Happy Homemaker Monday: May 22, 2023

 Good evening. Things here are crazy busy with planting season and wrapping up the rest of my tuber orders. I had plans to type up this post earlier, but I had to rush out and finish shipping. But here we go!

The weather: 60's and 70's. Rain chances most days. Perfect garden weather. 

As I look outside my window: Early evening sunshine. Things outside are pretty quiet. I'm grateful for days like this. 

Right now I am: Typing up this post. Sitting with my feet up. Listening to Benjamin Tod's "I Will Rise". The first time I heard it, I sobbed. 

Thinking and Pondering: I had to draw a pretty hard line with work after this weekend, which was ridiculously stressful. I've decided that unless I'm actively in a garden, I'm keeping banker's hours and won't accept phone calls or emails late. My sanity is important. 

Listening to: Music on Youtube. Right now, it's Joy Williams. Also listening to Goose talking about cartwheels. 

How I am feeling: Physically? Tired. Mentally? Accomplished and resolute. 

On the breakfast plate: A piece of breakfast pizza that I got on an early morning shopping run. We almost ran out of toilet paper, y'all. 

On the lunch plate: A blueberry-vanilla Kind bar. 

On the dinner plate: Turkey taco soup. 

What I'm wearing: My work uniform, still, which today is pajama shorts (don't judge me, I own my business and work alone most of the time), a green tank top and a hoodie. 

On my reading pile: The Complete Language of Flowers and The Complete Language of Herbs. 

On my TV this week: I need to finish up CSI so I know what the heck everybody is talking about with Folsom, ha. Firmly in the second season of The Girl from Nowhere. 

On the menu:

Monday: Turkey Taco Soup

Tuesday: Breakfast Skillet

Wednesday: Deconstructed Cabbage Rolls

Thursday: Swedish Meatballs

Friday: Beef Stew

Saturday: Chicken Stir Fry

Sunday: Rotini Skillet, Garlic Bread

Looking around the house: Tidy and happy. Ella and I ripped my kitchen apart last week. Then put it back together how I wanted it. Laundry room is next!

To do list: I've already been to work. I have some light gardening to do, and Goose and I are going to pop over to a friend's house. 

From the camera: 

I snapped this picture of Lily of the Valley at the Bed and Breakfast I help at. This is one of my favorite flowers. Also, my nails need done, but it's Goose's birthday this weekend and I'm waiting to do them until I take her with me on Saturday so she has pretty nails for her little party. 

Devotional: Not much of a devotional to share, but hoping for your input. My friend Kristi and I  have a Scripture Writing Ministry and group on Facebook and for June, we're looking for Scriptures about Biblical Love Stories (like David and Abigail, which is my personal favorite). Anything you can throw my way would be appreciated. 

Have a beautiful week!

Happy Homemaker Monday: May 15, 2023

 Good morning! I'm trying to get this post typed up before I have to head to work for another busy, busy Monday. 

The weather: I dare say that Spring has finally arrived in my little corner of the mountains! 60's and rain chances on the daily are the theme for this week. 

As I look outside my window: It's grey and cloudy, but it can change in a matter of minutes. There's a pot of violas on the front deck railing and they are thriving. 

Right now, I am: Typing up this post, and keeping an eye on the time and my youngest cat, Haroldeen. She's a little terror, but we love her. 

Thinking and pondering: Time management today. There's a lot to do and not a lot of time. I'm also trying to get ready for Ella's birthday. 

Listening to: Goose talking to Haroldeen, who is rummaging through the dollhouse. 

How I am feeling: Honestly, grouchy and irritable. May is a hard month for me. Ella turns 17 this Wednesday, which is a happy occasion, but it's also the 18th anniversary of the day I lost her older sister during pregnancy. So many conflicting feelings. I'm just emotionally bankrupt at this point. 

On the breakfast plate: Coffee, but I need to eat if I'm gonna take my medicine, otherwise it will just upset my stomach. 

On the lunch plate: Whatever I can grab at work. 

On the dinner plate: Sausage and Zucchini Skillet with Rice

What I am wearing: Pajamas. 

On my reading pile: I actually finished my Florabama book and am looking for something to read. Currently, all of my reading is Dahlia Society related, or garden related, and I need something else. 

On my TV this week: CSI and Next Level Chef. I also started watching The Girl from Nowhere on Netflix and goodness, it's about the weirdest thing I think I've ever watched. 

On the menu:

Monday: Sausage and Zucchni Skillet 

Tuesday: Breakfast for Dinner 

Wednesday: Chicken/Bacon Fettucine Alfredo (Ella's birthday, it's her choice)

Thursday: Enchilada Meatballs 

Friday: Roast, potatoes, salad

Saturday: Crockpot chicken soup, because I'm traveling for work yet AGAIN

Sunday: One pot spaghetti, salad

Looking around the house: Oh, Lort. It's gonna get some TLC when I come in from work today. It was Mothers Day yesterday and I was traveling all of Saturday. Stuff definitely needs doing. I did clean the kitchen when I woke up this morning...it was something I meant to do last night, but my head hit the pillow and I was OUT. 

To do list: This post, work (workworkworkWORK), clean the house, do some journaling and find time to REST. 

From the camera: 

I always take pictures OF my kids. Nearly never take pictures WITH my kids. Also, that's a sunflower sticker on Goose's cheek. 

Devotional: I read today about surrendering everything to God and I just realized (yet again) how bad I am at just handing things over, and not taking them back. Yikes. 

Have a beautiful week!!!

Wordless Wednesday

 

Happy Homemaker Monday: May 8, 2023

 Sorry I'm late, I was harrassed at the gate. Not really, but work had me hoppin' today and I'm just now able to sit down and post this. 

But, here we go!

The weather: Warm and sunny, rain chances on the daily. It SEEMS that Spring is finally here at last, hurray!

As I look outside my window: It's all green grass and sunny skies, with white clouds. The yard is aglow with yellow dandelions. Everything is growing, and this is truly my soul season. 

Right now, I am: Keeping an eye on the rice that's going, and reffereeing kids. Listening to Owl City because Ella has it playing while she plays a computer game. 

Thinking and pondering: Trying to make a list of all the things that need done between now and Sunday. I'm going to try my best to make Sunday a true day off. I feel like it's Mothers Day and gosh darn it, I deserve that much.

Listening to: "Gold" by Owl City. The timer in the kitchen ticking away. 

How I am feeling: Frustrated. Rushed. But so glad to be home and have a home to be frustrated and rushed in. Thankful. overall. 

On the breakfast plate: I had a bagel with ham, cheese, and clover sprouts. 

On the lunch plate: A Stouffer's individual veggie lasagna and a blueberry granola bar. 

On the dinner plate: Fajitas and rice. A salad

On the menu this week: 

Monday: Fajitas

Tuesday: Big Sur Chicken and Potatoes 

Wednesday: French Toast Casserole

Thursday: Hamburger Helper

Friday: Angel Chicken

Saturday: I'm traveling, so it's everyone for themselves 

Sunday: Spaghetti Bolognese

What I'm wearing: Dark-wash jeans, and a black tank top. My work uniform of choice lately. 

On my reading pile: Really getting into the Florabama book and I'm loving it. It's not slow going, I just don't have a ton of time to read. 

On my TV this week: Will Trent. CSI. 

Did anybody else happen to catch the last episode of Animal Control? I sobbed the whole time. 

Looking around the house: Windows are open. I need to organize the pantry. AGAIN. Argh. Laundry needs done. 

To do list: Laundry, the pantry shelves. I have to move plants from one place to another and run my pothos up the wall. If it trails down any further, the cat will get it. 

From the camera: 

I took this picture yesterday of Goose admiring my little jungle in the kitchen. 

Devotional: I'm reading about patience today and it's...timely. I always feel like I'm short on patience, especially with my youngest and with how ridiculous work has been lately. 

Have a great week! 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Happy Homemaker Monday: May 1, 2023

 Good morning! For the sake of my sanity, I've decided to give myself a later start on Mondays (except for peak season, there is no late start then). I had grand plans last week to have at least one other kind of post on here...a recipe, some photos, something. But I lived last week in survival mode as we had a super stressful week here, so I'm beyond ready for a new week. 

The weather: I cannot make this stuff up. We had snow in parts of my area last night. 40 mph winds. Under a wind advisory until tomorrow night. Hurry, Springtime, hurry fast. Thankfully, things seem to be warmer toward the end of the week. 

As I look outside my window: My windchime is dancing pretty wildly. It looks deceptively sunny out there. Hummingbird feeder is swining like crazy too. 

Right now, I am: Typing up this post, getting ready for work. Texting with my best friend from home. Two of her kids are down with the 'vid and she's pretty sure it's on its way to get her, too. Ugh. I don't recommend it. I got sick with it before it was trendy and I was super miserable. Gabe had it last Fall and he thankfully had a super mild case. 

Thinking and pondering: "If it's gonna be a cold, it may as well give my allergies a break." "I'm super thankful for the fireplace so I don't have to run my heat and run up my electric bill." "Is there a way to rework dinner tonight so it's not super late?" 

How I am feeling: Pretty good. Not thrilled with this weather, but I always think of Mondays as a new beginning. 

On the breakfast plate: Chicken soup (Lipton extra noodle, we fancy here), a buttered croissant and a few pieces of chocolate. I never get to sit down for breakfast, so you best believe I'm taking advantage of it. 

On the lunch plate: A Smart Ones Meal. 

On the dinner plate: Pulled Pork Sliders, a Salad

What I'm wearing: A purple shirt, blue jeans, my slippers. My hair's up in a bun and I feel put together. Goose has complimented me on everything from my hair to my bracelets to my nails to my nose ring, ha. 

On my reading pile: I'm just under halfway done with "The Florabama Ladies' Auxiliary & Sewing Circle" and honestly it's everything I needed right now. It's light and cozy and I like all the characters. Ella has been reading it with me and we're cackling at all the Southernisms...especially because we live in the South ourselves. 

On my TV this week: Will Trent. Ella and I are fully invested now. I read the books ages ago, and while this show has taken some liberties, I'm into it, oddly enough. Also, Animal Control because Joel McHale can do no wrong. CSI: Vegas, because I've been there since the beginning and I need to know what happens. 

On the menu this week:

Monday: Pork sliders, salad

Tuesday: Creamy Oregano Chicken, Mashed Potatoes

Wednesday: Taco Soup

Thursday: Bacon Fried Rice

Friday: Chicken Stew

Saturday: I'm traveling for work that day, so I have no clue

Sunday: Tortellini in a Pesto Sauce

Looking around the house: Fireplace is on. Josie is playing with dolls. Renfield is asleep in Ella's room. I have music playing. 

To do List: Finish up this post. Work, both jobs. Make dinner. Make work calls/answer work emails. 

From the camera: 

Goose and I went adventuring near our house yesterday and found a lovely bouquet of wildlflowers. I honestly live in such a beautiful place. 

Devotional: I have no one devotional today. I'm just really working on my time with Christ. 

Have a beautiful week!

Happy Homemaker Monday: April 24, 2023

 I'm home! I've also called off work today because my oldest woke up with an upset stomach and I'm not one to nope out on my kids...even if they are almost 17. I can count on one hand with fingers to spare the times I've called off work...but I don't go in if one of my kids is sick. Luckily, my kids are pretty healthy. I'm running way behind today, but at least I have the time to run behind in, right?

The weather: Would y'all believe we are under a freeze watch? Ridiculous. Guess I'm glad I'm behind in planting. The high temp for the week is 58, and the low is 30. Kind of nuts, but okay. It's almost May, but somebody needs to tell this to the weather. I had to have the heat on last night.

As I look outside my window: Bright sunshine and blue skies. 

Right now, I am: Typing up this post, debating answering emails and mentally running through today's soup recipe. 

How I am feeling: Trying not to feel super rushed. Trying is the operative word. 

On the breakfast plate: I ate a slice of breakfast pizza that I grabbed when Goose and I went out to buy things for Ella (Sprite, etc)

On the lunch plate: Had a quick sandwich and a couple of Sun-Chips

On the dinner plate: A chicken soup. Both to make Ella feel better and to keep the rest of us healthy. 

What I'm wearing: My slippers, a pajama shirt, my pocket leggings, and a gray hoodie I got from the Goodwill. 

On my reading pile: Y'all, I finished "Shallow Graves" and it completely tore my heart to shreds. In an effort to make myself feel better, I picked up "The Florabama Ladies' Auxiliary and Sewing Circle" by Lois Battle. It sounds feel-good and it better be. 

On the menu:

Monday: Chicken Soup

Tuesday: Cube Steak, Potatoes, Gravy

Wednesday: Butter Chicken, Jasmine Rice

Thursday: Breakfast Tacos

Friday: Pot Roast (also grocery shopping) 

Saturday: Not sure yet

Sunday: Rotini with Italian Sausage and Spaghetti Sauce, garlic bread

Looking around the house: If I don't put order to this living room, I may scream. Ha. I'm kind of glad to be home today. 

To do list: This post, clean up the living room, make the soup, walk the dog, check kids' schoolwork, maybe get some rest? 

From the camera: 

A field of buttercups, and my nails, which desperately need doing. 

Devotional: Today, I read about how maybe the pauses in our lives are more important than what we can produce. I'm on pause right now. I had lofty ambitions for today, but I'm home with Ella instead because she doesn't feel well. But maybe that's what I needed right now. 

Have a beautiful week!