{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 10/31/2022 }

 

 

Good morning, and a very happy Monday.  I know today is Halloween, but I stopped giving it any consideration, years ago when I truly cemented my relationship with my Lord.  I can't in good conscience, as a Christian take part in anything to do with this day, so I claim it for the Lord.  

 

So, I have already gone out, and am back home, with a hot cup of coffee, my laptop open, and ready to get going with our post for today.  I am so glad that I was able to go and visit all the participants last week, I really enjoyed seeing everyone's posts.

 

Being that today is the last day of October, we are going full speed into the holiday planning.  I'm excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas, though we've decided this year there will be no gifts exchanged, things are tough, money is tight for everyone, so we will celebrate the day as simply as we can, keeping the focus on what really matters and what it is about.  

 

Anyway, let's get on with our post today, and see what is happening around our homes.

 

Have a wonderful, blessed week friends,

Sandra

♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥
Cool temperatures, rain, crisp mornings and dew on the grass.  We are done with summer, for good, thank goodness.  We will see upper 70's this week, but I don't mind that.    

Monday - Sunshine and clouds, 76
Tuesday - Sunny, 78
Wednesday - Sunny, 78
Thursday - Cloudy and windy, 78
Friday - Thunderstorms, 75
Saturday - AM showers, 64  

Sunday - Sunny, 71



♥♥ As I look outside my window ♥♥
It is a bit cloudy but the sun is shining through the trees, and making the changing leaves look absolutely stunning.  There is dew on the grass, which always looks like diamonds sparkling.  It's one of my favorite things about Fall.

 

♥♥ Right now I am ♥♥
Just came to sit on my bed so that I can work on this post, while I watch a video on youtube.  I'm also enjoying my cup of coffee.   

♥♥ Thinking and pondering ♥♥
I've switched my brain to Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I have a mental list going of what I need to do, what I'm cooking and so forth.  Just need to get it all on paper. 

 

♥♥ How am I feeling ♥♥
Finally over that cold, although both Nick and I have lingering coughs and congestion.  I'm also thrilled that my blood work came back and everything is good.  Thank God. 

 


♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥
Had a cup of coffee at 6am and just having a second one with my favorite, Peppermint Mocha Creamer.  Also just had toast with butter and liver spread.                 

 

♥♥ On the lunch plate ♥♥
Not sure, I won't eat lunch for a couple more hours, so will see what I feel like.  It will either be a salad, or I have no clue, really.  Hahahah     

 

 

♥♥ On the dinner plate ♥♥
Best chili Ever, Rice          

 

 

 

♥♥ What I'm wearing ♥♥
Black leggings, dark grey tank top and a plaid black and white shirt over the tank.  Also have comfy soft socks on cause I'm cold.          

 


♥♥ On my reading pile ♥♥
My Bible.

Paul David Tripp New Morning Mercies devotional.
Morning and Evening Devotional by Charles Spurgeon.   

The Return of the Gods by Jonathan Cahn.

Gather and Give by Amy Hannon

♥♥ On my TV this week ♥♥
Star Trek Discover.....we are LOVING this one too. 

Homemaking, simple living, and quiet living vlogs
House of Dragons

The Lord of the Rings Series on Amazon Prime

The Serpent Queen

The Great British Bake Off 

All Creatures Great and Small

The Watcher on Netflix

♥♥ On the menu ♥♥

 

Monday - Best Chili Ever, Rice, Homemade rolls  
Tuesday - Million Dollar Gnocchi, Salad, Garlic Bread
Wednesday - Cracker Barrel Hamburger Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli

Thursday -   Bifanas (pork sandwiches), Air Fried Potato Wedges

Friday - Copycat Uno's Pizza

Saturday - Breakfast for dinner (biscuits and gravy, hashbrown casserole)
Sunday - Onion and potato soup, grilled cheese sandwiches



♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥
Need to carpet clean, with the rain we had this weekend, the going in and out of the house by Kaia, has caused some muddy prints.  I've cleaned them as I go, but want to give the carpet a good clean. 

   

♥♥ To Do List ♥♥
- Tidy up the house - carpet clean, fluff pillows, open curtains and windows

- Food prep for the week - wash veggies, wash and pack lettuce and spinach for salads, make garlic paste, wash grapes to be ready for eating
- Start Thanksgiving meal planning

 

♥♥ From the camera ♥♥
There is something so magical about Fall season and the light it creates on the world around it.  I always enjoy looking out every morning and seeing how everything looks, the grass, the trees. 

 

 

♥♥ Devotional ♥♥ 

From In Touch Ministries......

 

Life can hit us with the most unexpected and undesirable circumstances. When that happens, we might wonder, Does God really care about me? Here are three truths to remember:

1. Scripture tells us, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). This means His very nature is characterized by compassion and concern. Love originated with God, and He is the greatest example of how to express it. Together with the reality that God is holy, this means our Father is perfect in His love—He’ll never make a mistake in the way He cares for us. 

2. God loves us because He calls us His children. “To those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” writes John in his gospel (John 1:12 NIV). Sadly, for some who’ve had a difficult upbringing, this may not be encouraging news. But God is the perfect parent, and He loves us perfectly.

3. God gave the supreme demonstration of His love at the cross. God’s Son came to earth as an expression of His Father’s infinite love and sacrificially did for us what no one else could do. 

After considering these three facts about God’s love, how could we not expect Him to take care of even the smallest details of our life? Look for ways He is expressing His love to you, and remember Jesus’s own words on the subject: “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

{ The Golden Girls Cookbook by National Geographic - TLC Book Tours }

 

 

About National Geographic’s The Golden Girls Cookbook: Cheesecakes and Cocktails!

• Publisher: National Geographic (September 13, 2022)
• Hardcover: 160 pages

Containing over forty new dessert and drink recipes from Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia, this follow-up to the first The Golden Girls Cookbook will make you feel like you’re relaxing on the lanai or getting set to win the Shady Pines bake-off.

Fans demanded more Golden Girls cheesecake recipes, and the Fab Four deliver with The Golden Girls Cookbook: Cheesecakes and Cocktails! Rose’s The Fall of St. Olaf Pumpkin Cheesecake and Dorothy’s Vodka and Black Underwear drink vie for your heart (and stomach) against Sophia’s Double Fudge Amaretto Ricotta Cheesecake and Blanche’s Big Daddy Mint Julep. With easy-to-follow tips, you’ll learn how to make your cheesecake the star of any kitchen table and your drinks something talk about over, well, drinks.

And if that’s not enough, Sophia’s guide to Caffè Corretto will make the rest of your day very correct-o. Welcome to 6151 Richmond Street, circa 1985, where joy and friendship abound, and the cheesecake is always ready for a late-night therapy session.

Filled with innovative recipes by renowned chef Christopher Styler, and beautiful photos by New York Times food photographer Andrew Scrivani–plus fun quotes, jokes, and photographs from the show–this is a must-have for all fans of The Golden Girls.

 

 

 

My thoughts:

What a fun cookbook to add to my collection.  

 

If you know me, you know that I am obsessed with cookbooks and cooking, hence my food blog along with this main one.  When I got the opportunity to review this cookbook, I was so excited, not just for the recipes within in, but I am such a huge Golden Girls fan.

 

My childhood revolved around The Golden Girls, I remember watching the show as a teenager.  My favorite was always Sophia, I mean, who didn't love the feisty old lady Hahahah  And then Dorothy, of course.  I didn't dislike Rose or Blanche, but Sophia and Dorothy were my favorites. 

I got the cookbook in the mail and immediately browsed through it.  I thought it would be just recipes but it's not, it has sections divided by the different ladies in the show, and each contains funny tidbits, along with recipes for cheesecakes and cocktails.  I mean, what is there not to like?

There are also cast and show photos, with little stories and even dialogue between the characters.  It was so much fun to read through, and the recipes?  Oh my.

 

I have many that I'll be trying, but I asked my kids to pick one for me to make first, and they both picked the Key Lime Pie Cheesecake Squares.  They were not only super easy to make, didn't use many ingredients, but oh my word, they are divine.  

 

 

If you love cookbooks, love The Golden Girls, love cocktails and just want a really cool cookbook to add to your collection, or to gift over Christmas, this is definitely one to get.

 

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and National Geographic, for providing me with a copy for review.

 

 

 

{ The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch by Julia Brewer Daily - TLC Book Tours }

 

Publisher: Admission Press (November 1, 2022)

Paperback: 322 Pages

 

Emma Rosales is the heiress to the largest ranch in Texas-The Thorn. All of the responsibilities of managing a million acres now fall into her fifth-generation hands.

A task Emma could handle with her eyes closed… if The Thorn was any ordinary property.

The Thorn is home to many things. Clear, cloudless skies. Miles of desert scrub and craggy mountains. A quiet disrupted only by whispers of the wind. And an ancient web of secrets that won’t let Emma out alive without a fight.

The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch is a family saga as large as the state of Texas.

 

About the Author

Julia Brewer Daily is a Texan with a southern accent. She holds a B.S. in English and a M.S. degree in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi.

She has been a Communications Adjunct Professor at Belhaven University, Jackson, Mississippi, and Public Relations Director of the Mississippi Department of Education and Millsaps College, a liberal arts college in Jackson, MS.

She was the founding director of the Greater Belhaven Market, a producers’ only market in a historic neighborhood in Jackson, and even shadowed Martha Stewart.

As the Executive Director of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi (300 artisans from 19 states) which operates the Mississippi Craft Center, she wrote their stories to introduce them to the public.

Daily is an adopted child from a maternity home hospital in New Orleans. She searched and found her birth mother and through a DNA test, her birth father’s family, as well. A lifelong southerner, she now resides on a ranch in Fredericksburg, Texas, with her husband Emmerson and Labrador retrievers, Memphis Belle and Texas Star.

 

MY THOUGHTS:

I so enjoyed this book.  I just have to start by saying that, because I really enjoyed it.  I always go in a bit skeptical when I pick up a book, from an author that I have never read before.

 

You just never know what you're going to get.

 

The only thing I knew, was that the story sound interesting, and it took place in my State of Texas.....oh and that the author herself, is Texan.  That caught my eye, but again that doesn't mean I'll immediately like the story.

 

I'm so glad that I did.  

 

The story takes place in a beautiful area, the Rio Grande right on the border with Mexico.  One thing I appreciated so much, was how vividly Julia described the setting.  If there's one thing I love is being able to envision perfectly what I'm reading, and feeling like I'm actually in there with the characters.

 

Throw in amazing women, a family business, and of course some very interesting old secrets, and what you have is a brilliant book that will keep you turning the pages.

 

It does involve numerous points of view, which isn't always my favorite, but I didn't mind it in this one because I felt it helped to move the storyline along and gave me the back info that I needed to know and understand, what was happening.

 

Really enjoyed my first Julia Brewer Daily book, and am hoping to read more of hers in the future.

 

 

Thank you to TLC book tours and Admission Press for providing me with a review copy.

 

 

{ Cooking Thursday - Cowboy Casserole }

 

Hi friends, welcome back to another Cooking Thursday.  

I know I haven't shared one in a few weeks, just been so busy.  But I thought I would get back on it, and bring you another quick and easy recipe that is filling and your family is sure to enjoy it.  

 

 

 

Cowboy Casserole

 

 

Ingredients 

 

32 ounces Tater Tots 

1 pound ground beef 

1 cup onions and peppers mix from the frozen section 

10 ounces Ro*Tel tomatoes 

2 cups corn kernels 

10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup undiluted 

2 cups Cheddar shredded 

1 cup sour cream

 

 

Instructions 

 

Place Tater Tots in a greased pan and put them in a 425F oven for about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. Add the ground beef and onions & peppers mix to a skillet. Cook until the meat is no longer pink. 

 

Add the Ro*Tel and simmer for 5 minutes to let the extra liquid evaporate. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, corn, and ½ cup of cheese. Stir until blended. Spoon into the bottom of a greased 13x9 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with ¾ cup of the remaining cheese. 

 

Top with the Tater Tots, arranging them in a single layer. Cover with the remaining cheese. Cover the pan with aluminum foil. You can stop at this point and put the casserole in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bake at 425F for 20 minutes. Remove aluminum foil. Bake 10 more minutes, or until the top is golden brown. 

 

Serve hot.

 

{ Food Journeys of a Lifetime by National Geographic - TLC Book Tour }

 

About Food Journeys of a Lifetime 

• Publisher: National Geographic (October 18, 2022)
• Hardcover: 320 pages

Few experiences are as satisfying as a chance to explore the world through food. Compiled from the expert travel writers at National Geographic, Food Journeys of a Lifetime scours the globe for the world’s best dishes, markets, and restaurants that are worth traveling far and wide to savor.
In this fully revised and updated edition, find the best of the best, including:

• Tokyo’s famed fish market and its 226 Michelin-starred restaurants–the most of any city in the world
• The ultimate Philly cheesesteak from the city of brotherly love
• The perfect cup of tea in China
• The spice markets of Marrakech
• The juiciest cuts of beef in Argentina
• The freshest pasta in Italy
• And the ultimate Swiss wine route

Featuring more than 60 new bites and destinations, this book is the key to building a foodie traveler’s ultimate bucket list. Within the flavors and tastes of every cuisine, you’ll find unique stories about the places, cultures, climates, and chefs that produce these extraordinary dishes. A wide selection of recipes invite you to try new cooking techniques and obtain flavors from abroad at home; top 10 lists offer side trips from chocolate factories to champagne bars.

Filled with a dazzling array of diverse recommendations, each page of this inspiring book will make your mouth water–and spur your next gourmet vacation.

 

MY THOUGHTS:

Books and food together, are the perfect combination.  And since I am a huge fan of both, I knew that I had to get my hands on this newest addition to the National Geographic library.

 

Food brings people together, no matter where you are, who you are, or what you are doing, food has a way to bring cultures around a table.  Some of my fondest memories have been shared during dinner, at favorite restaurants, and in my kitchen.

Now, I'm Portuguese so I know all about food and the important role it plays.  We are all about the food.

I've also visited a few countries, and loved eating new cuisines and trying out different restaurants.  From a hole in the wall delightful little place in Marbella, Spain, to street cafes in Lisbon, Portugal.  Seafood restaurants on the East coast of South Africa, a curry place in Cape town, a food vendor in Bophuthatswana and the best prawns I ever had in Mozambique.

In this new Food Journeys of a Lifetime from National Geographic, you not only get listings of some of the best places to eat in different countries, as well as recipes, specific markets well known to the area and so much more.  It's your guide to a food trip around the world.

Of course, I immediately searched for Portugal and was very happy to find it listed in the book.

I only wish that I had the time or money for a trip around the world, comprised of mainly food spots to try out.  That would be a dream come true.

Thank you TLC Book Tours and National Geographic for providing me with this review copy.

 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 10/24/2022 }

 

 

Good morning from a very wet Texas.   

 

I am finally starting to feel better, it's been a tough week, my word.  But, I'm feeling well, and ready to get back on track with my blogging and homemaking.  I try to keep the house clean, even when I'm sick, but sometimes it just isn't possible, and things quickly get out of order.

 

I did give it a tidy up yesterday and today I'll get right into our usual daily cleaning.

 

I hope you all have a fantastic week, and really hope that none of you are sick as well.  If you are, I pray for quick healing.  Anyway, let's get on with our post today, and see what is happening around our homes.

 

 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥
It's what I would call a perfect Fall day.  It's 60 degrees, it's raining and grey and just the kind of day I love.  We still have a few warm days ahead, but definitely on the right track to cooler days.  Which reminds me, I need to get the summer garden cleared and the winter veg into the ground, this weekend.       

Monday - Thunderstorms, 72
Tuesday - Sunny, 72
Wednesday - Sunny, 77
Thursday - Mostly Sunny and windy, 79
Friday - Rain, 59
Saturday - Mostly Sunny, 65  

Sunday - Sunny, 71



♥♥ As I look outside my window ♥♥
The rain is steadily coming down, and there's also some wind, which is making the pumpkin vine move about back and forth.  The trees are also starting to change their colors and it looks so beautiful out there. 

 

♥♥ Right now I am ♥♥
As usual when I am working on this post, I am sat on my bed.  I have the window open and am listening to the rain outside.  The furry babies are both settled in next to me, getting ready for their morning naps.  

♥♥ Thinking and pondering ♥♥
About so many things, the current world we live in, my bone density appointment and blood work, friends going through some difficult health situations, whether I'll be able to get an inexpensive turkey for Thanksgiving, what veg I'm going to do this Fall/Winter season, what I'm going to watch on TV later.  That's what I'm thinking about.....you asked, there ya go hahah     

 

♥♥ How am I feeling ♥♥
So much better.  It's crazy how you don't realize how much you appreciate your health, until you're not feeling well.  Glad to be back to my normal self, or at least 99% back to normal.         

 


♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥
Working through my second cup of coffee.  I also had a ham and cheese sandwich on wholewheat bread.               

 

♥♥ On the lunch plate ♥♥
I made some Beijing Chicken for dinner last night and it was really good, so I'll have some of the leftovers today.  I'm hoping to get that recipe up on the food blog too.   

 

 

♥♥ On the dinner plate ♥♥
Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.         

 

 

♥♥ What I'm wearing ♥♥
Grey with white stripes casual linen pants, black tank top and slippers.        

 


♥♥ On my reading pile ♥♥
My Bible.

Paul David Tripp New Morning Mercies devotional.
Morning and Evening Devotional by Charles Spurgeon.   

The Return of the Gods by Jonathan Cahn.

♥♥ On my TV this week ♥♥
Finished Star Trek Strange New Worlds, and we both loved it.  We have now started Star Trek Discovery and are loving that one too.  What can I say, we are sci-fi nerds, more specifically Trekkies.

Vlogtober vlogs
House of Dragons

The Lord of the Rings Series on Amazon Prime

The Serpent Queen

The Great British Bake Off 

All Creatures Great and Small

The Watcher on Netflix

♥♥ On the menu ♥♥

 

Monday - Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Grilled Cheese  
Tuesday - Taco Rice Casserole, Salad
Wednesday - Cheesy Tuna Pasta Bake, Sauteed Cabbage with Bacon, chili and honey

Thursday -   Fried Sausage and Potatoes, Salad

Friday - *Grocery Shopping*

Saturday -
Sunday -



♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥
Need to do some cleaning, and pick up the dog toys all over the living room.

 

We had to bring in our Hibiscus plant, because the past two days we've had such strong winds, and it kept getting knocked down.  I need to get a bigger, heavier pot for it.  But for the winter, it will stay indoors, along with the smaller Hibiscus.              

♥♥ To Do List ♥♥
- Tidy up the house - vacuum, put things in order, fluff couch pillows, dust

- Laundry
- Finish new meal plan and grocery pickup

 

♥♥ From the camera ♥♥
I just love dried orange garlands.  I am going to be making another one this year, and will also add lemon slices to it.  I make one every year, and they do last quite a long time, but it's just a habit I've gotten into it, as soon as the weather cools down, I make one. 

 

 

♥♥ Devotional ♥♥ 

Our root is Christ Jesus, and our life is hid in Him;  this is the secret of the Lord.   

 

— Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon 

{ So sick the past week }

Oh my friends, it's been a really tough week for us here at home.  First it was the stomach bug, and then hubby got sick with a bad cold/flu.  Not the vid....but some really yucky bad cold or flu, not sure which one.

 

I had my doctor's appointment on Monday afternoon, thank you all for the prayers, it went well.  I just have to do my usual blood work (lipids etc.), and I'm also due for my bone density scan.  I am on my birth control for just one more year, then next October, I will be removed off it for a month, do a blood test to see if I'm in Menopause, and then either stop completely, or get back on for just another year.

 

I can't believe I am this age, speaking of menopause and being done with birth control etc.  No matter how old we get, we still tend to think of ourselves as US, as young, as we've always been.  These are the things that I would see the women in my family going through, and couldn't imagine it being me one day.  What a blessing to now be the one talking about these phases in life.

Anyway, I just wanted to start by letting you all know the appointment went well and thanking you for the prayers, and good thoughts.

Now, that out of the way, let me bring up the crazy sickness we've been dealing with.

I started my Monday well, got a lot of housework done, ran a few errands and so forth.

 

I actually had to pick up Jasmine that day, right before my appointment.  I knew I would be home at the time we would usually be eating dinner, so I got dinner made earlier in the day, or rather, prepped so that all I had to do was pop it in the oven when I got home.

Right before I left, I had a package arrive and was soooooo happy to see that it was a book I had been anxiously awaiting.  The newest from Jonathan Cahn, which is just as fantastic as his other books.

I think every Christian should be reading this book right now.  If you wonder why we are dealing with the things we are dealing with today, not just in our lives, but in our country and the world in general, then read this book.  He explains exactly what is happening and why.

I got home, finished making dinner, ate, did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen, had my shower, got into bed with my book and then it happened.

A twinge in my leg, followed by a muscle pain in my arm, and within an hour I was freezing cold, shaking, and enduring awful body aches.  It felt like it came completely out of nowhere, although, to be fair, earlier in the day I was starting to feel a bit off, but couldn't quite pinpoint why.

That night I didn't sleep a wink.  I had awful body aches and a high fever.  And that was it.....it hit me like a ton of bricks and I have been so sick since then.  My husband is just now starting to feel better, I'm still sick and Nicholas is sick as well.  The only one who has managed to stay fine is Jasmine, thank the Lord.

Cleaning and cooking has been difficult. 

Tuesday, Jasmine came home from work and went straight into the kitchen.  She made us all a hearty chicken soup, that was so delicious, and hit the spot.

Yesterday morning, my Nick, even though he is sick too, got up and made me some creamy scrambled eggs that were divine.  I'm blessed with children that love food and can cook pretty well too.  It's wonderful when your children become adults and start cooking for you.

The fevers have gone, the body aches have too, but now I'm dealing with the cough and funny enough, a sore throat and heartburn.  Heartburn.  That has been a symptom that we've all had with this sickness, which is pretty strange.  There have also been stomach issues.  

We are all slowly moving towards being 100%.  I am so ready to be done with this, and to get back to my normal activities.  I feel exhausted, I'm very congested, and if I try to do a lot, I feel out of breath.

This is why I haven't been very active here on the blog, or anywhere really.  The most you'll see are my dinners on Instagram and that is because I can quickly record and send.  Just haven't had the energy for anything else.

I am hoping by Monday morning, we are back to being healthy.  

Hoping you are all doing well and looking forward to your weekend.  Have a blessed day friends and stay safe.

xoxo

{ Poster Art of the Disney Parks - TLC Book Tour }

 

 

About Poster Art of the Disney Parks

• Publisher: Disney Editions (October 11, 2022)
• Hardcover: 256 pages

An expanded and updated second edition of the stunning collection of posters from Disney theme parks around the world! Features more than 85 new posters and concept art pieces and a lively narrative about their behind-the-scenes development.

Disney attraction posters have been an important means of communication since Disneyland began displaying them in 1956. These eye-catching pieces of artwork adorn the parks with flair and style, and are displayed to build excitement and disseminate information about the newest additions to the Disney landscape. As evidenced by the evolution of the attraction posters, art styles and design techniques have certainly changed over the years. These characteristics also differ from continent to continent. Posters from EPCOT, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland exhibit the nuances in presentation that give each park’s pantheon of posters its signature look and story.

This expanded and updated second edition is a must-have for anyone who loves the original book, for Disney collectors, and for students of the arts. Find inside:

• An incredible collection of original attraction posters from Shanghai Disneyland
• The extensive and graphically bold collection of EPCOT posters first unveiled at D23 Expo 2019
• Posters featuring attractions and lands inspired by storytelling from Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel
• A variety of vibrant voices quoted throughout the book, with interesting insights about the development of the posters over the years and the interconnection among art, typography, and graphic design–Disney style.

 

 

REVIEW:

 

This book is a treasure for all Disney fans.  It is a huge and I mean huge, and quite a heavy book too.  which makes it the perfect coffee table book.  It is 12x14, and includes 85 posters, tells us how they were created and gives us all the super cool behind close door tidbits.

 

If you're a Disney fan, you will no doubt want this one for your collection.  I'm going to passing mine on to my niece Tiffany, who is like the biggest Disney fan I know.  She can't wait to get her hands on it and share with her little ones too.

 

I had the best time paging through the book, reading about the creative ways these posters are made.  To be honest, I've never given it much thought, I mean I see the posters, and think they're adorable, but I never once stopped to think about who the person is behind these designs, and just how they came to the finished product.

 

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Disney Books for such a magnificent review copy.

 

 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday -10/17/2022 }

 

 

 

Good morning friends, and a very happy Monday to you all. 

 

October so far, has been a bit of a wonky one for me.  I haven't had time for much blogging, just the bare minimum.  Curt has also been sick, he had a stomach bug which he shared with me last week, then got a cold, which he also shared with me.  It's wonderful having such a wonderful husband that shares the good and bad right?  *snicker*     

 

Hopefully things calm down a bit.  I have my Women's check up this afternoon, which I never look forward to, I just find it so awkward, but necessary.  I'm thanking God ahead for a good appointment.

 

Now, let's get going with our post for today.  I apologize for not visiting you all or leaving comments, it's just been nuts around here. 

 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥
It's cold.  I've been wanting to say that for a while.  Woke up to 50 degrees, and we've had quite a bit of rain the past two days, which has kept the temperatures nice and cool.  We are not completely out of the hot weather yet, but at least we have a few days of cooler temps to even it out.      

Monday - Mix of clouds and sun, 66
Tuesday - Sunny, 62
Wednesday - Sunny, 70
Thursday - Sunny, 79
Friday - Sunny, 86
Saturday - Sunny, 89  

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 85



♥♥ As I look outside my window ♥♥
It's quite cloudy and grey.  There is also a slight breeze coming in. 

 

♥♥ Right now I am ♥♥
Just sat down on my bed to get this post up.  The fur babies are asleep next to me, and I've got All Creatures Great and Small on the TV.    

♥♥ Thinking and pondering ♥♥
About my appointment this afternoon, and also about our budget and groceries.  Our food budget has doubled, and I'm not even buying as much meat as I usually did.  I need to try and work out the budget again but honestly, I can't cut anymore on the food.  It's really frustrating.  I am praying for us all through this difficult situation.     

 

♥♥ How am I feeling ♥♥
I'm ok, sick with a cold, but I'll be seeing my doctor this afternoon anyway, and if I need something more, she will prescribe it.       

 


♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥
I've had two cups of coffee already.  One at 6am and one now at almost 9am.  It's cold this morning, and I needed that extra energy and warmth.  I also had two slices of toast with butter.             

 

♥♥ On the lunch plate ♥♥
Not sure, I haven't been eating much the past few days, just not feeling very hungry.  I will either have spaghetti leftovers or a salad. 

 

 

♥♥ On the dinner plate ♥♥
Slow Cooker Italian Chicken, Rice, Sauteed Greens.       

 

 

♥♥ What I'm wearing ♥♥
Black leggings, and a long sleeve brown and tan long top.      

 


♥♥ On my reading pile ♥♥
Reading through Isaiah in the Bible.

Paul David Tripp New Morning Mercies devotional.
Morning and Evening Devotional by Charles Spurgeon.   

Started The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James.

The Return of the Gods by Jonathan Cahn.

♥♥ On my TV this week ♥♥
Star Trek Strange New Worlds

Vlogtober vlogs
House of Dragons

The Lord of the Rings Series on Amazon Prime

The Serpent Queen

The Great British Bake Off 

All Creatures Great and Small

♥♥ On the menu ♥♥

 

Monday - Slow Cooker Italian Chicken, Rice, Sauteed Greens  
Tuesday - Sausage Potato Casserole, Salad
Wednesday - Texas Toast Sloppy Joes, Onion rings

Thursday -   Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken, Egg Noodles, Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Friday - Cheese Ravioli with Meat Sauce, Garlic Knots

Saturday - Beijing Chicken and Rice, Egg Rolls
Sunday - Leftovers



♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥
The back patio door is open,  and there is the most wonderful crisp breeze coming in through the screen.  There are blankets on the couch that I need to fold, some vacuuming to do and some dusting too.  But the house is nice and cozy on this cold morning.            

♥♥ To Do List ♥♥
- Tidy up the house
- Women's Annual Check Up this afternoon

 

♥♥ From the camera ♥♥
We have so many deer in our yard, they come here every night to eat.  But as always, there are one or two who become a bit territorial with the others.  Usually I just yell out my window for them to stop it, and be nice....and funny enough they listen  Hahahah

 

These two males were not full on fighting, but kept getting in each others' faces.  Isn't nature amazing?  To be able to see this with my own eyes and watch them interact so close, is fantastic.     

