Wednesday, October 14, 2020

{ Fall/Winter Books on the shelf }

_MG_9249 

The mail man has been quite busy, dropping off books, almost on a daily basis. That means my bookshelf is slowly filling up with the Fall and Winter tours. I am so blessed.
 
_MG_9250 
 
So I thought I would post the latest arrivals here, and when the others come in the mail, I'll show them to you. The first one on the list is America The Beautiful. 
 
An absolutely gorgeous book from National Geographic. I just quickly browsed through it but can't wait to actually sit down and take in every page.
 
_MG_9251 
 
The next one is also from National Geographic and one that my husband will be taking over from me, once I'm done with it. We both love anything to do with the Cosmos and space. 
 
_MG_9252 
 
Daughter of Black Lake I have started, just yesterday and already really enjoying it. 
 
_MG_9253 
 
Another great one that I find quite fitting for the moment in time we are living in our nation. The Patriots focuses on Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. 
 
_MG_9254 
 
Hell and High Water, not exactly sure what this one is about, I can't remember the synopsis. 
 
_MG_9255 
 
This one I already read through and not sure how I feel about it. It's written a bit strangely, to tell the truth.
 
 _MG_9256 
 
 And lastly, Sisters of War, which I have already read and it was so good. 
 
I have one more book coming in, but aside from that one, this is my reading list for the next two months or so.
 
What's on your list?

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

{ Finished crochet slippers and a new review book }

_MG_9234 
 
I almost didn't make it in to post, I figured I didn't do much of anything today, or at least anything worth blogging about.  
 
Then I reminded myself that the point is not to have anything exciting, but rather to keep a daily journal of what I am doing.  So here I am, bringing just a few pictures of my day, starting with the finished crochet slippers.  
 
These were by far the quickest and easiest pattern I have ever found for crochet slippers.  I looked on Youtube for various tutorials and this one caught my eye.

_MG_9228 

How adorable are these? I can't believe how comfy and warm they are, which means, I can't quite wear them yet as we are not down to cold enough temperatures to sport these throughout the day. 
 
I do plan to make a few more, and I am also looking for some tutorials for crochet socks. Fingers
 crossed!
 
 _MG_9223 _MG_9224 _MG_9227

I gave my bedroom a really good clean and sprayed all the linens, curtains and even carpets with this lovely spray. 

Lavender and Sage!

It's a beautiful scent combination.  While I was working in the bedroom, both Marley and Elliott laid about at my feet, just laying there enjoying the sun shining in through the windows.

I am thrilled that they are finally at a stage where they lay together, nap together and leave each other alone, though the main culprit was Elliott, he was constantly trying to attack Marley  LOL

_MG_9229 

The UPS driver has been at my house every day, dropping off books. 
 
My Fall/Winter review tour books are all coming in and there's really nothing better than book mail, is there? 
 
I received the one below just this afternoon. Looks so good, but then so do all the others. Blessed to be a part of this book review blog community, it's been a blessing for sure. 
 
_MG_9238 
 
And speaking of books, I had someone request one of my books on Paperbackswap, so while I was over on the sight taking care of that, I went ahead and order 4 books for myself. 
 
I had the credits and hey, I am obsessed with books and just never seem to have enough on the shelf.
 
I will show you the books the minute they come in, but just in case you're curious, I got:
 
The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks
Anne Frank:  The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Four Perfect Pebbles: A Holocaust Story by Lila Perl, Marion Blumenthal Lazan
I Have Lived a Thousand years:  Growing up in the Holocaust by Livia Bitton-Jackson

I am currently obsessed with anything and everything to do with the Holocaust.  As a History buff I go through stages, sometimes I live and breathe The Tudor Era, or the Vikings, now it's Holocaust, and who knows what tomorrow will bring.

So there you have it, my day in a nutshell.  Not much happening, I did take Jasmine to work and picked her up with hubby.  Also made dinner and meal planned.

Typical homemaker day.

Monday, October 12, 2020

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 10/12/2020 }

Good morning sweet friends.
 
