Almost November

As I type, the rain is falling and tapping against the window.  I love the sound of rain.  It has such a calming effect.  It's very dark yet and so quiet.  Early mornings are lovely.

It is the end of October.  We've had one of the prettiest Autumns we've had in a long time - it's kind of sad to see it end.  But there is another prettiness in looking out and seeing the trees laid bare.  The intricate shape of branches are now seen.  The kind I use to like to sketch.  I may have to try it again.

Since it is almost November, here are the November to-do's according to my list:

*change the furnace filter

*declutter shelves, cabinets, and drawers in all rooms

*flip the mattress/wash mattress protectors, bedskirts, comforters/bedspreads

*winterize any shrubs/last minute yard cleanup

*clean out gutters and downspouts

*test holiday lights and hang them now when the weather is still mild

*winterize cars

*keep up with Christmas shopping

*begin holiday baking and freeze

We are having father-in-law over this evening for:

Chili w/onions/cheese/sour cream

Cornbread

Salad

Cookies and coffee/tea for dessert

That is about it from here.  I pray you will have a wonderful day with your family and/or friends.  Thank you for stopping by.  (And don't forget to set your clock back!)

Thursday

Still a blustery, cloudy, day.  Another good day to stay indoors and work.  I will be cleaning father-in-law's house and then come back to finish up what I didn't get to yesterday.  There seems to always be something that I didn't get to yesterday.

Here is a little something I read last night:

"On October 29, 1998 (17 years ago today), John Glenn (U.S. astronaut) became the oldest human, at the age of 77, ever to venture into space.  As Glenn observed the heavens and earth from the windows of Discovery, he said, 'To look out at this kind of creation out here and not believe in God is to me impossible.  It just strengthens my faith.  I wish there were words to describe what it's like.' "

And here are words to one of my favorite contemporary Christian songs:

"You Are I Am"

I've been the one to shake with fear
And wonder if You're even here
I've been the one to doubt Your love
I've told myself You're not enough

I've been the one to try and say
I'll overcome by my own strength
I've been the one to fall apart
And start to question who You are

You're the one who conquers giants
You're the one who calls out kings
You shut the mouths of lions
You tell the dead to breathe
You're the one who walks through fire
You take the orphan's hand
You are the one Messiah
You are I am
You are I am

I've been the one held down in chains
Beneath the weight of all my shame
I've been the one to believe
That where I am You cannot reach

You're the one who conquers giants
You're the one who calls out kings
You shut the mouths of lions
You tell the dead to breathe
You're the one who walks through fire
You take the orphan's hand
You are the one Messiah
You are I am
You are I am

The veil is torn
And now I live with the Spirit inside
The same one, the very same one
Who brought the Son back to life

Hallelujah, He lives in me
Hallelujah, He lives in me
Hallelujah, He lives in me
Hallelujah, He lives in me

You're the one who conquers giants
You're the one who calls out kings
You shut the mouths of lions
You tell the dead to breathe
You're the one who walks through fire
You take the orphan's hand
You are the one Messiah
You are I am
You are I am

May you all have a good day today in whatever you do.  Thank you for stopping by.

Little Things

Black Hills of South Dakota.

It's a cozy day today.  Blustery, cloudy, rainy.  It's the kind of day that feels so good to be inside looking out.  I went out briefly for groceries but hurried back to take advantage of the warmth of home.

My menu this week was based on things I saw in the freezer and fridge that I needed to use up:

*I had spaghetti noodles in the fridge so tonight I'm making a baked spaghetti casserole.

*I have a loaf of sweet bread in the freezer that didn't exactly turn out but will be perfect for oven-baked French Toast tomorrow night.

*I have hamburger buns in the freezer that look pretty desperate so Friday night I will make my Tuna Melts.

*Last Saturday I made my crockpot Chili and froze it so I'll bring that out for "Soup Saturday."

*I also noticed bagels in the freezer which I will bring out next Monday for egg and cheese bagel sandwiches.

*There were also frozen mixed vegetables and frozen beef broth from a few months ago so next Wednesday we will have Vegetable Beef Soup.

*A couple of pies will have to be made with the frozen fruit I had accumulated over the summer.

