{ Lazy Summer Days }

 

It is a beautiful summer morning, here in North Texas.  The sun is shining, there are only a few clouds in the sky, and the temperature has cooled down a bit.

 

Mornings like this remind me of why I love summer days.  Slow mornings, nowhere I need to be, cup of coffee in hand and a blank slate before me.  

 

Reading, gardening, swimming, sun bathing, barbecuing, all the ings.  Right?

 

The next two days, I am home, no need to go anywhere, just two full days of doing whatever I want, whenever I want.

 

It's 9:15am and I am still sat in bed.  That never happens.  I'm up between 5:30 and 6am, every day, and then on the go until bedtime.  So, I kinda feel lazy and guilty for still being in bed at this time, but in my defense, I have been up, got coffee and made hubby's lunch, saw him off to work, let the dog out, fed the cat, edited photos for this post, and am here typing away.

 

 

I don't remember the last time I came in, and just talked.  I've been so awful at blogging.  I was actually looking back on my blog, previous years, like between 2008 and 2014, and I blogged so much.  I had daily posts, sometimes twice a day posts.  Where did I get that motivation, or the time, considering my kids were little.

Although, I have noticed that as they've gotten older, they still need me just as much, if not more at times, than they did when they were toddlers.  Go figure!!!

We've been getting ready for summer, getting ready for the 4th of July, and working out little butts off outdoors.  As much as we can.  I won't lie, I last about 10 minutes in triple digit weather, before I have to run indoors, lay on the couch, drink water and stop my heart from trying to escape my chest.  It's ridiculous!

But, we've managed to get things done.  Saturday will be pool day, we need to get it up, filled and ready for our barbecue on Sunday.  The family is coming over, and by family I mean my brother, sister in law and her mom who is visiting from South Africa.  Sweet Auntie Valerie, I just love her, she is the sweetest lady.

Also my niece, her husband and her two babies will over.  I think it will be a great day to sit and laugh, enjoy good food and some drinks and just celebrate this beautiful country.  It will be my first 4th of July as an American Citizen and I am so beyond proud of that.

Not going to go all out, just keeping it pretty simple, but if you're wondering what we'll be having, here it is:

 

Hamburgers

Cowboy Burgers (our local butcher makes these delicious jalapeno burgers, wrapped in bacon)

Hotdogs

Potato Salad

BLT Pasta Salad

Deviled Eggs

Watermelon

Frozen Key Lime Pie

Red, White and Blueberry Pie

Drinks......sodas, juice, water, sangria and beer

 

Very much looking forward to that.

In the meantime, let's talk about losing weight, because I started exercising again on Monday.  Today is actually my rest day, not by choice, but suggested by the trainer because my muscles are quite sore, and if you didn't know, exercising through sore muscles is actually not a good idea.

It took me 47 years to find that out.  I learned that yesterday.  hahahahh

But anyway, I need to get back on track.  My hormones have been wreaking all sorts of havoc on my body, and the weight gain has been consistent the past year, no matter what I do.  So, need to attack that the best I can.  

I am following Grow with Jo over on Youtube, and doing her Walk at home exercises, her cardio videos and dance videos etc.  I just find her so easy to follow, and she is extremely sweet and inspirational.  

Not looking to lose a ton of weigh immediately, but thinking more along the lines of a life change.  Incorporating these exercises into my daily routine, and sticking with it long term.  Wish me luck!

Jasmine has started therapy again.  The past two months she's been struggling with her depression, and can't seem to budge it, so she's looking to get back on track as well.  I'm so proud of her for recognizing she needs help and making it happen.

She said to me the other day "This sucks mom, I am so happy, I have good parents, and a good brother, a good home, a good job, a wonderful boyfriend.....I hate that I feel so down, for no reason."

As I've said many times before, I don't suffer from depression, so it's hard for me to put myself into that mind frame.  I don't understand what it's like.  In a perfect world, we think that if someone has everything going for them and no need to be depressed or anxious, then they shouldn't be.  Mental illness does not work that way though, does it?

So if you're struggling at the moment too, and I know many are, for many reasons.  All we have to do is look at the world around us and pick one thing that can easily derail us all, right?  

But if you are struggling, there is no shame in looking for help to feel better.  Reach out to someone, whether it's family or a therapist.  What matters is feeling better.

Nick is working on his learner's permit, looking for a job and trying to decide whether he wants to go back to school or not.

Speaking of schools, Jasmine was just accepted into Bellevue College, she is going to pursue a career in Cyber Security.  We are extremely proud of her.

Curt is continuing with his college, he is halfway through this semester already, and then he has I think just one more semester left and he will be done with his Master's Degree in Christian Ministry.  Wow!!!

As for me, I am continuing to be the mom, wife, homemaker, I have always been.  Although, I also signed up for a college class that is actually being offered for free at the moment.   It is through Hillsdale College, and is available to ANYONE who wants to take it.

The course is called The Great American Story:  A Land of Hope.  You can find out more about it by clicking the link above.  

Basically, you have lectures to watch, quizzes to take, and at the end you will receive a certificate of completion.  I'm quite excited because, I have never really been one to enjoy school, so once I graduated high school I was glad to never have to do it again.  But, there have been times where I felt that I wish I had taken some sort of college course.

This may not seem like a big deal, but it is a big deal to me.  I will let you know how I get on with it.

 

I've been quite busy in the kitchen too.  I'm mostly been making Portuguese meals, and also concentrating on quick, easy, and inexpensive meals that help the budget, but stretch and feed everyone.  

Last night's dinner was this delicious Sausage and Potato Bake.  Super easy to make and quite inexpensive.  I'll try to get the recipe up for you all, either this afternoon, or tomorrow morning.  It depends, if I have time to do it.  I have been making a ton of Rissois for the freezer, and need to make another 2 big batches today.  If I finish early then I'll get the recipe up for you all.

 

Speaking of which, I have a new recipe for the dough for the rissois, that is the best one yet.  So will try to get that up for you as well.

We are still continuing to get our daily visitors, including this sweet mama and baby.  The other morning, I was up at 6am and noticed the baby in our front yard, just laying, all by itself.  I don't know what happened, but he/she remained in our yard all day long, moving between different trees and bushes, hiding out, coming up to the front to eat a little then going back to lay down.

 

Mom was nowhere to be seen.  I started getting a bit panicked, thinking the baby was abandoned, and what would happen.  Sometime around 7pm a herd of deer came up to eat, and the little one was so happy to see them.  Mom wasn't in that first group, but I guess she came in some time after, because the following morning, they were both laying out on our lawn, and then ate and left together.

 

Warms my heart.  

 

Anyway, it is almost 10am and I really need to get up, and get started with my day.  I am tired of sitting on this bed, though I enjoyed catching up, blogging and chatting with you all.

 

I have laundry to get going, dishes to empty from the dishwasher and then more rissois to make.  

 

If anything, being in bed this late just reiterated for me that I am not a person to lay around.  I get bored far too quickly hahahah

 

Hope you enjoyed catching up with me and also hope you are having a blessed week.  Be on the lookout for those recipes, if you are interested.

With that, I will say goodbye, until the next time.  

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 06/27/2022 }

 

Good morning sweet friends, welcome back to the blog.  

 

I hope you had a good weekend.  Ours was spent outdoors, in the back yard, trying to get it cleaned out and arranged the way we want to.  It's been hard to do with triple digit temperatures, at least for me, my sweet husband has been able to handle it better than I have.  But the yard is coming along well, and honestly can't wait to see it all done and ready to enjoy.  

 

I am nursing a bit of a sinus headache this morning, not sure if it's just my sinus or allergies, but whatever it is, it needs to go, and fast.  

 

Right, let's get going with our post.  I wish you all a very blessed week ahead.

 

 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥

It's been incredibly hot and dry, with triple digits.  Thankfully yesterday and today, it has cooled down slightly, well, slightly for us means 90 degrees  Hahahah

 

Going to take advantage of today and tomorrow before the heat goes back up again. 

