Happy Homemaker Monday on a Tuesday

Happy Tuesday beautiful Friends! 

I'm late to the HHM party this week as yesterday I spent the day with my sweet Mumsy. She's been feeling better and we were finally able to do our mutual birthday big day out (we go shop and do lunch and hang out). I treasure time with her and just love that lady so very much. 💗

In other birthday news it was my amazing Hubby's birthday yesterday! We celebrated over the weekend and Aaron and Jill were up and stayed here for the visit. We had my Mom and step Dad over too and sang happy birthday to my Mom and Matt. (Mom's bday is the 25th and Matt's the 27th) We got pizza from a local place that is everyone's favorite and then played games and had cake and ice cream. Then we played late night Mario Party with Aaron and Jill and just had such a fun night. 

And speaking of my dear Aaron - his scan came back normal...thank You Lord Jesus in heaven for answering our prayers!! I didn't realize how much I had been holding my breath until I got the relieving news. So thank you so much for all of your prayers and support through all that scary stuff. I'm so grateful for you all! 🙏🏻🧡 

We were at Saturday evening mass and so many prayers of thank you were said. 😊 And earlier in the day Saturday Matt got the deck cleared off and did leaf blowing to clean up for winter. I'm so glad Aaron was here to help for some of the heavier lifting of deck things so I didn't have to put my back through helping. Lol 😉

 

 

 

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

no brekkie - just protein coffee.... and then I had avocado sourdough toast with hot honey for lunch and some raw veggies and protein dip

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

out with my Mom (already did) :), cleaning projects getting ready for winter ahead, halloween party with our friends, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT: 

how good God is and the relief in my heart (brings me to tears)

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

Some of the nights get so chilly now and when we put our feet up at the end of the day I love covering up with my big soft blanket. The feeling of cozy makes me so very happy. 

CURRENTLY READING

Some new holiday magazines and an old book I hadn't finished before. 

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Jeopardy, old seasons of big brother and the office, Great British Baking Show, Dancing with the Stars, Survivor, Shark Tank, Shifting Gears, Ghosts

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY -  last night we had grilled ham & cheeses on sourdough and Matt had cheddar and broccoli soup, veggies & protein dip

TUESDAY -  pho chicken soup

WEDNESDAY -  a new recipe I want to try - baked chicken breasts filled with stuffing and chopped apple on a bed of carrots with a sauce on top

THURSDAY - protein chicken crust pizza topped with caesar salad

FRIDAY - out with the C's for a Halloween party at Mr. C's Aunt's house. His Aunt makes a huge pot of chili and everyone potlucks (I'm bringing a snack and a treat - I think munchie mix as there are a lot of people there and it makes a lot, and Halloween bark)

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

cross-stitch gifts I'm working on, paint, crochet (potential gift)

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

*thought this might be helpful during this season of crafting

FROM THE CAMERA:

Always so weird to see the deck so empty at the end of the season. We kept out chairs and fire pit (as they just get pushed up against the house) and we may still have a few cozy Fall fires yet. 

Last week we had the first hard frost of the season you can see on the deck and grass. And so many leaves are off the trees now so the sunset has a bare silhouette. 

Frosty nights call for good hot coffee in the morning. I have 2 of these mugs I got as a gift from a gf and I love them because they have lids to keep your coffee nice and toasty. 

Earlier Saturday I was putting up decorations for the birthday party to come. On Sunday the Hubby was out catching rays because it was actually very warm out that day (60's). And he had a little visitor soaking up some sunshine with him. :) 

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 those dealing with hurricane Melissa.

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:

Have a very blessed week dear Friends 😘 

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

Five on Friday: Some Yummies

 

Hello Friends and happy TGIF to you 💗

I hope that this week has been good to you and that you get to now put up your feet and enjoy a lovely weekend ahead. I'm late to posting again as I was doing hospice work today. But still wanted to do a post before the weekend and share a bit of life lately.

We got another lovely storm system the other day and it dumped more snow on us. So we still have the remnants of that hanging around. However, we are supposed to get some lovely mild weather over the weekend that should melt it all away again! Here's hoping. 💛☀️

In the meantime, still delving into the cozy. Reading, devotional & reflection, journaling, crafting, sipping hot tea. So excited Spring is around the corner...but loving these quiet moments too. 

But today I thought I'd share a 5 on Friday post about some yummy things around here lately. I'm sharing with My Creative Life and you can find her blog here.

ONE

First up is this recipe for a healthier berry cobbler. You make it with only 3 ingredients. Cake mix, mineral water, and berries. I did add some cinnamon and a little sprinkle from my cinnamon/sugar shaker on top before baking. But overall far less calories because you omit the eggs, oil etc. And it was still very cobbler like and tasty. We had it with a little 15 calorie squirt of whipped topping. You put your berries in the bottom of your cooking sprayed pan. Sprinkle half a cake mix on top. Pour a cup of mineral water over all - mix and bake. That's it! I used fresh berries and you can frozen too - it just might be more muddled in color, but taste just as good. 😋

TWO

Next up is more of our health journey. 

A few weeks ago we went through all of the cabinets and both fridges and got rid of a lot of the "junk" we still had around. We did a fresh shopping trip not too long after and refilled the house with lots of fresh healthy goodies. I cleaned out our middle "drawer" compartment of our refrigerator in the kitchen, and filled it with lots of fruit & veggies. I prepped them and got them cleaned, cut up, & ready to go. And the meats and cheeses are in there too. I think being prepped and ready helps stay on track. We have been logging on our apps together and keep track of everything: our calories, protein, carbs, exercise, water etc. It's so nice doing it with my partner in life and makes it much easier. We meal plan together and I have been making sure we have healthy snacks and treats at the ready. We have both been losing weight already and feel so much better. 

Also, side note: these Built puff protein bars are amaze balls! Like a marshmallow candy bar in lots of great flavors. I'm not a spokesperson or anything - I am just usually grossed out by most protein bars and these ones are SO GOOD! And an easy way to get a boost of protein for a quick snack or even meal replacement on the go.

THREE

I love my ipad mini....but I've got to say that sometimes just holding and smelling and reading in a tangible book is wonderful. Not really food related but in its own way books are "a yummy goodie" to me. Lol They feed the mind and soul. ✨

FOUR

We both absolutely LOVE this as a healthy snack. I've talked about them before - but sharing again because they are so good. Take a bunch of grapes off the stems and put into a bowl. Clean them up and dab dry but leave a little damp. Take sugar free jell-o (whatever flavor you want but we love peach or orange the best so far) and sprinkle the powder over the grapes and shake and coat. Then place in the freezer for 20 mins. Don't leave in there too much longer than that. Then gobble them down like candy. They totally hit the sweet tooth craving if you need that. This is an especially delish treat in the summer. 

FIVE

Also, if you need a low cal and sugar BBQ sauce for any recipes - this one is the best! We still love our chicken crust protein pizza and made a BBQ chicken one the other night and used this as the sauce, as well as a little drizzle on top. Saves lots of calories when you're logging them. 😉 

And it tastes so good that I'd use it even if I wasn't counting calories!

Because I love to look at recipes and cook and bake anyways - I find it a fun challenge to figure out how to make a meal or snack healthier. Things like adding more protein, less carbs, more veggies, & less sugar. The key to me is that I don't want to feel denied anything and it still needs to be satisfying. There are so many tips and tricks out there if you start looking. It's becoming my new fun hobby! And to lose some weight and feel better as a side perk is a win-win in my book. 

Are there things you like to do to be healthier? 

Blessings. 

xoxo

Wednesday Wonder: sneak peek👰🏼🌼💛

 

The dress:

There was a hiccup with the dress I had initially shared a peek of on here. And it was far more gown than I wanted. This one is perfect and still vintage in feel. 

The headpiece I'll wear:

My bouquet:

Annie has a small bouquet to match mine. She will be wearing a long navy sundress - it's so pretty.

The wedding gift Matt got me: these diamonds that match my ring and I'll be wearing them for our special day.  

I had given him the classy tag heurer watch he'd been dreaming on. 💕

Matt will be wearing something a lot like this: but his pants are dark navy and his shirt is light blue. He will do a gray vest. 

This is the tie he will wear:

Aaron will be wearing a light blue shirt and navy pants. Both guys will wear a sunflower and navy boutonniere:

I got these flower decorations and tulle to decorate the arch we will be married under:

This is our card box. It's hand carved wood and has the C & M medallion also carved in wood

The champagne flutes and engraved cake cutter/server:

Real sunflower seeds to plant as favors. Also, my girlfriend that is the most amazing cookie maker is baking monogrammed cookies as favors too. 

Our cake topper, as the Packers are what brought us together in the first place:

Instead of a guest book this will be on an easel with white sharpies for folks to sign. It's also hand carved wood:

This is a photo of our venue. If the weather is cooperative we will be married in that exact spot next to the trees along Lake Superior. It will be a small ceremony. Only 30 people there. And we have a strings duo (violin and viola) playing for the ceremony and cocktail hour (all outside - hopefully). And then the formal dinner in a dining hall. Then we'll all get in comfy clothes and play lawn games and sit by fire pits along the water. There will be s'more's kits. Hopefully it will be a lovely weather night under the stars hanging with our people. And we even ordered a late night french fry bar with multiple sauces. 😋

Don't worry - we have a plan B if bad weather (they have a lodge there)

No matter the weather or anything else, we know it will be an amazing day with our core people, and blessed by God, and that we will carry the sweet memories of it all the rest of our lives. 💝

I promise in the future I will also share photos after the wedding and further details then. Thank you, dear Blogland Besties, for being with me along this whole journey. Supporting me and cheerleading me on. I treasure you all and the friends you have come to be in my life. If I could I would have you all be there that day too! So I hope in some way it helps you feel a part of things too. 

xoxo