Happy Homemaker Monday - 07/28/2025

 

 

Good morning everyone, welcome back.  

I feel like I haven't been on my blog in months, even though it's just been a week.  I have been so so busy and on the go.  I'm beyond exhausted but loving every minute of having my sweet niece here.  It's been wonderful to reconnect after 17 years, and I hold these moments very near to my heart and thank God every day for this opportunity.

I still have her here for another week, and knowing that time flies by, I know these days will be gone in a flash.  Just going to enjoy every moment, whether I'm exhausted or not.  

 

Anyway, I hope you're all doing well.  I will be back on here after next week.  Let's get on with our post before I have to get going again.  Have a blessed week everyone!  

  

 

The weather:::

Hot and humid.  Gross and nasty.  Does that kind of explain what we've been seeing every day?  

As I look outside my window:::
The sun is coming out and from my spot on the couch I can see the front yard and the birds flying back and forth. 

 

Right now I am:::
Sitting on the couch while everyone is fast asleep, and working on this post.  

 

Something fun to share (a blog, a video, a tip):::

I don't really have anything to share today since I haven't had the time to watch anything, so I'll have to leave this one empty for now. 

 

 

Thinking and pondering:::
Just on what we still want to do or take my niece to.  There's just a lot going on.  

 
On my bedside table:::
My phone and Bible.  

 

 

What I'm currently reading:::

One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus

Idaho Four 

 

     

On my tv:::

YouTube (homemaking, books, crime) 

Christian sermons, prophets, teachings.

 

 

Listening to:::

All 3 roosters crowing out back, it's like a symphony out there Hahaha

 
On the menu for this week:::

I need to plan the next two weeks of meals.  We have done a lot of eating out the past week because my niece wants to try different places, but I will tell you, I am so sick of eating out hahaha  I have been cooking the past 3 days and will continue, because I just miss home cooked food. 

Monday -  BBQ burgers and Queso Bratwurst, Fries 
Tuesday - Bacon Wrapped Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Salad         

Wednesday - Enchiladas, Tomato Rice, Beans

Thursday -  Rafter J's Texas Barbecue

Friday -  

Saturday - 

Sunday - 

On my to do list:::
Change Bed linens

Water plants

Daily Bible reading and daily decree

Daily 10k steps 

 

 
What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Still working on this, haven't crocheted the past week......Crochet Bed for little Raven. 

My simple pleasure::: 

Sitting down with a cup of coffee and tea and catching up with family, telling stories, reminiscing and all that.  

Looking around the house:::
It's quiet at the moment while everyone sleeps.  We let our niece stay in our bedroom so that she has more privacy and the animals don't go and bother her either, so Curt and I are camping out in the living room on a blow up mattress, which we actually don't mind.  For us it's like camping, and at our age it's an adventure hahaha

 
From the camera:::
I have nothing today, sorry about that.  

 

  

Bible verse, prayer, devotional::: 

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you;  He will never let the righteous be shaken. - Psalms 55:22 NIV

 

Happy Homemaker Monday - 07/21/2025

 

 

Good morning ladies, and a happy Monday to you all.

 

It is pretty early on this hot but beautiful morning, and I can tell you that I am so tired and so sore.  We've been on the go and so busy this entire weekend with a bathroom renovation, yard work, chicken run work and other random bits here and there.

 

Wish I could say that I woke up fresh and ready to face the week, but the truth is, I am slow walking it today and I still have a very busy day ahead.  My niece arrives tomorrow morning, and she is staying for two weeks, but unfortunately she's arriving right in the middle of the bathroom redo and the outside major cleaning, and some inside updates here and there.  I feel so bad, but we really did try to get everything finished as quickly as we could, hence the very busy and exhausting weekend.  My goodness, I am holding the Lord's hand very tightly today and letting Him guide me and give me the energy that I need to finish what I need on my list.

 

Anyway, enough of that.  I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend and as always, I wish you a blessed week ahead.  I apologize for the lack of posts lately, but I just haven't had the time at at all.  Kinda looking forward to summer being done so I can relax a bit.  

 

Have a blessed week friends!

  

 

The weather:::

We've entered the really hot and gross part of Texas summer.  We're already seeing the triple digits and I wish I could say I am all for it, but I am not, in any way.  I wish we got some rain because we are desperately needing it right now. 

As I look outside my window:::
It's very early so I can't see much from my bedroom window.  At the moment, I can see the shadows of the trees with the sky starting to lighten behind them.  

 

Right now I am:::
On my bed working on this post.  I have Kaia munching on one of her treats next to me, and Elliott is asleep next to his biscuit tower.  If you have cats, you know what I mean.  

 

Something fun to share (a blog, a video, a tip):::

One channel that I follow on YouTube is Through Lucy's Lens.  She's just an ordinary lady living in England who takes us on some really cool trips.  I just love it.  This latest video we visit some of the Slum Houses in Birmingham.  It's quite interesting.  Hope you enjoy it.  

 

 

Thinking and pondering:::
On my to do list for today, oh my word it's a mile long and I'm not looking forward to it, but my plan is to do everything this morning, and hopefully be able to relax this afternoon.  Fingers crossed. 

 
On my bedside table:::
Empty cup of coffee (desperately need another), water bottle, AC control and lotion. 

 

 

What I'm currently reading:::

Still reading One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus, but in the meantime, I received in the mail the newest James Patterson which he wrote with Vicky Ward.  It is about the Idaho Four and I've been waiting to get my hands on it.  I am already halfway through it and oh my gosh, what on earth.  Finding out a lot of things that we haven't heard about on the news. 

 

     

On my tv:::
YouTube (homemaking, books, crime) 

Christian sermons, prophets, teachings.

Listening to:::

Video on YouTube, the roosters crowing outside. 

 
On the menu for this week:::

The next two weeks, our meals are going to be kind of all over the place.  We will be going out a lot, taking my niece all over and eating out more than I want to.  I did however still make a meal plan for the next two weeks and will cook at home as well.

Monday - Ground Beef Mediterranean, Quinoa, Chickpea Salad 
Tuesday - Pizza (having the whole family over to see Taryn-Lee so doing pizza)         

Wednesday - Roasted Red Pepper, Spinach and Mozzarella Chicken, Rice, Tomato Cucumber Salad

Thursday -  BBQ Bratwurst

Friday -  Fort Worth for the day

Saturday - Sloppy Joes, Fries

Sunday - Cowboy Lasagna, Garlic Bread, Salad

On my to do list:::
Change Bed linens

Water plants

Daily Bible reading and daily decree

Daily 10k steps 

Bathroom - paint chip in bathtub, change tank handle, clean and mop

Bedroom - Vacuum up webs from ceiling corners and window.  Wipe down windowsills and blinds, vacuum and carpet clean

Dining room - usual daily cleaning, carpet cleaning

Kitchen - sweep, mop, finish painting backsplash (I am just giving it another coat, over time it gets knicked and scratched here and there)

Back Yard - mow, rake

Office - carpet clean 

 

 
What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Crochet Bed for little Raven. 

My simple pleasure::: 

Watching videos about historic sites all over the world. 

Looking around the house:::
It's clean but I today is carpet cleaning day, which I do every two weeks.  Wish it wasn't because it just adds more work to my growing list, but oh well we will push through right?  

 
From the camera:::
Anyone else use orange garlands year round, or just me?  I love how they look and especially in my kitchen, they make everything look so airy and magical.  

 

 

Bible verse, prayer, devotional::: 

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. - Jeremiah 31:25 NIV  

 

Happy Homemaker Monday - 07/14/2025

 

 

 

Good morning ladies, how are you doing?

 

I wasn't ready for the weekend to end, I could have used at least one more day to decompress.  It's been a weird past few weeks, I have been busy but also not busy, if that even makes sense?  I want to blog, I want to post, but days just shift from one to the other so quickly, and I'm left wondering where all the free time went.  But anyway, we are in the throes of summer, which seems to be the busiest time of year, so it's not surprise that I am already very much looking forward to Fall.

