Monday, October 24, 2022

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 10/24/2022 }

 
 
Good morning from a very wet Texas.   
 
I am finally starting to feel better, it's been a tough week, my word.  But, I'm feeling well, and ready to get back on track with my blogging and homemaking.  I try to keep the house clean, even when I'm sick, but sometimes it just isn't possible, and things quickly get out of order.
 
I did give it a tidy up yesterday and today I'll get right into our usual daily cleaning.
 
I hope you all have a fantastic week, and really hope that none of you are sick as well.  If you are, I pray for quick healing.  Anyway, let's get on with our post today, and see what is happening around our homes.
 
 


♥♥ The Weather ♥♥
It's what I would call a perfect Fall day.  It's 60 degrees, it's raining and grey and just the kind of day I love.  We still have a few warm days ahead, but definitely on the right track to cooler days.  Which reminds me, I need to get the summer garden cleared and the winter veg into the ground, this weekend.       

Monday - Thunderstorms, 72
Tuesday - Sunny, 72
Wednesday - Sunny, 77
Thursday - Mostly Sunny and windy, 79
Friday - Rain, 59
Saturday - Mostly Sunny, 65  
Sunday - Sunny, 71



♥♥ As I look outside my window ♥♥
The rain is steadily coming down, and there's also some wind, which is making the pumpkin vine move about back and forth.  The trees are also starting to change their colors and it looks so beautiful out there. 
 


♥♥ Right now I am ♥♥
As usual when I am working on this post, I am sat on my bed.  I have the window open and am listening to the rain outside.  The furry babies are both settled in next to me, getting ready for their morning naps.  



♥♥ Thinking and pondering ♥♥

About so many things, the current world we live in, my bone density appointment and blood work, friends going through some difficult health situations, whether I'll be able to get an inexpensive turkey for Thanksgiving, what veg I'm going to do this Fall/Winter season, what I'm going to watch on TV later.  That's what I'm thinking about.....you asked, there ya go hahah     

 

♥♥ How am I feeling ♥♥

So much better.  It's crazy how you don't realize how much you appreciate your health, until you're not feeling well.  Glad to be back to my normal self, or at least 99% back to normal.         
 


♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥

Working through my second cup of coffee.  I also had a ham and cheese sandwich on wholewheat bread.               
 


♥♥ On the lunch plate ♥♥

I made some Beijing Chicken for dinner last night and it was really good, so I'll have some of the leftovers today.  I'm hoping to get that recipe up on the food blog too.   
 
 

♥♥ On the dinner plate ♥♥

Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.         

 
 
♥♥ What I'm wearing ♥♥
Grey with white stripes casual linen pants, black tank top and slippers.        
 


♥♥ On my reading pile ♥♥

My Bible.
Paul David Tripp New Morning Mercies devotional.
Morning and Evening Devotional by Charles Spurgeon.   
The Return of the Gods by Jonathan Cahn.



♥♥ On my TV this week ♥♥

Finished Star Trek Strange New Worlds, and we both loved it.  We have now started Star Trek Discovery and are loving that one too.  What can I say, we are sci-fi nerds, more specifically Trekkies.
Vlogtober vlogs
House of Dragons
The Lord of the Rings Series on Amazon Prime
The Serpent Queen
The Great British Bake Off 
All Creatures Great and Small
The Watcher on Netflix



♥♥ On the menu ♥♥
 
Monday - Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Grilled Cheese  
Tuesday - Taco Rice Casserole, Salad
Wednesday - Cheesy Tuna Pasta Bake, Sauteed Cabbage with Bacon, chili and honey
Thursday -   Fried Sausage and Potatoes, Salad
Friday - *Grocery Shopping*
Saturday -
Sunday -



♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥

Need to do some cleaning, and pick up the dog toys all over the living room.
 
We had to bring in our Hibiscus plant, because the past two days we've had such strong winds, and it kept getting knocked down.  I need to get a bigger, heavier pot for it.  But for the winter, it will stay indoors, along with the smaller Hibiscus.              



♥♥ To Do List ♥♥

- Tidy up the house - vacuum, put things in order, fluff couch pillows, dust
- Laundry
- Finish new meal plan and grocery pickup


 
♥♥ From the camera ♥♥
I just love dried orange garlands.  I am going to be making another one this year, and will also add lemon slices to it.  I make one every year, and they do last quite a long time, but it's just a habit I've gotten into it, as soon as the weather cools down, I make one. 
 

 

♥♥ Devotional ♥♥ 
Our root is Christ Jesus, and our life is hid in Him;  this is the secret of the Lord.   
 
— Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon 


Friday, October 21, 2022

{ So sick the past week }

IMG_4205


Oh my friends, it's been a really tough week for us here at home.  First it was the stomach bug, and then hubby got sick with a bad cold/flu.  Not the vid....but some really yucky bad cold or flu, not sure which one.
 
