{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 12/16/2024 }

 

Good morning friends, and a very happy Monday to you all.

 

I hope you've all been doing well.  I am fine now but was sick last week with what seemed to have been a cold/head cold/sinus kinda thing.  I'm so thankful that I am well now because truly, there's nothing worse than being sick around Christmas.  I guess when we were younger and had no responsibilities, it would have been ok, but when you are hosting, and have a ton to cook and a Christmas to put together, it's not exactly the best thing to be under the weather.

 

If any of you are sick, I pray you get well soon.

 

Ok, let's move on with our post for today.  I'm trying to get this up quickly because I have a pretty busy homemaking day ahead.  

 

Have a blessed week ♥

 

*** The weather in my neck of the woods*** 

Winter....that should tell you all you need to know.  Although, yesterday we hit the mid 70's.  Crazy Texas! 

 

Monday - Partly cloudy,  64

Tuesday - Mostly sunny, 68

Wednesday - Mostly sunny, 53

Thursday - Sunny, 62

Friday - Partly cloudy, 69

Saturday - Partly cloudy, 59 

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 61

 

 

 *** Things that make me happy ***

Remembering old Christmas passed.  The ones in my childhood, the ones when my children were younger, just all of it. 

 

 

*** Book I'm reading *** 

Reading Luke in the Bible.   

 

Physical book..... Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.  

 

 

 

*** What's on my tv today *** 

YouTube

Vlogmas 

Homemaking Vlogs

 

Great American Pure Flix

Christmas movies 

 

Hallmark 

Christmas movies 

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

Cup of coffee and 2 pieces of multigrain bread toasted, with 2 scrambled eggs.

 

 

*** On the lunch plate *** 

Not sure, honestly can't think of anything right now.    

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

Turkish Chicken, Rice, Broccoli and Cauliflower.

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

Will be working on the new meal plan over the next couple of day.

Monday

Turkish Chicken, Rice, Broccoli and Cauliflower

Tuesday 

Roasted tomato, garlic and cream cheese pasta, garlic bread, salad  

Wednesday 

Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Sauteed Cabbage

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

 

*** On my to do list *** 

Change bed linens

Sort out my closet

Vacuum and dust

Mail out Christmas cards (I know, kinda late this year)

Meal plan and grocery list

Budget for the month

Christmas gifts list

 

*** New Recipe I tried or want to try *** 

I still haven't made the Melomakarona - Greek Cookies.  Not sure if I'll get to them, but I will try. 

    

 

*** What I am creating ***

Nordic Winter Afghan. 

Knitting a scarf.

 

*** No words needed (favorite photo or picture) *** 

I have found such peace in reading by the fire.  It just helps me to forget about everything and replenish my soul.  

 

 

*** Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses *** 

Today's verse: 

Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. - 1 Corinthians 13: 4-5 

{ Catch up }

Good morning sweet friends.  I hope this post finds you all well.

 

 

 

I wanted to come in an chat a little, show you what I've been up to, and also explain why the Blogmas unfortunately dropped away after only 8 days.  My intention is always to do the full 24 days and while some years that is doable, some others it's not.  This year, I wanted to get it all done, and thought I would be able to, but I fell sick with a head cold and have been slowly moving through this week, just trying to feel better.

 

It's par for the course, isn't it?  This time of year, the temperature changes, always seems to knock off a couple of us, or, a lot of us.  There is so many friends sick at the moment.  If you are in the same boat, I wish you all well and pray that you heal fast.

 

 

T

he weather has been just perfect for this time of year.  We've woken up to foggy mornings that leave a mysterious atmosphere in the air, although they tend to quickly turn to windy conditions which I am not a fan of, at all.  

 

I

got the Christmas trees set up.  Usually we do the white tree and then a real tree, but this year, I decided to get another artificial tree, just to have for those years I don't get around to purchasing a real one.  It's not exactly what I prefer, but I have to be practical, and this year I just haven't made it round to the tree lot and it's too close to Christmas now to get one.  These will just have to do.

 

B

aking has been an ongoing thing, mainly just with cookies and my sourdough, which by the way, I think I finally found the perfect sourdough starter.  I've struggled with my starters for years, but this one started a little rough (meaning it took longer to develop than the usual week), but once it did, oh my goodness, it's been just amazing and soft and spongy full of bubbles.  

L

astly, the kitchen got a little mini makeover, remodel.  We had a double oven that stopped working last year.  We've been meaning to get rid of it and just never got around to it.  Well, we finally did.  We pulled it from the wall, and my wonderful husband Curt, built me some shelves where the oven used to sit.  

 

 

I

absolutely love it.  It has opened up the kitchen, it has given me a place to pop in the microwave which had been sitting on the counter the whole time, and taking up way too much space.  We added some lighting as well, and I just can't believe how much I adore that little space.

T

hat's about it. In between these moments, I have found time to sit by the fire, drink my tea or coffee, and read a book. 

 

W

e need to take time to slow down during this season. There's just too much going on, too many places to be, get togethers and gifts and too much noise, in my humble opinion. The older I get, the more I want to go back in time to simpler quieter times. I am not cut out for these crazy busy holidays, it tends to take away from the magic of Christmas. 

 

A

nyway, enough about that.  I hope you're all enjoying the season but also taking time to slow down and smell the coffee and gingerbread.  Have a wonderful day friends!

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 12/09/2024 }

  

Good morning friends, how was your weekend and how is your Monday morning going?

 

We woke up to a very foggy morning, which I absolutely love.  I just love fog, I don't know why.  But yes, beautiful foggy cold morning, or should I say, perfect Winter day (yes I know it's not winter technically yet, but you know what I mean).

 

I had a great weekend, got a lot of Christmas decorating done, got a few gifts (I am so late in buying gifts this year, but oh well, it is what it is).  I also did my two days of gym which I always love and look forward to.

 

So, this week means some gift wrapping, some food planning for Christmas Eve, Gingerbread Cookie making and lots, but lots of Christmas movies.

 

I wish you all a very blessed week.  Take time to enjoy the season, and I mean the REAL reason for the season, not the commercialized, money wasting, crazy busy stuff everyone goes on about.  Just enjoy your family and this time of year. 

 

*** The weather in my neck of the woods*** 

Cold foggy morning awaits us today.  It looks magical!  Tomorrow we are expecting another cold front, so I guess the fireplace will be working extra hard. 

 

Monday - Foggy,  57

Tuesday - Cloudy, 49

Wednesday - Sunny, 59

Thursday - Mostly Cloudy, 60

Friday - Partly cloudy, 69

Saturday - Sunny, 58 

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 63

 

 

 *** Things that make me happy ***

Christmas, the holidays, family, cookies and movies and just the anticipation of the whole month.

 

 

*** Book I'm reading *** 

Reading Isaiah in the Bible.   

 

Physical book..... Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.  

 

Kindle.....Christmas at Marshmallow Cafe.

 

 

 

*** What's on my tv today *** 

YouTube

Vlogmas 

Homemaking Vlogs

 

Great American Pure Flix

Christmas movies 

 

Hallmark 

Christmas movies 

 

*** On the breakfast plate *** 

Just had a cup of coffee and some oatmeal with coconut, walnuts and cinnamon.    

 

 

*** On the lunch plate *** 

Chickpea tuna salad with leftover roasted veggies.   

 

 

*** On the dinner plate *** 

French Onion Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes (polenta for me), Sauteed Cabbage.

 

 

*** On the menu *** 

Monday

French Onion Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes (polenta for me), Sauteed Cabbage.

Tuesday 

Greek Chicken Stew, Homemade Fries, Salad  

Wednesday 

Sausage rice, Zucchini in Tomato Sauce

Thursday

Roasted tomato, garlic and cheese Pasta, Garlic Bread, Salad

Friday

Burgers, Macaroni Salad

Saturday

Fend for yourself

Sunday

Smoked Sausage Stuffed Sandwiches

 

*** On my to do list *** 

Change bed linens

Ironing Curt's work shirts

Vacuum and dust

Make sourdough bread

Make Gingerbread Cookie dough

Write Christmas Cards

 

*** New Recipe I tried or want to try *** 

I didn't get around to making the Melomakarona - Greek Cookies.  So will do that this week.

    

 

*** What I am creating ***

Nordic Winter Afghan. 

Juniper Garlands for the front of the house.

Paper Snowflakes for the big living room and dining room windows.

Knitting a scarf.

 

*** No words needed (favorite photo or picture) *** 

One of the reasons I love Christmas is because of the decorations.  I find that they bring out the best lighting and make the whole house seem magical ♥ 

 

 

*** Devotional, Prayers, Bible Verses *** 

Today's verse: 

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him.  - Jeremiah 17:7

{ Blogmas 2024 - Day 8 - Christmas Wishlist }

 

 

I have a running list on Amazon, actually it's not a running list, it's my cart.  Does anyone else put random things into their cart and just leave it in there?  I do this throughout the year, anything that I want or would really like to have, I add to the cart and then save for later.  As I can afford, I then move to the cart again and purchase.  But most things sit there for Birthday and Christmas ideas.

My family knows to go and check the cart if they're looking for gift for me.  

Here's some of my wants this year:

The 6QT Programmable Slow Cooker by Drew Barrymore.  I love this cornflower color and it would fit perfectly in my blue kitchen.

Sungmor Cast Iron Teapot Warmer.  I've wanted one of these for a while.

Kate Humble's Home made.  It's a bit of a pricey cookbook but I've had my eye on it for a while as well.

This adorable book shaped decorative planter.  I mean, Jane Austen, books, plants?  I love it.

The Brambly Hedge Collection.  I would LOVE to have this one.  But again a lot of these items are a little pricey, so they remain in my cart and I buy them as I can.

 

{ Blogmas 2024 - Day 7 - Christmas movies }

 

 

 

I have been on a Christmas movie binge the past two weeks.  I think I may have possibly watched every Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel and Great American Pure Flix.  I just adore these movies, though they have the exact same plot, you know what's going to happen and even what they're going to say, but you still get pulled in.  Well, at least I do.

Aside from all of those wonderful TV movies, I have a few that are must watches during the holiday.  Here are mine: