{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 02/03/2025 }

 

 

Good morning everyone, welcome back on this beautiful Monday morning. 

 

I am so sore today, had really good gym workouts this weekend, but goodness, do I feel it today.  Monday is usually my day off from exercise, so it will be good to relax and give my muscles a chance to heal and rest.

 

So here we are, the first Happy Homemaker Monday of February 2025.  How are we already through January?  I used to believe that time flew, when I was younger, but now it seems to be gone in the blink of an eye.

 

Anyway, I am adding a few categories in this post today, not new ones, but some from previous years.  Just wanted a bit of a change.

 

Have a blessed week my friends!

 

The weather in my neck of the woods:::

 It's been pretty warm we've been in the high 70s and today, we are actually hitting the 80s.  I'm almost afraid to think that we are past the cold weather because we do tend to have a snow storm towards end of February and beginning of March.  I'm just hoping it doesn't happen this year, because I am itching to get my garden going.

Monday - Clear, 87

Tuesday - Mostly cloudy, 52

Wednesday - Partly cloudy, 78

Thursday - Sunny, 62

Friday - Mostly sunny, 80

Saturday - Sunny, 68

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 53

As I look outside my window:::
The sun is starting to rise, which always brings that beautiful glowy golden light.  I still see bare trees, and can't wait to see them full and green.  

Right now I am:::
Sitting on my bed.  Kaia and Elliott are asleep next to me, and I'm listening to Julie Green on the TV.  

Thinking and pondering:::
About our garden.  We picked up a few more seeds yesterday and I think I'm going to start them this week.  My idea is that if I start them now, they will be established bigger plants by the time they go in the ground and therefore be more resilient to the change in the weather.   

  

On my bedside table:::
My phone and watch chargers, a bottle of water and some hand cream.  

On my tv:::
Last night's When Calls the Heart
Homemaking vlogs
Book vlogs

Listening to:::
Julie Green's live show on the tv.  Also hear the chickens out back clucking and the roosters crowing.

On the menu for this week:::

Monday - Baked Salmon, Pilaf Rice, Cabbage Salad
Tuesday - Sticky Asian Chicken, Sesame Noodles, Chickpeas for me, Egg Rolls
Wednesday - Cubed Steaks with oregano cream sauce, Mashed potatoes, Sauteed Squash
Thursday - Meatballs and Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Salad
Friday - Sloppy Joes and Sweet Potato Fries
Saturday - Fend for yourself (leftovers)
Sunday - Nando's BBQ Chicken Legs, Potato Salad, Fries (for those that don't like potato salad)

On my to do list:::
Put away clean laundry that I washed and folded yesterday
Sweep, vacuum, wash carpets
Organize gaming systems in living room
Daily Bible reading 

Daily decree

Happening this week:::
Monday - Gaming Systems
Tuesday - Clean and organize office
Wednesday - Wash all curtains
Thursday - Crochet and read
Friday - Self care

 

 
What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Still on the Nordic Afghan, I am so busy during the day that by the time bedtime comes around, I am too tired to crochet, but really want to finish this blanket.

My simple pleasure:::
Looking through old letters or recipes handwritten by my great grandma, grandmothers and mom. 

Lesson learned the past week:::
It's been a tough week with my uncle's passing.  I have done the best I can to help my stepmom through it, but along with a helpless feeling, comes this feeling that we don't pay attention to our loved ones, as much as we should.  I kept in touch with my uncle, but I wish now that I had done more, that I had talked more, reached out more.  It's a horrible feeling to have, so hug your loves ones, and if you don't live close, just reach out to them more often.  

Looking around the house:::
It is quiet, with only the sound of the birds outside chirping.  Thankfully everything is tidy and put together, except for the den which has the Wii remotes and games out because it was being played last night by my hubby, son and daughter's boyfriend.  Just have to put all that away.  

 

 
From the camera:::
My temperature blanket, from a few years ago.  I need to make another one, it was so much fun to make and easy to work up too.  

 

Prayer List:::
My stepmom and brothers who are preparing for my uncle's memorial this coming Thursday.
Usual prayers for family and friends.

Bible verse, Devotional:::
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15 NIV

 

 

{ Sunday }

 

I have said many times that I love living where we do.  I used to enjoy living on base, I felt like I always had someone next door, everything was close by, there was so many people around and constant noise.  Loved it!