Monday -  Sun and clouds mixed, 90

Tuesday - Partly cloudy, 88

Wednesday - Sunny, 95

Thursday - Sunny, 100

Friday - Mostly sunny, 98

Saturday - Mostly sunny, 98

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 98

♥♥  As I look outside my window ♥♥

I'm sitting in the living room, and can see the backyard.  From here I have full view of our new area, with the gazebo, hammock etc.  It's a beautiful bright sunny morning, and the wind is blowing every so slightly.  I just watched two big deer come walking behind the fenced in back yard, and lay down near the trees on our property.  

 

Love where we live ♥ 

♥♥  Right now I am ♥♥

On the couch, typing this up, listening to some background ambience sound on the TV.  This one is called Alpine Farm, and really makes me feel like I am sitting out in the alps, with chickens at my feet, cowbells in the distance and birds chirping above. 

♥♥  Thinking and pondering ♥♥

On all I have to do today.  Have a list a mile long and just hoping to get it all done, I'm also starting exercise back up.  My weight keeps going up, even though I haven't changed any of my eating habits.  My gynecologist said it's due to the perimenopause and heading to menopause.  I'm sure all the ladies out there can sympathize.  

 

So I need to get back on the wagon, and start some exercise to help shift this hormonal weight. 

 

♥♥  How am I feeling ♥♥

Dealing with a sinus headache, but already took something for it.  I'm pretty excited to start working out again.  Nothing too hard, just following some walk at home programs on Youtube. 

♥♥  On the breakfast plate ♥♥

I had a cup of coffee at 5:30am, but no breakfast yet.  Will eat something after my exercise. 

 

 

 

♥♥  What I'm wearing  ♥♥

Pink workout yoga pants, pink sports bra, black top.    

♥♥  On my reading pile ♥♥

My Bible and devotional.

Janette Oke's Women of the West

♥♥  On my TV this week  ♥♥

Star Trek Strange New Worlds

We finished Seinfeld this weekend, so started Mad About You last night.  It is one of the shows we first started watching together, when we married almost 24 years ago. 

Homemaking vlogs 

Become Elizabeth (new period drama on STARZ)

 

♥♥  On the menu  ♥♥ 

We really enjoyed having some much loved Portuguese meals the past two weeks, and for the most part, we are continuing down this path.  The next two weeks will have some more Portuguese favorites, but also other favorite comfort foods thrown in. 

Monday - Spaghetti Bolognese, Salad, Foccaccia

Tuesday - Frango com cerveja, arroz  (Chicken in Beer, rice) 

Wednesday - Teriyaki Steak, Sesame Noodles 

Thursday - Macarrao recheado de forno (Oven Baked Fettucine Alfredo), Garlic Bacon Knots 

Friday - Gratinado de salsicha, Salada (Sausage Bake with Salad)

Saturday - Frango no churrasco (Portuguese BBQ Chicken)

Sunday - 4th of July Barbecue (Hotdogs, Hamburgers, Jalapeno Poppers, Potato Salad, BLT Pasta Salad, Red, White and Blueberry Pie, Frozen Key Lime Pie)

 

 

♥♥  Looking around the house  ♥♥

The back screen door is open letting in some fresh air.  Kaia is asleep next to me on the couch, and Elliott is asleep on the ground.  The house is tidy, except for the dining/den area, that has a comforter hanging off the couches in there.  I always dry my comforters and big blankets, in the dryer, but then let them finish drying completely draped over the couch.  

 

I just need to fold it and put it away in the linen cabinet. 

♥♥  To Do List ♥♥

-  Get Jasmine to work

-  Empty dishwasher, and reload

-  Chop up fruit for the fridge. 

- Water the plants

- Start Exercise Day 1 of Grow with Jo  

 

♥♥  From the camera  ♥♥

Still have quite a bit to do here, but it's looking so good.  It is my go to area, to rest, to have a cup of coffee, to sit on the hammock and just relax or read.  Love it! 

 

♥♥  Devotional  ♥♥

Over the past few weeks, Psalm 91 has been on my heart.  I feel like we need to pray it over our families and homes, now more than ever. 