It's fun to do this.  Because I didn't spend much from my grocery budget this time, I was able to add quite a few things to the pantry especially items for holiday baking.

I cozied up the kitchen by making our breakfast granola.  We've been having hot oatmeal for breakfast since the mornings are on the cool side but I like to have the granola around just in case.  It's such a good smell while baking.  Coconut oil, cinnamon, honey.  Mmmmmmm.

Thank you for dropping by and I hope you can "cozy up" your home as well.  : )  God bless you.

Tuesday Morning

Badlands of South Dakota.

When I was a little girl in church, I didn't pay attention to what the pastor was saying.  We always sat way in the back so I would either look at the pin or earrings my mom was wearing that Sunday or watch other people or stare at the stained glass windows.  It wasn't until the pastor, at the end of the service, would hold both arms up and say this, that I would pay attention:

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine upon you 

and be gracious unto you;

The Lord lift his countenance upon you

and give you peace."

I was reminded of this when I read the passage in Numbers this morning (Numbers 6:24-26)  I've always loved that blessing and never knew where it came from.  Now I know.  : )

*Our neighbor is always so good about raking up his leaves.  I looked out yesterday and saw that our tree is making a mess in his yard so this morning, before the afternoon rains begin, I'll need to do a bit of raking not only in our yard but part of his as well.

*The grocery list needs to be done and the menu.  I noticed on Saturday when I was cooking ahead and baking that I need to use quite a few things up so the ideas I come up with today will have to come from that.

*Because of laundry yesterday, today is the day for ironing.

*Tonight is Taco Tuesday:

Hard shell tacos w/meat, cheese, lettuce, salsa

Sliced apples (from a very good friend)

Vanilla pudding

May you have a busy day filled with taking care of your family and home and may God bless your homemaking efforts.  Thanks for stopping by. 

Sunday

I've often noticed that in the ACTS (A=Attributes, C=Confession, T=Thanksgiving, S=Supplication) form of praying a specific attribute of God comes to mind on a specific day.  The attribute that comes to mind today is Deliverer.  God is The Deliverer.  The God that delivered his people out of Egypt is the same God that delivers us today.  We are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves.  It is when we come to Christ that the chains of bondage begin to come off.  There IS joy amongst the pain.  The joy that comes in knowing that we are going to get through this.  The joy of knowing that evil was defeated.  The joy of remembering "Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.  The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.  The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."  Exodus 14:13&14 

It's been an emotional week.  A week that you just don't come through and say "whew, got through that" but a week that we will remember for a long time.  It's been a week of lessons learned and sorrow felt.  It's been a week of fear.  But God is still the God who Delivers and He did.  And I am thankful.

May you trust in the God who delivers.  

The Healing Power of Work

There is something restorative about work when going through a difficult time.  Keeping the hands and mind occupied with something constructive can go a long way in keeping one from the depression that sets in. The deep sadness and constant concern that goes along with the difficult time can truly zap the energy from a person, but if there is any way in which to get up every morning, meet with the Lord in prayer, read from His Word, and then get to work, it is a balm of healing.  Of course work isn't used as an escape from the realities of what's going on - we need to look the problem in the eye and deal with it - but I love how the Lord gives us the capacity to DO while one FEELS.

Today I am hoping to have a day of cooking and baking:

*Chili for the freezer

*Chow Mein for the Sunday meal tomorrow

*Banana Nut muffins for the freezer

*Cookie dough for the freezer

And then all the clean up that comes from that.  The cooking and baking, with the smell of the different foods, will be an uplifting time.

The 2nd verse of the old hymn "It Is Well With My Soul" -

"Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

let this blest assurance control, that Christ has regarded my

helpless estate, and hath shed His own blood for my soul."

"It is well, with my soul, it is well, it is well, with my soul." 

God bless your day and thank you for stopping by.

Friday Morning

We made it to Friday.  I thank all of you for prayers.  I know it's hard to pray when you don't know what to pray for, but God knows and it helps tremendously.  We've:

*felt the peace that passes all understanding

*been able to "lie down and sleep and awake for the Lord sustained us."  (Psalm 3:5)

*become closer to each other as a family

*felt victory over evil

May God bless YOU on this day and throughout the upcoming weekend.  Thank you again.

Thursday Morning

Words to one of my favorite contemporary Christian songs:

"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Hope Breaks Through

Monday afternoon - how do we get through this?  What is this going to look like from now on? What does the future hold?

Prayer - gut-wrenching, honest prayer.

Reading the Bible - when I opened the Bible I came across this:

"Without warning, a furious storm came up........so that the waves swept over the boat.   But Jesus was sleeping.  They (the disciples) went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us!  We're going to drown!"  He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?"  Matthew 8:24-26

So much emotion goes into troubling times.  Anguish, fear, anger, worry.  So much so that:

*I don't want to hear about silly, petty things that others think are important

*I don't want to hear about the happiness they have going on in their lives

*I don't want to hear about everyone else's problems

We're hurting over here!  We're drowning!  I don't feel like praying right now!  Whatever encouraging word you have for me, it's not enough!

Wednesday morning -  hope breaks through.  

*hearing from God in morning prayer - "You don't have to feel like praying - just Be Still And Know That I AM God."

*hearing a good and timely word from a pastor on a Christian radio program

*knowing that people are praying for us

*understanding that we are not alone in this

I still have waves of sadness.  I still have times where I'm still not quite sure how I'm suppose to be? But I do know that, because we are followers of Christ, a lot has happened between Monday afternoon and this morning.  Forgiveness, understanding, grace, mercy, and HOPE.

Stormy Days

We are experiencing personal stormy weather at this time.  Leaning on the Lord and working our way through it though.  Prayer would be much appreciated.  Hope to be back writing soon but right now it's just a difficult time.  Thank you so much.

God bless you for all the time, effort, and work you put into your homes.

Psalm Sunday

"But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head."  Psalm 3:3

There is a verse in a song our choir at church use to sing as well based on this verse in the Bible:

"Thou, O Lord, are a shield for me, the Glory and the Lifter of my head."

This is a VERY personal verse in the Bible for me.  From the time I was 15 to when I was 27, I led a sinful life.   A life where I could not lift my head because of shame and guilt.  When I was saved at the age of 32, the Lord came into my life, redeemed me, changed me, and lifted my head.  The shame and guilt gone because of what Jesus did for me on the Cross.  To be able to kneel before Him in daily prayer and read His Word.  So if I repeat myself in my blogposts about the importance of repentance, of asking Jesus into your heart, of daily prayer, of getting into The Word of God, that is why.  

It's very appropriate to weep for the lost and unsaved.  I was, at one time, lost and unsaved.  I could have died when I was lost and unsaved and would have spent eternity in hell.  But because of God's great love for us, because Jesus gave it all for us, because there is hope, we can come to the foot of the Cross and lay all that stuff down, invite Jesus in to change our lives and can look forward to spending eternity in Heaven.

Again, if you haven't made that decision yet, please do it today.  Get that settled once and for all.  It's THE most important decision you'll ever make in your entire life.

It's Friday!

As I've posted before, I usually don't like the end of a week.  I'm more of a beginning of the week type person.  I like my lists of to-do's and I like structure.  I don't much like "winging it."  But it is Friday and it is "the day the Lord has made" so I will rejoice and be glad in it!  : )

My husband usually has Friday's off and today is no exception.  On our schedule for the day:

*Go to father-in-law's house to take care of a few minor, yet important, things.

*Go and pick up a new back screen door and hire someone to come and put it up.

*Get a couple of business-type of errands done.

*Come home and see what we can get done around here - yardwork from another windy day yesterday, get the storm windows down and begin to put them up, etc.

There is never a lack of something to do!

I'm also hoping for a fire night.  It' beginning to get really chilly now and it's dark before 7 p.m. so why not enjoy these Autumn evenings?  I'd like to pop some popcorn and put the tea kettle on for a hot mug of tea to keep us warm.  Throw a blanket over the legs and sit and stare into the dancing flames.  Sounds good to me!  : )

Tonight's theme meal is Fish Friday so we are having:

Tuna Melts

Onion Rings

Salad

Warm cookies fresh from the oven (yum)

Today may you:

*read your Bible

*have a prayer time

*remember others

*enjoy your home and take care of it

*have fun with your family

*take care of yourself

God bless you as you go about your work!

Thursday Already!

You would think that when you're a homemaker and home all day that time would slow down but that is certainly not the case.  The days are always full of things to do and get done that the week just goes and you find yourself near the end of it.  Already this month is half over.  And it lends itself to thinking of the upcoming holidays.  There is still time to begin a gift pantry.  This is extremely helpful with gift-giving.  They may not be complete gifts in and of themselves (although they certainly could be) but it's a start or a few of them could be packaged together to make a complete gift.  I know I've posted about this before, but I'll do it again just for fun.  : )

GIFT PANTRY IDEAS

*Gift cards (one of my favorites to receive)

*Candles (they have packages now that come with votives, tapers, and pillars all together)

*Note cards/stationery 

*Books/bookmarks

*Assortment of teas/coffees

*Mugs

*CD's/DVD's

*Soaps (another favorite of mine)

*Bubble bath/pretty towel

*Baby items

*Sparkling cider w/pretty glassware

*Nail polish/polish remover/cotton balls

*Dish towels/cloths

*Games/puzzles/cards

*Picture frames

*Padded hangers/sachets for the closet

*Coloring books/crayons

*Paper dolls

*Cloth napkins/pretty paper napkins

*Puzzle books/pencils

*Lotions - body, hand, foot

Having a list of things to think of and perhaps buy to put on a shelf somewhere certainly helps when it comes to gift-giving.  Some might think that this is impersonal but I don't think so.  As I wrote these ideas down, specific people came to mind as to who might enjoy what.  There is no difference between going out to shop for someone and already having some items in your home that they will equally enjoy.  I know that each of us will have other things to add to this list as they think about family and friends so I encourage you to have fun with this.  It's certainly not too early to begin as we all know how quickly time passes.  

I'm posting early today because:

*I will soon be over to father-in-law's house to clean this morning.

*I will be meeting a friend for "window-shopping" and afternoon tea/coffee.

*Then it will be time for making supper which is Thrifty Thursday:

Homemade pizza (already brought the dough out of the freezer to thaw)

Salad

*Another load of laundry is almost done.  I'm finding that throwing in small loads on a more daily basis is better for me than one huge laundry day.  It's easier to keep on top of it and the ironing that subsequently goes with it.  : )

Well, again, may I encourage you in your homemaking today.  God bless you as you take care of your home whether it's just for you, whether it's just for you and your husband, or whether it's for you, your husband and children.  It's all important!!!!  : )

Wednesday Afternoon

A bright, sunny day.  It's been the kind of day that once my feet hit the floor at 5:00 a.m., I was off and running.  

*A load of laundry in before 6:00 a.m.

*Grocery shopping

*Made homemade applesauce for tonight's meal which is:

Oven Baked Pork Chops

Potatoes & Carrots

Applesauce

*I had some leftover canned pumpkin in the fridge so I found a recipe for pumpkin cupcakes - I make pumpkin muffins but never cupcakes, so I'm excited to see how they turned out.  We just might have to have one for dessert tonight.  : )

*Made lunch

*Then, between the pots and pans, and bowls and measuring cups, and plates and silverware, I spent a lot of time just washing dishes (I don't have a dishwasher).

*Started on embroidering pillowcases in Redwork for my Etsy shop.

I decided to take a break and go outside to sit in the sun for a while and get some fresh air and I am now doing this!  After I chat with you, I will go back in the kitchen to get my pork chop meal started as it takes a while in the oven.

So, it's been a good day once again.  Just a lot of time in the kitchen which I am finding that on Wednesdays it's been pretty much like that.  

I hope you are enjoying your day as well.  Have a good rest of the day and evening!

Tuesday Afternoon

Well, the wind has died down, the clouds have blown away, and now the sun is out.  I was talking to my friend, Violet, and we both agreed on liking the "stormy" day yesterday.  Cloudy, windy, misty - it just made you feel like hunkering down and enjoying being inside the cozy house.  : )  After the sun came out today, I was able to see that much needs to be done as far as yardwork goes.  Quite a few branches to pick up and lots of leaves ready to be raked up.  Since it's still a bit breezy, that is going to wait until tomorrow.  There are already trees that have no leaves on at all and gives us a glimpse as to what is to come (winter).   I'm glad I live somewhere that experiences the 4 seasons.  Yes, winter does get a little long the older I get, but I still like it.  But, for now, I'm enjoying the beauty of Autumn!   : )

Today's work included:

*Writing out the menu for the week ahead and the grocery list that goes with it for tomorrow's shopping

*Ironed yesterday's laundry

*Cleaned the bathtub

*Finished hemming a scarf

*Still working on the Theme Day cookbooks - the time-consuming part of these is rewriting all the recipes but I really don't mind.  : )  It's a good project to take out often and keep working at it.

This week's menu:

Taco Tuesday - Chicken Enchiladas, salsa & chips, apple slices

Whatever Wednesday - Baked pork chops, oven potatoes & carrots, homemade applesauce

Thrifty Thursday - Homemade pizza, salad

Fish Friday - Tuna Melts, onion rings, salad

Soup Saturday - Chicken noodle soup, homemade bread, salad

Special Sunday - Chow Mein, rice, noodles, oranges, rhubarb custard pie for dessert

Meatless Monday - Meatless pasta sauce over spaghetti noodles, steamed broccoli, breadsticks

Taco Tuesday - Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl, sliced fruit

Whatever Wednesday - Crockpot chili served w/sour cream and shredded cheese, cornbread, jello w/whipped cream

To make this week:

*More breakfast granola

*Pie

*Homemade bread

*Cookies and cookie dough for freezer

That's it from here.  From my home to yours - God bless your homemaking efforts!

Remember:  It matters!  : )

Aromatherapy in Cooking

My goodness it is windy today!  Yesterday it was 85 degrees, today....it is not.  Brrrrrrrrrrr.  Good day to stay in and get things done.  : )

This morning:

*Put crockpot vegetable soup on for Meatless Monday 

*Baked banana nut muffins to go with the soup

*Moved a few things around and out of the living room as it was beginning to look a little crowded so that meant I had to find a home for the things I took out!  : o

*Dusted and vacuumed

*Cleaned the bathroom

*Laundry is done and things are put away - new bedding is on

It's been a good day so far.  

This morning while preparing the soup and baking the muffins I thought about aromatherapy.   I totally get it when some people say that cooking is therapeutic for them.  I know that some of them mean the chopping and slicing and stirring, but others like me love the aromas.  There is something so homey about homemade soup.  On a day like today it fills the kitchen.  And baking - the cinnamon makes the house cozy.  When I look outside on the gray day and the wind is blowing, these aromas feel like a warm blanket wrapped around me.  I actually get very nostalgic because growing up we never went out to eat or had take-out.  It was always scratch cooking.  Coming home to mom's cooking (which was her vocation in life) always meant good food.  And think about the other scents - rosemary is refreshing and invigorating, chamomile is relaxing, ginger is lively, lemon is clean, and so on.  When we cook with these fresh herbs and ingredients it benefits the cook.  All of our senses are being used.  We see the pretty ingredients, we feel the food as we work with it (that's why baking bread is so good for us), we smell it cooking or baking, and we taste the finished product.  It benefits those who live in the home as well.  So, I would suggest that if you are feeling down or tired to get into the kitchen and see if you can't improve the way you feel through making something that smells good and tastes even better!  : )

Well, I now need to see if I can finish my Theme Day cookbooks and turn this:

Into these:

My little "Thrifty Thursday" cookbook.

My little "Taco Tuesday" cookbook.

My little "Saturday Soup" cookbook.

They're a lot of fun to do.  They're only 5" x 7" in size and I already feel more organized knowing where certain recipes are.  And I really think they will help me in my meal planning on Tuesdays.

So, I will leave you for now and get to it!!!!  : )  I hope you are enjoying your day as well.  Thank you for dropping in.

Calling Upon The Name Of Jesus

One of the lines to a contemporary Christian song is "There is power in the name of Jesus, there is power, power in His name."  May we as followers of Christ, call upon His name today:

*pray for our families for they build strong neighborhoods

*pray for our neighborhoods for they build strong communities

*pray for our communities for they build a strong state

*pray for our states for they build a strong nation

*pray for our nation because now more than ever we need it!

I read this last night:

William W. Bennett was a Confederate chaplain who published a first-hand account of the spiritual renewal that swept through every corps, division, brigade, and regiment in General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia -

"Up to January 1865, it was estimated that nearly 150,000 soldiers had been converted during the progress of the war, and it was believed that fully one-third of all the soldiers in the field were praying men and members of some branch of the Christian church."

Please PRAY today.  In Jesus' name, please pray.

"Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it."  Jonah 3:10

Saturday Morning

A good Saturday to you!  It's warming up here and today is suppose to be very windy bringing in more warmth for tomorrow.  So outside work will probably not be do-able.  It's getting so very lovely around here.  Our neighbor behind us has the perfect Autumn tree.  Not a green leaf left.  It's all red and orange.  What a gift to be able to look at it every day outside the kitchen window.  : )

There really are no "plans" for the day although I do have an idea of what should be done:

*Keep up with the ironing since we've been on "vacation" the past few days.

*Bake a pie with some frozen fruit.

*Make some cookie dough for the freezer.

*Make our breakfast granola.

*Clean the bathroom.

I will, however, watch a few cooking shows this morning.  : )

Since it is Soup Saturday (I must admit that I really like my theme days) this is what's cooking for tonight:

Quick Chicken and Noodle Soup

Place over moderate heat, a large pot and add 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil.  Add 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped, 1 medium onion, chopped, 2 ribs of celery, chopped.  Add 2 bay leaves, and season with salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste.  Add 6 cups of good quality chicken stock and 1 can of cooked white chicken meat and bring to a boil.  Add 1/2 lb. wide egg noodles and cook till tender.  Remove bay leaves and serve.  I will be serving it with bread and apple slices on the side.

This really is one of our favorites.  Sometimes I let it simmer for a while longer before adding the noodles to get more flavor.  It's a wonderful pantry meal.  I try to keep cans of white chicken meat on the shelf for this as well as for chicken salad, chicken enchiladas, etc.  It's just so handy.

I am just beginning to work on my Theme Meal cookbooks and will show them to you when I get them all prettied-up.  : )  I bought 7 small notebooks and am re-writing my recipes into them.  I've always loved the look of handwritten recipe books.  What a wonderful gift that might be for a new bride.  All of your favorite recipes that have been tried and true in your family that she just might want to carry on into her family as well.

I will leave you for now.  Thank you once again for stopping by.  I pray you will enjoy this day, your home, your family, your friends.  God bless your efforts.  

The Homemaker As A Helper

To say that my husband has a very demanding, exhausting, job is an understatement.  He was retired a couple of years ago but decided to go back to work because he was needed and wanted which, I believe for a man getting up in years, is very good for the self-esteem.  A man's career is very important to him.  It's his identity.  It's important in his feelings as a man and provider of his family. But it's not an easy thing when it comes to getting things done at home or having the motivation and energy in which to do it.  What's the saying?  "If you have the money, you don't have the time, and when you have the time, you don't have the money?"

I think this is an area where a homemaker can be of great help to her husband:

*Create clean, comfortable, and relaxing living environments - from the bathroom, to the bedroom, to the living room.

*Pick up messes.

*Provide good food.

*Make sure the closets and drawers contain freshly laundered and ironed clothes.

*Do any necessary errands.

*Keep the yard neat and tidy.

*Watch how you look - flattering clothes, watch the weight, nice hair style.

*Watch how you talk - keep the whining and complaining to a minimum (I know - we all have our days)

*Hire help with the house if it is financially possible.

*Give him space.

*Be careful and wise with the family finances.

We had an excellent time the past couple of days.  It's been good for him to have a good chunk of this week off to just take off and go somewhere.  We drove along the north shore, had a picnic along Lake Superior, walked some hiking trails, breathed in the fresh pine filled air, took pictures of red, yellow, and orange leaves.  We then drove down the Mississippi River with all the curves in the road, looking at the jutting limestone rocks, and the thick trees and bushes, stopping at little towns and a couple of shops and eating lunch out.  This is also an important thing - to take time away.  It doesn't have to be long.  It doesn't have to be expensive.  All it has to be is something different.  : )

Thanks for stopping by!