 

With that said, let's get on with our post for today.  Have a blessed week friends, stay out of the heat, stay safe from the horrible weather and above all, stay close to God.  

  

 

The weather:::

Grossly humid.  We have triple digits coming up soon and I am not looking forward to that, but I also feel like the quicker it comes the quicker it can leave.  

As I look outside my window:::
The morning is slowly coming around.  The sun is peeking through the horizon and bathing the earth with the most prettiest of golden colors.  I do love sunrises. 

 

Right now I am:::
Sitting in bed, as I usually am this early in the morning.  I just finished my big cup of coffee, I saw Curt off to work, and I am starting on this post while watching a video on YouTube.      

 

Something fun to share (a blog, a video, a tip):::

I think I have shared Giselle's channel before, but if I haven't, I think it's one worth sharing.  I have always been fascinated by the Amish and the Hutterite communities.  Giselle is from a Hutterite community in Canada, and she has been sharing videos on YouTube for years.  It is so much fun watching what they do, how the community runs, how things work.  I love it, and I hope you enjoy it too.  This is her latest video.  

 

 

Thinking and pondering:::
My niece from South Africa is visiting us next week, for two weeks.  I haven't seen her in 17 years and I am so excited to spend time with her and show her around.  Just thinking about her visit, where to take her and what to do. 

 
On my bedside table:::
Empty cup of coffee, water bottle, and my current book. 

 

 

What I'm currently reading:::

I have switched out books a couple of times now.  I used to force myself to read the book I picked up but ended up not enjoying the journey.  Over time I have learned that it is best to read as my mood strikes.  I am in the July Jane Austen reading challenge, but to be honest, I have not been sticking to it.  As much as I love Jane Austen, I don't feel like reading her stuff right now, so Pride and Prejudice has been set aside and so has Mr. Darcy's Diary.  

 

Instead, I picked up the book I felt like I wanted to read, which happened to be One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus, and oh my goodness, I fell right into it and have been so engrossed in the story.   

 

     

On my tv:::
YouTube homemaking videos.

Book hauls and book reviews.

Christian sermons, prophets, teachings.

 

Listening to:::

The video on YouTube with Donne Clemente Petruska and Brandon Biggs. 

 
On the menu for this week:::

Need to make a new meal plan, so these are the meals I have until Thursday. 

Monday - Roast chicken legs, curried quinoa, bean salad 
Tuesday - Sweet and Sour Pork, Rice (broccoli for me), Egg Rolls        

Wednesday - Flatbread Pizzas

Thursday -  

Friday -  

Saturday - 

Sunday - 

On my to do list:::
Change Bed linens

Water plants

Daily Bible reading and daily decree

Daily 10k steps 

Meal plan

Read 

 

 
What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Still working on the Juicy Fruits and Whipped Creme crochet throw from Yarnspirations.   But I have also set it aside for a few days, because Jasmine asked me to make a crochet cat bed for her little kitten Raven.

My simple pleasure::: 

Reading, watching, and learning about days of old.  I very much feel like I was born in the wrong era, because I'm so fascinated with it all.  

 

Looking around the house:::
I need to vacuum the living room carpet, as I see tufts of cat hair laying around.  Elliott and Kaia are both shedding, it's that time of the year, and he has long fur, so he leaves little bundles of furry joy all over.  Hahahah 

 
From the camera:::
Here's a throwback.  I was looking at old photos and came across this one from 2007.  We had just moved from Mountain Home AFB in Idaho, to Luke AFB in Arizona.  I can't believe how young we were and how little the kids were.  I miss those days! 

 

 

Bible verse, prayer, devotional::: 

I continue in prayer for our Texas and the ongoing horrible floods.  I am also praying for all the states affected by floods as well, it seems to be everywhere and it's so strange.  Everything just feels incredibly weird.  We need to be in constant prayer! 