{ In The Dark We Forget by Sandra SG. Wong - TLC Book Tour }

 

About In The Dark We Forget

• Harper 360: (June 21, 2022)
• Paperback: 368 pages

“A chilling, nerve-jangling journey into lost memories and unforgettable terrors. Sandra Wong knows what scares us all—and what we can never forget.” —Tess Gerritsen, New York Times–bestselling author of Listen to Me

A jolting psychological suspense novel from an up-and-coming Chinese-Canadian crime writer about missing parents, a winning lottery ticket and the lies we tell ourselves in order to survive.

Some things are better left forgotten . . .

When a woman wakes up with amnesia beside a mountain highway, confused and alone, she fights to regain her identity, only to learn that her parents have disappeared—not long after her mother bought a winning $47 million lottery ticket.

As her memories painfully resurface and the police uncover details of her parents’ mysterious disappearance, Cleo Li finds herself under increasing suspicion. Even with the unwavering support of her brother, she can’t quite reconcile her fears with reality or keep the harrowing nightmares at bay.

As Cleo delves deeper for the truth, she cannot escape the nagging sense that maybe the person she should be afraid of…is herself.

With jolting revelations and taut ambiguity, In the Dark We Forget vividly examines the complexities of family—and the lies we tell ourselves in order to survive.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

About Sandra SG Wong

SANDRA SG WONG writes fiction across genres. She is a finalist for the Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence and a nominee for the Whistler Independent Book Awards. She holds an honours BA in English literature and speaks four languages at varying levels of proficiency, though she usually only curses in one of them. Sandra lives in Edmonton, Alberta, and is too often tweeting instead of writing.

Learn more about Sandra on her website, Instagram, and Twitter.

 

REVIEW:

Over the past few years, I have grown to really enjoy psychological suspense books, a genre that I was never really into before.  

When the opportunity came up to review Sandra's new book, I was hoping I would enjoy it, but still a little apprehensive, since it IS a pretty new genre for me.

The book kicks off with Cleo Li waking up, in a strange place.  She is sore, she is disoriented, she doesn't recognize the area and has no clue how she ended up asleep (or so she thinks), outside.  As she struggles to make sense of what is happening, she takes in her surroundings and starts trying to piece what happened.  

A good Samaritan sees Cleo walking along the highway and picks her up, taking her to the local police station.

From that moment on, we kick into high gear.  There are going to be twists and turns, shocks and wow's.  I felt like I was on a roller coaster, not knowing where I was going, what was happening, who was what and what exactly had happened.

But Sandra Wong weaves such an intricate and wonderful story of suspense, that you can't help but turn the pages quickly, trying to dismiss the increasing anxiety building within you.  This book for me, was almost like watching a movie.  I wanted so badly to reach the end, to figure what happened and who did it, but then feeling that sense of sadness that it's all over.

So, just a quick summary.....we have Cleo Li who wakes up with amnesia on the side of a mountain range, not knowing what or where or how she got there.  As she tries to regain her memory, she finds out her own parents have disappeared, shortly after her mom won a $47 million lottery ticket.  She is determined to find out where her parents are and what happened to them, but unfortunately the deeper she digs, the more the finger seems to point at her.

This book......my word, this book.  Sandra Wong is phenomenal in her writing.  She weaves such an intricate web.  I had no clue what was happening until the end, and no, I'm not going to spoil it for you.  If you love a good psychological, crazy, fast moving, shocking suspense story, you will have to grab a copy of  In The Dark We Forget, and get right into it.  I think you won't be disappointed.

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Harper Publishers, for providing me with a copy.  

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 06/20/2022 }

 

Good morning everyone, how are you all doing today?

 

It is quite early here in North Texas, but I am up, ready to start the day, and get things done.  I'm also hoping to get some photos taken today, as I go about my homemaking, for a blog post.  I think it's about time to get back on the wagon and start sharing my days.  

 

I have about 20 minutes before I need to head out the door, so I'm going to try and get this post up as quick as I can. 

 

Have a wonderful holiday weekend, hope you're all enjoying your family and friends.

 

 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥

Hot, just horribly hot.  Curt and I are trying to work on our back yard, and it's been so difficult to get anything done.  I wish I could say it would cool down, but nope, we are just heading full speed ahead into the triple digits. 