 

Then I got older and started craving a quiet place, surrounded by nature and not many neighbors.  A place I could listen to the birds and the surrounding animals, a place that didn't mean the constant noise of cars going by, or neighbors playing loud music.

 

God placed this home in our hands, he handpicked it knowing exactly what our hearts had desired for so long.  

 

Anyway, our Sunday was a busy one.  There was a lot of cleaning, organizing and moving things around.  We've had an extra fridge in my husband's office for a long time, but it's big and it makes things look cluttered, so yesterday, the boys all went into the garage, gave it a really good organizing and cleaning, took tons of trash to the dump and extra bed frames and headboards, even a bunk bed, to our local thrift store, and then moved the big ol' fridge to the garage.  

This coming weekend we will be moving the chest freezer out there too.  

However, the office has been left in disarray and I would do it myself, but my husband wants to sort it out after work today, since it's his office, and you know how guys are with their things right?  Right!

While the boys worked outside, I worked inside with the usual chores, I got all the laundry finished, I baked them my grandfather's Vanilla Cake as a thank you for all the hard work they put in, and I made a delicious chicken curry for dinner with naan bread.  

 

I also vacuumed and dusted, got things ready for the week, the litter changed etc.  These are all things that I do practically daily, but I couldn't help them outside because my osteoarthritis has made my hands so weak that I don't trust pushing big fridges or helping with anything like that.  I don't want to hurt myself or someone else because my hands are too weak.

 

Sunday's are family meal days, my daughter and her boyfriend come over  for dinner and family time, which usually consists of playing games, listening to music, laughing and chatting etc.  It's something we all look forward to every week.

In the Bible, I am now in Exodus and right at the point where Moses is dealing with Pharaoh to let his people go.  I love the book of Exodus, I find it so interesting.

It was a good productive Sunday, but by the time I got into bed, I was knackered and quickly fell asleep.  Nothing better than a good night's sleep to get us ready for the week ahead.

 

{ Bringing out the old gaming systems }

 

We are a family that loves playing games.  We play a game every night after dinner, and anytime there is a big get together, you will find groups all over my house, in little corners, playing different games.

 

It's something we love and it's been a great way to keep our family bonded.

 

In a time where families seem so far apart, so strayed from each other, where technology has taken over in a horrifying way, it feels good and it is so helpful to have something that draws everyone back together.

 

We used to have simpler times, and don't get me wrong, I love technology but I find that it also takes so much from us all.  Have you ever sat at dinner and found that half the family members are on their phones?  Or everyone is visiting at someone's house, and most are staring down at their phones?

 

I don't think it's healthy and I think it pulls families apart, so we try very hard to keep things as they were.

 

Today, we brought out all the old gaming systems.  The Nintendo, the Wii, the Sega and so forth, and have plugged them all in, set up an area in one of the living rooms and decided that we are going to, as a family, start playing these old systems again.

 

They are games that remind the kids of being little, but they also remind us adults of our childhood and the fun and happy times we had playing with our siblings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The console of choice for this Saturday was the Wii.  Oh how I had forgotten how much we enjoyed the family games on this system.  Carnival games, tennis, sports, dodgeball, bowling, you name it.  Games that make everyone laugh, and give you a workout too....I forgot about that part.

The Wii was such a family favorite that I even made a Nick a Wii remote cake for his 7th birthday ♥

 

So, my advice to you is, if you have old gaming systems, bring them out, plug them in, and next time your adult children are visiting, play a few games.  I bet you they will be surprised and very happy to spend that time enjoying these old favorites.

{ Friday's Letters - 31/01/2025 }

 

 

Dear Friday....Thank God you're here!!!  It's been a difficult week as we've said goodbye to our uncle.  The hardest part about not living in the same continent as family, is that when someone passes on, we can't be there to help, to give a hug, or to even attend the funeral.  It's hard! 

 
Dear 50 year old body....you have been so great to me this past year.  I have worked hard, but so have you, and together we have joined hands, determined to go into our old age healthy and strong.  

 
Dear chocolate....I love you but I hate you.  We have this obsessive relationship that I need to cut off at the root.  Why is so hard to give you up?

Dear weather....can you please make up your mind?  Are you cold, are you hot, are you freezing, are you rushing into spring, what is going on?  My osteoarthritis would love you to pick one temperature and stick with it.

Dear Books....Oh I love you, so very very much.  You take me on adventures, you help me pull away from the craziness around our world, and you teach me new things with each page I read.  Thank you! 

 
Dear God....I know I must drive you crazy at times, and you probably sit and shake your head at my constant need to control every aspect of my life.  But, I have been trying so hard, and the more I press into you and allow you to guide my steps in every day, the easier life is becoming.  Please don't let me stray, remind me to stay close, to let go and to trust your every word. 

Dear World.....You are having a hard time aren't you?  It seems that things are going crazy, falling apart, and moving very fast towards destruction.  But I have faith in you, and I know you'll pull out of this darkness, and very soon, we will all be living our lives, with huge smiles on our faces again.  Hang in there, you are ruled by a father who loves you and treasures you. 

{ Slow Cooking Thursday - Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup }

 

 

Slow Cooker 

Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup

1 Butternut Squash
1 Large Onion, diced
2 to 3 Garlic cloves, chopped
Salt & Pepper to taste
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 cup lentils
1 vegetable stock cube
3.5/4 cups of boiling water ( I used a box of Garden Vegetable Broth, 32 oz. )


 Peel butternut squash, cut in half and remove all seeds.  Cut into chunks and place in a slow cooker.  Add the diced onion, garlic and season well with salt and pepper and paprika.  Add in the cup of lentils, and the vegetable broth.  Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 7 hours.

Once done, use an immersion blender to puree the soup.  Check the seasonings and adjust accordingly.  Enjoy!!!

 

 

{ Musical Throwback Tuesday }

I was trying to figure out what to post today, I haven't taken many pictures the past few days, to be honest I've been busy trying to help my stepmom with my uncle's passing, and with the time difference between here and South Africa, it makes it hard.

As I was sitting in bed thinking about it, this idea popped into my head.

Why not take every Tuesday to put up a music video, but not from nowadays.  I mean going back in time, reliving some of the best music that was made.  Music from my childhood, music that brings back memories.  

This came about I think because I was talking to my stepmom about one of my Uncle Tony's favorite songs.  I remember being around 11 years old, and he was over for dinner and this song came on and he started dancing.  He couldn't dance, let me just say that, so it looked so funny and to this day, my brothers and I will laugh about it.

Anyway, it's a good memory.  So, in his honor today's video is for him.

I love you Uncle Tony, rest in peace 💖

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 01/27/2025 }

 

 

Good morning dear friends!!!

I haven't posted since Thursday.  I was doing so well, and then things kind of got a bit crazy around here.  Friday I didn't have a chance at all to post, but I will be putting a post up backdated, just because I don't want to miss any daily blogs.  

 

Saturday, I had just arrived to the gym with my husband, and as I got on the treadmill, I received a phone call from one of my brothers to tell me that our uncle had passed away.  Needless to say, I immediately got off and we came home.  My uncle Tony is my mom's brother, and he was 76 years old.  He lived alone in a little apartment in Johannesburg.  My stepmom, his sister.....I know, I know, maybe one day I will tell the story, it's a bit confusing, but my stepmom, my mom and my uncle Tony are siblings.  

 

Anyway, he texted her all the time, and Saturday morning he failed to contact her, when she tried to call him there was no answer.  She asked the next door neighbor to check on him but he said he wasn't answering the door.  She of course panicked and immediately drove over, where my older brother met her.  They had to break into the apartment by breaking a window, and sadly found him on the ground, dead.  We don't know for sure what happened, but we believe it may have been a massive heart attack.

 

Needless to say, I haven't had the brain to do much of anything, I've been on the phone with my stepmom constantly, trying to keep her company and help her through this.  Her mom and dad have passed on, my mom is in a nursing home with dementia and her brother was all she had left, and now he's gone.  It's sad and difficult, and it all falls on her to go clean out his apartment and deal with everything from memorial, to the red tape and paperwork.  Anyway, please pray for Nela, if you could, I would appreciate it very much.

Now, let's get on with our post, sorry for babbling so much.  Have a blessed week friends! 

 

*** The weather in my neck of the woods*** 

It's been really cold the past few days, and it looks like we have a rainy week ahead, which I am very happy for, you know I love rainy weather.

