Monday, March 31, 2025

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!


Monday, March 10, 2025

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!!!

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Time, Can You Please Slow Down?

 I find myself every week with such good intentions, to do the Happy Homemaker Monday thing and keep some kind of a semblance of regular blogging. And then time gets away from me and things get all crazy rushed and then I'm doing the second, third, fourth load of laundry...and...and...and.

I wish time would slow down. But honestly, time's doing what it's always done. Maybe time's not the problem. Maybe I am. 

I need to slow down. It's been my mantra for YEARS. It's what my Dad yelled at me about until his dying day. Slow. Down. Take care of yourself. 

I do slow down. I do notice things. More than I used to, for sure, but still not as much as I probably should. Goose helps me to slow down. I'm actively forcing myself. I looked at her face the other day. Gone is the chubby-cheeked cherub toddler girl. She looks so grown up. Were her eyes always that wise? Did she always know those words? 


Time marches on, for sure. And the seasons are changing. There are buds on the alder trees. 


I can wear light sweaters most days and not freeze my tail off.  I dress like an elderly hippie, and I'm loving that. 


The other day I stopped long enough to appreciate the green curtain lights over my bed, so y'all can see them too. 


And the tiniest sliver of a new moon the other day. 

I think this is why I take so many pictures. (Besides trying to get used to this camera I just bought). So that time slows down (or I do) for even just a few minutes. 

Take care of yourselves y'all. 


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...