Happy Homemaker Monday: May 12, 2025

 Holy heck, you guys. I blinked and it's May! Ella turns 19 (what?!) at the end of this week, and Goose will be 8 not quite two weeks after that. How is my baby going to be 8? And Ella's an adult, what the heck is going on. I'm not ready for my kids to grow up, but I recognize that they are gonna, and I want to enjoy every stage. 

Without further ado though, let's get on with this post. 

The weather in my neck of the woods: So much rain, y'all. I think we have a short break from it right this minute, but it's gonna rain more and there's already a flash flood watch. It's really messing with my anxiety, as I have a lot of that left over from Helene. I think most everybody in my county does. 

As I look outside my window: It's all gray and cloudy. Most of the railings on my porch have plant pots on them, welcome to Spring in my little house in the mountains. If it would stop pouring, I'd get more planting done. 

Right now, I am: Typing up this post, and planning a last minute lunch outing with my friend Angela. Bopping along to Noah Kahan, and watching the breeze ruffle my poppy plants. Admiring the striped blanket I got at Sam's Club a few summers ago. I canceled my work day today because flooding is not conducive to planting or gardening or anything work-y.

Thinking and pondering: Seriously considering going low(er) carb. I did a few years ago and it was great. And then I found out I was being cheated on and it threw my diet all the way off. Ugh. I think it's definitely time. That means adjusting meals and such, but I'm more than ready. 

On my bedside table: My phone, a lot of books, a wavy-noodle guy pen, an Amazon package that has the components of one of Ella's birthday presents. 

On my TV: Will Trent (I have to catch up), Dance Moms (Season 6 is insane). I watched the Ruby Franke Lifetime movie yesterday (Lifetime movies are awful but they are a comfort watch to me). I fell down the Ruby Franke rabbit hole last year and oh my goodness, yikes. 

Listening to: Noah Kahan, the cars going by. Rain falling. 

On the menu for this week: I'm making Chicken Gnocchi soup today. Tomorrow is Cube Steak and Rice, Wednesday is Ramen Stir Fry and I'm making a Beef Veggie Soup on Thursday. I go grocery shopping on Thursday this week. My schedule is thrown off some, but oh well. 

On my to-do list: Wash a load of towels. Organize books. Clean the bathroom. Maybe go to the gym. 

What I am sewing/creating; Something for Ella's birthday. 

My simple pleasure: Planting herbs on my front porch. I went to the plant nursery last week as a mother's day present, and I just really like gardening. (I better, it's what I chose to do for a living). 

Looking around the house: Definitely needs some TLC, Why do I always have things for Goodwill? (Because my youngest is growing too fast, and I'm decluttering like a madwoman) 

From the camera: 

Carolina All-spice. It smells like a starburst

Have a great week! 

At Some Point, I Have To Write Something

 ...and it may as well be now.

I miss blogging. I miss what the internet was, before we were expected to consume news and opinions and everything from everywhere. I miss when people didn't try to tell me what or how to believe or how to raise my kids or even how to recover from trauma. 

Just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's there for me to see, or to read, or to fret over. 

I realized the other day how much I missed Pinterest. Not making Pinterest boards or what have you, just looking at things that interest me. Maybe I want to make a skirt. Maybe I want a new meatball recipe. Not two hundred ads, or the latest political arguments. 

I went out to dinner with a friend on Friday, and we stopped by a store and bought some books. And y'all, I missed BOOKS so much. Stephen King isn't gonna tell me who to vote for, or play me an ad for car insurance. I read a book nearly from beginning to end after work today. I laughed and cried, and held my breath. And nobody interrupted my book to play me an ad about medication and its side effects. 

I even have a hard time watching movies. When did we become so disregulated, y'all? What the heck happened and how do we fix it? 

I think going outside helps. Slapping the DND button on my phone and my watch helps. Waking up early and lighting a candle helps. 

I seriously do not think we were meant to live the way we are living. 

And I don't think I'll be doing that anymore. 

Just two pictures I've taken over the past few days. 

Happy Homemaker Monday: April 28, 2025

 Good morning! It's Monday and I've hit the ground running. My busy season is here, but I don't want to let this blog go by the wayside...too much. Last week was pretty rough. I'm just tired of being everybody's unpaid therapist/the fixer/the one EVERYBODY comes to...It's a lot and it's draining.  But I've had a few days to stew and cry and go on long walks/runs and I feel a lot better. 

Here we go!

The weather in my neck of the woods: It's absolutely beautiful outside. The mornings are still cool and the days are warm and the evenings are cool again. It's paradise, and I'd almost say I want this year round, but as I get older I appreciate the seasons so much more. 

As I look outside my window: Blue sky, green grass and all my weird little windchimes. It's all pretty great. 

Right now I am: Typing up this post, and getting ready for my work day, which looks super busy already. Not complaining, those are just the facts, Jack. 

Something fun to share: 

Every year, we release Painted Lady butterflies. We get our kits from Insect Lore! This year, we even donated a caterpillar kit to our local library and they had their own little release. 

Thinking and pondering: Life really is what you pour into it/into yourself/into your family. I'd had such a bad day on Friday, and I think it honestly reflected in everything and even affected the moods of my kids. Yesterday, I made it a point to be careful about what I did and what I said and even the music I was listening to. I chose peaceful piano for the background music of what I did in the house...and it made such a difference. Point taken, hehe. 

On my bedside table: A mess that I'm going to tackle when I get home from work. Just off the top of my head I see a brochure about snakes in Tennessee, an origami frog Ella made me, my Kindle in its cool cover (which we found while Spring cleaning). 

On my TV: Will Trent, Next Level Chef (Go Bobby!), Season 6 of Dance Moms (holy wow, Abby Lee Miller is insane). 

Listening to: Piano music, my windchimes, the clack of the keyboard as I type. I took Keyboarding in high school and I'm honestly pretty proud of my typing skills. 

On my to-do list: Work, shipping orders, breaking ground on a new client garden, tackling that mess of a bedside table. 

What I am sewing/knitting/crocheting/creating: I did the pencil sketch of my Gypsy Cowboy drawing, and it will likely still go through several incarnations before I put ink to it. 

My simple pleasure: Coffee on my porch swing in the mornings. Or looking out my kitchen window at the sunrise. I've been wrapped up in so many things I forgot to slow down and appreciate all the beauty I see every day. 

Looking around the house: Oi. We had a cleaning spree this weekend and there's stuff everywhere (so it doesn't seem as if we've cleaned at all) But after work, stuff will go to the Goodwill/the dump/wherever it belongs and things should look better this evening. 

From the camera: 

It's rare I'll put my face on here, but the other day I took a picture of me. Sometimes, I see my mother's features and it scares me. I don't want to be that woman. She was my first bully, and honestly, she's kind of a monster. But then...what if this is what she would have looked like if she hadn't let her demons win? What if she'd stayed sober, softer, and loved the hell out of her kids? What if she was soft sweaters instead of harsh words? What if her hands were used for holding and not hitting? Could this have been her? Gray hair and wrinkles but full of love? I don't know. 

Bible Verse, Devotional: I'm reading through my Bible in a year again, and I've nothing to offer except that I had missed reading like this. 

Have a great week? 

Happy Homemaker Monday: April 14, 2025

 Good...evening! I had to work today and that took up a lot of my day. I'm home now and dinner is made and most chores are done so I can finally sit down and make this post. 

The weather in my neck of the woods: Warmer than last week, thank heavens. 

As I look outside my window: My curtains are actually drawn because it's so sunny outside, it's glaring up on my laptop screen. But if my curtains were open, I'd see my side yard and Duke the cat that doesn't quite belong to my neighbors and doesn't quite belong to me lurking around. 

Right now, I am: Singing along (badly) to music, typing up this post and staring mournfully at the laundry I'm gonna have to start folding. 

Something fun to share: People who walk daily are less likely to be depressed. My WalkFit app tells me fun things like that daily. 

Thinking and pondering: I have tomorrow off, and I'm so very glad. I love what I do for work, but every once in a while I just need a break from it. I also get to see two friends I haven't seen in a long while tomorrow and that makes me so happy. On a more serious (maybe) note, I've noticed that the older I get, the less patience I have for people and their gossip. Having once been the piece of gossip in my town, I just want nothing to do with it. And people are so bent on dragging others into their negativity. I had to step away from a situation yesterday and take myself on a long hike because I just refuse to deal with it. 

On my bedside table: A lot of books. Nail polishes. The charger cord for my smart watch. A plastic Oscar the Grouch 

On my TMV: Will Trent, Dance Moms (Season 4!), The Black Swan (what am I watching, y'all?!)

Listening to: "Love Me More" by David Wimbish & The Collection. That band will always have a special place in my heart. Goose is humming while she plays with Gypsy...also, Gypsy is a clown! I've forgotten what it's like to have a young cat in the house. Ren was my grumpy old man and Gypsy is the complete opposite. 

On the menu for the week: I made beef stew today. Ella's in charge of dinner tomorrow and I think it's gonna be Breakfast for Dinner. Wednesday is Crockpot Taco Soup and Thursday I think we are having Chicken Nachos, but don't quote me on that. It's all interchangeable. 

On my to do list: I'm gonna help Goose change over her bedding for Spring, fold some laundry, and go for a run. 

What I am creating: A silly portrait of Gypsy. Stay tuned!!!

My simple pleasure: Solo hiking. I'd been afraid to hike alone for YEARS, but now that I've gone alone a few times, it makes me so happy. 

Looking around the house: THE LAUNDRY, YOU GUYS. My walls are dappled with little rainbows from the suncatchers, and there's sunshine in every corner of the house. But...the LAUNDRY. 

From the camera: 

top picture: Gypsy, the littlest vampire. 

bottom picture: Phacellia Fimbriata. The forest is full of it. 

Bible verse, Devotional: I don't have anything this week, but I'm just happy to pray for all those that need it. 

Happy Homemaker Monday: April 6, 2025

 Good...afternoon! I slept in way later than I wanted (I actually have the day off, and may continue my Monday off rule for the rest of time, it's always nice to have an allegedly long weekend, even though I work most every Saturday) We spent most of this previous week reeling from losing our cat. Some new developments took place, and much to nobody's surprise we ended up at our Humane Society after church yesterday...and ended up taking a cat home. Before you judge me too harshly, please know that this was not a decision that was made lightly and I am forever thinking in the best interests of my children. Here we goooo

The weather in my neck of the woods: Cool and rainy. Supposed to get cooler and more rainy, and we may even see snow before it eventually warms up. Typical April weather. They say that April is "the cruelest month" when it comes to temperatures and I wholeaheartedly believe that. 

As I look outside my window: It's stopped raining for now. Still cloudy. My street is quiet and there aren't cars speeding by. The lawn is green with a million dandelions that I will not be treating the grass for, because they are food for bees. Sue me, I actually love dandelions in all their forms. 

Right now, I am: Watching Goose draw faces in her sketchbook. Typing up this post. Mentally going over the rolodex of things I've gotta do today yet. Days off are so strange. I know I have to rest then I feel unproductive and guilty. 

Something fun to share: For future reference, April 5th was National Dandelion Day! Dandelions are medicinal and beneficial and edible and I cannot say enough nice things about them. They are also often one of the first foods available for our pollinators as they emerge after winter. 

Thinking and pondering: Go down this rabbit hole with  me for a bit, will you? I was putting on an earring this morning. (My earrings are always mis-matched, one is a tiny silver gravestone that reads "See Ya" that I never take off, and the other is always different, today it's a star)...and I was picking out whatever one I was going to wear and I thought to myself...such freedom. I was raised in a strict, scary environment with almost no freedom...so to have so many choices with something so simple is wild. It's mindblowing things that I don't think about now, I wouldn't have ever been allowed to do as a kid, or even a young adult. (Nose piercing? Nope. Wild nail polish? Absolutely not. I couldn't even pick out my own clothes) Looking at adult me in the mirror is crazy because my mother would (and has!) have so much to say about how I look or what I wear. but childhood me is secretly so happy because I had all these crazy ideas about clothes and now I can wear whatever I want. Watching Ella and Goose dress however the heck they want brings me such joy and I am all too happy to buy whatever articles of clothing they fancy. 

They have different styles, and I love it so much. Also, this was taken at the shelter yesterday hehe

On my bedside table: A rose quartz that I think Ella put there, butterfly stickers, my colored pencils, water, a portable nail dryer...it's a LOT. 

On my TV: I'm up to my eyeballs with Dance Moms. Also watching Will Trent and whatever else I wish. That freedom that I was talking about earlier? It also extends to things like TV and music, because that was another aspect closely controlled by my mother.

Listening to: Markers in a sketchbook, Ted the rabbit in his hutch, "Bread and Bleeding" by Penny and Sparrow on Spotify. In another universe, I'm married to Andy Baxter's voice. He could read the phone book and I would listen with all of my attention. 

On the menu for this week: Winter Soup today. Chicken Stir Fry tomorrow. I have some meal ideas for the rest of the week, but they are all interchangeable. I bought ingredients for Hungarian Goulash so that will be one of them. 

On my to-do list: Make dinner, fold laundry, sort through some clothes. 

What I am creating at the moment: A cleaner living space. Maybe a skirt if I get around to it. 

My simple pleasure: Ella and I started a walking workout last month. It's honestly been so nice to walk around with my oldest and laugh and joke and see wildlife, even if the wildlife is just worms and frogs. 

Looking around the house: It's in need of attention, especially my poor sink where I've been keeping plants and seedlings. Things kinda went south after Ren died and I'm excited to get the house into order. A clean sink is one of those weird things that makes or breaks the kitchen for me. 

From the camera: 

Meet Gypsy, with the one white whisker. He's one and a half, and we kept the shelter's name, as a nod to my heritage. (Before anybody judges, I am yet to meet one of us who thinks Gypsy is a slur) He's slowly adjusting to non-shelter life, but we are so happy to have him home. 

Bible Verse, Devotional: I'm reading in Genesis that it took 100 years to finish the Ark. Of course people lived a lot longer back then. Sometimes I feel like it will take me 100 years to finishe a project...

Have a beautiful week!

Happy Homemaker Monday: March 31, 2025

 I wish this was a happier Homemaker Monday. Yesterday, my nearly 12 year old cat Renfield, passed away. We're all heartbroken, understandably. I took the day off work and have been wandering the house, doing chores, puffy-eyed. The house feels strangely empty even though I have other pets. Ren was my constant companion and I won't say he was my favorite, but...he was. We got him when Goose was just a baby and even though everybody told me not to get a cat with a new baby in the house, I knew better. He loved Goose from the moment he laid eyes on her. It's Goose's first huge animal heartbreak. We lost Ghost a bit over a year ago, but she's matured so much since then. It's been a lot of tears in our house the last 24 hours. I need to get my mind straight though, so here we go with this post. 

The weather in my neck of the woods: So much rain...not flood level, and we are grateful for all of it, as there have been a lot of forest fires/wildfires here in the mountains. It's pouring down quite a bit right now, and while I have a headache from the air pressure changes, I'm so incredibly grateful. I read somewhere that next week, we have a chance for more snow, which is honestly not unexpected here in April...or even May.

As I look outside my window: It's pouring the rain, and the sky is grey. The pond is almost at the level it's supposed to be. The mated pair of Canada Geese has returned for another year, and I've heard them honking intermittently throughout the day. 

Right now, I am: Laying on my bed, typing up this post. Goose just showed me a drawing she did of some very cute cats. 

Something fun to share (A blog, a video, tip) Watch out for salamanders!!! Ella and I couldn't sleep last night so we walked over by the pond and ran across four salamanders and a cool frog. The rainy season and the dark of night are two of their favorite things. 

ALSO...There was a lunar eclipse earlier this month and Ella and I stayed up to watch it...which may have been a mistake because I dragged the entire next day, but. 

lol that last one is rough, but it was the only one where I caught the red. 

Thinking and Pondering: I miss my cat. My bed seems too big. I have a headache. I don't think I ate enough today. But I'm so incredibly grateful for the time that we did have with him. He grew up with both my girls and he was so incredibly loyal to me. 

On my bedside table: BOOOOOOOOOOOKS. And lotion and linen spray and a doctor pepper and a ton of pens. 

On my TV: Will Trent, Next Level Chef, and Happy's Place (Because I love Reba McEntire). I think I'll rewatch Reba, too...though I've been watching Dance Moms (I love me a good train wreck). 

On the menu for this week: Heaven only knows, ha. I have planned til Wednesday (Creamy Comfort Chicken, Cube Steak and Potatoes, and Chicken Orzo Soup, in that order.). I haven't thought past Wednesday, and I likely won't until I am at the grocery store. 

On my to-do list: Tonight? Make dinner and survive. This week? Clear space on the plant shelves for Ren's urn when we get it back. He loved the houseplants but wasn't allowed to touch them and spent many moments staring at them longingly. Spring cleaning. Clearing out donatables. Planting dahlias. 

What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting, creating: I honestly don't know yet. But lovely gardens on paper. Soon to be translated to the ground. 

My simple pleasure: Resting and sunlight and sleep. Also, good books. 

From the camera: 

The most amazing cat that ever did live, and ever did love. But I say this about all of them. Renfield Fenwick, April 17, 2013-March 30, 2025

Bible Verse, Devotional: 

Have a beautiful week!

Happy Homemaker Monday: March 10, 2025

 Look, look! I'm here on a Monday. Honestly, it's only because I've taken this whole week off work to reset my nervous system, body and mind before hands-on flower season starts. I need to spend some time just relaxing, and quality time with my kids before everything is school/work for a while. That said, I'll be far more lenient with myself than I have been in past years. Some years ago, during planting season, I went back to work right after a miscarriage. I'll never do that again...not that more kids are in my future. 

Whew, that was so far off track. Here we go. As you were. 

The weather in my neck of the woods: UNREAL. Every day above 50 degrees. Pinch me, I must be dreaming. My Dad used to tell me that the more we complain about weather, the worse it seems, so I make it a real point not to complain. But I am really really really happy to see some Spring temperatures. 

As I look outside my window: It's cloudy, but it's warm outside...I know because I went outside to get the mail. The sun is supposed to come out later, but I'm okay if it doesn't. It's not below freezing, there's no high winds, so I am one happy girl. Speaking of my window, I GOT NEW CURTAINS. It's such a little thing, I know, but they're silver and they're breezy and they make me so very happy. 

Right now, I am: Sitting in my usual writing spot, resting, and not doing a whole lot else. Just cleaned the screen on my poor laptop, after realizing how badly it needed it. 

Tip, Video, etc: I actually have something this week. This is the time of year we start to see Henbit, Deadnettle, and Ground Ivy (Creeping Charlie), For years, I couldn't tell the difference between the three, but I did research last year and now I can. So, here's a picture. (I swiped the pic off facebook in a plant group)

Thinking and pondering: How much our pets mean to us. We've had a full zoo over the years, and losing pets is never easy. All of my current critters are doing well, but I know Ren is getting older and we had a scare with him about a month or so ago...he also has a condition that makes his skin itchy (white cats sometimes come with their own host of health issues)...I just worry about all of my furry friends, especially Ren, as he is the oldest in my current crew. (Ted is about to be 3, and Haroldeen about to be 4. Ren's 11, nearly 12). 

On my bedside table: Planners, a bottle of sweet tea, headphones, my Kindle, a pair of nail clippers, pillow mist. 

On my TV: Will Trent, Next Level Chef. Whatever else I decide to spend my time watching on my days off. 

Listening to: "Bon Temps" by Penny and Sparrow. I forgot this song existed and Facebook memories reminded me of it today. Andy Baxter's voice is amazing. I'm sure I've said this. My youngest daughter shouting excitedly because she took a photo on her new (to her) camera. When I got my new camera, I gave my old Canon to Ella, and my point-and-shoot to Goose. My new camera is a plum-colored Nikon and I love it so much. 

On the menu for this week: I'm making Hamburger Soup today, and tomorrow Ella is cooking breakfast for dinner. Wednesday is Smoked Sausage and a pasta side (because we have choir practice at 6 and need something easy). I haven't planned beyond that yet, but I will. I have nothing but time this week hehehe

On my to-do list: Precious little. I have to make dinner and do some general cleaning. I have to wash towels. Nothing really serious. I do have a shelving unit to put together at some point. 

What I am sewing, knitting, or creating: I don't know.I'm going to let this week progress as it progresses. I haven't allotted myself this much freedom in I don't know how long. 

My simple pleasure: Cucumbers with yum-yum sauce and a sprinkle of salt. Sometimes giving in to the little cravings isn't the worst. 

Looking around the house: If I look right out my bedroom door, I go straight through Goose's room, the living room, our kitchen and land on my giant monstera plant, Doris, and my disco ball. I also have poppies taking up residence in my kitchen. I went to an organic plant nursery this weekend and had a ball...and brought back a bunch of plants. We've had Doris for years though and her leaves are bigger than a newborn babe. 

From the camera: 

Last night's sunset. It was so cloudy and on my way back toward my house, I looked back and there was this pink-purple strip and it honestly made me gasp out loud. 

Prayer list: This country. Politics keeps us so divided, which is wild because at the end of the day, I fully believe we all want the same things and all basically want to be good to others. 

Have a beautiful week!!!