Happy Homemaker Monday: 1/23/2022

:::: The Weather :::: 

It has been a rather roller coaster sort of week. and this week is shaping u to be no different. It can range from 30’s down to the negatives. Last week we had a negative 14 morning (That’s without the wind chill).

:::: How I am feeling this morning :::: 

I am ready to tackle the day! I have a lot of planner work to do today since it didn’t happen on Saturday. So I have some catch up today but I am ready to go!

   :::: On the breakfast plate :::: 

A cup of coffee gingerbread syrup and Oatmilk. Egg whites with parmesean cheese and bacon

   :::: On my reading pile :::: 
  • The book of Matthew (Bible)
  • Wingfeather Tales (with the kids)
  • Simplifying Prayer (PDF)
  • Get Out of Your Head
  • The Life Giving Home
:::: On my TV ::::

Nothing really

:::: On the menu this week :::: 

Monday -Hamburgers and French friens and fresh veggies
Tuesday – Ham and Scalloped Potatoes. Wednesday -Subs and Chips Thursday– Chili and Biscuits
Friday –  Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole. Saturday-Meatball Subs Sunday– BLT’s

::::From the Camera ::::
Happy
Daisy is our garage cat. But when it is super cold out she comes in and hangs out in the warm house. she is very pleased with her current situation.
:::: Looking around the house :::: 

Lots of work to do as we make plans for a move and adjust to new schedules and the like. Homeschooling has made these transitions a lot easier for sure.

::::  To do List :::: 
  • Kitchen – dishes and sweeping and counters
  • catch up planner work
  • Kitchen table
:::: Today’s devotional ::::  

Today I’m reading Matthew 22-23. Chapter 22 talks a lot about Blind guides and this resonates with me a lot because I understand this concept perhaps a little more differently than some….because I have literally been a “blind guide”. I am what is commonly referred to as a visually blind person. I have shared that a number of times here on my blog.

As a teenager in my Junior year of high school I attended “blind camp…..sounds amazing right? Well it was. And at this camp as a camper there were no real “Can’ts”

We went hiking over night and slept in A frames, we fished and canoed and paddle boated….we even had a group that went spelunking (crawling around in caves) and we even rafted down a local river. There were two types of campers. Blind campers and sighted blind campers and as a “sighted blind camper” I had to help those who were completely blind.

Well one night as the Sr High campers were walking back to our cabins (we got to stay up later and were in the senior lounge” I had the task of walking back t one of my cabin mates who was completely blind complete with cane. And we were walking kinda fast….and well there are certain things even a sighted blind person can’t see real well in the dark…..like volleyball nets. Needless to say we both ended up flat on our backs rather stunned but the surprise that seemed jump out of nowhere. It’s not like it was new it had been there ALL week. I had dodged it myself many times but in the dark its completely different story.

Well In Matthew 22 Jesus is talking about how the Pharisees were a bunch of blind guides. they are referred to as such numerous times throughout the book of Matthew but 22 is really when Jesus hits home- They are leading the people in the wrong direction focusing on the outward appearances rather than the hearts of those they are leading and teaching.

Ya know it’s funny I remember very distinctly thinking to myself oh we aren’t anywhere near the dolly ball net and literals 30 seconds later we were laying on our backs stunned. I thought I was leading her around it. BUT I was wrong.

And we like the Pharisees and myself leading my cabin-mate have to be incredibly careful when leading other people.- or even being led by people- because what appears right and good can be very misleading……and very harmful. Mentally, spiritually and/or physically.

Thank you so much for doing me today! For more Happy Homemaker posts you can visit Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

Hello 2022- Happy Homemaker Monday

2022

Hello Friends and Hello 2022! what an end to 2021- What started as a week long break in the middle of November quickly spread through the New Year! It wasn’t my plan but it was necessary! After blogging for 100 days I needed a break and some time with t family. She have been extremely busy and there are some announcements spread throughout todays post! We are beginning an exciting journey and we hope that you will come along for the ride!

Let’s get into todays post!

:::: The Weather :::: 

Today is the coldest day of the week at a whopping 17 degrees! But the rest of the days will be up in the mid 30’s for the most of it

:::: How I am feeling this morning ::::

This morning was a whirlwind. Hubby and our oldest son had to fix one of the brakes on our truck (it failed when they were out and about yesterday). I am so thankful that there was no troubles other than the brake not working. Then it was off to the hospital for my 4th IVIG infusion.

  :::: On the breakfast plate :::: 

I had a bagel and cream cheese before I left for the hospital so I could take my vitamins (which I forgot UGH). And then I had bacon, yogurt and egg and cheese omelette after the infusion started.

 :::: On my reading pile :::: 

I have a few books I am finishing up before I start on thee 2022 reading list. Stay tuned for the first few books, in the near future.

But for now I am finishing

  • Get Out of Your Head
  • Hello Fears
  • 365 Ways to Save Time
  • LisettesList

Not to mention my Bible. I am going to read through the New Testament this year. One Chapter a day.

:::: On my TV :::: 

Currently yje Tv Show from the 80’s Different Strokes

:::: On the menu this week ::::

I must confess I don’t have a menu set up for this week it is on my list of things to do for today
Monday – Burgers and fries and veggies (hubby and Had salads from one of our favorite local places as a celebration. Tuesday – Baked Chicken with mashed Potatoes and Gravy and broccoli. Wednesday -Pasta. Thursday – Soup of some sort. Friday –  no blessed idea.

:::: From the camera :::

We have been keeping a secret!!!!!

2022
Hubby accepted a position at a new church. The cool thing is it is at the church we have been attending since he resigned his other position. We have all been fully integrated and we really do love our Faith Family!

:::: Looking around the house :::: 

BOXES UPON BOXES UPON BOXES- we are in the slow process of packing and downsizing for a move. Thankfully it’s not a far move . We have gone under contract with a house and are excited bout the possibilities ahead of us!

::::  To do List :::: 

  • Downsize
  • pack
  • downsize
  • Pack
  • pack
  • Pack
  • Downsize some more…..
  • oh and undecorated from Christmas

:::: Something fun to share :::: 

Oh man…..I don’t really have anything right now.

:::: Today’s devotional :::: 

1 Peter 5:10 NLT

10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

What a promise! When we suffer for a little while (because in light of eternity it is really a “little while) He (God) will restore, support and strengthen you….me….I don’t know about you BUT I NEED this reminder.

Thank you so much for doing me today! For more Happy Homemaker posts you can visit Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

Drum Roll Please- Week 14 Update

Drum

DRUM ROLL PLEASE- Cue the trumpets and Confetti!

We did it friends- 100 Days! All wrapped up here in this last blog post…..and ya know what? I don’t want to stop. I knew going into this challenge one of two things were going to happen. Either I was going to get to the end and still want to write OR I was going to get to the middle give up and I knew that it would be really hard to continue writing,

I wasn’t sure if I could even do this. It wasn’t easy. I had to let go oof some ideals a long the way (as do we all). I know I mentioned last week that hubby really wanted me to take a break but I didn’t know how that will all would pan out BUT!!! I have figured it out. I will be taking break until December 1st…HOWEVER if you show up here or on facebook you will see that I still have posts that have went up! THAT”S because I wrote them ahead!

A Couple of Thank you’s

I have to thank two very special ladies who really kept me going through this project. I could NOT have done it without them. They have been such a great encouragement even when other people let me know they thought I was crazy. And they were right on the mark when I was struggling. (They didn’t know I was struggling so much that I wanted to quit). And then BAM both of them texted me in the same evening letting me know how much I was encouraging them. WOW.

I couldn’t have done this without my hubby either . Man whenever I was struggling with a topic God had laid on my heart to write about but I wasn’t sure about connections he and I would tease out the various areas I was struggling with. He also provided time and space and encouragement to keep going when the schedules got rough.

And for God, through this project he showed me some things about myself. (That post will come at a later date). Without him I wouldn’t have had the courage to do this. nor would I have had the words to say. Through this I have learned why I do what I do AND I have learned to give myself grace and to let go of my ideals and seek to truly please HIM and only Him.

In the coming weeks….

In the coming weeks there will be some big announcements about my blog and the future of it…and many other things. so stay tuned.

And one more thank you!

This thank you goes to YOU my readers. Thank you for hanging out for the last one hundred days I appreciate you so much.

I hope you all have a blessed thanksgiving and we will see you back here December 1st!

Feel Free to check out the other Choosing Courage 100 Day blogging Project posts here

Happy Thanksgiving- Happy Homemaker Monday

Crazy

Happy (early) Thanksgiving everyone! As we have moved through this last year yes a lot has happened but even though some of it was hard we still have so much to be thankful for. Thankfully I have been keep Track all year long with my Thursday Joy Dare post.

♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥

Pretty good our wood heat has been causing some allergy issues (Hubby said it’s more than likely from the type of wood we are burning since it is different than what we normally burn.

   ♥♥On my mind♥♥ 

Oh lots of things. A lot of super exciting things. and we are getting closer to being able to share them with you. AND feeling slightly overwhelmed with some work I need to catch up on.

 ♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥

Coffee first, then I will decide later after the kids get up what else I will eat

♥♥Right now I am♥♥

writing this blog post and waiting for hubby to head out the door for work

♥♥What I’m wearing today♥♥

Light jeans’ purse and gray baseball shirt with 3/4 length sleeves.sneakers and my hair pulled back into a ponytail *and a fleece jacket.

♥♥On my reading pile♥♥ 

Reading time has been almost non-exsistent. so my Bible, Practical Dreamer and the Nate Saint Biography

♥♥On today’s to do list♥♥

I need to read through the Play scripts and make nots for the December skits for church

 ♥♥On my tv♥♥

Our kids have fallen in LOVE with Treehouse Masters- for me nothing really

♥♥What I’m listening to♥♥

I have a feeling that gobble Gobble by Matthew West will be on repeat this week.

♥♥On the menu this week♥♥

Monday – Meatloaf and potatoes in the crock pot   Tuesday– Chicken Potatoes and carrots in the crockpot
Wednesday – ?? (plans are in progress)
Thursday – THANKSGIVING
Friday – Family Christmas party (when we set up our tree)
Saturday -Tater Tot Casserole
Sunday –  mashed Potato Sundaes ( this keeps not happening so it keeps getting pushed back)

♥♥From the camera♥♥  

A number of weeks ago we got to see His Little Feet in concert. This kids are amazing . If you ever get to see them we highly recommend it!

♥♥Looking around the house♥♥

We have a bunch of unfinished jobs that need to be tackled and finished

♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥

Enjoy a lot of family time

 
♥♥On my prayer list♥♥ 

I have a couple of friends who really struggle through the Thanksgiving and Christmas time and they are definitely being prayed for this week and throughout the season.

We hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving week!

Thanks so much for Joining me today for another happy Homemaker post! You can find more Happy Homemaker posts and join in on the fun by visiting Diary of a Stay At Home Mom.

You can Also Check out the rest of my Choosing Courage blog posts here!

Modified Inktober Drawing-A Time to Play

modified

A few weeks ago I said that I would show modified or completed (as in colored in) inktober sketches. Well last week clearly didn’t happen. So here we are today. I’m not going to do all of them in their completed states, Just a few of my favorites.

I wanted to try out some shading techniques I had learned from Lindsay the Frugal Crafter On YouTube. I have learned quite a bit from her.

One thing I have learned recently is using not just one medium. In my case I was using my Ohuhu alcohol markers. But after watching her videos I saw she was using colored pencils to shade her alcohol markers inktober sketches. Can I just saw I AM IN LOVE!!!!

Here is the before

Here is the after

As I have had a learning curve with this sketchbook (it’s just a different texture). I have struggled with my markers being streaky. They aren’t usually in my other sketchbooks. I learned to use this to my advantage (mostly) but I still enjoy a smooth texture. I’m very pleased with the outcome for sure.
I am also learning to use colors I wouldn’t normally use to shade. Case in point in this picture I used purple to shade pink (that was outside my comfort zone but I enjoyed the process and like the outcome!!!)

this journey in choosing courage isn’t just about blogging for 100 days. It’s about the process and growing. And taking risks to try new things.
I can totally get in a rut with my art and with blogging. So in the coming months you might see some fun stuff going on. Testing out the waters and trying new things is what I need to do. It’s the only way I’m going to grow in courage!!

Stay tuned for other modified Inktober posts. We will be taking next week off for Thanksgiving but we will pick things up the following week!

Thanks so much for joining me on this journey of Choosing Courage. You can check out the other posts here!!!!