 

Monday - Mainly sunny,  51

Tuesday - Cloudy, 58

Wednesday - Thunderstorms, 56

Thursday - Rain, 64

Friday - Sunny, 65 

Saturday - Sunny, 71 

Sunday - Sunny, 70

 

 

 *** Things that make me happy ***

Reading old letters.  I was cleaning out some old paperwork last week and found two letters that my mom had written me, about 30 years ago or so.  Just love having memories like that.

 

 

*** Book I'm reading *** 

Currently doing The Bible Recap.

 

 Women of the West series, by Janette Oke. I am currently reading the second book, Julia's Last Hope.

 

I started the new Portuguese book I got, but I decided to maybe leave it for another time because it's a huge book, 600 and so pages.  I need something smaller to read right now, so going back to the Women of the West series which I can read quicker.     

 

*** What's on my tv today *** 

YouTube

Homemaking vlogs  

 

Hallmark

When Calls the Heart

 

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

I had a cup of coffee at 4am, then at 6 had my breakfast which was 2 eggs and 2 pieces of multigrain toast with Irish butter.  I also had the leftover coffee that was brewed which was about half a cup, but this time I had it black with some sweetener. 

 

 

*** On the lunch plate *** 

Salad   

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

I got some Sam's club rotisserie chicken this weekend, for a quick lunch, and I have a lot leftover, so I'll be using that to make dinner.  I'm thinking either some chicken curry, or a Greek Inspired Chicken Bowl.  Probably the Greek Bowl. 

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

Have to work on the new meal plan.  I don't know what I'm making on Tuesday and Wednesday.  I will have to raid my freezer to see what kind of meats we have.

Monday

Greek Inspired Chicken Bowl

Tuesday 

 

Wednesday 

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

*** On my to do list *** 

Today:

Get my 10k steps in

Do my workout

Iron laundry

Post a blog for Friday and maybe a roundup for the weekend or individual days

 

This week:

Clear out and reorganize the pantry

Grocery shopping

 

*** New Recipe I tried or want to try *** 

Almond Flour German Pancake  

    

 

*** What I am creating ***

Nordic Winter Afghan

Garden plan

 

 

*** No words needed (favorite photo or picture) *** 

If one image could encapsulate my idea of the perfect home, it would be this one.  I love absolutely everything about it, the house itself, the garden, the sweet wooden fence laying crookedly, and the huge trees hugging the home.  ♥  

 

 

*** Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses *** 

 Matthew 5:14 says, "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden"

{ Weekend in review }

SATURDAY::::

 

Started my day with the horrible news that my uncle Tony passed away.  It kind of set the tone for the day, I spent the whole of Saturday on the phone, talking and trying to calm down my stepmom, talked to my oldest brother for 2 and half hours too.  

 

It's so difficult when your family is in another country and so far that you can't just hop on a plane to go and be there.  I mean, I could but the tickets are very expensive, and it's 3 flights and flying for 20 something hours.  

 

It means I have to do my best from far, even if just calling and being there as much as I can as emotional support.

 

 

I also received my blood test results and was absolutely thrilled to see how much everything has improved.  The only issue I had was the high triglycerides, but by dropping those by a whopping 74 points, everything else dropped too.  I'm so thankful to God for this blessing and I'm more than determined now to continue doing what I've been doing.

 

My overall Cholesterol dropped from 191 to 168.

My HDL continues high which is what you want.

My LDL (the bad cholesterol) also dropped to 50.

My Triglycerides went from 168 to 94.

My glucose also dropped.

 

 

SUNDAY::::

 

Gym time with Curt.  I have grown to love working out and look forward to every weekend, when I know I can be there, working on my body, being healthy.

{ Show and Tell Friday }

Good morning my friends, here we are, Friday!!!

I haven't done a show and tell Friday for many years.  It's something we used to do back in the early days of blogging.  Many of us would take this day to show something we treasured, or something we found interesting.  

 

I was recently going through some old medical records, and came upon the hospital paperwork from when my children were born.

 

The specifics we know, like the day and time and so on, but there are other things that I didn't know, that I found written in the doctors notes.  And as I read through them, memories of those days flooded back.

 

We were stationed at Mountain Home AFB, in Idaho.  We were newly married, still trying to figure things out, trying to start this family and both still young.  But, I loved those days, I miss them so much, and seeing those hospital records flooded me with this sense of homesickness, in a way.

 

Anyway, here is Jasmine's....

 

 

I vividly remember Jasmine's birth because it was a difficult birth with no pain meds, seemed like it lasted forever, needed forceps and oxygen and it was just chaotic.  

However, I didn't know how long each stage had lasted, so it was neat seeing it in writing.  

First stage 7 hours and 40 mins, and second stage 1 hour and 39 mins.  Nuts!!!!

And here is Nick's, which was way faster, thankfully and didn't involve as much craziness.  

First stage 3 hours and second stage 1 hour.  So 4 hours in all.  That boy was not waiting in there.  Hahahah

These little things, these memories, mean so much to me.  I have both mine, and my kids medical records.  When we moved from base to base, we had to request our records and they would print it all out and hand it to us.  I will be placing theirs in their folders and will had it to them at some time.  

Anyway, that is my show and tell for today.  May not mean anything to you all, obviously, but I love having this recorded for prosperity.

A true treasure indeed.

{ Cooking Thursday - Crockpot Lasagna Soup }

 

 

Good morning ladies!  

It is a cold morning, with real feel having us sitting at 15 degrees F.  Brrr!  I've had my cup of coffee and am now enjoying a bowl of Weetabix, with some of my homemade granola sprinkled on.  It's one of my go to breakfasts that I actually really enjoy.

It is Thursday, and I thought I would bring in some Slow Cooking Thursday.  It's been a while.  I remember when I first started this feature back in I think, 2009.  I had so many wonderful ladies joining in every week and sharing the best recipes with us all.  

A few years ago, I took the time to sit down and make a post with all the slow cooking recipes, along with other recipes shared in the Cooking Thursday posts.  So, before I share a recipe with you today, I'm going to link that for you in case you want to go back and get some cooking inspiration.

 

Slow Cooking and Cooking Thursday Recipes

 

It is the time of year for comforting stews and soups, and this one sounds delicious.  

 

 

Crockpot Lasagna Soup

Source:  Slimming Violet

 

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain the fat. Transfer it to the Crockpot.
2. Add onion, broth, crushed tomatoes, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
4. Stir in the lasagna noodles and cook for another 20-30 minutes until the noodles are tender.
5. Serve topped with a dollop of ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and fresh basil.

 

{ Wordless Wednesday }

 

January 2011 - 36 years old

Luke AFB, Arizona

{ Workout for this week }

 

I'm often asked what workouts I do, or how I've been achieving the results I have over the past year.  It's been a challenge at times, and I've explained some of it already, there really isn't a magic word or action to make it all happen, but it's also not this unattainable, super difficult thing to do.

Biggest thing, cut out soda, cut out junk food and take out, cut out cakes and donuts and tons of sugar.  That's it.  And move, move your body every day.  10 000 steps a day is a huge one, I find that if I don't get to do my exercise for that day, for whatever reason, as long as I make sure to get 10k steps in, I'm good.  

But, I wanted to share Lucy Wyndham-Read again because without a doubt, she has been the biggest help for me, and the reason I was able to get off the couch and start moving.  It was so hard at first, I started with her 5 minute workouts a day, and now I do a 20 minute workout every day, and then 1 hour at the gym on Saturday and Sunday.

Lucy's workouts are amazing, they're easy, but they work.  Please check her out.

She usually releases a new workout each week but her playlist on YouTube is full of easy ones.  Walking, cardio, lower cholesterol, lower diabetes, arthritis, menopause, joints, sitting.  You name it, she has it.

I thought today I would share her workout for this week, it's the one I've been doing since Monday.  It's fun, it's only 20 minutes but it works.

Hope you enjoy, and if you want me to keep sharing the weekly workouts, let me know.

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 01/20/2025 }

 

Good morning dear friends and Happy Inauguration Day!!!

I am so thrilled to be here, to have been able to have voted for the first time this year, and to witness this miracle from God, take place.  We have had a very difficult past four years, we've had so much loss, so much grief, so many trials thrown our way.  There were times that I walked around with my Bible in hand, crying, not knowing how to move from one obstacle to the next.  It just felt like we were being bombarded by the enemy.

But, through it, God held our hand, and for me at least, he taught me how to pull closer, how to grow in my relationship with Him and how to become a bigger warrior for the Kingdom.  It makes everything we went through, worth it.

So Happy Inauguration Day to all!!!