It is a beautiful morning here in Texas, 60 degrees of pure bliss.  I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend and are ready for this work/school week ahead.
 
I have quite a bit of school to catch up on with Nick.  Since my mother in law passed, he hasn't been feeling very well and just can't seem to concentrate on anything, so we are working on that and using this week that he will be on Fall break, to really get caught up.
 
I've been busy with crochet, knitting, reading and blogging.  If you haven't noticed, which I'm sure you have, I have managed to crank out quite a few posts this week.  Feels so good to be back on track, and I'm hoping I can continue through the end of the year and into next.

Right, let's see what is happening in our households, with another Happy Homemaker Monday.
 



♥♥The Weather♥♥ 

It is just 60 degrees so it feels amazing outside.  The rest of the week we are staying in the 60s and 70s, which means I no longer have to walk around feeling like I'm melting.   

Monday - 79
Tuesday - 83
Wednesday - 93
Thursday -  71
Friday - 68
Saturday -  78
Sunday - 79

♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥

I am feeling quite good.  Managed to sleep well, have had my coffee and am just ready to get on with my day.
 

♥♥On my mind♥♥ 

Just homeschooling, some projects I want to get done and trying to keep a running list of my to dos, so I don't forget them. 
 

 ♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥

Just had a cup of coffee with sugar cookie creamer, so good.    

♥♥Right now I am♥♥

Sitting on my bed, watching some Vlogtober videos on Youtube, and working on this post.
 

♥♥On my reading pile♥♥ 

I have so many books going at the moment.  I am still getting through Psalms in my Bible.

I am also reading Sisters of War, The Divine Revelation of Heaven and Hell and Trump's Pro Christian Accomplishments.
 
Am I the only one who reads multiple books at once? 
 

♥♥On today's to do list♥♥

Homemaking.....Kitchen, vacuuming and dusting.  Might switch my living room around again.
Homeschooling.....American Government Unit Test, English Discussion, Earth Science
Garden.....check for tomatoes ready to harvest, put bamboo sticks in with the peas so they can climb 

 ♥♥On my tv♥♥

My Portuguese Soap *Quer o Destino*.

Vlogtober videos on Youtube. (During Vlogtober and Vlogmas I switch to crochet and knitting vlogs, which are some of the most beautifully made ones.  In my opinion) 
 

♥♥On the menu this week♥♥ 

Monday - Sweet Heat 7 Up Chicken, Twice Baked Potatoes
Tuesday - Sweet and Sour Pork,  Basmati Rice
Wednesday - Smoked Sausage Cajun Alfredo, Salad
Thursday - Saucy Pork Country Ribs, Rice, Beans
Friday - *Grocery Shopping*
Saturday -
Sunday -

♥♥From the camera♥♥

Hot coffee on a chilly morning.  I took this one last week, on a particularly chill morning of 39 degrees. 

_MG_9193


♥♥Looking around the house♥♥

Both kids are still asleep, Jasmine is off today so she is making the best of it.  Curt is also off work today, so I have the whole family home.  Nothing I love more.

My bedroom curtains and windows are open, letting in the loveliest of breezes.  It is almost 8am and the sun is still working it's way up over the horizon. 

♥♥New recipe I tried last week, or one that we really enjoyed♥♥

I actually tried 2 new recipes from Plain Chicken and I've added them to the food blog, go on over and take a look.

_MG_9176

_MG_9144

♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥

Read and crochet.  I made myself a crochet slipper last night and want to make the second one today, then go through my yarn and pick out some more for others. 


 ♥♥Something I want to share♥♥ 

One of my favorite youtube channels to watch, is Fairyland Cottage.  She puts out such gorgeous videos and always has great tips and tricks.  As you can tell from the title of her channel, she lives in a cottage in Ireland, and oh my goodness, how pretty it is.

She did a tour of her cottage a few days ago, so I'm sharing that here with you all.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

 

 ♥♥On my prayer list♥♥

My nephew is going to see the doctor today, to hopefully remove the cast he has on his broken leg and put a boot.  Praying for fast healing for his leg. 