Vanished by Dr. David Jeremiah with Sam O'Neal - TLC Book Tour

About Vanished

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication date: July 1, 2025

Print length: 336 pages

 

The end of the world . . .

As leader of a special military unit charged with stopping potential pandemics before they spread, John “Haggs” Haggerty has a front-row seat to the sharp increase in natural disasters that precede the Rapture–including plagues, earthquakes, famines, wars, and rumors of war. And each crisis is becoming more intense.

Meanwhile, his own world feels like it’s falling apart. He’s still caught in the grief of messing up his relationship with his ex-wife, and he’s trying to keep it together so that he can show up for his adult daughter before she wants him out of her life entirely. As both personal and professional situations push him to the brink, Haggs finds himself stretched further than ever in his desire to be the kind of good person he knows he should be.

Just when it seems as if things might turn around, Haggs is forced to decide between his need to find solutions and his need for personal redemption.

About the Author

Dr. David Jeremiah is the founder of Turning Point, an international ministry committed to providing Christians with sound Bible teaching through radio and television, the Internet, live events, and resource materials and books. He is the author of more than fifty books, including The Book of Signs, The Great Disappearance, Where Do We Go from Here? and The Coming Golden Age.

Dr. Jeremiah serves as the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California. He and his wife, Donna, have four children and twelve grandchildren.

Sam O’Neal is Senior Writer for Write Great Stories, where he serves authors and publishers as they produce great stories and great books that help advance God’s kingdom. He has worked with numerous New York Times bestselling authors and resources in that capacity.

 

EXCERPT:

 

“I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to hear what we’ve heard today without coming to the conclusion that our world is in trouble. I don’t mean our culture. I don’t mean our way of life. I mean our civilization. We are currently experiencing something unprecedented not only in our lifetimes, but seemingly in human history. An extraordinary rise in seismic activity, catastrophic storms, and flooding. An extraordinary increase in regional epidemics and global pandemics. An extraordinary surge in famines and food insecurity across multiple continents. And an extraordinary flood of refugees seeking shelter and finding none.

“There is no doubt that many of these crises can be seen as the avoidable consequences of our own actions as a civilization.” She glanced over at Singh, then away. “But there is also little doubt in my mind that we are facing calamity at a scale we have never before considered. Ladies and gentlemen . . .” She paused as she scanned the room. “I am not exaggerating when I say the world is in danger. Humanity is in danger. But I am also not exaggerating when I declare that those of us in this room are equipped to meet that calamity head-on—and to steer our world to victory.

“We’re at a tipping point, and I believe the actions taken by our five task forces over the next twelve months will determine whether humanity advances to our destiny—or retreats into oblivion. So, let’s go save the world.”  

  

 

My Thoughts:

 

You guys, I don't even know what to say other than you have to get this book.  

 

I have always loved Dr. David Jeremiah, so I went into this one a slightly biased but a bit uneasy, because it's a genre of book that I do not usually read.  Military and action and mystery, are not what I gravitate to but there was one thing in the summary that caught my eye.  

 

The Rapture!

 

As a Christian, we have all heard and read about the rapture, what it will entail, how God's chosen will be taken up to Heaven, and the others will be left behind to endure 7 years of a world led by evil.  It's not exactly something I want to experience, but I do find the whole rapture interesting and fascinating.

 

So, I will tell you right away that I read this book in 4 hours.  Yeah, me, Miss Doesn't Like Military themed books, practically inhaled this book in one go.  

 

The story centers around Haggerty, a military man who is very much your typical military man.  I should know, I am married to one.  They are extremely focused on their work and take it very seriously, when duty calls they answer and sometimes it affects family life and relationships.  Haggerty and his very good friend, are working together to essentially save the world.  They start off chasing some sort of pandemic, and I thought that is what the focus was going to be on, the increase in events leading up to the end of times and the rapture, but aside from that, there is a whole other world happening around them.  Haggerty is not really a believer, while his friend is very much a faith driven man of God.  

