{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 06/07/2021 }

Good morning sweet friends.  Hope you've all had a great weekend.

I thought the week before last was difficult, but without a doubt, last week was worse for me.  I am not doing very well mentally, I think the constant stress of the past year and a half, has finally started affecting me.

 

I've always considered myself a strong woman, optimistic and positive, always looking at the silver lining.  Unfortunately, I feel that all seems to be dwindling, and I'm finding it harder to deal with life in general.  To say I'm struggling is an understatement.

I held back tears during church service yesterday morning, but the minute we got in the truck, it all came flooding out.  My poor husband didn't know what to do with me.  

 

If you don't see me posting much, just know that I'm trying to take care of myself, and get back on track.  Sometimes we need to step back, and put our health and well being first, before we can be there for others.  Hope you understand!

 

My blog used to be my refuge, the place I would come to chat and get away from stress, but the unkind comments the past few months, have also contributed to my mental health decline.  It's sad but it's the reality.

 

So, bear with me, while I try to find my way through the giants facing me at the moment.  I will be fine, and I will be back to my happy self in no time.

 

Have a blessed week friends, and be kind to each other.  This world is lacking kindness and compassion. 

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The weather::: 

Woke up at 4 am to a Tornado watch.  Thankfully it's been removed but we do have a severe weather warning for the next few hours. 

 

Monday - Thunderstorms, 85

Tuesday - Partly Cloudy, 93

Wednesday - Sunny, 98

Thursday - Mostly sunny, 99

Friday - Partly cloudy, 103

Saturday - Mostly sunny, 96

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 94

 

 

On my reading pile::: 

Finished "It is What you Make of It" by Justin McRoberts.

Also reading in Mark in the Bible, and I've picked up Corrie Ten Boom's The Hiding Place, again.

 

 

On my TV:::  

Been watching a few more Holocaust Documentaries on Netflix, as well as Survivor Testimonies on YouTube.

Although they are difficult to watch and listen to at times, I think it's so important to know what took place.  As one of the survivors said, without History we have no Memory, and without Memory we repeat the mistakes again.  watch.   

 

On the menu for this week:::

I'm back to posting regularly on the food blog, so if you're looking for some new recipes to try, go on over and take a look.

We managed to stick with the menu the whole week, which hasn't happened in a while, but I've been enjoying my time back in the kitchen, it has helped me stay focused the past week.

 

Monday -  Grilled Garlic and Pepper Jack Sausages, Potato Salad

Tuesday - Carne Guisada com Massa (Portuguese Beef Pasta), Salad

Wednesday - Zucchini Casserole with Bacon

Thursday - Instant Pot 40 Cloves Garlic chicken, Rice, Salad

Friday - *Grocery Shopping*

Saturday -

Sunday -

On my to do list::: 

Yard - We have been working really hard on our property.  We made a small parking area for visitors.  Built a wooden fence, installed lights and put down driveway gravel.  It's a lot of back breaking work laying down all those rocks, but Curt and I love it and we tend to use work around the house, as a distraction when life is stressful around us. 

Garden -  My blueberries and raspberries came in.  My roses are doing really well too, and all our fruit trees are growing and thriving. 

Home - Just the usual housework

Doctor - I have my OB appointment all set up.

Vet - Need to call this morning to set up Marley's follow up appointment for the end of the week.

 

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating::: 

Still working on the Sweet Blossom Blanket from Sue Rawlinson of Sweet Pea Crochet.  

 

Looking around the house::: 

It is really dark due to the rain outside.

Marley just came running into the bedroom with the cat close on his tail.  These two are like real siblings, annoy each other and then also lay together and share food and treats.  

Kids are asleep, but as usual Jasmine will be up soon.  Curt is about to leave for work.  

I've opened the curtains and blinds in the house, and the back patio door (screen is closed of course), to let in some fresh air, and of course listen to the rain as it comes down.

 

 

From the camera::: 

As I said above, been cooking a lot and sharing on the blog.  This was one of our faves this past week.  So good. 

Copycat McDonald's Big Mac.     

 

Something fun to share::: 

I thought you may enjoy visiting Northern Japan.  So today I bring you yet another great video from Angela's Simple Life.  Hope you enjoy ♥

On my prayer list::: 

♥♥  Our Marley.  The Apoquel has helped him a lot when it comes to his allergies, but unfortunately the swelling has not subsided.  Back to the vet it is, until we can pin point the real issue and fix it.  Please continue to pray for our boy. 

♥♥  My sister in law Hayley is going for her biopsy on Wednesday afternoon.  Please pray for her.  

♥♥  For my mental health and well being.  As I said above, I am really struggling lately. 

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 05/31/2021 }

Good morning dear friends, hope you've all had a good long weekend, and that you have a blessed Memorial Day today.

 

As always, our thoughts and prayers go out to all the men and women who perished while on duty, to serve this beautiful country we live in, as well as their families.

 

May we always remember and be grateful for their ultimate sacrifice.

 

Last week was a hard one for us as a family, we have been feeling the hits, constantly, for the past year and a half.  It's draining, and I have moments of sheer panic and overwhelming anxiety.  It is something I never suffered from, until I started my perimenopause.  It's still not something I feel often, but when I do, the anxiety is so overwhelming that I feel like I can't even breathe.

 

But, I know many others out there have been struggling with life too.  The spiritual warfare we find ourselves under, is so strong and doesn't seem to let up from one thing to the other.  It's disheartening, but as Christians, we learn to stand strong, to fall down but get right back up, and to push one foot in front of the other.  It's not always easy to do, but it's doable nonetheless.  

 

Anyway, I am praying fervently for a week of blessings, breakthroughs and restoration, not only for my family but for yours as well.

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The weather::: 

We have had quite a lot of rain lately, and a bit more today.  It's actually raining at the moment and is supposed to last all day.  The temperatures have now settled in the 80s, so lots of warmth around here too. 

 

Monday - Thunderstorms, 73

Tuesday - Cloudy, 75

Wednesday - Mostly sunny, 80

Thursday - Partly cloudy, 83

Friday - Partly cloudy, 83

Saturday - Partly cloudy, 82

Sunday - Isolated Thunderstorms, 80

 

 

On my reading pile::: 

It is What you Make of It by Justin McRoberts.

 

 

On my TV:::  

Watched The Last Days on Netflix.  It is a Holocaust  documentary, telling the lives of some of the survivors and what they went through, including some never before seen footage, as well as interviews with some American Army Soldiers involved in the liberation of Auschwitz.  Very good, but as with all Holocaust documentaries, very sad and hard to watch.   

 

On the menu for this week:::

 

Monday -  Copycat KFC Bowls

Tuesday - Farmer's Pork Chops and Potatoes, Salad

Wednesday - Chicken and Dumpling Skillet with Gnocchi

Thursday - Copycat Cracker Barrel Roast, Butter Spaghetti, Salad

Friday - Instant Pot 40 Cloves Garlic chicken, Rice

Saturday - Copycat Big Macs and Fries

Sunday - Cheesy Beef and Bean Tacos

On my to do list::: 

Yard - We are working on making a parking area for visitors.  Building a small fence enclosure and then putting down rocks as well.

Garden -  We are also working on creating a memory garden, for my mother in law, Curt's grandma, and my grandmothers and great grandma as well.  Will show you all when that is finished.

Home - usual homemaking

Doctor - need to call my OB to see about a refill for my patches, will most likely need to go in for an appointment

Vet - make Marley's follow up appointment for next week

 

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating::: 

Still working on the Sweet Blossom Blanket from Sue Rawlinson of Sweet Pea Crochet.   I set it aside for last week, because I realized that the last row I made, is off by a few stitches and I need to go back, see where the mistake is and possibly pull it back a bit.  Not looking forward to that at all.

 

Looking around the house::: 

Woke up this morning to find Elliott had thrown up his food in the kitchen.  He doesn't throw up often at all, matter of fact he only threw up once a few months ago.  Not sure why he threw up, but I'm thinking a hair ball.  He has super long fur and is constantly grooming, but yes, not something I wanted to wake up to.

The house is pretty dark right now due to the rain outside.  Marley is asleep on the bed next to me, Elliott is asleep on the floor next to me.  Curt is on his computer, Jasmine and Nick are also still asleep, though Jas is going to be up for work soon.  She is so exhausted, she worked a 50 hour week last week, and looks like more of that is in the books for this coming week.  

I need to vacuum the den/dining area and living room.  Aside from that, the house is clean and tidy.

 

 

From the camera::: 

There is something so rewarding about growing your own food.  The whole process from preparing the garden, to sowing seeds and then watching it grow.  Love it.   

 

Something fun to share::: 

Bringing you another wonderful video from the channel Homewood Stoves on Youtube.  I just love watching their videos.  This time we get to learn a new recipe for a No Knead Bread.  Hope you enjoy!

On my prayer list::: 

♥♥  Our Marley.  This morning we started him on Apoquel.  He has been off the steroids now for 3 days, and we are really hoping that Apoquel is the magic pill to get that swelling to go down.  Aside from the swelling, he is our normal happy Marley, it doesn't seem to bother him at all.  I think it all bothers us more than him, to be honest.  

♥♥  Really need prayers for my sister in law Hayley.  She found a lump on her breast, had a mammogram and sonogram done, and now needs to go in for a biopsy.  Please keep her in your prayers.  

Quote of the week:::

"We need to learn to speak TO the darkness that we are facing, and not ABOUT the darkness." 

- Pastor Gregory Dickow

Wow!!  Was that a quote directly for me.  

My stepmom had shared Pastor Dickow with me, about two weeks ago.  She said he was so good to listen to, and that she was really enjoying his messages.  I was so stuck and under a dark cloud last week, that I didn't get to really listen to anything.  But yesterday, I felt a push to watch his videos and as always, it was as if he was speaking about our struggles and what we are dealing with.

I realized that I spend so much time thinking about, and talking about the darkness that is over our lives at the moment, that all I am doing is giving it energy and power.  I need to be speaking TO the darkness, rebuking it, commanding it gone.  Whew, that was a wake up.

If anyone else is going through a hard time, whatever it may be, remember this quote to.  Don't speak about it, speak directly to it, and command it be gone from your life, in Jesus name.

{ A Rainy Day in the Garden, and a few antique store finds }

 

The sun has just come out, the skies are a beautiful pale blue, and the rain has moved on.

 

But earlier today, it poured, and when I say it poured, I mean it really poured down.

I had dropped Jasmine off and was on the way back home, when it started.  Within 2 minutes, I had my windshield wipers on full blast and still struggling to see the road ahead.  When the weather gets like this, I slow down, it doesn't matter what the speed limit is, I believe in being cautious, so I take my time.

It doesn't help that my car also seems to hate wet roads, and has a tendency to slide.  It makes me so nervous every time it does, because no matter how slow I'm going, it hits water on the road and starts sliding.  Nerve wrecking!

I made it home safe and sound, parked in the driveway, and then ran for the porch.  I still ended up looking like a drowned rat, that's how hard it was raining.

 

I've mentioned before how both Marley and Elliott are scared of storms, and even though Nick was up and in the office, on his computer, they were both at the front door waiting for me to return. 

 

I had no sooner opened the door, when a loud thunder and lightning cracked right in the front yard, sending me running into the house with a scream.

 

Marley scattered one way in fear, Elliott ran to hide so fast, it was almost a blur.  My goodness, the storms in Texas are intimidating.

 

Scary but beautiful at the same time. I love stepping outside to see not only the rain falling, but the aftermath. 

 

Sparkly drops hanging on flower petals, or just at the tip of a leaf, dangling, waiting to fall to the ground.  

These are the moments I grab my camera and am thankful for not only loving photography, but being able to capture such lovely snapshots of an otherwise normal day.

How many times do you actually stop to look at raindrops on a flower, or a blade of grass?  I never used to, until I started blogging and then it became normal, to always have the camera nearby for times such as these.

The garden is loving all the rain, as is expected.  The flowers are blooming and showing off their gorgeous colors and designs, the vegetables are growing in leaps and bounds, matter of fact, I've already harvested lettuce and green onions.  

So pretty!!!

 

Of course, the birds are also loving the warm weather, and it's quite interesting watching them during rain storms.  Some hide in trees , while others take that moment to do fly bys in the yard, back and forth, landing on the fences and fluffing their feathers.

 

Before I show you the few things I got at the antique store this weekend, let me show you our Elliott. He is so cute, naughty, but cute. Hahahah 

The first thing I got was this little sign.  It is handmade as you can tell, but I love imperfect things items.  I don't like anything to look pristine and new, because I find that the more imperfect they look, the more they fit in with my simplistic country/primitive look.

I have been looking for some baskets to reorganize my pantry, and these were pretty cheap, so got two.

You'll have to excuse the Elliott foot, you know cats, they have to be in every basket they find.  

Then I saw this book, and immediately grabbed it.  It was just a dollar.

Little Women is one of my favorite books of all time, and the fact that it is an old book, just makes it that much more appealing.  It's going right on my shelf along with the other old books I've collected over the years.

It wasn't a lot of things, but they were things that caught my eye and will be used and loved here in our home.

 

I hope you enjoyed the flowers, the rain shots and seeing what I picked up over the weekend.   

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 05/24/2021 }

Good morning everyone, hope you've had a wonderful weekend.

 

Ours was pretty good.  We celebrated my husband's 48th birthday on Saturday, then Sunday we went to church as a family, the kids came with and it was wonderful of course.  We followed that up with a lunch at IHOP, then came home and just relaxed the rest of the day.

 

Before I go on with the Happy Homemaker Monday, I thought I would quickly answer a question that seems to come up quite often.  I don't know why, or why this issue even matters, but I'm constantly being asked about my prayer list in this feature, and why I used to have the President on there and I don't anymore.

 

The answer is simple.  Just because I don't name people on there specifically, it doesn't mean I don't pray for them.  The reason I don't post about any political people I'm praying for, is because it seemed to cause major drama.  I had some pretty nasty anonymous comments, and I don't want my blog to become anything political at all.

 

This blog has never been about politics and it never will be.  It is about homemaking, my Christian faith, my family, our life, cooking and crafts and so on.  

So no, I will no longer, ever actually, post anything political including who I am or am not praying for.  Praying is something personal, and who each person prays for, shouldn't even be brought into question, in my opinion.

I hope that answers the questions, and that we can put that issue to rest and just move on with our usual  homemaking shenanigans.

Right, let's get on now.  Wishing you all a blessed week ahead!

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The weather::: 

Quite rainy weather lately.  Looks like another rainy week ahead, which is fine, it cools things down because Texas seems to have gone straight into summer heat. 

 

Monday - Scattered Thunderstorms, 78

Tuesday - Isolated Thunderstorms, 85

Wednesday - Partly cloudy, 90

Thursday - PM Thunderstorms, 90

Friday - Scattered Thunderstorms, 80

Saturday - AM Thunderstorms, 85

Sunday - Partly cloudy, 85

 

 

On my reading pile::: 

It is What you Make of It by Justin McRoberts, for an upcoming book review.  

On my TV:::  

Been watching some Brazilian Crime Channels on Youtube, as well as the usual slow living vlogs.

 

 

On the menu for this week:::

Have a plan until Friday but then need to get groceries, so I'll be working on the new menu throughout the week.

 

Monday -  Creamy Swiss Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Salad

Tuesday - Poor Man's Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches, Macaroni and Cheese

Wednesday - Garlic Beef and Broccoli, Basmati Rice

Thursday - Ono's Hawaiian Chicken, Aioli Spaghetti

Friday - *Grocery Shopping*

On my to do list::: 

Housework - Usual tidy up, dusting.

Grocery Shopping on Friday

 

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating::: 

Still working on the Sweet Blossom Blanket from Sue Rawlinson of Sweet Pea Crochet.  

 

 

 

Looking around the house::: 

It is quite dark, cloudy and rainy outside.  It's pretty warm in the house, so I have some of the overhead fans on to circulate the air a bit.

Hubby is getting ready for work, so is Jasmine.  Nick as always, is still asleep. 

 

 

From the camera::: 

The progress of the crochet blanket.      

Something fun to share::: 

Sharing something a little different today, instead of a video I'm giving you a website.  I mentioned it in my previous post, which was Sandra's Saturday Surfing.  

 

Wayback Machine let's you put in a link to a website and see exactly what it looked like years before.  It was quite fun seeing my blog as it was back in 2006 and so forth.  The templates, what I was sharing, oh it was just a trip back in time.  Give it a try.  

 

On my prayer list::: 

Our Marley, as we navigate this craziness that is going on with him.  Thank you to the person who mentioned Lyme Disease, that is something we will bring to the Vet and have them test for. 

 

 

{ Sandra's Saturday Surfing }

Back in 2006, I had started a feature on my blog called Sandra's Saturday Surfing.  I just wanted to share the websites I had visited, blogs I was enjoying, or any other internet site I had come across that I found interesting.

While looking through old blog posts earlier today, I came across it again and thought "Oh, how neat, and it is Saturday, maybe I can put one up today, that would be fun."

I looked through some of the old sites I shared, and let's just say that 90% of them are no longer available.  Makes sense, since they were linked back in 2006.  

This is the graphic I used, I had made it and was so proud of myself for putting it together.  

I have to smile at that.  It is so reminiscent of the kind of graphic I made and used back in the day.  Actually makes me miss my early blogging days even more.

However, times have changed, and I love using my own photos now.  I find it keeps at bay the usual copyright issues that you can run into, when using someone else's photo or a graphic that you find through Google.

I love this photo.  I think I took it back in 2017 or 2018, not quite sure.  I still had my desk at the living room window, and by the way, I loved having that little spot.  I have a beautiful view from my big windows, and found it so calming sitting there at the computer, typing away, while enjoying the trees, the field, the birds and the wildlife around.

Anyway, it is a rainy morning, it's cloudy and pouring it down outside.  It is also my husband's birthday, he turns 48 today.

We were just talking about how crazy it is to think that we are inching ever so close to 50.  Still feel like little kids, who just got married last year and have had our first baby.  Reality though is that we are middle aged, with a 22 and an 18 year old.  

We have no plans for today, but tomorrow the entire family, including my brother and his family, are attending church.  That was the only thing my husband wanted for his birthday, no gifts, no parties or get togethers, just for the family to attend church with him in the morning.  And that is what we will do.

Now, onto our Saturday Surfing.  Let's see where I've been this week, you ready?

 

Paperbackswap - I've talked about this one site many times, I ordered some new books with the credits I had available, and was even lucky enough to be gifted a free book from another member.  

 

Thrift Books - We use this site to look for textbooks for Curt's college course.  There are so many wonderful books available for really good prices.

 

YouTube - of course, I am on there every single day, watching vlogs, slow living videos and all sorts of documentaries.  Speaking of which, I am currently watching British History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley.

 

Mennonite Girls Can Cook - I have followed this blog since 2009, and unfortunately they stopped sharing recipes in 2018, but they still have over 3000 recipes available.  Some of the best, home cooked, simple, belly filling recipes you could wish for.

MapCrunch - Ok this website is so cool.  Basically every day you visit, there is a new location that Google Maps has brought you to.  All you do is explore the area, look around and enjoy the scenery.  It's a fun way to visit a little corner of the world, every single day, from the comfort of your home.

Wayback Machine - Oh wow.  I accidentally found this internet archive, and I've had the best time looking back on some websites and my own blog.  Just enter it a web address and it will show you which years you can pop back into.  I guess it saves your address a bunch of times, over years, and you can go back and see exactly what your website looked like.  It's been a trip down memory lane, for sure.  I actually got teary eyed looking at some of my old templates, blogs I followed, and even found some widgets that I had lost a long time ago, that I can now bring back to life on the blog.

Radio Garden - This is such a fun website.  I use it to listen to radio from Portugal and South Africa, but you can search any location in the world.  Do you want to listen to radio stations in England, Poland, Japan.  Any country, city, you can listen to instant radio.   It is amazing, give it a try.

So there you go, my Saturday Surfing.  I will probably keep this feature going every week, it will be fun to share new sites with you.

Have a blessed Saturday friends!