Monday -  Sunshine and a few clouds, 100

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, 101

Wednesday - Sunny, 99

Thursday - Mostly sunny, 102

Friday - Sunny, 105

Saturday - Sunny, 105

Sunday - Sunny, 98

♥♥  As I look outside my window ♥♥

The sun is just coming up, so it's reflecting on the tree branches, and bathing the whole back yard in a beautiful golden light.  From where I'm sitting, in my living room, I can see the area we are working on, out back.  I can't wait to see it all done.

♥♥  Right now I am ♥♥

On the couch, quickly typing this up, and listening to a podcast.  n take their morning naps.  They're not comfy, laying on the bed, and fast asleep.  

♥♥  Thinking and pondering ♥♥

About our plans for the backyard, and all we need to get done.  Hoping we can accomplish it today without having to scurry back indoors, because of the triple digits. 

 

♥♥  How am I feeling ♥♥

I'm pretty good.  Just trying to fully wake up and get going.

♥♥  On the breakfast plate ♥♥

Just a cup of coffee I'm sipping on at the moment.  Not sure what I'll have for breakfast.  

 

 

 

♥♥  What I'm wearing  ♥♥

Pair of striped blue and white shorts, white tshirt.  

♥♥  On my reading pile ♥♥

My Bible and devotional.

Janette Oke's Women of the West

Finishing, In the Dark We Forget by Sandra S. Wong(review tomorro)

♥♥  On my TV this week  ♥♥

Star Trek Strange New Worlds

Seinfeld

Homemaking vlogs 

 

♥♥  On the menu  ♥♥ 

Been enjoying the Portuguese meals.  Have to work on the new menu, because Friday is grocery day. 

Monday - Bifanas, Batatas Fritas (Pork sandwiches and fries)

Tuesday - Torta de Atum (Tuna Pie), roasted Brussel Sprouts

Wednesday - Carne a Jardineira (Beef Stew), Salad 

Thursday - Frango com molho branco, arroz  (Chicken in a cream sauce, Basmati Rice)

Friday -

Saturday -

Sunday -

 

 

♥♥  Looking around the house  ♥♥

The back screen door is open, and Elliott is laying by it.  He loves looking outside, sleeping by the sun and so on.  He however does not like going outside at all, which is a very good thing.  

The TV is on in the background, playing the podcast I'm listening to.  The house is actually clean and tidy.  I remember when the kids were little, Monday mornings the house looked like a Tasmanian Devil had come through.  Those days, are long gone, thankfully. 

♥♥  To Do List ♥♥

-  Get Jasmine to work

-  Empty dishwasher, and reload

-  Chop up fruit for the fridge. 

- Water the plants

- Pick up cement and river rock for the project out back.  Work on the back yard. 

 

♥♥  From the camera  ♥♥

My money tree is getting huge.  I am so proud of myself for all the plants I am able to have now.  Years ago, I struggled to keep them alive, constantly over watered or under watered.  I envisioned a home full of plants, but it just seemed like a dream.  

 

Love looking around my home now, and seeing beautiful plants of all shapes and sizes. 

♥♥  Devotional  ♥♥

Another great devotional from New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp.  

 

If you are God's, to tell yourself you can't do what you've been called to do is to preach private heresy.  You've been enabled by grace. 

{ Well hello...... }

I am sitting here with the sound of the air conditioner in the background.  A constant hum that has become just as big a part of my daily summer life, as ice cold water, green grass and the bluest of skies you'll ever see.

So, how are you all doing?

Life has been so busy and so strange at the same time.  I have gone through my days, often feeling like I don't know where I'm going or what I'm doing.  Hours speed by, days become weeks and weeks become months.  For a while there, there was just so much happening at once, that I feel my body shut down and went into self preservation mode.

 

A constant feeling of exhaustion, no motivation, just dragging myself from day to day.  Surely not a way to live right?

 

But, I'm here, I'm good, I'm alive and I'm slowly emerging from this cocoon, I feel I was in.

I would love to come on and say that I finally have my veggie garden going full speed, and that it's thriving and yada yada.  Unfortunately, but for a few things planted in the ground, the veggie patch is just there, trying to live through the intense heat we've been dealing with.