 

While all this craziness with pandemics and nuclear bombs and threats to humanity is going on, Haggerty is trying to win back his ex wife, trying to be a good father to his adult daughter, trying to learn more about God and faith, and also face his own demons and guilt over the death of his son years before.

 

I will tell you that watching his transformation, his frustration, his grief, his stubbornness and his eventual facing off with God, was so touching that at one point I was bawling.  There is a specific part in the book where Haggerty is begging God for help when his daughter is hurt.  I read the words and felt in my soul, because I've been there, in that spot, where you are so weak and vulnerable and you get angry with God.

 

"You take everything!" he roared. "You demand everything! Here..."  He bent down and grabbed a chunk of rock that skittered onto the walkway during the earthquake, then heaved it out into the deep emptiness of the cave.  "Take it."  He grabbed another rock and threw it.  Another. "Take it all!"

 

That resonated with me.  That anger, that frustration, that feeling that everything is being taken and destroyed and you have nothing left to give and you don't understand why God is not listening and why He continues to take.  Boy that hit hard!

 

Anyway, I am not going to go more into it because I believe that you need to get this book and read it for yourself, without me spoiling all the goodness.

 

Thank you so much to TLC Book Tours and Thomas Nelson for providing me with a copy.

 

  

Happy Homemaker Monday - 07/07/2025

 

 

 

Good morning everyone, from a cloudy and wet Texas.  I hope you're all doing well.

 

I just want to start this post today by sending my love and prayers to our beautiful state of Texas and especially to the community of Kerrville.  I have been in utter shock and sadness watching the horrifying flood that has taken so many lives, so many sweet little girls.  I can't even imagine the pain their parents are going through and I pray God's peace over them.  

 

I also want to pray for the people of North Carolina who are also dealing with horrible flooding at the moment.  Please take a moment to send up a prayer.  🙏

 

I hope you all have a blessed week ahead, and stay safe. 

  

 

The weather:::

Very humid, I mean like 99% humidity and I can't handle it.  The older I get, the less I enjoy summer.    

As I look outside my window:::
Cloudy, foggy and dewy.  The rains keep coming and stopping, and coming and stopping.  I love rain but this is a bit much at this point.   I can see the backyard from my bedroom window and the grass is so tall, again, it just got mowed last week.  It seems to be a weekly chore now. 

 

Right now I am:::
I just finished changing my bed linens, and I'm sitting on the bed working on this post.  Still in my nightgown, and listening to Julie Green's teaching this morning.     

 

Something fun to share (a blog, a video, a tip):::

I follow a channel on YouTube called The AI Bible.  They bring to life scripture in the bible, to give you a visual of what you are reading, and I have to say, I absolutely love it.  I am a very visual person, and seeing the verses come to life, is not only incredible, but at times terrifying.  It just really helps me learn the Bible in a better way.    

 

Thinking and pondering:::
Just all that I need to do today and this week.  I need to write it all down or I will forget, the perimenopause brain fog is no joke.  

 
On my bedside table:::
TV control, water bottle, books I'm currently reading.  

 

 

What I'm currently reading:::

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Mr' Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange  

 

     

On my tv:::
YouTube homemaking videos

Crime channels on YouTube 

Book hauls, book reviews, book TBR lists 

 

Listening to:::

The Julie Green video on TV.  Hubby talking to our son in the office, the turtle tank filter and the roosters out back all crowing at the same time. 

 
On the menu for this week:::

Monday - Chicken Wraps, Oven Fries 
Tuesday - Mac'a'ratatouille, Salad        

Wednesday - Fish Fillets, Oven roasted veggies

Thursday -  Meatballs in tomato sauce, rice, steamed broccoli

Friday -  Flatbread Pizza

Saturday - Burgers and Hotdogs on the grill

Sunday - Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Salad

On my to do list:::
Change Bed linens

Water plants

Daily Bible reading and daily decree

Daily 10k steps 

 

 
What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Juicy Fruits and Whipped Creme crochet throw from Yarnspirations.   

