Tag: Happy homemaker monday

Happy Homemaker Monday- October 29th 2018

Posted on by Mary

Homemaker

Happy Homemaker Monday Everyone!  Can you believe it is the last few days of October.  I know my mind is completely jumped past Halloween and Im in full swing thinking about Thanksgiving!

The weather outside is:::: I must say that the dreariness that we have been experiencing has made me somewhat exhausted.   It been raining pretty much for three days straight.  It cool and very fall like.  I have very much missed seeing the vibrant leaves this fall It’s what makes the gray days of fall bearable !  I love how the  gray skies make the bright foliage pop.  However this fall theist description I can give to you is that it looks like a very muddy fall watercolor painting outside!

On the breakfast plate this morning:::: Hahaha I am not a breakfast eater at all.  I had coffee and two pieces of bacon at 6:30 and then normally -today was no different I eat brunch around 10:30 or 11

As I look outside my window::: WET SOGGY GRAY that is all

Right now I am:::: I just let the kids in after they got off the bus.

As I look around the house:::: Weekend mess.  I will whip it into shape this evening but this morning I spent preppy our church play.

On today’s to do list:::: I had to get the play thing figured out.  Every time I have pursued a play option the door closed.   Now I have landed on a spectacular option and the details are all falling into place

Currently reading:::: Less Than Perfect by Ann Spangler (My review book)Courageous Creative by Jenny Randle (half way through the study!!) Jesus Calling and the Bible

On the TV today:::: Wild Prairie Rose

On the menu this week::::

Monday –  Tacos

Tuesday –  Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Wednesday – Pizza and a movie night with some friends

Thursday -meatball subs

Friday – Loaded baked potato soup

Saturday – chili and Biscuits

Sunday -meatloaf and loaded mashed potatoes

What I am creating at the moment:::: Well I have been kind of obsessed with water color painting.  I have tinkered with it for a while BUT now I am full blown addicted to learning

Favorite photo from the camera:::

:homemaker

One of the challenges from last week  from Courageous Creative was to watch a youtube tutorial of how to draw something you have always wanted to learn how to draw. Mine was a pansy.  o used my water color pencils (still learning with those)

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

Perfectionists fixate on making  flawless art, but our greatest pursuit is to find God’s perfect Heart.

Jenny Randle Courageous Creative

Want to check out more Happy Homemaker Monday posts?  Visit Diary of a Stay at Home Mom!

Happy Homemaker Monday- Sunset 9/24/2018

Posted on by Mary

Happy

Have you ever stood and stared and watched a sunset as it changes. It’s like it’s a living water color painting.  I love sunrises too and they are the same way.  But as of late I have been watching sunsets and pondering them.  Every sunset os different and there are Many factors that go into that. A sunset os very similar to life.  sometimes it’s full of color and vibrant and other times it’s dull and gray.    The one thing we know and can expect is that nighttime is coming.  I the Bible we are promised dark and hard times, but we are also told joy comes in the morning which as you guessed it is something else that beautiful. a sunrise.  the thing is that just like life if we don’t take the time to soak up the beauty, we will miss it!  That’s what I love about Happy homemaker posts is that it makes me sit down and think about all that is going on around me!  So let’s get started!

The weather:::. Fall showed up on Saturday after quite the storm Friday night. But since then it has been bright and crisp.  The clouds started rolling in this afternoon and  now is overcast and ready to rain at any moment.

As I look outside my window::: I see my neighbors porch light and an occasional car whizzes by but other than that it is pitch black outside

Right now I am:::  sipping sinus soother tea and mentally  working on my #write312018 blog posts

Thinking and pondering::: about many things but I have really been pondering a challenge given by a speaker while I was at camp all by myself this summer.  My word for the year has been influence and it has been forefront in my mind but this speaker challenged up to write letters to those who have had an influence on us.   specifically ministry leaders who have poured into our lives so I have compiled my list and am preparing the preamble to those letters.

On my bedside table::: a whole bunch of books wanting my attention

On my tv::: nothing

On the menu for this week:::

Monday –  Chicken bacon Ranch casserole  (I tweaked the recipe so I could make it in the crockpot”

Tuesday – Meatball subs and salad

Wednesday – chicken pot pie (also in the crockpot- yeah we will see how that goes)

Thursday – grilled cheese

Friday – chili

Saturday – hayride 9there is dinner -kinda with that

Sunday – Hamburgers, salt potatoes and veggie

On my to do list::: well ya see I kinda made this mess, a VERY BIG MESS.  I kinda lost something and so I went on a hunt to find that something (with no positive outcome) and when I was done it looked like a tornado had hit the place.  Now I have to fix it.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating::: I am starting on the curtains for my craft room this week.  I also have to sand and paint the trim and sills of my three windows in the craftroom. And I have a sign that is the theme thought for my room and that involves painting AND Cricut work.

My simple pleasure::: hot beverages.  I LOVE me some COFFEE but I also really enjoy tea and hot cider as well.

Lesson learned the past week::: oh I have two.  1) well on Sunday I was catching up from my missed devotions while I was away at a conference.  and as I read I began to see a pattern I a couple of different places waiting on God was forefront I my reading and then my secret sister gave me a cute ceramic pen holder with a very cute pink sloth on it and it says Take your Time.   Ok I get it.  So many times I think it should go on my time line and that I can fix it but in reality  I need to wait on God.  he has it all under control.  2). over the last month r so there has been some heavy stuff I have had to process through. and I have learned these last few weeks that sometimes you have to let go of self-imposed expectations and go with simpler disciplines and routines and build back to where you once were.  so That is what I have done.  I have gone back to my 3 minute morning routine I set up when I  read through Hello Mornings, and it has been a huge blessing.  Because God has met me in the simplicity and deeply fed my soul.  As much as I would like to say I am back to my old self , I can’t.   ButI’m getting there for sure.

Looking around the house::: UMMM did you read what I wrote on the to-do list part??

From the camera::

:sunset- happy homemaker

This was the sunset from behind our church Saturday night during youth group.  It’s unfiltered and I firmly believe that we have some the best sunsets around!

Prayer List::: unsaved friends and family and I have a bunch of friends and family going though some really hard stuff.

Bible verse, Devotional:::

Isaiah 40:31 English Standard Version (ESV)

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.

for more happy Homemaker posts check OutDiary of a Stay at Home Mom

Crazy- Happy Homemaker Monday- 7/23/2018

Posted on by Mary

To say the last few months has been crazy would be nothing short of a gross understatement.  I sit here alone tonihght in our camper and my head is swimming with all that needs to be done, what I want to get done and what I want to do!

Here’s the thing…What NEEDS to be done is 3 hours from here and I can’t drive! Ha guess I am stuck

What I want to get done is  a ton of reading and writing…..the writing stuff I REALLY wanted to work on…left on my desk…at home …..three hours from here…AND  I can’t drive!!! as for the reading I’m just slightly overwhelmed by how far behind I am (they are my own goals- I should just say …SING IT WITH ME…let it go, Let it Go…..BUT I CAN’T!)

So here I sit doing what I want to do BLOGGING!  I haven’t in such a long time and I miss it more than anyone realizes and yet Life has been so crazy.

So let’s get into this!

The weather:::. RAINY and I love it.  It’s one of my favorite things while at camp is hearing rain on the camper roof

As I look outside my window::: Darkness…..

Right now I am:::  TYPING Duh.  and reading an ebook in between

Thinking and pondering::: about our 3 youngest kids who are at a different camp this week!

On my bedside table::: nothing there is no bedside table here but we can talk kitchen Table : 2 planners, 2 pen cases 7 books 4 notebooks, 3 journals and a trail mix container containing my own concoction of my favorite things

On my tv::: NOTHING (and yes we have a TV in our camper but it won’t get hardly used while I am here alone)

On the menu for this week::: There is no menu for this week.  It is all quick convince foods.  – not the healthiest necessarily but I don’t eat a whole lot this week either.

