{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 10/02/2023 }

 

 

Good morning friends, come on in and sit with me a little.  

 

It is officially October, which makes me soooooo happy.  I can say that we are now entering my favorite time of year, although we still have some hot weather looming over us.  Ready for that to go.

 

So, October is here, and I can say that with it, I am back as well.  It's been a back and forth, for a while.  Me wanting to return full time to blogging, but life holding me back and not allowing.  As frustrating as that was, I have learned to go with the flow, and not force things to happen when they are not ready to.  All in good time, right?

 

Yesterday, I finally felt it was the right moment, so I'm quite excited to jump right back in, and to be here, more present, during this wonderful time of year.  I can't wait.

 

If you've noticed (and I'm sure you already did), I also cleaned up the blog a little, changed the header and the background, just to make it more Fall like.  

 

So, without further ado, let's jump right into our post for today.  I wish you all a very blessed week ahead, may you be blessed, may you receive good news, may you feel rested and happy and healthy.  

 

Sandra

♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥
Still seeing temperatures close to 100.  But, we did have some rain that brought in the green grass again, so that makes me smile.  I know soon it will all go brown again, so I'll just enjoy it for the time being.

 

 

Monday - Sunshine and a few clouds, 94
Tuesday - Partly cloudy, 93
Wednesday - Thunderstorms, 90
Thursday - Partly cloudy, 82
Friday - Mostly sunny, 78
Saturday - Partly cloudy, 73  

Sunday - Mostly sunny, 77


♥♥ As I look outside my window ♥♥
It is still early morning, so it's dark outside, the sun hasn't yet made it's appearance.  Our back porch light is on, and I can see some moths fluttering around by the lamp. 

♥♥ Right now I am ♥♥
Still sitting in bed, in the dark, with Elliott sleeping next to me.      

♥♥ Thinking and pondering ♥♥
I will talk more about this in an upcoming post, but yesterday I did something that was completely out of my comfort zone.  I was obedient to God, and went where He told me to.  It was scary, but very rewarding, so that is on my mind.

 

♥♥ How am I feeling ♥♥
My lower back is absolutely killing me.  The older I get, the more it bothers me, but I've been to the doctor and everything is fine.  Just takes me a while to get going in the mornings with this stiff back.     

♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥
I've just finished my first cup of coffee.  When I start my day, in about an hour, I will have another, and for breakfast I am in the mood for oatmeal, so that is what I'll have.                     

 

♥♥ On the lunch plate ♥♥
Probably a sandwich, I'm not sure.         

 

 
♥♥ On the dinner plate ♥♥
Pasta alla Norma, Salad          

 

 

♥♥ What I'm wearing ♥♥
Black maxi dress.        

 

♥♥ On my reading pile ♥♥
My Bible.

Paul David Tripp New Morning Mercies devotional.

 

 
♥♥ On my TV this week ♥♥
Bambaska Biri

Cukur

Homemaking vlogs 

♥♥ On the menu ♥♥

Monday - Pasta alla Norma, Salad   
Tuesday - Baked Fish in Tomato and Onion sauce, Curried rice
Wednesday - Chicken Cacciatore, Orzo, Salad

Thursday -   Spaghetti Bolognese, Garlic Foccaccia

Friday - Chicken Shawarma, Garlic Fries

Saturday - Leftovers, Sandwiches, whatever is on hand
Sunday - Roast Chicken, Potato Onion Bake


♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥
I still haven't put out the Fall decorations, so today is the day.     

♥♥ To Do List ♥♥
- House - usual home daily chores

- Kitchen - Prep for the week, make sandwich bread, wash and cut up veggies for freezer, cut up fruit for fridge

 

♥♥ From the camera ♥♥
This beautiful plant that I have been tending to.  I don't know what kind of plant it is, it was gifted to us by our cousin's husband.  If you know, please tell me it's name.  

 

 

♥♥ Devotional ♥♥ 

Today I want to share with you, a video from The Bible Project.  I just recently learned about this wonderful website, and have been fascinated by the videos.  It makes understanding the Bible, so much easier.  I thought I would share with you today, this short video on the Tabernacle.  I think you will enjoy it. 

 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 09/25/2023 }

 

 

Good morning, and a very happy Monday.  ♥

 

Welcome back friends.  First, I have to apologize for what happened last week.  I thought I had added the linky to the end of the post, and was so embarrassed to later realize that I didn't.  I was able to add the first link, but it wouldn't let me add any others.  I am so sorry friends, but I am adding the linky immediately before I even go on with this post, so that it doesn't happen again.

 

Thank you all for the prayers for Jasmine, the ultrasound went fine, and everything is normal with her heart, there is nothing to worry about.  Thanking God for that!

 

I also said last week I would have some posts up, and that didn't happen either.  My word, I should learn to say nothing and just be surprised if I'm able to get something up.  I have so much to share, not just here on the main blog, but so many new recipes I've been trying and enjoying.  I really need to take a day for computer work and just get as many posts up as possible.

 

Anyway, enough talking, let's get going.

 

Have a blessed week friends ♥

 

Sandra

♥♥♥♥♥♥

 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥
The temperatures have been cooling down, and making me very happy.  We also got quite a bit of rain last week, so our yards are all looking green and healthy.  That makes me smile as well.

 

We seem to be continuing the downward trend, thankfully, although yesterday we hit 106.  Good grief!!!      

Monday - Sunshine, 93
Tuesday - Sunny, 94
Wednesday - Sunny, 96
Thursday - Sunny, 97
Friday - Sunny, 97
Saturday - Mostly sunny, 94  

Sunday - Mostly sunny, 94


♥♥ As I look outside my window ♥♥
It is a beautiful day.  The sun is shining and everything is still looking green, although I can see some of the trees already turning color.   We need to finish draining our pool, so that we can take it down this weekend, so it's still up.

♥♥ Right now I am ♥♥
Sitting in the living room, trying to get this post up between the constant needs from Kaia and Elliott.  It's one of those days where one or the other, wants or needs something.  Just like toddlers when you try to make a phone call or sit down to do something, right?  hahah    

♥♥ Thinking and pondering ♥♥
I'm trying to plan my days so that I am more productive.  I feel like life has been so insane the past few months that I haven't been on a proper schedule, and I don't like that at all.   

 

♥♥ How am I feeling ♥♥
I'm doing well, aside from the ongoing Perimenopause symptoms, but that is nothing that I can solve and just need to ride this journey, like many other women do.   

♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥
I had a cup of coffee and 2 pieces of toast with some apple butter.                   

 

♥♥ On the lunch plate ♥♥
I don't know.  I made some Turkish Pizza last night, and there are some leftover, but I'm not in the mood.  I may do a tuna salad which I haven't had in a while.       

 

 
♥♥ On the dinner plate ♥♥
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken, Rice          

 

 

♥♥ What I'm wearing ♥♥
Black maxi dress.        

 

♥♥ On my reading pile ♥♥
My Bible.

Paul David Tripp New Morning Mercies devotional.

 

I've been terrible with my Bible reading, so I'm starting the New Testament again.  I miss that time with God, and have been really needing it.

♥♥ On my TV this week ♥♥
Turkish shows as always 

♥♥ On the menu ♥♥

Will start working on the new meal plan, today.  I am craving soups, but it's not as cold yet.  Although, am I the only one that will eat soup at any time of the year?

Monday - Slow Cooker Butter Chicken, Rice  
Tuesday - Salisbury Steak Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Salad
Wednesday - Arroz de bacalhau (Cod Fish Rice)

Thursday -   Chicken Parmesan, Noodles

Friday -

Saturday -
Sunday -


♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥
I changed the living room around, AGAIN!  Looks much better.

 

I also want to get my Fall decorations out, and get the house ready for this season.  At this moment, Kaia is laying on one of the couches sleeping and Elliott is laying on the carpet, just relaxing.   

♥♥ To Do List ♥♥
- Tidy up the house - carpet clean, fluff pillows, open curtains and windows

- Get dinner in the crockpot

- Make my garlic paste
- Iron a pile of clothes, and so some more laundry

- Start editing photos for the food blog and posts over here

 

♥♥ From the camera ♥♥
This is my grandmother's Bible.  My stepmother brought it for me, when she visited in August.  I love seeing my grandmother's handwriting ♥  

 

 

 

♥♥ Devotional ♥♥ 

Regardless of one’s position, everybody is accountable to somebody. And this holds true for the entire family of faith—from the congregation to the ministers to Jesus Himself, who served God the Father.
 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 09/18/2023 }

 

 

Good morning!!!!

 

How are you all doing today?  

 

It's a quiet cool morning, here in Texas.  It actually feels like a fall day, it's only 65 degrees at the moment, which I love.  

 

I totally meant to put another post up last week, then got extremely busy and had another issue come up that I had to deal with.  I'm hoping this week I can edit the photos and get a catch up post up.  Fingers crossed!

 

Before I get going with this post, I just want to ask you all for a quick prayer for Jasmine.  She has to do an EKG on Wednesday, for a possible heart murmur.  It's never showed up before, but she had her yearly women's appointment last week, and her GYN suggested she get one, because she heard what sounds like a possible heart murmur.

 

I know that everything is fine, and I've told her not to worry, many people have heart murmurs, but she's still anxious about the situation.  

 

Anyway, let's get right on with our post for today.  Have a blessed week friends.

 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥ 

I couldn't be happier with our temperatures, at the moment.  We are finally out of the heat waves and have been blessed with wonderful rain, and temperatures in the 80's.  This week looks like we're going back to the 90's but thankfully, next week we're back down to 80's and hopefully the temps continue to cool down.   

 

Monday -  Sunshine, 94

Tuesday - Partly cloudy, 93

Wednesday - Mostly sunny, 96

Thursday - Partly cloudy, 94

Friday - Partly cloudy, 93

Saturday - Partly cloudy, 95

Sunday - Sunny, 91

♥♥  As I look outside my window ♥♥

There is a slight breeze, and the branches on the tree right next to my window, are waving back and forth.  The sun is also reflecting off the branches, so as they move, it sometimes looks like diamonds sparkling.  I don't think I'll ever get used to just how beautiful nature is. 

 

 

♥♥  Right now I am ♥♥ 

Sitting on my bed, working on this post.        

 

 

♥♥  Thinking and pondering ♥♥ 

Just have a lot on my mind lately, and sometimes I have to force myself to stop thinking.  It's easier to just leave it to God, after we pray about it, obviously.     

♥♥ Listening to ♥♥

My daughter, she's working and video called me.    

 

♥♥  How am I feeling ♥♥ 

Tired.  SURPRISE!!! hahaha  

 

When am I not tired right?  But, I didn't get much sleep last night, it was one of those nights where I kept waking up every hour.              

 

 

♥♥  On the breakfast plate ♥♥ 

I've had a cup of coffee but no breakfast yet, I will eat something soon.                   

 

 

♥♥   On the lunch plate ♥♥ 

Probably leftovers from dinner last night, I made some fish fillets with a onion and tomato sauce, and then some garlic parsley potatoes to go with it.  There's a little left, so I will probably have that.            

 

 

♥♥  On the dinner plate ♥♥ 

Turkish Delight Chicken, Broccoli.

 

 

♥♥  What I'm wearing  ♥♥ 

Still in my nightgown.  I'm very slow to get going this morning.                        

 

♥♥  On my reading pile ♥♥ 

Bible, starting the new testament again. 

 

 

♥♥  On my TV this week  ♥♥ 

SIC Portuguese TV.  

 

Bambaska Biri

Dilek Tasi

Safir

Yabani

Üç Kız Kardeş

 

 

♥♥  On the menu  ♥♥ 

Monday - Turkish Delight Chicken, Broccoli

Tuesday - Taco Spaghetti, Salad

Wednesday -  Chicken Pot Pie, Green Beans   

Thursday - Smothered Pork Chops, Potato Wedges

Friday - Oven Chili Dogs

Saturday -

Sunday -  Slow Cooker Butter Chicken, Rice

♥♥  Looking around the house  ♥♥ 

I plan on getting my Fall decorations, and starting to decorate today. 

 

 

♥♥  To Do List ♥♥ 

Cleaning the house

Ironing

 

♥♥  Devotional, verse, thoughts, prayers  ♥♥ 

Your Father knows what you need, before you ask him. - Matthew 6:8 

 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 09/11/2023 }

 

 

Good morning!!!!

 

Welcome back to my blog and to another Happy Homemaker Monday.  We woke up to rain, blessed rain coming down.  We haven't seen rain in months, so seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder at 3am, was a wonderful surprise.

 

First, I want to take a moment to remember September 11.  I don't think anyone, anywhere in the world, can forget this horrible day.  My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the lost ones, and with our country as we once again remember, such a destructive and horrifying day in our history.  

 

Before I get going with our post, I am so happy to be able to say that I think, I can finally get back to posting more , instead of just this feature every Monday.  I've been taking a few pics this past week, and trying to get back into the groove.  It's exciting, and hopefully tomorrow, you will have a little catch up post with what we've been doing around here.  

 

Hope you all have a blessed week. 

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥ 

After months of heat advisories, terrible hot weather and not a single drop of rain in sight, we are finally down to cooler temperatures.  This week is all about rain, and I couldn't be happier. 

 

Monday -  Rain showers, 83

Tuesday - Cloudy, 78

Wednesday - Cloudy, 79

Thursday - Rain, 76

Friday - Scattered thunderstorms, 78

Saturday - Thunderstorms, 83

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 86

♥♥  As I look outside my window ♥♥

Rain, cloudy, and for me, the perfect Fall day.                 

 

 

♥♥  Right now I am ♥♥ 

Sitting on my bed, I just finished my coffee and am kind of wanting another, but will wait until I have breakfast.  I'm watching the live Portuguese news on SIC, and working on this post.      

 

 

♥♥  Thinking and pondering ♥♥ 

Have a few situations going on around us, and though they are both serious, we are leaving everything in God's hands and letting Him take over.  They're situations affecting other family members, so I won't talk about them, but am praying for them.   

♥♥ Listening to ♥♥

SIC Portuguese live tv.  

 

♥♥  How am I feeling ♥♥ 

I'm PMS'ing at the moment, so already having hormonal headaches, light headedness and just overall yucky feeling.  Such is the life of a woman right?            

 

 

♥♥  On the breakfast plate ♥♥ 

I've had one cup of coffee, but will have another soon.  I'm in the mood for a bread roll with scrambled egg and cheese, so will probably have that.                 

 

 

♥♥   On the lunch plate ♥♥ 

I made Gozleme for dinner last night, and there are 2 pieces left, so I may have that.  If that is eaten by someone else, then I'll probably have a salad.          

 

 

♥♥  On the dinner plate ♥♥ 

Goulash, Garlic Bread and Salad

 

 

♥♥  What I'm wearing  ♥♥ 

Still in my nightgown.  Will either put on a dress later, or some shorts and a tank top.                      

 

♥♥  On my reading pile ♥♥ 

Will be starting my Bible again today.  I've missed it and need to get back on track.

 

 

♥♥  On my TV this week  ♥♥ 

In the morning, Portuguese TV.  

 

 

I've been eagerly awaiting for the Series Premiere of Bambaska Biri.  It stars two of my favorite Turkish actors, Burak Deniz and Hande Ercel.  I first watched them together in Ask Laftan Anlamaz and loved them, so when I found out they would once again be playing the lead romantic couple in this new series, I was beyond excited.  Can't wait!!!

 

Also watching Seref Sozu.  

  

 

♥♥  On the menu  ♥♥ 

Will start working on the new meal plan, so only have the menu planned until Thursday.

Monday - Goulash, Garlic Bread and Salad

Tuesday - Chicken Sandwiches, Pasta Salad

Wednesday -  Kabsa Chicken and Rice, Steamed Broccoli   

Thursday - Sheet Pan Tacos

Friday -

Saturday -

Sunday - 

♥♥  Looking around the house  ♥♥ 

It is dark.  I love it.  I absolutely love this time of the year, the trees are starting to turn, everything is slowing down and the light turns into golden hues that spread throughout the house.                         

 

 

♥♥  To Do List ♥♥ 

Meal plan and grocery list

Vacuum and dust

Workout

 

♥♥  Devotional, verse, thoughts, prayers  ♥♥ 

My mom Jacinta - She has now been bedridden for over a year.  She is still struggling with a bed sore that gets better, then reopens.  Her dementia is continuing to develop, she is extremely confused and doesn't have many lucid moments.  It's extremely sad to see, and I know some of you will have experienced this with family members.  Please pray for my mom.  

