creator uses AI to bring to life historical figures from all countries, different eras and so on.  It is fascinating to listen to and to see her bring these known famous people to life.  She doesn't just show the photos, she tells the story about the person she is working on.  

 

Here is the newest one, watch as she tells the story of Robert Dudley who many think was Queen Elizabeth's true love.

 

 

 

Thinking and pondering:::
I am itching to get some sewing done this week, and I have two projects I want to work on, so trying to decide which one to tackle.  I have a quilt that I started many years ago, and has just been sitting all cut up in a basket, waiting to be sewed together.

 

I also bought some green fabric to make some pillow covers for my living room.  Not sure which one I'll work on, but definitely one of those this week.  

  

On my bedside table:::
My phone, my book by Janette Oke, a bottle of water and some kleenex.  

On my tv:::
Last night's When Calls the Heart
Homemaking vlogs

Hallmark movies

Listening to:::
Royalty Now's video

The turtle tank filter in the office

Kaia snoring

On the menu for this week:::
As usual, I'll be working on the new menu plan and will do grocery shopping on Wednesday.

Monday - Shrimp Fajitas, Mexican Rice, Zucchini in Tomato Sauce
Tuesday - Baked Fish Fillets, Garlic and olive oil pasta, Roasted Veggies 

Wednesday - *new meal plan will kick in*
Thursday - 

Friday -
Saturday -
Sunday - 

On my to do list:::
Change Bed linens

Laundry

Sweep and mop kitchen

Vacuum and dust living room and dining room

Daily Bible reading and daily decree

Meal plan and grocery list

Budget plan for this month

Happening this week:::
Monday - Usual housecleaning
Tuesday - Sewing
Wednesday - Grocery shopping

 

 
What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Nordic Afghan

Sewing

My simple pleasure:::
Believe it or not, meal planning.  I don't know why but it's something I very much enjoy. 

Lesson learned the past week:::
That the lessons our loved ones taught us many years ago, are to be held on to and cherished.  That the way they lived, albeit simply, are something for us to aspire to.  I spend a lot of time thinking about my early childhood and my grandparents, and the older I get, the more I want to go back in time and bring them to life through my actions and my own experiences.   

Looking around the house:::
Aside from the tv in the background, the rest of the house is quiet and dark.  I will be lighting some candles soon and beginning my day.  

 

Doors will be flung open and windows will be raised to allow fresh air in.   

 

 
From the camera:::
If you're ever curious what I usually look like during the day.....well look no further, this is me, right here, in my happiest place.   

 

Prayer List:::
My stepmom as she continues grieving and trying to deal with all the stuff that comes with someone's passing.

My mom, her dementia is continuing to progress and it's such a sad thing to see. 

All of you, whatever you are going through, whatever you are needing prayer for.

Bible verse, Devotional:::
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. - Isaiah 26:3

{ Sunday }

 

I had a pretty good but very busy Sunday.  Getting into bed, I am beyond exhausted, but I also know that this means I'll have a really good sleep.  And a good sleep is always a good thing.

 

My brother is celebrating his birthday on Wednesday, but we saw him today.  We took him and my sister in law to lunch, then went back to their house for a coffee and a slice of cake.  I also did the gym in the morning, and basically rushed home for a quick shower and change before heading to lunch.

 

By the time I got home at 4pm, I had to immediately get dinner in the oven because Sunday's are our family days where Jasmine and Issac come over for dinner and family time.  I managed to make a delicious meal in the quickest time ever.  We ate, we played a game of Blank Slate....which by the way if you're looking for a fun family game, you should give this one a try.

 

 

 

And we had the Superbowl going in the background.  I am not a football fan and don't care for the Superbowl but my brother in law breathes football and we don't mind having it on for him to enjoy while we spent time together.  

 

Then of course dishes, and getting coffee machine ready for the morning, feeding the furry babies, shutting everything down, showering and finally climbing into bed.  I felt like I was on the go from the moment my feet hit the ground in the morning.

 

I will say, I don't enjoy days like these often, I much prefer a quiet weekend, but I also love spending time with family and as exhausting as these days may be, they do leave me with a huge smile on my face.  

{ Five Senses Saturday }

 

 

Good morning, welcome back to my Five Sense Saturday!

 

Let's review the past week, shall we?

 

 ::::HEAR



- Alexa playing Thunderstorm sounds every night, while we sleep 

- M80 Radio online.  A radio station in Portugal that plays all the oldies that I remember
- The roosters crowing at 4:30am
- The water kettle boiling for tea
- Curt and Nick laughing loud while playing the Wii


::::SEE



- A clean house
- Big drops of rain gathered on the grass
- My daughter and son laughing and hugging each other tight every time she comes over
- Elliott chasing a foil ball
- Random Hallmark movies on the telly


::::TOUCH



- The cold metal of the gym machines
- Fluffy cushions on the couch as I puff them up
- The soft silky leaves on my plants as I water them
- The pages of my Bible as I do my daily reading
- Grocery bags


::::TASTE



- Keto Magic Cookie Bars
- Chicken Curry
- Cold icy water
- Bitter taste of my calcium and vitamin d pill
- Chickpea salad



::::SMELL



- Mahogany Teakwood candle from Bath and Body Works (one of my faves)
- Gorgeous soap from Portugal
- Vanilla Cake baking in the oven
- Fire crackling
- The earth after a good rain shower

 

 

{ Friday's Letters - 02/07/2025 }

 

 

Dear Sinus....I know, you are an important part of our bodies, but could you maybe not bug me as much as you have been doing the past week?  Just ease up a bit on the sinus headaches and pressure.  Thanks! 

 
Dear Life....I am so thankful to God for breathing air into my lungs every morning, and allowing me one more day on this planet.  But, with life comes death, and we have seen our share last week, from my uncle Tony to Curt's aunt Jean just a few days after my uncle passed.  It's been a sad week.  

 
Dear Hallmark movies....You are predictable, from the girl to the guy to the situation and the way it all ends, but yet, you are very much a comfort thing for me and so many others.  I have been watching your movies nonstop this past week, it's helped me keep my sanity and brought me some calm and peace through the sadness. 

Dear Chickens....Oh how I love you.  You stopped laying about two months ago and just started again, and you don't know how happy I am to see those gorgeous big brown eggs.  Eggs are expensive at the store, so thank you for helping your human mama out.  

Dear Plants....I am thrilled that you have forgiven me for the years upon years of abuse and death that I unwillingly bestowed upon you.  I wanted to much to have plants and just could never keep you alive.  The past 10 years I have tried and learned and researched and finally found the way to keep you alive, and now I can't live without you around me.  I am slowly becoming a crazy plant lady.  

 
Dear Bible....I have read you many times, but every time I open you up it feels like it's the first time.  I learn something new, I understand something I couldn't understand before, and I am retaining so much of your scripture.  I may finally become one of those Christians I've always wanted to be, you know the ones?  They rattle off scripture like it's second nature.   

Dear Blog.....I have fallen in love with you again.  I thought I had a few times over the past few years, but I guess I didn't, because I fell off the wagon immediately.  However, this year (ok I know it hasn't been that long, but still), as I post every day, I am finding myself loving the process again and looking forward to it.  It's a different feeling from before, and very reminiscent of when I first began blogging in 2006.  It's actually hard to believe that yesterday was 19 years since that very first post. 

{ Slow Cooking Thursday - Slow Cooker Pecan Pie }

 

 

Good morning, welcome back to another Slow Cooking Thursday.

 

Today's recipe is a must try, and if you're not convinced, I hope the photos will make you drool enough to go get in that kitchen, and make this delicious dessert for after dinner tonight.

 

Slow Cooker Pecan Pie 

 Source:  The Country Cook

 

 

Ingredients 

1 refrigerated pie crust 

4 large eggs, lightly beaten 

1 ⅓ cups light corn syrup 

 1 cup sugar 

⅓ cup salted butter melted

 ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon (optional) 

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

2 cups pecan halves, divided use 

 

 

Instructions 

 

Line a 6-quart oval slow cooker with parchment paper (12.5 inch x 16 inch). Press the paper down into the slow cooker to create an outline of the bottom of the slow cooker. Remove parchment paper and place unrolled pie crust onto the parchment paper (lining it up with the creases from the outline in the parchment paper). 

 

Gently roll up the edges of the pie crust and make small indentations to help the crust stick to the parchment paper and to keep in the filling better. Place parchment paper/pie crust into slow cooker (pastry should extend 2 to 3 inches up the sides). Bend and fold the pastry as needed to get it to fit properly. In a bowl combine the eggs, corn syrup, sugar, melted butter, cinnamon and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of the pecans. 

 

Gently pour batter into crust in the slow cooker. Then top with remaining cup of pecans. Placing them evenly in a pattern to make a nice presentation. Place a layer of paper towels on top of the slow cooker then cover with the lid. Cook on high for 3 to 3 ½ hours or until filling is puffed and set. Turn off slow cooker. Let stand, uncovered, 1 hour. 

 

Cut and serve straight from the slow cooker. Or gently lift the parchment paper out of the slow cooker, then slice and serve. 

 

{ Wordless Wednesday - Daily time with the Lord }

 

{ Just a homemaking day }

There is a peace that encompasses my soul, when I am at home, doing the homemaking chores at hand.

 

Whether it be putting groceries away, cleaning, baking, cooking, gardening, or whatever else may need my attention.  I find these moments where I am alone, going about my day, the best times for praying and for hashing out confusion that may be happening my head.  I pray, I speak, I talk to myself, like all the time and though that sounds funny to admit out loud, I tend to figure things out easier when I do that.

Maybe it's the act of sounding out the problem or worry, of speaking it out of my mind and into the air around me.  It helps to see it from an outside perspective, and often I find that I can move through and really get rid of the obstacle that is taking my peace.

 

I have always found the act of homemaking, one of submission to God, to my husband and to my family.  And I know the word submission tends to have a negative connotation attached to it, but I have never seen it as a bad thing.  I think I actually talked about this many years ago, how being submissive to my husband doesn't in any way mean that I am beneath him or that he can't do the things on his own.

I'm sure if you look for the post here on the blog, you will likely find it.  It makes for a good read.  Here I'll grab it for you......

Sunday Thoughts - Submissive or Weak?

My Tuesday was spent pottering around the house, which is in essence something I truly love doing.  I don't think I love being anywhere else as much as I do being within these four walls.  

I have everything I need in here to be happy.

So, I just wanted to leave you some shots from today, from one homemaking mom to another.  I don't know about you but I really enjoy seeing other homemakers and their daily chores.  There's this bond that ties us, that remind us that we're not alone, there are thousands upon thousands of other women out there, going about their days just as we were.

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 02/03/2025 }

 

 

Good morning everyone, welcome back on this beautiful Monday morning. 

 

I am so sore today, had really good gym workouts this weekend, but goodness, do I feel it today.  Monday is usually my day off from exercise, so it will be good to relax and give my muscles a chance to heal and rest.

 

So here we are, the first Happy Homemaker Monday of February 2025.  How are we already through January?  I used to believe that time flew, when I was younger, but now it seems to be gone in the blink of an eye.

 

Anyway, I am adding a few categories in this post today, not new ones, but some from previous years.  Just wanted a bit of a change.

 

Have a blessed week my friends!

 

The weather in my neck of the woods:::

 It's been pretty warm we've been in the high 70s and today, we are actually hitting the 80s.  I'm almost afraid to think that we are past the cold weather because we do tend to have a snow storm towards end of February and beginning of March.  I'm just hoping it doesn't happen this year, because I am itching to get my garden going.

Monday - Clear, 87

Tuesday - Mostly cloudy, 52

Wednesday - Partly cloudy, 78

Thursday - Sunny, 62

Friday - Mostly sunny, 80

Saturday - Sunny, 68

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 53

As I look outside my window:::
The sun is starting to rise, which always brings that beautiful glowy golden light.  I still see bare trees, and can't wait to see them full and green.  

Right now I am:::
Sitting on my bed.  Kaia and Elliott are asleep next to me, and I'm listening to Julie Green on the TV.  

Thinking and pondering:::
About our garden.  We picked up a few more seeds yesterday and I think I'm going to start them this week.  My idea is that if I start them now, they will be established bigger plants by the time they go in the ground and therefore be more resilient to the change in the weather.   

  

On my bedside table:::
My phone and watch chargers, a bottle of water and some hand cream.  

On my tv:::
Last night's When Calls the Heart
Homemaking vlogs
Book vlogs

Listening to:::
Julie Green's live show on the tv.  Also hear the chickens out back clucking and the roosters crowing.

On the menu for this week:::

Monday - Baked Salmon, Pilaf Rice, Cabbage Salad
Tuesday - Sticky Asian Chicken, Sesame Noodles, Chickpeas for me, Egg Rolls
Wednesday - Cubed Steaks with oregano cream sauce, Mashed potatoes, Sauteed Squash
Thursday - Meatballs and Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Salad
Friday - Sloppy Joes and Sweet Potato Fries
Saturday - Fend for yourself (leftovers)
Sunday - Nando's BBQ Chicken Legs, Potato Salad, Fries (for those that don't like potato salad)

On my to do list:::
Put away clean laundry that I washed and folded yesterday
Sweep, vacuum, wash carpets
Organize gaming systems in living room
Daily Bible reading 

Daily decree

Happening this week:::
Monday - Gaming Systems
Tuesday - Clean and organize office
Wednesday - Wash all curtains
Thursday - Crochet and read
Friday - Self care

 

 
What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Still on the Nordic Afghan, I am so busy during the day that by the time bedtime comes around, I am too tired to crochet, but really want to finish this blanket.

My simple pleasure:::
Looking through old letters or recipes handwritten by my great grandma, grandmothers and mom. 

Lesson learned the past week:::
It's been a tough week with my uncle's passing.  I have done the best I can to help my stepmom through it, but along with a helpless feeling, comes this feeling that we don't pay attention to our loved ones, as much as we should.  I kept in touch with my uncle, but I wish now that I had done more, that I had talked more, reached out more.  It's a horrible feeling to have, so hug your loves ones, and if you don't live close, just reach out to them more often.  

Looking around the house:::
It is quiet, with only the sound of the birds outside chirping.  Thankfully everything is tidy and put together, except for the den which has the Wii remotes and games out because it was being played last night by my hubby, son and daughter's boyfriend.  Just have to put all that away.  

 

 
From the camera:::
My temperature blanket, from a few years ago.  I need to make another one, it was so much fun to make and easy to work up too.  

 

Prayer List:::
My stepmom and brothers who are preparing for my uncle's memorial this coming Thursday.
Usual prayers for family and friends.

Bible verse, Devotional:::
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15 NIV

 

 

{ Sunday }

 

I have said many times that I love living where we do.  I used to enjoy living on base, I felt like I always had someone next door, everything was close by, there was so many people around and constant noise.  Loved it!

 

Then I got older and started craving a quiet place, surrounded by nature and not many neighbors.  A place I could listen to the birds and the surrounding animals, a place that didn't mean the constant noise of cars going by, or neighbors playing loud music.

 

God placed this home in our hands, he handpicked it knowing exactly what our hearts had desired for so long.  

 

Anyway, our Sunday was a busy one.  There was a lot of cleaning, organizing and moving things around.  We've had an extra fridge in my husband's office for a long time, but it's big and it makes things look cluttered, so yesterday, the boys all went into the garage, gave it a really good organizing and cleaning, took tons of trash to the dump and extra bed frames and headboards, even a bunk bed, to our local thrift store, and then moved the big ol' fridge to the garage.  

This coming weekend we will be moving the chest freezer out there too.  

However, the office has been left in disarray and I would do it myself, but my husband wants to sort it out after work today, since it's his office, and you know how guys are with their things right?  Right!

While the boys worked outside, I worked inside with the usual chores, I got all the laundry finished, I baked them my grandfather's Vanilla Cake as a thank you for all the hard work they put in, and I made a delicious chicken curry for dinner with naan bread.  

 

I also vacuumed and dusted, got things ready for the week, the litter changed etc.  These are all things that I do practically daily, but I couldn't help them outside because my osteoarthritis has made my hands so weak that I don't trust pushing big fridges or helping with anything like that.  I don't want to hurt myself or someone else because my hands are too weak.

 

Sunday's are family meal days, my daughter and her boyfriend come over  for dinner and family time, which usually consists of playing games, listening to music, laughing and chatting etc.  It's something we all look forward to every week.

In the Bible, I am now in Exodus and right at the point where Moses is dealing with Pharaoh to let his people go.  I love the book of Exodus, I find it so interesting.

It was a good productive Sunday, but by the time I got into bed, I was knackered and quickly fell asleep.  Nothing better than a good night's sleep to get us ready for the week ahead.

 

{ Bringing out the old gaming systems }

 

We are a family that loves playing games.  We play a game every night after dinner, and anytime there is a big get together, you will find groups all over my house, in little corners, playing different games.

 

It's something we love and it's been a great way to keep our family bonded.

 

In a time where families seem so far apart, so strayed from each other, where technology has taken over in a horrifying way, it feels good and it is so helpful to have something that draws everyone back together.

 

We used to have simpler times, and don't get me wrong, I love technology but I find that it also takes so much from us all.  Have you ever sat at dinner and found that half the family members are on their phones?  Or everyone is visiting at someone's house, and most are staring down at their phones?

 

I don't think it's healthy and I think it pulls families apart, so we try very hard to keep things as they were.

 

Today, we brought out all the old gaming systems.  The Nintendo, the Wii, the Sega and so forth, and have plugged them all in, set up an area in one of the living rooms and decided that we are going to, as a family, start playing these old systems again.

 

They are games that remind the kids of being little, but they also remind us adults of our childhood and the fun and happy times we had playing with our siblings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The console of choice for this Saturday was the Wii.  Oh how I had forgotten how much we enjoyed the family games on this system.  Carnival games, tennis, sports, dodgeball, bowling, you name it.  Games that make everyone laugh, and give you a workout too....I forgot about that part.

The Wii was such a family favorite that I even made a Nick a Wii remote cake for his 7th birthday ♥

 

So, my advice to you is, if you have old gaming systems, bring them out, plug them in, and next time your adult children are visiting, play a few games.  I bet you they will be surprised and very happy to spend that time enjoying these old favorites.