{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 11/11/2019 }

Good morning everyone, how was your weekend?

Mine has been good but busy, isn't it always?  Lots of painting and fixing and house related stuff, but also filled with tons of Christmas movies.  Yes, I'm already on it, I started last week Wednesday and I've been watching at least one or two a night, the Hallmark movies that is. 

It's so funny that they are predictable and you know exactly what is going to happen, and yet, I love watching them and can't stop.  lol

Anyway, it is a new week, we have a blank slate to write our stories, so let's make it a good one.

Thank you all who come in every week to participate, and a big hello to all the new participants.

Let's see what we have going on this week. 

The weather outside is::::

The temperature is currently 50 degrees but the real feel is 46.  The wind is howling outside and we actually have a high wind warning going on.  We are also expecting a cold front to come in so I guess it's time to bundle up.   

Monday - Cloudy/Wind,  48
Tuesday - Sunny, 43
Wednesday - Sunny, 59
Thursday - Sunny, 56
Friday - Sunny, 58
Saturday - Partly cloudy, 61
Sunday - Partly cloudy, 58

On the breakfast plate this morning::::

Just enjoying a hot cup of coffee with White Chocolate Raspberry creamer.  Not sure what I will eat, not hungry right now and can't think of anything I feel like.      

As I look outside my window:::

It is still dark outside so aside from the high wind noises, I can't see a single thing.  

Right now I am::::

Sitting in bed, drinking my coffee, listening to the howling wind and getting this post typed up.         

As I look around the house::::

The house is still asleep, so it's pretty dark.  There are twinkly lights on the mantel and the Fall tree lit in the corner.  It looks so cozy in here.      

On today's to do list::::

Laundry....All the laundry has been washed, just need to do one load of kitchen towels.       
Cleaning....Had our real estate agent come over yesterday morning, so Curt and I zipped through and gave the house a really and I mean REALLY good clean.  I have nothing to do today as it's sparkly clean.  Yay!!!     
Cooking.....Hubby is off today, so for lunch I'm going to make him some biscuits and gravy.  Dinner will be the Pampered Chef Chicken Broccoli Ring with a salad.     

On the menu this week::::

Monday - Chicken and Broccoli Ring, Salad
Tuesday - Slow Cooked Cubed Steaks with Gravy, Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Wednesday - Cheesy Garlic Pizza
Thursday - Pork Chops with Cubed Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli
Friday -  Cheesy Kielbasa Bake, Garlic Bread
Saturday -
Sunday -

Currently reading::::

The cost of honor by Diana Munoz Stewart.

On the TV this week::::

Youtube:
Homemaking Vlogs
Hallmark Christmas Movies

TV:
Sanditon
Catherine the Great
His Dark Materials
Poldark

What I am creating at the moment::::

Rozeta CAL from Lilla Bjorn.     

New recipe I tried or want to try this week::::

We tried the Chicken and Dumplings last week and it was a hit.  The Chili Frito Pie was just ok, it was basically just chili with frito chips.  I don't have any new recipes planned at the moment, but I do have to work on my next menu plan so I can grocery shop on Friday.         

Favorite photo from the camera:::: 

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

♥♥♥ Curt's stepfather is still needing open heart surgery, but there have been a few complications and he is now dealing with some gallbladder issues and an open ulcer.   He is currently in rehabilitation gaining his strength so he can have his heart surgery done.  Please keep him in your prayers. 
♥♥♥ My mother in law and her continuing fight with breast cancer.
♥♥♥ Our home buying journey.  The VA Appraiser should be coming out sometime this week.  We have a projected closing date as well.  I have to say that as much as I would love to buy this house for myself,  I mostly want this for my husband.  He has worked so hard his whole life, gave 22 years to the military and is now still working with the Air Force, training our future airmen.  This is a dream that I want for HIM, it's something he has wanted for many years and I would love to see it come to fruition.  So please keep us in your prayers. 


* The past few weeks I have had to go in and delete links that are NOT related to Happy Homemaker Monday.  Folks, I have asked repeatedly to not add random links to other posts on your blogs, or just a link to your blog in general.  It is a lot of work for me to sit and go through and manually delete them from the linky, and it's also incredibly rude to the other participants who are just looking for the Happy Homemaker Monday posts.  Please be respectful!!! 