 

Cousin Justin - pray for his situation.  I won't talk about it here, but just pray for him.

 

Curt's stepfather Ken - he is having some very serious health issues.

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 09/04/2023 }

 

 

Good morning, and a very happy Monday, to you all!!!

First, I want to welcome September.  I am so glad to see this month come around, not only because it means Fall is literally around the corner, but this hot weather has long overstayed it's welcome.  It's time to go.

I can't begin to put into words, just how happy I am to see this month and this new week start.  The guests have all returned home, my stepmom is back in South Africa, and there are no get togethers or plans for the near future.  I needed a break, and I'm sure happy to see it.

Now, let's get right on with our post.  Hope you all have a blessed week ahead!

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥ 

We had a little break in the heat wave, not much, but even just a few degrees cooler, helped a lot.  Unfortunately it was short lived, as we're heading back into triple digits this week again.  Ugh!!! 

 

Monday -  Abundant sunshine, 106

Tuesday - Partly cloudy, 106

Wednesday - Sunny, 105

Thursday - Sunny, 108

Friday - Mostly sunny, 109

Saturday - Mostly sunny, 100

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 99

♥♥  As I look outside my window ♥♥

From my bedroom window, I can see our fire pit area, our seating area, the pool, and the chicken coop.  I love all these little corners of my home.               

 

 

♥♥  Right now I am ♥♥ 

Just finished cleaning the coop and giving them fresh water and food.  I am now sitting down to work on this post.    

 

 

♥♥  Thinking and pondering ♥♥ 

About what I need to do this week, and leading up to our pecan harvest.       

♥♥ Listening to ♥♥

SIC Portuguese live tv.  

 

♥♥  How am I feeling ♥♥ 

My back has been hurting.  I cleaned the pool out yesterday and that didn't help.  It helps a lot while I'm in the pool, but after, I suffer from lower back pain.          

 

 

♥♥  On the breakfast plate ♥♥ 

Just coffee with vanilla creamer and some bread with butter.                

 

 

♥♥   On the lunch plate ♥♥ 

Not sure, there is leftover spaghetti from dinner, but I may just have yogurt with fruit.  It's too hot sometimes for a hot meal.        

 

 

♥♥  On the dinner plate ♥♥ 

Pataniscas de Sardinha, Arroz de Tomate.  (Sardine fish Cakes, Tomato Rice)

 

 

♥♥  What I'm wearing  ♥♥ 

Shorts and a tank top.  I'm starting a treadmill workout today, to hopefully lose some of this hormonal weight which is just not budging.                    

 

♥♥  On my reading pile ♥♥ 

Nothing at the moment.

 

 

♥♥  On my TV this week  ♥♥ 

In the morning, usually live Portuguese TV....the news, talk shows etc.  

 

At night, I usually watch my Turkish shows.  I just finished Carpisma.  Starting Ruhun Duymaz, but it's a new one and ongoing, so there aren't many episodes.  I will probably also watch Genecin Kralicesi. 

  

 

♥♥  On the menu  ♥♥ 

Monday - Pataniscas de Sardinha, Arroz de Tomate.  (Sardine fish Cakes, Tomato Rice)

Tuesday - Homemade Rotisserie Chicken, Potato Bake, Steamed Broccoli

Wednesday -  Korean Beef Bowls   

Thursday - Shrimp Tacos, Cilantro Lime Rice

Friday - Smoked Sausage Stuffed Sandwiches, Curly Fries

Saturday - Leftovers, Sandwiches, Whatever

Sunday -  Sheet Pan Tacos, Salad

♥♥  Looking around the house  ♥♥ 

It needs to be tidied up, just basically pillows fluffed and placed back on the couch, and carpets need vacuuming.                       

 

 

♥♥  To Do List ♥♥ 

Ironing

Workout

Clean pool (never ending job)

 

♥♥  Devotional, verse, thoughts  ♥♥ 

Sin is more than bad behavior.  It's a condition that results in bad behavior.  That's why we can't independently defeat sin. - New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp