{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 11/15/2021 }

 

Good morning everyone, welcome back!

I am a little late, well later than usual, getting this post up.  I had to drop Jasmine off at work very early this morning, and when I returned home, my behind made a beeline for the coffee.  Now that I'm settled with a hot cup, let's get going.

 

Have a wonderful blessed week, friends. 

♥♥The Weather♥♥ 

We still seem to be playing the, cold as bitter in the morning, with icy lawns, and then hot as Hades in the afternoon, game.  I'm ready to just embrace the cooler temps, but I don't think mother nature is listening to me just yet.   

 

♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥

I'm feeling good.  It's been a long time since I've felt content and joyful, truly joyful.  It's been a year and a half at least, so to wake up feeling this way, is amazing.  I thank God for that. 

 

 

♥♥On my mind♥♥ 

The Lord has delivered us from a tough situation.  I am not going to go into details, because truthfully there are things that are personal, family related and so on, that don't need to be talked about.  But, it was a situation that had me feeling pretty sad and stressed, and I prayed on it the past year, religiously, without ceasing, always waiting on the Lord's timing, and He came through.  In a big way.  Maybe one day I'll talk about it, if the person involved is ok with that.  But, yes, that is on my mind, feeling extremely grateful to God right now.       
 

 

 ♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥

I've just had some toast with butter, and a second cup of coffee, with White Chocolate Raspberry Creamer.   

          

♥♥Right now I am♥♥

Are you ready for this?  For once, not still in bed, but sitting on my couch with the TV on in the background, while I type up this post.

♥♥What I'm wearing today♥♥

Jeans, grey v neck top with a grey sweater, with big ruffle sleeves.  Of course slippers are on my feet, does anyone else immediately change to slippers as soon as they get home?   

 

♥♥On my reading pile♥♥ 

I completed 3 plans on my Bible app, and I'm also starting on Genesis again today.  I am so excited to do it, can't even put it into words.

Also reading Francine Rivers A Lineage of Grace.  

 

♥♥On today's to do list♥♥

Dropped Jasmine off early this morning, and am picking her up at 2pm.  

 

Finishing off this post, then starting on cleaning the house.  I am about to fill it with Christmas decorations, I am just really excited for Christmas this year and can't wait.  

Also need to look up some ideas for Thanksgiving dinner, the table setting, food etc.

 ♥♥On my tv♥♥

Homemaking vlogs

Dexter

♥♥What I'm listening to♥♥

Air1 Worship radio

♥♥On the menu this week♥♥

Monday - Beef Fajitas, Tortilla Chips, Salsa

Tuesday - Amish Country Poor Man's Steak, Mash, Veggies

Wednesday - Creamy Bacon Chicken, Noodles, Salad

Thursday - Portuguese Pork Chops and Potatoes, Sauteed Collard Greens

Friday - Creamy Beef and Shells

Saturday - Panda Express Chow Mein with Chicken

Sunday -  Leftovers, Sandwiches

 

♥♥From the camera♥♥

This past Saturday, our church family threw a baby shower for Tiffany.  These ladies are so sweet, so caring and just absolutely amazing.  From the food to the decorations, and the cutest gifts baby boy received.

 

We are so thankful to our church.  

♥♥Looking around the house♥♥

It's a bit of a tip at the moment, well, the living room at least because I'm moving things around getting ready for Thanksgiving.  Need to vacuum and dust and put things right.  

  

♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥

Try to read if I have some time, but with the holidays around the corner, I'll be working on lists, food prep and some homemade decorations.  

     

♥♥On my prayer list♥♥ 

My wonderful sister in law, has her last treatment this week.  She has an appointment with her surgeon next week to set up surgery and then has radiation to do as well, before she can take a breather.  Please pray and come into agreement for the Lord's will to be done, for complete healing in her body, and for that cancer to be crushed and cast out in Jesus name.

For our country and administration.  

For the world in general.

{ Let's catch up }

Good morning ladies! 

 

It's been a while.  Couple of weeks at least, since I've sat down and just talked, shared, updated and had a cup of coffee with you all.

 

I have another busy day today, but I felt so pushed to come in and just share.  Share the photos I've been taking, because even though I haven't been posting them, they've been accumulating in my camera, and so this weekend, I did a photo dump, edited everything I had, uploaded it to my Flickr Account and cleaned out the card to start again.

