{ Blessed storm }

I was in a deep sleep, but was jolted awake by a loud clap of thunder and blinding lightning.  It caught me completely off guard.  

It has been so long since we've had a big storm, and last night, around 2:30am, God blessed us with a big storm that brought thunder, lightning and the most wonderful cooling rain.

 

 

 

 

I woke up this morning, looked outside and the dirt was soaking wet, all the plants heavy with big fat raindrops.  Immediately, I raised my hands to Heaven and thanked God profusely for this blessing.  

 

It may have been just overnight, but the need for this rain was so deep, that it seemed that the grass, trees and every single flower was smiling.

 

I stepped into the garden and was so happy to see all the veggie plants, looking greener, happier and fuller.  Many are now finally producing blooms and looking like they're starting to grow, the way they should have already been doing.

 

The only one that has managed to do really well, and keep growing and growing through this drought and these heat waves we've endured, is my Basil.

It's been so sad to see the garden struggling.  Most of my beds are looking quite empty, as many of the plants that were in the ground, have not survived the horrid temperatures and the lack of rain.  Even though we water twice a day, very early in the morning and then late afternoon, they've still not been able to survive the high temperatures.

I had a full day at home today, which I always enjoy. It gives me a chance to move slower, get things done with more intention, and not feel so rushed. I don't do rushed well, I don't do quick and hurry up well either. I much prefer to have a day where I am allowed to move at my own pace without worrying that I need to be here, or there. 

 

After a slow start to my day, I got the kitchen clean and organized, did some computer work, then fixed lunch for myself and the kids, since they were both home.  I had a few beer battered fish fillets in the freezer that I wanted to use up.  My hubby is not a huge fan of fish, so I try to make it just for the kids and I.

 

I also threw in a box of egg rolls, the Great Value ones that have 4 per box.  Then quickly made an instant pot macaroni and cheese to serve as a side.

I used the Air Fry function on the new range, which by the way, is absolutely amazing.  I love that my oven also air fries.  The fish and egg rolls came out crispy and not oily at all.  Delicious!!!

 

I also started some rice for Kaia's food.  I got into the habit of making food for Marley, and have been doing the same for Kaia too.

I did laundry, I cleaned and tidied the house, worked on more meal plans and chatted with the kids.  

Yesterday, Elliott had his yearly vet check up, which is always a big thing.  He is not an outside cat at all, he hates outdoors, hates being even held out in the garden, just wants to be inside.  Anytime he must go in the car, he just meows and meows and hides his sweet face in the blanket.

Thankfully everything was good, he is healthy and doing well, and got his two shots, plus his tick/flea/heart worm meds.

He is such a sweet boy, and was very excited to get back home to his domain.  

 

I also managed to get three recipes up on the food blog. Go me!!! 

 

Frango no Churrasco (Barbecued Chicken) 

Torta de Liquidificador (Chicken Blender Pie)

Big Mac Sloppy Joes

 

I also will be adding the recipe for a really yummy Orange Ricotta Cake, that is just to die for.  Trust me, you'll want to make this one for your family.

 

Will be on the food blog, either tonight or tomorrow morning.  

Tomorrow, is my birthday, so I got myself some books from the online site, Thrift Books.  I love buying books from this website, yes I know they're thrifted but I don't mind at all.  Long as they're not falling apart or :missing pages, or stained, I love them just as much as a newly store bought book.

The fact that they are a fraction of the price on Thrift Books, is also very appealing.

So, I got:

 

Longbourn by Jo Baker

While Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters fuss over balls and husbands, Sarah, their orphaned housemaid, is beginning to chafe against the boundaries of her class. When a new footman arrives at Longbourn under mysterious circumstances, the carefully choreographed world she has known all her life threatens to be completely, perhaps irrevocably, upended. Mentioned only fleetingly in Jane Austen’s classic, here Jo Baker dares to take us beyond the drawing rooms of Regency England and, in doing so, uncovers the real world of the novel that has captivated readers’ hearts around the world for generations. 

 

 

The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte by Syrie James

Though poor, plain, and unconnected, Charlotte Bronte possesses a deeply passionate side which she reveals only in her writings—creating Jane Eyre and other novels that stand among literature's most beloved works. Living a secluded life in the wilds of Yorkshire with her sisters Emily and Anne, their drug-addicted brother, and an eccentric father who is going blind, Charlotte Bronte dreams of a real love story as fiery as the ones she creates.

But it is in the pages of her diary where Charlotte exposes her deepest feelings and desires—and the truth about her life, its triumphs and shattering disappointments, her family, the inspiration behind her work, her scandalous secret passion for the man she can never have . . . and her intense, dramatic relationship with the man she comes to love, the enigmatic Arthur Bell Nicholls.

 

 

 

The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James

Many rumors abound about a mysterious gentleman said to be the love of Jane's life—finally, the truth may have been found. . . .

What if, hidden in an old attic chest, Jane Austen's memoirs were discovered after hundreds of years? What if those pages revealed the untold story of a life-changing love affair? That's the premise behind this spellbinding novel, which delves into the secrets of Jane Austen's life, giving us untold insights into her mind and heart.

Jane Austen has given up her writing when, on a fateful trip to Lyme, she meets the well-read and charming Mr. Ashford, a man who is her equal in intellect and temperament. Inspired by the people and places around her, and encouraged by his faith in her, Jane begins revising Sense and Sensibility, a book she began years earlier, hoping to be published at last.

Deft and witty, written in a style that echoes Austen's own, this unforgettable novel offers a delightfully possible scenario for the inspiration behind this beloved author's romantic tales. It's a remarkable book, irresistible to anyone who loves Jane Austen—and to anyone who loves a great story. 

 

 

Butter in the Well by Linda K. Hubalek - Book #1 in the Butter in the Well Series

Read the account of Kajsa Svensson Runeberg, an emigrant wife who recounts, through her diary, how she and her family built up a farm on the unsettled Kansas prairie. This historical fiction is based on the Swedish woman who homesteaded the author's childhood home. "...could well be the most endearing 'first settler' account ever told.

 

 

Prarieblomman by Linda H. Hubalek - Book #2 in the Butter in the well Series

Hubalek continues the story of a Swedish immigrant family in Prarieblomman, Kansas, in the second book in the Butter in the Well series. The series is based on the diary of Alma Swenson, as she grows up on the prairie that her parents homesteaded. This description may be from another edition of this product.

 

 

Egg Gravy by Linda K. Hubalek - Book #3 in the Butter of the Well Series

 

Everyone who's ever treasured a family recipe or marveled at the special touches Mother added to her cooking will enjoy this collection of recipes and wisdom from the homestead family.

 

 

Looking Back by Linda K. Hubalek - Book #4 in the Butter in the Well Series

 

In this fourth book of the Butter in the Well series, Kajsa Svensson Runeberg, now 75, looks back at the changes she has experienced on the farm she homesteaded 51 years ago. She reminisces about the past, resolves the present situation, and looks toward their future off the farm. The author, Linda K. Hubalek, grew up on the farm that this main charactor homesteaded in 1868.

 

 

I am especially looking forward to the Linda K. Hubalek series.  I have never heard of this author, but after doing a quick search, I found that she has quite a few book series that I would very much enjoy reading.   Check out her website, and just look at all the amazing books she has published.

 

Have any of you ever read any of her stuff?

 

Anyway, that is what my Tuesday looked like.  Tomorrow is another quiet home day, and I have no clue what I'll get up to, but I'm sure I'll have my camera nearby and will share in tomorrow's post.

For now, I am going to try and get the cake recipe on the blog real quick, then read my Bible and watch a little bit of TV before bed.

{ Drought and old books }

My phone just dinged, informing me of a heat advisory.  I appreciate the thought, but I think I knew that without being told about it.  It's hot, and I mean HOT!

Hubby and I were just sitting at the table for lunch and talking about, how our grass is all yellow and dying.  We are dealing with a drought here in Texas, at the moment, 46% of the state is experiencing a drought, and it's been quite awful for the vegetation, rivers and animals.  Our Governor has issued a Drought Disaster Declaration, hundreds of ranchers are selling all their livestock, it's just a bleak situation.

Unfortunately, we are also experiencing a heat wave, pushing the temperatures to triple digits and not easing up at all.  It's quite hard, so we're all doing the best we can, using as little water as we can, and trying to water the gardens and trees minimally.

Please keep our State in your prayers, along with any other State going through the same situation.

 

I'm just really hoping and praying, that we don't lose our garden and our fruit trees. 

Miss Kaia is getting so big.  She is now 7 months old, and on the 26th goes in for her spaying.  I'm dreading it, especially since we have to leave her overnight.  If you've had your dog spayed, and have any advice or tips for the after care, please share them with below.  

 

We've decided we would rather do the onesie method instead of the collar.  Knowing her, she will get very irritated with it and won't rest until it's off.

 

I just pray she heals quickly.

 

Yesterday, I had my usual pottering around the house, getting things done.  One of the chores I've been putting off, was cleaning and conditioning our wooden doors.  When we moved into this house, some of the doors had dog scratches on them, and then with our dogs, they added on to them, and over the years I've had to try and fix those.

 

One of the easiest ways to do that, is by using our favorite Old English product.  It polishes, cleans and gets rid of those unsightly scratches, so that is what I did.

And I just realized I ended up not taking a picture of the finished product.  Why?  I have no clue!  

I also gave all the wooden bookshelves a good cleaning and polishing too, and while doing that, admired some of my favorite books, which are the older vintage looking ones.

 

 

I bought this one, one year when we were at the Arizona Renaissance Festival.  They always had a book store with really cool and interesting books, full of wonderful information.  I grabbed it because I love all sorts of flowers and plants and herbs, and I think it's interesting to learn what they do, and how to use them.

God has provided us all these amazing plants at our fingertips, ways to heal our bodies and minds, without having to resort to chemicals.  It's up to us to study them and use them wisely.  It's something I would absolutely love to do one day, to be knowledgeable enough to identify them and know immediately what they're for.

One day.......

Another thing that I love about purchasing old books, is that I never know what I'm going to find inside.  This time, it was a bookmark someone left in, from a book shop in New Orleans.  How neat is that?

It peaked my interest, so I looked up the bookshops online, and found pictures for you.....

 

 

Makes me want to take a trip, just to visit these book shops and spend an hour or two, walking around, lost in all the wonderful books.

It is now 3pm and I'm sitting on my bed with my furry babies, who are fast asleep next to me.  And I just thought, why not take a nap along with them?  Maybe.  I'm going to start by laying down with a fluffy blanket, because even if the temperature is extreme outside, I still need to be under a blanket.  Anyone else?

I'll watch some youtube homemaking videos and if I nap, great, if not, that's fine too.

Hope you all enjoy the rest of your Sunday, and I'll see you all back here tomorrow for our Happy Homemaker Monday!