Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy Monday Friends 

I hope you all had a lovely weekend. I wanted to take a minute to make kind of an announcement I guess. I don't typically share deeply personal things on here. I like to keep this blog as a place of light and joy for myself. And to preserve some memories here too. As well as to connect with such wonderful friends of course ;)  But I feel it's time to share this. My husband and I have been separated for about 6 months now and we will be getting a divorce. There have been issues for several years and we truly fought the good fight to try to save things, but it's going to now be healthier for our whole family for us to move on. I'm a person who chooses to live in forgiveness and light and so we have a positive relationship and still get along well. Our kids are our priority and I think that's why they are still thriving and doing so well too. 

I think I was hesitant to share, also, because so much of my connection with many of you has been through these Mondays - being all about a happy homemaker...which has meant being a wife too.  It's so incredibly hard for me to lose that title. And especially from someone that had been my best friend for over 30 years (we'd been together since we were 16 years old). But God is good and fills my heart with His love and grace. I feel reassured and so positive about the next chapter of my life. I will be keeping this house as it brings me such peace and joy. I'm so grateful for that. I choose to look back on all of our years with such gratitude. It was real and beautiful and I am blessed. So I wanted to share as there will obviously be changes in my life as time goes on and will want to share those with all of you too. ;) Thank you in advance for any prayers for our family and for the kindness and friendship you have shown me always. I'm so grateful for all of you as well!  

Okay - on to this past weekend. We had some lovely weather so I got lots of outdoor time in around my beautiful northwoods. I dug up all the old weeds and leaves covering my lilies trying to sprout up. I went out with a friend for dinner to catch up. And had a fun Cinco de Mayo dinner with my Mom last night. And played cards with her and Aaron. Adam and Annie were gone for her hockey tourney and their team took 3rd place. Yay! ;)  Now on to the week ahead...

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING

 apricot danish, apple, toasted pecan coffee with vanilla cream

RIGHT NOW I AM:

Relaxing with my feet up while I listen to classical music. Sitting next to my big windows looking out at the sun sparkling on the bay. The same bunny comes into the yard to nibble each day - watching him too. Soaking in gratitude of this peaceful beautiful place I call home 

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

Enjoying the view ;) 

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

It's clean and bright. I have been working away this morning with the usual chores. Need to tackle more outside jobs and want to do a bit more vacuuming 

ON THIS WEEK'S TO DO LIST:

Still spring cleaning house projects to accomplish. Help my Mom. Groceries, errands, and bring FIL meal. Errands related to mother's day and this weekend is also Annie's birthday. Annie has hockey and golf practices.  My hospice volunteer time. The kids are both in a pops concert at school so will go watch that too. Ruby has a vet check up. More workout time - I have been working hard at it every week. And I have a new workout to try called piyo (pilates and yoga combined) Looking forward to it. I've been sore each week but hurts in a good way!

 

CURRENTLY READING

Still on a magazine kick these days

ON THE TV TODAY:

Game of Thrones, Call the Midwife, Grantchester, Spring Baking Championship, the Resident, New Amsterdam, American Housewife, the Rookie, Survivor, Little People Big World, Greys 
Anatomy, Trading Spaces, cooking shows

 

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

MONDAY:  Chicken tenders, onion rings and veggies & dip

TUESDAY: not sure - easy meal? (kids concert)

WEDNESDAY: cajun spiced steaks and biscuits with maple butter and broccoli with almonds (BA meal)

THURSDAY: pork chorizo tacos with radishes and roasted potatoes & cotija cheese (BA meal)

FRIDAY: one pot veggie spaghetti, garlic toast

WHAT I AM CREATING AT THE MOMENT

scrapbook gift for a relative, craft room

NEW RECIPE I WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:

Annie is asking for a chocolate orange cake for her bday. She loves those flavors together. So I think I'm going to make a homemade chocolate cake with an orange curd filling. And frost it with homemade chocolate buttercream and top it with chocolate dip mandarin slices. It will be all new so wish me luck! 

TIP OF THE WEEK:

CLEAN YOUR BATHTUB WITH GRAPEFRUIT.

Ditch the harsh, expensive chemicals and embrace a more organic way to clean your tub. First, turn the water on and get your tub wet from end to end. Then, simply cut a grapefruit in half, sprinkle a generous amount of salt on the exposed fruit, and begin scrubbing.

The combination of the citrus fruit and salt removes soap stains and other assorted messes while leaving a pleasant smell behind. The same technique can be used on sinks, faucets, and fixtures as well. If you’re looking to switch to easier, more natural cleaning solutions, the grapefruit is a safe bet.

FROM THE CAMERA

My sporty Gal ;) Her 3rd place hockey tourney trophy and her golf picture from school this Spring

Got some heavenly walks in with Ruby this weekend. On Saturday it was 70* in the northwoods!! 

It will be time to get the dock and pontoon in soon ;) 

Went to the bottom of the stairs to get a full bay shot. Things not in bloom yet, but soon

Did lots of digging this past weekend - threw on my sun hat, suncreen and went to work. Make up free selfie - yikes! The cleaned up version after is much better ;) 

Made my blue apron meal last night and Aaron was gone with his GF and Annie still not home from tourney so shared it with my Mom. We both agreed it was so good and it was perfect for Cinco de Mayo! It was a chicken quesadilla smothered in tomatillo cream sauce and jalapeno carrot slaw on the side. Yum

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:


I'm linking with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.