Happy Homemaker Monday

Hi there Friends! 

Happy new week to you.

For those in the States I hope you had a lovely Independence Day weekend. 

We went to the lake to spend it with Matt's folks and Annie came with us. They love when kiddos come and especially love the fact that my kids have embraced Matt's folks as other grandparents to them. 💗 Matt and I love that too! 

The weather was a little rainy/stormy on Saturday. But we had fun playing games, watching a movie, and then later it cleared enough that we could watch some of the fireworks across the lake. 

Then Sunday was gorgeous out and we got in a pontoon ride before lunch and then heading back home. 

Another lovely July 4th in the books ❤️🇺🇸

I know my fellow Autumn loving Friends feel the same way I do though. That once July 4th comes and goes we allow ourselves to let in a little Fall thought here and there. Lol In the northwoods July is the epitome of summer and then August becomes pre-Fall so it's easy for me to think that way. 

But don't worry my Summer loving Friends. I am still all in on Summer vibes. I still have a lot of flowers and garden to love, walks to be had, iced coffee to be sipped, golf to be golfed, BBQ's to be grilled, sunsets to be watched by a fire, swimming to be swam in the lake, and pontoon time to be relaxed upon. I just needed to be honest for a moment about who I am and that I do enjoy the allowance of an Autumn thought because it's always in my heart. As well as, I plan on some Christmas in July to be shopped and celebrated too. 😉❤️💚

But that's another story....

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

ice protein coffee, whole grain toast with a little natural peanut butter

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

errands & groceries, getting ready for an Aunt to visit that is having surgery in the area and will convalesce here overnight (need to work on menu as she has a gluten allergy), check in with my Mom, projects, yard work, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT: 

As a Taylor fan (my daughter & I saw her in concert before and she was amazing!) - I'm glad she got her happy ending and that she had her big wedding with Travis over the weekend. It will be fun to see photos when they release pics of the big day. 

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

fun bonding chats with my Annie boo

CURRENTLY READING

I'm happy to report I'm back to the book I was reading a month ago and making a dent on finishing it. Then I can dive into my new pile. (still finishing it 🙈)

 

ON THE TV TODAY:

  Jeopardy, old seasons of big brother Castle Impossible (we have several yet to watch), AGT, Sweet Magnolias (I need to finish this one), new Big Brother starts this week!

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - green goddess pasta salad (for Annie & I), Matt will probably have a turkey sandwich too as he doesn't like to eat only vegetarian Lol😂

TUESDAY - maybe breakfast for dinner? (eggs, breakfast potatoes, I will make pancakes if Annie wants, fruit)

WEDNESDAY -  chicken salad low carb wraps

THURSDAY -  grilled chicken, roasted regular or sweet potatoes, romaine salad with fruit veggies & feta with balsamic viniagrette, gluten free rice krispies bars

FRIDAY - out for dinner?

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

projects, maybe read, work on a craft for a future Christmas gift

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

 

FROM THE CAMERA:

A few shots from around home - including my goofy Hubby's humor. He put this monster plant in my garden for me to find. Lol Also some pics of the pretty glow at night. I love solar lanterns everywhere. 

Some pics from July 4th weekend at the lake. Crazy clouds before it got stormy. And the July 4th tradition Matt loves is to watch and see if Joey Chestnut can defend his hot dog eating contest title each year. I made some patriotic goodies for the weekend including chocolate covered strawberries. And this cream cheese berry french toast bake that was SO good. I will share the recipe this week. 

Sue (my MIL) wanted to take a pic of all of us to send to her Bestie back in AZ who always sends pics of her grandkids to Sue. I love that we always need take 2 because in the 1st one Matt is always being such a dork. That's my goofy Hubby. ::sigh:: It's never dull. 😂 

Also, you gotta love that I always look like I'm standing in a hole because I'm so short compared to everyone else. Lol 🙈

The weather cleared up enough to give us a pretty sunset and allow for us to watch some fireworks going off across the lake. 

Then Sunday was nothing but blue skies and a lovely day to take a ride on the pontoon. I love the last pic of a Mama Loon we came across that had a baby on her back:

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 my Aunt's surgery this week to go well.

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:

See, still mostly iced coffee and summer thoughts around here. 💗 Blessings on your week ahead. 

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

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Hello and happy new week to you my Friends!

Did you have a lovely weekend? I sure hope so. I can't believe it will be September next week! I'm excited for Fall and yet letting go of summer is always bittersweet. 

We had a busy weekend and visited a few places. It was cooler this weekend and definitely had more of a Fall feel. 

Friday we headed to where my son lives and we dropped Ruby off at his apartment. So we could go to a video game event that Matt and Aaron wanted to check out - I was just tagging along. Lol Aaron is more of a gamer person and Matt loves the nostalgia and collects games consoles and games. He does like to play a bit - but it's more how it all brings him back to his childhood. We all had fun checking it out. And then we took Aaron out for an early dinner (poor Jill had to work) Then we took Aaron home and grabbed Ruby and headed right to the lake to help Matt's folks out. His Dad just had a hip replacement so we were there helping out with several things over the weekend. 

There were definite Fall moments over the weekend. Some tips of trees starting to change color already. It was only in the 60's for temps and windy and chilly both days. And we watched some football movies. My Hubby has 2 top movies - one is the Shawshank Redemption and the other is the move Rudy. Well we watched Rudy all together this weekend as I hadn't seen it in forever. I forgot how good it is. And then it reminded him of another true story football movie he likes called Invincible with Mark Wahlberg....so we watched that too. Also a good movie. And then we watched preseason GB Packers on Saturday.  I made a cozy slow cooker soup that was yummy comfort food we all enjoyed. 

Then on the drive home Matt & I chatted with Annie all about her being back in FL for college and settled into her new apartment. 💗 She was giving us the scoop on her roommates, meal planning, decorating etc. She definitely takes after her Momma. Lol 

It was also in the 40's here this morning - very nice and chilly! And Annie has her first day of her sophomore year today! So yep, definite Fall in the air as we get ready to say goodbye to August. 

*on a sad note: I found out over the weekend that my Aunt had died. It was truly a blessing though. She was in her mid 80's and couldn't leave her home and had been home bound for about a year.  She would say she was very ready "to go home" as she put it. She died peacefully in her sleep in her own home - which is what I think most folks hope for in this life. I know she's in heaven with her hubby now, and her parents and other family. I have no doubt she'll still be cheering on the Packers from up there 💚💛

 

 

 

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

iced pumpkin spice coffee (tis almost the season so I couldn't resist), half of a bagel

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

time with my Mom, haircut, errands & groceries, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT: 

How blessed I am to be a part of this community and to make such amazing Friends here. 

One of those wonderful Blogland Besties is my dear friend Jules over at the blog Along the Way  She lives in such a beautiful part of England and shares gorgeous photos of some of her excursions. She had recently spent some time in the Yorkshire Dales and I shared how jealous I was and how very much I love that area and adore the show All Creatures Great and Small. It's on my bucket list to get there on day. And I had heard that parts of York were some of the inspiration for Harry Potter. Specifically "the Shambles" as being a lot like Diagon Alley. (I've read all of the books and I've seen all of the movies and love them too)

Well that tremendously thoughtful Sweetheart sent me some treasures from those areas in a very surprise package I found when I got home last night. I was blown away and I just can't thank her enough for thinking of me!! From the sweet tote, to the cozy tea moments, and of course the nod to All Creatures Great and Small. Thanks again Jules - your'e the best! :) 

This community is such an amazing place to meet and connect with so many and I'll forever be grateful to share here...but especially to get to spend time visiting and getting to know friends like Jules...and all of you. 

💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

😊😊😊

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

Surprise packages that touch my soul. 😉

CURRENTLY READING

I've decided to finish all the Dream Harbor series before moving on to my other books

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Americas Got Talent, The Office, Big Brother,The Last Kingdom, American Pickers

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY -  might do dinner with my Mom & step Dad tonight (or may need to be another night depending on some things in their schedule)

TUESDAY -  leftover Italian veggie & meatball soup I made this weekend (maybe a sandwich for Matt too)

WEDNESDAY - I froze the chicken from last week so will thaw them and finally going to make slow cooker honey lime chicken tacos with fixings

THURSDAY - leftover honey lime chicken lettuce cups or nachos

FRIDAY - not sure?... out for dinner or clean out anything left in fridge

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

go for walks with Matt & Ruby, read, work on an ongoing scrapbook project

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

FROM THE CAMERA:

At the convention with my gamer Boys. :) 

This adorable car was parked next to us in the lot and I had to take a picture. Look at those hubcaps. Lol And the bumper stickers cracked me up.

Lake life beauty....

Lake life food and fun. BLT's made from crispy bacon, farm stand tomatoes, and wild rice cranberry bread. The sweet corn was also from the farm stand. And some homemade Italian veggie & meatball soup in the slow cooker. Perfect football food. 😋

Driving down the road with the one you love while the sunset puts on a show out the window - does it get better? 

Missing my Girl already 😢...a polaroid selfie she took before she headed back to school. 💝

PRAYER LIST:

 For an end to the conflicts all over the world and anyone living in war & fear. 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 Annie to have a great start to her school year. For my fellow family that will be missing my Auntie and the light she brought to this world. For Matt's Dad's continued healing. 

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

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

I hope you get to enjoy these last days of August to the fullest my Friends. 

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