{ Making a Home }

One of the simplest joys in life.

I am slowly plodding along, trying to catch myself from overdoing it, and also telling myself over and over that things will get done, one way or another.

It's been tiring, but I have to be honest and admit that I am just loving every minute of making a new home.

Happy Homemaker Monday - 06/09/2014

Happy Monday my friends.  I hope you've all had a wonderful, relaxing weekend.  Mine was very enjoyable and definitely calm and relaxing as we didn't move anything.  We needed the break and it felt good to sit back and do nothing.

This week though, we are kicking it into high gear as we get everything moved out and into the new house.  I'm ready for it, I'm honestly ready to be in the new one and to make it my own.

I apologize for my absence here on the blog, but as I'm sure you understand, it's been just crazy around here, and I think this coming week is going to be just the same.  Here's the thing though, I am taking a break from Facebook, not only for the move but you know I usually do this a few times a year, and I've decided that I don't really know how long I'll be gone from Facebook or when I'll return, if I even will.....my blog will take priority as it should, and all my updates will be done here.  Oh I am excited to get back to my normal blogging, hope you are too.

As I look outside my window:::
It's bright and sunny and currently 59 degrees, but we're supposed to reach a high of 90 today.  Should be nice and warm :) 

Right now I am:::
Typing up this post, drinking my coffee, and writing a to do list for this week. 

Thinking and pondering:::
On so many things....news stories that have touched me in one way or another, others that have angered me, the move to the new house, what I still need to get done, changes of address and utilities and all things like that. 

On my bedside table:::
My kindle and my bible. 

On my tv this week:::
Monday
Catch up on weekend shows
Tuesday
Little Couple
19 Kids and Counting
Little Women:  LA
Wednesday
The 100

Saturday
Ghost Adventures
Sunday
Salem
Turn
Return to Amish

Listening to:::
The local radio station on the my laptop, they are sharing funniest dad stories for Father's Day. 

On the menu for this week:::
Monday - Smoked Sausage and Potatoes
Tuesday - Stuffed Cubed Steak
Wednesday - Homemade Pepperoni Calzones
Thursday - Meat pie and Salad
Friday - Cheese Ravioli with Tomato Sauce
Saturday - Barbecue Chicken with Fries
Sunday - Roast Beef Sandwiches
 
On my to do list:::
Moving
City Hall to sign up for utilities

Happening this week:::
Moving, City Hall, Errands, Tae Kwon Do, Base

What I am creating:::
Lots more Mandalas, and I've also started another blanket.  This time it's a corner to corner granny stripe. 

My simple pleasure:::
Crocheting, without a doubt.  It's one of my simplest and most loved pleasures.   

Homemaking tips:::
Slow down.  No really, slow down, everything will get done, but there is no need to rush through things.  Set up a routine, work on a to do list, and divide the chores up into your week days.  There is no need to get everything done in one way, if you divide it up throughout the week, you can get your chores done and add in some relaxing and fun time too. 

Looking around the house:::
It is echoing, and looking very empty.  There are a few things still around, but not much. 

From the camera:::
My niece's Recital was this weekend, it is always so much fun watching her perform. 

Prayer List:::
This country.  I honestly feel like we need to pray and pray fervently for this administration and for the country in general. 

Bible verse, Devotional:::
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:11

PLEASE, don't add links to this list that are not part of the Happy Homemaker Monday. I've asked numerous times, and I'm frankly quite tired of having to remove links to other posts that shouldn't be in this list. Please be respectful of my request!

Feeling it.....

We've taken our time with this move, and moved things slowly, but we still have managed to do a truck load a day.

I've carried big boxes, I've hauled heavy pieces of furniture onto the bed of the truck, and I've unpacked and climbed on chairs, and moved things here and there.

For the most part, I've been fine, but last night I really started feeling it.  I guess age is not forgiving of certain kinds of exercise, and trust me, I feel so silly saying that since I am only about to turn 40 years old, but the truth is the truth.

My lower back hurts, I have bruises on my arms and thighs from the boxes and I'm feeling so tired.
My body is telling me to stop, to slow down and to take a break, and that is exactly what I've done today.  No moving, no packing, no carrying, no nothing, just housework and a lot of sitting down and relaxing.

Happy Homemaker Monday - 06/-2/2014

Happy Monday!!!!

Hope you all had a wonderful, relaxed weekend and are ready for the week ahead.

We are officially on summer break, school is finished and by the time we resume on August 25th, we will have a Senior, a Sophomore and two 6th graders.  Goodness!!!

Alright, let's get on with our Happy Homemaker Monday!

As I look outside my window:::
Another gorgeous day, not a cloud in sight and 50 degrees right now, which feels absolutely wonderful.   I see birds flying around and the branches on the trees waving with the breeze.

Right now I am:::
Finishing up my cup of coffee, while listening to Lola playing with one of her toys. 

Thinking and pondering:::
About what I have to do today and the rest of the week, actually, what I have to do the next two weeks as we finish moving into the new house.  Change of address again, on everything, plus getting utilities set up at the new house, etc.  *sigh*

On my bedside table:::
Nothing, it's actually clear of everything.....well aside from my alarm clock. 

On my tv this week:::
I am not sure, with all the shows having finished recently, we don't have much to watch until all the new ones start.

Listening to:::
Nothing but the click click of my keyboard keys....oh and my son and husband chatting in the office.

On the menu for this week:::
Monday - Spaghetti and Meatballs
Tuesday - Pork Scallopini in cream sauce with Basmati rice
Wednesday - Meat Pie
Thursday - Homemade Pepperoni Calzones
Friday - Stuffed Cubed Steak
Saturday - Barbecue Chicken with Fries
Sunday - Teriyaki Steak with Sesame Noodles
 
On my to do list:::
Laundry - finish the last load, fold, put away, and iron one load
Moving more things to the house
UPS store to drop off some packages

Happening this week:::
Monday - UPS Store to ship boxes, Moving, Tae Kwon Do
Tuesday - Moving
Wednesday - Moving, Tae Kwon Do, Base Legal office so they can help us get our claims money from the move last year.  The moving company has been dodging us for the past 5 months. 
Thursday -  Housework, Moving
Friday - Moving

What I am creating:::
Lots and lots of Mandalas, I'm on a roll.  The two I showed you yesterday, plus another one I completely last night, and one that is halfway complete as well.  Here is a little sneak peek.....I'm making this one up as I go, and I'm really loving it so far.

My simple pleasure:::
Looking through decorating magazines and dreaming about what my dream house would look like.  

Homemaking tips:::
A great way to save money on utilities during the summer months, is to make use of your clothesline.  If you don't have one, you can use a drying rack out on the patio or deck.  Saves you from having to use the dryer, and there really is nothing better than clothes fresh from the line.

Looking around the house:::
It looks soooo empty.  We've taken most of our things, just have basically the biggest items like the couches, beds, tv, armoires etc. 

From the camera:::
Lots of this going on around here

Prayer List:::
My family, my friends, my husband and I for this move.

Bible verse, Devotional:::
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

PLEASE, don't add links to this list that are not part of the Happy Homemaker Monday. I've asked numerous times, and I'm frankly quite tired of having to remove links to other posts that shouldn't be in this list. Please be respectful of my request!

Crochet and Yumminess!

Good morning friends, happy Sunday!

It is such a gorgeous day, not a cloud in sight and the bluest of skies.  I am just finishing my coffee and even still in my pj's, being kinda lazy because I know I have another day of packing and moving.

Oh joy!

I just keep telling myself that it's a blessing to be able to move slowly and take our time, but nevertheless, I am still looking forward to being done and settled into the new house.

I have been stealing moments here and there, trying to occupy myself with things that I love, namely family, crochet and food, of course.

I have always said that no matter what is going on around us, we need to take some time to recharge and do the things we love.

Crochet has been a big part of my life, it's relaxing, it's what I turn to on an especially hard day, but it's not always easy to find the time to sit down and hook something up.

So, I do most of my crocheting at night, while sitting in front of the TV with the family.

Last night, we sat down to watch some Star Trek.  We really are a family of Science and Science fiction nerds, we just love it.  I do believe the hubby and I have watched most of the Star Trek series out there, and there are quite a few, but our latest is Star Trek Voyager.

While we watched a few episodes, I just relaxed and crocheted, and before I knew it, I had these two beautiful mandalas to take to the new house.  They will be my first crochet project specifically made for my home.

The one above, I made from a photograph of a doily I found on a Dutch website. Oh my goodness, it was quite an adventure and I had to wing it and rip out and redo a couple rows until I got it just right. But I'm so happy with the results.

This next one is my favorite though, and it was so quick to make, I will be making more today.

The Little Spring Mandala, did have a pattern, and you can try it for yourself here.

The colors were completely unintentional, and by that I mean that I didn't sit down and plan which color I would be using next.

I have a few different colored cotton yarn scraps laying around, I'm trying to use them up, so I literally would just reach into the bag and whatever came out is what I used. So happy with the end result though, the bursts of color in these mandalas is amazing.

So that is the crochet I've been doing.....oh and I'm making something else, here is a sneak peek:

I haven't just been crocheting, I have also been indulging in some yummy food from back home in South Africa.

On Friday night I had my family come over for dinner, and I prepared some typical delicious South African treats.

Our dinner started with some Vetkoek with Curried Mince.  Vetkoek are almost like a donut and can be eaten with savory fillings or sweet fillings such as jam or custard or whatever you wish.  But we really like the curried mince (ground beef).

After filling our tummies with those, we made sure to leave some room for the traditional Malva Pudding and Melktert. Oh goodness, they are SO good.

Malva Pudding almost reminds me of the Sticky Toffee Pudding, which is just as delicious.

Then of course the Melktert (Milktart) which is to die for. It creates it's own crust, it's almost like the Impossibly Easy Pie or Blender pie recipe.

All three recipes will be up on the blog sometime today, I'm hoping.  I have quite a few recipes that need to be posted, but just haven't had the time.

Now I really need to get up, get dressed, do some dishes, start a load of laundry, fold one load that just came out of the dryer, and get the truck loaded for another run to the house.

I hope you all have a beautiful blessed Sunday.