Happy Homemaker Monday - 06/23/2014

Good Morning dear friends, how was your weekend?

Mine was very good, filled with family and good food and a crazy soccer game.  Oh my!!!  Nerve wrecking, nail biting, craziness all rolled into 90 minutes.

Here we are again, Monday morning, and this time I'm back.  Last week I couldn't put the post up as I was between houses and with NO internet, sorry about that.  Alright, enough jabbering, let's just get on with it.

As I look outside my window:::
Gorgeous morning and currently 58 degrees.  Oh it feels so good outside.  There's a squirrel running across my fence and quite a few birds at my feeder.

Right now I am:::
Getting some love from my little Lola, drinking my coffee, typing up this post, and listening to the birds chirping outside.   

Thinking and pondering:::
Honestly????  On nothing at the moment.  That's new.  Usually my mind just goes at a million miles an hour with so many things to think about, but at this very moment, nothing. 

On my bedside table:::
My body lotion, candles for my wall hanging thingymabob, a few nails and screws and a hammer.  HA!   

On my tv this week:::
Monday
Catch up on shows that were recorded this weekend but I didn't get a chance to see
O Beijo do Escorpiao (Portuguese soap)
Mulheres (Portuguese soap)
Star Trek Voyager
Tuesday
O Beijo do Escorpiao (Portuguese soap)
Mulheres (Portuguese soap)
Chasing Life
Little Couple

Little Women:  LA
Star Trek Voyager
Wednesday
O Beijo do Escorpiao (Portuguese soap)
Mulheres (Portuguese soap)
Star Trek Voyager
Thursday
Here comes honey boo boo
Dominion
Friday
Monumental Mysteries
Saturday
Ghost Adventures
Sunday
The Last Ship
Return to Amish

Listening to:::
Nothing but the birds chirping and the clicking of my keyboard keys. 

On the menu for this week:::
Monday - Bife Trinchado (Portuguese steak with fries)
Tuesday - Rigatoni and Sausage
Wednesday - Chicken Pot Pie
Thursday - Roast Beef Sandwiches
Friday - Pizza Potato Puff Casserole
Saturday - Mexican Braid
Sunday - Ribs
 
On my to do list:::
Cleaning at the old house (vacuuming, washing carpets, oven etc)
Laundry
Moving my plants to bigger pots

Happening this week:::
Monday - Cleaning old house
Tuesday - Finishing cleaning
Wednesday - Turning in the keys
Thursday - Yard work, Housework
Friday - Rodeo

What I am creating:::
Finishing off my Corner to Corner granny.  Starting a new one for my niece.


My simple pleasure:::
Gardening   

Homemaking tips:::
When you are grilling on the weekend, or whenever, throw in a few extra hotdog and hamburgers.  You can just freeze them, and use them during the week for a quick lunch.

Looking around the house:::
It feels like home, my things are in place, my curtains are up and I just feel like I'm home, and that is a great feeling. 

From the camera:::
Yesterday's game....half Americans and half Portuguese.  Now THAT was fun!

Prayer List:::
Friends who are under spiritual attack.

Bible verse, Devotional:::
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:34-35

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!

{ Beating the dust with Dust-Off }

Dust.....it's just everywhere isn't it?  It's forever been the bane of my existence, not only because it's a constant in the house and on every surface, but because it wreaks havoc with my allergies.

Back in Arizona I had the worst time trying to keep it under control, I would dust one day and the very next it looked like a dust storm had run through the house.

Here in Idaho it has become much easier to deal with, not only because we're not in a desert, but also because I have since then become very good friends with Dust-Off.

A couple of weeks ago, actually right before our move, I was sent a sample to try out.  It couldn't have come at a better time, honestly, because you know when you're moving there is so much dust everywhere and I don't like putting things into the new house without giving them a good wipe.

Enter Dust-Off!!!

My favorite is the Electronics Duster, it removes dust and lint which is a HUGE help with our laptops and my husband's desk top.

You know how kids are, they tend to touch everything with their yucky little hands covered in whatever they were eating while attempting to play a game.  It's frustrating, and no matter how many times we tell them not to do that, they almost always do.

This little can of compressed air is a miracle worker, it really is, and I'm not just saying that, I truly believe it.

I don't like typing on a keyboard that has crumbs and all sorts of weird things stuck between the keys, and this little beauty gets right in there and blows them all out.  It's quite fun to watch actually, and if I can do a chore that is fun at the same time, I'm all for it.

It is easy to use, it works great!!!

And it's helped me keep the laptops clean.  Another place it works well in is in the car, I use it to clean the dashboard and the gear shift, the radio console etc. 

Needless to say, it's become one of the most used products in my house.

But that's not all, because I also received some screen cleaners which work really really.  I'm always a little worried about cleaning the screens, whether it be the TV or the tablet or the laptop monitors.  I don't know, I just worry that I will break it somehow and then I'm never sure if the product I have on hand is safe or if it will scratch it etc.

Not with these though, they are the perfect cleaner for the screens.  Works great, no scratches, and safe.  I even use them on my big TV screen.

