{ A very cold day }

 

We are under an extreme cold warning for our area.  The kind of cold that cuts through, leaves you gasping for air and makes it feel like your extremities are going to fall right off.  These kind of temperatures are not usually normal for Texas, but yet here we are.

 

Temps have been in the single digits with the wind chill bringing them down to -17.  It is bitterly cold, and with that it brings a myriad of little annoying things.  Our chickens are doing well but they've been hiding in the closed in run, and refusing to go into the open runs.  It's just too cold for them, poor things.

 

We've also been dealing with frozen bathroom pipes, even though we do everything we're supposed to, without fail, when we have these horrible winter freezes, the pipes go.   

We've stayed indoors as much as possible, there have been large amounts of hot coffee and tea, some digestive biscuits throw in too, and some really good reading.  My newest read is this one above by heather Fawcett.  It is called Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Fairies.  So far, I am really enjoying it.

The babies have been hiding under warm blankets, and practically napping all day long.  They get up, use the bathroom have a bite to eat and they're back on my bed.  Elliott has to make some biscuits before sleeping, while Kaia just crawls under the blanket and goes straight to dreamland.

 

They make me want to do the same, but I can't, there's things to do, a house to keep in order, food to cook, laundry to wash, exercise, steps to get in and bills and you know, everything that goes into running a home.

In my daily Bible recap reading, we are in Leviticus.  It is not an easy book to read, there is so much information, so much detail and we are dealing with all sorts of sin and sacrifices and so forth.  Definitely a book that makes you work for it, both to get through the daily reading but through the animal sacrifices and all in between.

 

But, with God's help, we are pushing through. 

I have found that it helps me to have the audio of the verses I am reading, on my phone through Youversion Bible App, while I follow along in the Bible.

I have also been getting back into my habit of taking my daily shot.  I choose to take it about 30 minutes before dinner time, and it's something I've really grown to look forward to an enjoy.  Apple cider vinegar is so good for you, especially with gut health.  

Some people will take it straight, some will mix it with a little bit of water, but I am doing a different combination that I learned from a nutritionist online.

 

Apple Cider Vinegar Shot

 

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp honey

a sprinkle of cinnamon

filtered water

 

I am using a small glass measuring cup with measurements in tablespoons, ounces and ml.  I basically add the vinegar, lemon juice, honey and cinnamon then fill there rest of the cup up to 10 oz (150 ml) with filtered cold water.

 

Mix it well and drink it. 

 

It has helped my stomach immensely.  I used to have gut issues that started as I got into perimenopause and the closer I get to menopause.  This helps a lot, it also helps with weight loss or maintaining the weight.

 

I do this and haven't had any issues at all, but I do know some people may find it hard, or it may give them a bit of a stomach ache because of the vinegar and lemon, but the honey and cinnamon help with that.  As always, and as with anything you see online, this is not something I am recommending or telling you to do, I am not a doctor, obviously.

It's been a slow, cold day, but I've loved every minute of being in my home, in the warmth, surrounded by the things I love.

{ A bit of a stressful week, but all things are back on track }

Oh what a stressful week it was.

Monday morning, we woke up to Kaia being unwell, lethargic and running a fever.   What we assumed was just an upset stomach, quickly became a bit scary.  We took her to the vet that afternoon, and they did a Parvo test, as a precaution because she is under 1 year old.

Thankfully, it was negative, as the vet and we both suspected.

It turned out to be a gastrointestinal issue, due to her eating a pig bone.  One of Curt's students had given him a pig bone for her to chew on.  The thing is, Kaia chewed right through it and ate some of it.  I have never liked pig bones, or any bones for the dogs, I always worry about it splintering and creating shards.

The veterinary confirmed that pig bones are not to be given to your dogs, neither are rawhide bones, or any kind of bone that can splinter and shard.  We were horrified.  She set our minds at easy and told us that it wasn't our fault, that we didn't know, and she sees a lot of this at her office because people don't know.  But from that moment on, not to give her any.  

