A Saturday of pottering around

 

It is currently 6:46am, and I have been up since 4.  Thank you daylight savings, thank you for this nonsense every year.  I must say that when we were stationed in Arizona, for those 5 years it was wonderful not having to ever switch the clocks, back or forth.  

Wish I could go back to that.

I was supposed to come in and do this post yesterday, Saturday, but I was so busy cleaning and pottering around, that I didn't get a chance, and by the time my lower back begged me to stop, I just had time to jump in the shower and get in bed.

 

 

My day actually started kind of slow.  I wasn't going to do anything but laundry, of course, and then I sat and read through my Spirit of Christmas book.  Just mindlessly turning the pages, chatting with whoever walk by, and really just doing nothing.

Then the afternoon came around, and all of a sudden I felt this need to clean all the carpets.  I did try to push that thought out of my mind, but it was like my body was on automatic and I got up, and immediately started working on the house. 

In between carpet cleaning, I dusted and switched out the dining room curtains with clean ones, so that I could wash the ones currently hanging up.

 

Pottered around the kitchen, cut up the fresh parsley and cilantro, for the freezer.  Also cut up a watermelon and gave some to the chickens as a snack, they love it.

I moved around my house with a purpose.  When we look at our homemaking with fresh eyes, and a mind focused on purpose and on glorifying God, everything is easier, and suddenly the tasks at hand don't seem do daunting.

By the time my back signaled that I was starting to overdo it, I realized it was way past dinner time.  Thankfully my husband and son reminded me that I don't cook one day on the weekend, and that I didn't have to make anything, they would fend for themselves.  However, they did end up picking up Sonic, which I will say used to be one of my favorites and now is just a disappointment.

Is it just me, or is take out just disappointing lately?  I find it all so heavy, greasy and not good like it used to be years ago.  Maybe I'm growing up and not enjoying it, but I am not the only one thinking it, I have seen plenty of family members and friends complaining about the same.  I don't know what is going on, but truth be told, we would all be better off not eating that stuff anyway, so maybe this is a way of quitting?

 

Overall, it was a good productive Saturday, and I'm glad I got it all done yesterday, because this afternoon Jasmine and her boyfriend are coming over, along with my brother and sister in law, for a coffee and cake.  

Since I have church this morning, I really didn't want to come home after church and then rush to clean or tidy up.  Oh don't even laugh, you know you do the same when you have someone visiting, no matter how much your house looks put together, you still rush to try and make sure it's all perfect.  I don't know why we do that, because none of my family cares about those things, but me personally, I do.

Might just be a pride thing for us homemakers.

Anyway, I am going to be serving coffee, I'm also going to make a Chocolate Yogurt Cake, a Bola de Carne (Portuguese Bacon, Ham and Chourico Bread), and then I also have some hotdogs which I'll make into some Brazilian Hotdogs for an early dinner.  I figure if we all eat these, no one will be hungry for a big dinner anyway.  I guess it will be a snacky kind of early dinner for us all.

But I'll take pictures of everything, and show you after.

I'm going to get ready for the day, and start baking.  Have a blessed Sunday ladies ♥

End of week

 

I just finished tidying up the house, and editing the photos for today's post, and decided to come and sit on my warm bed, to write up this post.

One of the bedroom windows is open, letting the most wonderful breeze.  The sheer white curtains are dancing, the birds are chirping loudly outside, and every once in a while Henry, the rooster, crows.  I think it's his way of letting me know he wants some attention, because once I get out there and give them a snack or check on their water and food, he is good to go.

I must say, my adventure as a chicken mama is nothing like I expected, and I'm not saying that in a bad way whatsoever, it's actually much better than I ever envisioned.  We're already talking about adding more chickens to the coop, but that is something for Spring time.

I don't want to put out the new babies when we are smack dab in the middle of winter, which would be around the time they would be ready to head outside.

 

 

It's cold enough that we've brought the plants in.  I still have a tomato plant, a pepper plant, a berry bush, lemon tree, and my avocado tree that I've been growing from seed.  I don't want them to die already, because even though it's just the beginning of November, we have had freezing temperatures.

 

So what have I been doing the past few days? 

 

Well....I'll just show you. 

 

Feeding my fruitcakes, and they smell so good. I keep resisting the urge to leave one out for us to eat. In order for me not to do that, I've just made a different cake to draw the attention away, from the Christmas ones.

 

It worked, although it is so good, that I'm afraid it didn't last but 2 days, and the boys are all asking me to make another, so that will probably happen tomorrow.  I'll try to add it to the food blog too.

 

 

 

I've kept a close eye on the chickens, because it's their first experience with really cold weather.  We've weather proved their coop and run, and they are extremely happy.

This is my favorite girl, Puffy.  She loves me so much, she hears my voice and comes running.  I pick her up and hold her, pet her, and she just stares up at me, closes her eyes and stays.  

 

The colder temperatures, have also brought out in me, the need to start moving things around, getting ready for Thanksgiving, and creating little corners for those really cold days.

Corners near the fireplace, fluffy blankets and pillows, and reading nooks.  Very much looking forward to that first cold, dark day, where I can sit near the fireplace and the tree, and read a good book.

 

I've also pulled out my Christmas books, for inspiration.  I especially love these Vintage ones because they take me back to my childhood.  

When I think of Christmas, I think of the vintage drawings, the books, the cards, the cartoons.  I find that, as the years have gone by, they've tried so hard to modernize  all, that it's lost that appeal, that magic that made the season so special.

 

And then of course, the Gooseberry Patch Christmas cookbooks.  I have to thank my sweet friend Tamy at Chasing my Life, for sending me all these.

She knows that I would absolutely love having these, and would put them to good use, so a few years ago, I received a box in the mail with all these goodies.  They have a special place on my bookshelf, as well as my heart.

Thank you Tamy ♥

 

 

My TV watching has also shifted a little, I do still watch my Turkish shows, but I'm not watching them as much as I was a few months ago.

Are you also the kind that changes with the seasons?

I used to think it wasn't a thing, but I've realized it is, at least with me.  This time of the year makes me want to read Little House on the Prairie and Beatrix Potter books, watch Jane Austen and other period dramas and listen to classic old Christmas music.

There's actually a channel on Youtube called Vintage Radio which I want to share with you, because I think many of you will enjoy it too.  

 

 

 

From Thanksgiving playlists, to Christmas, Sleep, Workday, Autumn, Summer days, spring cleaning.  There's just so many to choose from, and I really think you all will love them.

I just put one on the TV and go about my day.  It helps to drown out the world, which I think a lot of us are wanting to do at the moment, at least, for a while, to sit in our homes, in peace and quiet and just focus on our families.

That's what I've been focusing on, and I tell you, it's been wonderful.  It helps to keep you grounded and pulls you away from all the sadness, and negativity that seems to be filling the entire the world.

Anyway, it is Friday, thankfully, which means I get to stay up later, wake up later, and have a slow weekend.  Tonight for dinner I am making Brazilian hotdogs, and if you want to see what I do, make you're following me on Instagram because I do daily stories, and I share all my dinners on there.

Some days I show the whole process, and some days I just show the finished meal, but either way, I pretty much share every dinner, which is quite popular with my followers.

Have a wonderful start to the weekend, and I'll see you all tomorrow.

{ Rain, freezing weather, and slow moments }

 

“Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.”

— Albert Einstein

 

 

The rain steadily came down, for the whole of last week, there wasn't a day, or night, where the rain was not present.  Sometimes loud and thunderous, and at other times slow, steady drizzle.

 

Windows were open, cool breezes wafted in filling the house with the scent of wet earth.  Candles were lit, blankets were pulled out of storage and soups and stews started appearing at the dinner table. 

 

 

I made the best soup the other day, filled with veggies, some ground beef and macaroni noodles.  It was jam packed with nutrients, filling and warming.  In a sense, it kicked off this cold season.....and cold is definitely the key word.

 

I don't think I've seen such cold weather, this early on in October, and although that is good in a way because it's knocked off the insane heat from summer, it also makes me weary about the impending winter season.

 

The past two days we've had a freeze warning, and this morning, woke up to a sea of white icy grass and ice on the windshields of our vehicles.  Yes, cold weather is definitely here.  I think even the morning coffees taste better, when it's blistering cold outside. 

 

 

There's something magical about dark rainy days.  The whole mood seems to be somber, but in a good way, or maybe that's just the way I like to see it.  It does provide quite beautiful photos.

 

Speaking of photos, I've been grabbing my camera and making sure to snap more tidbits of my day, the property and nature in general.  I almost forgot just how much I enjoyed photography. 

 

As the rain continued outside, I focused on the chores inside.  Taking care of a home is not an easy task, it requires discipline to continually do the same thing, over and over, repeating and repeating, without losing steam.  

 

I find that for me the easiest way to do that is to, either play some worship music while I work, or pop on a documentary or podcast that I can mindlessly listen to, without having to pay attention to the screen.  Before I know it, everything is done, and the rest of the day (afternoon), is spent doing whatever I want, which usually includes Bible reading, devotional, Instagram, watching a Turkish show, or baking.

 

Since I'm home now full time, without having to drive anyone around, my days have become all about homemaking full time, cooking meals, blogging and those things that I enjoyed so much, but had felt I had neglected for so long.

I've been getting immense pleasure out of cooking our family dinners, or baking a special cake or dessert, also looking for new recipes, and even writing them down, sometimes scribbled really fast, on a notebook I have.  At first I thought about writing it all neatly and trying somehow to separate them into sections, but I quickly realized that is just too much work and I would much rather have a notebook like my great grandmother did.

No doubt you all remember your mother's or grandmother's recipes, scribbled on random pieces of paper or notebooks, filled with little notes on the side, and splattered food stains.  What treasures they are, in this day and age.

I still have some of my grandmother's recipes, written by her, and I often look at the handwriting and reminisce about the moments we spent together.  It's hard to imagine that the handwriting on that paper is from someone who has already passed on.

My hope is that one day, my daughter or son, will want to keep my recipe notebook.  Hopefully I will have more than one, so they won't fight about it.  

Anyway, I am going to go and finish off my chores real quick, and take the chickens some snacks.  

 

See you all soon.

♥♥♥♥

{ Fixed Template }

 

 

I have to apologize for the previous template.  I didn't realize that it would be difficult to comment, or to figure out how to comment.  Thank you to Jean, for bringing it to my attention.

Sometimes we want to do something different, but as always, it's best to stick with what works.  

So, I've removed the other template and just went back to the simple, easy theme I had previously, and now everyone can comment again.  Truth be told, when Jean told me she took a while to figure out how to comment, I went to immediate check it out, and guess what?

I couldn't figure out how to comment either. *facepalm*

Anyway, it's all fixed.  Sorry again about that.

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 10/30/2023 }

 

 

Good morning everyone, come on in out of the cold.  

 

I can hardly believe this is the last Happy Homemaker Monday, of October.  What?!?!?

 

May as well be middle of winter, as we're seeing very cold temperature, in the 20s and have a freeze warning in place.  I have a feeling we're heading for a very cold winter again.  

 

Anyway, come in, I'll pour you a cup of coffee, or tea, and we can have a chat.  As I'm sure you've noticed, the template has changed.  It's been a bit of pain in the you know what, but seems to be behaving at the moment, so we will leave it as is.

 

I'm going to try and get this post up as quick as I can, earlier than usual, because my allergies have been so bad the past week, that I woke up with itchy eyes, sneezing and a runny congested nose.  So I had to take my allergy meds which usually knock me out within 20 minutes.

If for some reason I disappear, that's what happened, I'm probably face down on the keyboard.  *Just kidding*  🤣

Have a blessed week friends!

*** The Weather ***

I can say, it is cold.  My goodness it's cold.  I'm glad to see the heat waves behind us, but I wasn't quite prepared to go from one extreme to the other.  Good ol' Texas though.

 

We've had some glorious rain the past week, which I really enjoyed, and I think there may be some more, but not sure.  Let's check our weather. 

 

Monday - Sunny, 47

Tuesday - Sunny, 53

Wednesday - Sunny, 59

Thursday - Sunny, 63

Friday - Sunny, 70

Saturday - Mostly sunny, 75

Sunday - Sunny, 76

*** Right now I am ***

Trying to get this post up as quick as possible. 

 

*** Thinking and pondering ***

My brain has shifted to Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I think Christmas this year is going to be very laid back, times are hard, things are so expensive.  I want to go back to the basics and either make most of the gifts, or keep it very low key. 

 

*** How I am feeling ***

Pretty cruddy with the allergies.  I'm tired of sneezing, tired of rubbing my nose, tired of blowing my nose, tired of scratching my eyes.  Ugh!!!

 

*** On the breakfast plate ***

I've had a cup of coffee, and will have some Instant Pot Oatmeal for breakfast, in about an hour or so.  

 

*** On the lunch plate ***

We had some Subway for dinner last night, and I only ate half my sandwich, I'll have the other half for lunch. 

 

*** On the dinner plate ***

Febras no tacho com cerveja (Pork Chops in Beer Sauce), Mashed Potatoes and Carrots, Salad

 

 

*** On the menu ***

 

Monday - Febras no tacho com cerveja (Pork Chops in Beer Sauce), Mashed Potatoes and Carrots, Salad

Tuesday - Spaghetti Nests with Sausage and Spinach, Cheesy Garlic Monkey Bread

Wednesday - Crispy Tacos, Mexican Rice, Salad

Thursday - Frango na cebola (Chicken with onions), Macaroni Salad, Broccoli

Friday - Brazilian Hotdogs

Saturday - Kibbeh, Homemade Fries, Salad

Sunday - Onion and Potato Soup, Grilled Cheese and Tomato

 

 

 

*** What I am wearing ***

It's pretty early, so still in my pajamas, winter pajamas of course.  Will throw on some leggings and a long sleeve sweatshirt later. 

 

*** On my reading pile ***

Finished 1 Peter, moving on to 2 Peter.

Also started Francine River's, A Lineage of Grace.

 

*** On my TV this week ***

Youtube - Brazilian Homemaking Vlogs, Expedition Bible

Turkish shows - Bambaska Biri, Dizik Talesi, Hudutsuz Sevda

Rumble - Christian podcasts

 

*** Looking around the house ***

I need to carpet clean the living room and dining room.  We've had rain for a week, non stop, which means anytime Kaia goes out to potty, she comes back in with wet muddy paws.  I spot clean immediately, but I like to give the whole carpet a good clean after a few days. 

 

*** To do list ***

Carpet clean

Put away clean laundry

Take out meat for dinner and marinate

Make Pumpkin Bagels

Make yogurt lemon cake, for this week (I like to make a dessert each week, something we usually enjoy after dinner, as a family, while we play games)

 

*** From the camera ***

If a picture could show you, our past week, it would be this.  Absolutely love it when it rains.  I love how dark it gets, love the sound, the smell of the wet earth, and love seeing the rain drops hanging from flowers, branches and leaves.  

*** Something to share ***

I've mentioned Giselle's channel before, but just wanted to mention her again, in case you missed it.  Giselle Waldner is a Hutterite, living in a colony in Canada.  She shares her life and we get a special glimpse inside the Hutterite life.  

 

Giselle like many other girls, have chores and a routine they need to follow.  Each week, the older girls are tasked with cooking for the 100 plus colony members.  She takes us along and show us what she does, as well as the food, and even shares some recipes.   Hope you enjoy watching, as much as I do. 

 

*** Devotional, Bible Verses ***

I was listening to a Pastor/Prophet yesterday, and he said something that really stuck with me.  He was explaining why a lot of times we pray, then wonder why it doesn't come true.  What are we doing wrong?

He explained that we have a covenant with God, and we are to speak on that covenant when we are in prayer or asking for something.  We can't just ask God, because He knows what we need.  He wants us to stand on the covenant, stand on His word (the Bible) and invoke that.  

What he said was, we need to have Faith like God, or Godly faith.  What does that mean?

Well when God says something, He doesn't think about whether it will happen, because He knows it will happen.  So we are to believe it in our hearts, speak it out through our mouth, and it comes to pass.  

That may not mean anything to you, but it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I'm still learning so much, but one thing I've been focused on, is speaking His word back to Him when in prayer.  In other words, "Lord you SAID in your word that.......I speak so and so........"  I hope that makes sense.

But, my faith is something I still struggle with, and that revelation hit me so hard, and changed the way I pray going forth.  Hope it helps you too.