Happy Homemaker Monday 12/18/23

Another Monday!  This month is flying by, I can't believe that Christmas is only a week away!  Both our college kiddos are home and I *think* I'm done Christmas shopping.  Tomorrow is a baking day and I'm hoping to finally watch a few Christmas movies this week.    I'm thankful to be able to join in this week's Happy Homemaker Monday with Sandra over at Diary of a Stay At Home Mom.   

The Weather:

Rainy!  It has been warm here (about 60 degrees!) but sooo rainy today.

Outside my Window:

It's later in the day so the sun has set.  It's still raining outside.

Right Now I am:

Blogging listening to the kids chatting.

Thinking and Pondering: 

All the things to get done this week.  Tonight will be the start of wrapping gifts.
 

Podcasts I'm listening to this week:

 Haven't listened to any this week.

On my T.V this week:

Not sure.  Maybe a Christmas movie.

On the Dinner Plate:

Broccoli, potato & cheddar soup. 

On the Menu this week:

Soup

Spinach Pie

What I'm Reading:

Bible

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

On my To-Do list today:

Laundry ✓

Errands ✓

Start wrapping gifts

 

Plans for this week:

Keep up with housework.

Wrap gifts

Make cookies

Awana & Youth Group Christmas parties

Prep & facilitate Gathering Table study (we're doing a study on the Lord's Prayer)

Continue decorating & preparing for Christmas

What I'm Creating:. 

I'm excited to share that I actually had time to craft this past week!  I'm done the graphic part of my daughter's blanket (she chose the graphic); so now I just need to finish the background to make it the length of a blanket and then add a border.

  I also was excited to repurpose some greenery.  This swag used to have lights in it but when we plugged them in this year they were dead.  The pinecones were also falling out.  I went to the craft store but didn't find a good replacement; however, I did find this lovely bow.  So, I came home, removed the lights, hot glued the pinecones back on and added the bow.  I love how it came out.

                                                               

From the Camera:

A picture from the middle school concert.  We were able to see our girl walk in but unfortunately she was in the back on the other side of the stage.  All the kids did a great job!

 

It is great to have our older two home.  Our oldest and youngest have always had a very special bond.  She is very happy to have him home for a few week.

 

 

Highlight from Last week:

So many highlights; from watching our girl perform her first concert playing the trombone, to our oldest two coming home for Christmas, to helping with a School Festival and book fair.  It was a full, fun week.

 

Bible Verse/Devotional Quote:

I recently saw a video of Times Square where Silent night was broadcast and the true story of Christmas was shared.  Many people, who said they were believers, were complaining about who sponsored the event.  As I watched the video I was reminded of Paul's words in Philippians.  

 

Here is the video:

 

I probably will not post on a Monday until after the New Year so I'd like to wish you all a 

Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

On My Prayer List:

Family & Friends who are ill.

Kids away at college and kiddos here this school year.

Safe travels over the next several weeks as many family & friends are traveling.

Wisdom in parenting

Peace & the willingness to let go of things that are not mine to carry.

Happy Homemaker Monday 12/11/23

Happy Monday!  Getting a slow start this morning but  I'm thankful to be able to join in this week's Happy Homemaker Monday with Sandra over at Diary of a Stay At Home Mom.   

The Weather:

Cold & cloudy.  Hoping for some sun later this afternoon; but definitely makes it hard to get moving with such a cloudy morning.

Outside my Window:

Cloudy and still wet from the rain yesterday.  Almost all the leaves are off the trees now so looking a bit bare out there.

Right Now I am:

Blogging and contemplating what to do next.

Thinking and Pondering: 

What I need to get done today.  How much Christmas decorating I want to do; we got our Christmas tree yesterday and will be decorating that this evening.  Figuring out how many bins of decorations to bring down from the attic.
 

Podcasts I'm listening to this week:

 Haven't listened to any this week.

On my T.V this week:

Not sure.  Maybe a Christmas movie.

On the Dinner Plate:

Chili is in the crockpot. 

On the Menu this week:

I went grocery shopping but need to figure out an actual menu for this week.  We have some busy evenings so probably will have a few crockpot meals.

What I'm Reading:

Bible

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

On my To-Do list today:

Finish Laundry 

Clean Bathrooms ✓

Pay some bills

Decorate Christmas Tree

Plans for this week:

Keep up with housework.

School Band Concert

Help with School Festival

Pick up two oldest from airport (two different days)

Continue decorating & preparing for Christmas

What I'm Creating:. 

I'm still slowly working on my daughter's blanket but haven't had much time for crafting lately. 

