Thursday, February 06, 2025

{ Slow Cooking Thursday - Slow Cooker Pecan Pie }

 cookingthursday
 
Good morning, welcome back to another Slow Cooking Thursday.
 
Today's recipe is a must try, and if you're not convinced, I hope the photos will make you drool enough to go get in that kitchen, and make this delicious dessert for after dinner tonight.
 
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Slow Cooker Pecan Pie 
 Source:  The Country Cook
 
 
Ingredients 
1 refrigerated pie crust 
4 large eggs, lightly beaten 
1 ⅓ cups light corn syrup 
 1 cup sugar 
⅓ cup salted butter melted
 ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon (optional) 
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
2 cups pecan halves, divided use 
 
 
Instructions 
 
Line a 6-quart oval slow cooker with parchment paper (12.5 inch x 16 inch). Press the paper down into the slow cooker to create an outline of the bottom of the slow cooker. Remove parchment paper and place unrolled pie crust onto the parchment paper (lining it up with the creases from the outline in the parchment paper). 
 
Gently roll up the edges of the pie crust and make small indentations to help the crust stick to the parchment paper and to keep in the filling better. Place parchment paper/pie crust into slow cooker (pastry should extend 2 to 3 inches up the sides). Bend and fold the pastry as needed to get it to fit properly. In a bowl combine the eggs, corn syrup, sugar, melted butter, cinnamon and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of the pecans. 
 
Gently pour batter into crust in the slow cooker. Then top with remaining cup of pecans. Placing them evenly in a pattern to make a nice presentation. Place a layer of paper towels on top of the slow cooker then cover with the lid. Cook on high for 3 to 3 ½ hours or until filling is puffed and set. Turn off slow cooker. Let stand, uncovered, 1 hour. 
 
Cut and serve straight from the slow cooker. Or gently lift the parchment paper out of the slow cooker, then slice and serve. 
 
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Tuesday, February 04, 2025

{ Just a homemaking day }

Tuesday 5 February, 2025

There is a peace that encompasses my soul, when I am at home, doing the homemaking chores at hand.
 
Whether it be putting groceries away, cleaning, baking, cooking, gardening, or whatever else may need my attention.  I find these moments where I am alone, going about my day, the best times for praying and for hashing out confusion that may be happening my head.  I pray, I speak, I talk to myself, like all the time and though that sounds funny to admit out loud, I tend to figure things out easier when I do that.

Maybe it's the act of sounding out the problem or worry, of speaking it out of my mind and into the air around me.  It helps to see it from an outside perspective, and often I find that I can move through and really get rid of the obstacle that is taking my peace.

Tuesday 5 February, 2025

Tuesday 5 February, 2025

Tuesday 5 February, 2025

 
I have always found the act of homemaking, one of submission to God, to my husband and to my family.  And I know the word submission tends to have a negative connotation attached to it, but I have never seen it as a bad thing.  I think I actually talked about this many years ago, how being submissive to my husband doesn't in any way mean that I am beneath him or that he can't do the things on his own.

I'm sure if you look for the post here on the blog, you will likely find it.  It makes for a good read.  Here I'll grab it for you......

Tuesday 5 February, 2025

Tuesday 5 February, 2025

Tuesday 5 February, 2025

My Tuesday was spent pottering around the house, which is in essence something I truly love doing.  I don't think I love being anywhere else as much as I do being within these four walls.  

I have everything I need in here to be happy.

So, I just wanted to leave you some shots from today, from one homemaking mom to another.  I don't know about you but I really enjoy seeing other homemakers and their daily chores.  There's this bond that ties us, that remind us that we're not alone, there are thousands upon thousands of other women out there, going about their days just as we were.

Tuesday 5 February, 2025

Tuesday 5 February, 2025

Tuesday 5 February, 2025

Tuesday 5 February, 2025

Tuesday 5 February, 2025

Tuesday 5 February, 2025

Tuesday 5 February, 2025

Monday, February 03, 2025

{ 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.  

Crochet Mood blanket

 
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, February 02, 2025

{ Sunday }

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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.
 

Saturday, February 01, 2025

{ 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, January 31, 2025

{ 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. 

Thursday, January 30, 2025

{ 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!!!
 
 

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

{ 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 💖


Monday, January 27, 2025

{ 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"