Happy Homemaker Monday

Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Cold and cloudy. I think the weather is conspiring with Monday to make me feel blah.


One of my simple pleasures:
The smell of fresh baked bread.


On my bedside table:
My iPod. My camera manual is now in my purse. LOL


On my TV:
No TV here.



On the menu for tonight:
Still thinking on this.



On my To Do List:
Chores and work.



New Recipe I tried last week:
Nothing new.


In the craft basket:
I finally finished my crocheted bag, but I haven't taken any photos of it.



Looking forward to:
Belt testing being over. Yes, it's that time again!


Homemaking Tip for this week:
I have been making my own laundry soap for a while. Yesterday, I made my first batch of liquid fabric softener and I love it. I use Carrie's recipes at Farming on Faith. Scroll down on the homepage to find them.



Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I'm afraid that in-depth blog reading has fallen off here. I miss it, but just can't seem to carve out the time without feeling guilty.


Favorite photo from last week:

Lesson learned the past few days:

That a good friend is worth her weight in gold.



On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers
Our military, specifically, a friend leaving for boot camp today.



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Psalm 56:11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?

Happy Homemaker Monday

Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
It's sunny and cool this morning.


One of my simple pleasures:
Morgan fell asleep while snuggling on the couch a few days ago. It's been a long time since I snuggled one of my babies to sleep.


On my bedside table:
My new CAMERA manual. YAY!


On my TV:
No TV here.



On the menu for tonight:
After so much sickness, I'm thinking we need some comforting homemade chicken and noodle soup tonight.



On my To Do List:
Chores and work.



New Recipe I tried last week:
Nothing new.


In the craft basket:
I finally finished my crocheted bag, but I haven't taken any photos of it.



Looking forward to:
Is it too early to look forward to Spring Break? LOL


Homemaking Tip for this week:
I am tapped out on tips.



Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I haven't been reading my blogs in depth the last couple of weeks.


Favorite photo from last week:

Lesson learned the past few days:

Open communication may seem more painful, but in the long run, is one of the least painful things you can do for your marriage.



On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers
Our military, specifically, a friend leaving for boot camp today.



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Ecclesiastes 3:11 God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Somewhat cloudy and cold.


One of my simple pleasures:
Sweet hugs from my kiddos.


On my bedside table:
Just finished Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury


On my TV:
No TV here.



On the menu for tonight:
Hmmm....



On my To Do List:
Chores and work.



New Recipe I tried last week:
Made Bakerella's cake balls and they are sooo yummy!


In the craft basket:
I finally finished my crocheted bag, but I haven't taken any photos of it.



Looking forward to:
Is it too early to look forward to Spring Break? LOL


Homemaking Tip for this week:
I am tapped out on tips.



Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I haven't been reading my blogs in depth the last couple of weeks.


Favorite photo from last week:

Lesson learned the past few days:

Prayer really is the answer.



On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers
Our military



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Joshua 24:15 "But if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve...But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord."

Happy Homemaker Monday

Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Foggy and cold.


One of my simple pleasures:
Snuggling down in my favorite chair with a peppermint mocha and a good book.


On my bedside table:
Two books that I'll be reviewing here soon.


On my TV:
No TV here.



On the menu for tonight:
Cheesy corn chowder



On my To Do List:
Chores and work.



New Recipe I tried last week:
Didn't try anything new last week.


In the craft basket:
Nothing, but it's time to start getting creative again.



Looking forward to:
Winter break! Two more weeks of school and work, then two glorious weeks off!


Homemaking Tip for this week:
I am tapped out on tips.



Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I can't seriously pick just one!


Favorite photo from last week:

Lesson learned the past few days:

Prayer really is the answer.



On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers
Our military, always, but especially during the upcoming holidays



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
2 Peter 1:2-3 May God bless you with his special favor and wonderful peace as you come to know Jesus, our God and Lord, better and better. As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness!

Happy Homemaker Monday

This is my 200th post! Wow!

Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Chilly, but sunny.


One of my simple pleasures:
A stress-free Thanksgiving.


On my bedside table:
Two books that I'll be reviewing here soon.


On my TV:
No TV here.



On the menu for tonight:
Not sure yet. Need something quick and yummy.



On my To Do List:
Oh, man, I have the the Mt. Everest of laundry and of course, I have to go to work.



New Recipe I tried last week:
I roasted a turkey for the very first time. We've always fried them in previous years.


In the craft basket:
Nothing, but it's time to start getting creative again.



Looking forward to:
Winter break! Three more weeks of school and work, then two glorious weeks off!


Homemaking Tip for this week:
I am tapped out on tips.



Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I can't seriously pick just one!


Favorite photo from last week:  My turkey!

Lesson learned the past few days:

That good friends can come from surprising places.



On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers
Our military, always, but especially during the upcoming holidays



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Chilly, but sunny.


One of my simple pleasures:
A Sunday of being lazy with the family.


On my bedside table:
Two books that I'll be reviewing here soon.


On my TV:
No TV here.



On the menu for tonight:
Not sure yet. Need something quick and yummy.



On my To Do List:
Laundry, laundry, laundry, and cooking, cooking, cooking.



New Recipe I tried last week:
Nothing new last week.


In the craft basket:
Nothing, but it's time to start getting creative again.



Looking forward to:
Thanksgiving!


Homemaking Tip for this week:
This is my second year to cook most of our Thanksgiving dishes a few days before the big day. Our traditional meal will be on Fri, but we'll be traveling Thursday, so Wednesday is going to be a big cooking day here. This means I'll have more time to enjoy family on Friday!



Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
I can't seriously pick just one!


Favorite photo from last week: PW's Cinnamon Rolls

Lesson learned the past few days:

That good friends can come from surprising places.



On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers
Our military, always, but especially during the upcoming holidays



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Just had a cold front blow in last night. Will be down in the 30s here tonight. Bring in those plants!


One of my simple pleasures:
A leisurely lunch with a good friend.


On my bedside table:
Not much. I just cleaned it off yesterday.


On my TV:
No TV here.



On the menu for tonight:
Not sure yet. Need something quick and yummy.



On my To Do List:
Laundry, laundry, laundry.



New Recipe I tried last week:
Nothing new last week.

In the craft basket:
Nothing, but it's time to start getting creative again.



Looking forward to:
Heaven!


Homemaking Tip for this week:
Many hands make light work!



Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Not just one fave. I love all of PW's posts about her book trip. Particularly the post about the hotels she's been staying at.


Favorite photo from last week:
I didn't take one single photo last week. Amazing, I know.

Lesson learned the past few days:

I want to have a lesson to post here, but honestly, I don't think I slowed down enough to hear any lessons. So, maybe that should be my lesson. SLOOOOW DOOOOOWN.



On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
It's been wonderful! Sunny and 70s.


One of my simple pleasures:
Opening the windows and letting in the breeze.


On my bedside table:
iPod


On my TV:
No TV here.



On the menu for tonight:
Tonight we had leftover chili and tomorrow we're having pinto beans and cornbread.



On my To Do List:
Laundry, laundry, laundry.



New Recipe I tried last week:
I made PW's chili. Very good!

In the craft basket:
Nothing, but it's time to start getting creative again.



Looking forward to:
Heaven!


Homemaking Tip for this week:
When the litter box is stinking up the mudroon, throw the cat outside!



Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Hmm...I wish I could pick one, but I just haven't been reading them. Not enough time right now.


Favorite photo from last week:
Morgan with Roland Osborne. Never heard of him? Look for him on You Tube. He's awesome!

Lesson learned the past few days:

That my timing is not the same as God's timing.



On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
1 Thessalonians 5:18 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Not raining, so that's good enough for me!


One of my simple pleasures:
Opening the windows and letting in the breeze.


On my bedside table:
iPod


On my TV:
No TV here.



On the menu for tonight:
Hmm...probably homemade chicken soup.



On my To Do List:
Laundry, laundry, laundry.



New Recipe I tried last week:
I made Pioneer Woman's Chicken Pot Pie with her pie crust recipe and it was so good. Comfort food at it's best.


In the craft basket:
Nothing, nothing at all.



Looking forward to:
Getting my Morgan to the Dr. and figuring out what's going on. She's running a fever again, anywhere from 100 to 103.


Homemaking Tip for this week:
I got nothing.



Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Haven't been reading my blogs. :>(


Favorite photo from last week:
I don't really have one this week. But I'll enjoy looking at everone else's.

Lesson learned the past few days:

Hmm...I don't know if this is a lesson but, I love my husband and know the Lord made him for me. I'm not sure there's another man on this planet that would put up with me! LOL



On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Psalm 23:2,4-6 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 4 Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast fro me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Nice blue sky right now with some cool morning air. I don't know what's gotten into the TX weather this fall, but I like it!


One of my simple pleasures:
Opening the windows and letting in the breeze.


On my bedside table:
iPod


On my TV:
No TV here.



On the menu for tonight:
Ooh, nothing. Having a partially sick family makes for a not very busy cook.



On my To Do List:
Getting some school done with Tristan and just being around for my Morgan. Not working today.



New Recipe I tried last week:
Just last night (before I realized Morgan was running a fever, again) I made these: Mini Maple Chocolate Chip Pancake Muffins from Bakerella. YUM.



In the craft basket:
Nothing, nothing at all.



Looking forward to:
Our entire family being well.


Homemaking Tip for this week:
Your kids are sick, your husband's working. Your house is starting to look like a disaster area. Please don't panic and don't stress. Just do what you can and remember what's most important.




Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
It's so hard to pick a favorite when I have to read 50-something at a time to read!


Favorite photo from last week:
I don't really have one this week. But I'll enjoy looking at everone else's.

Lesson learned the past few days:

See my homemaking tip above.



On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Psalm 23:2,4-6 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 4 Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast fro me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Very foggy this morning. Instead of burning off, it's just getting foggier!


One of my simple pleasures:
A hot bath after a long day of shopping. LOL


On my bedside table:
iPod



On my TV:
No TV here.



On the menu for tonight:
Tonight we're having a skillet chili mac. It' a quick comfort dish that takes only one pan!



On my To Do List:
Bank, Post Office, couple of grocery items to pick up, and work. Not to mention laundry. Oh, how I don't want to think about my laundry!



New Recipe I tried last week:
Nothing new last week.



In the craft basket:
Nothing, nothing at all.



Looking forward to:
Going to the State Fair. (Although our plans our tentative, I can still look forward to it, right?)


Homemaking Tip for this week:
Instead of just keeping all food items in the pantry, try grouping items together based on where you use them most. For example, we keep our baking items together, our snacks by the bar where we eat them, and the honey, oatmeal, and protein powder near the vita-mix.




Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
It's so hard to pick a favorite when I have to read 50-something at a time to read!


Favorite photo from last week:

Lesson learned the past few days:
When in doubt, take a nap. LOL



On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Psalm 23:2,4-6 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 4 Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5 You prepare a feast fro me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Cool and misty.


One of my simple pleasures:
Spending a day in the kitchen just piddling.


On my bedside table:
Kleenex and my iPod.



On my TV:
No TV here.



On the menu for tonight:
We're having some leftover Bbq pulled pork that I made last week.



On my To Do List:
Figure out how to add about 4-6 hours to my day.



New Recipe I tried last week:
Made sweet potato fries last night. I had never made them at home before and they were so good!




In the craft basket:
Both handles of my crochet bag are done, but I did not pay attention to keeping the right tension in my yarn. Now one is longer than the other. I'll probably have to make another one. LOL



Looking forward to:
The weekend. So far, I have no plans except to chill.


Homemaking Tip for this week:
I've been using chorebusters web site for a while now to schedule chores for the kids. I love it!




Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Not much blog reading the last few days.


Favorite photo from last week: Doesn't this look yummy? Hot off the grill!

Lesson learned the past few days:
A smile along with a determination to have a good attitude can transform into a REAL smile with REAL joy behind it.




On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
2 Peter 1:2-3 May God bless you with his special favor and wonderful peace as you come to know Jesus, our God and Lord, better and better. As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
It was hot yesterday, but the rest of the week it's calling for low to mid-80's and low humidity. I can deal with that.


One of my simple pleasures:
Sitting on my front porch and enjoying the view and the breeze.


On my bedside table:
Mentholatum, 7up and lots of kleenex.



On my TV:
No TV here.



On the menu for tonight:
I wish I knew. I've been so sick this weekend I haven't given it any thought.



On my To Do List:
Figure out tonight's dinner.



New Recipe I tried last week:
Nothing last week, but I did make homemade hamburger buns last weekend. They were so good! Anyone want the recipe?




In the craft basket:
Both handles are done, but I did not pay attention the keeping the right tension in my yarn. Now one is longer than the other. I'll probably have to make another one. LOL



Looking forward to:
Getting over this sinus infection and feeling human again.


Homemaking Tip for this week:
My tip jar is empty.




Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Not much blog reading the last few days.

Favorite photo from last week:

Lesson learned the past few days:

God is always speaking to me, but I can't hear him if my head and heart are cluttered with worry and anxiety.




On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Romans 12:2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Thanks to Sandra for hosting!


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Glorious! It's been raining for several days and the temps are awesome! Lots of windows open here!


One of my simple pleasures:
Listening to the rain from my comfortable couch.


On my bedside table:
iPod



On my TV:
No TV here.



On the menu for tonight:
Not sure. Thinking about trying one of the soup recipes for our Vita-Mix. It's finally the right kind of weather.



On my To Do List:
Lunch with a good friend today. Maddy's first art class tomorrow. Bowling on Wednesday and then the dentist on Thursday. Whew!



New Recipe I tried last week:
Haven't tried anything new lately.




In the craft basket:
Both handles are done, but I did not pay attention the keeping the right tension in my yarn. Now one is longer than the other. I'll probably have to make another one. LOL



Looking forward to:
Finally finishing up with sharing our trip to Waco with y'all.


Homemaking Tip for this week:
Make time to visit Carrie at Farming on Faith. She has lots of great homemade cleaner recipes. As I run out of commercially made items here at home, I'm trying more and more and loving them!




Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
Sorry to say no time for much blog reading. I had to hit the "mark all as read" button on my reader this morning. Over 100 posts! Goodness!

Favorite photo from last week:

Lesson learned the past few days:
That I can do this. All of it. (Are you tired of this lesson yet? I must tell myself everyday that I can do this. There is always something that Satan will use to defeat me. But in Christ, I CAN do this...all of it.)




On my Prayer List:
Friends
Family
Fellow bloggers



Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Joshua 24:15 But if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve...But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.