On my to do list::: read, write , pray, study the Bible, go to or listen to services on the radio

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating::: nothing though I did bring my painting/ drawing tools

My simple pleasure:::  chocolate while I write, though it is securely in the closet as we speak because it does horrible things to my stomach if I eat it at night!

Lesson learned the past week::: do not have your kids pack for camp while you are having a meeting AND Always check your son’s bags BEFORE they leave for camp.  I did this at the last minute and I don’t regret it.

Looking around the house::: the camper is neat as a pin!

From the camera:::  3 kids and there camp counselors  (and one crazy random child who wanted to photobomb)

crazy 1crazy 2Crazy 3

Prayer List::: On my prayer list for today are our four kids, three of whom are at camp. our youth group, ladies Bible study and me as I see to grow closer to God this week

Bible verse, Devotional::: I am currently reading about the woman at the well.  and the author I am reading posts out that Jesus intentionally met her there (at the well). He went that way to meet her specifically.  He  had purpose and the author points out the same thing about us.  God is intentional about meeting us where we are.  I needed that so much!

For more Happy Homemaker Monday posts check out Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Hello SUNSHINE!- Happy Homemaker Monday

Posted on by Mary

Happy

Well Hello there!  And Happy Tuesday Morning to you all!  Here is upstate New York it is SUNNY AND WARM!  It’s May 1st!  YAY. The Sunshine is so bright it seriously feels like we have just skipped spring and went right to summer.   I was swamped yesterday with “stuff”. More mental than anything else. So here I am Tuesday! BRING IT ON!

The weather:::.

Ummm did you read my first paragraph. HAHAHA the sunshine. is amazing though.  And I must confess I eellike animals cooped up in the barn all winter,  Let’s just say that when winter is long and gray the sunshine brings the weird and crazy me out!  I’m not even gonna tell you how many times I have been told that in the few short hours since I woke up at 6!!

As I look outside my window:::

Well TECHNICALLY I’m at church so it’s not MY window per se…but hey.  I see a building going up.  That’s right we are in full swing of our building project for the new add on.  If I were in my office/crat room I would see the most amazing sight. A lilac bush with huge buds ready to say HELLO SPRING!

Right now I am::: 

Writing this in our church fellowship hall.  I don’t want to be a distraction to hubby in his office. Next up is catching up on planning.  Last week (Spring Break) was amazing but I am a little behind!

Thinking and pondering:::

about speaking to the ladies of our church on Sunday.  Trying not to et my nerves get the better of me.  I love to speak I have since high school. I was even asked to be on the Forensics team (debate NOT dead bodies). but when you speak in front of people you know instead of complete strangers it has a different element.

On my bedside table:::

diffuser and oils.  books. hand lotion and some rogue jewelry

On my tv::

:nothing

On the menu for this week:::

Monday – pasta

Tuesday – Pork BBQ and Potato Salad

Wednesday – Burgers and Fries

Thursday – Chef Salad with chicken and Feta Cheese

Friday –  Taco Casserole

Saturday – Ladies Luncheon leftovers

Sunday – Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Potatoes

On my to do list:::

It’s the week of the ladies luncheon, what’s not on my to-do list is perhaps the better question.  I have a bunch of paperwork for end of school year stuff.   I have to keep the house in some semblance of order , prepare for Saturday.  bible studies.  Food for Saturday keep four kids alive, fed and make sure homework is DONE.  Im sure I missed a few things but it’s ok.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

Still working on the bulletin board for church.  and I have purchased all the fabric for the curtains in my office/craftroom- so now I actually need to make them.  I also have to paint the bare wood and the cabinet ends.We need to get the metal for 2 of the cabinet fronts and stain for the cabinets.  That is my project before the kids are finished with school in 4 weeks.  I also want to paint the downstairs doors in the house.  They need it desperately

My simple pleasure:::

SUNSHINE

Lesson learned the past week:::

taking the moment to just enjoy the simplest of conversations with the munchkins.  It’s the idea of being present in every moment.  That might mean crazy dance parties in the kitchen.  Or giggling over something funny said.  Or crazy antics playing pranks (HMMM). Oh the stories I could tell  of college days gone by.

Looking around the house:::

general pickup.  our weekends are NUTSY to say the least so I always feel like Monday and Tuesday is a huge game of 52 pickup. But I must confess that when the sunshine is actually warming the planet I want to be outside enjoying it.  Such is the life of an adult!

From the camera:::

This munchkin celebrated his 8th birthday over spring break.  And he wanted his sis in the picture!

Prayer List:::

The teenagers in my life. I see a battle going on for their hearts.  I see things that are encouraging and I see  some horribly hard things.  They are like my second set of kids.  And just like when my own kids hurt, I hurt!

Bible verse, Devotional:::

Devotions would be Leviticus 17-22. Yeah I am playing catch up, but that’s ok.  I really struggle through Leviticus and Numbers and I always come out the other side being thankful I have Grace over the Law.

I am also focusing on Esther Chapter 5  in my Bible study as I prepare for Saturday.  I have ALWAYS loved Esther but boy when I get to heaven I have some questions for that girl!  She is amazing!

For more Happy Homemaker Monday Posts Check out Dairy of a Stay at home Mom

Spring Has Finally Sprung!- Happy Homemaker Monday

Posted on by Mary

Happy

I honestly cannot believe it.  last week it snowed almost every single day.  It was hard to believe that spring had been around for almost a month!  Well this week SPRING decided to show up which is PERFECT because this week all of our kids are on Spring break.It has been absolutely glorious and the munchkins have been outside playing and helping their dad do all sorts of things.

Well in Honor of spring like weather…

Let’s SPRING into our Happy Homemaker Post!

HAHAHA – ok I’m done Now!

The weather:::. Umm did I mention it has been GORGEOUS!  Mid 60’s and sunny and we are beginning to see various signs of spring.

As I look outside my window:::Bright skies fading into a cadet blue!

Right now I am:::  sitting at the table while the kiddos enjoy a movie

Thinking and pondering::: Many things.  Like gee I better wrap the Christmas presents to take to my parents house tomorrow. Yes it has been THAT kind of winter and yes we will be celebrating Christmas in April!

On my bedside table::: my diffuser and some oils

On my tv::: One of the swan Princess movies (Don’t ask)

On the menu for this week:::

Monday –  Baked Chicken with parmesan butter Pasta

Tuesday –  Away

Wednesday –  Rueben sanwiches

Thursday -BLT’s

Friday -Chili

Saturday – Pork BBQ and Potato Salad

Sunday – Little  Beans Birthday dinner but we have not discussed that yet

On my to do list::: Spring cleaning, clean my craft room and my bedroom and be ready to do some painting in the projects next week.

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::  I am waiting for hubby to get home so I can put the last few pics in His grandparents scrapbook.

My simple pleasure::: Sitting outside reading in the sunshine and hearing the spring peepers

Lesson learned the past week:::  sometimes God wants us to just trust him rather than trying to fix things.  Sometimes we need to just let Him do His work in a situation.

Looking around the house::: Well I need to dust and the kitchen needs a good moping (again) Hahaha That’s what happens when you get April (SNOW) showers

From the camera::

:

Why Yes that is Phil Joel from the Newsboys (Old) and Zealand.  Did I mention that we saw the Newsboys United Tour On Saturday??  NO?  well guess what we did.  He even danced with that handsome boy!

Prayer List::: Well that Kiddo in the picture up there is still having struggles health wise with two trips to see medical professionals this week.  Once to his regular doctor and once to the ER the very next day when he had bleeding from his nose and mouth.  No worries we figured out and I plan on writing more about that in another post this week.

Friends and family going through some tough tough things

Our church building project!

Bible verse, Devotional:::  Today I started the last Chapter of Hebrews.  This study should have been finished in December (or earlier) but sometimes life gets seriously derailed.  I am just now finally finishing many things I started last year.  I have still kept moving forward too BUT I really needed to be able to finish a few things that just got dropped at the end of the year.

Hebrews 13:1-12 NIV

1 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”[a]

6 So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?”[b]

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gateto make the people holy through his own blood.

For More Happy Homemaker Monday Posts Check out Diary of a Stay at Home Mom