 

 

♥♥ Devotional ♥♥ 

What we have known of our faithful God, proves that He will keep us to the end. 

 

— Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 10/10/2022 }

 

 

 

Good morning friends, hope you're having a good Columbus Day.

 

I have hubby home but Jasmine is working, that's retail life right?    

 

We have a pretty cloudy and rainy day ahead, so I'm thrilled to be indoors.  I think I'll be watching some movies today or maybe getting some reading done, not sure, but whatever it is, will be cozy for sure.

I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead, full of blessings and the Lord's favor.  Let's get right on with our post today, and see what is happening around our homes.

 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥
It's been wonderful.  We got down to 50 degrees on Saturday and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed that.  We're over the really hot temps, although we still have a day or two in the 90's.  But I'll take it intermingled with cooler temps and rain.   

Monday - Storms, 79
Tuesday - Morning showers, 84
Wednesday - Sunny, 85
Thursday - Sunny, 81
Friday - Sunny, 86
Saturday - Mostly sunny, 91  

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 82



♥♥ As I look outside my window ♥♥
Cloudy, dark skies and a sprinkling rain.  I absolutely adore this time of year, the crispness in the air, the trees starting to turn color.  Just love it.       

 

♥♥ Right now I am ♥♥
Sitting on my bed with Elliott.  He is napping and I'm working on this post, and watching a youtube video.   

♥♥ Thinking and pondering ♥♥
I'm starting to plan for Thanksgiving.  I really want to be on top of it this year, and get as much planned and done before the day.  With my hands hurting lately, I can't leave it all for the actual day, or I won't be able to do anything.   

 

♥♥ How am I feeling ♥♥
Doing well, PMSing but other than that, I'm well.  The allergies are still going, though they seem to have calmed down slightly over the weekend.     

 


♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥
I have had a cup of coffee with my Peppermint Mocha creamer, and two of the small frozen sausage biscuits.           

 

♥♥ On the lunch plate ♥♥
I'm not sure yet, we have leftovers in the fridge, so I may just have that, or a sandwich, salad, who knows.

 

 

♥♥ On the dinner plate ♥♥
I made a pork roast last night, and have quite a bit leftover, so going to turn it into a meat pie for dinner, along with some sauteed squash.     

 

 

♥♥ What I'm wearing ♥♥
Black cotton romper jumpsuit.     

 


♥♥ On my reading pile ♥♥
Reading through Isaiah in the Bible.

Paul David Tripp New Morning Mercies devotional.
Morning and Evening Devotional by Charles Spurgeon.   

Started The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James.

♥♥ On my TV this week ♥♥
The Orville - We're almost finished with the third season.  Loving this series.  

Next, we will be watching Star Trek Strange New Worlds

Homemaking vlogs
House of Dragons

The Lord of the Rings Series on Amazon Prime

The Serpent Queen

The Great British Bake Off 
Lucy Worsley Investigates on PBS

Hotel Portofino

♥♥ On the menu ♥♥

Going to start working on the new meal plan today.  

 

Monday - Meat Blender Pie, sauteed squash  
Tuesday - Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan, Spaghetti
Wednesday - Beef Korma Curry, Rice

Thursday -   Roast Chicken and Potatoes, Sauteed Greens

Friday - *grocery shopping*

Saturday -
Sunday -



♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥
The house is neat and tidy, as I gave it a good clean this weekend.  There are Fall decorations out, pumpkins here and there, and wonderful scented candles dispersed throughout the house.  It just feels so cozy and homey.          

♥♥ To Do List ♥♥
- Meal plan and grocery list
- Laundry

- Make another crochet placemat/doily

 

♥♥ From the camera ♥♥
I took this photo the other day, and it immediately became one of my favorites.  There is something so magical about candle light and crochet together.   

 

 

♥♥ Devotional ♥♥ 

Let us be joyful now as we rehearse the song of eternal praise so soon to roll forth in full chorus from all the blood-washed host;  let us copy David's exhaultings before the ark as a prelude to our ecstasies before the throne.  It really is true that peace in times of trouble is not found in figuring out your life, but in worship of the One who has everything figure out already.    

 

— Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon