Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy Monday Friends!

I hope your week is starting out great. ☀️ 

There's some sunshine here today - even if still cool temps - having almost no snow left and sunshine still helps bring energy. I'm still combating a bit of a cough trying to fully kick this chest cold. But feeling better and have more energy than I did! I'm more worried about my Mom and step Dad fighting covid right now. They both had big heart surgeries in the past 9 months and they're are recovering very slowly and still feel crummy and weak. I needed to run and do things for them today.

It was a lovely weekend. We had some mild weather last week and had gotten some things out of the shed and put away the last of winter. So I can hear my wind chimes and it's so nice to see a Spring wreath on my front door. I can't wait until it gets mild enough to dig in the dirt! It is nice to see green shoots of lilies and daffodils coming up. Brings joy to the soul. 🌸🧡

We had fun with Aaron. He came over just to hang out and visit and we went out for dinner. We also had fun this weekend with Annie and she had some pals over and we all played trivia. Our friends the C's wanted to hang out earlier in the weekend but I was feeling crummier that night and coughing a lot. Their daughter's schedule is insane with volleyball and now elite soccer...so they'll be out of town for the next 5 weekends. So I was bummed to miss them! But Mrs C and I are going to go out for a week day lunch soon and catch up. 

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

Just coffee and then I had a hot mug of tea

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

helping my Mom, run errands on Matt's day off, working on school committee stuff, home project - this week deep clean master bath, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT:  

I need to take an inventory of the pots I have for when I start gardening. Matt already got me a Mother's Day gift I requested - which is a raised garden bed with screen to cover it from critters, so I can grow some veggies this year. I'm SO ready to get digging in the dirt....even though I know it could be another month yet. 

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

I love seeing the sun stream in. Matt and I got lots of housework done and feel caught up getting everything put away from the trip. So looks nice and tidy and I put away bunnies and Easter so just regular Spring decorations out now. 

CURRENTLY READING

I'm back to reading The Wonder I had set aside before I went on the trip

ON THE TV TODAY:

The Good Doctor,  Survivor, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, HGTV and cooking shows, Breaking Bad, Ghosts, The Rookie, Greys Anatomy, Ted Lasso, Love is Blind

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - ravioli lasagna with bolognese sauce, creamy Italian salad, bruschetta toasts

TUESDAY - leftovers & fresh veggie plate to munch

WEDNESDAY -  BBQ ribs, grilled corn on the cob, scalloped potatoes, kale salad kit

THURSDAY - chicken tikka masala, cauliflower rice, naan bread

 

FRIDAY -  out for dinner

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

organize the master bathroom cabinets with organizers I picked up, read, do diamond paintings

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

FROM THE CAMERA:

I need to be a proud Mom and share that my son recently was asked by his alma mater to go do some "casting" for them. Think play-by-play game announcing - like in sports...but in the video game world instead. He runs his own league and casts in it. And his former university flew him down and covered his trip to Florida to go down and do some casting for them and it was on tv. He sent me the link and I was able to airplay on our tv and Matt and I watched the whole thing! So cool! 

Love all the green and growing things and did lots of green in my decorating. I love these little butterfly prisms Annie got me - I have 4 different colors...and used them all over the house. Yay Spring! 🦋 

Been having so much with this diamond painting kit of all different plants. I got little frames to frame them in too. Going to make several for gifts too. ;) 

PRAYER LIST:

 For an end to the conflict in the Ukraine and other areas of the world living in war & fear. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence.  For anyone sick, suffering, in pain or fear... that God bring them comfort and peace. For His Light and Love to cast out the dark everywhere. For my Mom and step Dad fighting covid that they continue to get better soon. 🙏 

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

I hope you have a wonderful week ahead! I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

A Sweet Spring Cross Stitch

 

Hi Friends!

Today I thought I'd share this adorable cross stitch I gave to my Dad and step Mom when Annie & I went to visit them over her Spring break recently. I hadn't cross-stitched in ages. It took a while to get back in the the rhythm of it. And it was a small kit too. I may finally have to admit I need to get some cheaters glasses for my eyes. 😂 

But I had this kit for ages and had never worked on it. I found it back in March and decided last minute to give it a go before our trip. Once it was done I knew I wanted to present it on a larger scale than the little hoop that came with the kit. So I backed it with a piece of cardboard and hot glued the edges of fabric to it to create this circle shape. I then found this vintage looking frame - which I loved. And I liked that it could stand up on a table. I took the glass out of it and then placed a piece of scrapbook paper as a matting to back the piece. I tried several different colors and soft patterns, but Annie & I both liked pink with it best and the swirls reminded us of sheep swirls like in their fur - to go with the little sheep in the cross stitch. I then glued the cross-stitched piece to the matting. I bubble wrapped it and packed it away in my suitcase. My step Mom really loved it and added to her centerpiece she created on her dining table. I forgot to take a pic of that though....just enjoyed the moment of giving. 💝 

It was a fun piece to work on and helped me keep thinking Spring through our continued crummy weather. I love that it's not perfect and you can tell it was homemade with love, and kind of has a vintage feel to it.  It has inspired me to want to work on other cross-stitch or embroidery. However, right now I've been doing diamond painting. Lol Lots of fun! I guess I just love staying busy creatively when - I'm motivated that is.  😉 

I'm sharing this with Cecelia at My Thrift Store Addiction for Vintage Charm Party.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hello Friends!

I missed you last week. 

I was gone on my daughter's Spring break. We went to Arizona to visit my Dad and step Mom and to look at some universities down there for Annie. I loved the one on one time with my girlie, as well as family time. And the sun and warmth felt FABULOUS after this incredibly long winter of endless snow. I will share some highlights below. We got good family time. Wonderful food. Visited a lovely botanical garden. Lots of rest and relaxation by the pool. And we even went to a fun tea with Matt's Mom. His folks live down there in the winters too. Matt was stuck at work as being the boss sometimes means you've got to stay. Plus he's got to miss time in May to go on big fishing trip with his Pop. ;) It was a bummer he couldn't go, but it was nice he got to stay home with Ruby and that helped me out! But it was wonderful to get time with his Mom. 😊 

I'll also share a few pics from Easter also. I hope you had a wonderful one if you celebrated. 🐰 🌸 I hosted and had my Mom and step Dad and my brother and sister-in-law over, along with my kiddos and Matt. We played games and had a lovely visit. 

I've caught a cold from my travels. Took 2 tests and it's just a head cold - not covid, thankfully. But I have been laying low and that's why I'm getting to this post late. Not a lot of pep. But wanted to at least get a bit of a post up to connect with you all. 💕 

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

Not the balmy weather I'd hope to come home too, but I won't complain. Some areas around me were getting another foot of snow today! Not joking. This winter has been insane up here in the north folks. 

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

some apple slices and peanut butter, hot tea

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

Well I hope to be feeling better to run errands on Matt's day off, catch up on laundry and things from the trip, Annie's haircut, groceries, hospice work later in the week.

THINKING ABOUT:  

The fact that I've been back to taking family videos. My video camera is sitting near me and made me think of it. I had it out to film some of Easter and that was the first time since divorcing my ex. I wanted to have videos with Matt and my step Dad in them - both newer on the scene to our family life. I will still keep and treasure the videos from when my kiddos were young... even with my ex in them. They were precious years. But I felt it was time to preserve the new memories being made. 💗 

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

It's tidy. Still need to do another load of dishes, but working up the energy to deal with them. I have Spring classical music playing and can hear my daughter talking to friends - she just got home from school.

CURRENTLY READING

On the trip I read a sweet Christian romance book called Pieces of Forever by Valerie M. Bodden. I'm going to look up some of her other novels.  

ON THE TV TODAY:

The Good Doctor,  Survivor, HGTV and cooking shows, Breaking Bad, Greys Anatomy, Shark Tank, Ted Lasso, Love is Blind

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - leftover chicken soup I made for Matt & I last night because of my cold

TUESDAY - thawing some Easter ham I had frozen, and think I may make ham and scalloped potatoes in the slow cooker

WEDNESDAY -  maybe butter chicken and cauliflower rice?

THURSDAY - need groceries so I'm not sure?

 

FRIDAY -  out for dinner

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

maybe take a bath, read, catch up on shows

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

FROM THE CAMERA:

Here's a few pics from Easter. Matt and I in a church selfie. And I still give the kiddos baskets/gift bags. ;) 

Sorry so many photos but wanted to share lots of the botanical gardens:

my Dad and step Mom

some of my step Mom's flowers

their dog Dusty doodle

the pool felt heavenly!

Annie and I went and toured Grand Canyon University and the University of AZ. I can't believe my baby is this age. Geesh

we visited a botanical garden in Tucson. Such an interesting mix of botanical and legos figures

a pretty mission in Tucson

a little top golf ;) 

And this was the English tea Annie and I went to with Matt's Mom, Sue. 

☕️ 🌸 

It was a wonderful trip and over way too soon!

PRAYER LIST:

 For an end to the conflict in the Ukraine and other areas of the world living in war & fear. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence.  For anyone sick, suffering, in pain or fear... that God bring them comfort and peace. For His Light and Love to cast out the dark everywhere. For my Mom and step Dad fighting covid that they continue to get better soon. 

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

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