Good morning, and a very happy Monday to you all :)

I'm running a little behind this morning, usually I like having my post up by now, but I got distracted watching decluttering videos on Youtube, and yeah, an hour later I realized I was to be putting up the HHM post and not just watching videos.  Goodness!!!   Anyone else enjoy watching cleaning and decluttering videos?

Anyway, let's get on with it shall we?


The weather:::
It's been pretty hot around here, temperatures have been around 105 to 106.  It's hot but it's nothing out of this world for us who lived in Arizona and 120 degree weather.  Last night, around 10PM, the skies opened up and delivered a huge downpour.  Felt quite nice, actually.  The rest of the week we're staying warm with temperatures again in the triple digits. 

Right now I am:::
Sitting on the couch, with the blanket draped over my legs.  I'm feeling a bit cold this morning, which I'm just going to attribute to the cold air conditioner, otherwise it would mean that I'm getting a bit of a cold, and I surely hope not. 

On my reading pile:::
My name is Resolute by Nancy E. Turner.  I am almost done with it.  I'm also trying to finish Sweetbriar Cottage, and I still have a few books to read for reviews, including two new ones that came in Saturday.  My reading pile is never ending and I'm quite happy with that. 

Movies or Shows I watched this weekend:::
I've been trying to catch up on Game of Thrones, but truthfully I've only made it to episode 3 of Season 2.  The interruptions are constant and we've been quite busy with yard work as well. 

On my TV:::
General Hospital
Game of Thrones Season 2
Frontier
ID Discovery Channel

On the menu for this week:::

Monday
Sloppy Joe Casserole (for a review)     
Tuesday
Fish Pie and Salad      
Wednesday
Perfect Pizza Casserole (for a review)
Thursday
Creamy Oven Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Salad  
Friday 
Long Boy Burgers and Fries   
Saturday
Crockpot Grinders  
Sunday
Pulled Pork Baked Potatoes

On my to do list:::
Kitchen......Empty dishwasher, put away dishes from the dish rack and reload washer.  Give the counters a quick wipe down, sweep and mop floor.
Laundry.....Did all the laundry this weekend, so just have to do all the bedding. 
House......usual vacuum, dust and tidy up.  Carpet clean both living rooms.


What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
I haven't done Part 9 yet of the Atlanticus, and Part 10 just came out today.  I'm almost done with Part 2 of the Sweet Caroline Pillow, so going to finish the last two rows, and then I can pick up the Atlanticus.


Looking around the house:::
It's pretty clean but I need to give it a bit of a tidy from the weekend.

From the camera:::
Sunrise this morning
 


What I'm wearing today:::
Still in my nightgown, but I'm about to go and change as I have to head out to the hospital to pick up prescriptions.  I will probably just slip on a comfy dress.

One of my simple pleasures:::
Watching Decluttering and Speed Cleaning videos on Youtube.

Inspirational Quote, Bible verse, anything you want to share:::

My Saturday started much the same as any other day, with some cleaning, tidying, laundry and getting things ready for some mowing out back.

Around 10:30, Curt and I headed out to pick up a few things, mainly we needed some weed killer and wasp killer as well.  The wasps have been relentless around here and even though we get rid of all their nests, within a day there's wasps flying about looking to start another.  It's frustrating, and it doesn't really make us want to stay out there in the garden.



Our first stop was at The Tractor Supply, which since moving to Texas, has become one of our favorite places to pop in on a Saturday morning.  We grabbed both the weed and the wasp killer and then decided to go by Walmart to see what they had in the garden center.

Some of their plants and herbs were on sale, so I immediately grabbed some Basil because I LOVE it so much.  I think it's one of my most used herbs and there is nothing like fresh basil on a homemade pasta sauce.

I had that old bucket sitting around and thought the basil would look gorgeous in it, so Curt drilled some holes on the bottom for drainage and I planted it in there.  I will show you tomorrow what it looks like.


We also grabbed two Aloe Plants.

When we lived in Arizona, we had a few in the house, and we used them quite often for sunburn or even the occasional burn while cooking.


We had them for quite a few years and they even made the trip from Arizona to Idaho when Curt retired, but the long trip, and the moving around in the two years we were in Idaho, must have just been too much for them.  They didn't survive to make it to Texas with us.

We've missed having Aloe around since then so finally got these two.

Back at home, I popped some pizza in the oven, got the kitchen all cleaned up and got the plants and herbs into their respective pots.  Oh I picked up some sweet peppermint too, but totally forgot to photograph it.  I'll have to show you all the plants tomorrow :)


Then we noticed all the commotion going on across the street.  A few weeks ago I mentioned this house that has been vacant, and then had a couple of people buy it and move out right away.  We often joked amongst us that it must be haunted.

Remember I even took pictures of the fire trucks outside, when the new owner tried to burn some branches?