It was a slow week.  She was put on antibiotics with an added medicine to rectify and regulate her gastrointestinal system.  She was also put on anti nausea pills, because she was really nauseous.

She didn't full recover until Thursday afternoon.  Today she is back to her bubbly normal self, running, eating and being as sweet as can be.

So, I guess I just wanted to share that with you, to warn you of the pig bones and rawhide bones.  The vet suggest rather giving them a knuckle, which doesn't break apart or shard.  

 

This sweet boy has been understanding, and for the most part left her alone, although Monday morning, he was trying to play with her and she got quite annoyed.  They usually play hide and seek, chase each other etc.  He didn't understand that she wasn't well, so when she came walking slowly into our bedroom, he came running out from under the bed and jumped on her.  

As I'm sure you can understand, she was not impressed.  Poor baby!

He quickly understood she wasn't well, and left her alone the rest of the week.

 

 

The early mornings I spent with my sick girl, meant a lot of moments with my Bible and the Lord.  I love getting up long before everyone else, lighting a candle, grabbing a cup of coffee and just enjoying the stillness of dawn.

And then as the sun starts to shine, I step outside just to catch the magical light reflecting off the leaves and vines on the fence.  

 

With the days getting shorter, and colder, I have been making use of my clothesline even more.  I want to enjoy every minute that I can still hang my clothes out to dry.

So when I washed my kitchen towels, tablecloth, fall kitchen towels and placemats, they all went straight out on the line.  I think it's one of those timeless homemaking chores, that we as homemakers will always be connected by.  

 

I also removed and packed away all the Fall decorations.  If it were up to me, all the Christmas would come out, but I've had to hold off on it because hubby says "Only after Thanskgiving".  Hahaha

He's lucky I love him, so I'll just humor him.  But everything is ready to go.  

 

And with the cold coming in, it also means I get to pull out my big fuzzy slippers, sweaters, long sleeves, scarves and hats.  I do love winter time.  I used to prefer summer, but with me inching ever more closer to menopause, I just can't handle the heat anymore.  

 

At least with the cold I can layer, and put on more, wrap myself in a blanket and so forth.  Love it! 

 

 

I've slipped on the flannel sheets, and for some reason I sleep so much better in the winter, with the flannel sheets, than in the summer.  It's probably all psychological, but nonetheless, it is what it is.

 

As we get closer to Thanksgiving, I am full speed ahead with planning and lists.  I want to try and get as much done before the day, as possible.  This year, I don't know if I've mentioned it yet, but the World Cup 2022, begins right around Thanksgiving, and both Portugal and Brasil are playing on Thanksgiving day.

 

My family and I are so thrilled, not only do we eat yummy food, but we get to watch something that we LOVE.  It is sure to be an amazing day. 

 

 

Right now, I am going to watch a Christmas movie, while I continue to crack pecans.  Yes, I am still trying to get through the boxes we have.  But it's a blessing to have these many, especially since I can freeze them.

I will leave you with a picture of mine and Curt's gifts above, from our church, last weekend.  It was in celebration of Veteran's day and they gifted both the veteran and the wives.  It was extremely sweet of them.

Anyway, I hope you are all having a wonderful, restful weekend.  

I will see you all back here in the morning, for our Happy Homemaker Monday!!!

{ First fire of the season and hibernating }

It is downright nippy here.

The temperatures plummeted yesterday morning, right down to 30 degrees and then rose to 47, that's it, 47 for the day.  Throw in wind and storms, and I actually found myself shivering as I climbed into bed.

The same rain, strong wings and chill temps have continued through today.  I've been eagerly awaiting the first real cool days, and here they are in all their glory.





I donned on my first sweater and boots of the season too and braved the cold rainy weather to take my daughter to work.  If there's one thing I highly dislike, is driving in the rain, it makes me quite anxious.

Upon returning home, I immediately got the fire going.  There's nothing quite like the first fire.

The smell of the wood burning, the crackling sounds and the popping flickers of fire flying up from the flames.





