Happy Homemaker Monday

 

Hello my wonderful Friends!

Blessings to you on this lovely Monday. It's sunny and calm here in the northwoods today. We've had some windy days lately and it's now getting a little past peak here and lots of leaves are down off of the trees. There is still a lot of pretty ones but it's easy to see we are heading towards the later version of Fall.

How was your weekend? I'm so sorry mine got away from me and I didn't get around to visits - but I will definitely be doing that today!!

It was a lovely weekend in the northwoods. Here is how it went -  if you take one part being productive around the house, then throw in a lovely mass and out for a wonderful dinner, add a pinch of one beautiful nature outing, sprinkle in a couple of fun movie with cozy cuddles, and top it off with a Packers win.... 

well that = an amazingly wonderful weekend!

I am looking out at the bay and the pretty orange leaves on the trees are  reflecting in the calm water like a mirror. I am working on my to do list and thinking life is good. 

I hope it is where you are too!! 🍁🧡

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

just coffee today and a piece of pumpkin spice swirl toast (shared a little with Ruby too)

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

outing with my Mom, errands, an appt, lunch out with a friend, 

hospice work

THINKING ABOUT: 

How hilarious is this old photo? I dug it out to show Matt after we went to watch one of Mr & Mrs C's daughter's volleyball game. I had told Matt that I used to play a little and pulled out this proof. Lol Who is that baby girl of a million years ago??

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

how very much I love slow cooker season :) 

CURRENTLY READING

I had started Garden Spells and then I've been bad about reading again as I've been focused on crafts for gifts when I sit down at night. I have also been reading my new cookbook I got for my bday. It's called Oversharing and it's by Cortney LaCorte. I also follow her on social media at "cheesegal" and she's known for her amazing appetizer ideas & charcuterie, amongst many other wonderful recipes! I've found a lot of great keepers in her book 😋

 

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Jeopardy,  Best Medicine, Survivor, Dancing with the Stars, Youtube things, Halloween Baking Championship, Great British Baking Show

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - slow cooker chicken ramen I didn't make last week

TUESDAY - probably leftovers and some clean out the fridge

WEDNESDAY - french onion soup (have so many onions to use up!!)

THURSDAY - planning to have Mom & step Dad over and making homemade pizza (my Mom's request), salad, and spiced pear bars

FRIDAY - out for dinner?

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

embroidery project, diamond art (all gift projects)

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

I know it may seem crazy talking snowman talk but we've already needed to have the heat on in the evenings. And one day last week they thought it might get so cold that some areas around us were going to get a few flurries sprinkled in with their rain. 🙈

FROM THE CAMERA:

This sweet little blast from the past of Annie popped up in my memories the other day. Look at that sweet little Pumpkin. 😍 

And speaking of her...Matt and I also watched her fun league ("beer league") hockey team, down in FL, play yesterday. Annie & 1 other gal are the only girls on the team and it's guys of all age ranges out playing. She said she enjoys it so much and they're such a fun group. Sadly they didn't win (it was for the summer championship) but they put up a good fight. Now their Fall league will start next. Plus, she still plays for her college too. That's my hockey lovin' girlie! 

It's so pretty around our neighborhood. There were leaves everywhere after a rainy wind storm went through and this is how Matt's truck looked. Once he thought the coast was clear from a ton more leaves - he used his leaf blower to clean up the drive way. The next pics are of the beautiful trees less than a block from our house and a path we often like to go walk. I took that last week and there are so many more leaves gone now. 😢

Still some pretty color in our back yard though. And I love the 2nd photo I took when the pets felt the need to share the couch with Matt. Lol They each have their own beds. But Bubba lately has felt the need to take over Ruby's bed again. Little stinker. 😂

These are some photos of our lovely Autumn outing the other day. Matt and I also ate at an amazing & adorable restaurant up the shore too. I love quality time together out hiking around. It was a perfect day for it! 

My Sweetheart ❤️❤️❤️

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 those affected in the recent school shooting in OR.

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 hope you have an amazing week ahead my blogland Besties! 

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

Cooking & Crafting Thursday(on a Friday): Brown Butter Ravioli & Updates

 Hello treasured Friends!

Happy TGIF! I hope this week has been kind to you so far. 

I'm posting this today as yesterday was my birthday and I was out and about for lunch and some shopping. :) 

I felt so loved and spoiled all day long! I had a stream of messages, calls and even snail mail cards that just made an old gal feel loved. Matt surprised me in the morning with a beautiful letter, card, and some gifts (he also took me out to lunch). My favorite was in my card there was a back rub certificate he made (always a favorite!). And my kids each sent me a beautiful text first thing that made me cry. When they tell me wherever I am will always be home and how much I'm a role model to them and the best Mom ever...you get the idea - I just know I must have done something right. ❤️ 

I received sweet gifts in the mail and a favorite was from my MIL Sue (a beautiful heart shaped necklace that are Angel wings with an opal in the middle - which is October's birthstone). And from Annie (she had sent me a beautiful stained glass hummingbird suncatcher, a cookbook I talked about wanting, and a set of 6 little glass pumpkins I can put around the house). That girl spoils me way too much and knows me far too well! All I can say is that my heart was full of gratitude all day for the love and purpose in my life and the amazing folks that fill it!! 

Okay, enough of my spoiled life - on to a yummy recipe for today. Matt and I had gotten these really delish caramelized onion and butternut squash ravioli from Costco. And I made browned butter sauce to go with them. I also toasted some pine nuts to sprinkle on the top. They were soooo mouth watering good!! 

I used a recipe by Giada for brown butter sauce which you can find if you click here. I used an Irish butter because European butter works better for the fat content in it. And I didn't have sage leaves but you could truly use whatever herb you like or have. I had rosemary from my garden yet - so I used that and it turned out awesome! Add some green veggies (I think we had green beans?) and it was a wonderful treat of a meal! 😋 And really very easy.

Next up a little craft update. I have a little kit of cute ornaments that are diamond art - so I worked on a few and added their twine as they are going to be little filler for some gifts I'm putting together soon. I also made more progress on Matt's cute diamond art coasters (one of his birthday gifts...his is the end of the month). And I'm getting there on the other Fall embroidery gift I'm working on. I need to get it done soon as I think us Autumn Gals are getting together before too long to celebrate our birthdays. 

And cheers to birthday time with Mrs. C, as we get together every year, and per tradition, we drive up the north shore of Lake Superior and go to the most charming place. It was wonderful as always and I treasure time with that bestie of mine always. 

And finally, I thought I'd leave with you with some more Fall cozy by way of cute pinterest art. I have my hospice volunteering soon - but I will come around and visit you all later! Blessings and love to you always beautiful Friends. I treasure the gifts you are in my life!! 

Wishing you a wonderful cozy weekend ahead. 

xoxo

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