Simple living, simple work

Be cheerful, for it is the only happy life. The times may be hard, but it will make them no easier to wear a gloomy and sad countenance.”

-The Royal Path of Life

The past few years, I set up a Fall/Thanksgiving tree.

It's not something I have always done, but since doing it the first year, I completely fell in love with the idea and I find that it's a good transition into Christmas.  This tree sits in the den, and our real Christmas tree will be bought and set up in the living room.

It seems that the minute I get the tree up, everyone is drawn to it and I find that the kids hang out more in there, not to mention Mister Marley.  This is his favorite spot, he sits like a person and just watched the outside of the house.  He is such a sweetheart!

I've been working around the house, moving things here and there and getting things ready for the home inspection.

Curt and I have been painting, touching up and just making sure that everything is up to par.  As I've mentioned here many times, being able to purchase this home and make it ours, would be a dream come true for us both.

The past couple of days have been so cold with some mornings in the 20's,  and really only a nice fire going, some long sleeves and comfy slippers, seems to make it better.

I live for these moments.

Condensation on the windows, dark mornings and pretty lights.

I was thinking about my life the other morning and the kind of person I am, or rather who I have become.  One thing is pretty clear, and that is, that it's taken me a long time to be completely content in who I am and how I live.

I used to think that I had to live like everyone else did, and if I liked something but it didn't fit into what others believed or thought was the cool thing, then I had to hide it, or pretend I wasn't interested, or even change it.  But as I did that, I realized that I wasn't living the life I wanted and at one point, I got so tired of having to justify myself or what I believed in, that I just stopped.

"Why would you want to live a simple life, why do you like doilies that is such an old people thing, why isn't your house decorated with the latest color scheme, why don't you want to live in the city, why do you want a farmhouse/country kind of look no one wants that."

Why?

Because I do, that's just who I am and what I like.  I am all about the simple things, simple life, simple house, simple daily chores.  Canning and crocheting, cups of coffee, washing dishes in the sink, flowers picked from the yard and brought in to display on mason jars.

“The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift, not a right.

Next to faith this is the highest art –

to be content with the calling in which God has placed you.”

– Martin Luther

I will be completely and fully honest right now, and tell you that aside from homemaking, being a wife and mother, I am totally winging everything else in life.  It's almost like I feel out of place constantly and wishing to be surrounded by like minded individuals.

I'll scroll through social media, or watch TV and it becomes glaringly obvious that I don't fit in and don't want to. 

It's such a strange thing to me, it's like missing something that you never had, like living in the wrong era.

And so I block out the outside world views and move on, dusting a window here, washing a curtain there, preparing a meal for the family or kneading some dough for a fresh loaf of bread.

The only one whose opinion really matters, is that of God's and I believe that this is my calling, the life He saw fit for me.  So I'll obey and continue on my path, living this simple life and doing this simple work.

{ It would be night in Caracas by Karina Sainz Borgo - TLC Book Tours }

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: HarperVia (October 15, 2019)

Told with gripping intensity, It Would be Night in Caracas chronicles one woman’s desperate battle to survive amid the dangerous, sometimes deadly, turbulence of modern Venezuela and the lengths she must go to secure her future.

In Caracas, Venezuela, Adelaida Falcón stands over an open grave. Alone, she buries her mother—the only family she has ever known—and worries that when night falls thieves will rob the grave. Even the dead cannot find peace here.

Adelaida had a stable childhood in a prosperous Venezuela that accepted immigrants in search of a better life, where she lived with her single-mother in a humble apartment. But now? Every day she lines up for bread that will inevitably be sold out by the time she reaches the registers. Every night she tapes her windows to shut out the tear gas raining down on protesters.

When looters masquerading as revolutionaries take over her apartment, Adelaida must make a series of gruesome choices in order to survive in a country disintegrating into anarchy, where citizens are increasingly pitted against each other. But just how far is she willing to go?