Time For Yourself

This morning:

*Cleaned father-in-law's house - why is it more fun to clean someone else's house?  : )

This afternoon:

*Do small loads of laundry so it doesn't get backed up throughout the week

*Pay bills

*Grocery list

*Keep up with the ironing

*Make breakfast granola

For fun:

*sew

*make greeting cards

(all of which I can't seem to get around to which leads me to this):

I'm feeling the need to take a day off soon to just craft/sew.  I'm usually pretty tired by the time evening rolls around and my eyes are tired too.  I read a few blogs that say homemaking should be relaxing and how it shouldn't be this constant to-do list, but I beg to differ.  I was brought up that you should work first, play later.  This is my job.  No different than if I went off to work every morning.  I get ready for the day and then dig in.  I worked in the marketplace for years and I know that they don't want your work to be relaxing.  They want you to get it done and in a timely manner.  That's how I treat my housekeeping.  But I also know that there needs to be some balance and I know that if I don't take a day here and there to just do something enjoyable like sewing or crafting I become irritable and tired and feel like all there is to life is dusting, vacuuming, and scrubbing.  I love homemaking.  I love all the different aspects of it.  No two days are alike.  But there is a creative side to me and that part of me craves to sew, paint, draw, color, bake, knit, make greeting cards, take photos, go for nature walks, stencil, and so on.  So, if not this week, then sometime SOON I will take a day and create!  : )

Tonight's meal:

Taco Tuesday!  We are just having taco salads and lemonade with apple slices on the side.

I am taking a two day blog break again as I want to do something with the husband as he is taking some time off this week.

I hope this finds you getting things done in your home that will make a difference to all who live there.  And I hope you can find time to do something creative.  What would that be to you?

God bless you and your work.  : )

Kitty Update, Monday To-Do's, and Menu

The Plains of South Dakota

Such good news on kitty.  Saturday morning his owners called and asked about him.  They were out in the neighborhood getting ready to put THEIR flyers up about a missing kitty when they noticed OUR flyer of a found kitty.  They were SO happy to have him back as they have had him for four years and anyone who has a pet in the family, knows that they ARE family and are missed terribly when they aren't there anymore.   I have to admit that WE miss him.  But we are glad that he is back in his own home.  : )

Monday so far:

*All the laundry is done - fresh bedding on

*Cleaning of all rooms - dusting, vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom

*Cleaned out and organized our "office" area - all those papers that tend to pile up

*Moved shelving units around in laundry area - was able to sweep and vacuum under and behind

*Put these in my Etsy shop - (Etsy.com/shop/HousetoHomeDesigns)

Farmhouse Style Pillowcases

This afternoon:

*Blog  : )

*Sew a table runner

*Make a few cards that I didn't do this past weekend

That will take me up to kitchen duty for tonight's meal:

Meatless Monday -

*Ravioli Casserole - one of our favorites for meatless (recipe below)

*Garlic bread

*Tomato and lettuce salad

*Cookies w/coffee and tea for dessert

Father-in-law will join us tonight so I think he'll like it.  : )

Ravioli Casserole

1, 28 oz. jar of spaghetti sauce (or use your own)

1, 25 oz. frozen cheese ravioli, cooked and drained

2 c. (16 oz.) small curd cottage cheese

4 c. (16 oz.) shredded Mozarella cheese

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese (the real stuff, not from a can)

Spread 1/2 c. spaghetti sauce in ungreased 9 x 13 pan.  Layer with half of ravioli, 1 1/4 c. of sauce, 1 c. cottage cheese and 2 c. Mozarella.  Repeat layers.  Sprinkle w/Parmesan cheese.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30-40 minutes or till bubbly.  Let stand for 5 - 10 minutes.  Enjoy!!!

I hope you are enjoying your home today.  Remember:

*Keep it clean.

*Keep it organized.

*Keep it pretty.

Make it a wonderful place to come home to after your loved ones are in school or at work.  Enjoy your work and may God bless you for it.  : )  Thanks for dropping in!

A Blessed Sunday To You

Jesus said - "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."  Revelation 3:20

Today:

*Jesus is standing at the door of your heart.

*Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart.

*Hear Him.

