Happy Homemaker Monday

Hello and Happy Monday! ☀️ 

Can you believe it's almost August? The summer is flying by...

Did you have a lovely weekend? It was such a wonderful one here! Beautiful weather and the best time with my sweet Matt and his folks. Goodness, do I love them all. 💗 

We went to this amazing place for dinner on Saturday night. We went there last summer too (it's been tradition in his family for years). It's kind of like a fancy supper club lodge kind of place in the area where his lake property is. It has such incredible food!! And a beautiful atmosphere. So that was wonderful. And then we stayed up late playing cards and chatting. 

The next day was the most perfect summer day! The weather was mid 70's. Clear as a bell sky - no fire haze. And we had a sleep in lounging kind of morning with blueberry cinnamon rolls and coffee. We helped his folks with some projects around the cottage. We went on an almost 3 hour pontoon ride. Matt, and his Mom and I then went swimming. That evening we fried up some of the fish Matt and his Dad had caught in Canada (it was the BEST fish I've ever had!). And then Matt and I had fun gabbing away about our future and belting out songs on the ride home. Just one of those perfect summer weekends. 😊  

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

coffee and cream flavored greek yogurt with some granola, iced coffee with amaretto creamer

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

groceries and errands on Matt's day off, some yard work, home projects, hospice work, our meeting with the travel agent, help my Mom as needed (she's having back pain), meet up with a gf, hang out with Aaron 💕 

THINKING ABOUT:  

How I've been sharing with some fellow women recently. Some friends that reached out in the recent past due to similar circumstances... and also one, who was an acquaintance that recently has become more of a friend , all sharing similar circumstances of dealing with a husband's affair. I do my best to listen, empathize and share in their pain. I also share the spiritual, hopeful and now joyful parts of my story with them in ways I hope bring some empowerment, peace and hope for their future. 

But I find a similarity in the stories in that the affair often happened with a much younger woman who they say is often, ironically and hypocritically, spouting empowerment and all about women's rights etc.  They feel empowered to women's rights and yet they tear down and hurt a woman in the worst way they ever could. And in the cases of all of these women who have shared with me - their spouse wouldn't take accountability and just left them to pick up the pieces. I am very grateful that in my case my ex took full ownership for himself and that young girl (he once called her a toxic cancer). He told me it was all him and that I was nothing but a wonderful wife and mother. So I guess I didn't have to carry as much "why wasn't I enough?" thinking in the painful parts of my journey. I feel so much for the pain my friends are continuing to go through related to that. I'm also grateful that for the most part my ex was here helping me when I needed and providing for me and the kids (still is). So I have thanked God for all of that many times. 

But the Lord has put it on my heart to pray for all of these lost young gals. That maybe weren't raised with spirituality, guidance as to what is right and wrong, the empowerment they needed, mental illness, or just got lost in many other ways. I just believe something must have happened that they could demean themselves in that way and to be capable of tearing down another woman so badly and destroy a family. I want to believe they didn't want to hurt another woman, and especially the children involved, in these ways. I'm so grateful and proud my kiddos are doing so well in our situation. But I know some of my gf's kiddos are having a very difficult time. I pray for healing for all families that have gone through this....it is awful. 

But today I feel compelled to pray for these young misguided girls - I pray for them to open the blinders on their eyes and hearts. To see they deserve real and true love and to have healthy families of their own. I pray they find their way to God's forgiveness, healing and His desire to help them make better and healthier choices in their lives. 🙏 

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

It's been gray & hazy but starting to clear a bit and sun is trying to come out. I have a few more things to put away from the trip this past weekend. My devotional and bible are next to me (including an old devotional of Matt's Grandma's that his Mom gave me this weekend) Ruby is laying in the chair by me snoozing away. ;)

CURRENTLY READING

Colleen Hoover novel It Ends With Us

ON THE TV TODAY:

Outlander, HGTV and food network shows taped, AGT, Sweet Magnolias, And Just Like That, Grantchester, When Calls The Heart, Big Brother starts this week I think

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - BLT's, baked onion rings, lemony green beans

