Cooking Thursday - Iced Mint Tea

 

Iced Mint Tea

4 cups of water
1 cup of sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice (I use fresh lemons)
4 tea bags
About a cup of loosely packed mint leaves (I use a mix of spearmint and peppermint)
4 cups of cold water

 

You can do it on the stove, but I make mine in the microwave just to be quicker.



Using my Pampered Chef mixing bowl, I add the first 4 cups of water, pop it in the microwave for about 6 minutes or until boiling hot. Remove, and add in the cup of sugar. Stir it up until the sugar is dissolved.

Then add the tea bags, lemon juice and mint leaves.



Pop the lid on and let it sit for an hour.

Remove the tea bags from the water and discard. Strain the tea mixture into a 2 Quart pitcher. Stir in the 4 cups of cold water, then cover and refrigerate for another hour or so.

Pour into mason jars and add in a few ice cubes and a small leaf of peppermint, if you wish :) Enjoy!!!

Wordless Wednesday

 

 

 

Spring is in full force!

Tackle it Tuesday

Today, Curt and I tackled the little chicken area.  We recently got 10 more baby chicks, or pullets, and we had forgotten how quickly they grow.  The blue tub that we were using to house them in, quickly started being outgrown.

 

So, since Curt had the day off yesterday, we headed to Lowe's, picked up some wood and a few materials and came back home to build a bigger area for them.  Something that will become a part of their new coop when they're ready to head outside in a month or two.

 

It is not perfect, it is not exactly what we want, but as I said above, it will be part of the new coop we will be building in a few weeks for them.  For the moment, we just desperately needed a bigger area for the girls because they're needing space to grow and play.  

 

Without further ado, meet our newest babies, we have 10 White Leghorn pullets.  They are adorable and will be such a fun addition to our flock.

Happy Homemaker Monday - 04/14/2025

 

 

Good morning everyone, welcome to my little corner of the world and to another Happy Homemaker Monday.  This little Monday feature has been such a huge part of our lives, for many years, it brings comfort in a way doesn't it?

 

I can't tell you just how much I appreciate this Monday morning feature.  I feel like no matter what is going on around us, or in this insane world, the comfort of this post at the start of each week, brings me peace.    

I sure hope that this morning finds you well, spiritually, mentally and physically.  If not, then remember that with God all things are possible, and if things aren't well at the moment, they WILL be.  

 

I wish you all a very blessed and wonderful, productive week, and without further ado, let's get right on with today's Happy Homemaker Monday.  

 

The weather in my neck of the woods:::

It is a gorgeous Spring morning, with 71 degrees already.  It feels amazing.  The only thing about the weather that I particularly do not like, is the wind.  I really could do without that annoyance.    

Monday - Windy and cloudy, 74

Tuesday - Partly cloudy, 74

Wednesday - Sunny and windy, 87

Thursday - Mostly sunny, 90

Friday - Mostly cloudy, 83

Saturday - Thunderstorms, 71

Sunday - Scattered Thunderstorms, 72

As I look outside my window:::
My bedroom window is open and I can hear the birds chirping and flying back and forth between the trees.  It is a beautiful weather, 71 degrees with the slightest of breezes, just barely moving the curtains.  The sun is just starting to rise, so it's still dark but the horizon is painted a pale pink and orange hue.  Beautiful!     

   

Right now I am:::
Typing up this post, and listening to a video on YouTube about all things Bronte.      

 

 

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

I have always been a huge Jane Austen fan, but I also love the Brontes.  I am actually currently reading a book about Charlotte Bronte, so at the moment, I am very much into all things about not only her, her sister and the family in general.  One of the best places to find out more about the Bronte family, is through the Bronte website in England.  

 

If you're interested and curious, go on over and read about The Lives of the Brontes.  It's fascinating!    

