{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 04/12/2021 }

Good morning sweet ladies, how was your weekend?  Hope you were able to get some rest and good time in with your families.

 

I had a restful weekend, for the first time in months, and it felt so good.  Sunday was kind of a forced rest, we have a stomach bug going around in the area, and I think I was hit with it.  Went to bed Saturday night feeling a bit unwell, and woke up Sunday with stomach cramps and having to stay practically in the bathroom all day, and dealing with nausea.  

 

I was ok and am much better this morning, but yesterday was also my son Nick's 18th birthday so it was a bummer to be feeling that way.

 

Anyway, onto a new week.  I hope you all have a blessed one, with lots of homemaking, loving on your families and good vibes.

 

♥♥The Weather♥♥ 

Had a pretty warm week last week, but this week we are going back down to the 60s and welcoming in a lot of rain.   

Monday - Partly cloudy, 71

Tuesday -  PM showers, 69

Wednesday - PM Showers, 69

Thursday -  Cloudy, 62

Friday - Showers, 60

Saturday -  Partly cloudy, 61

Sunday -  Partly cloudy, 66

 

♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥

Much better than yesterday but still a little unwell.  You know how it is when you have a stomach bug, and start to come out of it.  You feel ok but your stomach is still turning a bit, you still feel somewhat nauseous etc.   

 ♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥

I had a cup of coffee around 5am, but didn't enjoy it, actually thinking back on it, I probably shouldn't have had coffee with my stomach the way it is.  *facepalm*

I had two pieces of toast, and now I'm having some Cinnamon Apricot Tea. 

♥♥On my reading pile♥♥ 

I am now in Micah so quickly inching towards the New Testament.   

Couple review books and some new ones from my own library.  I have a post going up tomorrow showing you what is on my reading list.

 

 

 ♥♥On my tv♥♥

Youtube homemaking vlogs from Brasil.  

I'm sitting down today to compile a list of shows I want to either catch up on, or watch.  There are a couple of new period dramas I want to see, some Christian ones too and some documentaries.  

♥♥On the menu this week♥♥ 

Have to work on the new meal plan sometime this week.

Monday - Easy Chicken Low Mein, Dumplings

Tuesday - Fiesta Salad, Sauteed Kobucha Squash 

Wednesday - Garlic Butter Chicken, Basmati Rice, Beans

Thursday - Pork Fried Rice, Vegetable Egg Rolls

Friday -*Grocery Shopping*

Saturday - Sheet Pan Pepperoni Pizza

Sunday -

♥♥Looking around the house♥♥

The back screen door is open and Elliott is laying by it, watching the birds on the feeder.  Every once in a while he will do that cat chatter thing.  It is so cute to watch. 

Marley is laying at my feet as I type this at the dinner table.  

I need to do some picking up and tidying later today, but other than that, the house is clean.    

♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥

Read, I am so excited to get into my pile of books.

♥♥From the camera♥♥

This bench, this bench has a story.  It lived outside my in laws house, for so many years.  Matter of fact, I have a photo taken before my father in law's funeral, where I am 31 weeks pregnant with Nicholas, and I'm standing right by this bench.

 

As many of you already know, when my mother in law passed away in September of 2020, she left her house to my husband his brother.  When we went back to look at the house, there it was, still in the same place, but old, beat up, the wood warped and broken off, missing screws, and sitting a bit sideways. 

 

Last week, when we had to go back to deal with contractors, I said to Curt "It breaks my heart to see this bench looking like this.  I wish we could keep it forever."

He looked at me and said "we can, I can fix it up, change the wood, add new hardware, and you can paint it.  It will look great on our porch."

 

And that is what we did.  We loaded it into the back of the truck, brought it home, and immediately Curt got to work.  He  quickly cut all the wood out, replaced it and attached it, and now it is waiting for me to paint it (hopefully this week).

But just looking at it already, has brought so much joy not only to us both but our children.  This is a place they can go and sit, feel closer to grandma and grandpa, and always have them nearby. 

 

♥♥Something I want to share♥♥ 

I was a bit surprised that so many of you didn't know Tasha Tudor.  When I shared her video last week, I almost felt a bit silly doing it, thinking that everyone would have already seen it.  Hahah

Glad I could introduce you to the wonderful world of Tasha Tudor.

 

Today's video is from Her 86m2, one of my faves on Youtube, and it's called Reduce Waste at Home. 

 

Hope you enjoy ♥  

♥♥Devotional, inspirational, prayer list or Bible verse♥♥

{ Around here }

 

 

*knock knock*

Hello everyone!!!

It is Thursday morning, the 8th of April, and I had a few moments so thought I would come in and chat a little.

Life has been, well, LIFE!

I think that about sums everything up.  Day to day chores, some struggles, some stress, and a whole lot of trying to keep our heads above water.  Sometimes I feel like Dory in Little Nemo "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming swimming swimming......"

 

I'm not quite sure when the last time was that I came in and did a post, updating or talking about what was going on around here.  I guess I should have checked first, but that's ok, I know it's been a while.

So much has been happening though, goodness.  For one, we have not had a single weekend to relax since the beginning of the year.  Every weekend has included some sort of busy schedule, a lot of traveling back and forth between our home and my mother in laws.

That is a stress on a whole different level.  I won't go into detail but basically, the two contractors that she had hired before passing, both ditched us with the bathroom and kitchen undone.  It is now up to us to finish them off, get the house ready for sale and pray that the right buyer comes along.

It hasn't been easy paying for two households, but it will be ok, God's got it.

 

One thing I focus on a lot in my spare moments, is homemaking and doing what I love.  Growing things, fixing meals, cleaning and even ironing.  I know, some of you are probably shocked right now, but what can I say, I actually love ironing.

 

Our Marley has also been keeping us busy and somewhat stressed. He has been dealing with bad allergies and some sort of infection that the Vet couldn't figure out.  He had him on two weeks treatment of steroids and antibiotics and that seemed to help, but didn't completely lower his white blood cell count, so he is now thinking that it may just be allergy related.

In the middle of all that, he had swollen lymph nodes, which resulted in two completely blood panels being done, and thankfully no cancer.  His left eye also got pretty red, so right now we are doing Benadryl and just keeping an eye on him.  We only need to take him back in if he becomes lethargic or we see that he is really unwell.

It's been a stressful 3 weeks.  Our pets are our babies and I was just beside myself when the lymph nodes started swelling and there were blood tests being done and all this hanging above our heads.  

 

I've kept my sanity by staying busy with housework.  Sometimes keeping our minds busy helps to keep the anxiety and worry away.  That and a lot of praying, I mean a LOT of praying.  I think I've talked more to God the past 2 months, than my whole life time.

 

 

Reading has also been a much welcomed reprieve, and thankfully I have a ton of review books to get through, plus my own book collection which continues to grow.  

 

Am I the only one who can't pass up a good book?  Especially when they're on the sale rack?  I mean, a dollar book is not something I can pass up.  I'll have to show you the latest I picked up, and some that I traded in through Paperbackswap.

 

 

 If I could, I think I would be happy living inside a library.  Just imagine being surrounded by stacks and stacks of books of all genres, on every side, and inhaling the scent of book pages.  That probably sounds a bit weird to say out loud, but I have a feeling many of you will understand what I'm saying and even nod in agreement.

 

Something else I've been trying to focus more on, is cooking and baking. With all the running around, I feel like I haven't been cooking as much as I would like to. 

So I've been in the kitchen more, trying new recipes and hoping to kick start my interest back in sharing recipes on the food blog.  Not just because I love sharing with you all, but even for myself, I love having a bunch of different recipes for myself and for my children to look back on when they're out on their own.

The picture above is from an Instant Pot Caramel Pudding I made, that turned out delicious.  It's so easy to make and so quick too.  I will share the recipe sometime this week, and if not, then this weekend it will be on the food blog.

We are also down to the crunch with Nick's school, and in just a little over a month, my baby boy will be graduating High School.  That will be it for me, no more babies at home.  He is also turning 18 this Sunday, so there's that as well.  Good grief time flies.

Jasmine is doing brilliantly in her new job.  She has already been promoted and made it to the top 10 reps in the country.  Wow!!!

We are so proud of her and her accomplishments.

Curt is also doing extremely well with his college courses.  His new classes just started 3 weeks ago and he is really enjoying his courses.  He is taking Evangelism and something else, I can't remember now what it is.  

Elliott is being his usual adorable naughty kitten.  He is so good for the most part, and then every few weeks he has a day or two of craziness.  Has to be up high on all my furniture, kitchen cupboards, bathroom window etc.  Zips around like a tornado, jumps on people, chases the dog, and so on.  Life with a cat right?

As for me, I am just taking care of everyone and the home, trying to keep it together, praying, reading my Bible, homeschooling and driving people to appointments, while still plodding along with the whole perimenopause journey.  

That's basically what has been happening around here.  I hope you are all doing well, and thank you again for always checking on me and praying for our family and pets.  It means so much.

I'll be back tomorrow to show you the latest books on the shelf and anything else that I manage to do and take pictures of, around here.

Until then, have a blessed Thursday friends.

Xoxoxo

{ The Girl in the Painting by Tea Cooper - TLC Book Tours }

Paperback: 384 Pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 9, 2021)

A young prodigy in need of family. A painting that shatters a woman’s peace. And a decades-old mystery demanding to be solved.