I had my doctor's appointment on Monday afternoon, thank you all for the prayers, it went well.  I just have to do my usual blood work (lipids etc.), and I'm also due for my bone density scan.  I am on my birth control for just one more year, then next October, I will be removed off it for a month, do a blood test to see if I'm in Menopause, and then either stop completely, or get back on for just another year.
 
I can't believe I am this age, speaking of menopause and being done with birth control etc.  No matter how old we get, we still tend to think of ourselves as US, as young, as we've always been.  These are the things that I would see the women in my family going through, and couldn't imagine it being me one day.  What a blessing to now be the one talking about these phases in life.

Anyway, I just wanted to start by letting you all know the appointment went well and thanking you for the prayers, and good thoughts.

Now, that out of the way, let me bring up the crazy sickness we've been dealing with.

I started my Monday well, got a lot of housework done, ran a few errands and so forth.

IMG_4208

IMG_4209

IMG_4214

 
I actually had to pick up Jasmine that day, right before my appointment.  I knew I would be home at the time we would usually be eating dinner, so I got dinner made earlier in the day, or rather, prepped so that all I had to do was pop it in the oven when I got home.

IMG_4215

IMG_4216

Right before I left, I had a package arrive and was soooooo happy to see that it was a book I had been anxiously awaiting.  The newest from Jonathan Cahn, which is just as fantastic as his other books.

I think every Christian should be reading this book right now.  If you wonder why we are dealing with the things we are dealing with today, not just in our lives, but in our country and the world in general, then read this book.  He explains exactly what is happening and why.

IMG_4217

IMG_4229


I got home, finished making dinner, ate, did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen, had my shower, got into bed with my book and then it happened.

A twinge in my leg, followed by a muscle pain in my arm, and within an hour I was freezing cold, shaking, and enduring awful body aches.  It felt like it came completely out of nowhere, although, to be fair, earlier in the day I was starting to feel a bit off, but couldn't quite pinpoint why.

That night I didn't sleep a wink.  I had awful body aches and a high fever.  And that was it.....it hit me like a ton of bricks and I have been so sick since then.  My husband is just now starting to feel better, I'm still sick and Nicholas is sick as well.  The only one who has managed to stay fine is Jasmine, thank the Lord.

Cleaning and cooking has been difficult. 

Tuesday, Jasmine came home from work and went straight into the kitchen.  She made us all a hearty chicken soup, that was so delicious, and hit the spot.

Yesterday morning, my Nick, even though he is sick too, got up and made me some creamy scrambled eggs that were divine.  I'm blessed with children that love food and can cook pretty well too.  It's wonderful when your children become adults and start cooking for you.

The fevers have gone, the body aches have too, but now I'm dealing with the cough and funny enough, a sore throat and heartburn.  Heartburn.  That has been a symptom that we've all had with this sickness, which is pretty strange.  There have also been stomach issues.  

We are all slowly moving towards being 100%.  I am so ready to be done with this, and to get back to my normal activities.  I feel exhausted, I'm very congested, and if I try to do a lot, I feel out of breath.

This is why I haven't been very active here on the blog, or anywhere really.  The most you'll see are my dinners on Instagram and that is because I can quickly record and send.  Just haven't had the energy for anything else.

I am hoping by Monday morning, we are back to being healthy.  

Hoping you are all doing well and looking forward to your weekend.  Have a blessed day friends and stay safe.
xoxo

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

{ Poster Art of the Disney Parks - TLC Book Tour }

 
 

About Poster Art of the Disney Parks

• Publisher: Disney Editions (October 11, 2022)
• Hardcover: 256 pages

An expanded and updated second edition of the stunning collection of posters from Disney theme parks around the world! Features more than 85 new posters and concept art pieces and a lively narrative about their behind-the-scenes development.

Disney attraction posters have been an important means of communication since Disneyland began displaying them in 1956. These eye-catching pieces of artwork adorn the parks with flair and style, and are displayed to build excitement and disseminate information about the newest additions to the Disney landscape. As evidenced by the evolution of the attraction posters, art styles and design techniques have certainly changed over the years. These characteristics also differ from continent to continent. Posters from EPCOT, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland exhibit the nuances in presentation that give each park’s pantheon of posters its signature look and story.

This expanded and updated second edition is a must-have for anyone who loves the original book, for Disney collectors, and for students of the arts. Find inside:

• An incredible collection of original attraction posters from Shanghai Disneyland
• The extensive and graphically bold collection of EPCOT posters first unveiled at D23 Expo 2019
• Posters featuring attractions and lands inspired by storytelling from Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel
• A variety of vibrant voices quoted throughout the book, with interesting insights about the development of the posters over the years and the interconnection among art, typography, and graphic design–Disney style.

