{ More yard work, tons of homemaking and cooking }

This week, I've been blessed with 3 days of not having to leave the house.

To some that may seem insane, but to me, a homebody, it has been heavenly.  I've started my mornings off slow, pottered around, washed laundry, hung laundry out to dry, ironed, cleaned, organized, started my seeds, did schooling and have been cooking and baking up a storm.

It has just felt right.

I don't mind having busy days, and I also don't mind leaving the house and driving and so on, but I do prefer being at home in my space with my belongings, and truly homemaking the way I love to.

We've so much rain lately that everything is springing to life.  The grass has come in green and strong, needing to be mowed already.  Trees are sprouting new life, and Spring is just around the corner.

I very much look forward to spring and summer, my husband however doesn't share that much excitement because to him, it means mowing 3 acres and a lot of yard work in scorching summer temperatures.

Nonetheless, we've started getting ready for the warmer temperatures.

I started my Saturday by giving the back porch a huge, and I mean huge clean out.  It was to the point where there was minimal space to walk, there were patio chairs and a table, flower pots and old hoses and whatever else you can think of.  It seems to be a catch all during the winter months.

Truthfully, it was driving me insane and the minute the temperatures warmed up, I was out there.

I added this corner shelf and some of my plants.  They are so happy out there, not in direct sunshine but soaking up fresh air and light.

While I did that, Curt got on the mower and started the long job of mowing.  We are so thankful to God for the ride on mower, it was an expense that we didn't have to get into when we first moved into this house, but you can't have 3 acres and a push mower.

I mean, you can, but trust me, it is not fun.

We are still trying to get the greenhouse finished off.  The material that Lowes suggested for the outside, was not able to withstand our crazy strong winds, and so it's torn off the top and some of the sides.  Will have to figure out what to use and how, without breaking our bank to do it.

Regardless, I really need this greenhouse up and running soon.

In the meantime, I've started my seeds inside and hopefully they will move to the greenhouse within the next few weeks.

Sunday morning, Curt and I did a lot of work around the porch area.  We dug up all the grass, got the stone pavers into the ground and started to mulch the area.

My idea is to have mulch in specific areas around the greenhouse.  It's hard to describe what I want the finished vision to be, but you know I'll share it all with you as we go.

It may not look like a lot of work yet, but believe me when I tell you, it killed our backs for the rest of the day.  Not to mention, me and my allergies have the hardest time being around all that soil and dirt.

I can't wait to see this whole area looking the way we want it to.

On Monday, I moved my bedroom around again.  I do it twice a year.  I just love being able to sit on my bed and look out the window into the fields behind the house.  Especially enjoy it during Spring and Summer when I can have the window open and just listen to the birds outside.

Laundry has been a constant, which also means a constant pile of clothes to iron.

Also washed all the rugs and mats in the house, including bath mats.  I love clean, fresh and newly washed rugs.

Cooking and baking has also been huge on my list this week.  I've now updated the food blog with 6 new recipes, so if you're interested in my cooking and baking, make sure to go on over to Full Bellies, Happy Kids.

You'll find recipes for:

Sauteed Kabocha Squash
Copycat Starbucks Banana Bread
Creamy Garlic Bread
Mexican Bolillos
Brazilian Cornmeal cake
Roast Chicken legs and potatoes

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed sharing on my food blog, and it's been quite neglected for a while, so it feels good to be back on a regular basis.

I will be sharing more recipes every week.

Today, I need to get some schooling done with Nick and also work on my new meal plan.  I am thinking that there are going to be mainly Portuguese meals the next two weeks, as my family has been missing that kind of food.

Tomorrow it's back to driving back and forth, Friday I have my mammogram and grocery shopping to do.    Saturday we need to take Nick for a haircut and we're also going to my brother and sister in law's house to help with their garden.

So, pretty much back into a busy routine, so I think today I'm going to sit back, relax and take it easy.  I've worked hard all week, moved things, shoveled and packed and organized, and my lower back is needing a bit of a break.

It's also rainy and cloudy outside, so the perfect day to sit on the couch, watch tv, work on the menu, read and cuddle with my Marley.

I hope you've all been having a fantastic week so far.  I'm so glad it's Wednesday, just 2 more days and then I can sleep in without that 5AM alarm clock.  :)