{ Weekend in Review }

Good afternoon friends, how is your weekend going?

Well here in North Texas we've been dealing with quite cold temps, lots of rain and icy weirdness all over the place.  There's been fog, there's been icy roads and thunderstorms, so I've tried not to leave the house too much.

Yesterday I got up, had my coffee and puttered around a little, got the dishes going and tidied up a bit and then went to pick up my sister in law and niece, and we headed to the base commissary.

I had to pick up a few things and so did they, so we made a morning of it.  Right after the commissary I ran to the library to pick up a few books.  I was really missing the library and books and all that goodness, and even though the weather was pitiful, I just had to go.

I dropped them back home and by the time I got back to my own house, I was in no mood to do anything at all.  I slipped into some very comfy warm fleecy pj pants and sat down with a cup of coffee to watch some vlogs and do a bit of reading.

These are the books I picked up.  As you can tell by two of the selections, I'm back on a history, tudor, Henry VIII kick, and I absolutely adore Phillipa Gregory so got The Taming of the Queen and Three Sisters, Three Queens.

I also picked up And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich.  I've never heard of this author but the book looks so good.  Weirdly enough for me, I never used to be into mysteries or scary books but the past year I've been enjoying them.

Here's a summary of the book:

When Silla and Nori arrive at their aunt's home, it's immediately clear that the "blood manor" is cursed. The creaking of the house and the stillness of the woods surrounding them would be enough of a sign, but there are secrets too--the questions that Silla can't ignore: Who is the beautiful boy that's appeared from the woods? Who is the man that her little sister sees, but no one else? And why does it seem that, ever since they arrived, the trees have been creeping closer?

Does that not sound good?  I think I'm actually going to start with this one.  If any of you have read it, let me know what you thought and I'll also let you know what I think of it :)

I didn't do much else yesterday, just really relaxed with the family.

This morning I slept in a little, had a little breakfast and then it was right onto homemaking and the usual faffing around.

I started by making a Lemon Dream Cake for tonight.  I'm having my brother and his family over for dinner so wanted something good for dessert.  I am going to make Chicken Fried Steak and Mashed Potatoes with Gravy and my sister in law will bring her yummy Caesar Salad.  Can't wait.

I've got laundry going, I've cleaned and tidied the whole kitchen, swept and mopped.  Got the bathrooms done, the living rooms tidied, just need to vacuum.

My husband made us a yummy brunch of crispy bacon and omelettes.  It was delicious.

Now I'm sitting here relaxing for a bit while I wait for the last load to finish in the dryer, then it's onto folding and putting away and finishing up some chores.

Still on the to do list:

1. Mop the bathroom floor
2. Prep the potatoes for dinner
3. Prep the steaks for dinner
4. Set the table
5. Make some koolaid and sweet tea
6. Clean out the turtle tank
7. Put away laundry

It's 3pm and I have about 3 hours before they arrive for dinner, but I want to get as much done as I can in the next hour and a half.  I'm thinking I may even go ahead and make the steaks or at least the breading and egg dip part, so that it will be quicker getting everything fried and ready for dinner.

And that's it friends, another weekend gone by, just a few more hours and we're at the start of another week.  Oh boy!!!!

Also, I wanted to ask you all for your opinions or advice.  We just did our taxes and last year we owed the IRS 30 dollars which was a little annoying but not a problem.  This year, apparently we owe them close to $3000.  I don't even know what to say, I feel like we're in a hole and trying to get out of it and there's always more dirt being piled on.

Apparently we make too much according to the IRS.  For those of you out there in the same boat, can you give us some suggestions on how not to owe taxes next year, or even how to get a return, though I'll say that I would be fine with getting nothing back but not owing anything either.

So, yeah, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Right, I best get on out of here and get cracking on with my chores.  Have a wonderful rest of Sunday and I'll see you here tomorrow morning for another Happy Homemaker Monday :)