Now, let's get on with our post for today.  I have to say, I am really enjoying posting daily.  Although, there will be days that the posts will be a day late, but that's because as I've done in the past, I prefer to live that day, document and take pictures, and then the next day I sit and put it all together and post it for the previous day.  It's still daily, and there will be a post every day on the blog, some on the actual day, some a day late.  I'm just thrilled that I have a post each and every day.  Feels like old blogging days.

Alright, enough babbling, have a blessed week my friends!

 

 

*** The weather in my neck of the woods*** 

Crazy, again.  On Friday we were in the 70s, then back down to 40s and yesterday, when we went to the gym in the morning, it was 4.  Hahaha  I don't even know what to say.  They are calling for some snow later this afternoon, so we will see. 

 

Monday - Cloudy,  34

Tuesday - Sunny, 37

Wednesday - Sunny, 52

Thursday - Sunny, 50

Friday - Sunny, 60 

Saturday - Partly cloudy, 62 

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 47

 

 

 *** Things that make me happy ***

Crocheted doilies.  They just make me smile.  Some people find them tacky or old fashioned, but I find that they remind me of my childhood, my great grandma and my grandmothers. 

 

 

*** Book I'm reading *** 

Currently doing The Bible Recap.

 

 Women of the West series, by Janette Oke. I am currently reading the second book, Julia's Last Hope.  Although, I am setting it aside to start my newer book which I've been waiting on to arrive from Portugal.

   

 

*** What's on my tv today *** 

YouTube

Homemaking vlogs, history documentaries.  

 

Hallmark

When Calls the Heart

 

Presidential Inauguration

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

Cup of coffee with almond and coconut milk, a bowl of weetabix with some of my homemade granola sprinkled over the top. 

 

 

*** On the lunch plate *** 

Not sure yet, probably a salad with a leftover burger.   

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

Portuguese Steaks with Mashed Potatoes and Salad. 

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

Monday

Portuguese Steaks with Mashed Potatoes and Salad

Tuesday 

Charred Chicken Legs, Zucchini in Tomato Sauce, Rice for the boys

Wednesday 

Cilantro Lime Tilapia, Couscous, Broccoli and Cauliflower

Thursday

Spicy Three Pepper Turkey Fettucine, Garlic knots, Salad

Friday

Santa Fe Grilled Veggie Pizzas

Saturday

Fend for yourself

Sunday

Spaghetti Pie, Cheesy Garlic Bread, Salad

*** On my to do list *** 

Today:

Change bed linens

Get my 10k steps in

Laundry

 

This week:

Routine blood work on Tuesday

Start planning my garden for this year and gathering seeds

Start planning my new chickies, and get ready to order in a few weeks

 

*** New Recipe I tried or want to try *** 

Charred Chicken Legs....it's a new recipe for us. 

    

 

*** What I am creating ***

Nordic Winter Afghan, I really need to get this one finished and off the hook.

 

 

*** No words needed (favorite photo or picture) *** 

I love deer and have recently started bringing in more deer related decorations into the house. ♥  

 

 

 

 

*** Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses *** 

  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor - Romans 12:10

{ Weekend in Review }

I don't have much to share, I had a very quiet weekend, the usual gym time with Curt, and then just time spent at home, doing housework, watching tv, reading, and spending time with the family.

 

Some weekends we are on the go and feel like we didn't get a rest, and some weekends we are homebodies (well most weekends we are homebodies), just doing whatever we wish, no commitments, no place to go, no need to be anywhere.  Those are by far my favorites.

 

Moments spent at home are just the best, aren't they?

 

Read:

Bible - Genesis and Job

Proverbs 18 and 19

 

Watched:

Youtube homemaking vlogs (I'll be sharing some of my newer favorites this coming week)

 

Ate:

Sonic - for the first time in over a year, and it did not go down well.  Never again lol

Shrimp Fajitas

Barbecue burgers and hotdogs (no buns, made a burger and brat bowl which was delicious)

 

 

{ New book - D. Teresa }

 

I love history, everything and anything about it, but especially England with all the kings and queens and so forth.

However, I almost always forget that Portugal has a very rich history also with royalty, and very close to England's.  I don't know why I never delved more into it's past, but it's something I want to do this year.

 

Did you know that the two nations have maintained the oldest continuously active diplomatic alliance in the world?  The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, dates all the way back to 1373 when a treaty was signed between King Edward III of England and the Portuguese royal family.

 

They've cooperate in military missions and commercially for many centuries, seeing many royal marriages between the two.  

 

So, I had a book sent over from Portugal, written by Isabel Stilwell, a Portuguese journalist and writer who focuses on historic novels, short stories and children's books.

She has quite a few books on the Portuguese royalty, and the one I picked is called D. Teresa.  A great Queen of Portugal who ruled with a fist of iron.

From Wikipedia:

Theresa (Portuguese: Teresa; Galician-Portuguese: Tareja or Tareixa; Latin: Tarasia) (c. 1080 – 11 November 1130) was Countess of Portugal, and for a time claimant to be its independent Queen. She rebelled against her half-sister Queen Urraca of León. She was recognised as Queen by Pope Paschal II in 1116, but was captured and forced to accept Portugal's vassalage to León in 1121, being allowed to keep her royal title.[2] Her political alliance and amorous liaison with Galician nobleman Fernando Pérez de Traba led to her being ousted by her son, Afonso Henriques, who with the support of the Portuguese nobility and clergy, defeated her at the Battle of São Mamede in 1128. 

 

I am so excited to read this one.

{ Cooking Thursday - Keto Pizza }

 

4 Ingredient Keto Pizza Crust

Source

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (plus more for topping)
• 2 tbsp cream cheese
• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 1 egg (beaten)
• sauce & pizza toppings of your choice

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
• In a large bowl, microwave the cream cheese and mozzarella together for 90 seconds, stirring half way through.
• Stir in the almond flour and beaten egg to combine (if your dough appears to be too sticky, add in a little more almond flour). Knead with your hands until a dough forms.
• Place the dough in between two large pieces of parchment paper and roll the dough out into a 10" circle, or until it's about 1/3 inch thick. (*See tips in the recipe notes below for keeping the dough from sticking to the paper).
• Remove the top piece of parchment paper, and place the bottom sheet with the dough on it onto a pizza pan or upside down sheet pan.
• Use a fork to pierce lots of holes throughout the dough to help it cook evenly and prevent bubbling.
• Bake for 8-10 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and top it with sauce, cheese, and the toppings of your choice.

Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes. Gobble up. :-)
 

{ Wordless Wednesday }

{ Finding comfort in simple homemaking chores }

Do you know what the best thing is about being a homemaker?

Being a homemaker!  

Having the privilege to take care of our homes, being able to do that, and to make an impact on our children's lives and our husband's well being too.  We are the keeper of the home, the one that creates a warm, cozy and safe environment for our families.

It is a blessing from God to be able to do this very important job.  If you don't see yourself as blessed as a homemaker, I encourage you to rethink and start appreciating just how lucky we are.

I find the most comfort when I'm busy in my home, doing the normal daily chores that may seem trivial and mundane to some.  I don't think it's just because of the routine it creates in knowing basically what you will be doing each day.  The familiarity of  it all, but I also think it is the fact that I actually do enjoy these tasks that face me.

Just wanted to bring you along on a pretty normal day for me. 

 

Laundry - there is always a constant flow of laundry to wash and dry and fold.

 

Plants - I have so many around the house, and every morning I check on them, see if any need water or pruning.  Above, I am actually checking on my Passion Fruit Tree, she doesn't not do well outside in the winter so we brought her in, and as you can tell she's a climber.  When spring comes around, she will go back outside.

 

Tidying up - I usually walk past the living room and den on my way to the kitchen, and tidy the couches, pillows, fold blankets etc.  The furry babies also get lots of kisses and hugs, just because. 

 

Kitchen - put away clean dishes and wash breakfast dishes, wipe down counters and cabinets. Take out meat for dinner.

 

 

Bible reading - when the house is pretty much set to order, I usually come back to my bedroom and sit on my bed to read my Bible.  The babies usually come back and take their naps too.

 

Computer work - I'll usually take this time to pay bills, check email, check the blog, and do anything else that needs doing.  Today it was meal planning.

 

Dinner and prepping for next day - Dinner time is always a busy time.  I make dinner, set the table, feed the family, then wash dishes, put away leftovers, prepare hubby's lunch for work the next day, set the coffee machine for the morning, wipe down counters, sweep the floors and make sure Elliott has food and water for overnight.

After shower, I get in bed and either read or watch something on the TV and am usually asleep by 9pm the latest.  

I've often been asked what I do during the day, or how I go about my usual homemaking days, so I hope this gives you an idea.