Praying over our country, over our President and over the elections coming up.  No matter what happens, just remember that we are all human, and that we have to co habitate on this planet, so let's be kind to one another. 

Sunday, October 11, 2020

{ Spotted the first deer, for this season }

You know what I love every year?

Spotting the first deer running through our property.  The minute I see one, I know that Fall is definitely in full motion and that soon, the deer will be making their trek through my property and across the field.

_MG_9217 

It is Sunday morning, just after 8am. The sun hasn't been up for very long, the mornings are darker and take longer to brighten up.  Not everyone enjoys the colder months but I love them, just as much as I love the warm weather too.

I think I'm just one of those people that embrace every season, and enjoys what each brings.
 
I was standing near my bedroom window when I saw something moving in the brush.  It was the first deer of the season.  I always sit in awe at how beautiful they are.  The way they move, the way they run, and how they leap over what seem like the tallest fences.  Such grace in their movement.  Guess I need to have my camera ready and waiting for more sightings.

The mornings have been pretty chilly, getting down to the 40s.  For some of you in colder areas that may not seem like a lot, but for us folks in Texas who are used to warmer weather, that means it's time to pull out the sweaters.
 
We are nowhere near ready with firewood, it's been a crazy year and usually by now we have a huge stack ready to go.  Not this year.  We have a tiny pile, which means next weekend we have got to get our butts in gear and start chopping.

Living in the country means quite a bit of work, there is always something needing attention, but we love it and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

I've had a pretty good week, though I wasn't feeling too great, but that's the usual monthly stuff packed with a perimenopause punch. 

Nonetheless, here's what I got up to: 

♥♥THURSDAY ♥♥

Mornings for me mean starting with putting the clean dishes away, washing anything that has been placed in the sink overnight, and giving the kitchen a quick clean and tidy up.

_MG_9180 

The next thing on the list is coffee, always coffee. Though, yes, I've had a cup around 6am when I get up with Curt to get him off to work. 
 
Usually when I make this second cup of coffee, I like to take a little more time with it. Pour over coffee is one of my favorite ways of enjoying a cup, there is just something about the whole process that I find relaxing.  
 
Maybe it's the way it connects me to simpler times, I often think about how many people prepared their coffee this way, long before coffee machines were invented or even though of.
 
_MG_9185
 
It's that connection to older, simpler times, that keep me grounded. Life today is too busy, too filled with materialistic things, too easy if that can even be a bad thing. By that I mean that things are all done in a way to make even the simplest of tasks, even easier to do. I get that we lead busy lives, but where is the joy in that?
 
_MG_9188 
 
Where is the joy in homemaking, in taking care and pleasure in doing those home chores, if everything is practically done for us? 
 
Think about that a little. 
 
I am not saying that we shouldn't evolve as the years go by, of course that is something that is going to happen no matter what we feel about it. I am just saying that for myself, I like to feel like I am actually making a difference, trying, doing, accomplishing things on my own. 
 
So yes, making a cup of coffee would be quicker if I just popped a pod in the machine, but this makes me appreciate the coffee even more, and quite frankly, pour over coffee is much tastier too.
 
  _MG_9193 
 
 

♥♥FRIDAY♥♥

Started the morning with dense fog.  I don't like driving in it, but I have to say, there is something so hauntingly beautiful about foggy mornings. 
 
_MG_9216 _MG_9218  
 
Of course foggy mornings mean beautiful drops on the window screens.  It also means the garden getting watered without rain or having to turn on a sprinkler.  
 
Isn't it wonderful how God provides in every situation?  It's just incredible.
 
  _MG_9205 _MG_9196 
 
_MG_9197 
 
Laundry day. There are always loads of laundry to wash, and when you change bedding, there is even more. That's ok though, I like doing laundry. 
 
Maybe not the actual act of putting it all away, I think I could do without that, but washing, folding? Yes, and even ironing I'm good with. 
 
_MG_9208 _MG_9212 _MG_9214

Reading has been a top priority for me lately, I am just loving getting back into my books. Actual, real books, with that wonderful scent that comes from turning the pages. 