Well let me tell you, she is determined to get this property looking like new again, and she's been hard at work.  Hadn't seen this house and it's yards looking as good as they are starting to.


They've been hard at work for weeks, and today, this tractor worked for hours on end, from morning to about 6pm, clearing tons of grass, weeds, and other overgrown vegetation which was about as high as the tractor itself, if not higher.  No one has ever mowed the property in the 2 years we've been in this house.


But what we did notice that got me quite excited, was that they have Alpacas, 3 big ones.  They are so cute, and I'm hoping to be able to capture some great photos.

For now, I'm enjoying watching the progress as this property comes to life, and I really am wondering what she's going to do with the acreage she has.


While sitting out front watching the Alpacas and the mowing, I also enjoyed the different animals that call my garden their home.  Like this cool looking grasshopper, and the beautiful butterfly just fluttering around.



I came back in after a while and got right to dinner making.  One of our favorites and easiest meals ever to prepare.  Corned Beef Hash and we had some mixed veggies to go with it.

I did have a bit of a craving for something sweet, so quickly threw together a Coffee Cake.  It's one of those recipes that are quick to throw together but taste like a million dollars.

The recipe will be up on the food blog tomorrow and I'll share the link with you, don't worry.  But for now, you can go ahead and drool over the picture, just be sure to wipe the monitor off when you're done.  Haha


I ended off my night with a few rounds on Part 2 of the Sweet Caroline Pillow.  It's a great way to relax after a long busy day.


I didn't get to watch much on TV today, though I did catch one episode of Game of Thrones.  Would you believe me if I told you I have only watched Season 1?  Curt hadn't watched it at all either, but got completely caught up to the latest season a few weeks ago.  He is now waiting for me and we're going to let the new season finish up, then binge watch it together.

I just wish I had more time in the day to watch things, I feel like more often than not, it takes me a whole day to get through one single episode, because of the constant interruptions.

Anyway, that was my Saturday.  I don't have anything planned for tomorrow, other than we want to get the small flower bed cleared out and the mulch in, we didn't get around to it today.

Well the yawning has set in and I think that's my cue to get to bed.  It's quite pathetic that I'm falling asleep at 9:30pm on a Saturday night, but in my defense, I do get up early every day, even on weekends, I've never been one to sleep in.

I'm heading to bed before I fall asleep at the computer.  Good night :)

As a homemaker, my days are pretty much the same.

I have a routine I tend to stick to, and aside from a few things here and there that change or come up, like appointments, or grocery shopping, my days are usually comprised of certain chores and tasks that I do from morning to night.


I am well aware that this post is nothing amazing or different to what the rest of my fellow Stay at Home Moms do on a daily basis, but I thought it would be fun to take you all along with me in what is a pretty typical day in my life.

Be prepared though, it is jam packed with photos, and I apologize for that, but I really wanted you to get a sense of what I did today.  


Every morning I start with the dishes, unloading the dishwasher and reloading and so on.  This morning though, I had to give the sink and faucet a good clean, as you can see from the state of the faucet, it was a little grubby.


I then move on to the laundry, which really is a never ending task in my house.  Just when I think I'm caught up, there's another basket being drug into the kitchen and another load waiting to be washed.

I try to do a load every other day, so that it doesn't all pile up on the weekend.


Once the washer is going, I move onto the stove, counter tops and appliances.


I love stainless steel appliances, but I also immensely dislike them.  They always look so grubby, no matter how often you wipe them down.  I do need to get some of the stainless steel cleaner.  (and I did give it a good wipe down after I was done with the sweeping).


Next is usually the vacuuming, and with this huge house and two living rooms, it can take quite a while and give me quite the workout.


I usually move the smaller furniture around so that I can vacuum underneath it.


Then it was time to check the mail, I try to check it around the same time every day, as our mailman is quite good about coming by the same time.

I did notice some weeds starting to creep up and quickly pulled them out.


Then back inside again to switch over the laundry.


Folding takes quite a bit of time too, so I try to do it while watching something on the TV.  It makes it go by quicker.


Once the laundry is all folded, I move to the bathrooms and give the toilets a good cleaning, wash down the tubs real quick, wipe the counters and sweep the floors.  If need be I also mop them.


By this time, I usually eat my lunch and then make it a point of sitting down for at least 30 minutes to relax.


Today I had to get the chicken in the crockpot for dinner, so I went ahead and did that.  For this recipe I didn't need to start it in the morning, but if I did, then I would have done that right after doing the dishes.


I also do take a few breaks in between my chores, to play a little with Marley.  He is still a puppy and does require some attention and some one on one time.


Then I light some candles after the whole housework is done. It's become a ritual almost for me, it's like the end to my cleaning routine, lighting the candles and enjoying the beautiful scent.


