Happy Homemaker Monday

Hey my sweet Peeps!

Happy Monday to you. :) 

How is the week beginning for you? And how was your weekend?

The weekend was a lovely one here. The end of the week a gf took me out on an early birthday outing (my birthday is later this week). Matt went to the lake property Thursday evening. He took Friday off to help his parents pack up and close everything at the lake. I stayed back because we had the work crew here still working on our bathroom renovation. Plus, I was going out with that gf as I mentioned. 

Then Matt got his folks to the airport early Saturday and when he got home we did some work around here too. It was unseasonably warm (in the 80's!) - so we figured it was a good time to get started on putting away some of the deck furniture. We went to Saturday evening mass and then out for a nice dinner. Sunday we did some house cleaning and then watched our Packers. It was so nice to see them look more like themselves and they played great! They won against the Bears. Yay! We also watched Annie's hockey games online throughout the weekend as her college team played in a tourney in Georgia and they did great! Annie had some assists and goals. Go Bulls! 💚 I was grateful she had that tourney and got out of Florida due to hurricane Isaias. I always worry about those hurricanes with her going to school down there. 

Today it's gray and rainy and windy. This whole week is supposed to only be in the 50's - so back to true October in the northwoods. I'm going out for another birthday outing with Mrs. C. this afternoon. We go every year for our birthdays (she's an October girlie too). 

Pretty great way to start the week in my book 😊

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

it was warm this past weekend but definitely back to normal chilly temps this week

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

just coffee today - saving up for our lunch outing 😋

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

lunch with Mrs. C, pickleball, out for lunch and shopping with my Mom, home projects, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT: 

that it's hard to believe I turn 55 this week 🙈

Birthdays always makes me reflect on things - do they do that to you too? I look around me...at our parents. At my Ruby. Sometimes she sleeps so hard I check to be sure she's breathing (she is almost 15 now - which means close to 105 in dog years) and she has several health issues. I'll tear up when I look at her sometimes and remember her as a puppy. And then remember my hardest years - finding myself alone after being with my ex for almost 30 years. The kids were getting older and off with friends on weekends and I would often be alone. I, of course, spent time with family and friends often. But many times I was on my own for the first time since I was a teen. And Ruby has always been that extra special smart, sweet, wonderful pet and bestie that has been there for me through all of the tough times. 

It also gets me emotional when I think of the loss facing Matt and I in the future (all of our parents are in their 80's). And I just thank God for the gift of aging. For the gift of all of our parents still with us. And for the gift of Matt in my life - a true partner to face all that life will bring in our future. I think that's truly how I've always tried to approach everything. With gratitude. It's amazing how happy a grateful heart is in this world. ❤️

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

Getting some early Christmas shopping done and working on secret holiday gift projects ❤️💚

CURRENTLY READING

I have such a list I want to read yet - I have a book called Garden Spells (sounds very Autumnal), one that my friend Bille Jo recommended a while back(The House Wife), I still need to finish Rebecca, and Theo of Golden is also on my list as I've heard such good things. 

 

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Jeopardy,  Best Medicine, Survivor, Dancing with the Stars, Youtube things, Fall movies I want to watch, Halloween Baking Championship, Great British Baking Show

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - harvest pasta skillet and green beans from the garden

TUESDAY - slow cooker salsa chicken we will have over spanish rice with toppings and raw veggies and protein ranch dip

WEDNESDAY - buffalo chicken & sweet potato bowls, lemony green beans

THURSDAY - birthday time! (out to dinner or takeout)

FRIDAY - slow cooker chicken ramen and I will either wilt in baby bok choy or spinach

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

embroidery project, watercolor painting, diamond art

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

FROM THE CAMERA:

Last week Matt had to go for some work outings about an hour away and asked if I wanted to go along. He would be long at either place and then we could go out for dinner. It was quality time together, good food, and a beautiful drive. I am always in on that! 

Watching our Girlie kick some butt! We 💚 #16

A lovely and very thoughtful birthday card from a friend across the pond. 😍 (Thanks again Jules - you touched my 💗!)

The garden keeps producing green beans! So we keep collecting them and cooking them up. So good! They were so good as a side dish one night when I made a brown butter sauce to go with butternut squash and caramelized onion ravioli we had picked up at Costco. I also toasted pine nuts to put on top. It was decadent, so Fall and so yummy! I will share the recipe later this week. 

Autumn days around here...

that little light yellow glass pumpkin was a gift from the gf that took me out for dinner for my birthday - she knew I collected them :) I'm such a blessed and loved girlie 

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 all of those affected by, and dealing with, hurricane Isaias.

For the Lord's love and peace to fill all ❤️'s.

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:

I'm so grateful for the gift of YOU Friends. And I love and treasure your visits here. Have a blessed week ahead!

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

The Beauty of Letting Go: Lessons from Autumn and Hospice 🍁

 

Hello my dear lovely Friends ~

Happy Friday and yay for the weekend ahead! It's supposed to be an unseasonably warm and lovely one - so we may try to get in a last pontoon ride here on our bay. Do you have fun plans this weekend?

I know you have heard me often exclaim my love for Fall. The beauty of the colorful leaves. The smell of woodsmoke in the air on long walks in crisp air. The crunch of leaves under my feet (I just love that sound so much!). The way the geese fly over the bay so low I can hear their wings flapping. The wearing of warm soft sweaters and sipping hot tea to warm up after being out in the weather. 

And I think Autumn is also such a time of slowing down. Here in the northwoods it's the beginning of hibernation season that we know is right around the corner.  This time of year makes me slow down. And because of that, I take in the beauty more with each year that passes. 

I also think volunteering in hospice has helped me see this season through a different lens. I remember reading the saying: Fall has a way of showing us there is a beauty in letting go. 

I think we often put a big focus on beginnings. Much like the Spring - the first warmth of real sunshine, first blooming of flowers and things growing in the garden. 🌻

But Autumn helps to remind us that endings are also part of a beautiful life story. Being in hospice I feel the privilege of walking alongside patients and families during that part of their journey. And I often say that the hospice house is like sacred ground to me. It brings me closer to my faith with every bit of time I spend there. I see it all as such a gift. Just like the gorgeous leaves outside.

I think of the trees and how they don't lose their beauty when they begin to change. Instead, often their most breathtaking display comes just before the leaves gently fall. What a lovely reminder for us all - don't you think?

My faith reminds me that God is present in every season. In the joyful beginnings, in the uncertain transitions, and even in the sacred moments of goodbye. 

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven."  ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

I find such comfort in those words, don't you?

So this Autumn I will watch the leaves gracefully fall in colorful showers outside my window, but I will be reminded of what a changing season can represent and I will hold my loved ones a little closer. I will work to connect with them even more and treasure the gifts they are in my life. 

❤️🍁🧡

Thank you for letting me share from my heart Friends. I thought I would share a few Autumn pics I took recently. The first few are from the windows of the hospice house where I work (& the long driveway leading to it). And I captured the misty bay and a bunny munching leaves from our deck this morning. Lastly, a few pinterest photos that just say cozy Fall to me. 

I treasure this time with you always Friends. 

Blessings

xoxo

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Hello and happy new week Friends ~

Yay for October goodness! The sun is shining and it's a beautiful start to the week here. The construction folks are still going strong...but so grateful for their gifts and talents to help us update the full guest bathroom.

I hope you had a great weekend! It was such a lovely one here. It was the last full weekend at the lake. Matt goes next weekend to pick up his folks and then take them to the airport to head back to AZ for the winter. I can't believe another summer season there has gone so quickly. We helped get some things cleaned up and cleared out for the winter as they fully shut it down until Spring. We also got out for a lovely walk one day. Visited a dear neighbor friend who is 90! She was one of Matt's Grandma's best friends. Her house is so unique and you can see pics of it below. We got out for a lovely walk and enjoyed the colorful trees and beauty of the area. And then the next day we got out for one last pontoon ride. The colors around the lake are so beautiful right now! And of course had to watch our Packers. At least they somehow pulled out a win this week. We have so much to work on this season. But we will take the wins when we can get them!

The ride to the lake and home was gorgeous too. I know I've said it before - but I just love the northwoods in the Fall. 🍁🧡

we have to trap the animals in on one side of the house away from where the construction is happening - it doesn't stop them from being curious though

Now on to another busy week ahead...

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

just coffee today

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

going to a work thing with Matt, my dentist appt, my hair appt, pickleball, going to fund raiser dinner with a gf, hanging out with my Mom, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT: 

It was so chilly this morning (in the mid 30's) and it felt like such a prelude to what is to come. The mists on the bay are always haunting and pretty. 

I love the Autumn here - but the LONG winters I could do without. :) 

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

belting out songs in the car with Matt ❤️

CURRENTLY READING

I have such a list I want to read yet - I have a book called Garden Spells (sounds very Autumnal), one that my friend Bille Jo recommended a while back, I still need to finish Rebecca, and Theo of Golden is also on my list as I've heard such good things. 

 

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Jeopardy,  Best Medicine, Survivor, Dancing with the Stars, Youtube things, Fall movies I want to watch, Halloween Baking Championship, Great British Baking Show

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - Matt has to go about an hour out of town for a work thing this afternoon and I'm going to tag along, because it shouldn't take him too long and then we can get dinner there at a cute place I know - plus it just means more pretty Fall road trippin 😉

TUESDAY - butternut squash and caramelized onion ravioli in a brown butter sauce and meatballs, steamed veggies

WEDNESDAY - egg bake, pumpkin swirl bread (for toast), raw veggies & protein ranch dip

THURSDAY - I'm going out with a gf to a fundraiser dinner

FRIDAY - leftovers or grab something out?

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

embroidery project, watercolor painting, diamond art

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

 

FROM THE CAMERA:

Matt's Mom was trying our her new walker that is good for all terrain outside. It was such a perfect kind of chilly but beautiful day for a walk. This is by the pole barn building on our property.

looking so Fall at the lake

country roads take me home....

We had such a lovely visit with Bernadette. She was Matt's Grandma's best friend. She is 90 and from France originally and still has the cutest thick french accent. She calls Matt - Mathieu (pronounced Mat-chew). She used to live full time at her lake property until her Hubby, Fritz died. Now she winters in FL with her son. But her Hubby built their house and it's very European style with multiple floors. 

The next day a final pontoon ride was in order to take in all the colors around the lake. We bundled up in our warmer clothes and brought blankets to huddle under. We all agreed it was one of our favorite rides of the season. 

under my blankie nice and warm

Took these on the ride home - equally beautiful! 

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 the Lord's love and peace to fill all ❤️'s.

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 an amazing week Friends! 

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