Aside from reading, knitting and crochet have also been high on the list. Ahhhhh it feels amazing to get back to doing what I love and not let life interfere. 

 I always feel like life is hard enough on it's own, and if we start letting interfere with our joy and the things we love, then what is the point? So I'm making a conscious effort to be more mindful of my days, of what I'm filling them with. That means, turning the news off, and turning more to time with God, praying, talking to Him throughout the day. 

Reading, crocheting, or even watching some old period drama pieces. There are quite a few new ones that I have my eye on, and I will be sharing with you all in a separate post. Gosh it feels like forever since I've done one of those showing you what I'm watching or what is coming up. Hands up if you miss those period drama filled posts. 

There will be more cooking and recipe sharing, especially as we move into the holiday season. More period dramas, more daily life, and deer, and fall and winter stuff. I am just excited to get back to normal blogging and sharing my days on here. I've failed guys, failed miserably at this blogger stuff. 

But then, this year has been insane and August and September a complete blur for me. Maybe for you too. 

Anyway, I have babbled enough, my coffee is finished, the dog and cat are running wild and I have breakfast to go fix. Curt is outside mowing the yard, so I'm going to make some biscuits and gravy, some sausage and maybe some scrambled eggs. We will see. 

I hope you have a blessed restful Sunday, and I will see you back here in the morning for our Happy Homemaker Monday!

Thursday, October 08, 2020

{ The Outlook for Earthlings by Joan Frank - TLC Book Tours }

 


  • Paperback: 237 pages
  • Publisher: Regal House Publishing (October 2, 2020)

The Outlook For Earthlings traces a difficult friendship across a lifetime. Melanie Taper is rule-bound, timid, self-erasing. Yet in unguarded moments she demonstrates such deadly insight into human foibles as to suggest a strength that has, for dark reasons, deliberately hidden itself lifelong. Scarlet Rand is rash, willful, abrasive—vexed by “demure” traits and “small fussing motions.” Shocked by Mel’s passivity and near-archaic saintliness, Scarlet disbelieves it. Their friendship suggests to each a final frontier, a saving sanctuary. Yet at its core each woman takes a secret, moral offense at the other’s inmost nature—and her choices. Against the deadline of the illness which is slowly destroying one of them, a reckoning must occur.

The Outlook for Earthlings considers the limits of friendship—and of witnessing. It asks how we may finally measure a life—and who should do the measuring.

Purchase Links

Regal House Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Joan Frank

Joan Frank is the author of ten books: eight of literary fiction and two essay collections. Her recent books are WHERE YOU’RE ALL GOING: FOUR NOVELLAS and TRY TO GET LOST: ESSAYS ON TRAVEL AND PLACE. A MacDowell Fellow and recipient of many honors and awards, Joan also reviews literary fiction and nonfiction for the Washington Post.

Find out more about Joan at her website.

 

REVIEW:

The story follows Melanie and Scarlet.  Two young girls born in the 60s who meet on a school bus and forge a friendship and bond that will take them through their childhood, all the way to adulthood.While they do have similarities in that they both came from pretty dysfunctional upbringings, their way of being and their personalities themselves are pretty different.Joan Frank explores the ins and outs and innermost thoughts and feelings, tied to female friendships. 
 
Though they remain friends, each takes a different path in life.  One goes the traditional route and marries, has children, while the other takes to the road and travels as a journalist.20 years later they come together again, and though happy to see each other, each can't help but look a bit sideways at the choices the other one made.  
 
Whether we admit it or not, as we grow, the people we were in our teenage years, become different people as we experience life and all it's ups and downs.The trick is to be respectful and to understand that not everyone will act and react the same way we do, or the way we expect them too.
 
Outlook for Earthlings takes a brilliant deeper look into what it means to be a friend, to set aside whatever judgement we may feel we need to pass on their life choices, and rather focus on being supportive and understanding.If you enjoy books about friendship, then this one needs to go on your shelf.

Wednesday, October 07, 2020

{ What am I going to post about? }

_MG_9141 

    I think these are thoughts every blogger has had, at one point or another. Especially if you've been blogging as long as I have. I was about to sit down and start typing and that thought popped into my mind.  It seems to do that a lot lately, maybe because I'm not used to blogging consistently.

 _MG_9128

    So what I did was sit for a moment and think back to when I first started and many years after. I never had an issue wondering what I was blogging about on that day, I just took pictures, sat down and the words flowed. What was it that made it so easy back then as opposed to today? 

_MG_9130 

     And then it hit me. I wasn't putting any pressure on myself to come up with any sort of theme or subject I had to discuss.

    If you go back and read my earlier posts, I really just took photos of my every day life and shared it every morning or evening. Whatever I was doing, is what I was sharing. Why do we make things so much more difficult for ourselves? Isn't it crazy? 

    I then realized that I need to just sit and talk about my day, no matter what hapened, big or small, exciting or boring. The point here, and it has always been the idea, is for me to keep a record of my life that I can one day pass on to my children, or even read myself, when I'm old. 

_MG_9131 _MG_9134 _MG_9135 

    So with that in mind, I grabbed my camera this morning, and just took photos as I went about my day.  I was just thinking yesterday that I haven't been recording some of our biggest battles the past few years, or important dates etc. 

    What that means is that when I get to transfer my posts to my blog books, there are going to be chunks of time throughout the years, that there is nothing to show. That's sad to me. But it's also life. No use crying over spilled milk right? 

_MG_9136 _MG_9142 _MG_9148 _MG_9149 

    I'm just going to jump right in and sit down every night or every morning to talk about my day and if I have photos to share too, even better. I don't know if it's because of the horrid year we've had, or what, but I am actually quite looking forward to Christmas. 

    I am already thinking, planning, figuring out what I'm going to cook and so on. Thanksgiving however, we are giving a miss this year. Neither my husband, nor I, are in the mood to celebrate. Don't get me wrong, we have a lot to be thankful for, but it is also the first year without my sweet mother in law and it's going to be a really difficult day for us. 

_MG_9151 _MG_9152 _MG_9154 _MG_9169 

    Anyway, so today I took Jasmine to work in the morning, then pottered around the house a bit. FYI, before I continue, can I just say that I am really disliking this new blogger layout? 

    I really wish they would stop messing with things or at the very least allow us the option of continuing with the old interface. I am so completely lost right now, can't find half the things I need to post, to change the template. Anyone else? 

_MG_9170 _MG_9171

But back to what I was saying. I reorganized some of my kitchen cabinets. I don't know why but I feel that as time goes by, the layouts I pick at first, stop being functional so I have to go back in and change, throw out some things, move others around and so forth. 

    However, I was dealing with some cramping (women stuff), and Curt gave me some pain meds to take after my lunch. I came to sit on my bed just to ease the cramping and woke up 2 hours later with a sore neck. LOL I completely conked out for 2 hours with both the cat and the dog with me. By the time I woke up, it was time to get dinner started. 

    I have been filming my meals this week for my Weekly Meals video, so it takes a bit more setup when I got into the kitchen, instead of just walking in, making the meal and sitting down to eat. But I do enjoy making the videos, so it's all good. We ate dinner, then had to run back out to pick up Jasmine. So not exactly a lot going on today, it was a bit of a laid back one, especially for me.

    Wanted to get the recipes on the blog, and ended up not even getting around to that, so it's on my list for tomorrow.

    See, this is what happens when you stop doing something for so long.  Jeez it's hard to get back on track, but I'll get there.

    I hope you enjoyed my little glimpse at my day, and I guess this is what you can expect moving forward, more hodgepodge, random posts with snippets of what I'm doing.  I don't think I've ever been able to stick to a specific topic, I always jump from this to that and back again.

    To be fair, isn't that how we talk in real life?  Does anyone ever sit down to chat with a friend, and stick to just one thing?  I know I don't and half the time I wonder how we even get onto some topics  Hahaha

    Well friends, I am going to end his one here.  It's almost 9 o' clock, and I am going to watch a quick video on Youtube, read my Bible and go to sleep.