The same heat that I am not able to bear, and makes me not want to go out there at all.  

We are hoping to get the pool up and going soon.  There's nothing better than a dip in a cold pool when the triple digits come around.  Thing is, it takes time, effort and we haven't had a chance, so it's on the to do list for this coming weekend.  *fingers crossed*

I don't really have many pictures to share with you, I usually like to come in and chat, show you what I've been doing and such, but to be honest, I haven't touched my camera much at all.  It's probably been weeks since I've snapped some photos.  

I have also received quite a few messages on Instagram telling me that they are missing my posts, my stories, and just my interaction in general.  I know, I've been quite withdrawn and in the background.  It's not that I don't have anything to share, or don't want to share, but just haven't had the time.

So, I'm slowly trying to ease back into my daily Instagram stories, showing my day, our dinner and little bits here and there.

At first, I thought I would come in a fill you in on everything that has been going on, but decided against it, it's boring, you don't need to hear all the boring details as I'm sure you all know what it's like.  Sometimes life is filled with fun and adventure, and sometimes it's filled with not so fun things, responsibilities, ups and downs and quite frankly, boring things.

 

I will be back to show you my plants, I'm becoming quite the plant obsessed lady.  Growing up, our house was always filled with beautiful plants and flowers, and I used to with that one day my own home would be the same.  It's been a slow process, but I'm finally able to keep plants alive and have been filling every nook and cranny with gorgeous greenery.

 

But that will be for the next post.  

 

Really just wanted to come in and say a hello, let you know that I'm still here, albeit more behind the scenes....and also just check into my sweet little corner of blogland. 

For now, I'll leave it at this.  Hope you're all doing well.  I'll be back!!!

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 06/13/2022 }

Good morning dear friends.  I hope this post finds you well, physically, mentally and spiritually.  

 

I know things look bleak at the moment, and many are struggling.  Not just here in the States but worldwide, I have family in 3 different countries who are also feeling the crazy price hikes, and struggling with the situation.

 

But I want you to know, that even when things look bleak, we have a Father that loves us, provides for us, and has His hand over our lives.  Remember that He sees all, and knows all.  It will be ok! 

 

I'm a little late this morning because I had to run some errands earlier.  I tried to get back home as soon as I could though, it's already 85 degrees and we've been hitting the triple digits.  My perimenopausal body is like "NOOOO."  Hahahah

 

Anyway, let's get on, I'm gonna switch our little graphic below, just to switch things up a little.  I wish you all a blessed week ahead, and as always, thank you so much for being here with me and participating, even when I'm not as active on the blog as I want to be. 

 

 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥

It's already unbearably hot, at least for me.  I want so much to get out in my yard and work in the garden, but for goodness sakes, I can't do it when within 5 minutes I feel like I'm burning from the inside out.  

We have more hot weather ahead, wish me luck. 

Monday -  Sunny with gusty winds, 104

Tuesday - Partly cloudy, 99

Wednesday - Partly cloudy, 98

Thursday - Partly cloudy, 99

Friday - Mostly sunny, 101

Saturday - Mostly sunny, 99

Sunday - Mostly sunny, 98

♥♥  As I look outside my window ♥♥

The wind is smacking the tree branches around.  I can see my back yard from my bedroom window, and it looks so pretty out there.  We got the yard mowed, and with the rain we got last week, it is a vibrant green.  So pretty!! 

♥♥  Right now I am ♥♥

Sitting on the bed and working on this post.  Elliott and Kaia waited for me to get back home, so they can take their morning naps.  They're not comfy, laying on the bed, and fast asleep.  

♥♥  Thinking and pondering ♥♥

About what I need to get done today.  I feel like I have a list, a mile long.  Hopefully I can get to it all. 

 

 

♥♥  How am I feeling ♥♥

I'm tired.  I had forgotten how hard it is to deal with a new puppy.  She is pretty good, but she still wakes us up a couple of times a night, and then some nights she sleeps through.  Other nights, she is up and wide awake sometime between 3 and 5.  Those days are rough, not going to lie, Curt and I walk around like zombies.  Hahaha   

 

But, I still feel extremely blessed right now.  With everything in my life. 

♥♥  On the breakfast plate ♥♥

I had to stop at Walmart this morning, so I picked up some donuts for breakfast.  I am terrible with donuts, like terrrrrrriiiiiiibbbbblllleeeeee.  I had 2 with a cup of coffee, and now I'm sitting here reprimanding myself for it.  Oh well, it's not an everyday thing, so just gonna attribute that little oopsie to PMS.

 

♥♥  On my reading pile ♥♥

My Bible and devotional.

Janette Oke's Women of the West

In the dark we forget by Sandra S. Wong (review coming up next week)

♥♥  On my TV this week  ♥♥

Star Trek Strange New Worlds

Seinfeld

Homemaking vlogs 

 

♥♥  On the menu  ♥♥ 

Starting a full two weeks of Portuguese food and desserts.  I'm so excited for it, I've been craving my Portuguese food. 

Monday - Bacalhau com Natas (Cod Fish in a Cream Sauce), Salad 

Tuesday - Lasanha de Batata (Potato Lasagna), Garlic Bread

Wednesday - Torta de Atum (Tuna Pie), Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Thursday - Creamy Fish Fillets, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli

Friday - Rissois de Porco e de Galinha, Arroz com ervilhas (Pork, Chicken Rissoles, Rice with Peas)

Saturday - Barbecue, Potato Salad

Sunday - Father's Day (Pork Tenderloin, Potatoes, Salad, Orange Milk Tart)

 

 

♥♥  Looking around the house  ♥♥

I carpet cleaned the entire house, and it looks so good.  I finally have a carpet cleaner that works properly, and the difference it makes is amazing.  Almost looks like new carpets.  

I also moved a few things around.

 

In my entryway, are a bunch of plants that we brought in yesterday, because the heat was unbearable yesterday afternoon, and the poor plants were struggling out there.  I'll move them back out this morning. 

I need to give the office a quick tidy and vacuum.  Kaia has her toy basket in there, and she's teething at the moment, so she is basically just chewing everything to pieces.  Drives me bonkers, I have to pick up what seems like a million tiny pieces, every day.

♥♥  To Do List ♥♥

-  Put up blackout curtains in the living room.  I have these beautiful flowery curtains I love, but they don't match the rug we have in there now.  We got the rug from my sister in law, and it matches the leather couches perfectly, but it just clashes with the curtains.  The leather couches are brown, the rug is brown and tan, the carpets are tan and there are a lot of wood element in there too.  The curtains however are a light grey with blueish and greenish flowers.  

So I picked up new curtains this morning, just an off white color, and need to get those up.

-  Chop up parsley and cilantro to freeze

-  Chop up pineapple and melon.  Wash grapes and place in tupperware as well.

- Water the plants

- Pick up Jasmine at 3

 

♥♥  From the camera  ♥♥

My gorgeous Hibiscus plants are blossoming constantly.  I am just in awe of how beautiful they look.  I have this burnt orange Hibiscus, and I also have a deep red one.  I'll have to take a picture of that one to show you. 

 

♥♥  Devotional  ♥♥

Another great devotional from New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp.  

 

If you hook the hope of your heart to the people around you, you will always be disappointed.  No one is able to be your personal messiah.
 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 06/06/2022 }

Good morning everyone, and a very happy Monday to you all.   I hope you all had a fantastic weekend.

 

I usually have this post up a little earlier, but I just walked in the door, made a quick breakfast and hopped right on.

 

Not going to do babble this morning, so let's just jump right in. 

 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥

We had quite a bit of rain last week, which we are so thankful for.  Our garden certainly appreciated it.  But, looks like the rain is gone for a while.  I must say usually this time of year we have a lot of rain, lot of tornado warnings and so on, but it's been a pretty mild Tornado season, which is something else we are very happy for. 

Monday -  Sunny, 98

Tuesday - Sunny, 97

Wednesday - Partly cloudy, 94

Thursday - Partly cloudy, 96

Friday - Mostly sunny, 99

Saturday - Partly cloudy, 93

Sunday - Mostly sunny, 99

♥♥  As I look outside my window ♥♥

It's an absolute gorgeous day.  A little bit of a breeze, sunny, blue skies.  The backyard and front both need to be mowed, but we couldn't do it with the constant raining the past week.  Hopefully this weekend it can get done so it doesn't look so crazy out there. 

♥♥  Right now I am ♥♥

I am sitting on my bed and typing up this post.  Elliott and Kaia are both asleep next to me. 

♥♥  Thinking and pondering ♥♥

Thinking about my next meal plan, the phone calls I need to make and what I need to do with regards to cleaning the house today. 

 

 

♥♥  How am I feeling ♥♥

Pretty good.  I was very stressed the past few weeks, not just with the house sale but with my mom's health.  Thankfully the house has sold, our debt is paid, and my mom is starting to heal.  She has been bedridden for the past almost two months, so she developed a huge bed sore on her buttocks.  It is only now starting to heal.  It's just been a difficult journey, she also was recently diagnosed with Brain Atrophy due to her epilepsy, so that has affected a lot of her ability to walk, to talk, to think and so on.  

 

It's been rough.  But, as she starts healing and getting better, it removes that huge weight off my shoulders and I finally feel like I'm starting to come around and be able to concentrate on my home and blog.  Here's to getting back on track, right? 

♥♥  On the breakfast plate ♥♥

Had a cup of coffee.....well, two cups of coffee.  Had one at 5:30am, and another when I got back home around 8:30am.  Also had an egg sandwich.   

 

♥♥  On my reading pile ♥♥

My Bible and devotional.

Janette Oke's Women of the West (goodness I need to just sit down and get this finished)

♥♥  On my TV this week  ♥♥

Star Trek Strange New Worlds

Seinfeld

Homemaking vlogs 

Pirates of the Caribbean 3

 

♥♥  On the menu  ♥♥ 

Will start working on the new menu this week, but this is what we still have coming up for Monday through Thursday.

Monday - Chicken Strogonoff, Rice and Beans

Tuesday - Sloppy Joe Sour Cream Rice Bake, Green Beans

Wednesday - Fried Chicken with milk gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Salad

Thursday - Ravioli with meat sauce, Garlic bread

Friday -

Saturday -

Sunday -

 

 

♥♥  Looking around the house  ♥♥

This weekend, both my carpet cleaner and vacuum, decided to break.  That's how it often goes.  We had to get new ones, and so far they seem to be pretty good.   I gave the office and our bedroom a good carpet clean and it looks a million times better, already.  

 

I have folded laundry on the dining table.  Folded a load up this morning, before leaving, so need to get that put away as soon as I'm done with this post. 

♥♥  To Do List ♥♥

-  Put folded laundry away

-  Fold the second load that just came out of the dryer

-  Iron the pile of clothes needing ironing

- Water the plants

- Make a dessert

 

♥♥  From the camera  ♥♥

Our deer used to show up just around Fall, but now they are here every day, come rain or sunshine.  I just love watching them, and they've gotten so comfortable being here that they just lay down in the yard, and relax for a bit. 

 

♥♥  Devotional  ♥♥

Today's devotional comes from John Hagee.  

 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. - Psalm 23:5

When God pours out the anointing oil and fills up the vessels of our lives, our cups run over. The blessings refuse to be contained. His generosity knows no limits. His blessings to us are pressed down and shaken together until they overflow into our laps (Luke 6:38).  

The anointing of God gives us strength when we are weak. In place of sorrow, unspeakable joy will spring up instead. When those around us quake with fear, we will abound with faith and courage.  

Under the anointing, every burden will be lifted and every yoke will be destroyed. Mountains will be tossed into the sea, and every crooked path will be rolled out like a red carpet before us.  

These overflowing blessings ripple out to our homes and children too. They bubble up in our places of business. They spring up in our churches and the course into our communities. Even in the presence of our enemies or in the frightening shadows of the very valley of death, He continues to fill our cups. God’s goodness and mercy chase us down and overtake us every day of our lives.  

Take a moment to stare deeply into the cup of your life. Tip it up to sip slowly and savor the overflowing blessings the Lord has poured out just for you.