Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy Monday Blogging Besties 😊💕

Are you excited about the eclipse today? Here, we're not going to have any exciting moments as it's cloudy and raining...and it's supposed to stay this way all day. But I hope those of you in a zone to see it will enjoy! 

It was such a fun and lovely weekend here. Friday Matt & Annie & I went out for dinner and then went to our local Home and Builders Show. It was fun to see exhibits and products for Spring. 

Then Saturday Matt & I headed to visit my Aunt. She lived around my area for many years. But she retired and moved away more recently to a really fun town a few hours away from us. It's a big college area and it's so charming. She lives in a 55+ retirement community area that is on a college campus. So it's so dynamic and filled with fun energy. She does volunteer work at the chapel at the college. The whole area is charming and it's so nice because she can walk to just about anything she needs. So we did lots of walking around seeing the area. We walked around the campus. And she took us to her favorite coffee/sandwich shop. We also looked at shops and she showed us her favorite nature trails. She made us dinner Saturday night and then we walked to an ice cream shop. We went back to her place and played cards until late. Then Sunday she took us to a different university campus that has a monastery and an abbey.

 We went to mass at the abbey and it had amazing architecture and stained glass. The monks did a lot of the mass and so there was lovely music and singing (almost chanting at times). We ate on the campus for lunch after. It was so fun to kind of remember college days. And to feel the fun younger energy everywhere. Her little area is truly like out of a Hallmark movie or something. Best of all, though, was catching up with her of course! (she's always been an extra special Auntie to me) We already look forward to the next visit with her. 💗💗💗

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

Sugar free iced coffee. 

I now fast 16 hours each day and only do an 8 hour eating window. I love how I feel now that I'm getting used to fasting. I can tell it's shrinking my belly too, so I don't have as much appetite. So I'm losing weight faster. When I do eat, I choose healthier options and lesser portions. I'm determined to have less weight on my joints to help with pain issues with my arthritis etc. Just working on healthy and a lifestyle that can work for me long term....the weight loss is just a nice side effect. :) 

I also do regular exercise throughout the week. Motion is lotion as they say in the arthritis world. 😉

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

make Ruby's vet appointment, help Annie with prom errands, run errands for senior soiree, Annie & I both have dental appts, pick up just a few groceries, more spring cleaning projects, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT:  

the solar eclipse for obvious reasons - even though I won't be seeing it here...it's a pretty cool event to me (I've always loved astronomy and sciences)

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

It's gray and rainy. But almost all the snow is gone and the bay is open! I just saw a group of wild turkeys go through my yard and I just took a pic (I'll share it below) 

CURRENTLY READING

I have started the book The Collected Regret of Clover by Mikki Brammer. I received it as a gift from a friend and started it before and then got sidetracked. Now reading for real and it's so good so far! She knew it would be up my alley as it's about an end of life doula in N.Y. (although it's a fictitious novel and the main character is adorably unique)

ON THE TV TODAY:

Jeopardy, Call the Midwife, LPBW, The Good Wife, Grey's Anatomy,  Survivor, The Rookie, Ghosts, Shark Tank, The Good Doctor,  When Calls the Heart 

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY -  cardamom bread french toast, bacon, fruit, eggs

TUESDAY - spicy coconut curry pork noodle soup (HF meal)

WEDNESDAY -  tomato shakshuka w/ feta & pickled onion, pita bread, side salad (HF meal)

THURSDAY - creamy one pot pasta toscana w/ spinach & parm (HF meal)

FRIDAY -  out for dinner

  

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

read, craft, home projects

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

Did you know that your biggest organ is your skin? And I had read up long ago about all the chemicals in detergents and how your skin soaks up some of that from your clothing. So the past few years I've liked using all natural projects in the laundry. My favorite has been molly's suds detergent powder (they have liquid too) and their natural dryer sheets along with wool dry balls. This isn't an add or anything - I'm just sharing what I have found works for me to feel good about our healthier laundry situation. My favorite fragrance of detergent is molly's lavender (from essential oils). I have a subscription set up on amazon to make it even easier for myself. For towels and things I often add a little vinegar in the fabric softener compartment of the washer to naturally soften them.  No, the clothes don't have that super smell other detergent's give or those weird scent booster ball things? But if I smell that on clothing I just think I'm smelling chemicals now and that doesn't smell fresh in my mind. My clothes just smell clean. Good enough for me. Lol 

Anyway, just thought I'd share. 

FROM THE CAMERA:

The recent visit to see my Aunt. The wall of stained glass was the whole back of the church up to the ceiling. Just such unique architecture. That's Matt admiring it in the first pic. And the other pics are of my Aunt's cute place (in one pic you can see her off to the right and her dog Luna). We had a lovely weather Saturday there and walked everywhere. Sunday was a rainy drive home but cozy and we did lots of chatting and singing. 💗

Some Spring moments: These neat pages in my planner for the April part. A recent Spring pedi because Annie and I go to AZ for her Spring break. And the wild turkeys in our backyard this morning. 

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 His Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere. For both Matt & my sets of aging parents and their health issues. For safe Spring break travels for Annie & I in the future and any other Spring break, or solar eclipse, travelers. 🙏🏻

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Happy eclipse day Friends and have a blessed week ahead. I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

Five on Friday: Spring Love

 

Hello Friends! 

My fellow blogger friend, Jean at Chitchat with Jean, let me know that Five on Friday is back thanks to the blog My Creative Life. So I thought I would link up today before I head out to do hospice work.  You can find the link here. I always loved Five on Friday because it's often a nice way to share what you've been thinking about....or to wrap up your week. 😊

 My 5 today have to do with all the Spring love in my heart right now. It's finally feeling like Spring again after our big snow storm. Warmer temps and all of the snow is melting. And the bay is almost fully opened again!! Yay! ☀️🌷

ONE

Here are some pics I took yesterday. You can see the open water and the geese swimming around in the 2nd pic. It makes me dream on all of the walking ahead with Matt & Ruby. And now that my back is healed - all of the golf in my future this summer. I've missed playing so much! 

TWO

And of course Spring means planting flower pots and the return of the fairies & gnomes. :) Here are a few new ones I picked up recently. 

a couple pots from last year:

THREE

And how about even a little Spring jewelry. When Matt had his recent trip to AZ to help his folks - he saw this jewelry and thought of me. 💗 Of course I wouldn't wear them at the same time (a bit of overkill) Lol But I love the thought of when it's warm and I have my hair up that cute watering can earring with the "water" pouring down being so cute. And that fun chunky necklace with a cute bright colored top and neutral gold earrings on top. 😍. I just love them both! 

FOUR

And I'm excited to plant in my raised veggie garden again (and herb pots). Last year the peas and cukes did especially well all summer. Not sure what I'll be planting this year? 

FIVE

And dreaming on all kinds of Spring recipes and flavors. These are a couple from my pinterest board Spring/Easter which you can find clicking here.

This one is a raspberry lemon bundt cake 

I hope you're having fun dreaming on Spring wherever you are in the world. Blessings on your weekend ahead! If you want to join the party you can click on Five on Friday here.

xoxo

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Happy Monday to you!

I hope you had a lovely Easter weekend for those that celebrated. Matt &  I went to Easter mass. Then we had my Mom & step Dad, my brother Steven & his wife Jill, Aaron and his sweetie Jill, Annie, Matt & I gathered around our table for a lovely meal together in the afternoon. Lots of visiting and enjoying ham dinner with all the sides and yummy desserts. I was so in the moment that I forgot to get pics of everyone though! I'm determined to get better about remembering that for future family gatherings.  Then my brother & SIL had to leave for my SIL's family gathering. And Aaron and Jill went for Jill's family get together. So my Mom, step Dad, Matt, Annie & I played cards for a while. It was such a fun day and the weather was sunny and lovely and we had the windows open. It felt very Spring-like. I love my family so much and treasures time with them any chance I get! 💗🌷

Also, Saturday night our friends, the C's, had asked us to go out with them. So we went out for dinner to a new restaurant in our town (had really yummy food and Mrs. C and I may have enjoyed a lovely adult beverage 😉) and then they came back to our house to play some cribbage and smear. The men were the victors, sadly. Lol They won the cribbage game (but it was close!) and we won the first game of smear, but they won the next 2 - boo!) Those boys love to give us crap too. Don't worry, we'll get them next time! 😁

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

cereal, coffee

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

might be helping my Mom & step Dad with a medical appt, take Annie to get her prom dress hemmed, senior party committee meeting at 

Annie's school, errands, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT:  

how lovely it's been the past few days and that it's nice to see all the snow melting... wondering when we'll be back to green grass and a full open bay? ☀️

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

Listening to pretty music with birdsong sounds too, and I was just tickling Bubb's under his chin as he was lying here next to me. I see my kindle and a little stack of magazines across the room...maybe I'll get some reading time in this afternoon between house chores. 😊 My son often comes home for lunch, too, and I love getting that time with him. 

CURRENTLY READING

Almost done with the Ready or Not book - really fun one. Not sure which book I'm going to read next?

ON THE TV TODAY:

Jeopardy, Call the Midwife, LPBW, The Good Wife, Grey's Anatomy,  Survivor, The Rookie, Password, Ghosts, Shark Tank, The Good Doctor, Blown Away glass competition show, When Calls the Heart starts this weekend

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY -  Easter leftovers

TUESDAY - hot honey chicken w/ BBQ roasted potatoes & roasted broccoli (HF meal)

WEDNESDAY -  beef tenderloin & gouda sandwiches w/ au jus, mixed greens salad with apples w/ lemon vinaigrette (HF meal)

THURSDAY - crispy cheddar chicken w/ roasted broccoli & loaded mashed potatoes (HF meal)

FRIDAY -  maybe out for dinner?

  

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

read, go walking, craft or cross-stitch

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

FROM THE CAMERA:

I had gotten this for Matt's birthday late last year because he talked about he had always dreamed on an A-frame on his 10 Mile Lake property (besides the cottage already there). But now we talk about building something with more room one day, however, I thought it would be cute to get him "his A-frame" and I found this. I don't have the patience to want to put them together so I had recruited Annie. She just finished it last week and I had to share how cute it turned out. We have lights for inside it too. :) I thought Matt could put it down in his office and admire it whenever he likes. 🏡

I topped the deviled eggs with bacon this year (like bacon & eggs 😉) That was a hit!

Gf low sugar berry pie I made for my bro's diet restrictions (he shared with all though) and he said it was amazing - he took the little bit that was left home with him. It's such a tasty pie for being as healthy as it is. You can find the recipe when I posted it before here.

I know have shared the front of our church often, but I think these stained glass windows in the back up above the loft are so pretty too. 

My handsome fella all spiffed up for church 💕

For dessert I also made a big fruit pizza "egg" cookie. 

I gave Aaron, Jill, and Annie their Easter baskets. But I also had these cute little bunnies that one went to my Mom and one to my SIL, along with leftover sugared pecans from the Easter salad I had made. 

I always love making this strawberry spinach salad (w/ the homemade sugared pecans) in my big hummingbird bowl. It's so bright and pretty for Spring! I serve it with poppyseed dressing and raspberry walnut vinaigrette so folks can take their pick. 

Matt lives for anything peanut butter, and he loves to experiment. So he made this peanut butter "crack" dessert with ritz crackers, peanut butter, chocolate, a toffee sauce made from brown sugar & butter and some butterscotch chip and peanut butter chip drizzle on top. It was SO good but you could only eat a little piece. Lol 

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 His Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere.  Thankful prayers for Matt's Mom's healing to be going so well now. And hoping Matt's Dad's heart tests come back with good news. 🙏🏻

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Blessed every time you visit Friends! Have a great week ahead.

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