{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 06/29/2020 }

Good morning everyone, hope you've had a good weekend.

Mine was a good one, but it always feels like it goes by so quick.  In other words, I was not ready to wake up early this morning Hahah

So let's get right on with our post for today, I can't even think straight at the moment, need to get my mind awake and ready for the day.

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

♥♥The Weather♥♥
Pretty hot around here but the last 3 days has seen some quite significant storms coming in, out of nowhere.

Monday - Partly cloudy, 100
Tuesday - Sunny, 103
Wednesday - Mostly sunny, 105
Thursday - Mostly sunny, 99
Friday - Mostly sunny, 97
Saturday -  Partly cloudy, 96
Sunday - Mostly sunny, 94


♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥
Tired, but I think a lot of it has to do with the stress surrounding us.  Stress makes me sleep more and feel perpetually exhausted.            


♥♥On my mind♥♥
Our situation, everything that I need to do around here.             


♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥
Just my coffee right now, with some vanilla creamer.      


♥♥On my reading pile♥♥
Say Yes to What's Next from Lori Allen.   



♥♥On my tv♥♥
Sid Roth's It's Supernatural
Homemaking vlogs
Gardening vlogs
I have not watched normal TV in weeks, maybe months now and don't miss it one bit.  By normal TV I mean the series that are on the major networks and so on.       


♥♥On the menu this week♥♥
I don't have it all planned yet.  Ok, so I do but I don't?  I am actually going to do a menu planning post with you today, which will be up later this afternoon.  Basically, I am trying to save money right now, so went to Aldis and Walmart, did most of my shopping at Aldi though.  I bought some meat, but with no plans in mind, so just need to work out what I'm making with it. 

So I'm leaving the menu empty for now, and will come back later and edit it.

Monday - 
Tuesday -
Wednesday -
Thursday -
Friday -
Saturday -
Sunday - 


♥♥From the camera♥♥
Went blackberry picking on Saturday morning and had so much fun.  Check out my previous post for a bunch of pictures that I took.
  

♥♥Looking around the house♥♥
I have quite a bit of cleaning to do.  Have a mountain of laundry to fold, dishes to wash.  I took a break yesterday and did the bare minimum, so need to get on track with everything today.        


♥♥Chore I'm not looking forward to today, or this week♥♥
We emptied out the pool.  Our pump stopped working properly and no matter what we did and what chemicals we added, the pool went green.  We need to move it anyway, so emptied it out yesterday, then I need to give it a good cleaning, move it to it's permanent position and refill. 


♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥
If the pool is up and running, definitely be swimming since we are expecting triple digit temperatures.                             


♥♥On my prayer list♥♥
My husband's job situation.  He will be giving his side and defending himself on the 13th of July, and that is when the final decision will be made.  I'm praying for God's will, as always. 
The President, Vice President and their families. 
Our police men and women, first responders and military.
For America as a whole. I pray the Lord heal our nation, open the eyes of the people to the evil that is running rampant and keep us all safe.

{ Blackberry picking }

Imagine if you will, a Saturday morning, wide open spaces, fields of green, cows out on the pasture and blue skies as far as the eye can see.

We set off in the morning.  Me, my husband and daughter.  The 17 year old boy as always, would rather just stay home and sleep.  You know how teenagers are.

We weren't quite sure what to expect at the little farm, we had never been there before and heard about it through one of Jasmine's customers.  What we did know was that we needed some fresh air, some time out of the house where for at least an hour or so, we didn't have to think about our situation.

I will talk about it at a later date.  I want to jot it all down, to have another testimony of God's blessings and lessons, on my blog.  To have it recorded as part of our lives, as another difficult blip we encountered.

But I can't right now, I just can't seem to find the strength or energy to talk about it any longer.

All I will tell you is that he is being recommended for termination, but that a final decision has not yet been made.  He will have his say, his time to explain his side of things, on the 13th of July.  So is this all over?  Not yet.  We know that God can do whatever He chooses to, and it's not over until HE deems it so.