Australia, 1906

Orphan Jane Piper is nine years old when philanthropist siblings Michael and Elizabeth Quinn take her into their home to further her schooling. The Quinns are no strangers to hardship— having arrived in Australia as penniless immigrants, they now care for others as lost as they once were.

Despite Jane’s mysterious past, her remarkable aptitude for mathematics takes her far over the next seven years, and her relationship with Elizabeth and Michael flourishes as she plays an increasingly prominent part in their business.

But when Elizabeth reacts in terror to an exhibition at the local gallery, Jane realizes no one knows Elizabeth after all—not even Elizabeth herself. As the past and the present converge and Elizabeth’s grasp on reality loosens, Jane sets out to unravel Elizabeth’s story before it is too late.

From the gritty reality of the Australian goldfields to the grand institutions of Sydney, this compelling novel takes us on a mystery across continents and decades as both women finally discover a place to call home.

Purchase Links

Thomas Nelson | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 

About Tea Cooper

Tea Cooper is an Australian author of historical and contemporary fiction. In a past life she was a teacher, a journalist and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling.

Connect with Tea

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

REVIEW:

 

I absolutely loved this book.  This is just my kind of story, historical fiction, a wonderful set of lovable characters and a story that leaves you intrigued and wanting more with each page that you turn.

We are taken to 1906 in Australia, where we meet orphan Jane Piper.

The book then jumps between 1913 and the 1860s and 1870s, as we get to know Elizabeth and Michael as they move to Australia and begin a new life.

The siblings are middle aged when they adopt (so to speak), Jane and bring her into their home.  It almost had an Anne of Green Gables feel to it, which I really enjoyed.

I have never been a huge fan of books that skip back and forth through time, I understand the necessity for it and it does help develop the story and an understanding of where each character comes from, but I'm just not that into it.

However, with that said Tea Cooper did a brilliant job in her storytelling, so much so that it didn't bother me at all, and if anything it was much needed to tell this story and help me connect the dots.

Jane is an outstanding in math, a skill that ensures her a place at the Quinn's business and a place of trust in their heart.  She becomes part of the family, but hidden behind the sweet faces and the kind hearts, lie mysteries that have never been divulged.  In her eagerness to find out more about the siblings and their beginnings, Jane may just unearth secrets that Michael has held close to his heart for decades.

This story touches on bonds, those created in blood and those forged in their heart.  It also touches on immigration and the importance of the immigrants that help mold a nation into what it is.

As an immigrant in the United States, myself, I particularly enjoyed this  part of the story, as I feel that many times immigrants are looked at as just nuisances who come in to take something from the country's own citizens.  That is simply not true, and Cooper did an amazing job of highlighting those aspects while telling such a sweet story that will leave you wanting more by the time you turn the last page.

Definitely a must read.  The Girl in the Painting has earned a spot on my beloved book shelf.

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Thomas Nelson, for providing me with a review copy of this book.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

{ It's Never Too Late by Kathie Lee Gifford - TLC Book Tours }

 

Publisher : Thomas Nelson (December 1, 2020)

Hardcover : 224 pages

NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, and USA TODAY BESTSELLER

Former Today show host Kathie Lee Gifford draws on stories from her remarkable life to weave together a beautiful reminder that whatever circumstances we face, God is still dreaming big for our years ahead.

When Kathie Lee Gifford stepped down as cohost of the fourth hour of the Today show with Hoda Kotb, you might have thought her best days were behind her. It turns out, she was just getting started. As Kathie Lee says, “I’m not retiring; I’m refiring!”

Taking us from her Chesapeake Bay childhood when she first heard God’s calling, to her skyrocketing fame with Regis, to her decision to leave television for Nashville, Kathie Lee inspires us to pursue what really matters. Because it’s never too late to forgive, to dance the cha-cha, or to make a difference in the world.

God placed His dreams in your heart for a reason. And like Kathie Lee, you might just discover that the best is yet to come. Whether you’re an empty nester, newly single, navigating a career change, or just eager for any change, Kathie Lee helps you hear God’s loving calling because It’s Never Too Late to . . .

• Begin Again
• Make Sparks Fly
• Leave a Good Thing
• Have a Party
• Change the Ending, Then Change It Again

Is it time for you to rewrite your story, unearth your hidden passions, and live with a renewed purpose? It’s never too late.

Purchase Links

 Thomas Nelson | Amazon |Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble 

About Kathie Lee Gifford

Kathie Lee Gifford, four-time Emmy Award winner, is best known for her eleven years cohosting the popular fourth hour of the Today show alongside Hoda Kotb. Gifford continues to pursue her dreams as an actress, singer, songwriter, playwright, producer, and most recently, director. She has authored numerous books, including her most recent children’s book, The Gift That I Can Give, and four New York Times bestselling books, including The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi.

