Happy Homemaker Monday

Hello dear Friends 🍁🧡

I treasure this date. I know in my last HHM post I mentioned that it's funny we have 2 anniversary dates because of needing to get married at the courthouse to get the correct wedding license. But I think of today as our official anniversary as it's when we had our magical wedding and said our vows in front of our family and friends. And my cousin, who officiated, brought Jesus to the party too. So as of today we have been married 2 years and together for 5 (thank You Lord!) but dream on the many more to come!

This past weekend we went and spent time with my Mom and step Dad Friday and helped them with some things in their apartment. Then Saturday we went to church in the evening and then went out to celebrate our anniversary by going out to dinner, walking around a beautiful rose garden park at sunset, and then came home and sat by a cozy fire on our deck. A perfect anniversary evening with my Hubby in my book. Tonight, per our tradition, we will watch our wedding video. ❤️

Then yesterday I went to a fun outdoor Fall event called Gourd Days with my Bestie, Mrs. C. We shopped and snacked and had Autumn beverages. And then later in the day both her and Mr. C came over to watch the big Packer Vikings game. Unfortunately, the Packers lost spectacularly. No one was happy about that but Mr. C - the big Vikes fan. Boo! But it was still fun watching with them and hanging out and having pizza delivered for dinner. 😊

Today it's so very gray and feels like it gets darker every hour that goes by. It's going to rain so I guess that only makes sense. But I didn't sleep well last night so this gray day is not helping my energy level! Lol Oh well, a new week begins, pep or not...

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

 

coffee with protein creamer and a little granola cereal

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

Ruby lab appt, errands, projects to get done around here, hospice work

THINKING ABOUT: 

Another fun thing this weekend was that I accomplished getting out my Fall decor around the house. I haven't done things outside yet, as I still have some flowers blooming and hanging in there. But I will decorate outside soon too. It's so cozy around the house now. I have many things on timers that pop on and give a soft glow at night. With these chillier nights (it has been in the 40's some nights and early AM's) it feels so wonderful to have that cozy Autumn feel everywhere. Here are a few peeks:

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

When my hands are cold but I make a hot cup of tea and wrap my fingers around that ceramic warmth and breathe in the steam.  

CURRENTLY READING

I've been truly terrible because I have either been watching shows, looking at magazines, or working on crafts I'm giving for gifts. But I have some fun Fall books lined up!

 

ON THE TV TODAY:

Big Brother (& still old seasons too), Ted Lasso, Need to finish the series Ride or Die we've been watching, I need to check the Fall tv lineup - haven't dont that yet. Jeopardy, Taping Halloween Baking Championship 

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY - leftovers from the weekend

TUESDAY - skillet apple cider chicken,  salad with sourdough croutons

WEDNESDAY - creamy potato soup, veggies, rosemary onion sourdough bread

THURSDAY - marinated chicken Matt will grill, cucumber salsa (in a cucumber flavored balsamic I have) to top the chicken, asparagus

FRIDAY - out for dinner 

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

working on holiday and other gift projects 

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

 

FROM THE CAMERA:

perfect anniversary evening with the Hubs 😍

chilly Fall mornings means hot coffee in Autumn mugs

Wonderful day out with my fellow Fall loving Bestie (there she is living her best life 😂) I caught that pic of her while I was in line for my pumpkin latte with pumpkin cold foaM. 😋 She was nibbling a croissant but had gotten us a bag of pumpkin spice mini donuts to share a few (& she brought the rest home to Mr. C) 😉🍁🧡

Are you ready for some football? Why yes....yes I am! Go Pack Go!💚💛

This day 2 years ago ❤️

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 my friend Sandra and her brother's healing right now. For Matt & I to have many more anniversaries ahead. 🌻💛

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:

❤️❤️❤️

Blessings to you Friends. 

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

Wednesday Wonder: Some Easter/Spring Ideas

 

Hello dear Friends 🌸

Do you have your Easter countdown on? Mine is a-ticking away over here. I've been tweaking my menu, and making my grocery and to-do lists and getting all set. 

Even though it's gray out today. And the forecast is calling for potentially 7 or 8 inches of snow by Friday (nope that's not an April fool...but our real forecast). Easter Sunday has a glorious forecast of sun and mid 40's. I will take that all day! ☀️🐰

Since I have Easter on my mind, and I was looking at some of my pinterest boards for inspiration...I thought I would share some of my finds with you too. In case you were wanting some added inspiration for the weekend ahead as well. But first, here's a look at my sleepy babies today. It is kind of a gray and good for a nap kind of day. Can you see  why I like to keep the recliner covered with a blanket? Less fur stuck in there. Lol

However, there's no time to rest. Easter is practically here! :) 

So here are a few fun ideas. If you want more in-depth info like the recipes etc - you can find all of these on my "Spring/Easter" pinterest board, and then click on the links directly. And a few of the salad recipes are under my "salads" board.  You can find my pinterest page if you click here.

First up, how about some fun decorating inspiration:

inexpensive hack to get free paint samples and cut out in egg shape for a cute garland

rustic but cute and inexpensive too 

love the idea of filling an old small trunk or case like this

i love how this wreath is simple, yet stunning

Now that we have things looking pretty, how's about we get it smelling pretty too. Love the idea of a Spring simmer pot. 

Now maybe it's time to create some fun appetizers to share with guests?

how cute are these peep and chick cookie cutters? (you could cut cheese and salami in these shapes too)

and I love the idea of decorating a crudite platter with a chocolate bunny or bunny decoration

Or have a Spring tea party and do the crudite in little teacups

And I think Springtime just sings for light pastas and salads as main dishes, don't you?

a light pasta filled with seasonal veggies and parm - perfect!

or create a seasonal salad or steamed veggies and use this vinaigrette 

maybe elevate a leftover Easter ham sandwich into this?

mmmm - more fun tea party ideas

And of course, we need to end with a sweet treat:

bunny topped pretzels or butterfly topped cupcakes...yes please!

be still my heart - look at these sweet teapot chocolate covered strawberries

or even enjoy Spring flavor sweets with your breakfast coffee

There are so many fun Spring and Easter ideas out there once you start looking. Do you have any favorites??

xoxo