So, if you're looking for some great products to help contain the dust in your home, you can be sure that Dust-Off will do the job.

Check them out on their website, Dust-Off, where you can find a ton of different products for whatever your cleaning needs are.

{ Spiders and cobwebs and dust....oh my }

Guess what I tackled today?

The garage.  Yep, the big ol garage.  As we brought things from the other house, we dumped them in the garage and then unpacked from there.  It worked out just fine, but as I stepped into the garage this morning, I was faced with a big ol mess that I just was tired of seeing.

Today was the day, and what a day it was.

This is what I started with.....

When I saw it, I actually thought about walking back into the house and pretending it wasn't there, but you know if I do that, then it will never get dealt with.

I set to work, cleaned, organized, put things in boxes for storage, for donation, for yard sale etc.

By the end of the day this is what it looks like.  A few things here and there, some stuff I still need to put away, but so much better, and I can park my car inside too.  Yay!!!

One thing we have in this house which I've never had in any of the others, is an attic.

I don't know, I'm thinking I watch too many scary shows because it scares the bejeebers out of me LOL

Every time I walk by, I look up and see the darkness and always think someone is there staring at me.  *shiver*  Ridiculous I know, but what I can do??

Something else that gives me the creeps, is the amount of spiders and cobwebs in the garage.  I don't understand, don't people ever clean their garages?

I've never had one, in all the base houses we lived, not a single one had a garage, so maybe this is all new to me, but I would assume people wouldn't want to go out there or have their things out there, with huge spiders crawling around.  At least I know I don't.

So one thing I also did today, before packing anything anywhere, I vacuumed the windows and corners and ceiling and sprayed and tried very hard to get rid of all the nastiness I saw.  It was GROSS!!!

I also worked outside with the hubby, he mowed the lawn in the front and back and helped me water the rose bushes, and set out some of our decorations.

The yards are looking wonderful, the grass is nice and green, the sprinklers are going and it's just a beautiful summer day.

Aside from my sore feet and back, it's been a very good productive day.

Yesterday I decided to bake in the afternoon, just got the urge to get in there and quickly whipped up some delicious Sweet Potato Biscuits with some Honey Butter.



My family loved it, especially my son who ate 5 in one sitting.  Good grief, where do tween boys put all that food?

Whew!!!!

Glad to have this day behind me, I'm now showered, in my pjs and sitting on my comfy couch with my feet up.  I am sore folks, like really sore and exhausted.

Nothing a glass of sweet Moscato wine, some crochet and some mindless tv shows won't cure.  Yes, I think that is exactly what I'm going to do.

Tomorrow......family coming over for a barbecue and the Portugal vs USA game.  Oh goodness, it's going to get tough around here, I'm Portuguese but my hubby and kids are American Hahahahah

Will let you know how that plays out :)

{ Beauty in everything }

Do you know that it's up to us to see the beauty in everything we do, and everything that surrounds us?

It's very easy to see the mess, the disorganization, the boxes, the fact that random things still litter the living room.  It's all right there, in our faces, a constant reminder that we've moved and that we are still trying to get things organized.

But I'm the kind of person who chooses to see beauty, who prefers to overlook the box in the corner and rather focus on the pretty painting on the wall above it.

Who instead of looking at the mess of breakfast preparation, focuses on the gorgeous tiny roses in the mason jar right beside it.

When was the last time that you really looked at your home with love in your eyes?

We don't all live in huge houses, with the most expensive of furnishings, or in rooms that have not one single object out of place.

We live, plain and simple....and living means that things depict what our daily lives consist of.

With that in mind, I am in love with my house, and I wanted to show you a few more pictures of those things that make me smile, that bring me joy.

For some they may not look right, for others it wouldn't be exactly how you would have chosen to decorate, but for me, and for us, it works.  It completely screams ME, in every single corner, in every single shelf, on every single wall, what you see is Sandra, proudly displayed.

If you look closely you can see a wooden sign that is yet to be hung, you can see random items on the video shelf on the right, you can see a drill, and you can even see my blue broom in the kitchen.

I just see a wall that really makes me smile.

Yesterday morning, my son asked me to make some French Toast. I hadn't made any in a while, so I got right to work. One of the things that I am loving in this kitchen, is the counter space to cook with, something the previous house did not have, quite honestly, I don't know how I ever managed to make anything because I had no space whatsoever.

See what I mean about beauty?  I sat down to pay bills, check on email, and do some computer work and this jar of roses from my yard is sitting right there on the table.  Even bill paying seems more colorful.  HA!!!

So, are you ready for a peek at my dining room?  I don't think I had shown you that side of the kitchen yet.

Very simple, but I love it.  The big window brings in so much sunshine and really opens up the whole kitchen and dining area.

Here is my dining room window, lots of plants, herbs and my little chickens.  The great thing is that most of my rose bushes are right on the other side so I can enjoy them while I sit at the table.

Matter of fact, we all enjoy this big window, and dinner time has become one of our favorite moments of the day.

Now let me show you my blanket.  It is almost done.  I really like the fact that this corner to corner is so quick to crochet, much faster than the other corner to corner I made.

I've already started the decreasing, and don't have much to go.  Next is just a border, and I'm trying to decide what I'm going to do, not sure yet which way to go.

Soon as I'm done with this one, I have my niece's to start.  My niece and nephew came over for the day on Wednesday and she fell asleep on my couch with one of my crochet blankets.

She was so surprised at how warm it was  LOL

Loved it so much, that she asked me if I would be willing to make her a blanket for herself, and of course, I obliged, not only because I love her, but because it's crochet.....come on, I couldn't say no, and I am having so much fun with this corner to corner granny that it will be the perfect blanket to make her.

Now, I urge you to take a look around, and see the beauty of your surroundings, and then tell me if it doesn't make you feel better.  Learn to love your home, learn to love the space you live in, and if you don't think it looks good, just pop in a flower here or there, trust me, it will make you smile :)

Happy Friday my friends!   This girl has laundry, mopping and some yard work on her agenda, so I best get on with it :)

{ Home Sweet Home }

I woke up this morning to beautiful sunshine streaming through the kitchen windows, and there really is nothing more glorious than early morning light, is there?

The first night we moved in was Friday, but we didn't have internet set up here, so I couldn't get online or give anyone an update.

It was quite strange, I think I was just so tired and sleeping didn't come easily the first night.  Then I thought I heard all sorts of noises and my crazy brain was thinking "oh no, is this house haunted?" Hahahaha

Amazing what an exhausted brain will do to you.

But that was just the first night, I've slept amazingly well since then, and no, no strange noises at all.

One of the things I am most loving about this house, aside from it reminding me of a farm house or an Amish house, is the fact that the windows allow for an insanely amount of wonderful light to come right in. 

Right??? I don't know if it's the set up or the white or what, but it just immediately brings to mind an Amish house. If only that were true, I would be one happy girl.

Well minus the dish addition which you would never find in an Amish home.

I've been slowly unpacking.  We have moved most of the things into their places, but there are still a few boxes in the garage, and those will be unpacked slowly as we go.  There is no need to rush or overdo it.

And there are my girls enjoying the back yard.  You should have seen them the first day, running around like crazy out there.  Oh and guess what???  We have two pugs right behind us and the owners turn out to be an older couple, who the husband actually worked with MY husband back when we were stationed at this base.

My word, what a small world isn't it?

Sunday for Father's Day, we didn't really do anything.  My husband and I never really buy each other gifts or go all out for this day, we believe that it should be celebrated every day of the year and not just one specific occasion.

But Jasmine wanted to make something for daddy, so she made him those yummy brownies above.  All by herself.  My girl loves baking, and that thrills me.

Later that night I sat up in bed and relaxed, worked a little more on my crochet blanket and watched some TV.  Oh and Karen had asked me for the pattern for the blanket, you can find it here.  Super simple and really fast to make.

While I was doing that, my daughter came up to lay with me and watch some shows, and she even brought us brownies, all nice and warmed up with a scoop of Neopolitan ice cream.  YUM!!

Now back to the house.  This is the Hallway window upstairs and I absolutely adore it.  Isn't it beautiful?  Don't mind the screws next to the flower vase, my husband was hanging up his military stuff.

Yesterday it rained all day long, it was quite a dark day, but I enjoyed it.  We needed the rain and it felt good.  I just love the smell of rain don't you?

Now let me show you one of the walls in the living room.  It's not finished yet, as I'm sure you can see by the random items on the shelves, things that really don't belong there, but you can get a pretty good idea of what it will look like.

I'm debating whether I want to keep the video cabinets as they are, or paint them white to match the other shelves.  Decisions, decisions, what do you think?

A little peek at the kitchen.....

My white shelf has finally made it's way into the house, and I think it's a pretty cute place to hang my aprons. 

So, the house is coming along nicely and slowly, but that is ok.  I have something I am planning for a wall in the kitchen, but I will show you that when it's done.

The living room also isn't finished, I'm having a bit of a hard time deciding where certain things will go, and I also have an idea for the wall above the TV, but I need to get some things together first.

As I finish this post up, my husband has gone to the old house to pick up the turtle, yes poor thing was still there, and to also grab a few last minute things. 

This weekend we will go in and give it a good clean, it's pretty clean already but I want to wipe down the walls and the blinds etc.

As for today, like I said, I'm not doing any moving myself, I have lower back pain and can't lift anything else.  I'm waiting for the repair man to come in and fix my refrigerator, it's defrosting and leaking from the freezer to the bottom area.  Not sure what time he'll be here, but once my husband returns, we do need to head to base for some grocery shopping and for him to do his job at the commissary real quick. 

Dinner tonight will be some Cheese Tortellini with tomato sauce and some garlic bread, nice and simple but yummy too.

I do hope I haven't bored you with all my rambling on about the house and the neighborhood and whatever I'm keeping myself busy with. 

Oh, before I forget, I have a few reviews coming up and a Lucky Leaf Giveaway too, so keep an eye out for that.

I better get moving, having a wonderful rest of Tuesday and I'll be back tomorrow with more chit chat :)