 

So let's start, grab a cup of coffee or tea, sit back and let me just chit chat for a few minutes.....hopefully, though if you know me you know that sometimes I just start talking and keep going.  *snicker*

♥ Deer ♥

I love this time of the year. The weather gets cooler, the leaves start turning and our property gets an influx of deer.  Big bucks, does and fawns, all colors and sizes.  It is fascinating and I always thank God for his works of art.  The beauty of this animals is just unlike anything else.  

 

 

♥ Cleaning and organizing ♥

In between my errands, chauffeur mom duties, cooking, etc.  I have been slowly organizing and cleaning out a room at a time.

 

I keep my house clean and tidy, but we all know that things tend to pile up, it's just normal for a day to day household, and we as moms are always going around trying to get things back where they belong.  But even as moms we tend to sometimes leave a pile of laundry on the couch for a day, or a stack of books in a corner of the room waiting to be put on the shelf.  

 

It's those little things that have been bothering me, so I have been making it a priority to pick up, organize and put away all the random bits and bobs around the house. 

 

♥ Preparing for the holidays ♥

I've started making plans for Thanksgiving, planning, buying food for the meals, working on Christmas gift lists and getting ready for the holidays.

I can not wait to celebrate, especially this year.  We have so much to be thankful for, even in the middle of the uncertainty and chaotic world we live in.  This Thanksgiving we will be giving thanks for another year gone by, for the blessings God bestowed upon us, for a new baby boy due in December and for my sister in law finishing her treatments on the 19th of November.  

With all this in mind, one of the first things I do every year, is make my fruitcakes.  It didn't happen last year though, if you remember it was right after my sweet mother in law passed away, so we didn't celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas the way we usually do.  We just didn't have it in us to do.

But, the fruitcakes are baked this year, and instead of the usual rum I use to drizzle on top, I decided to try something different.  Kahlua Salted Caramel Liqueur.  It tastes amazing in the fruit cake.  Yes, I always take a little bit to try and make sure they're good.  

Speaking of which, I need to go and give the cakes another drizzle this morning.

 

 

♥ Reading ♥ 

Reading has come back into my heart, with a bang.  I missed it so much.  I have this tremendous love for books.  My shelves are full, and anytime I am in a bookstore, I can't help but purchase one or two more.  There is just something about a physical book in my hands, that brings such joy to my heart.

 

Among the review books that I have, I also have my own piles of books waiting to be read.  I don't always have the time for mine because my review books take priority, but when I have a little break in that commitment, I immediately grab one of mine.

The review book I just finished is called The Book of Timothy and it is a true story, based on quite a famous case from many years ago.  It is the story of Timothy Nockels who was abused by a Catholic priest.  It's quite hard to read because of the circumstances, but a very good book nonetheless.

From my own pile, I have grabbed Francine River's A Lineage of Grace which tells the fictional stories, of 5 very important women in the lineage of Jesus Christ.  Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary.

I also have Sons of Encouragement which is also part of the same series, and tells the fictional story of Aaron, Caleb, Jonathan, Amos and Silas.  That sounds like a phenomenal book too.

 

♥ Sweet Elliott Time ♥

This little boy has crept into my heart and has been a life saver, since my heart broke in August, when my Marley left.  I don't talk about it much because I am still grieving.  

I have not been Ok. I still cry, I still miss him, I still don't understand why this happened and I still hurt like nothing I've ever felt before.  But Elliott has been my little shadow.  He is quite naughty at times, and that's expected since he is just a year old, but he follows me around, snuggles up next to me in bed or the couch for naps, and gets so happy when he seems me get up each morning.

He immediately starts purring, rubbing against my legs, drops and just lays at my feet, closing his eyes while I pet him.  He plays with me, he loves playing fetch with the aluminum foil balls, he loves laying in the kitchen while I cook.  He is just my companion and I thank God every day for him.

 

 

♥ Fall Cooking ♥

I love cooking all year long, but Fall and Winter time just brings forth all the stick to your ribs, filling, yummy stews and soups.  We've had soup a few times already, starting with the one I just posted above which was a Portuguese bean soup, with sausage and potato and carrots.  It was one of the best soups we have ever eaten, so good, so filling and thick and tummy warming.

 

I also made an Amish Chicken recipe which was delicious and so easy to make.  I'll have that recipe on the blog later today.

