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.

Cooking Thursday (on a Friday): Date Treats & Happy Independence Day!

 

Hello Friends!

Happy Friday to you. I was busy with a few things yesterday - including making some meals and goodies to bring my Mom & step Dad. By the way, thank you so much for your kind words and prayers for them. My Mom said the meds are helping her shingles and she's doing well overall.

So that's why I didn't get here for Cooking Thursday but I'm doing it today. Also, Happy July to you!

I'm not sure when that snuck in here because it feels like it was just May. But such is the speed of time these days I swear. It has definitely been feeling like July here. The last couple days have been close to 90* F! Hot stuff ☀️ 

It was a nice evening once it cooled off last night so Matt, Annie & I went out for sushi for dinner and then got in some mini golf. The summer is so fleeting here that it feels wonderful sneaking in fun summery things even on the week days. 

Today I thought I'd share more about the dates I had made and brought for our weekend at the lake. Matt's folks have been trying to be better about their diet and so instead of bringing bars, pie or really naughty treats I brought those dates. They still give a richness and candy bar like fix - but they are less calories and at the base of them a date...which also adds fiber. 

They are pretty self explanatory. I bought a box of medjool dates from Costco. These were nice as they were pitted. But otherwise, just cut them open and scoop out the pit. Take a litte teaspoon and fill with your filling of choice. Top with a dollop of melted chocolate (semi sweet chocolate chips I microwaved until they were melted and stirred until smooth). And sprinkle a little sea salt on top. Chill and then dig in. 

For the dates in the photo above I placed a piece of walnut inside and then stuffed with a tsp scoop of peanut butter. You could put whatever nut you like or just do peanut butter. Once the dates were done I put them in the fridge to chill and set up. And I kept them in a container in the fridge. 

And feel free to get creative with how you want to make them. I have also made Dubai chocolate dates:

I picked up this pistachio cream with bits of kadayifi in it (shredded up crunchy phyllo dough bits) and then filled the dates with that. Then topped with the melted chocolate and sea salt just like the other ones. Just like a Dubai chocolate bar. So good! 

I think next I'm going to fill them with marshmallow cream or fluff and a little piece of graham cracker and then the chocolate topping to make a s'mores version. Just have fun and get creative with them! They are nice little bits to have in the fridge and so easy to grab for a very satisfying treat. To make them even healthier you could use Lily's chocolate chips which don't have added sugar and use plant based sweeteners. I just couldn't find them the last time I was at the store. 

Have you ever made or tried these? We really like them and hope you do too if you give them a try. 

And for those in the States that will be celebrating July 4th this weekend - I hope you have a very fun and safe one! For those who don't live in the states this will be a weekend of parades, picnics, BBQ's, sparklers & fireworks, and often time in or on the lake/beach (weather permitting). All to celebrate our Independence Day. And this year is extra big as it's our country's 250th birthday! Otherwise known as the Semiquincentennial (say that 5 times fast 😂)

So I thought I'd share a little vintage July 4th inspiration. 

No matter where you are in the world I hope you have a very blessed weekend ahead.

For the weekend I made these July 4th strawberries with white chocolate bark and some blue sugar. 

 Bubba & Ruby wish you a Happy 4th too! 

 🇺🇸❤️💙

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Happy Monday to you my Lovelies! ☀️💛

How are things kicking off this week for you? Did you have a nice weekend??

It was a fun one here as we celebrated July 4th at the lake cottage with Matt's folks. Aaron was at Jill's family cabin. And Annie is still in Europe for her study abroad program. 

We went early (Thursday night) as Matt didn't need to work Friday. We went out for a lovely dinner that night. Then Friday morning we did our annual tradition of watching the Nathan's hot dog eating contest and Joey Chestnut won again! The announcers are the best because they make it so funny with the way they introduce the contestants. 

It was a hot windy day and we swam in the lake for hours. It was so fun with the big waves. Then that night we grilled up dinner. It rained/stormed all evening. So no fireworks. :( 

 Saturday was a gray overcast day and they predicted rain so we mainly hung out inside playing games, cards and had a kind of a movie marathon. 

Then Sunday we had a lovely brunch and went for a long pontoon ride before heading home. Such a nice long relaxing weekend. And I just love my in-law's and time at the lake so much!! 💗

Now back to real life...

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

iced coffee, a light and fit protein yogurt with a little granola on top

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

catching up on bible study, zooming with girlfriends to catch up, errands, Matt & I tag team some yard work, hanging with Annie when she gets back, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT:  

how very blessed I am and singing praises of gratitude to the Lord in heaven for so many abundant gifts 🙏🏻

 

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

any time I share with my girlfriends (near and far) - they are the sisters of my heart

including time with my blogland girlfriends too 😉💗

CURRENTLY READING

The next book in the Dream Harbor series by Laurie Gilmore called The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Americas Got Talent, Jeopardy, TWD catch up,  Just Like That, Stick, I've started watching The Gilded Age, Matt's never seen The Office (I loved that series) so we've started that together, Big Brother starts back this week, I'd never seen The Last Kingdom so watching that with Matt now too (sounds like lots of shows but we usually only watch jeopardy and then 1 show a night...and sometimes an office episode as they're so short) Matt goes to bed before I do, typically, so I may watch one of my shows later at night. 

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - shredded cabbage "pasta" with protein alfredo sauce and grilled Italian marinated chicken breasts, melon (didn't end up having this last week)

TUESDAY - mini pierogies with mediterranean salad

WEDNESDAY - might be out for dinner?

THURSDAY - chicken crumbles with sesame ginger sauce bowls with spinach 

FRIDAY - ??

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

read, scrapbook, visit with friends, work in the yard/garden

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

FROM THE CAMERA:

WARNING: sharing lots - photo overload ahead. 🙈

Beautiful nights on the lake - the sunsets there are always stellar

Checking on the new deck Matt and I had built there. The previous one was falling apart. It's right above where you head down to the dock. There's a bridge behind it that's old and rough too that we plan to have replaced next year. For those that don't know - we live on a bay in WI. The home I've been living in since 2007 that I kept in the divorce. But Matt owns his Grandparents lake property in MN and his parents "rent" from him as they live there every summer. There's a mobile home (his Dad's "bat cave") on the property, as well as a lake cottage. It's 11 acres and over 300 feet of lake frontage. It's a retirement plan for us - so we are keeping up with the place and repairs. When his Dad doesn't need it anymore - we will remove the mobile. And we plan to revamp/reconstruct the whole cottage one day to make it a true home for us. But that's all quite a while down the road. :) 

Holiday weekends called for giving myself a sparkly red, white, and blue mani. And for bringing lots of yummy goodies: crab dip we had with crackers and veggies, pinwheel deli sammys, and summer berry poke cake with white frosting. 😋❤️💙

Matt's Mom found some more old photo albums to share when we got there. I love looking through them and learning more about this studly as I'm still a newlywed. Lol  A lot of them crack me up so I have to share with you friends so you can tease too. 😁

baby Matt with his Granny (they were the best of pals!)

did any of you watch Home Improvement? So many of Matt's pics from around this time period he looked just like Brad Taylor. Lol Do you see it?

Matt was at a cooking event and Robert Irvine was there (from the show Restaurant Impossible) and he called Matt up on stage because he said he had big muscles like him and they should compare. Ha!

Who is this guy - with a soul patch no less?? I was dying laughing at this one 😂😂😂

And studly athletic Matt (back left) from his days at Illinois State - he had a scholarship for Track and Field (he did discus and hammer throw) - lots of years of training and awards until he wrecked his knees and blew out his ankle :(

Thank you for indulging me down that Matt memory lane ...now back to our regularly scheduled lake photos. Loving these summer days and time on the pontoon too. 

And now some pics of life back at home on the bay. Matt took a pic the other day and momma robin has 4 eggs in the nest!

grow garden grow...

gorgeous summer nights

 a guilty pleasure is picking up some seasonal bath and body soaps (I recycle all the bottles!) And I've been loving this unique one called off the vine with hints of tomato garden, flowers and moss. It smells fresh like a garden 🍅 

And in crazy news - Bubba always whines when we sit outside because he can't come. He has no front claws to protect himself and has only been an inside cat. But the other day we took him out on the leash for a little bit. He loved getting to see and smell everything. Not sure if we should encourage this habit or not? Lol We talk about maybe getting a kind of mesh outdoor kennel tent thing where maybe he could be in there outside with us. Not sure on that plan yet though. 

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 the flooding in Texas and especially for all those affected at Camp Mystic 😢 🙏🏻

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

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Wishing you the most amazing week ahead dear Friends. Always love sharing this time with you!! 😘 xo

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