IMG_4253

IMG_4254

 
 
REVIEW:
 
This book is a treasure for all Disney fans.  It is a huge and I mean huge, and quite a heavy book too.  which makes it the perfect coffee table book.  It is 12x14, and includes 85 posters, tells us how they were created and gives us all the super cool behind close door tidbits.
 
If you're a Disney fan, you will no doubt want this one for your collection.  I'm going to passing mine on to my niece Tiffany, who is like the biggest Disney fan I know.  She can't wait to get her hands on it and share with her little ones too.
 
I had the best time paging through the book, reading about the creative ways these posters are made.  To be honest, I've never given it much thought, I mean I see the posters, and think they're adorable, but I never once stopped to think about who the person is behind these designs, and just how they came to the finished product.
 
Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Disney Books for such a magnificent review copy.
 
 


IMG_4251

IMG_4252

Monday, October 17, 2022

{ Happy Homemaker Monday -10/17/2022 }

 
 
 
Good morning friends, and a very happy Monday to you all. 
 
October so far, has been a bit of a wonky one for me.  I haven't had time for much blogging, just the bare minimum.  Curt has also been sick, he had a stomach bug which he shared with me last week, then got a cold, which he also shared with me.  It's wonderful having such a wonderful husband that shares the good and bad right?  *snicker*     
 
Hopefully things calm down a bit.  I have my Women's check up this afternoon, which I never look forward to, I just find it so awkward, but necessary.  I'm thanking God ahead for a good appointment.
 
Now, let's get going with our post for today.  I apologize for not visiting you all or leaving comments, it's just been nuts around here. 
 


♥♥ The Weather ♥♥
It's cold.  I've been wanting to say that for a while.  Woke up to 50 degrees, and we've had quite a bit of rain the past two days, which has kept the temperatures nice and cool.  We are not completely out of the hot weather yet, but at least we have a few days of cooler temps to even it out.      

Monday - Mix of clouds and sun, 66
Tuesday - Sunny, 62
Wednesday - Sunny, 70
Thursday - Sunny, 79
Friday - Sunny, 86
Saturday - Sunny, 89  
Sunday - Partly cloudy, 85



♥♥ As I look outside my window ♥♥
It's quite cloudy and grey.  There is also a slight breeze coming in. 
 


♥♥ Right now I am ♥♥
Just sat down on my bed to get this post up.  The fur babies are asleep next to me, and I've got All Creatures Great and Small on the TV.    



♥♥ Thinking and pondering ♥♥

About my appointment this afternoon, and also about our budget and groceries.  Our food budget has doubled, and I'm not even buying as much meat as I usually did.  I need to try and work out the budget again but honestly, I can't cut anymore on the food.  It's really frustrating.  I am praying for us all through this difficult situation.     

 

♥♥ How am I feeling ♥♥

I'm ok, sick with a cold, but I'll be seeing my doctor this afternoon anyway, and if I need something more, she will prescribe it.       
 


♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥

I've had two cups of coffee already.  One at 6am and one now at almost 9am.  It's cold this morning, and I needed that extra energy and warmth.  I also had two slices of toast with butter.             
 


♥♥ On the lunch plate ♥♥

Not sure, I haven't been eating much the past few days, just not feeling very hungry.  I will either have spaghetti leftovers or a salad. 
 
 

♥♥ On the dinner plate ♥♥

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken, Rice, Sauteed Greens.       

 
 
♥♥ What I'm wearing ♥♥
Black leggings, and a long sleeve brown and tan long top.      
 


♥♥ On my reading pile ♥♥

Reading through Isaiah in the Bible.
Paul David Tripp New Morning Mercies devotional.
Morning and Evening Devotional by Charles Spurgeon.   
Started The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James.
The Return of the Gods by Jonathan Cahn.



♥♥ On my TV this week ♥♥
Star Trek Strange New Worlds
Vlogtober vlogs
House of Dragons
The Lord of the Rings Series on Amazon Prime
The Serpent Queen
The Great British Bake Off 
All Creatures Great and Small



♥♥ On the menu ♥♥
 
Monday - Slow Cooker Italian Chicken, Rice, Sauteed Greens  
Tuesday - Sausage Potato Casserole, Salad
Wednesday - Texas Toast Sloppy Joes, Onion rings
Thursday -   Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken, Egg Noodles, Fried Cabbage with Bacon
Friday - Cheese Ravioli with Meat Sauce, Garlic Knots
Saturday - Beijing Chicken and Rice, Egg Rolls
Sunday - Leftovers



♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥

The back patio door is open,  and there is the most wonderful crisp breeze coming in through the screen.  There are blankets on the couch that I need to fold, some vacuuming to do and some dusting too.  But the house is nice and cozy on this cold morning.            