 

 

Curt is still working on his Master's Degree, he will be done in March of 2022.  He has been listening to the Lord and trying to figure out what and where He is leading him, and lately he has felt the pull to do Youth Ministry, so he has talked to our church pastor about it.  We are praying on it and will see where God takes us.

Jasmine has been doing amazing at driving.  She loves it, she has a renewed confidence about her that I am incredibly grateful for.  She is loving work, loving her cowokers, has gone out with them after work and is just living life to the fullest at the moment.  As always we pray for her and continually ask the Holy spirit to pursue her heart.

Nick is also starting his journey towards getting his driver's license as well, and he is trying to figure out where to go with his future.  He is not sure if he wants to go to college or go straight to work.  We are praying on that as well, that God continues to guide him.

I'm doing well, I'm still holding on to the Lord's hand and continuing on my own spiritual journey.  It has been life changing in so many ways, I am so much more aware of everything around me.  I never understood discernment until last year, and now I can't imagine life without it.

I hope to do a full post on discernment, what it is, and why you need it.

And that's it my friends.  You are all caught up on what has been happening around here.  Just plain ol' living, being with family and keeping our heads above the water in this crazy world.

Have a blessed Tuesday, thank you as always for coming by to see me and leaving such sweet comments.  I really appreciate them.

I'm going to end this post here, go and give my fruitcakes their weekly boozy bath, and make myself a salad for lunch, before I have to step out to pick Jasmine up from work.

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 11/08/2021 }

Good morning everyone!  

 

Welcome back to my blog.  I know, I know, lately all you really see here are these Monday posts and some book tours.  It's not what my blog is about, well, maybe for the moment, but hopefully not for long.

 

So where have I been, what have I been doing?   Just living folks, just living life and going with the flow.  This year has flown by, I can't believe we are in November already, and just around the corner from Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Crazy!!!

 

I really need to a proper post updating and chatting with you all, but need to find the time for that.  I haven't been very active on Instagram either, just been keeping to myself and my family, and concentrating on family life.

 

So yes, that's basically where I've been and what I've been doing.

 

I wish you all a blessed week ahead, may everything you pray for be answered by the God.  May there be miracles, breakthroughs and revelations sprung forth, for you and your family. 

♥♥The Weather♥♥ 

Blissful, that's all I can think of.  The hot weather is gone, the cool has come in and I'm all here for it.  Most of the week we will be in the 60s, which in my books is perfect weather.  Not hot, and not cold.     

 

♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥

I'm doing good, except for the finger thing.  So it is not the bite, it's not infected.  We are leaning strongly towards Osteoarthritis.  I have all the symptoms of that, so will probably have to make an appointment. But, aside from that, I am good, thankfully.

 

 

♥♥On my mind♥♥ 

The holidays.  I'm already in holiday mode and trying to plan.  I feel like years before, I took more time to start working on it, but like I said above, this year seems to be flying by and if I don't get on it, Thanksgiving will be upon us.     
 

 

 ♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥

I've had my usual early morning cup of coffee, with Curt this morning.  I'll have another in about an hour when I eat my breakfast.  I'm not sure what I'll have though, I might do some toast with a slice of Queso Fresco (fresh cheese).  

          

 

♥♥Right now I am♥♥

In bed, in my nightgown, with Elliott sleeping at my feet.  I'm typing up this post, of course, watching some youtube videos while I do it, and watching the morning sun streaming in through the windows.  

Honestly, I'm also trying to adjust to the time change hahaha

♥♥What I'm wearing today♥♥

I want to get some cleaning down, so I'll probably throw on some sweat pants and a tshirt. 

 

♥♥On my reading pile♥♥ 

I've been missing my Bible, and I was telling Curt that I may have to start reading it again sooner than January.  I don't think I can wait that long, it was so much a part of my daily routine, that I feel quite lost without it.

I do have other books to read, and I'm trying to get through those, but my Bible is missed terribly. 

 

♥♥On today's to do list♥♥

Jasmine's driving lesson at 1pm.  She is off today, but we still have her lesson.  Folks, she is doing so well, and she actually really enjoys driving.  I am thrilled for her that she has worked through her anxiety and is actually not only facing it straight on, but loving the actual driving. 

• Driving lesson
  
• Dust, sweep, mop
  
• Crochet my second crochet sock to finish the pair
  

 ♥♥On my tv♥♥

The usual homemaking vlogs.