 

Connect with Kathie Lee

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 REVIEW:

 

Kathie Lee Gifford is a name known in many homes.   When I first think of her, I always go right back to her TV days with Regis Philbin.  I used to love watching them together, they were light and funny and became a daily company for me and I'm sure many others.

 

There is a foreword by one of my favorite people on Earth, Dolly Parton.  Dolly talks about having dreams and goals and how important it is to fight for and work your hardest to achieve to them.

Kathie is an accomplished woman, in many ways.  But no matter what she has done, or succeeded in, her faith in God and her relationship with Him, has been her driving force through many stages of her life.  It is those stages in life that she takes us through in her new book It's Never Too Late:  Make the next act of your life the best act of your life.

The book is divided into short chapters that inspire us to keep going, no matter your age.  She specifically wants to let us know that there is never a Too Old for anything, or Too Old to start again.  You're alive, you're breathing, you're good to go, essentially.

As Kathie Lee says, “I’m not retiring; I’m refiring!”

 

One of the biggest lessons to take from this book, is about forgiveness.  Many of us look at forgiveness as a haunting word, an obstacle that we can't get past.  If someone hurts us deeply, then that hurt remains etched in our hearts for all eternity.  

 

Kathie talks about the importance of forgiving, not just as a healing process for ourselves, but also for the person we forgive. 

She takes us through her life, from childhood to the point she is in now.  The lessons, the encounters, funny moments, scary occurrences and the ups and downs of life as a Christian.  

I absolutely loved her book, and as I inch closer to 50 years old, it really does remind me to not think of my life as closer to ending, but rather as a new chapter emerging.  

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Thomas Nelson, for providing me with a review copy of this book.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 04/05/2021 }

Good morning everyone!

Hope you all had a blessed Easter with your family, and remembered what we are truly celebrating.  

I had a very busy weekend again, we've been back and forth trying to deal with my mother in law's house (now my husband's and his brother's).  We are trying to get it ready to sell, but there is so much to do, so many things to deal with, contractors and so forth.  It's a lot.

Anyway, the weekend has gone by, and we haven't had a break.  We both woke up super sore, and pretty tired, but it is what it is, so onwards and forwards with the new week.

Wishing you all a wonderful blessed week ahead.  Now let's see what's happening in our homes....

 

♥♥The Weather♥♥ 

Think we skipped right into summer.  It's going to be 81 today, goodness Texas. 

Monday - Mix of clouds and sun, 81

Tuesday -  Partly cloudy, 87

Wednesday - Sunny, 78

Thursday -  Sunny, 82

Friday - Partly cloudy, 83

Saturday -  Sunny, 80

Sunday -  Partly cloudy, 85

 

♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥

Sore lower back, sciatica is absolutely kicking my behind this past week.  My feet hurt too, and hubby is feeling pretty much the same way I am.  I think the only time we actually sat down, was yesterday in church.  The rest of the weekend we were on our feet, back and forth. 

 ♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥

Just had a cup of coffee, not sure what I'll eat later.  

♥♥On my reading pile♥♥ 

Starting Hosea in the Bible. 

Couple review books.

 

 

 ♥♥On my tv♥♥

Just random Youtube Videos.  

I am so behind on my Portuguese soaps, that I've kind of given up on them.  

♥♥On the menu this week♥♥ 

 

Monday - Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Salad

Tuesday - Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans (this poor meatloaf has been on the menu the past few weeks)

Wednesday - French Onion Smothered Pork Chops, Rice, Fried Cabbage

Thursday - Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta, Salad

Friday - Steaks with pepper sauce, fried potatoes, steamed broccoli

Saturday - Grilled Pizza Bratwurst, Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos, Potato Salad

Sunday - Sheet Pan Pepperoni Pizza

 

♥♥Looking around the house♥♥

Thankfully I got my house clean yesterday afternoon, so aside from the usual pick up here and there, I don't have much to do in that area.

I have my bedroom windows open letting in the most wonderful breeze.  The scent of grass and morning dew is so strong, but I absolutely love it.   

♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥

I honestly don't know, but if I get some time to relax, I will most likely be reading. 

♥♥Something I want to share♥♥ 

I'm pretty certain we all know who Tasha Tudor is.  I still really enjoy watching her videos, and so this morning, I wanted to share one of her garden.  So beautiful, so simple but yet effective.  I would love to have her garden on my property.  

 

Hope you enjoy ♥  

 

 

 

♥♥Devotional, inspirational, prayer list or Bible verse♥♥

I thought I would keep with the celebration of our Lord's resurrection, so today's verse is about just that, and what it means for us as His children. 1 Peter 1:3: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."