We are prepared as best as we can, but everything else is in God's control, after all it is HIS battle and not ours.

So we wanted out of the house for a little, just to clear our heads.







I wish I could describe the feeling of being out surrounded by rows and rows of beautiful berries, with birds chirping above, a little breeze blowing and nothing but land around us.

There is something magical that takes place when you ground yourself in nature, hand it to God and just let go.

We walked the rows and rows, looking for the best looking berries.  Many were not yet ripe, so we dug around under the leaves and in between bushes, to find the bunches of big blackberries.   And when I say big, I mean big.  We found some that were almost the size of the palm of our hand.















We came home with 8 pounds of blackberries and some raw local honey which I have been looking for, since the doctor suggested it for my allergies.

Not only did we have a peaceful wonderful morning, but it helped to put things in perspective and to give us ideas on what to do with our own land.  We have 3 acres, one of which is a huge field that is not being used for anything, other than mowing.  Let's not talk about that, it makes my husband cringe each time he looks over and sees that it needs mowing  LOL

One thing we talked about during this outing, was the need to do more things like this.  We get so caught up in the daily life, work, school, homemaking and so forth, that we let life just slip on by and don't enjoy it as much as we should.

When we were stationed in Arizona, we did things like this ALL.THE.TIME.   It felt like we lived life to the fullest, enjoyed every weekend, always found something to do as a family.  Then Curt retired, we moved to Idaho and from there, kids got big, life got busy and chaotic and we just stopped having fun.

It's time to get back on that saddle.

I hope you've had a wonderful weekend, I will be back tomorrow morning with my Happy Homemaker Monday.

Blessings to you all.
xoxoxoxo

{ Let them be kids by Jessica Smartt - TLC Book Tour }

Paperback: 256 Pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (June 9, 2020)

As every parent hopes to raise kids with good manners and values, Jessica Smartt’s practical guide fills the gaps of uncertainty and provides tips on how parents can equip their children in purity, faith, and creativity.

Former English teacher and homeschooling mother of three, Jessica Smartt felt the weight of helping prepare her kids for life, especially with all the outside pressures and influence of the world. She struggled with how she could raise her children with a sense of adventure, self-confidence, manners, faith, and the ability to utilize technology wisely.

Let Them Be Kids is Jessica’s offering of grace and confidence to moms, giving them practical ideas to meet these challenges. Her well-researched, tested methods, woven together with her personal stories and witty humor, deliver wisdom on the tough topics of life, such as

• family time vs. outside activities,
• being “cool” or not,
• boredom,
• technology usage
• sexual purity, and
• showing grace when kids disobey.

Part story and part guidebook, every chapter includes doable strategies and encouragement for the journey.

Let Them Be Kids helps moms feel confident and equipped with ways to provide a safe, healthy, Christ-centered childhood for their children. It leads them to conquer fear and find truth that transforms them and their families as it reminds them how to enjoy and cherish the special memory-making moments of building family values together.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About Jessica Smartt

Jessica Smartt is a former English teacher turned homeschooling mama of three. A week after her first baby was born, she began her motherhood blog “Smartter” Each Day. Jessica and her husband live in beautiful North Carolina, where she loves hiking with kids (mostly), steaming coffee in the afternoon, family bike rides, and anything that’s ever been done to a potato.

Connect with Jessica

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

REVIEW
Motherhood, so many feelings that come from that single word.

The biggest feeling is that of unconditional, all encompassing, truest form of love.  They are our babies, from the moment they are conceived, all through the crazy toddler years, the harder teenage years and even into adulthood.

See, you never stop being a parent, it's not a job that ends when they turn 21 or move away from home, the circumstances just change, and their need for us too.  It's not that they don't need us, it's just that they need us in a different way.

When I accepted the review request for Let them be kids, I wasn't quite sure how it would apply to me at this point of my life.  My daughter is 21, my son is 17, so not exactly the little kid age anymore.  But I am so glad that I read the book.