Dexter

Not sure what else, over the years I've left my TV watching list to whatever I felt like at the moment.

♥♥On the menu this week♥♥

Monday - Spaghetti Pie, Salad

Tuesday - Beef Fajitas, Cilantro Rice, Beans

Wednesday - Hamburger Helper, Salad, Garlic Bread

Thursday - Burrito Style Cheeseburger Wraps, Fries

Friday - *Grocer Shopping*

Saturday -

Sunday - 

 

♥♥From the camera♥♥

On Saturday, my niece asked me to take some Maternity photos for her.  I've told her over and over that I'm not a photographer, so I always feel so nervous when I go and take these kind of pictures.  But she loves my photos and is always so thankful for them.  I am pretty happy with the way they turned out, she truly makes a beautiful pregnant woman.   

♥♥Looking around the house♥♥

Such beautiful sunlight streaming through the windows.  I need to do some picking up because Elliott has thrown his aluminum foil balls all over the living room and den.  He has so much fun with them.  

♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥

Read, and crochet some more socks.      

♥♥On my prayer list♥♥ 

My sister in law Hayley, she has just 2 more treatments left, her last one is on the 19th of November.  Praying for the victims and the families, of that horrible event in Houston.  My heart just breaks for this generation, I often feel like they are constantly under attack.

For our country and all the other nations in the world.

For my brothers and sisters in Christ.

{ Baby Unplugged by Sophie Brickman - TLC Book Tours }

• Publisher: HarperOne (September 7, 2021)
• Hardcover: 336 pages

A charming, meticulously researched, and illuminating look at how technology infiltrates every aspect of raising children today, filled with helpful advice parents can use to best navigate the digital landscape, and ultimately learn to trust their own judgment.

There’s an app or device for nearly every aspect of parenting today: monitoring your baby; entertaining or educating your toddler; connecting with other new parents for tips, tricks, and community—virtually every aspect of daily life. But it isn’t a parenting paradise; the truth is much more complicated.

The mother of two young daughters, journalist Sophie Brickman wondered what living in a tech-saturated world was doing to her and her children. She turned to experts, academics, doctors, and innovators for advice and insight. Baby, Unplugged brings together Brickman’s in-depth research with her own candid (sometimes hilarious) personal experience to help parents sort through the wide and often confusing tech offerings available today and to sort out what’s helpful and what’s not.

Filled with relatable and entertaining stories as well as practical takeaways, Baby, Unplugged is destined to become a touchstone for parents today, giving them the permission to forge their own path through the morass of technological options, to restore their faith in themselves, and to help them raise good, social, and engaged people in the modern world.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Photo by Rosalie O’Connor

About Sophie Brickman

Sophie Brickman is a writer, reporter, and editor who has written for The New Yorker, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Elle, Saveur, the San Francisco Chronicle, and other outlets. Her work has also appeared in the Best Food Writing and the Best American Science Writing anthologies. She lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.

Find out more about Sophie on her website and Twitter.

 

REVIEW:

Technology, and how much are we using it with our children? 

We live in a world that is so technologically advanced, that there seems to be an app or computer program for literally everything we do.  It's quite interesting but also a bit intimidating.

As a mother, of grown adults, I often found that when my children were toddlers, it was so much easier to get things done, if I could just pop them in front of a kid's show.  It's not something I did too much, but at least an hour a day, especially around dinner time, I would use technology to help me mother.

Good idea?  Well, yes and no, at least in my own experience.  My parents and grandparents, never used technology of any kind, to raise us, entertain us, or get things done.

Sophie takes her own experience as a mother of two, along with experience and advice from a myriad of experts, to really tap into the world of screen time.  How much is too much, or how much is even perceived as right?

As parents we all have this struggle, and it really is a hard line to walk between the two.  Finding the right balance is not as easy as it may sound.

This book offers so many good ideas and advice, along with some interjected comedy, Brickman really brings to light the daily struggles we go through as parents in a world that seems to run on internet, video games and tv shows.

I'm passing this book onto my niece Tiffany, as she has a 3 year old girl and a little boy due in December.  I think it may help her a lot, and besides, my children are now 22 and 18.  Sure wish I had had this book when they were little.

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Harper Collins Publishing for a copy of this book for the review.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 11/01/2021 }

Good morning, and welcome to November.