 

My simple pleasure::: 

Watching old tv shows and movies.  I don't like the new stuff they come out with, everything is politicized and ridiculous.  I love watching reruns of old series, or favorite movies like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T., The Goonies, Out of Africa, Cocktail and so many other classics.   

Looking around the house:::
Just needs the usual daily pickup and tidy.  

 
From the camera:::
My favorite Jane Austen book, Pride and Prejudice.  

 

 

Bible verse, prayer, devotional::: 

As I mentioned above, please pray for our State of Texas.  The tragedy that is still unfolding is beyond comprehensible.  My heart is broken over the loss of life, the sweet little girls who were dropped off at a Christian camp and have died due to the horrible flooding that occurred.  They are still looking for survivors, still searching, still trying to make sense of this tragedy.

 

As a Christian, these are the moments we often turn to God and ask why, it's hard to wrap our minds around things like this, but we have to remember that God doesn't take lives, he doesn't want any of this to happen.  We have to live by faith and not by sight, and that is not always easy to do.  

 

So my heart and prayers go out to the parents and families of the victims, and to the law enforcement, first responders and hundreds upon hundreds of volunteers helping.  We are Texas strong and when tragedy strikes, we pull together to do whatever is needed.  

 

I want to speak Psalm 147:3 over the parents and first responders dealing with the aftermath.  

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. - Psalm 147:3

Jane Austen July 2025

  

It is officially July, and that means, Jane Austen and more Jane Austen.

 

I have been eagerly awaiting the start of this challenge, have gathered my books, have chosen my movies and have just sat not so patiently waiting for July 1st.

 

I did a post a couple weeks ago talking about this challenge and showed you the books I have chosen to read, so if you're interested and somehow missed that post, you can go back and read it here July Jane Austen Reading.

 

The challenge itself is simple, it's all about this amazing author and her works.  We get to read or in my case reread our favorites, some new ones, watch her movies and learn all about who Jane Austen really was, in celebration of her 250th birthday in December of this year.

 

I saw this challenge mentioned in quite a few of the YouTube channels that I follow, but I first heard it from Katie at Books and Things over on YouTube. 

 

 

 

Here are the prompts that I will be following, for the most part, there may be one or two that I don't do, depending on how much I actually get to read because I do have some review books I have to give some attention to as well.  I'm leaving the prompts below just so you have an idea or if by chance any of you want to join in this Jane Austen Reading month.

 

1. Read one of Jane Austen’s six novels
2. Read something by Jane Austen that is not one of her main six novels
3. Read a non-fiction work about Jane Austen or her time
4. Read a retelling of a Jane Austen book OR a work of historical fiction set in Jane Austen’s time
5. Read a book by a contemporary of Jane Austen
6. Watch a direct screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book
7. Watch a modern screen adaptation of a Jane Austen book

 

Here are my picks:

 

1.  Pride and Prejudice

2.  Lady Susan

3.  Jane Austen an Illustrated Treasury

4.  Longbourn by Jo Baker

5.  Not a contemporary but I will be reading Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange

6.  Mansfield Park (1983)

7. Emma (2009)

 

 

If I have time I will be reading other Jane Austen inspired books, which you can see on my post about the July Reading challenge. 

 

I thought I would end this post by showing you my newest Jane Austen book, one that I had been wanting for a while.  It has the most beautiful sprayed edges, a stunning cover and a gorgeous end pages.

 

And how about that sweet bookmark that actually matches the book cover? I have had this bookmark for a while and I think it may have just found it's perfect match.

 

I wish I could convey to you just how much I love Jane Austen, and books in general.  There is something so cozy about sitting down with a good, beautiful book in hand, and allowing ourselves to float away into another world.  Books take us to places we've never been and in my case, places I would love to visit, such as England.

 

I am very much looking forward to this month of reading, and I'll keep you updated on how it's going.  If any of you are joining in this challenge, let me know in the comments.  Would love to know what you'll be reading or watching.