{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 01/02/2023 - Blog 365 #2 }

 

 

 

Good morning sweet friends, and a very happy New Year to you all.

 

Here we are, the first Happy Homemaker Monday of 2023.  I can't believe how long this Monday feature of mine has been going.  When I began it many years ago, I thought that I would probably be the only one interested in something like this.  I also thought that I would probably start it, and then get busy with life, and it would simply be forgotten.

 

I was wrong, on both counts, and boy am I glad for that.

 

So, before we go on with our post, I wanted to say thank you to each and every single one of you, who have continued to be here, continued to post, continued to participate and support me in this venture.  I truly do appreciate you all, more than I can say.

 

I wish you all a blessed year, and let's make 2023 an even better Happy Homemaker year.  Let's take back our positions as the heart of the home.  Let's encourage others to embrace their homes, their families and the importance of this role.  Who's with me?

 

PS.....you may notice one or two different categories.  I actually want to try and add some new ones this year, just need to sit and figure out what I want to add.  If you have any ideas, leave them down below.

 

 

 

 

The Weather:::

Yesterday we had a high of 80, today we're having a high of 71.  I keep seeing this picture floating around social media, that says something along the lines of how funny it is that the weather is acting all spring like, when just last week it tried to kill us.  LOL  So funny!

 

Monday - Overcast, 71

Tuesday -  Partly cloudy, 63

Wednesday - Sunny, 56

Thursday - Sunny, 58

Friday - Partly cloudy, 70

Saturday - Partly cloudy, 58

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 56

As I look outside my window:::
It is cloudy and foggy.  I love winter mornings.  I know they get pretty cold, but I just really enjoy looking out and seeing the fog moving slowly across the field. 

Right now I am:::
Working on this post, even though it's a little late.  I drove Jasmine to work this morning, because I had to get gas in my car, and I always go to Sam's club, since it's the cheapest in town.  

 

I just finished my second cup of coffee, and had some toast with the last little bit of my tomato jam.  (need to make more)

 

Thinking and pondering:::
I never make new year resolutions or goals, because frankly, I never stick to them.  But I am feeling it this year.  Feeling like I need to write down some goals to achieve, there's things I want to get done and I don't want to keep putting them off, so I am pondering the idea of a Goal list. 

 

On my bedside table:::
Sat up on Saturday night with my brother and sister in law and uploaded a ton of books to our Kindles and tablets.  Hayley told me about a book author which I had never heard of before but he writes along the lines of Dean Koontz and Stephen King.  John Saul.
I downloaded some of his books to my kindle and am currently reading The Blackstone Chronicles and REALLY enjoying it.  

 

On my tv tonight:::
Hubby and I have started watching Battlestar Galactica.  I watched the original back in 1980 and loved it so much.  Galactica and the series V, were some of my favorites.  

 

 

 
Listening to:::
Birds outside the window, and also watching the new season of  I am a Killer, on Netflix. 

 

 

 

On the lunch plate:::

I made a frozen DiGiorno Three Meat Pizza for lunch yesterday, and we have a few slices left.  Hubby and I will be having those for lunch today.

 

 

 

On the dinner plate:::

Meatballs with mashed potatoes, sauteed cabbage 

On the menu for this week:::
Starting to work on the new menu, which is so weird because I feel like I JUST did a two week meal plan.  I guess with the holidays and the get togethers the past two weeks, it's all just a big confusion.  I'm continuing with Portuguese meals, so lots of yummy goodies coming your way.  Going to work really hard, on getting new recipes on the food blog as well.  

Monday - Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Sauteed Cabbage
Tuesday - Lulas Guisadas com batata, Pao Rustico (Calamari Stew, Rustic Portuguese bread...will make something else for Jasmine since she doesn't like seafood)
Wednesday - Layered Enchiladas, Salad
Thursday - Bifes, batata frita, arroz, salada e ovo frito (Steak, fries, rice, salad and fried egg)
Friday - Frango Guisado com espargete (Chicken Spaghetti)
Saturday - Fettucine Alfredo, Garlic Bread, Broccoli
Sunday - Chicken and Rice Soup, Sandwiches

 

On my reading pile:::

Starting a Bible Study on Ecclesiastes today

Children of Ragnarok, new book I got myself for Christmas, starting it today as well.

On my to do list:::
Laundry

Dishes to put away.  Our dishwasher is not washing, it stays stuck on the wash cycle, so I've been doing dishes by hand and just putting them in the washer to dry.  I have a full load in there, plus a few on the counter that are dry and need putting away.

Pay bills

Start working on new meal plan 

 

 

 
Plans for this week:::
Giving all the carpets a good clean

Bible Study

Blog 365 post every day

Grocery Shopping on Friday

 

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Working on some Kitchen Towels. 

 

 
My simple pleasure:::
Reading diaries from the 1800's.  I just love learning about these people's days, some were on the wagon trails, some women were maids in England, or children during the Holocaust.  I find it all fascinating and love history.  

 

Lesson learned the past week:::
That I may not think I'm getting older, but that my body is certainly letting me know.  My arthritis especially, in bothering me quite a bit, it makes long days of cooking or cleaning for family get togethers quite painful.  

 

 

Looking around the house:::
My back french doors are open, just have the screen door closed.  I also have my front door open with just the screen glass door locked.  I love letting in all the morning light, and fresh air. 

 

From the camera:::
I was looking through my blog a few days ago, and came across this photo.  It brought such joy to my heart.  I think this picture quite possibly describes, visually, a part of my soul and what makes me happy. 

Prayer List:::
My mom, she is still not able to walk after 8 months.  Her brain atrophy is progressing faster than we thought, and it's heartbreaking seeing her deteriorate. 

 

Bible verse, Devotional:::
It is the beginning of a new year, which means, a new devotional.  Last year I worked through New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp, and Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon.  Both were phenomenal and I loved them so much.  I am hoping that this years devotionals, are just as good.

 

The first one I'll be using is one I actually received for a review, a few months ago.  Loving God, Loving Others.  The second one is from my book shelf, and one I haven't yet read.  It's not a devotional per say, but more daily inspirations for women. It is called Whispers of Encouragement.

This is Day one of both......

Whispers of Encouragement - Embrace today.  Embrace the wonder and excitement each day brings.  For tomorrow affords us new opportunities...time to experience...time to create...time to reflect...time to dream.

Loving God, Loving Others - Mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.