 

The Bronte sisters

 

Thinking and pondering:::
I have always been a person that loves the simple life, cottages, England, thatched roofs, small villages and sheep and beautiful gardens filled with roses of every size and color.  I was just thinking yesterday about how I would be so happy in small thatched cottage in a picturesque village in England.  But, that is not something that is going to happen, so I've been thinking and pondering and wondering, how I can maybe bring that whole feel into the house I live in now, in the area that we live in now.  I mean, Texas is far from being England, but I could always turn the gardens, and the inside rooms into cottage themed rooms.  I don't know, just thinking out loud.           

 

On my bedside table:::
A vase of beautiful pastel colored flowers, not real, artificial but still beautiful.  My empty cup of coffee, my phone and a bottle of water. 

 

On my tv:::
Homemaking vlogs

Book vlogs

Beatrix Potter inspired documentaries, vlogs

Listening to:::

Birds outside

Baby chicks chirping in the office

Book TBR video on TV

 

On the menu for this week:::

Monday - Za'atar Chicken and rice, Cucumber, tomato and chickpea salad
Tuesday - Smothered Pork Schnitzel, Roast Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli     

Wednesday - Spinach Alfredo Turkey Meatballs, Wholewheat pasta, Roasted Veggies

Thursday - Air Fried Chicken Wings, Oven Fries and Breaded Okra 

Friday - Homemade Pizza
Saturday - Leftovers, Fend for yourself

Sunday - Easter (Ham, potato casserole, greek salad, deviled eggs, hot cross buns, strawberry pretzel dessert

On my to do list:::
Change Bed linens

Water plants

Daily Bible reading and daily decree

Vacuum and carpet clean

Start my flower planting (I really want a ton of flowers in the garden this year)

 

 
What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Still working on the Cosmic CAL.     

My simple pleasure:::
Watching videos of English villages, just walking the tiny streets and taking in all the gorgeous cottages.  

Looking around the house:::
It is quiet but so pretty right now.  I love the early morning hours when the sun first starts streaming in through the windows.  It makes everything look so magical.        

 

 
From the camera:::
It has been years since I've had yarn dryer balls, but I was looking back through my blog, and saw this photo I took back in 2012 of some I had made.  And now, I really want to make more, so may just give it a go today.

 

 

 

Bible verse, Devotional::: 

We have entered the week leading up to Easter and the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.  So I hope you take some time to reflect each day on how important these days are.  

 

Today is Holy Monday or also known as Maudy Monday, where we celebrate the cleansing of the Temple, Matthew 21:12-19.  

I've been....

 

 

Been......babysitting my niece's little 2 year old Dalton.  I had him with me on Thursday and it was so much fun, but I won't lie, it was exhausting.  I forgot how much work toddlers are.  It's been decades since mine were that small.

 

Been.....celebrating my son Nick's 22nd birthday.  How?  How is my baby 22 already?

 

Been.....taking in every moment with the newest baby chicks.  Watching, holding, changing, cleaning and just enjoying them. 

Been.....watching my seedlings growing, and thinking about the garden and looking so much forward to it all.

 

Been....watching sweet, cozy homemaking videos from all over the world.  I love seeing how everyone goes about their lives, the daily homemaking chores from mothers all over, from here in the USA to Portugal, Brazil, Denmark, Germany, Italy, France, Sweden, Turkey and so on.  Just love it. 

Been.....spring cleaning.  A room at a time, slowly, not crazy like I used to do when I was younger. 

Been.....reading, looking for books, researching books, everything books, books and books.

Friday's Letters

 

Dear Lord...Thank you for putting up with me.  I know I can be difficult at times, I can be a bad listener, I complain and I whine, but you just love me so much that you put up with it.  If you were human, no doubt by now you would have told me where to go and how fast to get there.   

Dear Cold....You many have missed the memo, but you're supposed to be gone?  What are you doing lurking around the corner and peeking out every chance you get?  And why did you dump some snow on us this weekend?  Get going already!   

 

Dear TV....Why can you not go back to the type of programming you had back in the 80s, 90s and even early 2000s?  Everything is terrible now, at least in my opinion.  I have YouTube, but it would be nice to turn on the normal tv once in a while and find something worth watching. 

 

Dear baby chickens....You girls are so sweet and so cute and you make me smile.  How I love having you in our lives and can't wait to see you grow up.

Cooking Thursday - Mini Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches

 

Mini Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches

Adapted from: Prudence Pennywise

6 English muffins split and toasted
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
12 paper thin onion slices
2 packages fully cooked chicken
Barbecue sauce
1 cup low fat mozzarella cheese grated


Preheat broiler. Line cookie sheet with foil. Spread toasted muffins with mayonnaise and place on prepared baking sheet.

Top muffins with onion slices and chicken.

Drizzle each half with barbecue sauce.

Sprinkle with cheese and broil until cheese is melted and bubbly.

If you're freezing, allow the sandwiches to cool completely.  Place them on a cookie sheet and place them in the freezer until solid, then take them out, wrap individually or pop into ziploc baggies and place them back in the freezer.

Don't use aluminum foil as metals from the foil may seep into the sandwich during freezing.

To re-heat, let them thaw out completely then pop them in the oven or microwave for a few minutes just until heated through, don't nuke these immediately after removing them from the freezer or you'll end up with a soggy yucky mess.

Keep sandwiches for about 2 weeks tops, no longer. :)

Wordless Wednesday

 

Musical Throwback Tuesday - Hold on to the night by Richard Marx

 Another beautiful song from the 80s.  It really was the best decade, without a doubt.

 

 

Happy Homemaker Monday - 04/07/2025

 

Good morning friends!  

Welcome back to another Happy Homemaker Monday!  

 

I am sorry this post is going up later than usual, but I've been running back and forth all morning, and am only now sitting down with a cup of coffee, to get this post out for you.  So, without any more delays, let's just get right on with it. 

 

The weather in my neck of the woods:::

It's so cold this morning.  We went from wonderful warm weather to freezing temperatures and ice the last two days.  I give up trying to understand this insane weather.  

Monday - Sunny, 68

Tuesday - Sunny, 78

Wednesday - Sunny, 87

Thursday - Sunny, 84

Friday - Sunny, 80

Saturday - Sunny, 90

Sunday - Sunny, 95

As I look outside my window:::
After a week of cloudy, dark and rainy weather, the sun is shining with not a cloud in sight.  It's so bright that it's almost blinding in certain areas.    

   

Right now I am:::
Just finished my morning chores, got the bed made fresh and am sitting at my desk to work on this post.     

 

 

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

I have been following Punkin's Patch blog, since it started in 2007.  It's one of the very few that have continued to post, which makes me so happy.  I wish more of the older original blogs had continued.   

 

 

Thinking and pondering:::
About my kid's birthdays.  Nick turns 22 on Friday and Jasmine turns 26 on the 25th of April.  I can't believe those little kids that I shared with you all when I first started blogging, are now in their twenties.  Boy do I feel old.          

 

On my bedside table:::
My current read, a bottle of water, a tv control my hand lotion. 

 

On my tv:::
Homemaking vlogs

Book vlogs

SIC Portuguese channel

Amor Maior Portuguese Soap

Listening to:::

An episode of my Portuguese soap on the tv.

Our newest baby chicks, chirping away in the office.  

On the menu for this week:::

Newest meal plan will kick in later this week, so these are the meals for now.

Monday - Stuffed Peppers, Sauteed Squash
Tuesday - Chicken Thighs with roast potatoes, Salad     

Wednesday - Scacciata with Sausage and Potatoes, Sausage with Broccoli

Thursday - BBQ Ribs, Pasta Salad, Steamed Broccoli

Friday -
Saturday - 

Sunday - 

On my to do list:::
Change Bed linens

Water plants

Daily Bible reading and daily decree

Crochet 

Meal plan and grocery list

 

 
What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Cosmic CAL.     

My simple pleasure:::
Playing with our baby chickies.       

Looking around the house:::
I already gave a tidy up around the house, cleaned the kitchen and opened the curtains and doors.  The house is fresh and clean for the beginning of the week.      

 

 
From the camera:::
 

 

 

Bible verse, Devotional::: 

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to manking by which we must be saved. - Acts 4:12 NIV