Happy Homemaker Monday

Hello and Happy Monday to you all! This day has just zipped right away and here it is after 5:00 before I am getting the Happy Homemaker Monday done. 

Last month I was toiling away trying to get all our tax figures ready for our tax accountant and was fussing and fuming and super cranky! I decided right then and there that I would keep up with the tax stuff quarterly so as not to lose my mind trying to do it in February...or March. Today was the day and after 3 hours of figuring I finally have it finished for this quarter...Yay!!!

So, better late than never, please join me as I update you on my life via Happy Homemaker Monday hosted by the very busy and moving again Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom! I have lived in the same house for 20 years and I can't imagine what it would be like to have to move. Besides, decent, affordable housing is hard to find. Please visit Sandra and cheer her on!

The weather outside is::::
It is currently 58 degrees and seems like that has been the temperature since about 11:00 today. It is cloudy and just a bit breezy but not windy.

On the breakfast plate this morning::::
Today was my Intermittent Fast Day so no breakfast. However, for lunch we had some delicious asparagus picked right from our garden! The store bought stuff does not even compare!

As I look outside my window:::
Wilson demolished a lily plant in the flower bed:( He really doesn't know any better and unless we catch him in the act it's hard to get after him for it. It's very cloudy and looks like we might get rain later tonight.  

Right now I am::::
Just finished my tax stuff for the quarter so am "relaxing" by writing this post.

As I look around the house::::
Dining table looks good for the 2nd week in a row:) Dog toys all over the living room but the dogs are in the dining room with me. Piles of laundry need to be done--I got one done today and will do 2 more tomorrow.

On today's to do list::::

Quarterly tax prep...DONE
Get ready for Wednesday's stamping club

Currently reading::::
List looks pretty much the same as last week but I am a lot farther along in each one:

• Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions by Lysa TerKeurst
• Read aloud: A Two Pedal World: The Journey (Book 2) by Paul Rega
• Audio: Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult  

On the TV today::::
Thanks to Netflix:
Hart of Dixie
Drop Dead Diva 

We watched the best movie I have seen in a looonnnggg time this weekend. It's called The Hundred Foot Journey and was amazing!

On the menu this week::::
No menu...winging it as usual! However, my new favorite food blog, It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken has 10 Vegan Dessert Smooties that I want to try...well, I want to try 8 as 2 of them have peanut butter in them and I am allergic.

Favorite photo from the camera::::

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::
"Let your gentleness be evident to all." Philippians 4:5a (NIV)

Thanks for visiting! I will be back tomorrow for Tasty Tuesday with a delicious recipe for you!

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

Welcome to Happy Homemaker Monday hosted each week by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. I was about to despair that I would ever get the chance to sit down to type this post today! Just seemed to be so many things to do and blogging somehow didn't make it to the top of the priority list until NOW! Well, better late than never and it is still Monday:)

The weather outside is::::
At 4:00 in the afternoon, it is 58 degrees (F) with blue sky and fluffy white clouds. We have a slight breeze that makes the wind chimes tinkle but not clang like they were doing all last week. Actually a very beautiful day!

On the breakfast plate this morning::::
No breakfast today as Mondays and Thursdays are intermittent fasting days which means I eat one meal between noon and 1:00 that consists of approximately 500 calories. That's it...along with plenty of water!

As I look outside my window:::
I see the bird feeder is empty but there are so many other things for the birds to eat right now. I also see lots of green accented by the beautiful red Barberry Bushes. Out my side window I see the lilacs starting to bloom and they are gorgeous!    

Right now I am::::
Sitting at the dining room table which amazingly is cleaned off, with the dogs at my feet (as usual). I just finished my glass of water so need to get up and get another one before I continue.  

As I look around the house::::
The living room is littered with dog toys! Wilson is the worst about the toys...if they are in the toy box, they need to come out! But he so funny doing it! Hubby decided he wanted to turn his chair around so he can see the view out the front window...looks really interesting. My chair was turned around too but Wilson doesn't like it because there's not enough room for me to play fetch with him when it's faced that direction.

On today's to do list::::

Laundry, as usual
Prune the hydrangeas (which should have been done during the winter)
Make two birthday cards

Currently reading::::
Unglued: Making Wise Choices in the Midst of Raw Emotions by Lysa TerKeurst
Read aloud: A Two Pedal World: The Journey (Book 2) by Paul Rega
Audio: Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
On the TV today::::
Hart of Dixie

On the menu this week::::
I don't have a menu again this week:( I do have some recipes I want to try from this fabulous vegan blog called It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken. Samantha Turnbull is hilarious and her recipes are delish! Look out family!!!

Favorite photo from the camera::::

Love my Emile Henry cover bread baker:)

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.   --Romans 8:11

Well that's it for me this fine Monday! I will be back tomorrow with a recipe for Tasty Tuesday!

Thanks for stopping by!

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

Welcome to my first Happy Homemaker Monday since November! I am excited to be able to participate with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom! 

The weather outside is::::
Overcast but nearly 60 degrees! 

On the breakfast plate this morning::::
Just my cup of Yerba Mate this morning. We are doing intermittent fasting two days a week so no breakfast, only a very light lunch.

I love the mug my son got me for Christmas and use it every day...it makes me happy:)

As I look outside my window:::
I see freshly mowed grass and beautiful flowers! It must be Spring!


Right now I am::::
Watching the dog busy with his toys while drinking my cup of Yerba Mate and typing this post. 


As I look around the house::::
Dog toys are strewn everywhere and I just picked them up last night! My desk and dining room table need some attention but everything else looks good. We do need to repaint every.room.in.the.house and are making plans for that and I would love to replace the carpet with bamboo flooring; carpet is looking tired after 20 years and several dogs. The painting will get done but the flooring hasn't made it to the top of the priority list yet so guess I will just have to shampoo!

On today's to do list::::
Laundry x 2 loads
Clean off my desk
Spend at least an hour organizing my craft room
Walk 3 miles
Make some cards that need to go out this week


Currently reading::::
I just downloaded Praying for Your Elephant: Boldly Approaching Jesus with Radical and Audacious Pray by Adam Stadtmiller...I will be starting it today!

I also have two Jodi Picoult books going...Leaving Time on audio and Plain Truth in a paper-turn-the-page book

On the TV today::::
I am currently enjoying Hart of Dixie on Netflix! Plus I need to finish watching this season's episodes of Downton Abbey.

On the menu this week::::

Monday - Baked potatoes, Butternut Squash and Green Salad
Tuesday - Near East Copycat Rice with curry
Wednesday - Tacos with Spicy Quinoa "Burger"
Thursday - 
Friday - Mushroom Barley Soup with fresh bread
Saturday -
Sunday -

What I am creating at the moment::::   
I am working on a beautiful shawl/wrap for my niece for spring. I am using Paton's Lacy Sequins yarn.

Shine Like Diamonds Shawl

Favorite photo from the camera::::

Wilson pouting because I won't let him help me sweep and mop the floor

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::
"Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.Proverbs 15:16 KJV

Well, that's it for my Happy Homemaker Monday! Tomorrow I have a recipe for Three Ingredient Biscuits that are light and fluffy!

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

This weather is really messing with me:( I have no energy, direction or creativity at all...gone! I meant to make it back last night for the Sunday Night Chit-Chat but didn't then this morning I saw that Carla didn't make it either. 

However, today I made it for Sandra's Happy Homemaker Monday (seems I missed it last week). Be sure to check out Sandra's list at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Welcome and I hope you enjoy your visit.

The weather outside is::::

The temperature this morning when I got up was 9 degrees (F)...brrr! However, we do have beautiful blue sky and sunshine:) Only the slightest breeze.

On the breakfast plate this morning::::

I had 2 cups of Yerba Mate', a bowl of Cheerios with no milk and a Fuyu Persimmon--yumm!

As I look outside my window:::

The ground is white but the snow is hard and crunchy...not very pretty. I am enjoying the sunshine although we aren't getting much heat from it. 

Right now I am::::

Sitting on the couch typing this post because the corner of the living room where my chair sets is a "dead zone" for our wifi. I can use my iPad in that corner but not the laptop.   

As I look around the house::::

The kitchen really needs some attention as does my desk. The dogs snuggle up to the wood stove as close as they can get without getting burned. Even the cats are staying in more with this nasty cold.   

On today's to do list::::

Laundry....One load of towels in the washer, ready for the dryer and one load that needs to be folded.
Cleaning....
I need to do the dishes, make the bed, pick up dog toys, clean my desk (disaster) and tidy up a bit.
Stampin' Up!....I am preparing for this week's Happy Stampers Club plus need to make a swap card for Margarita's Swap; also birthday cards...all for women so they'll be girly:) Oh, and I want to make place cards for Thanksgiving and have seen some great ideas...just have to pick ONE!
Crocheting....Almost finished with the little girl's scarf and headband I have been working on sporadically...hoping to mail it on Wednesday; working on something special for my SIL for her birthday but I can't tell what because she occasionally checks my blog; chomping at the bit to start the beautiful scarf I showed on Friday; still working on the yellow baby afghan; I bought yarn to make potholders and dishcloths as Christmas gifts.

Currently reading::::

Still reading If I Stay but have been doing more crocheting than reading lately.

On the TV today::::

I watched the season finale of The Paradise last night.

On the menu this week::::

No menu but lots of yummy looking recipes I want to try.

What I am creating at the moment::::

Lots of cards today plus the crocheted items I mentioned above.

New recipe I tried or want to try this week::::

My starter is finally ready and I am going to make a loaf of Artisan bread this week (finally)!

Favorite photo from the camera::::

View from my Livingroom window

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

Well, that's it for this Happy Homemaker Monday! Thank you for visiting and I will be back tomorrow with a recipe for Tasty Tuesday! See you then!

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

Welcome to Happy Homemaker Monday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. 

The weather outside is::::

It's 56 degrees (F) and looks like it might rain today. It's kinda dark and dreary outside.

On the breakfast plate this morning::::

Okay, I breaking my fast a little today as I am eating a slice of delicious Cranberry Walnut bread with my Yerba Mate this morning:) However, I don't plan to eat anything else the rest of the day.

As I look outside my window:::

Just thought I would show another picture of the tree just outside my dining room window:(

Behind the tree is the building with the solar array that hubby wanted to prevent shading issues on by cutting the tree waaayyy back!

Right now I am::::

Finishing up my toast and Yerba Mate`, writing this post and thinking about what needs to be done today while hubby is away.

As I look around the house::::

Have I mentioned dog toys in the living room?!!! Well, it is a forever thing at this house! Wilson ran around the house sqeaking a toy for about 15 minutes this morning before switching to another toy! I still need to make the bed and declutter the dining room table from the weekend.  

On today's to do list::::

Laundry...Only one load of laundry today but I have a couple loads that were hanging in the Casita that need folded and put away.
Cleaning...I need to clean out the dishwasher, make the bed and declutter the dining room table.
Stampin' Up!...Nothing today but I need to send the Tuesday Update email tomorrow, prepare an order for Thursday, choose projects for Happy Stampers Club on the 19th and make sure I have everything for this month's swap card. Hmmm...that reminds me, I haven't received my swap card for October yet!Crocheting/Crafting...

• Still working on the yellow and white baby afghan but I am have at least 2/3 finished.
• Hemming napkins for Thanksgiving and a pocket square for hubby
• Doll clothes for Granddaughter's American Girl Doll.
• Swap card for Margarita's monthly swap

Cooking...No lunch or dinner today but tomorrow I am wanting to try a Vegan Butternut Squash Mac 'n Cheeze recipe. It looks sooo good and we have lots of Butternut Squash growing in the garden. We bring it in after the first light frost.

Currently reading::::

Just started If I Stay by Gayle Forman.

On the TV today::::

Nothing today unless I get started with some HGTV via Netflix:)

On the menu this week::::

No menu again this week! I have so many new recipes I want to try so hopefully can fit a few new ones in this week.

What I am creating at the moment::::

**See my "to do" list above

New recipe I tried or want to try this week::::

I mentioned the Butternut Mac 'n Cheeze above but also want to try Homemade Vegan Butter, Vegan Cheez-its and Tofu Popcorn Chik'n. Yes, the cooler weather brings out the cook in me and I love experimenting with new recipes!

Favorite photo from the camera::::

The Mandevilla is still absolutely gorgeous! It is beautiful growing on the trellis. Hubby will soon cut it back and bring it into the greenhouse where it will bloom all winter long. Then next spring we will bring it back outside where it can grow and bloom all summer and fall.

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

Well, that's it for this week's Happy Homemaker Monday! Please come back tomorrow for Tasty Tuesday and I will share another one of my favorite recipes with you.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

Well, I didn't make it back as planned on Friday...life just kinda caught up with me! Hubby's brother and sister-in-law were here for a couple days and before that I was getting the house and casita ready for their visit. Then I made a special seitan (pronounced sey-tan and is a chewy, neutral-flavored, protein-rich food made of wheat gluten, used as a meat substitute in vegetarian dishes) dish called Peruvian Gluten for potluck. Oh my! I had forgotten how yummy it is! Anyway, needless to say, I was pretty worn out by Friday!

Sunday we attended an Orthodox wedding. I was totally amazed by the beauty of the church. The service was different from any I had ever been to but truly beautiful and meaningful. I had never been to a wedding where everyone stands to watch the service. We originally planned to stay for the reception but my sore ankle (sprained on September 23) was not ready to stand for 1 1/2 hours. There were so many people there (heard rumor of 450 people) I am sure we weren't missed at the reception but were so happy to be able to see the bride and groom and to witness this beautiful ceremony.

Today I am happy to be able to participate in Sandra's Happy Homemaker Monday! You can read her version at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom:)

The weather outside is::::

Cold! It warmed up to 52 degrees today and there is a slight breeze.

On the breakfast plate this morning::::

It was a "fast" day for me so just Yerba Mate` tea this morning. We did however enjoy a delicious 500 calorie lunch:)

As I look outside my window:::

We had cloud cover most of the day but there was still enough power coming in through the solar arrays for me to do 4 loads of laundry.  The bird feeder is gently swaying in the breeze as are the willowy branches on the tree outside my dining room window.

Right now I am::::

Drying the last load of clothes while drinking iced tea and working on this blog post. I am also playing a game of Words with Friends with someone named PipelineJack!

As I look around the house::::

Puppy is lying by the back door, sleeping; dining room table needs some attention--need to put stuff away; kitchen clean; pile of laundry that needs to be done tomorrow.

On today's to do list::::

Laundry...I washed the bedding for my room and the casita plus a load of towels. I need to do at least 2 loads of clothes tomorrow.
Cleaning...Kitchen floor needs to be swept and mopped; dining room table needs cleaned off; kitchen cupboard fronts need cleaned.
Stampin' Up!...I need to send an email to customers and one to Happy Stampers Club members. I also need to check to make sure I have everything for this month's club projects.
Crocheting...I am packaging up the baby boy afghan I made awhile back to get it sent to the sweet baby Noah! Hopefully to the Post Office tomorrow. I am still working on the yellow baby afghan I have been crocheting for a month now; it's growing:)
Cooking...We eat ONE 500 calorie meal (hubby gets 600 calories) on Mondays. Today was beets and carrots fresh from the garden and lightly steamed. We also had steamed cabbage plus bread with avocado, onion and tomato.

Currently reading::::

Still reading The Deep Blue Sea for Beginners by Luanne Rice. It's a great book, just haven't taken a lot of time for reading lately. It's hard (impossible) to read and crochet at the same time. We are still listening to Sycamore Row by John Grisham.

On the TV today::::

Love it or List it on Netflix. Netflix has added several HGTV shows to their lineup and I love watching them!

On the menu this week::::

No menu although I think we are planning Baked Potatoes, Baked Butternut Squash (from the garden) and a green salad for tomorrow if we don't go to town. My sunglasses are ready at Costco so hope to get them tomorrow or Thursday.

What I am creating at the moment::::

I need to get some cards made (what else is new) and working on the baby afghan I mentioned above.

New recipe I tried or want to try this week::::

Last week I tried a recipe for The Ultimate Cashew Cheese and it was delish! Plus there are so many things you can do with it...dip for crackers, make into salad dressing, toss with pasta...so glad I found this recipe! 

Favorite photo from the camera::::

The dogs are soaking up the heat from the woodstove! Could they get any closer?!!!

Prayers, Inspirational Quotes or Devotionals::::

Well, that's it for me this cold (now 48 degrees F) Monday evening. Have a great week and I hope to be back tomorrow with another recipe for Tasty Tuesday.

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

Good Morning! And welcome to Happy Homemaker Monday. Dear Sandra is our weekly host for Happy Homemaker Monday and always has fun things to share. I hope you will pop over to Diary of a Stay at Home Mom to see what she's been up to!

I was so happy to see that my blog has over 50,000 views now! Woo Hoo! Thank you all for checking in to see what's going on in my little world! I truly love to share with you!

Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning::::
Wednesday is a fast day so no breakfast for this girl! I do have plans for a great big salad for lunch!

Looking around the house::::Dog toys litter the livingroom...again...always! Everything else looks pretty good. I want to put a fall wreath up in the livingroom this week.
On today's to do list::::
Laundry...I need to do a couple loads of laundry today! There is always laundry to do but I guess I can be thankful we all have plenty of clothes.
Food Preservation...I really need to get some tomatoes canned this week! We got the sauerkraut started last week (45 Liters of it) and the Jujubes are drying nicely but now I need to get the tomatoes done!
Stampin' Up!...I need to deliver orders later in the week and make a few cards today before I put my stamping stuff away. 
Crocheting...I am still working on the yellow baby afghan. I am also working on a pretty pink scarf and earwarmer set for a three year old (need to finish this week!). I need to start working on some clothes for my granddaughter's American Girl doll. 
Cooking...Today we will have a big salad, homemade dressing and homemade whole wheat bread.

Currently reading::::
The Deep Blue Sea for Beginners by Luanne Rice
One Simple Act by Debbie Macomber (this book is so good I may have to read it over when I finish)
Sycamore Row by John Grisham (audio)

On the TV today::::
I watched The Paradise last night and might get an episode or two of the Gilmore Girls in tonight.

The weather outside is::::
It has been chilly in the mornings but warms up to low 70s (F) in the afternoon. I really can't complain tho I know the cold is coming. Just trying to soak up the last little bit of warmth!

On the menu this week::::
As you know if you read my Happy Homemaker Monday posts, I am not much of a menu-maker. I know it would be good but most of the time I just work with what's here. We still have so much in the garden that I just think about what's there and what sounds yummy to eat! Seems to work for us.

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will::::
Work on making a few cards!

New recipe I tried, or want to try this week::::
Just this morning I got found a recipe for Easy Tomato Basil Blender Soup. I have lots of tomatoes so thought I would give it a try this week. I may have found my new favorite soup:) I ordered the covered baker and proofing bowl last week for my new Artisan bread so hopefully will get to do that next week.

One of my simple pleasures::::
Chocolate:) Especially Dove Dark Chocolate! Hubby tries to buy me "designer" chocolate but I still like Dove the best!

Favorite photo from the camera::::
Nothing today...sorry! I really need to take some pictures!

Visiting with Blog friends (blog you want to share, blog post that caught your eye)::::I enjoy Patty's Stamping Spot and the current post is for The Control Freak Blog Tour! So many creative stampers. I hope you get a chance to check it out!
Praying for::::
Friends and family

Bible Verse, Devotional that is resonating with me at the moment:::: 
"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 
                                   ---1 Thessalonians 5:18

Happy Homemaker Monday

Well, it took me ALL day to get here but I finally made it! So glad you could join me for Happy Homemaker Monday. Our weekly host for Happy Homemaker Monday is Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. I hope you stop by to visit her and the other participants.

I will announce the winner of last week's drawing tomorrow. 

Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning::::
Wednesday is a fast day so no breakfast for this girl!

Looking around the house::::
Yesterday we made sauerkraut (and will make more tomorrow). Today I filled our food dryers with grated Jujubes. Things look a little crazy around here but will soon be back to normal:) Hmmm...what is normal anyway?!!!

On today's to do list::::
Laundry...I got the bedding washed and line dried today. Tomorrow it looks like I have a load of dark clothes waiting to be washed. 
Food Preservation...As mentioned before, I had some Jujubes that needed drying. Previously I had cut them in half, removed the seed and put them in the food dryer. This was laborious as the fruit didn't give up the seed without a fight! So I went online to Taylor-Made Ranch Homestead Blog and decided to try grating the fruit off the seed. It was so much easier and faster. The blog author said the easiest way she has found to remove the seed is with a handheld cherry pitter. I will try that next. 
Stampin' Up!...I am still trying to get ready for Wednesday's stamping club. Crocheting...I am still working on the yellow baby afghan. I am also working on a pretty pink scarf and earwarmer set for a three year old (nearly finished). I need to start working on some clothes for my granddaughter's American Girl doll. 
Cooking...We cooked a HUGE beet today for lunch; it weighed 3 1/2 pounds...one beet!

Currently reading::::
The Deep Blue Sea for Beginners by Luanne Rice
One Simple Act by Debbie Macomber
Magic Hour by Kristen Hannah (audio)

On the TV today::::
We just started watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix--cute but there are 150+ episodes!!! I need to catch up on the last two episodes of The Paradise on PBS. I keep forgetting it's on Sunday nights:(
The weather outside is::::
It was chilly and cloudy today; very fallish! I was really enjoying the warm weather last week but alas, I think Fall has settled in.

On the menu this week::::
As you know if you read my Happy Homemaker Monday posts, I am not much of a menu-maker. I know it would be good but most of the time I just work with what's here. We still have so much in the garden that I just think about what's there and what sounds yummy to eat! Seems to work for us.

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will::::
Catch up on Words with Friends! I am really enjoying it! 

New recipe I tried, or want to try this week::::
I am looking forward to trying a recipe for Artisan bread. I just need to order the stoneware covered bread pan and the proofing bowl. I got the starter from my daughter's friend, Selina, along with instructions.
One of my simple pleasures::::
Hanging clothes outside! I will soon be drying everything in the dryer for the winter but I am enjoying the last few decent days to dry outside.

Favorite photo from the camera::::
Nothing today...sorry! I really need to take some pictures!
Visiting with Blog friends (blog you want to share, blog post that caught your eye)::::
Taylor-Made Ranch Homestead Blog was a fun one for me to read today. If you are interested in homesteading, you will love Tammy's posts.

Praying for::::
Friends and family
Bible Verse, Devotional that is resonating with me at the moment:::: 
"Pray without ceasing." I Thessalonians 5:17

Well, that's it for me today! I will be back tomorrow with Tasty Tuesday and the winner of last week's drawing! Thanks for stopping by!

Kat

Happy Homemaker Monday

Funny badge courtesy of Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Thanks for joining me today for Happy Homemaker Monday! I always look forward to linking up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and the other brave souls who take part each week!

Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning::::
Nothing...nada! Monday, Wednesday and Friday are my Intermittent Fast days so I have a 500 calorie meal around noonish on those days.

On today's to do list::::
Laundry - two loads
Clean up the kitchen and run the dishwasher
Clean off the dining room table--it's out of control again!
Work on projects for this week's stamping club

Currently reading::::
A Promise to Believe In by Tracie Peterson and A First-Rate Madness by Nassir Ghaemi

On the TV today::::
Just finished watching Cedar Cove--can hardly wait for the next season! Now what?!!!

The weather outside is::::
Cloudy and cooler:) I think it got up to about 80 degrees today and it took all day to work up to it! It was 62 degrees when I got up this morning! Brrr!

On the menu this week::::
No menu...flying by the seat of my pants as usual! We are eating out of the garden a lot. Today we had fresh green beans, corn on the cob, summer squash, cantaloupe and strawberries...yummm! The cantaloupe and corn came from the store but the rest was from the garden. Today was the first picking of green beans!

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will::::
Read my book!

New recipe I tried, or want to try this week::::
Haven't even thought about cooking lately because it's been so hot. If it stays cooler, I just might get the cooking bug! I did bake up two loaves of Banana Nut Bread today and am looking forward to eating it tomorrow:)In the garden::::We are eating tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, hot peppers, green beans, summer squash, beets, strawberries, raspberries and apricots.

Favorite photo from the camera::::
I don't have a new picture today...sorry!Homemaking Tip::::I hate fruit flies! The other day we had a bunch of them in the kitchen because of the compost bucket so I went onto Pinterest to see if there were any good suggestions. This is the one I used: Fill a water bottle half full of Apple Cider Vinegar; add 2 teaspoons honey and a couple drops of dish soap. Let the bottle sit on the counter near where the fruit flies are congregating. Voila! Fruit flies are greatly diminished within two days! I let mine sit there for a week then dumped it out and made another one...just in case.
Visiting with Blog friends (blog you want to share, blog post that caught your eye)::::
As an English Bulldog lover, I can look at Baggy Bulldogs for hours! Love all their great pictures and videos of bulldogs:)

Praying for::::

• I am still praying for our sweet Rocky to be returned to us. He has a chip so there is still hope.
• A storm looks like it may be coming in and the report says it could have hail with it. My prayer is that it doesn't damage our garden. 

Bible Verse, Devotional that is resonating with me at the moment::::
I am reading One Simple Act by Debbie Macomber about "Discovering the Power of Generosity". It is reminding me that you can't out give God and that I need to look for more opportunities to practice Random Acts of Kindness. Beautifully written book. 

I hope you enjoyed your visit. I hope you visit again soon!

Kat