I try to get a bit of gardening done every afternoon, mainly after the sun has moved away from this side of the house.  Watering my plants is part of that routine.


Marley loves being outside with me and is always watching what I'm doing.   Don't mind all that overgrown grass on the right side, that is all getting pulled tomorrow and will also get some black mulch.


By the time I get all this done, it's usually after 4pm and I start getting dinner preparations under way.

Setting the table is the thing I do first, because by the time dinner is ready, my family is around the table and chatting and waiting.


I get the food underway, and then while it cooks, I unload the dishwasher once again and reload it with the dishes from the day and whatever I am using to cook with.


Make the tea, or juice, and also quickly switch over any laundry that is finishing up.  Finish setting the table and getting it all ready for us to eat.


Back at dishes again, it really is a never ending chore, much like the laundry.  I fill my washer but I sometimes have dishes that don't fit, so I wash those by hand.



Once my kitchen is clean and tidy for the night, I go and take my shower, get into my comfy nightgown and then make myself a nice cup of coffee.


And enjoy it while sitting by my big window, watching the sun start to set, the birds fluttering about and my busyness finally starting to subside.


I usually end the day on my couch, touch up my nails while watching some youtube videos or my shows on the TV.



Then I edit whatever photos I took of the day, type up my blog post, or start to at least because sometimes I end up having to move to the bedroom so that I can finish it right before I head to bed.


I turn in for the night and get up the next morning at 6am to start is all over again.

It's my life, it's what I do as a homemaker, and I won't sit here and lie and say that some days I don't get a bit bored, or a bit frustrated that the chores are never ending and never changing, whether it be a week day or a weekend.....but those days are so few and far between.

I get immense pleasure from what I do, I love homemaking, strange as that may sound.  But I love my family, and I do this for them, and that in itself is enough to make it all worth it.

Well I hope you enjoyed this peek into a typical day in my life.  I sure enjoyed sharing it with you all.

Have a wonderful night friends.

From the minute my feet hit the ground, the whole pace of the day was slow.  There was no rushing, no need to be anywhere, or projects left dangling and waiting, no phone calls to make, no bills needing paid, and no feeling like there just aren't enough hours in the day.

A slow day.......

If you've ever had a slow day you will know that it moves at it's own beat, it's almost like the planet itself takes a break from the chaos of every day life.

I once read a quote that really struck me.  I must admit that I didn't quite understand its meaning at first, but when it sank in, it suddenly made all the sense in the world.  It's almost like a light bulb moment.


"You must go slow, in order to move fast."

Might seem a bit weird when you first read it, but it's quite simple and to the point.  If we go slow and calmly do things, then we do them right and therefore faster.  Quite eye opening isn't it?


So that was my day today, and I must admit it wasn't because I made it so, but my body did.  If you're a woman then you know that once a month we are forced to slow down a little.  I have never used my cycle as an excuse to get out of anything, but the first day it hits me like a ton of bricks, the cramps, the headache, the lower back ache, and even lightheaded.  Overall unwell feeling.


I'm lucky in that I don't work outside the home, because I can take that day off to just go with the flow, to slow down and to let my body do what it needs to.


I spent yesterday afternoon with my sister in law.  We had lunch together, we chatted and laughed and caught up, and then I taught her how to make the Bird Seed Wreaths.


They are so simple and in no time, we both had quite a few made and ready to dry overnight.


This morning I added some of my ribbons and tomorrow I'll go around and hang them from my front and back porch. I have quite a bit of chores that need done around the house tomorrow, and after having a bit of a slow day today, it will feel good to get back at it.

I do plan on meeting up with my sister in law, late morning, to run to the thrift store and have a quick look around, and then we're going for some ice cream.

Dinner tonight was a complete bust, I forgot to take out my chicken, and since my hubby knew that today I was feeling so run down, he picked up Charley's subs for dinner.  I LOVE Charley's and haven't had them in, oh.....a year or two?

Not to mention, no dishes or clean up to do and that's always a plus right?


I just finished some computer work, got two more book reviews lined up, which I'm excited for because I finally have my reading mojo back.  It had been gone for years, and I kid you not, it really had been years since I had enjoyed reading a book, but the Nancy E. Turner novel kick started that up for me again, thank goodness.

Monday, I have to go to base to pick up some prescriptions and I've decided to pop into the library and see what I can find.  I know it's totally ridiculous with the amount of books for review I still have on my shelf, but I haven't been to the library in a while, so it's a must.

Right now I have the TV on and I was trying to catch up on my crime shows in the DVR but I would rather read, so I'll turn it on to our usual Everybody Loves Raymond reruns and enjoy my story, which by the way, I am more than halfway through my book, all 600 pages of it.  Wow!!!!!

Tell me, when is the last time you had a slow day of your own, and how do you usually like to spend yours?