I sat for a few minutes, just listening to the fire and the high wind blowing outside, but I can't sit in my jeans and boots, I'm the kind of girl that needs to immediately change into some comfy sweat or pajama pants and warm slippers.

I quickly set the house to order, got the kitchen cleaned up, why is that the one room in the house that is constant disarray?  No matter how many dishes I wash, how many counters I clean, there is always and I mean always a dish here, a cup there, a wrapper on the counter.  Never ending job.

But as I sat washing the dishes and looking out into the trees outside the window, I began thinking and planning, and a word came to mind, hibernate.

I'm not a bear but I do tend to hibernate during the cold winter days.  I wish I could say that I fill my tummy and sleep for 3 or so months, but that is not the case.

I hibernate in the sense that I plan, and prepare and gather all I need for the winter months ahead.

Summer months mean gardening, swimming, barbecues and constant on the go moments, and as Fall starts swinging around, I start slowing down and looking forward to the dark nights, the stews and soups, hot chocolate and crackling fires, and nights spent on the recliner with a warm crochet blanket draped across my lap.



It's not a question of if we will need firewood or if cold days will come, it is a question of when, and so we start gathering, chopping and piling wood months before.  We started back in July and still have quite a lot to get through.



Our pecan trees are full, their branches littered with big pecans ready to be harvested to or knocked off by a gust of wind.  In the next two weeks we will harvest them all, big buckets of beautiful pecans that will then need to be shelled, bagged for pie for the holidays and pecan milk for the fridge, the rest will be frozen to use as needed.



This is also the time of the year that I pull out my knitting needles and crochet hooks and work on new hats, scarves and blankets.  Of course you can buy these at the store, but there is something knitting or crocheting each item, putting your love into each row, not to mention that something homemade seems to be a lot warmer than the store bought ones.



Stocking of candles, long tapered ones and small tea lights for nights where the power goes out.



I take this time of the year to also can jam, applesauce, salsa, tomato sauce and anything else I can think of.



Cold weather also means colds and flus.  Every year I like to prepare for those with some store bought items but mainly homemade remedies that are sure to keep those sore throats and coughs at bay.  If you've followed me for a while you will no doubt have seen me talk about my Honey, Ginger and Lemon Syrup.  I make it every.single.year and make sure to refresh it and make a new batch as soon as October comes around.

This year I'll also be making a Ginger shot sure to pack a punch.  One shot of it each day will keep those nasty bugs away.



The garden will be put to bed, plants will be moved indoors for the freezing weather and plans for Spring gardening will be drawn up.

I find the cooler months to be probably my favorite time of year, we have all the holidays to look forward to, time with family and delicious food to be consumed. 

We also have dark cozy nights with candle light, snowy storms outside and holiday movies on the TV.

So I'm preparing and prepping and getting ready to hibernate into the cooler months.  Tell me, do you hibernate as well?

{ She's Lactose Intolerant - Blogtober 2018 }

Hi everyone :)

Feels like a few days since I did an actual proper chatty post, of course I've had the Happy Homemaker Monday, book reviews etc., but haven't really talked to you.

Folks, the weather had changed here, the temperatures have dropped dramatically and we have had to turn on our little heaters, not the house heater but the small ones, just to take off the edge.

A very nippy Wednesday!

Brrrrrrrrr!!!!

We started out the day with 13 degrees F, or -10 Celsius.  I am so cold, so very very cold, my poor toes and fingers actually ache.  It's been such a huge change in the weather, one day warm and then suddenly we're thrown into a very cold weather system.

Sweater weather, for sure!

Wednesday mornings, my husband has to be up at 6am to get to work and then straight to college for the rest of the day.  I could stay in bed, but I like to get up with him and make some coffee, chat a little and see him off before sitting down to watch my vlogs and check on my blog etc.

This morning however, I wanted to stay in bed so badly, and he told me to stay but the minute he left the bedroom the pugs woke up and wouldn't allow me to go back to sleep.  Miss Bella loves her daddy and so she whines and whines for him, Miss Lola on the other hand is perfectly happy on the bed with me but she scratches and licks and scratches again and walks all over my legs, making it quite impossible to get any kind of rest.

So I braved the cold and just got up anyway, nothing a hot cup of coffee won't cure right?

I sat and enjoyed my coffee, did a little computer work and then got my breakfast started. I wanted to make some buttermilk pancakes but completely forgot that I had no eggs, bummer. I decided to go with oatmeal instead.

Oatmeal with honey and coconut, so good, so filling, and warmed me right up.

While I waited for the oatmeal to cook, I set to work making Curt's lunch.  I usually make him a sandwich to take with to school, I would make him something more but it's all he wants.

Once Curt left for school, I got my day started. There is always so much housework to do, you would think that if you cleaned your house from top to bottom the day before, you wouldn't have much to do the next day, but you know that is not the way it works. There seem to be the same chores day in and day out, those that are never ending and totally repetitive, you really do have to look deep inside yourself to attack these tasks with the same conviction as if you were doing them for the first time, otherwise, I don't know....I think many of us would be running for the hills.

It helps when you take a moment to watch the beautiful sunrise outside the window.

Not for long though because my boy's laundry was waiting to be put away and his bed needing to be made.

By the time I got downstairs to clean the living room, I was so hot, I had to take my sweater off. Who says housework isn't good for anything? If anything it is a way of keeping us warm during the winter months. HA!

It seems like a never ending job lately with the dogs shedding, my poor vacuum gets a good workout and I'm afraid it's starting to get quite old.  I just can't afford a new one at the moment so I'm hoping it holds out for a little while longer.

I didn't take too long with the housework, by 11:30 am I was all done and just needed to get the school lessons for the day, prepared. 

Before I could do that though, the kids were hungry.  Usually they fix themselves something to eat, I keep sandwich fixings, soups, pizza rolls, hot pockets, burritos etc. , on hand, but I've been thinking that I would much rather start fixing lunch again and incorporating some healthier options.

Today I baked up some haddock fish sticks and steamed some broccoli.  They were so happy with the lunch and actually told me that they would love for me to start making meals like these, so I think I'm going to write down some ideas on my next menu plan and get started with this next week.

 You know as the kids have grown up, I kind of enjoyed their independence and knowing that if they got hungry they could fix themselves something to eat, but I also miss the times when they were toddlers and I was the one preparing the meals.  Much as I love their independence, I love them more and would rather see them eat healthier food.

Some days are so exhausting that by mid afternoon I find myself struggling to keep my eyes open and start counting down the hours until bedtime. Today was one of those!

By 3pm I was freezing cold and really needing a little pick me up, so a cup of hot tea was just what the doctor ordered.

Thank goodness for that cup of tea, it was the only thing that kept me going for the rest of the day.

From 4pm onwards it seems that the day is a blur of events, from dinner prepping to eating, to cleaning the kitchen and all that fun stuff in between.

Tonight I went ahead and started two batches of the No Knead Bread. They will stay on the table rising until the morning, then into the oven they'll go. We'll use one to make sandwiches for tomorrow's lunch :)

I'm tired and my warm bed is calling me, so I'm going to finish this cup of coffee and get some rest. We'll see if I wake up to snow or not, either way you know I'll be here tomorrow telling you all about it.

Goodnight friends.
xoxoxo

Preparing......

Oh my goodness, I am freezing!

Remember yesterday I told you that the weather predicts snow for Thursday and I was still a little on the fence about whether it will really happen or not?

I honestly have no doubt whatsoever that snow is on the way, like, no doubt in my mind.  It is freezing cold here, it actually seems to have shifted so quickly from 80 degree weather to freezing.

I have pulled out all my winter clothes and I've even had to wear my under armour thermal stuff, it is that cold right now.

Being that it was Veteran's Day today, we didn't do school, and the kids hung out all day on the couch, wearing their pajamas, covered with blankets and watching movies.  Curt and I had to run out this morning to get a few last minute things for my niece's birthday, she's now officially done when it comes to gifts.  Whew!

On the way home we decided to pick up some Tacos, we don't get a lot of take out food, I think I'm quite sick of junk food to be honest, but Tacos sounded very good at the time.

It filled us up, and along with that it has just given me tummy ache.  I love Mexican food but it does tend to mess with my stomach so I don't eat it that often.

Anyway, after getting back home, Curt had to go back out to work and I decided to get some things done around here in order to prepare for the incoming freezing temperatures and snow.

I stepped out back and everything was still kind of frozen. These leaves were on the deck, just look at how frozen they were? Not that it surprises me, a funny story actually, I mopped the floors yesterday afternoon and then set the bucket with water out on the deck and the mop as well.

I always set the mop outside to dry (during the summer and warmer weather) and sometimes the bucket of water too while I get other things done and then I'll come back a few minutes later and empty out the bucket, wash it out, take it back inside etc.  I completely forgot about the mop and bucket out there, like totally forgot until I stepped outside today to get things put away.

It didn't surprise me to find the whole bucket completely frozen.  I did let it sit out for a bit while I worked on the deck and then was able to pour out the water, but there was even a couple dead flies and bees in there, frozen solid.

So, anyway, I put all the summer decorations, pots and soil etc, into the big tub that I have for my garden, and then moved that into the shed.  Then I moved the grill up against the house and stacked the chairs and the table all neatly next to it.  I'm just waiting for hubby to get the furniture covers on them and we'll call it good.

While out there I noticed just how bare some of the trees around here are.  Not a single leaf left on a branch.

While others are still filled with orange leaves, like they're holding on for dear life not wanting to let go of summer.

I always look forward to Autumn and then just as quickly I start missing it because I realize how short the season seems?  At least this year, I feel like we had Autumn for a month if that, and now we're already heading to Winter.  Just crazy!

I didn't stay out for very long, after about 30 minutes I had to come back in because my nose was frozen and I was so cold I actually shivered.

By the way, as I'm typing this up the wind is howling outside.

Anyway, with that job out of the way, I thought it time to get the fire going, or try to.  What a pain in the behind it is to get a good fire burning.  If you have any suggestions at all, I would greatly appreciate it.

I did manage to get it started quite well and even used some homemade fire starters which consisted of cotton balls and vaseline, they work really well, my problem is keeping this fire going without dying out.

So yeah, if you have any tips on a better way to get it started, keep it going, and what kind of wood is best for it, just leave me a comment down below.

I'm hoping to perfect this before it gets very cold, I am hoping it will cut down on our bills this winter.

Miss Lola does not like the cold, neither does Miss Bella.....but Lola especially is such a blanket hog. She will not sit anywhere that is not a couch with a warm body under a blanket, just look at this brat. She makes me laugh!

I wanted to show you my favorite body mist of the moment.  I am out of my usual perfume and have one other small bottle which is almost finished too.  I wanted to buy some but I realize that Christmas is right around the corner and I usually get some either from my husband or other family members.

While at Walmart the other day I saw this Naughty and Nice mist from Bodycology, it was pretty inexpensive and I figured I would give it a try.  It smells AMAZING!!!  Then again I love musky scents, so this is Sheer Musk & Peony, but oh my word, so good.

Yeah, just thought I would share that with you.

It's just after 9pm now, I am showered and in bed and I've pulled out my big mink blanket because when I tell you it's cold here, I mean, it is COLD.  The house just seems to freeze overnight and the past few days Curt has had to get up in the middle of the night and turn on the heater for a few hours.  I usually turn it off when I wake up, or if it hasn't been running, then I turn it on for about an hour just to warm up the house and then off again.

Soon as I finish this post, I'm going to tackle the big pile of laundry on my bed, probably put something on Netflix to watch while I do that.......

and then finish up my night menu planning.

Exciting isn't it?

Right, well, I do hope you've all had a great Tuesday, I hope you're staying warm, I do know that a couple of you have already seen snow, yikes.

I will be back tomorrow with another day in my life post, and a winner, or rather winners, for the arm knitted scarves giveaway.

Night everyone :)