♥♥ To Do List ♥♥

- Tidy up the house
- Women's Annual Check Up this afternoon


 
♥♥ From the camera ♥♥
We have so many deer in our yard, they come here every night to eat.  But as always, there are one or two who become a bit territorial with the others.  Usually I just yell out my window for them to stop it, and be nice....and funny enough they listen  Hahahah
 
These two males were not full on fighting, but kept getting in each others' faces.  Isn't nature amazing?  To be able to see this with my own eyes and watch them interact so close, is fantastic.     
 

 

♥♥ Devotional ♥♥ 
What we have known of our faithful God, proves that He will keep us to the end. 
 
— Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon


Monday, October 10, 2022

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 10/10/2022 }

 
 
 
Good morning friends, hope you're having a good Columbus Day.
 
I have hubby home but Jasmine is working, that's retail life right?    
 
We have a pretty cloudy and rainy day ahead, so I'm thrilled to be indoors.  I think I'll be watching some movies today or maybe getting some reading done, not sure, but whatever it is, will be cozy for sure.
I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead, full of blessings and the Lord's favor.  Let's get right on with our post today, and see what is happening around our homes.
 


♥♥ The Weather ♥♥
It's been wonderful.  We got down to 50 degrees on Saturday and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed that.  We're over the really hot temps, although we still have a day or two in the 90's.  But I'll take it intermingled with cooler temps and rain.   

Monday - Storms, 79
Tuesday - Morning showers, 84
Wednesday - Sunny, 85
Thursday - Sunny, 81
Friday - Sunny, 86
Saturday - Mostly sunny, 91  
Sunday - Partly cloudy, 82



♥♥ As I look outside my window ♥♥
Cloudy, dark skies and a sprinkling rain.  I absolutely adore this time of year, the crispness in the air, the trees starting to turn color.  Just love it.       
 


♥♥ Right now I am ♥♥
Sitting on my bed with Elliott.  He is napping and I'm working on this post, and watching a youtube video.   



♥♥ Thinking and pondering ♥♥

I'm starting to plan for Thanksgiving.  I really want to be on top of it this year, and get as much planned and done before the day.  With my hands hurting lately, I can't leave it all for the actual day, or I won't be able to do anything.   

 

♥♥ How am I feeling ♥♥

Doing well, PMSing but other than that, I'm well.  The allergies are still going, though they seem to have calmed down slightly over the weekend.     
 


♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥

I have had a cup of coffee with my Peppermint Mocha creamer, and two of the small frozen sausage biscuits.           
 


♥♥ On the lunch plate ♥♥

I'm not sure yet, we have leftovers in the fridge, so I may just have that, or a sandwich, salad, who knows.
 
 

♥♥ On the dinner plate ♥♥

I made a pork roast last night, and have quite a bit leftover, so going to turn it into a meat pie for dinner, along with some sauteed squash.     

 
 
♥♥ What I'm wearing ♥♥
Black cotton romper jumpsuit.     
 


♥♥ On my reading pile ♥♥

Reading through Isaiah in the Bible.
Paul David Tripp New Morning Mercies devotional.
Morning and Evening Devotional by Charles Spurgeon.   
Started The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James.



♥♥ On my TV this week ♥♥
The Orville - We're almost finished with the third season.  Loving this series.  
Next, we will be watching Star Trek Strange New Worlds
Homemaking vlogs
House of Dragons
The Lord of the Rings Series on Amazon Prime
The Serpent Queen
The Great British Bake Off 
Lucy Worsley Investigates on PBS



♥♥ On the menu ♥♥
Going to start working on the new meal plan today.  
 
Monday - Meat Blender Pie, sauteed squash  
Tuesday - Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan, Spaghetti
Wednesday - Beef Korma Curry, Rice
Thursday -   Roast Chicken and Potatoes, Sauteed Greens
Friday - *grocery shopping*
Saturday -
Sunday -



♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥

The house is neat and tidy, as I gave it a good clean this weekend.  There are Fall decorations out, pumpkins here and there, and wonderful scented candles dispersed throughout the house.  It just feels so cozy and homey.          



♥♥ To Do List ♥♥

- Meal plan and grocery list
- Laundry
- Make another crochet placemat/doily


 
♥♥ From the camera ♥♥
I took this photo the other day, and it immediately became one of my favorites.  There is something so magical about candle light and crochet together.   
 

 

♥♥ Devotional ♥♥ 
Let us be joyful now as we rehearse the song of eternal praise so soon to roll forth in full chorus from all the blood-washed host;  let us copy David's exhaultings before the ark as a prelude to our ecstasies before the throne.  It really is true that peace in times of trouble is not found in figuring out your life, but in worship of the One who has everything figure out already.    
 
— Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon