Monday, June 15, 2026

Happy Homemaker Monday


Hey there my Peeps! 

How are you doing on this fine Monday? Did you have a lovely weekend?

We were away to see family for a little reunion in Green Bay WI. Matt, Annie & I traveled down to the vrbo rental we had rented...and to meet other relatives for the weekend. It was a gorgeous property right on Green Bay (the actual water not just the city) and it was perfect for all we needed. We have several family that live in that area - as well as a few more relatives that flew or drove up for the weekend. 

We celebrated a few momentous things besides just catching up as family. My ex's Uncle had passed recently and he was a big GB Packers fan. Annie had asked if maybe we took a little of his ashes we could sprinkle some of him there. Matt & I as huge fans as well, were happy to oblige. Plus, in another life he had been my Uncle too. :) 

We also gathered at my Aunt's condo on Sunday for a little birthday celebration of a great Uncle of mine. He turned 98! So we had a little luncheon buffet and cupcakes and sang him happy birthday. 

We were blessed with lovely weather. We played bocce ball out on the lawn. We sat out in the sun and visited. Matt and I took sunset walks with my Aunt Mary Jo and had great deep conversations. We ate a lot of good food and played a lot of games. I don't know that I've laughed that hard in a long time. It was so nice as some cousins that never met Matt finally got to meet and know him. Many family members came up to me and kept saying how he fits in our family so well and how much they just love him. Yep, he's a keeper for life. 😊💗 












THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
















ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

ice protein coffee and half of a bagel with scant amount of veggie cream cheese












ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

errands & groceries, lab appt, cleaners come (we have company coming to stay this weekend and sometimes hiring help is a useful thing), visit my Mom, hospice work












THINKING ABOUT: 

things I want to accomplish and to grab to make for company coming this weekend (making lists) as well as Father's Day plans for my Dad (& step Dad, Matt)💙













THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

watering and tending to my flowers in the morning as I listen to the birds sing, someone mowing the lawn in the distance, and geese honking on the bay













CURRENTLY READING

I have not been in summer reading mode yet - too busy during the day or too tired at night, but I have lots of good books lined up!

 











ON THE TV TODAY:

  Jeopardy, old seasons of big brother & the office, Castle Impossible, AGT, Sweet Magnolias













ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:


    MONDAY - leftovers we brought back in a cooler from the reunion



TUESDAY - asian chicken crumbles with sauce (Costco) over cauliflower rice, veggie spring rolls




WEDNESDAY -  




THURSDAY -  




FRIDAY - 


*need to plan out the rest of the week before we get groceries











TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

organize some of my craft area, play with my flowers/garden












TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:



I thought you might enjoy this "cozynooks" channel from youtube that had ambiance of a strawberry garden  🍓







 






FROM THE CAMERA:

Watering my flowers this AM and I could see all the ants crawling on my peony bulbs. They will bloom soon, yay! 




My great Uncle Paul is in the yellow shirt. He is a retired priest and we had a little 98th birthday for him at my Aunt's condo:





Here are some moments of family time at the VRBO. We took turns being teams playing bocce ball or being the cheerleaders on the sidelines.



The VRBO was a 5 bedroom 3 bathroom place and had several levels and a few different decks. Matt and I loved this one for coffee in the morning as we were often up earliest.




This is the back of the property standing on the big dock looking back at it. And I caught some sunset pics when were walking back from one of our walks with my Aunt:







Here are some pics of the property. Matt & I secured the VRBO and handled menu planning, grabbing the groceries, and made a lot of the menu items (Matt did the grilling too) - so they insisted we have the primary suite. Which was the whole 2nd floor! 😍




I forgot to get a photo, but besides the dining table it had several stools along the island and the cutest breakfast nook connected with the island that had benches.


the lower level had a bar, big screen tv and fuseball:



The whole 2nd floor was a primary suite that included the bedroom, bathroom, and a hallway that had 2 very large separate walk-in closets and full laundry. Matt & I loved it!









The top floor was like a little cuppola with a desk area....basically a nice quiet work area with an amazing view!




Matt, Annie & I took a visit to Lambeau football stadium and said hi to Vince Lombardi (the statue where Matt & I got engaged). We had stopped there to sprinkle some of my ex's Uncle Gary's ashes (Annie's great Uncle) as he had been a huge Packers fan. Matt & I love Lambeau and were happy to help. We picked out a lot number in the parking field so there was kind of a designated spot to know where he is. I said a few words and we all said an Our Father prayer over him and then Annie sprinkled him and I got some pics for her dad. 














PRAYER LIST:

 For an end to the conflicts all over the world and anyone living in war & fear, especially everything going on in the middle east right now. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence.  For anyone sick, suffering, in pain, fear, loneliness etc ... that God bring them comfort and peace. For healing for my Mom. 

For the Lord's love and peace to fill 2026. ❤️ 

For Christ's Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere and help the world find its way to loving our neighbors as ourselves. 🙏🏻











PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

I am so grateful for the gift of family. And I consider my good friends (like you) family I get to choose to have in my life too. 😊💗 
Blessings on your week Friends!

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

8 comments:

  1. Hello! What a beautiful weekend and a beautiful VRBO! I love to stay in them. Well, as long as they are clean and nice. Luckily, I have had only one bad experience. How thoughtful of your daughter wanting to do that for her Uncle.
    Your Asian Chicken Crumble sounds good. I made your Twix Bars for a gathering yesterday and they were a hit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!

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  2. Oh Carrie, what a beautiful weekend you had. The accommodation is gorgeous, and seems big enough for the whole big family. Family occasions are the best, and you had some precious moments to share. I remember you had an uncle a priest, and how wonderful Uncle Paul has turned 98 (and looking good). It is amazing how many people live to such advanced years these days. You and Matt are so good, and efficient, to do all that organising. Well done you. Have a great week. xxxo

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  3. Wow, sounds like some great quality time with family you had. The rental house looks great and such pretty views! I can imagine the summers feel perfect up north. How nice to have more family members meet your husband. Have a lovely week!

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  4. Hello! Ok. What an amazing time!!!! Your uncle who had a birthday looks so sweet! What a great party for him! And your place was amazing! You bring such joy to everyone around you, I can just tell. Love your Annie being so thoughtful. Have a great day!

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  5. This is amazing!! What a beautiful place and family weekend! Such special moments and memories made along the way. Good food and good conversation - there is nothing better : ) I can tell how much you enjoyed it! Enjoy peony season! Mine are already gone! Have a great week! Wishing your mom continued healing too! xx

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  6. You always have the most amazing time with family. Just love the VRBO you got. Happy belated birthday to your uncle. Have a good week

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  7. so glad to hear that you had such a great time with family. It sure looks like you found a great place for you all to stay. Nice that the family was able to meet Matt too.

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  8. I'm late, I'm late for a very important date LOL I'm so sorry to be running late yet again. Looks like you had a fantastic Green Bay weekend!! GREAT pictures and all the wonderful celebrations are so special! 98 what an accomplishment!!! Hope you're having a wonderful weekend and Happy Father's Day to Matt!

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