*Let Him in.

*He will speak to you and teach you.

*He will change you.

*He will love you with an everlasting love.

*He will always be with you.

If you have not made that decision yet, please don't wait.  Let today be the day of salvation.

God bless you and keep you in His care.

We'll See Saturday

All week my intentions for getting things done were good.  The lists were written, I had the motivation, but it just didn't go as planned.  Some weeks are like that, aren't they?  Today I will try again.  The list is still written, I still have motivation, so I will see what happens.  : )  It should be a little easier.  I have the day to myself and no workmen coming over.

It's not that the house is in awful shape, but there are areas right now where I've just tossed things here and there and they need to be gone through today and put away.  I kept up on the laundry throughout the week, but it needs to be put away and more ironing is needed.  

I am woefully short of greeting cards, so I'm hoping I can get to that as well.  I can, perhaps, do that while watching a few cooking shows?  : )

It is SOUP SATURDAY and this is what we'll be having:

*Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

*Lettuce and tomato salad

*Cookies and tea for dessert

Simple, yet satisfying.

Well, I had better stop and get to my day.  The weather has been absolutely gorgeous this week and today is no exception.  It is so wonderful to open all the windows and put a sweater on.

May you all enjoy your day and may God's blessing be on you as you go about your work and taking care of your families.  Enjoy!!!  : )

Cat Saga, Meeting With Friends, Easy Supper, Getting Caught Up

We took our stray kitty in bright and early for a scan.  No microchip.  We're bummed.  No one has called yet to claim her.  There will have to be a decision made by early next week as to what to do with her.  This is hard.  I can't picture her in a cage somewhere waiting to be adopted so I'm thinking that maybe we can be foster parents until someone wants her.  That could be quite a while though. Ugh.

We had a wonderful lunch with a couple of friends.  Just taking time to sit and talk and laugh.  They are so creative and fun to listen to and hear what they are doing as they are always busy with something.  A nice way to begin a weekend.  

My Thrifty Thursday supper last night made plenty to have again tonight.  I always love that!  No cooking night - just heat the soup up, set out the Harvest Bread, cut up the apples and there you have it.  Nice.  : )

And it has been quite the "off" week.  I feel a little discombobulated.  Like I didn't get a whole lot done.  But I have time to myself tonight and tomorrow so after I'm done chatting with you, I will don my work apparel and roll up the sleeves and get to it.  By the time Sunday rolls around I want to feel like the house is in order and we can just relax.

BUT, nothing is going to get done until I say "Have a wonderful rest of the day and evening."  Have a good upcoming weekend.  Have fun, enjoy your home.

Thrifty Thursday

I'm finally getting around to a theme meal - Thrifty Thursday - here it is:

Turkey Soup

Harvest Bread

Sliced Apples

I've had the turkey carcass in the freezer for a while and it has been simmering away all afternoon and now waiting for vegetables (carrots and celery) and then at the end, the egg noodles.  That is very thrifty.  : )

Here is the Harvest Bread recipe:

Cream together:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

Fold in:

1 1/3 c. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

3/4 c. pumpkin

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Add:

3/4 c. walnuts

3/4 c. raisins

Pour into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 for 1 hour.

I had everything I needed in the pantry already.  Again, : )

And then a bag of organic apples cost $3.48.  - THRIFTY THURSDAY!!!

I know I have Soup Saturday planned, but hey, it's a wonderful time of year for soup.  So it's OK for us to have soup twice in one week.  : )

The bathroom ceiling is finished!  It looks good and it was done correctly this time.  All it needs is a coat of paint now.  We can do that.

"Our" cat seems to be making herself right at home.  She REALLY wants to go back outside but we won't let her.  Flyers went up around the neighborhood, we called Animal Control to see if someone called in a missing cat, and tomorrow we will take her to a vet to scan her for a microchip.  After that we'll just have to tell as many people as we know that we have a cat to give away.  She's really a very nice cat.  She follows us all around and sleeps well at night.  But we just can't keep her.  I'm still hoping and praying someone contacts us and takes her back home.

Well, I hope all of you have had a good homemaking day.  Have a relaxing evening after your hard work!!!!!!  : )  Thank you for stopping by.