One thing that caught my eye, is that every chapter in the book begins with The Gift of......

So often when we are caught in the humdrum of every day life, especially with little ones, where we have one on one side of the room throwing a tantrum, have just stepped for the millionth time over a sharp toy, and wiped snotty noses non stop, we tend to not look at our children as gifts, but as handfuls.

Jessica Smartt focuses on those things that we sometimes take for granted.  Family traditions, family values, habits, days of boredom and days of imagination.  But the book itself also touches on aspects such as instilling work ethic, manners and kindness, which I think transcends any and every age.

Back in my day, when I got bored, I played with dolls, I draw, I colored, I made up silly games, but mainly, I went outside to play in the back yard.

Now we live in a time where we pop our kids in front of a tv screen or hand them an I pad or a cellphone with a cute game on, to keep them entertained when faced with the dreaded "Mom I'm bored".

Jessica Smartt, engages the viewers with ideas and advice on how to beat the boredom without turning to technology.

She touches on subjects and topics that every parent goes through and at times needs a little help.  As I said above, my children are older and I only wish that I had this book to look back on when they were little.  I remember those frantic days where I counted the minutes until my husband was home, so I could pass the kids on and get at least 30 minutes of peace.

Thing is, even though it's hard at times, we need to let our children be kids, be themselves, be creative.  It is a book that includes more Christian and conservative view points, as well as ways to incorporate God into your children's upbringing.

Thank you to TLC Tours and the Thomas Nelson publishers,  for providing me with a review copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review.

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 06/22/2020 }

Good morning sweet friends, I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend.

Our Father's day was wonderful, it started with church and both kids came with us, which was a huge blessing.  Next we met up with my brother and sister in law, for a quick lunch at Denny's.  It was so nice to go out to eat after all these months, to have some good laughs and enjoy yummy food.

The rest of the day we hung out at home, just relaxed and even got in some afternoon naps.  We all know those Sunday naps are the best aren't they?

Before those naps though, Curt and I had been out in the garden putting cages around the tomato plants and some wooden stakes to hold up the Zucchini plants which are HUMONGOUS.  And that my friends, is when I got the surprise of my life.  I actually screamed and scared my husband LOL

We have Zucchini coming in, but we were able to harvest our first one.   Check out the photos of that in my "From the Camera" section.  Let me know what you think.

I ask that you still keep my husband in your prayers, we have not yet heard anything about his job.

Now, let's get on with business shall we?

♥♥The Weather♥♥
Pretty hot around here but the last 3 days has seen some quite significant storms coming in, out of nowhere.

Monday - Partly cloudy, 91
Tuesday - AM Thunderstorms,86
Wednesday - Partly cloudy,88
Thursday - Partly cloudy,90
Friday - Partly cloudy, 89
Saturday -  Partly cloudy, 90
Sunday - Partly cloudy, 90


♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥
A bit tired.  I was sleeping well, then a storm came in and woke me up at 1:25 AM.  Took me well over an hour to fall back asleep.  Aside from that, I am feeling fine.          


♥♥On my mind♥♥
A mental list of what I need done today.           


♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥
As usual this early in the morning, just my cup of coffee.  Finishing off the last of the Almond Joy Creamer.    


♥♥On my reading pile♥♥
Have a book review coming up later this week, for Let Them Be Kids.  I'm also starting the next book on the list which is Say Yes to What's Next from Lori Allen.  A book about life makeover for women approaching 50.  

♥♥On my tv♥♥
Sid Roth's It's Supernatural
Usual sermons, homemaking vlogs, gardening etc.     


♥♥On the menu this week♥♥
I have to work on the new menu, as I'll be going grocery shopping on Friday. 

Monday - Lasagna, Homemade Garlic Knots
Tuesday - Sausage and Potatoes Skillet, Salad
Wednesday - Tacos, Mexican Rice
Thursday - Roast Chicken Breasts, Crispy Roasted potatoes, Fried Zucchini
Friday -
Saturday -
Sunday - 


♥♥From the camera♥♥
My first zucchini from the garden.

I actually screamed when I saw it.  At first I had no clue what it was, I kept looking and thinking "why is there a dark pipe in my zucchini plant?"  Hahahah

When I realized what it was, I let out the biggest scream ever.  My poor husband got a fright.

This zucchini is 4.005 lbs.  WHAT???  I am so proud of myself, since I grew these from seed.
  

♥♥Looking around the house♥♥
It is quite dark this morning as we have cloudy skies outside.  The kids are still asleep.  I have the sound of the fan whirring above me, and birds loudly chirping outside.      


♥♥Chore I'm not looking forward to today, or this week♥♥
The carpets.....the carpets that I despise and that my husband is holding on to for dear life.  Hahahah


♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥
I finished Genesis last week and am starting Exodus today, can't wait.  It's what I've been doing lately to relax.                           


♥♥On my prayer list♥♥
My husband's job situation.  Praying for a good outcome that is according to God. 
The President, Vice President and their families.
Our police men and woman, first responders and military.
For America as a whole. 

{ The beauty in gardening }

Life begins the day you start a garden. 

– Chinese proverb

Have you ever stopped to think about the beauty in so many tasks around us?

I mean, ok, we look at certain tasks as work and don't quite think of them as beautiful or fun to do, but I find that some are so good for the soul.  They relax you, andthey have a way of calming your heart and thoughts.

Crochet is one of those for me, so is baking, and reading and so on, but another that I didn't quite get to start enjoying until much later in my life, has been gardening and anything to do with planting.

Whether outside touching digging your hand into the actual dirt on the ground, or pottering around with containers inside your home. 

Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years.

 – Unknown

My daughters work had a huge sale, 50% off pretty much everything, and knowing that I love gardening and growing my own veggies, fruit, herbs and flowers, she grabbed a few goodies for me.

She is sweet like that.  :)

As you can see above, I got Kitchen Herbs which came with parsley, basil and chives.  Lavender and Chamomile, Daisies and Strawberries, Lavender and some Thyme (the thyme is not pictured because she had gifted it to be a few days prior to this photo).

I got everything set up on the kitchen island and then got right to business.

If you've never tried these little kits, they are the perfect way to get started with your gardening journey.  They provide everything you need and come with clear instructions to help you get going.

I have to say, I used to be so scared of growing anything because anytime I tried, it died.  I either over watered, under watered, didn't place it in the right window, gave it too much sun or not enough.  It was a bit frustrating, but I learned along the way that a little research on each plant, goes a long way.

Gardening simply does not allow one to be mentally old, because too many hopes and dreams are yet to be realized.

 – Allan Armitage

It is so calming.  I put on some worship music in the background and just pottered around for a while.  It didn't take very long to get all the seeds started and in their containers. 

I also took some wooden sticks and labeled each so I would know what exactly was growing.  As you get used to planting there are some that you immediately recognize, but I'm not quite to the point where I know each and every single plant I am growing, just by looking at their leaves.

They've all been put on my kitchen window sill which seems to be a favorite spot for all my plants.  It is a part of the house that doesn't get direct sunshine, but plenty of light.

They seem to thrive there and pretty quickly start growing.

In the outside garden, life is springing up in a rush.  My Zucchini plants are huge, and I mean HUGE.

My tomato plants are equally growing in leaps and bounds, and the same goes for the beans, potatoes, basil, leeks and green onions. 

I don't think my lettuce survived and neither did my okra, or at least not that I can see, truth be told I can't even find it.  We have such high winds at times that I plant things and they sometimes get thrown around and start growing in different areas.  Hahaha

Nonetheless, I am finding such peace in my gardening, whether outside or in.  There is a special joy in watching something you plant start to grow.

How are your gardens doing?