Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy Monday my Friends

Late summer here we are. My flower pots are spilling over and starting to fade a bit. Geese have been flying over in giant groups doing their practice runs. The sun doesn't hold the heat it did earlier in the season. And my dear sweet Annie boo headed off to college. 😢 Please hold me? It's a true empty nest now and that guts me, if I'm honest. Being a Mom is the absolute BEST most wonderful purpose I have in this life. And I know that her leaving doesn't change that...but it will be different now. Everything will be from a distance. And it's the transition to a new normal. I'm proud of her and excited - and I know this is how life is supposed to be. But there is now an ache that I know will sit in the depth of my heart for a while. Change is always difficult. 

Matt has been a dreamboat. And he was also wonderful in knowing the time I needed with my girl this past weekend...without having to say a word. He went to the lake to visit his folks. And Annie and spent 3 days packing, gabbing, bingeing Stranger Things, watching movies, playing games, going over laundry & many other last minute life lesson tips. We had food ordered in and cooked meals. We had some fun treats. We dreamed on her new dorm room and all her plans for the future in FL. (her Dad is driving down with her so she'll have her car and he'll fly back). 

And then yesterday late morning it was time. We hugged and that turned into holding each other and just sobbing for several minutes. Then she walked out the door, got in her car, and I waved out the window like I always do and she drove away. I was happy to be alone yesterday. It was kind of a brutal one. But then late in the day I picked myself up. Did some chores around the house. And then ran some errands until Matt got home. I thank the Lord for this new chapter and for him! I think this transition would be so much more difficult without him in my life. 

Yesterday was also my sweet Aaron's 24th birthday. He had been out-of-town for the weekend with friends. We were planning a dinner here tonight with some family over and now he's sick (might be covid or a bad bug from the sounds of it🙈) Poor guy. So family still coming over for a BBQ because of all the food I made and need to get rid of. Lol But we'll celebrate Aaron when he's feeling better. 

So kind of a crazy and emotional weekend. But now it's time to move forward into this week ahead....

 

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

sugar free iced coffee with a little protein creamer (fasted until lunch)

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

wedding work/errands, Ruby haircut, home projects, Aaron birthday stuff (if he's well by later in the week), hospice work

THINKING ABOUT:  

lots of last minute wedding details on the brain now

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

Listening to Michael Buble. The sun is streaming in. Ruby is napping on the couch. I see a big vase of hydrangeas I just cut. It feels peaceful and cozy.

CURRENTLY READING

I started a new Moonbright Maine series (it's an Autumn series) 

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Bachelorette, HGTV shows, Big Brother, AGT, Annie & I have been bingeing Stranger Things (we didn't quite finish but hope to watch remotely together when we're able). Catching up on some taped stuff and then Matt & I will start the Walking Dead (his 2nd favorite series)

*PS: invested in Bachelorette as Marcus grew up in a town only 20 miles from me (not the city he currently lives in). Plus, I like him and think he's a sweetie for Jen :) 

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY -  burgers on the grill, Aaron's fave pasta salad, jello salad, veggies & dip, melon brownie sundaes (per Aaron's bday request) 

TUESDAY - protein chicken crust pizza topped with caesar salad

WEDNESDAY - stuffed pork chop pinwheels, green beans (from our garden!), salad

THURSDAY - crispy sushi rice & veggie bowls (Matt's topped with tuna)

FRIDAY -  out for dinner?

  

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

read, maybe Matt & I can get out golfing?

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

Another favorite protein snack right now - chop up some apple into a bowl. Make a peanut butter drizzle out of pb protein powder (just make it looser than it says for making peanut butter) and pour over apples, sprinkle on sunflower seeds if you want (or other crunchy). So good! Salty, sweet, light, and some protein. Great on bananas too!

I didn't know that, did you?

FROM THE CAMERA:

Annie picked out this diamond art for me to make for her dorm room and I put it into a pretty green frame.

she dozed off when we were watching shows and reminded me of when she was a little girl 💗

Been getting a handful of green beans every few days and saving in a baggie to make it as one of our side dishes this week. More cukes just about ready too.

The late summer moon has been putting on quite a show.

My sweet babies. I can't believe my boy turned 24 yesterday!! 

 

late summer pots flowing over

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 and help the world find its way. For my sweet Annie and her new path in college. For her to learn, grow and become the young woman she is meant to be. For my sweet boy to feel better.  🙏🏻💕

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Even if it hurts to let go. 💕

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

Cozy Talk (weather, recipes, decorations...)

 

Hello my Lovelies

Happy Friday! I meant to work on this earlier, but I got sidetracked with my kiddos, and then my hospice work up at the facility, and then running errands with Annie late in the day. 

Today I thought I'd share a few cozy thoughts. It's been rainy here the past couple of days and cooler in temps - and well, lots of Autumn vibes at the moment.  I thought I'd roll with that, so for all my fellow Fall lovers - this is for you!  If you are ready to dream on the cozy that is literally right around the corner, I hope you grab a cup of tea and soak it up. 

I think I'm also thinking these thoughts as I watch my daughter's friends leaving for college already. And the fact that she is leaving in a matter of days - is also giving me those Fall back-to-school feelings. I'm excited for her and trying to embrace it all, and trying not to fall into a crying heap yet. It helps that I'm in denial about her really leaving. And the fact that she'll be back for our wedding in just a month helps too! Lol

As I said, the past few days have been gray and cool. Yesterday it rained the majority of the day. And today it's been gray, some rain, and really foggy. 

So think lots of this atmosphere: windows open listening to raindrops, smelling the wet grass out the window along with the musky smell of late summer. And having candles glowing and crackling to help it feel that much more snuggly inside. I'm definitely not mad about it (plus it's supposed to be sunny and lovely this weekend, so I'll get back on track with summer soon enough) 😉

I've also been accumulating cozy related things. Like when I was shopping with my daughter I found these adorable mushroom dryer balls at Home Goods. Why not making laundry more enjoyable with a dose of cute? And these buttery soft Mukluk pj's. I though this set was SO cute (shirt and pants) for Autumn lounging in the evenings. The apples just make me smile. I highly recommend Mukluk pj's - such nice quality and so soft. And I still had my Fall leaves cleaner from last year. So I've been using that when on dusting duty. Those little things just fill my heart with cozy kinda happy. 

I've also picked up a few new Fall decorations. This cute woodland tray, and I ordered this big soft sunflower blanket, found this pretty pumpkin runner for the dining room, and also these adorable wood and metal foxes. I love leaving a few things out already because they're really woodland more than Halloween kind of Fall. Like the warm up before the big event. 🌼💛

And finally, I thought I'd share some recipes I want to try soon, starting with soups.  I think soups are so yummy because they're like cozy Fall food that's perfect for early in the season. When it's not too cold out yet so we're not looking for big hearty food yet.  And I also thought I'd share some recent pumpkin recipes I pinned as well. I have a can of pumpkin in my pantry right now that keeps calling out to me softly to remind me it's there. Lol  So I'm trying to decide what I want to make with it first. 

First up the soups:

Ok, maybe the beef stew one isn't exactly soup -but I kind of put it under that category. Especially with the gnocchi added to it. I think that sounds so yummy. And I love the idea of the other one too - little meatballs in a tomatoey broth with veggies and parm on top. Yes please! Crusty bread to dip for a both and healthy crispy green salad and that's my kind of early Autumn dinner. I have them both under my soups board on pinterest you can find here.

Next up pumpkin goodness:

I found a couple healthier pumpkin treat/snack recipes and one naughtier one made with puff pastry. They all sound so good to me as someone who LOVES all things pumpkin. You can find them all under my pinterest board called "my favorite season" that you can find here.

 I hope for all of you that love dreaming on Fall like I do - that you found some joy and cozy in this post. Feel free to share any cozy thoughts with me down below! And for those of you that are not interested in even opening that box yet...well I hope that you turned away and went back to your lemonade and poolside chair and ignored this completely. I'm currently living a bit in both worlds and loving every minute! 🌼☀️💛

Blessings on your weekend ahead and wishing you joy 

always. xoxo

Wednesday Wonder: Still Summering

 

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Hello Friends!

How are you doing today? It's been a busy one here this morning already. My neighbor Bestie asked if I'd curl her daughter's hair for a big sports picture/poster getting done for school. She said I'm her "girliest" friend and she knows I've always curled Annie's hair for dances, school pics etc too. So her daughter came over and I did her hair for her. And then my son came home for lunch and he & Annie & I had lunch together and visited a bit. 

Also, happy new week to you blogging Besties! I hope you had a wonderful weekend and got your batteries recharged. ☀️

It was a really fun one here. We did a lot of our usuals - church, running errands, out for brunch etc. 

But some other fun extras this weekend included Matt & I doing a dinner and mini golf date night. And earlier that day taking a picnic to a pretty local park with amazing views he hadn't been to yet. And then going shopping where he treated me to some new fun Fall things from Bath & Body shop (soaps, but also the cutest air freshner/night light, and Fall candle and candleholder). I can't help that I'm getting excited about these Autumn things ahead already!! 🍁😉  It's the little things that make my heart so happy. 💕

FYI: They have the cutest Autumnal woodland things at Bath & Body this Fall - so if you like that stuff I encourage you to check it out! 

Another highlight was finally getting to connect with our friends the C's! Mrs. C & I have gone to lunch a few times, but we've all been so busy we hadn't all gotten together in a while. So yesterday Annie, Mr & Mrs C, Matt & I went out on a pontoon ride and enjoyed snacks, lovely scenery and visiting. Then the C's hung out on the deck with us a while before they had to leave for their daughter's sports. 

Truly a fun and relaxing weekend...now on to the week ahead. 💗

 

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

sugar free iced coffee with a little protein creamer (fasted until lunch)

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

helping guys get their wedding outfits, Annie errands before she heads to college, dinner out with my Bro, help my Mom, home projects, wedding detail stuff (get marriage license etc), hospice work

THINKING ABOUT:  

Excited for my son and his sweet Jill. He plans to move down where Jill lives in a few months, as Jill recently got a job since graduating college. 

Thankfully, it's only 2 hours from us. My son still works for my ex, but will work remotely from there. They will get a place together and are looking at options already. Annie will be away at college in FL (sadly, very far from the northwoods). And Matt & I will be starting our newly married life. Such big changes and new life starts! Change is hard and makes me sad in some ways, but mostly so very excited for my babies!! And also for Matt & I, and all that is yet to be all of us....

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

The sun is shining and I hear the a/c going as well as Mumford and Sons currently playing on the Alexa Echo Show. It's supposed to be a lovely night too, so I may need to challenge Matt at some ladder ball or pickle ball later and enjoy a fire on the deck. 

CURRENTLY READING

I just started a new Moonbright Maine series (it's an Autumn series) as I wasn't getting in to my last one that much. 

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Bachelorette, HGTV shows, Big Brother, AGT is back, Annie & I have been bingeing Stranger Things (she watched it before, but I hadn't seen it - so trying to get it in together before she leaves), probably sometime soon Matt & I will finally start The Walking Dead too

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY -  not sure yet but we have leftovers from pork chops we made on the grill with spicy apple butter BBQ sauce - boy were they good! 

TUESDAY - protein penne pasta with marinara, meatballs, salad

WEDNESDAY - egg breakfast sandwiches on cinnamon english muffins, fruit

THURSDAY - might be out for sushi with my Bro & SIL 

FRIDAY -  might be clean out the fridge or out with Annie if there's any of her faves to fit in 

  

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

hang with my Annie! 

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

FROM THE CAMERA:

The park I took Matt to this weekend had lovely paths and a big pavilion with lovely views. 

It also had a zen garden and a peace gong you could ring. 

And what it's really known for is a tower that you can go to the top of for even more expansive views. We picked up sandwiches from a fun local restaurant and spent the afternoon up there. I've been trying to think of local interests to take Matt to so he can become a true "local" to this area. 😉 I have many more on our list for the future! 

And while it's still summer goodness we got some pontoon time in this weekend too - with Annie and our Besties

And of course Ruby! The pontoon is one of her faves. We hung out along the shoreline here (it's called "bayfront") where you can see the big pointed pavilion. There was a blues fest going on and we listened to the music for a bit. 

I had to share a couple of my finds this weekend - one was this bookshelf air freshner/night light. It's so ME!  A bookcase with a cute light up lamp, plant and a kitty. :)

And this adorable owl candle holder. That candle smells so good btw. And the owl is soft and fuzzy. I just love him! 😍

Annie & I might also have been doing some cozy coloring time too. 💗

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 and help the world find its way. For my sweet Annie and her future path she'll be taking soon. That she may remain safe, but also learn and grow and become the woman she is meant to be 🙏🏻💕

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

I haven't decorated for Fall yet - but I'm thinking all the thoughts and starting to accumulate some new decor. I think that's legal now. 😉

Blessings on your week ahead Friends! I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.