Happy Homemaker Monday 7/24/23

 Joining in this week's Happy Homemaker Monday with Sandra over at Diary of a Stay At Home Mom.  The past few weeks have been a whirlwind around here and will continue to be for the next month or so.  We went from possibly having one child headed to college this fall to having both our oldest children headed to two different colleges a week apart.  So, a lot of big changes around here.

The Weather:

Today is gorgeous out, sunny and in the 80's.  The humidity has finally broken a bit; at least for a couple days.

Outside my Window:

Sunny & green.  The bunnies and groundhogs have been very active today.  We have a mulberry tree and the fallen berries attract many little critters.

Right Now I am:

Blogging, chatting with my oldest girlie.

Thinking and Pondering:

Oh...so much; from what needs to be done in the next few weeks to how this week will go.

Podcasts I'm listening to this week:

Hoping to catch up on Inside the Pastors' Study 

Also listening to Cultivate by Kelly Minter

My kids also enjoy Adventures of the Starkeepers from Elevation Church. 

On my T.V this week:

Nothing really.

On the Dinner Plate:

Baked fish & chips with Strawberry Shortcake for dessert

On the Menu this week:

Big Mac Salad

Chicken Cesaer Salad

Baked Sweet Potatoes & Chicken

Tater Tot Shepherd's Pie

Brown Rice Salad

What I'm Reading:

Bible

The Shift by Maryanne Connor

The Queen of the Night by Vanessa Thurgood

On my To-Do list today:

Laundry

Grocery Shopping ✅

Plans for this week:

Keep up with laundry.

Take the kids on a daytrip

Host Youth Group

Continue helping kids with college prep

What I'm Creating:

I finished my crochet tunic!  Check out the pictures and details in my blog post It's Done! Crochet Edition

From the Camera:

Last week we took a daytrip to an aquarium a couple hours away. We really like this aquarium because there are indoor and outdoor exhibits. The kids really enjoyed the sea lion show.  

Highlight from Last week:

This past week was Vacation Bible School at our church.  It's always a lot of fun to see all the kids having such a great time learning Truths from God's Word. 

Bible Verse/Devotional Quote:

 

This verse is such an encouragement.  We may not know what our future holds but God does and His plans are wonderful, faithful and sure.

On My Prayer List:

Family & Friends who are ill

Kids preparing to go away to college

Logistics of other kids staying with family members. 

Wisdom for parenting.

It's done! - Crochet edition

 Many of my readers will remember me mentioning a crochet tunic top that I've been working on.  I finally finished the top; however, because I'm very short it fits more like a regular tunic than a top.  I do really like the fit.  The colors are not what I normally wear as I usually go for darker colors.  I actually bought this yarn to push me out of my "color comfort zone" so I'm still planning to wear it once the weather cools a bit.  

 I started using this free pattern but found that it wasn't working up well for me.  It seemed that there were some instructions missing so I sat down and rewrote it a bit.  Some things, as far as the edging and connecting the squares, I just made up as I went.  The keyhole neck was a last minute decision as the front was a bit lower that I wanted. 

In my last post I mentioned that this week is Vacation Bible School at our church; as I end I thought I'd share another praise/prayer from the teacher devotionals.  

King of glory, Divine Majesty,

every perfection adorns thy nature and sustains thy throne;

The heavens and earth are thine,

The world is thine and its fullness,

Thy power created the universe from nothing;

Thy wisdom has managed all its multiple concerns,

presiding over nations, families, individuals.

Thy goodness is boundless; 

all creatures wait on thee,

are satisfied in thee.

How precious are the thoughts of thy mercy and grace!

How excellent thy lovingkindness that draws men to thee!

We are weary, give us rest,

knowing that thou hast said,

'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.'

Blessed be thy name!

-(Excerpt from "Fourth Day Evening: God All-Sufficient" from The Valley of Vision)

Fly-by Post

 Quick post to say hi.  Life has been crazy here and will continue to be so for the next month or so.  I've been wanting to post but just haven't had time.  

This week is Vacation Bible School at our church so we have that each evening.  I'm helping with the Pre-K & K class.  Each lesson has a short devotional for the teachers to read over to prepare.  Last night's devotional ended with this prayer so I thought I'd share it here.

Glorious God,

I bless thee that I know thee.

I once lived in the world, but was ignorant of its Creator

was partaker of thy providences, but knew not the Provider,

was blind while enjoying the sunlight, 

was deaf to all things spiritual, with voices all around me,

understood many things, but had no knowledge of thy ways,

saw the world, but did not see Jesus only.

O happy day, when in thy love's sovereignty

thou didst look on me, and call me by grace.

Grant that I may always weep to the praise of mercy found,

and tell to others as long as I live,

that thou art a sin-pardoning God,

taking up the blasphemer and the ungodly,

and washing them from their deepest stain.

-(Excerpt from "The Great Discovery" in The Valley of Vision)

Happy Homemaker Monday 7/3/23

 Jumping on really quick to join in this week's Happy Homemaker Monday with Sandra over at Diary of a Stay At Home Mom.  Tomorrow is Independence Day here in the U.S.; our town isn't celebrating until this coming weekend but we're still enjoying the extra time together as no one in our house has to work tomorrow.  

The Weather:

 Today is rainy again.  The weather for this week is for more rain!  While we need the rain it certainly makes it hard to plan outings.  

Outside my Window:

Lots of puddles from the rain. Our mulberry tree has dropped a lot of fruit (really wish there was a good way to harvest them!).  Usually we lay out a tarp and shake the tree a few times during the summer to collect berries but this year with all the rain we haven't had a chance.  

Right Now I am:

Blogging, discussing what to bake with a couple of the girls. (Rainy days do make for good baking days)

Thinking and Pondering:

What to do this week. 

Podcasts I'm listening to this week:

Hoping to catch up on Inside the Pastors' Study 

Also listening to Cultivate by Kelly Minter

On my T.V this week:

I'm really enjoying the documentary series Our Planet on Netflix.  

On the Dinner Plate:

Not sure, we've been invited to a relative's house for dinner so most of us will probably head there for a bit.

On the Menu this week:

No idea yet.

What I'm Reading:

Bible

The Shift by Maryanne Connor

On my To-Do list today:

Laundry

Bake with girls

Visit some family later

Plans for this week:

Keep up with laundry.

Put together kitchen after counters are installed.

Continue to go through things and declutter.

Find some fun things to do with the kids.

What I'm Creating:

I finally had time to work on the crochet top some; really hoping to finish it this week.

From the Camera:

This isn't the best picture but it was something God used to change my focus and attitude this past week.  I was having a grumpy morning one day this past week.  As I was doing my morning workout this robin, sitting in the tree outside my bedroom window, caught my attention.  He sat there, head lifted towards the sun and didn't move for several minutes.  I stopped to watch him and it hit me how that this bird's posture was what I needed.  To stop, look towards the Son; Jesus,  and be still for a few minutes; resting in the warmth of His love and goodness; to confess my selfish focus and to focus on Jesus.  Matthew 6:26 also came to mind.

Highlight from Last week:

We celebrated my birthday; which was fun.  A couple people here are not feeling well so instead of going out we bought a few things and had a "fancy" dinner here at home.  It was a fun time.

Bible Verse/Devotional Quote:

I'm going through a Devotional on YouVersion called #Gospel with the younger girls.  We hear a lot about justice & injustice in our world so I found this truth to be timely & encouraging. 

"We yearn for an impartial judge to set things right.  Yet, at the same time, 

a just judge is our doom.  After all, we are imperfect --and Perfection 

cannot overlook imperfection.  

It's only through God's great mercy that we have hope."

On My Prayer List:

Family & Friends who are ill

Direction regarding this blog

Happy Homemaker Monday 6/26/23

Summer vacation for the kids is in full swing so having a few moments to blog are harder to come by these days.  We're enjoying the less scheduled days and spending time together.  I'm so happy to be able to join in this week on the Happy Homemaker Monday posts done by Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom    . 

The Weather:::

 Today started out sunny and humid and has now turned to rain. 

As I look outside my window:::

It's very dark for 4pm in June as the rainstorms have fully arrived.

Right now I am:::
Blogging and chatting with a couple of the kids.

Thinking and pondering:::

Whether or not to run a couple errands today or combine them all tomorrow.  How to deal with a child who is having a difficult afternoon.

On my bedside table:::
Water bottle, phone charger, notecards, multiple books.       

On my tv this week::: 

Not sure.  

Listening to::: 

Kids, rain, instrumental Christian music.       


On the Breakfast plate:::

Nothing today; just had coffee.

 

On the dinner plate::: 

Tacos

 

On the menu for this week:::

Tacos

Pesto Chicken Bake with Cauliflower

Autumn Chopped Salad

Picante Broccoli Chicken Salad

Fish with Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans

Easy Crockpot Chicken Stew

 

On my reading pile:::

42 Years in the White House

Bible

The Shift by Maryanne Connor - this is our summer reading book for mom's group at church.  I've read it before and am enjoying it just as much the second time.

On my to do list today:::

Laundry 

Finalize countertop choice

Make plan for rest of week

Plans for this week:::

Catch up with all laundry

Trip to Savers for clothes kids need

Go through games and donate ones we don't play

Have countertop templated

 

What I am creating:::

Continuing some house projects.

Hoping to work on my crochet projects a bit this week.

From the camera:::

We took a walk with friends and one of them caught

this bullfrog.  Fun for all the kids to see. 

 Highlight from last week:::

 Being able to go on a fun walk with friends was definitely a highlight.  Another highlight was going Strawberry picking with my sister and some of her kids.

 

Bible verse, Devotional, Quote:::

In the message this past Sunday we were studying the passage in Matthew 7 where Jesus warns of false prophets.  Our pastor made the following statement: "God doesn't squeeze into culture; God changes culture."  May we be bold ambassadors going into the dark places in our world to shine God's light into the culture around us; not shrinking back into our comfortable spaces but reaching out that we might "have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire;" Jude 1:22-23a

 

On my prayer list:::

Friends & Family 

 

It's been nice to jump back in this week.  I hope you all have a lovely week.

Happy Homemaker 6/12/23

 If you read my last post you know that it's been extremely busy around here.  This week is no different but I'm so happy to be able to join in this week on the Happy Homemaker Monday posts done by Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom    . 

The Weather:::

Today is gorgeous.  The rest of the week is predicted to be cloudy/rainy and a bit cooler so I'm enjoying the sunshine and 80 degrees today.

As I look outside my window:::

Sunshine and green!

Right now I am:::
Blogging, relaxing a bit after a fun morning helping with field day at the grammar school.        

Thinking and pondering:::

Deciding what to do after this post; lots to do just figuring out the order of things.

On my bedside table:::
Water bottle, phone charger, notecards, multiple books.       

On my tv this week::: 

Probably not much.  I've been enjoying the new season of The Parisian Agency (real estate show on Netflix) so I may watch some of that.

Listening to:::
Guys working in the kitchen, birds singing.        


On the Breakfast plate:::

Nothing today; just got coffee at noon.

 

On the dinner plate::: 

BBQ Chicken salad

 

On the menu for this week:::

Teriyaki Chicken and Cauliflower

Buffalo Sweet potatoes and chicken

Sausage, squash and Spinach soup

 

On my reading pile:::

42 Years in the White House

Bible 

The Fire Drake by Vanessa Thurgood (this is a short story she published on her blog based on one of her characters in The Comstock Chronicles)

The Shift by Maryanne Connor - this is our summer reading book for mom's group at church.  I've read it before and am enjoying it just as much the second time.

On my to do list today:::

Laundry 

Watch friend's daughter

Pick up oldest

Plans for this week:::

Meal plan and grocery list

Continue with flooring/renovations

Keep up with laundry

Help with field days

Get birthday gift for party on Sat.

What I am creating:::

Continuing some house projects.

From the camera:::

The hallway floor is done!  Just need to put up baseboard.

 Highlight from last week:::

 One of the other Happy Homemaker posts included a section for a highlight from the last week.  I love this idea so I'll be incorporating this from now on.

So, my highlight from last week would be from Sunday, the 4th.  We had my daughter's graduation party and it was so wonderful to see her with her friends and to celebrate all her accomplishments.

 

Bible verse, Devotional, Quote:::

The book I mention above; The Shift, is about a woman in Canada who starts a ministry to the homeless.  This quote struck me as so powerful; this takes place as they are just starting the outreach: 

 

"Before lights out, as people were bedding down, we prayed a children's 

bedtime prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep..." I was astonished.  Almost

every person in that room sat up in their makeshift beds and joined us in the prayer. 

I'm not sure what shook me most -- that they responded to receiving prayer, or 

that most of them knew it."

In a world where the thinking is often "us vs. them" we need to remember that everyone was once a child, everyone is loved by God and needs Him.  Everything you teach your children about God is important; don't ever think your children are too small to learn about God or underestimate how He may use something in their life.  Who knows how long it had been since the people in that room had heard or said that simple prayer, yet they knew it and responded.  For many, it was the start of a connection with the people in the ministry.

 

On my prayer list:::

Friends & Family 

 

It's been nice to jump back in this week.  I hope you all have a lovely week.

Busy, Busy, Busy

 The title sums up our last few weeks. Between senior events for our oldest daughter; such as honors night, prom, graduation, graduation party (where we hosted almost 100 people in our home).  Along, with our youngest daughter's end of year Kingergarten show, some tough issues that have popped up for another one of our kids, continuing renovations, a last minute family trip to D.C. and life in general...we have been busy! While I've been keeping up with reading through the Bible many days I've felt rushed rather than relaxing and truly focusing on my time with God.

This morning, while praying about some things, I was prompted to get back into the new devotional I started titled "Having a Mary Heart In A Martha World".  I read the first chapter a week or so ago and did a couple of the study questions but had not finished all the questions.  God knew I needed this lesson today!

A few quotes from the first chapter that I wrote down are:

"Busyness, by itself, breeds distraction."

"In her eagerness to serve Jesus, she almost missed the opportunity to know Jesus."

"While the world applauds achievement, God desires companionship."

So, today, like Mary, I chose the "better part" and here are a few of the blessings I was given at the feet of Jesus.

One of the final questions was to read Matthew 11:28-30 and circle any key words.  Not only did I circle them I also chose to look up the original Greek used.  I love looking into the original words as it tends to give me a richer understanding of what the passage is saying.  For example, in these verses there are two Greek words used for rest. 

 

After looking up the meanings in Greek I will often rewrite the verse in my notes with the expanded definitions in brackets. This was such an encouragement to me and reminder to keep my focus on Christ, on the things that are eternally useful and to rest in Him!

"Come to me, all who [labor until worn out] and are [loaded down, burdened] and I will give you [refreshment for your soul].  Take my [bar that unites us in work] upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and [lowly in spirit relying on God] and you will find [blessed tranquility of soul].  For my yoke is [good, eternally useful] and my burden is [easy to bear, not burdensome]." 

Life gets busy and it's easy to get distracted from what really matters, thinking we don't have time.  I'd encourage you today to take time with the Savior, you will be refreshed and leave that time with a new focus, peace and thankfulness.