TUESDAY - Matt wants to grill steaks for us, corn on the cob, salad, melon

WEDNESDAY -  pesto with whole grain pasta, meatballs, garlic bread, salad

THURSDAY - maybe salmon? (see what we pick up getting groceries) roasted asparagus with cheese sauce

FRIDAY -  chicken tikka masala with peppers, jasmine rice

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

read, take a walk

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

Use baby powder after the beach, to prevent sand getting into the car

Use lime studded with clove to keep mosquitos away from your picnic

FROM THE CAMERA:

Around home:

I don't think I show the front of our home as much - because in my opinion the back is where it's at! Lol The back is where we have the big deck, pretty hill (we're on an end point) and stairs that go down to the bay and is so pretty. In the front we have a big round driveway and a road that leads up to the main road where our mailbox is. That stone sign that matches our house (in left of bottom pic) has our address on the side that faces the road. Spot Ruby in the bottom pic too! 😉 

Ten Mile time (Matt's lake property):

I made blueberry hand pies with a lemon glaze to bring up for the weekend.

The fish fry was SO GOOD! We ate walleye and northern and they were the best fish I've ever tasted. Matt's Mom made their old family recipe of creamed new potatoes and peas. Also so good! And we had coleslaw and cukes from my garden. ;) 

Lilies:

The lily game in our backyard is still going strong! The peach ones finally bloomed and they're my fave so i just needed to share them. 💗 

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 all those suffering from weather events and turmoil in our world. For a couple of girlfriends going through some hard times right now. For the young gals that may need prayers to change their choices and thinking right now so no further families are hurt. For my Mom dealing with back pain. 🙏 

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

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

Christmas in July (& Recipes)

 Hello Friends and happy Thursday. ;) 

And Merry Christmas! Lol (Christmas brownies)

I wanted to work on this post earlier, but Matt had today off and we needed to run errands and do some things out and about. We also went to lunch with my son Aaron. Now Matt is off getting a haircut, I can smell pork fajitas roasting in the slow cooker (smells so good) and hear rumbles of thunder off in the distance. So I thought I'd take a minute to pop in and share about our Christmas in July day. 

When the kiddos were younger I used to love to have one day to indulge in Christmas in the summer. As many of you know, Fall is my most favorite season. But Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love it all - celebrating Jesus' birthday, the decorating, baking, the music, the movies, gifts etc. My kiddos, of course, loved Christmas too. So they thought it a treat to celebrate in the middle of summer. It was like getting that one day helped tide us all over until 5 months later and the real thing. Lol My favorite was that Annie and I used to bake my Gram's recipe for cut-out cookies. 

Well I hadn't indulged in that in years. The kids are older and into their own lives more. And I guess I hadn't given it as much thought. I would still sometimes take July 25th to listen to some Christmas music. Or watch a holiday movie - but that was secretly on my own and that was it. Well this year...and with Matt in my life...I thought I would show him who he's dealing with over here. Lol Thankfully, he thought it was pretty cute and got a kick out of it. Annie is still gone on a trip with her Dad. So I didn't get into baking the cut-out cookies. I kept it far more simple. Here is what I did just a few days ago:

As I did all of my usual chores around the house, I listened to Christmas music. It always brings me joy. Then I started on the menu for the evening. Of course I had candles lit and Christmas music still going while I cooked. 🎄 🎶 

I made short cut gravy, but still wanted it to have a lot of flavor. So I sautéed veggies in a pot. Then I added chicken stock and dried herbs (poultry seasoning, thyme etc). I brought that to a bubble and let it simmer a bit. Then I drained out the veggies and added 2 packets of turkey gravy mix to the stock. I cooked that out a bit and then took it off the heat and let it thicken. 

Then I worked on turkey cranberry sliders. I greased a pan. Cut Hawaiian buns in half. Layered the ingredients. Melted butter with yummy things in it and brushed that all over the tops and baked them. They always turn out so yummy! Here's the recipe. I have this one and several other yummy slider recipes under my "sliders" board on pinterest. You can find that here.

I made a fair amount of gravy as, I made easy (from a mix) cheddar mashed potatoes, but these sandwiches are also yummy to dip in gravy. So we had little bowls of it on the side.

I cooked up some green beans with a little lemon and parm and it was a summer version of a holiday meal. 😋 

My son came over after work to eat with us. He loves a meal like this one. And then we played a game. And no Christmas is complete without gifts, right? I had picked up a few of their favorite goodies at the grocery store and wrote on brown paper bags for their wrapping. Lol 

But dessert is always the best part!  I had made Ghiradelli chocolate brownies with vanilla frosting and Christmas sprinkles. 

I had a lot of fun getting my holiday fix pretending it was Christmas for a day. And it was fun to spoil my fellas that way too. 💗 

What do you think? Fun? or Crazy? 😃 

One Word Wednesday

 

One Word Wednesday: Lilies

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hello and Happy Monday! ☀️ 

How's life in your neck of the woods Friends? Life in the northwoods has been good and busy. We're still in full summertime swing I guess I would say. Fitting in time with relatives and friends especially. 

This past weekend Matt and I went out to dinner with Annie and her friend and then played mini golf. Matt won - that stinker! And then I saw Annie off to go on a summer trip with her dad for a few weeks. Saturday I went out for lunch with a girlfriend and later that evening Matt and I took an impulsive sunset pontoon ride. It was lovely. And then Sunday I had a cousin and her hubby in town and we met them - along with quite a few other relatives - for a meal at a favorite local pizza place. Afterwards Aaron came to our house and played games with Matt and I. 

I'm late to HHM today because I went out and had fun with the same cousin and her hubby today. And then I had to stop at Matt's house to do a few things. He is moved in here - but still need to get more of his things from his place. And we haven't officially moved his cat Bubba in yet. Still a few things we need to get for him here yet. 

But it's been busy exciting days and lots of fun! I feel like such a happy and very blessed Lady. 💕 

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

greek yogurt with granola, iced coffee

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

groceries and errands, hospice work, help my mom and step dad to an appointment, help Matt move more things, meet with travel agent about a trip next year, meet up with a friend

THINKING ABOUT:  

fitting in all the fun of summer while it's still here...some plans Matt & I have before summer is over ;) 

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

It's been hazy a lot today because of the fires in Canada and the air is heavy. It's muggy out too. Sun is coming out now and streaming in windows. I can hear the hum of the a/c going.  

CURRENTLY READING

Colleen Hoover novel

ON THE TV TODAY:

  HGTV shows (currently loving Vacation House Rules), AGT,  Outlander, And Just Like That, Grantchester, old movies taped

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - Matt works late, thinking easy...maybe order sushi?

TUESDAY - going to do Christmas in July fun as it's the 25th...my son is going to come over to have dinner with Matt & I and I"m going to make turkey, cheddar, cranberry sliders, mashed potatoes with gravy (gravy is for dunking the sandwiches too), and green beans. For dessert Christmas brownies. I'm going to watch a Xmas movie earlier in the day too.   

🎄 ❤️ 

WEDNESDAY -  slow cooker pork fajitas, fruit

THURSDAY - need to get groceries...maybe a few things to throw on the grill?

FRIDAY -  either out for dinner or something easy?

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

bake, read, craft

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

In the summer it can be nice to chill your skincare products. Especially when it's hot and muggy like it has been so much lately. So you could keep your lotion or moisturizer...and even your aloe gel for a sunburn..all in the fridge. I also keep an undereye/face roller in my freezer too. It feels so nice if it's a hot day or if I wake up and feel like my under eyes are puffy. 

FROM THE CAMERA:

A few snacks from my tiny garden 😋 

flowers still going strong

It rained when Matt & I went out to dinner with Annie and her friend, but then as it cleared a rainbow appeared. 😊 And it turned into a beautiful night for mini golf. 

Impulsive last minute pontoon rides on a bay calm as a mirror are the best! Especially with my Honey. And it even felt a little chilly down on the water by that time and this happened to be the blanket I grabbed. I promise I'm still thinking summer thoughts though....mostly. 😉 🎃 

my sweet Bubba baby 

 

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 all those suffering from weather events and turmoil in our world. For a couple of girlfriends going through some hard times right now. 🙏 

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Keep enjoying these summer days Friends! Blessings. 

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