 

Ok, is anyone else wondering how on earth this year went by so quick?  Not that I'm complaining, because it hasn't been a good year for us either, but goodness, I don't think I've had a year go by so quickly.

 

So November, here we are, heading into Thanksgiving, and then Christmas, which I'm quite excited about.  I was speaking to Curt the other day and telling him that I want to jump right into Christmas, as soon as the month of October is over.  He laughed and said he had been feeling the same way.  So we will see, I may start pulling out some decorations this week.

 

I hope you all have a blessed week ahead.  I am hoping to be a bit more active here on the blog.

 

Now, let's see what is happening around our homes. 

♥♥The Weather♥♥ 

It's been wonderful around here, with all the cool temps.  It is currently 48 degrees with a high of 68.  I'll take it!!!  Rest of the week we are staying in the 50s and 60s, so pretty much the perfect temperature all around, with some rain thrown in for good measure too.   

 

♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥

I've been sleeping really well the past few days, which is a blessing in itself.  However (why is there always one of those huh?), I pulled a muscle in my neck and shoulder blade area, which made sleeping last night a bit uncomfortable, and as I'm sitting here now working on this post, it is throbbing.  I've already used my Tens unit, but that didn't seem to do anything.  

 

I think I just need to take it easy today.   

 

 

♥♥On my mind♥♥ 

Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Yes, I'm already switching my brain to planning for the holidays.  I honestly feel that we've gone through so much, that we all need to celebrate with our families and be thankful for each minute we have.   
 

 

 ♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥

I'm sipping on a cup of coffee with White Chocolate Raspberry Creamer.  So good.  When I get up, I'll be making some Instant Pot Oatmeal.          

 

♥♥Right now I am♥♥

In my pajamas, of course, it is still early.  Sitting on my bed, under the warm covers, typing this post up and watching some homemaking vlogs on the TV.  

♥♥What I'm wearing today♥♥

Jasmine is off today, so I don't have to even leave the house.  Praise the Lord.  

I'll be wearing some sweat pants and a t shirt, as I'll be taking it easy, and probably just doing a little baking for the week ahead.

 

♥♥On my reading pile♥♥ 

Friends, I am so proud of myself.  I finished the Bible.  All of it.  I started reading it from Genesis, last year June, and just finished it.  It's something I've wanted to do for so long, but always put it off.

Starting in January, I am doing a deep dive and study into the Bible.  I'll be starting from Genesis again, but taking notes this time, and also using the Vernon McGee Bible commentary book set, to go along with each chapter I read.  

I can not wait to see what God teaches me this time.  

 

Also from my own library, I'm reading Philippa Gregory's The Last Tudor, and from the book review pile, The Book of Timothy by Joan Nockels Wilson.

 

♥♥On today's to do list♥♥

With my neck and back sore, I'll be leaving the brunt of cleaning for tomorrow, so will just do the basic tidying and cooking etc.

• Pay bills
  
• Bake Bread for the week
  
• Finish review book
  

 ♥♥On my tv♥♥

Japanese and Korean Homemaking vlogs (I absolutely love watching these kind of vlogs, they are so calming, so beautiful and I get to learn a new culture too).  Some of my fave:

Nami's Life

Yuireu

Em Iffy

Tokyo Hare

Hamimommy

Fumi

Linna in Japan

Also, a few period pieces.  Last week I watched The Railroad Children, what a sweet movie.  If you haven't watched it yet, give it a try, I think you'll enjoy it.

♥♥On the menu this week♥♥

Monday - Ikea Style Meatballs, Basmati Butter Rice, Salad

Tuesday - Amish Chicken and Noodles, Mixed Vegetables

Wednesday - Bean Soup, Grilled Cheese and Tomato Sandwiches

Thursday - Gnocchi Bolognese, Pull Apart Garlic Knots

Friday - Brisket Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Saturday - Burrito Style Cheeseburger Wraps

Sunday -  Slow Cooked Potato Soup

 

♥♥From the camera♥♥

Fall nights are my favorite. 

♥♥Looking around the house♥♥

Thankfully the house is clean and tidy, so I don't have much at all to do today.  Isn't it funny how things work out?  Knowing I can't do much today with this horrid pain in my shoulder blade and neck, my house is cooperating by not needing much done. 

♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥

Read, been really enjoying reading again.    

♥♥On my prayer list♥♥ 

As always, my sister in law Hayley.  

Various church members needing prayer for healing.