A bold new voice from Latin America, Karina Sainz Borgo’s touching, thrilling debut is an ode to the Venezuelan people and a chilling reminder of how quickly the world we know can crumble.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Photo by Lisbeth Salas

About Karina Sainz Borgo

Karina Sainz Borgo was born and raised in Caracas. She began her career in Venezuela as a journalist for El Nacional. Since immigrating to Spain ten years ago, she has written for Vozpópuli and collaborates with the literary magazine Zenda. She is the author of two nonfiction books, Tráfico y Guaire (2008) and Caracas Hip-Hop (2008). It Would Be Night in Caracas is her first work of fiction.
Follow her on Twitter.


My Thoughts:

 I had always heard about Venezuela's tumultuous history, so when I had the opportunity to review this book, I was quite excited.

The story follows Adelaida, trying to survive in a chaotic Venezuela that is quickly slipping into anarchy.  The home she once knew as a wonderful place to live, is now fraught with hardships. 

For someone like me who loves history and actually knows a bit of what the author was talking about, it made perfect sense, but I think someone who comes into it not knowing a single thing about the country's history, they may find themselves a bit confused.

There wasn't a lot of background given, or details or much of anything explaining the actual history, other than how Adelaida was reacting to it.  The story itself is heartbreaking and I couldn't imagine having to live through something like that.

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

{ Slow Day }

As my stress levels hit an all time high, I realized that it was not only affecting me mentally but physically too.  That is usually when I switch gears and force myself to slow down, to have a slow, cozy day surrounded by the things I love.

There was much needing done around the house, and so I slipped the apron over my head, tied the straps behind my back, took a deep breath and just got busy.

I started with the dishes, since there's always piles in the sink, no matter how many times I run the dishwasher or hand wash.  While I was standing at the sink, I took the sprayer from the faucet and quickly gave the window a quick wash too.

With the weather turning cold the past week, we've lit the fire twice, which means ashes needing to be cleared out from the fireplace.  It's not a chore I particularly enjoy but I do like a clean fireplace, so I got right to work.

I cleared out all the ashes, then gave the metal border and the glass doors a really good clean.  I then swept and vacuumed the brickwork and left the fireplace looking spotless.  I can't believe I didn't take a photo to show you, I'll have to do that tomorrow.

I also emptied out the ash bucket, gave it a clean, and restocked some firewood in the basket.

As I moved around the house, doing this and that, the rain started outside.  Within a few minutes the house darkened so much that it looked like nighttime, so I lit some lamps and candle warmers and continued working under the cozy lighting.

I finished off a few loads of laundry, including one of kitchen towels and tablecloths.  Just because it was raining outside, didn't mean that I needed to run my big dryer for this load, so I set them up in the living room and let them sit overnight.

All I need to do now is iron them.  Maybe you think I'm strange for ironing kitchen towels and tablecloths, but I was raised by my great grandmother and she always instilled in me this love for homemaking, even in those menial tasks we would otherwise find useless to do.

Furniture was polished, floors were vacuumed, windows were washed and rooms set to order.

There is something so calming and peaceful about a clean room.  I don't often show you Curt's office, I don't know why because it is one of my favorite rooms in the house, but maybe I'll do that another time.

I have to tell you that I truly do love this house, and I would be extremely happy, and blessed, were we given the opportunity to buy it and stay forever.

But I know that this is all in God's hands and I'm letting Him take the reign. 

We may not have the certainty that this home will be ours, it will be a few more weeks until we know for sure, but for the moment,  I plan on enjoying it and loving it, just as much as if I already knew the outcome. 

And so, even in the uncertainty, I take the utmost care in every room that I clean, in every corner that I decorate, every floor I sweep or window I wash. 

It doesn't take but a bit of my time and effort, and it's the least I can give back to these four walls that have given us so much love the past 4 years.

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 11/04/2019 }

Good morning friends, happy Monday and welcome to another Happy Homemaker Monday.

Things around here have been stressful to say the least, if you've read my latest post you will understand, so be sure to check it out below.

Much as it's all stressful and up in the air, the Lord has also been moving mountains and making things happen for us, and it's been pure joy to sit back and watch Him work.  If only I had learned how to just sit, do my part and then wait, instead of expecting things to happen when I want them to, or how I want them to.

This whole situation has been a huge lesson for both Curt and I, it's been hard, it's been terrifying, it's been eye opening, but we have also learned a lot and continue to feel blessed.

If you could please keep us in your prayers, I would truly appreciate it.

Right, now that is out of the way, let's get right into our Happy Homemaker Monday.

The weather outside is::::

It is currently 47 degrees, so warmer than it's been lately.  This week we seem to be hitting some 70 degree days which is just so weird to me, from 20s and 30s to 70s, but hey ho, that is how this crazy weather is. 

Monday - Sunny,  71
Tuesday - Partly cloudy, 66
Wednesday - Scattered Thunderstorms,65
Thursday - Showers, 55
Friday - Partly cloudy, 52
Saturday - Partly cloudy, 65
Sunday - Partly cloudy, 65

On the breakfast plate this morning::::

Coffee with White Chocolate Raspberry creamer, toast with tomato jam.      

As I look outside my window:::

I don't particularly care for the whole daylight savings time change, but I must say that I do enjoy being able to get up in the morning and seeing the sun coming up, instead of it being pitch black.  Right now, the sun is shining through the bedroom windows, you can tell the crispness of the morning outside by the dew on the grass, so everything is glistening.       

Right now I am::::

Sitting in bed, working on this post.       

As I look around the house::::

I have taken down the Halloween decorations and now I need to give the house a good clean.  It's not that it isn't clean, but I always like to spruce it up anytime I switch out decorations. 

I have clean couch slipcovers hanging on my dining room chairs, I need to put them back on the couches today.  There are couch decorative pillows on the floor, Marley threw them off  LOL    

On today's to do list::::

Laundry....I have a big comforter and bed linens to wash.     
Cleaning....As I mentioned above, I need to give the house a good clean.  I also want to try and clean my living room and den windows.   
Homeschooling....Game Design, Chemistry test, Algebra Discussion and a couple other lessons to get through.    
Crocheting....I started Part 3 of the Rozeta CAL.  I find when I'm stressed and need some down time, crocheting helps me relax and stay focused. 
Cooking.....Lunch will probably be some Grilled Cheese and Ham.   Dinner will be Chicken and Dumplings.  I also need to get some homemade bread going and hubby and the kids have asked for some sort of dessert.   

On the menu this week::::

Monday - Chicken and Dumplings
Tuesday - Classic Cheesy Chili Loaded Frito Pie, Salad
Wednesday - Slow Cooked Cubed Steaks, Mashed Potatoes
Thursday - Butter Chicken, Basmati Rice
Friday -  Cheesy Kielbasa Bake, Garlic Bread
Saturday - Pork Chops, Cubed Fried Potatoes, Broccoli with Cheese Sauce
Sunday - Potato Soup, Sandwiches

Currently reading::::

It would be night in Caracas by Karina Sainz Borgo.

On the TV this week::::

Youtube:
Homemaking Vlogs
True Crime Documentaries


TV:
Sanditon
Catherine the Great
His Dark Materials
Poldark

What I am creating at the moment::::

Rozeta CAL from Lilla Bjorn.     

New recipe I tried or want to try this week::::

Two of the recipes on the menu are new, the chili frito pie and the chicken and dumplings.  I'll let you all know how those were.       

Favorite photo from the camera:::: 

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

♥♥♥ Curt's stepfather is in hospital at the moment.  He needs open heart surgery.  Please keep him in your prayers.
♥♥♥ My mother in law and her continuing fight with breast cancer.
♥♥♥ Curt and I need prayers through this house situation.  We know it will be ok in the end, we know God has it, but it is so stressful and we have no clue what we are doing.  It's such a humbling feeling too.  I try to be strong, and I guess I'm just thankful that God loves us enough to continue forgiving us for our shortcomings, because as a human being, we can't help but feel anxious and stressed and scared.  Just so you all know where we are at the moment, we made an offer, the owner accepted, and now we move forward with the VA loan process, which means appraiser coming out and so on.  This is a dream of Curt and I and I'm just so thankful that we have come this far.