Happy Homemaker Monday - 06/30/2014

Happy Monday morning everyone, how are you doing today?

Well, it's the start of a new week, a new summer week and the blank canvas is before us.  What will you be doing, anything exciting?  This week I plan on taking it easy and relaxing, plus getting some things done around here and finishing our move in, there are a box or two left to unpack and the garage is filled again with empty boxes and moving paper, I'm thinking of giving it all away as we still have so  many in storage.

Anyway, let's get this started shall we?

As I look outside my window:::
53 degrees.  You know it's one of the things I most enjoy about being back in Idaho.  I love the early morning temperatures, feels wonderful.  The sun is shining very brightly.  I'm looking out my big kitchen window and see cars going by, sprinklers going and some children playing a few houses down. 

Right now I am:::
Chatting to hubby about the key turn in for the old house, typing up this post, and also listening to Nicholas playing a game on the Xbox.  

Thinking and pondering:::
On exactly how much of the deposit we'll be seeing back.  We put down $950 and it would be nice to see it come back to us, but honestly I am thinking we won't be seeing that at all.  These landlords expect the carpets to be professionally cleaned before leaving the house and I'm sorry, but I can't afford to do that.  I cleaned them all with my own carpet cleaner and deodorized them etc.  It will just have to do and they can take the money from the deposit.  Just frustrating that this is expected to be done, not everyone can afford to do that.  Oh well!!!

On my bedside table:::
Few things that need to be put up on the shelves, some nails and screws, my alarm clock and my book.  

On my tv this week:::
Monday
Catch up on shows that were recorded this weekend but I didn't get a chance to see
O Beijo do Escorpiao (Portuguese soap)
Mulheres (Portuguese soap)
Star Trek Voyager
Tuesday
O Beijo do Escorpiao (Portuguese soap)
Mulheres (Portuguese soap)
Little Women:  LA
Star Trek Voyager
Wednesday
O Beijo do Escorpiao (Portuguese soap)
Mulheres (Portuguese soap)
Star Trek Voyager
Thursday
Here comes honey boo boo
Dominion
Friday
Monumental Mysteries
The Dead Files
Saturday
Ghost Adventures
Sunday
The Last Ship
Return to Amish

Listening to:::
K-Love and "Just say Jesus" playing on the radio
 
On the menu for this week:::
Going with some budget friendly meals the next two weeks.  Moving to the new house, our rent has changed, the utilities have changed and a couple things have changed, so while I get used to all these adjustments I want to be sure I have good meals but that are budget friendly and more on the healthy side.

Monday - Mexican Braid
Tuesday - Ciabatta Sandwiches (Lettuce, ham, cheese, tomato), Salad
Wednesday - Spaghetti, Steamed Broccoli
Thursday - Breakfast for dinner (Bacon, Omelettes, Toast)
Friday - Hamburgers on the grill (hubby and kids only ever want the hamburger, I might make some veggies to go with mine)
Saturday - Saucy Mexican Chicken, Roasted veggies and potatoes
Sunday - Scalloped Potatoes and Ham, Corn on the cob
 
On my to do list:::
Laundry
Putting up the last of the family pictures on the stairs
Put up a shelf on the wall
Empty the last two boxes
Start breaking down boxes and folding packing paper to give away

Happening this week:::
Monday - Turning in keys to old house, working on new budget, Tae Kwon Do
Tuesday - Laundry, yard work
Wednesday - Turning in the keys, Tae Kwon Do
Thursday - Sewing day (catch up on all my projects)
Friday - Laundry

What I am creating:::
As I said yesterday, finished my corner to corner granny and now starting another for my niece.

My simple pleasure:::
Watching old western movies.  My grandfather used to love them and I never really cared much for them, but as I've gotten older I have really started enjoying them.

Homemaking tips:::
Best way to clean your oven is to steer clear of the chemicals and go with natural products at home.  I turn my oven on to the self cleaning mode, when it's done, I just have to wipe away all the ashes.  Once that is done, I use some of my orange or lemon infused vinegar and give it a good wipe down in there.  For tough spots, I mix a little bit of baking soda and water to make a paste, rub it on there, let it sit for about 15 minutes, then wipe off.  Much better than those spray oven cleaners which choke the living daylights out of you.

Looking around the house:::
Need to sweep and mop the wooden floors, vacuum my stairs and want to also carpet clean them.  From all the moving and walking up and down, they look a little yucky already.

From the camera:::

Prayer List:::
My friend Sue who is leaving her home of 45 years to move to a new area. As she makes the trip today, I pray for her safety and that of her husband's, and also that their new home brings them much joy.

Bible verse, Devotional:::
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1

PLEASE, don't add links to this list that are not part of the Happy Homemaker Monday. I've asked numerous times, and I'm frankly quite tired of having to remove links to other posts that shouldn't be in this list. Please be respectful of my request!

{ Weekend Chit Chat }

It's Sunday night....really?  Already?

The weekend just came and went so quick and I didn't get to do anything, other than cleaning the old house and housework around this new one.  Seems to be the story of my life lately though.

Buuuuttttttt, Friday night I had a most wonderful evening out with the whole family, at the Annual Daniel Dopps Rodeo.

Are you ready for this?  I have never been to one.  Oh my, 16 years in this country and I have never gone to a Rodeo, how can that be?  It was something that I had dreamed of going to for so many years, even as a child I would see them in the movies and think "one day, I will go to one".  The opportunity just never presented itself until this weekend.

I wish I had words to describe the whole event, but I think maybe surreal might be the closest, followed very closely by AMAZING!!!

If I told you that I cried and looked like an idiot, would you believe me?

I couldn't help it.  HA!!!

Let me show you a few pics I snapped, and when I say a few, I mean really just a few because if I had to show you all of them, we would be here all night.  You know me and my camera.  If you want to see them all, please feel free to check them out at my Flickr Album.

Want some more????

Oh that was just so much fun, and I think by far, one of my favorite things to photograph.  Now I can't wait to attend other rodeos.

That was Friday night.  We didn't get home until about 11:30pm and then I tried to edit some of the photos and was just too tired, but nonetheless I didn't make it bed until after 1am.  Goodness!!

Yesterday the hubby and I went by the other house for a little cleaning, I actually went to turn my oven on to the self cleaning mode so that today all I had to do was wipe it down nicely.

Hubby had college work to do and then he had to head to base for work too, so I decided that it was time to start my yearly Summer canning.

This makes me smile. No lie, all I need is to see these gadgets on my counter and I get so excited.

And then this of course.....aaahhhh.

First thing on the canning agenda, some Tomato and Apple Jam which I LOVE. My greatgrandma used to make Tomato Jam and it was one of my favorite things on earth, slathered on a piece of toast or as a sandwich.

If you want to try it for yourself, you can find my recipe on the blog. Here I'll give you a link :)

There it is, in all it's glory. Of course I had to have some for breakfast today, you know, just to make sure it was good enough to be eaten by everyone else. *snicker*

Next on the canning agenda will be some salsa, some potatoes, some green beans, corn and banana jam. Yes ma'am!!

Today was spent entirely at the old house.

I don't know friends, maybe I'm crazy but I just don't like leaving a house without giving it a very good cleaning, like spic and span kinda cleaning.

That is what we did, and tomorrow morning my husband will be taking the keys to the landlord. Over and done with, so that I can just start concentrating on the new house and not have to worry about going to the other every day for this or that.

Whew!!!

So there you have it, that is what my weekend consisted of, oh and finishing my corner to corner which I did, just needs blocking. Do you block all your blankets???? I admit I don't block all of mine, but this one I feel really needs it, so that is on the to do list for tomorrow.

Here is a little sneak peek though :)

{ Summer Reading List }

With my busy life lately, I have found that my moments for reading have dwindled, if not completely disappeared.

Oh I love reading, I just don't have the time and when I finally sit down for a moment, more often than not I am fast asleep.  Just ask my husband who is quite used to me sitting next to him on the couch to watch something, only to be nodding off within 5 minutes.

Thing is, I miss reading.

I miss everything about it.  The new pages of a book, the smell of the said pages and most of all, losing myself in a good story.  There is nothing quite like forgetting about real life for a moment and indulging in some good fiction.

I decided that I need to get back to my reading, and so, I'm doing something I haven't done in a very long time.  I am starting a Summer Reading List and I'm determined to get through it.

I'm starting small though, I am not going to give myself a huge list only to not be able to finish and thereby feel bad it.  Small....a few books.

I raided my bookshelf for books I have had for a long time but never got around to reading.  So here they are:

• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott  (why?  because it's been years since I read it and I love it)
• Plain and Fancy by Wanda Brunstetter
• White Christmas by Wanda Brunstetter
• A Sister's Secret by Wanda Brunstetter
• A Sister's Test by Wanda Brunstetter
• A Sister's Hope by Wanda Brunstetter
• Looking for a Miracle by Wanda Brunstetter
• What the Heart Sees by Kathleen Fuller
• Adoring Addie by Leslie Gould
• The Guardian by Beverly Lewis

Now that I've typed it out, it actually seems like a bit of a list doesn't it????  No matter, I'm going to get through it :)

Are you doing a Summer Reading List too?  Any good books you can recommend?

We are almost ready to turn in the keys to the old house, actually have to go in tomorrow and clean the carpets in the master bedroom....not that they need it, but I'm so used to military housing inspections that I just can't leave a house without giving it a good run through.

A lot of you have been asking about my knee, thank you for your kind words and thoughts.  My knee is fine, it is no longer swollen, I can walk just fine, but the bruising remains, it is now in that ugly yellowish phase, so I'm guessing a few more days before it is back to normal.

I have been good though, I have been taking it easy and staying off it as much as possible.

One of the things I've been indulging in, is World Cup watching, while plugging away on my crochet blanket, which let me tell you, is now on it's last two rows before being finished.  I'm going to give it a cute border and then it will be completely done, but I'll show you at that time.

I've also been loving watching my veggies and fruits growing.  I do enjoy gardening, though truth be told I am no expert and still fumble and kill the occasional plant here and there.  I am doing much better though and managing to grow a lot of things.

Something I've never been able to grow, was Lavender, but look at how well they are doing here in Idaho???  Happy, Happy with that!

And lastly, I've also been researching dinners on a budget, quick and easy meals to make without breaking the grocery budget.   Also, adding a lot more salad and veggies to each meal, it's something I use to do all the time and then stopped, but we seriously need to eat more veggies and fruit.

It's not hard to do, I will continue to make yummy meals but just adding salad or a veggie to each dinner.

Easy French Dip Sandwiches was tonight's dinner, with some creamed peas.  You can find the recipe on my food blog.  

Trying to work on a budget, trying to cut corners, trying to grow our own food, just trying to live life simply but good.  I've been purging as I unpack boxes too and so far have 4 boxes filled with items to do a yard sale with. 

So yeah, now you know what I've been up to. 

I'm sorry I wasn't around for the past few days, I just realized that my last post was on Monday and by now you were all probably wondering where I disappeared too with my jacked up knee.  HA!!!

I felt I needed to come in and let you know how I was and what I have been up to. 

Tomorrow we have some more cleaning up to do at the old house, and then at night we have the local rodeo to attend.  I can't wait for that, can you believe I have never been to one in the 16 years I have lived in the USA???  Goodness!!

Alright friends, I'm off for the night, going to finish my crochet blanket and try to watch something with the hubby before I fall asleep.  Wish me luck!!

{ Then this happened.... }

Sometimes unexpected things happen....and sometimes they leave you perplexed and wondering, just what in the world???

Aside from a few bruises here and there and some muscle soreness and tiredness, my husband and I have managed to make it through this move, pretty much unscathed. 

Then this morning, we went to the old house, loaded up a few more things in the truck, cleaned it out a bit and came home.

As we arrived back at the new house, my husband and I were trying to get the big washer out of the truck.  He was on the ground pulling it off, and I got on the back of the truck and was helping him by pushing.  I put my knees up against it and pushed, but that thing is really really heavy and it wasn't budging, so I braced my toosh up against the truck toolbox and pushed again.

I didn't feel anything at all, proceeded to do move some things out of the way and then went to step off the truck and noticed that my right knee did NOT look right.

It honestly looked like a bone sticking out but it didn't hurt, I could move my leg, just had this bulge.

The minute I stepped off and tried to walk it hurt a bit and felt weird.

Within a minute of my husband helping me inside to the couch, it started bruising and swelling.

This is what I am currently dealing with.

I've kept off the leg the whole afternoon, I've kept it iced, and it seems to be doing a little better.

But goodness, what on earth??? I really do think it's a Pressure Bruise or something popped in there from the force that was exerted on it.

My luck right???

Here's the thing though, as frustrating as it is right now knowing that I can't really walk too much on it and I still have so much to do at the other house and things to unload from the truck still, I am also thankful that it happened now and NOT during the big move.

That would have been awful. So yes, a little uncomfortable, but God works in mysterious ways.

Rest of the night I'm keeping it propped up, iced and taking some ibuprofen. I will see how it is looking tomorrow and if need be, will head to base to have it checked out.

Oh boy, the story of Sandra's life!!!

Happy Homemaker Monday - 06/23/2014

Good Morning dear friends, how was your weekend?

Mine was very good, filled with family and good food and a crazy soccer game.  Oh my!!!  Nerve wrecking, nail biting, craziness all rolled into 90 minutes.

Here we are again, Monday morning, and this time I'm back.  Last week I couldn't put the post up as I was between houses and with NO internet, sorry about that.  Alright, enough jabbering, let's just get on with it.

As I look outside my window:::
Gorgeous morning and currently 58 degrees.  Oh it feels so good outside.  There's a squirrel running across my fence and quite a few birds at my feeder.

Right now I am:::
Getting some love from my little Lola, drinking my coffee, typing up this post, and listening to the birds chirping outside.   

Thinking and pondering:::
Honestly????  On nothing at the moment.  That's new.  Usually my mind just goes at a million miles an hour with so many things to think about, but at this very moment, nothing. 

On my bedside table:::
My body lotion, candles for my wall hanging thingymabob, a few nails and screws and a hammer.  HA!   

On my tv this week:::
Monday
Catch up on shows that were recorded this weekend but I didn't get a chance to see
O Beijo do Escorpiao (Portuguese soap)
Mulheres (Portuguese soap)
Star Trek Voyager
Tuesday
O Beijo do Escorpiao (Portuguese soap)
Mulheres (Portuguese soap)
Chasing Life
Little Couple

Little Women:  LA
Star Trek Voyager
Wednesday
O Beijo do Escorpiao (Portuguese soap)
Mulheres (Portuguese soap)
Star Trek Voyager
Thursday
Here comes honey boo boo
Dominion
Friday
Monumental Mysteries
Saturday
Ghost Adventures
Sunday
The Last Ship
Return to Amish

Listening to:::
Nothing but the birds chirping and the clicking of my keyboard keys. 

On the menu for this week:::
Monday - Bife Trinchado (Portuguese steak with fries)
Tuesday - Rigatoni and Sausage
Wednesday - Chicken Pot Pie
Thursday - Roast Beef Sandwiches
Friday - Pizza Potato Puff Casserole
Saturday - Mexican Braid
Sunday - Ribs
 
On my to do list:::
Cleaning at the old house (vacuuming, washing carpets, oven etc)
Laundry
Moving my plants to bigger pots

Happening this week:::
Monday - Cleaning old house
Tuesday - Finishing cleaning
Wednesday - Turning in the keys
Thursday - Yard work, Housework
Friday - Rodeo

What I am creating:::
Finishing off my Corner to Corner granny.  Starting a new one for my niece.


My simple pleasure:::
Gardening   

Homemaking tips:::
When you are grilling on the weekend, or whenever, throw in a few extra hotdog and hamburgers.  You can just freeze them, and use them during the week for a quick lunch.

Looking around the house:::
It feels like home, my things are in place, my curtains are up and I just feel like I'm home, and that is a great feeling. 

From the camera:::
Yesterday's game....half Americans and half Portuguese.  Now THAT was fun!

Prayer List:::
Friends who are under spiritual attack.

Bible verse, Devotional:::
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:34-35

PLEASE, don't add links to this list that are not part of the Happy Homemaker Monday. I've asked numerous times, and I'm frankly quite tired of having to remove links to other posts that shouldn't be in this list. Please be respectful of my request!

{ Beating the dust with Dust-Off }

Dust.....it's just everywhere isn't it?  It's forever been the bane of my existence, not only because it's a constant in the house and on every surface, but because it wreaks havoc with my allergies.

Back in Arizona I had the worst time trying to keep it under control, I would dust one day and the very next it looked like a dust storm had run through the house.

Here in Idaho it has become much easier to deal with, not only because we're not in a desert, but also because I have since then become very good friends with Dust-Off.

A couple of weeks ago, actually right before our move, I was sent a sample to try out.  It couldn't have come at a better time, honestly, because you know when you're moving there is so much dust everywhere and I don't like putting things into the new house without giving them a good wipe.

Enter Dust-Off!!!

My favorite is the Electronics Duster, it removes dust and lint which is a HUGE help with our laptops and my husband's desk top.

You know how kids are, they tend to touch everything with their yucky little hands covered in whatever they were eating while attempting to play a game.  It's frustrating, and no matter how many times we tell them not to do that, they almost always do.

This little can of compressed air is a miracle worker, it really is, and I'm not just saying that, I truly believe it.

I don't like typing on a keyboard that has crumbs and all sorts of weird things stuck between the keys, and this little beauty gets right in there and blows them all out.  It's quite fun to watch actually, and if I can do a chore that is fun at the same time, I'm all for it.

It is easy to use, it works great!!!

And it's helped me keep the laptops clean.  Another place it works well in is in the car, I use it to clean the dashboard and the gear shift, the radio console etc. 

Needless to say, it's become one of the most used products in my house.

But that's not all, because I also received some screen cleaners which work really really.  I'm always a little worried about cleaning the screens, whether it be the TV or the tablet or the laptop monitors.  I don't know, I just worry that I will break it somehow and then I'm never sure if the product I have on hand is safe or if it will scratch it etc.

Not with these though, they are the perfect cleaner for the screens.  Works great, no scratches, and safe.  I even use them on my big TV screen.

So, if you're looking for some great products to help contain the dust in your home, you can be sure that Dust-Off will do the job.

Check them out on their website, Dust-Off, where you can find a ton of different products for whatever your cleaning needs are.

{ Spiders and cobwebs and dust....oh my }

Guess what I tackled today?

The garage.  Yep, the big ol garage.  As we brought things from the other house, we dumped them in the garage and then unpacked from there.  It worked out just fine, but as I stepped into the garage this morning, I was faced with a big ol mess that I just was tired of seeing.

Today was the day, and what a day it was.

This is what I started with.....

When I saw it, I actually thought about walking back into the house and pretending it wasn't there, but you know if I do that, then it will never get dealt with.

I set to work, cleaned, organized, put things in boxes for storage, for donation, for yard sale etc.

By the end of the day this is what it looks like.  A few things here and there, some stuff I still need to put away, but so much better, and I can park my car inside too.  Yay!!!

One thing we have in this house which I've never had in any of the others, is an attic.

I don't know, I'm thinking I watch too many scary shows because it scares the bejeebers out of me LOL

Every time I walk by, I look up and see the darkness and always think someone is there staring at me.  *shiver*  Ridiculous I know, but what I can do??

Something else that gives me the creeps, is the amount of spiders and cobwebs in the garage.  I don't understand, don't people ever clean their garages?

I've never had one, in all the base houses we lived, not a single one had a garage, so maybe this is all new to me, but I would assume people wouldn't want to go out there or have their things out there, with huge spiders crawling around.  At least I know I don't.

So one thing I also did today, before packing anything anywhere, I vacuumed the windows and corners and ceiling and sprayed and tried very hard to get rid of all the nastiness I saw.  It was GROSS!!!

I also worked outside with the hubby, he mowed the lawn in the front and back and helped me water the rose bushes, and set out some of our decorations.

The yards are looking wonderful, the grass is nice and green, the sprinklers are going and it's just a beautiful summer day.

Aside from my sore feet and back, it's been a very good productive day.

Yesterday I decided to bake in the afternoon, just got the urge to get in there and quickly whipped up some delicious Sweet Potato Biscuits with some Honey Butter.



My family loved it, especially my son who ate 5 in one sitting.  Good grief, where do tween boys put all that food?

Whew!!!!

Glad to have this day behind me, I'm now showered, in my pjs and sitting on my comfy couch with my feet up.  I am sore folks, like really sore and exhausted.

Nothing a glass of sweet Moscato wine, some crochet and some mindless tv shows won't cure.  Yes, I think that is exactly what I'm going to do.

Tomorrow......family coming over for a barbecue and the Portugal vs USA game.  Oh goodness, it's going to get tough around here, I'm Portuguese but my hubby and kids are American Hahahahah

Will let you know how that plays out :)

{ Beauty in everything }

Do you know that it's up to us to see the beauty in everything we do, and everything that surrounds us?

It's very easy to see the mess, the disorganization, the boxes, the fact that random things still litter the living room.  It's all right there, in our faces, a constant reminder that we've moved and that we are still trying to get things organized.

But I'm the kind of person who chooses to see beauty, who prefers to overlook the box in the corner and rather focus on the pretty painting on the wall above it.

Who instead of looking at the mess of breakfast preparation, focuses on the gorgeous tiny roses in the mason jar right beside it.

When was the last time that you really looked at your home with love in your eyes?

We don't all live in huge houses, with the most expensive of furnishings, or in rooms that have not one single object out of place.

We live, plain and simple....and living means that things depict what our daily lives consist of.

With that in mind, I am in love with my house, and I wanted to show you a few more pictures of those things that make me smile, that bring me joy.

For some they may not look right, for others it wouldn't be exactly how you would have chosen to decorate, but for me, and for us, it works.  It completely screams ME, in every single corner, in every single shelf, on every single wall, what you see is Sandra, proudly displayed.

If you look closely you can see a wooden sign that is yet to be hung, you can see random items on the video shelf on the right, you can see a drill, and you can even see my blue broom in the kitchen.

I just see a wall that really makes me smile.

Yesterday morning, my son asked me to make some French Toast. I hadn't made any in a while, so I got right to work. One of the things that I am loving in this kitchen, is the counter space to cook with, something the previous house did not have, quite honestly, I don't know how I ever managed to make anything because I had no space whatsoever.

See what I mean about beauty?  I sat down to pay bills, check on email, and do some computer work and this jar of roses from my yard is sitting right there on the table.  Even bill paying seems more colorful.  HA!!!

So, are you ready for a peek at my dining room?  I don't think I had shown you that side of the kitchen yet.

Very simple, but I love it.  The big window brings in so much sunshine and really opens up the whole kitchen and dining area.

Here is my dining room window, lots of plants, herbs and my little chickens.  The great thing is that most of my rose bushes are right on the other side so I can enjoy them while I sit at the table.

Matter of fact, we all enjoy this big window, and dinner time has become one of our favorite moments of the day.

Now let me show you my blanket.  It is almost done.  I really like the fact that this corner to corner is so quick to crochet, much faster than the other corner to corner I made.

I've already started the decreasing, and don't have much to go.  Next is just a border, and I'm trying to decide what I'm going to do, not sure yet which way to go.

Soon as I'm done with this one, I have my niece's to start.  My niece and nephew came over for the day on Wednesday and she fell asleep on my couch with one of my crochet blankets.

She was so surprised at how warm it was  LOL

Loved it so much, that she asked me if I would be willing to make her a blanket for herself, and of course, I obliged, not only because I love her, but because it's crochet.....come on, I couldn't say no, and I am having so much fun with this corner to corner granny that it will be the perfect blanket to make her.

Now, I urge you to take a look around, and see the beauty of your surroundings, and then tell me if it doesn't make you feel better.  Learn to love your home, learn to love the space you live in, and if you don't think it looks good, just pop in a flower here or there, trust me, it will make you smile :)

Happy Friday my friends!   This girl has laundry, mopping and some yard work on her agenda, so I best get on with it :)

{ Home Sweet Home }

I woke up this morning to beautiful sunshine streaming through the kitchen windows, and there really is nothing more glorious than early morning light, is there?

The first night we moved in was Friday, but we didn't have internet set up here, so I couldn't get online or give anyone an update.

It was quite strange, I think I was just so tired and sleeping didn't come easily the first night.  Then I thought I heard all sorts of noises and my crazy brain was thinking "oh no, is this house haunted?" Hahahaha

Amazing what an exhausted brain will do to you.

But that was just the first night, I've slept amazingly well since then, and no, no strange noises at all.

One of the things I am most loving about this house, aside from it reminding me of a farm house or an Amish house, is the fact that the windows allow for an insanely amount of wonderful light to come right in. 

Right??? I don't know if it's the set up or the white or what, but it just immediately brings to mind an Amish house. If only that were true, I would be one happy girl.

Well minus the dish addition which you would never find in an Amish home.

I've been slowly unpacking.  We have moved most of the things into their places, but there are still a few boxes in the garage, and those will be unpacked slowly as we go.  There is no need to rush or overdo it.

And there are my girls enjoying the back yard.  You should have seen them the first day, running around like crazy out there.  Oh and guess what???  We have two pugs right behind us and the owners turn out to be an older couple, who the husband actually worked with MY husband back when we were stationed at this base.

My word, what a small world isn't it?

Sunday for Father's Day, we didn't really do anything.  My husband and I never really buy each other gifts or go all out for this day, we believe that it should be celebrated every day of the year and not just one specific occasion.

But Jasmine wanted to make something for daddy, so she made him those yummy brownies above.  All by herself.  My girl loves baking, and that thrills me.

Later that night I sat up in bed and relaxed, worked a little more on my crochet blanket and watched some TV.  Oh and Karen had asked me for the pattern for the blanket, you can find it here.  Super simple and really fast to make.

While I was doing that, my daughter came up to lay with me and watch some shows, and she even brought us brownies, all nice and warmed up with a scoop of Neopolitan ice cream.  YUM!!

Now back to the house.  This is the Hallway window upstairs and I absolutely adore it.  Isn't it beautiful?  Don't mind the screws next to the flower vase, my husband was hanging up his military stuff.

Yesterday it rained all day long, it was quite a dark day, but I enjoyed it.  We needed the rain and it felt good.  I just love the smell of rain don't you?

Now let me show you one of the walls in the living room.  It's not finished yet, as I'm sure you can see by the random items on the shelves, things that really don't belong there, but you can get a pretty good idea of what it will look like.

I'm debating whether I want to keep the video cabinets as they are, or paint them white to match the other shelves.  Decisions, decisions, what do you think?

A little peek at the kitchen.....

My white shelf has finally made it's way into the house, and I think it's a pretty cute place to hang my aprons. 

So, the house is coming along nicely and slowly, but that is ok.  I have something I am planning for a wall in the kitchen, but I will show you that when it's done.

The living room also isn't finished, I'm having a bit of a hard time deciding where certain things will go, and I also have an idea for the wall above the TV, but I need to get some things together first.

As I finish this post up, my husband has gone to the old house to pick up the turtle, yes poor thing was still there, and to also grab a few last minute things. 

This weekend we will go in and give it a good clean, it's pretty clean already but I want to wipe down the walls and the blinds etc.

As for today, like I said, I'm not doing any moving myself, I have lower back pain and can't lift anything else.  I'm waiting for the repair man to come in and fix my refrigerator, it's defrosting and leaking from the freezer to the bottom area.  Not sure what time he'll be here, but once my husband returns, we do need to head to base for some grocery shopping and for him to do his job at the commissary real quick. 

Dinner tonight will be some Cheese Tortellini with tomato sauce and some garlic bread, nice and simple but yummy too.

I do hope I haven't bored you with all my rambling on about the house and the neighborhood and whatever I'm keeping myself busy with. 

Oh, before I forget, I have a few reviews coming up and a Lucky Leaf Giveaway too, so keep an eye out for that.

I better get moving, having a wonderful rest of Tuesday and I'll be back tomorrow with more chit chat :)