                                                               

From the Camera:

In January we tragically lost our cat Bennett; we have taken most of the year to let the kids grieve and have a break from having a pet.  However, over the past month or so we've decided that it was time to start looking for another cat.  We were specifically looking for a longhair cat, preferably male.  This little guy popped up on our local SPCA website; we went in the next day and brought him home.  He's adjusting well and the kids are thrilled to have another cat to love on.  As you can see the noise of the house doesn't bother him at all and he likes being around all of us. 

 

 

 

Highlight from Last week:

Getting a new cat was definitely a highlight.  The kids love having him here.

 

Bible Verse/Devotional Quote:

 

Loving people can be hard! I recently chatted with a friend who shared how that they had been very hurt by a church they were atttending.  It's hard to keep loving other believers, those who should "know better" when we have been so deeply hurt.  As I read these verses today I was reminded how that our focus, and where we place our hope, is foundational to being able to keep loving others even when we are hurt.  We have a heavenly hope, a treasure stored up for us in heaven, a Gospel Truth that can never be changed.  We must keep our focus on these things, keep our faith in God only, and keep loving as He loves. 

On My Prayer List:

Family & Friends who are ill.

Kids away at college and kiddos here this school year.

Safe travels over the next several weeks as many family & friends are traveling.

Wisdom in parenting

Peace & the willingness to let go of things that are not mine to carry.

Happy Homemaker Monday 12/4/23

Welcome December!  I'm slowly gathering things for Christmas but definitely not ready yet.  I'm thankful to be able to join in this week's Happy Homemaker Monday with Sandra over at Diary of a Stay At Home Mom.   

The Weather:

Cold & cloudy.  It' supposed to be pretty chilly all week.  I'm not a huge fan of snow but I love to have some for Christmas so it would be nice if we got some in the next couple weeks. 

Outside my Window:

Cloudy and still wet from the rain yesterday.  Our neighbors across the street have their house all decorated so it's pretty to see their Christmas lights at night.

Right Now I am:

Blogging and enjoying a quiet moment after a very hectic couple of weeks.

Thinking and Pondering: 

What I need to get done today.  Whether to cook for dinner or just have leftovers.
 

Podcasts I'm listening to this week:

 Haven't listened to any this week; although a friend recently recommended the podcast called History that Doesn't Suck so I'm hoping to check that one out soon.

On my T.V this week:

Not sure.  Maybe a Christmas movie.

On the Dinner Plate:

Not sure yet; either something quick or leftover chicken pot pie.

On the Menu this week:

Beef & Barley Soup

What I'm Reading:

Bible

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

On my To-Do list today:

Finish Laundry 

Errands ✓

Write note to prayer partner & compassion child & mail them. ✓

Plans for this week:

Keep up with housework.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Help with Scholastic book fair

Continue decorating & preparing for Christmas

What I'm Creating:. 

I'm still slowly working on my daughter's blanket but haven't had much time for crafting lately.  I may make some mug shaped gift card holders (including a gift card of course) as teacher gifts but we'll have to see how the week goes.

                                                               

From the Camera:

My husband and I were blessed to get away with friends for a few days.  While we did have some pretty significant bumps along the way, God blessed and provided and we were able to enjoy the time away and connecting with friends.  When we got home I had to replace my phone and in doing that I lost several of the pictures I took.  I'm hoping they are on the memory card from the old phone so I'll have my husband check that this week.   This is one of the only pictures that I still have on my phone. We were able to have a special dinner at a rooftop restaurant.  After eating dinner we were encouraged to go out on the balcony to watch fireworks.  It was such a fun way to spend and evening. 

 

 

 

Highlight from Last week:

There were several highlights from last week.  Seeing God provide in very special ways was definitely at the top.  The second would be the wonderful candlelight processional we watched.  The music, the Scripture and the venue were all beautiful.  I had pictures of this but alas, they aren't on my new phone.

 

Bible Verse/Devotional Quote:

I recently saw a quote that said something to the effect of 

"When we are feeling lonely or overlooked it is often a sign that we have put someone else in the place of Jesus."  

It was a great reminder that we are to find our ALL in Jesus and He promises to never leave us or forsake us.  He is El Roi; the God who sees us.  We are never left alone or overlooked by Him.  Others may hurt or disappoint us but God is faithful to His promises and we can trust fully in His presence and love.

On My Prayer List:

Family & Friends who are ill.

Kids away at college and kiddos here this school year.

Safe travels over the next several weeks as many family & friends are traveling.

Wisdom in parenting

Peace & the willingness to let go of things that are not mine to carry.